The Ap-Pawling Troy Colonization Society | New York: Memorial Snapshots

22nd July 2014

7/9/15, 12:26 PM

The Ap-Pawling Troy Colonization Society

Stone, Shawn. "Local Hero; The force behind the Col. Pawling statue project, history buff Adam Sanzone, sees Troy’s future in its past." Metroland. June 19, 2014. 10-11. http://metroland.net/2014/06/19/local-hero/ [http://metroland.net/2014/06/19/local-hero/]

I admire the interest in history, community spirit, and public art… but pursuing a statue for a man people know practically nothing about was sort of a risky undertaking. I think perhaps the erection of a statue in honor of Albert Pawling deserves reconsideration. How much is known about Albert Pawling? If so little is known about him that there's not enough material for a lengthy article, much less a book-length biography, as seems to be the case, then that seems rather problematic. Researching him *thoroughly* should have preceded soliciting $68,000 in a city where that money could be put to any number of better uses. One of the few things known about Albert Pawling is that he was the President of the Troy affiliate of the American Colonization Society (ACS). That's probably not something many today would view as a good thing, and even at the time the ACS was controversial. The American Colonization Society turned its back on the crimes committed against Native Peoples by the colonizing powers of Western Europe (and "Manifest Destiny," i.e. Lebensraum) and sought instead to have the United States replicate those crimes on another continent. It was an organization which favored stealing land from people in Africa, converting to Christianity the native people in Africa whose land was to be stolen, provoking war with the native people whose land was to be stolen, and essentially exiling African-Americans to Africa (while portraying that as a somehow noble undertaking), rather than abolishing slavery in the United States and making African-Americans full citizens. Some of the American Colonization Society's backers even hoped that slavery would flourish. By the "gradual removal of the black population" (the New York State Colonization Society's actual appalling words), i.e. through racial segregation (to another continent) the "growth of the wealth and power" of the remaining white population of America would be possible. Albert Pawling, unless he later opposed the disgusting work of colonization, seemingly envisioned an all-white Troy. Not the sort of person who deserves a statue, and frankly it might even be a good idea to take Pawling Avenue and rename it something else. Troy is better for having a diverse population, not worse. Albert Pawling was dead wrong. More deserving of a statue, I http://troyny.gov/HistoricTroy/GarnetDouglassBaltimore.aspx

think:

Garnet

Douglass

Baltimore

[http://troyny.gov/HistoricTroy/GarnetDouglassBaltimore.aspx] It's the least Troy owes him, given such injuries to his

memory as the city's removal of the fence he designed for Mount Ida Cemetery on Pawling Avenue, and the city's destruction of his professional landscaping at Prospect Park. The paths, rustic fences, gazebo, fountain, pond, etc. were removed, torched, or demolished, rendering it almost more of an unwelcoming blight than anything else. A meeting of the Troy Colonization Society is noticed for this evening. The officers of the institution are as follows:—Albert Pawling, President; Ephraim Morgan, & David Buel, Vice Presidents; Stephen Warren, John P. Cushman, Zephaniah Filer, David Buel, jr. Rev. Leland Howard, Rev. Nathan S. S. Beman, Rev. http://gravelyny.blogspot.com/2014/07/the-ap-pawling-troy-colonization-society.html

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The Ap-Pawling Troy Colonization Society | New York: Memorial Snapshots

7/9/15, 12:26 PM

David Butler, Rev. Bigelow, Amatus Robbins, Joshua Harpham, Joseph Russell, & Daniel Sackett, Managers; O.L. Holley, Secretary; William Smith, Treasurer. Albany Argus. December 6, 1825: 2 col 4. At the annual meeting of the Troy Colonization Society (State of New-York) Dec. 27th, 1825, it was stated in the Report of the Managers, that “At the time of its organization and immediately subsequent, some of our citizens became members of it, and felt and expressed their conviction of its importance; but the number was small in the beginning and it has not yet been augmented.— Its establishment was communicated to the parent society, which circumstance has produced an occasional correspondence since; and it was presented, at different times, to the attention of this community; but the efforts, by way of experiment upon public opinion, which were then made to put it into efficient operation, were unaccompanied by much visible effect, and were for the time remitted. "The object of the Society, however, has been far from being relinquished; for the importance of that object, instead of diminishing either in the estimation of the Society, or that of the public, or assuming a more doubtful shape has been constantly gaining upon the convictions of our countrymen, and connecting itself more and more extensively with their patriotic anxieties and their philanthropic hopes." We select one other passage from the same document. "Notwithstanding the hostility occasionally manifested toward the plans and the progress of the parent Society and its branches, by the jealousy of avarice, or by party spleen, yet the policy on which they are founded is steadily advancing, combatting popular prejudice and arousing the virtue of the land. The legislatures of many of the slave-holding states have, by their deliberate votes, pronounced that policy to be wholesome and patriotic. The auxiliary societies, which two years ago, were only 20 in number, now amount to nearly 50, besides several committees of correspondence and less formal associations, virtually entitled to be enumerated with them. These facts show that those obstacles which, in a land of energetic freemen, are almost the only obstacles which cannot be surmounted—the obstacles of law—are not likely to interpose between the friends of colonization and their hopes, and that there is no reason to fear a hostile legislation. Wherever this subject has been well examined, the most clear-headed and reflecting men—men who are most eminent for their statesman-like abilities and public virtue, have come out the decided advocates of the system. “The progress of opinion in favour of this great enterprize, is as gratifying as it is admirable; and your committee cannot conclude this report without expressing a fervent hope, that this community will turn their attention to it more than has yet been done, satisfied that it needs only to be thoroughly examined to be cordially approved." The African Repository and Colonial Journal. 1(11). January 1826. 346-347. The African Repository and Colonial Journal was a publication of the “American Colonization Society,” for which see e.g. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aia/part3/3p1521.html [http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aia/part3/3p1521.html] Despite the good intentions of some members, the ACS had fallen under the influence of its Southern delegates. Its covert aim was to rid the country of the strongest opponents to slavery, the free blacks. With its most troublesome agitators removed, slavery would be free to flourish. http://gravelyny.blogspot.com/2014/07/the-ap-pawling-troy-colonization-society.html

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The Ap-Pawling Troy Colonization Society | New York: Memorial Snapshots

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http:/www.pbs.org/wgbh/aia/part3/3h484.html [http:/www.pbs.org/wgbh/aia/part3/3h484.html] Every successive year has, in our judgment, furnished additional and striking proof of the benevolence and wisdom of the plan of the Society; and we confidently hope, that, with the blessing of that Providence without which all human efforts are in vain, the progress of the Colonization of the black people of the United States, will be commensurate with the growth of the wealth and power of this great and blessed land. We regard the gradual removal of the black population as the means of the ultimate abolition of slavery in the United States. "State Colonization Society." Albany Argus. July 2, 1833: 1. An agent of the New York State Colonization Society is now in this city, collecting subscriptions for the benefit of that philanthropic Society. […] some of the most conspicuous benefactors of the general Colonization Society have been men of the South, themselves slaveholders. "Colonization." Troy Daily Times. July 17, 1857: 2 col 1. December 25, 2014 - adding the below image of Troy minutes for 1804 due to below discussion:

[http://2.bp.blogspot.com/RZRe1G4Zw6I/VJziMTJgUNI/AAAAAAAACak/dTVEC3x2TOA/s1600/1804-1804%2Btroy%2Bvillage%2Bpresident.jpg]

Posted 22nd July 2014 by Toff 12

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af75d46e-80f4-11e4-a2fe-ffc6c7d3a0ab December 10, 2014 at 9:16 PM Wait, where's your evidence that Col. Pawling envisioned an "All white Troy"? Reply

Toff

December 10, 2014 at 9:20 PM

Evidence - always good to look for it. "If so little is known about him that there's not enough material for a lengthy article, much less a book-length biography, as seems to be the case, then that seems rather problematic." http://gravelyny.blogspot.com/2014/07/the-ap-pawling-troy-colonization-society.html

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Reply Replies troyriver9 December 10, 2014 at 10:23 PM I am confused. His association with ACS makes him a terrible person, despite all his accomplishments? Henry Clay is considered to be the greatest legislature we've seen in history, but he was a member. Col. Albert Pawling was recognized by many historians for all his work for Troy, the county and the country, which leads to this project to erect this statue clearly. All I see in your blog sir is that you were trying to look for the bad, and ignore the good. You, sir, are "dead wrong"

the river December 10, 2014 at 10:52 PM "The motives of the ACS members varied considerably. Some were genuine allies of free blacks, and were concerned for their welfare. Some hoped that colonization would eradicate slavery. Others wanted to maintain the institution of slavery but to rid the country of free blacks, who they believed posed a serious threat as potential fomenters of slave rebellion." http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aia/part3/3p1521.html From what many historians said about Col. Pawling, it looks like he was on the genuine side. Rev. Nathan S.S. Beman was part of the group and he was the mentor to Henry Highland Garnet and convinced him to build a church for Africans on liberty. Reply

Toff

December 11, 2014 at 7:23 AM

"Henry Clay is considered to be the greatest legislature [sic] we've seen in history, but he was a member." Considerably more is known about Clay than Pawling, so if some think his merits outweigh his deficits then they have a lot on which to base their opinion. Clay wasn't just a member, though. He was a southern slave-owning founder and president of the ACS who created a stricter fugitive slave act. I wouldn’t support erecting a new statue for Henry Clay either. The generations that best knew Pawling didn’t care to erect a statue to him, or preserve his home, belongings, and papers. “Three term village President” amounts to three years only - they had very short terms back then, an idea perhaps worth resurrecting! What do the Village and later City of Troy minutes for his three non-consecutive years as village president and his 1816-1820 period as mayor indicate his accomplishments as president and mayor were, if those documents even survive? John McCoun was the first Village of Troy President, 1798-1799; Cornelius Lansing was the first Town of Troy Supervisor. Do they deserve statues? Benjamin Gorton and Ephraim Morgan (another TCS officer) also came before Pawling. Gorton’s grave in the same cemetery as Pawling is a depressing sight; one need not be “trying to look for the bad” in Mount Ida Cemetery - it’s inescapable. Morgan seems to have had the misfortune to be in the cemetery the City of Troy chose to bulldoze in 1990. One has to try to look for the good - which I do try to do, though perhaps not so much in this particular post, admittedly. Pawling’s grave has the appearance of neglect, though it isn’t quite as neglected as it has sometimes been in the http://gravelyny.blogspot.com/2014/07/the-ap-pawling-troy-colonization-society.html

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The Ap-Pawling Troy Colonization Society | New York: Memorial Snapshots

7/9/15, 12:26 PM

past. Weeds surround graves very near his, but his is at least out in the open now: "Dear Sir—Having occasion to visit the Mount Ida Cemetery on a recent beautiful morning I noticed a short distance from the entrance gate at the left a narrow trail through a growth of grass and weeds knee deep, which I followed. I found it led to the obelisk which marks the resting place of Col. Albert Pawling, and the grave was also indicated by a small flag placed there by the Grand Army last Memorial Day. But for this it would have been completely hidden beneath the rank growth of vegetation by which it was covered.” “Colonel Pawling’s Grave.” Elizabethtown Post. September 3, 1903: 4 cols 3-4. A few feet from his grave, however, the headstone of revolutionary war veteran Oliver Knight is buried and the marker that was later placed without a base or foundation has been knocked around by mowers. The City’s indicated they’re not going to stop pushing headstones around with their mowers or otherwise damaging them and the grounds there: http://gravelyny.blogspot.com/2013/10/fire.html What does that say about how much Pawling means to the City when there’s so little respect for the place of his actual remains? If there were people who cared to look after his grave, people who cared enough to write articles and books about him, and so on, perhaps I’d think differently about the merit of the man and a statue to him. So little is known about him, apparently, that the biography at http://pawlingstatue.org/commemoration/ had to state a number of things twice rather than adding more information. Have a contest for the best research essay about him - that would be a good thing. Maybe some more substantive information would be located. I’d rather see a statue for somebody about whom more is known, or money go into restoring things historical rather than creating something new. There’s two pedestals that had been erected in Troy for statues that have been empty for over 100 years because nobody was ever motivated to fill those voids. Those pedestals still stand, ungraced by any figure; I’d like to see statues placed on them someday as intended. But why concern yourself with one person’s cranky opinion? Few read this blog or care to comment on it. Reply

the river December 11, 2014 at 2:08 PM Everything you said is very well known to me sir. Clay-Terms and all. Though Clay did all this, he was a effective legislature and worked for the betterment of the country based on how he grew. Slavery was part of his culture, that is not surprising. But he was honor for his work for the country, and not for his stance on slavery. I now and then walk by Pawling's grave and give his area a nice cut and clean cause I care for hero and fathers to a city. Col. Pawling and many other citizens of this city have been forgotten, Sir. It takes people like Mr. Sanzone to send a reminder about them. I imagine more people know about who he is now cause of Sanzone and his crazy dream, and the city will now see to honor it's history, like Baltimore's fence that Olivia Sage paid for. Now, statues create public awareness and also community spirit, sir. Its the whole point of erecting one. I understand your argument of Col. Pawling, for not much information is known about his life, but that's history. You only find certain things based on clues and references and Col. Pawling has many honorable references and many clues showing he is in deserving of this $68,000 statue. And true, that is a lot of money, but this is money that residences are giving from my understanding, it's their concern. I only saw that your argument was very harsh against a man who did a lot for Troy. You say he wanted a "all white city" did Nathan S.S. Beman want that too since he was a member but yet a abolitionist of his time? I just read the biography at http://pawlingstatue.org/commemoration/. There wasn't really much repetition, expect the conclusion, but that's the conclusion..but very neat that they knew about his ancestors. Research I guess. I think the committee did a lot of research and came up with why he deserves the statue, and they say it very clearly. The Rensselaer County & Troy City Historian is even on the committee.

http://gravelyny.blogspot.com/2014/07/the-ap-pawling-troy-colonization-society.html

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The Ap-Pawling Troy Colonization Society | New York: Memorial Snapshots

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Lastly, sir, I think Col. Pawling did a great deal amount of work for Troy's political, social, and economic environment that pushed Troy into the forefront of 19th century cities. Let's honor him for what good he did for the city of iron and collars. Reply

Toff

December 18, 2014 at 9:23 PM

What's with the pedantic "sir"? Capsule bios typically don't have conclusions and repetitive conclusions are characteristic of bad writing. Anyhow, I see I made an error above that needs correction - he served two non-consecutive terms as Village President, not three. He served one term of a year, May 19th, 1802-1803, having been chosen by the village trustees (including his own vote for himself?). He served a second term of a year, appointed by the Governor, March 20th, 1815-1816. He'd only been chosen as President pro tem for May 15th, 1804-1805, and I've seen no indication that he ever had to actually serve as President in the absence of Village President Edward Tylee during that time period. Weise, Arthur James. Troy's One Hundred Years. 1789-1889. Troy, NY: William H. Young, 1891. 322. https://books.google.com/books?id=O5ZHAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA322 May 15, 1804 "The Trustees for the year ensuing convene at the house of Howard Moulton's Inn Keeper, and proceeded by ballot to the choice of a President, and on Counting the ballots, it appeared that Edward Tyler was duly elected President, to the board of Trustees for the year ensuing --- [...] "The Board then proceeded in like manner to choose a President pro:tem: to act in the absence of the President, whereupon Albert Pawling was duly Elected ------" Common Council Minutes. Vol 1. 19. I've no illusions that the statue project will be abandoned, but hopefully the committee will eventually get around to doing a lot of research about him since just a little research indicated "Col. Pawling served as Village President for three terms [...] serving three term village President of Troy" http://pawlingstatue.org/commemoration/ was wrong. That false statement unfortunately also crept into the Resolution Designating City Property as the Colonel Albert Pawling Memorial Park. If Pawling warrants a $68,000.00 statue, maybe he warrants $680.00 (or more) for the best research essay about him. If the committee doesn't care do do its own research (and so far it hasn't) they could in effect pay some talented Troy student to do it for them. Reply Replies Toff

December 18, 2014 at 9:24 PM

To return to matters more appalling: "African Colony. "The important subject of establishing colonies of our free people of colour, on the coast of Africa, has already interested the public to a considerable extent, and is daily exciting more and more interest. The agent of the American Colonization society is now in this city for the purpose of calling the attention of the citizens to this all important object. By consulting with several of the citizens, it had been determined to call a meeting at the Court-House, this evening at 7 o'clock, to consider the subject of uniting with the above Society in this work so deeply interesting to humanity and our http://gravelyny.blogspot.com/2014/07/the-ap-pawling-troy-colonization-society.html

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country. "It is hoped a general attendance will be given, as the subject will be discussed by different gentlemen. LORING D. DEWEY, "Agent for the general Society. "Dec. 16, 1823." Northern Budget. December 16, 1823: 3. I still don't get why colonists who fought in the American Revolution would turn around and try to start a colony themselves, taking land across the sea by dubious means, committing crimes against the native peoples, etc. Moreover, sending "free people of colour" abroad wouldn't address the problem of slavery - it bears almost no relation to slavery, other than the underlying motivation to "rid the country of the strongest opponents to slavery, the free blacks." Sending them overseas would address what some people saw as a problem of there being any people of African ancestry in the United States at all, free or not. That sentiment had regrettably been expressed in rather nasty terms at times in Troy papers. "FOR THE NORTHERN BUDGET. "NEGRO SLAVERY- No. XVII. "'He that hath ears to hear let him hear.' "BIBLE. "CITIZENS! The Negroes are men-but you have enslaved them like cattle. They have poisoned your morals-but you still pretend to morality. They have married your sons and daughters-but you still call them brutes. They snatch the bread from your mouths-but still you will hold them for the pleasure of lacerating their bodies-Murder and revenge lurks in their hearts-but you will not believe it. They would quietly leave you, and-in the name of every thing you hold dear and sacred-I conjure you to let them go. [...] "The writer will say no more-than that he has done his utmost to influence his countrymen to abolish Negro slavery, and to dissolve all immediate connexion with the Negroes. He can do no more-and 'if Rome must fall, he is innocent.'" Northern Budget. April 16, 1811: 2 col 1. Happily there were also more enlightened people who opposed slavery who also opposed colonization.

the river December 24, 2014 at 11:33 PM Read Weise's book again and you'll fine that he served village president three terms. That is accurate. Obviously short terms, but three. Merry Christmas.

Toff

December 25, 2014 at 9:30 AM

A former Troy Historian's transcription of the original minutes that I quoted above but which you evidently didn't read indicated he served as village president twice. As for Weise, which you also evidently didn't read(?): Albert Pawling, May 19th, 1802-1803. [...] Edward Tylee, May 15th, 1804-1805. Albert Pawling, pro tem., May 15th, 1804-1805. Albert Pawling, appointed, March 20th, 1815-1816. Weise, Arthur James. Troy's One Hundred Years. 1789-1889. Troy, NY: William H. Young, 1891. 322. https://books.google.com/books?id=O5ZHAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA322 Pawling served two terms as Village President, and one term as Village President pro tem during with no indication he ever had to actually serve in the actual Village President Edward Tylee's place during http://gravelyny.blogspot.com/2014/07/the-ap-pawling-troy-colonization-society.html

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The Ap-Pawling Troy Colonization Society | New York: Memorial Snapshots

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that time. The earlier obvious response was a bit harsh perhaps, so instead I'll suggest that like Santa, if you're going to make a list: check it twice.

the river December 25, 2014 at 7:57 PM Good evening friend, Interesting.On 269 in the book we own by Weise, it shows a list of all the village presidents. In this list, it does not show pro tem, but simply, "Albert Pawling....1804 - 1805" this is under "Presidents of the Village of Troy". It appears we have conflicting info by going through the google book, and the original book we own.

Toff

December 25, 2014 at 8:23 PM

The "google book" I linked is a scan of an actual book. If you go to the library and look for a copy of that book, you'll find the exact same thing in it. What primary source is cited in the book you own? None. As such, the information wouldn't be much worth citing even if it were true. The book you're citing, which you did not identify, is apparently Weise's earlier 1876 History of the City of Troy. Apparently by 1891 he'd detected and corrected his error in identifying Pawling as Village President for 1804-1805. Again, he did not give his source, so it's not worth relying solely on it. The former Troy Historian Irving Fancher's transcription http://2.bp.blogspot.com/RZRe1G4Zw6I/VJziMTJgUNI/AAAAAAAACak/dTVEC3x2TOA/s1600/18041804%2Btroy%2Bvillage%2Bpresident.jpg is from a primary source. There's a good chance the minutes are what Weise consulted that led to his correction in his 1891 book, but one can't be sure if he used some other source since he didn't give one. Reply

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