Andrew Meneely Hitchcock was born in West Troy on 16 February 1808. He was the oldest son of Captain James Hitchcock (1785-1858) and Peggy Meneely (c. 1790-a. 1818). Andrew was named after his maternal grandfather Andrew James Meneely. He was also baptized at the First Presbyterian Church of Troy on 01 May 1808. Andrew's siblings included:
- Aistroppe Robinson (1810-1876) married Margaret Ann Sickman
- Alexander (1812-1871) married Abigail Irena Hanks
- Marian (1814- )
- James Harvey (1816-1894) married Juliette Harriet Fuller
- Eleanor Levina (1818- )
On 11 August 1831, Andrew married Charlotte Crowner at the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church at Gibbonsville. Andrew and Charlotte's children included:
- Barbara Helen (1834-1922) married Dr. William Ogden McDonald
- Oscar Meneely (1838-1908) married Mary P. Platt
- Richard Crowner (1846-1880)
- Charlotte (1858-1871)
Their first three children were born in West Troy. Then the family moved to Brooklyn. Perhaps to be closer to the New York harbor shipping industry. Captain Hitchcock died on 21 March 1883. He was long associated with Hudson River as the below obituaries state.
From the Daily Brooklyn Eagle, 22 March 1883, 3:7
Captain Andrew M Hitchcock, the oldest surviving steamboat captain on the North River and one of the best known men connected with the inland transportation service, died early yesterday morning at his home, No. 427 Sixth street, in this city, in his 76th year. Captain Hitchcock possessed a strong and vigorous constitution, and enjoyed excellent health until Ash Wednesday, February 9, when he was stricken by an attack of Bright's disease of the kidneys. He rallied at times and it was hoped by his many friends that he would recover, but advanced years and the strain incidental by the long and active business pursuit in which he had been engaged, proved too much to contend against and his illness eventually terminated in death. He was born in West Troy on February16, 1808, and commenced life on the river at the early age of 11 years as a cabin boy. Working hard and not shrinking from taking his part in the "rough and tumble" peculiar to his occupation, he soon earned the esteem of his captain and employers and was promoted to the office of cook. From this station he was advanced to that of mate, and from mate to captain, which position he filled with admirable ability and to the satisfaction of all with whom he had commercial transactions. He commanded at various time the steamboats Oliver Ellsworth, Commerce, Trojan, John W. Mason, Jenny Lind, Oregon, Mercury, Koscisko and others, which were famous in their days as models of floating architecture. His career was full of exciting and novel scenes and would furnish excellent material for a volume of abscribing interest. In the course of his sixty-five years experience became acquainted with many of the most prominent men of the time and the name of Captain "Neely, by which he was popularly known to merchants and tourists was "as familiar as household words." In consequence of being the oldest captain on the river, he was selected to carry President Lincoln and Cabinet during the Summer of 1863 or '64 on his boat River Queen, to Albany, whom the party made an excursion to the Capital city of the Empire State. Captain Hitchcock was highly esteemed as a man for his sterling honesty and for the ability with which he discharged the duties devolving upon him. He leaves a son and daughter, both of whom are married, and a circle of friends whose name is legion. His funeral will take place from his late residence tomorrow afternoon at 4 o'clock. the internment will be in the Albany Rural Cemetery. the flags on all the Hudson River boats were raised at half mast as a tribute to his memory, immediately upon the receipt of the news of his death.
From the New York Times, 23 March 1883
CAPT. ANDREW M. HITCHCOCK.
Capt. Andrew M. Hitchcock, the oldest Captain on the North River, died yesterday morning at the residence of his son, No. 426 Sixth-street, South Brooklyn, of Bright's disease of the kidneys, from which he had been suffering for the past two years. Capt. Hitchcock, who was known familiarly by the name of "Capt. Kneely" at every landing place between this city and Albany, commanded steam-boats on the Hudson for more than 50 consecutive years, and was known and steamed by hundreds of river men. He was born in West Troy Feb. 16, 1808. and was 75 years old at the time of his death. He removed to this City when a boy and begun to work on the North River boats when but 12 years old. At the age of 21 he became the Captain of a river steamer running between this City and Albany. and continued to command boats on the Hudson until about two years ago, when he was compelled to retire from business on account of ill health. During his more than half a century of active work as Captain he commanded, among others steamers, the Oliver Ellsworth, Swiftsure, Commerce, Trojan, Anna, Kosciusko, Alida, Ontario, and Hero. He was in command of the River Queen when President Lincoln and his Cabinet made a trip to Albany in her. Capt. Hitchcock leaves a son and daughter, both of whom are married. The funeral services will be held at the residence of his son, No. 426 Sixth-street, South Brooklyn, tomorrow afternoon at 4 o'clock. The interment will be in the Rural Cemetery, Albany.
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| Captain Andrew Meneely Hitchcock, lot |
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| Obelisk Inscription |
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