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[This information is from Vol. IV, pp. 1480-1483 of Hudson-Mohawk Genealogical and Family Memoirs, edited by Cuyler Reynolds (New York: Lewis Historical Publishing Company, 1911). It is in the Reference collection of the Schenectady County Public Library at R 929.1 R45. Some of the formatting of the original, especially in lists of descendants, may have been altered slightly for ease of reading.]
Among the Dukes of Austria between 976 and 1493 was Albrecht II, who reigned as Margrave of Austria and Duke of Bavaria in the year 1139. He died without posterity. In 1282 Albrecht III, Duke of Austria, reigned as Albrecht I, Emperor of Roman Germany. He was born in 1248, and assassinated in 1308. Albrecht II (The Wise) reigned as Duke of Austria, 1330-58. He married, and was succeeded by his son, Rudolph IV, who was succeeded by Albrecht III (the astrologer), his brother, who reigned 1365-95. He married Elizabeth, daughter of Karl IV, German Roman Emperor, who died in 1373. He married (second) Beatrixe, daughter of Friederich IV, of Nurmberg. He was succeeded by his only son, Albrecht IV, who reigned 1395-1404. He married Johanna, daughter of Albert, Count of Holland and Duke of Bavaria. Albrecht V succeeded his father, and reigned Duke of Austria, 1402, King of Hungary, King of Bohemia and German Roman Emperor, as Albrecht II, 1438-39, when he died. Six dukes of Austria now reigned until another Albrecht came to the throne. In 1475 [sic] Albrecht VI, born 1418, died 1463, came to the throne and reigned Count of Tyrol and Duke of Austria 1457-63. In 1493 this particular title seems to have become extinct with Maximillian, the First. It is from this line of Austrian dukes that Heinric Albrecht descended. The name in America has become Hendrick Albright, but the family name is Albrecht, and the given name Heinrich. The family were noble for centuries, and the emigrant to America was a man of means and education. The family everywhere that descend from this ancestor show the effects of those centuries of high breeding, and are distinguished in their several walks, inclining largely to the professions, particularly the pulpit and music. In the United States the name is a very familiar one, and has been given wide prominence by Rev. Jacob Albright, born near Pottsville, Pennsylvania, of German parentage, who became an exhorter and noted Methodist minister. He made many converts, almost exclusively Germans, and in 1800 a separate church was organized, Albright being first presiding elder. He was appointed bishop in 1807. His denomination is now known as the "Evangelical Association," but in many places its adherents are called "Albrights."
(I) The American progenitor of the Albright family of Voorheesville, Albany county, New York, is Hendrick Albright, born in Austria in 1716, and came to America in 1740. He was a man of means, as immediately upon his arrival he purchased four hundred acres of the best land in Guilderland, Albany county, now the town of New Scotland. He married Elizabeth Folent (Foland), and on their Guilderland farm, in 1783, he built the original stone house that was the family home for several generations, and stood in good repair until destroyed by fire in 1894. He was an ardent revolutionist, and so deep was his hatred of a Tory that it is said he ordered his son-in-law, ———— Strauss (who had joined the British army during the revolution), to quit not only the farm and neighborhood, but to leave the country. Although this was after the war had closed, Strauss was so impressed with the old man's warnings that he removed to Canada, where he remained until his death. Part of the original purchase of four hundred acres, which was divided among the four sons, has always remained in the Albright family. His wife Elizabeth was of Scotch birth and ancestry. Children:
(II) Jacob, son of Hendrick and Elizabeth (Foland) Albright, was born in Guilderland, Albany county, New York (now New Scotland), baptized October 11, 1763, died March 20, 1829. He inherited part of the paternal acres, and was engaged in their cultivation all his active years. He was a Whig in politics, and a member of the Dutch Reformed church. He married (first) Hannah Arnold; (second) Elizabeth Wheeler, born and reared on the Albright home farm. Children by first wife:
Children by second wife:
(III) Isaac, seventh child of Jacob Albright, and the third by his second wife, Elizabeth (Wheeler) Albright, was born in the old stone house on the homestead farm in New Scotland, Albany county, New York, January 11, 1797, died January 20, 1888. He was a continuous resident of the original homestead farm until his death at the age of ninety-two years. He became the owner of that portion left to his father, and added many improvements. He was a faithful member of the Reformed church of New Salem, and never missed a service until a few weeks before his death, unless kept away by sickness or unavoidable detention. He was free from the bigotry of his day, called all Christians his brethren, and was a friend to all those persecuted for conscience sake. He was a strong Democrat, as had been his father and grandfather. His last vote was cast for the same party as his first had been. He was prosperous in worldly affairs, and gave to each of his sons a good farm. He married, September 9, 1820, Cicely, born November 4, 1801, died December 29, 1885, daughter of Peter Simmons, an early settler of Clarksville. Children:
(IV) Jacob, son of Isaac and Cicely (Simmons) Albright, was born in the old homestead in New Scotland, Albany county, New York, March 28, 1822, died 1902. He was educated in the public schools, reared a farmer and on arriving at man's estate was given the farm by his father on which stood the old stone house built in 1783 by his grandfather, Hendrick Albright, the founder of the family in Albany county. He was the last to occupy the old stone house previous to its destruction by fire. He was a man of thrift and energy, and highly respected in his community. He was a Republican in politics, and a member of the Methodist church. He married (first) in New Scotland, Eliza E. Reid, born in the town in 1825, died 1867. She was a daughter of an early Scotch settler of Scotch parentage. She was also a member of the Methodist church, and reared her children in that faith. Children:
Jacob Albright married (second), Amanda O'Brien. Children:
(V) John W., son of Jacob and Eliza E. (Reid) Albright, was born on the homestead farm in New Scotland, May 8, 1859. He was reared on the homestead, which came into his possession by purchase in 1908. He has brought the property to a high state of cultivation, and is considered one of the prosperous and substantial men of his town. He is a Republican in politics. He married, in Lysander, Onondaga county, New York, Belle Bratt, born in that town August 9, 1864, daughter of John and Matilda (Wilson) Bratt. John Bratt was a carpenter by trade; a member of the Christian church, and a Democrat, died in 1900. Mrs. Albright is the fourth of their six living children. Children of John W. and Belle (Bratt) Albright:
(IV) Isaac (2), youngest child of Isaac (1) and Cicely (Simmons) Albright, was born on the homestead farm in New Scotland, March 29, 1833. He has been engaged in agriculture all his life, and is now retired, living in New Salem village. He is a Republican in politics. He married Hannah E., daughter of Peter A. and Eleanor (Rosseau) Bradt, and maternal granddaughter of Frederick Rosseau, of French birth. Children:
(V) Adam, son of Isaac (2) and Hannah E. (Bradt) Albright, was born October 15, 1862. He was educated in the public schools, and developing remarkable musical talent was placed under capable instructors, who encouraged him to train and cultivate his voice for professional purposes. He placed himself under the best vocal instructors, including Madam P. H. Shafter, the famous vocalist, of Albany; Madame Edna A. Hall, of Boston, and other equally famed teachers. He worked hard to master his profession, and has gained fame. He sang in Trinity Church, Buffalo, and completely filled that great audience room. He is also an accomplished instrumentalist, and has charge of the auditing in the large Florida hotels during the winter months. He is well known in the musical world, and has established reputation both as an instructor and performer. He holds an important official position with the southern hotel syndicate. Mr. Albright is unmarried.
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