Phelps family.

The Phelps family was a relatively prominent family in Albany, N.Y. The patriarch of the family was Philip Phelps, the son of John Sawyer Phelps, a veteran of the American Revolution. Phelps married Hannah Mastercraft, sister of William Mastercraft, a cartwright and wheelwright in Albany. Phelps' son William L. Marcy Phelps served as the treasurer of the Albany and Susquehanna Railroad, a subsidiary line of the Delaware and Hudson Railroad.

Philip Phelps was born in Coeymans, Albany County, New York. His mother was Catharine Conine, daughter of Philip Conine. Phelps was a lawyer in the offices of Kilian K. Van Rensselaer. In 1812 he was appointed to a position in the New York State Quartermaster General's office by Governor Daniel D. Tompkins. Following the war Phelps served in a number of local judiciary positions including town of Colonie police justice. In 1826 Phelps was appointed as a Deputy State Comptroller, a position he retained until his death in 1876. He was also active in the settlement of the estate of Cornelus Van Rensselaer.

The Albany and Susquehanna Railroad was established as an independent rail line in the mid-1860's. William L. Marcy Phelps served as it's first treasurer, a position he held until the early twentieth century. William L. M.'s interest in the railroad and it's history exceeded his official capacities and is expressed in the large quantity of material he collected regarding the railroad.