Jared Skinner

by


Albany innkeeper Jared Skinner was born between 1756 and 1766. We seek information on his origins and path to Albany. At that time, we can only guess that he was of New England background.

His wife was one Mary Drew. Their daughter was christened at the Albany Dutch church in July 1798.

Beginning in April 1798, Albany jury lists identified him as an innkeeper. In 1801, he paid $18 for a tavern license. As late as September 1803, he was identified as a freeholder and an innkeeper.

In January 1800, he witnessed the will of a neighbor. In 1800, his first ward household counted twelve residents including five girls ten or younger. A decade later, seventeen individuals were living under his roof.

In 1801, he was listed among the original petitioners for the incorporation of the Albany Mechanics Society. However, his name does not appear on its cumulative membership list.

From the beginning of the century, Skinner was a visible downtown mainliner. In June 1802, the Albany paper noted that he purchased a record fifty-five pound [striped] bass for $4.50.

In March 1810, a large number of Albany and Colonie Republicans met in his "long room" on Green Street. In December, a meeting was held at Skinner's by those interested in forming a play-house in Albany. During the early 1800s, a number of organizations met at his establishment.

Jared Skinner was dead by February 1813 when his will passed probate. The first city directory issued a few months later listed his widow as an innkeeper at 159 Court Street. It was one of seven Skinner-named addresses included in the city wide listing.


biography in-progress


notes

the people of colonial Albany Sources: The life of Jared Skinner has no CAP biography number. This sketch is derived chiefly from family and community-based resources.




first posted 4/10/13; last updated 5/27/18