In 1664, the Dutch colony of New Netherland faced a significant challenge to its sovereignty, culminating in the surrender of Fort Orange to English forces. This event was part of a broader conflict between the States of Holland and King Charles II of England, influenced by his brother James and Henry Bennet, 1st Earl of Arlington, who sought a profitable foreign war. The English naval officers of the time largely welcomed the prospect of a conflict with
the Dutch, setting the stage for military action in the Americas. The peaceful surrender of Fort Orange marked a critical turning point in the region's colonial history, leading to its renaming and the establishment of English control.
The Approach and Initial Resistance
The English advance on New Netherland was not entirely unforeseen by the Dutch. On September 10, Johannes de Decker sailed north to Fort Orange with the specific mission of warning the inhabitants about the impending English arrival and to rally opposition against them. Despite these efforts to prepare for a defense, the strategic realities of the situation soon became apparent. The English, under the command of Nicolls, sent troops to demand the peaceful surrender of the fort, indicating their intent to avoid a prolonged conflict if possible. The Dutch leadership at Fort Orange had to weigh their options carefully, understanding the implications of resisting a superior force.
The Surrender and Renaming of Fort Orange
Realizing that control of the mouth of the river was paramount to the settlement's future, Johannes de Montagne, the vice-director of New Netherland, made the difficult decision to surrender Fort Orange to the English. This occurred on September 24, 1664. Following the surrender, Colonel George Cartwright took immediate command of the fort. The very next day, Captain John Manning was placed in charge, and the fort underwent a significant transformation: it was renamed Fort Albany. This new name honored the Duke of York's title in the Peerage of Scotland, symbolizing the shift in colonial power. The surrounding Dutch settlement of Beverwyck was also renamed Albany, further solidifying the English presence.
Consolidating English Control and Local Administration
After securing Fort Albany, Colonel Cartwright did not stop there. On his journey back down the river, he landed at Esopus, where the settlement surrendered without resistance. In both Albany and Esopus, Cartwright took deliberate steps to conciliate the existing residents. He allowed local Dutch officials to remain in power, a pragmatic approach aimed at ensuring stability and minimizing disruption during the transition. A garrison of regular soldiers was stationed at Fort Albany under the command of Captain Daniel Brodhead of the grenadiers, who, along with his wife, settled in the area. Brodhead's grandson, Daniel Brodhead II, would later found Dansbury, Pennsylvania, illustrating the lasting impact of these early English settlers.
The Fort's Later History and English Rule
Following the English takeover, Fort Albany continued to play a role in the region's defense and administration. In 1666, Jeremias van Rensselaer, the patroon of Rensselaerswyck, attempted to have the new English government recognize Fort Albany as part of his patroonship. However, Governor Nicholls advised him to drop the matter, indicating that the fort's status was distinct. In 1678, Governor Andros issued a grant reaffirming the patroon's rights over Rensselaerswyck but specifically excluded Fort Albany and its immediate vicinity. The English eventually abandoned the original Fort Orange (now Fort Albany) in favor of a new fortification, Fort Frederick, constructed in 1676 on State Street Hill. This new fort was strategically placed on higher ground to defend against the Mohawk and other Iroquois tribes to the west, and also to serve as a visible reminder of English authority to the Dutch inhabitants. The land around the old fort was sold to the Dutch Reformed Church for use as pastureland, and by 1769, a traveler named Richard Smith observed that "nothing to be seen of Fort Orange... but the Ditch which surrounded it," marking the physical end of the original structure.
