 Albany was established as a city in 1686 by Governor Dongan through the Dongan Charter after the English took over the colony.Schenectady to the west was given a patent with some municipal rights in 1684 and became a borough in 1765.The Manor of Rensselaerswyck was created as a district within the county in 1772, and later divided into two districts, one on each side of the Hudson River in 1779.