ORGANIZE:
On this day in 1839, tenant farmers in Albany County, New York issued a "Declaration of Independence" from their landlord, beginning the longest rent strike in U.S. history, known as the Anti-Rent War.
On this day in 1839, tenant farmers on New York's oldest estate assembled in Albany County to adopt a declaration of independence from their landlord, initiating the longest rent strike in U.S. history, the "Anti-Rent War".
Their previous landlord, Stephen van Rensselaer III, who owned all 726,000 acres of the effectively feudal estate of Rensselaerwyck, had passed away a few months prior.
In their declaration of independence, the farmers stated "We will take up the ball of the Revolution where our fathers stopped it and roll it to the final consummation of freedom and independence of the masses."
This began a six year rebellion known as the Anti-Rent War, the longest rent strike in U.S. history.
In those six years, the farmers fought off attempts to collect rent by force, repelling a 500-man posse led by the Albany County sheriff.
In 1844, the movement formed a prominent political party, known as the "Antirenter" party. In 1846, provisions for tenants' rights - abolishing feudal tenures and outlawing leases lasting longer than twelve years - were added to the New York Constitution.
Read more:
http://alloveralbany.com/arc.../2014/11 … i-rent-war
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-Rent_War