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The following information is from "Historical and Statistical Gazetteer of New York State," by J. H. French, 1860.

East Greenbush was formed from Greenbush, as "Clinton," Feb. 23, 1855, and its name was changed April 14, 1858. It lies on the bank of the Hudson, S.W. fo the center of the co. The bluffs which border the river rise from the edge of the water to an elevation of 100 to 300 feet. The principal one of these, opposite Albany, is known as Pon-o-kose Hill. ¹ From the summits of these bluffs the surface spreads out into a rolling upland, rising toward the E. The chief streams are Tierken Kil, ² or Mill Creek, in the central, and Moordeners Creek in the S.W. part of the town. The soil consists of sand, gravel, and clay, and is very fertile. There are several sulphur springs in town, the principal of which is opposite Albany and is known as "Harrowgate." A large island called Papskanee³ lies in the river, and belongs to this town. East Greenbush (p.o.) is the only village. It contains the Greenbush and Schodack Academy⁴ and about a dozen houses. Settlements are supposed to have commenced here as early as 1650. ⁵ During the war of 1812, extensive barracks were erected on the hills E. of Greenbush Village; and for several years the place was the center of active military preparation, and the rendezvous of large bodies of troops. ⁶ Edmund C. Genet, Minister of the French Republic to the U. S., was long a resident of this town, and died here July 14, 1834. There is but 1 church (Ref. Prot. D.) in town.

¹ Name as given by an aged Stockbridge Indian.
² Signifying "blustering or noisy creek."
³ Sometimes written "Poepskenekoes" and "Papakenee."
⁴ This academy is now nearly extinct.
⁵ Among the early settlers were the names of Van Buren, Van Hegen, Staats, Bris, Vandenburgh, Witbeck, Cuyler, and Van Wesipe.
⁶ The cantonments contained accommodations for 4000 troops. There were also hospital accommodations for 100. This elevated position, sometimes called "Mount Madison," was supposed to be a very healthy locality; but during the first year of its occupation much sickness occurred, in consiquence of the unavoidable exposures of the camp. See Mann's Medical Sketches. Several military executions for desertion took place here during the war. The old barracks have nearly disappeared.

The following information is from "Gazetteer and Business Directory of Rensselaer County, N. Y., for 1870-71," compiled and published by Hamilton Child, 1870.

East Greenbush was formed from Greenbush, as Clinton, February 23, 1855, and its name was changed April 14, 1858. It lies upon the bank of the Hudson, south-west of the center of the County. The bluffs which border upon the river, rise from the edge of the water to the height of 100 to 300 feet. The principal of these bluffs is opposite the city of Albany and is called Pon-o-kose Hill, an Indian name. From the summits of these bluffs the surface spreads out into a rolling upland, rising towards the east. The principal streams are Tierken Kil, which signifies "Blustering or Noisy Creek," in the central, and Moordeners Creek, in the south-west part of the town. The soil consists of sand, gravel and clay, and is very fertile. There are several sulphur springs in town, the principal of which is opposite Albany and is known as "Harrowgate." A large island called Papskanee lies in the river and belongs to this town. The name of this island is variously spelled as, Papskenekoes and Papakenea.

East Greenbush, in the south part, contains about a dozen dwellings.

The settlement of this town commenced at a very early day, probably as early as 1630. Among the early settlers were families named Van Buren, Van Hegen, Staats, Bris, Vanderburgh, Whitbeck, Cuyler and Van Wesipe. A ferry was established at a very early day across the Hudson, from Albany to Green-bush.

During the War of 1812 extensive barracks were erected on the hills east of Greenbush village, and for several years the place was the center of active military preparation and the rendezvous of large bodies of troops. The cantonments contained accommodations for 4,000 troops. There were hospital accommodations for 100. The present residence of Mr. M. Kirtland was used for officers quarters, and the road is called " Barracks Road." This place was chosen on account of the supposed healthfulness of its elevated position, but during the first year of its occupation much sickness occurred on account of the unavoidable exposures of the camp. Several military executions took place there during the War; most, if not all, of which were for desertion.

Edmund C. Genet, Minister of the French Republic to the United States, was long a resident of this town, and died here July 14, 1834.

The following description is from Dwight's Travels in 1798:

"After crossing the ferry at Albany, we rode over a charming interval at Greenbush, handsomer and more fertile than any other which I have seen on this road. It extends several miles towards the south and is divided into beautiful farms and planted in a thin dispersion, with houses and outbuildings whose appearance sufficiently indicates the easy circumstances of their proprietors. From the excellent gardens which I have at times seen in this spot and the congeniality of soil to every hortu lan production of this climate, I should naturally have be1ieved that the inhabitants together with the neighbors would have supplied the people of Albany with vegetables. Instead of this they are principally furnished by the Shakers of New Lebanon, a strong proof of the extreme reluctance with which the Dutch farmers quit their ancient customs even when allured by the prospects of superior gain.

There is a small village in Schodack, containing about thirty houses, and another at Stephentown of perhaps twenty, standing on the borders of Kinderhook Creek. The rest of this region is divided into farms, moderately fertile and cultivated by tenants."

The population of the town in 1865 was 1,663, and its area 14,228. The number of school districts in the town is six, employing the same number of teachers. The number of children of school age 438; the number attending school 266; the average attendance 108, and the amount expended for school purposes during the year ending Sept. 30, 1869, was $2,396.94.

The following information is from "History of Rensselaer Co., New York, With Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of its Prominent Men and Pioneers," by Nathaniel Bartlett Sylvester, 1880.

Early Settlers
Aring, K.
Bartle, W.
Bries, Anthony
Crannell, H.
Craver, J.
Cuyler, Henry
DeFreest, D. M.
Douw, Peter
Elliott, W.
Feller, Z.
Fonda, John
Goewey, B.
Hayes, S.
Heax, J.
Heron, _____
Herrington, J.
Holler, S.
Hun, T.
Kerner, J.
Muller A.
Muller, B.
Muller, J.
Muller, S.
Murrey, J.
Ostrander, _____ and J.
Ostrander, _____
Ostrander, G.
Ostrander, John
Owen, _____
Owen, J.
Phillips, E.
Phillips, T.
Plas, P.
Proper, J.
Rysedorph, J.
Rysedorph, L.
Salsbergh, Tobias
Salsburgh, J.
Schermerhorn, _____
Townsend, _____
Van Buren, _____
Van Buren, C. and J.
Van Buren, Teuntie
Van Den Bergh, Gerrit C.
Van Den Bergh, R.
Van Der Poel, Meldert
Van Deusen, H.
Van Deusen, W.
Van Deusen, W.
Van Everen, Anthony
Van Everen, Cornelia
Van Hagen, M.
Van Hoesen, H.
Van Hoesen, M.
Van Jereren, A.
Van Jereren, R.
Van Rensselaer, Gen.
Van Rensselaer, H.
Van Rensselaer, J.
Van Rensselaer, Killiaan, Colonel
Van Salsburgh, H.
Van Schaick, _____
Van Scherline, C.
Vandenbergh, _____
Vandenbergh, V.
Vandenbergh, W.
Vandenburgh, G. C.
Ven Den Bergh, William G.
Wederwax, Andreas
Witbeck, A.
Witbeck, Abraham
Witbeck, H.
Witbeck, Hansie
Witbeck, J.
Witbeck, John
Witbeck, Melgert Abraham
Witbeck, T.
Yates, Christopher
Yates, Christopher J.

Early Churches
Reformed Protestant Dutch Congregation of Greenbush, organized in 1767
Methodist Church at East Greenbush, organized about 1875

Civil War Soldiers
Baker, Frederick, enl. Jan 6, 1864, 15th Art., Co. K.
Binck, Philip, enl. May 13, 1861, 18th Regt.
Brocksby, James, enl. Oct. 17, 1862, 177th Regt.
Burrough, Geo., enl. Sept. 5, 1864, 23d Regt.; re-enl. 8th H. Art.
Butts, Anson, enl. April 15, 1865, 92d N. Y. Regt.; trans. to 10th H. Art.
England, Geo., enl. Sept. 5, 1862, 43d Regt.; trans. to Inv. Corps; wounded in left arm.
England, Joseph, enl. Sept. 17, 1862, 43d N. Y. Regt.
Olenhouse, Frederick, enl. May 14, 1861, 3d Regt.
Ostrander, Michael, enl. Sept. 5, 1864, 23d Regt.; re-enl. 8th H. Art.
Pratt, Geo., enl. Oct. 26, 1862, 15th Vt. Regt.; pro. to corp.
Schultz, Alford, enl. Sept. 8, 1865, 91st Regt.
Smith, Abram, enl. Sept. 4, 1864, 91st Regt.
Traver, Alvarah V., nl. Oct. 6, 1862, 169th Regt.; wounded in head at Fort Fisher.

Civil War Soldiers Who Died in Service
Clipperly, Geo. H., enl. April 18, 1862, 125th Regt.; died June 17, 1864, at Petersburg, Va.
Douw, John D. P., lst lieut., enl. Aug 18, 1862, 121st N. Y. Regt.; pro. to capt.; wounded in battle at Cedar Creek; died Oct. 26, 1864 at Winchester, Va.
Traver, Chester L., enl. Sept. 12, 1862, 169th Regt.; pro. to corp.; died Oct. 14, 1863, at Fort Schuyler.

Persons with surnames in the POOL data base are highlighted in red.

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