Moses Viney was a runaway slave who was later hired by Union College president Eliphalet Nott . When Eliphalet Nott died, he left Moses $1000 and a carriage. Mr. Viney purchased three more carriages and started his own livery service.
(Further information can be found in The Daily Gazette) 2/4/18

Contributor:

Jeni
***********************
Death Sets Old Slave Free by Neil Yetwin
(In this final chapter, we say "farewell" to an admirable person who could be deemed a true Schenectadian by
virtue of the life he lived and the contributions he made to this city a hundred and fifty odd years ago.)
Though now self-employed, Moses Viney continued to maintain close ties to Union College. Each year he would
make an appearance at the annual alumni dinner held and the Schenectady Armory, carrying with him Eliphalet
Nott's old ivory-headed cane. "To shake him by the hand and to have a word or two of conversation with him,"
reported the Union College Concordienses of January 15, 1900, "has been as much pleasure for the alumni as it
has been to meet their classmates at the reunion." The Schenectady Evening Star characterized Moses as "the
most noted and picturesque figure on the streets."
During the last decade of his life, Moses began to suffer from rheumatism as well as heart and kidney trouble.
"Moses Viney, who has been confined indoors for some time, " stated the Concordienses of April 18, 1900, "is
out and about once again and the students are glad to see his familiar face about the campus." Nevertheless, in
February, 1901, at age 84, Moses decided to retire. His last act before retiring was to drive Mrs. Peissner, the
registrar of the College, from her home to the campus. In an open letter to the Daily Union he wrote, "I have
now been obliged to give up on account of my ill health and thank all the citizens in general for their liberal
patronage. I used to often hear Dr. Nott tell the college boys that were late to always be punctual, and I have
always endeavored to carry out this plan in all my dealings with my customers."
Moses appeared again at Union in 1904 during the ceremony marking the 100th anniversary of Nott's
inauguration as president of the College. the 88-year-old stood on a chair to display Nott's hat, the whiffletree of
Nott's old three-wheeled carriage, and the pen he used to sign diplomas. Moses declined calls from the crown
for a speech, and union President Andrew Van Vranken Raymond said, "We must excuse Moses from making a
speech; his presence is eloquence enough." Now in the care of his half-sister Leila, then in her mid-40's, Moses
would take a daily stroll near his home around Crescent Park, now Veterans Park.
Local newspapers often sketched affectionate portraits of Moses' home life in retirement. "Seated in Dr. Nott's
high-backed chair, in his cozy room at his house on Lafayette Street and surrounded by relics of former days,"
reported the Evening Star, "he spent much of his time content in memories of the past, and in silent
communication with the pictures of those near to him grouped about the large portrait of Dr. Nott. Moses used
to say that he was never alone while in this room, for the pictures and furniture spoke to him in a language he
alone could understand."
Though his health began a serious decline about six months prior to his death, Moses continues his daily walks
around Crescent Park for about three more months. He finally passes away on Sunday evening of January 10,
1909, at 11:00 PM, just short of age 92. The Evening Start reported that "his mental faculties were fine until just
two days before his death, and he recognized and conversed with visitors in that time." The Daily Union
announced "Death Sets Old Slave Free" and that Viney had been a "Friend of Union College Boys in Days
Gone By." His funeral took place that Thursday, January 14th in Vale Cemetery's "Colored Plot". The
Concordiensis said of him: "There is no one about whom more memories of by-gone days cling than about this
faithful and devoted Negro. It is with sorrow that the Alumni will read of the death of one who has seemed to
them to be a part of old Union herself."
Among Schenectady's African-Americans, Moses Viney alone left a detailed personal record that speaks to us
today of his ambition, courage and intelligence in the face of the difficult transition from slavery to freedom. The
day after his funeral, the Daily Union reported that "some colored friends ordered a floral piece for the coffin
that spelled out 'Free'." It was a fitting tribute to the man who nearly 70 years before had set out for Canada,
"where all are free".
Contributor: kilonovember (50801385)

Moses Viney was a runaway slave who was later hired by Union College president Eliphalet Nott . When Eliphalet Nott died, he left Moses $1000 and a carriage. Mr. Viney purchased three more carriages and started his own livery service.
(Further information can be found in The Daily Gazette) 2/4/18

Contributor:

Jeni
***********************
Death Sets Old Slave Free by Neil Yetwin
(In this final chapter, we say "farewell" to an admirable person who could be deemed a true Schenectadian by
virtue of the life he lived and the contributions he made to this city a hundred and fifty odd years ago.)
Though now self-employed, Moses Viney continued to maintain close ties to Union College. Each year he would
make an appearance at the annual alumni dinner held and the Schenectady Armory, carrying with him Eliphalet
Nott's old ivory-headed cane. "To shake him by the hand and to have a word or two of conversation with him,"
reported the Union College Concordienses of January 15, 1900, "has been as much pleasure for the alumni as it
has been to meet their classmates at the reunion." The Schenectady Evening Star characterized Moses as "the
most noted and picturesque figure on the streets."
During the last decade of his life, Moses began to suffer from rheumatism as well as heart and kidney trouble.
"Moses Viney, who has been confined indoors for some time, " stated the Concordienses of April 18, 1900, "is
out and about once again and the students are glad to see his familiar face about the campus." Nevertheless, in
February, 1901, at age 84, Moses decided to retire. His last act before retiring was to drive Mrs. Peissner, the
registrar of the College, from her home to the campus. In an open letter to the Daily Union he wrote, "I have
now been obliged to give up on account of my ill health and thank all the citizens in general for their liberal
patronage. I used to often hear Dr. Nott tell the college boys that were late to always be punctual, and I have
always endeavored to carry out this plan in all my dealings with my customers."
Moses appeared again at Union in 1904 during the ceremony marking the 100th anniversary of Nott's
inauguration as president of the College. the 88-year-old stood on a chair to display Nott's hat, the whiffletree of
Nott's old three-wheeled carriage, and the pen he used to sign diplomas. Moses declined calls from the crown
for a speech, and union President Andrew Van Vranken Raymond said, "We must excuse Moses from making a
speech; his presence is eloquence enough." Now in the care of his half-sister Leila, then in her mid-40's, Moses
would take a daily stroll near his home around Crescent Park, now Veterans Park.
Local newspapers often sketched affectionate portraits of Moses' home life in retirement. "Seated in Dr. Nott's
high-backed chair, in his cozy room at his house on Lafayette Street and surrounded by relics of former days,"
reported the Evening Star, "he spent much of his time content in memories of the past, and in silent
communication with the pictures of those near to him grouped about the large portrait of Dr. Nott. Moses used
to say that he was never alone while in this room, for the pictures and furniture spoke to him in a language he
alone could understand."
Though his health began a serious decline about six months prior to his death, Moses continues his daily walks
around Crescent Park for about three more months. He finally passes away on Sunday evening of January 10,
1909, at 11:00 PM, just short of age 92. The Evening Start reported that "his mental faculties were fine until just
two days before his death, and he recognized and conversed with visitors in that time." The Daily Union
announced "Death Sets Old Slave Free" and that Viney had been a "Friend of Union College Boys in Days
Gone By." His funeral took place that Thursday, January 14th in Vale Cemetery's "Colored Plot". The
Concordiensis said of him: "There is no one about whom more memories of by-gone days cling than about this
faithful and devoted Negro. It is with sorrow that the Alumni will read of the death of one who has seemed to
them to be a part of old Union herself."
Among Schenectady's African-Americans, Moses Viney alone left a detailed personal record that speaks to us
today of his ambition, courage and intelligence in the face of the difficult transition from slavery to freedom. The
day after his funeral, the Daily Union reported that "some colored friends ordered a floral piece for the coffin
that spelled out 'Free'." It was a fitting tribute to the man who nearly 70 years before had set out for Canada,
"where all are free".
Contributor: kilonovember (50801385)