Allegany County Land Agent from 1835 to 1850, and Albany Owner of

Rensselaerwyck Manor Tenant Land leases from 1853 to 1890

Boyhood Years

It was into this setting that young Walter Church was born and raised. Author Helene Phelan in, The Man Who Owned the Pistols, wrote that he was born in 1813, at Canandaigua, New York, probably when court was in session, requiring his father’s presence. His application to West Point Military Academy, written by his father in 1828, states that he was born on November 4, 1813.

In that same application to West Point for his son, then fourteen years old, Judge Philip Church described Walter as “an active and healthful youth, and as far as the partiality of a parent may admit of my forming a correct judgement, I think he possesses talents which well directed, may do himself credit and be of some advantage to his country.” 6 A second letter of application to West Point for young Walter was written by Henry Many of Philadelphia, a family acquaintance of General Stewart, father of Walter’s mother Anna. He describes an eleven year old Walter as “a beautiful boy; has all that hardy and brave character which his family so rightfully lay claim to.” 7 [see Appendix A for copies of application letters]

As a son of a wealthy landowner, lawyer and judge, Walter learned from his environment enough about land management and legal matters to set up a land agency business in 1835 to make a living collecting rents from his father’s tenants in Allegany County with his brother John Church.

Early Adult Years

As a young man, Walter often displayed an unpleasant personality in his relationships, and he was not liked and even hated by many tenants for his tactics enforcing payments of rents, according to author Phalen. [Later on, in Albany and Rensselaer Counties, he used military force when working as a land agent there]. We have only suggestions of any problems with Walter growing up in his family. In 1835, his mother wrote, “Give a great deal of love to John and Walter. I hope that Walter has become an early riser. He may as well content and fix himself at home. There is nothing to be done elsewhere…” 8 Walter was 22 in 1835, and had begun his land agency business with his brother John.

On July 1, 1831, Walter entered the Engineering Department at West Point Military Academy. His application papers from his father relied heavily on prominent family members, Generals Schuyler and Stewart, and John Barker Church. But after a midyear evaluation of his progress, he was recommended for discharge because he was found deficient in mathematics. His discharge was effective on January 1, 1932. 9

After this disappointing experience, he spent many years figuring complicated dollar amounts due from tenant farmers, many of whom had leases on multiple parcels of land. His failure at West Point in mathematics might partially explain why tenants often disagreed with the amounts he claimed they owed. The Allegany County History by Beers reports that in 1823, Philip Church sold an undivided ¾ interest in the Philipsburg Reserve to a group of people, retaining ¼ interest for himself, and a village and farm area were plotted in 1833. In 1834, Walter S. Church [aged 21] bought for his father at auction lot #14 which had not been previously sold, and three years later in 1837 he acquired the ¾ interest in the Reserve from the then owners. He was in that year, aged 24, the Supervisor of the Town of Amity. Two years later, in 1839, he acquired his father’s ¼ interest upon which total he put a mortgage to George P. Burrell. Ten years later in 1849 Burrell foreclosed, and Church lost the property. It was a forecast of later interests. Walter, too, wanted to become proprietor of a town. Beers also comments that when the Philipsburg Mill Reserve was in the possession of Walter S. Church, he made a contract with Daniel Crabtree to build a sawmill at the mouth of Phillips Creek with a hydraulic canal from the Genesee to Phillips Creek. Beers says that, “by the terms of the contract, Mr. Church was to furnish the water power and Mr. Crabtree was to build the mill, at his own expense, and each was to own ½ of the establishment. This was sold to J. Langdon and Son. Beers does not give a date. Sometime in those years, Walter built a house in Belmont which was apparently afterward torn down.” 10

The State Library has information that indicates it was in 1834-35 that Walter began his land agency business in Angelica with his brother John Church. About 14 letters written by Walter can be found in an 1835-1838 letter copy book at the New York State Library Archives. Typed excerpts of these letters display his early style of business conduct, his friendship with his brother and partner John Church, his concern for John’s son’s health, and his travels and messages to persons in New York City, Providence, Boston, and Angelica. 11 [see Appendix B] He used the experience he gained in Angelica later in Albany to secure through court action, lawsuits and contacts with State Democratic party officials to make money collecting back rents from tenant farmers of Rensselaerwick Manor from 1853 until his death in 1890.

A Description of Walter Church

“Church is described by such men as Mr. John D. White and Mr. John Cummings who knew him intimately as a tall straight man of distinguished bearing, smooth faced, with features resembling those of an Indian. Some said he was part Indian. He was usually attired in a Prince Albert coat and beaver hat. Personal estimates of the man are divided into classes; those strongly complimentary, and those distinctly opposite. The viewpoint being determined largely by what was gained or lost through his acquaintanceship. He had few friends – but they were admiring and respectful. He had bitter and numerous enemies.” 12 Most of his close friends were the political and judicial leaders of the Democratic Party of Albany who were wined and dined at his Albany mansion.

Death of his Parents

Walter’s father, Judge Philip Church, died in Allegany County on January 7, 1861. His mother, Anna, died in 1865 also at Belvidere. “In his will, Philip Church left his son Walter the sum of $50….after payment of any debts owed to him. In her will, Anna Mathilda Church left her son Walter a large collection of Shakespeare, and a letter from George Washington.” 13 Walter’s brother Richard Church became the proprietor of the mansion at Belvidere. It was Richard’s desire to keep the family residence as long as he could afford to, and in as good condition as he was able. Unfortunately, he was not a good businessman. Much of his money he speculated in stock and mining lands. When they failed, he lost Belvidere. Walter was, at this time, very active in Albany, using all means possible to collect back rent from tenant farmers in Rennselaerwick Manor.