I
The
Anti-Rent Wars in Rensselaer County
After Stephen Van Rensselaer died in 1839, hard times were ahead for the manor. From 1839 to 1850, tenant farmers of the patron began to contest the rights of patrons to maintain a feudal-like manor and began to revolt. To avoid recognition and retaliation, the members of this grassroots organization wore Calico disguises resembling Indians. They became known as the "anti renters" and refused to make payments on their leases for they felt that the lands were rightfully theirs. When the Sheriff came on behalf of the Van Rensselaer heirs, the tenants refused to let him or his deputies onto their farms, some were even killed. The leader of the Anti-Rent Wars for the east side of the Hudson was Dr. Smith A. Boughton, a Calico Indian. He and other "anti renters" frequently rallied at the Hoags Corners Hotel.
By 1850, new laws favoring the tenants over the patrons were enacted, limiting the leasing of farmland for no longer than twelve years. However "back rents" were still due. The farmers continued their rebellion and refusal to pay. By the years 1865, Sand Lake farmers formed the "Anti-renters Association". Many old Sand Lake farmers are named in the meeting minutes - here are just some: Nicholas Cipperly, Philip Shaver, Phillips S. Haner, Burton Thomas, John P. Uline, John Wheeler and Eli Vickery.
To give some idea what these "back rents" were, an article appeared in the Troy Newspaper in the early 1900’s titled, "Ground Rent Days Recalled By Writ Filed Here Today", referring to Charles Dobert’s farm of East Greenbush. Here it is:
Justice Staley’s Order Releases Obligations Imposed in 1790 on East Greenbush Property.
An order signed by Supreme Court Justice Ellis J. Staley of Albany and filed in the Rensselaer County Clerk’s office today recalls the days when the occupants of hundreds of acres of land in this county were obligated to pay ground rent to the descendants of the Patron Van Rensselaer. Justice Staley’s order, granted on application of Charles Dobert of East Greenbush releases these ground rents on Dobert’s property.These so-called ground rents were originally placed on the property now owned by Dobert "in the lease of Stephen Van Rensselaer to Jacob Ostrander, dated July 7, 1790." Atty. Ernest L. Boothby represented Dobert in the proceedings.
The ground rent assessed against the property now owned by the East Greenbush man were "a perpetual rent of 13 bushels of good merchantable winter wheat, four fat fowls and the performance of one day’s service with carriage and horses". It was stated in the application for the order that the ground rent had not been paid in twenty years. It was desirous, of having this old encumbrance removed from the property by Court order. During the last several years a large number of property owners have taken similar action through the Court.
The matter of ground rent figured largely in the early history of Rensselaer and Albany counties and in the days antedating the Civil War results in a series of armed clashes between the civil authorities and persons occupying premises on which ground rent was required. These clashes were known as the "anti rent war".
Page updated September 20, 1999