THE COLUMBIA LIBRARY

HUDSON,

  COLUMBIA COUNTY, NEW YORK

By Captain Franklin Ellis¹⁵⁷

¹⁸⁷⁸

     The Columbia Library was (with the exception of a small circulating library, started in 1786) the first institution of the kind in Hudson.  The project was started in December, 1793.  The requisite number of subscribers was soon obtained, and on or about the 1st of February, 1794, the library was opened at the printing-office of Ashbel Stoddard, who was its first librarian.  The period of its continuance cannot be given.

THE HUDSON LIBRARY SOCIETY

HUDSON,

  COLUMBIA COUNTY, NEW YORK

By Captain Franklin Ellis¹⁵⁷

¹⁸⁷⁸

     The Hudson Library Society was organized March 14, 1797, under the act of April 1, 1796.  Samuel Edmonds was chairman of the meeting at which the organization was effected.  The first board of trustees was composed of Robert Jenkins, Elisha Jenkins, Henry Malcolm, Hezekiah L. Hosmer, Samuel Edmonds, Isaac Northrop, and Walter V. Wempler.  The librarian was Shubael Worth, and the library was kept at his store, at the northwest corner of Warren and Second streets.  It continued to exist--though in a very languishing condition--for many years, and finally expired under the presidency of Robert a. Barnard, Esq.