![Anti-Rent Poster](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e6/Anti-Rent_Poster.jpg)
The Anti-Rent War (also known as the Helderberg War) was a
tenant
Tenant may refer to:
Real estate
*Tenant, the holder of a leasehold estate in real estate
*Tenant-in-chief, in feudal land law
*Tenement (law), the holder of a legal interest in real estate
*Tenant farmer
*Anchor tenant, one of the larger stores ...
s' revolt in
upstate New York
Upstate New York is a geographic region consisting of the area of New York State that lies north and northwest of the New York City metropolitan area. Although the precise boundary is debated, Upstate New York excludes New York City and Long Is ...
in the period 1839–1845. The Anti-Renters declared their independence from the
manor system run by
patroon
In the United States, a patroon (; from Dutch '' patroon'' ) was a landholder with manorial rights to large tracts of land in the 17th century Dutch colony of New Netherland on the east coast of North America. Through the Charter of Freedoms ...
s, resisting tax collectors and successfully demanding land reform.
Events
The incident began with the death of
Stephen Van Rensselaer III in 1839. Van Rensselaer, who was described as a "lenient and benevolent landowner" was the
patroon
In the United States, a patroon (; from Dutch '' patroon'' ) was a landholder with manorial rights to large tracts of land in the 17th century Dutch colony of New Netherland on the east coast of North America. Through the Charter of Freedoms ...
of the region at the time. As a way to develop his vast landholdings, Van Rensselaer granted tenants lifetime leases at moderate prices. During his life, when tenants were in financial constraints, he preferred to accept rent in the form of goods and services in lieu of cash, allow rents to accumulate, or accept
partial payment
Partial payment refers to the offering of a payment by check for less than the full amount claimed by the creditor.
Such an offer for debt discharge by tender of a "payment-in-full" check is common practice. If the amount tendered is not grossly ...
rather than evict them. However, his leases also included a "quarter-sale" provision, which required tenants who sold their leases to pay Van Rensselaer one fourth of the sale price or one additional year's rent. The patroons owned all the land on which the tenants in the
Hudson Valley
The Hudson Valley (also known as the Hudson River Valley) comprises the valley of the Hudson River and its adjacent communities in the U.S. state of New York. The region stretches from the Capital District including Albany and Troy south to ...
lived, and used this
feudal lease system to maintain control of the region. When he died, his wealth had been reduced in the economic downturn known as the
Panic of 1837, so Van Rensselaer's will directed his heirs to collect outstanding rents and "quarter sale" payments to apply to his estate's debts. When the heirs attempted to collect, tenants who believed their debts would be forgiven at Van Renselaer's death could not pay the amounts demanded, could not secure a favorable payment schedule from the heirs, and could not obtain relief in the courts, so they revolted.
The first mass meeting of tenant farmers leading to the Anti-Rent War was held at the top of the
Helderberg
Helderberg refers to a planning district of the City of Cape Town metropolitan municipality, the mountain after which it is named, a wine-producing area in the Western Cape province of South Africa, or a small census area in Somerset West.
Or ...
mountains in
Berne, New York
Berne is a town in Albany County, New York, United States. The population was 2,689 at the 2020 census. The town is at the western border of Albany County.
History
The town of Berne was originally spelled "Bern", until the Berne Post Office wa ...
on July 4, 1839. They issued a declaration of independence, promising: "We will take up the ball of the Revolution where our fathers stopped it and roll it to the final consummation of freedom and independence of the masses."
[Miller (1967), pp. 66–69.]
In December 1839 the Anti-Renters repulsed a 500-man posse led by Albany County sheriff Michael Artcher and including
William Marcy and
John Van Buren
John Van Buren (February 18, 1810 – October 13, 1866) was an American lawyer, official and politician. In addition to serving as a key advisor to his father, President Martin Van Buren, he was also Attorney General of New York from 1845 to 1 ...
. Governor
William Seward
William Henry Seward (May 16, 1801 – October 10, 1872) was an American politician who served as United States Secretary of State from 1861 to 1869, and earlier served as governor of New York and as a United States Senator. A determined oppon ...
threatened the rebels with 700 militiamen and obtained their surrender. However, an insurrection continued to smolder. Disguised "Calico Indians" resisted tax collection and law enforcement, sometimes tarring and feathering their enemies.
[Thomas Summerhill, "Anti-Rent Wars (New York)", in ''Encyclopedia of U.S. Labor and Working-class History'' Vol. 1, ed. Eric Arnesen; Routledge, 2007; ; pp]
118
€“119.
In January 1845, one hundred and fifty delegates from eleven counties assembled at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Berne to call for political action to redress their grievances.
Results
The Anti-Rent War led to the creation of the Antirenter Party, which had a strong influence on
New York State
New York, officially the State of New York, is a state in the Northeastern United States. It is often called New York State to distinguish it from its largest city, New York City. With a total area of , New York is the 27th-largest U.S. stat ...
politics from 1846–51. Newly elected governor
Silas Wright
Silas Wright Jr. (May 24, 1795 – August 27, 1847) was an American attorney and Democratic politician. A member of the Albany Regency, he served as a member of the United States House of Representatives, New York State Comptroller, United Stat ...
moved in 1845 to stamp out the Calico Indians, and pushed for a law which outlawed disguises.
Trials of leaders of the revolt, charged with riot, conspiracy and robbery, were held in 1845 with
Amasa J. Parker presiding. Attorneys included
Ambrose L. Jordan, as leading counsel for the defense, and
John Van Buren
John Van Buren (February 18, 1810 – October 13, 1866) was an American lawyer, official and politician. In addition to serving as a key advisor to his father, President Martin Van Buren, he was also Attorney General of New York from 1845 to 1 ...
, the state attorney general, who personally conducted the prosecution. At the first trial, the jury came to no conclusion and Parker declared a mistrial. During a re-trial in September 1845, the two attorneys started a fistfight in open court. Both were sentenced by the presiding judge,
John W. Edmonds
John Worth Edmonds (March 13, 1799 – April 5, 1874) was an American lawyer and politician from New York, and co-founder of Children's Village with 23 others.
Life
He was the son of General Samuel Edmonds (1760–1825; assemblyman in 1803) and L ...
, to "solitary confinement in the county jail for 24 hours." At the conclusion of the trial, one defendant, Smith A. Boughton, was sentenced to life imprisonment. After the election of
John Young John Young may refer to:
Academics
* John Young (professor of Greek) (died 1820), Scottish professor of Greek at the University of Glasgow
* John C. Young (college president) (1803–1857), American educator, pastor, and president of Centre Col ...
as governor with the support of the Anti-Renters, he pardoned Boughton.
John Van Steenburgh and Edward O'Connor were sentenced to death by hanging for their involvement in the shooting of Undersheriff Osman Steele, an incident that took place at Moses Earle's farm in
Andes, New York during a sheriff's sale after Earle was unable to pay his rent.
Earle and two others were sentenced to life in prison.
[ Several others received lesser prison sentences.][ Governor Young later commuted the death sentences to life in prison.][
The New York Constitution of 1846 added provisions for tenants' rights, abolishing feudal tenures and outlawing leases lasting longer than twelve years.] The remaining manors dissolved quickly as the patroons sold off the lands.
People involved
* Smith A. Boughton, Anti-Rent leader
* John W. Edmonds
John Worth Edmonds (March 13, 1799 – April 5, 1874) was an American lawyer and politician from New York, and co-founder of Children's Village with 23 others.
Life
He was the son of General Samuel Edmonds (1760–1825; assemblyman in 1803) and L ...
, judge who presided at Anti-Rent leader trials
* Ambrose L. Jordan, defense counsel at trials of Anti-Rent leaders.
* William Marcy, participated in posse to end Anti-Renter insurrection.
* Edward O'Connor, Anti-Renter who was convicted for murdering Undersheriff Osman Steele. He was sentenced to death, which was later commuted to life in prison.
* Amasa J. Parker, judge who presided at trials of Anti-Rent leaders,
* William Seward
William Henry Seward (May 16, 1801 – October 10, 1872) was an American politician who served as United States Secretary of State from 1861 to 1869, and earlier served as governor of New York and as a United States Senator. A determined oppon ...
, governor at start of Anti-Rent rebellion who took steps to end it.
* John I. Slingerland, state legislator and U.S. Congressman, was an advocate for the tenants during the Anti-Rent War.
* John Van Buren
John Van Buren (February 18, 1810 – October 13, 1866) was an American lawyer, official and politician. In addition to serving as a key advisor to his father, President Martin Van Buren, he was also Attorney General of New York from 1845 to 1 ...
, took part in posse that attempted to end Anti-Renter insurrection, prosecutor at trials of Anti-Renter leaders.
* Lawrence Van Deusen, president of the Anti-Rent Association of Albany County, New York.
* Stephen Van Rensselaer IV, heir to the Manor of Rensselaerswyck. His efforts to collect past due rents and refusal to negotiate with Anti-Renters was the primary cause of the dispute.
* John Van Steenburgh, Anti-Renter who was convicted for murdering Undersheriff Osman Steele. He was sentenced to death, which was later commuted to life in prison.
* Silas Wright
Silas Wright Jr. (May 24, 1795 – August 27, 1847) was an American attorney and Democratic politician. A member of the Albany Regency, he served as a member of the United States House of Representatives, New York State Comptroller, United Stat ...
, A Democrat
Democrat, Democrats, or Democratic may refer to:
Politics
*A proponent of democracy, or democratic government; a form of government involving rule by the people.
*A member of a Democratic Party:
**Democratic Party (United States) (D)
**Democratic ...
who was governor prior to John Young, his efforts to end the Anti-Rent rebellion led to the election of Young, who was the nominee of the Whig Party.
* John Young John Young may refer to:
Academics
* John Young (professor of Greek) (died 1820), Scottish professor of Greek at the University of Glasgow
* John C. Young (college president) (1803–1857), American educator, pastor, and president of Centre Col ...
, governor following the trials of the Anti-Rent leaders, he granted a pardon to Smith Boughton and commutations to other participants.
See also
* Anya Seton's novel '' Dragonwyck'' (1944) is set during the Anti-Rent War.
* List of incidents of civil unrest in the United States
Listed are major episodes of civil unrest in the United States. This list does not include the numerous incidents of destruction and violence associated with various sporting events.
18th century
*1783 – Pennsylvania Mutiny of 1783, June 20 ...
* Manor of Rensselaerswyck, for further information on how the following years convinced landed proprietors to sell out their interests
* Andes, New York
References
Further reading
*
* .
* .
* .
* Miller, Douglas T. (1967) ''Jacksonian Aristocracy: Class and Democracy in New York, 1830–1860.'' New York: Oxford University Press.
* .
{{Authority control
1839 establishments in New York (state)
1845 disestablishments in New York (state)
1830s conflicts
1840s conflicts
1830s in New York (state)
1840s in New York (state)
19th-century rebellions
Political history of New York (state)
Rebellions in the United States
Housing in New York (state)
Housing protests
Tarring and feathering in the United States