Gerrit G. Lansing, Merchant...............£3 12
Hugh Orr .................... do ..................... 3 12
John Shepherd.......... do ..................... 3 12
John Waters ...............do.......................3 12
Henry Hart................. do.......................3 12
Edmund Butler ........... do ..................... 3 12
John Easton ...... Cordwainer................1 16
Gerrit Hyer ..... Peruke Maker.................1 16
Henry Cook ..... Blacksmith ...................1 16
Charles Newman ..... Merchant ...............3 12
John Folson ..... Silver Smith ..................1 16
John Maley ........... Merchant ................3 12
Robert Wright ............do ......................3 12
Ivie Chambers ............do ....................3 12
John Fontfreyde .. French merchant, a permit .. 3 12
Colin Gibson .....Tailor ........................1 16
Joseph Hall..... Silver Smith ...................1 16
Benjamin Wallace .......................................3 0
Edward Cumpston ..... Merchant ..............3 12
Andrew Abel ..... Cordwainer.................1 16
John Ram ..... Baker ..........................1 16
Hugh McAdam .....Merchant ...................3 12
Melancton Smith .....do .....................3 12
Maus R. Van Vranken .....do .................3 12
Nathaniel Stephens ..... do .................3 12
Francis Carbines .....do ....................3 12
Thomas Sickles ...... do ....................3 12
Henry Finn ......do ............................3 12
Coenradt Scherp ..... do ....................3 12
James Campbell ..... Feltmaker ..............1 16
John Robison ..... Merchant .......................3 12

List printed in a section entitled "City Documents" in Annals of Albany, 10:153. This transcription of a document from an unknown source, we believe, lists those individuals not born in Albany who either applied for the "freedom of the city" (right to engage in business) or who were mandated to pay for the privilege!

At least twenty-one of the thirty-one men listed were identified as merchants. Some like John Maley and John Robison made lasting impressions on the Albany community. A few appear to have stayed for a short period of time during the stagnant part of the War. The ten tradesmen and artisans enriched the community's production economy. This document provides a glimpse into the changing character of the community during the Revolutionary Era.

first posted: 10/25/02; last revised 10/23/10