User:MattWade/Brunswick Sources

The City of Troy and Its Vicinity (Weise, 1886)
"Brunswick, a town of Rensselaer County, erected March 20, 1807. It extends along the east bounds of the towns of Lansingburgh and Troy. Population : 1810, 2,302 ; 1815, 2,233 ; 1820, 2,318; 1825, 2,478 ; 1830, 2,575 ; 1835, 2,679; 1840, 3,051; 1845, 2,855 ; 1850, 3,146 ; 1855, 3.10I ', 1860, 3.11O; 1865, 3,175 ; 1870, 3,128; 1875,3,237; 1880, 3,402. Eagle Mills, formerly called Milltown, in the town of Brunswick, is about four miles from Troy. It contains about sixty buildings, including two churches, two stores, a hoe manufactory, a foundry, and a tavern. Population about 500. Cropseyville is near the eastern limits of the town. Brunswick Centre, Clum's Corners, Haynerville, Platesville, and Rock Hollow are small villages in the town."

History of Rensselaer County (Silvester, 1880)
"It is usually stated in the gazetteers of the State and the county that Brunswick was settled by a colony of Germans around 1760, but there are many facts, many relating to churches and parishes, which indicated an earlier date by nearly twenty years.

The etymology of the town is unclear. The old German name Brunswick was given to it, whether in honor of the nationality of the first settlers of 1760, or of the family of Braunschweigers among them, is not settled in history or tradition. For either reason, its appropriateness cannot be disputed.

The pioneer settlement was in the northwest corner of the town, in the neighborhood now known as Haynerville. Upon the map of the Manor of Rensselaerswyck, drawn in 1767 by John R. Bleecker, twelve names appear. There are nine other dwellings indicated on the map, but without names.

The present territory of Brunswick was part of the town of Troy for more than forty years following its settlement. Troy had been organized as a town in 1791. The growing importance of the prospective city beneath the bluffs, and its requirements in civil organization differing so much from those of the outlying territory beyond soon led to tis natural result and the new town was incorporated on March 30, 1807.

The first town meeting was held at the house of Nathan Betts, a local innkeeper, and continued taking place there for another year. The first town supervisor was Flores Bancker, who held the office from 1807 until 1809. The first town clerk was Daniel Wager, who served for one year. The first three justices of the peace were Robert McChesney, Daniel Wagar, and John McManus. In pursuance of laws enacted under the constitution of 1821, justices of the peace were chosen at the general elections or were appointed by the courts. The election of justices at town meetings began in 1831.

It is said that few residents took part in the Revolutionary War, as there were few inhabitants at the time anyway. Little documentation exists on who took part in the War of 1812. There was significantly more interest in fighting during the Civil War, Brunswick having sent more that 125 men to fight during various times of the war."