Witbeck’s great-great-granddaughter tells the story of his anti-rent murder trial
To the Editor:
The Clarksville Historical Society will host a presentation by Jill Knapp on the Anti-Rent Wars in Rensselaer and Albany counties.
Her talk is focused on the incident in 1869 in which Deputy Sheriff Griggs of Rensselaer County was mortally wounded and the unprecedented court proceeding leading up to the trial for his murder. The outcome of the trial and its aftermath will be discussed, as well as some anti-rent incidents in the Clarksville area.
Jill Witbeck Knapp became interested in her family history, which resulted in her nonfiction book, “The Time for Redemption,” the story of her great-great-grandfather William Witbeck, who was charged with the murder of Rensselaer County Deputy Sheriff Griggs in 1869.
She will also include some events relevant to Clarksville. Jill is a former director of the Mohawk Hudson Land Conservancy and Greene Land Trust.
The program, on Wednesday, April 3, will start at 7 p.m. at the Clarksville Community Church at 1997 Delaware Turnpike in Clarksville.
Marilyn Miles
Program Coordinator
Clarksville
Historical Society