Adam Blake (abt. 1773 - 1864)

Born about 1773 in New York Colony

Husband of Sarah (Richards) Blake — married 20 Mar 1803 in First Dutch Reformed Church, Albany, Albany County, New York

Descendants

Died 10 Jan 1864 at about age 91 in New York

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Biography

Adam Blake is Notable.

From his memorial page:

"Adam Blake may have been born in 1770 In March of 1803 he married 23 year old Sarah Richards. She was born about 1780 and died in 1841. By about 1811, Adam Blake became a well known and loved resident of Arbor Hill in what is now known as Ten Broeck Triangle Historic District. General Stephen van Rensselaer III was a very close personal friend with Adam Blake throughout his life. Stephen van Rensselaer is known for casting his deciding electoral vote in Congress that put progressive Abolitionist John Quincy Adams into the presidency. Adam Blake attended the Old Dutch Church and his 3rd Street home was listed in the 1819 city directory with italicized type. It was used to indicate a free person of color. He was the personal servant to Stephen van Rensselaer who freed him about 1811. He was then employed by DeWitt Clinton and Attorney General Josiah Ogden Hoffman. Stephen van Rensselaer who was commonly referred to as "the good patroon", was aware he would precede Adam Blake in death, yet he wrote a eulogy for Mr. Blake. The Rev. Dr. Clark officiated. Stephen's eulogy was read, in part it expresses his regret that he was prevented by indisposition from being present at the last scene of one of the old race of family service. Adam Blake was noted in A Pinkster Ode - 1803, as the "body servant to the old patroon." "

"The Blakes lived in the 100 Block of Third Street between Lark and South Swan, on land that was previously part of Patroon holdings (probably given to him by Van Rensselaer) and owned several adjacent lots (107, 109 and 111). Blake was a major figure in the Albany African community, including the founding of the first African school in Albany in the early 1800s. He was immersed in abolitionist activities; he was one of the notable speakers during the 1827 Albany celebration of the abolition of slavery in New York State and was a key figure in the National Colored Peoples Convention held in Albany in 1840." Source: Friends of Albany History

Obituary dated January 10, 1864:" Adam Blake died, aged 94. Sentinel, the correspondent of The New York World, wrote as follows: " I do not understand precisely why this correspondent should be expected to be the necrologist of the remarkable people that die in Albany; but I have waited to see some mention made of the decease of Adam Blake, a very aged colored man who was in many respects a representative person. Born in New York before the revolution, he was brought up to Albany, and for a very long period was one of the patroon's slaves at the manor house, with a manner and style that made him a remarkable man. He was of that class of his people who, in their way, were of that high order of good breeding which we vaguely call the old school, and by which we mean a thorough courtesy. His funeral was indicative of the respect borne to his memory — the patroon communicating through the Rev. Dr. Clark, of the Dutch church, his regret that he was prevented by indisposition from being present at the last scene of one of the old race of family service." His death, said the Times, has erased from the catalogue of men the last of his day and generation. Born about the close of the French and Indian war, he passed through the revolutionary struggle and the war of 1812, and lived to see his native land excited by a wicked civil war. Mr. Blake was in many respects a remarkable man. Endowed with more than ordinary abilities, he by his position was enabled to gather instruction, and to attain a strict courtesy of manners which he observed up to his death. Mr. Blake was born in the city of New York, and, when a mere boy, was brought to this city, a slave, by Jacob Lansing. How long he remained a bondman we are not reliably informed, but we subsequently find him at the manor house, in the employ of the late Gen. Stephen Van Rensselaer. As a servant of the patroon, he endeared himself to every member of the family. In his old age, in a spirit of self satisfied pride, he asserted that he brought up all the children of the patroon, for he " dangled them upon his knees." Subsequently, we trace him in the employ of De Witt Clinton, when governor of the state, and also to Attorney General Hoffman, when that gentleman resided in this city. But wherever Mr. Blake was, he always commanded respect by that high order of good breeding and courtesy towards all, for which he was proverbial. The last fifty years of his life he spent with his family in Third street, but lost the partner of his bosom in 1841. Within the past twelve years he was only once south of the North Dutch church; and then he was conveyed away from his home by his son, a resident of this city. During his lifetime, Mr. Blake was a regular attendant at the North Dutch church, and even in his declining years, when his strength failed, he was in attendance on communion Sundays. Thus passed away Adam Blake, at the age of 94 years. SOURCE: https://exhibitions.nysm.nysed.gov/albany/////bios/b/adblake.html

15 June 1860: 8th Ward Albany City, Albany, New York; Occupation of Adam: Waiter; Name: Adam Blake; Age: 85; Race: Black; Birth Year (Estimated): 1775; Birthplace: New York; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MCW3-8YV

Sources

New York Marriages, 1686-1980; Adam Blake; Event Type: Marriage; Event Date: 20 March 1803; Event Place: First Dutch Reformed Church, Albany, Albany, New York; Spouse's Name: Sarah Richards; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F637-1LW

Albany Rural Cemetery in Menands, Albany County, New York:

Find A Grave: Memorial #109785739 Adam Blake

SECONDARY SOURCE: Family Tree https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/L6F3-3HZ

https://exhibitions.nysm.nysed.gov/albany/////bios/b/adblake.html