The knitting business had its birth in Cohoes nearly a century ago (i.e. circa 1830). The business was started by Egbert Egberts, then a resident of Albany, who employed a young machinist named Thomas Bailey of Ballston Spa. Bailey invented the first power appliance in this country, to be attached to a knitting machine. With the invention of this machine, Egberts built a mill in Cohoes and started a factory for the manufacture of knitting goods, the first of its kind in the US. Cohoes grew to be one of the largest centers of knit goods manufacture in the country.

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(from 'History of Cohoes, NY,' of 1877)

pp. 61-63, 1832 -The event  which marks this year as one of  particular importance in the history of the place was the establishment by Egberts and Bailey of the first factory in which knitting machinery was successfully run by power. Mr. Egberts, who had been keeping a store with his brother in Albany, became interested in 1831 in the process of making knit goods, and gave the subject considerable attention. After inspecting the clumsy hand machines then in use, the idea was suggested that  improvements might be made by which a knitting frame could be made to run by power. Mr. Egberts himself was not a practical mechanic, and could do nothing towards perfecting any such apparatus; but while he was talking on the subject with Dr. Williams, his family physician, the latter suggested that Timothy Bailey, who was then in the employ of Alfred Cooke, a cabinet maker, was a young man of remarkable mechanical ability, who could accomplish almost anything he turned his hand to, and would doubtless be able to carry out the idea if it were possible.

Mr. Bailey was accordingly consulted, and after a careful examination of the knitting frame then used, concluded that he would undertake the task, on the understanding that Mr. Egberts was to provide the necessary funds. The first thing requisite was a knitting machine on which experiments could be commenced, and as this could not be obtained in Albany, Mr. Bailey went to Philadelphia, arriving there April 1, 1831. After some search he succeeded in finding a disused machine, which he purchased for $55, and returned, prepared to commence operations at once. Within six days after its arrival in Albany he had the apparatus so arranged that it would knit by turning a crank at the side, and preparations were accordingly made for perfecting its operation.

Mr. Egberts procured an upper story in a store near the foot of State St., to which Mr. Bailey moved his tools and machinery, and there continued his labors. In time he succeeded in making a machine which would make four shirt bodies, and knit thirty times back and across per minute, by the simple revolution of a crank, and steps were then taken to put the invention to practical use. In the meantime, Joshua Bailey, an elder brother of Timothy, had become interested in the machine, and selling out his farm, came to Albany to take part in the enterprise. In the fall of 1832, the partners came to Cohoes, and established themselves in the lower story of th ecotton factory which was then being finished, the wheel having been just put in when they moved into the building.

Their operations at first were of course on a very small scale, owing to their lack of facilities. Mr. Bailey's time was given almost altogether to making new machinery, in which he was at first assited by Edward Gleason, who had been in his employ some time while engaged in the first frame in Albany. Eight machines were made in succession and after a time Mr. Bailey arranged machinery for carding and spinning, the first goods having been made from yarn bought of outside parties. (Egberts and Bailey did not occupy all of the cotton factory until some years later.) Thus was laid the foundation of that branch of indurstry which has since become a distinguishing feature of Cohoes, and to which it is largely indebted for its present importance.

p. 78, -  Twenty-five years ago, the writer, after going through as much circumlocution and full as many assurances as are required to work one's way into a Masonic Lodge, visited the knitting room of Messrs. Egberts & Bailey at Cohoes, NY., who were then the most extensive and successful and almost the exclusive machinery knitters in this country. Their machinery was an improvement on any then in use and was not patented. They preferred keeping it so secret that the monopoly which they enjoyed, would be, as it proved to be, more profitable and surer to bring them a fortune than to run the risks of improvements, infringements and impositions which then, as now, were sure to follow the public exposure of specifications and explanations necessary to be made in procuring letters patent.

They employed only the most reliable workmen, kept their doors constantly fastened with spring locks, and allowed no man in their knitting room without first putting him under the most sacred obligations to divulge nothing which they might learn or find within those mystic walls. One Gen. Geo. S. Bradford ran the Cohoes mill by contract for two years, it being a stipulation in the contract that he should not enter the knitting room, and he did not until a defection on the part of the foreman made it necessary that some man should take charge in there. Timothy Bailey who was the inventor of the machinery then used, and the foreman Van Dwyer who had always run it, were the only persons who knew anything about it, and although they had come to have much confidence in Gen. Bradford's knowledge and management of machinery, the company could hardly suppose that he could run a set of knitters which he had never seen, and which were of an entirely different style, and far more complicated than the frames since in use, and turn out the usual and necessary quantity of goods.

The sequel proved, as all who have since known the general would expect, that he did run it most successfully, and turned out, not only an excess over the usual amount of goods, but a much improved article. For many years this Cohoes mill was the only knitting mill of importance in the country, and was claimed to be the only one in the world where all the knitting of shirts and drawers was done by machinery."

p. 79, - For some years, although the production of the mill was so slight, it could not all be disposed of in the New York market, so part of it was sold in small lots to Troy and Albany merchants and among the country stores in the vicinity. In Troy, it is said, Mr. Bailey would go from one dry-goods dealer to another, carrying packages of shirts and drawers and taking in return for their sale orders payable in goods, and with these the female operatives in the mill were paid.

In time, however, as Egberts & Bailey's goods grew into favor, the increased demand made such efforts as these unnecessary, and their business became established on a sound basis. When the building of the [new] mill was commenced it was in a prosperous condition; the dullness of 1840 and 1844, had on the passage of the protective tariff act been succeeded by great activity, and during the previous year the firm had cleared $22, 000. The mill was the first in the village, and it is said, in this country, erected especially for knitting purposes. The building, which was of brick,w as originally 124 by 45 feet, and three stories high. Four sets of machinery were put in operation at first, and two more afterward added when the seaming room was completed --a brick building 25 by 70 feet and two and a half stories high, extending to the corner of Ontario and Remsen Streets. The builder of the mill was Joshua R. Clarke, and the wheelwright Jacob I. Lansing. Soon after it was finished the partnership was dissolved, Timothy Bailey remaining in the Miller building, while Mr. Egberts and Joshua Bailey took possession of the new mill. When this factory was erected, the Cohoes Company made use of the ravine at Ontario street, before mentioned, as a water-course; and the first bridge over it on Remsen street, a slight wooden structure, was built. The only means of crossing it before had been by two planks stretched side by side from one bank to the other.

p. 95, - 1848,  Such appeals from the editor, and the continued efforts of the friends of incorporation seem to have had their effect. A meetingof the electors at the hotel was called Feb. 3d., of which notice was given in the paper. 
 [In this meeting notes] "On motion of Egbert Egberts, Esq., that a committee of five be appointed by the chair to take the necessary steps for the incorporation, the chair appointed as such committee Egbert Egberts, Wm. N. Chadwick, John Van Santvoord, Jeremiah Clute, and Henry D. Fuller. "

p. 97, - 1848, After the fire on Mohawk Street which is chronicled in the first number of the Advertiser it became evident that the village fire apparatus was greatly deficient, and a meeting of the citizens at the hotel was accordingly called for the purpose of arranging for better protection. A committee consisting of Luke Bemis, Egbert Egberts, S. F. Wilson (and others) was appointed to take the necessary steps ... The result of this meeting was the purchase .... of the Cataract hand engine, and the formation of a company. An entrance fee of $3 was charged each member, and the proceeds were devoted to the purchase of a hose-cart.

p. 104, - 1849, The prevalence of the cholera during the summer caused some uneasiness, and several precautionary measures were taken. The first Board of Health, appointed June 11th, in accordance with a proclamation by the governor, was as follows: Egbert Egberts, Francis S. Claxton, Miles White, Chas. A. Olmstead, Samuel H. Foster; Health Officer, Wm. F. Carter, M.D.

On July 11th, the knitting factory of Timothy Bailey (now Holsapple's bedstead factory) was burned, the two upper stories being completely destoyed. The fire, which was one of the most disastrous that had yet visited Cohoes, was spoken of inthe 'Cataract' as follows:

 
Thursday, August 3, 1752 – This morning we bade farewell to our brethren, and at 8 o’clock went with our things on board the sloop which is to take us to Albany. We set sail immediately. The captain’s name is Egbert Egbertse, a low Dutchman by birth, who showed us much civility, offering us his private cabin. We sailed today upwards of twenty miles.

Saturday, August 5, 1752 – Fair winds all day. The Captain continues his kindness towards us, and he has not asked us who we are, which is otherwise not the way of the Low Dutch in this country. ‘Tis probable he knows that we belong to the brethren. At noon we arrived off Cornelius Beekman’s where Bro. Martin left us to go on to Rhinebeck to buy a horse, and then to follow us by land to Albany. Bro. David and Rundt arrived at Albany about 11 o’clock at night and remained on the sloop until morning.

Sunday, August 6, 1752 – Today Bro. Martin visited in Rhinebeck. Bro. David and Rundt lodged with the Captain.

By Friday, August 11th they had left Albany to continue their missionary journey to the Indians.

They returned to Bethlehem, PA in December of 1752.

Wednesday, January 31, 1753 – Bro. Van Vleck must have credit for cash which he paid on account of Zeisberger & Rundt to Captain Egbertse at Albany, which they borrowed of the latter on their return from Onondaga, £2, NY currency.

with reference to Henry Adams MD, his wife and family,
and the cemetery work done by Herman C. Adams

What remains of the cemetery is the present private burying ground of the Adams family. I am informed by Dr. A.W.Van Slyke that according to tradition the old cemetery extended west from the present site to Coxsackie Creek, covering several acres. It was behind the church, parsonage and house of Benjamin Eaton (1884). The elders sold a small lot to Herman C. Adams of 2,160 sq.ft. being part of the parsonage land; included in the lot sold was a strip of 9 f. wide along the east bound to …..to the Coxsackie Creek. It must have covered…now preserved. When the deed of sale for the first lot was made out in 1882(?) it covered about 3 acres, most of which, if not all,…the former cemetery site. If a deed could be found covering the parsonage land, in the church in 1816, the description might enable…to approximate just how much John R Vanderbilt sold.

As has been said before, the old cemetery was behind the church, that is to say, it was behind the parsonage and house of Benjamin Eaton (1884). by deed dated October 8, 1871, the Minister, Elders, and Deacons of the First Reformed Church sold to Herman C. Adams a small lot containing 2160 sq. ft. being part of the parsonage land; including the lot sold was a strip of 9 feet in width, along the east bounds, extending south to the turnpike for an entrance; the consideration was $100. What Herman C. Adams did, after acquiring this land, has been the subject of more or less caustic comment from some of the old settlers in Coxsackie. But they overlook, or do not realize, what the Consistory had already allowed to happen to the markers and the graves which lay to the westward and northward, extending to the bank of the creek. They had allowed them to crumble and to sink and pass away into oblivion. Herman C. Adams restored his part of the cemetery to suit his own ends.

The real culprits, if any are to be blames for the so-called desecration, are the Consistory which conveyed the land. Perhaps it is unjust to censure the Consistory. Perhaps that Board of 1871 had in mind the fact, that their predecessors had already, through neglect, allowed a substantial part of the cemetery to disappear! Perhaps, they could foresee the calm and somnolent attitude of their successors, when 10 years or more later, they allowed also, the burying ground on the Globe land, back of the blacksmith shop, midway between the present church site and the West Shore railroad, to disappear! In my opinion, that Board of 1871 is to be commended for their foresight, in the realization that a quarter (or even an eighth) of the burying ground, is better than none! And for the benefit of the descendants of the old settlers of Coxsackie who regard Herman Cuyler Adams as a malefactor of great wealth, I will say that I have found the Adams burying ground a peaceful and delightful spot, neatly kept and carefully preserved. Very much in contrast to certain factory site, public dumping grounds, chicken yards, hog runs, and cattle pastures, formerly in use for the decent and respectful burial of our ancestors, that it has been my misfortune to view during the past seven years.

Mr. Adams oversaw the restoration of the burying ground. He selected such grave…as…the graves of his immediate family and his relations and set them aside for future use. He then caused a table or plateau to be raised in the form of a rectangle, which probably covered these graves. The raised ground brought the level of the graveyard about four or five feet above the waters of Coxsackie Creek, which winds its way on the west and north sides of the old cemetery site. In old days, no doubt the cemetery site was covered with trees, and which doubtless served to keep the creek within its bounds. Possibly when raising this mound, the earth was taken from the surrounding land. In any event, as I viewed it, I could see very little to keep the creek within its present bed, in case of a spring freshet. Thus, raising the level of the graveyard was very necessary to preserve it from future inroads of the creek. It was related to me that some of the old gravestones were buried, or covered with earth; and that others were used in the foundation of the mound, though I could see no evidence of this at present. The old driveway leading south to the turnpike was bordered by cedar trees; likewise cedar trees were set out along the edge of the restored rectangle. These trees are not about 50 years of age and have reached their full growth.

The whole burying ground and driveway are now surrounded by a substantial fence. The gravestones reserved for preservation were set up in three neat rows, due regard being given to secure the best arrangement as to relationships and family groups. A monument was erected to the memory of Henry Adams and his wife Agnes Egberts, whose graves probably were not disturbed; the gravestones of some of their children were set up in a trim row, before the monument. There have been but a few burials made in the graveyard, through which entrance is obtained. I made two attempts to copy the inscriptions on the gravestones, but was prevented from completing the work, by rain. Such as were copied in the extreme northwest corner, isolated; 4 and 5 are in the southwest corner, south of the curbed plot surrounding the Adams monument. There appears to be no reason why these stones were left as they were, unless it was because they marked undisturbed graves. I think it is extremely doubtful, if many of the remaining stones mark the original graves, unless there was a general disinternment and rearrangement of the bones and coffins, at the time that the plateau was constructed.

Inscriptions from cemetery:

 Henry Adams M.D. (7/6/1787-7/6/1857) my father

 Agnes Egberts (wife of Henry Adams M.D.) (4/5/1793-1/13/1861) my mother

 Children of Henry & Agnes Adams

  Egbert Egberts, b. 11/20/1832 d. 7/24/1848
  Eveline Maria (wife of Rev. C.W. Waldron) (1/25/1827-12/21/1853)
  Evaline Maria (10/23/1825-9/8/1826)
  Anthony Egberts (8/17/1829-8/17/1830)
  Anthony Egberts (10/9/1831-9/7/1832)

 In memory of Peter Adams, d. 5.13.1814, age 21 yrs., 8 mos., 14 days

 Maria Waldron, d. 12/21/1853

{Agnes Egberts was dau. of Anthony & Eva (Vander Zee) Egberts, g’dau. of Egbert B. & Mary (Linch) Egberts, gg’dau. of Dirk & Margrietje (Teller) Egberts}

The outline has Agnes’ gg’parents as Benj. & Anne (Visscher) Egbert  &
Dirk Egbert m. 9/25/1709, Richmond, NY, Margrieta Teller with ch.:

 1. Christina Egbert, c. 9/23/1711
 2. Egbert B. Egbert, c. 10/14/1713
 3. Maria Egbert, c. 6/16/1722

Henrietta (Anna) Egbert, m. Peter W. Van Bergen, son of Peter H. & Mayica (Witbeck) Van Bergin. {Peter H. b. 3/23/1796, m. twice, 2nd m. to Catalina Van Wormer, & was older brother of Christina Van Bergen who m. Peter Adams, parent of Henry Adams who m. Agnes Egbert, dau. of Anthony & Eva (Van Der Zee) Egbert} Coxsackie 1st DRC, Greene Co. NY

 1. Richard Van Bergen, b. 11/21/1821 c. 3/31/1822

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