YALE UNIVERSITY
LIBRARY

HISTORY

SCHOHARIE COUNTY,

BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK:

CONTAINING ALSO

A SKETCH OF THE CAUSES WHICH LED TO THE
AMERICAN REVOLUTION ;

INTERESTING MEMORANDA OF THE MOHAWK VALLEY;

TOGETHER WITH

MUCH OTHER HISTORICAL AND MISCELLANEOUS MATTER,
NEVER BEFORE PUBLISHED.

ILLUSTRATED WITH MORE THAN THIRTY ENGRAVINGS.

BY JEPTHA R. SIMMS.

Sleep soldiers of merit, sleep gallants of yore,
The hatchet is fallen, the struggle is o'er, —
While the fir tree is green and the wind rolls a wave,
The tear drop shall hrighlen the tarf of the brave. — Upham

ALBANY;
MUNSELL & TANNER, PRINTERS
1845.

Entered according to an Act of Congress, in the year 1845, by
JEPTHA R. SIMMS,
In the Clerk's Office of the Northern District of New York.

TO THE YOUNG MEN OF THE
SCHOHAKIE AND MOHAWK VALLEYS,
Classic Grounds for ihe Antiquarian,
This volume is respectfully dedicated. And
should the young be interested in its perusal, and
its scenes of blood tend to increase their love of
country and hatred of tyranny inspiring them with
gratitude towards the heroes of the Revolution, —
a spirit to emulate their daring deeds, and a desire
to become familiar, not only with the stirring events
which have been enacted near their own domestic
altars, but a perfect history of their whole country —
her institutions and the manner of preserving them.;
then will his desired reward be attained. THE AUTHOR.

PREFACE

Comparatively few persons ever read the preface of a book,
although every one should who would peruse the contents of
the latter understandingly : for as a door serves us to enter
the dwelling of our neighbor, so a preface is given by the
writer of a volume as its entrance. That individual who does
not read what an author says of his own book, can never fully
appreciate its merits or demerits. Says Phillips in his Million
of Facts: "Let us garner up our notices of past ages, and
preserve them in the archives of the country : we shall please
and instruct ourselves by so doing, and make posterity lasting
ly indebted to us for the deed. To transmit the honors of one
age to another is our duty ; to neglect the merits of our fathers
is a disgrace." Actuated by corresponding motives, I com
menced collecting historic matter in 1837, with the view of
making it public.
From the lips of many hoary-headed persons of intelligence
then living, whom I visited at their dwellings at no little sa
crifice of time, the matter presented in the following pages was
taken down ; which individuals could say of numerous impor
tant transactions —
I was an actor in, or I witnessed them,
The collection of materials for this volume began just before
it was publicly announced, that Col. Stone's forthcoming Life

VI PREFACE.

of Brant would serve up many border transactions, but rightly,
conjecturing that not a few would escape that writer's notice, par
ticularly of a personal character, which might prove highly in
teresting to the general reader, I continued my gleanings ; with
what success the following pages will show. This volume does
not profess to contain a detailed narrative of all the tragic scenes
enacted on the frontiers of New York; for the reader is aware
that several large books filled with such matter have already
been published. I have aimed, therefore, to present incidents
which have escaped the knowlege of previous writers, or trans
actions to which I could add new facts, generally noticing in
their place, however, the most important events published by
other authors.
When writers are obliged to rely principally on oral testi
mony for what they publish, they are liable, from the treachery
of memory in some, and the fondness for the marvelous in others,
to imposition, to be practised in turn upon their readers. Aware
of this, in matters of importance I have principally confined my
inquiries to individuals sustaining a character of conscientious
regard for the truth. More than this, I have had the same
stories related by as many different persons as possible, often
strangers to each other; and then, on carefully examining their
testimony, have been enabled to arrive, as I believe, very sa-
tisfactorily at the truth. These antiquarian researches should
have been made at an earlier day, but the stale maxim, " better
late than never," will surely hold good in this instance if any.
When I commenced collecting materials for this work, I had
not designed to make it so extended, but incidents of real in
terest coming to my knowledge, which transpired in sections
remote from the Schoharie settlements, where those researches
began; I resolved to enlarge it so as to garner up as many

PREFACE. vii
unpublished events as possible, particularly of the Revolution ;
in pursuance of which plan I visited not a few aged persons
in the Mohawk valley. To render the book generally useful,
believing it would fall into the hands of some who might never
read an elaborate history of the American Revolution, I con
cluded to incorporate from the most authentic sources, a brief
sketch of the principal causes which brought about that Revo
lution, adding to it the Declaration of our Independence, a do
cument, which, though now in the possession of comparatively
few, should be in the hands of every American citizen.
Since the subject matter of the volume has taken a wider
range than was at first anticipated — in truth, not a few novel
and important facts have come to hand since a prospectus was
issued for it, the author has thought seriously of changing the
title because too local ; but as often has the question of the poet
arisen — " What 's in a name 1" and not fastening on any one
more satisfactory, it has been retained. That portions of the
volume may be found obnoxious to criticism, I do not doubt, as
it has mostly been written in the midst of the family circle and
domestic cares. Indeed, had it been penned under more favor
able auspices, I am not quite certain it would have been pro
nounced a very classic production; for, having been bred be
hind a counter, much of my early life was devoted to merchan
dising instead of letters. A friend who has often seen me in
my studio, surrounded by my family, has wittily suggested the
propriety, not inaptly I must confess, of dating this volume in
the kitchen, and dedicating it to my better-half.
The reader may expect to discover some little repetition, and
a want of smoothness and harmony in its parts, since portions
of this work\have been added as new light has been cast upon
them, long after others were written : besides, some of it has

V1U PREFACE.
undergone a hasty abridgement to bring it within the volume,
which now by far exceeds its intended limits. Care has been
taken to correct several errors into which previous writers have
fallen, from their not sufficiently authenticating what they publish
ed ; and it is very possible with all my pains-taking, that I have
fallen into some. If an essential one should become apparent
to any reader, he will confer a favor on the author by pointing
it out ; as also he will by transmitting ancient writings, or in
teresting unpublished facts to his address. A true history of the
Revolution cannot be written until the epitaphs of all the actors
in that great struggle for civil liberty shall have become moss-
bound ; for as the several parts of a body serve to make up its
whole, I conceive it necessary to bring together those scattered
parts before it can be pronounced complete. Frequently do
historic facts spring into life on the death of a scarred veteran,
when, perhaps, for the first time his old papers fall under the
observation of individuals who can appreciate their worth.
Although apprised by some of my pioneers in book-making
that local histories soldom quit cost, and urged by timid friends
long since to abandon the whole enterprise, still I have perse
vered in presenting the volume, such as it is, to the public,
feeling conscious, whether deceiving myself or not, that I was
discharging a duty I owed my country ; and if I have brought
into the general store-house any new materials for the future
historian, then has my labor not been in vain. That portions
of matter in the following pages may be thought by some readers
of too little importance to merit a place ; or that other passages
are too minutely detailed — too prolix to suit fastidious tastes,
I do not doubt. What pleases one will not always please an
other, and that which some readers would be most desirous to
retain, would possibly be the first rejected by others. The mi-

PREFACE. IX
nuteness with which our countrymen Stephens, Brooks, Clark
and other gifted writers have described what they saw and felt,
is the charm which renders their writings peculiarly acceptable
to most readers. As seasoning in food renders it more agree
able to the palate, so small incidents, trivial in themselves, if not
tedious, may give zest to a published event.
I would here acknowledge my indebtedness to all such per
sons as have in any manner aided me, by communicating in
formation either by letter or otherwise; and while I do so,
take pleasure in expressing my especial obligations to my friends,
Mr. Allen V. Lesley, a young gentlemen of much promise,
who sketched with accuracy the principal views with which
the volume is embellished; to my engravers, particularly to
Messrs. V. Balch and E. Forbes, who have done most of the
engraving, for the skillful manner in which they have executed
their trust, and to the Rev. John M. Van Buren for taking
some pains unsolicited, to bring the work into favorable notice.
So much imposition has of late been practised in the sale of
books by subscription, that I should not forget to signify my
gratitude to those who have conditionally agreed to purchase
this book, as they have secured to me the means of its publication.
Persons of little reading are incredulous when told that in
teresting facts of by-gone days remain unpublished, but my in
vestigations have been sufficient to satisfy me, that thrilling in
cidents of an unique character may yet be brought to light, and
I cannot refrain from indulging a hope, that other writers will
enter the field to glean where yet they may. And now, in
closing my introduction and offering this humble effort to the
public, to seek its share of popular favor, I cannot refrain from
observing, that I am induced to do it, more from a desire to be
come useful than conspicuous.
J. R. SIMMS.
Fultonville, JV. Y.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.
Origin and signification of Schoharie — Schoharie tribe of Indians, how formed
and distinguished — Location of Mohawk Castles — Indian Confederacy of
New York and policy of, the Albanians — Course of the Confederates in the
Revolution — Arts of the aborigines — Mysterious pit — Indian customs and
worship — Proper use of tobacco — Indian villages — Residence of Karighon-
dontee — Indian Castle at the Wilder-Hook — Indian name of mountains —
Number of Schoharie Indians — Their coat of arms — Their foot-paths —
North America peopled by religion— Policy of Queen Anne towards Ger
man emigrants — Schoharie settled by Germans— Their passage from Eu
rope — Encamp on the Hudson — Arrive at Albany — Distinction between
German and Dutch — Messengers sent to Schoharie — Party remove thither —
Incidents on the way — Origin of the word Helleberg — Location of Schoha
rie settlers — Their names — Probable number. - - Page 21
CHAPTER II.
Poverty of Schoharie Germans — Birth of four children — First wheat sown
in Schoharie — Milling done at Schenectada — Industry and Bravery of the
women — Physicians and Ministers — First horse — Settlement in Vrooman's
Land— -Indian titles at that place— Murder of Truax — Its object how re
vealed — Arrival of Bayard — Nature of his visit mistaken — Attempts to
capture him — He escapes to Schenectada — Schoharie lands sold at Albany
to seven partners — Foot race at Weiser's dorf — Battle between Captain
Hartman and his Indian neighbors — Puts a spell upon their guns — Smoking
of the calumet — Sheriff Adams arrives at Weiser's dorf — Rides upon a
rail — Returns to Albany- — Delegates sent from Albany to England — Are
committed to the Tower — Their return home — Weiser and others remove
to Pennsylvania — Origin of Cook-house — Horses return to Schoharie — In
stances of brute instinct — Justice Garlock removes to the Mohawk valley —
Evidence of his justice. ... - 51
CHAPTER III.
Ancient apple trees^First grist-mill in Schoharie county — Cobel's mills— In
dian name of Cobelskill — Old mill-stone — Introduction of bolting-cloths —
Schoharie fashions — Profitable women — Buttons — Dandies — Long beards —
First cider made in the county — First wheel-wright — First German school
in America — Schools in Schoharie — First black-smith in Schoharie — Do
mestic beer — Dutch pride and prejudice — Introduction of slaves and their
treatment — Farming utensils — Mode of threshing with horses — Shoe
makers — Tailors — Hatters — Abundance of fish — How exterminated — Wild
animals — A German killed by a bear — -Anecdote of the bear-catcher — A
bear killed by a German — Hunt on Fox's creek — A tartar caught — Promi
nent hills east of Middleburgh — A panther story — Beavers and their dams —
Doct. Moulter kills a wild-cat — First distillery in Schoharie — Fate of its
owner — An Indian shoots six deer with arrows — Rattle snakes — How de
stroyed — Indian courtship — Schoharie Indians sell lands — Ancient bond —
Purchases of Indians how legalized — Royal permit to purchase of Indians —

XU CONTENTS.
Sale of lands in New Dorlach— Reservations to government— Sales made
in presence of Sir William Johnson— Certificate of Thpmas Bradstreet—
Certificate of Mayor of Albany respecting sale of slaves— The King s
highways, how obstructed— First merchant in Schoharie— Anecdote of his
marriage— His portrait— The second merchant— His will— A cannon, to
whom presented and when used— Origin of Punchkill— Anecdote of John
J. Lawyer— Liquor drank at funerals— Indian murders — Savage act of a
father — An Indian marries his prisoner. ... - Page 79
CHAPTER IV.
Groat family settle in the Mohawk valley— Erect a grist-mill— Highland
troops arrive at Fort Johnson — Lewis Groat captured in the French war —
Incidents on his way to Canada — His return home — Murder of Mrs. Van
Alstyne and captivity of her daughter — Sir William Johnson — His birth —
Is agent for Sir Peter Warren — Establishes himself at Warren's Bush-
Becomes an Indian agent for the British government — Obtains a house
keeper — His marriages — Is created a Baronet — Erects Fort Johnson —
Builds mansions for his sons-in-law — Removes to Johnson Hall — Sir John
Johnson — His marriage and subsequent conduct — Sir William's death — Guy
Johnson succeeds him as Indian agent — Johnson mansions by whom occu
pied in the Revolution — Their confiscation — Commissi oners for selling con
fiscated personal property in Tryon county — Confidential slave of Sir John
Johnson — His recovery — Sale of Johnson Hall — Spook stories — Sir William
Johnson a great land-holder — His fondness for women — Lives with Molly
Brant — Pleasing anecdotes of the Baronet — Notices of him from the Gen
tleman's Magazine — His coffin made into bullets — Place of his burial — His
portrait — Old King Hendrick — Dreams with Sir William Johnson — Com
missioners of the colonies and Chiefs of the Six Nations meet at Albany — ¦
Speeches of Hendrick and other chiefs — Capt. John Scott erects Fort Hunt-
er — Queen Anne's Chapel and Parsonage — Indian war dances, how ob
served at Lower Mohawk Castle — Rev. John Stuart removes to Canada —
Sells a slave — Scott's Patent — Marriage of Ann Scott — An Irish colony —
Jelles Fonda an early tradesman on the Mohawk — A match at boxing-
Smoking at funerals — Boating on the river — Names of rapids — Little
Falls — Gen. Schuyler constructs inland Locks — Evidence of his prudence —
Durham boats on the river — Difficulties to encounter — Accidents — First
bridges in the Mohawk valley — Early merchants at Canajoharie — A duel—
The Yankee Pass — Caughnawaga Church — Indians obtain a church bell at
the Upper Mohawk Castle — Location of Forts Herkimer, Dayton and
Plain — Land speculations — Tragic adventure at the Devil's Hole — Ancient
tax-lists — Large bill of rum — First Court held in Tryon county — Herkimer
county organized — Public punishment — Changes in Western N. York. 105
CHAPTER V.
Strength of the Vrooman family — A load of wheat— Women go to market
and work in the field — Dutch fondness for horses — Feats of strength — Trial
of strength and speed — Charitable act of Miss Vrooman — Weddings how
celebrated — Gifts to intended brides — Horning at weddings — Playing cards  ¦
Fiddlers — Frolicking — Female ball dress — Dancing fifty years ago  Anec
dote of Judge Brown— Supawn how eaten — Dutch eat their places  New
Year's day how observed— Christmas, Paas and Pinkster— Early farming 
Dutch butter — Sour-crout how made — Dutch dishes — More witchcraft 
How to get rid of rats— Schoharie invaded in the French war — An Indian
treaty — A jubilee — Riding on horseback — Sparking — Why Americans de
generate—First Schoharie tea-party— Causes of the American Revolution-
Ignorance of the British ministry— Opposers of British tyranny— Freedom
of opinion by whom established— English policy for raising a revenue 
Debt of England— Tax imposed— Gov. Bernard issues a pamphlet— Stamp
duties— Virginian boldness— Franklin in England— Perseverance of Gren-
ville— Barre's reply to Townsend— Sayings of Franklin— Friends of Stamp
Act how treated— Virginia resolves— Continental Congress— Death and re
surrection of liberty— Sons of liberty— Patriotic ladies— Speech of Fitt—

CONTENTS. Xiii
Franklin interrogated— Repeal of Stamp Act— Popularity of Gov. Ber
nard — Domestic looms resumed — India tea rejected — British troops sent to
New York and Boston— Dickinson's Essays— Gov. Bernard returns to Eng-
land — Convention at Annapolis — Troops at Boston fire on the citizens —
Event how celebrated— Extract from Dr. Warren's Oration— Tax on tea
retained.  page 155
CHAPTER VI.
A contest approaches— Burning of the Gaspee— Gold versus liberty — Predic
tion of Patrick Henry— Espionage of Gov. Hutchinson— Town Committees
organized— Franklin sends home letters — East India Company in trouble-
It sends tea to America — Its destruction at Boston— Unwise acts of the
British government — Predictions of Gov. Johnson and Gen. Conway — Just
views of Bishop Shipley— Effect of Boston Port-Bill— Call for a Congress-
Patriotic mottos — Proceedings of Congress — Allan's comment on the abili
ty of that Body — Warm discussions in Parliament — Speech of Lord Chat
ham — Expedient of Lord North— Origin of the terms Tory and Whig —
Cod-fishing prohibited — Battle of Lexington — Its effect on the country
around— Capture of the northern military posts — Ethan Allen's authority —
Preparations for war — Washington is appointed to command the army —
Battle of Bunker's Hill — Death of Warren— Anecdotes of the battle — Ar
rival of Washington — Proceedings of Congress — Post-office established —
Gov. Penn interrogated by the House of Lords-— Hessian troops employed —
American flag — Colonial Governors — Boston evacuated — Defence of Fort
Moultrie — Intrepidity of Jasper and McDonald— Their dying words — Ar
gument for education — Mrs. Elliot — Story of Jasper and Newton — Com
missioners sent to Canada — Declaration of" American Independence. 182
CHAPTER VII.
Committees formed in frontier settlements — Indian treaty in Schoharie — Bra-
kabeen Castle — Contagious disease — Schoharie Indians go to Canada —
Death of granny Warree — A matricide — Schoharie Council of Safety — Ball
family divided in politics — Organization of Schoharie militia — Resolution
of New York Committee of Safety — Oath of allegiance — Record of Judge
Swart — His personal services — Chairman Ball's sons perform extra labor —
Accident on the Hudson — Anecdotes of Ball — Attempt to take his life —
Character of Col. Vrooman — Attempt to capture him — Designs upon Wash
ington — Commissioners sent to France — Events of 1776-:-Anecdote of a
piquet guard — Washington's retreat from Long Island — Battles of Trenton
and Princeton — Sufferings of Washington's army — His remarks to Colonel
Reed — A singular requisition — Plan of the enemy for 1777 — Arrest of Col.
Huetson — Tories in Schoharie — Brant at Unadilla — Interview between Gen.
Herkimer and Brant — Affidavit of Col. Harper — Particulars of the inter
view from Joseph Wagner — False impression of Herkimer's character cor
rected — Harpersfield exposed — Cherry Valley threatened — Rangers to be
raised — Letter from Chairman Bail to New York Congress — Reply of that
Body — They write to the Albany Committee — Geographical ignorance of
State Council — Frontier how protected — Albany Committee write General
Schuyler — Same Body censure New York Council — Schuyler writes Alba
ny Committee — His apprehensions — New York Council of safety write Al-
bany Committee, evincing warmth — Girls murdered at Fort Schuyler —
Glance at the enemy's movements — Letter from Albany Committee to New
York Council — Schuyler to same Body— Schoharie messenger — New York
Council to Gov. Clinton — Albany Committee write the Council — Clinton's
letters ordering troops to Schoharie.  206
CHAPTER VIII.
McDonald invades Schoharie — Patriotism of Henry Hager — Messengers dis
patched to Albany — Col. Harper visits Schohaiie — Starts for Albany — Is
visited in the night — Next day isjursued by Indians — Escapes from them
and reaches Albany — Notice of his arrival — New York Council forward

XIV CONTENTS.
letters to Col. Pawling— Harper obtains a company of Cavalry— Captain
Mann how concealed — Barracks how constructed — Troops halt at Sny-
der's^-Effect of music— Death of an Indian— Novel confinement— Madam
Staats— Battle of the Flockey— Citizens accompany McDonald in his
flight— Concealment and surrender of Capt. Mann— Chairman Ball to Scho
harie Committee— Mann's property not confiscated— Col. Harper writes
Council of Safety— Reply of that Body— Extract from Journal— Commis
sioners of Tryon county how instructed by New York Council— Remarks
of Rev. Daniel Gros— Expedition to Norman's-kill— Advertisement , by
Chairman Ball— Citizens of Schoharie transport provisions to Stillwater—
Anecdote of the Patroon— New Dorlach— Money buried in Albany — Bur
goyne's surrender how celebrated in Albany — Anecdote of Evert Yates —
Incident of the French war — A spy in Burgoyne's camp — Death of Gen.
Fraser— By whom killed— Retreat of Burgoyne how cut off— Anecdote to
show skill of Morgan's riflemen — Anecdotes ofthe Oriskany battle — Death
of Gen. Herkimer — Indians in a cellar — Corps of Invalids — British enter
Philadelphia— Sufferings of the American army at Valley Forge— Anec
dote of Washington — Acts of Gov. Tryon — Arrival of Lafayette — Con
spiracy against Washington — A female spy and Maj. Tallmadge — Scho
harie Forts when and how constructed. .... Page 237
CHAPTER IX.
Interesting incidents now lost — Fortune how fickle — Last effort of Chatham—
Acts of Parliment rejected — Treaty with France — Its effects — Settlement
on Cobelskill — Organize a militia company — Lieut. Borst shoots an In
dian — Cobelskill battle — Death of Capt. Patrick— Names of Cobelskill mi
litia engaged — Escape of Belknap — Escape of Henry Shafer — Burial of
the dead — Subsequent celebration — Designs on Cherry Valley how thwart
ed — Destruction of Wyoming — Dastardly act of a Tory — Invasion of the
German Flats — Walter Butler imprisoned— Escapes and leads the enemy
to Cherry Valley — Pleasing anecdote of Brant — England declares war
against France — Battle of Monmouth — Capt. Molly — Col. William Butler
goes to Schoharie — Heroic Soldiers — Fate of a Scout — Capt. Long inter
cepts and kills Capt. Smith — Death of Christopher Service — His confisca
ted property recovered — His remains how honored — Lower Fort garri
soned — Col. Butler destroys Indian towns on the Susquehanna — Col. Du-
boise winters in Schoharie — Gerard arrives in the States as Minister from
France — Dr. Franklin goes to France as American Minister — Price of Am
erican scalps — British possess Georgia — Washington's winter quarters —
Jay chosen President of Congress.  - 272
CHAPTER X.
Captivity of Cowley and Sawyer — Escape from their enemies and return to
Schoharie — Murder of Durham and his wife — Capt. Hager on the Dela
ware — Mohawk river settlements invaded — Anecdote of Complanter and
his Father — Contemplated invasion of the Indian settlements — Execution
of Hare and Newbury — Signification of Caughnawaga — Arrest of the
Spies — Burial of Hare — Clinton's army at Cooperstown — Moves down the
creek— Industry of Beavers— Death of a Deserter— Anecdotes of Colonel
Rigne— Col. Butler leaves Schoharie— The Boyd family— Lieut. Boyd and
his sweet-heart — She invokes a Curse upon him — Marriage of her Daugh
ter — Elerson surprised by Indians — Kills one and escapes — Brown's Mills
why not burned — His house plundered while he is in it — A wedding — Source
of water how discovered — Anecdote of a Sentinel in a tree — Battle of New
town — Sullivan's signal guns— Rescue of a Prisoner made at Wyoming 
Destruction of Indian property— A Child found— Its Death— Scout under
Lieut. Boyd — Death of an Oneida — Two of Boyd's party set out for the
Camp— Murphy shoots an Indian— Scout surrounded by the Enemy— Cap
ture of Boyd and Parker— Escape of Murphy and two others— Death of
Boyd and Comrade— Fate of Han- Yerry— Indians die of Scurvy— Justice
to Boyd's memory— Schools in the Revolution— Delegates from Tryon
County to State Convention— Invasion of Ballston— Capture of Col. Gor-

CONTENTS. XV
don — He escapes with others and returns home — Command of Col. Fish
er — Capt. Fonda shoots a deserter — Is tried and acquitted— John Jay sent
as Minister to Spain— Attack of the Americans and French on Savannah —
Death of Count Pulaski — Gov. Tryon burns several towns in Connecticut —
Stoney Point stormed by Wayne — Acts of Paul Jones — Winter quarters of
Gen. Washington and sufferings of his army. - - - Page 291
CHAPTER XT. ,
The enemy moving — Death of a Tory named Cuck — Imprisonment of Van
Zuyler — Sugar makers frightened— Lient. Harper and friends captured by
Brant, at Harpersfield — Harper saves the Schoharie settlements by duplici
ty — Tory consultation — Harper's word doubted— March begun — Harper
confronted by a Tory — Murder of an aged prisoner — Efficacy of rattle
snake soup— Enterprise to Minisink — Schoharie captives in danger of be
ing murdered — Are saved by an Indian who escaped from Van Campen —
Party feast on horse flesh — Boast of Tories — Ashes used for salt — A run
ner sent to Niagara— Kind object of Brant in forwarding a messenger —
Running the gantlet — Prisoners before Col. Butler — Price of American
blood in Canada — Condition of prisoners at Chamblee — Attack on the Sa-
condaga block-house — Letter of Col. Fisher — Indians pursued and killed
by Solomon Woodworth and party — Public officers in Schoharie — Second
invasion of Cherry Valley— Captivity of Moses Nelson— Fort Orange re
built— Willet's attempt to take it— Letters to Col. Fisher showing an ex
pected invasion — Enemy enter Johnstown — Murder of the Putmans and
Stevens — Fate of two Tories — Fisher family — Troops arrive in Johns
town — Death of Capt. Hanson— Signification of Ca-daugh-ri-ty— Course of
the enemy — Attack on the Fisher dwelling — Fortunes of Col. Fisher and
fate of his brothers— Fonda brothers— Sheriff White and his neighbors —
Furniture destroyed in Maj. Fonda's dwelling— Murder of Douw Fonda —
Pleasing incident — Acts of the party under Johnson— Escape of George
Eacker— Johnson's confidential slave— Boys liberated near Johnstown —
Invaders- return to Canada — Escape of young Hanson. - 321
CHAPTER XII.
Captivity of William Hynds and family at New Dorlach— An Indian attempts
to surprise a sentinel at the Upper Schoharie Fort— Captivity and rescue
of William Bouck and others— Seth's Henry in Vrooman's Land— Is at a
spring— Resentment of the Indian WiUiam— Indians in the dwellings of
the pioneers— Captive negroes liberate themselves— Attempt to capture
Capt. Richtmyer — Mohawk valley invaded — Schoharie scout fall in with
the enemy— Alarm guns how fired — Brant invades Vrooman's Land— Fate
of the settlement— Character of Col. Vrooman— Indian grudge— Infant
smiles save a father— Escape of Pull-foot Vrooman— Names of captives —
Several citizens escape in a wagon— Number of houses burnt— Judge
Swarfs horse by whom rode— War-club of Seth's Henry— Escape of the
Hager family— Old gentleman throttles his dog— His capture and treat
ment—Burning of Crysler's mill— Mill-stone recovered— Two Tories join
the enemy— Hager family reach the Fort— Burial of the dead— Singular
presentiment— Fate of the Vrooman infant— Brant releases part of the
prisoners — Destructives assemble at Oquago— Prisoners divided — Boyd's
scull— Lieut. Vrooman about to be murdered— Henry Hager insulted—
Efficacy of tobacco— Prisoners run the gantlet— Attempt to fire the maga
zine at Quebec— Negro prisoners adopt the Indian's life— Loss of British
ship Seneca— Schoharie prisoners lodged at South Rakela— Their return
home— Particulars from whom derived.  365
CHAPTER XIII.
Romantic courtship and marriage of Timothy Murphy— The bride's first in
terview with her mother — The reconciliation — Duty of Rangers — Their
music when on a scout^Dancing at the Middle Fort— Rival dance of the
soldiers— Ballston settlement invaded— Attempt to capture Maj. Mitchell —

XVI CONTENTS.
Enterprise of Jo. Bettys— Absence of a Schoharie scout protracted— Sir
John Johnson leaves Niagara to invade the frontiers of New York— Names
of hills— Johnson's army discovered— A pack horse taken— Torch of de
struction first applied— Volunteers meet the enemy— Daring of Murphy—
Burning of Middleburgh Church- Powder how sent up from Lower Fort-
Volunteers under Capt. Lansing— Escape of Elerson— Stand made by the
enemy— Mrs. Richtmyer frightened to death— How to start a bachelor— A
flag of truce how attended— Is fired on by Murphy— Conduct of Major
Woolsey— Surrenders his command to Col. Vrooman— Firing renewed—
Loss of the Americans— Wilbur scalps an Indian— A dead Indian is found
in the woods — Enemy move down the valley— Anxiety at the Upper Fort—
A heroine— Lower Fort how garrisoned — Scout from that Fort meet the
enemy— Death of Van Wart—Fate of Anthony Witner— Firing heard in
Cobelskill — Preparations to defend Lower Fort— Salute from a grass-hop
per — An ancient apple tree — War's beverage — A presumptuous Indian —
Adventure of Enders— An Indian killed at a well — Fate of a deer — Mor
tar abandoned — A Tory arrives at the Fort. - ; - Page 388
CHAPTER XIV.
Schoharie militia pursue the enemy— Schoharie fires seen at Fort Hunter —
Cadaughrity destroyed — Enemy encamp near the Nose — Americans encamp
in Florida — Battle of Stone Arabia — Death of Col. Brown— His remains
honored— Pleasing anecdote of an Indian and a colt— Skirmish near St.
Johnsville — Cowardly conduct of Gen. Van Rensselaer — Climax of his
management— Anecdote of Capt. Vrooman — Willing captives— Schoharie
horses recovered — Novel manner of carrying bread — Incidents from John
Ostrom — Grain how saved— Maj. Woolsey leaves Schoharie — Death of a
spy — Invasion of New Dorlach — Death of Michael Merckley and his niece
Catharine — Murder of John France and providential escape of his brother
Henry — Burial of the dead— A reason for Merckley's death — Number of
buildings burnt in Schoharie county — Extract of a letter from James Madi
son — Continental money — Charleston captured — Kniphausen invades New
Jersey — Arrival of French troops — Retreat of Gates and death ef DeKalb —
Treachery of Benedict Arnold.  421
CHAPTER XV.
Mutiny at Head-Quarters — Erection of block-houses — Fort Duboise — Cap
ture of Jo. Bettys and two associates — Col. Livingston's regiment in the
Mohawk valley— Conduct of Maj. Davis— His death— Brant surprises a
party of wood-choppers near Fort Schuyler — Americans pursue and recov
er shoe-buckles— Prisoners go through the manual exercise to gratify
Brant — Boys captured near Fort Herkimer — Invasion of Curry Town —
Escape of the Tanner family — Death of Jacob Moyer and son— Prisoners
made in the settlement— Capt. Gros sent to New Dorlach— Discovers the
enemy's trail and sends word to Willet— Sharon battle— American loss and
death of Capt. McKean — The captive Jacob Dievendorf— A religious meet
ing broken up— Murder of Hoffman and wife — Capture of William Bouck
and other citizens of Schoharie in a wheat field — Indians eat a hedgehog 
Escape of Lawrence Bouck— Fare of prisoners on their journey — Their
return home— Ulster county invaded— Troops sent to Schoharie— Capture
of Lt. Borst an J others in Myndert's valley— Death of Borst— Capt . Wood-
worth and company surprised on West Canada creek and most of them
killed — Incidents in the vicinity of Fort Dayton. - . . 450
CHAPTER XVI.
Invasion of Maj. Ross— Death of Myers of Curry Town— Other citizens
captured— Village of Fultonville— Escape of a prisoner— Willet pursues
the ^enemy— Battle near Johnson Hall— Incidents of the battle-Retreat of
Maj. Ross— Manner of crossing creeks— Death of Walter Butler— Captiv
lty and return of prisoners-Brant again invades Vrooman's Land-Death
of Adam Vrooman— Enemy are pursued— Fate of Richard Haggidorn—

CONTENTS. XVII
Murphy fortune's favorite — A dead Tory— Capt. Hager pursues the ene
my — A rum-keg how guarded— Battle of Lake Utsayantho— Cowardly
conduct of Capt. Hale— An incident which followed— Fruitless expedition
of several Tories — Unexpected meeting of Capt. Eckler and Brant — For
mer escapes by flight— How concealed— A prisoner captured near Fort
Plank— Escapes in the night — Is concealed and nearly suffocated in a log —
Events of 1781 — Military enterprises in the Southern States — Abortive plan
to capture Arnold— Siege of York Town— Capture of Cornwaliis and his
army — Event how celebrated — British standards to whom delivered — Anec
dotes of stealing in the Revolution— Arnold destroys New London — Death
of Ledyard and Montgomery — Conduct of Col. Gallup — Massacre in the
Fort and attending incidents — Anecdote of a petticoat. - - Page 470
CHAPTER XVII.
Predatory warfare continued in 1782 — Murder of the Dietz family — Captiv
ity of Capt. Dietz and the Bryce boys— Captivity of McFee's children —
Character of Gen. Herkimer and others— Murder of Adam Vrooman — In
vasion of Fox's creek— Murder of Young Zimmer and capture of his
brother — Death of a Hessian— The Becker family — John Becker how
killed— Escape of Jacob and Wm. Becker— Indians discovered by boys —
Attack on the Becker house— Eccentricity of Shell — Attempt to fire the
building — Ingratitude of a Tory — Capture of several prisoners — Novel
torture— Virginian spirit — A Tory wedding— Cobelskill again invaded —
Several citizens killed or captured— Capture of the elder George Warner
and son Nicholas — Escape of Joseph Burner— Meat how cooked and divid
ed — Escape of Nicholas Warner— Kind treatment of George Warner —
Indian reverence of a Deity — Warner returns home— Gen. Washington vi
sits Schenectada — Burning of that place by the French and Indians — Wash
ington's treatment of Col. Fisher— His letter to the officers of Schenecta
da — Anecdote of his visit— Murphy takes a prisoner who escapes with his
rifle— A Tory how concealed — Anecdote of Murphy and his cow — Notices
of Timothy Murphy — Inscription on his tomb-stone — Incident at Fort Du
boise and death of a calf.  490
CHAPTER XVIII.
Ratification of Peace — Gen. Washington resigns his Commission — Lands for
feited—Tories return to the States and boast of their deeds — Indians return
to Schoharie — Fate of Seth's Henry — Attempt to kill Abram — He disap
pears at a Bee — Indians become alarmed — Beverages drank in the war —
Incidents in the life of Capt. Eben Williams — Conduct of Col. Vose in
Gates' campaign — Anecdote of CoL Scammel— Gen. Montgomery's widow
how honored — Army at Budd's Huts — Duty of Col. Laurens at York Town —
Anecdote of an Irish Lieutenant— Incidents of the siege— Officers killed in
duels— Celebration at West Point — Cincinnati Societies organized — Habits
of Capt. Williams— Military Journal of Maj. Fallmadge— Incident in the
river Bronx — Tallmadge commands a squadron of horse — Corresponds
with Washington— Loses his horse— Enterprise against Lloyd's Neck —
Surprise and capture of Fort St. George— Washington's letter respecting
it — How noticed in Congress — Capture of Fort Slongo — Enterprises how
thwarted— London trade an incident of —An English Sloop captured in the
Sound— Society of the Cincinnati how organized— Spies in New York how
protected — Order in which the Americans entered New York after its eva
cuation by the British— Last interview of Gen. Washington and his offi
cers — Maj, Tallmadge returns home— Marries and settles for life. - 528
CHAPTER XIX.
Capt. Thomas Machin— Battle of Minden— The Duke of Bridgewater's Ca
nals — Machin arrives at New York — Locates in Boston— Is one of Boston
Tea Party— Plans fortifications near Boston— Is sent by Gen. Washington
to the Highlands of the Hudson— CoBperates with Gen. Clinton— Request
of Gen. Schuyler— Putnam's Rock— Council of Safety recognize acts of

XVIII CONTENTS.
Capt. Machin-Orders to be observed by artificers— Washington's letter to
Gen. Knox-Kingston how fortified-Correspondence showing the prepara
tions making to receive the enemy-Machin a recruiting °mcer-£"*CK
on Fort Montgomery-Death of Capt. Milligan-Lelters of Got . CUntcm-
Expense of Iron used in obstructing the Hudson— Capt. Machin writes JN.
York Council of Safety-Officers above their business-Letter from t*en.
Parsons about fortifying West Point-Col. Hughes' letter respecting cord-
age-Gen. Clinton wanlsfish-Gov. Clinton's letter relating to lead mines-
Gen. Parsons wants timber-Capt. Machin writes Gen. McDougal about
river chain-Gov. Clinton will purchase a phaeton-He certifies to the acts
of Capt Machin-Chain of what iron wrought-Statement showing who
fortified the Highlands and obstructed the river— Letter from Doct. iree-
man -Letter from Peter Woodward— Machin's private expenses- Dis
burses large sums of money -Importance of the works— Importance of se
curing the Hudson— Expedition of Col. Van Schaick to Onondaga— A
plan for supplying Albany with water— Machin in Sullivan's expedition-
Letters from Doct. Young— Letters from Henry Rutgers, jr.— Death of
Kayingwaurto, a Seneca Chief— Receipt for scalps— Capt. Greg and his
do» -Surrender of a Wyoming Fort— Table of distances in Western New
York— Letter from Gen. Clinton— Cupid in the camp— Letter from Henry
Rutgers respecting sufferings of the army— Doct. Young writes on the
same subject— Ezra Patterson writes from Fort Pitt— Instructions to a
Committee of Officers sent to the Legislature— Letter from Lt. Bradford
showiDg condition of the army— Capt. Hubbell wants money— Difficulties
attendant on recruiting service — Capt. Machin at York Town — Maj. Pop-
ham parts with his sword— Letter from W. Morris— Machin about to mar
ry—Recruiting orders from Gen. Washington— Extract from Parker's let
ter— Machin is slandered— A messenger sent to Boston— Machin marries
Miss Van Nostrand— Popularity of Machin— Gen. Clinton out of money-
Correspondence of Joseph Wharton respecting lands at Cooperstown —
Value of Western lands— Letter from Gov. Clinton about land— Machin
settles at New Grange — Order of Timothy Pickering — Certificate of Gen.
Clinton — Extent of Machin's business — Great copper-firm— Machin re
moves to Montgomery county — His patrons and friends — He is a Freema
son — Obtains a pension — His death. ¦ ... Page 550
CHAPTER XX.
Schoharie County when formed and how bounded — Its towns— New era in
its history — First Attorneys— Neatness of Schoharie women — Want of
taste among the Germans and Dutch— Out buildings in New England how
adorned — Statistics of the county — Schoharie Judges — Lime-stone and fos
sils — The county interesting to Geologists — Turnpike roads — Canajoharie
and Catskill Rail-Road— Congressional and Senatorial Districts — Sources
and outlet of the Schoharie— Extent and formation of Schoharie flats —
Public executions — Trial of Van Alstyne — Establishment and history of
the Lutheran Church— Singular incident in the Hfe of Domine Sommer —
Some notice of the Reformed Dutch Church — A faithful church officer —
Ministerial fees — Churches when first warmed — Tidingmen and their au
thority — Blenheim — Statistics of the town — Jacob Sutherland once a resi
dent — Statistics of Broome — David Elerson — How he obtains a carriage
and horses — His death — David Williams — Notice of Gen Shays — Indian
war-path — Statistics of Carlisle — Town by whom settled — Its rocks and
caverns — Indian's cave — Statistics of Cobelskill — Incidents in the life, of
Gen. Dana — Gen. Wm. Eaton — Anecdote of Gen. Lee — John Redington —
Monumental inscriptions — Statistics of Conesville — Statistics of Fulton —
Bouck's Falls — Ex-Governor Bouck — Abraham A. Keyser — Statistics of
Jefferson — Statistics of Middleburh — The Vlaie — County Poor-house —
Statistics of Schoharie — Indian mound — Gebhard's Cavern — Otsgaragee
Cavern — Nethaway's Cave — Schoharie minerals — Monumental Inscrip
tion — Statistics of Seward — New Dorlach— Monumental inscription — Sta-
tistics of Sharon — New Rhinebeck — Sharon Springs — -Analysis of water —
Rare mineral— ThePavilion — Statistics of Summit — Lake Utsayantho. 601

CONTENTS.

XIX

CHAPTER XXI.
Ancestry of David Williams — His biography — Capture of Maj. Andre — Cow
boys — Courtship of Williams — How he chanced to be one of the captors —
The object of the captors' expedition— Incidents attending the arrest of
Andre — A singular dream — Congress how apprised of Andre's capture-
Resolution of that Body on the subject — Marriage of Williams — He parti
cipates in a celebration at New York — How honored — His death — Obitua
ry notice of his death — His burial — Incidents connected with the arrest
and execution of Andre — Instructions of Sir Henry Clinton — Papers found
on Andre's person — Conduct of Col. Jamieson — Extract from the Journal
of Maj. Tallmade — Joshua H. Smith is suspected and tried — Board con
vened to try Andre — Manner of his execution — Champe's attempt to arrest
Arnold — Capt. Nathan Hale — Bold exploit of his — His arrest and execu
tion—Confession of Cunningham — Fate of Andre and Hale contrasted —
Andre's remains taken to England — Character of Andre over-rated — Proof
of his character — His poem called the Cow-Chase — Somewhat phophelic —
Arnold how respected in England — An acrostic to his fame — Monuments to
Paulding and Van Wart — Efforts to obtain a monument for Williams. 646

INDEX

TO POST OFFICES IN SCHOHARIE COUNTY.

Page.
Argusville,  643
Barnerville,  619
Blenheim,  615
Brakabeen,  623
Bynville,  623
Carlisle,  618
Central Bridge,  632
Charlotteville,  645
Cobelskill,  619
Cobelskill Centre,  619
Conesville,  623
Esperance,  632
Franklinton,  630
Fultonham,  623
Gallupville  632
Gardnersville,  642
Gilboa,  615
Hunters Land,  630

Page.
Hyndsville,  642
Jefferson,  630
Lawyerville,  619
Leesville,  643
Livingstonville,  615
Middleburgh  630
Mossville,  630
North Blenheim,  615
Punchkill,  619
Richmondville,  619
Schoharie Court House,  632
Sharon,  643
Sharon Centre,  643
Sloansville,  632
Smithton,  615
Summit Four Corners,  645
Waldensville,  632

ERRATA.
On page 117, under cut, instead of North read South view. It is the view
of Guy Park as seen from the Erie canal.
On page 182, for the remotest parts, read their remotest part.
On page 194, for fighting a just cause, read fighting in a just cause. On
the same page, for messenger of death, read messengers of death.
On page 195, fourth line from top, for Bunker, read Yankee.
On page 374, first line, after neighbor insert a comma.
On page 615, under post offices in Broome, for Livingston, read Living
stonville.

HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY.

CHAPTER I.
The border wars of New York, in the great struggle with Eng
land for American nationality, originated some of the most thrill
ing incidents that ever did or ever can stamp the page of history.
Many of those transpired in that part of Albany county now
known as Schoharie; while events of no less interest were enact
ing in Tryon, and other frontier counties. Some of them have
already been published, but there are not a few, especially of
those which occurred in the Schoharie settlements, that have
either not been presented to the American reader at all, or if they
have, but partially and inaccurately so.
Schoharie is the present name of a county, a town, a village,
and a river, in the state of New York. The geographical posi
tion of the county, its division into .towns, &c, will be given in a
subsequent chapter of this work. The word Schoharie, is abori-
ginial, and signifies, agreeable to published definitions, drift, or
flood-wood. The author has spared no little pains to arrive at the
origin and true meaning of this word. The word Sclwharie, of
the word from which that was derived, when originated, not only
signified flood-wood, but a certain body of flood-wood. At a dis
tance of about half a mile above the bridge which now crosses
the Schoharie in the present town of Middleburgh, two small
streams run into the river directly opposite each other. The one
on the west side, coming from a north-west course, was formerly
3

22 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
called the Line kill, being the northern boundary line of the first
Vrooman Patent — which instrument embraced that part of the
town of Fulton, now called Vrooman's Land. The other stream
is called Stony creek, and runs into the Schoharie from a south
east course. John M. Brown, Esq., in a pamphlet history of
Schoharie, published in 1823; attributes to this stream, which he
calls the little Schoharie, the origin of the latter word. The two
streams mentioned, falling into the Schoharie at that place, pro
duced in the latter a counter current, which caused a lodgment of
drift-wood at every high water, directly above. The banks of
the river there were no doubt studded at that period with heavy
growing timber, which served as abutments for the formation of
a natural bridge. I judge so from the fact, that between that
place and the bridge below, on the west bank, may now be seen
a row of elm stumps of gigantic growth. At what period the
timber began to accumulate at that place, is unknown; but it
was doubtless at a date far anterior to the settlement of the Scho
harie valley, by the aborigines of which we have any certain
knowledge. At the time the Indians located in the valley, who
were the owners of the soil when the Germans and Dutch first set
tled "there, tradition says there were thousands of loads of wood
in this wooden pyramid. How far it extended on the flats on ei
ther side is uncertain, they being at that place uncommonly wide;
but across the river it is said to have been higher than a house of
ordinary dimensions, and to have served the natives the purposes
of a bridge ; who, when crossing, could not see the water through
it. One tradition says Schoharie signifies to take across or
carry over; while another tradition, from an equally creditable
source, gives its literal meaning to be, the meeting of two waters
in a third — both referring, beyond doubt, to the drift-wood in
question, and its locality. This mausoleum of the forest suo-ar-
tree, gnarled oak, and lofty pine, was called by the Indians who
dwelt in its immediate vicinity, to-wos-scho-hor,* the accent falling
** I give the orthography of this word as it sounded when spoken by Mrs
Susannah, widow of Martin Van.Slyek. At an interview in 1837, I found
Mrs. Van Slyck quite intelligent, and possessed of a very retentive memory.

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 23
on the third and fourth syllables. From that word has been de
rived the present word Schoharie, the first two syllables having
been entirely dropped, while another has been added in its Angli-
cisement. Several years ago I saw an ugly shaped glass bottle
in Schoharie, said to have been imported from London by John
Lawyer, the first merchant among the German settlers. His
name and the place of his residence were stamped upon the
bottle in English letters, the latter being there spelled Shoary.
Many of the old German people of that county, at the present
day, pronounce it Shuckary, which, it will be perceived, differs
nearly as much from the sound bf the word as now written, as
that does from the sound of the word here given as the original.
At what period the aborigines located who were occupying the
Schoharie flats when the Germans and Dutch first settled upon
them, is unknown. Judge Brown, in the pamphlet to which I
have alluded, informs us that the first Indian settlement was made
by Ka-righ-on-don-tee,* a French Indian prisoner, who had taken
She formerly dwelt in Vrooman's Land, near where the bridge of drift-wood
had been — could once converse with the natives in their own dialect, and
still retains many of their words. She gave the word to which the note re
fers, as the name by which they called the natural bridge — by whom she had
often heard it spoken. The author is indebted to the kindness of this lady
and her tenacious memory, for several interesting facts tradition has pre
served, relating to the early settlement of Vrooman's Land by the whites,
she being a granddaughter of the first Vrooman settler ; and also for several
incidents worthy of record which transpired during the revolution.
* At a personal interview with the venerable patriot Brown, in Sept. 1837,
he, pronounced this word as though written Kar-eek-won-don-tee. I adopt
his written orthography, however, with the difference only of ending it ee.
believing it to be sufficiently correct. At this interview he assured the au
thor that on the 5th of the following November, he would be ninety-two
years oldl Although his faculties, mental and bodily, were failing him, still
we are indebted to his good humor and hospitality for some explanations of
his pamphlet, and for much other matter not contained in that. Reading his
pamphlet to him, and questioning him about customs which were in vogue in
his earlier years, he seemed almost inspired with new life — his spirits, ani-
mation and memory revived, and he was enabled to relate many anecdotes,
which, to use his own words, **¦' lie had not thought of in fifty years before."
Mr. Brown and his amiable consort were both sociable and urbane, and I
spent nearly a day very agreeably with them. Brown was married at twenty-
five to a Miss Hager, of Brakabeen, Schoharie county, with whom he lived

24 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
for a wife a Mohawk squaw ; that his father-in-law gave him a
part of those flats to remove him from the presence of the Mo
hawk Indians, by whom he had been made prisoner, as they bore
a deadly hatred ta the Canada Indians, and in a drunken frolic
might kill him; that families from the Mohawk, Mohegan,
Tuscarora, Delaware, and Oneida tribes there joined him, so that
a new tribe, of which he was principal chief, was formed, num
bering at one time about three hundred warriors.
Karighondontee was probably a Canadian chief of some cele
brity, who had been taken prisoner by the Mohawks in one of
the b}oody wars, which the animosity existing between the Ca
nadian Indians and the Five Nations was continually originating.
As speculation alone can furnish any thing like a beginning to
the first settlement of Schoharie by the natives known as the
thirty-eight years. He had nine children by that marriage, and several of
them are now settled near him in Carlisle. Mrs. Brown, his present wife
is, if memory serves me, twenty-two years younger than her husband. She
was a Van Arnein from below the Helleberg, and has been married about
twenty-six years. Her father was a captain of militia in the continental
service. Brown had no issue by his second wife. He was among the first
settlers in Carlisle, and, in common with the pioneers of that day, endured
his full share of privations and hardships. He was a firm patriot, and a
captian of the Tryon county militia in the revolution; he received a cut in
one knee with a drawing-knife during, the war, from which he ever after.
went very lame. Subsequent to receiving the injury mentioned, he sent a
messenger to Gov. G. Clinton, informing him of his lameness; at the same
time signifying a wish to resign his commission. He received in return a
very civil letter from His Excellency, in which he expressed much regret at
his misfortune; assuring him also that his services could not be dispensed
with, or his commission returned; but that if he could not walk to command
his company he, (the governor,) would send him a horse that he might ride.
When Otsego county was organized, Brown was one of the commission
ers for laying out several public roads in that county; and when Schoharie
county was formed, he was again called on to discharge the same duties.
The commissioners associated with him in Otsego county, were Mr. Hudson
and Col. Herrick, who together laid out twenty-seven public roads. Mr.
Brown was appointed by the governor and council of appointment, third
judge of the first bench of the Schoharie county courts. He was three times
a candidate for member of assembly, and once lost his election by only two
votes. Considering his limited opportunities in early life, he was an intelligent
man. That he never obtained a pension while many others less deserving
did, was to him a source of no little mortification and grief. Judge Brown
died in the fall of 1838 or 39.

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 25
Schoharie tribe, save what has been already related ; I trust the
reader will indulge me in carrying it a little farther. The revo
lution in England in the latter part of the seventeenth century,
which placed William and Mary upon that throne, was followed
by a general war in which several nations of Europe were en
gaged. Nor were the colonies of America idle spectators of the
tragedy. From Europe the grand theatre of that war, the crim
son art was brought into the wilds of North America. The Ca-
nadas, then French colonies, with the Algonquin Indians within
their own territory, were fiercely engaged with the British co
lonies and the Five Indian Nations then their allies, along the
borders of New England and New York. The Mohegans,*
who, as we have already seen, made a part of the Schoharie
tribe, it is not improbable were engaged in considerable num
bers with the people of New England, and at the close of the
war or soon after joined Karighondontee : as I suppose that chief
to have been made prisoner in that war. The Mohegans, to
whom war or the chase may have discovered the Schoharie
valley, finding it to be a country sparsedly settled — equal in
beauty to the banks of the Thames in Connecticut, from whence
they emigrated — where game was plenty, and where, too, they
would not be surrounded by the " pale faces" and amenable to
their laws, may have been induced to settle there ; or they may
there have sought an asylum from motives not dissimilar to those
which brought hither the Mohawk.
I suppose the time of Karighondontee's settlement to have
been within about twenty years of the first German settlement in
Schoharie ; and conclude so lrom the fact that the tribe was not
then more formidable in numbers; for the Tuscarorasf could not
have joined it until about the time the Germans located, as they
did not leave Carolina in numbers till near that period.
* A part ofthe Mohegan and Stockbridge Indians, migrated and joined the
Five Nations before the revolution — Morse's Gazetteer.
t This tribe came from North Carolina about 1712, and joined the confede
racy of the Five Nations, themselves making the sixth. See Lewiston,
where they still have a village. — Spafford's Gazetteer of N. Y.

26 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
It may not perhaps be improper to say a few words respecting
the Six Nations of Indians. At the time our pilgrim fathers
first landed in America, a confederacy existed between the five most
powerful Indian Nations then hving in the state of New York-
They were called by the French the Iroquois; by the English
the Confederates, or Five Nations ; by the Dutch, more particu
larly those in the Mohawk valley, the Maquaas ; and by them
selves, Aganuschioni, or United People. Their government in
many respects was republican. At what time and for what pur
poses this confederacy was formed, is unknown. It may have
originated in conquest, the weaker nations in turn being subdued
by the most powerful one ; or, from a natural desire to resist and
conquer a common foe, that existed from the alliance of other
powerful nations. Whatever may have originated this union of
Indian strength, it must have existed for a great length of time ;
for when the Europeans came here, it is said the Confederates all
spoke a similar language. The Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga,
Cayuga and Seneca nations formed the confederacy — the Tusca
roras joining them, as has been shown, at a subsequent period.
Says the historian Trumbull, " Each of the Five Nations was sub
divided into three tribes or families. They distinguished them
selves by three different ensigns, the Tortoise, the Bear, and the
Wolf. Whenever the sachems, or any of the old men, signed any
public paper, they traced upon it the mark of their respective fa
mily." The same author, giving Roger Williams for authority,
says the word Mohawk imports cannibal, and is derived from the
word moho, to eat. This is undoubtedly a popular error. The
Mohawk nation took its name from the river along which it
dwelt, called the Mohawk's river — as the Dutch have it, the Ma
quaas' river — which signifies, in plain English, the muskrat's ri
ver. Many ancient Indian land titles have so called the stream
in English, writing it in the possessive case; and to this day
muskrats are numerous along its shores, hundreds being killed in
the valley at every spring freshet.
The Mohawk, which was the most eastern ofthe Five Nations,
had in the latter part of its existence as a nation, three castles 

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 27
all of which were on the south side of the Mohawk river. The
lower, or eastern castle, was at Icanderago,* afterwards called
Fort Hunter, near the junction of the Mohawk and Schoharie
rivers ; the central or Canajoharie castle, as then called, stood on
the brink of the prominence at the east end of the present village
of Fort Plain ; which hill was called by the Indians Ta-ragh-jo-
res, signifying hill of health ,-f and the upper and most western
was in the present town of Danube, not far distant from St. Johns-
ville. The Caughnawagas, who resided at the Tribes'. hill, oppo
site Icanderago, and the ancient village which still bears their
name, were a family of the Wolf tribe of Mohawks.
When the Dutch first located at Albany, they courted the
friendship of the Confederates ; and by furnishing them with fire
arms and ammunition to war against their northern enemies, they
secured their trade and friendship — the latter proving of most es
sential service to the colony of New York, in her subsequent wars
with Canada. At the beginning of the American revolution, a
majority of the Confederates, owing in a great measure to the un
bounded influence of the Johnson family over them, remained
true to the British interest, removed to Canada with the Johnsons
and Butlers, and fought for Britain — proving a terrible scourge to
our frontier settlements. Most of the Oneidas, however,
and a part of the Tuscaroras, either remained neutral or sided
with the Americans; rendering them, as guides and runners,
very important services ; on which account lands have been re
served to them in the state. The Oneida Reservation is in Ver
non, Oneida county, and the Tuscarora in Lewiston, Niagara
county, where they still have villages. Their numbers are fast
* McAuley, in his History of New York, gives this as the Indian name for
the estuary of the Schoharie river.
t Peter J. Wagner, Esq., who learned the site of this castle, the name of
the hill and its signification, from Col. John Frey, an early settler in the valley,
who spoke the Mohawk dialect well. A territory extending from Spraker's
Basin to Fort Plain, a distance of six miles, was originally called Canajoha
rie ; indeed the town of Canajoharie now covers nearly the same extent on the
river, and the castle stood on land still within the extreme limits of that
town.

28 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
diminishing, and their national character departing ; and the time
is probably not very distant when it will be said of this once
powerful confederacy, which often led to victory its thousands of
warriors — it has been, yet is not. If such a writer as Washing
ton Irving would write a history of the North American Indians,
the world would owe him a debt of gratitude. Surely such a
work would not detract from the merited literary fame of the au
thor of Columbus, to say nothing of the well-emptied saddle-bags
of that splenetic old gentleman, Sir Deidrich Knickerbocker.
The Schoharie tribe of Indians seems to have been made up of
the fractional parts, or refugees from different nations, some of
which may have been compelled to flee from the council fires and
hunting grounds of their fathers; and perhaps might not have
been inaptly termed by other nations, a tribe of refuge, since it
corresponded in some degree to the cities of refuge established by
Moses, among the tribes of Israel. That Schoharie was settled
if only for indefinite periods to suit the convenience of the na
tives for hunting and fishing, long before its settlement by Ka-
righondontee, there can remain no doubt; for to this day are
found many flint arrow-heads, and not unfrequently other relics
of savage ingenuity, which the contiguity of the whites at the
time he settled was calculated to obviate the necessity of their re
taining in use; for Schenectada and Albany were both within
thirty miles of his location by the paths then traveled. It is true,
bows and arrows were still used by some of the Indians after the
Germans arrived there, but many of them possessed fire-arms and
well knew how to use them Ions: before.
It is astonishing to what perfection the aborigines of the United
States had carried the manufacture of their wooden and stone in
struments for defence and domestic utility, before the Europeans
found their way hither ; since history informs us that they were
not the possessors of even a knife, or any instrument of iron. To
look at a flint arrow-head, see the regularity of its shape, and to
what delicate proportions it has been wrought from so hard and
brittle a substance, it seems incredible that it could have been
formed by art, without the aid of other implements than those

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 29
of stone. One would almost suppose the Indian to have been
capable of softening the flinty rock by some chemical agent,
previous to its being wrought into such beautiful forms. The ca
binet of the antiquarian will exhibt them of various dimensions
and a variety of colors ; pipes, hatchets, wedges, and culinary
vessels, all ingeniously formed from different kinds of stone, are
likewise often found at the present day near the site of ancient
Indian villages — giving additional evidence of the perfection to
which necessity will carry certain arts.
The abundance of Indian relics formerly found there, the small-
ness of the tribe and its comparatively brief existence, are facts
on which I predicate an opinion, that the Mohawks and Delawares,
in times of peace, dwelt in and about Schoharie. This conclusion
seems not only plausible but very probable, as the former, who
were called the true heads of the Confederacy, lived along the
Mohawk valley, and the latter inhabited along the Delaware —
the Schoharie valley being to them the natural route of inter
communication. Some twenty-five years ago, there might have been seen nearly
a mile north of the Schoharie Court House, a deep pit, in which
was observed a heavy, upright, wooden frame. Its location was
on a knoll, in an old apple orchard upon the farm now owried by
John L. Swart : which orchard seems, at least in appearance, to
merit an existence coeval with the first German settlements. For
what purpose that frame was there sunk, or by whom, tradition
breathes not even a whisper. Judge Brown said he remembered
having seen it, but assured the author that persons then living in
the vicinity much older than himself, could give no clew to its ori
gin. This artificial cavern, which is said to have been apparent
ly fifteen or twenty feet deep, by those who looked into it, was
discovered at the time alluded to, by the accidental caving in of
the earth near one corner of it. The opening has long since been
closed, without an interior examination of the pit. Its origin
must be left entirely to conjecture. It may have been an under
ground place of refuge ; or, it may have served as a depository for
treasures; or, — but I leave to the curious the solving of its mysteries.

30 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
Indians have generally believed in the existence of a God or
Great Spirit, and a future state. They worshiped a plurality of
imaginary deities, such as the heavenly bodies, fire, water and the
like — indeed any thing mysterious or superior to themselves. In
New England, says Trumbull, although they believed in one su
preme God, or a being of infinite goodness, still they paid most
of their devotion to the evil spirit, whom they called Hobom-
ocko : thinking, no doubt, that if they made peace with their enemy,
they, were safe.
Little is known of the Schoharie tribe of Indians until the Ger
mans came into their midst. Tlieir general customs and habits
were as similar to those of neighboring tribes, as the multigener-
ous nature of their own would allow. The customs of the Caro
lina, Connecticut, New York and Pennsylvania Indians, from
which the Schoharie tribe was principally composed, no doubt
differed as, much, perhaps more, than would those of an equal
number of the present white population, if collected from the
same sections of the Union. The refugees from some of the
tribes lived together when their numbers would admit, and they
doubtless kept up in a measure their own national character.
Time is required in all cases, where people from distant countries
form a settlement, to sink into one general custom or habit, the
diversified manners of their native land. The Mohegans settled
near the mouth of the Little Schoharie kill in the present town
of Middleburgh, and were living separate from the main body of
the tribe, long after Conrad Weiser and his German brethren lo
cated in their immediate vicinity. One good reason for this, was
the fact that they spoke a different language from the principal
part of the tribe. They also had a small castle near the present
residence of Henry Mattice.
It is said by historians. that Indians arc invariably born white :
if so, I must presume this freak of nature found its way to the
Schoharie tribe. " Indian lovers generally live together on trial
before marriage :" and I have no reason to believe it was other
wise here. Among the Five Nations, history assures us, polyga-

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 31
my was not customary, but the Indians in general, Solomon like,
kept many concubines — and never thought they had too many
women. As the Schoharie tribe was deficient in numbers, I
readily conclude it placed as much dependence on women to in
crease the number of its warriors, as did any of the Six Nations.
In Virginia, it is said, the Indians had altars of stone whereon
they offered a sacrifice of blood, deer's suet and tobacco. Now I
dare not suppose that Karighondontee or any of his tribe were
equally religious ; but I may say, I have never heard that any
people ever appropriated tobacco to a much better use — surely it
were far better thus to burn, than masticate it : while its fumes, I
do not scruple to believe, would ascend to heaven with as grate
ful odor — if neatness and health are called in question — as from
the lips of that individual, whose taste is so perverted as to
smoke it.
That the Schoharie Indians had many customs and habits in
common with other nations, the author has obtained satisfactory
proof : such as the burial of treasures with the dead — holding
councils when on the eve of some momentous undertaking — cele
brating victories — face painting — (from whom some modern la
dies have possibly borrowed the disgusting, habit) — scalping the
fallen foe — wearing trinkets about their persons — compelling
their women to do the drudgery — requiting hospitality with kind
ness, and secretly revenging insult with the tomahawk. What
civilized people call society was rarely ever found among the jab-
origines of the United States. Unless engaged in war or the
chase, their favorite employ — they led lives of indolence and in
activity. A custom once prevalent among the Indians of New
England and New York, was that of burying the dead in a sitting
posture facing the east: it was also customary among the In
dians of eastern New England, for such as had taken prison
ers, to kill as many of them as they had relatives or friends killed
in battle. — See Drake's Church's life of Benjamin Church.
Beside? the village of the Mohegans already located, the Scho
harie tribe had several others : one of which was on the farm
formerly owned by Alexander Vrooman — on the west side of the

32 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
river. Nearly opposite that, on the other side of the river, they
had another ; and a distance of several miles farther up the val
ley, on the farm of the late Peter P. Snyder, a third. At each of
the two former they had a small castle ; and at- the latter, where
they dwelt for many years after the two northern villages were
abandoned, they had a burying ground. Those villages were all
within four miles of the present site of the Court House. With
in the recollection of some now living, twenty-one wigwams
were yet standing upon the Snyder farm ; and a few old apple
trees still to be seen there, are supposed to have been planted by
the natives. Near this orchard many burials are said to have
been made at their place of sepulture : nor, indeed, were the
manes of nature's children without companions, to share the pot-
age* taken along at their death ; as a portion of the consecrated
ground was set apart, for the defunct slaves of the early Germans.
The fifth, and most important village of the tribe, where dwelt
Karighondontee and his principal chiefs, was in Vrooman's land :
where they had a strong castle, and a place of burial. This cas
tle was built by John Becker, who received from Sir William
Johnson, as agent for the British government, eighty pounds for
its erection. It was built at the commencement of the French
war, and constructed of hewn timber. The Indians held some
four hundred acres of land around it, which they leased for sever
al years. Contiguous to this castle, along both sides of the river,
could have been counted at one time seventy huts ; and relics of
savage ingenuity are now often plowed up near its site. An an
gle of land, occasioned by a bend in the river, on which this cas
tle stood, was called the Wilder Hook, by the Dutch who settled
near it, and signified the Indian's Corner. Among the old people
in that vicinity, it is still known by the same name.
The Indians gave names to most of the mountains and promin-
• It was not only customary for the aborigines of this country to bury the
implements of war, and treasures of the warrior with his body ; but also a
kettle of food, such as beans or venison, to serve him on his journey to the
delectable hunting grounds, whither he believed himself going. There he
expected to find plenty of wild game, handsome women, and revel eternally
in voluptuousness.

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 33
ent hills in the county, among which were the following: On
the west side of the river, directly opposite the brick church in
Middleburgh, is a mountain rising several hundred feet, and
covered with timber of stunted growth. The traveler will readily
notice this, as being the highest of the surrounding peaks, which
hem in the river and valley for a considerable distance on either
side. This mountain the natives called Ou-con-ge-na, which sig
nified, Rattle-snake Mountain, or Mountain of Snakes. It was
literally covered with rattle- snakes in former times. The next
peak above on the same side of the river, which has a very bold
twmination towards the valley, they called O-nis-ta-gra-wa, and
spoke it as though written 0-nis-ta-graw-w>a«g7i / It signifi
ed the Corn Mountain. Between that and the river was the
Wilder Ho.ok : at which place the flats are well adapted to the
cultivation of Indian corn. It was this consideration which gave
to this mountain its significant name. The next hill above the
Onistagrawa, now known as Spring Hill, the Indians called To-
wok-now-ra — its signification is unknown.
At Middleburgh, two valleys meet; the one through which
the Schoharie wends its way, and the other through which the
Little Schoharie kill runs some distance before it empties into
the former. Consequently, on the south-east side of the river as
it there courses, the mountain ridge which confines the river to
its limits on the eastern side, suddenly terminates, and again ap
pears east of Middleburgh village. The termination of the hill
alluded to, which lies south-east of the Onistagrawa and distant
perhaps two miles — was called by the Mohegans who dwelt at
its base, the Mo-he-gon-ter, and signified Falling Off, or Termin
ation of the Mohegan Hill. It served not only to designate the
locality, and preserve the name of the Connecticut Indians, but,
like many of their words which have a twofold meaning ; it de
noted a hill terminating at a valley. A fraction of the Stock-
bridge tribe of Indians, who emigrated from Massachusetts, also
dwelt near the Mohegans.
I have no data by which to estimate the whole number of
Schoharie Indians, except the statement in Brown's pamphlet,

34 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
which sets down the number of warriors at about three hundred.
Now by supposing that each of those warriors, on an average,
had two women, that there were two children to each woman —
that there were fifty men unfit for warriors from age or infirmity,
and as many old women ; the tribe would then number two thou
sand two hundred souls. This estimate may be thought too large ;
but if so, the reader has the same right and means to lessen its
numbers, that I have to increase them. And whether he is a
Yankee or not, he may guess at their numbers with impunity ;
although it is hardly a supposable case, still there may have been
here and there a warrior to whom Cupid had not revealed OvicWs
art; there are few of nature's children who are strangers to love.
The coat of arms, or ensign of the Schoharie tribe, was a
turtle and a snake. Figures representing those animals, they
were careful to place on all deeds or writings — which were to
prove an evidence of faith. Nor were they confined to placing
them on paper or parchment ; for whenever they deeded land,
trees serving as bounds or land-marks, bore the characteristic
emblem of the tribe.
Brown enumerates the five following foot-paths as being in
use by the Schoharie Indians, when the whites first settled among
them. The first he mentions began at Catskill, and followed the
kill of that name up to its source at the Vlaie, from whence it
continued down to Middleburgh. Over a part of this path now
runs the Loonenburg turnpike. The second began at Albany and
led over the Helleberg, down Foxes creek valley, and terminated
in Schoharie. By this path the Germans traveled, who first set
tled Schoharie. The old road, as now called, from thence to
Albany, follows very nearly the route of that path. The third
commenced at Garlock's dorf, and led to Schenectada through
Duanesburgh. By this path, the Dutch who first settled in Vroo
man's Land, proceeded from Schenectada. This path was much
used for several years by the Schoharie Germans, who went to
that ancient city with grists upon their backs to get milling done !
The fourth led from Kneiskern's dorf down the Schoharie to
Sloansville, from thence through the towns of Charleston and

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 35
Glen to Cadaughrity and ended at Fort Hunter. This path
was much traveled by the natives, who went from the Mohawk
to the Susquehanna valley. The fifth led from Kneiskern's dorf
north-west to Canajoharie. This path, says Brown, was much
traveled by the early Germans, who often went to visit relatives
at the German Flats. It continued in full use, he adds, until af
ter the year 1762, at which time Sir William Johnson reviewed
a brigade of militia, of which he was general — near the upper
Indian castle of the Mohawks. Besides those enumerated, the
Indians must have had other paths, perhaps of less notoriety,
leading in different directions from Schoharie. One traversed not
a little by the Indian hunter, led directly up the Schoharie to
near its source, and from thence to the Susquehanna and Genesee
valleys. While another of some importance to the hunter, must
have led up the Cobelskill to it source, and from thence to Otsego
lake. It may justly be said, that religion has peopled by the whites,
the greater part of North America ; for many of the first Eu
ropean immigrants came to this goodly heritage to find a place
where they could worship Jehovah as seemed to them proper and
desirable. True, the prospect of realizing the desires of Ortugal,
induced many to settle in Spanish America ; but Catholicism was
the handmaid of lucre, ahd aided not a little in conquering and
civilizing Mexico, so far as that country has been civilized ; it
must be acknowledged, however, that civilization has advanced
tardily in all Spanish America. This is owing no doubt to two
obvious reasons : the general indolence of the inhabitants, (their
wealth being derived directly from the precious metals instead
of agriculture,) and the fact that the Catholic religion is less fa
vorable to civilization, than is the Protestant.
After the throne of England had been vacated by the death
of William and Mary, Queen Anne ascended it, and as her pre
decessors had done, she tolerated the Protestant religion. It was
often the case in former times, that when one form of religious
worship was tolerated ina kingdom of Europe, and laws were
enacted to compelTall to conform" to it, many who had scruples about

36 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
adopting it, at the sacrifice of judgment and feeling, fled to other
countries where their own religion prevailed. It was bigotry
and. Catholicism, which drove the ancestors of General Marion
from France to South Carolina. The grandfather of Marion was
a French Protestant : by the authorities of France he was banish
ed to -perpetual exile, and notified by letter, that if found in the
kingdom after ten days from the date had transpired, his life
would be forfeited, his body consumed by fire, and the ashes
scattered on the winds of heaven. I have mentioned this case
to show the reader the nature of the persecution, which tended
in a great measure to people the United States.
The Puritans, as the Plymouth, Massachusetts, pioneers were
called, fled with their pastor, the Rev. John Robinson, in the
year 1607, from England to Amsterdam in Holland ; from thence
they soon after removed to Leyden. From the latter place, in
the year 1620, they went to Southampton in England, from
whence they embarked for America on the 5th day of Aifgust of
the same year, and after a long, tedious voyage, anchored in Cape
Cod harbor, on the 10th day of the following November. The
colony which European persecution there planted, although se
veral times on the eve of annihilation, was the means of peopling
all New England.
Queen Anne, who received the crown of England in the year
1702, knowing that the Germans were in general peaceable,
loyal subjects,' and lovers of liberty from principle — anxious to
increase the population of her American colonies, held out strong
inducements to this hardy and industrious race of people to become
British subjects. She offered to give them 1 ands, if they would set
tle on the frontier of certain colonies, and furnish them at the be
ginning with necessary tools, provisions, &c. What added to the
inducement, they could there practice their own form of religious
worship. There is a charm in the word liberty, that converts a desert
wild into a paradise, and severs the cords of the fraternal, social
circle. The generous offers of Queen Anne induced thousands to
bid a final farewell to the land of their nativity — cross the foam-

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 37
ing Atlantic, and erect their altars of worship in the wilds of
America, thousands of miles from the luring places to which they
were .known in childhood.
Schoharie, with the exception of its Indian inhabitants, was
first settled by the Germans and Dutch, and to religion and the
love of liberty is that settlement mostly to be attributed. In
saying Schoharie, I allude to all the settlements first made in
Schoharie county, without distinction of towns ; as a territory of
many miles in extent, now making a part of several towns, was,
at first, known by no other name than that of Schoharie. I find
it somewhat difficult to harmonize the contradictory statements,
tending to fix the precise year in which the Germans first arrived in
that valley. Brown says " they sailed on new year's day in the year
1710, from some port on the Rhine, down that river to Holland
from whence they sailed to England ; that being there further
provided, they sailed for America ; and after a tedious voyage in
which a great many died, they landed at New York on the 14th
day of June, 1712 ; having been one year five months and several
days [over two years,] on their journey ; that they were then
sent up the Hudson river to East and West Camp, (so called from
the circumstance of their having encamped there,) where they
wintered in ground and log huts. — That from there the spring
following, they went to Albany, from whence some found their
way to Schoharie, after a journey of four days by an Indian foot
path, bearing upon their backs tools and provisions with which
they had been provided by agents of the queen." Brown is
doubtless in error about the time the emigrants were coming
from Germany to New York ; it could not have been upwards of
two years, as it would seem by his data.
Many, of the aged people with whom I have conversed on this
subject, agree in fixing the date of their departure from Leyden
in Holland, as early as 1709, while some others name that year
as the traditionary one in which they first reached Schoharie. A
record in the Lutheran church at Schoharie, states that Abraham
Berg, from Hessen, came to America in 1709, but the record
was made many years subsequent to that date, and may be in-
4

38 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY
accurate ; recording the time of arrival here, instead of departure
fnta Hessen. From a comparison of all the evidence collected
on the subject, I believe they left Germany late in 1709, arrived
at New York in 1710, and the following year went to Schoharie.
Smith's history of New York informs us, that General Hunter,
who had been appointed governor of the province, arrived
at New York on the fourteenth day of June, 1710, bringing
with him near three thousand Palatines, who, the year before,
had fled to England from the rage of persecution in Germany.
That "many of these people seated themselves in the city of New
York, where they built a Lutheran church ; others settled on a
tract of several thousand acres, in the manor of Livingston, where
they still have a village called the Camp, which is one of the
pleasantest situations on Hudson's river ; right opposite, on the
west bank are many other families &i them. Some went into
Pennsylvania, and by the favorable accounts of the country,
which they transmitted to Germany, were instrumental to the
transmigration of many thousands of their countrymen into that
province. Queen Anne's liberality to these people," he adds,
" was not more beneficial to them than serviceable to this colony.
They have behaved themselves peaceably, and lived with great
industry. Many are rich ; all are Protestants, and well affected
to the government : the same may be said of those who have
settled amongst us, and planted the lands westward of Albany,
We have not the least ground for jealousy with respect to them."
It will be observed, that the arrival at New York of the Ger
mans by whom Schoharie was undoubtedly settled, was on the
same day of the same month, two years earlier than the date
given by Brown, as the one on which they arrived. There can
remain little doubt, that the time of their arrival as given by
Smith is correct. Another writer, Spafford', in his Gazetteer of
New York, speaking of Livingston's manor, says : " In the year
1710, agreeably to an arrangement with Queen Anne of Eng
land, the proprietor conveyed a tract of six thousand acres ad
joining the Hudson, from the south-eastern part of the manor, to a

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 39
number of Palatines, who had served in her armies, and were now
driven from Germany by the French army.
The same writer, speaking of Germantown, Columbia county,
in which town is the village of East Camp, says : " In June,
1710, seventy families of poor Palatine soldiers who had served
in the army. of Queen Anne, by whom they were hired of the
Electorate of the Palatinate, arrived at New York, the most of
whom soon removed to these lands, then included in Livingston's
manor." The reader will here understand why these people
were called Palatines. Palatine is a term which was formerly
given to a prince, and probably is still, in some parts of Germany.
He was invested with royal privileges to preside over a certain
territory, called a Palatinate ; hence emigrants from such coun
tries in Germany, as are subject to the government or direction
of a Palatine, have been called Palatines or Palatinates. " In
1725," continues Spafford, "according to an arrangement of
King George I. with the proprietor, letters patent were granted
to certain persons belonging to the settlement of East Camp, as
it was then called, as trustees for the whole, conveying the right
of soil in perpetuity for the use of said inhabitants. And the
grant seems to have been well devised, with the whole condi
tions on which it was made. Forty acres were directed to be
appropriated to the use of a church and the maintenance of a
school, and the residue to be equally divided among the inhabi
tants, which was faithfully performed by the trustees. This lit
tle colony received many marks of the kindness, care and bene
ficence of Queen Anne, under whose special patronage it was
first planted. The country was then wholly wild, and the first
encampments were distinguished by local names. Hence came
East Camp, a more general name of three little lodges in this
town ; and West Camp, the name of a similar settlement on the
opposite side of the river, now in Saugerties, Ulster county.
The settlements first commenced by three small lodges of tem
porary huts, each of which was placed under the superintendance
of some principal man, from whom they took their names, with
the addition of dorf, a German word for village. Hence Weiser's

40 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY
dorf, Kneiskern's dorf, names now disused, except by a very
few of the ancient Germans."
r According to Spafford's account it would appear as though the
first settlers at the Camps, had been hired by Queen Anne to serve
in her wars. But the other published accounts, and tradition,
which seems not to have slumbered on this subject, unite in ascrib
ing their emigration from Germany chiefly to religious oppression.
It is not improbable that some of the most warlike of those Ger
mans, may have aided the colonies and Iroquois in the war they
were then waging with Canada ; — a distinguished historian does
indeed say that some of them were so engaged; (See Bancroft's
U. S. vol. iii, p. 221) — but that those who tarried at the Camps
left their native land for that purpose, seems hardly admissible,
from the fact, that male and female, oJ4 and young, great and
small were included in this group of immigrants ; the major
part of which would have been sorry materials for an army.
He must be in error about the number of the first settlers, unless
two different parties arrived at the Camps during the same year,
which is not improbable ; as more than seventy families, which
he gives for their whole number there, removed to Schoharie ;
at which time many families settled along the Mohawk river.
It is highly probable, that of those who arrived, seventy families
at least remained at the Camps, and became permanent settlers.
Few incidents worthy of notice, in the long journey of these
emigrants, have been preserved. They are said to have embarked
from Plymouth, a port somewhat celebrated for the embarkation
of Europeans to this continent. While the ship was lying at an
chor some distance from the shore, awaiting for a fair wind or
sailing orders, with the emigrants on board, six of them went to
land in a boat to make some necessary purchases. Only one
name of the six is now remembered, that was Becker. He was
a relative of the ancestors of the Beckers, who now live on
Fox's creek, in the present town of Schoharie. After making
purchases, they put off to regain the ship ; but having a gale of
wind to encounter, which had sprung up while they were on shore
the boat capsized and its crew were all buried in the raging bil
lows. With this unhappy commencement, it is but natural to

AND BORDER WAR OF NEW YORK. 41
suppose their surviving friends anticipated a voyage across the
Atlantic, fraught with difficulty and danger: indeed such it
proved ; for it was protracted by adverse winds to a length of
months, and rendered truly appalling, when, as provisions began
to fail them, they saw grim death, through all the horrors of
starvation, staring them in the face. Before they reached New
York, crumbs were sought for by the half starved children in
every nook and corner, and when fortune thus discovered to them
the scanty object of their search, no matter how filthy or stale, it
was considered a God-send and greedily devoured. Several pas
sengers died on the voyage : one old lady, who had been ill of
consumption for some time, died and was consigned to the deep
at the Narrows, below New York. If several died on the jour
ney, it is not certain that the whole number of the emigrants was
less at their final debarkation, than it was when they left the
land of their fathers, as I have to record the fact, that the rule of
ancient arithmetic, which subtracts one from one and leaves two,
was not unfrequently exemplified during the passage. By the
by, that is a valuable rule in peopling all new countries.
Soon after they landed at New York, they were sent up the
Hudson to the Camps ; (with the exception of those who became
permanent settlers in the city, and those who went to Pennsylva
nia ;) where they made a temporary location. As they did not
arrive at New York until the middle of June, it will be observed
that the season had too far advanced to allow those who intended
to become frontier settlers, or citizen farmers, to select an ap
proved location, and raise their sustenance for that season : they
therefore went into quarters to await the return of Spring. They
erected temporary huts, settling in seven squads or messes, each
with a head man or commissary, through whom they received
their provisions from an agent of the Queen, until they were per
manently located. Conrad Weiser, Hartman Winteker, John
Hendrick Kneiskern, Elias Garlock, Johannes George Smidt and
W7illiam Fox were six of the number ; and as John Lawyer be
came one after their arrival at Schoharie, he may have made the
seventh. The several settlements over which they presided, were

42 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
called dorfs, signifying towns. Each of the said "list men," as
Judge Brown termed them, (from the fact, that each had enrolled
on a list or schedule, the names of every man, woman and child
belonging to his beat ;) was obliged to make careful report, from
time to time, to the royal agent, of all changes in his dorf; of its
approaching wants, etc. How these honest, good natured, simple
people, spent the greater part of a year at the Camps, this depo
nent has been unable to learn ; but as they possessed the charac
teristic good nature of their mother country, — were fond of ath
letic exercises, not to the exclusion of fumigation however, he
supposes, as the Queen's punctual agent did not allow them to
anticipate much care or concern about their temporal affairs, that
they " drove dull cares away," by what their descendants term
frolicking : and that although they were in a strange land, they
resolved* it should be to them a land of social enjoyment. The
reader is ready to ask, what means the term frolicking in this
place ? It means, as I have been assured by the descendants of
those virtuous and happy people, the indulgence of certain pro
pensities of the human heart to seek pleasure. They fiddled, they
danced, they ran foot races ; and groups were not unfrequently
seen among them, jumping, wrestling, &c, in summer : while
winter found them skating, or playing various kinds of plays,
such as now sometimes make part of an evening's entertainment
at a village party, in which bussing, that delectable finale to
which they generally tend, bears a conspicuous part. Some se
date mortal, on whom life hangs heavily, may be ready to ex
claim, "strange that a people who left their native land on ac
count of religious persecution, should have allowed their children
or any of their numbers, to indulge in such foolish propensities !"
It is indeed strange ; but no less strange than true, if they lived
at the Camps as they afterwards did in Schoharie. One fact how
ever, might be urged in mitigation of their wickedness, if such
the reader terms it. Not a particle of hypocrisy, that ingredient
so necessary in making up the human character at the present
day, dwelt in the hearts of these people. The reader will re
member, that I have not called them a fashionable people. Na-

AND BORDER WAR OF NEW YORK. 43
turally honest themselves, they supposed others so, and had im
bibed liberally those true German principles of nature, founded on
a belief, that " there is a proper time for every purpose ;" which
bade them not look to the morrow, for that which rightly be
longed to the present day ; or anticipate the troubles to which
nrjan is heir, and which are so profusely scattered along his path.
That there were many among those emigrants who lived pious
and exemplary lives, not approving the course of their fellows,
there can be no doubt.
At what time in the spring of 1711, those who had not chosen
to remain at the Camps, moved up the river to Albany, is uncer
tain. It must have been as early as circumstances would allow.
On their arrival at that Dutch city, they sent several individuals
of their number into the Mohawk and Schoharie vallies, to spy
out a good location for their permanent settlement. Perhaps it
may be well to say a few words in this place, in explanation of
the term Dutch. Emigrants from the German circles, were ori
ginally called Germans or High Dutch ; and indeed continued to
be so called, long after their emigration to this country ; while
those from Holland or the United Provinces were called Dutch :
or, in contra-distinction of the term High Dutch given the Ger
mans, Low Dutch. Many persons of the present day, unacquaint
ed with the geography of Europe, express surprise to hear the
distinction of the terms German and Dutch made, supposing them
synonymous. The German circles or states, and Dutch provinces,
are as distinct countries, as are England and Scotland, perhaps
more so ; and their languages as little alike, as were formerly
those of the latter countries. Nor indeed are the former under
the same government, which is the case with the latter ; and yet
people express no surprise to hear the distinction of English and
Scotch emigrants made, when those countries are in question.
When the historian tells us that the Dutch settled at Albany,
which was by them called Willemstadt, where they built Fort
Orange ; and at New York, then called New Amsterdam, in or
about the year 1614, nearly one hundred years previous to the
settlement of Schoharie ; he dees not intend to be understood that

44 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
those places were settled by Germans, but by Hollanders or
Dutch. **
As the sections of the United States, originally peopled by the
Dutch and Germans, received additional settlers from other coun
tries, and conformed to the English language, — the Whole assimi
lating by gradual process to new characteristics, as their old were
reluctantly absolved ; the sectional appellatives of all, whether
English, Scotch, or Irish — Dutch, German, or Swiss, yielded to
two simple terms, Yankee and Dutch.
The German messengers, with whom we parted company a
short time since, deputed to Schoharie, were conducted by an
Indian guide over the Helleberg*, and on the second day they
gained a commanding view of the flats along Fox's creek. They
proceeded down that stream, until from one of the hills which
skirt its lowlands, they gained a prospect ofthe Schoharie valley,
at the place where Fox's creek runs into the Schoharie. There
their vision was delighted by one of the most beautiful and pic
turesque scenes, with which nature has decorated the earth. They
beheld the green flats of Schoharie, spread out before them like a
beautiful, though neglected garden. To the west, directly oppo
site the mouth of said creek, their view was obstructed by a ro
mantic mountain rising several hundred feet, and terminating in a
bold cliff towards them. I regret that I have been unable to
learn the original Indian name of that mountain : the Germans
called it the Clipper berg, meaning the rocky mountain. I take
the liberty of giving to it, the name of Karighondontee, intending
by so doing to perpetuate the name of the Schoharie Indian tribe.
On the summit of the Karighondontee, is a cultivated farm for
merly owned by Henry Hamilton, Esq., an excursion to which
often rewards the rambler in the summer season, with one of the
• On arriving upon this mountain, which is a spur of the Catskill moun
tains, those emigrants halted on several eminences to enjoy the rich prospect
thus afforded. Helle— signifies light or clear, and berg — hill or mountain.
Hence the appropriate name they gave it— Helleberg, Prospect Hill or Sight
ly Mountain. Helderberg, the Dutch orthography for this word, has, within
a few years, very improperly gained place ; its original German name being
far more poetic and soft.

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 45
most enchanting views imaginable. Off to the right hand of the
deputation, as they stood on the summit of tbe hill, near where
it descends into the two valleys, on the north side of Fox's creek ;
they were enabled to catch a view of the great bend in the river,
where it takes a more easterly course, immediately after receiving
Cobel's kill. They did not long tarry to contemplate on the
richness of the prospect, which the union of those three valleys,
beautified as they then were by luxurious spring, was calculated
to create. Perhaps there was no Mozart present, to catch inspi
ration from the wanton carol of the countless feathered musicians,
by which they were surrounded : or Spurzheim to forestal the
virtues, — perchance the hidden wealth, of the hilly protuberances
which rose in romantic grandeur, on which side soever they
gazed. The hill on which I have supposed the pilgrim messen
gers to have stood, and from which they caught a view of " the
promised land," the Indians called Oxt-don-tee. After taking
this hasty glance of the country before them, which they no
doubt did with eyes and ears, if not mouths, open ; they returned
speedily to Albany, and reported progress to their anxious breth
ren. Would kind reader, I could serve you with the maiden
speeches of those honest spies, who were among the first white
men known to have trod upon Schoharie soil : but in the absence
of such an intellectual treat, your own fertile imagination must
create them. They were dehvered before the immortal seven,
who were the sanhedrim of the multitude, and one thing is cer
tain : they were fraught with a prevailing argument against the
entire Mohawk valley, which was not even allowed a hearing ;
and nearly the whole caravan,* loaded down like so many pack
horses with provisions and tools, without a vehicle of any kind,
•started forthwith for Schoharie.
The interval lands which the deputies had visited, were, at
that time, to a great extent cleared or timberless, and presented
* As the German settlements along the Mohawk were commenced about
the same time with those of Schoharie, it is not improbable, that the
relatives of the messengers sent up that river, awaited their return at Alba
ny, and on their bringing a favorable report of the country, removed thither.

46 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
the appearance of a limited prairie : and few were the native in
habitants, who then dwelt upon them. These two considerations,
no doubt, greatly influenced, the hasty decision of the colonists.
Gentle reader, you, who ride perhaps in a gilded carriage, and
think elliptic springs and a good road scarcely endurable, must
not be offended when informed, that your great-great-grand
mothers, (I am now speaking to the fair sex, of the uncontami-
nated descendants, of the primogenial pilgrims to the happy val
ley, not of Rasselas, but Schoharie;) clad in linsey-woolsey of
limited length, bearing each in their arms an heir apparent, and
each on their back a sack of provisions or unmentionables ; set
out on foot to make this long journey, upon an intricate Indian
foot path.* Would you ask why their husbands did not carry
the burthens, thus imposed upon their amiable consorts 1 I have
already said they had not a vehicle of any kind; nor indeed had
they the aid of even a single horse ; consequently the husbands
and all the children able to bear burthens, were heavily laden.
They left Albany on Thursday, and as may be supposed, their
progress was necessarily very slow. Nights they slept in the
open air, after having built fires to keep off the wolves, which
thickly infested the forest through which they were journeying.
Nothing remarkable happened during the first two day's journey.
On Saturday they reached the present site of Knoxville, which
appears to be the summit level between Albany and Schoharie,
where they halted and assembled together. Some misunderstand
ing having arisen, a contest ensued, in which many of the party
were engaged, from which circumstance the place has since been
known by the older inhabitants, as Fegt berg, or fighting hill.
* This journey of thirty odd miles, is looked upon at the present day as a
small matter, since a stage rattles over it every day ; but it was far other.
wise at that period. Many were the tears of sympathy shed in Albany, at
the departure of these good people, because they were going so far from any
other settlement. What changes time brings. Where is now your sympathy,
0 ye Albanians ! for the comely looking Swiss maidens and their forlorn
mothers, who are now in motley groups, lingering not unfrequently a few
days with you, ere they commence a western journey, which may number
thousands of miles ?

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 47
What gave rise to this quarrel, I have been unable to learn, lt
is not improbable that the " green eyed monster" was the direct
or indirect cause, originating in a spirit of emulation to direct the
movements of the party. No one seems to have been very seri
ously injured by this unlooked for trial of strength ; the insurgents
were overpowtred, good order again restored, and the line of
march resumed. On Sunday, (probably in the latter part of
April,) a day of seven, dedicated to cleansing and decorating the
outward man of the civilized world, having arrived at a small
brook, which descends from the hills on the north side of Fox's
creek, and runs into the latter near the present residence of Sam
uel Stevens, and within sight of the Schoharie valley, the party
halted and resolved on having a general purifying. Says Brown,
" while washing, the lice were swimming down the brook j which
is called Louse kill to this day." Tradition corroborates this sto
ry. I may have occasion hereafter to speak of the cleanliness of
the descendants of these people. There can be little doubt, but
that the washing adventure, may prove a mirror to many parties
of emigrants, who have been long journeying. It is not difficult
to account for the fact, that the most negligent of the number,
(for I cannot believe all were so) should have become filthy.
They were poor, had not changes of apparel ; of course, the
clothing they wore, without much pains-taking to keep it clean,
must have become dirty : add to this the fact, that they had been
for a great length of time, either journeying or dwelling in rude
huts, in either case greatly crowded, without any conveniences for
private ablution ; and we have a plausible reason to believe the
story a true one. Poor people, although. cleanly, find it difficult
at times, to exhibit evidences of their neatness, especially while
traveling. The Schoharie flats to which they were journeying, and upon
which they arrived on the day of their purifying, had been pur
chased of the natives by an agent of the Queen, to prevent future
hostilities between them and the Germans. The tract of land
thus purchased, began on the little Schoharie kill in the town of
Middleburgh, at the high water mark of the Schoharie river, at

48 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
an oak stump burned hollow, which stump is said to have served
the Mohegan and Stockbridge Indians, the purposes of a corn
mill ; and ran down the river to the north, taking in the flats on
both sides of the same, a distance of eight or ten miles, contain
ing twenty thousand acres. By the side of this stump was erect
ed a large pile of stones, which was still standing since the year
1800. Upon this stump was cut the figures of a turtle and a
snake, the ensign of the Karighondontee tribe, the Indian seal of
the contract. Having arrived in safety, the Germans settled
along the Schoharie on the land provided by the queen, in sever
al villages or dorfs, as they called them, under the direction of
the seven individuals, who acted at the Camps as their captains or
commissaries. Prudence, no doubt, dictated the necessity of set
tling near together, that they might be the better prepared to an
ticipate any hostile movement of their Indian neighbors. Weiser's
dorf, (so called after Conrad Weiser the founder,) was the most
southern village, and occupied part of the present site of the vil
lage of Middleburgh. This dorf contained some forty dwellings.
They were small, rude huts, built of logs and earth, and covered
with bark, grass, &c. They were built on both sides of a street,
which ran nearly east and west, and may have been called Weiser
street. Hartman's dorf was the next settlement down the river,
and was about two miles north of Weiser's dorf. This was the
only one of the settlements called after the christian name of its
founder or patroon : his name having been Hartman Winteker.
This flekken,* (if the largest village in seven merited the name,)
is said to have contained sixty-five dwellings, similar in construc
tion to those spoken of in the dorf above. The Germans, (as is
the custom of their descendants,) built their ovens detached from
their dwellings : and thirteen are said to have answered all the
good house-wives of Hartman's dorf, the purposes of baking.
Like the former, this village was built along one street ; and I
am gratified to think I can inform the reader precisely where it
* Dorf means a compact farmer's town or small village ; flekken a larger
village than a dorf and less than a city : and stadt, an incorporated city—
Brown.

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 49
was situated. Every man who has traveled from Schoharie
Court House to Middleburgh will remember, that having proceed
ed about three miles, and crossed two brooks, the most southern
of which was called, in former days, the Wolfs kill, he came to
two angles in the road, between which, he perceived his course
changed from south to west for the distance of, perhaps, a quarter
of a mile. He will also remember, no doubt, how straight and
level that part of the road was, gently descending to the west ;
and, too, that he expressed surprise to his companion, or, if he
had no more sensible person with him, to himself, that the road
had never been straightened. Now, since I have traced the lo
cation of Hartman's dorf by tradition, to the immediate vicinity
of this knoll or table-land, upon which the two angles in the road
appear, and have too much charity to believe, that that part of
the road would not have been straightened, had the commission
ers who laid it out not had some noble object in view, I have
come to the conclusion, and doubt not the good sense of the read
er will bear me out in it, that that part of the road which runs,
east and west, between the angles spoken of, was once
Hartman's street, and that upon each side of it once stood
the unpretending dwellings of Hartman's dorf.
The next village north, was in the vicinity of the court-house,
and was called Brunnen or Bruna dorf, which signified the town
of springs. There are several springs in this vicinity ; and a liv
ing one, which issues from beneath the rocks a little distance
south-east from the court-house, supplies most of the villagers
with excellent water. The principal or most influential man
among the first settlers at this place, was John Lawyer. Some
of his descendants, as also those of some of the Shaeffers and
Ingolds, who were also among the first settlers, still reside near
the location of their ancestors. The next settlement was in the
vicinity of the present residence of Doctor C. H. Van Dyck,
about a mile north of Bruna dorf; and consisted of Johannes
George Smidt, (or Smith in English,) with a few followers of the
people, for whom he had acted as commissioner at the Camps.
Smith is said to have had the best house in Smith's dorf, which

50 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
was thatched with straw. I am not certain that any of his clan
are now represented in that section. It is probable, however,
that the Snjders who reside there, may be descended from the
first settlers. Fox's dorf was next to Smith's, north, and took its
name from William Fox, its leading, man. He settled about a
mile from Smith, in the vicinity of Fox's creek, so called after
him. The Snyders, Beckers, Zimmers, Balls and Weidmans, now
residing along, and near that stream, are regular descendants of
the first settlers. Elias Garlock, with a few faithful followers,
who, doubtless, adhered to him on account of his great wisdom,
which remains to be shown, located about two miles farther down
the river, near the present residence of Jacob Vrooman. This
was called Garlock's dorf. The Dietzes, Manns and Sternbergs,
were among the first settlers at Garlock's dorf, whose descend
ants still occupy the grounds. The last and most northerly set
tlement, was called Kneiskern's dorf, after John Peter Kneiskern,
its leading man. It was two or three miles from the last men
tioned settlement, and was made along the east side of the river,
opposite the mouth of Cobel's kill. The Kneiskerns, Stubrachs,
Enderses, Sidneys, Berghs and Houcks, residing in that vicinity,
are descendants of the original settlers. This, and Bruna dorf,
are the only ones of the seven settlements, in which the descend
ants of the list men or founders, dwell at the present day. The
sectional names of Kneiskern's and Hartman's dorf, are still in
use ; while the other five have sunk into oblivion.
Among the first settlers at these seven dorfs, were some whose
descendants still reside in the county, their first location in but
few instances being now traceable. It is presumed many of them
settled at the two most southern, and important villages. The
Keysers, Boucks, Rickards, Rightmyers, Warners, Weavers, Zim
mers, Matrices, Zehs, Bellingers, Borsts, Schoolcrafts, Kryslers,
Casselmans, Newkirks, Earharts, Browns, Settles and Merckleys,
were doubtless among the first settlers. The whole number of
Germans who located in the Schoharie valley in 1711, must have
been between five and seven hundred.

(51 )

CHAPTER n.

Having located the pioneers of Schoharie according to their
several inclinations, let us see how they were to live. More or
less land was found at each settlement cleared, and with little
pains, it was fitted for cultivation. It has been already shown
that their effects were conveyed in such a manner, that we must
presume they possessed very little of this world's gear. Their
all, no doubt, consisted in a few rude tools, a scanty supply of
provisions, a meagre wardrobe, and a small number of rusty fire
arms : they had to manufacture their own furniture, if the apolo
gy for it, merited such a name. Bedsteads, they for some time
dispensed with. From logs they cut blocks, which answered the
purposes of chairs and tables ; sideboards, sofas, piano fortes, ot
tomans, carpets, &c, were to them neither objects of family pride,
convenience or envy. They endeavored to foster the friendship
of their Indian neighbors, and from them they received corn and
beans, which the latter kindly showed them how to cultivate.
Within one week after their arrival, four children were born ; a
fact I think very worthy of record in the annals of this people.
Their names were Catharine Mattice, Elizabeth Lawyer, Wilhel-
mus Bouck and Johannes Earhart. In preparing ground for plant
ing, which was done in the absence of plows, by broad hoes, they
found many ground nuts, which they made use of for food, the
first season. I have no account of their having been furnished
with provisions by the Queen's agent, after they left Albany, and
suppose they were left to live on their own resources, and what
the country afforded.
The want of grist mills, for several years, they found to be a
source of great inconvenience. The stump mentioned in the pre-

52 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
ceding chapter, which served as the southern bound of the first
Indian purchase, not only answered the Indians, but the first
Germans, the purpose of a corn mill. By the side of this hollow
stump, an upright shaft and cross-bar were raised, from which
was suspended a heavy wood, or stone pestle, working on the
principle of a pump. Their corn for several years, they hulled
with lye, or pounded preparatory to eating it.
Brown says, the first wheat was sowed in Schoharie in the fall
of 1713, by Lambert Sternberg, of Garlock's dorf. As I have
shown the arrrival of the Germans to have been two years ear
lier than the time stated by him, I suppose the first wheat to
have been sown in the fall of 1711.
As Schenectada was nearer the Schoharie settlements than
Albany, for such necessaries as they required the first few years,
they visited the former place the most frequently. Those who
possessed the means, bought wheat there at two shillings a spint,
(a peck,) or six shillings a skipple, had it ground and returned
home with it on their backs, by a lonely Indian footh-path,
through a heavy forest. It was thus, Sternberg carried the first
skipple of wheat ever taken to Schoharie in the berry. He re
sided near the present residence of Henry Sternberg, a descend
ant of his. On the west side of the river, opposite Garlock's
dorf, had been an Indian castle, which was abandoned about the
time the Germans arrived ; the occupants having removed up the
river, to the Wilder Hook. On the ground within the dilapidated
inclosure, the wheat was sowed, or rather planted, (as they
then had no plows or horses,) over more than an acre of ground ;
it was planted within this yard, because it was a warm, rich
piece of ground with little grass on it, and being inclosed, would
remove the danger of having the crop destroyed in the fall or
spring, by deer, which were numerous on the surrounding moun
tains. This wheat, which rooted remarkably well in the fall
stood so thin, from having been scattered over so much ground,
that it was hoed in the spring like a patch of corn ; and well
was the husbandman rewarded for his labor. Every berry sent
forth several stalks, every stalk sustained a drooping head, and

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 53
every head teemed with numerous berries. When ripe, it was
gathered with the greatest care ; not a single head was lost, and
when threshed, the one yielded eighty-three skipples. In these
days, when the weevil scarcely 'allows three, to say nothing of
thfe eighty, bushels to one ; this statement would perhaps be look
ed upon as incredible, were not all the circumstances known.
Many procured seed from Sternberg, and it was not long before
the settlers raised wheat enough for their own consumption.
For several years, they had most of their grain floured at
Schenectada. They usually went there in parties of fifteen or
twenty at a time, to be better able to defend themselves against
wild beasts, which then were numerous between the two places.
Often, there were as many women as men in those journeys, and
as they had to encamp in the woods at least one night, the wo
men frequently displayed when in danger, as much coolness and
bravery as their Uege lords. A skipple was the quantity usually
borne by each individual, but the stronger often carried more.
Not unfrequently, they left Schoharie to go to mill, on the morn
ing of one day, and were at home on the morning of the next ;
performing a journey of between forty and fifty miles, in twenty-
four hours or less, bearing the ordinary burden ; but at such times,
they traveled most of the night without encamping. It is said,
that women were not unfrequently among those who performed
the journey in the shortest time — preparing a breakfast for their
families, from the flour they had brought, on the morning after
they left home. Where is the matron now to be found, in the
whole valley of the Schoharie, who would perform such a jour
ney, in such a plight 1
As may be supposed, many of the first settlers in Schoharie
were related. Hence has arisen that weighty political argument
sometimes heard, " he belongs to the cousin family."
Owing to the industry and economy of the colonists, and the
richness of the soil, want soon began to flee their dwellings, and
plenty to enter; and as their clothes began to wax old, they
manufactured others from dressed buck-skins, which they obtain
ed from the Indians. A file of those men, clad in buck-skin,
5

54 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
with caps of fox or wolf-skin, all of their own manufacture, must
have presented a formidable appearance. It is not certain but
the domestic economy of the male, was carried into the female
department ; and that here and there a ruddy maiden, concealed
her charming proportions beneath a habit of deer-skin.
It is said that physicians accompanied the first Germans to
Schoharie ; and that for many years, ministers, or missionaries,
under pay from the British government, labored in the different
German settlements in the country. They visited the people;
married those whose peace of mind Cupid had destroyed ;
preached to, and exhorted all. Their audiences usually occupied
some convenient barn in the summer season, and the larger dwell
ings in the winter.
The want of horses and cattle at first, was much felt by the
settlements. By whom cattle, swine and sheep were first intro
duced, I have been unable to learn. The first of the horse kind
they possessed, was an old gray mare. She was purchased at
Schenectada for a small sum, by nine individuals of Weiser's dorf;
and it is said they kept her moving. Who the nine were, who
gloried in owning this old Rosinante, is unknown ; but there can
be little doubt that Weiser, the patroon, owned an important
share. It may be asked, whether the people of those settlements,
who resided too close together, to admit of lands for cultivation
lying between them, did not live as do the shakers; who
make all their earnings common stock. With a mutual under
standing, each labored for his own benefit, and in order to prevent
difficulty, lands were marked out and bounds placed, so that every
one knew and cultivated his own parcel.
Not long after the Germans settled in Schoharie, the Dutch be
gan a settlement in Vrooman's Land, on the west side of the river,
two or three miles above Weiser's dorf. Adam Vrooman, a citizen
of Schenectada— a farmer of considerable wealth, and somewhat
advanced in life, took a royal patent for this land, from which
cumstance, it was called Vrooman's Land : by which name it „
still distinguished. This patent was executed August 26, 1714
Previous to obtaining the royal title, Vrooman had received Indian

cir- is

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 55
conveyances for portions of the land as gifts. One of two deeds,
which have escaped the fate of most of Col. Peter Vrooman's
papers, contains the names of eighteen Indians, inserted in the
following order : " Pennonequieeson, Canquothoo, Hendrick the
Indian, [probably King Hendrick of the French war,] Kawna-
wahdeakeoe, Turthyowriss, Sagonadietah, Tucktahraessoo, Onna-
dahsea, Kahenterunkqua, Amos the Indian, Jacob the Indian, Cor
nelius the Indian, Gonhe Wannah, Oneedyea, Leweas the Indian,
Johanis the Indian, Tuquaw-in-hunt, and Esras the Indian, all
owners and proprietors of a certain piece of land, situate, lying
and being in the bounds of the land called Skohere." The title
is for two hundred and sixty acres of land near the hill " called
Onitstagrawa ;" two hundred of which were flats, and sixty acres
wood-land. The instrument closed as follows: "In testimony
whereof, we, the three races or tribes of the Maquase, the Turtle,
Wolf and Bear, being present, have hereunto set our marks and
seals, in the town of Schenectady, this two and twentieth day of
August, and in the tenth year of her Majesty's [Queen Anne's]
reign. Annoque Domini, 1711." Eighteen wax seals are at
tached to the conveyance, in front of which are arranged, in the
order named, the devices of a turtle, a wolf and a bear, the form
er holding a tomahawk in one of its claws.
The other deed alluded to, is dated April 30, 1714, and con
tains the eight following names : " Sitionneequerison, Tanuryso,
Nisawgoreeatab,Turgourus, Honodaw, Kannakquawes, Tigreedon-
tee, Onnodeegondee, all of the Maquaes country, native Indians,
.owners and proprietors, &c." The deed was given for three hun
dred and forty acres of woodland, lying eastward of the sixty
acres previously conveyed, " bounded northward by the Onitsta
grawa, to the southward by a hill called Kan-je- a-ra-go-re, to the
westward by a ridge of hills that join to Onitstagrawa, extending
southerly much like unto a half moon, till it joins the aforesaid
hill Kanjearagore." This instrument closes in the manner of the
one before noticed, except that each Indian's name is placed be
fore a seal to which he had made his mark. The ensigns of the
three Mohawk tribes, are conspicuously traced in the midst of the

56 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
signatures. One of the. two witnesses to both deeds was Leo
Stevens, a woman who acted as interpreter on the occasion of
granting each conveyance. Both deeds were duly recorded in
the secretary's office of the province.
March 30th, 1726, Adam Vrooman obtained a new Indian ti
tle to the flats known as Vrooman's Land, executed by nine indi
viduals of the nation, " in behalf of all the Mohaugs Indians."
Some difficulty had probably arisen, in consequence of his hold
ing more land than the first deeds specified. The new title gave
the land previously conveyed with the sentence, " let there be as
much as there will, more or less, for we are no surveyors ;" and
was executed with the ensigns of the Mohawk nation — the turtle,
wolf and bear.
Vrooman's patent was bounded on the north by a point of the
Onitstagrawa and the Line kill, and on the south by the white pine
swamp, (as a little swamp near the present residence of Samuel
Lawyer was then called) and a brook running from it, and em
braced a good part of the flats between those two bounds from
the hill to the river, excepting the Wilder Hook : where dwelt
many of the natives, and where, as before stated, was their strong
est castle. This patent was given for eleven hundred acres, more
or less. It is said to have contained about fourteen hundred acres :
than which very little better land ever was tilled. He had not
designed to settle on this land himself, but made the purchase for
a son. Peter Vrooman, for whom it was bought, settled on it
soon after the purchase. He had quite a family, his oldest son,
Bartholomew, being at that time fourteen or fifteen years old.
He had a house erected previous to his moving there, and other
conveniences for living. The first summer, he employed several
hands, planted considerable corn, and fenced in some of his land.
In the following autumn, he returned with his wife and children
to Schenectada to spend the winter ; leaving a hired man by the
name of Truax, and two blacks, Morter, and Mary his wife, to
take care of the property ; of which he left considerable. Not
long after Vrooman returned to Schenectada, Truax was most
cruelly murdered. The circumstances attending this murder, are

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 57
substantially as follows. The evening before his death, Truax
returned from the pleasing recreation of gunning, with a mess of
pigeons, which he told Mary to dress and prepare for breakfast.
Being fatigued, he retired to rest earlier than usual, and soon for
got his cares and dangers, in a grateful slumber familiar to the
sportsman. Mary cleansed the pigeons, and after having done
so, she unconsciously put the knife into a side pocket still
bloody, intending, but forgetting to wash it. Morter was absent
from home during that evening and most of the night. Mary
arose betimes in the morning, with no small pains prepared the
savory dish, and waited sometime for Truax to rise. Observing
that he kept his room unusually late, she went to his door and
called to him, but received no answer. She tried to open the
door and found it locked on the inside. As may be supposed, she
felt the most lively apprehensions that all was not right. She
could, from some position outside the house, look into his window.
Thither she with trepidation went, when her suspicions were
more than realized, and she learned too well the reason he had
not risen at his usual hour. She quickly communicated intelli
gence of her discovery to the Indians, her nearest neighbors :
who, on their arrival at the house," burst open the door of his
room. Horrible indeed was the sight then disclosed. Poor
Truax lay in his bed, which he had sought without the least sus
picion of danger, cold and stiff in his own gore ; with his throat
cut from ear to ear. Indian messengers were immediately dis
patched to Schenectada, to communicate the tragic affair to Peter
Vrooman. About the same time, the bloody knife was discovered
in the pocket of the weeping Mary. On the evening of the
same, or early the following day, the messengers returned with
Vrooman, and proper officers to arrest the murderer, or whoever
might be suspected. Suspicionsxwere fixed upon the two blacks ;
and when the fact of finding the bloody knife in the pocket of
Mary, and the circumstance of Morter's being absent from home
were known, both were arrested, and hurried off to Albany for
trial. The day of examination soon arrived, and the prisoners were

58 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
brought to the bar. The trial proceeded, and the testimony of
the Indians, to whom Mary had first communicated her suspicions
of the murder, was heard. No unsettled difficulty was shown to
have existed between the murdered and the accused : indeed, lit
tle appeared at the trial to criminate the blacks, more than is al
ready known to the reader. When the facts, that the throat of
Truax had been cut, that a bloody knife was found on the person
of Mary, and that Morter had sullenly refused to answer questions
during his arrest and confinement, were known to the court, cir
cumstantial evidence was deemed sufficiently strong and lucid to
fix guilt upon them : and as the murder had been an aggravated
one, the prisoners were sentenced, as tradition says, to be burned
alive. When interrogated by the Judge, before passing his sen
tence, whether they had aught to say why sentence of death
should not pass upon them, Mary boldly and firmly declared her
innocence, and her ignorance of the real murderer : stating, in a
feeling manner, all she knew of the affair ; how the knife had
been heedlessly put into her pocket after cleansing the pigeons,
and forgotten ; how much she respected the deceased, and how
much she lamented his untimely death ; and ended by an appeal
to the great Judge of the universe of her innocence of the crime,
for which she stood accused. Morter, on being interrogated, re
mained sullenly silent; and after receiving the sentence, both
were remanded to prison. On the day of their execution, which
had not been long delayed, the condemned were taken west of
the city a little distance, where had been previously prepared, a
circular pile of pine faggots of a conical form. In the centre of
the pile the victims were placed, and the fatal torch applied.
Mary, still protesting her innocence, called on the Lord, whom she
trusted would save her ; and prayed that he would, in the heavens,
show to the spectators some token of her innocence. But alas !
the day of miracles had passed ; and as the flame surrounded her,
she gave herself up to despair. She expired, endeavoring to
convince the multitude of her innocence. Her companion met
his fate, with the same stoic indifference he had manifested from
the hour of his arrest.

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 59
After the execution of this unhappy couple, one of whom, as
will be seen hereafter, expired innocent of the crime for which
she suffered, the affair died away, and nothing further was dis
closed for several years. Facts then came to light revealing the
whole transaction. At the time the murder was committed, a
man by the name of Moore resided at Weiser's dorf. The Ger
mans at that settlement, which was distant from the dwelling of
Vrooman about two miles, it was supposed, envied Vrooman the
possession of the fine tract of land he had secured ; and by com
pelling him to abandon, hoped to possess it. It is not probable,
however, that any one of them, except Moore, thought of getting
it by the crime of murder. He conceived such a plan, and con
spired with Morter to carry it into execution. Moore thought if
Truax was murdered, Vrooman would be afraid to return for fear
of sharing a like fate, and would then dispose of the land on
reasonable terms ; when he might secure to himself a choice par
cel. Morter was promised, as a reward for participating in the
crime, the hand of Moore's sister in marriage. It is not likely
the girl herself, had the most distant idea of the happiness her
brother had in store for her. Amalgamation to Morter appeared
in enticing garments. To pillow his head on a white bosom, and
bask in amalgamated pleasure, would, he thought, amply com
pensate for becoming the tool of Moore. He therefore resolved
to aid him, and it was agreed the deed should be executed in such
a manner as to throw suspicion on Mary his wife : who, he in
tended, should prove no obstacle in the way of realizing his sen
sual desires. The circumstance of his wife's having pigeons to
dress, seemed to favor the design. Perhaps he had seen her put
the bloody knife into her pocket : at all events, the present seemed
to them a favorable opportunity, and they resolved to accomplish
the foul deed that night. Accordingly, at midnight, the murder
ers approached the house in which slumbered their innocent vic
tim. Finding his door locked, they found it necessary to devise
some plan to gain admission to his room without breaking the
lock, and, if possible, without alarming Mary, a victim they in
tended the law should claim. By some means they gained the

60 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
top of the chimney, which was not very difficult, as the dwelling
was but one story, and sliding carefully down that, they soon
found themselves in the presence of their still slumbering victim.
Which of the two drew the fatal knife is unknown ; it is supposed
one held him, while the other, at a single stroke, severed the jugu
lar vein. The nefarious deed accomplished, the assassins left the
room, and away they sped from the dwelling, fearful alike of their
own shadows.
The light of the morrow's sun disclosed this damnable deed.
When the commotion and anxiety of the next day followed dis
covery, Moore feigned business from home, and kept out of the
way until after the arrest of his hardened accomplice. Not long
after this murder was committed, a disturbance arose among the
Germans, through ignorance, as will be seen, and many of them
left the Schoharie valley and sought a residence elsewhere.
Moore was among those who went to Pennsylvania. He lived a
life of fear for some years in that state, but at length a sum
mons from on high laid him upon a bed of languishing. As dis
ease preyed upon his vitals, the worm of torment gnawed his con
science. Sometimes in his broken slumbers, he was visited (in
fancy,) by the ghost of a man struggling upon a bed ; and as he
heard the rattle of his throat as the breath left his body, he saw
the fearful gash and the flowing blood. At other times he saw
two persons, whom the crackling flames were devouring ; and, as
the appeal to heaven for a token of the innocence of one of them
rang in his ears, he often awoke with exclamations of horror.
Being past the hope of recovery, and so grievously tormented, in
order to relieve in some measure his guilty conscience, he dis
closed the facts above related. Truax was the first white man
murdered in Schoharie county ; and may be said to have fallen a
victim to the unholy cause of amalgamation.
The Germans had not been long in possession of the Schoharie
flats, and were just beginning to live comfortably, when Nicholas
Bayard, an agent from the British crown, appeared in their midst.
He put up in Smith's dorf, at the house of Han-Yerry (John
George) Smith, already noted as being the best domicil in the

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 61
settlement. From this house, (which was in fact the first hotel in
Schoharie, and might have been called the half-way house, as
Smith's was the central of the seven dorfs,) Bayard issued a no
tice, that to every house-holder, who would make known to him
the boundaries of the land he had taken ; he would give a deed
in the name of his sovereign. The Germans, ignorant though
honest, mistook altogether the object of the generous offer, and
supposing it designed to bring them again under tyrannic land
holders, and within the pale of royal oppression, resolved at once
to kill Bayard, whom they looked upon as a foe to their future
peace ; and by so doing, establish more firmly the independence
they had for several years enjoyed. Consequently, early the next
morning, the nature of the resolve having been made known the
evening before, the honest burghers of Schoharie, armed with
guns and pitch-forks; with many of the softer sex, in whom
dwelt the love of liberty, armed with broad hoes, clubs and other
missiles ; surrounded the hotel of Smith, and demanded the per
son of Bayard, dead or alive. Mine host, who knew at that ear
ly day that a well managed hotel was the traveler's home, posi
tively refused to surrender to his enraged countrymen, his guest.
The house was besieged throughout the day. Sixty balls were
fired by the assailants through the roof, which was the most vul
nerable part, as that was straw : and as Bayard had, previous to
his arrival, been by accident despoiled of an eye, he ran no little
risk of returning to the bosom of his family, if fortunate enough
to return, totally blind. Bayard was armed with pistols, and oc
casionally returned the fire of his assailants, more, no doubt, with
the design of frightening, than of killing them. Having spent
the last round of their ammunition, hunger beginning to gnaw,
and the sable shades of evening to conceal the surrounding hills,
the siege was raised, and the heroes of the bloodless day dispersed
to their homes, to eat their fill and dream on their personal ex
ploits — the invulnerability of their foe, and the mutability of
princely promises. The coast again clear, Bayard left Schoharie,
and under the cover of night, traveled to Schenectada. From
there he sent a message to Schoharie, offering to give, to such as

62 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
should appear there with a single ear of corn — acknowledge hirrl
the regal agent — and name the bounds of it, a free deed and last
ing title to their lands. No one felt inclined to call on the agent,
whose life they had attempted to take, and after waiting some
time, he went to Albany and disposed of the lands they occupied,
to fiye individuals. The. patent was granted to Myndert Schuyler,
Peter Van Brugh, Robert Livingston, jr., John Schuyler and Hen
ry Wileman, the purchasers, and was executed at Fort George,
in New York, on the third day of November, 1714, in the first
year of the reign of George I., by Robert Hunter, then Governor
of the province, in behalf of the King. The date of this con
veyance, I think, goes far to prove the settlement of Schoharie to
have been as early as the time previously given ; as the settlers
had been upon their lands several years, and were beginning to
live comfortably, previous to the arrival of the royal agent.
This patent began at the northern limits of the Vrooman pa
tent, on the west side of the river, and the little Schoharie kill on
the opposite side, and ran from thence north ; taking in a strip
on both sides of the river : at times mounting the hills, and at
others leaving a piece of flats, until it nearly reached the present
Montgomery county line. It curved some, and the intention was,
to embrace all the flats in that distance. Patent was taken for
ten thousand acres. Lewis Morris, jr., and Andrus Coeman, who
were employed by the purchasers to survey and divide the land ;
finding the flats along Fox's creek, and a large piece at Kneis
kern's dorf, near the mouth of Cobel's kill, were not included in
that patent ; lost no time in securing them. Those several pa
tents often ran into each other, and in some instances were so far
apart, as to leave a gore between them. The patent taken to se
cure the remainder of the flats at Kneiskern's dorf, began at a
spring on the west side of the river, near the bridge which now
crosses that stream above Schoharie Court House, and also ran to,
or near the Montgomery county line. Between that and the first
patent secured, which were intended to embrace all the flats, was
left a very valuable gore, which Augustus Van Cortlandt after
wards secured. Finding much difficulty in dividing their lands,

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 63
they so often intersected, the first five purchasers and their sur
veyors, Morris and Coeman, whose right in the Schoharie soil
was proportionably valuable, agreed to make joint stock of the
three patents. Since that time they have been distinguished as
the lands of the seven partners Patents and deeds granted at
subsequent dates, for lands adjoining those of the seven partners,
were, in some instances, bounded in such a manner as to infringe
on those of the latter, or leave gores between them. As may be
supposed, evils were thus originated, which proved a source of
bickering and litigation for many years. Suits for partition, were
brought successively in Schoharie county in 1819 — 25 — 26 — 28
and 29 : at which time they were finally adjusted. The latest
difficulties are said to have existed between the people of Duanes
burg and Schoharie.
After the seven partners secured their title to the Schoharie
flats, they called on the Germans who dwelt upon them, either to
take leases of, to purchase, or to quit them altogether. To neither
of these terms would they accede, declaring that Queen Anne had
given them the lands, and they desired no better title. The read
er will bear in mind the fact, that those people had no lawyers
among them, except by name, on their arrival — that they lived
in a measure isolated from those who could instruct them — that
they spoke a language different from that in which the laws of
the country were written, which laws they were strangers to ; and
that they placed implicit confidence in the promises of the good
Queen, that they should have the lands free ; and he will be less
surprised at their stubbornness. Their faith in the promises of the
Queen, had not been misplaced, as the intention of the crown to
give them free titles by Bayard clearly proves. The great diffi
culty proceeded from their ignorance of the utility, and manner of
granting deeds. The patent taken by the five partners was dated
in November, 1714 ; and it was not until the first of August of
that year, that Queen Anne died. It is therefore very probable,
Bayard was an agent commissioned by her ; if not, by George I.,
who intended in good faith to carry into effect the design of his
predecessor. Whether royal agents were sent to the other Ger-

64 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
man settlements in the United States for the same charitable pur
pose or not, I am unable to say.
At this period of the history, several incidents transpired wor
thy of notice. I have already remarked that the Germans were
fond of athletic exercises. After their location, such sports as
were calculated to try their speed and strength, were not unfre
quently indulged in.
In the summer of 1713 or '14, a stump was given by the In
dians to their German neighbors at Weiser's dorf; to run a foot
race, offering to stake on the issue, a lot of dressed deer-skins
against some article the Germans possessed ; possibly, their old
mare. The challenge was accepted, and a son of Conrad
Weiser was selected, to run against a little dark Indian, called the
most agile on foot of all the tribe. On a beautiful day the par
ties assembled at Weiser's dorf to witness the race. The race
course was above the village, and on either side the Germans and
Indians took stations to encourage their favorites. About indi
vidual bets on the occasion, I have nothing to say. The couple
started, a distance of half a mile or more from the goal, at a giv
en signal, and onward they dashed with the fleetness of antelopes,
amid the shouts and huzzas of the spectators. The race was to
terminate just beyond the most southern dwelling of Weiser's dorf.
They ran with nearly equal speed until their arrival at the dwell
ing mentioned, sometimes fortune inclining to the white, and
sometimes to the red skin ; when an unexpected event decided the
contest in favor of the German. They had to run very close to
the house, and Weiser, being on the outside as they approached it
side by side, sprang with all his might against his competitor.
The sudden impetus forced the Indian against the building, and
he rebounded and fell half dead upon the ground. Weiser then
easily won the race, amid the loud, triumphant shouts of his coun
trymen. Whether the victor found his strength failing him, and
adopted the expedient of disabling the Indian from fear of losing
the wager, or whether, confident of superior pedestrian powers,
he gave the Indian a jog with malicious intent, is unknown to the
writer. The Indians, and their defeated champion, were terribly

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 65
i
enraged at first, and positively refused to give up the forfeit : but
Weiser, who had already learned much of the Indian character,
and knew the danger of trifling with their misfortunes, with a
grave-yard countenance, appeased their wrath, by satisfying them
that the whole difficulty proceeded from accident — that he stum
bled upon some obstacle which rendered it unavoidable, and
was very sorry 'it had happened. With this explanation their
anger was appeased, and they delivered up the skins ; from which
it is but fair to conclude, the whole Weiser family were clothed.
This is the only dishonest trick I have heard related of the first
Germans, and with the exception of Moore, they seem to have
been strangers to crime. Foot races were often run by those
people : at times, fifteen or twenty entering the course together.
It has been already remarked, that the Germans settled in
clusters or dorfs, to be the better able to repel Indian invasion,
and it now remains to be shown that such caution was rewarded,
if tradition speaks the truth. The privilege the writer claims, he
allows to the reader, to wit : that of believing as much of the fol
lowing story as he pleases. When related to him, the author
thought it too good to be lost.
At the foot of the hill south of where stood Hartman's dorf,
which is the descent from a table land to the river flats, as the
road now lies, may be observed on one side a kind of marsh,
through which runs a brook, receiving in its course the waters of
several springs. At the period to which I allude, this marsh was
thickly covered with alders and other swamp timber, and afforded
a safe covert for no inconsiderable force. Early upon a certain
day, in a certain year, Karighondontee and many of his warriors
were assembled at this swamp, to give battle to the good people
of Hartman's dorf, distant half a mile from the encampment. If
the reader desired to know the cause of difficulty, or in what pre
cise year it arose, I should be unable to inform him ; it must have
been previous to the arrival of Bayard. It being rumored
through the place that it was besieged, great was the commo
tion through its one important street. By times, the brave Cap
tain Hartman had taken a public station, and around him a mul-

66 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
titude were soon gathered. The tactic skill of the Captain re
quired little time in marshaling his brave followers — his tender
care about their temporal affairs at the Camps being still remem
bered — who waited with impatience the march to glory. What
other officers assisted Captain Hartman on this momentous occa
sion, is of no consequence at this late period. Various were the
weapons with which the dangerous looking corps were armed.
Few fire-arms might have been seen, but forks, shovels, broad
hoes, axes, poles, clubs, hand-saws, and the Lord knows what
other missiles, gleamed threateningly in the sun. Indeed, the
care-worn and trusty sword of the Captain, when drawn, added
not a little to the warlike appearance of the troop, to say nothing
of its multiform, military garb. " What a fine martial array,"
thought he, as his eye ran along the ranks, and he gave the com
mand to " face towards the river and march !" Each individual
of the brave band cast a furtive, speaking glance at the front
stoop of his own dwelling, where stood the domestic circle weep
ing or encouraging, or that of his lover, who was leaning upon
the half opened door, with an arm across her face to conceal the
gushing tear, or her pouting, nectareal lip ; and to the enlivening
sound of the violin, their favorite and only music, set forward
with a firm step, determined to conquer or die. Two-thirds of
the distance from the village to the rendezvous of the enemy al
ready in his rear, the Captain ordered a halt, to communicate to
his troops some necessary instructions about the plan and manner
of prosecuting the attack. Some of his men now hesitated
about assaulting the enemy, as they were mostly armed with un
erring rifles. The misgivings on this score soon became general,
and then was called forth all the dormant eloquence their brave
leader was so noted for possessing. Stepping upon a stump,
from which position his commanding person and cheerful counte
nance were truly conspicuous, he addressed his followers. He
directed their attention to the time when they were persecuted in
Germany — to the perils they had overcome by sea and land. He
assured them that although the enemy had rifles, yet not one of
them should discharge. He conjured them not to sully, by cow-

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 67
ardice, their national character. He reminded them of their so
cial relations which were jeopardized — of the love of their wives,
their parents, their children, and lastly of their plighted. He ac
companied the latter part of his pathetic speech, with a signifi
cant flourish of his sword towards their village, a part of which
was still in view. The appeal was irresistable, and with one
voice the whole corps, in true German, responded — " Fuehret an !"
Lead on ! Fearlessly he did lead on, and thus was he followed.
Faith is the vital principle by whieh every successful effort of
man is put forth, and without it, the sinews of war are powerless.
Indeed, faith is no less requisite in war than religion, and no bat
tle ever was won without it. So thought the daring Hartman,
and so had he instructed his followers to think. When they came
to the wood in which the enemy had taken a position, the Ger
mans, following the example of their Captain, rushed furiously
upon the wary foe. They met, as had been anticipated, his lev
eled guns, but no sound, save their repeated clicks, was heard :
no death-telling report rang through the valley, and the whoops
of the savages, as they noted the failure of their rifles, gradually
died away on the morning air. The confidence of the colonists
was increased, on beholding the prophecy of their Captain veri
fied, in the click of non- discharging fire-arms, and true to their
leader, they seconded all his movements. The red man fell back
abashed, and ere he could discover the cause of his ill luck, the
sturdy German was upon him, the sight of whose weapon was
enough to carry terror to his heart's warmest blood, and he was
compelled again to flee. " An !" shouted the immortal Captain,
" An !" The charge was too impetuous to be withstood, and the
Indians fled in terror, uttering, as they left the swamp in posses
sion of their enemy, the death yell. Well might they have sup
posed, from the clashing of missiles coming accidentally in con
tact with their fellows, or with obtruding trees, and now and then
-with the head or shoulders of their comrades, that the carnage
was terrible, and the reason for the death yell obviously augment
ed. What a cruel, bloody art, is war. The troops of Captain
Hartman belabored the natives lustily with fork and hoe, as may

68 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
be supposed, in their retreat. Here, some were seen hobbling off
from the field of battle with bruised shins ; there, others with el
bows or fingers disjointed — all amazed at the manifest prowess of
their German enemies, and still more dismayed that their rifles
gave no report. If any there were among them who fought on
that memorable occasion with bows and arrows, and doubtless
there were some, it is highly probable the thick buck-skin gar
ments of the colonists arrested the further progress of their arrows ;
else the fate of the day might still have been different, and I now
had to record the success, instead of the defeat, of the stout Ca
nadian Chief, Karighondontee. The little army of Hartman were
soon left complete masters of the bloodless field, (as it would
have been, had not the careless wielding of the missiles brought
them occasionally in contact with a nasal organ ;) and the re
peated German huzzas of the conquerors, reverberated along the
Oucongena. The enemy fairly ousted and the field gloriously won, the
victors returned again to their homes to a still more en
livening air than the one with which they had left them, the
whole length of the bow being given it; where awaited them
the cheers and smiles of their fair ones. It is but reasonable to
suppose, that a messenger had been sent forward to apprise the
villagers of the great success and triumph of the German arms,
without loss of life or limb, since I must believe, that had the
good matrons been expecting to see any of the corps borne home
on a litter, they would not have made the welkin ring with their
shouts. Thus ended the first regular battle of the Germans in the
valley of Schoharie, no less gloriously than did the siege of Smith's
hotel, already before the reader, on which occasion they com
pelled their supposed enemy to flee by night. One thing, how
ever, remained to be done, the pipe of peace was yet to be
smoked. Accordingly, on an appointed day, soon after the
battle, the parties met in the shade of a majestic oak, not a mile
from the battle field, which had buffeted the storms of several cen>-
turies, and may be still standing, and well and faithfully did the
Germans smoke the calumet. They are a people extremely fond

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 69
of fumigating, and the opportunity to show their Indian neigh
bors their patience and skill in the art, as may be supposed, was
heartily embraced. Nor is it improbable, that their countrymen
at Weiser's dorf were guests on so important an occasion. The
Indians were again compelled to accord to their (now) friends of
the pipe, superior skill. The Virginia weed all burned, the par
ties dispersed. Well would it be if all battles ended, like the bat
tle of Hartman's dorf, in nothing worse than smoke.
Perhaps thou art amazed, kind reader, while perusing the sim
ple narrative of this battle, to find that the fire-arms of the In
dians did not discharge. The days of witchcraft are now happi
ly passed forever ; but the time has been, when it was no uncom
mon thing for a spell or enchantment to extend to the lock of a
rifle : so says tradition. — George Warner.
We have seen how Bayard, the royal agent, was treated, when
he visited Schoharie to execute deeds to the German land-holders ;
that in consequence, the land was disposed of, and it now remains
to be shown what effect that sale had on the tenant. Being called
upon by the partners to lease or purchase, they declared they
would do neither. Finding lenient measures of no avail, they re
solved to obtain justice by the strong arm of the law. Accord
ingly, a sheriff from Albany, by the name of Adams, was sent to
apprehend some of the boldest of the trespassers, as they had now
become, and frighten others into proper terms. The Albanians
greatly underrated the character and bravery of those people, who
had not only compelled an agent ofthe crown to flee, but had, in
fair fight, victoriously battled their Indian neighbors. It is possi
ble they had never heard of that terrible conflict. Adams, con
scious of his own honorable intentions, passing through a part of
the valley, made a halt at Weiser's dorf. He had no sooner
discovered his business and attempted the arrest of an individu
al, than a mob was collected, and at that early day the lynch law
was enforced, The women of that generation, as has been shown
by their journeys to Schenectada, possessed Amazonian strength
and constitutions, if not proportions ; nor, indeed, were they lack
ing in Spartan bravery. A part of those , well-meaning dames,
6

70 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
remembering the promises of Queen Anne, and sharing with
their husbands the belief that they were objects of oppression, —
that the intention was to compel them to pay for lands they al
ready considered their own ; under the direction of Magdalene
Zeh, a self appointed captain, took the sheriff into their own
hands and dealt with him according to his deserts, of which the
captain was judge. He was knocked down by a blow from the
magistrate, and inducted into various places in that young village
where the sow delighted to wallow. After receiving many in
dignities in the neighborhood of Weiser's dorf, some of which he
was conscious of receiving and some not, he was placed upon a
rail, and rode skimington through most of the settlements. He
was exhibited at Hartman's, Bruna, Smith's and Fox's dorfs to
his discomfiture ; and finally deposited on a small bridge, made of
logs, that had been placed across a stream on the old Albany !road,
a distance from the starting point of between six and seven miles ;
no ordinary journey for such a conveyance. This stream was
formerly called Mill brook, — why, remains to be seen, — and cross
es the road a short distance west of the residence of Peter Mann,
in Fox's creek valley. The captain then seized a stake, which
she carelessly laid over his person, until two of his ribs made four,
and his organs of vision were diminished one half. She then,
with little ceremony and less modesty, bathed his temples in a
very unusual, though simple manner, to the great annoyance of
the uninjured eye— poor fellow, he could not resist the kindness—
and called off her compatriots, leaving him for dead ; or rather
to die if he chose. He saw fit to do no such act, in such a plight,
and after such a nursing ; and as soon as consciousness returned
how long after Mistress Lynch had left him is unknown, he gath
ered himself together and departed for Albany. What strange
thoughts must have occupied his mind, while homeward bound.
He must have been conscious, when the faculties of his mind re
newed their action, that whether his knowledge had increased or
not, his bumps assuredly had. His progress must necessarily have
been very slow, thus bruised and maimed, and it was not until the
third day after he had been on the rail-rode, that he reached Ver-

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 71
re-berg, a hill seven miles west of Albany, from whence he was
taken to the city in a wagon. As there were no public houses,
and few Samaritans on the road at that time, he was exposed
nights to the carnival of wild beasts, and by day, to danger of
perishing with hunger. His arrival at Albany, wounded and
half blind as he was, and maul-treated as he had been, prognosti
cated no good for the people of Schoharie. The leading facts in
the foregoing statement, were published by Judge Brown, who
assured the author that he received them from Sheriff Adams, vi
va-voce — from his own lips.
The word berg, as we have shown, signifies a hill or mountain.
At the period of which I write, before public houses were estab
lished between the two places, the people of Schoharie, who had
occasion to go to Albany to make disposals and purchases, went
in squads and encamped out over night. The most important
bergs and creeks on the road, were then the guides by which they
knew the route, distance, &c, and served the traveler in lieu of
mile-stones. The first important stopping place, after leaving
Schoharie, was at the Long-berg, east of Gallupville. There, if
the wayfarer left the valley late, he tarried over night : to it was
therefore called the first day's journey. The Beaverkill, which is
a branch of Fox's creek, was also a guide : then came the Feght-
berg, Supawn-berg, Lice-berg, Helle-berg, Botte-Mentis-berg,
and lastly Verre-berg. All these names had some significant
meaning, which continued to remind the traveler of their origin,
long after the road, which was then little more than a rough foot
path, and hardly admissible for any kind of wagons, became a
public one, properly laid out. Long-berg signified the long hill.
Feght-berg, the fighting hill, the origin of which has previously
been given. Supaan is the name among the Germans and Dutch,
by which Indian pudding, usually called mush or hasty pudding
among the English, is known. Why that name attaches to a hill,
the writer has not been informed. The origin of Lice-berg and
Verre-berg are also among the mysteries. A hill was called Bot
te-Mentis-berg from the following circumstance. A man, whose
given name was Botte Mace, — or Bartholomew in English — was

72 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
passing along in the evening and fell into a pit, where he was
obliged to remain until morning : to the nearest hill was given his
name, by which it was long after known.
As may be supposed, the people of Schoharie, after "dealing
with poor Adams in the manner they had," became cautious about
visiting Albany, where several of the partners resided. There
was, in fact, little intercourse between Schoharie and Albany for
some time : the people of the former viewing those of the latter
place, in a light, of lively apprehension. In civilized life, it is
happily ordered that one community shall not live entirely inde
pendent of all others. There were some necessaries which they
must have, and which they could not well procure without going
there. The men, therefore, sent their wives after salt ; which
was one of the indispensables ; saying, in effect, they will rever
ence them : and if they did venture to Albany themselves, they
were sure to do so on the Sabbath, and equally mindful of leav
ing the same evening. What a profanation of the Lord's day ! —
but let us not anticipate a judgment. By remaining silent in the
mean time, and not appearing to heed their coming or going, the
real owners of the Schoharie soil, lured the occupants into a be
lief, that all the malicious acts extended to Sheriff Adams, not
forgetting the last act of Magdalene, were entirely forgotten :
and that there was no longer any need of caution about entering
that good city. It was indeed presuming much on the charity of
the partners, whose agent had been so harshly treated : but no
matter, such was the fact. With the vigilance of the sentinel
crow, were the people of Schoharie watched, who began to be
looked upon as being no better than they should be, — as women
are wont to say of frail sisters, — and preparations were matured
for seizing some of them. It was not long after suspicion was
lulled, before quite a number of them entered the city for salt,
when the partners, with Sheriff Adams and posse, arrested and
committed them to jail. The most notorious of the party were
"placed in the dungeon, among whom was Conrad Weiser, jr., of
running memory. As soon as news of this arrest and impri
sonment reached Schoharie, her citizens were horror stricken 1

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 73
" Wliat shall we do ?" — was the interrogatory on the lips of one
and all. How sadly, thought they, have we realized our Euro
pean dreams of American happiness. Desirous of remedying in
future the evils to which they were subjected, it was, at a meet
ing of the citizens, resolved to get up a petition setting forth
their grievances, persecutions, &c; and delegate three of their
number to lay it, with all due humility, at the feet of King George;
praying, at the time, for his future protection against their ene
mies, the Albanians. This petition, which is said to have been
drawn by John Newkirk, was entrusted to the elder Conrad Wei
ser, one Cassleman, and a third person, name not known, for pre
sentation. Looking through grates and living on bread and water, had a
wonderful effect on the spirits and temper of the incarcerated ci
tizens of Schoharie. They therefore made a virtue of necessity,
and resolved to comply with the requisitions of the law, by taking
leases and agreeing to pay rent 'for, or to purchase the land. Be
fore releasing the prisoners, the partners drew up a statement of
the abuses to Bayard and Adams, when in the discharge of their
official duties at Schoharie, and required them to be witnessed un
der hand and seal. This last requisition complied with, they
were allowed to depart for their own homes.
The importance with which the colonists viewed this matter
may be conceived by the delegation to England : for, surely, no
trifling consideration would induce three men, who loved retire
ment, to make such a journey at such a time. We should look
upon it at the present day, as being a great undertaking- — saying
nothing of locomotives, rail-roads and steam- packets, which were
then unknown. No delay was allowed after procuring the duly
attested evidence of the proceedings of Judge Lynch : it was for
warded immediately to the King. It is highly probable, that the
same ship bore the Schoharie ambassadors and the swift witness
against them, to the British throne. The petition was presented
about the year 1714 or '15. The ship in due time arrived in Eng
land, and the Schoharie delegation, wishing to make a respecta
ble appearance among the foreign ambassadors, were subjected to

74 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
some little delay, in arranging their wardrobe, exchanging their
buck-skin garments for cloth, &c: in the mean time, the message
of the partners was under the consideration of the King. On
presenting their petition, how were Weiser and his friends as
tounded, to find the King and his ministry in possession of all the
late transactions at Schoharie. Had the ghosts of Bayard and
Adams appeared before them, they would hardly have been more
horror-stricken, than they were to hear their own misdemeanors
told them from such a source. Their confusion betrayed their
guilt, and established, beyond a doubt, the truth of the charges
prefered against them and their neighbors. The King and his
advisers, supposing the evil deeds of the Schoharie people result
ed from bad hearts instead of ignorance, the real parent of all
their difficulties, without listening to what they might say for
themselves, ordered them to close confinement in the tower.
How much the present difficulty of these well meaning people
argues in favor of an education, and a knowledge of the world
and its transactions. Had they been better informed, they would
have been less suspicious ; for suspicion and distrust are the hand
maids of ignorance. The liberal minded, is generally the well
informed man. But, as already remarked, there were some good
reasons for their not advancing rapidly in their knowledge of men
and things. They spoke not the general language of the coun
try : which circumstance prevented, in a measure, that intercourse
with the world, so necessary to the expansion of the human un
derstanding, and the removal of national or local prejudices.
They were accustomed to transact most of their own business
without pen, ink or paper ; and, agreeable to the knowledge they
had, and their own method of doing business, they considered a
promise made in good faith, as valid as a bond, for such in fact it
was with them, and never dreamed of the possibility of their be
ing mistaken about the object of Bayard's mission ; or that any
thing farther was necessary from the British crown to establish
their legal title to the lands, than the mere promise of the Queen
that they should, without money or price, possess them.
During the confinement of the disappointed trio, many of the

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 75
people of Schoharie, convinced that they stood in their own light,
and that they had wholly mistaken the intention of Bayard, too
late indeed to obtain a legal title to their lands free of charge, be
gan to purchase of the partners, who granted them liberal terms.
At length, Weiser and his comrades were discharged from the
tower, and proceeded home with all possible haste : and had the
former only been by name in the positive degree on his arrival in
England, he assuredly would have been by nature in the compa
rative on his return to Schoharie ; as he had become in fact much
wiser. The return of the embassy, whose mission had resulted
in effecting nothing but disgrace for themselves ; and tended only
to disclose the general ignorance of their constituents, created no
httle excitement in the valley. Conrad Weiser was, by nature, a
proud, high-spirited man, and could not brook the mortification
his own ignorance had originated. Soon after his return, he re
solved to leave Schoharie forever, and had little difficulty in per
suading many of his countrymen to join him. Accordingly, with
as httle delay as possible, about sixty families packed up and set
forward with all they possessed for Pennsylvania. The want of
horses and cows, which was so seriously felt by the Germans when
they first located at Schoharie, was, at the time I now speak of, a
source of little inconvenience, as they then owned a goodly num
ber. The disaffected party passed up the Schoharie river, piloted
by an Indian. Brown says, they arrived, after a journey of five
days, at the Cook-house,* where they made canoes, in which they
went down the Susquehanna. Here is a trifling error in his
• I make the following extract from a letter from the Hon. Erastus Root, of
the New York Senate, in answer to several inquiries, dated Albany, April
11th, 1843. " You ask whence originated the name of Cook House. Vari
ous derivations have been given, but the most natural and probable one is
this — That on the large flat bearing the name, being on the way from Cochec-
ton, by the Susquehanna and Chemung to Niagara, there was a hut erected,
where some cooking utensils were found. It had probably been erected by
some traveler who had made it his stopping place and had cooked his provi
sions there. It has been stated to me as a part of the tradition, that the hut
remained many years as a resting place to the weary traveler, and that the
rude cooking utensils were permitted to remain as consecrated to the use of
succeeding sojourners." General Root went to reside in Delaware county in
1796.

76 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
pamphlet, as the Cook-house is on the Delaware river. As he
says, they passed down the Susquehanna, preparing their canoes
for that purpose, near the mouth of the Charlotte river. Nicho
las Warner, one of the oldest citizens of Schoharie county, in the
fall of 1837, assured the author that he had seen the stumps of
the trees on the Charlotte branch of the Susquehanna, which
Weiser and his friends felled to make the canoes from, in which
they floated down the river. Their cattle and horses were driven
along the shore, and were frequently in sight of the water party,
until the latter left their canoes. Weiser and his followers settled
at a place called Tulpehocken, in Berks county, Pennsylvania, on
the north side of a creek of that name ; where, it is said, he be
came a distinguished and useful citizen.* The party probably
settled near their countrymen who emigrated from Germany at,
the time they did, and located in that State. Most of the fami
lies which followed the fortunes of Weiser, were from Weiser's
and Hartman's dorfs. Hartman Winteker removed at the same
time to Pennsylvania. Whether they had to purchase lands in
Tulpehocken, I cannot say. Few of Weiser's party ever revisited
Schoharie : several old men did, however, nearly fifty years after.
A singular circumstance is said to have transpired, showing the
instinct of the horses which accompanied the emigration to Penn
sylvania. Twelve of those noble animals left their master's cribs,
and after an absence from them of a year and a half, ten of them,
in good condition, arrived at Schoharie : a distance through the
wilderness of over three hundred miles. It is possible they re
membered the sweet cloverf of Weiser's dorf, and longed again
to munch it.
Two instances of brute instinct, not dissimilar to the one rela-
* In 1744, one Conrad Weiser was Indian interpreter for the colony of
Pennsylvania, who was, doubtless, the swift-footed son of the one named in
the context.
t The laud through which the little Schoharie kill, in Middleburgh, runs to
the river, is to this day called the clauver wy, which signifies the clover pas
ture. When the Schoharie valley was first settled, the land along that stream
was thickly covered with clover, which was seen in few other places about
the Schoharie : hence the appropriate name.

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 77
ted, were told the author by Mrs. Van Slyck. About the year
1770, the Bartholomews removed from New Jersey to the Char
lotte river. Soon after their arrival there, three of their horses
disappeared, and after much unsuccessful searching for them, it
was concluded they had strayed away and become a prey to wild
beasts. Judge the surprise of the owners to learn after some time,
that one of them had been taken up within two, and another with
in five miles of their former residence. The third was found by
them near Catskill.
The other story is perhaps the most singular of the two, as the
horse has given numberless instances of remarkable sagacity.
Not many years from the period above cited, Ephraim Morehouse
removed in the spring from Dutchess county to the vicinity of the
Charlotte river. He passed through the Schoharie valley on his
way, and tarried over night with Samuel Vrooman, father of my
informant, with whom he was acquainted. He drove with his
cattle a large sow with a bell on. As Morehouse approached
the end of his journey, the sow disappeared. After considerable
delay in a fruitless search for her, he proceeded on his way. In
the following autumn he revisited the place of his former resi
dence, and on his return again tarried over night with Vrooman.
He then related the circumstance of losing his sow, and again
finding her. She had returned to the old stye in due time, to the
great surprise of the neighborhood. Whether she retraced her
way by the same path or not is unknown ; but to reach her for
mer place, had been compelled to swim the Hudson, and perform
a solitary journey of one hundred miles.
About the time Weiser and his friends left Schoharie, there
were others among the dissatisfied, who, not choosing to follow
his fortunes, sought a future residence in the Mohawk valley.
Elias Garlock, the founder of Garlock's dorf, removed to the Mo
hawk, accompanied by several of his neighbors. Some of the
party had relatives or friends there who located at the time the
Schoharie settlements were begun, which induced them to remove
thither. They settled in and about Canajoharie, at Stone Ara
bia, or upon the German Flats.

78 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY.
Tradition has preserved but little in the life of Justice Garlock,
the most noted of the Schoharie Germans, who removed to^the
Mohawk valley. He is said, while there, to have been the only
justice of the peace in the Schoharie valley. The name of the
shrewd constable who aided him in administering the few laws by
which they were governed, has been lost. Only one important
decision of this sage justice is known to the author. His sum
mons was usually delivered to the constable viva voce, and thus
by him to the transgressor of the law. If the justice wished to
bring a culprit before him, he gave his jack-knife to the constable,
who carried it to the accused, and required him at the appointed
time to appear with it before the justice. What it meant he well
understood. If two were to be summoned at the same time, to
the second he gave the tobacco-box of the justice, and as that
usually contained a liberal supply of the delectable narcotic, the
consequences of a failure to return it in person to the justice, in
due time, were dangerous in the extreme. The decision of Justice
Garlock alluded to, terminated so happily for those most
interested, that I cannot withhold it from the reader. A com
plaint having been entered before him, the knife was issued, and
the parties assembled forthwith. The plaintiff told his story,
which appeared simple and true. The defendant, with more zeal
and eloquence, plead his cause — quoting, if I mistake not, some
previous decisions of his honor — and made out, as he thought, an
equally good case. After giving the parties a patient hearing,
the justice gave the following very important decision. " Der
blandif an derfendur bote hash reght ; zo I dezides, an pe dunder,
der knonshtopple moosh bay de kosht."

( 79)

CHAPTER III.

After the removal of Weiser and others from Schoharie, the
difficulties to which the ignorance and suspicions of the people
had subjected them, were soon quieted, and they once more be
came a happy community. They were careful afterwards to se
cure legal titles to their lands, and thereby remove the danger of
troubles in future, from a cause which had already tended greatly
to decrease their numbers, and harrass their feelings.
There were, as I have been informed, several apple trees stand
ing on the flats near the present dwelling of John Ingold, at the
time the Germans arrived, supposed to have been planted by the
Indians. One of these antiquated trees, at least 140 years old,
was still standing in 1842, and very fruitful. Other trees of the
same planting were yet bearing fruit in 1837. The trees from
which the first apple orchards in Schoharie were derived, were
procured, as Judge Brown assured me, in the following manner.
One Campbell and several other individuals went from the Scho
harie valley to New York, to be naturalized, a few years after
the settlement was commenced. Their business accomplished,
they started for home on board of a sloop ; but not having money
enough to pay their passage to Albany, they were landed at or
near Rhinebeck, and traveled from thence on foot. Crossing the
Rhinebeck flats, each pulled up a bundle of small apple trees in
the nurseries they passed, from which the first orchards in Scho
harie were planted.
The second season after the murder of his agent Truax, in
Vrooman's Land, Peter Vrooman returned to that place and es
tablished a permanent residence. He planted an apple orchard,

80 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, .
which is yet standing, near the dwelling of Harmanus Vrooman.
Some of the Swarts, Eckers, Zielleys, Haggidorns, Feecks, and
Beckers, with perhaps some other Dutch families, settled in that
vicinity about the same time.
There were few regular mechanics among the first settlers, on
which account the native genius of all was more or less taxed.
We have seen to what inconvenience and labor they were sub
jected for the want of mills. The first grist mill in the county
was erected by Simeon Laraway, on the small stream called Mill
brook, from that circumstance, which runs into Fox's creek near
Waterbury's mills. Upon a bridge which crossed this brook,
Sheriff Adams was left, after having had occular demonstration
of the prowess of Magdalene Zeh, in the first anti-rent war. Some
part of the race-way of this mill is still to be seen. Before the
erection of Simeon's mill, as usually called, several hand mills,
like the one at Weiser's dorf, were in frequent use. In the course
of twenty or thirty years after Weiser and his friends left, several
other mills were established in and about Schoharie. One Cobel
erected two of those.* One of them was built on a small brook
in a ravine on the south side of the road, a few rods distant from
the river bridge, one mile from the Court House. The other mill
he erected about the same time on Cobelskill, which took its
name from that circumstance. It stood near the mouth of the
kill. It was not until about the near 1760, that bolting cloths
were used in Schoharie. Henry Weaver, who owned a mill near
where Becker's now stands, on Foxes creek, was the first who
introduced them.
At almost as late a period as the revolution, the colonists pro-
* This creek took its name after the paternal name of the mill-wright, as
Judge Brown assured me. I find the name written Cobels kill in many ofthe
old conveyances, and in all the early Session laws, of the state. It is, in
truth, the correct orthography of the word. In writing Fox's and Cobel's
kill, I shall in future omit the apostrophe and hyphen, for reasons obvious to
the reader.
The Indians called Cobelskill the Ots ga-ra-gee which signified the hemp
creek. When first settled by the whites, an abundance of wild hemp grew
along its banks. The natives often visited them to procure it, making from
it fish nets, and ropes to aid them in transporting their portable wealth.

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 81
cured most of their shoes at Albany, or East Camp ; and one pair
was the yearly allowance for each member of the family. They
were repaired by traveling cobblers.
Those unaffected Germans were not votaries to fashion, of
course they were not very particular about receiving their male
fashions from England, or their female from France. The good
wife and daughters generally cut and made the rude apparel of
the family, and thought it no disgrace. The settlers manufactured
most of their own buttons, and often the same garment had on
those of very different sizes, of wood, horn, bone or lead.
Not having been accustomed to luxuries from childhood, they
were contented with simple fare and uncouth fashions. Their
clothes, as may be supposed, did not set out a good form to very
fascinating advantage. Those useless bipeds denominated dan
dies, noted for their mustaches, idleness and empty pockets, were
unknown in the Schoharie valley at that day ; indeed, they are
strangers there at the present time. Of course, other considera
tions than mere dress, or a display of jewelry, could create, influ
enced their choice of a partner for life. They had little to be
proud of, consequently many of the men did not shave oftener
than once or twice a month. A Dow or a Matthias would hard
ly have been distinguished from them, had they appeared at that
day. Habituating themselves to do men's work, many of the wo
men were, from exposure, sun-burnt and coarse featured, and in
some instances it became necessary for them to clip an exuberant
growth of beard, which was done with scissors.
Lawrence Schoolcraft, one of the first settlers in Schoharie, at
the residence of Peter Vrooman, made the first cider in the coun
ty. The manner of making it being unique, was as follows. The
apples were first pounded in a stamper similar to the Indian corn
stamper before mentioned. After being thus bruised, the pumice
was placed in a large Indian basket previously suspended to a
tree, beneath wliich was inserted a trough, made by fastening to
gether the edges of two planks, which served to catch and carry
the juice compressed by weights in the basket, into some vessel
placed for its reception. In the year 1752, one Brown, the father

82 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
of Judge Brown, removed from West Camp to Schoharie. He
was then a widower, and soon after his arrival married a widow,
who possessed ten acres of land and about one hundred and ten
pounds in. cash ; which enabled him to establish and carry on his
trade successfully. He was a wheel-wright, and the first who
prosecuted that business in the county. The people had manu
factured a kind of rude wagon before his arrival, with which
they transported light loads to and from Albany, performing the
journey in about five days. This Brown, in 1753, made the first
cider^press ever used in the county. The same process which pre
pared the pumice for Schoolcraft did for Brown, as he purchased
the same pounder. The press was first used at Hartman's dorf,
where he resided.
John Mattice Junk, or Young in English, the grand-father of
Judge Brown, on the Mother's side, is said to have taught the
first German school at the Camps, ever taught in America. This
was about the year 1740. Schools began to be taught in the
Schoharie settlements shortly after ; one Spease kept the first,
and one Keller the next. German teachers were employed in
the German settlements, while at Vrooman's land a school was
taught in Dutch. About the year 1760, English instruction was
introduced into those schools, and in some instances the
English, German and Dutch languages were all taught by one
teacher, in the same school. Little attention was then paid to the
convenience or comfort of the scholars. Barns, in some instances,
became school-houses as well as churches, in the summer ; and if
schools were continued in the winter, some rude log dwelling be
came a witness to the child's improvement. Stoves, in those days,
were unknown. The settlers had mammoth fire-places, however,
and plenty of wood ; and in numberless instances, a fearful pro
portion of a cord was seen ignited in the same fire.
Few horses were shod for many years after the settlement be
gan ; and those persons, who required any kind of smith-work
their own igenuity could not create, were obliged to go to Alba
ny or Schenectada to get it done. John Ecker is said to have

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 83
been the first black-smith in the Schoharie valley, and he was a
self instructed one.
The Germans formerly brewed a kind of domestic strong beer,
and most of those in Schoharie brewed their own.
From the fact, that the Dutch, who settled in Vrooman's Land,
were more wealthy than their German neighbors located below
them, a kind of pride or distant formality, was manifested by the
former towards the latter for many years. When prejudices of
any kind are allowed to gain a place in the human breast, it often
requires generations to eradicate them. The prejudices alluded to
as having existed between the Dutch and Germans, tended for
many years almost wholly to prevent inter-marriages between
them. The former, therefore, who did not choose to marry cous
ins — most of those settlers being related — went to Schenectada or
Albany for wives. As Cupid is now and then a very mischievous
boy, there may have been individual instances, in which the irre
sistible passion of love, aided by stratagem, trampled paternal
prejudices under foot, and united the sturdy German and amorous
Dutch maiden. But we must suppose such cases extremely rare,
as the law which still requires in some parts of New England,
the publishing of the bans for several Sabbaths preceding the
nuptials, was then in force in New York.
The Germans, when they located at Schoharie, owned no slaves,
nor, indeed, did they for several years ; but these accompanied
the Dutch on their arrival as a part of their gear. By industry,
and a proper husbanding of what the earth produced, the wealth
of the former increased rapidly, and it was not long before they,
too, possessed them.
The manner in which the slaves of Schoharie were generally
treated by their masters, is not inaptly described by Mrs. Grant,
in her Memoirs of Albany. They were allowed freedom of speech,
and indulged in many things, which other members of the family
were, whose ages corresponded to their own ; and to a superficial
spectator, had the color not interfered, they would have seemed on
an equality. Individual instances may now be cited where blacks
would be much better off under a good master than they now

84 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
are, or, indeed, than thousands of the operatives of England are —
still, no one can from moral principle, although he may from
motives of expediency, advocate the continuance of the evil as
just and proper in any country. The existence of slavery in the
United States, is the greatest stain upon their national escutcheon.
This I believe to be a fact generally conceded, by all the good and
virtuous in the land. The question then, which naturally arises,
is, or rather it should be, what is the best and most proper man
ner of obliterating the stain 1 Let reason and common sense, not
fanaticism and malice, reply.
Many of the tools used in husbandry in former days, were both
clumsy and uncouth. Rakes used in Schoharie, were made
with teeth on both sides. Hay forks were made of wood, from a
stick having a suitable crotch for tines, or by splitting one end of
a straight stick and inserting a wedge. The improvement made
in plows since that time, is perhaps as great as that made on any
one* implement of the cultivator. The wagons seen in Schoharie
before the year 1760, had no tire upon the wheels.
Grain was then thrashed, as it is at the present day by the de
scendants of those people who have no machines for the purpose,
by the feet of horses. The process is simple, and as it is fast giv
ing place to the buzzing of machines, it may be well to relate it.
In the center of the barn floor, which is roomy, an upright bar is
placed, previously rendered a pivot at each end, to enter a hole in
the floor below, and a corresponding one in a beam or plank over
head. Through this shaft, at a suitable height from the floor, a
pole is passed, to which several horses are fastened so as to travel
abreast. Sometimes a number are fastened to each end of the
pole, and in some instances, a second pole is passed through the
shaft at right angles with the first, to which horses are also at
tached. A quantity of sheaves being opened and spread upon
the floor, the horses are started at a round trot, thus trampling the
grain from the straw. The upright, when the horses move, turns
upon its own pivots. Persons in attendance, are constantly em
ployed in turning and shaking the straw with a fork, keeping the
horses in motion, removing any uncleanness, &c. The outside

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 85
horse travels, as may be supposed, much farther in his circuits
than the inside one, for which reason they are occasionally shift
ed. Grain is broken less if thrashed with unshod horses. Some
use a roller to aid in the process. This is a heavy, rounded tim
ber, worked much smaller at one end than the other, with square
pins of hard wood inserted at proper distances the whole length.
The smallest end of this roller is so fastened to the shaft as to pre
serve the horizontal motion of one, and the perpendicular motion
of the other, at the same time. To the heavy end of the roller,
horses are fastened, drawing it on the same principle, that the
stone wheel in an ancient bark mill was drawn. In threshing
with horses, the roller is a great assistance. Fanning-mills, for
cleaning grain, were unknown in former times, it being separated
from its chaff by fans, or shoveling it in the wind.
As I have already stated, much prejudice existed at Schoharie
in former days, between the Germans and Dutch. These nation
al antipathies were manifested in nothing more clearly at first,
than in matters of religion. The early Germans were, almost
without exception, disciples to the doctrines of Martin Luther ;
while the Dutch, collectively, subscribed the Calvinistic, or Dutch
Reformed creed. Time, however, the great healer of dissensions,
aided by intelligence, the champion of liberality, by degrees less
ened, and has now almost entirely removed those prejudices-
While they existed, they tended to prevent that friendly inter
change of good feeling — that reciprocity of kindness, so necessa
ry to the prosperity and happiness of an isolated people. As
Judge Brown remarked, at our interview, " the Low Dutch girls
formerly thought but little of the High Dutch boys," and the
young people of both settlements kept separate companies for
many years. In a few instances, elopement took place, but they
were rare, as distant ministers were cautious about uniting a cou
ple who could not produce a certificate of publication, although
occular demonstration might convince them of the genuineness of
their affection, and demand their union.
Among the first shoemakers who worked at the trade in Scho
harie, was one William Dietz. Few, if any, boots were then
7

86 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
worn. Men wore low, and women high heeled (called French
heeled) shoes. A specimen of the latter may now be seen in the
Cabinet of John Gebhard, jr. Esq., at Schoharie Court House.
Shoes were then fastened with buckles, which, like those worn at
the knees, were made of silver, brass or pewter. Caleb Cosput
and John Russeau were the first tailors. They worked, as did
the first shoemakers, by whipping the cat — from house to house.
Breeches and even coats were made of deer-skins, and in some
instances, of blankets, in their day : the former being fastened to
striped hose at the knees with huge buckles, of silver, if attain
able, if not, of brass or pewter.
One Delavergne was the first hatter, and is said to have been
well patronized. Cocked, or three cornered hats were then the
tip of fashion.
To see an exquisite of the present, dressed in the costume of
that day, with hair long-cramped before, and terminating at the
neck in a braided cue, or if not braided, wound with black rib
bon or an eel-skin, the whole head being finely powdered and sur
mounted with a cocked hat ; with a blanket coat on, of no ordi
nary dimensions, ornamented with various kinds of buttons;
breeches of deer -skin, too tight for comfort, and kept up without
braces by a tight band above the hips, allowing the nether gar
ment to appear between them and the vest, and fastened at the
knee with large bright buckles to a pair of striped silk hose ; the
whole of the fabric described, resting upon a pair of pedestals
cased in pen-knife pointed shoes clasped with daring buckles ; the
hero with a pipe in his mouth, the bowl as large as a tea-cup —
would be worth far more to the spectator, than to visit a menage-
ry and see half a dozen country girls mounted upon the back of
an elephant, or a fool-hardy keeper enter a cage with the most
ferocious animals.
Fish are said to have been very plenty formerly in most of the
streams in Schoharie county. For many years after the Revolu
tion, trout were numerous in Foxes creek, where now there are
few, if any at all. From a combination of causes, fish are now
becoming scarce throughout the county. In many small streams

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 87
they have been nearly or quite exterminated by throwing in lime.
This cruel system of taking the larger, destroys with more cer
tainty all the smaller fish. Such a mode of fishing cannot be too
severely censured. The accumulation of dams on the larger
streams, proves unfavorable to their multiplication. Fine pike
are now occasionally caught in the Schoharie, as are also suckers
and eels. Some eighty years ago, a mess of fish could have been
taken, in any mill-stream in the county, in a few minutes.
Wild animals of almost every kind found in the same climate,
were numerous in and about Schoharie, for a great length of time
after the whites arrived. Bears and wolves, the more gregarious
kinds, often appeared in droves numbering scores, and in some in
stances, hundreds ; and were to the pioneer a source of constant
anxiety and alarm. Deer, which were then very numerous, the
mountainous parts affording them, as all other animals, a safe re
treat, are still killed some winters in considerable numbers, in the
south part of the county. But few incidents, worthy of notice,
relating to wild animals, have come to my knowledge. One of
the first German settlers was killed by a bear, between the resi
dence of the late Cyrus Swart (near the stone church,) and the
hill east of it. He had wounded the animal with a gun, when it
turned upon, and literally tore him in pieces. The Indians hunt
ed them far food, and not unfrequently had an encounter with
them. Nicholas Warner assured the author, that when a boy, he
saw an Indian, called Bellows, returning from a hunt, holding in
his own bowels with his hands. He had, after wounding a large
bear, met it in personal combat, and although so terribly lacerated
he slew it. Jacob Becker informed me, that there was an Indian
about Foxes creek in his younger days, called The-bear-catcher,
who received his name from the following circumstance. He was
hunting — treed a large bear and fired upon it. The beast fell and
a personal rencounter ensued. The Indian, in the contest, seized
with an iron grasp the lower jaw of Bruin, and a back-hug was
the consequence. He succeeded in holding his adversary so firm
ly that the latter could not draw his paws between their bodies.
Bruin had, however, in the outset, succeeded in drawing one of

88 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
them obliquely across the breast of the red man, scarifying it in
a fearful manner. While thus situated, holding his adversary at
bay, he called to a son, who was hunting in the woods not far off,
for his assistance. The latter repaired hastily to the spot, and al
though he might at times have approved of a fair fight, in the
present instance paternal affection demanded his immediate inter
ference. Placing the muzzle of his rifle between the extended
jaws of the bear, he discharged it, to the great rehef of his father,
who had been so affectionately embraced. The followingadven-
ture was related by Andrew Loucks. One Warner, who was
among the first settlers at Punch-kill, went out towards evening
to seek his cows. He met in his path a large bear, having cubs,
which instantly pursued him. He ran for safety behind a large
tree ; round which himself and madam Bruin played bo-peep for
some time — neither gaining any advantage. At length Warner
seized a hemlock knot, and with it, Sampson like, slew his shaggy
pursuer. The following story was also told me by Jacob Becker,
the scene in which is said to have been enacted near Foxes creek.
John Shaeffer and George Schell went hunting. Shaeffer had a
dog which treed a bear, and he being near at the time, instantly
fired upon it. Bruin fell, though not passively to yield life. The
dog attacked him, but was so lovingly hugged, that his eyes
seemed starting from their sockets, and he cried piteously. Shaef
fer thought too much of his canine friend to see him fall a vic
tim to such affection, and endeavored to loosen one of the bear's
paws : but as he seized it, it was relaxed and quicker than thought
thrown round again, so as to include in the embrace his own arm.
Shaeffer might as easily have withdrawn his hand from a vise.
When he found he had caught a tartar, or, rather, that the bear
had, he hallooed like a loon for his companion to come to his as
sistance and reach him his tomahawk. Many of the white hunt
ers, in former times, were as careful to wear tomahawks as their
Indian neighbors. The missile was handed very cautiously at
arms' length, and Shaeffer buried the blade of it in the brains of
his game, to the rehef of his other arm and the resuscitation of
the dog. Bruin, as may be supposed, did not relish the interfer-

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 89
ence of the master, when he was evincing so much of the world's
genuine love for Carlo.
The three most prominent hills east of Middleburgh village,
are] called the Fire-berg, the Amos-berg, and the Clipper-berg.
The first named is the most southern, and took its name (as Geo.
Warner informed the author) from the following circumstance.
A tar barrel having been raised to the top of a tall tree on that
hill, it was, at a particular hour of a certain night, set on fire, to
ascertain if the light could be seen from the residence of Sir ^
William Johnson, in Johnstown, at whose instigation it was done.
Whether it was seen there or not, tradition does not inform us,
but the circumstance was sufficient to originate a name for the
hill. Amos-berg, the next one north, signifies the ant-hill, or
hill of ants; it having been, in former times, literally covered
with those insect mounds. Clipper-berg, directly north of Amos-
berg, signifies the rocky-hill, or hill scantily covered with vegeta
tion. The following story was related to me by Maria Teabout. She
with several other individuals, was on the Fire-berg before the >
revolution, when a loud scream like that of a child was heard
some distance off, to which she made answer by a similar one.
She was told by the men to keep still, that it was a painter, and
by answering it they would be in great danger. " A painter !"
she exclaimed, "what then is a painter?" Being young and
heedless, she continued to answer its cries, until her companions,
alarmed for their own safety, had taken to flight, and she found
herself alone. As she was part native she felt little fear, until
the near approach of the animal struck terror upon her mind.
She had not time enough left her to secure a safe retreat, but in
stantly concealed herself in a hollow tree. The animal approach
ed so near that she saw it from her concealment, but as that did
not see her, it went back in the direction from whence it came.
In the meantime, those who had fled on the panther's approach,
went home and reported Maria as slain in an awful manner. A
party, consisting of Col. Zielie, with half a dozen of his neighbors,
and a few Indians, all mounted on horseback and armed with

90 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
guns, set out to seek and bring whatever of Maria might be left,
after the panther had satiated his appetite. Leaving their horses
near the entrance, they went into the woods and began to call
to her. She heard the voice of Col. Zielie, and came out from her
hiding place. The Indians then declared they would soon have
the panther. After fixing a blanket on a tree so as to present a
tolerable effigy of one of their party, they all fell back and con
cealed themselves behind trees. An Indian then began to call,
and was soon answered by the animal, wliich approached stealth
ily. When it came in sight, it fixed its eye on the effigy, and
crawling along with the stillness of a cat, it approached within a
few paces, from whence, after moving its tail briskly for a few
seconds, it bounded upon it with the speed of an arrow. In an
instant the blanket was torn into strings, and as the disappointed
animal stood lashing its sides furiously with its tail, looking for
the cause of the voice, (panthers having no knowledge or belief
in ghosts) and its deception, a volley of rifle balls laid it dead on
the spot. The skin was taken off, and some slices of the critter,
as Natty Bumpo would call it, were taken home by several of the
Indians to broil. Thus ended the panther, and thus did not end
my informant. Few panthers have been killed in the county
since the remembrance of any one living in it. One of the last
was shot near the residence of John Enders, on Foxes creek.
The sagacious beaver was a resident of this county on the ar
rival of the Germans. They were numerous along Foxes creek,
and at a place called the Beaver-dam, on that stream, which is
now in the town of Berne, Albany county, they had several strong
dams. Wild-cats were numerous in Schoharie formerly. The follow
ing anecdote is related of old Doctor Moulter, a sort of physician
who lived on Foxes creek, and flourished about the time of the
Revolution. He awoke one night from pleasant dreams, to hear
an unusual noise among his setting geese. Without waiting to
dress, or seize upon any weapon, he ran out to learn the cause of
alarm. On arriving at the scene of action, although his prospect
was yet sombre, he discovered the cause of disturbance in the ap-

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 91
pearance of an unwelcome animal, that was paying its devoirs to
the comely neck of the mistress of a polluted bee-hive. He ran
up and seized it by the neck and hind legs, and although it strug
gled hard to regain its liberty, he succeeded in holding it until his
boys, to whom he called for assistance, came and killed it. The
reader may judge his surprize as well as that of his family, when,
on taking it to the light, it proved to be a good sized wild-cat.
Had he caught hold of it otherwise than he did, it is highly pro
bable that in his state of almost native nudity, he would have re
pented his grasp, if not lost his life. Many anecdotes are told of
this same Dr. Moulter. When he located at' Schoharie, he was
afraid to ride on horseback, unless some one led his horse by the
bridle. Those who led his nag for him, grew tired of gratifying
his whims, and would occasionally let go his reins, and leave
him to shift for himself. This kind of treatment soon taught the
old Doctor the skill of horsemanship. He is said to have doc
tored for witches, and promulged the superstitious doctrine of
witchcraft. Nor was he wanting in believers, as no dogmas,
however doggish they may be, need much preaching to gain prose
lytes. Francis Otto, who is said to have established the first distillery
in the county, (which was for cider-brandy, and stood perhaps
half a mile east of the present site of the Court House) was also
a kind of doctor. In fact, he was one of that useful class, who
can turn their hand to almost anything ; being a brandy-maker,
a doctor, a phlebotomist, a barber, a fortune-teller, etc., as occa
sion required. He too, believed in witchcraft. His death took
place just before the Revolution, in the following manner. He
had spent the evening at the house of Ingold, where now stands
the dwelling of John Ingold ; and left there to go home, with the
bosom of his shirt, his general traveling store-house, filled with
apples. He may, to have kept off the chill of the evening, and
increase his courage, tasted a potation of his own distilling, of
which he was very fond. On the following morning he was
found in a bruised state, having fallen off the rocks not far from
his own dwelling. He was alive when found, but died soon af-

92 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
ter. As he was much afraid of witches, and the like evil genii,
it was confidently asserted and generally believed, that witches
had thrown him off the rocks. Thus ended the first distiller, poor
Otto, of bewitching memory.
Deer, it has been remarked, were numerous in and about Scho
harie formerly. Jacob Becker related the following story, whieh
he had learned from his father. An old Indian, who lived in Gar
lock's dorf, was very skillful in the use of the bow and arrow.
This Indian stationed himself one day, at a run-way the deer had
on the north side of Foxes creek, not a great distance from Beck
er's mill. It was at a place where there is a small stream of wa
ter descends from the hill, affording a kind of path from that to
the flats below. At this place this Indian was concealed, when
a noble deer came leisurely down ihe declivity. An arrow from
his bow pierced the heart of the unsuspecting victim, when it
bounded forward a few paces and fell dead. Scarcely had he
time to draw from his quiver an arrow, before another deer de
scended. A second arrow sped, and a second bleeding victim lay
stretched near its fellow. Another and another descended to
meet a similar fate , until six were, in quick succession, bleeding
upon the ground. There were times, when, like the one named,
the arrow was as trusty as the rifle ball. The distance must not
be great, however, and the bow must be drawn by a skillful war
rior. The arrow giving no report to alarm the following deer,
the Indian was enabled, by his masterly skill, to bring down six5
when a single discharge from a rifle, would have sent the five
hindmost deer, on the back track. The arrow, however, would
not tell upon a distant object hke the rifle ball, and great muscu
lar strength was required to send it, even at a short distance* to
the heart of a bounding buck.
Rattle-snakes were very numerous formerly, along the north
side of Foxes creek, and the west side of the Schoharie. Hun
dreds were often killed in a single day at either place. Neigh
borhoods turned out in the spring about the time they came from
their dens, in the latter part of April, or early part of May, to
destroy them, and by thus waging war against them, they were

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 93
nearly exterminated. There are a few remaining now at both
places. It was not uncommon, in raising a sheaf of wheat from
the ground, on the flats near the hills, which afford their favorite
haunts, as early as the revolution, to find one or more of those
venomous serpents under it. They were but little dreaded then,
especially by the Indians, for if they could get at the wound with
their mouth, suction, with their other applications, generally saved
the bitten. The Indians, said Andrew Loucks, rubbed tlieir legs
with certain roots, to avoid being bitten by rattle-snakes, and made
use of several kinds of roots and plants, in effecting a cure for
the bite of those reptiles. The knowledge they had of botany,
although limited, was of a practical nature, and enabled them not
unfrequently to effect a cure, when a similar application of a sci
entific mineral compound, would have destroyed. This country,
undoubtedly, affords an herb for almost every disease of the climate,
and more attention should be paid to the study and medical appli
cation of Botany. Rattle-snakes diminish rapidly in numbers, if
hogs are allowed to run where they infest. They will eat them
invariably, with the exception of the head, whenever they take
them. There are individuals, in fact, who eat those venomous
reptiles, and pronounce them palatable. The late Major Van
Vechten, of Schoharie, formerly ate them, and at times invited his
friends to the banquet. On one occasion, he had several young
gentlemen to partake with him, who, as I suppose, were either
ambitious to be able to say they had eaten of a " sarpent," or de
sired to rattle a little as they went through the world. Did they
taste exceedingly flavorous, one would suppose the idea of eating
a rattle-snake would sicken the eater, save in extreme cases of
approaching starvation.
The following Indian custom was humorously told the author
by George Warner. When Cupid has destroyed the red man's
peace of mind, he provides himself with a quantity of corn, and
seeks the presence of the ruddy squaw. He then commences
snapping kernels at the coy maid he wishes to woo. If she
snaps them back, the contract is considered firmly made. If she
does not, the lover is led to conclude she " don't take," and leaves

94 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
her presence somewhat mortified. If matters proceed favorably
and a contract is made, she takes off one garter, and after the
marriage ceremony is performed, he probably takes off the other
— if, by the by, she has ever had any on.
The Schoharie Indians, says Brown, claimed the lands lying
about Schoharie, and made some sales, but were interrupted in
those transfers of lands by the Mohawks, who proved that the
land given to Karighondontee's wife, at the time her husband set
tled, was to be no more than would be required to plant as much
corn as a squaw could hold in her petticoat; which, he adds,
would be reckoned about a skipple. A squaw's petticoat
neither has great length or breadth; but the reader will
understand that the grain was carried in the garment in the man
ner of a sack.
But a few years after the Schoharie Germans had their diffi
culties with Bayard, the royal agent, and Sheriff Adams, they be
gan to secure land not only of the seven partners, but also of the
natives, and made transfers among themselves.
A bond in the writer's possession, given for what is unknown,
by " John Andrews of Scorre, [Schoharie] to John Lawer [Law
yer,] for twenty-six pounds three shilHngs, corrant money of New
York. Dated the 3d day of May, in the fifth year of our Sove
raign Lord George [I.] king of Great Britain, France and Ire
land, and in the year of our Lord God, 1720; shows the earliest
date of any paper I have met with, that was executed between
the early settlers in the Schoharie valley. This date is within
ten years of their first arrival. The bond is written in a fair,
legible hand, and most of the orthography is correct.
In the early conveyances, lands in the vicinity of the Schoharie
Court House, were located at " Fountain's town, Fountain's flats,
and Brunen or Bruna dorf." Some of the old deeds bound those
lands on the " west, by the Schoharie river, and on the east, on
the king's road." The road then ran near the hill east of the
old Lutheran parsonage house, which is- still standing; leaving
nearly all the flats west of it. In ancient patents, the brook

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 95
above Middleburgh village is called the Little Schoharie ; which
name I have chosen to continue.
Many of the Indian sales of lands in Schoharie county, were
legalized by the governor and council of the colony. The fol
lowing paper, which is copied verbatim et literatim, will show
the usual form of a royal permit :
" By His Excellency the Hon. George Clinton, Cap
tain-General and Governor in Chief of the colony of New
L. S. York, and Territories thereon depending in America,
Vice Admiral of the same and Admiral of the White
Squadron of his Majesty's Fleet.
" To all to whom these presents shall come or may concern,
Greeting : —
" Whereas Johannes Becker, jr., Johannes Schafer, jr., Hendrick
Schafer, jr., and Jacobus Schafer, by their humble petition pre
sented unto me and read in Council this Day, have prayed my license
to purchase in his Majesty's name, of the native Indian proprietors
thereof, six thousand Acres of some vacant Lands, Situate, Lying*.
and being in the County of Albany, on the North side of the Co
belskill, and on the East of the Patent lately granted to Jacob
Borst, Jacob C. Teneyck and others near Schoharie : in order to
obtain His Majesty's Letters Patent for the same or a proportionate
quantity thereof. I have therefore thought fit to give and grant,
and I do by and with the Advice of his Majesty's Council, hereby
give and grant unto the said Petitioners, full Power, Leave and
lycense to purchase in his Majesty's Name of the Native Indian
Proprietors thereof, the Quantity of Six thousand Acres of the
vacant Lands aforesaid. Provided the said purchase be made in
one year next after the Date hereof, and conformable to a report
of a Committee of His majesty's Council of the second day of De
cember, 1736, on the Memorial of Cadwallader Colden, Esq.,
representing several Inconveniences arising by the usual Method
of purchasing Lands from the Indians. And for so doing this
shall be to them a sufficient lycense.
" Given under my Hand and Seal at Arms, at Fort
George, in the City of New York, the sixteenth Day of
November, one thousand s^ven hundred and fifty-two.
" By his Excellency's command, G. CLINTON."
" Geo. Banyak, D. Sec'y."
A conveyance made in December, 1752, of fifteen thousand
acres of land in " New Dorlach," now in the town of Seward —
bounds it on " West creek" — west branch of the Cobelskill be
ginning at a bank called in an Indian conveyance, " Onc-en-ta-

96 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
dashe." This I suppose to have been the Indian name of the
mountain south of Hyndsville. When the county of Tryon was
organized, it took in " New Dorlach ;" which was embraced in
Otsego county on its organization ; and subsequently became a
part of Schoharie county.
The parties to an indenture, made November 30th, 1753, were
Johannes Scheffer, Christ Jan Zehe, Johannes Lawyer, Michael
Borst, Johannes Borst, Johan Jost Borst, Michael Hilkinger,
Wilham Baird, Jacob Borst, Michael Bowman, Johannes Brown,
Barent Keyser, Peter Nicholas Sommer, Johannes Lawyer Ser,
Hendrick Heens, and William Brown." It was a purchase of
fifteen thousand acres of land on the north side of the " Ostgarrege
or Cobelskill, about seven miles westerly from Schoharre."
The author has in his possession, a parchment copy of letters
patent, dated March 19, 1754. It was granted in the reign of
George IL, under the administration of George Clinton as gover
nor, and James De Lancey lieutenant-governor, to John Frederick
Bauch, [now written Bouck,] Christian Zehe, Johannes Zehe,
Michael Wanner, [Warner,] and Johannes Knisker, [Kneiskern,]
" For a certain Track of Land lately purchased by them of the
Native Indian proprietors thereof, situate, lying and being in the
county of Albany, to the westward of Schoharry, and on the
south side of a creek or brook, called by the Indians Ots-ga-rd-
gee, and by the inhabitants Cobelskill, containing about four thou
sand eight hundred Acres, and further bounded and described as
by tbe Indian purchase thereof, bearing date the Ninth day of
November last, might appear." The Patent grants among
other things, Fishings, Fowlings, Hunting and Hawking; re
serving at the same time Gold and Silver mines, and "All
trees of the Diameter of#Twenty-four Inches and upwards at
twelve Inches from the ground, for Masts for our Royal Navy.
And also all such other trees as may be fit to make planks, knees,
and other things necessary for the use of our said Navy :" with
the privilege of going on and cutting the timber thus reserved, at
any time or in any manner. The following singular sentence
appears in the patent. The purchasers, after being individually

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 97
named, were, with their heirs and assigns forever, " To be holden
of us, our heirs and successors in fee and common socage, as of
our Mannor of East Greenwich, in the County of Kent, within our
Kingdom of Great Britain, yielding, rendering and paying there
for yearly, and every year forever, unto us our heirs and succes
sors, at our Custom House in Our City of New York, unto our
Collector or Receiver General there for the time being, on the
feast of the Annunciation of the Blessed Mary, commonly called
Lady day, the yearly Rent of two shillings and six pence for each
and every hundred acres of the above granted Lands, and so in
proportion for any lesser quantity thereof." Within three years
after the date of the patent, the purchasers whose interest was
equal, were required " to settle and effectually cultivate at least
three Acres of every fifty Acres, of the land capable of cultiva
tion." The conveyance was to be invalidated by the wanton
burning of the growing timber.
About the year 1760, says Brown, the Mohawks began to sell
large tracts of land around Schoharie, through Sir William John
son, who was a royal agent of Indian affairs for the six nations
of New York, and liberally paid by the British Government.
These conveyances to be legal, he adds, were required to be made
in his presence, he usually taking good care to secure a valuable
interest to himself.
Land was considered of little value among the pioneer settlers
of New York, and large tracts were often disposed of for an in
considerable sum. The following certificate, found among the
papers of the late Philip Schuyler of Schoharie, will serve to
show from its vague limits, the value set by the owner on a large
tract of now valuable land.
" I do hereby certify to have sold to Messrs. Philip Schuyler and
Abraham Becker, and their associates, the Flats of the Cook
House with an equal quantity of upland ' near the path going to
Ogwage [Oquago.] — And I hereby permit them to take up or mark
off any quantity of land they may farther think proper, on the
west side the said Cook House branch, granted to me, the sub
scriber, by the Governor and Council of this province of New York.
Albany, 19th June, 1773.
TH. BRADSTREET."

98 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
Attached to this certificate is an affidavit made by George
Mann in 1818, before Peter Swart, a Judge of the court of com
mon pleas for Schoharie county, which states that in the month
of June, 1773, being then at the Indian village of " Orgquago,"
he saw " Philip Schuyler pay to the Chiefs of the Indian tribe of
the same name, in behalf of John Bradstreet, the sum of one hun
dred dollars, which he understood to be money received by them
in consideration of a deed for a certain tract of land given by the
said Chiefs to the said Bradstreet, and which land was situated on
the west branch of the Delaware river, commonly called the Koke-
house branch.* He adds that Alexander Campbell, John H.
Becker and David Becker, were also present at the time.
I have before remarked that the Schoharie people owned slaves.
Many of them were either purchased in the New England states,
or of New England men. A certificate of the sale of a black
girl about thirteen years of age, given on the 7th day of July,
1762, by " John McClister of Connecticut, to Jacob Lawyer of
Schohary," for the sum of sixty pounds, [f 150,] New York cur
rency, will probably show the average value of female slaves at
that day. At a later period, able bodied male slaves often sold
as high as $250. When slaves were purchased out of the Colo
ny, a duty was required to be paid on them, as the following cer
tificate of the Mayor of Albany will show.
" Theas are to Certify, y' Nine negro men and women has been
Imported Into ye County of Albany from New England, and ac
cording to an Act of y6 Governor, ye Council, and the generall As
sembly; William Day has paid y" Duty for said negro men and
women : witness my hand this twentieth Day of Aug'. 1762
VOLKERT Pr. DOUW, Mayor."
Five of the above mentioned slaves were sold at Schoharie.
While New York was a British province, public roads were
called " The King's Highways," and were kept in repair by a
tax levied by officers under the crown. Individuals were not
compelled at that period to fence in their lands along the high
ways, but where the line fence between neighbors crossed them,
* Koke is the Dutch of cook — to prepare to eat.

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 99
they placed gates. This was a source of constant vexation to
the traveler, who often complained that more obstructions of the
kind were stretched across the road, than necessity required. Ac
cordingly, to remedy the evil, a legislative act was passed, by
which those obstructions could only be placed across the King's
road by a legal permit ; signed by several of his Majesty's Jus
tices of the peace. The traveler was annoyed by gates across the
highway in thickly settled communities in the Mohawk and Scho
harie valleys, for many years after the American revolution.
John Lawyer, named in the bond of 1720, and the father of
one of the first white children born in Schoharie, was one of the
principal settlers at Bruna dorf: and was the first merchant
among those Germans — trading near the present residence of An
drew Beller, half a mile south of the Court House. He is said
to have been a flax-hatcheler in Germany : and we must suppose,
from the state of his finances on his arrival in the Schoharie val
ley, that he commenced a very limited business. The natives
were among his most profitable customers; as he bartered blank
ets, Indian trinkets, calicoes, ammunition, rum, &c, with them, for
valuable furs, dressed deer-skins, and other commodities ofthe times.
He was one of the best informed among the Germans who settled
the county ; and before his death became an extensive land-hold
er. He was quite a business man and a useful citizen, aiding ma
ny who purchased land in making their payments; and acquired
the reputation of a fair and honorable dealer.
He became a widower when about eighty years old, and mar
ried a widow in New York city. Arriving at Albany he sent
word to have one of his sons come after him : but they were so
offended to think he should marry at that age, . that neither
of them would go. One Dominick took the happy couple to
Schoharie ; where, we take it for granted, they spent the honey
moon. It has been stated that Lawyer had several children by
this late marriage. Judge Brown assured the author he had
indeed, but that they were many years old when he married their
mother. A well executed family portrait of this father of the

100 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
Lawyers, in the fashion of that day, is now to be seen at the
dwelling of the late Wm. G. Michaels, near the Court House.
It was painted in New York, and tells credibly for the state of
the fine arts at that period.
A second John Lawyer, who usually wrote his given name
Johannes (the German of John), a son of the one mentioned
above, succeeded his father in the mercantile business. He be
came a good surveyor, and surveyed much land in and around
Schoharie county. He was also an extensive land-holder, own
ing at least twenty-five thousand acres of land, and his name
appears in very many conveyances made in that county before
the year 1760.
I have before me a copy of the will of this man, which was
dated March 10th, 1760 : by which it appears he was then a
merchant. He had three sons and two daughters, and his will
so disposed of his large estate, as to be equally distributed on the
death of his widow, to the surviving children and the lawful heirs
of the deceased ones.
Few parents at the present day in Schoharie county, imitate
the commendable example of this wealthy man, and divide their
property equally between sons and daughters. The latter, who
are by nature the most helpless, are frequently unprovided for,
and while a son or sons are enjoying the rich inheritance of a
" wise father," a worthy daughter is sometimes compelled, on the
death of her parents,, either to marry against her own good sense
and inclination, a man unworthy of her ; or feel herself really
dependant on the charity of those from whom she should not be
compelled to ask it.
Johannes Lawyer was succeeded by a son, his namesake, in the
mercantile business. He was also a surveyor, and transacted no
little business. Lawrence Lawyer, one of his sons, who was still
living in Cobelskill in 1837, informed me that some person in
New York presented his father with a small cannon while in
that city purchasing goods, a short time previous to the French
war : and that during that war, whenever the Schoharie Indians,

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 101
who were engaged with the Mohawks under General, afterwards
Sir Wm. Johnson, returned home with the scalps of ten or fifteen
of the enemy, this cannon was fired for joy. Thus we perceive
that the very cruel Indian custom of scalping, condemned in the
savages during the Revolution about twenty years after, the
whites had approved in the French war, and demonstrated that
approval by the discharge of cannon. Can we blame the un
lettered savage for continuing a custom his fathers — indeed we
ourselves have taught him to think fair and honorable, by our
own public approval and celebration 1 Ought we not rather to
pity the degraded, injured Indian ; and amid blushes, censure
ourselves for encouraging his love of cruelty instead of tender
mercy 1
I learned from this old patriot, who was one of the early set
tlers of Cobelskill, the origin of the name Punch-kill. His grand
father took a patent of lands adjoining this stream : and on
running out the lines, in making a survey, punch was made and
freely drank on the premises, on which account fhe brook was
called Punch-kill, and has been so called ever since. This kill is
in the northeast part of the town, and falls into the stream of that
name. John I. Lawyer, who was a nephew of the second Schoharie
merchant, was learned out, according to a phrase of the times,
having received a share of his education in Boston, and proved a
very correct surveyor. He was rather eccentric, and perhaps
was not in all respects as happily married, as it is the good for
tune of some men to be. An anecdote related of him which
tends to show his character, is as follows : He had been accus
tomed for a long time to occupy a high chair at the table while
eating. A grandson of his coming home after a long absence,
who was a great favorite with his grandmother, she insisted on
his having the high chair at the festive board. The old gentle
man put up with the treatment for a few days, but at length
growing impatient at such improper favoritism, he entered his
dwelling as the table was setting, with a saw, and before any one
8

102 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
could stay proceedings, he raised the table and sawed off its legs.
" Now," said he to his wife, " your favorite can have the high
chair. The old lady cast her eyes on the sorry picture which the
dishes in fragments on the floor presented, and began to storm —
but it was of no use — the husband kept his temper. His voice
was notybr war. He went directly and procured a new set of
dishes, and ever after he had no difficulty in occupying such a
seat at his own table as he chose.
It was formerly customary, not only in Schoharie, but in almost
every county in the state, to provide refreshments at funerals.
Indeed, within twenty years, the custom of providing liquor on
such occasions has been in vogue, and the bearers and friends of
the deceased were expected to return to the house of mourning
after the burial, and drink. Neither was it at all uncommon for
people in those days to go home from a funeral drunk : but the
barbarous and unfeeling custom of passing the intoxicating bowl
on such occasions, has yielded to a better spirit, lt is said that
John Lawyer, the second one mentioned in this chapter, kept a
barrel of wine for several years before his death to be drank at
his funeral ; that it was carried out on that occasion in pails,
freely drank, and many were drunk of it. Cakes were carried
round at such times in large baskets, and in some instances a fu
neral appeared more like a festival than the solemn sepulture of
the dead. The old people give a reason somewhat plausible for
the introduction of such a custom in this county. Its inhabitants
were sparsedly settled over a large territory, and many had to go
a great distance to attend funerals, — and as all could not be ex
pected to eat a regular meal from home, those extra provisions
were made for friends present from remote sections. A custom of
that kind once introduced, even if at the time justifiable, it is easy
to perceive might be continued in after years, until it became ob
noxious to sympathy and highly reprehensible.
The following is the copy of a receipt, evidently in the hand
writing of the second mentioned John Lawyer, his name being
written as the contraction of Johannes. It was doubtless given
as it purports, for liquor drank at a funeral.

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 1 03
" Scokerie, March 29, 1738.
" Then Received of John Schuyler the sum of Twenty Shilings
for the five galing [gallons] of Rum at the Bearing [burying] of
Maria Bratt. Recd by me. JOHS. LAWYER."
The Schoharie Indians had but few serious difficulties with the
early white settlers. Judge Brown mentions in his pamphlet
that a squaw once shot a man on the sabbath, while returning
from Church. The Indians often had personal broils among
themselves, and generally settled them in their own savage way.
Brown also states that in his time he saw one William, a son of
Jan, stab and kill another Indian at the house of David Becker,
in Weiser's dorf. An eye-witness of the act informed the author,
that the Indian killed was called John Coy. . David Becker then
kept a public house, which stood on the present site of the par
sonage house belonging to the brick church in Middleburgh.
John had a child in his arms in the bar-room, and was asked by
Wilham, another Indian, to drink with him. The former de
clined drinking, and walked out of the room upon a piazza in
front of the house. William soon after followed him out and bu
ried the blade of a long knife in his back' — which he did not at
tempt to draw out — and departed. John died almost instantly.
The cause -of this assassination informant did not know : it is
doubtless to be attributed to the red man's curse — alcohol.
Mrs. Van Slyck related the following traditionary story, which
serves to illustrate the Indian character. At a house which stood
on the farm now owned by Henry Vrooman, and contiguous to
Wilder Hook, about the year 1750, one Indian stabbed another
on the threshold of the door to the entrance into the upper part
of it. The deed was committed in the evening, and was the re
sult of a former quarrel. The tribe took little notice of the act,
but when the corpse of the murdered man was about to be low
ered into the grave, the father of the murderer required his son to
get into it to dig one end deeper. He did so, and while standing
there, the father sunk a tomahawk into his brains. He was laid
down in the narrow house with his implements of war beside him
— the other victim placed upon the body of his murderer, and both

104 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY.
buried together. Thus bodies which in life were rendered so
hateful to each other by the savage spirits which controlled them,
mingled into one common earth after death, by the fiendish act of
a father ; who, by endeavoring to punish the believed wrong of a
son, became himself the most guilty of the two. However un
natural an act like this may seem, it was by no means uncommon
among the unlettered sons of the forest. The father often assumed
the responsibility of punishing the son, and the son the father, for
misdemeanors which might have a tendency to disgrace the
avenger, even to the taking of life.
The following anecdote will show another peculiarity of the
Indian character. One of the Schoharie Chiefs, named Lewis, is
said to have gone to battle — probably in the French war, — scalped
a squaw, taken her home as his prisoner, and afterwards made her
his wife and the mother of his children.
The Indians were in the annual habit, to considerable extent,
of taking up a temporary residence near corn fields — when the
corn became eatable, — proving unprofitable neighbors to the
whites.

( 105 )

CHAPTER IV.

It has been the intention of the writer, as expressed in the pre
face, not to confine this work to the limits of Schoharie county,
but to garner up as much unpublished historic matter as possible.
Tradition has preserved but few of the personal adventures origi
nated in the French war. The facts contained in the following
sketch were narrated to the author in 1841, by John L. Groat.
In the year 1716, Philip Groat, of Rotterdam, made a purchase
of land in the present town of Amsterdam. When removing to
the latter place, Groat was drowned in the Mohawk near Sche
nectada, by breaking through the ice. He was in a sleigh accom
panied by a woman, who was also drowned. His widow and
three sons, Simon, Jacob and Lewis, the last named being then
only four years old, with several domestics, made the intended
settlement. In 1730, the Groat brothers erected a grist-mill at
their place, (now Crane's village,) thirteen miles west of Sche
nectada — the first ever erected on the north side of the Mohawk.
This mill, when first erected, floured wheat for citizens who dwelt
upon the German flats, some fifty miles distant. The first bolt
ing cloth in this mill, was put in by John Burns, a German, in
1772. When hostilities commenced between England and France, in
the war alluded to, Lewis Groat was living at the homestead.
He was a widower at the time with five children ; and owning a
farm and grist-mill, he was comparatively wealthy. In the af
ternoon of a summer's day in 1755, two hundred Highland troops,
clad in rich tartans, passed up the valley on their way to Fort
Johnson, six miles above — then the residence of Gen. William

106 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
Johnson. Groat, observing the swing gate across the road had
been left open by the troops, went, after sun down, to shut it.
When returning home, it began to rain, and for temporary shelter
he stepped under a large oak tree : while there, three Indians, a
father and sons, approached him. He took them to be Mohawks,
and extending his hand to the oldest, addressed him in a friendly
manner. The hand was received and firmly held by the Indian,
who claimed Groat as his prisoner. Finding they were in earn
est, and seeing them all armed with rifles, he surrendered himself.
The captors belonged to the Owenagunga,* or River tribe of In
dians, whither they directed their steps. The object of their ex
pedition, which was to capture several negroes, they soon disclosed
to the prisoner, who told them if they would let him go across
the river to Philips', he would send them some. " Yes," said the
old Indian, holding his thumb and finger together so as to show
the size of a bullet, " you send Indian leetle round negar, he no
like such."
They had proceeded but a few miles, when a pack was placed
upon the back of the captive, after which he walked much slow
er than before. The old Indian threatened to kill him if he did
not increase his speed. " What can you get for a scalp 1" asked
Groat. " Ten livres," was the reply. " And how ¦much for a
prisoner 1" he again asked. " Two hundred livres," replied the
Indian. " Well" said Groat, "if ten livres are better than two
hundred, kill me and take my scalp .'" The Indian then told the
prisoner that he would carry his own pack and the one apportioned
him, if the latter would but keep up with the party. The* propo
sition was acceded to, and they moved forward — the old Indian
with two packs on. He took a dog trot and Groat kept near him.
The feet of the savage often had not left the ground, when those
of his captive claimed occupancy of it. The warrior exerted all
his strength to outrun his prisoner, who kept constantly " bruising
his heel :" until the former, exhausted and covered with perspira-
* The Owenagungas settled above Albany, on a branch of Hudson's river,
that runs towards Canada, about the year 1672.— Colden's History of the
Five Nations.

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 107
tion, fell upon the ground. They had run about a mile and were
both greatly fatigued, but Groat had triumphed.
When the Indian had recovered from his exhaustion, he told
Groat if he would carry one of the packs, he might travel as he
pleased. After this adventure he was kindly treated, and often on
the way did his captors give him plenty of food and go hungry
themselves, saying that they were Indians and could endure hun
ger better than himself, because accustomed to it. Nights, his
feet were tied to temporary stocks made by bending down stad-
dles, but always secured so high that he could not reach the cord
as he lay upon the ground. After journeying a day or two, the
prisoner resolved on attempting his escape. One evening when
unbound, he hoped to give his captors the slip, but suspecting his
motives they cocked their rifles, and not being able to gain even tem
porary covert of a large tree, he abandoned the hazardous project.
Near Fort Edward, the party fell in with two Mohawk Indians,
one of whom, being an old acquaintance, gave the prisoner a
hat, of which he had been plundered by his captors. The Mo
hawks were on a hunting excursion, and remained in company
with the party for a day or two, in the hope of affording the pri
soner an opportunity to escape. The captors were to be made
drunk by liquor in possession of the Mohawks ; but as the time
for the expedient drew near, Groat fell sick, and had to see his
friends depart without him. He, however, gave one of them his
tobacco-box, and requested him to carry it to his family, and tell
them when and where he had seen its owner, that they might
know he was still alive. The Indian did return and deliver the
box as requested : but the family were suspicious the Indian had
killed him and fabricated the story ; which his protracted absence
tended to confirm. When he got back, he presented the friendly
Indian with a fine horse.
They proceeded some distance by water down Lake Champlain,
and on landing at an Indian settlement, Groat had to run the
gantlet. His captors had conceived quite an attachment for him,
and offered, before arriving at the village, to place a belt of wam
pum around his neck, which, according to the custom of their

108 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY
tribe, would have entitled him to the same privileges as them
selves ; and exonerated him from the running ordeal. He thought
the acceptance of the belt would be an acknowledgment of his
willingness to adopt the Indian life, and refused the offer proffered
in kindness, which he regretted when too late. As the lines of
women and boys were drawn up through which he was to flee,
and he was about to start, his captors, who had relieved him of
his pack, buried their faces in their hands, and would not witness
his sufferings. He was beaten considerably, and on arriving at
the goal of freedom, the blood from some of his bruises ran down
to his feet. A short time after, Groat was sold to a French Ca
nadian, named Lewis De Snow, who told him, on going to his
house, that he was to be his future master, and his wife his mis
tress. The former replied that he had long known his master —
" he dwells above," he added, pointing his finger upward. At
first the Frenchman treated him unkindly. He was willing to
work, but would not submit to imposition ; and on being severely
treated one day, he assured his Canadian master, that sooner than
put up with abuse, he would poison him and his wife, and make
his escape. Learning his independent spirit, his owner ever af
ter treated him like a brother. The next summer, war was form
ally declared between Great Britain and France. Groat was
claimed as a British prisoner previous to the capture of Quebec,
and was for six months imprisoned at St. Francis' -way, near Mon
treal : where he suffered from short allowance of food. He was
finally liberated and returned home, after an absence oi four years
and four months, to the surprise and joy of his family, which had
considered him as lost forever — was again married, and my in
formant was a son by his second wife. John L. Groat died in
January, 1845, aged about 90 years.
Early in the French war, Eve, the wife of Jacob Van Alstine,
who resided in the Mohawk valley, not far from the Groat fami
ly, was proceeding along the road on horseback, with a little
daughter in her arms ; and while in the act of opening a swing-
gate which obstructed the road, was fired upon by a party of hos
tile Indians, and wounded in one arm. The enemy then dispatched

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 109
and scalped her, but sparing her child, carried it to Canada. Af
ter a long captivity, the child returned, — and now, (1843,) at the
age of nearly a century, is still living with her nephew, J. C. Van
Alstine, Esq., at Auriesville, Montgomery county.
The following particulars relating to Sir William Johnson and
his family, which were mostly derived from Mr. Groat, will, I
trust, prove interesting to the reader. Lewis Groat, his father,
lived on terms of intimacy with the Baronet, from his first arrival
in the Mohawk valley, to the day of his death.
Sir William Johnson was born in Ireland in 1714, and was de
scended from honorable parentage. His uncle, Admiral Warren,
(Sir Peter Warren,) secured a title to some fifteen thousand acres
of land, lying mostly within the present town of Florida : not
long after which, Sir William became his agent for those lands.
Young Johnson had been disappointed in a love affair in his na
tive country, and was possibly sent to America on that account.
He arrived in the colony of New York between the years 1735
and 1740, and settled at a place then known as Warren's Bush,
a few miles from the present village of Port Jackson. On his
arrival, the Mohawk valley was mostly peopled by Indians.
Small settlements had, indeed, been made by Germans at Canajo
harie, Stone Arabia and the German Flats ; and the Dutch were
tardily extending their settlements westward of Schenectada;
but the white population in the valley was, comparatively speak
ing, very limited.* He at once resolved on a permanent settle
ment — closely observed the habits and customs of the natives,
and being an adept in the study of human nature, soon acquired
their confidence and good will.
He had not been long in the valley before he became an agent
of the British government, for the Six Indian Nations, possibly
through the instrumentality of admiral Warren. Johnson had
been only a few years at Warren's Bush, when his friend Lewis
Groat, who lived but a short distance from his own residence,
asked him in a familiar manner why he did not get married ?
He replied that he wanted to marry a girl in Ireland— that his
parents were opposed, to the match, and that since he could not

110 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
marry the girl of his choice, he had resolved never to marry, but
would multiply as much as he could. It is believed that he faith
fully observed this resolution for many years. Near the two
canal locks below Port Jackson, some two miles from Johnson's
residence, lived at that time, Alexander and Harman Phihps,
brothers. With those brothers, was living in the capacity of a
servant girl, Miss Lana, [Eleanor] Wallaslous, unless I am mis
taken in her name, of German parentage. She was a native of
Madagascar, and on arriving at New York at an early age, was
sold into servitude, to pay her passage. She was an uncommon
ly fair — wholesome lookmg maid. Groat, knowing his friend's
determination not to marry, asked him why he did not go and
get the pretty High Dutch girl at Philips' s, for a housekeeper ?
He replied*. I will do it ! and they parted.
Not long after this interview, Groat was at Philips's on busi
ness, and not seeing her, enquired of one of the brothers where
their High Dutch girl was "? Said Philips, "Johnson, that d — d
Irishman came the other day Snd offered me five pounds for her,
threatening to horse-whip me and steal her if I would not sell her.
I thought five pounds better than a flogging, and took it, and he's
got the gal." Johnson obtained* the girl in the precise manner
he had assured his friend he would proceed. This German girl
was the mother of Sir John Johnson, and the wives of Col. Guy
Johnson, an Irish relative of Sir William, and Col. Daniel Claus.
Henry Frey Yates, Esq., in a communication to his son, Ber
nard F., in which he notes several exceptions to sayings of Col.
Stone, in the Life of Brant, which memoranda have been kindly
placed in the hands of the writer by the son since the above was
written, quotes from the first volume of that work, page 101, a re
mark that " the mother of Sir John Johnson was a German la
dy," and thus discourses :— "Mr. Stone has been misinformed as
to the history of the mother of Sir John ; she was not a German
lady. She was a German by birth." After naming William
Harper, a former judge of Montgomery county, and his brother,
Alexander, as authority for what he says, he thus continues :—
" The facte with respect to the mother of Sir John are, that she

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. Ill
was a poor German girl, who, on her arrival in New York, was
sold for her passage over from Germany. That was then the uni
versal practice, and the only method that the poorer class of Ger
man emigrants had, when they wanted to emigrate to this coun
try. They were obliged,, before they embarked on ship-board for
America, to sign articles by which they bound themselves to the
captain, that, on their arrival here, they should be sold for their
passage money, for one, two, three, or four years, as the captain
could make a bargain with the purchaser, the captain being ob
liged to board them, &c. Whenever a ship arrived, it was imme
diately advertised that she had brought so many male and female
immigrants, who were to be sold for their passage."
They were usually sold into servitude, to such persons as would
take them at the shortest period of services, and pay the captain,
in advance, his charges for their passage and contingent expenses.
Purchasers were bound, on their part, to treat those servants kind
ly, and release them at the expiration of their time. This custom
continued for some twenty-five years after the close of the Ame
rican Revolution, and numbers who proved valuable citizens, avail
ed themselves of this method of crossing the Atlantic. When
passengers were advertised for sale, says Mr. Yates — " The
wealthy Germans and Low Dutch, from various parts of the
country, would then repair to New York and make their purcha
ses. Sometimes one would purchase for a number of families.
In this way it was, that the mother of Sir John was purchased
for her passage across the Atlantic by a man named Philips, re
siding about twelve miles above Schenectada, on the south side of
the Mohawk ; and nearly opposite Crane's village on the north
side of the river. Sir William, seeing the young woman at the
house of Mr. Philips, and being pleased with her, bought her
of him and took her to his dwelling at the old fort. Sir William
had three children by her, Sir John, Mrs. Guy Johnson and Mrs.
Col. Claus. Sir William never was married to her, until on her
death bed, and then he did it only with a view to legitimize
[legitimatise] his children by her. The ceremony was performed
by Mr. Barkley, the Episcopal minister residing at Fort Hunter,

112 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
where he officiated in a stone church built by Queen Anne for
the Mohawk Indians."
At page 387, vol. 1, of Stone's Brant, Molly Brant, a sister of
that chief, is spoken of as the wife of Sir William Johnson. With
reference to this woman, says the memoranda of Yates — " It is
true that Sir William was married to Molly according to the rites
of the Episcopal church, but a few years before his death. The
Baronet, feeling his life drawing to a close, and abhorring living
longer in adultery, to quiet his conscience, privately married Molly
to legitimize his children by her, as he had done those by the Ger
man girl, who was the mother of Sir John and his sisters."
Among the few who witnessed the ceremony of the Baronet's
second marriage, the memoranda names Robert Adams, a mer
chant of Johnstown, and Mrs. Rebecca Van Sickler : to the last
mentioned he accredits his authority. Mrs. V. S., as the manu
script continues, " was always received into all the respectable fa
milies in Johnstown as a welcome guest, and was very fbnd of re
lating anecdotes of Sir William. Molly was a very exemplary
woman, and was a communicant of the Episcopal church. Among
all the old inhabitants on the Mohawk, Molly was respected, as
not only reputable, but as an exemplary, pious, christian woman.
The care that she took of the education of her children, and the
manner in which she brought them up, is at once a demonstration
of the depth of the moral sense of duty that she owed her off
spring." As early as the summer of 1746, Colden, in his Indian history,
speaks of Mr. William Johnson (afterwards Sir William John
son) as " being indefatigable among the Mohawks." " He dressed
himself," says that writer, " after the Indian manner, made frequent
dances according to their custom when they excite to war, and
used all the means he could think of, at a considerable expense,
(which His Excellency, George Clinton, had promised to repay
him,) in order to engage them heartily in the war against Cana
da. [The same writer, noticing the efforts made by Johnson to
engage the Mohawk Nation in the British interest against the
French, in a war then existing, says that with a part of the Mo-

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 113
hawks then residing principally in the vicinity of the Lower Cas
tle, he went to Albany to attend a treaty.] " That when the In
dians came near the town of Albany, on the 8th of August, Mr.
Johnson put himself at the head of the Mohawks, dressed and
painted after the manner of an Indian war-captain ; and the In
dians who followed him were likewise dressed and painted as is
usual with them when they set out in war. The Indians saluted
the Governor as they passed the fort, by a running fire, which his
Excellency ordered to be answered by a discharge of some cannon
from the Fort. He afterwards received the sachems in the fort-
hall, bid them welcome, and treated them with a glass of wine."
Sir William was a military man of some distiction in the colony,
and during the French war, held a general's commission. Soon
after the signal defeat of Baron Dieskau, in 1755, by the troops
under Gen. Johnson, in the northern wilds of New York, the title
of baronet was conferred upon him, with a gift of parliament to
make it set easy, of five thousand pounds sterling, nearly twenty
thousand dollars — in consideration of his success. His fortune
was now made, and he was the man to enjoy it. Previously, he
erected Fort Johnson, a large stone mansion on the north side of
the Mohawk, about three miles west of Amsterdam, where he
resided for nearly twenty years. This building, which was a
noble structure for the middle of the last century, is pleasantly
situated near the hill on the west bank of a creek, on which the
Baronet built a grist mill. This dwelling, which was finished in
side in a then fashionable style, is said to have been fortified
from the time of its erection, until the conquest of Canada and
termination of the French war.
This place, (now owned by Dr. Oliver Davidson,) is called
Fort Johnson to this day. At a latter period he erected dwell
ings for his sons-in-law, Guy Johnson and Daniel Claus. That
occupied by the first flamed, a large stone dwelling, is still stand
ing one mile above Amsterdam, and was formerly called Guy
Park. Previous to its erection, he occupied a frame building
standing upon the same site, which was struck by lightning and
consumed.

114

HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,

loHi

SOUTH VIEW OF FORT JOHNSON.
The mansion of Col. Claus, which was about centrally distan
between Fort Johnson and Guy Park, was also constructed of
stone, and was large on the ground; but being only one and
and a half stories, high, it presented a less imposing appearance
than did the other Johnson buildings. The cellar of the latter
house is still to be seen. Each of those dwellings had a farm
attached to it of one square mile, or six hundred and forty acres.
About ten years before his death, Sir Wm. Johnson erected Johnsmi
Hall, a large wood building with detached stone wings, situated one
mile west from the village of Johnstown ; and on his removal to
that place, (at present owned and occupied by Mr. Eleazer Wells,)

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK.

115

Fort Johnson became the residence of his son, who, during a
visit to England, had also been gifted by royalty with a title to
his name ; and an annual stipend of five hundred pounds for the
honors of knighthood. Sir John married a Miss Watts of New
York city. He was also on terms of intimacy for several years
with Miss Clara Putman of the Mohawk valley, by whom he had
several children

IIIHEIL

llMJlF

minnl m

EAST VIEW OF JOHNSON HALL.

The following notice of the Baronet is from the September No.
( 1755) of the London Gentleman's Magazine. The article was
an extract from a journal written in America.
" Major General Johnson, (an Irish gentleman) is universally
esteemed in our parts, for the part he sustains. Besides his skill
and experience as an old officer, he is particularly happy in ma
king himself beloved by all sorts of people, and can conform to all
companies and conversations. He is very much of the fine gen
tleman in genteel company. But as the inhabitants next him are
mostly Dutch, he sits down with them, and smokes his tobacco,
drinks flip, and talks of improvements, bears and beaver skins.
Being surrounded with Indians, he speaks several of their lan
guages well, and has always some of them with him. His house
is a safe and hospitable retreat for them from the enemy. He
takes care of their wives and children when they go out on par
ties, and even wears their dress. In short, by his honest dealings
with them in trade, and his courage, which has often been suc
cessfully tried with them, and his courteous behaviour, he has so
endeared himself to them, that they chose him one of their chief
sachems or princes, and esteem him as their common father."

116 HISTORY, OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
Sir William Johnson lived in comparative opulence from the
time of his knighthood to the day of his death, which occurred
suddenly at Johnson Hall, on the 24th of June, 1774. He died
at the age of nearly sixty years. It was supposed by many of
his neighbors at that time, that he found means to shorten his
days by the use of poison. Col. Stone, in his Life of Brant, ex
presses a different opinion ; but several old people still hving,
who resided at that time, and have ever since, but a few miles
from Johnson Hall, believe to this day that he took the suicidal
draught. There were certainly some very plausible reasons for
such a conclusion. As the cloud of colonial difficulty was
spreading from the capital of New England to the frontier Eng
lish settlements, Sir William Johnson was urged by the British
crown to take sides with the parent country. He had been taken
from comparative obscurity, and promoted by the government of
England, to honors and wealth. Many wealthy and influential
friends around him, were already numbered among the advocates
of civil hberty. Should he raise his arm against that power
which had thus signally honored him*? Should he take sides
with the oppressor against many of his tried friends in a thousand
perilous adventures 1 These were serious questions, as we may
reasonably suppose, which often occupied his mind. The Baronet
declared to several of his valued friends, as the storm of civil dis
cord was gathering, that " England and her colonies were ap
proaching a terrible war, but that he should never live to witness
it." Such assertions were not only made to Lewis Groat, but
also to Daniel Campbell and John Baptist Van Eps, of Schenec
tada, and to some of them repeatedly. At the time of his death,
a court was sitting in Johnstown, and while in the court house on
the afternoon of the day of his death, a package from England, of
apolitical nature, was handed him. He left the court house,
went directly home, and in a few hours was a corpse. The fore
going particulars are corroborated by the researches of Giles F.
Yates Esq. The excitement of the occasion may have produced
his death without the aid of poison ; but as he died thus suddenly,
his acquaintances believed he had hastened his death. The three

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 117
individuals named, being together after the event, and speaking
of the Baronet's death, agreed in their opinion that his former
declarations were prophetic, and that he was a man sufficiently
determined to execute such design if once conceived. Col. Guy
Johnson succeeded Sir William at his death,as the superintendent
of Indian affairs for the colony of New York.
In 1775, Guy Johnson abandoned his situation on the Mohawk,
and, with Joseph Brant and a formidable number of the Six Na
tions, went to Canada. Whether Colonel Claus accompanied
Guy Johnson or Sir John to Canada, is uncertain ; but sure it is,
he also left his possessions in the valley and removed thither.
Sir John, violating a compact of neutrality made with General
Schuyler, set out for Canada in the month of May, 1776, ac
companied by about three hundred followers, mostly Scotch
settlers in and around Johnstown. After a march of nineteen
days through an almost unbroken wilderness, suffering severely
for the want of provisions, they reached Montreal. The wife of
Guy Johnson died a short time after her removal to Canada.

¦¦¦¦¦¦filHil

^*^*^^^^«**^^^^-'^^^^¥f^^^^^^^^^^g

NORTH VIEW OF GUY PARK.
Guy Park, which was just completed when its owner left it,
was occupied during the war by Henry Kennedy; Fort Johnson
by Albert Veeder ; and the Claus' house by Col. John Harper,
until it accidentally took fire from a supposed defect in the chim
ney, and burned down. A tavern was afterwards erected near
9

118 , HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
its site, and was for years known as the Simons place. These
buildings, and the lands of their owners, with Johnson Hall and
the lands belonging to it, were confiscated to the United States ;
as was also the property of Col. John Butler, one of the King's
justices for Tryon county, a man of influence and wealth, who re
moved at the beginning of the war from the same neighborhood
to Canada.
¦ The commissioners appointed March 6th, 1777, for disposing
of confiscated personal property in Tryon county, were Col. Fre
derick Fisher, Col. John Harper, and Maj. John Eisenlord. The
latter was, however, killed in the Oriskany battle, early in August
following, and his place supplied by one Garrison.
When the personal property of Sir John Johnson was sold,
which was some time before the sale of his real estate, his slaves
were disposed of among the " goods and chattels." Col. Volkert
Veeder bought the confidential one with whom the Knight left
his plate and valuable papers, who buried them after his former
master left. He kept the concealment of those valuables a secret
in his own breast for four years, until Sir John visited the Mo
hawk valley in 1780, and recovered them and the slave.
The commissioners for selling real estates in Tryon county,
were Henry Otthout and Jeremiah Van Rensselaer. They sold
Johnson Hall, with seven hundred acres of land, to James Cald
well of Albany, for £6,600^who soon after sold it for .£1,400.
Caldwell paid the purchase in public securities, bought up for a
song, and said he made money in the speculation, although he
disposed of the property for £5,200 less,, " on paper," than he
gave for it. This transaction will serve to show the state of
American credit at that period — probably in 1778 or '79.
Tradition says that a black ghost appeared several times dur
ing the Revolution, in a room in the north-west part of Fort
Johnson, while occupied by Veeder. In one of the rooms at Guy
Park, a female ghost resembling the then deceased wife of Guy
Johnson is said to have appeared, to the great annoyance of the
credulous Kennedy family. Even in the day time, they were
more than once alarmed. About this time a German, a stranger

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 119
to the family, called there, and inquired if the lady of its former
proprietor had not been seen ; and when answered in the affirma
tive, he requested permission to tarry over night in the haunted
room. It was readily granted, and he retired at an early hour.
In the morning before his departure, he told the family they need
be under no further apprehension, that the ghost would not again
appear ; and in truth she did not. The mystery of the visits to
those dwellings, which was a favorite theme on the tongue of the
marvelous for many years, has never been revealed, and some of
the old people living in the vicinity still beheve that the visitants
were supernatural beings, or real ghosts. The truth probably is,
that the black ghost seen at Fort Johnson, was not the ideal, but
the flesh and blood person of the confidential slave of its former
proprietor ; who, by showing his ivory tp some purpose, took ad
vantage of the fears of the family to bear off some valuable arti
cle secreted in some part of the building by its former occupants.
Nor is it unlikely that a similar mission prompted some female to
visit Guy Park — for ghosts never travel by daylight — that she
could not find the article sought for, and that consequently a man,
a stranger to the family, whose agent she may have been, know
ing she had failed to obtain the treasure, visited the house, and
by gaining access to the room, found the object desired, and could
then tell the family confidently that the ghost would not reap
pear. Many valuable articles were left behind by tories in their
flight, who expected soon to return and recover them ; and when
they found the prospect of their return cut off, or long delayed,
they then obtained them by the easiest means possible — and sure
ly none were easier than through the mystery of superstition.
From the great facility of Sir William Johnson to obtain lands,
he became a most extensive land-bolder. He was remarkably
fond of women; and is believed to have been the father of
several scores — some say an hundred children; by far the larger
number of whom were part native, some by young squaws, and
others by the wives of Indians who thought it an honor to have
them on intimate terms with the king's agent ; and would even
bring them a great distance to prostitute them to his insatiable

120 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
lust The Five Nations, says Colden, carried their hospitali
ty to distinguished strangers so far, as to allow them their choice
of a young squaw, from among the prettiest in the neighborhood,
(washed clean and dressed iri her best apparel) as a companion
during his sojourn with them ; who performed all the duties of a
fond wife. Of this custom, which was in vogue when the Baron
et settled among them, he availed himself. He had a rich scar
let blanket made, and bound with gold lace, which he wore
when transacting business with the Indians, and it being a par
tial adoption of their own style of wardrobe, it pleased them very
much. He often boasted of the pleasurable scenes of which that
blanket was the sole witness. He erected buildings at a place
called the Fish House, on the south bank of the Sacondaga river,
some twelve or fifteen miles north-east of Johnstown, where he
kept two white concubines, by the name of Wormwood. After
the death of the mother of Sir John Johnson and his two own
sisters, the Baronet took to his bosom Molly Brant, with whom
he lived until his death. She was the mother of seven of his
children. Many pleasing anecdotes are related of Sir William Johnson,
who perhaps exerted an unbounded influence over a greater num
ber of Indians, than it was ever the lot of another white man to
obtain in North America. His general character was rather happily
elineated by Paulding in his Dutchman's Fireside. Wljen he
had trinkets and other presents to distribute among the Five Na
tions, and they assembled around Fort Johnson, and afterwards
Johnson Hall, his tenants and neighbors were invited to be pre
sent. He was extravagantly fond of witnessing athletic feats,
and on such occasions was gratified. On those festivals, not only
young Indians and squaws, but whites, both male and female,
were often seen running foot races, or wrestling for some gaudy
trinket, or fancy article of wearing apparel. Men were some
times seen running foot races for a prize, with a meal-bag drawn
over their legs and tied under the arms. The ludicrous figure
presented by the crippled strides and frequent tumbles of those
competitors, was a source of no little pleasure. Not unffequent-

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 121
ly a fat swine was the prize of contention. Its tail being well
greased, the whole hog was given its freedom, and the individual
who could seize and hold it by the tail became its lawful owner.
It required a powerful gripe to win, and many a hand did such
prizes usually slip through. An old woman is said to have seized
on one, amid the jeers of the laughing multitude, after it had es
caped the grasp of many strong hands, and firmly held it. The
secret was, she had prepared herself with a handful of sand. On
one occasion, half a pound of tea was awarded to the individual
who could, by contortion of feature, make the wryest face. Two
old women were sometimes heard scolding most vehemently, the
successful one to be rewarded with a bladder of Scotch snuff.
The erection of a straight pole, after it had been peeled and well
besmeared with soft-soap, with a prize upon its top worth seek
ing,— and after which the young Indians," in a state of nudity,
would climb, was an oft repeated source of amusement. Children
were sometimes seen searching in a mud-puddle for coppers Sir
William had thrown in. His ingenuity was taxed for new sour
ces of -merriment, and various were the expedients adopted to give
zest to the scenes exhibited on those gala days. He was also a
man of considerable taste, and discovered not a little in the culti
vation of shrubbery around Fort Johnson.
As the Johnsons were extensive land-owners, and preferred leas
ing to selling land, their disaffection to the American govern
ment, and its final confiscation, was a good thing for the country,
as it became subsequently occupied by freeholders. The confis
cated lands of the Johnson family, must have yielded no in
considerable sum to an impoverished treasury.
The following anecdote is related of Sir William Johnson, who
preferred retaining in himself the right of soil to his landed pos
sessions. He one day visited a tenant who was engaged in chop
ping wood for him. After some little conversation, the chopper
described a certain one hundred acre lot in Albany bush, (now the
eastern part of Johnstown,) and asked the Baronet what he would
take for it, and execute him a deed. The latter, supposing the
man had very little money, named a sum which was about the

122 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
real value of the soil. "I will tafte it,", was the quipk and em
phatic reply of the laborer ; and he began counting out the mo
ney to his astonished landlord, upon the very stump the last fallen
tree had left. " I would rather not have sold it for twice that
sum," said Sir William, " but since you have fairly bought it,
you shall have a title to it ;" and taking the money, he executed
a deed to him. He was the patron of , many laudable enterprises,
and I must suppose him to have aided in establishing Queen's
College, N. J., as he was the first trustee named in the charter.
In the summer of 1764, says the Gentleman's Magazine, pub
lished soon after,
" Sir William Johnson, with a body of regular and provincial
forces, to which more than one thousand friendly Indians have
joined themselves, has lately marched to visit the forts of Oswego,
Niagara, Detroits, Pittsburg, fyc, in order to strike terror in the
Western nations, and to reduce them to reason ; many of these
nations are unknown to their brethren, and some have already of
fered terms of peace ; the Shawnese are the most formidable of
those who stand out : And the friendly Indians express great eager
ness to attack them. Since the march of these troops, the back
settlements have enjoyed perfect tranquility ; and the Senecas have
sent in a great number of English prisoners, agreeable to their en
gagement." In the May number of the same Magazine, for 1765, 1 find the
following additional notice of the Baronet :
" Sir William Johnson at his seat at Johnson Hall, in North
America, has had a visit lately paid him by upwards of a thousand
Indians of different tribes, all in friendship ; greatly to the satis
faction of his Excellency, as tending to promote a good understand
ing with those nations, for the good of his Majesty's subjects."
Before his death, Sir William Johnson willed to his children by
Miss Brant, the valuable lands known as the Royal Grant, which
he obtained so easily from the celebrated warrior Hendrick. Af
ter death, his remains were placed in a mahogany coffin, and that
inclosed in a leaden one, previous to being deposited in a vault
beneath the Episcopal Church ; which building was erected in
Johnstown about the year 1772. At some period of the Revolu
tion, lead being very scarce, the vault was opened and the leaden
coffin taken by the patriots and moulded into bullets. The coffin

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK.

123

containing the body having become somewhat broken, a new one
was made after the war closed, and the Baronet's remains trans
ferred to it. The lid of the first coffin, which bore his name in
silver nails, was afterward suspended in the church. Not many
years ago, the edifice was fitted up at considerable cost, at which
time the vault was filled up with sand. In a destructive fire which
subsequently visited Johnstown, the church was burned down;
and on its being rebuilt, the site was so altered as to leave the
grave of Sir William* outside its walls. — Alexander J. Comrie.

HENDRICK, GREAT CHIEF OF THE MOHAWK NATION.

" The brave old Hendrick, the great Sachem or Chief" of th
Mohawk Indians, one of the Six Nations now in Alliance with, and
subject to the King of Great Britain."
* A portrait of Sir William Johnson was owned in Johnstown until about
the year 1830, when it was purchased by a member ofthe Col. Claus family
for a small sum, and taken to Canada.— Mrs- W. S.

124 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY.
At the bottom of the picture is the preceding explanation.
This celebrated warrior, commonly called King Hendrick, was,
for a time, the most distinguished Indian in the colony of New
York. For the picture from which the above was engraved, I
would here acknowledge my indebtedness to John S. Walsh, Esq., of
Bethlehem. This interesting relic of the Mohawk valley, around
which cluster associations of classic interest, connected with the
colonial history of the state, was sold in the revolution among the
confiscated property of Sir John Johnson, went into the Cuyler
family for a length of time, and subsequently into that of Mr.
Walsh. The tradition in the latter family is, that Hendrick visit
ed England in the evening of his hfe, and that while there was
presented, by his Majesty, with a suit of clothes richly embroid
ered with goldflace, in which he sat for his portrait. As he is
represented in full court dress, it is highly probable the tradition
is correct. The original picture -is a spirited engraving — colored
to life and executed in London, but at what date is unknown ;
probably about the year 1745 or '50. He visited Philadelphia
some time before his death, says the historian Dwight, at which
time his likeness was taken ; from which a wax figure was made,
said to have been a good imitation of his person.
King. Hendrick was born about the year 1680, and generally
dwelt at the Upper Castle of the Mohawk nation, although for a
time he resided near the present residence of Nicholas Yost, on
the north side of the Mohawk, below the Nose. He was one of
the most sagaeious and active sachems of his time. He stood high
in the confidence of Sir William Johnson, with whom he was en
gaged in many perilous enterprises against the Canadian French ;
and under whose command he fell in the battle of Lake George,
September 8th, 1755, covered with glory. In the November
number of the Gentleman's Magazine, for 1755, is the' following
notice of his death :
" The whole body of our Indians were prodigiously exasperated
against the French and their Indians, occasioned by the death of
the famous Hendrick, a renowned Indian warrior among the Mo
hawks, and one of their sachems, or kings, who was slain in the
battle, and whose son upon being told that his father was killed,

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 125
giving the usual Indian groan upon such occasions, and suddenly
putting his hand on his left breast, swore his father was still alive
in that place, and stood there in his son."
The tract of land owned by Sir William Johnson, and called
the Royal Grant, which contained nearly one hundred thousand
acres of choice land, now mostly situated in the county of Herki
mer, was obtained from Hendrick in the following manner. Be
ing at the Baronet's house (Fort Johnson) the sachem observed a
new coat, richly embroidered with gold lace, which the former
intended for his own person; and on entering his presence after a
night's rest, he said to him, "Brother, me dream last night."
" Indeed," responded the royal agent, " and what did my red
brother dream?" "Me dream," was the chief's reply, "that
this coat be mine !" " Then," said the sagacious Irishman, " it
is yours, to which you are welcome." Soon after this interview,
Sir William returned his guest's( visit, and on meeting him in the
morning said to him, " Brother, I dreamed last night !" " What
did my pale-faced brother dream'?" interrogated the Sachem.
" I dreamed," said his guest, " that this tract of land," describing
a square bounded on the south by the Mohawk, on the east by
Canada creek, and on the north and west by objects familiar to
them, " was all my own !" Old Hendrick assumed a thoughtful
mood, but although he saw the enormity of the request, he would
not be outdone in generosity, or forfeit the friendship of the
British agent, and soon responded, " Brother, the land is yours,
but you must not dream again !" The title to this land was con
firmed by the British government, on which account it was called
the Royal Grant. — Henry Frey Yates, Esq.
In the summer of 1754, a plan of colonial alliance was pro
posed in the American colonies, to resist the encroachments of
the Canadian French and Indians, in furtherance of which the
chiefs of the Six Nations of New York met the commissioners
of the several governments at Albany on the 2d of July ; when
those Sachems were addressed by James De Lancey, then lieu
tenant governor of the colony. Hendrick, whose speeches are
said to have been correctly reported for the London Magazine, in

126 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
which I find them, was the principal speaker; and as those
speeches will compare for reasoning and pathos with those of
modern statesmen, indeed, would not have disgraced a Demos
thenes, and will serve to introduce the young reader to an almost
extinct race of men, I insert them.
Abraham, Sachem of the Upper Castle of the Mohawks, rose
up and said —
" Brethren, You, the governor of New York, and the commis
sioners of the other governments, are you ready 'to hear us ! The
governor replied, they were all ready.
" Then Hendrick, brother to the said Abraham, and a Sachem
of the same castle, rose up and spake in behalf of the Six Na
tions as follows :
" Brethren, just now you told us you were ready to hear us ;
hearken unto me.
" Brother Corlaer, (a name given to the governor of New York
by the Indians long ago,) and brothers of the other governments,
Saturday last you told us that you came here by order of the great
king our common father, and in his name to renew the antient
chain of friendship between this and the other governments on
the continent, and us the Six United Nations : And you said also,
there were then present commissioners from Massachusetts Bay,
New Hampshire, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Pensylvania, and
Maryland ; and that Virginia and Carolina desired to be con
sidered also as present : We rejoice that by the king's orders, we
are all met here this day, and are glad to see each other face, to
face ; we are very thankful for the same, and we look upon the
governors of South Carolina and Virginia as also present, [a belt.
" Brethren, We thank you in the most hearty manner for your
condolence to us ; we also condole all your relations and friends
who have died since our last meeting here. [gave three
strings of wampum.
" Brethren, (holding the chain belt given by his honor and the
several governors in his hand,) We return you all our grateful
acknowledgements for renewing and brightening the covenant-
chain. " This belt is of very great importance to our united nations
and all our allies. We will therefore take it to Onondago, where
our council-fire always burns, and keep it so securely, that neither
thunder nor lightning shall break it. There we will consult over
it, and as we have lately added two links to it, so we will use
our endeavors to add as many links more as it lies in our power :
And we hope when we shew you this belt again, we shall give
you reason to rejoice af it, by your seeing the vacancies in it filled
up (referring to his honor's explanation of it in his general speech).
In the mean time we desire that you will strengthen yourselves,
and bring as many into this covenant as you possibly can. We

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 127
do now solemnly renew and brighten the covenant-chain with our
brethren here present, and with all our other absent brethren on
the continent.
" Brethren, As to the accounts you have heard of our living
divided from each other, it is very true, we have several times
attempted to draw off those of our brethren who are settled at
Oswegatie, but in vain ; for the governor of Canada is like a
wicked deluding spirit ; however, as you desire, we shall persist
in our endeavors.
" You have asked us the reason of our living in this divided
manner; the reason is, ybur neglecting us these three years past;
(then taking a stick and throwing it behind his back) You have
thus thrown us behind your backs, and disregarded us ; whereas,
the French are subtle and vigilant people, ever using their utmost
endeavors to seduce and bring our people over to them. [a belt.
" Brethren, The encroachments of the French, and what you
have said to us on that article on behalf of the king our father ;
as these matters were laid before us as of great importance, so
we have made strict enquiry among all our people, if any of them
have either sold or given the French leave to build the forts you
mention, and we cannot find that either sale has been made or
leave has been given ; but the French have gone thither without
our consent or approbation, nor ever mentioned it to us.
"Brethren, The governor of Virginia and the governor of
Canada are both quarrelling about lands which belong to us, and
such a quarrel as this may end in our destruction. They fight
who shall have the land ; the governors of Virginia and Pennsyl
vania have made paths through our country to trade, and built
houses without acquainting us with it ; They should have first
asked our consent to build there, as was done when Oswego was
built. [gave a belt.
" Brethren, It is very true, as you told us, that the clouds
hang heavy over us, and it is not very pleasant to look up, but
we give you this belt [giving a belt] to clear away all clouds, that
we may all live in bright sunshine, and keep together in strict
union and friendship ; then we shall become strong, and nothing
can hurt us.
" Brethren, This is the antient place of treaty where the fire of
friendship always used to burn, and it is now three years since
we have been called to any public treaty here ; 'tis true, there are
commissioners here, but they have never invited us to smoke
with them (by which they mean, the commissioners had never
invited them to any conference), but the Indians of Canada came
frequently and smoked with them, which is for the sake of their
beaver, but we hate them (meaning the French Indians) : We
have not as yet confirmed the peace with them : 'tis your fault,
brethren, we are not strengthened by conquest, for we should
have gone and taken Crown Point, but you hindered us : We had
concluded to go and take it ; but we were told it was too late, and

128 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY
that the ice would not bear us. Instead of this you burnt your
own fort at Saraghtogee and run away from it ; which was a
shame and a scandal to you. Look about your country, and see
you have no fortifications about you, no, not even to this city.
'Tis but one step from Canada hither, and the French may easily
come and turn you out of doors.
" Brethren, You desired us to speak from the bottom of our
hearts, and we shall do it. Look about you, and see all these
houses full of beaver, and the money is all gone to Canada; like
wise your powder, lead, and guns, which the French make use of
at the Ohio.
" Brethren, You were desirous we should open our minds and
our hearts to you ; look at the French, they are men ; they are
fortifying every where ; but we are ashamed to say it ; you are
like women, bare and open, without any fortifications."
At the close of the above speech, Abraham, a brother of Hen
drick, rose up and said :
" Brethren, We should let you know what was our desire three
years ago, when Col. Johnson [he was promoted to Major General
in 1754] laid down the management of Indian affairs, which gave
us great uneasiness ; the governor then told us, (governor of New
York) it was in his power to continue him, but that he would con
sult the council of New York ; that he was going over to England,
and promised to recommend our desire, that Col. Johnson should
have the management of Indian affairs, to the king, that the new
governor might have power to reinstate him. We long waited in
expectation of this being done, but hearing no more "of it, we em
brace this opportunity of laying this belt [and gave a belt] before
all our brethren here present, and desire that Col. Johnson may be
reinstated and have the management of Indian affairs ; for we all
lived happy whilst under his management ; for we love him, and
he us ; and he has always been our good and trusty friend.
" Brethren, I forgot something ; we think our request about Col.
Johnson, which governor Clinton promised to carry to the king our
father, is drowned in the sea ; the fire here is burnt out ;' and
turning his face to the New York commissioners for Indian affairs
in Albany there present, desired them to notice what he said."
On the same day, Hendrick, in the name of the Mohawks of
the Upper Castle (Connejohary) in a private audience, delivered
the following speech — in the presence of several sachems of each
of the other nations, to the governor of New York :
_ " Brother, We had a message some time since to meet you at
his place when the fire burns ; we of Connejohary, met the mes
senger you sent with a letter at Col. Johnson's ; and as soon as
we received it we came running down, and the Six Nations are
now here complete."

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 129
The Governor replied —
" Brethren of the Six Nations, you are welcome, I take this op
portunity, now you are all together, to condole the loss in the
death of your friends and relations since you last met here ; and
with this string of wampum I wipe away your tears, and take sor
row from your hearts, that you may open your minds and speak
freely." [a string of wampum.
Hendrick continued —
" Brother, We thank yon for condoling our loss ; for wiping
away our tears that we may speak freely ; and as we do not doubt
but you have lost some of your great men and friends, we give you
this string of condolence in return, that it may remove your sor
rows, that we may both speak freely : [gave a string.] (Then Hen-
drickj addressing himself to the Six Nations, said,) "That last
year he attended Col. Johnson to Onondago to do service to the
king and their people ; that Col. Johnson told them, another gov
ernor was expected soon, and they would then have an opportu
nity of seeing him, and laying their grievances before him. — That
the new governor arrived soon after, and scarcely had they heard
of his arrival, but they had an account of his death: and that
now he was glad to see his honor, to whom he would declare his
grievances. " Brother, We thought you would wonder why we of Connejo
hary staid so long ; we shall now give you the reason. Last sum
mer We of Connejohary were at New York to make our complaint,
and we thought then the covenant chain was broken, because we
were neglected ; and when you neglect business, the French take
advantage of it ; for they are never quiet. — It seemed so to us,
that the governor had turned his back upon the Five Nations, as
if they were no more ; whereas the French are doing all in their
power to draw us over to them. We told the governor last sum
mer, we blamed him for the neglect of the Five Nations; and at
the same time we told him the French were drawing the Five Na
tions away to Oswegechie, owing to that neglect which might have
been prevented, if proper use had been made of that warning ;
but now we are afraid it is too late. We remember how it was in
former times, when we were a strong and powerful people : Col.
Schuyler used frequently to come among us, and by this means we
kept together.
" Brother, We, the Mohawks, are in very difficult circumsran-
ces, and are blamed for things behind our backs which we do not
deserve. Last summer, when we went up with Col. Johnson to
Onondago, and he made his speech to the Five Nations, the Five
Nations said they liked the speech, but that the Mohawks had made
it. We are looked upon by the other nations as Col. Johnson's
counsellors, and supposed to hear all the news from him, which is
not the case ; for Col. Johnson does not receive from, or impart
much news to us. This is our reason for staying behind, for if we
had come first, the other nations would have said that we made the

130 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
Governor's speech; and therefore, though we- were resolved to
come, we intended the other nations should be before us, that they
might hear the Governor's speech, which we could hear afterwards.
" There are some of our people who have large open ears, and
talk a little broken English and Dutch, so that they hear what is
said by the Christian settlers near them, and by this means we
come to understand that we are looked upon to be a proud nation,
and therefore stayed behind. 'Tis true and known we are so ; and
that we, the Mohawks, are the head of all the other nations. Here
they are, and must own it, But it was not out of pride we Conne-
joharies stayed behind ; but for the reason we have already given."
A speaker followed Hendrick, in behalf of all the Six Nations.
After expressing his joy at the renewal of the ancient covenant-
chain between all his Majesty's governments on the continent and
the Six Nations ; for the promises on the part of the New York
Governor of future protection ; and the danger he thought they
would be in, if Col. Johnson left off the management of Indian af
fairs, — observing, if he fail us, we die, — he alluded to what the
Governor of Pennsylvania, through Mr. Weiser, his interpreter, had
said on the day before, respecting a new road from Pennsylvania
to Ohio. " We thank the Governor of Virginia," said he, " for
assisting the Indians at the Ohio, who are our relations and allies ;
and we approve of the Governor of Pennsylvania not having
hitherto intermeddled in this affair. He is a wise and prudent
man, and will know his own time." He closed as follows : —
" Brethren, We put you in mind in our former speech of the de
fenceless state of our frontiers, particularly of the country of Che-
nectady, and of the country of the Five Nations. You told us yes
terday you were consulting about securing both yourselves and us.
We beg you will contrive something speedily: you are not safe
from danger one day. The French have their hatchet in their
hands both at the Ohio and in two places in New England. We
don't know but this very night they may attack us. One of the1
principal reasons why we desire you to be speedy in this matter is,
that since Col. Johnson has been in this city, there has been a
French Indian at his house, who took measure of the wall round
it, and made a very narrow observation of every thing thereabouts.
We think him (Col. Johnson) in very great danger, because the
French will take more than ordinary pains either to kill him or
take him a prisoner, upon account of his great interest among us,
being also one of the Five Nation." {Col. Johnson is one of their
Sachems.) [Gave four strings of wampum.

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 131
The Governor replied —
" I have now done speaking to you ; but before I cover up the
fire I must, recommend to you to behave quietly and peaceably to
all your brethren and their cattle, in your return home."
Hendrick responded —
" Your honor told us you now covered up the fires, and we are
all highly pleased that all things have been so amicably settled ;
and hope that'all that has passed between us may be strictly ob
served on both sides.
" Brethren of the several governments, We hope that you will
not fail in the covenant-chain, wherewith we are mutually bound,
and have now so solemnly renewed and strengthened ; if we do
not hold fast by this chain of friendship our enemies will laugh us
to scorn.
" Brethren, We wish you would all contribute to make some
provision for us in our return home, which will effectually prevent
our people from killing the inhabitants' cattle ; and we desire you
will provide some wagons for us to go to Chenectady. We think
this expense will fall too heavy upon our province, as we have the
presents from all to carry up. We beg we may take all care of
the fire of friendship, and preserve it, by our mutual attention,
from further injuries. We will take care of it on our sides,
and hope our brethren will do so on theirs. We wish the tree of
friendship may grow up to a great height, and then we shall be a
powerful people.
" We, the United Six Nations, shall rejoice in the increase of
our strength, so that all other nations may stand in awe of us.
" Brethren, I will just tell you what a people we were formerly.
If any enemies rose against us, we had no occasion to lift our whole
hand against them, for our little finger was sufficient ; and as we
have now made so strong a confederacy, if we are truly earnest
therein, we may retrieve the ancient glory of the Five Nations.
" Brethren, We have now done. But one word more must we
add : If the French continue their hostilities, the interpreter will
want assistance — three or four to be joined with him ; but this
matter we submit to the Governor. We have now fully finished
all we have to say."
The following speech, delivered at the same convention by one
of the River or Stockbridge Indians, is too full of figure and me
lancholy truth to be omitted in this place :
" Fathers, We are greatly rejoiced to see you all here ; it is by
the will of Heaven that we are met here, and we thank you for
this opportunity of seeing you all together, as it is a long while
since we had such a one.

132 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
" Fathers, who are here present, We will give you a short rela
tion of the long friendship which has subsisted between the white
people of this country and us. Our forefathers had a castle on
the river : as one of them walked out he saw something on the
river, but was at a loss to know what it was ; he took it at first for
a gTeat fish ; he run into the castle and gave notice to the other
Indians ; two of our forefathers went to see what it was, and found
it a vessel with men in it ; they immediately joined hands with
the people in the vessel, and became friends. The white people
told them they should not come up the river any further at that
time, and said to them they would return back from whence they
came, and come again in a year's time, and come as far up the
river as where the old fort stood. Our fathers invited them ashore,
and said to them " Here we will give you a place to make you a
town ; it shall be from this place up to such a stream, (meaning
where the petteroon mill now stands,) and from the river back up
to the hill. Our forefathers told them, though they were now a
small people, they would in time multiply, and fill up the land
they had given them. After they were ashore some time, some
other Indians, who had not seen them before, looked fiercely at
them ; and our forefathers observing it, and seeing the white peo
ple so few in number, lest they should be destroyed, took and shel
tered them under their arms ; but it turned out that those Indians
did not desire to destroy them, but wished also to have the same
white people for their friends. At this time which we have now
spoken of, the white people were small, but we were very numer
ous and strong ; we defended them in that low state : But now the
case is altered ; you are numerous and strong, but we are few and
weak ; therefore we expect that you will act by ns in these cir
cumstances, as we did by you in those we have just now related.
We view you now as a very large tree, which has taken deep root
in the ground, whose branches are spread very wide. We stand
by the body of the tree, and we look round to see if there be any
one who endeavors to hurt it, and if it should so happen, that any
are powerful enough to destroy it, we are ready to fall with it.
[gave a belt.
" Fathers, you see how early we made friendship with you ; we
tied each other in a strong chain : That chain has not yet been
broken : We now clean and rub that chain to make it brighter
and stronger ; and we determine on our parts that it shall never
be broken; and we hope that you will take care, that neither you
nor any one else shall break it ; and we are greatly rejoiced, that
peace and friendship have so long subsisted between us." — Gen
tlemen's Magazine.
The three Castles of the Mohawk Nation, says Colden, were
all surprised and captured by a party of six or seven hundred
French and Indians, on the 8th of March, 1693. The Lower

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 133
Castle was bravely defended by the few warriors who chanced to
be in it, until they were overpowered by numbers.
In the reign of Queen Anne of England, and about the year
1710, a frontier military post was established at the junction of
the Schoharie and Mohawk rivers, on the east bank of the form
er, and near the eastern Mohawk Castle. Captain John Scott,
an English officer, erected a small fort of hewn timber at this
place, and called it Fort Hunter, in honor of Robert Hunter, then
governor of the colony ; which fort wajs intended to protect the
natives against the hostile French, and secure their trade. About
the same time a small church was built near the fort, and called
Queen Anne's Chapel. It was erected by the Queen, whose mu
nificence endowed it, says Colden, " with furniture, and a valuable
set of plate for the communion table." It was a substantial stone
edifice, somewhat resembling in appearance the one afterwards
erected at Caughnawaga, and was for a great length of time un
der the management of an Episcopal Society in England, for
propagating the gospel in foreign parts, which society supported
a minister at this place as a missionary among the Mohawk In
dians. The entrance to the chapel was on its north side near the
centre. The pulpit, which was provided with a sounding board,
stood at the west end, and directly opposite were two pews fin
ished for the occupancy of Sir William Johnson and the minister's
family ; the floor of which was elevated. Johnson's pew was
also furnished with a wooden canopy. Moveable benches served
the rest of the congregation with seats.
Fort Hunter was a place of no little importance in the early
history of the Mohawk valley ; and at thSt post were doubtless
planned some important enterprises against the Canadas. Speak
ing of the Indian " war dances," Colden says :
" An /ifficer of the regular troops told me, that while he was
commandant of Fort Hunter, the Mohawks on one of these occa
sions, (that of a war dance,) told him, that they (the Indians) ex
pected the usual military honors as they passed the garrison. The
men presented their pieces as the Indians passed, and the drum
beat a march ; and with less respect, the officer said, they would
have been dissatisfied. The Indians passed in single row one af-
10

134

HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,

ter another, with great gravity and profound silence ; and every
one of them, as he passed the officer, took his gun from his should
er, and fired into the ground near the officer's foot : They marched
in this manner three or four miles from their Castle. The women
on these occasions follow them with their old clothes, and they
send back by them their finery in which they marched from the
Castle." The ruins of old Fort Hunter were torn down at the beginning
of the Revolution, and the chapel enclosed by heavy palisades.
In the corners of the yard were small block houses mounting can
non. This place, which continued to be called Fort Hunter, was
garrisoned in the latter part of the war, and Capt. Tremper, from
below Albany, was its commandant. The chapel was torn down
about the year 1820, to make room for the Erie canal.

AA^AA.^ r^
.;.*-. , , ..,„.,_.„:•-:_-...
QUEEN ANNE'S CHAPEL PARSONAGE.
Queen Anne's chapel was early provided with a small bell,
which is now in use on the Academy in Johnstown. A glebe or
farm of three hundred acres of good land was attached to it,
which was conveyed at some period by the natives to Dr. Bar
clay, and by him to the society alluded to, on their reimbursing

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 135
him moneys expended upon it. The parsonage house, said to have
been built about the time the chapel was, is still standing in Flo
rida, half a mile below the Schoharie, and a few rods south of
the canal, from which it is visible. It is a stone building, some
twenty-five by thirty-five feet on the ground, two stories high,
with a quadrangular roof, presents a very ancient appearance,
and is possibly the oldest house west of Schenectada in the Mo
hawk valley. The chapel farm was disposed of some years ago,
and part of the proceeds, nearly fifteen hundred dollars, were laid
out in erecting the Episcopal Church at Port Jackson, in the
same town ; and the residue, an equal sum, invested In the Epis
copal Church of Johnstown. — Spafford's Gazetteer, Peter Put-
man, J. L. Groat, A. J. Comrie, and others.
The chapel parsonage at Fort Hunter, is now owned and oc
cupied by Nicholas Reese. The last occupant under the patron
age of the Missionary Society, was the Rev. John Stuart, who
was officiating there at the beginning of the revolution. He re
moved, with the Indians under his charge, to Canada — they choos
ing to follow the fortunes of the Johnsons and Butlers. I have
in my possession a bill of sale from Mr. Stuart to John Conyn,
who returned to the Mohawk after the revolution, of a male slave
called Tom Doe, who went from Fort Hunter with his master to
Canada. The sale was for $275 in specie, and was dated at
Montreal, November 19, 1783. At the close of the war, Mr.
Stuart settled on Grand river, and resumed his ministerial labors.
In 1720, Captain Scott took a patent for the lands extending
from Aurie's creek to the Yates and Fonda line, near the present
village of Fultonville. Aurie is the Dutch of Aaron, and the
creek was so called after an old Indian warrior named Aaron,
who Uved many years in a hut which stood on the flats now
owned by J. C. Yost, on the east side of the creek. The adjoin
ing village was named after the stream.
Early in the eighteenth century, three brothers named Quack-
enboss emigrated from Holland to the colony of New York ; one
of them locating at New York city, and the other two at Albany.
Peter, one of the latter, settled on Scott's patent, only two or

136 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
three years after it was secured. He resided near Aurie's creek
at the now Leslie Voorhees' place. Mr. Quackenboss had several
children grown up when he arrived in the country, and David,
his elder son, after a somewhat romantic courtship, married Miss
Ann, a daughter of Captain Scott, and settled on Scott's Patent,
where the Montgomery county poor house now stands. A young
officer under the command of Captain Scott, requested young
Quackenboss, then in the employ of the captain, to speak a good
word for him to Miss Ann, which he readily promised to do.
While extolling the good qualities of her admirer, he took occa
sion to suggest his partiality for herself. The 'maiden, who had
conceived an attachment for Quackenboss instead of the young
subaltern, shrewedly asked him why he did not make advances
on his own account. He had not presumed on so advantageous
a match ; but the hint was sufficient to secure his fortune and
happiness. His son John, a fruit of this connection, born about the
year 1725, was the first white child born on the south side of the
Mohawk — west of Fort Hunter, and east of the German settle
ments some distance above. Captain Scott had one son who be
came a general officer. — John Scott Quackenboss.
About the year 1740, a small colony consisting of sixteen
families of Irish immigrants was planted, under the patronao-e of
Wm. Johnson, afterwards baronet, on lands now owned by
Henry Shelp, a few miles south-west of Fort Hunter, in the pre
sent town of Glen. Several years after they had built them
selves rude dwellings, cleared lands, planted orchards, and com
menced their agricultural labors, a disturbance arose between the
Indian Confederacy of New York and the Canadian Indians,
which the colonists conceived endangered their domestic tranquili
ty ; in consequence of which the settlement was broken up, and
the chicken-hearted pioneers, then numbering eighteen or twenty
families, returned to the Emerald Isle. Traces of their residence
are visible at the present day. — John Hughes and Peter Pulman.
The first merchant in the Mohawk valley west of Schenectada,
was Maj. Jelles (Giles) Fonda, a son of Douw Fonda, an early
settler at Caughnawaga. For many years he carried on an ex-

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 137
tensive business for the times, at the latter* place — trading with
the white citizens of the valley, and the natives of western New
York ; the latter trade being carried on at old Fort Schuyler, now
Utica; Fort Stanwix, (called in the revolution Fort Schuyler,)
now Rome, and Forts Oswego, Niagara and Schlosser. An ab
stract from his ledger shows an indebtedness of his customers at
one time just before the revolution, amounting to over ten thou
sand dollars. Many of his good he imported directly from Lon
don. To his Indian customers he sold blankets, trinkets, ammu
nition and rum ; and received in return, peltries and ginseng root.
The latter was at that time an important item among the ex
ports of what was then, Western New York ; and the two named
added to the article of pot-ash, almost the only commodities pur
chased in a foreign market.
The following anecdote is believed to be true. In the employ
of Sir William Johnson a few years before his death, was an
Irishman named McCarthy, by reputation the most noted pugil
ist in Western New York. The baronet offered to pit his fellow
countryman against any man who could be produced for a fist fight.
Major Fonda, tired of hearing the challenge, and learning that
a very muscular Dutchman named John Van Loan, was living
near Brakabeen, in the Schoharie valley, made a journey of some
forty or fifty miles, to secure his professional sevices, for he, too,
was reputed a bully. Van Loan readily agreed to flog the son
of Erin, for a ten pound note. At a time appointed, numbers
were assembled at Caughnawaga to witness the contest between
the pugilists. After McCarthy had been swaggering about in the
crowed for a while, and greatly excited public expectation by
his boasting, inducing numbers to bet on his head, his competi
tor appeared ready for the contest — clad for the occasion in a
shirt and breeches of dressed deer-skin fitted tight to his person.
A ring was formed and the battle commenced. The bully did
his best, but it was soon evident that he was not a match for his
Dutch adversary, who slipped through his fingers like an eel,
and parried his blows with the greatest ease. Completely ex
hausted and almost bruised to a jelly, Sir William's gamester was

138 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
removed, looking if not expressing — peccavi. — Abraham A. Van
Home, who obtained the facts from a son of Van Loan.
I have spoken in the preceding chaper, of the custom of pro
viding refreshments at funerals; a practice which continued in
vogue in some degree for at least one hundred years, and until
about the year 1825. Smoking was an attendant on the prevail
ing habit, as the following order from Col. Dl. Claus, will show.
" Sir — I have sent the bearer for four dozen of Pipes and a
few pounds of Tobacco, for the burial of Mr. Raworth's child
wh please to charge to me.
" Monday, 27th Aug., 1770. D. CLAUS."
" To Maj'r Jelles Fonda."
The trade with the Indians along the Great Lakes and
the St. Lawrence, was carried on by the aid of boats propelled
from Schenectada up the Mohawk at great personal labor, in con
sequence of their being several rifts or rapids in the stream.
The first obstruction of the kind was met with six miles above
Schenectada, and was called Six Flats' rift; proceeding west
came in course similar obstructions known as Fort Hunter rift ;
Caughnawaga rift ; Keator's rift, at Spraker's, the greatest on
the river, having a fall of ten feet ; Brandywine rift, at Cana
joharie, short but rapid ; Ehle's rift near Fort Plain ; Kneiskern's
rift, a small rapid near the upper Indian castle, a little above the
river dam; and the Little falls*, so called as compared with the
Cahoes on the same stream near its mouth. At the Little Falls,
a descent in the river of forty feet in half a mile, boats could not
be forced up the current, and it became a carrying place for
them and merchandise, which were transported around the rapids
on wagons with small wide rimmed wheels, the water craft re-
• The village of Little Falls, so romantically situated on the Mohawk, al
ready has a population numbering some three thousand inhabitants, and is
rapidly increasing. It seems destined to become the largest place between
Albany and Utica in the Mohawk valley. A manufactory for woolen goods
has recently been erected here, and an academy, a large stone edifice, con
structed of masive granite from the vicinity, recently completed, was opened
in November, 1844, with a male and female department : the former under
the charge of Merrit G. McKoon, A. M., and the latter under the superin-
'endance of Miss Amanda Hodgeman, a young lady of real merit.

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 139
launched and and re-loaded to proceed onward. On such occa
sions one of the party usually staid with the goods deposited
above, while the team returned for the boat. Small batteaus,
known in early times as three-handed and four-handed boats, Were
in use on the Mohawk, which carried from two to five tons each;
and so called because three or four men were required to propel
them. There boats were forced over the rapids in the river with
poles and ropes, the latter drawn by men on the shore. Such
was the mode of transporting merchandize and Indian commodi
ties to and from the west, for a period of about fifty years, and until
after the Revolution. A second carrying place in use at an early
day was near Fort Stanwix, from the boatable waters of the
Mohawk to Wood creek. Passing into Oneida lake, the batteaus
proceeded into the Oswego river, and from thence to Oswego on
lake Ontario. From Oswego to Niagara, a place of much im
portance, merchandize was transported in the same boats or on
sloops. Major Fonda, as his papers show, had much to do with
the navigation ofthe river in the French and American wars with
England. — Joseph Spraker.
After the Revolution, the tide' of emigration was " Westward
Ho ! " and a corporate bpdy, known as the " Inland Lock Navi
gation Company," constructed a dam and sluice to facilitate busi
ness at Wood creek, and built several locks at Little Falls, so that
boats might pass and repass without unloading. These locks were
constructed under the supervision and direction of Gen. Philip
Schuyler, whose memory, for services rendered his country in her
most trying period, will ever be held in grateful remembrance by
the citizens of New York. The locks at Little Falls were com
pleted in 1795. The following original paper, given by Gen.
Schuyler to a namesake, and son of the Rev. Mr. Schuyler, of
Schoharie, will show at what time the business was most actively
prosecuted.To Mr. Philip Schuyler :
" By virtue of the powers vested in me by the directors of the
Inland Lock Navigation Companies in this state, I do hereby ap
point you an Assistant Superintendent, to superintend, direct and

140 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
command the mechanics and labourers, and their respective over
seers, already employed in the service of the said companies,
hereby requiring the said overseers, and others so employed, m
all things to pay due obedience to all your lawful requisitions and
directions. " Given under my hand, in the county of Herkimer, this eighth
day of May, 1793.
"PH: SCHUYLER,
"President and Superintendent."
In June following, Gen. S. gave his namesake the annexed ve
ry flattering testimonial, which shows the usual caution of that
great man in guarding against accidents : Falls, June 22, 1793.
"Dear Sir : — I experience so much satisfaction from your at
tention, and the readiness with which you comprehend the hints
given by me for the construction of the works, that I consider it
as a duty to give you this written testimony of my perfect satis
faction of your conduct, and to evince my sense of it by a pecuni
ary reward. Your compensation, from the original time of agree
ment, will be two dollars per day ; this, however, I do not wish you
to mention, least others should conceive that I made a discrimina
tion unfavorable to them, although in reality I do not, for their ser
vices are by no means as important to the Lock Navigation Com
pany as yours.
" Least an accident should happen to me, which might deprive
you of the benefit of the above mentioned allowance, you will
keep this letter as a testimony thereof.
" I am, Dear Sir,
" Your friend and humble servant,
"PH: SCHUYLER,
" President of the Board of Directors.
" To Mr. Philip Schuyler."
After the locks were built at Little Falls, business on the river
greatly increased, and apples and cider were then among the com
modities sent west. The clumsy batteau, which had for half a
century usurped the place of the Indian?s bark canoe, — the little
craft which had danced on the bosom of the Mohawks' river for
many ages, — soon gave place to the Durham boat, carrying from
ten to fifteen tons, and constructed, in shape, not unlike a modern
canal boat. Few of them were decked over, except at the ends,
but all were along the sides, where cleets were nailed down to give
foothold to boatmen using poles. Boating, at this period was at
tended with great personal labor : the delay of unloading at Lit-

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 141
tie Falls had been obviated, but it was found more difficult to force
large than small craft over the rapids. Several boats usually went
in company, and if any arrived firsfat a rift, they awaited the ap
proach of others, that the united strength of many men might aid
in the labor before them. Those boats were often half a day in
proceeding only a few rods, and not unfrequently were they, after
remaining nearly stationary on a rapid for an hour, when the
strength of numbers was united with poles and ropes in propel
ling, compelled to drop below the rift and get a new start. Twen
ty hands, at times, were insufficient to propel a single boat over
Keator's rift. When boat's crews were waiting at a rapid for the
arrival of their fellows, they usually did their cooking on shore.
Poles used on those boats had heads, which rested against the
shoulder, which was often calloused or galled, like that of a col-
' lar-worn horse. Black slaves, owned by settlers in the neigh
borhood of rapids, both male and female, were often seen assist
ing at the ropes on shore, when loaded boats were ascending the
river. Accidents sometimes occurred to boatmen, though seldom at
tended with loss of life. A three-handed boat once struck a rock
in Keator's rift, upset, and a negro was drowned. At Fort Hun
ter rift, a three handed boat upset, when Wm. Hull and Kennedy
Failing were drowned, — the third person in the boat, a son of
Abraham Otthout, of Schenectada, swam ashore. One of the
last accidents of the kind on the river, occurred while the Erie
Canal was building, to a Durham boat, one of the best of that
class of river craft, called the Butterfly. It was descending the
river, then swollen, laden with flour, when it became unmanage
able, swung round, and struck its broadside against a pier of the
Canajoharie bridge, and broke near the centre. The contents of
the boat literally filled the river for some distance, and a hand on
the boat was drowned. His name was afterwards ascertained to
be John Clark. His body was recovered twelve miles below, and
was buried on the river bank, in the present village of Fulton-
ville. His bones having been disclosed by the spring freshet of
1845, they were taken up and buried in the village burying-

142 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
ground. The owner of the boat, a Mr. Myers, had its fragments
taken to Schenectada and rebuilt, after which it entered the ca
nal, (the eastern sections being completed,) and from thence he
transported it into Cayuga lake. While there engaged, his boat
sunk laden with gypsum, and he was drowned. Thus ended the
Butterfly and its owner. Boats managed by skilful hands some
times sailed down the rapids at Little Falls when the riveir was
high, but it was always attended with danger. Several row-boats,
constructed expressly to carry some twenty passengers each, from
Utica to Schenectada, and tastefully curtained, were in use on the
Mohawk some forty years ago. They were called river packets.—
Myndert Starin.
The first bridge of any importance in the Mohawk valley, was
built by Maj. Isaiah Depuy, a resident of Glen at the time of his
death (1841), and was erected across the Schoharie at Fort Hun
ter. It was commenced in October, 1796, and on the 4th day of
July following, the anniversary of Liberty was celebrated upon it.
The next bridge worthy of note in the valley, was an elliptic or
arched one over the Mohawk at Schenectada. It was begun in
1797, and when nearly completed, the winter following, was up
set by the wind, taken down, and rebuilt on piers. While this
bridge was building, an incident of no little interest occurred. Af
ter the string pieces had been laid, and before they were planked,
a young son of the contractor walked unobserved over the middle
of the stream. A workman discovering the urchin upon the tim
bers, directed the attention of the father that way. With feelings
of deepest anxiety he beheld his darling boy in a position from
which a misstep would inevitably launch him into eternity. Pru
dence dictated silence, and after the little fellow had surveyed the
premises to his satisfaction, he returned to the shore, to the great
relief of his agitated parent, who gave him a good basting for his
motherly curiosity.
A bridge was begun at Canajoharie before the Schenectada
bridge was completed. This was also an elliptic, and required to
be taken down at the end of a year or two, when it was placed
on three piers. Some years previous to the erection of this bridge ,

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 143
a ferry was established at Canajoharie, and owned by the Messrs.
Roseboom, who traded where the ferry was located, one mile east
of the village. At an early period, a good bridge was built over
the east Canada creek, which afforded a pattern for one construct
ed at Caughnawaga — where, for many years, there had also been
a ferry. The last mentioned bridge was put up in the summer
and completed by the following winter, so as to be used on one
track, but the first spring freshet carried it off. Afterwards, the
Mohawk Turnpike Company erected another, some thirty rods
farther up the river, which is still standing. A bridge was stretched
across the river many years ago, a little below the Nose, but it
was soon after swept away by the ice and never rebuilt. > Bridges
have also been erected over the Mohawk at Cahoes Falls, Am
sterdam, Fort Plain, Little Falls, Herkimer and Utica.
Archibald and James Kane, brothers, established themselves in
the mercantile business on the Mohawk about the year 1795 ; lo
cating between the Rosebooms and the present village of Cana
joharie, where one of their buildings, having an arched roof, is
still to be seen. The Kanes were, for a time, the heaviest deal
ers west of Albany. At this period there was much gambling
and horse-racing in the Mohawk valley. Indeed, there continued
to be until about the year 1825. Intemperance, the parent of
many vices and miseries, was an attendant, and to such an extent
did it stalk abroad for thirty or forty years, that numerous churches
were seriously affected by it, their ministers often setting the ex
ample, then prevalent in New York and New England, not only
of placing the beaded liquid before friends, but of drinking with
them at taverns. On a certain occasion in 1797 or '98, when a
party were playing cards (a game of lieu) at Canajoharie, with
stakes upon the table amounting to some five hundred dollars,
Archibald Kane became indebted to Barney Roseboom for nearly
one hundred dollars, and another of the gamesters becoming the
debtor of Kane for about the same sum, a difficulty originated in
trying to reconcile the liability of the parties to each other, and
Kane gave Roseboom a challenge to personal combat. It was
supposed that the challenge would not have been given, had the

144 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
challenger believed his antagonist would have accepted it, the lat
ter having a lovely wife and several interesting children ; but it
was accepted, ground paced off, and shots exchanged with a brace
of trooper's pistols. Kane was wounded in his left arm, and
with the wound his bruised honor was healed ; the combatants be
came as warm personal friends as ever, and thus ended an affair
which created no little excitement for a time, in Western New
York. A few years after the transaction above related, Archibald
Kane went to Hayti, ^married into the family of the governing
nobility, and died there.
A pleasing story was originated when the Kanes were trading
at Canajoharie, about an imposition practised by a shrewd Yan
kee, upon an honest Dutch justice of Herkimer county, who had
arrested him for journeying on the Sabbath. According to the
story, the Yankee was stopped, but as his business was urgent,
the man of equity agreed to give him a written permit to proceed
for a nominal sum. The justice, requesting the traveler, to write
it, is said to have se* his hand unconsciously to an order on the
Messrs. Kane for some fifty dollars, instead of a permit to travel ;
which, when presented for payment, he pronounced the tam Yan
kee pass: but James Kane, who now resides in Albany, pronoun
ces the whole narrative a hoax.
The Caughnawaga church, a land mark of former days, is a
stone edifice, and was erected in 1763, by voluntary contribu
tions. Sir William Johnson gave liberally towards building it
The steeple was placed on it in 1795. Of this church and con
gregation, the Rev. Thomas Romeyn was the first pastor. He
died, and was succeeded in June, 1795, by the Rev. Abraham
Van Horn, one of the earliest graduates of Queen's College, New
Jersey. Mr. V. H. was settled in Ulster county five years previ
ous to taking charge of the congregation at Caughnawaga, and
married, during his whole ministry, about fifteen hundred cou
ple — more, perhaps, than any clergyman now living in the Unit
ed States. He died suddenly at an advanced age, January 5,
1840. This church was without a bell- until the confiscated property

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK.

145

of Sir John Johnson was sold in the revolution, when the former
dinner-bell of his father, Sir William, was purchased by several
male members, conveyed to it on a pole by friendly Indians, and
placed upon it. On the bell is the following inscription — " S R
William Johnson Baronet 1774. Made by Miller and Ross in
Eliz. Town." It weighs something over one hundred pounds.

CAUGHNAWAGA CHURCH.
This edifice, now under the management of the Rev. Douw
Van OLinda, who has fitted it up for a classic school, is hereafter
to be known as the Fonda Academy; the first term of which in
stitution commenced with flattering prospects in the latter part of
1844, under the tuition of Mr. Jacob A. Hardenbergh, a gradu
ate of Rutger's College, New Jersey.
At an early period, a small church was constructed of wood

146 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
near the Upper Mohawk .Castle, at which place the missionary
minister, resident at Fort Hunter, sometimes officiated. This
church was provided with a small bell, similar to the one on
Queen Anne's chapel, and after the revolution, the Indians who
had removed from its neighborhood, made application to obtain it.
Being denied their request, they succeeded in getting it down in
the night ; and in a canoe paddled up the Mohawk with it un
molested — transporting it as best they could to Canada. — Joseph
Wagner. Churches were erected by Lutherans at Stone Arabia in 1770,
in the western part of Palatine in 1772, and at the German flats
before the revolution. The two latter were of stone. The last
named was situated in the valley, on the south side of the river,
four miles westward of Little Falls. Some ten rods west of this
church stood the parsonage, a stone dwelling (torn down to give
place to the Erie canal) which was inclosed with palisades hav
ing block-house corners, and known in the revolution as Fort
Herkimer.* Fort Dayton, another military post of the Mohawk
valley, was situated in the western part of the present village of
Herkimer. In going from the former to the latter fort, the river
was crossed at a rapid one mile above Fort Herkimer. Fort
Plain, a military establishment of great importance in the border
transactions of the Mohawk valley, stood eighteen miles eastward
of Fort Herkimer, and within the present thriving village which
bears its name. Forts Plain, Herkimer and Dayton were all three
erected as early as 1776, and in their vicinity many thrilling
events transpired, which characterised the war of the revolution
on the frontiers of New York ; not a few of which have gone
down to oblivion.
There was much speculation in new lands in the interior of
New York, between the French and American wars with Eng
land, and thousands upon thousands of acres changed owners for
a mere song — land now valued at millions of dollars. Among
• Some writers have stated that Fort Herkimer stood near General Herki
mer's house— not so . although called after him, it was six miles westward of
his residence.

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK.

147

the speculators were Sir William Johnson, Governor Tryon, Ma
jor Jelles Fonda, and Colonel John Butler. Lands on the Sacon-
daga river were brought into market at this period.

FORT PLAIN.
Above is a view of this Fort as it was seen in the revolution,
except that it was inclosed by strong palisades. The little church
seen in the right of the picture, was burned down by the Indians
during the war.
The following sketch of a transaction not generally known, is
no doubt the most authentic account of it ever obtained. It is
drawn, by permission, from notes of a journey to Niagara, made
by a friend in 1806.
In the summer of 1759, Sir William Johnson landed with a bo
dy of troops at the mouth of a creek four miles from Niagara,
since called Johnson's creek, and took possession of forts Niagara
and Schlosser, posts of much importance, on the east side of Nia
gara river, as they commanded the trade of the upper lakes. In
1760, Mr. Stedman, an Englishman, contracted with Sir William
to construct a portage road from Queenston Landing, now Lewis-
ton, to Fort Schlosser, a distance of about eight miles. The road
having been completed, on the morning ofthe 17th Sept., 1763, 15
Wagons and teams, mostly oxen, under an escort of 24 men, com
manded by a sergeant, and accompanied by the contractor, Sted
man, and Capt. Johnson, as a volunteer, set out from Fort Niagara,

148 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
with stores, &c, intended for the garrison at Fort Schlosser. Arri
ving something over two miles from the top of the mountain above
Lewiston, and ten or twelve from Niagara, the escort and wagons
halted about 1 1 o'clock, on a little savanna of green sward to rest
and take refreshments, beside a gulf called in Indian and English,
the Devil's Hole. This is a semi-circular precipice or chasm of
some two hundred feet diameter up and down the river on the
summit, but less at the bottom. A little distance from the brink
of the hole is a kind of natural mound, several feet in height, al
so of cresent shape ; and sixty feet from the top issues a fine
spring, which dashes down through the underbrush to the river.
A small brook in the neighborhood, called the bloody-run, now
runs into the chasm. The Seneca Indians continued in the French
interest at this period, and fearing a hostile movement on their part,
a detachment of volunteers consisting of one hundred and thirty
men, uuder the command of Capt. Campbell, marched from
Queenston to strengthen the escort. Just as the troops under
Capt. C. reached the spot where the escort had halted, about five
hundred Indians, who had been concealed behind the mound,
sprang from their covert with savage yells, and like so many tiV
gers began an indiscriminate slaughter of the troops, who were
thrown into the utmost confusion. Resistance against such odds
did not long continue, and those of the party who were not killed
or driven from the precipice with their teams, attempted their es
cape by flight. In the midst of the conflict, Stedman sprang up
on a small horse, and giving the faithful animal a slap on the
neck with his hand, it bore him over the dead and dying, and
through the thick ranks of the foe, who discharged their rifles,
and hurled their tomahawks in vain at his head.
Of those who jumped directly down the precipice in front, some
seventy or eighty feet, which has an uneven surface below, only
one escaped with life. This was a soldier named Mathews, from
whom these particulars were obtained by the tourist. He was then
living on the Canada shore, near Niagara, and familiarly called
Old Brittania. Several trees were growing from the bottom of
the hole, the tops of which reached near the surface of the ground.

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 149
Into one of these trees Corporal Noble leaped and hung, in which
position eleven bullets riddled his body. Captain Johnson, of the
escort, was killed, and Lieut. Duncan, of the relief, a native of
Long Island, and a promising young officer, was wounded in the
left arm, of which he died. The whole number of troops and
teamsters was about one hundred and seventy-five, of this number
only some twenty-five escaped with life, and all of them, except
Stedman and Mathews, did so below or near the north end of the
hole, at a little sand ridge, which served to break the fall. * Of
Capt. Campbell's command, only eleven escaped with life. The
loss of the enemy was inconsiderable compared with that of
the British. A short time after this horrid affair, the Indians,
who considered Stedman a charmed man, gave him as a reward for
his daring feat, a large tract of land, which embraced all that he
rode over in his previous flight. He returned to England, taking
along this favorite horse, and never afterwards would he allow it
to be saddled or harnessed.
My friend T., in whose journal I find the above facts, first visit
ed the Devil's Hole, with a relative, August 10th, 1806, at which
time he entered it by descending a tree, to search for evidences of
the event related. In the bottom of the chasm he found the sculls
of several oxen " mouldering and covered with moss," a piece of
a wagon, and the small part of a horn ; which latter relic he took
from the place, and after retaining it in his possession thirty-eight
years, kindly presented to the author.
The close of the French war left the colony of New York
deeply in debt, and resort was had to direct taxation to sustain the
government. The assessment was leyied "By virtue of three acts
of General Assembly of the Colony of New York ; the first for
the payment of the second .£100,000 tax, the second for the pay
ment of the .£60,000 tax, and the third, for the raising and col
lecting the arrears of several acts therein mentioned." The com
missioners of the county, who set their hands and seals to the war
rant sent "Mr. John Fonda, Collector for Mohawks," were
" Rens. Nicoll, Marte Halenbeck, Abraham Douw, and Cornelis
Van Schaack." The warrant was dated at Albany, July 17th,
11

150

HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY

1764. The tax on the citizens of the Mohawk valley amounted
to .£242,17 6— $607 19, and was collected, except $2 81 bad
debts, and receipted by John Stevenson, in Albany, the 11th of
October following. Were not part of this tax list gone, I would
present it to the reader. The following are some of the largest
sums taxed to individuals on the portions of the manuscript re
maining :

Valuation.

Assess

Valuation.

Assess

Sir Wm. Johnson, XI 67

£20 17

6

Peter Young,

£13

£1 12

6

Margrit Flipse, 24

3 00

0

John Nukerk,

13

1 12

6

Marte Van OLinda, 21

2 12

6

Hans Klyn,

13

1 12

6

Lewis Groat, 20

2 10

0

Daniel Clas,

10

1 5

0

Davit Pruyn, 20

2 10

0

Guy Johnson,

10

1 5

0

Isaac D. Graf, 18

2 5

0

John Have,

10

1 5

0

Hans Antes, 17

2 2

6

Jacob Potman,

10

1 5

0

James McMaster, 16

2 0

0

Clas D. Graf,

9

1 2

6

Harme Vedder, 16

2 0

0

Harmanis Mabe,

9

1 2

6

Wouter Swart, 36

2 0

0

Cor's Potman,

9

1 2

6

John Johnson, 16

2 0

0

Cor's Nukerk,

9

1 2

6

The following tax list will show the names of many of the ci
tizens living in and near that part of the Mohawk valley now
embraced in Montgomery county, and their comparative wealth
at that period. The manuscript, which has been preserved among
the papers of the late Maj. Fonda, is without date: it is written
in a fair, legible hand, and must have been executed a few years
prior to the revolution.
" A List of the persons that are assessed above five pounds, with
the sums they are to pay, and the number of days they are to work
upon the King's highways, annexed.

PERSONS NAMES.

(A
o
Cfttfl
£
o
<•)
CA>>
c
s
a
P
a
o
PERSONS NAMES.
John Bleven,
Abraham Hodges,
John & Evert Van Eps,
Wm. & Woulter Swart,
Martinus Van OLinda,
Mary Phillipse,
Abraham Phillipse,
William Allen,
John Souls,
£ 6
il
10
1
15
3
10
1
17
3
17
3
6
1
15
3
6
1
Christian Earnest,
John Waters,
Christopher McGraw,
James Phillipse,
William Snook,
Samuel Pettingal],
Patrick McConnelly,
John Van Dewake,
Peter Young,
M
is
o
«s
(A
&
03a-
a
q
a
•<
o
£13
s3
d
12
3
9
1
6
10
1
6
8
1
6
8
1
6
8
1
6
10
1
6
10
1
6
AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK.

151

PERSON'S NAMES.

m

to
£
o
<
Oi
, — ,
>>
a*
da0
o
a
o
PERSONS NAMES.
oi
«j
a
O
3
a
3
13
S
<!
Jacobus Cromwell,
Andrew Frank,
Abraham Van Alstine,
Crownidge Kincade,
John S. Vrooman,
Adam Sternbergh,
Henry and John Lewis,
Abraham Yates,
David and Peter Lewis,
Hendrick Divindorf,
David Potman,
Lips Spinner,
Samuel Rose,
Hendrick Hoff,
Adam Gardeneer,
Arent Bradt,
Adam Dagstader, Sen.
Fredrick Dagstader, Sen
Hendrick Dagstader, Sr.
John Bowen,
William B. Bowen,
John V. Potman,
John Butler, Esq.,
John Nare,
John and Jacob Kilts,
Conradt Linkefelter,
Arent Potman,
Sir Wm. Johnson, Bart.,
Sir John Johnson, Kt.,
Col. Daniel Claus,
Col. Guy Johnson,
Frederick Degraff,
Nicholas Degraff,
I. Degraff &. son Jer'h,
Lewis Groat,
Jacob Bushart,
Hendrick Bushart,
Adam Fonda,
Peter Whitmore,
John & Conradt Smith,
Gnysbert & Garret Van
Brachler,
James Davis,
Peter Frederick & sons,
John Wilson,
J. Rupart & Lottridge,
Peter Service,
Hans Albrant,
Andries Snyder,
Hans Doren,
Philip Cromwell,
Volkert Veeder,
Widow Smith and sons,
John V. Yeeder,
15 3
5 Timothy Lenderse,
15
3
j
16 3
5 Charles H. Van Eps,
15
3
1
18 3
5 Peter Jost,
6
1
6
I
10 1
6 4 Philip Phillipse,
13
3
,
7 1
6 4 Jacob Van Dewarke,
9
1
6
4
15 3
5 John Everse,
7
1
6
L
6 1
6 4 Malkert Van Duesar,
12
3
1
20 3
5 Mrs. Sophia Denniston,
6
1
6
¦-
10 1
6 4 Capt. Norm'd McLead,
6
1
6
4
7 3
5 Widow Vrooman & son,
6
1
6
<
15 3
5 Dow Fonda,
16
3
F
15 3
5 John Funda,
6
1
6
4
10 1
6 4 Jelles Funda,
40
9
t
10 1
6 4 Barent B. Wemple,
8
1
6
4
13 3
5 Gilbert Tice,
6
1
6
4
13 3
5 Peter Cooley
7
1
6
4
18 3
5 Samson Simens,
15
3
4
20 3
5 John Wemple,
6
1
6
4
20 1
6 4 Andries Wemple,
6
1
6
4
7 1
6 4 Peter Conyn, Esq.,
30
5
i
6 1
6 4 Harman Visher,
27
5
6
7 1
6 4 Hanse Clement,
8
1
6
4
27 5
6 Lewis Clement,
14
3
p
12 3
5 Michael Staller,
10
1
6
4
20 3
5 Daniel McGregor,
10
1
6
4
11 3
5 Philip Weamer,
6
1
6
4
7 1
6 4 Baltus Ergetsinger,
8
1
6
4
202 12
9 Robert Adams,
14
3
4
25 5
6 Martin Lessler,
10
1
6
4
21 5
6 Frans Salts,
15
3
5
21 5
6 Hanse Clyne,
12
3
5
6 1
6 4 Jacob Potman,
9
1
6
4
6 1
6 4 Cornelius Potman,
10
1
6
4
13 3
5 Harmanus Meaby,
8
1
6
4
16 3
5 Garrent C. Newkirk,
8
1
6
4
7 1
6 4 John Newkirk,
10
1
6
4
7 1
6 4 Peter Martin, Esq.,
13
3
5
9 1
6 4 Isaac Collier,
10
1
6
4
6 1
6 4 Adam Zeelie,
13
3
5
6 1
6 4 Ephraim Wemple,
13
3
5
Barent Hansen,
7
1
6
4
6 1
6 4 Hendrick Hansen,
7
1
6
4
6 1
6 4 Abraham Quackenbush,
8
1
6
4
12 3
5 Jeremiah Quackenbush,
11
3
5
7 1
6 4 N. & P. Quackenbush,
10
1
6
4
8 1
6 4 Vincent Quackenbush,
6
1
6
4
18 3
5 Ab'm Quackenbush,
7
1
6
4
7 1
6 4JohnMalatt,
8
1
6
4
8 1
6 4 Samuel Gardeneer,
18
3
5
7 1
6 4 Jacob Gardeneer,
12
3
5
17 3
5 William Schylder,
6
1
6
4
6 1
6 4 Hans Wart,
7
1
6'
4
17 3
27 5
46 Total Assess.
ei4i
111
61
555
152 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
I have observed that RUM was one of the principal articles of
traffic with the Indians on the frontiers of New York. Says Col
den —
" There is one vice which the Indians have all fallen into, since
their acquaintance with the Christians, and of which they could not
be guilty before that time, that is drunkenness. It is strange, how
all the Indian nations, and almost every person among them, male
and female, are infatuated with the love of strong drink; they
know no bounds to their desire, while they can swallow it down,
and then indeed the greatest man among them scarcely deserves
the name of a brute."
Alcohol has, in a very great degree depopulated the state of a
noble race of men and women, and much demoralized and ener
vated its present race of inhabitants. One single invoice now be
fore me, of rum purchased in New -York, in October 1770, and de
signed for the Mohawk valley trade, was for ten hogsheads and
twenty barrels, containing seventeen hundred and seventy-nine
gallons ; which, at the low price of two shillings and four pence,
amounted to over five hundred dollars.
Tryon county, so called after the Governor of New York at the
time, was organized in 1772, and took in the present counties of
Montgomery, Fulton, Herkimer and portions of several others.
The first court of general quarter sessions of the peace for this
county, was held in Johnstown, so called after Sir William John
son, on Tuesday September 8, 1772. The Bench consisted of
" Guy Johnson, Judge.
" John Butler, Peter Conyne, Judges.
" Sir John Johnson, knight, Daniel Claus, John Wells, Jelles
Fonda, Assistant Judges.
"John Collins, Joseph Chew, Adam Loucks, John Fry, Fr.
Young, Peter Ten Broeck, Justices."
In 1791, the county of Herkimer was organized from Tryon,
and called after General Herkimer who fell at Oriskany ; and in
1794 the name of Tryon county was changed to that of Mont
gomery, who fell at Quebec.
About the year 1800, might have been seen, as in New England
at a still later period, at some public place in every town in New
York, a public whipping-post and stocks ; and justices of. the

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 153
peace had authority to order that individual confined in the stocks,
who got drunk or used profane language. Criminals guilty of
petty thefts, and other violations of the law, were not unfrequently
seen with their hands tied, and their arms drawn up to their ex
tent around the public post, which was made square, receiving
upon their bare backs, from the hands of a sheriff or constable,
the scorpion lash of justice.
A few moments may not be unprofitably spent, in reflecting on
the great and important changes that have passed over New York
since the peace of 1783— changes not only visible on every wa
ter-course and thoroughfare, but on almost every acre of ground,
from the then frontier settlements of Albany and Tryon counties
to the shores of St. Lawrence and the great western lakes. In the
territory named, and at the period to which I have alluded, where
were dense forests, uubroken for many miles, may now be seen
waving fields of grain, and flocks and herds upon a thousand
hills — may now be heard the complicated machinery of the me
chanic arts — may now be felt the genial influence of unfettered
science. The revolution in mind and individual interest in eastern
New York, under cultivation two generations removed from the
present, is almost as apparent as that in matter, where then roam
ed the happy savage in quest of his game. The difference in the
mode of traveling, particulary in the Mohawk valley, in the last
thirty years, is worthy especial notice. Public conveyance was
then either in stages or boats propelled on the river by manual la
bor ; — rail-road cars, moved by steam power have now not only
driven post-coaches from the valley, but the commodious canal
packet drawn by horses, now subserves the purpose of the slow
moving Durham craft. Indeed, the New England tourist, who
might then have been seen mounted on horseback, with an enor
mous portmanteau fastened upon his saddle, journeying in the
valley, is seen no longer : his economy is rendered unnecessary
by the cheapness of the passenger line-boat.
Extensive manufactories — indeed large cities and villages have
sprung up as if by enchantment, where but little more than half
a century ago might have been heard the dismal howl of the

154 HISTORY OF, SCHOHARIE COUNTY.
wolf; the frightful scream of the panther; or the terrific yell of
the savage. In fact, little hamlets, in number almost countless,
with the domes of their seminaries and church spires towering
aloft, are scattered over the hunting grounds of the mocasined
Indian ; the site of whose little bark dwelling and intricate foot
path, has been usurped by an iron-bound road, or an artificial river.
Not only has enterprise peopled those portions of New York
lying west of the frontier settlements at the close of the revolution,
with a population of one and a half millions of freemen, with an
estimated valuation of property exceeding $100,000,000, and a
real one more than five times greater ; but it has thickly popu
lated several States west of New York ; and the American Eagle,
as if undetermined where to alight, is conducting the hardy sons
of New England and New York toward the shores of the great
Pacific. Judging from the past and present, what may we rea
sonably expect will be the future condition and resources of the
Empire State ? — resources which now more than equal those of
the thirteen States, when under British tyranny.

( 155 )

CHAPTER V.

There were among the early Schoharie settlers, some remarka
ble for great personal strength. Cornelius, Samuel, Peter and
Isaac, sons of Peter Vrooman, are said to have possessed the
strength of giants. They erected the first saw-mill in the county,
which stood in clauver-wy, on the little Schoharie kill. Two of
those brothers could easily carry a good sized log on the carriage.
Many anecdotes are related by the aged, showing the strength of
the Vrooman family. At the hill mentioned as the Long-berg, on
the road to Albany, Cornelius, the strongest of the brothers, al
ways made a practice when going to Albany with wheat, to car
ry one or two bags, each containing two or three skipples, up
this hill to favor his horses. Twenty-five skipples was the ordi
nary load to Albany, and usually brought fifty cents per skipple.
Samuel Vrooman is said to have carried at one time, twelve
skipples of wheat and a harrow with iron teeth, from his father's
house across a small bridge back of it, and set them down
in a field. At another time, Cornelius carried ten skipples of
peas, the same harrow, and a brother on the top of them, the
same distance : in either case, eight or nine hundred pounds.
The stout Vroomans had a remarkably strong sister. A quar
relsome man being at her father's, warm words passed be
tween him and her brother Cornelius, when the sister, fearing the
consequences, if her kinsman laid hands upon the intruder in an
ger, seized him, although a pretty stout man, and pitched him
neck and heels out of the house. This we may look upon as a
very charitable act, considering it was done solely to save his life.
There were other individuals in Schoharie who, if not as strong

156 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
as the brothers mentioned, were sufficiently so to protect them
selves. Several of the Boucks and Borsts, it is said, could easily
raise a barrel of cider and drink from the bung-hole.
Before the revolution, and for some forty years after its close,
there was much horse-racing and sporting of different kinds in
the Schoharie and Mohawk valleys. An ox-race once took place
in Cobelskill. There was also much fair boxing, and many quar
rels were settled by personal combat.' The settlers sometimes
played cards for coppers, but seldom for silver.
About the year 1770, a challenge was given and accepted be
tween the people of the Mohawk and Schoharie valleys, to try
speed and strength. Which gave it, is uncertain. The Mohawk
champions went to Schoharie at the appointed time, and multi
tudes were assembled to witness the strife. A sleigh was placed
on bare ground, and with twelve heavy men in it, Cornelius Vroo
man, by the end of the tongue, drew it one and a half feet. Cor
nelius Fonda, the Mohawk bully, attempted, but in vain, to start
it. On the same day, Adam Crysler ran a foot-race with one
Dockstader from the Mohawk valley — the former winning the
race with ease.
Formerly, almost every country woman, in some parts of Ame
rica, was to be seen in certain seasons of the year, at work on a
farm. It is now very justly determined, that woman's place is in
the house and man's in the field.
Wheat and poultry were the most important articles of traffic
taken from Schoharie to Albany, an hundred years ago, which
was usually done by sleighing. But little grain, except wheatj
was carried to market for many years by the early settlers : in
fact, much of that grain was fed their horses by the Germans and
Dutch. The fondness of the Dutch for good horses, has origi
nated a proverb, that " a Dutchman thinks more of his horse
than his wife."
In going from the Schoharie and Mohawk valleys, to and from
Albany, some fifty years ago, the Dutch were in the habit of run
ning their horses up a good share of every hill. Starting the
team as they neared it, they dashed on at a furious rate, thus gain-

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 157
ing an impetus which carried them nearly to the top of the hill,
arriving at which they often halted to rest or feed.
It was customary, as already observed, for the people of Scho
harie to go to market in squads, and not unfrequently fifteen or
twenty teams were seen together, some of which were driven by
the wives and daughters of the farmers, who were of the party.
The custom yet prevails of their accompanying their husbands,
fathers and brothers to market ; not, however, in the capacity of
drivers. Mounted upon the top of a good load of grain, the tidy
house-wife or neatly clad daughter is often to be seen as a passen
ger — or rather as a mortgage on the load, as they are not inaptly
termed : for she claims some portion of the proceeds to be appro
priated to the purchase of a new dress, or such other articles as
her wardrobe may require.
Weddings, in the days of which I am speaking, were celebrat
ed differently from what they now are. The law then required
the publishing of the bans three successive times, in a religious
meeting, before a couple could get married. After the notice had
been once read, the young friends usually had a dance, and after
the couple were united, they had several dances. Some good an
ecdotes are told of these weddings. Before the revolution, says
George Warner, a man came from Freehold and married a Miss
Schaeffer. Her father was rather fastidious about asking some of
his neighbors, on the score of their not being sufficiently opulent,
but invited among the guests an Indian friend, and gave him per
mission to ask such of his friends as he chose. The Indian, on
such an occasion, shows no great respect for persons — indeed, he
never does unless it be for distinguished prowess, and acknowledg
ed personal favors — and the sequel proved he had many friends :
for when the guests began to assemble, a large part of the Scho
harie tribe were there, some with wedding garments on, and others
with few garments, if any at all on. The dismayed parent was
not a little perplexed, and in order to get rid of his red guests, he
freely distributed several gallons of rum, when they pronounced
the wedding a good one — gave a glorious whoop and retired, to
the great relief of the family.

158 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
Judge Brown related the following — to use his own words — as
" a nobleman's wedding;" which took place in his younger days.
George Henry Stubrach was married to a daughter of John Fre
derick Bouck, who lived in the present town of Fulton. In an
open field near Mr. Bouck's residence, a booth was erected and a
liberty pole raised. The marriage ceremony took place in the
early part of the day, and the guests resorted to the booth. On
such occasions, there was generally some quidnunc present, who
assumed the responsibilities of a captaincy, to direct the move
ments of the joyous company. At the time of which we are
speaking Nicholas York was the admitted dictator. While all
were busily engaged in such occupations as their own taste se
lected, a circumstance took place which afforded the party an
unexpected source of amusement. A woodchuck made its ap
pearance in a fallow near the booth. Captain York instantly or
dered the field surrounded, directing a simultaneous march to the
centre. The party had not approached to a concussion, before
the intruder was slain. It was handed over to the captain —
whose word on such occasions was law. He cut a piece of flesh
from the warm victim and ate it, requiring all, male and female,
to follow his example. Most attempted, but few succeeded in
getting down the dainty morsel. A general "removal of depo
sits" was the result of this austere mandate; after which the
guests again resorted to their chosen occupations. In this jolly
manner the festivities were continued for three successive days.
What disposition to make of the guests nights, 1 am at a loss to
know. On the evening of the third day, the blushing bride was
taken home to the residence of her husband, in Kneiskern's dorf.
Two barrels of home brewed beer, twenty-two gallons of rum and
a proportionate quantity of wine, were the spirits poured down to
raise the spirits of the party up, on this noted occasion : and it is
a fact worthy of remark, that all the liquors were quaffed from
wooden dippers. This wedding took place when it was the fashion
for ladies to wear short dresses — flowered silk hose — and French-
heeled slippers, fastened with silver buckles. The large pocket
made separately and worn loose over the dress, as also the hoop,

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 159
both of which were part of female attire at a later period, may
have been in service at the time of this wedding. This brief de
scription will serve to give the reader a pretty good idea of the
manner in which most weddings of consequence were celebrated
in bygone days. Nearly all the people — old as well as young —
were then in the habit of dancing on such occasions. Their style,
perhaps, was not of the most graceful kind. The French steps
had not then been taught in that beautiful valley. The last wed
ding which seventy-twd hours were required to complete, is be
lieved to have been that of the late Judge Swart, and took place
in April, 1775. The revolution broke them up, as they could not
in safety be celebrated then ; and after the war was over, few felt
as though they could afford to give them — many being under the
necessity of erecting themselves new dwellings, upon the ashes of
their old ones.
Jacob Becker related an anecdote, which shows the faithful
manner in which those weddings were celebrated. They had in
his father's family at one time a shoemaker at work, so that a
brother of his might learn the trade. While he was there, Joseph
Kneiskern — a widower, was married. Becker's brother George,
several years older than himself, attended the wedding. As he
was putting on a new pair of shoes with very thick soles — the
workmanship of the cobbler, the latter good humoredly told him if
he danced those soles through, he would put on a new pair for
nothing. Away went the guest to the wedding, from which he
returned home on the evening of the third day. He pulled off
his shoes and threw them to the mechanic, who, on examining,
found he had been taken at his word — and that not only the
outer, but the inner soles of both were worn entirely through.
In those days house-floors in New England and New York, were
scoured clean, and instead of a carpet, received a coat of fine
white sand — which will enable the reader to understand how the
shoes could have been used up.
It was customary for the groom, after the ordeal of proposing
tlie question, to make his intended a present of some kind — usually
a pair of silver shoe-buckles, sleeve buttons — or snuff-box.

160 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
Whether the modern low-lived and ill-bred custom of celebrating
weddings in the street, usually termed horning— now in vogue in
ignorant communities — prevailed before the revolution in Scho
harie, I can not say.
Several black fiddlers were, in their day, noted persons. Jack,
a slave beloging to Col. Zielie, and another of the same name,
belonging to John Lawyer, who, to distinguish them, were
called Jack Zielie and Jack Lawyer, flourished in their way,
about the time of the revolution. A frolic could not easily be
sustained then, unless one of them was present. They played the
fiddle, holding it in various positions, sometimes before and at
others behind them. One of the two was formerly represented
on a tavern sign (painted by George Tiffany, Esq.) as playing for
a jolly company ; some part of which device is still visible on the
sign now in the cabinet of John Gebhard, jr., Esq. of Schoharie.
Dancing ovfrolicing, as then called, was still the order of the
day some fifty years ago, in most of the Dutch and German set
tlements. Old, middle-aged, and young — dressed much alike —
usually assembled on those occasions, which were on Saturday
evening, and as often as two or three times in a month. Males
frequently danced with their hats on. The female dres» was
strapped caps of lawn, striped linsey petticoats, with short-gowns
of differently striped calico or silk, an outside chintz pocket tied
round the waist with ribbon or tape, and high heeled cloth boots.
After the guests were assembled, a six or eight reel, then a four?
a jig, and a hornpipe were danced in succession, in the centre of
a room crowded by spectators to a small space for the dancers, if
a fight did not take place before the hornpipe was reached — which
was very frequently the case — owing to the impatience and fre
quent liquoring of the gentlemen not dancing. Then might have
been seen a happy couple, manifesting great disparity of age,
"jigging merrily down the middle, through a line of succeeding
generations." The musician was generally either Jack Lawyer
or Jack Zielie, who accompanied the motion of his bow with a
continual stamping of one foot — saying, in effect, hear dis nigger
mark time on de floor. The slaves of the citizens, on those oc-

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 161
casions, were permitted to witness the performance at the doors
and windows, which they literally filled. At the period of which
I am speaking, much liquor was drank in all the frontier settle
ments, and pugilism., though not then treated as a science, was of
very frequent occurence. It was not at all uncommon during
those personal encounters, for a young miss to hold the coat and
hat of her lover, while he was knocking another man down, or
being knocked down himself. The reader is aware that the ban
ner of Temperance — the friend of peace and social order — was
not unfurled o'er the land fifty years ago.
Judge Brown assured me, that in his younger days he often
made bows and arrows, and hand-sleds, to sell to boys. The or
dinary price for one of the latter was three coppers. This fact is
mentioned to show the value of money in the French war. He
said he had, among other things to gain a livelihood when young,
often fiddled for a respectable company to dance. His wife hu
morously remarked to him while relating that fact — " and from a
fiddler you rose to be a Judge."
Few dishes were formerly seen upon the tables of the Schoha
rie people. It was no uncommon sight to see a family of eight
or ten persons seated at an old fashioned round table — which was
turned up in every dwelling when not in use — each with a spoon
eating from a single dish of supaan. Every member had a cavi
ty in the pudding filled with milk, from which he or she, was al
lowed freely to scoop. On eating through into each other's divi
sions, a quickened motion of the spoon ensued, if trouble did not.
If bowls were not then found indispensible in a large family, for
eating a supper of supaan and milk, neither Were plates in eating
a hearty dinner. Each member of the family — seated at the
round table, the quality and neatness of which no cloth concealed —
was given a large slice of bread upon which they ate their meat
and potatoes ; after which, the time serving plate was broken up,
thrust into a dish to receive a coat of dope (gravy,) and soon de
voured. Bread was then sliced by one of the heads of the fami
ly, and dealt out around the table as a whist player would deal
his cards. Rice and milk was, like supaan, also eaten from one

162 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
dish, after receiving the liberal scrapings of a cake of maple su
gar. Happy days were those when the good house-wife had few
bowls or plates to wash, and little envy about the quality or num
ber of those possessed by her neighbor.
That good custom of calling on friends and reciprocating kind
feelings on the first day of the year, which still prevails in our
larger towns, existed in Schoharie before the revolution : and no
people improved the privileges of the custom or turned them to
better account, than did the Indians. They not only called on the
whites with a happy neiw-jahr, expecting to renew their claims
to friendship by eating cakes and drinking liquor, but also expect
ed a liberal donation of eatables to take to their cabin, the squaws
carrying baskets on their heads to receive them. On those gala
days, the tables of the Germans and Dutch were loaded with sev
eral skipples of bread and fried cakes, and a fearful array of li
quors. Said Mattice Ball to the author — " I have alone cut up
six loaves of bread on new year's day, and distributed to the
Indians." In the Dutch settlements along the Mohawk, calls began among
neighbors on new year's day at midnight, with the following
greeting : " Ik wens u glucksaalic nieu jar !
Dat gy Jang leben mag —
Veel geben mag —
En de kernigh-reich von de himmel erben mogh !"
I wish you a happy new-year !
May you long live —
Have much to give —
And in heaven at last appear !
Christmas is a day still observed in the Dutch and German
settlements of New York, though not as much as formerly. On
the evening before Christmas, children hang up their stockings on
going to bed, expecting to find them filled in the morning with
presents, such as cakes, fruit, nuts, &c. by an imaginary visitor
called Santa Claas. If the children have been wilful and refrac
tory, the messenger of St. Nicholas, who is only a neighbor dis
guised, sometimes arrives before bed-time with a whip instead of

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 163
a present ; and lucky are the mischievous urchins who can hide
themselves under a bed, or their mother's apron to avoid chas
tisement. Formerly, the occasion, was improved to punish dis
obedient slaves, whose superstitious fears prevented them from
penetrating the disguise which often concealed some member of
the family in which they lived.
Paas, Easter-day; and Pinkster, Whitsunday, are days also
noted in the annals of the Dutch. The former day is ushered in
by the young, with presents of eggs colored various hues ; while
the latter is more particularly observed by the colored population.
The blacks are seen with smiling faces on that day, clad in their
best apparel, going to visit their friends — often bearing flowers
called by them Pinkster-bloomies ; which are known in New Eng
land as blossoms of the swamp-apple.
The early farmers of Schoharie turned their attention mostly to
raising wheat, as do their descendants — or rather did, until the
weevil prevented. They have ever kept too many horses, and too
few cattle and sheep for profit — the well fed horse being a very
expensive boarder. Not many of the Dutch to this day keep large
dairies, as very few of them make English cheese. Some of them,
however, make considerable butter, and the world may be chal
lenged to excel them in making it palatable. Many of them
churn the milk with the cream, and when that is not done, it
goes through a process in working it called washing, which in
either case, divests it of a greasy flavor more common to butter
made in English settlements. The Dutch also make excellent
bread. Sour-crout* is a German dish much eaten in the Schoharie and
Mohawk valleys. Many families make a barrel of it every fall.
* This article is made as follows. Late in the fall a quantity of good sound
cabbage is prepared as it would be for slaugh, or salad, to conform to Web
ster. It is cut with knives set in a plank. In a clean barrel the packing is
commenced. A layer of cabbage is closely laid by the aid of a heavy pounder,
after which a handful of common salt is sprinkled upon it, and also a little
water, to moisten the whole. This process is repeated until a sufficiency is
secured ; when a board is laid upon the top and kept down by weights. The
barrel is then put in the cellar. Fermentation causes a scum to rise upon

164 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
I have before observed that witchcraft was believed in by some
,of the Schoharie people, many years ago. A man by the name
of Rector once shot, with impunity, an old woman living on the
bank of the Schoharie, opposite the present village of Esperance,
said to have been bewitched. She was shot through a window
of her own house. Cattle were sometimes killed for the same
supposed malady and burned up. I have spoken of old Doctor
Moulter, as a believer in witchcraft. He is said to have had re
peated battles with witches, and on one occasion to have encoun
tered seven at once, at a small brook, near the corner of the roads
in the north part of Schoharie village, and retreated until he
placed his back against the brick church, when he overpowered
them. It is not unlikely he met a Mary Magdalene, as they still
lurk at times about the same corners. One anecdote more of the
old Doctor. He pretended he could drive rats from one house to
another, and was often hired by the superstitious-^by whom he
was very liberally paid, to drive the rats from their dwellings to
those of their neighbors with whom they were not on good terms.
Moulter, at precisely such an hour of the night, would rap on the
corners of the house — repeat a lingo of his own, and command
every rat, dead or alive, to leave the house thus thumped, and go
to such an one as he was hired to send them to. Possibly he
threatened to bewitch them if they did not pack up and be off.
The silly doctrine of witchcraft has fled the Schoharie valley,
never more to enter it.
The inhabitants of Schoharie suffered but little in the French
war. A block fort was then erected on the west side of the road,
nearly opposite the residence of the late Philip Dietz. It is said,
however, to have been but little used and not even garrisoned.
The Six Nations of Indians which embraced the Schoharie tribe,
were English allies in the war, consequently the frontier settle
ments were not much exposed, A small number of hostile In
dians entered Schoharie once during this war. Jacob Folluck
the board, which should be cleansed as often as the barrel is disturhed. Sour-
crout is usually cooked with potage, and for persons who exercise, it is very
nutritious. It is much used in long voyages at sea.

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 165
was the only person killed by them. Near the present residence
of David Lawyer, on Foxes creek, the enemy were secreted by
an pat-field, intending the capture of several persons expected
there to cut oats. Mr. Folluck with his dog and gun had just left
home to go hunting. Passing the Indians, his dog began to bark ;
when the former, fearing discovery, shot the dog and his mas
ter, whom they scalped ; and then precipitately left Schoharie.
Mr. Sternberg, returning from Beaver Dam, passed unmolested
by his concealed foes, just before his neighbor was shot. They
were desirous of taking several prisoners at once, and he, being
alone, passed unmolested. Sternberg had lost part of his nose,
which was observed by the Indians in ambush. After the war
he was recognized by some of them in the Mohawk valley, by
the deficiency of his nasal organ. He was asked if he did not
remember passing by the oat-field on the morning his neighbor
was killed, leading a cow by a rope 1 He replied that he did. He
was then assured that Folluck would not have been injured, but
for his dog.
At the beginning of the French war a treaty was held with the
Indians near where Boyd's mill now stands, in the present town
of Middleburgh. The meeting was very numerously attended.
Queter, (Peter,) an Oquago chief, who it would seem was in the
French interest, closed a speech as follows. Laying down an
iron wedge upon a fallen tree, said he, alluding to their union
with the French, " We are like that — strong and can not be bro*
ken !" Mrs. Josiah Swart, who perfectly understood the Indian
dialect, is said to have acted as interpreter on the occasion.
When the symbol was explained, Mrs. S. emphatically address
ed Queter in his native tongue, and in behalf of the British
interest as follows. Said she — taking a guinea from her pocket
and laying it upon the wedge, " We are like that, which is equally
strong and can outlive your symbol; for if both be buried in the
ground the rust will destroy yours, while ours will come out as
strong end as bright as ever!" When the squaw's speech was in
terpreted — Indians call all women squaws — it was pronounced
superior to any other delivered on the occasion. It is supposed
12

166 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
Sir William Johnson — under whom some of the white citizens
and Indians of Schoharie served during this war, was present at
this meeting, as there were chiefs assembled from several tribes.
Abraham, a Schoharie chief, was among the speakers on the oc
casion. On the same ground, after the Canadas were conquered,
a jubilee was held, at which time a barrel of rum was drank. A
bonfire was also made by pihng a large quantity of pine knots
around a dry tree, the light of which, when " the evening shades
prevailed," beautified the rich mountain scenery around. At this
jolly festival, Judge Brown, from whom these facts were obtained,
wrestled with a young Indian and threw him. He bellowed ter
ribly when he got up, and his mother hearing his cries, ran to the
spot and struck Brown upon the head with a pine knot, which
felled him to the ground and nearly extinguished life.
Pleasure wagons were unknown in Schoharie in former times,
and persons attending church, going to frolicks, or to visit distant
friends, usually went on horse-back. Many a horse, to which
had been fed a double allowance of wheat for the occasion, has
borne not only his master to a dance, but at the same time a sub
stantial guest of the gentler sex. Riding on horse-back was a
healthy exercise much indulged in by ladies formerly. The side
saddles upon which they rode, exhibit the pretty form of a large
mud-turtle. When neighbors returned from social visits, they always car
ried home for the children, a liberal quantity of oli-cooks — small
round cakes with raisins in the centre and fried in lard, and sweet
cakes. The practice among the early Germans and Dutch, of sparking
it without fuel or rush-light, has now become obsolete.
That the Americans as a people have degenerated from their
ancestors in point of stature, limitation of life, and ability to en
dure fatigue, would seem to be a fact generally admitted. Some
of the causes it may be well to notice, as it is highly important
as a nation, we should not only have vigorous understandings,
but strength of body to plan and execute any undertaking man
may perform. One of the most obvious causes of declining

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 167
strength, is the sedentary life of an increasing number of our ci
tizens, added to the fact that far too little exercise is taken in the
open air. It is so ordered on our planet, that man shall acquire
a living by the sweat of his brow — and it is further ordained, that
the labor implied in the mandate shall invigorate his bodily pow
ers. Another reason why we do not possess the constitutions of
our ancestors, is, our luxurious mode of life when compared with
theirs. We use more tea, coffee and sugar than they did, and our
food is frequently seasoned to death. In fact, modern cookery is
becoming a science, calculated to pamper the appetite of the in
dolent ; leaving the victim no other excuse than pastry for be
coming a gouty dyspeptic. Another palpable cause of pulmona
ry habits, is fashionable dressing. What tends much to weaken
us, although perhaps not so considered, is the use of stoves instead
of fire-places for warming rooms : and I may add to this another,
in the general introduction of bolting-cloths into grist-mills. An
drew Loucks, who, at our interview, was in his ninety-seventh
year, in answer to the question, " why were people of your day
healthier than those born at a later period," replied — " We ate
lighter food when I was a boy than at present, such as soups ;
used a great deal of milk and but little tea and coffee : we some
times made chocolate by roasting wheat flour in a pot, though not
often. But ah ! added the old man, " young people are now up
late nights — to run about evenings is not good, but to take the
morning air is good."
I should, perhaps, have remarked that the feeding of candy
and sweat-meats to children, has tended more than most people
imagine, to destroy the vigor of our race. There are, however,
in spite of the evils of infant pupilage, causes beginning to oper
ate favorably, for the extension of human life, so that in the ag
gregate, it is estimated that the average limitation of man's exist
ence is now annually on the increase. Reasons obvious for this
are, that science is augmenting its mastery of disease, while tem
perance is manifesting its benevolent operations in its prevention.
The first tea party in Schoharie county was given by one ofthe
Vrooman families, in Vrooman's Land. Miss Loucks, a sister of

168 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
my informant, was a guest. When the enlivener was announced
as ready, the party gathered about a round table, upon which
stood not a morsel of any thing to eat, except a liberal lump of
maple sugar, placed beside each cup. As the India beverage en
tered the cups from a kettle in which it had been boiled as one
would boil potatoes, great was the curiosity to know how it might
taste ; but it was soon satisfied in most of the guests, who sipped
and did nothing but sip, at a beverage that would have borne an
egg. No milk was used in the tea at Vrooman's. Miss Loucks,
who did not like sugar, ashamed to have the rest of the party
think she had not used her's, slipped it into a side pocket and car
ried it home. The ancient Dutch custom always placed a lump
of sugar beside each cup, and did not allow it to dissolve until it
entered the mouth, when a frequent nibble sufficed. — A. Loucks.
In doing the honors of a tea-table 25 years ago, the question —
will you bite or stir ? — was asked each guest.
Before tracing those events of the American Revolution, which
the reader, in the course of this work, is to expect, I will insert
for the benefit of the young, some of the leading causes which
brought it about.
Much had occurred during the colonizing of the several Ame
rican states, to estrange their affection and allegiance from the
British Crown. Repeated attempts had been made to abrogate
their charters — limit their manufactures, and circumscribe their
commerce : while numerous measures were adopted to render them
more servile, and less confident in their own capacity for govern
ment and self-protection.
The war between Great Britain and France, called the French
war, which lasted from 1755 to 1762, and ended so gloriously for
Britain in the conquest of Canada and other French possessions
in America, discovered to England the importance of her Ameri
can colonies. The English, at that period, knew but little ofthe
true state of feeling existing in America, except that obtained
through prejudiced sources : which remark is not wholly inappli
cable, even at the present day. The war to which I have alluded,
created for Britain a heavy national debt. To liquidate this debt,
the colonies were taxed, without having a voice in the councils

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 169
of the mother country ; against which they firmly, and with great
unanimity remonstrated. The British ministry, ignorant of the
geography of the colonies, treated those popular remonstrances
with a degree of indifference and contempt, that tended to lessen
the confidence of the colonists in the English government. To the
mad policy the British ministry pursued, there were in England
some most honorable opposers. Among the foremost may be re
gistered the illustrious names of a Pitt, a Conway and a Barre.
From the fact, that the colonists found some noble champions in
England to assert their rights, they were the more united and un
tiring in their attempts to obtain redress. As the criminal, if re
strained even for an imaginary offence, is the more closely confined
and watched if he makes any attempt to regain his liberty, so it
was with the colonies ; the more they remonstrated, the heavier
the manacles that were wrought for them. It is not to be won
dered at, that a people taught from the cradle to appreciate liber
ty, should manfully assert and maintain it.
A system of taxation was devised by the British ministry as
early as 1754. The plan proposed that the colonies should erect
fortifications, raise troops, &c; with power to draw on the Bri
tish treasury to defray the expense of the same — the whole ulti
mately to be reimbursed by a tax from the mother country on the
colonies. This plan was objected to by the sagacious Franklin,
who, in a written reply to Governor Shirley of Massachusetts,
proved clearly that the Americans could never submit to a tax
that would render them servile — that they were already taxed in
directly without having a voice, being compelled to pay heavy du
ties on the manufactures of the mother country ; although many
of the articles might be manufactured on American soil, or pur
chased cheaper in some other foreign market.
Dissatisfaction was for years gaining ground in the colonies;
and as the intelligence of the people increased, so. that they could
the better appreciate the value of liberty, the prejudices against
the mother country were correspondingly augmented. Every
new step the ministry took, having for its ultimate object to fix
upon the Americans a system of taxation, was regarded with jeal-

170 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
ousy. They were aware that Great Britain had so fettered then-
foreign trade, as almost wholly to confine their commerce to her
self. The French war had swelled the national debt of England to
nearly three hundred and twenty millions of dollars. George
Grenville, then prime minister of England, wishing to devise some
means for raising a revenue to meet the increased expenses of the
British government, which should not prove onerous at liome, pro
posed to raise a revenue in America to go into the exchequer of
Great Britain. The first act for this object was passed in 1764.
It imposed a duty on " clayed sugar, indigo, fyc," and would have
been submitted to, had it not been closely followed by others still
more oppressive. Governor Bernard, of Massachusetts, issued a
pamphlet, doubtless from sinister motives, justifying the course of
England. . He recommended abolishing the colonial charters — a
new division of the colonies — a nobility for life in each division —
the whole to come under one general government, and that to be
under the control of the King, abolishing, at the same time, re
ligious freedom of opinion, etc. It may well be imagined what
effect sentiments would produce in America, which were intended
to demolish colonial rights. In March, of the same year, Mr.
Grenville reported a resolution imposing certain stamp duties on
the colonies. It was not to be acted upon, however, until the
next session of Parliament. Opportunity being thus afforded the
colonies, nearly all expressed in the interim, their disapprobation.
In strong terms the House of Burgesses, of Virginia, signified their
sense of the measure. They addressed lucid and sensible remon
strances to the King and both houses of Parliament. In those,
they exhibited the want of a precedent to such a proceeding — the
subversion of their rights as subjects of Great Britain — the ex
hausted state of their finances by the late war, which left that
colony involved in a debt, to cancel which must impose for years
to come a tax on her citizens — the general depression of business— p
their present exposed state, as the Indians on the frontier were
unsubdued, and might increase their colonial debt, &c. The ad
dresses throughout, breathed a tone of humble firmness. Those

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 171
memorials were not even allowed to be read in the House of Com
mons. Doctor Franklin, who was then in England, waited upon
Mr. Grenville in person, to persuade him to abandon a measure,
he well knew must excite the whole continent. Grenville perse
vered, and in March, 1765, the obnoxious bill was brought into
the House of Commons. General Conway was the only member
who openly contended against the right of Parliament to enact
such a law. Charles Townsend, an advocate for the bill, closed
a long and rather eloquent speech as follows :
" And now will those Americans, children planted by our care,
nourished by our indulgence, till they are grown to a degree of
strength and opulence, and protected by our arms, will they grudge
to contribute their mite to relieve us from the heavy weight of that
burden which we lie under ?"
Colonel Barre, one of the most respectable members of the
House of Commons, with strong feelings of indignation in his
countenance and expression, replied to Mr. Townsend in the fol
lowing eloquent and laconic manner :
" They planted by your care ? — No. Your oppressions plant
ed them in America. They fled from your tyranny into a then
uncultivated land, where they were exposed to all the hardships
to which human nature is liable ; and among others, to the cruel
ties of a savage foe, the most subtle, and, I will take upon me to
say, the most terrible, that ever inhabited any part of God's earth.
And yet, actuated by principles of true English liberty, they met
all these hardships with pleasure, when they compared them with
those they suffered in their own country, from men who should
have been their friends.
" They nourished by your indulgence ?— -They grew up by
your neglect of them. As soon as you began to care about them,
that care was exercised in sending persons to rule them in one de
partment and in another, who were perhaps the deputies of depu
ties to some members of this House, sent to spy out their liberties,
to misrepresent their actions, and to prey upon them. — Men whose
behavior on many occasions, has caused the blood of those sons of
liberty to recoil within them. — Men promoted to the highest seats
of justice, some of whom to my knowledge were glad, by going
to a foreign country, to escape being brought to the bar of a court
of justice in their own.
" They protected by your arms ? — They have nobly taken up
arms in your defence. They have exerted a valor amidst their
constant and laborious industry, for the defence of a country whose

172 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
frontier was drenched in blood, while its interior parts yielded all
its little savings to your emolument. And believe — remember I
this day tell you so, that same spirit of freedom which actuated
that people at first, will accompany them still : but prudence for
bids me to explain myself further. God knows I do not at this
time speak from any motives of party heat ; what I deliver are
the .genuine sentiments of my heart.. However superior to me in
general knowledge and experience the respectable body of this
House may be, yet I claim to know more of Americans than most
of you, having seen and been conversant in that country. The
people, I believe, are as truly loyal as any subjects the King has,
but a people jealous of their liberties, and who will vindicatethem,
if ever they should be violated: but the subject is too delicate — I
will say no more."
The bill was passed by the Commons, and met with no oppo
sition at all in the House of Lords. On the twenty-second of the
same month, 1765, it received the royal assent. Soon after the
passage of the bill, Doctor Franklin, in a letter to Mr. Charles
Thompson, afterwards secretary to Congress, thus writes : " The
sun of liberty is set ; you must light up the candles of industry
and economy." Said Mr. Thompson, in his reply to Franklin, —
"Be assured that we shall light up torches of quite another sort."
To Mr. Ingersoll, who left London about the time the bill passed,
Doctor Franklin said : " Go home and tell your people to get
children [for soldiers] as fast as they can." The act, which was
.not to take effect until the following November, provided, that all
contracts should be written on stamped paper, or have no force in
law. As a matter of course, the paper was to be furnished at
extravagant prices. As < it was foreseen that unusual measures
would be required to enforce a law, which, from its very nature,
must meet with resistance, provision was made that all penalties
for its violation might be recovered in the admiralty courts, which
received their appointment from the crown. This was intended
to obviate the process of trial by jury, as it was supposed no co
lonial jury would aid in enforcing a law so obnoxious. The news
of its final passage was received in the colonies with sorrowing
of heart. Almost every thing was done by the people that could
be, to manifest their abhorence of the stamp act. The shipping
in the harbor at Boston displayed colors at half mast; church-

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 173
bells were muffled and tolled, and societies in most of the colonies
were formed to resist the execution of the law. Masters of ves
sels who brought the stamps, were treated with indignity, and
compelled to deliver up the stamps to the populace, who made
bonfires of them and the law. Effigies of Andrew Oliver, who
had been appointed stamp-distributer for the colony of Massachu
setts, and the British minister, lord North, (who had succeeded
Mr. Grenville,) and some of his advisers, were made, and in so
lemn mockery, publicly burned. Justices of the peace refused to
interpose their authority to enforce the law. Stamp officers were
compelled to yield to the popular will, and agree never to deliver
a stamp. And what was most alarming to Great Britain, many
of the merchants entered into solemn engagements to import no
more goods from the mother country, until the act was repealed.
In the month of May following the passage of the act, five
spirited resolutions against the law were introduced into the le
gislature of Virginia, by Patrick Henry, and after a very warm
debate, were adopted. The fifth resolution read as follows :
" Resolved therefore, That the General Assembly of this colony
have the sole right and power to lay taxes and impositions upon
the inhabitants of this colony ; and that every attempt to vest such
power in any person or persons whatever, other than the General
Assembly aforesaid, has a manifest tendency to destroy British as
well as American freedom." [Nearly at the same time the As
sembly of Massachusetts adopted similar resolves.]
In the city of New York the stamp-act was printed, under the
title of " The folly of England, and the ruin of America," and
thus hawked about the streets. When it became known that co
lonial assemblies were evincing hostility to the law, the timid be
came more bold and the tendency to mobocracy could not be re
strained. In many parts of Connecticut and Rhode-Island, mobs
to oppose the law were collected, while in Boston the populace
wantonly destroyed the buildings and property of the stamp offi
cers. In June the Legislature of Massachusetts proposed the ex
pediency of calling a Continental Congress, to meet in New York
the following October. Nine of the colonies sent delegates. The
esult of their deliberations was, a declaration of rights, in which

174 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
they claimed the exclusive right to tax themselves, and the privi
lege of trial by jury, a memorial to the House of Lords, and a pe
tition to the King, and Commons. Colonies prevented by the pro
roguing power of their governors from sending delegates to the
convention, expressed their earliest possible approbation of the
proceedings. On the first day of November, when'the stamp-act
was to take effect, sadness was manifest in all the colonies. In
Boston the workshops and stores were closed, and while the bells
tolled as for a funeral, effigies of the friends of the act, were
marched in solemn procession through the streets, to a gallows
on Boston neck, where, after the hang-man had done his duty,
they were cut down and destroyed. At Portsmouth, public no
tice was given to the friends of liberty to attend her funeral — a
coffin was prepared, upon which was inscribed in large letters the
word Liberty. This was followed by a numerous procession,
while the bells were tolling and minute guns were firing, to the
grave. There an oration was pronounced, in which it was hinted,
that the deceased might possibly revive. The coffin was then dis
interred, the word Revived conspicuously added to the inscription,
after which the bells rang a merry peal. Printers boldly printed
and circulated their papers, without the required stamp. Asso
ciations were formed from Maine to the Mississippi, entitled the
" Sons of Liberty," composed of the talent and wealth of the
people ; pledging their fortunes and their lives to defend the
liberty of the press, and put down the stamp-act. The scheme
of continental alliance, which afterwards followed, sprang from
these associations.. Nor were the males alone patriotic — females
of the highest rank, and bred to luxurious ease, became members
in all the colonies, of societies, resolving to forego luxuries, and
to card, spin, and weave their own clothing. Fair reader ! a suit
of home7spun, was then a mark of popular distinction. Such was
the spirit of opposition, to a favorite measure of the British minis
try. Parliament again convened in January, 1766 ; when a mul
titude of petitions, from all parts of England and America, were
presented for the repeal of the . stamp-act. Some changes had
taken place in the English Cabinet, more favorable to the colonial

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 175
cause, but Mr. Grenville still retained a place in it. After the
speech of the King had been read, Mr. Pitt, the great champion
of equal rights, occupied the floor. He briefly censured the acts
of the late ministry, after which he thus expressed himself.
" It is a long time, Mr. Speaker, since I have attended in Par
liament : when the resolution was taken in this House to tax Ame
rica, I was ill in bed. If I could have endured to have been car
ried in my bed, so great was the agitation of my mind for the con
sequences, I would have solicited some kind hand to have laid me
down on this floor, to have borne my testimony against it. It is
my opinion, that this kingdom has no right to lay a tax upon the colo
nies. At the same time, I assert the authority of this kingdom to
be sovereign and supreme in every circumstance of government
and legislation whatsoever. Taxation is no part of the governing
or legislative power ; the taxes are a voluntary gift and grant of
the Commons alone. The concurrence of the Peers and the
Crown is necessary only as a form of law. This House represents
the commons of Great Britain. When in this House we give and
grant, therefore, we give and grant what is our own, but can we
give and grant the property of the Commons of America ? It is, an
absurdity in terms. There is an idea in some, that the colonies
are virtually represented in this House. I would fain know by
whom ? The idea of virtual representation is the most contemptible
that ever entered into the head of man : — It does not deserve a se
rious refutation. The commons in America, represented in their
several Assemblies, have invariably exercised this constitutional
right of giving and granting their own money ; they would have
been slaves if they had not enjoyed it. At the same time this
kingdom, has ever professed the power of legislation and commer
cial control. The colonies acknowledge your authority in all
things, with the sole exception that you shall not take their money
out of their pockets without their consent. Here would I draw the
line — quam ultra citraque nequit consistere rectum" — [right forbids
you to go beyond or fall short of it.]
Mr. Grenville, the prime mover of all the mischief, arose to de
fend his measures. He compared the tumults in America to an
open rebellion — said he feared the doctrine that day promulgated
would lead to revolution. He justified the right of taxing the
colonies, &c. Said he —
" Protection and obedience are reciprocal. Great Britain pro
tects America, America is therefore bound to yield obedience. If
not, tell me, when were the Americans emancipated ? The sedi
tious spirit of the colonies, owes its birth to the factions in this
House. We were told we trod on tender ground ; we were bid to

176 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
expect disobedience ; what is this but telling America to stand out
against the law? To encourage their obstinacy with the expecta
tion of support here ? Ungrateful people of America ! The nation
has run itself into an immense debt to give them protection ;
bounties have been extended to them ; in their favor the act of
navigation has been relaxed : and now that they are called upon
to contribute a small share towards the public expense, they re
nounce your authority, insult your officers, and break out, I might
almost say, into open rebellion."
Mr. Grenville took his seat, and Mr. Pitt, with permission of
the House, rose, with indignation visible in his countenance, to
reply. " Sir," [addressing the Speaker,] " a charge is brought against
gentlemen sitting in this House, for giving birth to sedition in
America. The freedom with which they have spoken their senti
ments against this unhappy act, is imputed to them as a crime ;
but the imputation shall not discourage me. It is a liberty which
I hope no gentleman will be afraid to exercise ; it is a liberty by
which the gentleman who calumniates it, might have profited.
He ought to have desisted from his project. We are told America
is obstinate — America is almost in open rebellion . Sir, I rejoice
that America has resisted. Three millions of people so dead to all
the feelings of liberty, as voluntarily to submit to be slaves, would
have been fit instruments to have made slaves of all the rest."
[After a very happy reply to some old law passages cited by Mr.
Grenville ; he thus continued] — " 'When,' said the honorable gen
tleman, ' were the colonies emancipated V At what time, say I in
answer, were they made slaves ? I speak from accurate know
ledge when I say, that the profits to Great Britain from the trade
of the colonies, through all its branches, is two millions per an
num. This is the fund which carried you triumphantly through
the war ; this is the price America pays you for her protection ;
and shall a miserable financier come with a boast that he can fetch
a pepper-corn into the exchequer, at the loss of millions to the na
tion ? I know the valor of your troops — I know the skill of your
officers — I know the force of this country ; but in such a cause your
success would be hazardous. America if she fell, would fall like
the strong man : she would embrace the pillars of the State and
pull down the Constitution with her. Is this your boasted peace ?
Not to sheathe the sword in the scabbard, but to sheathe it in the
bowels of your countrymen ? The Americans have been wronged ;
they have been driven to madness by injustice. Will you punish
them for the madness you have occasioned ? No: let this country
be the first to resume its prudence and temper; I will pledge
myself for the colonies, that on their part animosity and resent
ment will cease. The system of policy I would earnestly adopt in

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 177
relation to America, is happily expressed in the words of a favo
rite poet : " Be to her faults a little blind,
Be to her virtues very kind,
Let all her ways be unconfined
And clap your padlock on her mind."
Upon the whole I beg leave to tell the House, in a few words,
what is really my opinion. It is that the stamp-act be repealed,
ABSOLUTELY, TOTALLY AND IMMEDIATELY.
In addition to the information contained in the numerous peti
tions laid before Parliament, Doct. Franklin was called to the bar,
and questioned freely as to the real state of feeling existing in the
colonies towards the act. By a division of the House a large
majority were in favor of not enforcing ; and shortly after a bill
passed for repealing the law. The news of its repeal produced
joy throughout England and America. Illuminations and deco
rations took place in the former, while in the latter country, public
thanksgivings were offered in the churches — non-importation re
solutions rescinded, and the home-spun apparel given to the poor.
The difficulty between the two countries would soon have been
healed, had not the repeal of the stamp-act been followed with
the " Declaratory Act," which was, " that Parliament have, and
of right ought to have, power to bind the^ colonies in all cases
whatsoever." In this the right to tax was still maintained : in
addition to this probe to open the wound anew, a law remained
unrepealed, which directed that whenever troops should be march
ed into any of the colonies, necessary articles should be provided
for them at the expense of the colony. The Assembly of New
York refused obedience to this law, and Parliament, to punish
that body, suspended its authority. The alarm occasioned by this
act, considered by the people despotic, had not time to die away,
before a new and aggravated cause of grievance was added, by
the passage of a law imposing duties on the importation of glass,
tea, and other enumerated articles, into the colonies, provision by
the act being made for the appointment of commissioners of the
customs, to be dependent solely on the Crown. About the same
time Gov. Bernard of Massachusetts who had received private in-

178 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
stractions to see that the colony made provision to remunerate the
losses of those who had honored the stamp-act, being already very
unpopular with the people, assumed, in his message to the As
sembly, a tone of haughty reproach. This message produced a
sarcastic and indignant reply. From this time the friends of
liberty daily increased, and the court party correspondingly de
clined. The joy felt in the colonies for the repeal of the stamp-
act, was of very short duration. The non-importation agreements
were revived — looms and cards once more set to work — the spin
ning-wheel, the piano of the times, was heard buzzing in the
dwellings of the rich — articles of domestic manufacture became
again, with patriots, the fashion of the day — petitions and re
monstrances were drawn up and circulated — and India tea, yield
ed its place on the tables of its fond drinkers, to a decoction of
sassafras, sage, or a glass of cold water.
In 1768, troops were stationed in New York and Boston, to
awe the people into submission to the acts of Parliament. Early
in the same year, Massachusetts addressed a circular letter to the
legislatures of the sister colonies, to have them unite in advising
what course it was best to pursue. A series of essays, published
in a Philadelphia newspaper at this period, entitled, "Letters
from a farmer in Pennsylvania to the inhabitants of the British
Colonies," from the pen of that enlightened patriot, John Dick
inson, Esq., augmented the spirit of union. Li 1769, resolutions
were adopted in Parliament reprobating in strong terms the con
duct of the people of Massachusetts, and directing that pliant tool
of oppression, Governor Bernard, to make strict inquiry into all
treasonable acts committed in that province since 1767, that per
sons thus guilty might have their offences investigated, and their
.fate decided upon within the realm of Great Britain.
The House of Burgesses of Virginia, which met shortly after,
adopted, with closed doors, from fear of being prorogued by the
Governor, resolutions expressive of their sense of the injustice
and unconstitutionality of transporting criminals for trial among
strangers, believing it to be highly derogatory to the rights of
British subjects. Soon after this public manifestation of popular

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 179
displeasure, the general court of Massachusetts convened at Cam
bridge, the public buildings in Boston being filled at that time
with British soldiers. Governor Bernard wished them to provide
funds to defray the expenses of quartering his Majesty's troops —
no notice, however, was taken of the request : and he shortly af
ter left the province — unhonored and unlamented. He had for
some time been a pliant tool for the British ministry, and his sys
tem of espionage had won for him the curses of the Union, which
was then forming. Had the colonies Been governed by men who
were more willing to redress known grievances, and less anxious
to please a ministry three thousand miles distant, it is possible the
separation of the colonies from the mother country might have
been delayed, if not prevented. Governor Trumbull of Connec
ticut, it should be observed, was an exception to the general rule.
Nothing occurred in 1769, to avert the impending storm. The
mass of the people, in the mean time, were properly investigating
the causes which were agitating the country, and which were fast
approaching a crisis. Non-importation agreements were now as
suming a form, and producing an effect which told on the mother
country. In June of that year, delegates from the several coun
ties in Maryland met at Annapolis and adopted spirited resolves :
in one of which they took measures to secure to the country the
article of wool, by agreeing not to kill any ewe lambs.
The troops quartered in New York and Boston were a constant
source of irritation and difficulty with the inhabitants. On the
second day of March, 1770, a quarrel took place at Boston, be
tween a British soldier and a man employed at a rope-walk. This
quarrel was renewed by the citizens on the evening of the fifth,
when a part of Captain Preston's company, after having been
pelted with snoW-balls, derided, and dared to, fired upon the mul
titude, killing three and wounding five others. The ringing of
bells, the beating of drums and the shout to arms ! by the peo
ple, soon brought together thousands of citizens. A body of
troops, sent in the mean time to rescue Preston's men, would
doubtless have been massacred, had not Governor Hutchinson and
some of the leading citizens, among whom was Samuel Adams,

180 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
interfered. The Governor promised that the matter should be
amicably adjusted in the morning ; and the mob dispersed. The
anniversary of this first martyrdom in the cause of American lib
erty, was celebrated by the Bostonians until the close of the war.
The immortal Warren delivered two of the anniversary orations.
In the first, which he delivered in 1772, on alluding to the events
of that memorable evening, he thus speaks :
" When we beheld the authors of our distress parading in our
streets, or drawn up in a regular battalia, as though in a hostile
city, Our hearts beat to arms ; we snatched our weapons, almost
resolved, by one decisive stroke, to avenge the death of our slaugh
tered brethren, and to secure from future danger, all that we held
most dear: but propitious heaven forbade the bloody carnage, and
saved the threatened victims of our too keen resentment, not by
their discipline, not by their regular array, — no, it was royal
George's livery that proved their shield — it was that which turned
the pointed engines of destruction from their breasts." [In a note
of reference to the forgoing extract, he thus adds :] " I have the
strongest reason to believe that I have mentioned the only circum'
stance which saved the troops from destruction. It was then and
now is the opinion of those who were best acquainted with the
state of affairs at that time, that had thrice that number of troops,
belonging to any power at open war with us, been in this town, in
the same exposed condition, scarce a man would have lived to
have seen the morning light."
Three days after the massacre, the obsequies were solemnized.
Every demonstration of respect was manifested. The stores and
work-shops were closed — the bells of Boston, Charlestown and
Roxbury were tolled, and thousands followed the remains to their
final resting place. The bodies were all deposited in one vault.
This unhappy event and its annual observance, tended greatly to
widen the breach between the colony of Massachusetts and the
mother country. In New York, quarrels also arose between the
citizens and soldiers. Liberty poles, erected by the former, were
cut down by the latter.
While such events were transpiring, an attempt was made in
England to repeal the laws for raising a revenue in America. The
duties were removed from all articles except tea, it being thought
necessary by Parliament, ta have at least one loaf constantly in
the oven of discord. The repeal of a part of the obnoxious law

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 181
produced little effect in the colonies, except to modify the non
importation agreements so as to exclude only tea from the coun
try ; and those patriots who had not before substituted, instead of
tea, a cold water or herbaceous beverage, did now.

13

( 182 )

CHAPTER VI.

The reader will perceive that the Revolution had, for several
years, been progressively taking place : he is now approaching
that period, when, by the clashing of steel, it was to be main
tained. In 1772, his Majesty's , revenue cutter Gaspee, while giving
chase to the Pt evidence, a packet sailing into Newport, and sus
pected of dealing in contraband wares, ran aground in Providence
river, and was burned by the merchants and citizens in the
vicinity. This was a bold act, and the sum of five hundred
pounds was offered for the discovery of the offenders, and full par
don to any one who wpuld become state's evidence : but in this
case, as in that of Andre's capture, gold had no influence.
In 1773, provinces not exposed to the acts of a lawless soldiery,
were fast breathing the same spirit manifested by those which
were : propitious gales wafted it to the remotest parts. The ta
lented Patrick Henry, who made human nature and human events
his study, prophesied, during this year, that the colonies would
become independent. Virginia, in March of 1773, again took the
lead in legislative resolves, against tyrannic oppression. The le
gislatures of New England and Maryland responded cordially to
them. Governor Hutchinson of Massachusetts, who succeeded
Mr. Bernard, by a system of espionage similar to that carried on
by the latter, became to the people of that commonwealth very
odious. During this year, standing committees were appointed
in the colonial assemblies, to correspond with each dther. At this
period, town committees had been formed in almost every town in

HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, ETC. 183
some of >Jhe colonies, which had for their chief object, the speedy
communication of important information, there being then but few
printing presses in the country. Some time in this year, Doctor
Franklin obtained in London several original letters, written by
governor Hutchinson and others at Boston, to members of the
British Parliament ; stating that the opposition to the laws, were,
in Massachusetts, confined to a few factious individuals : recom
mending at the same time, the abridging of colonial rights, and
the adoption of more vigorous measures. These letters were
transmitted to America, and their contents being soon known in
every hamlet in New England, the popular indignation was great
ly increased. The legislature of Massachusetts, in an address to
his Majesty, demanded the recall of the governor and lieut. gov
ernor. This legislative proceeding was the cause of much oppro
brium being cast upon Franklin in England.
Owing to the rigid observance of the non-importation resolves,
the East India company now found their tea accumulating in vast
quantities in their ware-houses. They were therefore under the
necessity of petitioning Parliament for relief. Permission was
granted them to import it on their own account : and they accord
ingly appointed consignees in several American sea- ports, and
made heavy shipments to them. They intended, no doubt, to
land it free of duty to the American merchant, but the law im
posing the duty yet remained on the statute book of England ;
and the popular voice decided, that while the right to tax was
maintained, the tea should not be landed. In Philadelphia, the
consignees declined their appointment. In New York, hand-bills
were circulated, threatening with ruin those who should vend tea ;
and warning pilots, at their peril, not to conduct ships into that
port laden with the article. In Boston, inflammatory handbills
were also circulated, but the consignees, being in favor with the
governor, accepted their appointments. This excited the whole
colony of Massachusetts, and enraged the citizens. In the mean
time, several ships, containing thousands of chests, arrived on the
coast. So determined were the people not to allow the tea to be
landed, that ship after ship was compelled to return to England,

184 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
without unlading a single chest. Philadelphia took the lead, and
was nobly sustained by New York. In Charleston, it was landed
but not permitted to be sold. On the twenty- ninth of November,
the Dartmouth, an East India ship, laden with tea, entered the
harbor of Boston. At a numerous meeting of the citizens, held
to consult on the course to be pursued, it was resolved, " that the
tea should not be landed, that no duty should be paid, and that it
should be sent back in the same vessel." To enforce the resolu
tions, a vigilant watch was organized to prevent its being secret
ly landed. The captain was notified to return with his cargo ;
but Governor Hutchinson refused to sanction his return. In the
mean time, other vessels, laden with tea, arrived there. On the
sixteenth December, the citizens of Boston and vicinity assembled
to determine what course to adopt. On the evening of that day,
when it was known that the governor refused a pass for the ves
sels to return, a person in an Indian's dress gave the war whoop in
the gallery of the Assembly room. At this signal, the people
hurried to the wharves ; when a party of about twenty men, dis
guised as Mohawks, protected by thousands of citizens on shore,
boarded the vessels, broke open and emptied the contents of three
hundred and forty-two chests of tea into the ocean, without tu
mult or personal injury. What a tea party the fishes and sea-
serpent must have had that night.
These violent proceedings greatly excited the displeasure of the
British government. Early in 1774, an act was passed in Par
liament, levying a fine on the town of Boston, as a compensation
to the East India company for the tea destroyed the preceding De
cember. About the same time, an act closing the port of Boston
and removing the custom house to Salem : and another*deprivino-
the colony of Massachusetts of her constitution and charter, were
passed : and to cap the climax of oppression, a bill was introduced
making provision for the trial in England, instead of that colony
for capital offence ; which passed the same year. A few indivi
duals strenuously opposed those measures, believing tbat the colo
nists would be driven to acts of desperation ; but they were passed
by large majorities. When the bill for blockading the town of

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 185
Boston was under discussion in March of this year, Gov. John
ston, who opposed the measure, said in a speech on that occasion,
" I now venture to predict to this house, that the effect of the pre
sent bill must be productive of a general confederacy, to resist
the power of this country." Gen. Conway was again found the
champion of equal rights, and when the bill was under discussion
to destroy the chartered privileges of the colony, he closed a brief
but pertinent speech with the following sentence : " These acts
respecting America, will involve this country and its ministers in
misfortunes, and, I wish I may not add, in ruin." It has often
been asserted that the whole bench of Bishops in England, who
are legally constituted members of Parliament, were in favor of
forcing the colonies to submit to the unwise acts of the mother
country. As there was one most honorable exception, I take
pleasure in making it more generally known. The Rev. Dr. Jona
than Shipley, Bishop of St. Asaph, was the nobleman to whom I
allude. When the bill for altering the charter of the colony of
Massachusetts was under discussion, he prepared a speech replete
with wisdom, and containing the most convincing proofs, that the
British government were in the wrong and were pursuing a course
illy calculated to bring the colonies again to prove profitable to
England. He showed the evil of making the governors depend
ent on the crown, instead of the governed, for support. Said he :
Your ears have been open to the governors and shut to the peo
ple. This must necessarily lead us to countenance the jobs' of in
terested men, under the pretence of defending the rights of the
crown. But the people are certainly the best judges whether
they are well governed ; and the crown can have no rights incon
sistent with the happiness of the people." [Speaking of the act
of taxation, he said:] " If it was unjust to tax them, [the Ameri
cans] we ought to repeal it for their sakes ; if it was unwise to
tax them, we ought to repeal it for our own." [He exhibited the
fact that the whole revenue raised in America in 1772, amounted
only to eighty-five pounds.] " Money that is earned so dearly as
this [said he] ought to be expended with great wisdom and econo
my. My lords, were you to take up but one thousand pounds more
from North America upon the same terms, the nation itself would
be a bankrupt." [He added, in another place:] " It is a strange
idea we have taken up, to cure their resentments, by increasing
their provocations, to remove the effects of our own ill conduct, by

186 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
multiplying the instances of it. But the spirit of blindness and
infatuation has gone forth. * * Recollect that the Americans
are men of like passions with ourselves, and think how deeply
this treatment must affect them."
The able and argumentive speech of the learned Bishop, which
was not delivered in the House for want of an opportunity, was
published soon after, but, as he had anticipated, " not a word of
it was regarded." While the declaratory bill of the sovereignty of
Great Britain over the colonies was under discussion, in March,
Mr. Pitt, then lord Chatham, again opposed the principle of taxa
tion without representation, and closed an animated speech as fol
lows: " The forefathers of the Americans did not leave their native
country, and subject themselves to every danger and distress, to
be reduced to a state of slavery : they did not give up their rights ;
they looked for protection, and not for chains, from their mother
country ; by her they expected to be defended in the possession of
their property, and not to be deprived of it ; for should the pre
sent power continue, there is nothing they can call their own ;
or, to use the words of Mr. Locke, ' what property have they in that
which another may by right take, when he pleases, to himself?' "
The news in the colonies of the passage of the unjust laws
above mentioned, carried with it gloom and terror. The better
informed saw the approaching contest, yet firmly resolved to live
or die freemen. From the north to the south the same spirit was
manifested, and the kindest sympathy felt for the Bostonians, who
were considered as suffering in the cause of liberty. The first day
of June, when the Boston port-bill began to operate, was observed
in most of the colonies as a day of fasting and prayer.
Governor Hutchinson of Massachusetts was recalled early in
1774, and General Gage appointed his successor ; but the inter
ests of the people found no material benefit from this change of
rulers. On the 17th of June, the general court of Massachusetts,
at the suggestion of a committee in Virginia, recommended the
calling of a Congress at Philadelphia, on the first Monday of the
following September. At a numerous meeting of the inhabitants
of the city of New York, convened in an open field on the sixth

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 187
of July, with Alexander McDougal in the chair, a series of spirit
ed resolutions were adopted, among which was the following :
" Resolved, That any attack or attempt to abridge the liberties,
or invade the constitution of any of our sister colonies, is imme
diately an attack upon the liberties and constitution of all the oth
er British colonies."
About this time, the motto, " United we stand, divided we fall!"
originated in Hanover, Virginia ; while almost at the same in
stant the motto, " Join or die !" had its origin in Rhode Island.
On the first day of September, the following circumstance gave a
new impulse to the spirit of independence in the colony of Massa
chusetts. Gov. Gage had ordered a military force to take posses
sion of the powder in the provincial arsenal at Charlestown, near
Boston. It was rumored abroad, that the British fleet in the har
bor were bombarding the town, and thirty thousand men, in less
than two days, mostly armed, were on their way to Boston. An
other circumstance took place in that city, about the same time,
which added oil to the lamp of liberty. Gov. Gage deprived
John Hancock of his commission as colonel of cadets ; a volun
teer body of governor's guards. The company took offence at
the act, and instantly disbanded themselves. The late governors,
Bernard and Hutchinson, repeatedly represented to the British
ministry, that the colonies could never form a union. They had
hoped as much, and taken no little pains to prevent such an event ;
but when the fifth of September arrived, delegates from twelve of
the thirteen colonies met in convention, Georgia alone excepted :
she soon after joined the confederacy. Peyton Randolph, of Vir
ginia, was chosen president, and Charles Thompson, of Pennsyl
vania, secretary of this body. Patrick Henry was the first to ad
dress the meeting. While in session, this Congress passed reso
lutions, approving the course of the citizens of Boston — opposing
the acts of Parliament — advising union, peaceable conduct, etc.
They remonstrated with General Gage against fortifying Boston
Neck — recommended a future course to be pursued by the colo
nies — setting forth clearly the present evils, their causes and re
medies. They advised economy and frugality — the abstaining

188 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
from all kinds of intemperance, festivities, and the like — requir
ing committees to report all the enemies of American liberty,
that their names might be published. They also addressed a pe
tition to the. king— a memorial to the citizens of England-— an
address to the people of the colonies — and another to the French
inhabitants of Quebec, Georgia, Nova Scotia, and other British
provinces not represented. In their petition to the king, they
simply asked to be restored to their situation in the peace of 1763,
in humble, strong and respectful terms. They urged the colonies
" to be prepared for every contingency." They invited the co
operation of the British colonies not represented in that congress,
in their resistance to oppression ; and adjourned on the twenty-
sixth of October, after a session of fifty-two days, to meet again
on the tenth of the following May. Says Mr. Allan, author of
the American Revolution :
" That an assembly of fifty-two men, born and educated in the
wilds of a new world, unpractised in the arts of polity, most of them
unexperienced in the arduous duties of legislation, coming from
distant colonies and distant governments, differing ih religion,
manners, customs and habits, as they did in their views with re
gard to the nature of their connexion with Great Britain — that
such an assembly, so constituted, should display so much wisdom,
sagacity, foresight and knowledge of the world, such skill in ar
gument, such force of reasoning, such firmness and soundness of
judgment, so profound an acquaintance with the rights of man,
such elevation of sentiment, such genuine patriotism, and above
all, such unexampled union of opinion — was indeed a political
phenomenon, to which history has yet furnished no parallel."
The resolves of Congress were strictly observed, by all the thir
teen colonies, a system of commercial non-intercourse with the
mother country was maintained, and the militia were drilled and
preparations made for any emergency. In December following,
Maryland alone resolved to raise £ 10,000, for the purchase of
arms and ammunition for her defence. In January, 1775, colo
nial difficulties were the cause of warm discussions, in both Houses
of the mother government. On a motion for an address to his
Majesty, to give immediate orders for removing his troops from
Boston, Lord Chatham delivered a powerful speech. He asserted

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 189
that the measures of the preceding year, which had placed their
American affairs in so alarming a state, were founded upon mis
representation — that instead of its being only a faction in Boston,
as they had been told, who were opposed to their unlawful go
vernment, it was, in truth, the whole continent. Said he,
" When I urge this measure for recalling the troops from Bos
ton, I urge it on this pressing principle — that it is necessarily pre
paratory to the restoration of your prosperity." [He termed the
troops under General Gage,] " an army of impotence — and irrita
tion — I do not mean to censure the inactivity of the troops. It is
a prudent and necessary inaction. But it is a miserable condition,
where disgrace is prudence ; and where it is necessary to be con
temptible. Woe be to him who sheds the first, the unexpiable
drop of blood in an impious war, with a people contending in the
great cause of public liberty. I will tell you plainly, my lords, no
son of mine, nor any one over whom I have influence, shall ever
draw his sword upon his fellow subjects." [He stated, that from
authentic information he knew that the whole continent was unit
ing, and not commercial factions, as had been asserted. Speaking
of the principles which united the Americans, he said,] — " 'Tis
hberty to liberty engaged, that they will defend themselves, their
families and their countiy. In this great cause they are immova
bly allied. It is the alliance of God and nature — immutable, eter
nal, fixed as the firmament of Heaven. When your lordships
look at the papers transmitted us from America, when you consi
der their decency, firmness and wisdom, you can not but respect
their cause and wish to make it your own — for myself I must de
clare and avow that, in all my reading and observation, and it has
been my favorite study — I have read Thucidydes, and have stu
died and admired the master states of the world — that for solidity
and reasoning, force of sagacity, and wisdom of conclusion, under
such a complication of different circumstances, no nation or body
of men can stand in preference to the General Congress at Phila
delphia. I trust it is obvious to your lordships, that all attempts to
impose servitude on such men, to establish despotism over such a
mighty continental nation — must be vain — must be futile. To
conclude, my lords, if the ministers thus persevere in misadvising
and misleading the King, I will not say that they can alienate his
subjects from his crown, but I will affirm that they will make the
crown not worth his wearing. I shall not say that the King is be
trayed, but I will pronounce that the kingdom is undone."
Lord Chatham was nobly sustained by Lord Cambden, but
they were of a small minority, and their reasoning was buried in
the popular will of that immortal mortal, Lord North. A favo
rite measure of the latter gentleman, for healing the dissensions

190 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
in the colonies was adopted, which was in substance, that if any"
colony would consent to tax itself for the benefit of the mother
country, Parliament would forbear to tax that colony, as long as
the contribution was punctually paid. One would suppose that
head brainless that looked for a very beneficial result from the
passage of such a law. In March of this year, the celebrated
Edmund Burke delivered a long and able speech in Parliament in
favor of conciliating colonial difficulties — but to no purpose. An
effort was made by the British ministry, when they found the
Americans uniting, to create a separation of interest, and prevent
a union of the northern and southern, by conciliating the middle
colonies, but without effect : the motto, United we stand, had gone
forth, and no political maneuvering could annual it. At this pe
riod, there were not a few in the colonies, who, from reverence,
timidity or sinister motives, clung to the authority of the mother
country. The most of those, however, were recent immigrants
from England and Scotland, and a multitude of officers dependent
on the Crown and its authority, for a continuance of kingly honors.
These adherents to British authority were called Tories, and the
friends of liberty and equal rights were called Whigs; names
originated many years before in England. To compel New Eng
land to submit to the acts of Parliament, they were prohibited, in
the course of this year, from fishing on the banks of Newfound
land ; and armed vessels were sent to enforce the law. This pro
hibition was severely felt, as several colonies were extensively en
gaged in that business.
The gtorm which had so long been gathering over this conti
nent, was now about to descend in all its fury. On the 19th day
of April, 1775, Gen. Gage sent from Boston a detachment of 8
or 900 troops, under the command of Col. Smith and Maj. Pit
cairn, to destroy a collection of military stores, accumulated at
Concord by the friends of liberty. At Lexington, a small village
which they had to pass, a company of sixty or seventy militia were
paraded near the village church. Maj. P. riding forward, ex
claimed, Disperse, you rebels — throw down your arms and dis
perse ! The militia hesitated, and the Maj. firing a pistol, ordered

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 191
a company under Capt. Parker, to fire upon them : the command
was obeyed, and eight were killed and several wounded. The
militia dispersed, and the troops marched on to Concord. Some
of the stores had been removed, what remained were destroyed.
The minute men of that town had assembled before the arrival of
the regulars, but being too weak to oppose the latter, retired on
their approach. As the report of the firing upon the militia at
Lexington spread with almost lightning rapidity, from the ring
ing of bells, firing of signal guns, &c, the country was soon in
arms. Finding themselves reinforced, the Concord militia ad
vanced, and a skirmish ensued, in which several were killed on
both sides. The British troops, seeing that they were to have
hot work, as almost every male citizen between the ages of ten
and eighty were arming for the fight, began to retreat. In their
course they were fired upon from all manner of concealments.
Every stone-wall, tree, stump, rock, old barn or workshop,
sent forth its unerring bullet into the ranks of the enemy. Had
not the British been reinforced by about 900 men under Lord
Percy, few of the first detachment would ever have reached Bos
ton alive. The British loss in this battle, called the battle of
Lexington because it commenced and much of it was fought in
that town, in killed wounded and prisoners, was 273 ; and that
of the Provincials, 87. General Gage had thought, previous to
the battle of Lexington, that five regiments of British infantry
could march from Maine to Georgia. Possibly he had entered
the right school, to learn how to appreciate American valor with
more certainty. Thus closed the opening scene of a tragedy,
destined to last eight long years. The news of this battle spread
rapidly through the New England provinces. The plow was left
in the furrow — the chisel in the mortice — the iron in the forge;
and the hand that had placed it there, grasped the missile of death,
and hastened to the vicinity of Boston. In a few days, a large
army was assembled under the command of Generals Ward of
Massachusetts, and Putnam of Connecticut, and closely invested
the town.
While matters stood thus, in and around Boston, a plan for

192 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
the capture of the fortresses of Ticonderoga, Crown Point and
Skeenesborough, now Whitehall, commanding the route of inter
communication between the colonies and Canada ; was conceiv
ed and boldly executed. The fortresses were all surprised and
captured, as was a sloop of war near the outlet of Lake George,
without bloodshed, by colonels Ethan Allen, and Seth Warner,
with two hundred and thirty Green Mountain boys, and officers
Dean, Wooster, Parsons, and Arnold, and forty other brave
spirits of Connecticut. On the evening of the 10th of May, as
the invaders approached Ticonderoga, a sentinel snapped his gun
at Colonel Allen and retreated, followed by the latter and his
brave comrades. On gaining possession of the fortress, the com
mander was found napping. Colonel Allen demanded of him
the immediate surrender of the fort. " By what authority, sir V
It is possible the thought may not have entered the mind of the
rebel chieftain, that such a question would be propounded ; but
his fruitful genius instantly prompted the following, singular, and
laconic reply — "In the name ofthe Great Jehovah and the Con
tinental Congress." As may be supposed, the summons was
from too high a power to be resisted.
A minute account of the battle of Lexington, with depositions
to prove that the British troops shed the first blood, were trans
mitted without delay to England, by the provincial legislature of
Massachusetts then in session ; closing with the following sen
tence : Appealing to Heaven for the justice of our cause, we de
termine to die, or be free. The Colonial Congress again assem
bled, on the very day their authority had been so successfully an
ticipated, by the intrepid Allen at Ticonderoga. Preparations
at this time, were every where being made in the colonies, for
the maintenance of the stand taken against oppression, by a resort
to arms. A new impulse seemed given to the spirit of opposi
tion, by the defeat of the British troops at Lexington, and the
capture of the northern military posts ; but a majority of Con
gress, had not as yet formed the resolve, to aim at a final sepa
ration from the mother country. John Hancock, in consequence
of his having been proscribed by the British government, was

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 193
chosen president of this Congress. As military preparations were
making, a resort to arms had commenced, and it was pretty
evident that others must follow ; Congress saw the necessity of
giving to those preparations a head, and most fortunately ap
pointed THE WORLD'S MODEL MAN  GEORGE WASHINGTON, tO that
honorable post. He received the appointment of commander-in-
chief while a member of Congress, on the 22d of May, and be
gan immediately to prepare for his laborious duties. He arrived
at the American camp on the 3d day of July. Georgia having
sent delegates to the Congress of 1775, all the colonies were then
represented. Early in June, several transports filled with troops under the
command of generals Howe, Clinton and Burgoyne, arrived at
Boston. On the 17th, the battle of Breed's, now called Bunker's
hill, was fought. An intrenchment was thrown up on the pre
ceding evening, by a body of one thousand men under Colonel
Prescot. The intention was to have fortified Bunker's hill, but
the officers sent to throw up the redoubt, found that less tenable,
and built the fortification on Breed's hill. Ground was broken
at twelve o'clock at night, and by daylight a redoubt had been
thrown up eight rods square. In the morning, a reinforcement
of five hundred men was sent to their assistance. Although a
heavy cannonading was kept up from daylight by the British
shipping, the Americans, encouraged by General Putnam and
other brave officers, did not cease their labors. About noon,
General Gage, astonished at the boldness of the American mili
tia, sent a body of three thousand regulars, under Generals Howe
and Pigot, to storm the works. Generals Clinton and Burgoyne,
took a station in Boston, where they had a commanding view of
the hill. The towers of the churches — the roofs of the houses —
indeed every eminence in and around Boston, was covered with
anxious spectators ; many of whom had dear relatives exposed
to the known danger, awaiting with almost breathless anxiety
the deadly conflict. Many, and heart-felt were the prayers then
offered up, for the success of the patriot band. About the time
the action commenced, General Warren, who was president of the

194 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
Provincial Congress of Massachusetts, joined the Americans on
the hill as a volunteer. The British troops, having landed from
their boats, marched to attack the works. The Americans, re
serving their fire until the white ofthe eye was visible, then open
ed amost destructive one, dealing death on every hand. Indeed,
rank after rank was cut down, like grass before the mower.
The enemy wavered, and soon retreated in disorder down the hill.
Then might doubtless have been heard a stifled murmur of ap
plause, among the eye witnesses in Boston, who believed their
countrymen fighting a just cause. And then too, might have
been seen the lip of the British officer and rank tory, compress
ed with anger and mortification. While this attack was in pro
gress, the fire-brand of the licensed destroyer, by the diabolical
order of Gen. Gage, was communicated to the neighboring vil
lage of Charlestown, containing some six hundred buildings, and
the whole in a short time were reduced to ashes ; depriving about
two thousand inhabitants of a shelter, and destroying property
amounting to more than half a million of dollars. The British offi
cers with much difficulty, again rallied their troops, and led them
a second time to the attack. They were allowed to approach
even nearer than before ; when the Americans, having witnessed
the conflagration of Charlestown, themselves burning to revenge
the houseless mother and orphan, sent the messenger of death
among their ranks. The carnage became a second time too great
for the bravery of the soldier — the ranks were broken, and the
enemy again retreated, some even taking refuge in the boats.
When the British troops wavered a second time, Clinton, vexed
at their want of success, hastened to their assistance with a re
inforcement. On his arrival, the men were again rallied, and
compelled, by the officers, who marched in their rear with
drawn swords, to renew the attack. At this period of the con
test, the ammunition of the Americans failed, and the enemy
entered the redoubt. Few of the. former had bayonets, yet for
a while they continued the unequal contest with clubbed muskets,
but were finally overpowered. The American loss in numbers,
was inconsiderable until the enemy scaled the works. They

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 1 95
were forced to retreat over Charlestown Neck, a narrow isthmus
which was raked by an incessant fire from several floating bat
teries. Fortunately, few were killed in crossing the Neck. The
following anecdote is characteristic of Bunker bravery : While
the Americans were retreating from the hill across Charlestown
Neck, Timothy Cleveland, of Canterbury, Ct, was marching
with others with trailed arms, when a grape shot struck the
small part of the breech of his gun-stock, and cut it off. He
had proceeded several rods before he was aware of his loss —
but ran back and picked it up, declaring, " The darned British
shall have no part of my gun." The gun-stock was repaired
with a tin band, and was long after in the service of its patriotic
owner, who was from the same county and under the command
of Gen. Putnam. — Joseph Simms. The British loss in this,
which was the first regular fought battle in the Revolution, was,
in killed and wounded, one thousand and fifty-four, including
many officers, among whom was Major Pitcairn of Lexington
memory.* The American loss in killed and wounded, was four
hundred and fifty4hree ; and among the former was the talent
ed, the kind-hearted and zealous patriot, Gen. Warren; who
received a musket bullet through the head. He was a distin
guished physician in Boston, and warmly espoused the cause of
his country, and yielded his life a willing sacrifice in her defence ;
undying be his memory in the American heart !
What a scene of sublime grandeur must this battle have pre
sented, to the citizens of Boston and the surrounding hills ! The
roar of cannon and musketry — the clashing of steel, as hand to
hand the foeman met — the groans of the wounded and dying —
the shouts of the combatants — the dense cloud of smoke which
enveloped the peninsula, lit up transversely by streams of death -
boding fire — the sheet of flame and crash of burning buildings
and falling towers at Charlestown — the intense anxiety of those
interested for the safety of friends and their property — the proba-
*For some further particulars relating to this battle, and the death of
Pitcairn, see a sketch of the personal character of Gen. James Dana, insert
ed under Cobelskill.

196 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
ble effect of that day's transactions, on the future prosperity of
the colonies — combined to render it one of the most thrilling
spectacles mortal eye ever witnessed. The British trumpeted this
battle as a victory. " If they call this a victory, how many such
can the British army achieve without ruin 1" asked the Ameri
cans. The following anecdotes of the battle of Bunker's Hill, I find
in a letter from Col. John Trumbull, the artist, to Daniel Putnam,
a son of Gen. Israel Putnam, dated New York, March 30th, 1818.
The letter is published in a reply of the latter to an unkind at
tack made by Gen. Dearborn, some time previous, in a pubhc
journal, in which the imputation of cowardice was cast upon the
brave " Old Put" — who always dared to lead where any dared to
follow. The writer, though a native of the same county in which
the old hero died, never heard of but one act in his adventurous
life which evinced a want of judgment, and that was far from a
cowardly one. It was that of his '** entering a cavern to kill a
wolf, and leaving his gun outside," until he entered a second time.
Says Trumbull :
" In the summer of 1786, I became acquainted, in London, with
Col. John Small, of the British army, who had served in America
many years, and had known General Putnam intimately during
the war of Canada from 1756 to 1763. From him, I had the two
following anecdotes respecting the battle of Bunker Hill : I shall
nearly repeat his words. Looking at the picture which I had then
almost completed, he said : ' I don't hke the situation in which you
have placed my old friend Putnam ; you have not done him jus
tice. I wish you would alter that part of your picture, and intro
duce a circumstance which actually happened, and which I can
never forget. When the British troops advanced the second time
to the attack of the redoubt, I, with the other British officers, was
in front of the line to encourage the men : we had advanced very
near the works undisturbed, when an irregular fire, like a feu-de-
joie, was poured in upon us ; it was cruelly fatal. The troops fell
back, and when I looked to the right and left, I saw not one officer
standing ; — I glanced my eye to the enemy, and saw several young
men leveling their pieces at me ; I knew their excellence as marks
men, and considered myself gone. At that moment, my old friend
Putnam rushed forward, .and striking up the muzzles of their pieces
with his sword, cried out, " For God's sake, my lads, don't fire at
that man — I love him as I do my brother." We were so near

- AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 197
each other that I heard his words distinctly. He was obeyed ; I
bowed, thanked him, and walked away unmolested.' "
The other anecdote relates to the death of Gen. Warren :
" At the moment when the troops succeeded in carrying the re
doubt, and the Americans were in full retreat, Gen. Howe (who
had been hurt by a spent ball, which bruised his ancle,) was lean
ing on my arm. He called suddenly to me : ' Do you see that ele
gant young man who has just fallen ? Do you know him V I
looked to the spot towards which he pointed — ' Good God, sir, I
believe it is my friend Warren.' ' Leave me then instantly — run ;
keep off the troops, save him if possible.' I flew to the spot : 'My
dear friend,' I said to him, ' I hope you are not badly hurt.' He
looked up, seemed to recollect me, smiled and died ! A musket-
ball had passed through the upper part of his head."
The Congress which met in the summer of 1775, had not yet
determined to throw off all allegiance to the British crown, and
in July of that year, prepared a declaration of American griev
ances for the preceding ten years, with the causes which had led
to them. They also drew up a respectful address to the King, in
which they avowed boldly, that they were " resolved to die free
men rather than live slaves." This Congress established a gener
al post office and general hospital, and resolved to emit a paper
currency. Its proceedings, however, effected nothing towards
healing the difficulties with the mother country. In November,
the House of Lords, at the motion of the duke of Richmond, met
to interrogate ex-governor Penn, who had been two years gover
nor of Pennsylvania. He stated, in reply to certain questions,
that he had resided four years in the colonies — that he was per
sonally acquainted with all the members of the American Con
gress^ — that the colonists were united — were, to considerable ex
tent, prepared for war — could make powder, small arms and can
non: — were more expert at ship-building than Europeans — and
that if a formidable force was sent to America, the number of co
lonists who would be found to join it, would be too trivial to be
of any consequence. The duke of Richmond then proposed the
last petition of Congress to the King, as a base for a plan of ac
commodation, and urged the impossibility of ever conquering
America, as the learned John Wilkes had emphatically done in
14

198 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
the House of Commons, the preceding February : but the motion
was lost. In December, Mr. Hartley made an effort to have hos
tilities suspended : and in the following February, Mr. Fox at
tempted the same thing ; soon after which, the King, by a treaty
with the Prince of Hesse Cassel, made an arrangement to hire
sixteen thousand troops of that Prince, to aid in subduing his
American subjects. It was urged in vain, that they were setting
the example for the colonies to call in foreign aid. In March of
1776, the duke of Grafton made another ineffectual attempt to
open the eyes of the King and ministry, after which war was con
sidered as actually declared. It was thought by the court party,
that one or two campaigns at most, would bring America in sack
cloth and ashes at the foot of the British throne.
In 1775, the colonies adopted a plain red flag. By a resolution
of Congress, the flag of the United States, consisting of thirteen
stars and thirteen stripes, was adopted June 14th, 1777. On the
13th January, 1794, two new states having been added to the
compact, the stars and stripes were increased to fifteen each. In
January, 1817, by an act of Congress, it was resolved that it
should consist of thirteen stripes, 'and a star for every additional
state. If matters were every day becoming worse in England, in the
latter part of the year 1775, and the early part of '76, they were
assuming an aspect no more favorable to a reconciliation in the
colonies. Many events had transpired after the battle of Bunker's
hill, which served to feed the flame of discord. Lord Dunmore,
governor of Virginia, had pursued a course which rendered him
not only odious to a majority of the colonists, but which tended
greatly to unite the anti-tea party. The governor of North Ca
rolina, also proved himself to be a tool of the British ministry :
while Governor Tryon, of New York, in his efforts to please his
master, became so unpopular, that he was obliged, in the course
of the year to follow the example of Gov. Dunmore, and seek
personal safety on board of an armed vessel.
The British, in 1775, burnt Stonington in Connecticut, Bristol
in Rhode Island, and Falmouth in Massachusetts ; and durino- the

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 199
Same year, the colonists, in several expeditions, had conquered a
good part of Canada. Lord Dunmore, governor of Virginia, had
for some time been arming the slaves, and instigating them to im
brue their hands in the blood of their masters ; and on the first of
January, 1776, he burnt Norfolk. On the 17th of March follow
ing, the British having been compelled to evacuate Boston,
Washington entered it, to the great joy of its patriotic citizens.
A fleet under Sir Peter Parker, with several thousand British and
Hessian troops, arrived on the coast of America early that year.
Sir Henry Clinton, after leaving Boston, intended to take posses
sion of New York, but finding General Lee there to oppose him,
he sailed with the British fleet to attack Charleston, South Caro
lina. Lee, learning his intentions, managed to arrive there before
him, and prepare the city for au attack. A fort was quickly
thrown up on Sullivan's Island, of palmetto trees and sand, com
manding the entrance to the harbor.
On the 3 1st of May, the enemy under Commodore Parker and
Sir Henry Clinton, attacked it with a strong force, but were re
pulsed with severe loss, by the troops under Col. Moultrie, whose
name it afterwards bore. The conduct of two sergents, Jasper
and McDonald, deserves particular notice.
Says the biographer of Marion : " A ball from the enemy's
ships carried away our flagstaff. Scarcely had the stars of liberty
touched the sand, before Jasper flew and snatched them up and
kissed them with great enthusiasm. Then having fixed them to
the point of his spontoon, [a kind of spear,] he leaped upon the
breast-work amidst the storm and fury ofthe battle, and restored
them to their daring: station — waving his hat at the same time
and huzzaing, 'God save liberty and my country forever!' A
cannon shot from one of the enemy's guns entered a port-hole
and dreadfully mangled McDonald, while fighting like a hero at
his gun. As he was borne off in a dying state, he said to his
comrades, " Huzza, my brave fellows ! 1 die, but don't let (he cause
of liberty die with -me!" The day after the action, many citizens
of Charleston of the first rank of both sexes visited the fort, to
tender in person their thanks for its gallant defence, and by it

200 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
their own protection. Among them was Gov. Rutledge, dis
tinguished for his patriotic zeal and devotion to the cause of his
country. In the presence of the regiment to which Jasper be
longed, he loosed his own sword and presented it to him, tender
ing him at the time a commission. The brave sergeant with
heart-felt thanks declined accepting the latter, because he could
not read. Let parents who neglect to educate their children,
consider well the reason this young man gave, for not accepting
proffered honor. Nor was this a solitary case, hundreds of dar
ing spirits in the course of the war, were obliged to decline for
the same reason the laurels their own valor had won, and see
them adorn the brow of their less meritorious brethren.
A Mrs. Elliot, (whose husband was colonel of artillery.) on the
occasion above referred to, presented the regiment with a beauti
ful American standard, richly embroidered by her own hands.
It was delivered to Jasper, who, on receiving it, declared he
never would part with in life. He kept his promise ; for some
time after in an effort to bear off those colors in an attack on
Savannah, he was mortally wounded. A short time before his
death, he was visited by Major Horry. He spoke with freedom
of his past life and future prospects, and dwelt with evident sa
tisfaction on the virtues of his mother. How true it is, that
mothers generally lay the foundation for man's future greatness —
future happiness. The last moments of many a poor soldier and
weather-beaten tar, have added their testimonny to the fact, that
lasting advice may generally be traced to the affectionate and
pious mother. Jasper sent the sword presented him by Gov.
Rutledge, to his father, as a dying memento of his own patriot
ism. He also left with Major Horry his tender regards for the
Jones family,* in whose fate he had, by a daring exploit, become
* His acquaintance with the Joneses originated as follows:
In disguise, and accompanied by his trusty friend Newton, he visited u
British post at Ebenezer, where they tarried several days. Before leaving,
they learned that a parly of ten or twelve American prisoners were confined
there in irons, to be sent back to Savannah, from whence some of them had
deserted the British service. The friends begged permission to see them,
among whom were a Mr. Jones, his weeping wife, and smiling boy. The

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 201
interested; giving evidence in death, that a just reward attends
the good deeds of the virtuous.
About the time the attack was made on Fort Moultrie, Con
gress appointed Dr. Franklin, Samuel Chase and Charles Carroll
commissioners to carry addresses into Canada, but they affected
very little ; the Canadians being then, as they have ever since
been, too loyal to appreciate liberty.
Early in May, 1776, Congress took measures to sound the co
lonies on the propriety of casting off all allegiance to the mother
country. Richard Henry Lee, of Virginia, gave notice that on a
future day he would move for a declaration of Independence.
Fiom the time of his notice the press proved a powerful auxiliary
in the popular cause. Many essays and pamphlets were publish
ed and distributed on the subject, and one from the pen of Thomas
Paine, entitled Common Sense, aided much in preparing public
opinion to sanction the step about to be taken. On the 1st of
July it was introduced, and the three following days it was ably
discussed, when the vote was taken and six states were enrolled
for and six against the declaration, and one equally divided. One
of the delegates from Pennsylvania, it is said, was influenced to
leave the House, and thus a majority of one vote in a committee
two friends were much interested in the fate of the Joneses, and soon after
left the camp and retired to a neighboring wood, where they pledged their
lives to rescue the prisoners or perish in the attempt. They remained in the
British camp until the prisoners, under a guard of a sergeant, corporal, and
eight soldiers set forward for Savannah. About two miles from ihe place
of destination, Jasper and Newton secreted themselves near a spring, a little
distance from the road, where the party soon after halted. Watching their
opportunity, they sprang from they covert, and seizing two muskets that
were resting against a tree, they shot two soldiers who were keeping guard,
and reached them in time to strike down with clubbed muskets, two Others
who were in the act of taking up their arms. Seizing the two loaded guns
they gained command of those left by five of the party near the road, and
the other six surrendered themselves prisoners. The heroes liberated the
captive Americans, and placing guns in their hands, after stripping the four
dead soldiers, led the party in safety to the American garrison-at Purysburg.
When the affray at the spring commenced, Mrs. Jones fainted to the earth,
but recovering and finding her husband and boy safe, she became frantic
with joy, and viewing her deliverers in the light of angels, she called down
heaven's blessings upon them.

202 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
of the whole, decided the fate of the declaration. Thomas Jef
ferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman and R.
R. Livingston were appointed to draft a Declaration of Indepen
dence. Each prepared one, but that of Jefferson was, with a few
slight alterations, adopted, on the fourth of July, 1776 ; and read
as follows.
"THE UNANIMOUS DECLARATION OF THE THIRTEEN
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
" When in the course of human events, it becomes necessary
for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected
them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth,
the separate and equal station to which the laws of nature and of
nature's God entitle them, a decent respect for the opinions of
mankind requires, that they should declare the causes which im
pel them to the separation. We hold these truths to be self-evi
dent — that all men are created equal ; that they are endowed by
their Creator with certain unalienable rights ; that among these
are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. That, to secure
these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their
just powers from the consent of the governed ; that when any form
of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of
the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute a new govern
ment, laying its foundation on such principles, and organizing its
powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect
their safety and happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate, that
governments long established should not be changed for light and
transient causes ; and accordingly all experience hath shown, that
mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable,
than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are
accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations,
pursuing invariably the same object, evinces a design to reduce
them under absolute despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to
throw off such government, and to provide new guards for their
future security. Such has been the patient sufferance of these
colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to
alter their former system of government. The history of the pre
sent king of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and
usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an ab
solute tyranny over these states. To prove, this, let facts be sub
mitted to a candid world.
" He has refused his assent to laws the most wholesome and ne
cessary for the public good.
"He has forbidden his governors to pass laws of immediate and
pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation, till his
assent should be obtained ; and, when so suspended, he has ut
terly neglected to attend to them.

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 203
" He has refused to pass other laws for the accommodation of
large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the
right of representation in the legislature — a right inestimable to
them, and formidable to tyrants only.
" He has called together legislative bodies, at places unusual,
uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public re
cords, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with
his measures.
" He has dissolved "representative houses repeatedly, for oppos
ing, with manly firmness, his invasions on the rights of the people.
" He has refused for a long time after such dissolutions, to cause
others to be elected ; whereby the legislative powers, incapable of
annihilation, have returned to the people at large, for their exer
cise ; the state remaining, in the meantime, exposed to all the dan
ger of invasion from without and convulsions within.
" He has endeavored to prevent the population of these states,
for that purpose obstructing the laws for naturalization of foreign
ers ; refusing to pass others, to encourage their migration hither,
and raising the conditions of new appropriations of lands.
"He has obstructed the administration of justice, by refusing his
assent to laws for establishing judiciary powers.
" He has made judges dependent on his will alone, for the ten
ure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.
" He has erected a multitude of offices, and sent here swarms of
officers to harrass our people, and eat out their substance.
" He has kept among us, in times of peace, standing armies,
without the consent of our legislatures.
" He has affected to render the military independent of, and su
perior to, the civil power.
" He has combined with others, to subject us to a jurisdiction,
foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws ; giv
ing his assent to their acts of pretended legislation :
For quartering large bodies of armed troops among us :
For protecting them by a mock trial, from punishment for any
murder they should commit on the inhabitants of these states :
For cutting off our trade with all parts of the world :
For imposing taxes on us without our consent :
For depriving us, in many cases, of the benefits of trial by
jury: For transporting us beyond seas, to be tried for pretended of
fences :
For abolishing the free system of English law in a neighboring
province, establishing therein an arbitrary government, and enlarg
ing its boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit in
strument for introducing the same absolute rule into these colonies :
For taking away our charters, abolishing our most valuable laws,
and altering fundamentally the forms of our governments :
For suspending our own legislatures, and declaring themselves
invested with power, to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever :

204 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
" He has abdicated government here, by declaring us out of his
protection, and waging war against us.
" He has plundered our seas, ravaged our coasts, burnt our towns,
and destroyed the lives of our people.
" He is, at this time, transporting large armies of foreign mer
cenaries, to complete the works of death, desolation and tyranny,
already begun, with circumstances of cruelty and perfidy, scarcely
paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the
head of a civilized nation.
" He has constrained our fellow citizens, taken captive on the
high seas, to bear arms against their country, to become the exe
cutioners of their friends and brethren, or to fall themselves by
their hands.
" He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has en
deavored to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless
Indian savages, whose known rule of warfare is an undistinguished
destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.
" In every stage of these oppressions, we have petitioned for re
dress, in the most humble terms : our petitions have been answered
only by repeated injury. A prince whose character is thus marked,
by every act which may define a tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of
a free people.
" Nor have we been wanting in attention to our British breth
ren. We have warned them from time to time, of attempts made
by their legislature, to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over
us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emi
gration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native
justice and magnanimity, aud we have conjured them by the ties
of our common kindred, to disavow these usurpations, which would
inevitably interrupt our connexions and , correspondence. They,
too, have been deaf to the voice of justice and consanguinity.
We must, therefore, acquiesce in necessity, which denounces our
separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind — ene
mies in war ; in peace, friends.
"We, therefore, the representatives of the United States of
America, in general congress assembled, appealing to the Supreme
Judge of the world, for the rectitude of our intentions, DO, in the
name and by the authority of the good people of these colonies,
solemnly publish and declare, that these united colonies are, and
of right ought to .be, free and independent states ; that they are
absolved from all allegiance to the British crown, and that all po
litical connexion between them and the state of Great Britain, is
and aught to be totally dissolved ; and that as free and independ
ent states, they have full power to levy war, conclude peace, con
tract alliances, establish commerce, and to do all other acts and
things which independent states may of right do. And for the
support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK.

205

of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives,
our fortunes, and our sacred honor."
Signed by order and in behalf of the Congress.
JOHN HANCOCK, President.
Attest. Charles Thompson, Secretary.

New Hampshire.
Josiah Bartlett,
William Whipple,
Matthew Thornton.
Massachusetts Bay.
Samuel Adams,
John Adams,
Robert Treat Paine,
Elbridge Gerry.
Rhode Island, fyc.
Stephen Hopkins,
William Ellery.
Delaware.
Caesar Rodney,
Thomas M'Kean,
George Read,
Maryland.
Samuel Chase,
William Paca,
Thomas Storie,
Charles Caroll of Ca-
rollton.

Connecticut.
Roger Sherman,
Samuel Huntington,
William Williams,
Oliver Wolcott.
New York.
William Floyd,
Philip Livingston,
Francis Lewis,
Lewis Morris.
Virginia.
George Wythe,
Richard Henry Lee,
Thomas Jefferson,
Benjamin Harrison,
Thomas Nelson, jr.
Francis Lightfoot Lee,
Carter Braxton.
North Carolina.
William Hooper,
Joseph Hewes,
John Penn.

New Jersey.
Richard Stockton,
John Witherspoon,
Francis Hopkinson,
John Hart,
Abraham Clark.
Pennsylvania.
Robert Morris,
Benjamin Franklin,
Benjamin Rush,
John Morton,
George Clymer,
James Wilson,
George Ross.
South Carolina.
Edward Rutledge,
Thomas Heyward, jr.
Thomas Lynch, jr.
Arthur Middleton.
Georgia.
Button Gwinnett,
Lyman Hall,
George Walton.

( 206 )

CHAPTER Vn.

While the colonists along the sea-board were beginning to
realize the horrors of war, most of the frontier settlers were
spectators for a while — not idle ones however. There was a
restless anxiety which reached the log tenement of the most dis
tant pioneer. Committees of vigilence, whose duty it was to
gather information relative to the portending storm, and prepare
for the defence of the settlements, were organized in Tryon
county as early as 1774. A council of safety was chosen in
Schoharie not long after.
At an early period of the difficulties, an effort was made by the
Schoharie settlers to get the Indians in their neighborhood to re
main quiet, and let the colonies settle their own quarrel with the
mother country. A meeting was held for that purpose at the
old council ground in Middleburgh. Brant with several Mohawk
chiefs is said to have been present, on which occasion a Mrs.
Richtmyer, living in the vicinity, acted as interpreter. The In
dians agreed to remain neutral or join the Americans, says an old
citizen who was present at the time ; but they were too fond of
war to remain inactive, while the British government was urging
them at once to take up arms.
Previous to the Revolution, a small qastle had been erected for
the natives at Brakabeen,* on the west bank of the Schoharie,
several miles above Wilder hook, to which many of them re
moved from the latter place. Near it they had a burying ground.
A deputation from the Schoharie tribe were present in August,
•Brakabeen is the German word for rushes, and obtained from the unusual
quantity of that plant found along the banks of the river at that place.

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 207
1775, when several commissioners met the chiefs of the Six
Nations at the German Flats ; and it is believed they were at
Albany, where a subsequent meeting was held the same year,
for the same purpose. At the time the Indians left the Mohawk
valley to follow the fortunes of the Johnsons, the Schoharie In
dians, who survived a pestilence, except two or three families,
imitated their example, leaving the council grounds and green
graves of their fathers.
Brown says, that while the Indians were assembled to treat
with the commissioners of the Indian department, a contagious
disease — which he calls yellow-fever — broke out amongst them,
which carried them off in great numbers. That the survivors
supeistitiously supposed the Great Spirit was angry with them
for not serving their king, or for hesitating about entering his
service; and that consequently they joined the royalists and
went to Canada.
Warree, an old Cherokee squaw, said to have been 105 years
old, usually called the mother of the Schoharies, who was living
at Brakabeen at the beginning of hostilities, took the prevail
ing epidemic in 1775, and died with it. This good old squaw
who was familiarly called Granny Warree, was the second wife
of Schenevas, a Schoharie chief, after whom Schenevas creek
jn Otsego county, was called.* For several years before her
• Brown's pamphlet originates the name of this stream from the following
circumstance: Two Indians, Schenevas and son, were there in the winter
on a hunt — a deep snow fell and they concluded to return home. After tra
veling some distance, they kindled afire and tarried over night. The fol
lowing morning they set forward on their journey, but the 'father became
fatigued, and finally returned to the place from whence they had first started.
The son, discovering his father had taken the back track, returned also, and
found him seated by a fire which he had kindled. The son killed his father
with a tomahawk, buried him in the snow and returned to Schoharie, since
which time this stream has been called Schenevas creek.
At a. personal interview, Judge Brown related the following tradition,
which he believed true: A Schoharie chief named Schenevas, whom I sup
pose to have been the one killed at the Schenevas creek, was living in the
lower part of Schoharie. His mother, an aged widow, was living with him.
She was a quarrelsome old squaw — was very fretful, and often wished her
self dead when in a fit of ill humor. Her son, getting out of patience with
•her, went to Lambert Sternberg and borrowed a shovel, with which he dng

20 S HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
death, she used to walk with two canes, a good example for the
modern exquisite, while her hair, unconfined and white as the
Alpine snow, floated loosely at the sport of the breeze. When
she felt the prevailing malady stealing upon her, and witnessed
its fatal effects upon many of her tribe, believing her days were
numbered, she desired to be carried to the spot where her hus
band had died. She was universally beloved by the whole tribe,
indeed by all the white citizens who knew her, and her request,
although it subjected Ihem to great inconvenience in their pre
sent difficulties, was readily complied with. She survived the
journey but a day and two nights, and "was gathered to her
fathers, to enter new hunting grounds." She was buried by her
faithful warriors who had carried her the whole distance — fifteen
or twenty miles — beside her departed husband, near the present
residence of Mr. Collier.
It is a remarkable fact, that while a large part of the Scho
harie Indians died of this contagious disease, . not a single white
citizen took it.
Who the first chosen council of safety were in Schoharie, 1
am unable to say. Johannes Ball, a thorough going Whig, was
chairman of the committee from its organization to the end
of the war. It consisted generally of six members, and under
went some changes to meet the exigencies of the times. The
following persons it is believed were members in the course of the
war : Joseph Borst, Joseph Becker', Peter Becker, Col. Peter
Vrooman, who is said to have done most of the writing for the
board, Lt. Col. Peter Zielie, Peter Swart, Wm. Zimmer of
a grave, in Sternberg's orchard. He then conducted his mother to it. You
have often wished yourself dead, said he, I have prepared your grave — you
must die. When she saw the open grave, and realized that she had been
taken ather word, she was terrified and began to cry. The savage son told
her she must not be a baby — that she was going to the Great Spirit who
did not like babies. He then forced her into the grave — bade her lie down —
and buried her alive. She struggled hard as the earth covered her, but, re
gardless of her entreaties, he stamped down the earth upon her, and closed
up the grave. We could wish for poor human nature that those parental
murders were mere fiction; but we have too much reason to believe them
true — indeed history furnishes us with abundant evidence of inhuman atro
cities in savage life.

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 209
Brakabeen, Wm. Dietz, Samuel Vrooman, Nicholas Sternberg,
Adam Vrooman, George WTarner of Cobelskill, and Jacob Zim
mer of Foxes creek.
Mr. Ball, chairman of the Schoharie committee, had two sons,
Peter and Mattice — who were both living in 1837, in the town
of Sharon — who, with their father warmly espoused their coun
try's cause; while another son, and his brother, Captain Jacob
Ball — a leader among the tories at Beaverdam ; and John Peter
Ball, another relative, as warmly advocated that of the oppressor.
As appears by the ancient records preserved in the Secretary's
office at Albany, a regiment of militia was organized for the
" Schoharie and Duanesburgh districts," as the fifteenth regiment
of New York militia, and commissions to its officers were issued
and dated October 20, 1775. It was composed at first of only
three companies, and as their members were not all well affected
toward rebellion, and scattered over considerable territory, the
reader will see their need of foreign assistance. The following
is a list of officers to whom commissions were at first issued.
" Peter Vrooman, Col. ; Peter W. Zielie, Lieut. Col. ; Thomas
Eckerson, Jr. 1st Maj. ; Jost Becker, 2d Maj. ; Lawrence School
craft, Adjt. ; Peter Ball, Qr. Master.
" First Company — George Mann, Capt. ; Christian Stubragh,
1st Lieut. ; John Dominick, 2d Lieut. ; Jacob. Snyder, Ensign.
" Seco?id Company — Jacob Hager, Capt. ; Martynus Van Slyck,
1st Lieut. ; Johannes W. Bouck, 2d Lieut. ; Johannes L. Lawyer,
Ensign. " Third Company — George Eechtmyer, Capt. ; Johannes I. Law
yer, 1st Lieut. ; Martynus W. Zielie, 2d Lieut. ; Johannes Lawyer
Bellinger, Ensign."
A small company of militia was afterwards organized in Co
belskill, under Capt. Christian Brown and Lieut. Jacob Borst,
which was possibly attached to the Schoharie regiment.
On the 14th of June, 1776, I find by the Albany records, that
Schoharie was represented in the " general committee chamber,"
by chairman Ball and Peter Becker, of the Schoharie council
of safety. At a meeting of the New York State Committee of
Safety, convened at Fishkill, October 9, 1776, the following reso
lution was adopted —

210 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
" Resolved, That the persons hereafter mentioned, be appointed
to purchase at the cheapest rate, in their several counties, all the
coarse woollen cloth, linsey woolsey, blankets, woollen hose, mit
tens, coarse linen, felt hats, and shoes fitting for soldiers ; and that
they have the linen made up into shirts." [The committee named
for Albany county were] — " Capt. John A. Fonda, of the manor of
Livingston ; Peter Van Ness, of Claverack ; Barent Van Beuren,
of Kinderhook; Isaac V. Arnum, of Albany: Cors. Cuyler, of
Schenectada ; James McGee and Henry Quackenboss, of the ma
nor of Rantselear ; Anthony Van Bergen, of Cocsakie ; Henry
Oothout, of Katskill ; and Johannes Ball, of Schoharie ; and that
the sum of 100 pounds be advanced to each of them for purchasing
the above articles."
The following oath of allegiance was found among the papers
of the late Chairman Ball —
"You shall swear by the holy evangelist of the Almighty God,
to be a true subject to our continental resolve and Provincial Con
gress and committees, in this difficulty existing between Great
Britain and America, and to answer upon such questions as you
shall be examined in, so help you God.
" Derrick Laraway appeared and swore the above mentioned,
before the chairman and committee, at Schoharie, and signed the
association, on the 30th day of June, in the year 1776."
The following papers are copied from a record made by Judge
Swart some years before his death. They were obtained through
the politeness of the late Gen. Jacob Hager, and although they
exhibit personal services, as they will throw some light on Scho
harie affairs in the Revolution, I give them an insertion.
" Names of the Persons that made resistance in 1777, against
McDonald and his Party."
The Hager Family.* Peter Zielie, jr. Storm Becker jr.
Peter Vrooman, [Col] Thomas Eckerson, John H. Becker,
Jonas Vrooman, Thomas Eckerson jr. John I. Becker,
Peter Swart, [after- [Maj.] David Becker,
wards judge,] George Eichtmyer, Albertus Becker,
Peter A. Vrooman, Cornelius Van Dyck, Peter Zielie, [Lt. Col.]
Peter Powlus Swart, Tunis Eckerson, Peter Van Slyck,
Abraham Becker, Cornelius Eckerson, Martinus Zielie,
John A. Becker, Hendrick Becker, Peter Becker,
Storm A. Becker, John S. Becker, Christian Richtmyer.
John Van Dyck,
• It is a fact worthy of note, that while members of almost every family of
distinction in the Scnoharie settlements were found in hostile array, as futher

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 211
The preceding memorandum embraces few if any names of in
dividuals north. of the present limits of Middleburgh; although
there were many patriots about Foxes creek, and the Schoharie
valleys farther north, and not a few in the more distant set
tlements. The party named assembled at Middleburgh, and be
gan fortifying the stone house of John Becker, afterwards picket
ed in, and occupied as the middle fort. The record of Swart thus
continues :
" I was enrolled in the militia at sixteen years of age ; [this was
the lawful age for enrolling at that period] served as a private six
months ; then I was appointed a corporal — -served in that capacity
about one year; then 1 was appointed sergeant in Capt. Hager's
company; 1778, I was appointed ensign in said company, in the
room of John L. Lawyer; 1786, I was promoted to first major of
the regiment; 1798, I was promoted to lieut. colonel com't; 1784
I was appointed justice of the peace without my knowledge ; 1796
I was appointed one of the judges of the county, which office I
have resigned 1818 ; 1798 I was elected a member of assembly ;
the next election I was solicited to stand again as a candidate,
which I utterly refused ; 1806 I was elected a member of Con
gress. I was afterwards again requested to stand as a candidate
for Congress, which I refused ; when John Gebhard, Judge Shep
ard, and Boyd were candidates for Congress. Gebhard and
Shepard met with their friends at the Court House for one of
them to give way ; no arrangement could be made ; they both
signed a written declaration to give way in case I would accept a
nomination, which I also refused. 1816 I was elected a senator.
At the expiration of my time I was again requested to stand a can
didate for the senate, which I also refused. I never craved or re
quested an office.
" I was one of the first that signed the compact and association.
1776 I turned out to Stone Arabia to check the progress of the
enemy and tories. In the fall of the same year, I turned out to
A'oany, from thence to Fort Edward, from thence to Johnstown,
to check the enemy. 1777, in the spring, I turned out to Har-
persfield, from thence to the Delaware to take up disaffected, from
there home. Three days home, I went down the Hellenbergh to
take tories ; after we had together about twenty-five of them,
went to Albany and delivered them in jail. A few days after
wards went to Harpersfield ; from thence to Charlotte river to take
against son, brother against brother, &c, all the members of the Hager fa
mily at once united with those who were unfurling to the winds of Heaven,
the stars and stripes of freedom. From the number of Beckers on this list,
we may reasonably suppose that few of that name were tories.

212 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
McDonald, and send him to jail. In August 1777, was one of the
thirty-two that made a stand to oppose McDonald^ and his party.
I was one of the two that risked our lives to crowd through the
tories' guns to go to Albany for assistance ; was taken prisoner by
the Indians and tories ; the same evening I made my escape.* I
was one of the six councillors that went from the stone house
across Schoharie creek into the woods in a cave, to consult what
measures to adopt — secresy at that time was the best policy.!
Did not McDonald and his party come down as far as my house,
and there encamp till next day, and destroy every thing ? I had
left home. The same day McDonald and his party were defeated
and fled into the woods, and went off to Canada, and about twenty-
six from Brakabeen went with him. What would have been the
result if our small party had made no resistance, and had tamely
submitted ? McDonald would have marched through Schoharie,
and in all probability reached Albany. What was the conse
quence as far as he came down ? W as not the farm of Adam
Crysler confiscated ? Also the farm of Adam Bouck and brothers ?
Also the farm of Frederick Bouck ? Also the farm of Bastian
Becker ? Also the farm of John Brown ? Also the farm of Hen
drick Mattice ? Also the farm of Nicholas Mattice, and a number
of others that were indicted ? And a number more that had
joined McDonald and fired on our men."
Peter and Mattice Ball, as their father was chairman of com
mittee, were subjected to much arduous duty, and consequently
were often pressed into unexpected service. Peter Ball related
to the author the following melancholy incident. He had been
sent to Ticonderoga with a sleigh load of stores for the army,
during the winter preceding Burgoyne's campaign. While re
turning, in company with other sleighs which had been there for
the same purpose, the horses attached to one of them, which was
driven by a boy and contained six soldiers, took fright at the
sound of a drum in one of the sleighs. They were driving upon
ice at the time, and if I mistake not, they were on the Hudson,
* Swart and his neighbor, Ephraim Vrooman, were sent to Albany for aid,
by Col. Vrooman, and started on foot, supposed the day before Col. Harper
did, and arrived there almost as soon. They were detained on their way, by
coming unexpectedly upon a party of armed royalists ; but finally escaped
from them and pursued their journey.
t The stone house to which he alludes, was that of John Becker, after
wards fortified as the middle fort. The cave, or place of concealment, for
merly called "the committee hole," was on the opposite side of the river
from Middleburgh, in a ravine between the mountains.

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 213
near Saratoga. When the horses started, one of the men took
the reins from the boy, who jumped out and escaped ; but the
soldiers and horses broke through the ice and were all drowned.
Ball assisted in recovering the bodies of the soldiers, and conveyed
them to Albany in his sleigh.
Once he carried a load of powder in a wagon to Lake George ;
three other loads went at the same time, and all were guarded by
military from Albany. On two other occasions, he was sent to
Fort Edward with flour from Schoharie, and was pressed to take
loads from there to Lake George. On those occasions he had to
lie out nights, and suffered from cold.
Chairman Ball resided about half a mile north of the stone
church in Schoharie, known, when fortified in the Revolution, as
the Lower Fort. His son, Wilhelmus Ball, now resides on the
same ground. Peter Ball once playfully remarked to the author,
that his father had nine children by his first wife, and only ten by
his second.
Several anecdotes of interest are told of Chairman Ball. His
neighbor, George Mann, who was a captain of militia, kept a
public house where Cornelius Vrooman now lives, and warmly
advocated royalty. His house was made the rallying point for To
ries and Indians in the year 1776 and early part of '77, to con
sider the past and plan future operations. The individuals of this
stamp who usually met there, neither liked Johannes Ball nor his
politics. It was therefore thought best to get him out of the way
if possible : indeed, it was afterwards asserted and confidently be
lieved, thathe hundred guineas were offered by an agent of the
king for his destruction. David Ogeyonda, a subtle Schoharie
warrior, who had a hut on the lands of Adam Vrooman, and who
had been for some time active for the Tories, doing the duties of
a runner, spy, &c, was to be the instrument of his death. Ball
was to be invited to the house of Mann, under Ihe pretence of
having important business to transact with him, or some one else
when David was to provoke him to a quarrel, and thus have a
plausible pretext to kill him. Hostilities had not yet gone so far
in Schoharie, that either party felt justified in imbruing their
15

214 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
hands in the blood of an old neighbor, without the show of cause.
Ball went to the house of Mann, at the appointed time, taking
the precaution to go armed with a brace of loaded pistols. He
found that the business was of little importance, but that the In
dian, David, was determined to quarrel with him. As the savage
not unfrequently seized the handle of a long knife worn in his
girdle, he suspected his motive and made good his escape ; keep
ing a chair with one hand between his enemy and himself until
he reached the door, while the other hand rested upon a pistol.
This transaction took place but a short time previous to the death
of this Indian, as will appear hereafter.
It had been the usual custom for ministers of the gospel, to re
member the king in their prayers on the Sabbath, previous to the
commencement of difficulties. One Sunday, as Chairman Ball
was leaving the stone church, just before the outbreak of hostili
ties, when the excitement of stifled feeling was scarcely controlled,
he said to one of his Whig neighbors, who was standing so near
old domine Schuyler that the latter could hear the remark, " the
domine does not dare to pray for King George any more, and for
Congress he will not pray." Schuyler usually preached in Low
Dutch at Middleburgh, and in German at Schoharie.
Col. Peter Vrooman, one of the Schoharie committee, was a
major of militia before the revolution. He was a captain in the
French war, and assisted in erecting fortifications at Oswego. If
not as energetic as some officers, he was far from being as pusil
lanimous as represented in the Annals of Tryon County, or
Stone's Life of Brant. The old soldiers who served under
him, represent him as having been a bold and determined man,
and his conduct on several occasions during the war, gave good
evidence of that fact. He was very much respected in the coun
ty, and is said to have been nineteen years a member of either the
senate or assembly of New York An attempt was made to
take him prisoner during the war. A liberal reward had been
offered for his apprehension. A meeting of the council of safety
was to take place at his house, and supposing he would remain
at home, several of the enemy had secreted themselves, intending

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 215
to secure his person when the rest of the committee retired. The
snow was deep and the enemy expected an easy conquest ; but it
became necessary for him to leave home with his guests, and the
intentions of the foe were thwarted.
In 1776, a plan was devised by Governor Tryon, aided by the
Mayor of New York, to seize the person of Gen. Washington ;
some of whose guard were in the plot : but the design of the
enemy was seasonably discovered, and those who were conniving
with the enemy, executed. — Bancroft's Washington.
In the fall of 1776, Congress sent Dr. Franklin, Silas Dean
and Arthur Lee as commissioners to the court of France for aid :
and also resolved to build a navy.
The year 1776 closed without any thing remarkable occurring
to disturb, unusually, the peace of the frontier settlements. After
the Declaration of Independence, events transpired in other places,
involving the safety of the republic. In August, the whole of
Long Island fell into the hands of the enemy, and in September,
the city of New York followed the same fate.*
* The masterly retreat of Gen. Washington with his army across the East
river from Brooklyn to New York, is thus related by Major, afterwards Col.
Benjamin Tallmadge, in his military journal : "In the face of many diffi.
culties, the Commander-in-chief so arranged his business, that on the eve
ning of the 29th, [Aug.] by 10 o'clock, the troops began to retire from the
lines in such a manner that no chasm was made in the line, but as one regi
ment left their station on guard, the remaining troops moved to the right and
left, and filled up the vacancies, while Gen. Washington took his station at
the ferry, and superintended the embarkation of the troops. It was one of
the most anxious, busy nights that I ever recollect, and being the third in,
which hardly any of us had closed our eyes to sleep, we were all greatly .fa
tigued. As the dawn of the next day approached, those of us who remained
in the trenches became very anxious for our own safety, at which time there
were several regiments still on duty. At this time a very dense fog began to
rise, and it seemed to settle in a peculiar manner over both encampments. I
recollect this peculiar, providential occurrence perfectly well, and so very
dense was the atmosphere, that I could scarcely discern a man at six yards
distance. When the sun rose we had just received orders to leave the lines.
but before we reached the ferry, the Commander-in-chief sent one of his aidi
to order the regiment back to its former station. Coir Chester immediately
faced about and returned to the lines, where we tarried until the sun had
risen, but the fog remained as dense as ever. Finally, the second order ar
rived for the regiment to retire, and we very joyfully bid those trenches a

216 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
I shall have repeatedly to speak of the difficulty the Americans
experienced in procuring a supply of the munilir ns of war. The
following anecdote will show that it extended to small concerns.
In the early part of the contest, gun-fiints were so scarce, that
troops while performing the manual exercise, substituted wooden
ones for those of silex. While James Williamson was on duty
one moonlight night in 1776, on Long Island off Gardiner's Isl
and, as piquet guard, he saw an armed barge approaching the
shore near him from one of the British ships off the Island. He
instantly raised his piece and cocked it, when, to his chagrin, he
found it had a wooden flint in the lock. The men in the barge,
who were sufficiently near to see the leveled musket, ignorant of
its harmless condition, shifted their course without attempting to
land. — James Williamson.
The defeat of the Americans on Long Island and the loss of
New York, were succeeded by a catalogue of disasters, which
tended to make the royalists more bold, and greatly to dishearten
the Americans. Several hunched houses were destroyed in New
York by fire, soon after the British took that city. In November,
Forts Washington and Lee, situated nearly opposite each other on
long adieu. When we reached Brooklyn ferry the boats had not returned
from tlieir last trip, but they very soon appeared and took the whole regi
ment over to New York ; and I think I saw Gen. Washington on the ferry
stairs when I stepped into one of the last boats that received the troops. I
left my horse tied to a post at the ferry.
" The troops having all safely reached New York, and the fog continuing
as thick as ever, I began to think of my favorite horse, anil requested leave
to return and bring him off. Having obtained permission, I called for a crew
of volunteers to go with me, and guiding the boat myself, I obtained my
horse and got off some distance into the river before the enemy appeared in
Brooklyn. As soon ns they reached the ferry, we were saluted merrily from
their musketry and finally by their field pieces, but we returned in safely. In
the history of warfare, I do not recollect a more fortunate retreat. After all,
the providential appearance of the fog saved a part of our nrmy from being
captured, and myself, for certain, among others who formed the rear guard.
Gen. Washington has never received the credit Which was due to him for this
wise nnd most fortunate measure. When the enemy had taken possession of
the heights opposite to the city, they commenced firing from the artillery, and
the fleet pretty soon were in motion to take possession of those waters ; had
this been done a little earlier, this division of our nrmy must inevitably have
fallen into their hands."

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 217
the banks of the Hudson, about ten miles above New York, which
commanded the river, fell into the hands of the enemy : the
former after a most gallant defence, and the latter by being aban
doned ; and the Commander-in-chief, unable to oppose a superior
force, retreated into New Jersey. By the fall of Fort Washing
ton, says the diary of Col. Tallmadge, " we lost about three thou
sand men, a great part of whom perished in prison by severe
usage, sickness, §"c." While a dark pall seemed spreading around
the cause of Liberty, Gen. Howe issued a proclamation offering
pardon to all who would submit to royal authority. The pros
pects looked so gloomy, that many of the best citizens of New
Jersey were induced to sacrifice their feelings — abandon Free
dom's cause, and claim British protection. Gen. Washington,
with the remains of his army, was obliged to retreat over the De
laware ; about which time the British gained possession of Rhode
Island. The sagacious commander, who had seen his troops re
peatedly in retreat before a well fed and well clothed enemy, not
only observed their numbers fast lessening by desertion, but also
the necessity of staying the tide of that enemy's success, and roll
ing back the cloud which seemed ready to burst and obscure the
light of Liberty forever. He resolved to hazard all in one bold
effort, and on Christmas night he crossed the Delaware at Tren
ton, surprised a body of Hessian soldiers — took nearly a thousand
prisoners, and recrossed the river in safety, with the loss of only
nine men.
On the 2d of January, 1777, the main body of the British ar
my under Cornwallis, who had hastened on from New York after
the capture of the Hessians, marched to attack the Americans.
They encamped near Trenton at night, intending to commence an
action in the morning, when Washington, knowing the compara
tive weakness of his famished troops, conceived and executed an
other bold project. After renewing his fires, he left his encamp
ment about midnight, and by a circuitous route gained the rear of
the enemy — pushed on to Princeton, near which place he met and
defea'ed a body of them, and again took several hundred prison
ers. The enemy finding himself out-generaled, retreated to New

218 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
Brunswick, and the American army went into winter quarters at
Morristown, New Jersey. The brilliant victories of Trenton and
Princeton, while they tended with magnetic power to raise the
drooping spirits of the patriot band — in fact, of the whole Ame
rican people — won for their great leader the appellation of the
American Fabius. Few can realize at this day, the importance
of those victories to the American arms. For months, a series of
disasters had attended them, and the stoutest hearts were begin
ning to yield to despair. The great and good Washington led
forth to conquest on those occasions, a half-naked, famished troop
of heroes, who, under similar circumstances, would have followed
no other leader.
Reader ! would you realize the sufferings of that little band of
patriots, who remained willing to follow the fortunes of your
bleeeing country, in the darkest hour of her adversity 1 — and by
so doing arrive at a more just estimate of the value of that liber
ty you now enjoy 1 Imagine yourself on some of the coldest
nights of winter, when the wintry winds are moaning around you,
and the stars are looking coldly from the blue vault above, seated
by the road side where is passing in silence a body of armed men,
fatigued, disheartened, ragged, barefooted, faint from want of
food, and many with limbs frozen from exposure : — and on the
morrow, go trace their footsteps o'er the frozen ground by their
own blood ; then tell me if you can guard with too much watch
fulness — or look with favor upon any attempt to mar that hb
erty? The proverbial caution and prudence of General Washington,
were perhaps evinced in nothing more visibly during the war,
than in his general orders to avoid the ill will or needless suffer
ing of the citizens. When his cold and wearied troops encamped
the night after the battle of Princeton, as has been stated by an
officer who was present, his orders contained this unusual requisi
tion — " not to burn the stone walls /"—tacitly implying, that they
might, on that one occasion, bum rail fences, which are said to
have been burned with impunity.
The enemy having matured his plans during the winter, began

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 219
to move early in the summer of 1777, and expected to make an
easy conquest of the whole colony of New York. Gen. Burgoyne
left Crown Point with such an army as he had vauntingly de
clared in the British Parliament, he could lead from Maine to
Georgia ; and with it one of the best trains of artillery ever seen
in America. He was to push his way to Albany along the Hud
son. Colonel St. Leger, with a large body of British, Tories and
Indians, left Oswego about the same time, intending to pillage the
beautiful valley of the Mohawk, and rest himself after his work
of destruction, at Albany. Sir Henry Clinton, whose well fed
troops had been basking in some of the smiles and some of the
frowns ofthe New York fair, after doing what mischief he pleased
along the romantic shores of the Hudson, was to offer his services
and compliments in person to the citizens of Albany. And lastly
Captain McDonald, a noted Tory leader — a Scotchman who had
been living for a time on Charlotte river, with a body of several
hundred royalists and Indians, was making his way down through
the Schoharie settlements, intending to meet the trio already
named, and revel with them in " the beauty and booty" of Al
bany. This was a most trying period for New York. To meet and
repel the several attacks, appeared to some of the most patriotic
a matter of impossibility — but with a firm reliance on the God of
battles for success, they buckled on their armor, and resolved to
try. Most of the published accounts erroneously make the irrup
tion of McDonald and his legions at a later date.
Some of the Schoharie militia were called into service on seve
ral occasions in the latter part of the year 1776, and early part of
1777. Mattice Ball said he was under Capt. Hager in the enter
prise which Judge Swart alludes to, as having taken place in the
spring of 1777. The party were volunteers, and proceeded to
Loonenburg, now Athens, to arrest Col. James Huetson, who was
marshaling Tories. They were in seach of him thirteen days, a
part of which time they levied a tax upon his poultry yard, and
ate up his chickens. After securing him and some twenty other
genial spirits, they delivered them to the military department at .
Albany for safe keeping. Huetson was afterwards bong; k-* ft-' -**1 f °"^ '

220 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
I have remarked briefly, that members of families in Schoharie
were found entertaining different opinions respecting the bellige
rent attitude of England and her colonies, and consequently were
in hostile array. Capt. Jacob Ball, mentioned as the brother of
Johannes Ball, raised a company of 63 royalists at the Beaver-
dam and in Duanesburgh and went to Canada, accompanied by
several relatives. George Mann, another captain of militia to
whom we have alluded, on being ordered out with his company
to oppose the enemy, openly declared himself friendly to the royal
power. Adam Crysler and his brothers, with several other indi
viduals, who were men of no little influence residing in the south
part of the Schoharie settlement, also sided with royalty. The
example of several respectable officers and other individuals of
reputation, as may be inferred, augured no good for the welfare
of that community, as the prudent knew full well that " a house
divided against itself," like Franklin's empty bag, " could not
stand alone."
As appears by an affidavit of William Johnston, jr., made July
16, 1777, which I find on the journal of the New York council
of safety, Joseph Brant had then, with some eighty warriors,
commenced his marauding enterprises on the settlements at Una
dilla; by appropriating their cattle, sheep and swine to his own
benefit. To obtain satisfaction for those cattle, and if possible
get the Indians to remain neutral in the approaching contest, in
the latter part of June, 1777, Gen. Herkimer, with three hun
dred and eighty of the Tryon county militia, proceeded to Una
dilla, (an Indian settlement on the Susquehanna,") to hold an in
terview with Brant. That celebrated chief, then at Oquago, was
sent for by Gen. Herkimer, and arrived on the 27th, after the
Americans had been there about eight days in waiting.
Colonel John Harper, who attended Gen. Herkimer at this
time, made an affidavit on the 16th of July following the inter
view, showing the principal grievances of which the Indians
complained, as al>o the fact that they were in covenant with the
king, whose belts were yet lodged among them, and whose service
they intended to enter. The instrument farther testified, that

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 221
Brant, instead of returning to Oswego, as he had informed Gen.
Herkimer was his intention ; had remained in the neighborhood,
on the withdrawal of the American militia, and was preparing
to destroy the frontier settlements.
The following particulars relating to the interview between
Gen. Herkimer and Brant, were obtained from the venerable
patriot, Joseph Wagner, of Fort Plain. He states that at the first
meeting of Gen. Herkimer with Brant, the latter was attended
by three other chiefs, William Johnson, a son of Sir William
Johnson by Molly Brant, which son was killed at the battle of
Oriskany the same year, Pool, a smart looking fellow with curly
hair, supposed part indian and part negro, and a short dark skin
ned Indian, the four encircled by a body-guard of some twenty
noble looking warriors.
When in his presence, Brant rather haughtily asked Gen. Her-
" kimer the object of his visit, which was readily made known ;
but seeing so many attendants, the chief suspected the interview
was sought for another purpose. Said Brant to Herkimer, I
have five hundred warriors at my command, and can in an in
stant destroy you and your party ; but we are old neighbors and
friends, and IwiU not do it. Col. Cox, a smart officer who ac
companied Gen. Herkimer, exchanged several sarcastic express
ions with Brant, which served not a little to irritate him and his
followers. The two had had a quarrel a few years previous,
about lands around the upper Indian castle. Provoked to anger,
Brant asked Cox if he was not the son-in-law of old George Klock?
Yes ! replied Cox in a tone of malignity, and what is that to you,
you d — d Indian 1 At the close of this dialogue Brant's guard
ran off to their camp, firing several guns, and making the hills
echo back their savage yells. Gen. Herkimer then assured Brant
that he intended his visit for one of a pacific nature, and urged
him to prevent their moving to hostilities. A word from that
chief hushed the tempest of human passion, which but an in
stant before had threatened to deluge the valley with blood ; the
parties, however, were too heated to proceed with the business
which convened them. Said Brant, addressing Gen. Herkimer,

222 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
it is needless to multiply words at this time, I will meet you here
at precisely 9 o'clock to morrow morning. The parties then se
parated to occupy their former position in camp.
From what had transpired, I presume, Gen. Herkimer did not
feel wholly secure in his person; for early on the following morn
ing he called on Mr. Wagner, then an active young soldier of
his party, and taking him aside, asked him if he could keep a
secret. When assured in the affirmative, he informed Wagner
that he wished him to select three other persons, who, with him
self should be in readiness at a given signal, to shoot Brant and
the other three chiefs, if the interview about to take place did not
end amicably. In case of the least hostile movement on their
part, the chiefs were to be sacrified. Wagner selected Abra
ham and George Herkimer, nephews of Gen. HerkimerJ and a
third person name now forgotten. Col. Stone, speaking of this
transaction in the Life of Brant, not aware of its having been
dictated by the circumstances as any arrangement of caution,
which should reflect credibly on the prudence of Gen. Herkimer,
thus comments on it — " There is something so revolting — -so rank
and foul-r-in this project of meditated treachery, that it is difficult
to reconcile it with the known character of Gen. Herkimer." In
another place he adds, " A betrayal of his [Herkimer's] confi
dence, under those circumstances, would have brought a stain
upon the character of the provincials, which all the waters of the
Mohawk could not have washed away." Difficult indeed would
it be if necessary, to reconcile this affair with the honorable life
of the brave Herkimer, but such is not the case, and I have
presented this whole matter solely to correct an impression con
veyed in the life of Brant, which reflects ignobly on the charac
ter of that officer. The whole proceeding was only one of pre
caution, and had it been otherwise would have been executed,
as ample opportunity was afforded Wagner and his accomplices,
to assassinate the chiefs. Col. Stone quotes the manuscript of
my informant as authority for what he states, but there is some
mistake in the matter, as Wagner assured the writer he never
had furnished a manuscript account of the affair to any one.

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 223
With the arrangement of circumspection on the part of Gen.
Herkimer, as stated above, the parties held their interview on
the 28th of June ; the last convention of the kind held in New
York. Brant was the first to speak : said he — " Gen Herkimer,
I now fully comprehend the object of your visit, but you are too
late, 1 am already engaged to serve the king. We are old friends
and I can do no less than let you return home unmolested, al
though you are entirely within my power." After a little more
conversation, in which the parties agreed to separate amicably,
the conference ended, at which time Gen. Herkimer presented
to Brant seven or eight fat cattle that had but just arrived, ow
ing to obstructions on the outlet of Otsego Lake, down which
stream they were driven or transported. For three days previous
to the arrival of the cattle, the Americans were on very short
allowance. Whether Brant had five hundred men at his command may be
doubted ; Col. Harper has given their number as about one hun
dred and thirty-seven — possibly there were foes in concealment
unknown to that officer. The Americans retraced their steps to
the Mohawk valley, and scarcely had they set out, when the In
dians began to repeat their depredations on the patriotic citizens
in the neighborhood. Brant soon after fell back to Oquago, to
strengthen his numbers, and prepare to act in concert with St.
Leger. After the war Brant visited the Mohawk valley, at which time
Mr. Wagner conversed with him about the treaty at Unadilla.
On being assured by my informant that he was in readiness at
the second interview to shot him down, that chief expressed
much surprise that Gen. Herkimer had taken such precaution.
Among the papers of Chairman Ball I find the following :
" Schoharie, July 7th, 1777, in Committee Chamber first Re
solved, that all the persons between tha ages of sixteen and fifty
years, from the dwelling house of Christian Shaffer and to north
ward in Schoharie, are to bring their arms and accoutrements
when they come to the meeting at either of the two churches in

224 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
Fountain Town and Foxes Town,* on Sunday or any other day
when kept ; and if any of them shall neglect in bringing their
arms and accoutrements to either of the churches, shall for
feit and pay the sum of three shillings, New York currency, into
the hands of Mr. Johannes Ball, for the use of paying the cost for
the district of Schoharie ; or if any person shall not pay the said
sum as aforesaid, it shall be lawful for Mr. Johannes Ball to give
a warrant directed to a sergeant or corporal, and levy the same on
the offender's goods and chattels, and also the costs thereof.
" And the persons inhabiting from the dwelling of Baltus Krys-
ler to the said Christian Shaffer, are to bring their arms, &c. to
the church in Weiser's Town, as they are ordered to [in] Foxes
Town ; and if neglected to pay the same to Mr. Johannes Becker,
and be put in execution by him as ordered by Mr. Ball aforesaid.
" And persons southward from Baltus Krysler's are to be armed
when [they] come to any meeting that may be kept in Brakabeen,
and if neglected, to pay the fines to Mr. William Zimmer, and^to
be put by him in execution as beforementioned, and for the use as
aforesaid. " N. B. Their resolve in Fountain Town Church is to be paid
to Mr. Johannes Lawyer, and to be put by him in execution as
within mentioned, and for the use as aforesaid ; and George War
ner is appointed to see [that] the inhabitants of Cobelskill bring
their arms when [they] come to meeting there, and put this re
solve in execution as within mentioned, and for the use aforesaid.
" Secondly, Resolved, that four watches are to be kept in Scho
harie every night from this time constant : the first is to be kept
at the dwelling house of Capt. George Mann, and under his com
mand, and in his absence the next in command ; the inhabitants
from Christian Shaffer's dwelling house and to northward, are to
be under Capt. Mann's command for the watch to consist of eight
men. The second is to be kept at the dwelling house of Mr. Hen
drick P. Becker, and under the command of Capt. George Richt-
myer, and in his absence the next officer in command : the inha
bitants from Hendrick Tansen's house and so northward to Chris
tian Shaffer's, are under the command of this second watch, and
to consist of six men. The third is to be kept at the dwelling
house of Mr. Johannes Feak, and under the command of Lieut.
Martynus Van Slyck, and in his absence the next officer in com
mand ; the inhabitants from Baltus Krysler's dwelling house and
so northward to Hendrick Tanse's are under the command of this
third watch, and to consist of six men. And the fourth is to be
kept by the inhabitants from Baltus Krysler's and so southward,
at the dwelling house of Mr. Hendrick Hager under the command
of Capt. Jacob Hager, in his absence the next officer in command;
" The former a Lutheran church then standing a little distance east of tha
Court House, and the latter the stone edifice erected by the Dutch church,
and still standing one mile north of the Court House.

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 225
and this watch is to consist of six men. Every person or persons
neglecting to serve on such or either of such watches aforemen
tioned, shall for every neglect pay and forfeit the sum of twelve
shillings for the use of the district of Schoharie."
At an early stage of difficulties, the little settlement at Harpers-
field, which was greatly exposed to savage inroads, organized a
committee of vigilance, of which Isaac Patchin was chairman.
This settlement was within the limits of Tryon county. In view
of the enemy's proximity, Mr. Patchin wrote to the State Coun
cil of Safety, on the 4th of July, 1777, as follows :
" Gentlemen — The late irruptions and hostilities committed at
Tunadilla, by Joseph Brandt, with a party of Indians and tories,
have so alarmed the well-affected inhabitants of this and the
neighboring settlements, who are now the entire frontier of this
state, that except your honors doth afford us immediate protection,
we shall be obliged to leave our settlements to save our lives and
families; especially as there is not a man on the outside of us, but
such as have taken protection of Brant, and many of them have
threatened our destruction in a short time, the particular circum
stances of which Col. Harper, (who will wait on your honors,) can
give you a full account of, by whom we hope for your protection,
in what manner to conduct ourselves."
On the 8th July, William Harper wrote the Albany council
from Cherry Valley, also within Tryon county, stating the ex
posed condition of that place, and the rumor of the enemy's
nearness under Brant. The committee to which was referred the
correspondence of Isaac Patchin and Wm. Harper, introduced
several resolutions to the council of safety on the 17th July ; in
which they recommended raising two companies of rangers, to
serve on the frontiers of Tryon, Ulster, and Albany counties, un
der the command of John Harper and James Clyde, as captains,
and Alexander Harper and John Campbell as lieutenants. Lt.
Harper, as soon as twenty-five men were enlisted by Col. John
Harper as recruiting officer, was to take charge of them and
repair to a post of danger.
In the correspondence of the Provincial Congress of New York,
I find the following :
Schoharie Committee Chamber, July 17, 1777.
" Gentlemen — The late advantage gained over us by the ene-

226 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
my, has such effect upon numbers here, that many we thought
steady friends to the state seem to draw back ; our state therefore,
is deplorable ; all our frontiers [frontier settlers] except those that
are to take protection from the enemy, are gone, so that we are
entirely open to the Indians and tories, which we expect every
hour to come to this settlement : part of our militia is at Fort Ed
ward; the few that are here many of them, are unwilling to take up
arms to defend themselves, as they are not able to stand against so
great a number of declared enemies, who speak openly without
any reserve. Therefore, if your honors do not grant us immediate
relief, of about five hundred men to help defend us, we must either
fall a prey to the enemy, or take protection also. For further par
ticulars we refer you to the bearer, Col. Wills, in whom we confide
to give you a true account of our state and situation, and of the
back Settlements, as he is well acquainted with them. We beg
that your honors will be pleased to send us an answer by the
bearer. We remain, iTour honors' most obed't humble servants.
Signed by order of the committee.
JOHANNES BALL, Chairman..
The above letter was read in Council, at their afternoon session,
on Saturday, July 19th, and after some discussion it was referred
to Messrs. Jay, Platt, and R. R. Livingston. On the 22d, the
Council wrote " To the Chairman of the Committee of Schoha
rie," as follows : " Kingston, July 22, 1777.
"Gentlemen : It greatly astonishes this Council that the settle
ment of Schoharie, which has always been considered as firmly
and spiritedly attached to the American cause, should be panic-
struck upon the least appearance of danger. Can you conceive
that our liberties can possibly de redeemed from that vassalage
which our implacable foes are, with unrelenting cruelty, framing
for us, without some danger and some vigorous efforts on our
part ? To expect that Providence, however righteous our cause,
will, without a vigorous use of those means which it has put in our
power, interpose in our behalf, is truly to expect that God will work
miracles for us, when those means, well improved, will afford suf
ficient security to our inestimable rights. It is your bounden du
ty, if you wish for the smiles of Heaven in favor of the public
cause in which you are so deeply interested, to acquit yourselves
like men. A few worthless Indians, and a set of villains, who
have basely deserted their country, are all the enemies vou have to
fear. J
"We have good reason to believe that the greatest and most de
serving part of the Six Nations are well disposed toward us. This
Council is exerting itself to secure you against danger, and only

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 227
wish you would second their efforts. Tryon county is a frontier
to your settlement ; in that county Fort Schuyler is a respectable
fortress, properly garrisoned. Major General Schuyler has sent
up apart of a regiment as a further reinforcement. We have au
thorized Colonel Harper to raise and embody two hundred men for
covering and protecting the inhabitants, and have formed such a
disposition of the militia of the county of Tryon for alternate re
lieves as we hope will tend effectually to secure you.
" If any proclamations or protections should be offered you by
the enemy, by all means reject them. From the woful experience
of those who have fallen within their influence in other parts of
the country, we have the highest reasons to believe that your ac
ceptance of those tenders of friendship, should they be made, will
render your misery and slavery unavoidable.
" In further attention to the cause of your settlement and Tryon
county, we have this morning sent Mr. Robert Livingston to Gen.
Washington. He is authorized to concert with his Excellency the
most effectual measures for putting the western frontiers of this
state in all possible security.
" In the mean time we expect much from your public virtue ;
that it will induce you to apprehend and send to us the disaffected
among you ; that it will lead you to the most effectual means of
securing your property from the depredations of a weak but insidi
ous foe ; and that it will teach you the impropriety of deserting
your habitations, and keep you in continual readiness to repel the
assaults of the enemies of the liberty of your country. We write
to the general committee of the county of Albany, to give you all
the countenance, assistance, and support in their power."
The following is part of a letter from the same body, under
the same date, to the Albany Committee.
" Gentlemen — The great depression of spirits of the inhabitants
of Tryon county, and the settlers of Schoharie, give this Council
much uneasiness, as it exposes them to the depredations of an ene
my whom they might otherwise despise.
" We hope that your committee will not be wanting to support
the drooping spirits of the western inhabitants in general, and par
ticularly of those within your county. Wc have great reason to
fear the breaking up of the settlement of Schoharie, unless our
exertions be seconded by your efforts. You well know that such
an event on the frontiers will not only be attended with infinite
mischief to the inhabitants, but will furnish cause for discourage
ment to the country in general. Every means should therefore be
tried to prevent it.
" This Council are earnestly solicitous to put the western fron
tiers of this state in a situation as respectable as possible ; and
though they conceive the enemy's strength to consist principally in
those exaggerations which result from the threats of our internal

228 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
foes, and the fears of our friends ; yet as those may be productive
of real mischief, they would endeavor by every means in their
power to prevent the evil. Your known exertions in the public
cause will not permit them to doubt of your straining every nerve
to second their endeavors," &c, &c.
The reader will observe that in the letter to the Schoharie com
mittee, the state council, in speaking of the foe to which the Scho
harie settlement was exposed, consisted only of a few worthless
Indians and Tories ; and that they believed the Six Nations, as
a whole, were well affected towards the republicans. This, how
ever, as the result showed, was not the fact — as the principal
warriors of four of the Six Nations had already taken up the Bri
tish hatchet, and were led on by a formidable number of royalists.
They also spoke of Tryon county as the frontier of Schoharie — the
whole being well protected by the garrison of Fort Schuyler, ge
nerally known as Fort Stanwix. This part of the letter discovers
the ignorance of the council ofthe true geography of the frontier
settlements ; as that fort was situated at least 100 miles northwest
of Schoharie, while the enemies of the latter were expected from
a southwest direction, from whence they usually approached. In
that direction were the settlements of Unadilla, Harpersfield and
Wyoming, either of which could be avoided ; but the two former
were early broken up and their well disposed inhabitants driven in
upon less exposed communities — while the fate ofthe latter is too
well known to be commented on here. The truth is, that, as an
old soldier {James Williamson) of Fort Schuyler once observed
to the writer, that fortress did not answer the purposes for which
it was intended in the revolution, as the enemy could, and did
pass round it in every direction to the frontier settlements — the
unbroken forest concealing their approach, until, as if by magic,
they appeared at the very dwellings of the pioneers.
On the 22d of July, the chairman of the Albany committee
wrote to Gen. Schuyler as follows —
" Hon. Sir — Colo. Vrooman and two other gentlemen from
Schoharie, are now with us, and represent the distress their part
of the county is driven to.
" Threats, they hourly receive ; their persons and property are

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 229
exposed to imminent danger : nearly one-half of the people here
tofore well disposed, have laid down their arms, and propose to side
with the enemy. All which change has taken its origin from the
desertion of Ticonderoga, the unprecedented loss of which, we are
afraid, will be followed by a revolt of more than one-half of the
northern part of this county. We therefore beg leave to suggest
whether it would not be advisable to detain one or two companies
of continental troops, which are expected here, to be sent that way
for a few days, which -we suppose might bring the greater part
again to a sense of their duty."
On the 24th of July, the chairman of the Albany committee
wrote to the council of safety as follows —
Gentlemen — Yours of the 22d instant is now before us, recom
mending us to use our utmost influence to revive the drooping spi
rits of the inhabitants of this and Tryon county. A duty so es
sential as this, has long since been our principal object, by follow
ing the example you have recommended to us ; but upon the whole,
gentlemen, they are only words upon which we have long played,
and we earnestly hope they may be realized in such a manner as
that the usual confidence the people of this and Tryon county have
in our board, may not depreciate in the eyes of the public, on
which head we beg leave to remark, that your sanguine expecta
tions of Col. Harper's rangers will by no means answer the pur
pose. The gentleman undoubtedly has abilities, and will exert
himself; but when'this matter is held up in a more clear view, it
will appear that every man, almost, in this and Tryon county,
adapted for the ranging service, is engaged in the continental,
occasioned by the amazing bounty that has been given ; and on
the other hand, the necessary men employed in various branches
attending an army, together with the constant drain of militia,
though but few in number, occasioned by the above circumstance,
are still necessitated to discharge their duty to their country, all
which point out to you the impracticability of the plan. After con
sidering these particulars, (which we believe have not been suffi
ciently suggested by the honorable the council,) we conceive it
will be impossible to collect any more men on the proposed plan,
by reason that their pay and encouragement is not adequate to the
times. If the foregoing difficulties have any weight, you may
judge that no essential service can be expected from the rangers,
nor can have any weight with the people to the westward.
" We enclose you a copy of a letter by us sent to Gen. Schuy
ler, from which you will perceive the distressed situation the people
of Schoharie are in."
On the 25th of July, Mr. Livingston returned from his confer
ence with the Commander-in-chief, and reported that his excel-
16

230 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
lency had already ordered Gen. Glover's division of the army to
march to the relief of Tryon county ; and a letter was immediate
ly dispatched to the committee of that county, informing them
that Glover's brigade had marched to Albany, there to receive
directions from Gen. Schuyler, then in command of the northern
army. The latter officer, in a letter to the Albany committee,
dated Moses Creek, four miles below Fort Edward, July 24th,
after speaking of the gloomy aspect of military affairs in that
quarter, the desertion of New England troops, &c, thus adds :
" Happy I should still be, in some degree, if I could close the
melancholy tale here ; but every letter I receive from the county
of Tryon, advises me that the inhabitants of it will lay down their
arms, unless I support them with continental troops. From what I
have said you will see the impossibility of my complying with
their request. The district of Schoharie has also pointedly inti
mated, that unless continental troops are sent there,' they will also
submit to the enemy. Should it be asked what line of conduct I
mean to hold amidst this variety of difficulties and distress, I would
answer, to dispute every inch of ground with Gen. Burgoyne, and
retard his descent into the country as long as possible, without the
least hopes of being able to prevent his ultimately reaching Albany,
unless I am reinforced from Gen. Washington, or by a respectable
body of the militia. The former I am advised I am not to have,
and whence to procure the latter I know not. I must therefore
look up to you ; but though I am under the fullest conviction that
you will readily afford me every aid in your power, yet I fear it
cannot be much.
" In this situation you will be pleased to permit me to observe,
that I think the council of safety ought to press Gen. Washington
for an immediate reinforcement of at least fifteen hundred good
continental troops. Those of our own state, if possible, if not from
any of the southern colonies ; one thousand to reinforce me, the
remainder to be sent to Tryon county."
In the same letter Gen. Schuyler expressed his fears that
should Burgoyne be able to penetrate to Albany, the force ap
proaching the Mohawk under Col. St. Ledger would be able to
meet him there; in which case if Gen. Howe pressed up the
river, Gen. Washington would either be put between two fires,
or compelled to file off into New England. He however trusted
such a result might not be realized, and hoped the freedom of his
sentiments would not be thought to rise from a principle which
would disgrace a soldier. He added, " I assure you they do not ;

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 23 I
aad I hope my countrymen will never have occasion to blush for
me, whatever may be the event of this campaign."
The Council of Safety, in reply to the Albany Committee's let
ter of the 24fh, responded on the 27th of July as follows: —
" Gentlemen — Your letter of the 24th inst. has just been received
and laid before the council. It was not by words alone that the
council expects the drooping spirits of the inhabitants of Tryon
county should be revived, nor do they know any other way of
realizing those expectations than by vigorous exertions.
" It is highly unreasonable to expect that the militia of other
states or additional detachments from the continental army should be
sent to Tryon or Schoharie, when their own exertions, with the aid
already afforded, would secure them. Harper's rangers are not the
only measures taken for their support ; a third part of the militia
is ordered to be embodied, and the council will provide for their
pay. But if when their all is at stake, they should think the
wages too little, and from such degenerate, mercenary principles
refuse to march, they will merit the distinction to which their
want of courage and public spirit will expose them.
" It is by example, not speeches, that the council wish they
may be encouraged. They expect the county of Albany will ex
ert itself ; that their leading men on other occasons, will not be
backward now ; that they will march with the militia, and ani
mate the body of the people by their perseverance, spirit and pa
triotism. If the salvation of such a cause be not sufficient to in
duce us to such actions, future generations may with propriety
say that we did not deserve to be free. If malcontents among you
are fomenting divisions or encouraging a revolt, they ought to be
immediately apprehended, and it is presumed you have sufficient
strength at least for the purpose of internal goverment. If a few
dispirited people are permitted to lay down their arms, and with
impunity, not only to disobey orders, but to say they will side
with the enemy, government has become base and feeble indeed.
Your powers are equal to all these exigences, and the council
hope you will exert them. That large drafts of men have been
made from the militia is a fact not to be denied ; but it is equally
true that their number is still very respectable, and if they please,
very formidable. In short, there is reason to fear that the panic
and irresolution which seems to prevail in the western district,
will, by being introduced into the history of the present glorious
contest, injure the reputation which this state has justly acquired
by its strenuous and noble exertions in the common cause of
America. " P. S. We have the best assurances that Gen. Glover, with
his brigade, is sent up to reinforce the northern department ; and
we flatter ourselves that Major General Schuyler will, as he finds
himself reinforced, cause troops to file off for the defence of the

232 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
western frontiers. To facilitate this, we have written pressingly
to the Governor of Connecticut-for aid."
The following extract of a letter from Col. Gansevoort to Col.
Van Schaick, dated Fort Schuyler, July 28th, will show one of
the earliest of those tragedies which crimsoned the frontier forest
of New York.
" Dear Sir — Yesterday, at 3 o'clock in the afternoon, our garri
son was alarmed with the firing of four guns. A party of men
was instantly dispatched to the place where the guns were fired,
which was in the edge of the woods, about five hundred yards from
the fort; but they were too late. The villians were fled, after
having shot three girls who were out picking raspberries, two of
whom were lying scalped and tomahawked ; one dead and the
other expiring, who died in about half an hour after she was
brought home. The third had two balls through her shoulder, but
made out to make her escape. Her wounds are not thought dan
gerous : by the best discoveries we have made, there were
four Indians who perpetrated these murders.
" I had four men with arms just passed that place, but these
mercenaries of Britain come not to fight, but to lie in wait to mur
der ; and it is equally the same to them, if they can get a scalp,
whether it is from a soldier or an innocent babe."
Instead of Gen. Schuyler's affording the western settlements
any relief after having been reinforced by Glover's brigade, we
find him, under date of August 1st, writing from Saratoga to the
New York council as follows :
" I have desired Col. Van Schaick to apply for all the militia of
Schoharie, Duanesburgh, Schenectada and Tryon county, that can
be collected ; but I forsee that nothing will be effected, unless a
committee of your body is deputed to repair to Albany." [Those
militia were intended to reinforce the northern army.]
Let us take a hasty glance at the progress of the enemy's cam
paign in the summer of 1777 ; when he hoped by one energetic
blow, to separate the New England from the Middle states. Col.
St. Leger, checked in his progress down the Mohawk, by a
bloody battle with the Tryon county militia, at Oriskany, on the
morning of August 6th, under the brave old Herkimer, in which
some of his men performed prodigies of valor; and a timely sor-*
tie from Fort Schuyler by troops under Col. Willet — finding his
Indians deserting him— Col. Gansevoort unwilling to surrender —

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 233
and a body of troops under Gen. Arnold advancing to raise the
siege of that fortress — was obliged to make good his retreat to
Canada. Gen. Burgoyne, after contesting the ground for some
time, and meeting with repeated defeats — seeing his Indian allies
deserting him from a dislike to Morgan's rifle-men, and his own
retreat cut off, surrendered his army to Gen. Gates, who had suc
ceeded Schuyler, as prisoners of war. Gen. Vaughan, with a
body of troops from the army of Sir Henry Clinton, after ascend
ing the Hudson as far as Kingston, and reducing that flourishing
village to ashes, learning that Gov. Clinton* was marching to op
pose him, fell back down the river.
It remains for us to follow the footsteps of McDonald. At this
unsettled period, when no forts had been erected in the Schoharie
settlements to which the timid might flee for safety, confusion, for
want of union, was manifest among the courageous*
Under date of August 9th, the Albany committee wrote to the
council of safety as follows :
" We inclose you a copy of a letter just now received from the
committee of Schenectada. You will perceive by its contents,
that a reinforcement is called for in that quarter. It gives us pain
to inform you that it is out of the power of this county to send them
any. The depredations committed by the tories is of the worst
consequences, as it effectually prevents the militia from joining the
army pursuant to Gen. Ten Broeck's request ; each part calls for
more help to assist themselves. A Captain Mann, of the militia
of Schoharie has collected a number of Indians and tories ; de
clares himself a friend to King George, and threatens destruction
to all who do not lay down their arms or take protection from our
enemies. In order to support our friends in that quarter, a force
should be sent to them. This is needless to attempt, as a reason
is assigned why no force can be had.
" In yours of the 27th ult., you desire that every nerve may be
exerted ; this has been done, though without the desired effect.
Our army to the northward, we have already informed you, does
not appear adequate to repel the force supposed to be coming
against them," &c, &c.
The above letter, and one from Gen. Schuyler, dated at Still-
* In the Annals of Tryon County, the invasion of McDonald is erroneously
set down as having occurred in 1778. Campbell also states that three forts
had been erected in Schoharie the fall before. The forts were erected at the
time he states ; but not, however, until after McDonald's visit.

234 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
water, August 6th, were received by the state council on the 1 1th :
from the latter, I take the following extract :
" General Ten Broeck has ordered out the whole of the militia ;
but I fear very few will march, and that most of them will behave
as the Schoharie and Schenectada militia have done. How that is,
you will see by the inclosed, which are copies of letters I have
this morning received." [What the conduct alluded to was, does
not appear on the journal of the council, but we may suppose they
refused to march until some provision was made for the protection
of their own families against the common foe.]
On the afternoon of Monday, the 11th, Benjamin Bartholomew,
from Schoharie, was admitted to the council chamber, and in
formed the council in substance :
" That a certain man at Schoharie was collecting a party in fa
vor of the enemy : had dispirited the inhabitants ; that the few re
solutely well affected were escaping from thence privately." [That
body then drafted the following letter to Gov. Clinton:] "Sir— The
council have received advice, that one Captain Mann is collecting
a force in Schoharie, and has prevailed upon the inhabitants,
through fear, to take part with him, and even to take up arms
against us. As this must expose the frontiers of Ulster and Alba
ny counties, and the flame may possibly extend further, if not in
stantly checked —
" They would suggest to your Excellency the propriety of send
ing a party under the command of an active and intelligent officer,
by the way of Woodstock or Catskill, who may fall upon the par
ty, arouse the spirits of our friends, and give the Indians such an
impression of our activity, as will render them cautious of opposing
us. Perhaps about two hundred men might be spared for this pur
pose from the garrison in the Highlands, and, if necessary, they
might again be reinstated by other militia. The council submit
this plan to your Excellency, and if it should be approved, doubt
not but that it will be carried instantly into execution, since secre
cy and expedition will ensure its success." *
On the 11th, the Albany committee, in a letter to the council,
speaking of their apprehensions for the northern army and the ul
timate fate of Albany, and the meritorious conduct of Gen. Her
kimer, after he was severely wounded, in refusing for hours to
leave the Oriskany battle field, thus observe :
" The people of Schoharie have informed us that they will be
obliged to lay down their arms. The militia that could be collect
ed in this county have been sent to the army : they have been long

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 235
in service, and seeing no prospect of relief, intend soon to return
and remove their families to a place of greater safety."
Gov. Clinton addressed the president of the council from New
Windsor, on the 11th of August, as follows :
" Sir — I wrote this morning to Colo. Pawling, advising him of
the conduct of Capt. Mann, of the Schoharie militia, mentioned
in the letter of the committee of Albany, a copy of which you sent
me. I am apprehensive, that unless he and his party are speedily
routed they will become formidable and dangerous neighbors to
our western frontiers. I therefore proposed to Colo. Pawling, in
the letter I addressed to him this morning, the propriety of em
bodying a party of men out of his regiment, under an active offi
cer, for this purpose, and directed him to call on your Honorable
House for their advice and assistance on this occasion, which,
should they agree with me in sentiment, they will please to afford
him. " It is clearly my opinion, that it is essential to the public safe
ty to have this business executed with dispatch and effectually.
That fellow, without doubt, acts under the encouragement and by
the advice of the enemy ; and even though he should not attempt
to commit hostilities on the inhabitants of the western frontiers,
the very deterring of the militia from marching to the aid of the
northern army alone is a capital mischief; besides suffering such
an atrocious and open offender to pass with impunity, would, in
point of example, be extremely impolitic. It may be necessary to
exercise a good deal of prudence with respect to the Indians who
are with Capt. Mann, the management of which I must submit to
the council."
The next day, his excellency again addressed the president of
the council, as follows : " New Windsor, \2th Aug't, 1777.
" Dear sir — On the receipt of a letter yesterday morning from
General Scott, enclosing a copy of a letter from the committee of
Albany, to your honble. board, containing the same intelligence
respecting Capt. Mann, mentioned in your letter of the 11th inst..
just now delivered me, I immediately wrote to Colonel Pawling
on that subject, pointing out the propriety of destroying Mann and
his party by a sudden exertion, with a detachment of the militia
under an active officer, and desiring him, if he thought it practica
ble, to set about it immediately ; and in that case to call upon the
council for their advice and aid. This morning I addressed a let
ter to your honorable board on the same subject, by which you
will observe my sentiments coincide exactly with the council's on
this occasion. I dare not however, at present, venture to take any
of the continental troops from the garrison in the Highlands for
this business.

236 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, ETC.
" The designs of the enemy under General Howe, are yet un
certain ; the garrison not over strong ; and should any unlucky ac
cident happen in that quarter, in the absence of troops, which
might be drawn from thence for this expedition, I would be greatly
and perhaps deservedly censured. If the militia are to be em
ployed, they can be much easier and more expeditiously had in
the neighborhood of Kingston and Marbletown, than by marching
them up from the fort.
" Major Pawling was charged with my letter to council, andleft
my house this morning for Kingston. I mentioned this scheme to
him, and he expressed a strong desire to command the party, to
which I consented, provided a party proper for him to command
should be ordered out on this occasion. I know him to be possessed
of prudence as well as spirit."

( 237 )

CHAPTER Vni.

The reader will perceive by the correspondence in the preceding
chapter, that provision had been made, although tardily, to succor
Schoharie. Many well disposed citizens in McDonald's descent
through the southern settlements, seeing no assistance at hand,
anxious for the safety of their families and property, accepted his
offered protection of royalty — while not a few joined in the wake
of the tory chief, to swell his already formidable numbers. In
his approach to the more thickly settled parts of Schoharie, he
could have numbered several hundred followers — Indians and
loyalists — armed with various weapons, which number rumor, with
her many tongues, greatly multiplied. It is not surprising that
the comparatively small body of militia assembled at the house of
John Becker — a part of which house is now standing — felt them
selves too weak to oppose their enemies unaided. They, how
ever, began barricading the windows and doors of this stone dwel
ling ; and deputed two pf their number, Vrooman and Swart, to
go to Albany for assistance.
Henry Hager, of North Blenheim, late a judge of Schoharie
county, very kindly, furnished the author with a manuscript of
some facts relating to Schoharie. He states that McDonald
reached the river above Brakabeen, on Sunday the 10th of Au
gust, and "marched up and down the road, stationing guards,
&c." As the enemy were over-running the valley, Henry Hager,
grandfather of my informant, then over 70 years old, was anxious
to inform the patriot party below of the invader's progress and
espionage along the valley. There was no whig near with

238 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
whom he could consult — indeed the Hager family was the only
one, for a distance of several miles, that had not either already
joined the enemy's standard, or accepted of his proffered protec
tion : he therefore started to do the errand himself, a distance of
nearly nine miles. Leaving home about sun-down, he had pro
ceeded but a short distance when he was brought to a stand by
an emissary of royalty ; who demanded where he was going, his
business, etc. His good judgment readily prompting a reply, he
feigned business with a blacksmith living below. The sprig of
his majesty informed him that the man he wished to see was in a
house near by. He was permitted to enter and do his errand,
which was to order some small job. We suppose the interview
between Mr. Hager and Vulcan to have been on Sunday : the
latter told him he would do his work, and that he might call for
it as early as he pleased next morning. Leaving the infected
house, Hager again encountered the man endowed with brief au
thority, who granted him permission to return home.
It was nearly dark when the aged patriot left the tory senti
nel. Proceeding a few hundred yards on his way home, until out
of sight of the enemy, he went down a bank of the river which
he forded, and by a circuitous route, reached the Stone House in
safety and communicated the approach of the invaders. Capt.
Jacob Hager, his son, was there at the time. He had returned
with a party of Schoharie militia from the northern army but a
few days before, where he had distinguished himself in several
hazardous enterprises, transporting cannon to Fort Edward, etc.
On Monday morning Col. Vrooman, fearing Swart and his com
rade might not reach Albany in season to obtain assistance, sent
Capt. Hager and Henry Becker on the same errand ; with in
structions to keep the woods whenever there was danger of meet
ing with detention.
At this juncture of their proceedings, in the afternoon of the
day on which Hager and Becker had left, Col. John Harper — whose
duty the reader will remember, required him to look to the pro
tection of Schoharie — arrived, to consult with Col. Vrooman and
the Whigs there assembled, on the best course to be adopted un-

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 239
der the circumstances. It was readily agreed that the friends of
equal rights assembled, or likely to be in season, were too few to
oppose successfully McDonald's progress. No time was to be
lost, as it was expected the band of outlaws would reach that vi
cinity on the following day : in order, therefore, to get aid in
season to be of service, it was thought advisable for a messenger
to proceed immediately to Albany on horseback. Col. Harper
volunteered his services, and although the day was far spent, he
mounted and set forward. Knowing that it would be extremely
hazardous to pursue his journey in the night, he rode about five
miles and put up at a public house then kept by John I. Lawyer,
mentioned in Chap. III. of this work : in the latter part of the
war his son, Jacob Lawyer, Jr. was its host. This ancient inn
stood near the old Lutheran parsonage. The building is still
standing on the premises of Chester Lasell — Mrs. W. G. Michaels.
On the night Col. Harper staid at Lawyer's, there was quite a
gathering of Indians and tories, at the tavern known in those days
as, The Brick House at the Forks of the Road* distant from the
former inn about a mile and a quarter. The object of this meet
ing of genial spirits, was, no doubt, to receive and communicate
intelligence from and to the royalist party above, and also to
learn tidings from such as kept an eye on the movements at Law
yer's tavern. A whig (George Warner, Jr. of Cobelskill) who
was a watchman secreted with others that night, along the fences
south of the Brick House, to note the motions of the enemy, as
sured the author that he saw individuals all night passing and re
passing — whom he supposed communicating with the McDonald
party. Col. Harper, having secured his horse and taken supper, retired
early to an upper room, and locked the door, but did not think it
prudent to undress. Some time in the evening, a party from the
Brick House arrived at Lawyer's. The object of their visit being
made known to the landlord, which was to get Harper to accom-
* This house, now owned and occupied by Cornelius Vrooman, stood in the
forks of the old Albany and Schenectada roads. It was a two story dwelling
at the period of which I am speaking.

240 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
pany them to their rendezvous, he expostulated with them for in
truding upon the rest of his guest, but to no purpose, for see him
they would. Knowing that he was near an infected district, Col.
Harper had taken the precaution to leave a light burning. Hear
ing an unusual noise below, he seized his pistols and stepped to
the door, and while listening to learn the cause of his disturbance,
he overheard the suppressed but earnest voice of the landlord on
on the stairs, urging the intruders not to ascend. Said he — "For
God's sake, gentlemen, desist! for I tell you he is a soldier, terri
bly armed, and some of you must die before he will be taken!"
Expostulation was in vain, and the landlord was thrust aside by
the tory party, which rapped at the door of his guest. With pis
tol in hand he opened it, threatening death to the first man who
should step over its threshold. The intruders then made known to
him the object of the visit, and the intrepid Harper, with a pistol
in each hand, replied, " / will be there in the morning, but attempt
to take me there to-night at your peril ! " Seeing him thus arm
ed, and knowing from the flash of his eye that his threat would
be executed, the party quailed before him and withdrew. He
again locked his door, and was not afterwards disturbed.
Col. Harper started next morning, about 8 o'clock, armed as
on the night previous, with a sword and brace of pistols. Cross
ing Foxes creek bridge, which stood where the present bridge now
stands, without any opposition, (some writer has erroneously sta
ted that a Tory sentinel was on the bridge) he rode up to Mann's
tavern, as I have been credibly informed by an eye-witness/ fas
tened his horse, and went in. He was in the house but a few mi
nutes, came out, remounted, and started off on the Schenectada
road, via. Duanesburgh, for Albany. He rode a small black mare,
with a white stripe in the forehead, which started from the inn up-
•David Warner, of Cobelskill. At the time alluded to, he states that he
was a lad about ten years of age ; that he then boarded with Capt. Mann's
father, and went to school near Foxes creek ; that several boys, himself with
the rest, had assembled after breakfast near the tavern to go to school. The
morning was unusually pleasant. It was not usual, at that period, to see a
stranger, with holsters, upon his saddle. Mr. W. also saw Col. Harper re
turn next day with cavalry.

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK.

241

on a pace, struck a gallop near the top of the hill, and soon bore
the rider out of sight. He had disappeared but a few mi
nutes, before^-ue Indians arrived at Mann's, and entered the cellar
kitchen, followed by the boys, who were still at play in the street.
Within half an hour, two of Captain Mann's horses, a black and
a roan, were brought before the door, and two Indians, Seth's
Henry,* a tall, dark Schoharie chief, sometimes familiarly called
Set, or Sethen Henry, and David, a small Indian, before noticed,
mounted them, and started at a full gallop on the road Col. Har
per had taken. The Indians, in pursuit were armed only with
knives and tomahawks.

COLONEL HARPER CONFRONTING THE INDIANS.
For a distance of several miles, at that period, there was scarce
ly a house on the old Duanesburgh road. As Col. Harper drew
near Righter's place, he discovered that he was pursued. Passing
Over a knoll, or turn in the road, which hid him from his follow-

•The name of this Indian's father was Seth, and his own Henry ; he was
known in the war by the name in the context.

242 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
ers, he dismounted, drew his sword from its scabbard, and stuck
the point of it in a dry stump before him, and holding a pistol in
each hand, ready cocked, he leaned back against his horse, and
awaited the approach of the Indians, the tallest of whom he had
already recognized. Riding at a rapid rate, and before they were
aware of their proximity, they drew very near the object of their
pursuit. The instant they saw him, they reined up, within reach
of his pistols. Not choosing to risk a shot, he exclaimed in a
voice and manner that carried terror to their savage breasts —
" Stop you villains — face about and be off this instant, or these
bullets shall whistle through your hearts." The Indians, seeing him
thus armed, dared not advance, and wheeling their horses, sullen
ly withdrew. It is said, however, that Set dogged him, at a res
pectful distance, a good part of the way to Albany. I have
been enabled to be thus circumstantial, from having conversed
with several individuals who received from Col. Harper's own
mouth the account of his pursuit soon after its occurrence, whose
statements do not vary in anything material.
Col. Harper's arrival in Albany, on Tuesday, August 12th, is.
thus noticed in the Journal of the Council of Safety the following
day. Christopher Fiero stated to that body that one Du Boise,
who left Albany the evening before, reported " That every road
from Schoharie is obstructed and filled up by the tories there; that
Col. John Harper had escaped from thence, and that Col. Vroo
man, with about twenty-five whigs, had fortified themselves in a
house there." Under the same date on the Council's Journal, I
find the copy of a letter written by that body, to Col. Pawling,
on the subject of Gov. Clinton's letters, previously inserted, which ¦
reads as follows :
" Sir — We enclose you two letters received from the Governor,
by which it appears that he is very anxious to have the party
detached for Schoharie. We have received information that
Col. Vrooman, with a party of whigs, is besieged there by the to
ries. " It is necessary that he should be relieved immediately. You
will therefore be pleased to issue your orders this night for two
hundred drafts to be made from your regiment ; after which you
will, agreeably to the Governor's directions, repair to this place,

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 243
and confer with the Council about the most practicable means of
executing your plan.
"We are extremely sorry that so much precious time has alrea
dy been lost by the miscarriage of your letter." [The above let
ter was signed by the President and forwarded by a light-
horseman ; after which the Council] "Resolved, That Gen. Scott,
R. R. Livingston, and Maj. Tappan, be a committee to assist Col.
Pawling in executing the secret expedition,"
Col. Harper, unadvised of the proceedings of Gov. Clinton and
the Council, on his arrival in Albany, applied either to the Albany
committee, or Col. Van Schaick, then in command of that milita
ry station — or, what is quite likely, to both — for assistance ; and
a small body of cavalry was granted him. The company con
sisted in rank and file of twenty-eight stout looking men.* They
were well-clad, wore caps, and made a fine military appearance.
By whom they were commanded, the author has been unable sa
tisfactorily to learn. The old citizens of Schoharie all assert
that he was a Frenchman, and spoke imperfect English. The
party, conducted by Col. Harper, left Albany in the evening, and
riding a good part of the night, arrived in Schoharie early on
Wednesday. One of the party had a trumpet, the first, probably,
ever heard echoing among the mountains of Schoharie — an occa
sional blast of which is said to have carried terror to the hearts of
the evil doers, and produced an effect equal to that of <m army
with banners.
On arriving at the brick house, a halt was ordered. Mine host
hearing the warlike sound of the trumpet while it was yet a little
way off, fancying no doubt that he heard his own death knell in
every blast, fled to a barrackf of wheat on his premises, where he
snugly ensconsed himself beneath its sheaves; thinking, that
• Col. Stone, who, in the Life of Brant, (see chapters 14 and 16, vol. 1,)
has adopted Campbell's erroneous date of this transaction, placing it in 1778,
gives the name of Capt. Woodbake as the commanding officer of the parly.
The Schoharie people say that was not the commandant's name. Stone also
puts down their number at 200 : but six or eight persons still living in differ
ent parts of the county who counted them, state their number to have been
only twenty-eight.
t The word barrack is both German and Dutch. In the Schoharie and

244 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
" The man who lives to run away,
May live to fight another day."
The commandant of the little squadron assumed a terrifying
aspect, as, half drawing his sword, and rising in his stirrups, he
demanded of Mrs. Mann, who had been summoned to the door
for the purpose, in imperfect English, the whereabouts of her
husband. The good woman, who should not at that time have
been so frightened as to turn deadly pale, assured the speaker
she could not inform him. In fact she did not herself know.
The premises of the tory were then strictly searched for his per
son, even to the barrack in" which he was concealed : and several
troopers ran their swords down into the wheat sheaves beneath
which he lay, without discovering him.
A small number of men who were found at the brick house,
with some exceptions, submitted to the authority of the American
officers, and destroyed their royal protections, with the promise of
pardon for accepting them. A few who had been very active
among the tories were however arrested, among whom was the
malicious Indian, David ; who had gained notoriety by his attempt
pn the life of Chairman Ball — his pursuit of Col. Harper, and the
aid he had rendered the British cause in the capacity of messen
ger — he having just arrived from the camp of McDonald, when
arrested. The troop then proceeded to the public house of Jacob
Mohawk valleys, much hay and grain was formerly deposited in barracks 
indeed, such depositaries are considerably used there at the present day.
They are commonly made by erecting four upright poles or posts, so as to
form a square, firmly set in the ground, or held at equal distances by timbers
framed into them above the ground. The upper part of the posts is perfo
rated with holes, and a roof, made of a quadrangular form, terminating in
a vertex, rests upon wood or iron pins thrust through those holes. The roof
is usually constructed by framing two timbers, crossing at right angles, and
secured by side pieces, into which are framed four upright poles, firmly se
cured at the apex above. The roof is sometimes boarded and shingled ' but
usually thatched. When a barrack is to be filled, the roof is raised t'o tbe
top of the corner posts, and the hay or grain in the sheaf is stacked beneath
it : and as the contents are removed the roof is let down. Some barracks
have a floor, and are so constructed as to last many years, subserving most
ofthe purposes of a barn, They are generally built with four corners, but
sometimes with more. Soldiers' huts are, by the French, also called barracks.

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 245
Snyder, a whig living a little distance east of Mann's to obtain
refreshments ; in the mean time the news of Col. Harper's arrival
from Albany with troops having wonderftd music, spread up and
down the valleys of Foxes creek and Schoharie, with almost
lightning rapidity. Leaving their work unfinished, the friends of
liberty began to assemble, and many good citizens who had only
been waiting to see a prospect of succor in case they espoused
their country's cause, now did so cheerly. Stone's account of
there having been a large body of tories, with scarletpatches on
their hats assembled at Capt. Mann's, to whom that officer was
making a speech on the arrival of Col. Harper and his party,
needs authentication.
On the evening of the day on which Col. Harper left the Stone
House to obtain assistance, McDonald and his followers descend
ed the river to the residence of Swart, as stated in his diary, where
they encamped over night ; taking quiet possession of the pre
mises, and helping themselves bountifully to the best the house
afforded. As soon as the steeds of the cavalry were rested, and them
selves refreshed, quite a party of militia variously armed having
already assembled, preparations were made to advance and meet
the enemy, about six miles distant. The militia, some of whom
were mounted and others not, were officered by Col. Harper for
the occasion, and accompanied the cavalry. David, the Indian
captive, was fastened by a cord around his wrist, to a fellow
prisoner. The little army a few hours after its arrival in the val
ley, moved up the river, at the inspiring sound of the trumpet,
which laughed among the encrinital and trilobital hills — and
danced far away in the distance. Those who had been the most
boisterous for King George, were, as if by magic, all converted
into Congress-men ; after hearing the voice of the vociferous
Frenchman, and that of his musician speaking to his distant, au
ditors with a brazen tongue, No musician ever rendered his
country more evident essential service, unless perchance he was
rivaled by Anthony Van Corlear, of Knickerbocker memory.
At times the militia who were on foot, were obliged to take a
17

246 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
dog trot to keep up with the excited commander of cavalry,
while the sweat of the brow as it coursed adown their sunburnt
cheeks, denoted their blood to be at fever heat.
After proceeding about five miles, as the troops were passing
an alder swamp, in Hartman's "dorf, the prisoner David, watch
ing a favorable opportunity, slipped the cord from his arm and
ran into it. The party were halted, ordered to surround the
marsh, and shoot down the captive if he attempted to escape.
The mounted militia who knew the ground, led the cavalry round
the swamp ; and the Indian being observed skulking from tree
to tree, and just ready to emerge in the direction of the river,
was instantly brought down by a pistol shot in the back, with
the exclamation, " Ganno ! ganno !" The commanding officer,
impatient at the delay, ordered one of the militia men to advance
and shoot him. He was then lying partly upon his side, his
head was resting upon his hand, and his elbow upon the ground,
while his eye calmly surveyed his foes. George Shell, of Foxes
creek, (who sometime after bravely assisted in the defence of
Major Becker's house,) advanced from the ranks, presented his
old fire-lock and attempted to fire. Click, click, click, said the
old rusty lock — while its antiquated cylinder remained cold and
silent. " Tam te Meleshee guns !" exclaimed the officer ; as,
riding forward, he snapped one of his own pistols, which missed
fire, and ordered his troopers to shoot him. A pistol snapped by
the man next the captain also missed fire, but that in the hand
of his follower exploded, sending a bullet through the Indian's
head. As those pistols were snapped, the Indian turned round
to avoid seeing them. He was left in his gore, and the party
resumed their march. This Indian was the first person killed
in the Schoharie settlements in the Revolution; and I have
been thus particular in detailing the circumstances attending his
death, because the manner of it as related in the Life of Brant,
where he is misnamed Peter Nickus, is so very far from the truth
as stated by several eye witnesses.*
• Jacob Becker, Jacob Enders, and George Warner, who were militia
men present.

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 247
i David Ogeyonda, although a notorious offender, would not
have been slain had he not attempted to escape while a prisoner.
The story of his having been " inhumanly hacked to pieces" by
the cavalry, is not true. It is a well-known characteristic of the
Indian, that whoever does an injury to one of his blood, incurs
his hatred and revenge. This same Indian had several sons,
who, knowing all the circumstances attending their father's death,
not only remained friendly to the American cause, but Yon, pro
bably the oldest, rendered the citizens of Schoharie no little ser
vice during the war.
On arriving at the Stone House, a ladder was raised against
it, and the prisoners taken at Mann's were compelled to mount
upon the roof, which was not very steep, when the ladder was
removed, and they were placed in temporary and somewhat novel
confinement. A squaw among them, is said to have rendered the
situation of a prisoner, named Weaver, so uncomfortable, that
he requested Jacob Enders to remove her.
The party had been at Middleburgh but a short time, when a
woman by the name of Staats, known in the valley by the un-
poetic cognomen of Rya's Pup, was seen approaching the Stone
House in the direction of the river, nearly half a mile distant.
She halted soon after being discovered as if hesitating about ad
vancing, when the officer of cavalry beckoned to her to come
forward ; upon which she faced about and ran the other way.
Two troopers were sent in pursuit, and captured her while ford
ing the river ; and each seizing a hand they turned their horses
and rode back to the house, to the great amusement of its inmates,
and discomfiture of the prisoner who was almost — out of breath.
After panting a while, she was enabled to answer the interroga
tories of the American officers. She said she had just come from
the camp of McDonald — that his numbers were very great — and
that he was then preparing to march down and capture the Stone
House and its inmates. — George Warner and Jacob Enders.
On receiving this information, the troops were sent to collect
several fences to aid in throwing up a temporary breastwork
around the house, that they might be the better able to repel, an

248 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
attack. After waiting sometime, however, for the appearance
of the enemy, it was thought advisable by the Americans who
were somewhat respectable in numbers, to proceed to meet him.
On arriving near Swart's place, two miles distant from the Stone
House, it was ascertained that the foes were on the retreat up
the valley ; and it was only by a rapid movement of the mounted
troops that they were overtaken at the Flockey* At this place
Adam Crysler resided before the war — it is now the residence of
Samuel Lawyer. The house which is situated at the upper end
of Vrooman's land, is pleasantly located upon a bank which slopes
to the road. A brook or mill stream runs at the base of the
bank near the road, between which and the river was formerly
a small swamp. As the Americans drew near, they found Mc
Donald had made a stand on the lawn in front of the house, pre
pared to give them a warm reception. A few shots only were
exchanged, when the cavalry, at a long and terrifying blast of
the trumpet, dashed impetuously among the Indians and tories ;
who, panic struck, took to their heels and fled up the river.
They were pursued but a short distance as the ground above was
unfavorable for cavalry ; besides, it was nearly dark, and the lat
ter were much fatigued, having rode about forty-five miles since
the evening before. David Wirt, lieutenant of the cavalry, was
killed in this encounter, and two privates wounded, one Rose,
mortally — who died three days after. Angelica, a daughter of
Col. Vrooman, assured the writer in 1837, that she furnished the
winding sheet for Lieut. Wirt — who was the first man that fell
in Schoharie defending the principles of a free government. WTirt
was shot as was afterwards learned, by one Shafer, a royalist.
What loss the enemy sustained in this brush is unknown, few,
however, chose to stay long enough to be killed. The cavalry re
turned to the Stone House and encamped for the night. As it
was then supposed that madam Staats had been sent down by
McDonald to afford him an opportunity to escape, she was sought
for on the return of the Americans, but had slept out. — Mattice
Ball, Jacob Van Dyck and others.
• The name for this spot as known among the old inhabitants, and doubt
less signified, ground near a swamp.

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 249
The enemy retreated up the river through Brakabeen, and by
way of the Susquehanna laid their course for Niagara. Judge
Hager states, that upwards of twenty male citizens went off from
Vrooman's land, Brakabeen, and Clyberg (Clay bill,) with the
enemy ; among whom were Adam Crysler, Joseph Brown, sever
al ofthe Boucks, Beckers, Keysers, Mattices, Freemires, William
Zimmer, one of the Schoharie committee, one Shafer and one
Kneiskern. He also adds, that while the enemy remained in
Schoharie, they doubtless lived well, as they were in a land of
plenty. On the return of the light horse, as nothing appeared to crimi
nate the father of Capt. Mann, who was inoffensive and consider
ably advanced in life, he was suffered to remain at liberty — and
as the title to the brick house and valuable farm adjoining is said
to have been vested in him and not his son, it was never confis
cated to the republic.
Not long after the cavalry and militia had proceeded up the
valley, Capt. Mann came down from his hiding place, crossed the
river below the mouth of Fox's creek, and secreted himself un
der the Karighondontee mountain, at a place where a small stream
of water has cut a ravine. The next day, David Warner, the lad
before mentioned, and John Snyder, with a basket of food, went
in pursuit of him. They crossed the river and followed up the
ravine before named, just above which, seated in a cavity of the
rock, they found the object of search, smoking a pipe and fast
ing ; with an apology for a fire, a few brands smoldering in the
recess. Mann had very wisely taken with him from home a tin
der box and matches, as the chosen place of secretion was in
fested by rattle-snakes; and it being usually damp, was a cold
place at night even in midsummer. The little nook in which
Mann was found by his friends, is a familiar one to the Schoharie
geologists, who have been there to obtain strontian, especially if
they ever chanced to be there, as the writer once did, in a very
heavy shower. The ravine alluded to, affords the geologist some
of the most beautiful deposits of fossil moss found in Schoharie
county.

250 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
When Mann heard his friends approaching, his fearful appre
hension was aroused, but on hearing their familiar voices calling
him by name, he readily discovered himself. Erom his mountain
retreat, he shortly after went to Kneiskern's dorf, several miles
further down the river, where he was concealed by friends until
fall ; at which time, he surrendered himself to the military au
thority established in the valley, by which he was transfered to
Albany for trial. The following paper will show the time when
Capt. Mann became a prisoner. " Schoharie, Dec. 8th, 1777.
Gentlemen of the committee : — We have taken it upon us to
let George Mann come in, by a sufficient bail-bond, which we
thought he could not get ; but since he did, we would not affroht
the people, and took it ; and if you think that it is not sufficient,
let me know it, for I am ready now to act against the tories to the
utmost point which is in my power, if the other committee are
willing to join : if not, I will no longer be a committee man.
" Gentlemen, I beg one favor of you, which is, to give me in
telligence in what form we are to act with the tories now : so no
more at present. " I remain, sirs,
" Your friend and well wisher,
"JOHANNES BALL."
Owing to the great influence and respectability of his whig
relatives and neighbors, Marin's trial was kept off until the war
closed — when, a very liberal policy having been adopted toward
those who had committed no very flagrant act, he was set at lib
erty, and returned home to the bosom of his family and the quiet
possession of his property. From the fact that he surrendered
himself a prisoner, instead of trying to flee to Canada, there can
remain no doubt but that his views had undergone a change in
regard to what course he should from the beginning have adopted.
He had early, beyond a doubt, been warmly solicited by the friends
of royalty, and the most flattering inducements, to advance their
cause. But a life of repentance showed his error in judgment to
have been of the head and not the heart, — while his firm and
willing support ever after of the newly established order of things,
fully atoned for his single offence.
From a long and intimate personal acquaintance with the de
scendants and other relatives of Capt. George Mann, I express

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 251
an opinion without fear of contradiction, that they are as patriotic
citizens and as firm and consistent supporters of the federal con
stitution, as an equal number of men found in any other part of
the American union.
The command of Capt. Mann's company, after his disappear
ance, was given to his lieutenant, Christian Stubradi.
Some individuals in the Schoharie settlements who had been
persuaded to accept of kingly protection under McDonald, when
the prospects of the colonies looked to them most gloomy, soon
after his defeat and hasty flight, found means, in the confusion
that ensued, to return home and become the supporters of the fed
eral compact, while others followed his fortunes to Canada to
await the speedy triumph of the British arms, when they expect
ed to return and enjoy not only their own, but the confiscated
property of their whig neighbors.
Letters from Colonels Harper and Vrooman, dated August 20th,
1777, were received by the council of safety, as appears by the
journal of that body, and transmitted on the 29th to his excellen
cy the governor, recommending him to provide five hundred
troops — one hundred of whom to be riflemen — to protect the
frontiers of Albany and Tryon counties : and under the date of
August 30th, I find entered upon the council's journal, the follow
ing letter : " Schoharie, August 2Sth, 1777.
" Gentlemen — Since we put Capt. McDonald and his army to
flight, I proceeded with some volunteers to Harpersfield, where
we met many that had been forced by McDonald, and some of
them much abused. Many others were in the woods, who were
volunteers ; and as we could not get hands on those that were ac
tive in the matter, I gave orders to all to make their appearance,
when called on, at Schoharie, in order to give satisfaction to the
authority for what they have done ; and if they do not, that they
are to be proclaimed traitors to the United States of America ;
which they readily agreed to, and further declare that they will
use their best endeavors to bring in those that have been the cause
of the present disturbance. I would, therefore, beg the honorable
council of safety, that they would appoint proper persons to try
those people, as there will be many that can witness to the pro
ceedings of our enemy, and are not in ability to go abroad.
" From your most obedient, humble servant,
" JOHN HARPER, Colo.
" P. S. The people here are so confused that they do not know

252 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
how to proceed. I therefore would beg the favor of your honora
ble body to appoint such men as are strangers in these parts.
" To the honorable, the council of safety, at Kingston."
The above letter was referred to a committee who reported on
the same, September 1st, and the council ordered the following
letter written to Col. Harper in reply, under that date —
" Sir— -Your favor of the 28th of August last, was received and
communicated to the council. They congratulate you on the suc
cess of our arms in that quarter, which must be doubly grateful to
the brave inhabitants of Tryon county, whose virtuous exertions
have so greatly contributed to it.
"The trial and punishment of those inhuman wretches who
have combined with a savage foe to imbrue their hands in the
blood of the innocent, demands a speedy attention. But while
the council agree with you in the impropriety of removing them
to any distance from the witnesses of their guilt, they can not con
sent, nor indeed are they empowered to institute any new court for
the trial of such offences. These wicked parricides, however de
testable, are nevertheless, by our free constitution, entitled to the
inestimable privilege of a trial by their peers. A court of oyer and
terminer will be held in your county [Albany county meant —
Col. Harper was then a resident of Tryon county :] as soon as the
present storm hath a little subsided. In the mean time the public
officers of the county will exert themselves to detect, apprehend
and secure the rebels.
" You will be pleased to communicate this letter to the commit
tee of Schoharie, and to such other persons as may be concerned
in it."
The following letter directed to " The Commissioners for Se-
questrings for Tryon County," and found among the papers of
Col. Fisher, one of those commissioners, was from a member of
the New York council of safety. " Kingston, 31s* August, 1777.
" Gent. — The enclosed resolution was thought necessary, that
you may have it in your power to remove the women and children
to such place (if even it should be to the enemy,) as you with Gen.
Gates may think proper. Should you want any thing farther, you
will please to let the House know. I wish you health and spirits
in these trying times — which we will all get over ; and that it may
be soon, is the prayer of Gent, your most hum'e serv't.
" ABM. YATES, Jun."
[The resolution above alluded to] — "Resolved, That the com
missioners for sequestrating the effects of persons gone over to, or

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 253
who are with the enemy, be directed immediately to seize the ef
fects of all such of the inhabitants of the counties of Albany and
Tryon, as are gone over unto and joined the enemy, and to dis
pose thereof, agreeably to the resolutions in that case made and
.provided. That the said commissioners be empowered to remove
the wives and children of such disaffected persons aforesaid from
their habitations, to such place or places as they shall conceive
best for the security of the state. That the said commissioners (if
Gen. Gates shall think it advisable) be empowered to send all or
any part of the said women and children to their said husbands."
On the council's journal under date of September 5th, I find the
following entry —
The committee to whom was referred the petition of William
Cameron and the other six prisoners brought by Maj. Wynkoop's
party from Schoharie, delivered in their report, which was read,
amended and agreed to, and is in the words following, to wit :
' That it appears from the said petition of William Cameron and
the six prisoners brought with him as aforesaid, that they have,
contrary to the resolutions of this state, aided and assisted the ene
mies thereof, by taking up arms against it, and therefore that they
be confined in irons in one of the jail rooms at Kingston.' "
The above no doubt refers to the prisoners captured by the ca
valry which accompanied Col. Harper to Schoharie. In alluding
to this transaction, the Rev. Daniel Gros, in a work on Moral
Philosophy, pubhshed about the year 1806, thus observes —
" Neither must it be forgotten that Lieut. Wallace, Wm. Wills
and John Harper, who at that time of general distress on our
western frontiers, when two hundred royalists and Indians had
advanced into the heart of Schoharie, where treachery, assisted by
the panic with which the inhabitants had been struck, had al
most accomplished a total defection among them, with forty men,
cellected in a strong brick house, [stone house,] braved the ene
my, hindered the defection from taking the intended effect ; and
afforded time for succor, by which the whole design of the enemy
was defeated, and a valuable part of the frontier preserved."
On the 13th of August, the same day on which Col. Harper so
opportunely led troops to Schoharie, Lt. Col. Schermerhorn pro
ceeded to Norman's kill with a body of Schenectada militia, and
forty Rhode Island troops, — in all about one hundred men, — to
Jroot up a tory gathering at that place. The expedition was very
successful ; David Springer, a noted royalist, was killed, thirteen

254 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
of his comrades captured, the remainder dispersed, and confidence
again restored, where all was doubt and disaffection, without the
loss of a single man on the part of the Americans. — John J.
Schemerhorn, son of Col. S. named in the context.
In the fall of this year the following resolution was made pub
lic: "Advertisement. — This is to give notice to all persons, that the
Committed of Schoharie have Resolved that nobody shall sell any
thing to disaffected persons, and especially to such persons as buy
and send it to the Scotch settlements [on the Charlotte and Sus
quehanna rivers;] and if any person does it, we shall seize it.
" By order of the committee,
" Schoharie, Nov. 24th, 1777. JOHANNES BALL, Ch'n."
The citizens of Schoharie were engaged in the fall in trans
porting provisions to the army under Gen. Gates, as the follow-^
ing will show.
" Half Moon, 18th Oct., 1777: Received of Jacob Cuyler, Esq.,
D. C. G. of P., [deputy commissary general of provisions] sixty-
six barrels and two tierces of flour, containing 131c. 3qr. 81b. —
tare 1471, in seventeen wagons, which I promise to deliver to
Dirck Swart, D. C. of P. at Stillwater, having signed two receipts
of the same tenor and date. JOHANNES BALL."
About twenty of Mr. Ball's neighbors were engaged with their
teams in conveying the flour mentioned, as appears by another
certificate in possession of the writer.
The following anecdote will serve to show the patriotism of the
late patroon, Stephen Van Rensselaer. When the troops under
Gen. Gates were opposing Burgoyne near Saratoga, Gen. Ten
Broeck, who was the guardian of the patroon, then in his minori
ty, visited some of his nephew's tenants near the Helleberg, and
requested them to take all the provisions and grain they could
spare (reserving a bare competency for their families,) to the Ame
rican army. Several emptied their granaries, pork-barrels, cattle-
stalls and pig-styes, and delivered their effects to the commissary
department at Saratoga ; not expecting any usual reward for so
doing. Some time after, to their surprise, the young patroon in.
vited those tenants to Albany and presented them with valid titles
to their lands. Such was one of the many acts of that good

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 255
man, distinguished through life for his generosity and benevo
lence.* When news first reached Schoharie that the British had been
defeated at Bennington, the tories believed it a falsehood, told to
excite their fear.
In the Revolution, that part of Sharon contained in the town
of Seward, was called New Dorlach. It was a settlement of
twenty-five or thirty families, only four of which, those of Jacob
Hynds, William Hynds, Bastian France, and William Spurnheyer
were active whigs. An old man named Hoffman, who took no
part on either side, was, with his whig neighbors, made an object
of savage cupidity. When St. Leger was beseiging Fort Schuy
ler, about thirty individuals went from this settlement and united
with his forces. When the seige was raised, they would gladly
have returned to their homes, but were compelled to go to Ca
nada ; only two came back at that time, and they deserted in the
night. — Henry France, son of Bastian France.
In the summer of 1777, when the several British commanders
were proceeding towards Albany, some of its citizens, fearing the
enemy would reach that city, secreted their money. A man
named Ten Eyck buried a tin cup full of gold and silver in his
cellar. After Burgoyne's surrender, search was made in vain
for this treasure ; one Jacob Radley dug the ground floor of the
cellar all over without finding it, and the superstitious notion
obtained in the familiy, that it had disappeared through super
natural agency. Here is a spook story for the credulous. The
cup had been removed by animam viventum — a living soul. —
Judge Brown.
The surrender of Burgoyne to Gen. Gates, which took place
after the other British enterprises in New York had proved ab
ortive, diffused joy and gladness throughout the union. In Al
bany, the event was celebrated with much display. An ox was
roasted whole for the occasion. A pole passing through it and
resting on crotches served as a spit, while a pair of cart wheels
* Frederick Vogel, to whom the facts were communicated after the war, by
Frederick Crounse, one of the tenants alluded to in the context.

256 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
at the ends of the pole were used to turn it. A hole was dug
in the ground, in which, beneath the ox a fire was made. While
cooking, several pails of salt water were at hand, to be applied
with swabs to keep the meat from burning. When roasted it
was drawn through the principal streets, and the patriotic secur
ed a good slice. A constant roar of artillery was kept up during
the day. The aged met with joy of heart,
The youthful met with glee;
While little children played their part,
The happiest of the three.
In the evening almost every dwelling in the city was illumin
ated. A pyramid of pine fagots which had been collected for
the occasion, in the centre of which stood a liberty pole sup
porting on its top a barrel of tar, was set on fire on the hill
near the city early in the evening. When the fire reached the
tar, it not only illuminated every part of the city, but sent its
ominous hght for many miles around, presenting a most impos
ing effect*
To show the enthusiasm that prevailed during the celebration
above related, I insert the following incident. Evert Yates, of
Montgomery county, who then lived in Albany, assured the writer
that he, with several young friends, was without the city firing
muskets in honor of the happy event. After firing a good many
loud guns they returned home — when he found to his great sur
prise, his gun was half full ! The party, as often as they had
loaded, fired together ; and he continued to load, not doubting
* The author is indebted to Mrs. Henry France of Seward, who was a
resident of Albany at the time, for the manner in which this event was cele
brated ; and also for the following narrative: Her father, John Horne, was
a butcher in Albany previous to the French war. In the early part of that
war, he with six other Albanians, went up the Hudson in a batteau with
merchandize to trade with the Indir.ns for furs. Landing at some place and
leaving their boat in which were their weapons of defence, they were pro
ceeding a little distance from it, when, as they were crossing a small bridge
a party of seven armed Indians, who had been sometime watching their mo
tions, sprang out from under the bridge and made them captives. As they
all had prisoners, each Indian at night took care of his own, and Horne >
watching his opportunity after traveling several days with his new master,

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 257
but his old fusee went off — too much excited to discover the in
creasing length of his ramrod.
The following anecdote was told the author by Jacob Van Al-
styne, who was at the taking of Burgoyne. He was then adju
tant of a regiment of Rensselaer county militia, under Col. Ste
phen J. Schuyler, Lieut. Col. Henry K. Van Rensselaer, and act
ed in the two-fold capacity of adjutant and quarter-master. Col.
Schuyler was a brother of Gen. Philip Schuyler, and having the
oldest commission among the colonels on that station, he acted as
brigadier general in the latter part of the campaign. A German,
named John Tillman, a portly gentleman who resided at Albany
after the war, acted as German interpreter for Gen. Gates, and
was requested by the latter to select a proper person to go into
the British camp as a spy ; the object of whose mission was, to
circulate letters among the Hessian soldiers, to induce them to de
sert, and to bring on an engagement in such a manner as Gates
desired. Tillman selected Christopher Fisher,* a private in Col.
Schuyler's regiment — a shrewd fellow and always ready with an
answer to any question that might be asked him. Fisher, being
well acquainted with my informant, visited him to ask his advice
in the hazardous undertaking, naming the reward offered. The
Jatter told him what the consequence would be if he was detect
ed, but declined giving counsel. " Well," said Fisher, " if you
will not advise me how to proceed, then I must act on my own
effected his escape when the party were all asleep. He went a short dis
tance and secreted himself in a hollow log. As soon as his absence was dis
covered, several of the enemy pursued him; and he in his concealment
heard them pass and repass, hallooing to each other. After their return
he directed his course to the Mohawk, and at the end of eight or nine days
journey through the forest, in which time he suffered much from hunger
and exposure, he reached the bank of West Canada creek, and discovered
an Indian and squaw upon its opposite shore. He called to them to come to
him, but they did not move until he held up a piece of money. The Indian
then sent the squaw in a canoe after him. He obtained food from them, who
proved to he of a friendly tribe, and in a few days more reached home in safety;
but it was a long time before his comrades in the perilous enterprize all re
turned. * Fisher was a native of Schoharie county, of German origin, and had re
moved to Rensselaer county just before the war.

258 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
judgment :" so saying, he took his leave of Van Alstyne, who
thought but little more of the matter until after the battle, which
occured October 7th. While in his tent after that engagement,
Fisher entered and showed him a purse of gold and his discharge
from the service. Van Alstyne then desired to know how he had
proceeded. Fisher stated that on the day appointed, he ap
proached the enemy's picket with a sheep upon his back, which
had been killed for the occasion. He was hailed by the guard,
who demanded of him his residence and the object of his visit.
Fisher replied, that he lived a few miles back in the country —
" that the d — d Yankees had destroyed all his property but one
sheep, which he had killed, and was then taking to his friends."
On hearing this reply, the sentinel treated him kindly, and deliv
ered him over to an officer with a favorable report. In the Bri
tish camp, he was asked by a superior officer, what proof he could
give that he was not deceiving. Said Fisher, "the rebels are
preparing to give you battle, and if you will go with me, I will
convince you of its truth." The officer followed Fisher to a cer
tain place, from which was visible a wood. Here had been sta
tioned, agreeable to the order of Gates, a body of Morgan's rifle
corps, who were to exhibit themselves in a stealthy manner. The
rifle-men wore frocks and were easily distinguished. " There —
there" — says Fisher, "dont you see them devils of Morgan's
dodging about among the trees 1" And sure enough, as fast as
the spy directed his vision, the British officer could see the moving
frocks of the American rifle-men. When urged to enlist into the
British service, Fisher pretended an aversion to war, pleading also
the necessity of returning home to protect his family against the
rebels. He was allowed to -leave the camp when he chose, and
embraced the opportunity while the armies were engaged. He
was, however, admitted into communion as a genuine royalist,
and being allowed to mingle for several hours with those who
spoke German, he discharged the duties of his perilous mission
to the satisfaction of Gen. Gates. A party of British troops were
sent to dislodge the rifle-men pointed out by Fisher — a general
engagement followed, and the result is known to every American

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 259
reader. Burgoyne capitulated soon after. The spy executed
faithfully the principal object of his hazardous enterprise, and
many of those Hessian soldiers deserted the British service in that
campaign, and either entered the American service, or became
good citizens of New York. Mr. Van Alstyne died in May, 1844,
aged nearly 95 years.
Gen. Fraser, a distinguished officer in the British army, was
looked upon by some of the Americans as a more dangerous lead
er to oppose than Bnrgoyne himself. Several published accounts
state that such was the opinion of Col. Morgan. During the en
gagement of October 7th, it fell to the fortune of Morgan's rifle
corps to meet in battle the troops under Fraser. Morgan select
ed a few of his best marksmen, who were placed in a favorable
position, and instructed to make Fraser their especial mark.
Timothy Murphy, who afterwards went to Schoharie, was one of
the riflemen selected to execute this unholy design. The party
thus stationed had each a chance to fire, and some of them more
than once, before a favorable opportunity presented for Murphy;
but when it did, the effect was soon manifest. The gallant gene
ral was riding upon a gallop when he received the fatal ball, and
after a few bounds of his charger, fell, mortally wounded. The
fact that Murphy shot Gen. Fraser, was communicated to the
writer by a son of the former.
A letter dated Amherst, Mass., Oct. 7, 1835, and first published
in the Saratoga Sentinel, introduces a new competitor for the
honor, if such it was considered, of having slain Gen. Fraser.
The letter is from the pen of E. Mattoon, Esq., being a reply to
an interrogatory letter of a preceding date, from Philip Schuyler,
Esq., a son of the late Gen. Schuyler. Mr. Mattoon expresses
his belief, in the letter, that Gen. Fraser was killed by an old
man with a long hunting gun, and not by one of Morgan's men.
There can be no doubt but that the old gentleman to whom he
alludes, shot an officer, but that he killed Gen. Fraser I cannot
believe, since not only Murphy was positive he fell before his
rifle, but several authors have stated that Fraser told his friends
after he fell, that he saw the man who shot him, and that he was

260 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
a rifleman posted in a tree. The remains of Gen. Fraser were
taken to England after the war.
After Gen. Burgoyne had resolved on retreating from Saratoga
to Canada, Gen. Nixon, of the First Massachusetts brigade, suc
ceeded in gaining Fort Edward in his rear ; and the first intima
tion the retreating hero, who was to march through the colonies
with three British regiments, had that his retreat was cut off, was
from hearing the evening gun fired at that fortress. As its thun
der came booming along the valley of the Hudson, borne upon
the evening breeze, it sounded in his unwilling ears the knell of
his military glory. — Capt. Eben Williams.
David Elerson, who was a private in Capt. Long's company
of Morgan's rifle corps, and compatriot of Timothy Murphy in
many hazardouus enterprises, related the following anecdote to
the author in 1837. Morgan's riflemen had acquired much cele
brity as marksmen while under Gen. Gates. When in the vici
nity of Albany, on their return from the northern army, a gentle
man near whose residence they halted, expressed a wish to witness
their skill. The captain signified his willingness to gratify his
curiosity, and a piece of paper was fastened upon a small poplar
tree. Elerson handed his rifle, one of the best in the company,
to John Garsaway, who, informant said, took a surer aim than
himself. The rifle was leveled 100 yards distant from the mark
and fired. The leaden messenger passed through the paper and
the tree — splitting the latter several inches, and ruining it. Said
the gentleman, looking at his crippled tree, which had almost
been converted into a weeping willow (it will be remembered
that fashion then made the poplar a very desirable shade tree)
" I do not wonder the Indians are afraid of Morgan's riflemen, if
that is the way they shoot." He then treated the company to
liquor, as was the custom of the times — expressed his satisfaction
at their skill, as he again cast his eye upon his blasted poplar,
and the troops resumed their march.
Maj. Stephen Watts, the brother-in-law of Sir John Johnson,
was left mortally wounded on the Oriskany battle-ground ; and
as an American soldier named Martin G. Van Alstyne was passing

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 261
him, he was addressed by the dying royalist, who begged of him
to be borne to a stream of water at a little distance off; saying
that he could not survive his wounds, but that the crystal ele
ment would afford him a little comfort in his dying moments.
He was carried to the place indicated, and presented Van Alstyne
with his watch as a reward for his services. Watts survived his
wounds but a few hours. The watch Van Alstyne would never
part with in his lifetime, although offered several times more than
its real value by a friend of the Watts family, who were very de
sirous of obtaining a keepsake of their deceased kinsman. — Joshua
Reed. Col. Hendrick Frey, (a colonel of colonial troops under Sir
William Johnson in the French war,) a wealthy royalist who re
sided during the revolution in a large stone house* one mile above
the present village of Canajoharie, was at home, as he feigned
neutrality, and on the day after the Oriskany battle a party of
hostile Indians levied a tax on his hospitality. As they assembled
around a table to eat, a sister of Frey who was waiting upon
them, discovered on the person of one, the shirt of Maj. John
Frey, their patriotic brother— one sleeve of which had been per
forated by a bullet and left very bloody. Her worst fears were
aroused, and nearly letting fall something she held, she ran to
her brother Hendrick, placed her hands on his shoulders and ex
claimed in a tone of real sorrow " Brother John is dead !" as
signing as her reason for such belief the sight of the bloody trophy
before them. The colonel who could speak the Indian dialect well,
desired his sister not to show any emotion before the Indians;
and endeavored to quiet her fears by remarking that probably the
shirt had belonged to some one else. The agitated maiden could
not be persuaded into such a consoling belief, as the garment had
been the workmanship of her own hands ; and her mental agony
seemed almost insufferable.
In a short time the Indians left the house, and proceeded down
the river, followed at a little distance by Col. Frey, who was de-
• This house took fire in the night, from a deposit of ashes, and burned
down about the year 1832. 18

262 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
sirous of knowing the fate of his brother. Near the mouth of the
Canajoharie creek he overtook them, and inquired of the possessor
where he got the shirt which covered his brawny frame. He re
plied that he had wounded an officer the day before in the Oris
kany contest, in an arm which he had exposed from behind a
tree, had made him his prisoner, and after taking from him such
portion of his clothing as he desired; had sold him to a British
officer who would probably take him to Canada. Frey hastened
home and communicated to his sister what he had learned, which
tended somewhat to calm her agitated mind, for to know that he
still lived, although a wounded prisoner, was some consolation.
Maj. Frey was taken to Canada, suffering much on the way, and
while there confined ; a durance which lasted nearly two years. —
J. Reed.
The timely sortie of the brave Willet on the camp of the be
siegers at Fort Schuyler, caused their comrades engaged in the
crimsoned fields of Oriskany, to withdraw and leave the militia of
the Mohawk valley victors of the field. The Indians, who were
among the last to leave, had mostly disappeared, and the firing
had nearly ceased, when Capt. John James Davis remarked to
Isaac Covenhoven, a soldier who stood behind a tree near to the
one which concealed himself — "I believe the red devils have
pretty much all left us !" " 1 don't know," said C. " there may
be some of them lurking about yet." The words were scarcely
utterered when Capt. D., who was a brave and meritorious officer,
fell mortally wounded ; a bullet from the rifle of an Indian having
passed through his lungs. — Isaac Covenhoven.
Capt. Jacob Gardinier, of the Tryon county militia, was distin
guished for his daring bravery and personal acts in this terrible
conflict. Some account of this officer's exploits in that battle are
very properly related in the Life of Brant. The Rev. Daniel
Gros, in his work on " Moral Philosophy," to which 1 have allud
ed, in some of his remarks on civil liberty, while speaking of the
moral obligations of free citizens to act in defence of their country,
referring to that battle, thus observes : " Let it stand recorded
among other patriotic deeds of that little army of militia, that a

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 263
Jacob Gardinier, with a few of his men, vanquished a whole pla
toon, killing the captain thereof, after he had held him for a long
time by his collar as a shield against the balls and bayonets of the
whole platoon. This brave militia captain is still alive, and was
cured of thirteen wounds." After being literally riddled by bul
lets and bayonets, Capt. Gardinier crept into a cavity at the roots
of a fallen tree, and continued the fight. He had with him a
German lad, as a waiter, who then beqame very useful, bringing
to his master, guns of the fallen, loading such as were not loaded,
&c. He was so wounded that he could neither stand or load his
own gun, and yet from his place of temporary safety, he did no
little execution. Observing an Indian stealthily dodging from
tree to tree to get a shot at an American officer, upon whom he
had brought his rifle several times with partial aim, Capt. G. shot
him, and sent his High Dutch boy, as he called him, to get his
gun. The lad returned with a report that the Indian was
not dead, but was kicking. He had fallen across a log with his
feet up, and was probably in the death struggle. After a few
minutes, the boy was again sent, and soon returned with all the
Indian possessed save his dead carcase.
Capt. Gardinier, who was a blacksmith before the war, and re
sided near the river opposite Caughnawaga, had in his employ a
man named Henry Thompson, a native of New Jersey. He was
a tall, lank looking fellow, as odd as he was ungainly. He was
in the Oriskany battle as a private under his employer, and after
the conflict had lasted some time, and groans and. death were ren
dered familiar, he approached the captain and told him he was
hungry. "Fight away .*"' said the intrepid officer, "I cant with
out eating," said Thompson. " Then go and get you a piece," was
the reply. He did so — sat down in the midst of the battle, on
the body of a dead soldier, and ate heartily, while the bullets
were cutting the air around his head like hail-stones. Having fi
nished his repast, he arose and fought with renewed energy, ap
pearing in the thickest of the fight. Such an evidence of cool
bravery, to gratify hunger, I believe was never excelled, if before
equalled.

264 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
Samuel Gardinier, a brother of Jacob, was also in the post of
danger at Oriskany. He had two balls shot into his body just
above the groin. They were fired from opposite directions almost
at the same instant ; and so near did they lodge that when an in
cision was made to one, the other was visible, and both were ta
ken out together. He recovered and lived several years after the
war was over. The bullets were evidently fired from fowling
guns, and are treasured as sacred relics by his descendants. — An
ecdotes from Rynier, a son of Samuel Gardinier.
Valentine Fralick, of Stone Arabia, was a militiaman at Oris
kany. In the heat of battle, a little aside from the main army,
William Merckley, a neighbor of Fralick, fell near the latter,
by the shot of an Indian, mortally wounded. The former kindly
offered to assist his wounded friend, but the assistance was de
clined. " Take care of yourself, and leave me to my fate," was
the wounded man's reply. Fralick, seeing several Indians ap
proaching, instantly sought shelter under a fallen tree, and while
thus concealed, they passed and repassed over the tree, in search
of, but without finding him. When the immediate danger was
over, he returned to the body of his comrade, who had been toma
hawked and scalped, and giving it a temporary burial, he sought
the American camp. — John, a son of Valentine Fralick.
During one of the earliest invasions of the Saratoga county set
tlements by the enemy, (probably in 1777,) the following singular
incident occurred. A party^ of Canadian Indians arrived just at
night at the house of Angus McDermott, a Scotchman, who had
but recently arrived in the country. The soldiers were helping
themselves to whatever the house afforded to eat and drink, when
all at once the floor gave Way, and they were precipitated into the
cellar. No one was seriously injured, and the jollification was
continued there. The Indians kept the family within doors, so
that their arrival should be unknown in the neighborhood, and
scattering about the settlement early in the morning, they com
menced their diabolical deeds of destruction and death. — Angus
McKinlay.

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK.

265

It has been said ofthe brave Gen. Herkimer — who was hurried
into the Oriskany conflict through the rashness of his young offi
cers, several of whom called him a tory for his prudence, and soon
after lost their own lives — that after he was wounded, and no
longer able to remain upon his horse, his saddle was placed
against a tree, upon which he sat down, and from whence he
continued to issue his orders. While thus seated, he took from
his pocket a tinder-box, and with his pocket-knife and a flint
arrow-head, which he carried for the purpose, he lit his pipe and
smoked it with as much apparent satisfaction as he would have
done in his own house. Gen. Herkimer was taken to his resi
dence — a large gambrel-roofed brick building, still standing a lit
tle distance from the canal, two miles east of Little Falls, where
he lived several days.

GEN. HERKIMER'S HOUSE/DANUBE.
After the battle of Oriskany, a song, commemorative of the
event was composed, and for a long time sung in the Mohawk
valley, of which the following is a stanza :
" Brave Herkimer, our General, 's dead,
And Col. Cox is slain;
And many more, and valiant men,
We ne'er shall see again."
In June, 1777, Congress resolved to establish a corps of inva
lids, consisting of 8 companies, each to have 1 captain, 2 lieuten-

266 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
ants, 2 ensigns, 5 sergeants, 6 corporals, 2 drums, 2 fifes, and 100
men, to be employed in garrison duty. A company of this kind
was formed in Schoharie In the fall of 1777, or early in 1778, of
which Tunis Vrooman, who had served in the French war, was
appointed captain, Peter Snyder and Martinus Vrooman lieuten
ants, and John L. Lawyer its ensign.- This company, which was
mostly in the vicinity of the Upper Fort, was called in Schoharie,
the " Associate Exempts."
In the fall of 1777, Congress adopted thirteen articles of con
federation ; Maryland was the last state to adopt them. In No
vember, Forts Mifflin and Mercer, which prevented the passage of
British shipping to Philadelphia, were taken by the enemy, after
a severe loss on their part, and a most gallant defence of them by
Colonels Greene, Smith, and Simms, and Maj. Thayer, and the
enemy entered that city in triumph, where they wintered. About
the same time Washington went into winter quarters at Valley
Forge, Pa., fifteen miles northwest of Philadelphia, where his ar
my erected temporary huts, but their sufferings were most acute
from a want of nearly all the munitions of war. The winter
was a very severe one, and the American soldier might daily be
traced by his own blood! Nothing but an unconquerable love of
Liberty, deep- rooted and steadfast, could have induced men to con
tinue in the American service. — Allan* and Tallmadge's Journal.
The following anecdote will not only show the true piety of
Gen. Washington, but the power on which he relied for the final
success of his suffering country. While the American army was
in camp at Valley Forge Isaac Potts, a respectable Quaker, who
had often seen Washington going to, or returning from a grove at
a little distance from his own dwelling early in the morning,
had the curiosity to learn the object of those visits. En
tering the thicket one morning very early, he secreted himself;
soon after which the American commander advanced to a retired
spot near him, and upon his knees offered a fervent prayer to the
God of battles for the triumph of patriotic principles. Soon af
ter, Potts returned home : his wife observing his thoughtful, coun
tenance, thus said to him—" Isaac, something moves thee I per-

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 267
ceive." "Yea, Sarah!" he replied, " I never believed until this
morning that a soldier could be a Christian." He then related
what he had witnessed and remarked, " that such prayers as
George, the Virginian offered, must prevail ; and that England
never could subdue her colonies." — Capt. Eben Williams.
In the course of this year, (1777) Gov. Tryon became almost
a savage — sending out parties to burn buildings and wantonly de
stroy the property of many inoffensive colonists. When remon
strated with by Gen. Parsons, he declared that had he more au
thority, he would burn every committee-man's house within his
reach, and expressed a willingness to give twenty silver dollars
for every acting committee-man who should be delivered to the
King's troops. — Allan.
The preceding paragraph will- show the reader the reason why
the county called Tryon, was afterwards given the name of the
immortal Montgomery, in whose veins coursed the very best of
Americanised Irish blood.
The year 1777 was one of alternate hopes and fears to the
American people. They had witnessed with gratitude the success
of their arms in northern New York — while several forts along
the Hudson had been captured by the enemy, and the battles 6f
Brandywine and Germantown had been followed by disaster. In
April of this year, it should not be forgotten, a new impulse was
given the cause, by the opportune arrival, with several of his
countrymen, of the brave, noble hearted, generous Lafayette : who
not only bared his own breast to the storm in its fury, but who,
with a magnanimity that put sinister nature to the blush, threw
into the exhausted treasury ofthe nation, his ample fortune — bury
ing beneath it the scabbard of his sword. Let that patriot who
glories in being an American, love and venerate the virtues of
Lafayette as did Washington; and let him remember, too, that
this country should ever be a home for the oppressed of every
land, for good men of other lands aided in establishing its free
dom. With many other gallant foreigners, a DeKalb and Pulaski
mingled their life-blood with that of a Warren, a Woodhull, a
Montgomery, a Herkimer and Mercer, to water the shriveled roots

268 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
of the tree of liberty — while a Lafayette, a Kosciusko %nd a Steu
ben, prompted to deeds of noble daring; aided more fortunately in
sustaining the American flag.
It was during the year 1777, that an attempt was made by foul
intrigue, to supplant Gen. Washington and promote Gen. Gates
to the .chief command. Several officers of rank favored the
Gates' party, among whom were Generals Mifflin and Conway —
the latter an Irishman — and several members of Congress. Anony
mous letters, reflecting on the character and military skill of
Washington, were put in circulation. Mr. Laurens, president of
Congress, and Patrick Henry, one of its master spirits, communi
cated to Washington the character of his foes and the nature of
their design. Happily for the country, the machinations of this
unholy ambition recoiled upon the heads of its instigators. Con
way found it necessary to resign his commission. This subject
matter afterwards originated a duel between Conway and Gen.
Cadwallader. After the duel, the former, thinking himself mor
tally wounded, expressed to Gen. Washington by letter, his deep
regret for the part he had acted in the Gates transaction, adding
his own testimony to the many virtues of the Commander-in-
chief. — Bancroft's Washington and Wirt's Henry.
The following romantic incident is copied from the journal of
Col. Tallmadge. In December, 1777, when the British army was
at Philadelphia and the Americans under Washington were at
Valley Forge, Major Tallmadge was stationed between the armies
with a detachment of cavalry, for the purpose of observation, and
to circumscribe the range of British foraging parties. The duty
was an arduous one, the horses being seldom unsaddled, or the
squad remaining all night in the same position, from fear of a
visit from the enemy, which on one occasion they received with
the loss of several men. While on this duty, says the journal :
" Being advised that a country girl had gone into Philadelphia
with eggs, instructed to obtain some information respecting the
enemy, I moved my detachment to Germantown, where they halt
ed, while with a small party I advanced several miles towards the
British lines, and dismounted at a small tavern called the Rising
Sun, in full view of their out posts. Very soon I saw a young fe-

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 269
male coming out from the city, who also came to the same inn.
After we had made ourselves known to each other, and while she
was communicating some intelligence to me, I was informed that
the British light horse were advancing. Stepping to the door, I
saw them at. full speed chasing in my patroles, one of whom they
took. I immediately mounted, when I found the young damsel
close by my side, entreating that I would protect her. Having not
a moment to reflect, I desired her to mount behind me, and in this
way I brought her off more than three miles, up to Germantown,
where she dismounted. During the whole ride, although there
was considerable firing of pistols, and not a little wheeling and
charging, she remained unmoved, and never once complained of
fear after she mounted my horse. I was delighted with the trans
action, and received many compliments from those who became
acquainted with the adventure." [The journal does not say at
whose instigation this heroine had visited Philadelphia, but Gen.
Washington was doubtless her employer.]
Three forts were erected in the Schoharie valley, the central
being the first one built. It was known during the Revo
lution as the Middle Fort, and stood on the farm now owned
by Ralph Manning, about half a mile east of north from the
Middleburgh bridge. It was constructed in the fall of 1777, by
the citizens and soldiers — the former drawing together suitable
timber, and the latter, with their aid, giving it a proper place.
The two story stone dwelling, owned and occupied by John Beck
er — the kitchen part of which is still standing — was inclosed
within the pickets of the fort.
The Upper Fort, situated five miles west of south from the
middle fort, was commenced in the fall of 1777 and completed
the summer following. The one story frame dwelling of John
Feeck was there inclosed within the pickets. This fort stood not
far distant from the present site of Murphy's mill, in the upper
end of Vrooman's land.
The Lower Fort, situated six miles north ofthe middle fort, was
begun and completed about the same time as was the upper fort.
The stone church, still standing one mile north of the Court House,
was there inclosed within the pickets. The two latter forts were
built as was the former, by the joint labor of citizens and soldiers.
The middle fort was known as head quarters during the war,
where usually resided the principal commandant of all three, and

270

HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,

at which place, the business involving the welfare of the settle
ment, was generally transacted.

wsklm&im

wmHmamWyBHtSmSm

JF

ANCIENT DUTCH CHURCH, SCHOHARIE, AS SEEN IN 1817.
The Lower Fort consisted of an inclosure by strong pickets of
about half an acre of ground, embracing the stone church, (a
view of which is here given,) with block-houses in the south-west
and north-east corners mounting small cannon. Along the west
side of the inclosure, small huts were erected of rough boards for
the summer residence of the inhabitants in that part of the valley;
with a board roof sloping from near the top of the pickets to
ward the centre of the yard. Each family which claimed the
. protection of the small garrison at this place, had such a rude
dwelling, in which were deposited their most valuable effects.
Near the north-east corner, or in that part of the inclosure toward
the burying-ground, was a temporary tavern kept by Snyder, a
former inn-keeper of that vicinity. The Middle Fort was an in
closure of an area of ground rather larger than that picketed in
at the lower fort, with block-houses in the north-east and south

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 271
west corners, where cannon were mounted. The principal en
trance was on the south side, and on each side of the gate were
arranged the soldiers' barracks. The pickets, as at the fort be
low, were about a foot through, and rose some ten feet from the
ground ; with loop holes, from which to fire on invaders. A
brass nine pound cannon was mounted on the south-west block
house, and an iron one at the diagonal corner, each of which, as
the block-houses projected, commanded two sides ofthe inclosure;
while along the eastern and western sides were arranged huts for
citizens, similar to those at the lower fort. The Upper Fort stood
on tbe west side of the river, and as at 'those on its opposite side,
a fair plot of ground was inclosed. One side of this inclosure
was picketed in, while on its other sides a breast-work was thrown
up of timbers and earth, some eight or ten feet high, and suffi
ciently thick to admit of drawing a wagon upon its top, with
short pickets set in the -outside timbers of the breast-work. A
ditch surrounded the part thus constructed. Military barracks and
small log huts were erected within the inclosure, to accommodate
the soldiers and citizens. Block- houses and sentry-boxes were
built in the north-west and south-east corners, each mounting a
small cannon to guard its sides. From its construction, this fort
ress, probably, better merited the name ot fort than either of the
others ; although some have stated that a moat partially surround
ed the middle fort.

( 272 )

CHAPTER IX.

Much that transpired in the American revolution of the most
thrilling interest, not only in Schoharie but in all the frontier set
tlements, is now lost forever, to the American reader. To adopt
the language of a beautiful writer — " Many prudent counsels con
ceived in perplexing times — many heart-stirring words uttered
when liberty was treason — many brave and heroic deeds, per
formed when the halter and not the laurel was the promised
meed of patriotic daring, are already lost and forgotten in the
graves of their authors."
The capture of Burgoyne and his army not only inspired Ame
ricans with confidence of their final triumph, but the truly phi
lanthropic all over the civilized world hailed the event as ominous
of good. Fortune is a fickle goddess. Let success attend the
ambitious adventurer, and a sycophantic world is ready to rend
the air with shouts of praise, and strew his path with flowery gar
lands ; but if misfortune attend him, his imagined friends are
changed to foes. It is probable that few leaders under similar
circumstances could have done more for his royal master than
had poor Burgoyne ; and yet on his return to England, he was
treated with contempt by the parasites of royalty.
Early in 1778, mortified at the result of her Canadian expe
ditions, England sought a reconciliation with the states. Lord
Chatham, known at an earlier period in the House of Commons
as the talented Pitt, the champion of civil liberty, attended on one
occasion in the House of Lords during the session of that year.
He was desirous of a compromise, but opposed to acknowledging

HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, ETC. 273
our independence. While laboring to show how the difficulties
could be settled, his emotions overcame him and he sunk nerveless
into the arms of his friends. He was carried home — survived his
last effort to speak but a few weeks, and his grave oratory was
hushed forever. The love of country rose paramount in the last
effort of this truly great man. Parliament passed an act that ses
sion declaring that they would not in future again tax the colo
nies, and commissioners were sent to treat with the state authori
ties. The terms proposed by the mother country were rejected.
An attempt was then made to bribe some of the influential Ame
rican statesmen, but the proposition met with deserved scorn.
Early this season the French nation, which had looked with
jealousy upon England after the loss of the Canadas, concluded a
treaty of commerce and alliance with the American commissioners.
It was signed on the 6th of February. The acknowledgment of
the independence of the United States by France, had a very be
neficial tendency. It was greeted every where as the passport
to independence, consequently every demonstration of joy was
manifested. The treaties were read by the chaplains at the head
of each brigade — ^published in the colonial papers, and made
known from the sacred desk by ministers of the gospel, from
Maine to Georgia. Many who were before wavering in their
course, when they saw a powerful nation becoming their ally,
manifested a willingness" to exert themselves in their country's
cause. The rich fiats along the Cobelskill at the out-break of hostili
ties, contained some 20 families in the distance of three miles, be
lieved to have been all whigs. They organized a company of
militia for their own defence, of which Christian Brown (a brother
of the late Judge Brown) was captain, and Jacob Borst, lieute
nant : but had erected no fortifications. The first appearance of
tlie enemy in the Schoharie settlements in 1778, was at Co
belskill. The events which transpired there, were communicated
to the author by Nicholas and George Warner brotherSj Lawrence
Lawyer, and Judge Brown. The three former were in the battle
fought in that town. In the latter part of May several Straggling

274 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
Indians were seen in the vicinity of that settlement, and Capt.
Brown, anticipating a hostile movement of the enemy, thought it
prudent to send to the fort at Middleburgh for assistance. The
lower fort was not quite completed at that time. Captain Pa
trick was dispatched with a small company of volunteers, and ar
rived at the residence of Capt. Brown on the 26th of May, where
they remained until the 28th, when they moved up to the^d wel
ling of Lawrence Lawyer. Scouts were kept out constantly, but
nothing worthy of notice transpired until that day, when Lieut.
Borst, his brother Joseph, and one of the Freemires were on a
scout some miles up the creek. The latter was several hundred
yards from his companions, seated upon a pile of drift- wood, fish
ing, when two Schoharie Indians, Ones-Yaap and Han-Yerry (the
latter a chief) with a savage yell, intended to intimidate, sprang
up the bank of the creek from a place of concealment and ap-
proached them. After a friendly Salutation, they began to re
prove the brothers, for being in the woods, to shoot Indians who
did them no liarm. Joseph replied to the speaker, that they in
tended no harm to those who were friendly. Han-Yerry ap
proached him, seized his gun in a.playful manner, threw open the
pan, and gave the gun a sudden jerk to spill out the priming, ex
claiming as he did so, Yo yenery hatste! signifying — It is goodif
this be gone ! Borst, seeing the object of the Indian was to disarm
him, instantly dropped his own gun and seized that of his adver
sary, and wrenching the flint from the lock, he replied in the In
dian dialect, Yo yenery sagat! lt is good if this is served so!
The Indian then dropped his gun and clinched Borst, but the
latter, giving a loud whoop closed manfully with his antagonist
and soon brought him upon his knees. While they were strug
gling for. mastery, the other Indian approached the lieutenant and
bade him surrender himself his prisoner : but instead of doing so,
he stepped back and sent a bullet through his body. Han-Yerry
succeeded in freeing himself from the grasp of his adversary, and
seeing his comrade upon the ground, instantly fled. leaving his
gun. The lieutenant ran and caught up the gun of his brother
and snapped it at the fleeing Indian, but as it was not primed the

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 275
latter escaped. On the same day, George Warner and John Fes- r
ter returned from Cherry-Valley, where they had been the day
before to carry a letter — doubtless to apprize that settlement of
the proximity of the enemy.
The day after the Borsts had the rencounter with the Indian
scout, the Cobelskill battle was fought ; which occurred on Sa
turday the first day of June* On the morning of that day Cap
tain Miller, who was sent from the Schoharie fort with part of a
company to reconnoitre, arrived at Lawyer's. Several of his
men, one of whom was named Humphrey, volunteered to remain
with Patrick, and, he returned to the fort, before the enemy in
force were discovered. The regulars under Capt. P. numbered
between 30 and 40 ; and the militia volunteers under Capt.
Brown were 15. After Capt. Miller left Lawyer's, the troops
under Patrick marched up the creek to the residence of George
Warner, who was one of the Schoharie committee, and father of
the namesake before mentioned. Warner's was the southernmost
house in the settlement, and stood on a knoll at Cobelskill Centre.
An orchard at this time covers the site.
The troops had been at Warner's but a short time, when 15 or
20 Indians discovered themselves a little distance above the house,
and the whole force was marched in pursuit of them. Brown
was opposed to the pursuit, and told Patrick he feared they would
be ambuscaded. The latter ridiculed the idea, and was disposed
to assign another motive than that of caution to the militia cap-
• Several writers who have published some notice of this battle, have given
it an erroneous date. Brown, in his pamphlet history, says it transpired " on
the first day of June or July, in the year 1776," but at a personal interview
he said that date was wrong, and that it took place on Saturday before Pink
ster, the year after Burgoyne's capture. Campbell, in the Annals of Tryon
County, dates it in May, 1779. Stone has entered it in two places in the Life
of Brant, supposing from Brown's account and one he found among the pa
pers of Col. Gansevoort, as they differed in dates and material facts, that he
was recording two transactions. The last notice he accredits to a letter from
Col. Varick to Col. Gansevoort, dated Schenectada, June 3, 1778, which let
ter stated that this invasion of the enemy took place on the preceding Satur
day. This last date corresponds with the one given the author by the three
living witnesses named, who stated that it took place on Saturday preceding
Pinkster — Whitsunday, which came that year on the 2d day of Jane.

276 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
tain who, stung by the imputation, then yielded to the wishes of
Patrick, notwithstanding the misgiving of his own better judg
ment. The enemy, who kept up a running fight, had not been
pursued a mile, before it was evident their numbers were increas
ing; A halt was then made by the Americans near the present
residence of Lambert Lawyer, with the militia on the right to
wards the creek, and a sharp engagement followed. Both parties
fought in the Indian style, under the cover of trees. It soon be
came manifest from the firing, that the number of the enemy was
very great. After several of his men had fallen around him,
Capt. Patrick received a shot which broke his thigh. Two of his
brave soldiers, in an attempt to bear him from the field, were sur
rounded by a party of the enemy, and shared his unhappy fate.
A lieutenant under Capt. Patrick is said to have been spared, by
giving a masonic sign to Brant. When Capt. Patrick fell, Brown
ordered a retreat, which was most timely, for had it been delayed
but a few minutes until the enemy could have extended his flanks,
so as to surround the little band of patriots, few if any would
have survived that day. The families in the settlement, hearing
the firing, very properly sought safety in the depths of the forest,
or by a rapid flight to Schoharie, ten miles distant. On arriving
at the house from which they had been so artfully drawn into an
ambush designedly laid, three of Patrick's men and two of Brown's
took refuge within it, which providentially favored the escape of
their fugitive friends. Being fired on from the house, the Indians
halted to dislodge its inmates, by which the rest of the party
gained time sufficient to make good their retreat. The house was
set on fire, and three of its inmates were buried in its ruins. The
continental soldiers, in attempting to make their escape from the
burning building, were slain. One was evidently shot, but the
other was supposed to have been taken alive and tortured to death.
The party who first .visited the scene of blood after the battle,
found this soldier not far from where the house had stood, with
his body cut open and his intestines fastened round a tree several
feet distant. In one hand was a roll of continental bills, placed
there by the enemy in derision of our country's almost valueless

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 277
"promises to pay." It was subsequently known, that the enemy
fired at least fifty balls into one window of this house, at its in
mates. The names of the men under Capt. Brown in this engagement
were, Lieut. Jacob Borst, Nicholas Warner, George Warner, jr.,
George Freemire, John Shafer and Lawrence Lawyer, who es
caped uninjured, 6 ; John Zeh, Martinus and John Fester, Jacob
and John Freemire and Jacob Shafer, killed, 6 ; Peter and Henry
Shafer and Leonard King, wounded, 3. The whole number killed
in the engagement, including Capt. Patrick and his men, was
about 22 : five or six of his men were also wounded and two were
made prisoners. More than half the Americans engaged were
either killed or wounded. The enemy, as was afterwards ascer
tained, consisting of Indians (mostly Senecas, Schoharies and
Oquagos, instead of Onondagas as stated by some writers) and to
ries, numbered over three hundred and fifty, and were commanded
by Joseph Brant. Service, a noted tory, who lived near the Char
lotte river, and the Schoharie chief, Seth's-Henry, acted a con
spicuous part in the engagement. The loss the enemy sustained
was never exactly known, but was supposed to equal, if it did not
exceed that of the Americans. A mulatto, who was with the
enemy at this time and returned after the war, Stated that twenty-
five of their number, mostly Indians, were buried in a mud-hole
near David Zeh's. He also stated, that seven of the enemy who
were wounded in the battle, died on their way to Canada. George
Warner's was the first house burnt in the Schoharie settlements
in the revolution. The enemy, after the engagement, plundered
and burnt all the dwellings in Cobelskill as far down as the
churches, except an old log house, formerly occupied by George
Warner, which stood near the present residence of his son David.
This house was left, as was afterwards supposed, with a belief
that its owner might return and occupy it, after losing his framed
dwelling, which would afford an opportunity to capture a com
mittee-man. The dwellings burnt at this time were those of
George Warner and his son Nicholas, George Fester, Adam Sha
fer, William Snyder, John Freemire, Lawrence Lawyer, John
19

278 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
Zeh, John Bouck and John Shell ; (the latter owned by Law
rence Lawyer,) in all, ten, with the barns and other out-houses ;
making, as stated in the record of the Lutheran Church at Scho
harie, " twenty buildings burned."
The two militia-men who took shelter in the house of Warner,
were Martinus Fester and John Freemire. The remains of Fester
fell into a tub of soap in the cellar, and were known by his to
bacco-box ; and those of Freemire were identified by his knee-
buckles and gun-barrel. Jacob Shafer was wounded in one leg
early in the action, and was carried by his neighbor, George War
ner, jr., to a place of temporary safety, who agreed to get a horse
and take him to the fort. As the battle terminated unfavorably,
he was left to his fate — was discovered next morning by the ene
my and killed. The remains of John Fester were not discovered,
until a piece of wheat was harvested, into which he had fallen.
Jonas Belknap, one of Patrick's men, received a ball in his right
hip and was borne out of the battle by Lawrence Lawyer, as the
latter assured the author. The following additional facts respect
ing this soldier, who died a few years since at Gorham, Ontario
county, were told the author by Ezekiel Howe, a nephew of said
Belknap. After having been " carried one side," to use the words
of Lawyer, Belknap discovered a hollow Jog into which he crept
The next day he backed out of his resting place cold and stiff, and
while seated upon a fence, reflecting on the events of the last
twenty-four hours, he discovered two Indians laden with plunder
approaching him, having two dogs. Unobserved by them, he let
himself fall into a bunch of briers. The Indians halted near him,
and their dogs placed their paws on the fence and growled. He
supposed himself discovered, but soon one of them took out a
bottle, from which both drank, and he had the satisfaction of see
ing them resume their march, without noticing the irritation of
their canine friends. Casting his eyes along the beautiful valley
and surveying the ruins of the preceding day, he discovered the
old house of Warner, on the west side of the creek, still standing.
to which he made his way. He found it unoccupied, but victuals
were on a table, and after eating, he laid down, faint and sad, up-

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 279
on a bed which the house also afforded. In the afternoon, two
men came and conveyed him to the Schoharie fort, where his
wound was properly drest and he recovered.
Henry Shafer, mentioned as being wounded in this engagement,
received a ball in his thigh which brought him to the ground.
The bone was not fractured, but the limb was benumbed. He
regained his feet but fell the instant his weight came upon the
wounded limb. Disencumbering himself of his gun and powder-
horn, after several unsuccessful attempts to run, action returned to
the limb and he fled. He directed his steps toward Schoharie,
and on the way fell in with Peter Snyder, his brother-in-law.
They traveled nearly to Punchkill together, when Shafer, too
weak to proceed, concealed himself and requested his comrade to
inform his friends at the fort where he might be found, desiring
them to come after him. His fellow-traveler went to the fort,
but instead of doing the errand as desired by his wounded rela
tive, he reported him dead. Shafer tarried beneath a shelving
rock until Monday morning, when, by great exertion, he arrived
at the house of a friend in Kneiskern's dorf. As he was much
exhausted, he was very prudently fed gruel until he revived, when
he was taken to the fort and cured of his wound. — From Peter,
son of Henry Shafer*
The night after the Cobelskill battle it rained, and a dreary
one it must have been to the surviving citizens of the Cobel
skill valley, many of whom were in the forest to which they had
fled from their burning dwellings, exposed to the mercy of wild
beasts — foes less to be dreaded than those left behind. The wife
of Lawrence Lawyer, with several other persons, was in the
woods three days, and finally came out near the mouth of the Co-
• Mr. Shafer lived to become a very useful citizen. He was for many years
a justice of the peace — frequently represented Cobelskill in the board of su,
pervisors — for several years was a member of the state legislature — and was
for a great length of time a judge of Common Pleas ; which several stations,
considering his early opportunities, he discharged with credit to himself and
fidelity to the public. He was remarkably punctual in the performance ol
his official duties. He died on the 15th of April, 1839, in the eighty-second
year of his age.

280 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
belskill. Scouts were sent out to reconnoitre and look after the
wounded, and absent members of families, but it was several days
before the dead were buried. Some day in the course of the
week following the engagement, Col. Vrooman with part of the
Schoharie troops, and Col. Yates with a detachment of Schenec
tada militia, went to perform the last sad duties to those martyrs
to the cause of liberty. As the weather had teen wet and cool,
the bodies were found to have suffered but little change. A pit
was dug near where George Warner's house had stood, into
which several boards were laid : the charred remains of the three
soldiers taken from the cellar, and the mutilated remains of those
near, were then buried within it. Pits were also dug so as to re
quire as little moving of the bodies as possible, in which Captain
Patrick and the other soldiers were deposited. None can realize
at a period of nearly seventy years after it transpired, the solem
nities of that burial. Several ofthe deceased left wives and chil
dren to mourn their untimely fate ; while all left friends who had
centered on them hopes of future usefulness and aggrandizement.
This blow was a most severe one for the little settlement of Co
belskill. Peaceful be your rest brave warrior ! for
" When ye sank on your bed of death,
No gentle form hung over you ;
No fond eye raugl.t your parting breath,
Or shrunk in anguish from the view !
But oVr you, in that hour of fate,
Bent the dark" Ir.dian's " vengeful form ;
And the stern glance of ruthless hate
Gleamed dreadful, 'mid the hurrying storm.
No mourning dirge did o'er you swell,
Nor winding sheet your limbs inclosed ;
Fcr you was tolled no passing bell ;
No tomb was raised where you reposed,
Your bed of death — the battleground,
'Twas there they heaped your funeral mound,
And all unhallowed was your grave,
Save by the ashes of the brave." — Lines on Waterloo.
On the knoll where stood the house of George Warner, which
was burnt in the Revolution, as before stated, the patriotic citizen*
of Cobelskill celebrated the anniversary of our national indepen-

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 281
dence, on the 4th day of July, 1837. An appropriate oration
was delivered on the occasion by Demosthenes Lawyer, Esq.
How proper, after so long a time, to assemble on that day, on
ground consecrated by patriot's blood, and water it with the tear
of gratitude.
A few days previous to the irruption of the enemy into Cobels
kill, they were in the vicinity of Cherry Valley. Brant had his
destructives there with the intention of laying waste that place.
He secreted them on Lady hill,* about a mile east of the fort, to
await a favorable opportunity to strike the fatal blow, and slayor
capture some of its influential citizens. A company of boys
happened to be training, for boys then caught the martial spirit,
as Brant, like the eagle from its eyry, was looking down from his
hiding place upon the devoted hamlet. Mistaking these miniature
soldiers for armed men, he deferred the attack for a more favora
ble opportunity. After killing Lieut. Wormwood, a promising
young officer from Palatine, who had left the foit but a few min
utes before on horseback, and taking Peter Sitz, his comrade, pri
soner,! Brant directed his steps to Cobelskill.
On the 4th day of July, 1778, the beautiful valley of Wyoming
in Pennsylvania, fell a prey to the savage cupidity of the British,
Tory and Indian forces under Col. John Butler ; and its inhabit
ants were either killed, carried into captivity, or escaped by a
most appalling flight. The poem entitled " Gertrude of Wyo
ming," from the pen of the English poet Campbell — founded up
on the tragedies of that massacre — is doubtless familiar to most of
my readers. Many of the most unfeeling and inhuman acts of
cruelty committed on the fleeing inhabitants and soldiers of this
ill-fated place, were committed by tories. On this occasion, a to
ry found a brother secreted, who had been an American militia
man, but had fled, abandoning his gun. On recognizing his
brother, the tory said to him, " So it is you, is it ?" The unarmed
• This hill was embraced in a patent owned by a rich lady in England, from
which circumstance it was formerly called Lady Hill. — Moses Nelson.
t For the death of Lt. Wormwood and capture of Sitz, see rfnnals of Tryon
County.

282 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
man approached his kinsman, fell upon his knees and besought
him to spare his life ; promising, if he would, to live with him
and become his servant. " All this is mighty fine," replied the
human fiend, " but you are a d—d rebel /" At the close of this
sentence, he leveled his gun and sent the death-telling ball through
his body. — Chapman's History cf Wyoming.
About the first of September of this year, the enemy destroyed
several of the western settlements on the south side of the Mo
hawk. In a letter written at one of the frontier posts, by CoL
Klock to Gov. Clinton, and sent by " Col. Fisher and Zep.
Batchellor, Esq.," probably in September (it being without date,)
he thus observes —
" I beg leave to represent to your Excellency the most deplora
ble situation of this country. The enemy have from time to time
desolated and destroyed the settlements of Springfield, Andreas-
Town, and the German-Flats ; by which at least one hundred and
fifty families are reduced to misery and distress. People who were
in nourishing circumstances are thus, by one wanton act, brought
to poverty.
" Notwithstanding I have repeatedly wrote our situation down
and asked relief, we have obtained none except Alden's regiment,
which is stationed at Cherry- Valley, where they remain in garri
son. Woful experience teaches us that the troops in Cherry- Val
ley are by no means a defence for any other part of the country.
[After speaking of the ungovernable spirit that influenced the con
duct of some of the settlers, the desertion of a part of the militia
to the enemy, and the necessity of immediate succor, he adds] —
From the information we are able to collect from prisoners" and
otherwise, we learn that the enemy when at the German-Flats
were 500 or upwards strong, commanded by Capt. Caldwell — that
they intended soon to make another incursion, and that a reinforce
ment of 5 or 600 was on its march to join the enemy."
During the invasions above noticed, nearly 1000 horses, cattle,
sheep and swine were killed or driven away. The settlers at the
German-Flats, by receiving timely notice of danger, with one
single exception, fled into the neighboring forts and escaped the
tomahawk. The loss of so many dwellings, with most of their
furniture, and barns well filled with the recompense of the hus
bandman's toils, must have been a most serious one to this district.
Capt. Walter Butler was a son of Col. John Butler, a justice of

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 283
the king's court for Tryon county, who resided, at the commence
ment of the war, about a mile from the ancient village of Caugh
nawaga. He went with the royalists who left the county in 1775,
to Canada. In the summer of 1778, he returned to the Mohawk
valley — was arrested, and confined in the Albany jail. Under
the pretence of ill health he was removed to a private dwelling,
from which, aided by treachery, he escaped. Burning with re
venge for his imprisonment, on his arrival in Canada he obtained
command of a part of his father's regiment of tories called But
ler's Rangers ; and with them directed his steps towards the fron
tier settlements of New York. On his way he met Brant return
ing to Canada from his Mohawk river expedition, who reluctantly
joined him in his enterprise. Their united forces were 500 In
dians, and 200 tories, worse than Indians. On the morning of
Nov. 11th, they surprised Cherry-Valley, killing 32 of the in
habitants and 16 continental soldiers, among whom was Col. Al
den, the imprudent commander of the garrison, who is said to
have been a man of intemperate habits. Nearly all the dwellings
and barns in the settlement — just filled with an abundant harvest,
were burned, and^-
House-less were those who from the wood returned,
The fate of relatives to mourn ;
While other friends to living death, they learned,
By human fiends, were captive borne.
The enemy, making between 30 and 40 prisoners at Cherry-
Valley, passed down the Susquehanna to its junction with the
Tioga — up the latter to near its source, thence along the Seneca
lake to the Indian castle at Kanadaseagoj near the present village
of Geneva ; where a division of the prisoners took place. The
day after the massacre, 200 militia arrived at Cherry-Valley, and
buried the dead.* The sufferings of the prisoners on their way to
Canada, must have been very severe : many of them were women
and children, illy fitted to endure the fatigues of a journey of three
or four hundred miles, at that inclement season.
* For a more minute account of the destruction of this place, see Campbell's
Annals of Tryon County.

284 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE; COUNTY,
The following anecdote was related by Joseph Brant after the
Revolution, to John Fonda while at his house near Caughnawa
ga. Brant, on being censured by. Fonda for his cruelties at
Cherry-Valley at the time of its desolation, said the atrocities
were mostly chargeable to Walter Butler. He then stated that
among the captives made by him at that place, was a man named
Vrooman, with whom he had had a previous acquaintance. He
concluded to give Vrooman his liberty, and after they had pro
ceeded several miles on their journey, he sent him back about two
jniles, alone, to procure some birch bark for him; expecting of
course to see no more of him. After several hours Vrooman
came hurrying back with the bark, which the chieftain no more
wanted than he did a pair of goggles. Brant said, he sent hjs
prisoner back on purpose to afford him an opportunity to make
his1 escape, but that he was so big a fool he did not know it ; and
that consequently he was compelled to. take, him along to Cana
da. — Mrs. Evert Yates, a daughter of John Fonda.
The English government on being officially informed of the
treaty of alliance between France and the United States, declar
ed war against the former ; and thought it prudent to concentrate
its forces. On the 18th of June, the British troops under Sir
Henry Clinton evacuated Philadelphia, and set out for New York.
Gen. Washington hung upOn his rear, watching a favorable op
portunity to give him battle. On the 28th of that month, the
battle of Monmouth was fought. Both armies were flattered
during the day by alternate success, and encamped in the evening
on the battle ground. Washington slept in his cloak after the
fatigues of that day, in the camp of his brave men. In the night,
Clinton silently withdrew, thus conceding the victory of the pre
ceding day to the spangled banner. The loss of the Americans
in this engagement was from two to three hundred in killed and
wounded ; and that of the enemy about one thousand, nearly half
of whom were killed. The day on which this action was fought
was extremely hot, and the suffering of both armies was very
great for the want of proper drink. Says the Journal of Col.
Tallmadge, " Many died on both sides from excessive heat and

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 285
fatigue, the day being oppressively warm, and the troops drink
ing too freely of cold water." James Williamson, a soldier who
assisted in burying the dead after the battle, assured the writer
that he saw around a spring in a grove not far from the battle
field, the dead bodies of twelve soldiers, supposed to have been vic
tims of cold water.
American historians have recorded few instances of female pa
triotism and bravery, which rival the following : In the battle
of Monmouth a gunner was killed, and a call was made fpr an
other, when the wife of the fallen soldier, who had followed his
fortune to the camp, advanced and took his station ; expressing
her willingness to discharge the duty of her deceased husband,
and thus revenge his death. The gun was well managed and
did good execution, as I have been informed by an eye witness.
After the engagement, Gen. Washington was so much pleased
with the gallant conduct of this heroine, that he gave her a
lieutenant's commission. She was afterwards called Captain
Molly. — Capt. Eben Williams.
A short time after the battle of Monmouth, Lieut. Col. Wm.
Butler, with the 4th Pennsylvania regiment, and three companies
of rifle men from Morgan's corps under Maj. Posey, commanded
by Captains Long, Pear and Simpson, was ordered to Albany,
and from thence to Schoharie. While there he commanded the
Middle Fort. The command of the Schoharie forts devoled on
Col. Peter Vrooman during the war, when no continental officer
of equal rank was there.
Among the rifle men who went to Schoharie at this time, were
some most daring spirits — men whose names should live forever
on her fairy mountains and in her green valleys. We do not be
lieve it necessary, although it is a fact too generally conceded,
that glittering epaulets are indispensable in forming a hero. Of
the brave soldiers sent to aid the Schoharie settlers in their de
fence, and guard from savage cruelties the unprotected mother
and helpless orphan, whose names I would gladly chronicle
could I collect them, were Lieut. Thomas Boyd, (whose tragic

286 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
end will be shown hereafter,) Timothy Murphy, David Elerson,*
William Leek,f William Lloyd, a sergeant, John Wilber,f — — -
Tufts, Joseph Evans, Philip Hoever,§ Elijah Hendricks, John
Garsaway, a very large man, and Derrick Haggidorn. Nor
should we forget to name several of the native citizens who
encountered many dangers in the discharge of their duty ; of the
latter were Jacob and Cornelius Van Dyck, Jacob Enders, Bar
tholomew C. Vrooman, Peter Van Slyck, Nicholas Sloughter,
Yockam Folluck, Joackam Van Valkenberg,|| Jacob Becker, and
Thomas Eckerson. There were no doubt others equally merito
rious, whose deeds are unknown to the writer.
The following facts, relating to the attempted arrest and death
of Christopher Service, a tory of no little notoriety, living on the
Charlotte river, were communicated by Judge Hager, Mrs. Van
Slyck, and David Elerson.
The people of Schoharie had long suspected Service — whb re
mained with his family entirely exposed to the enemy — of clan
destinely affording them assistance. Captain Jacob Hager, who
was in command of the Upper Fort, in the summer of 1778, sent
Abraham Becker, Peter Swart, (not the one already introduced,)
and Frederick Shafer, on a secret scout into the neighborhood of
Service, to ascertain if there were any Indians in that vicinity,
and to keep an eye of espionage on the tory. They arrived in
sight of his dwelling after sundown, and concealed themselves in
the woods, intending to remain over night. After dark the mus-
quitoes began to be very troublesome, but the party did not dare
* He was married in Schoharie during the war, and became a permanent
resident of the county. He was a ranger for several years, and, as he stat
ed to the writer, an extra price was set on his own and Murphy's scalps by
the enemy. He was 95 years old at our interview, at which time he was
boarding with Dr. Origin Allen, near the Baptist church in Broome, of which
the old hero was a member.
t Went west after the war, and died in Cayuga county.
% Was from Reddington, Pa. He was a carpenter by trade, married a
Miss Mattice and settled on Charlotte river.
§ Remained in Schoharie county after the war.
II Killed in battle near Lake Utsayuntho, in 1781.

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 287
to make a fire to keep them off. Becker told his companions he
was well acquainted with Service, having lived near him for some
time ; said he would go and reconnoitre, and if there were none
ofthe enemy abroad, he would inform them, in which case all agreed
to go to the house and tarry over night. Becker, after a short
absence, returned with the assurance that the " coast was clear,"
and that he had made arrangements for their accommodation;
whereupon all three went to the dwelling. As they approached
the door, the light was extinguished, but Becker went in, followed
by his friends. They advanced to the centre of the room, at which
time one of the family re-lit the candle, the light of which show
ed Swart and Shafer their real situation. Along the wall, upon
one side of the room, were arranged a party of armed savages,
who instantly sprang upon, and bound them. The two pri
soners were kept there until morning, when they were hurried off
to Canada. Becker, who had not been bound, was suffered, after
giving the Indians his gun and ammunition, to depart for home.
He returned to the fort, and reported that the scout, near Charlotte
river, had fallen in with a party of Indians in ambush, from whom
they attempted to escape by flight; that he was in advance of his
comrades, who were both captured ; that he came near being over
taken, when he threw away his gun and equipage, and thus re
lieved, made his escape. Shafer, who remained in a Canadian
prison until the war was closed, returned to Schoharie and made
known the above facts. Swart never returned to Schoharie. He
was taken by distant Indians, as his friends afterwards learned, be
yond Detroit, where he took a squaw and adopted the Indian life.
From the commencement of the border difficulties, Service had
greatly aided the enemies of his country, by sheltering and victual
ing them, in numerous instances. He was comparatively
wealthy, for the times, owning a well-stocked farm and a grist
mill. When the tories and Indians from Canada were on their
way to destroy the settlements, they always found a home at his
house, from whence, after recruiting, they sallied forth on their
missions of death. Several attempts were made to take him be
fore the Schoharie committee, previous to his joining Brant in his
expedition against Cobelskill.

288 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
Soon after the return of Becker with his hypocritical narrative,
Col. Butler sent Capt. Long with some twenty volunteers in the
direction of Charlotte river to reconnoitre, and if possible discov
er some traces of the enemy. One object of the expedition was,
to arrest Service and take him to the Schoharie forts, or to slay
him in case of resistance. Arriving near the head waters of the
Schoharie, Capt. Long unexpectedly took a prisoner. On his per
son he found a letter directed to Service, and on opening it, learned
that Smith, its author, a tory captain who had enlisted a company
of royalists on the Hudson near Catskill, was then on his way to
the house of Service, who was desired in the letter to have every
thing in readiness to supply the wants of his men on their arrival.
Learning from their prisoner the route by which Smith would ap
proach, the Americans at once resolved to intercept him. Some
fifteen or twenty miles distant from the Upper fort, while proceed
ing cautiously along the east side of the river, Smith and his fol
lowers were discovered on the opposite bank. Capt. Long halted
his men, and proposed to get a shot at Smith. It was thought by
some of the party an act of folly to fire at so great a distance, but
the captain, accompanied by Elerson, advanced and laid down be
hind a fallen log. Some noise was made by this movement, and
the tory chief stepped into an open piece of ground a little dis
tance from his men to learn the cause of alarm, and thus fairly
exposed his person. At this moment the rifles were leveled.
Capt. Long was to fire, and in case he missed his victim, Elerson
was tomake a shot. At the crack ofthe first rifle, the spirit of Smith
left its clay tenement to join kindred spirits ; but where — God on
ly knows. The scout then advanced and poured in a volley of
balls, wounding several, and dispersing all of the tories. Thus
unexpectedly did justice overtake this company of men, whose
zeal should have led them to serve tlieir country instead of her
foes. Capt. Long and his companions then directed their steps to the
dwelling of Service. On arriving near, proper caution was taken
to prevent his escape, and Murphy and Elerson-. were deputed to
arrest him. They found the tory back of his house, making a

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 289
harrow. On the approach of the two friends, Mrs. Service, sus
pecting the object of their visit, came out and stood near them,
when they informed her husband the nature of their visit Ser
vice called them d — d rebels, and retreating a few steps, he seized
an axe and aimed a blow at the head of Murphy. But the man
who could guard against surprise from the wily Indian, was not
to fall thus ignobly. Elerson, who stood a few feet from his com
panion, as he assured the author, told Murphy to shoot the d — d
rascal. The wife of Service, seeing the determined look of Mur
phy, caught hold of his arm and besought him not to fire. He
gently pushed her aside, and patting her on the shoulder said,
" Mother, he never will sleep with you again.". In another in
stant, the unerring bullet from his rifle had penetrated the tory's
heart. Capt. Long and his men now advanced to the house, in
which was found forty loaves of fresh bread, proving that some
notice had already reached there, of Smith's intended visit. Many
have supposed that injustice was done to Service. The author
has taken considerable pains to inform himself on this point, and
finds proof most satisfactory to his own mind, that from his ability
and willingness to supply the wants of the enemy and his retired
residence, he was a very dangerous man to the cause of liberty.
An old tory, who returned after the war, and died a few years
ago in the town of Mohawk, was accustomed, when intoxicated,
to " hurrah for king George." At such times he often told about
being in person at the house of Service, who, as he said, " lived
and died a tory, as he meant to." Had not Service made an at
tempt on the life of Murphy, he would probably have been con
fined until the war closed, and then liberated, as was the case
with several wealthy royalists. The property of Service was
confiscated in the war. Not many years ago, a son of his suc
ceeded in recovering the confiscated property of his father, and
thus came into the undivided possession of an estate amcunting to
eight or ten thousand dollars. The fortune thus obtained, how
ever, was soon dissipated.
In the latter part of August, 1778, the Lower Fort, but recent
ly completed, was commanded by Lieut. Col. John II. Beeckman.

290 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, ETC.
, Early in October, Col. Butler proceeded from Schoharie with
the troops under his command, to Unadilla and Oquago, Indian
towns on the Susquehanna, which they effectually destroyed,
with large quantities of provisions.
The troops under Col. Butler, in this excursion, among whom
were several volunteers from the Schoharie militia, suffered in
credible hardships. " They were obliged to carry their provi
sions on their backs ; and, thus loaded, frequently to ford creeks
and rivers. After the toils of hard marches, they were obliged
to camp down during wet and chilly nights without covering, or
even the means of keeping.their arms dry." — Dr. Ramsay. . After
an absence of sixteen days, they were greeted with a hearty wel
come at the forts in Schoharie.
A regiment of New York state troops, under Col. Duboise, went
into winter quarters at Schoharie, in the fall of 1778. Adjt.
Dodge, Maj. Rosencrans, Capt. Stewart, and Ensign Johnson; of
Duboise's regiment, were quartered in the kitchen of Chairman
Ball's dwelling. — Peter Ball.
On the 6th of August of this year, M. Gerard was publicly re
ceived by the United States government as minister of the king of
France On the 14th of September following, Dr. Franklin was
appointed minister to France, the first American minister delegated
to a foreign court.
" The alliance of France gave birth to expectations which
events did not fulfil ; yet the presence of her fleets on the coast
deranged the plans of the enemy, and induced them to relinquish
a part of their conquests." — Hale.
The reward paid by English agents for the scalps of the Ame
ricans, eight dollars each, excited the avarice of both Indians and
tories ; and many innocent women and children were slain not
only in this, but in the several years of the war, to gratify the
cupidity of a merciless and unfeeling enemy.
Late in the fall, the army under Washington erected huts near
Middlebrook, in New Jersey, and went into winter quarters. In
December of this year, Mr. Laurens resigned his office as presi
dent of Congress, and John Jay was chosen in his place.

( 291 )

CHAPTER X.

Early in the spring of 1779, two men named Cowley and
Sawyer, were captured near Harpersfield, by four Schoharie In
dians ; Han-Yerry, who escaped from the Borsts the day before
the Cobelskill engagement, Seth's-Henry, Adam, a sister's son,
and Nicholas, also a relative. One of the captives, was a na
tive of the Emerald Isle ; and the other of the green hills of
Scotland. They were among the number of refugees from Har
persfield, who sought safety in Schoharie at the beginning of
difficulties. The prisoners could not speak Dutch, which those Indians un
derstood nearly as well as their own dialect ; and the latter could
understand but little, if any, of the conversation of those Anglo-
Americans. When surprised, they intimated by signs as well
as they could, that they were friends of the king ; and not only
evinced a willingness to proceed with their captors, but a desire
to do so. An axe belonging to one of them was taken along as
a prize. The prisoners set off with such apparent willingness on
their long journey to Canada, that the Indians did not think it
necessary to bind them. They were compelled to act, however,
as " hewers of wood and drawers of water," for their red masters.
They had been captives eleven days, without a favorable op
portunity to mature a plan for their escape, which they had all
along premeditated. On arriving at a deserted hut near Tioga
Point, the captives were sent to cut wood a few rods distant.
On such occasions, one cut and the other carried it Where it was
to ¦< be consumed. While Cowley was chopping, and Sawyer
waiting for an armful, the latter took from his pocket a news
paper, and pretended to read its contents to his fellow ; instead
of doing which, however, he proposed a plan for regaining their

292 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
liberty. After carrying wood enough to the hut to keep fire
over night, and partaking of a scanty supper, they laid down
in their usual manner to rest, a prisoner between two Indians.
The friends kept awake, and after they were satisfied their
foes were all sound asleep, they arose agreeable to concert, and
secured their weapons, shaking the priming from the guns.
Sawyer with the tomahawk of Han-Yen y — who was thought
the most desperate ofthe four — took his station beside its owner;
while Cowley with the axe, placed himself beside another sleep
ing Indian. The fire afforded sufficient light for the captives to
make sure of their victims. At a given signal the blows fell
fatal upon two ; the tomahawk sank deep into the brain of its
owner, giving a sound, to use the . Words of an informant,* like
a blow upon a pumpkin. Unfortunately, Sawyer drew the handle
from his weapon in attempting to free it from the skull of the
savage, and the remainder of the tragic act devolved upon his
companion. The first one struck by Cowley was killed, but the
blows which sent two to their final reckoning, awoke their fel
lows, who instantly sprang upon their feet. As Seth?s-Henry
rose from the ground, he received a blow which he partially
warded off by raising his right arm ; but his shoulder was laid
open and he fell back stunned. The fourth, as he was about to
escape, received a heavy blow in his back from the axe. He
was pursued out ofthe hut — fled into a swan?p near, where he
died. The liberated prisoners returned into the hut, and were
resolving on what course to pursue, when Seth's-Henry, who had
recovered and feigned himself dead for some time, to embrace
a favorable opportunity, sprang upon his feet — dashed through
the fire — caught up his rifle, leveled and snapped it at one of his
foes — ran out of the hut and disappeared.
The two friends then primed the remaining guns, and kept a
vigilant watch until daylight, to guard against surprise. They
set out in the morning to return, but dared not pursue the route
'Lawrence Mattice. The adventures of Cowley and Sawyer were princi-
cipally derived from Mr. Mattice and Henry Hager, who learned the particu
lars from the captives themselves.

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 293
they came, very properly supposing there were more of the enemy
not far distant, to whom the surviving Indian would communi
cate the fate of his comrades. They recrossed a river in the
morning in a bark canoe, which they had used the preceding
afternoon, and then directed their course for the frontier settle
ments. The first night after taking the responsibility, Cowley
was light headed for hours, and his companion was fearful his
raving would betray them ; but when daylight returned, reason
again claimed its tenement. As they had anticipated, a party of
Indians thirsting for their blood, were in hot pursuit of them.
From a hill they once descried ten or a dozen in a valley below.
They remained concealed beneath a shelving rock one night and'
two days, while the enemy were abroad, and when there, a dog
belonging to the latter, came up to them. As the animal ap
proached, they supposed their hours were numbered ; but after
smelling them for some time, it went away without barking.
On the third night after their escape, they saw fires lit by the
enemy, literally all around them. They suffered much from ex
posure to the weather, and still more from hunger. They ex
pected to be pursued in the direction they had been captured, and
very properly followed a zig-zag course ; arriving in safety after
much suffering, at a frontier settlement in Pennsylvania, where
they found friends. When fairly recruited they directed their
steps to Schoharie, and were there welcomed as though they
had risen from the dead, among which latter number, many had
supposed them.
Sawyer is said to have died many years after, in Williamstown,
Mass.; and Cowley in Albany. At the time Cowley and Saw
yer returned from their captivity, the upper Schoharie fort was
commanded by Maj. Posey, a large, fine looking officer, who, as
an old lady of Schoharie county once declared to the author, was
the Iiandsomest man she ever saw.
Friendly Indians were sometimes in the habit of taking np a
winter's residence in the vicinity of American frontier posts. In
the spring^f this year several Indians, who pretended friendship,
left the Johnstown fort, where they had for some time been a tax
20

294 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
on the charity of its officers ; but they had gone but a few miles
north of the garrison when they halted and murdered an old gen
tleman named Durham and his wife, whose scalps they could sell
in an English market. — James Williamson.
The manuscript furnished the author by Judge Hager, states
that in the year 1779, probably in the spring, a rumor reached
the Schoharie forts that Capt.. Brant, on the evening of a certain
day, would arrive at some place on the Delaware river with a
band of hostile followers. Col. Vrooman thereupon dispatched
Capt. Jacob Hager with a company of about fifty men to that
neighborhood. Hager arrived with his troops after a rapid march,
at the place where it was said Brant was to pass — thirty or forty
miles distant from Schoharie; and concealed them amidst some fall
en timber beside the road. This station was taken in the afternoon
of the day on which Brant was expected to arrive, and continued
to be occupied by the Americans until the following day between
ten and eleven o'clock, when, no new evidence of Brant's visit
being discovered, Capt. Hager returned home — thinking it possi
ble that Brant was pursuing a different route to the Schoharie
settlements. Capt. Hager afterwards learned from a loyalist, in whose neigh
borhood he had been concealed, that he had not been gone an
hour when the enemy about one hundred and fifty strong — In
dians and tories, arrived and passed the fallow where he had been
secreted. On being informed that a company of Americans had
so recently left the neighborhood, prepartions were made to pur
sue them. When about to move forward, Brant enquired of a
tory named Sherman, what officer commanded the Americans
and on being informed that it was Capt. Hager, whose courage
from a French war acquaintance was undoubted, he consulted his
chiefs and the pursuit was abandoned.
Brant, on learning that Schoharie was well defended, seems to
have given up the idea of surprising that settlement, and directed
his steps to more vulnerable points of attack. Several settlements
were entered simultaneously by the enemy along the Mohawk
river early in the season — directed no doubt by this distinguished

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 295
chief. Apprised of Sullivan's intended march to the Indian coun
try, he hurried back to prepare for his reception.
A party of Indians under the celebrated chief Cornplanter, ap
peared in the vicinity of Fort-Plain at this time, and after burning
a small church not far from the fort, among other depredations,
captured John Abeel an old inhabitant. They had traveled but
a few miles before they discovered that he could talk their own
language nearly as well as themselves. This discovery soon led
to another of a more singular character, but truly fortunate for
the captive, for on enquiring his name, Cornplanter knew at once
he stood before his own father. Abeel had been a trader among
the Indians some twenty-five years before in Western New York,
and in one of his visits became enamored with a pretty squaw.
The graceful warrior " John," called among his race Cornplanter,
now before him, was the fruit of this libidinous, wayward affection.
The chief had learned the history of his parentage from his mother,
who called him by the christian name of her lover. A pleasing
recognition followed, the father was instantly set at liberty, and
conducted in safety to his own home. — P. J. Wagner, Esq.
Cornplanter visited his relatives at Fort-Plain, who were among
the most repectable citizens in the Mohawk valley, several times
after the war ; and was treated with the civilities his dignified and
manly bearing merited.
The repeated assaults along the whole frontier of New York
and Pennsylvania during the preceding year by the enemy, arrest
ed the attention of Congress, which resolved to send an army into
the Indian country in the summer of 1779, and retaliate their at-
trocities by a destruction of their settlements. Accordingly, an ar
my was assembled under Gen. Sullivan, at Tioga Point, at which
place he was met by Gen. James Clinton, who marched from Ca
najoharie, on the Mohawk, with a division of the army. As a
preliminary movement to the invasion of the Indian country by
Gen. Sullivan, Col. Van Schaick went from Fort Schuyler, under
the instructions of Gen. James Clinton, with detachments of his
own and Col. Gansevoort's regiment, and destroyed the possessions
of the Onondagas.

296 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
While Gen. Clinton was waiting at Canajoharie for his troops
and supplies to assemble, and also for the construction of bateaus,
two. tories were there hung, and a deserter shot. The following
letter from Gen. Clinton to his wife, dated July 6th, 1779, briefly
narrates the death of the two former :
" I have nothing further to acquaint you of, except that we ap
prehended a certain Lieut. Henry Hare, and a Sergeant Newbury,
both of Col. Butler's regiment, who confessed that they left the
Seneca country with sixty-three Indians, and two white men, who
divided themselves into three parties — one party was to attack
Schoharie, another party Cherry- Valley and the Mohawk river,
and the other party to skulk about Fort Schuyler and the upper part
of the Mohawk river, to take prisoners or scalps. I had them triep
by a general court martial for spies, who sentenced them both to
be hanged, which was done accordingly at Canajoharie, to the sa
tisfaction of all the inhabitants of that place who were friends to
their country, as they were known to be very active in almost all
the murders that were committed on these frontiers. They were
inhabitants of Tryon county, had each a wife and several children,
who came to see them and beg their lives."
The name of Hare was one of respectability in the Mohawk
valley, before the revolution. Members of the Hare family were
engaged for years in sundry speculations with Maj. Jelles Fonda,
who, as already observed, carried on an extensive trade with the
Indians and fur traders at the western military posts ; his own re
sidence being at Caughnawaga.* Henry Hare resided before the
war in the present town of Florida, a few miles from Fort Hunter.
At the time he left the valley with the royalist party to go to Ca
nada, his family remained, as did that of William Newbury, who
* All the territory on the north side of the Mohawk, from The Nose to
Tribe's Hill, a distance of nearly ten miles, was called Caughnawaga— an. In
dian name, which signified Slone in the water. Some writers have given as
its signification, " The coffin-shaped stone in the water." Tradition has
handed down from a family which early settled on the bank of the river near
this stone, the interpretation first given. This Indian name, we must suppose
originated long before this state was settled by the whites : of course the abo
rigines could have known nothing about coffins— they had no tools by which
they could possibly make thek. When the revolution began, Maj. Fonda was
erecting buildings for the prosecution of business, six miles westward of his
Caughnawaga residence, on a farm since known as the Schenck place. At a
later day he built the dwelling now owned by C. McVean, Esq., so pleasant
ly situated on the hill in Fonda, where he died June 23d, 1791, aged 64 years.

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 297
lived about 3 miles from Hare, toward the present village of Glen.
If Hare had rendered himself obnoxious to the whigs of Tryon
county, Newbury had doubly so, by his inhuman cruelties at the
massacre of Cherry-Valley, some of which, on his trial, were pro
ven against him. Hare and Newbury visited their friends, and
were secreted for several days at their own dwellings. The form
er had left home before daylight to return to Canada, and was to
call for his comrade on his route. Maj. Newkirk, who resided but
a short distance from Hare, met a tory neighbor on the afternoon
of the day on which Hare left home, who either wished to be con
sidered one ofthe knowing ones, or lull the suspicions resting upon
himself, who communicated to him the fact that Hare had been
home — and supposing him then out of danger, he added, " per
haps he is about home yet." He also informed him that Newbu
ry had been seen. Hare brought home for his wife several arti
cles of clothing, such as British calicoes, dress-shawls, Indian mo-
casons, &c, and on the very day he set out to return to Canada,
she was so imprudent as to put them on and go visiting — the sight
of which corroborated the story told Newkirk. The Major noti
fied Capt. Snooks, who collected a few armed whigs, and in the
evening secreted himself with them neaT the residence of Hare,
if possible, to give some further account of him. Providence
seems to have favored the design, for the latter, on going to New
bury's, had sprained an ankle. Not being willing to undertake so
long a journey with a lame foot, and little suspecting that a friend
had revealed his visit, he concluded to return to his dwelling.
While limping along through his own orchard, Francis Putman,
one of Snook's party, then but 15 of 16 years old, stepped from
behind an apple tree, presented his musket to his breast, and or
dered him to stand. At a given signal, the rest of the party came
up, and he was secured. They learned from the prisoner that
Newbury had not yet set out for Canada, and a party under Lieut.
Newkirk went the same night and arrested him. They were ena
bled to find his house in the woods by following a tame deer which
fled to it. The prisoners were next day taken to Canajoharie,
where they were tried by court martial, found guilty, and execut-

298 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
ed as previously shown. The execution took place near the pre
sent village of Canajoharie.* The influence exerted by the friends
of Hare to save him would have been successful, had he declared
that he visited the valley solely to see his family. He may have
thought they dared not hang him ; certain it is, that when he was
interrogated as to the object of his visit, he unhesitatingly said that
he not only came here to see his family, but also came in the ca
pacity of a spy. A deserter, named Titus was shot at Canajoha
rie about the time the spies were hung, as I have been informed
by an eye witness to all three executions. — James Williamson.
Deserters were shot for the first, second, or third offence, as cir
cumstances warranted. Newbury and Titus were buried near
the place of execution, and the bones of one of them were
thrown out at the time of constructing the Erie Canal, by
workmen who were getting earth for its embankment.f The bo
dy of Hare was given to his relatives for interment. Previous to
burial the coffin was placed in a cellar-kitchen, before a window,
in which position a snake crawled over it. This circumstance
gave rise to much speculation among the superstitious, who said
"it was the Devil after his spirit."
The troops under Gen. Chnton opened a road from Canajoha
rie through the town of Springfield, to the head of Otsego lake,
where they launched their fleet of bateaus and floated down its
placid waters nine miles to its outlet — now the location of the ro
mantic and tastefully built village of Cooperstown. This passage
down the lake was made on a lovely summer's day, and the sur
rounding hills being covered with living green, every dash of the
oar throwing up the clear, sparkling water, a thousand delighted
warblers greeting them from the shores as the response of the
martial music from the boats — the whole being so entirely novel 
the effect must have been truly enchanting and picturesque. On
arriving at the foot jof the lake, the troops landed and remained
several weeks, until it was sufficiently raised by a dam constructed
at the outlet, to float the boats. When a sufficient head of water
'John S. Quackenboss and Mrs. E. Gardinier.
tDaniel Spencer, a worthy pensioner, now living at Canajoharie.

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 299
was thus obtained — the boats having been properly arranged along
the outlet and filled with the troops, stores and cannon — the dam
was torn away, and the numerous fleet of small fry, (two hun
dred and eight boats) floated off in fine style, and passed down the
tributary into the winding Susquehanna. (This is an aboriginal
word, said to signify,, the crooked river.) It is said that prepara
tory to opening the outlet of the lake, a dam made by the saga
cious beavers on one of the larger inlets, which flooded considera
ble ground, was ordered to be destroyed to obtain the water. It
was partially so served, but the night following it was, by the in
dustrious animals, again repaired. A more effectual destruction
followed, and a guard of men was stationed all night, to prevent
its being again built by its lawful owners.
While the army were quartered at the outlet of Otsego lake,
two men were tried for desertion, and both were sentenced to be
shot. The youngest of the two, whose name was Snyder, was
pardoned by Gen. Clinton. The other man was a foreigner, who
had previously deserted from the British, and having now desert
ed from the American flag, and persuaded Snyder to desert, Clin
ton said of him — " He is good for neither king or country, let
him be shot." The order was executed on the west side of the
outlet, not far distant from the lake. Not a house had then been
erected where Cooperstown now stands. — Williamson.
The company to which Williamson belonged, was attached in
Sullivan's campaign to the second New York regiment, command
ed by Col. Rigne, a French officer. He was a large, well made,
jovial fellow, of whom Mr. Williamson related the following an
ecdote. Among the men who aided in our glorious struggle for
independence, was a regiment of blacks, who generally proved to
be good, faithful soldiers. That they might readily be distin
guished, they wore wool hats with the brim and lower half of the
crown colored black — the remainder being left drab or the native
color. While waiting for Otsego lake to rise, the troops were
drilled every day. As Col. Rigne was thus engaged with his
own and parts of several other regiments, among whom were one
or two companies of black soldiers, one of the latter men, from

300 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
inattention, failed to execute a command in proper time. " Hal
loo !" said the colonel, " you plack son of a b  h wid a wite
face ! — why you no mind you beezness 1" This hasty exclama
tion in broken English so pleased the troops, that a general burst
of laughter followed. Seeing the men mirthful at his expense, he
good humoredly gave the command to order arms. " Now," said
he, "laugh your petty full all!" and joining in it himself, hill
and dale sent back their boisterous merriment.
In the summer of 1779, Col. Wm. Butler received timely or
ders to move from Schoharie and join the forces under General
Clinton at Canajoharie. Among Col. Butler's men, who had Ten
dered good services in Schoharie during their sojourn, were Lieut.
Thomas Boyd,* Timothy Murphy and David Elerson. Murphy
was a native of Pennsylvania, of Irish parentage, and Elerson a
Virginian, of Scotch descent.
While Col. Butler was in Springfield, in the month of June, as
sisting to open a wagon road for the transportation of the boats,
David Elerson obtained permission of his captain to proceed about
* Lieut. Boyd was a native of Northumberland county, Pennsylvania. He
was about the usual height, and was a stout built, fine looking young man ;
being very sociable and agreeable in his manners, which had gained him many
friends in Schoharie. While there, he paid his addresses to Miss. Cornelia, a
daughter of Bartholomew Becker, who gave birth to a daughter after his
death, of which he was the reputed father. This child, named Catharine,
grew up a very respectable woman, and afterwards became the wife of Mar
tinus Vrooman. While the troops under Col. Butler were preparing to leave
Schoharie, Miss Becker, in a state of mind bordering on phf ensy, approached
her lover, caught hold of his arm, and in tears besought him by the most
earnest entreaties, to marry her before he left Schoharie. He endeavored to
put her off with future promises, and to free himself from her grasp. She
told him " if he went off without marrying her, she hoped he would be cut to
pieces by the Indians !" In the midst of this unpleasant scene, Col. Butler
rode up and reprimanded Boyd for his delay, as the troops were ready to
march — and the latter, mortified at being seen by his commander, thus im
portuned by a girl, drew his sword and threatened to stab her if she did not in
stantly leave him. She did leave him, and anticipating future shame, called
down the vengeance of heaven upon him. Her imprecation was answered,
as will hereafter be seen, to the fullest extent : a fearful warning to those
who trifle with woman's affection. Such was the last interview of Lieut.
Boyd with the girl he had engaged to marry. — Josias E. Vrooman, who wit
nessed the parting scene.

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 30 1
a mile from the camp to a deserted house, and gather some mus
tard for greens. While thus engaged early in the day, he heard
a rustling in some rank weeds near, and on looking in that direc
tion, discovered to his surprise, nearly a dozen Indians cautiously
advancing to capture him. He sprang and seized his rifle, which
stood against the house, at which instant several tomahawks" were
hurled at him, one of them nearly severing a finger from his left
hand. He dropped his haversack of greens and fled. In starting
from the house, his foes ran so as to cut off his flight to his
friends. He had to pass over a small clearing between the house
and the woods, and on arriving at the farther edge of the former,
he found his progress obstructed by fallen trees. He plunged in
among them, when his pursuers, fearing he might escape, dis
charged their rifles at him. The volley rattled the old timber
harmlessly about his head. Driven from the direction of the
American camp, he fled, not knowing whither. After running
for several hours, and when he began to think he had eluded the
vigilance of his pursuers, an Indian appeared before him. As he
raised his rifle the savage sprang behind a tree. At that instant,
a ball fired from an opposite direction entered his body just above
the hip — making a bad flesh wound. He then changed his di
rection, and renewed his flight. Descending a steep hill into a
valley, through which coursed a small stream of water, he reached
the level ground much exhausted; but the moment his feet struck
the cool water his strength revived, and scooping some up in his
hand, which he drank, so invigorated him, that he gained the
summit of the opposite hill with comparative ease. He had pro
ceeded but a little way further, however, when he found himself
again growing faint ; and stepped behind a fallen tree just as an
Indian appeared in pursuit. Not doubting but his hours were
numbered, he resolved not to die unrevenged, and instantly raised
his rifle to shoot him. Too weak and excited to hold his gun, he
sat down upon the ground, rested it upon his knees, fired, and the
Indian fell. He had barely time to reload his faithful piece, be
fore several other foes came in sight. His first thought was to
bring down another, but as they gathered around their fallen

302 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
chief, and began their death yell, the hope of escape again re
vived. While they were lingering around their comrade, Elerson
darted off into the forest. He followed the windings of a creek
for some distance, and finding in a thicket of hemlocks a large
hollow tree, crawled mto it, and heard no more of the Indians. It
was hear night, and being greatly exhausted, he soon fell into a
sound sleep. On the following morning he backed out, found it
rained, was lost, and again entered his gloomy shelter. As it
continued to rain, he tarried in the log three nights and two days,
without food or having his wounds dressed. He then crept from
his concealment, cold, stiff and hungry, unable at first to stand
upright. He was enabled, by the sun's welcome rays to direct
his course, and came out at a place in Cobelskill, known .
in former days as Brown's Mills, distant about three miles from
where he had been concealed, and at least 25 from the place
where he had first been surprised. Capt. Christian Brown, the
owner of the mills, was acquainted with Elerson, treated him
kindly, and sent him to the Middle Fort, ten miles distant, where
his wounds were properly dressed, and he recovered. The writer
saw, at his interview with this old soldier in 1837, when he ob
tained these facts, the scars from the wounds above noticed, and
also other similar marks of honor.
Captain Brown, (a brother of Judge Brown,) is the officer
mentioned as having been engaged under Captain Patrick the
summer before, in the Cobelskill battle. His mills — a grist-mill
and saw-mill, were among the first erected in that part of Scho
harie county, and were not burned during the war, because a
tory named Sommer, who owned lands not far distant, expected
if Brown's place was confiscated to the British government, to
obtain it. To gratify him the buildings were spared. Brown's
house, a small one story dwelling, now covered with moss, is still
standing. At the time the lower part of Cobelskill was burnt,
a party of Indians plundered it. Captain Brown, learning that
the enemy were in his vicinity, hurried his family into the woods,
and then returned to secure some of his effects. While thus
engaged, he saw from a window a party of Indians approaching,

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 303
and as he could not leave the house so as to avoid being seen by
them, he secreted himself in some part of it. The enemy enter
ed and supposing it entirely deserted, plundered and left it, after
which Capt. Brown sought his family, and with them fled to a
place of greater safety. — James Becker. At the house of Capt.
Brown, (said George Warner,) during the absence of the former,
and in the time of the Revolution, a wedding was consummated.
The groom and bride were Brown's hired man and servant girl.
The Cobelskill soldiers were invited guests, and of course attend
ed — for who does not attend a wedding when they can? After
the lovers were united, the party as abundantly served with
good pork and sour-crout ; and being the best the bride could
provide, they were received with as much gratification as would
have been the rich dainties of a modern festival of the same cha
racter. The parties were poor, and the friends knew it, and
made themselves merry. The wedding was in truth a good one,
for certainly " All 's well that ends well."
Brown's mills were situated on a road now leading from
Barnerville to the village of Cobelskill, about two miles from the
latter place. They were erected on a stream of water a few rods
from a deep pool, whence it issued. It was unknown for many
years where the water came from, until a saw-mill was erected
at Abraham Kneiskern's in Carlisle, on a stream of water, which,
near the mill, sank into the earth and disappeared. After this
mill began to operate, saw-dust made its appearance in the pool
near Brown's mills, three miles distant. This mill-stream runs
into the Cobelskill at Barnerville. Several mill-streams in Car
lisle and Sharon, sink into the earth, and re-appear at considerable
distances from the place of entrance.
While Gen. Sullivan, with his army, was at Tioga Point, he
was much annoyed by small parties of Indians, who crept up in
the long grass on the opposite side of the river, and fired upon
his men, killing or wounding them in repeated instances ; and
he devised a plan to intercept them : the execution of which was
committed to Lieut. Moses Van Campen. The following is Van

304 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
Campen's own account of his manner of proceeding, as publish
ed in a small volume entitled, Sullivan's Campaign.
" Major Adam Hoops—
" An aid-de-camp to Gen. Sullivan, presented to me my
instructions, with a sheet of white paper folded up, a leaden
weight within, and a twine-cord about twenty feet long fastened
to it. I was to get as near the enemy's camp as was prudent, and
to select one of the shady oaks, conceal my men in the bush, and
place my sentinel in the top of the oak, with the paper and twine-
cord — to give the signal if he discovered a party of Indians — to
sink the paper down the tree as many feet as they were in num
bers — if passing to the right or left to give the signal accordingly.
" It was one of the warm days in the latter part of August, I
marched as near to the enemy's camp as I was directed. I se
lected my tree — my sentinel ascended twenty or twenty-five feet,
and my men were concealed. We laid in watch about an hour.
Every eye was fixed on the sentinel. At length the paper drop
ped down about four feet. I spoke to my men, saying, 'My good
fellows, we shall soon have sport.' The paper continued to drop
to ten feet. I observed again, ' We shall have somethimg more
to do.' The paper continued to drop to fifteen feet. 'Now, my
good fellows, we shall have enough to do — fifteen to twenty of
us. Let every shot make their number less." Behold,! the fel
low had fallen asleep — let the twine-cord slip through his fingers —
lost his balance — and came down like a shot head foremost. He
was much bruised by the fall. I make my report to the general,
&c, &c.
Gen. Clinton joined Gen. Sullivan at Tioga, August 22d, and
four days after, the army, then five thousand strong, moved for
ward. All the Indian huts discovered on the route from Tioga
westward, with the fields of growing corn, beans, &c, were de
stroyed by the American troops. At Newtown, now Elmira, the
enemy under Cols. Butler and Johnson, and the chieftain Brant,
collected a force, threw up a breastwork, and prepared to dispute
the further progress of the invaders of their soil. On the 29th of
August the troops under Sullivan reached the fortifications of the
enemy, and a spirited action followed. The enemy evinced great
bravery, but being overpowered by numbers, they abandoned their
works with considerable loss.
Gen. Sullivan had a morning and evening gun fired daily while
proceeding to and from the Indian country, for which he has been
much censured by some chroniclers. His object in doing it was,

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 305
to notify the numerous scouting parties which were daily kept
out, of his position.
Several pleasing incidents owed their origin to the signal guns.
In one instance a large party of Indians were in ambush to sur
prise an advanced guard when the signal gun was fired from ele
vated ground not far distant. The Indians — who ever dread the
sound of cannon, supposing the gun fired at them, scampered off
hke frightened sheep. Upon the firing of a signal gun after the
battle of Newtown, a white woman came into the American camp.
Knowing Col. John Butler, whom she supposed could give her
some account of her red husband, she enquired for Col. Butler,
and was immediately introduced to Col. William Butler. On
coming into his presence and finding him a stranger — the truth
flashed upon her mind — she was in the American camp, and in
fie presence of those who would protect her. She stated that
she was a native of Danbury, Connecticut ; had been married
several years, and was living at Wyoming the year before, when
that delightful country was devastated by the enemy — at which
time she was made a prisoner. Her husband had been killed
among the numerous victims of savage cruelty. She further
stated that at the time she was captured she had three children —
two small boys and an infant child at the breast. The boys were
given to different Indians, and the brains of the infant were dash
ed out against a tree ; after which she was compelled to live with
an Indian as his wife. When she thus providentially entered the
American camp, she had an infant child — the fruit of her late un
happy connection. This child died not long after, and it was
suspected that an American soldier, from sympathy to the woman,
had given it poison. As the Indian country had been invaded,
this woman had been obliged to follow the fortunes of her master,
and having been separated from him by the discomfiture of the
enemy, Sullivan's cannon, which she supposed fired in the British
camp, directed her course. On the return of the army, she went
back to her friends in Connecticut. — James Williamson.
After the battle of Newtown, Gen. Sullivan sent back to Tioga
much of his heavy baggage, and pushed forward in pursuit of the

306 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
enemy — fully executing in the destruction of the settlements the
orders of the Commander-in-chief. The country of the Cayugas
and Senecas, where the Indians had many flourishing settlements
and several well built villages of good painted frame-houses, were
entirely destroyed — together with the fields of growing corn and
beans. Fruit trees, of which the Indians had an abundance, laden
with green apples, peaches, and pears, were cut down. Ears of
corn were found in that country full eighteen inches long, showing
the exceeding fertility ofthe soil.' It seems indeed lamentable that
stern necessity should require the destruction of fruit trees, the
growth of many years — but when we consider that they afforded
the enemy an important item of his annual food, we must admit
that the measure as one of retaliation, Was justifiable.
At the Indian village of Kanadaseago, situated a little distance
west of Geneva, a white male child was found by the American
army. It was not more than three or four years old, and when
discovered, was naked, with a string of beads about its neck.
This child, which had been abandoned by the enemy in their pre
cipitate flight, was supposed to have been among the captives
made the year before, on the frontiers of New York or Pennsylva
nia. He was found before the door of a hut playing with small
sticks, and when accosted could only say, sago — how do, and a few
other Indian words ; having been captured too young to give the
least clue to his paternity. — James Williamson.
In addition to the above, I learn from the son of Capt. Machin,
respecting this probable orphan child, that it found in that officer,
(an engineer in the army,) a god-father, and was christened
Thomas Machin — that it was nearly famished when found, and
could not have been kept alive, had not the Americans providen
tially taken a fresh-milk cow which had strayed from the enemy 
that the milk of this cow, which was driven with the army on the
return march for that purpose, afforded its nournishment — that the
little unknown was taken in the fall to the house of Maj. Logan at
New Windsor, where it took the small-pox in the hard winter
following and died, without any information ever being disclosed
as to its birth-place or parentage.

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 307
Major Paar commanded the rifle corps which accompanied Sul
livan in his expedition. When the army, which had met with
little opposition from the enemy after the battle of Newtown, ar
rived at the inlet of Conesus Lake, a scout was sent out early in
the evening, under Lieut. Thomas Boyd,* one of which was
Timothy Murphy. Says Major Hoops, in a letter I find in Sulli
van's Campaign —
" I was in the General's tent when he gave his instructions to
Lieut. Boyd, which were very particular — verbal, of course. The
country before us was unknown. We had heard of an Indian
'Castle on the river Genesee, which, by our reckoning, might be a
few miles ahead of us. The term Castle was taken from Chateau
— the French having long before magnified Indian villages into
Chateaux, afterwards rendered literally into English. There were
the Oneida Castle, perhaps at or near to Utica, — the Seneca Cas
tle, near to the present village of Geneva, as well as some others.
The Castle Lieut. Boyd was detached to discover, consisted, pro
bably, of a few Indian huts, near Williamsburgh, a few miles
above the present village of Geneseo.
" The evening before Lieut. Boyd was detached by Gen. Sulli
van from the inlet of the Kanaghsas Lake, a log bridge was begun
and finished in the night, or early in the next morning, over the
inlet. Boyd, not having returned by daylight, the General was
very uneasy ; particularly from finding that, to the six riflemen he
meant Boyd's party should consist of, twenty-two musketmen had
been added."
The bridge alluded to was constructed by a strong covering
party, sent in advance of the main army to open a road through
a marshy piece of ground, and erect the bridge. The object of
the scout was, to reconnoitre the ground near the Genesee river,
at a place now called Williamsburgh, at a distance from the camp
of nearly seven miles. The party were guided by Han Yerry —
John George — a. faithful Oneida warrior.
In a skirmish which took place the afternoon previous to the
surprise and massacre of Boyd's command, between Sullivan's
advance guard and the enemy, the latter captured two friendly
Oneidas, who had, from the beginning of the war, rendered the
Americans constant service, and one of whom was then acting as
•Some published account has erroneously stated the given name of this man
to have been William.

308 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
Gen, Sullivan's principal guide. This Indian had an older broth
er engaged with the enemy, who, as they met, is said (in Stone's
Brant) to have addressed him as follows :
" Brother ! You have merited death. The hatchet or the war-
club shall finish your career. When I begged of you to follow me
in the fortunes of war, you were deaf to my entreaties.
"Brother! You have merited death, and shall have your deserts.
When the rebels raised their hatchets to fight against their good
mast«r, you sharpened your knife, you brightened your rifle, and
led on our foes to the fields of our fathers.
" Brother ! You have merited death, and shall die by our hands.
When those rebels had driven us from the fields of our fathers to
Seek out new houses, it was you who could dare to step forth as
their pilot, and conduct them even to the doors of our wigwams,
to butcher our children and put us to death. No crime can be
greater. But though you have merited death, and shall die on
this spot, my hands shall not be stained with the blood of a bro
ther. Who will strike?"
In an instant the tomahawk of Little Beard was twirled wilh
lightning rapidity over his head, and in another the brave Oneida,
the friend of America and of humanity, lay dead at the feet of the
infuriated chief.
When we contrast the conduct of this Indian, who declared
that his hands should not be stained with the blood of a brother;
with that of the fratricide, who sought out his brother among the
fleeing inhabitants of Wyoming, and shot him while in the act of
begging for his life ; with that of William Newbury, at the mas
sacre of Cherry-Valley, who, finding a little girl by the name of
Mitchell among the fallen, in whom the spark of life was re
viving, with the blow of his hatchet, in the presence of her con
cealed father, laid her dead at his feet ; with that of a tory named
Beacraft, who was with the desolaters of Vrooman's Land ; and
other instances of no less savage spirit — we shall find that of the
unlettered Indian to rise in the scale of our just estimation, as that
of his more savage allies, sinks them to abhorrence and contempt.
One mile and a half from Sullivan's camp, the Indian path di
vided, one branch leading to Canasaraga, in the direction of Wil
liamsburg, and the other to Beard's Town. Boyd advanced cau
tiously and took the Canasaraga path. On arriving at the latter

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 309
place, he found it deserted, although the fires of the enemy were
still burning. As the night was far advanced, he encamped near
the village, intending to seek out on the morrow, the location of
the enemy. This was a most hazardous enterprise. Twenty-
eight men, seven miles from their camp — a dense forest interven
ing — and a thousand foes besetting their path to cut off their re
treat. But danger was what the party courted. Before day
break, Boyd dispatched two of his men to Sullivan's camp — in
tending to push forward still farther into the wilderness — but as
they never reached it, it is quite probable they were intercepted by
the enemy and slain. — S. Treat's Oration, in Sullivan's Campaign.
Before they were put to death, the enemy no doubt learned from
them the exact situation of Boyd's command. Just after day
light, Lieut. B., accompanied by Murphy cautiously crept from his
place of concealment Near the village of Canasaraga, they dis
covered two Indians coming out of a hut, fired at them, and a
ball from Murphy's rifle sealed the fate of one. The other in
stantly fled. Murphy, as was his usual custom when he killed an
Indian, took off his scalp, and as he had on a good pair of moca-
sons, he transferred them to his own feet. After the escape of the
Indian fired upon by Boyd, he rightly supposed his visit would
soon be made known, and he resolved to return immediately to
the American camp. Boyd was advised by Han-Yerry to pursue
a different route back, which commendable advice he did not
choose to follow. — James Williamson.
About the time Murphy shot the Indian in the morning, an in
cident of interest occurred near the main army, which is thus re
lated by Maj. Hoops.
" Early in the morning, Mr. Lodge, the surveyor, proceeded to
chain from the west side of the inlet, where there was a picquet
posted, and ascended a little way from the foot of the hill, outside
the sentinels, in advance from ihe picquet, and was noting his
work, when he was fired on by a single Indian who had crept up
near him. Leaving his Jacob-staff standing, he made the best of
his way toward a sentinel — the Indian almost at his heels, toma
hawk in hand. It is probable the Indian had not seen the senti
nel till he raised his piece and (when Mr. Lodge had passed him)
fired, bringing him down, perhaps not mortally wounded. The
21

3 1 0 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
whole picquet immediately advanced, strongly supported ; and as
cending the hill, found a line of packs."
Lieut. Boyd and his followers pursued their back track with
the most zealous caution, with Han-Yerry in front and Murphy in
the rear, to guard against surprise. It is not improbable that the
two messengers sent forward by Boyd a few hours before, had
fallen into the hands of the enemy contiguous to the American
camp, and that they had left their packs to intercept the returning
scout, which were found soon after Mr. Lodge was fired upon.
Not the rustling of a leaf or spear of grass escaped the observa
tion of the returning scout. Nearly two-thirds of the distance
was overcome — less than two miles intervened between them and
the camp — and the party were beginning to breathe freely, when
they were surprised by 500 Indians under Brant, and 500 Royal
ists under Butler. The enemy were secreted in a ravine through
which they rightly conjectured Boyd would approach. — Statement
of John Salmon, in Sullivan's Campaign. What could 28 men
do, when opposed by 1000, or nearly forty to one. Discovering
the enemy to be concealed in great numbers, Boyd resolved on at
tempting his escape by cutting through his thickly opposing ranks.
In the first onset, not one of his men fell, although their fire told
fearfully upon the enemy. A second and third attempt was made,
and seventeen of the Americans had fallen. — Salmon. At the
third onset of the brave scout, the ranks of the enemy were
broken, and Murphy, tumbling a huge warrior in the dust who ob
structed his passage — even to the merriment of his dusky com
panions — led his thus liberated comrades. — Treat's Oration.
Boyd, supposing if any one escaped with life it would be Mur
phy, determined to follow him, but not being as fast a runner, he
was soon taken, and with him one of his men named Parker.
Murphy, as he found the path unobstructed, exclaimed of himself,
in hearing of the enemy, " Clean Tim. by G — d !" shaking his
fist at the same time at his pursuers. — Treat's Oration. After
Murphy had been pursued for some time, he observed that he had
distanced all his blood-thirsty followers except two, a tall and a
short Indian. Several times as they neared him, Murphy would

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 311
raise his rifle, which was unloaded, and they would fall back. He
found as he ran, that his mocasons began to prove too tight, ow
ing to the swelling of his feet.* He opened a pocket knife, and
while running (at the hazard of cutting his shins) he slit the tops
of his mocasons, which afforded relief. Shortly after, he entered
a piece of swale, and his feet becoming entangled in long grass
and rank weeds, he fell. The place proved a favorable one, for
concealment, and he did not immediately rise. As his pursuers
broke over a knoll so as to gain a view of the grass plot, not dis
covering him, although he did them, they altered their course.
Murphy then loaded his rifle, and cautiously proceeded on his way
to the camp. He knew from the beginning of the melee, should
he be taken prisoner, what his fate would be, having the scalp of
an Indian in his pocket, and his mocasons on his feet. Shortly af
ter Murphy again set forward, he discovered himself to be head
ed by an Indian in the woods : which discovery was mutual and
both took trees. After dogging each other for some time, Mur
phy drew his ramrod, placed his hat upon it and gently moved it
aside the tree ; when the Indian, supposing it contained a head,
fired a ball through it. The hat was thereupon dropped, and run
ning up to scalp his man, the Indian received the bullet of Mur
phy's rifle through his breast ; exclaiming, as he fell backwards,
"O-wah!"
Murphy, Garret Putman of Fort Hunter (afterwards a captain,)
and a French Canadian, were all of Lieut. Boyd's command who
regained the American camp. The two latter secreted them-
-selves early in their flight under a fallen tree, around which was
growing a quantity of thrifty nettles, and escaped observation ;
although several Indians passed over the log in pursuit of Mur
phy. John Putman, a cousin of Garret, also from the vicinity
of Fort Hunter, was killed in Groveland. At his burial it was
supposed he had been shot in the act of firing, as a ball and
""It has been stated, and is now believed by many, that Murphy skinned
the feet of this Indian and put the green hides on. It was not so ; and had
he been disposed to have done it, which I cannot possibly admit, he could not
have had time on that morning.

312 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
several buck-shot had entered the right arm-pit, without injuring
the arm. — Peter, a brother of John Putman, corroborated by James
Williamson. A soldier named Benjamin Custom, who joined Gen. Sullivan
with the troops from Schoharie, attempted to follow Murphy,
but was overtaken and slain in Groveland. — Geo. Richtmyer.
When Murphy reached the camp, and told the sad fate of his
companions, Gen. Sullivan declared it was good enough for them,
as they had disobeyed his orders ; possibly in advancing farther
than he intended they should. — J. Williamson.
When Boyd found himself a prisoner, he obtained an inter
view with Brant, who was a freemason. After the magic signs
of a brotherhood were exchanged, the dusky warrior assured the
captain he should not be injured. Soon after their capture, Boyd
and Parker were hurried off to the vicinity of Beard's Town, now
in the town of Leicester, ten or fifteen miles distant from the bat
tle-field. Brant was called off on some enterprise not long af
ter, and the prisoners were kept in charge of one of the Butlers,
probably Walter, the destroyer of Cherry- Valley; who began to
interrogate them about the future instructions of Gen. Sullivan,
threatening them, if true and ready answers were not given, with
savage tortures. Boyd, believing the assurance of Brant ample
for his safety, too high minded to betray his country on the ap
pearance of danger, refused, as did Parker, to answer Butler's
questions ; and the latter, executing his threat, gave them over
to a party of Seneca Indians. Little Beard and his warriors,
seized the helpless victims, and having stripped, bound them to '
trees. They then practised their favorite pastime for such occa
sions, of throwing their hatchets into the tree just over the heads
of their victims. Becoming wearied of this amusement, a single
blow severed Parker's head from his body. The attention of the
tormentors being undivided, they began to tax their ingenuity
for tortures to inflict on his surviving comrade. Making an in~
cission into the abdomen, they fastened his intestines to a tree,
and Compelled him to move round it, until they were thus all drawn
out. He was again pinioned to a tree, his mouth enlarged — his

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 313
nails dug out — his tongue cut out — his ears cut off — his nose cut
off and thrust into his mouth — his eyes dug out, and when sinking
in death, he was also decapitated, and his disfigured head raised
upon a sharpened pole. To those Indian cruelties we must sup
pose Butler was not only a witness, but that they were rendered
the more inhuman, in the hope of gratifying his revengeful dis
position. Thus fell the brave Lieutenant Thomas Boyd, at the
age of twenty-two years.
On the arrival of Murphy, Gen. Sullivan ordered Gen. Hand
forward to relieve Boyd and party. At the spot where the en
gagement had taken place, he discovered several Indian blankets,
and an Indian's corpse, which had been accidently left among
the fallen Americans ; but returned to the main army, ignorant
of the fate of Boyd. — Oration of Treat.
Poor Han-Yerry, who had performed prodigies of valor in the
conflict of Oriskany, and who had rendered the American cause
much real service, fell literally hacked in pieces. The army, as
it moved on towards the Genesee river, buried the bodies of those
who fell in the present town of Groveland. On the following
day, Generals Clinton and Hand, with about two thousand troops,
were sent across the Genesee river to Beard's Town, to destroy
the dwellings, crops, &c. of the Senecas. — Treat's Oration and
Letter of Van Campen.
Mr. Sanborn, a soldier who was on the extreme right wing of
Clinton's army, discovered the headless bodies of Boyd and Par
ker. The rifle company of Captain Simpson, of which Boyd had
been lieutenant, performed the melancholy duty of burying the
mutilated remains of their comrades, which was done under a wild
plum tree, and near a stream of water. — James Williamson.
Beard's Town, one of the largest Indian villages in the Gene
see valley, was effectually destroyed, as were several other Indian
towns on the west side of the Genesee, by the troops under Gen.
Clinton, together with every growing substance found, that the
enemy would eat. While this destruction was in progress, offi
cers Poor and Maxwell proceeded along the east side of the river
and destroyed the villages of Canawagus and Big Tree. Three

314 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
days being thus occupied in this vicinity, in the work of devasta
tion, Sullivan commenced his return march to Tioga Point. As
the American troops approached the western Indian villages, the
women and children fled from them to Niagara, while the Indians
and their tory allies prowled about the forest, watching the move
ments of their foes, and seeking a favorable opportunity to strike
an effective blow. During the winter following, the Indians be
came a tax upon the British government, and as the weather was
intensely cold, and they were fed on salt provisions, to which they
were unaccustomed, they died in fearful numbers by the scurvy. —
Treat's Oration.
It is gratifying to know, that justice has now been done to the
memory of Boyd and his companions. In the autumn of 1841,
sixty4wo years after their massacre, their remains were taken up,
through the commendable zeal of the citizens of Rochester, re
moved to that city and deposited at Mount-Hope cemetery. On
the delivery, by the citizens of Livingston county, of the bones
of Boyd and Parker, which were found near the junction of two
creeks, hereafter to be known as Boyd's creek and Parker's creek,
and those of that unfortunate lieutenant's command who fell in
Groveland, to the receiving committee of Monroe county, an
appropriate oration was delivered at Geneseo, by S. Treat, Esq.
of that place, to an audience, estimated at five thousand persons.
When the procession arrived at Mount-Hope, near Rochester, and
had deposited the sarcophagus and urn in their final resting place,
a patriotic address was delivered by his Excellency William H.
Seward. Several old soldiers took part in the ceremonies, among
whom were Maj. Moses Van Campen, who had, in early life, been
a near neighbor of Boyd, and Mr. Sanborn, who discovered the
remains of Boyd and Parker the day after they were killed. The
proceedings were highly creditable to the enterprise and patriotism
of Monroe and Livingston counties, and will forever be hailed as
a bright page in the history of Western New York. The place
of their burial at Mount-Hope, is set apart not only to receive the
remains of those brave men, but of any other soldiers of the revo
lution that may desire a burial there.

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 315
To a State Convention, called to devise measures "for appre
ciating the currency, restraining extortion, regulating prices, and
other similar purposes," Frederick Fisher, John Frey, Christopher
W. Fox, Crowneage Kincade, John Petrie, and Werner Deygert
were elected by the people of the Mohawk valley, as certified to
by Jacob G. Klock, chairman of Tryon county committee. Da
ted, Committee Chamber, August 16, 1779.
In October of this year, the enemy, about two hundred strong,
under Major Monroe, consisting of British regulars, tories, and In
dians, entered the Ballston settlement. Most of the early settlers
of Saratoga county were from New England, and were good li
vers. An invasion had been anticipated, and two hundred Schen
ectada militia were sent to aid in protecting the settlement. A
church, called afterwards the red meeting-house, was being erected
at the time, and opposite and near it, a dwelling owned by a Mr.
Weed was inclosed in pickets, at which place the Schenectada
troops were stationed. About the same time, the Ballston mili
tia, thinking the troops sent to aid them were not sufficiently cou
rageous, erected a small defence on Pearson's Hill, afterwards
called Court House Hill, nearly two miles in advance ofthe stock
ade named, and where the invaders were expected to enter. The
little fortress on the hill was guarded for several nights, but as the
enemy did not appear, it was abandoned.
The second night (Sunday night) after the Ballston troops dis
persed, the enemy broke into the settlement. They made their
first appearance at Gordon's Mills, situated on a stream called the
Morning kill, entering the public road at the foot of the hill no
ticed. Col. James Gordon, who commanded the Ballston militia,
and Capt. Collins, an active partizan officer, living near him, were
both surprised at their dwellings, and borne into captivity, with
nearly thirty of their neighbors. On the arrival of the enemy at
the house of Capt. Collins, Mann Collins, his son, escaped from
it, and gave the alarm to John and Stephen Ball, his brothers-in-
law. The latter mounted a horse, and rode to the house of Maj.
Andrew Mitchell, (Major under Col. Gordon,) who, with his fa
mily, fled into the fields, and escaped. The Balls also communi-

316 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
cated intelligence of the enemy's proximity to the Schenectada
troops at the Fort.
At Gordon's Mills, one Stowe, his miller, was captured on the
arrival of Monroe's party, and, for some reason, soon after libera
ted. Feeling himself obligated to Col. Gordon, he thought it his
duty to inform him of his danger, and afford him a chance of es
cape. Crossing a field with that laudable intent, he met an In
dian, who, seeing a fugitive, as he supposed, attempting to escape,
thrust a spontoon through his body, and instantly killed him.
Great numbers of cattle and hogs were driven away at this
time, or killed, several dwellings and out-buildings burned, and
the whole settlement greatly alarmed by the invaders, who pro
ceeded directly back to Canada by the eastern route. Among the
dwellings burned were those of one Waters, one Pearson, several
Spragues, and several Patchins. Two dwellings, a little north of
the present residence of Judge Thompson, owned at the time by
Kennedys, escaped the torch, as they had a friend among the in
vaders. The troops assembled in the neighborhood were on their trail
by daylight on Monday morning, and followed some distance ; but
meeting a liberated captive, who bore a message from Col. Gor
don advising the Americans to abandon the pursuit, it was given
over. Why the message was sent, I am not informed, but pre
sume he either thought the enemy too strong to warrant it, or the
prisoners in danger of assassination if a hasty retreat was neces
sary. Col. Gordon was an Irishman by birth, and a firm patriot.
He was confined in a Canadian prison for several years, and was
one of a party of six or eight prisoners, who effected their escape
in the latter part of the war, and after much suffering succeeded
in reaching home. Henry and Christian Banta, Epenetus WThite,
an ensign of militia, and several others, neighbors of Col. G., and
captured subsequently, also escaped with him. Procuring a boat,
the fugitives crossed the St. Lawrence, and from its southern shore
directed their steps through the forest, coming out at Passama-
quoddy Bay, in Maine, where they found friends. Before reach
ing a dwelling the party were all in a starving condition, and Col.

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 317
Gordon gave out, and was left, at his request, by his friends, who
proceeded to a settlement, obtained assistance, returned, and bore
him in a state of entire helplessness to a place of safety, where
he recovered.
While the party were journeying, they agreed that if either of
them obtained any thing to eat, he should be permitted to enjoy or
distribute it as he chose. In the forest, to which the trapper had
not been a stranger, one of the number found a steel-trap, in which
an otter had been caught, and suffered to remain. It was mostly
in a state of decomposition. The leg in the trap was whole, how
ever, and a sight of that, Col. Gordon- afterwards assured his
friends, looked more inviting to him than the most savory dish he
had ever beheld ; but pinching hunger did not compel a violation
of their agreement — his mouth watered in vain, and the finder ate
his dainty morsel undisturbed. When the fugitives arrived at a
house, and asked for bread, the woman told them she had not seen
a morsel in three years. After crossing the St. Lawrence, two
Indians accompanied them as guides, but under some pretext left,
and finally abandoned them. The party, after suffering almost in
credible hardships, all reached their homes in Ballston to the great
joy of their friends. — Charles and Hugh, sons of Major Mitchell.
In the fall of 1779, several stockades in the vicinity of the Mo
hawk river were under the command of Col. Fr. Fisher, as ap
pears by a journal of that officer's military correspondence, placed
in the hands of the author by his son Maj. Daniel Visscher. Col.
Fisher estabhshed his head quarters at Fort Paris. The following
facts are gleaned from the memoranda. His first patrol for the
several garrisons was " Washington," and countersign " Sulli
van." Subject to his direction were the troops stationed at the
Johnstown Fort, Fort Plank, and the block-houses at Sacandaga,
and Reme Snyder's bush. The last named was a little distance
northeast of Little Falls.
About the 10th of November, as reported to Gen. Ten Broek,
then commanding at Albany, Col. Fisher mentions the burning of
a dwelling in the back part of Mayfield. The owner, Harmanus
Flanke, suspected of disaffection to the American cause, was then

318 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
living in Johnstown. The house was supposed to have been de
stroyed by some one from the block-house at Sacandaga. The
roof of another house, the owner of which was of similar politics,
was torn off, such was the spirit of party animosity.
In a letter to Maj. Taylor, then commanding the Johnstown
Fort, dated November 27, Col. Fisher states that he is under the
necessity of convening a court martial on the following day, and
that he, the Major, should attend, bringing with him another offi
cer, also to act as a member. The same letter states that an ac
cident happened at that fort the same morning, by which twfr
men were wounded — one mortally. The nature of the accident
is perhaps explained in a letter from Col. Fisher to Gen. Ten
Broek, dated the 28th instant. In it he states, that during his ab
sence to visit Fort Plank, a detachment of men from. Col. Stephen
J. Schuyler's regiment mutinied, and expressing a determination
to leave the fort, charged their pieces with ball, in presence of
the officers. They were at first persuaded to unsling their packs
and remain until Col. Fisher returned, but seeing Captain Jelles
Fonda, (known afterwards as Major Fonda,) then in temporary
command of the garrison, writing to Col. F., the mutineers again
mounted packs, and knocking down the sentinels in their way, be
gan to desert in earnest. Capt. Fonda ordered them to stand, but
not heeding his command they continued their flight, when he or
dered the troops of the Fort to fire upon them : the order was
obeyed, and Jacob Valentine, one of the number, fell mortally
wounded, and expired the next morning. The letter does not so
state, but I have been advised that the deserters considered their
term of enlistment at an end. The court martial, I suppose, con
vened to try Capt. Fonda, as I have been credibly informed that
he was thus tried for a similar offence, and honorably acquitted.
Early in December, as the season was so far advanced that an
enemy was unlooked for, and provisions were becoming scarce, it
was resolved, at a meeting of Colonels Fisher, J. Klock, and Lt.
Col. B. Wagner, with the sanction of Gen. Ten Broek, to dismiss
the three months militia from further service ; and some of the gar
risons were for a time broken up.

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 319
The early and energetic measures adopted in 1779, against the
enemy, prevented the sallies of the latter upon most of the fron
tiers of New York, and that year was one in which the pioneers
suffered comparatively but little, from the tomahawk and scalping
knife. At this period of the contest the states were beginning to gain
favor in Europe. Early in 1779, the king of Naples opened his
ports to the striped bunting of the United States; and in the
course of the season Spain declared war against England. John
Jay was appointed by Congress, of which he was then a member,
a minister to the court of Spain.
Although no great enterprises were achieved to the United
States during this season, if we except the destruction of the In
dian possessions in western New York ; still many events oc
curred in the length and breadth of the land, to raise and depress
the hopes of the Americans. The south became the theatre of
some of the most important events. An attempt was made by
the American troops under Gen. Lincoln, and the French under
the Count d'Estaing, to take Savannah; and notwithstanding the
allied forces displayed great bravery, they were repulsed with a
loss of 1000 men. Several good officers were killed in this un
fortunate attack, among whom was the noble and generous Pole,
Count Pulaski, then a brigadier-general:
Although several brilliant exploits were performed' at the south
by the American troops, still the year .closed without any event
transpiring to greatly accelerate the close of the contest. In the
course of the season, Gen. Tryon and Gen. Garth wantonly de
stroyed much property along the coast of Connecticut.-* After
sacking New Haven, they laid Fairfield and Norwalk in ashes,
committing numerous outrages upon the helpless citizens. As
the militia turned out promptly on those occasions, the British
sought safety on shipboard. While the enemy were thus en
gaged in Connecticut, Gen. Wayne most gallantly stormed the
fortress of Stony Point in the Highlands ofithe Hudson.
It was also in the autumn of this season that Com. John Paul
Jones, a meritorious and distinguished naval officer in the Ameri-

3.20 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, ETC.
can service, alarmed several towns in Scotland, and in an en
gagement off that coast, took ttfe British frigate Serapis, after one
ofthe most bloody iattles- ever fought upon the ocean. Both
ships were repeatedly on fire,; and when the enemy struck his co
lors, the woundfed could .scarcely be removed to the conquered
vessel, which was also much crippled, before the Bon Homme
Richard, Jones's ship, went down.
At the close of the season, p-art ofthe northern army went into
winter quarters-under Gen. Washington a second time at Morris
town, New Jersey, and -the remainder in the vicinity of West
Point. Owing to the almost valueless currency of the country,
which would not buy prqvisjpn§, a want of proper management
in the commissary department, a lack of suitable clothing, and the
extreme severity of the winter, ihe American troops suffered in
credible hardships. But this' suffering was endured, for their be
loved commander suffered with them, and the object for which
tue soldier.Iiad taken up arms, had not yet been accomplished.

( 321 )

CHAPTER XI,

If the Indians had been severlyohastised in New York jA- 1779,
and had been obliged to Seek out new habitations for t^eir'.fami-
lies, and consequently were not^ery troublesome * thatv?e'^ph ;'
they were early treading the 'warpath the succeeding ygatf&o
revenge the lasting injuries done..them.
The following incident transpi^edun the spring of 1780,*% the
Mohawk valley. The facts weteig-jetelated to the author '-by John
S. Quackenboss, and Isaac Covenhemen; the latter one ofthe ac
tors: George Cuck, a tory who had. become somewhat notorious
from his having been engaged, with1- the enemy at Oriskany,
Cherry-Valley, and elsewhere5 efiterffl the valley of the' Mohawk
late in the fall of 1779, with the view of obtainingihe scalps o£
Capt. Jacob Gardiner, and his Ljeuf; Abrahanj D. Quack^oSossJt-
(father of John S.,) for which .the" enemy had offered a' large
bounty. Cuck was seen several times in the fall, and' on one oc
casion, while sitting upon a rail fence, was fired upon by Abra
ham Covenhoven, a former whig neighbor.. The ball entered the
rail upon which he sat, and he escaped. As nothing more was
seen of him after that event, it was. generally supposed ,he had
returned to Canada. At this period,- a tory by.the'name^pfylQhn
Van Zuyler, resided ina small- dwelling which stood in a. then
retired spot, a few rods south of the present residence of Maj.
James Winne, in the town of Glen. Van Zuyler had *ffl*iree
daughters, and although he lived some distance from neighbors,
and a dense forest intervened befween his residence and the river
settlements, several miles distarit^tfie young whi'g§ would ^occa
sionally visit his girls. Tory girf*s> I must presume^ sometimes
made agreeable sparks, or spaj^S^especially in sugar time.

322 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
James Cromwelf,. a young man who lived near the Mohawk,
went out one pleasant summer evening in the month of March,
to see .bne of Van Zuyler's daughters. Most of the settlers then
made maple sugar, and Cromwell found his fair Dulcinea, boiling
sap in .the sugar bush. * While they were sparking it, the term for
courtihg .in the country, the girl, perhaps thinking her name
would soon be Mrs. Qromwell, became very confiding and com
municative. She told her beau -that the tory Cuck, was at their
house. ' Cromwell at first appeared incredulous — " he is surely
there??«said she, " and when any one visits the house, he is secret-
" ei'linder' the floor." The report of his having been seen in the
fail instantly recurred to his mind, and from the earnestness of the
girl, he believed her story. Perhaps Cromwell was aware that
the girl when with him was inclined to be whiggish — be that as
it may, he resolved instantly to set about ascertaining the truth
or falsehood of the information: In a very short time he com
plained of being made suddenly ill, from eating too much sugar.
The girl whose sympathy was aroused, thinking from his motions
that he was badly griped, finally consented to let him go home
and sugar off alone. Away Vent Cromwell pressing his hands
upon-'his bowels, and groaning fearfully until he was out of sight
and hearing of his paramour," when the pains left him. Taking
a direct course through the woods, he reached the dwelling of
Capt. Jacob Gardinier, some four miles below his own, and with
in the present village of Fultonville, about 12 o'clock at night,
and calling him up, told him what he had heard. Capt. Gardin
ier sent immediatly to'* his Lieut. Quackenboss, to select a dozen
stout hearted men and meet them as soon as possible at his house.
The lieutenant enquired what business was on hand — the mes
senger replied—" Capt. Gardinier said I should tell you that there
was a blhck bear to be caught." In a short time the requisite
number of whigs had assembled, and the captain, taking his
lieutenant aside, told him the duty he had tp perform. He de-
clined*going himself on account of ill health, and entrusted the
enterprise to his lieutenant. He directed him to proceed with
the utmost caution, as the foe was no doubt armed, and as his

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 323
name was a terror in the valley, to kill him at all hazards. The
party well armed, set off on the mission.
The snow yet on the ground was crusted so hard, that it bore
them, and having the advantage of a bright moon-light night,
they marched rapidly forward. Halting a quarter of a mile from
Van Zuyler's house, the lieutenant struck up a fire, and as his
men gathered round an ignited stump, he addressed* them near
ly as follows : " My brave lads ! It is said the villian Cuck,
is in yonder house, secreted beneath the floor. The object of our
visit is to destroy him. He is a bold and desperate fellow —
doubtless well armed, and in all probability some of us must fall
by his hand. Those of you, therefore, who decline engaging in
so dangerous an undertaking, are now at liberty to return home."
" We are ready to follow where you dare to lead !" was the re
sponse of one and all. It is yet too early, said the lieutenant,
and while they were waiting for the return of day, the plan of
attack was agreed upon. At the stump was assembled Lieut.
Quackenboss, Isaac and Abraham Covenhoven, twin brothers,
John Ogden, Jacob Collier, Abraham J., and Peter J. Quacken
boss, Martin Gardinier, James Cromwell, Gilbert Van Alstyne,
Nicholas, son of Capt. Gardinier, a sergeant, Henry Thompson,
and Nicholas Quackenboss, also a sergeant. It was agreed that
the party should separate and approach the house in different
directions, so as not to excite suspicion. The appearance of a
light in the dwelling was the signal for moving forward, and se
lecting Ogden, Collier, and Abraham J. Quackenboss to follow
him, the lieutenant led directly to the house. As they approach
ed it, a large watch dog met them with his yelping, which caus
ed the opening of a little wooden slide over a loophole for ob
servation, by a member of the family ; but seeing only four per
sons, the inmates supposed they were sugar-makers. On reach
ing the door and finding it fastened, the soldiers instantly forced
it — the family, as may be supposed, were thrown into confusion
by the unexpected entrance of armed men. " What do you want
here *?" demanded Van Zuyler. " The tory George Cuck !" was
the lieutenant's reply. Van Zuyler declared that the object of

324 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
their search was not in his house. The three daughters had al
ready gone to the sugar-works, and their father expressed to
Lieut. Quackenboss, his wish to go there too. He was permitted
to go, but thinking it possible that Cuck might also have gone
there, several men then approaching the house, were ordered to
keep an eye on his movement. Abraham Covenhoven was one
of the second party who entered the house. There was a dark
stairway which led to an upper room, in which it was thought
the object of their search might be secreted. Covenhoven was
in the act of ascending the stairs with his gun aimed upward,
and ready to fire, as Abraham J. Quackenboss, drew a large chest
from the wall on one side of the room, disclosing the object of
their search. Discharging a pistol at Nicholas Gardinier, the
tory sprang out before Quackenboss, who was so surprised that
he stood like a statue, exclaiming, "dunder! dander! dander!"
The wary lieutenant was on his guard, and as Cuck leaped upon
the floor from a little cellar hole, made on purpose for his secre
tion, he sent a bullet through his head, carrying with it the eye
opposite. He fell upon one knee, when the lieutenant ordered
the two comrades beside him to fire. Ogden did so, sending a
bullet through his breast, and as he sank to the floor, Collier,
placing the muzzle of his gun near his head, blew out his brains.
Thus ended the life of a man, who, in an evil hour, had resolved
to imbrue his hands in the blood of his former neighbors and coun
trymen. When the first gun was fired, Covenhoven said the report was
so loud and unexpected that he supposed it fired by Cuck him
self, and came near falling down stairs. Had the party not divi
ded into several squads, thepeep from the slide window would
have betrayed the object of their visit, and more than one would
doubtless have fallen before the villain had been slain, for he had
two loaded guns in the house, and a brace of well charged pistols,
only one of which he had taken into his kennel. They also found
belonging to him, a complete Indian's dress, and two small bags
of parched corn and maple sugar, pounded fine and mixed to
gether, an Indian dish, called by the Dutch quitcheraw — intended
as food for a long journey.

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 325
After his death, it was ascertained that Cuck had entered the
valley late in the fall — that he had been concealed at the house
of this kindred spirit, who pretended neutrality in the contest,
whose retired situation favored the plans of his guest, and was
watching a favorable opportunity to secure the scalps mentioned,
and return to Canada. The making of maple sugar he had sup
posed would favor his intentions, as an enemy was unlooked for
so early in the season, and the persons whose scalps he sought,
would probably expose themselves in the woods. He had intend
ed, if possible, to secure both scalps in one day, and by a hasty
flight, pursue the nearest route to Canada. As the time of sugar-
making had arrived, it is probable his enterprise was on the eve of
being consummated ; but the goddess of liberty, spread her wings
in his path, and defeated his hellish intentions.
Van Zuyler was made a prisoner by the party, and lodged in
the jail at Johnstown ; from whence he was removed not long af
ter to Albany. When they were returning home with Van Zuy
ler in custody, as they approached the sugar bush of Evert Van
Epps, near the present village of Fultonville, one of them, put
ting on the Indian dress of Cuck, (which, with the guns and pis
tols were taken home as trophies,) approached the sugar makers
as an enemy, which occasioned a precipitate retreat. The fugi
tives were called back by others of the party, when a rope being
provided, their prisoner was drawn up to the limb of a tree sev
eral times by the neck ; but as he had been guilty of no known
crime, except that of harboring Cuck, although suspected of burn
ing Covenhoven's barn in the fall, his life was spared and he was
disposed of as before stated. Cuck was a native of Tryon
county, and was born not many miles from where he died.
On the 2d day of April, 1780, a scout of fourteen individuals,
commanded by Lieut. Alexander Harper, (not Col. John Harper
as stated by some writers,) were sent from the Schoharie forts by
Col. Vrooman into the vicinity of Harpersfield, to keep an eye on
the conduct of certain suspected persons living near the head wa
ters of the Delaware, and if possible to make a quantity of ma
ple sugar. The party were surprised after being there a feWdays,
22

326 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
by a body of Indians and tories under Joseph Brant, and hurried
off to Canada. The scout consisted of Lt. Harper, Freegift Pat
chin* Isaac Patchin his brother, Ezra Thorp, Lt. Henry Thorp,
Thomas Henry, afterwards major, and his brother James Henry,
Cornelius Teabout, one Stevens and five others. About the time
they arrived at their place of destination, a heavy snow fell, and
not anticipating the approach of a foe, they began their sugar
manufacture. The preceding winter has justly been designated in
the annals of mercury as the cold winter, and the spring was ve
ry backward. They were busily engaged in sugar makings—
which can only be done while the weather thaws in the day time
and freezes in the night — from the time of their arrival until tbe
7th, when they were surprised by forty-three Indians and seven
tories. So unlooked for was the approach of an enemy, and so com
plete was their surprise, that the Americans did not fire a gun.
Two of them were shot down, and eleven more, who were in the
sugar bush, surrendered themselves prisoners. Poor Stevens, who
was on that day sick in bed, and unable to proceed with the pri
soners, was killed and scalped in cold blood. Brant, on recognis
ing Harper, approached him. " Harper !" said he, " / am sorry
to find you here!" " Why?" — asked the latter. " Because" re
plied he, *¦' / must kill you, although we were once school mates !"
The ostensible object of Brant's mission had been, to lay waste
the Schoharie settlements. Confronting Harper, with his eyes
keenly fixed upon him, he enquired- — " Are there any troops at
Schoharie?" Harper's anxiety for the settlers prompted the readv
answer — " Yes, three hundred continental troops from the eastward,
arrived at the forts but three days since." The intelligence — false,
although the occasion justified it — was unwelcome to the great
chief, whose countenance indicated disappointment. The eleven
prisoners were then pinioned, and secured in a hog-pen. Several
tories were stationed to guard them during the night, among
* Mr. Patchin was a fifer during the war, and a general of militia after its
close. He was a very worthy man, and once represented his county in the
Legislature.

7-
AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 327
whom was one Beacraft, a notorious villain, as his after conduct
will show.
The Indians built a large fire near, and were in consultation for
a long time, about what disposition should be made with the pri
soners. Harper could understand much of their dialect, and ov
erheard several of the Indians and tories urging the death of the
prisoners, as they did not consider the enterprise sufficiently ac
complished. The opinion of Brant, which was that the party re
turn immediately to Niagara, finally prevailed. Often during the
night, while an awful suspense was hanging over the fate of the
prisoners, would Beacraft comfort them with this and similar salu
tations — " You d — d rebels ! you 'll all be in hell before morning."
Lieut. Harper discovered, while the enemy were consulting the
preceding evening, that his word was doubted by many of the par
ty, and early in the morning he was ordered before an Indian
council consisting of Brant and five other chiefs. He was told
that his story about the arrival of troops at Schoharie was unbe-
lieved. The question as to its truth was again asked, while the
auditors — tomahawk in hand — awaited the answer. Harper,
whose countenance indicated scorn at having his word thus doubt
ed, replied that what he had before told them was true, and that
if they any longer doubted it, they should go there, and have their
doubts removed. Not a muscle of the brave man's countenance
indicated fear or prevarication, and full credit was then given to
the statement. Fortunate would it be if every falsehood was as
productive of good, for that alone prevented the destroyers from
entering the Schoharie valley, when it was feebly garrisoned, and
where they intended to strike the first effectual blow in revenge of
the injuries done them the year before, by the armies under Van
Schaick and Sullivan.
The rest of the prisoners were now let out of the pig-stye, when
Brant told them in English that the intended destination of the
parly was Schoharie, which he had been informed was but feebly
garrisoned — that his followers were much disappointed at being
obliged thus to return — that it had been with difficulty he and his
chiefs had restrained the desire of their comrades to kill the pri-

328 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
soners and proceed to the Schoharie valley — that if they would
accompany him to Niagara, they should be treated as prisoners
of war, and fare as did their captors. The latter expressed a wil
lingness to proceed. They were compelled to carry the heavy
packs of the Indians, filled with plunder taken at the destruction
of Harpersfield but a few days before, and all set forward for Ca
nada. They were still bound, and as the snow was several feet
deep, they at first found it very difficult to keep up with the In
dians, who were provided with show- shoes. Some ten or fifteen
miles from the place of capture, the party halted at a grist-mill,
upon the Delaware river, owned by a tory. This royalist told
Brant he might better have taken more scalps and less prisoners ;
and his daughters, sensitive creatures, even urged the more gene
rous chieftain to kill his prisoners then, lest they might return at
some future day and injure their family. The enemy obtained of
this tory abcut three bushels of shelled corn, which was also put
upon the backs of the prisoners, and they resumed their march.
They had proceeded but a few miles down the river, when they
met Samuel Clockstone, a tory well known to Brant and most of
the prisoners. When Brant made known to him the intended ex
pedition, and its termination from what Lieut Harper had told
him, Clockstone replied — " depend upon it, there are no troops at
Schoharie — I have heard of none." With uplifted tomahawk
Brant approached Harper, who was confronted by Clockstone.
" Why have you lied to me 1" — asked the Indian, with passion de
picted in every feature and gesture. Harper, apprised of what
the tory had said, in his reply, thus addressed the latter. " I
have been to the forts but four days since, the troops had then ar
rived, and if Capt. Brant disbelieves me, he does so at his peril.'j
Noble, generous hearted fellow, thus to peril his own life to save
the lives of others. He had alone visited the forts after the party
were at the sugar-bush, which Clockstone happened to know, and
the latter admitted that possibly troops had arrived. Brant was
now satisfied that his prisoner had not deceived him, and the
march was resumed.
In the vicinity of Harpersfield the Indians made prisoners an

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 329
aged man named Brown, and two little boys — his grand-sons.
On the day after the party met Clockstone, as the traveling was
very bad, Brown, having also a heavy pack to carry, found himself
unable to keep up with the company, and begged permission of his
captors to return ; telling them that he was too old to take any
part in the war, and could not injure the king's cause. On his
making this request, the party halted and the old gentleman's
pack was taken from him. Knowing the Indian character, he read
his fate in the expressive gestures of his silent masters, and told
his grand-sons, in a low voice, that they would never see him
again, for the Indians were going to kill him. He took an affect
ing leave of the boys and was then compelled to fall in the rear,
where he was left in the charge of an Indian, whose face, painted
black, denoted him as being the executioner for the party. In a
short time this Indian overtook his comrades with the hairless
scalp of the murdered prisoner, hanging at the end of his gun.
The party proceeded down the Delaware river to the Cook
house flats, from whence they directed tlieir course to Oquago.
Constructing rafts, they floated down the Susquehanna to the
mouth of the Chemung. The prisoners were unbound when on
the raft, but rebound on leaving it.
The Indians, capable of enduring more fatigue than their pri
soners on a scanty supply of food — being provided with snow-shoes,
and having little baggage to carry, would probably have wearied
out most of their prisoners, whose bodies, like that of poor Brown,
would have been left to feast wild beasts, and their bones, like
his, to bleach upon the mountains, had not Brant providentially
fallen ill of fever and ague, which compelled the party for a time
to lay by every other day on his account. They had been jour
neying about a fortnight, and were approaching a warmer lati
tude, when a rattle-snake, which had left its den in a warm spot,
was killed, and a soup made of it, a free use of which effected a
cure for the invalid.
The corn obtained near the head of the Delaware, was equally
distributed among tbe whole party, by an allowance of about two
handfuls a day, which was counted out by the berry to deal jus-

330 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
tice. This is a noble trait of the Indian character. He never
grudgingly gives a scanty allowance to his prisoner, and satiates
his own appetite, but shares equally his last morsel with him.
The corn was boiled in small kettles carried by the Indians pre
paratory to eating.
While in the vicinity of Tioga-Point, the prisoners came near
being sacrificed, to gratify the savage disposition to revenge, even
on the innocent, an injury done to a friend. While the Indians
were on their way down the Chemung, Brant detached ten of his
warriors, mostly Senecas, to a place called Minisink,* an old
frontier settlement on the borders of New York and Pennsyl
vania, in the hope of making prisoners and plunder. They ar
rived in due time at the place of destination, and succeeded in ob
taining several scalps and five prisoners, three men and two small
children. The following particulars of their capture and escape,
I find in a note subjoined to Treat's Oration, delivered at Geneseo
in 1841, on exhuming the remains of Lieut. Boyd and his com
mand. " The father of Major Van Campen was thrust through with a
spear ; and whilst the red warrior was, with his foot on the breast
of his victim, endeavoring to extricate his spear, another savage
had dashed out the brains of Moses Van Campen's brother with a
tomahawk, and was aiming a blow at Moses' head. He seized the
Indian's arm, and arrested the descending blow. Whilst thus en
gaged, his father's murderer thrust his spear at his side. But he
avoided the weapon, being only slightly wounded. At this mo
ment the chief interfered, and his life was spared.
" After several days' march, the party of Senecas above men
tioned, arrived near Tioga point, with Lieut, (now Major) Van
Campen ; a Dutchman by the name of Pence ; Pike, a robust
Yankee; and two small children. During the day, these prison
ers marched with the party, bearing the baggage ; and at the eve
ning halt, were made to carry the wood for the fires.
" Van Campen had, for some time, urged upon the two men,
prisoners with him, to make an attempt to escape during the night,
by tomahawking the Indians whilst sleeping. He depicted to
them the horrors of a long captivity, and of the agonizing tortures
to which they would probably be subjected. His companions,
however, weTe at first alarmed at the danger of a contest with ten
warriors. During the afternoon preceding the eventful night of
* This word signifies, as I have been told, " The water is gone. "

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 331
their delivery, he succeeded in persuading them to join him in the
meditated blow, before they crossed the river and their retreat wiis
thereby cut off. He advised them to remove the Indians' rifles ; and
with the head of the tomahawks, dash out their brains ; for if the
edges of the weapon were used, the time required to extricate the
hatchet after each blow, would prove a dangerous delay. He Wits
over-ruled by his comrades ; and after some discussion among
them, that plan was adopted, which was finally acted upon.
" At evening, the savages, according to their custom, lighted
their fires, and bound the arms of the captives behind their backs.
They then cut two forked stakes for each side of the fire, and
placed between them (resting on the forks) two poles, against which
they could lean their rifles. During the evening meal, one of the
savages, after sharpening a stick on which to roast his meat, laid
down his knife in the grass, near the feet of Van Campen, who
saw it, and so turned his feet as to cover it, hoping the Indian
would forget it before going to rest. After the meal was finished,
the ten Indians having first examined their prisoners to ascertain if
they were fast bound, lay down to sleep. Five were on each side
of the fire — their heads under the poles, and his rifle standing at
the head of each, ready to be grasped at the instant.
" About midnight, Van Campen sat up and looked around, to
learn if all were asleep. Their loud snoring told him the hour to
strike had arrived. He then, with his feet drew the knife within
reach of his pinioned hands. Rising cautiously, he roused his
companions. Pence cut the bands from Van Campen's arms, and
the latter then cut loose his two comrades. There had been a
slight fall of snow, which had frozen among the leaves, and ren
dered every footstep fearfully audible. But they succeeded in re
moving all the rifles to a tree at a short distance from the fire,
without awaking one of the warriors. During the afternoon, sev
eral of the rifles had been discharged in killing a deer, and, through
forgetfulness, left unloaded. The plan proposed was, that Pence,
who was an excellent marksman, should lie down on the left of
one row of Indians, with three rifles ; and, at the given signal, fire.
They supposed the same ball would pass through at least two sav
ages. In the mean time, Van Campen should tomahawk three of
those on the other side and Pike, two. Then there would be but
three Indians remaining, and each of the captives was to fasten on
his foe — Van Campen and Pike with their tomahawks, and Pence
with one of the undischarged rifles. Fortunately, for their safety,
Pence had taken the two unloaded rifles.
" All things being ready, Van Campen's tomahawk . dashed out
the brains of one of the Indians at a single blow ; but Pence's ri
fle snapped without discharging. At the noise, one of the two as
signed to Pike's charge, with a sudden " ugh !" extended his hand
for his rifle. Pike's heart failing him at this awful crisis : he
crouched to the ground and stirred not. But Van Campen saw the
Indian starting to his feet; and, as quick as thought, drove the

332 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
tomahawk through his head. Just as the fifth blow of Van Camp
en had despatched the last savage on his side of the fire, Pence
tried the third rifle, and the ball passed through the heads of four.
The fifth on that side, John Mohawk, bounded to his feet, and
rushed towards the rifles. Van Campen darted between him and
the tree, and Mohawk turned in flight. Van Campen pursued him,
and drove the tomahawk through his shoulder. Mohawk imme
diately grappled his adversary ; and, in the struggle, both fell —
Van Campen undermost. Each knew his life depended on the
firmness of his grasp ; and they clung to each other with unre-
laxed nerve, and writhed to break free. Van Campen lay under
the wounded shoulder, and was almost suffocated with the Indian's
blood which streamed over his face. He eagerly stretched his
hand around Mohawk's body to reach the knife of the latter; for
the tomahawk had fallen from his hand in the struggle. But as
they fell, the Indian's belt had been twisted around his body, and
the knife was beyond his reach. At length they break away, and
both spring to their feet. Mohawk's arms had been round Van
Campen's neck, and the arm of the latter over the back of the
former. As they gained their feet, Van Campen seized the toma
hawk and pursued the again retreating Indian. His first impulse
was to hurl the hatchet at his foe ; but he saw at once the impru
dence of the course. If it missed its object, it would be turned in
a moment against his own life ; and he therefore gave over the
pursuit, and one alone of the ten Senecas escaped.
" On returning to his comrades, he found Pike on his knees beg
ging for his life, and Pence standing over him with loaded rifle,
ready to fire. Pence answered V. C.'s inquiry into his conduct, by
saying, " De tam Yankee bee's a cowart, and I musht kill urn."
With difficulty Van Campen prevailed upon the Dutchman to spare
the frightened and dastardly Pike. They then scalped their victims ;
and, taking their rifles, set forward with the two boys, on their return
home, which they reached in safety. Among the scalps which
were strung to the belt of one of the warriors, were those of Van
Campen's father and brother." 4
Mohawk, the sachem who had escaped from Van Campen, was
occupying a little hut near Tioga Point, where the Minisink party
were to await Brant's arrival, endeavoring to cure his -wound,
when he returned with his prisoners. As the party under Brant
drew near that place, the war whoop was sounded, and was soon
answered by a pitiful howl — the death yell of the lone Indian.
The party halted in mute astonishment, when the Indian, with the
nine pairs of mocasons, taken from the feet of his dead comrades,
came forward and related the adventures of himself and friends,
and the terrible disaster that had overtaken them. Instantly, the

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 333
whole band under Brant seemed transformed to so many devils in
carnate, gathering round their prisoners with frantic gestures, and
cutting the air with their weapons of death. At this critical mo
ment, when the fate of the prisoners seemed inevitable from the
known rule of Indian warfare, Mohawk threw himself into the
midst of the circle, and made a signal for silence. This Indian
knew most of the prisoners, having lived about Schoharie before
the war. He told his attentive auditors, that the prisoners were
not the men who had killed his friends, and that to take the lives
of innocent men to revenge the guilt of others, could not be right :
he therefore desired them to spare their lives. The storm of pas
sion which seemed ready but a moment before to overwhelm the
prisoners, now yielded to the influence of reason, and the toma
hawks of the savages were returned to their girdles.
The company again moved forward, the prisoners grateful to
the Almighty for their deliverance from such obvious perils. On
arriving near Newtown, the whole party, Indians as well as
prisoners, were on the point of starvation, when an unusual
number of wolf-tracks arrested their attention. They led to the
half-devoured carcase of a dead horse, supposed to have been a
pack horse, left by accident the fall before by the army under
Gen. Sullivan. The under side of the animal, frozen, and buried
in snow, was found in a good state of preservation. It was in
stantly cut up, and equally distributed, even to the fleshless bones,
among the whole party. Fires were built — the meat cooked —
and the nearly famished travelers feasted upon the remains of this
horse, with far more satisfaction than would the epicure upon
his most dainty meats.
In the present county of Steuben, the prisoners saw the
" Painted Post," which had been erected by the Indians, to com
memorate some signal battle fought upon the spot. Leaving the
route of Sullivan on the Chemung, they proceeded farther north.
On their journey, the tories, Beacraft,* and Barney Cane, boast-
* Priest states, that Beacraft boasted at this time of killing a Vrooman
boy in Schoharie. He had no lack of evil deeds at that period, but that
writer must have misunderstood Gen. Patchin in that part of the narrative.

334 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
ed of the acts of cruelty each had then perpetrated during the
war. The party descended to the Genesee river nearly famished,
and there met a company of Indians that had arrived to make
preparations to plant corn. The latter had brought with them
from Niagara, a fine looking horse, which Brant instantly order
ed killed, and distributed to his again starving men and prisoners.
No part of the animal, not even the intestines were suffered to
be lost. They roasted the meat, using white ashes as a substi
tute for salt. They also found upon the Genesee flats, small
ground nuts, which they roasted and ate with their horse flesh.
From this place, Brant sent forward a runner to Niagara, a
distance of eighty miles, to announce the result of his expedition,
the number of prisoners, and their character. Brant was in pos
session of a secret which he kept in his own breast, that doubt
less operated as an incentive for him to save the life of Lieut.
Harper and his men. Among the prisoners taken at the massa
cre of Cherry-Valley, in the fall of 1778, was Miss Jane Moore,
whose mother was a sister of Harper. Not long after her arrival
at Niagara, she was courted, and became the wife of Capt.
Powel, a British officer of merit.*
Beacraft did kill a boy named Vrooman in Schoharie in the manner there de
scribed, but it was not until the 9th day of the following August, as will be
shown. He also boasted of the act after it was committed. He was a no
torious villain, and partial justice was awarded him subsequently.
* " In person, Brant was about the middling size, of a square, stout build,
^fitted rather for enduring hardships than for quick movements. His complex
ion was lighter than that of most of the Indians, which resulted, perhaps,
from his less exposed manner of living. This circumstance, probably, gave
rise to a statement, which has been often repeated, that he was of mixed
origin. [The old people in the Mohawk valley to whom he was known,
generally agree in maintaining that he was not a full blooded Indian, but
was part white.] He was married in the winter of 1779, to a daughter of
Col. Croghan, by an Indian woman. The circumstances of this marriage are
somewhat singular. He was present at the wedding of Miss Moore from
Cherry-Valley, who had been carried away a prisoner, and who married an
officer of the garrison at Fort Niagara.
" Brant had lived with his wife for some time previous, according to the
Indian custom, without marriage; but now insisted that the marriage cere
mony should be performed. This was accordingly done by Col. Butler, who
was still considered a magistrate. After the war he removed with his na-

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 335
Brant suggested to his runner to the fort, that Capt. Powel
should send the warriors from both Indian camps contiguous,
down the lake to the Nine Mile Landing — there to await his
arrival with the prisoners. Having obtained permission from
Col. Butler to do so, Powel gave the Indians a quantity of rum
to aid, as they supposed, in their celebration, and away they
went. The danger Brant justly apprehended, was, from the im
possibility of restraining the violent acts of many of the Indians,
while the prisoners were running the gantlet, knowing that re
lations of the Minisink party would be present burning with re
venge, and all were smarting under the chastisement they had
received the preceding year. He knew that no act, however
atrocious, would be considered by many of his warriors, too se
vere to inflict at this time on the prisoners. That Harper was a
relative of Mrs. Powel, Brant concealed from every individual of
his party.
Four days after the messenger had been sent forward, they ar
rived near Niagara, when the tories began to tantalize the prison
ers, by telling them that in all probability few of them would sur
vive running the gantlet. On arriving at the first encampment
the prisoners were as happily disappointed to find that the lines
through which they were to pass were composed of old women
and children, who would not be likely to inflict much injury, as
were the tories to find the revengeful warriors all absent. Most
of the prisoners escaped with httle injury, except Freegift Patch-
in, He was approached by an old squaw, who, as she exclaim-
tion to Canada. There he was employed in transacting important business
for his tribe. He went out to England after the war, and was honorably
received there." — Memoirs of Dr. Wheelock — see N. Y. Hist. Coll.
Joseph Brant died on the 24th November, 1807, at his residence near the
head of Lake Ontario, in the 65th year of his age. Not long before that
event, the British government refused, for the first time, to confirm a sale of
lands made by that chief, which mortified him very much. The sale was
afterwards confirmed, at which he was so much elated, thathe got into a
frolick, that is said to have laid. the foundation for his sickness, and re
sulted in his death. The wife of Brant, who was very dignified in her ap
pearance, would not converse in English before strangers, notwithstanding
she could speak it fluently.

336 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
ed "poor shild," gave him a terrible blow upon the head. As
the prisoners drew near the second encampment, they were grati
fied to perceive that, through the policy of Capt. Powel, a regi
ment of British troops was thrown into parallel lines to protect
them. When Patchin had arrived within a few rods of the gate
way, an Indian boy ran up and gave himi a blow on the forehead
with a hatchet, which had nearly proven fatal. A soldier stand
ing by, snatched the weapon from the hand of the young savage
and threw it into the lake. The unexpected meeting of Harper
with friends among the enemies of his country, was no doubt very
gratifying. On arriving at the fort, the prisoners were brought before seve
ral British officers, among whom sat Col. John Butler as presiding
officer. The colonel put several abusive questions to the pri
soners, and addressing Freegift Patchin, who stood nearest his
seat, he asked him " if he did not think that by and by his In
dians would compel a general surrender of the Yankees'?" Smart
ing under his wounds, he replied that " he did not wish to answer
for fear of giving offence." The unfeeling officer insisted on an
answer, and the young American, whose patriotic blood was ri
sing to fever heat, replied — " If I must answer you, it is to say,
No — you might as well think to empty the adjoining lake of its
waters with a bucket, as attempt to conquer the Yankees in that
manner." Butler flew into a passion, called Patchin " a d — d
rebel" for giving him such an insolent reply, and ordered him out
of his sight. At this instant, a generous hearted British officer in
terfered. Said he to Col. B., "the lad is not to blame for an
swering your question, which you pressed to an answer : he has
no doubt answered it candidly, according to his judgment." Ex
tending a glass of wine to Patchin, whose spirit he admired —
" Here, my poor fellow," said he, " take this glass of wine and
drink it." Such unexpected kindness received his grateful re
membrance. The examination of the prisoners having ended,
Mrs. Nancy Bundy,* who was also a prisoner at the time, prepared
•This woman stated to Freegift Patchin, " that herself, her husband, and
two children were captured at the massacre of Wyoming, and brought to the

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 337
as speedily as possible, a soup made of proper materials for them.
The captors received as their reward for the delivery of the
Schoharie party eight dollars per head. This it is believed was
the stipulated reward for American scalps or prisoners, to be paid
for by Col. John Butler,* the British agent for that business, dur
ing the war : but it was often the case that the delivery of a com
mittee-man's scalp or his person, or that of an officer or noted sol
dier, entitled the possessor to a larger sum. From Niagara, the
prisoners, except Harper, were sent from post to post, and finally
lodged in prison at Chamblee. Here they remained in irons nearly
two years, suffering most acutely for the necessaries of life. Free.
Patchin was reduced to such a state, as to be unable to rise from
the floor without the aid of one of the Thorps.
Doctor Pendergrass, a physician who had the care of the prison
ers, totally neglected to require into their real condition, the con
sequence was that some of them became objects of loathing, even
to themselves. Of the latter number was Free. Patchin. A wor
thy physician at length succeeded Pendergrass in his station, and
the sufferings of the prisoners was at once mitigated. On his first
visit to the prisoners confined in the room with the Patchins,
Steele, the commanding officer of the fort, accompanied him.
The doctor proceeded to examine the prisoners singly. Ashamed
Genesee country. There she had been parted from her husband, the Indians
carrying him she knew not where. She had not been long in the possession
of the tribe with whom she had been left, when the Indian who had taken
her prisoner was desirous of making her his wife ; but she repulsed him, say
ing, very imprudently, she had one husband, and it would be unlawful to have
more than one. This seemed to satisfy him, and she saw him no more for a
long time. After a while he came again, and renewed his suit, alleging that
now there was no objection to her marrying him, as her husband was dead,
' for,' said he, ' I found where he was, and have killed him.' She then told
him, if he had killed her husband he might kill her also, for she would not
marry a murderer. When he saw that his person was hateful to her, he tied
her, took her to Niagara, and sold her for eight dollars. The fate of her chil
dren she did not know. — Priest."
* This man, who died some years after the war near Niagara, partially re
ceived punishment in this life for bis cruelties in the Revolution, for he was
six weeks dying— or rather continued to breathe in the most acute sufifering for
that length of time, every hour of which it was thought would prove his last.
A fact communicated by a friend who was in Niagara at the time.

338 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
of being seen, Free. Patchin was occupying the darkest corner of
the room, and had thrown an old blanket around him, to hide his
naked limbs. The doctor at length approached him. " Well,
my lad," he asked, " what is the matter with you 1" " Nothing,
sir," was the reply. " Then get upon your feet," added the doc
tor. " I cannot do it," replied Patchin. The former then thrust the
end of his cane under the blanket and removed it, discovering his
pitiful condition. The doctor possessed a humane heart, and his sym
pathy for the prisoner was instantly aroused. Turning to Steele,
with a look that denoted surprise and anger, he demanded to
know why this prisoner had been so cruelly neglected, ordering
his shackles instantly removed. The language and treatment of
this medical officer was so unexpected, and so different from what
he had previously experienced, that Patchin could not refrain
from weeping like a child. With proper treatment his health
was soon improved.
From Chamblee the prisoners were taken to Rebel Island
where they remained nntil peace was proclaimed. From that
place they were sent to Quebec, via Montreal, and put on board
of a cartel ship bound for Boston : where they arrived after many
perils at sea. They then directed their course to Albany, and
from thence to Schoharie, where they arrived nearly three years
after their capture. Gen. Patchin was married after the war, and
settled in Blenheim, Schoharie county, where he resided until the
close of his life. His widow assured the writer, that Mr. Patchin's
constitution received a shock while a prisoner, from which he
never entirely recovered.
A large body of the enemy having been seen in the latter part
of March, in the vicinity of Putman's creek, as stated in a letter
from Col. Van Schaick, of Albany, to Col. Fisher, the formpr re
commended sending a reasonable force to the Sacandaga block
house. Col. Fisher accordingly despatched to that post one-third
of his regiment, and ordered Lieut. Col. Veeder to repair thither,
and take the command. The remainder of the regiment was or
dered out, and stationed at Fort Johnson and other commanding
points near the Mohawk, until the 1st of April, and then dispers-

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 339
edV The enemy, however, had lingered about the settlements, as
the following letter will show : Caughnawaga, 3d April, 17S0.
" Sir — On Tuesday night last, the block-house [at Sacandaga]
was attacked by a scouting party of Indians, to the number of se
ven, as near as could be ascertained, [proved to be five] and en
deavored to set it on fire in two different places, which they would
have effected had it not been for the activity of one brave man who
lived there, named Solomon Woodworth, who, although alone, sal
lied out and extinguished the fire. Whilst he was doing it, five
shots were fired at him, one of which only touched him. On his
return into the house he fired at them, one of whom he wounded
in the thigh, on which the rest fled and took the wounded Indian
with them. The reason of the block-house being without men at
that time, was through the neglect of one of the militia officers,
which I have taken notice of already in a particular manner, i
immediately sent out a party after them, who returned without
success for the want of snow shoes. Seven volunteers [six, as sta
ted in a subsequent letter] turned out on last Thursday, and came
up with them on Saturday about 12 o'clock; when five of the In
dians fired upon my men, and the whole missed, upon which the
brave volunteers run up and fired upon them with buck-shot and
wounded every one of them, took, and killed the whole, and brought
in all their packs and guns without ever receiving the least hurt.
This intelligence I just received from Col. Veeder, by express from
the block-house, where he commands sixty men.
" You'll please order up some rum and ammunition for the use
of my regiment of militia, being very necessary as the men are
daily scouting. Your commands at any time shall be punctually
obeyed, by " Your most humble servant,
"FREDERICK FISHER, Colonel.
" Col. Goshen Van Schaick — sent by express."
In a letter from Col. Fisher to Col. Van Schaick, dated April
13th, the names of the volunteers in the above enterprise are gi
ven, and are as follows : Solomon Woodworth, John Eikler, Pe
ter Pruyn, David Putman, Rulf Vores, and Joseph May all. The
Indians were overtaken and killed about forty miles north of Sa
candaga. At this period of the war, Marcus Bellinger was supervisor, and
William Dietz, a Justice of the Peace for Schoharie. Agreeable
to an act of Congress, passed Feb. 12, 1780, assessors were ap
pointed in the frontier districts to ascertain, as nearly as possible,

340 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
how much' grain each family might need for its consumption, that
the remainder of the stock might be in readiness for their less pro
vident neighbors or the army. Bellinger gave written certificates
to the requisite quantity for each family in his district, and Dietz
gave written permits to such as had not a supply, to draw one.
The following particulars were narrated to the author in 1841,
by Moses Nelson, then a resident of Otsego county. He stated,
that on the morning Cherry-Valley was destroyed, in the fall of
1778, he, then in his 14th year, was at the fort ; that when the
alarm was given of the enemy's approach, he ran home — some
half a mile distant — and, with his mother, then a widow with
whom he was living, fled to Lady hill, east of the village ; where
they remained concealed until the enemy had left. Nelson had
four half-brothers at the lime, older than himself, who were all in
the service of their country. In the month of March following,
he enlisted in the bateau service, for a term of ten months, on
the Hudson river, rendezvousing at Fishkill. After the time of
his enlistment expired, he again returned to Cherry- Valley, and
was living with his mother at that place, where a few daring
spirits still continued their tesidence, when, on the 24th of April,
1780, a party of seventy-nine hostile Indians and two tories, broke
in upon the settlement. One of the latter, named Bowman, a
former resident of the Mohawk valley, was the leader of the band.
They had previously been to the vicinity of the Mohawk, where
they had made several prisoners ; and passing along Bowman's
creek — called at its outlet the Canajoharie creek — they captured
several more, among whom were two persons named Young.
This party killed eight individuals and took fourteen prisoners in
this expedition, and among the former was the mother of my in
formant, whose bloody scalp he was compelled to see torn off,
and borne off-as a trophy.
This band of furies consisted of warriors from various tribes ;
and among the number were two Stockbridge Indians, one of
whom claimed Nelson as his prisoner. The route pursued by the
enemy, after completing the work of destruction at that doomed
place, was dawn the Cherry- Valley creek : and from Otsego lake,

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 341
down the Susquehanna to the Tioga, and thence westward via the
Genesee flats to Niagara.
The enemy while returning to Canada, separated into small
parties, the better to procure the means of subsistence. The two
Stockbridge Indians with whom he journeyed, made a canoe from
a bass-wood tree, in which, with their prisoner, they floated down
the Susquehanna. At Indian villages, the party usually assem
bled. At two of those, Nelson had to run the gantlet, but he
escaped with little injury. One of the prisoners, an aged man,
who ran with a heavy pack on his back, was nearly killed. When
Nelson was about to run, his master, who was called Capt. Da
vid, took off his pack to give him a fair chance for his life; and
on one accasion placed himself at the entrance of a wigwam to
which the prisonesrs were to flee, to witness the feat. Owing
to his fleetness, he was not much injured. Said his master as he
approached the goal, you did run well. Many of the party — and
among the number was his master David, tarried nearly two
weeks to plant corn, in the Genesee valley — at which time he
was sent forward with David's brother to Niagara, where he ar
rived after a journey oi eighteen days from his captivity.
As one of the Stockbridge Indians was an excellent hunter,
Nelson did not suffer for the want of provisions, such as they were.
The party, on their start from Cherry-Valley, took along several
hogs and sheep, which were killed and then roasted whole, after
burning off the hair and wool. On his arrival at Niagara, Nel
son was told by his master that he was adopted as an Indian, and
was at liberty to hunt, fish, or enlist into the British service. Not
long after this he was sold into the forester service of the enemy,
the duties of which were " to procure wood, water, &c, for the
garrison, and do the boating ;" being attached to what was called
the Indian department. He was sent on one occasion with a
party to Buffalo. He was for a while, with several other captives
whose situation was like his own, in the employ of Col. John
Butler. More than a year of his captivity was spent in the vici
nity of Niagara.
In the spring of 1782, when the enemy set about rebuilding
23

342 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
Fort Oswego, three officers, Capt. Nellis, Lieut. James Hare, and
Ensign Robert Nellis, a son of the captain, all of the forester ser
vice, had charge of the Indians there employed. Nelson and two
other lads, also prisoners, accompanied this party, which was con
veyed in a sloop, as waiters. About one hundred persons were
employed in rebuilding this fortress, which occupied most of the
season. The winter following, Nelson remained at this fort, and
was in it when Col. Willet advanced with a body of troops in Feb
ruary, 1783, with the intention of taking it by surprise. The en
terprise is said to have proved abortive in consequence of Col
Willet's guide, who was an Oneida Indian, having lost his way
in the night when within only a few miles of the fort. The men
were illy provided for their return — certain victory having been
anticipated, and their sufferings were, in consequence, very severe.
This enterprise was undertaken, says Col. Stone, agreeably to the
orders of Gen. Washington; but it certainly added no laurels to
the chaplet of the brave Willet.
Col. Willett, possibly, may not have known that Fort Oswego
had been so strongly fitted up the preceding year, and conse
quently the difficulties he had to encounter before its capture —
be that as it may, the probability is, that had the attack been made,
the impossibility of scaling the walls, would have frustrated the
design, with the loss of many brave men. The fort was surrounded
by a deep moat, in the centre of which were planted heavy pick
ets. From the lower part of the walls projected downward and
outward, another row of pickets. A draw-bridge enabled the in
mates to pass out and in, which was drawn up and secured to the
wall every night, and the corners were built out so that mounted
cannon commanded the trenches. Two of Willett's men, badly
frozen, entered the fort in the morning, surrendering themselves
prisoners, from whom the garrison learned the object of the en-
erprise. The ladders prepared by Willett to scale the walls,
were left on his return, and a party of British soldiers went and
brought them in. The longest of them," said Nelson, " when pla
ced against the walls inside the pickets, reached only about two
thirds of the way to the top." The post was strongly garrisoned,

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 343
and it was the opinion of Mr. N. that the accident or treachery
which misled the troops, was most providential, tending to save
Col. Willett from defeat, and most of his men from certain death.
While Nelson was with the two Indians on his way from Cher
ry-Valley to Niagara, David, his owner, afterwards told him that
the other Indian wanted to kill him. He said he replied to his
brother — " You must first kill me, then you will have two scalps
and be a big man." On their route to Canada, they passed the
body of a white man, who had been killed by some other party.
Peace was proclaimed in the spring of 1783, and Nelson, with
many other prisoners — none however, who were taken when he
was — returned home via Ticonderoga and Fort Edward. Previ
ous to his return he visited Montreal, where he was paid for labor
done in the British service the year before.
Several times in April, of this year, the Mohawk river settle
ments were alarmed by anticipated invasions, but those alarms died
away and were not renewed until near the middle of May. The
following correspondence addressed to " Col. Fisher, at Caughna
waga," gives the earliest reliable testimony of the enemy's ap
proach. " Fort Paris, May 15th, 1780.
" Sir — I have intelligence which I believe is very certain, that
the enemy are on their way, and will attack in four different places
in this county within a few days. I hope you will exert yourself
to discover them, and make every possible preparation to defeat
their design.
" It is expected that they will come by the way of Sacandaga.
•' I am your hble servt.
" JACOB KLOCK, Col."
Bearing the same date, Col. Fisher received an anonymous let
ter written at Caughnawaga, stating that an invasion of the ene
my under Sir John Johnson was hourly expected, adding as a cor
roborating circumstance, that a number of his near neighbors, five
of whom were named, had gone away the night before to join the
invaders. The writer added, that he had written some days pre
vious what he suspected, and thatthe enemy would be very strong.
Among the Fisher papers on this subject I also find the following-

344 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
Schenectada, 11th May, 1780.
" Dear Sir — Just this moment returned from Albany, Col. Van
Schaick has requested of me to write to you, requesting you to
send me by the bearer, Sergt. Carkeright, an account of all the
persons that have gone to the enemy from your county, with their
names, which request I wish you to comply with ; also let me know
if any thing of the alarm has turned up.
" I am, dear sir, your friend,
" H. GLEN."
" Col. VlSGER."
Nothing more was heard of the enemy until Sunday night the
21st day of May, when Sir John Johnson, at the head of about
five hundred troops, British, Indians and tories, entered the Johns
town settlements from the expected northern route. The objects
ofthe invasion doubtless were, the recovery of property concealed
on his leaving the country, the murder of certain whig partizans,
the plunder of their dwellings, and the capture of several indi
viduals as prisoners : intending, by the execution of part of the
enterprize, to terrify his former neighbors.
About midnight the destructives arrived in the north east part of
the town, from which several ofthe tories had disappeared the day
before, to meet and conduct their kindred spirits to the dwellings of
their patriotic neighbors : for when Johnson was censured for the
murder of those men, he replied that " their tory neighbors and
not himself were blameable for those acts." A party of the ene
my proceeded directly to the house of Lodowick Putman, an hon
est Dutchman, living two miles and a half from the court house.
Putman had three sons and two daughters. On the night the en
emy broke into his house, two of his sons were fortunately gone
sparking a few miles distant. Old Mr. Putman, who was a
whig ofthe times, and his son Aaron who was at home, were taken
from their beds, murdered, and scalped. While the Indians were
plundering the house and pulling down clothing from hooks along
the wall, Mrs. Putman snatched several articles of female apparel,
such as gowns, petticoats, &c. from the hands of a large Indian,
telling him that such and such things she must and would have
for her daughter. The fierce looking savage, whom few women
of the present day would care to meet, much less to contend with,

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 345
offered some resistapce to her gaining several garments, and they
jerked each other about the room ; but seeing her determination to
possess them, he finally yielded to her entreaties and prowess, and
with a sullen " Umph!" let go his hold. After the enemy had
been gone sometime from the house, Mrs. Putman and her daugh
ter Hannah, afterwards the wife of Jacob Shew, Esq., leaving the
mangled remains of their murdered friends, proceeded to the Johns
town fort, where they arrived about sun-rise. The jail was pa
lisaded, and, with several block-houses built within the inclosure,
constituted the Johnstown fort.
At this period, one of Putman's daughters was married to Ama
sa Stevens, also a whig, living in the neighborhood. While some
of the enemy were at Putman's, another party approached the
dwelling of Stevens, and forcing the doors and windows, entered
it from different directions at the same instant. Poor Stevens
was also dragged from his bed, and compelled to leave his house.
Mrs. Stevens, in the act of leaving the bed, desired a stout savage,
or a painted tory, as she afterwards supposed, not to allow the
Indians to hurt her husband. He forced her back upon the bed
with her terrified children, a boy, named after his grandfather, two
and a half years old, and an infant daughter named Clarissa, tell
ing her she should not be hurt. A few rods from the house Ste
vens was murdered, scalped and hung upon the garden fence. Af
ter the enemy had left the dwelling, Mrs. Stevens looked out to
see if she could discover any one about the premises. She had
supposed her husband taken by them into captivity ; but seeing in
the uncertain star-light the almost naked form of a man leaning
upon the fence, she readily imagined it to be that of her husband.
In a tremulous voice she several times called "Amasa! Amasa !"
but receiving no answer she ran to the fence. God only knows
what her mental agony was, on arriving there and finding her hus
band stiffening in death. With almost supernatural strength she
took down the body and bore it into the dwelling, (which, with
Putman's, had been spared the incendiary torch from motives of
policy,) and depositing it, sprinkled with the scalding tears of
blighted affection, she snatched the two pledges of her early love

346 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
and sought safety in flight to the fort ; where she found her sur
viving relatives.
The amorous Putman brothers set out on their return home to
wards day-light, from what is now called Sammons' Hollow, and
discovering the light of the burning buildings at Tribes' Hill, they
hastily directed their steps to the fort, meeting at the gate-way
their mourning relatives.
Stevens had just finished planting when murdered, and the next
week purposed to have journeyed eastward with his family. The
Putmans were killed on the farm now owned and occupied by
Col. Archibald Mclntyre. They were both buried in one grave
in a single rough box ; and while their neighbors were perform
ing the act of burial, they were once alarmed by the supposed ap
proach of the enemy and left the grave, but soon returned and
filled it. — Clarissa, relict of Joseph Leach, and daughter of Amasa
Stevens. Dividing his forces, Col. Johnson sent part of them, mostly In
dians and tories, to Tribes' Hill ; under the direction, as believed,
of Henry and William Bowen, two brothers who had formerly
lived in that vicinity and removed with the Johnsons to Canada.
These destructives were to fall upon the Mohawk river settlements
at the Hill, and proceed up its flats, while Johnson led the remain
der in person by a western route to Caughnawaga, the appointed
place for them to unite. The Bowens led their followers through
Albany Bush, a tory settlement in the eastern part of the town,
where, of course, no one was molested, and directed their steps
to the dwelling of Capt. Garret Putman, a noted whig. Putman,
who had a son named Victor, also a whig, had been ordered to
Fort Hunter but a few days before, and had removed his family
thither ; renting his house to William Gault, an old English gar
dener who had resided in Cherry-Valley before its destruction, and
Thomas Plateau, also an Englishman. Without knowing that
the Putman house had changed occupants, the enemy surrounded
it, forced an entrance, and tomahawked and scalped its inmates.
The house was then pillaged and set on fire, and its plunderers
knew not until next day, that they had obtained the scalps of

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 347
two tories. In the morning, Gault, who was near eighty years
old, was discovered alive outside the dwelling, and was taken
across the river to Fort Hunter, where his wounds were properly
drest, but he soon after died.
Among the early settlers in the Mohawk valley was Harman
Visscher, who died before the Revolution, leaving an aged widow,
three sons, Frederick a colonel* of militia, John a captain, and
Harman; and two sisters, Margaret and Rebecca. Frederick
the elder brother, who was born on the 22d of February, 1741;
was married and resided a little distance below the paternal
dwelling, which stood nearly on the site of the present residence
of the Hon. Jesse D. De Graff. The other Fisher brothers were
unmarried, and, with their mother and sisters, lived at the home
stead. The Fisher family was one of much influence, and warm
ly advocated the popular cause. The following anecdote will
show the position of the elder brother, at an early period of the
contest. Soon after the difficulties commenced at Boston, a meet
ing of the citizens along the Mohawk valley was called at
Tribes' Hill, on which occasion Col. John Butler was present,
and harrangued the multitude on the duties of subjects to their
sovereign, &c, and then proposed" a test for his hearers, some
three hundred in number. Having formed a line, he desired
those who were willing to oppose the king, to remain standing,
and those who favored royal pretensions to advanee a few paces
forward. The result was, Frederick Fisher stood alone, as the
only avowed opposer of the British government. — David, his son.
A few days before the invasion of Johnson, a bateau from
Schenectada was seen opposite Col. Fisher's, taking in his most
valuable effects; and his neighbors, living along the south side
of the river, among whom was Nicholas Quackenboss, crossed
over to learn the cause of his removal. On his arrival, the
neighbor enquired of Col. Fisher if an enemy was expected, that
• Some of the family write this name Visscher, and others Fisher. The
original Dutch name was Visger. Harman Visscher's son Frederick, the
colonel, wrote his name Fisher until just before his death, at which time he
desired his children to spell the name as in the context. Fisher is the Eng
lish of Visscher.

348 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
he was thus preparing to move his family and effects? The
colonel replied that he knew of no hostile movement unknown to
his neighbors. After a little conversation of the kind, and when
about to recross the river, said Quackenboss, clenching his fist
ina threatening mariner and addressing him playfully in Low
Dutch, " Ah, colonel ! if you know something of the enemy and
don't let us know it, I hope you '11 be the first one scalped !"
Having sent his family to Schenectada, Col. Fisher went to the
homestead, thinking himself and brothers would be the better
able to defend themselves, if attacked by an enemy.
On Sunday evening, about eight o'clock, Captain Walter
Vrooman, of Guilderland, arrived at the Fisher dwelling with a
company of eighty men, on his way to the Johntown fort. He
had intended to quarter his men over night at Fisher's, for their
own comfort and the safety of the family ; but the colonel, ob
serving that himself and brothers could probably defend the house
if attacked, forwarded the troops to Johntown, knowing that that
place was feebly garrisoned.
After the murder of Gault and Plateau, the enemy proceeded
up the river to the dwelling of Capt. Henry Hansen, which stood
where John Fisher now resides.* On reaching the dwelling of
Hansen, who was an American captain, the enemy forced an en
trance — and taking him from his bed they murdered and scalped
him. His sons, Victor and John I., then at home were captured.
Margaret, a daughter, was hurried out of the house by an Indian,
who told her it was on fire. She asked him to aid her in carry
ing out the bed oh which she had been sleeping, and he did so.
Depositing it in an old Indian hut near by, and learning that her
mother was still in the burning building, finding access through
the door too dangerous, she broke a window in her room and
* Henry Hansen was a son of Nicholas Hansen, who with his brother
Hendrick, took two patents, each for one thousand acres of land along the
north side of the Mohawk, above Tribes' Hill. The patents were executed
by Gov. Hunter, and dated July 12, 1713. The brothers settled on those
lands soon after, and Henry Hansen was the first White child born on the
north side of the Mohawk west of Fort Hunter, and east of the German
settlements, many miles above.

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 349
called to her. As may be supposed, the old lady was greatly
terrified and bewildered at first ; but recovering, she groped her
way to the window, and was helped out by her daughter, who
assisted her to the hut — from whence, after day light she was
conveyed to a place of safety. The enemy made no female scalps
br captives at this time, and offered indignities to but few of the
sex. In the garret of Hansen's dwelling was a keg of powder,
which exploded with terrific effect.
Proceeding west along the river, the enemy next halted at the
dwelling of Barney Hansen, which stood where Benj. R. Jenkins
now lives. Hansen, who chanced to be from home, had a son
about ten years of age, who was then going to school at Fort
Hunter. On Saturday evening preceding the invasion, Peter, a
son of Cornelius Putman, of Ca-daugh-ri-ty,* about the same age
as young Hansen, went home with the latter, crossing the river in
a boat, to tarry with him over Sunday. The lads slept in a bunk,
which, on retiring to rest on Sunday night, was drawn before the
outside door ; and the first intimation the family had of the ene
my's proximity, was their heavy blows npon the door with an axe,
just before daylight, sending the splinter's upon the boys' bed, cau
sing them to bury their heads beneath the bedding. An entrance
was quickly forced, and the house plundered. The boys were led
out by two Indians, and claimed as prisoners, but owing to the ear
nest entreaties of Mrs. Hansen that they might be left, a British
officer interfered, saying that they were too young to endure the
journey : they were then liberated. This house was built and
owned by Joseph Clement, a tory, who was supposed to have been
present ; consequently, it was not burned.
From the house of Barney Hansen; the enemy proceeded to that
of Col. Fisher, where Adam Zielie now resides, and where, too,
they were disappointed in not finding any of the family : plunder-
*Ca-daugh-rirty, is an Indian word, and signifies The Steep Bank, back wall,
or perpendicular wall ! In the southeast part of Glen is a high bank on the
Schoharie, a mile or two from its mouth or the ancient Fort Hunter, occasion
ed by an extensive slide at least one hundred years ago, the Indian name for
which originated at the time.

350 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
ing and setting it on fire, they hastened onward to the Fisher
homestead, where they arrived just at daylight. Among the plun
der made at Hansen's, was the clothing of young Putman, and
as the Indians threw away such articles as they considered useless,
he followed them at a distance, recovering and putting on his ap
parel as fast as rejected. He obtained the last of it near the
dwelling of Col. Fisher — entering which he discovered it to be
on fire. Looking for pails he found several which the enemy had
broken, but a further search discovered a tub of sour milk : this
he drew near the fire, and throwing it on the flames, with his
hands extinguished them — not, however, until a large hole had
been burned entirely through the floor. This house was consumed
in October following.
About twenty of the enemy first arrived at the old Fisher place,
and attempted to force an entrance by cutting in the door, but be
ing fired upon from a window by the intrepid inmates, they re
treated round a corner of the house, where they were less exposed.
the main body of the enemy, nearly three hundred in number, ar
rived soon after and joined in the attack. The brothers defended
the house for some length of time after the enemy gained entrance
below, and a melee followed in the stairway, on their attempting
to ascend. Several balls were fired up through the floor, — the
lower room not being plastered over head, which the brothers
avoided by standing over the large timbers which supported it.
At this period the sisters escaped from the cellar-kitchen, and fled
to the woods not far distant. They were met in their flight by a
party of savages, who snatched from the head of one, a bonnet ;
and from the bosom of the other a neckerchief — but were allowed
to escape unhurt. Mrs. Fisher, about to follow her daughters
from the house, was stricken down at the door by a blow on the
head from the but of a musket, and left without being scalped.
The brothers returned the fire of their assailants for a while
with spirit, but getting out of ammunition their castle was no
longer tenable ; and Harman, jumping from a back window, at
tempted to escape by flight. In the act of leaping a garden fence,
a few rods from the house, he was shot, and there killed and scalp-

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 351
ed. As the enemy ascended the stairs, Col. Fisher discharged a
pistol he held in his hand, and calling for quarters, threw it behind
him in token of submission. An Indian, running up, struck him
a blow on the head with a tomahawk, which brought him to the
floor. He fell upon his face, and the Indian took two crown
scalps from his head, which no doubt entitled him to a double re
ward, then giving him a gash in the back of the neck, he turned
him and attempted to cut his throat, which was only prevented by
his cravat, the knife penetrating just through the skin. His broth
er, Capt. Fisher, as the enemy ascended the stairs, retreated to one
corner of the room, in which was a quantity of peas, that he might
there repel his assailants. An Indian, seeing him armed with a
sword, hurled a tomahawk at his head, which brought him down.
He was then killed outright, scalped as he lay upon the grain, and
there left. The house was plundered, and then set on fire, (as
stated by Wm. Bowen, who returned after the war,) with a chemi
cal matcli, conveyed upon the roof by an arrow.
Leaving the progress of the distructives for a time, let us follow
the fortunes of Col. Fisher. After the enemy had left, his con
sciousness returned, and as soon as strength would allow, he as
certained that his brother John was dead. From a window he
discovered that the house was on fire, which no doubt quickened
his exertions. Descending, he found his mother near the door, faint
from the blow dealt upon her head, and too weak to render him any
assistance. With no little effort the colonel succeeded in remov
ing the body of his brother out of the house, and then assisted his
mother, who was seated in a chair,* the bottom of which had al
ready caught fire, to a place of safety ; and having carried out a
bed, he laid down upon it, at a little distance from the house, in a
state of exhaustion. Tom, a black slave, belonging to Adam
Zielie, was the first neighbor to arrive at Fisher's. He enquired
of the colonel what he should do for him 1 Fisher could not speak,
but signified by signs his desire for water. Tom ran down to the
•
• This chair is preserved as a sacred relic by the De Graff family, at the
Visscher house.

352 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
Da-de-nos-ca-ra,* a brook running through a ravine a little distance
east ofthe house, and filling his old hat, the only substitute for a
vessel at hand, he soon returned with it ; a drink of which restored
the wounded patriot to consciousness and speech. His neighbor,
Joseph Clement, arrived at Fisher's while the colonel lay upon the
bed, and on being asked by Tom Zielie what they should do for him,
unblushingly replied in Low Dutch, " Loot de vervlukten rabble
starven!" Let the cursed rebel die!
Tom, who possessed a feeling heart, was not to be suaded from
his Samaritan kindness, by the icy coldness of his tory neighbor,
and instantly set about relieving the suffering man's condition.
Uriah Bowen arrived about the time Tom returned with the wa
ter, and assisted in removing the dead and wounded farther from
the burning building. Col. Fisher directed Tom to harness a span
of colts, then in a pasture near, (which, as the morning was very
foggy, had escapped the notice of the enemy,) before a wagon,
and take him to the river at David Putman's. The colts were
soon harnessed, when the bodies ofthe murdered brothers, and those
of Col. Fisher and his mother, were put into the wagon, (the two
latter upon a bed,) and it moved forward. The noise of the wagon
was heard by the girls, who came from their concealment to learn
the fate of the family, and join the mournful groupe. When the
wagon arrived near the bank of the river, several tories were pres
ent, who refused to assist in carrying the Fishers down the bank
to a canoe, whereupon Tom took the colts by their heads, and led
them down the bank ; and what was then considered remarkable,
they went as steadily as old horses, although never before har
nessed. The family were taken into a boat and carried across the
river to Ephraim Wemple's, where every attention was paid them.
When a person is scalped, the skin falls upon the face so as to dis
figure the countenance ; but on its being drawn up on the crown
ofthe head, the face resumes its natural look ; such was the case
with Col. Fisher, as stated by an eye witness.
* Da-de-nos-ca-ra or Da-da-nus-ga-ra, " means literally, bearded trees, or
tress with excrescences or tufts to them.'' (Giles F. Yates. Esq.) Lands ad-
joining this stream were originally timbered with hemlock and black ash,
which originated the significant name.

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 353
Seeing the necessity of his having proper medical attention,
Cel. Fisher's friends on the south side of the river, sent him for
ward in the canoe by trusty persons, to Schenectada, where he ar
rived just at dark the same day of his misfortune. There he re
ceived the medical attendance of Doctors Mead of that place,
Stringer, of Albany, and two Surgeons, belonging to the U. S.
army. His case was for some time a critical one, and he did not
recover as was anticipated ; but on turning him over, the reason
why he did not was obvious. The wound inflicted by the
scalping knife in the back of the neck, had escaped the observa
tion of his attendants, and the flies getting into it, and depositing
their larva, had rendered it an offensive sore, but on its being pro
perly dresesd, the patient recovered rapidly. At the time Col. Fisher
received his wounds, Nicholas Quackenboss previously mentioned,
happened to be at Albany, purchasing fish and other necessaries,
and on learning that his neighbor was at Schenectada, called, on
his way home, to see him. On enquiring of Fisher how he did,
the latter, placing his hand on his wounded head, replied in Dutch,
" Well, Nicholas, you've had your wish !" The reader must not
suppose, from what took place between Fisher and Quackenboss,
at the two interviews named, that the former at the time of remov
ing his family, was in possession of any intelligence of the enemy
unknown to his neighbors. It was then notorious in the valley
that an invasion was to be apprehended.
Several attempts were made to capture Col. Fisher during the
war, which proved abortive. After he recovered, he gave the
faithful negro* who had treated him so kindly when suffering un
der the wounds of the enemy, a valuable horse. Gov. George
Clinton, as a partial reward for his sufferings and losses in the
war, appointed Col. Fisher a brigadier general ; but refusing to
equip himself, his commission, which was dated February 6,
1787, was succeeded on the 7th of March following, by his ap-
* Tom afterwards lived in Schoharie county, where he was much respect
ed for his industrious habits, and where at a good old age he died. After
his removal to Schoharie, he usually paid Col. Fisher a visit every year,
when he received substantial evidence of that patriot's gratitude.

354 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
pointment of first judge of the Montgomery county common
pleas. After the war was over, a party of Indians on their way to
Albany halted a day or two at Caughnawaga, among whom was
the one who had tomahawked and scalped Col. Fisher, in 1780,
leaving him for dead. This Indian could not credit the fact of
his being still alive, as he said he had himself cut his throat ;
and was desirous of having occular demonstration of his exist
ence, and possibly would have been gratified by the family, but
information having reached the ears of the colonel that his tor
mentor was in the valley, a spirit of revenge fired his breast, and
himself and John Stoner, then living with him, who, in the mur
der of his father, had some reason for not kindly greeting those
sons of the forest; having prepared several loaded guns, the
friends of the family very properly warned the Indian and his fel
lows, not to pass the house withm rifle shot distance ; which hint
was duly taken, and serious consequences thus avoided. Judge
Fisher — a living monument of savage warfare — was an active
and useful citizen ofthe Mohawk valley for many years, and died
of a complaint in the head — caused, as was supposed, by the loss
of his scalp, on the 9th day of June, 1809. His widow, whose
maiden name was Gazena De Graff, died in 1815.
Some years after the Revolution, Judge Fisher, or Visscher, as
it is now written by several of the family, to whom the homestead
reverted on the death of his brothers, erected a substantial brick
dwelling over the ashes of his birth place, where he spent the
evening of his days amid, the associations of youthful pleasure and
manly suffering. This desirable farm residence, a view of which
is shown in the plate opposite, is pleasantly situated on a rise of
ground in the town of Mohawk, several miles east of Fonda,
Montgomery county. It is given the Indian name of the adjoin
ing creek, in the hope of preserving that name. Between the
house and the river, which it fronts, may be seen the Mohawk
turnpike, and the track of the Utica and Schenectada railroad.
The place is now owned and occupied by Mr. De Graff, who mar
ried a grand-daughter of its former patriotic proprietor.

DADEKOSCARA PLACE or J U DC E VI S5CH ER MANSION

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 357
From this digression, let us return to the war-path of the ene
my. They captured three negroes and a wench belonging to the
Fisher family ; burnt Fisher's barn, and in it, as supposed, their
own dead, killed by the brothers ; from whence they proceeded
to the dwelling of Barney Wemple, a little farther up the river —
which was rifled and burnt with the out-buildings attached.
Wemple had sent a slave, before daylight, to catch horses, who,
hearing the firing, and discovering the light of the burning build
ings down the valley, ran to the house and gave the appalling in
telligence that a sleepless foe was near. Thus alarmed, the fami
ly fled, almost naked, into a small swamp, just in time to escape
the tomahawk. Wemple erected a dwelling on the site of his
former one, soon after it was burnt, which shared a similar fate
during Johnson's invasion of the valley the following October.
In their course up the river, the enemy also burnt the out-build
ings of Peter Conyne, the dwelling of John Wemple, and possi
bly one or two others. Arriving at Caughnawaga, the destruc
tion of property was renewed. Douw Fonda, who removed from
Schenectada and settled at that place, about the year 1751, (the
same year in which Harman Fisher settled below,) was an aged
widower, and resided, at the time of which I am writing, with a
few domestics, in a large stone dwelling with wings, which stood
on the flats between the present turnpike and the river, a few rods
east of the road now leading to the bridge. It had beeu the in
tention of the citizens to fortify this dwelling, and it was partially
surrounded by strong pickets. Fonda's three sons, John,* Jelles,
and Adam, also good whigs, were living in the neighborhood.
* At the commencement of hostilities, he had some difficulty with Alexan
der White, sheriff of Tryon county, about their hogs and cattle breaking in
npon each others premises, which resulted in a quarrel, in which White called
Fonda a d — d rebel ; and the latter, provoked to anger, did not scruple to
give his majesty's peace officer a severe caning: the result was, White took
Fonda to the Johnstown jail. The citizens in a mob soon after proceeded to
the jail and liberated Fonda, and attempted to secure the person of the sheriff,
then at the village inn kept by Mattice. Armed with a double-barreled gun,
White fired several times on the assailants from an upper window, and then
secreted himself in a chimney, where he remained while the patriot party,
who had forced an entrance, were in the house. Soon after, sheriff White,

358 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
Jelles Fonda* resided a short distance below the Caughnawaga
church, owning a large dwelling and store, which stood where C.
Hempsted now resides. At the time of this invasion, he was ab
sent on public business. About a week previous, he sent part of
his family and effects in a bateau to Schenectada, to which place
they were accompanied by the wife and children of John Fonda.
The wife of Major Fonda and her son Douw, were at home, how
ever, on that morning. Hearing the firing at Fisher's, and dis
covering the light of the burning buildings below, Mrs. Fonda
and her son fled to the river near, where there was a ferry. Re
maining in the ferry-boat, she sent Douw to get two horses, and
being gone some time, her fears were excited lest he had been
captured. As her apprehensions for her son's safety increased,
she called him repeatedly by name. He returned with the horses
and they began to cross the river, but had hardly reached its cen
tre, when several of the enemy, attracted to the spot by her voice,
arrived on the bank they had left. A volley of balls passed over
the boat without injuring its inmates, and leaving it upon the
south shore, they mounted their horses, and directed their course
towards Schenectada, where they safely arrived in due time.
Adam Fonda, at the time of Johnson's invasion, resided near
the Cayadutta creek, where Douw Fonda now does. Arriving at
Adam Fonda's, the enemy made him a prisoner, and fired his
dwelling. Margaret, (Peggy, as she was called,) the widow of
Barney Wemple, lived near Fonda, and where Mina Wemple now
whose official authority was now at an end, was smuggled from Johnstown
in a large chest by his political friends ; and his wife shortly after followed
his fortunes to Canada. The dwelling vacated by White, was owned at his
death by Sir Wm. Johnson, and stood on the present site of the Montgomery
county court house in Fonda i this dwelling was occupied by John Fonda af
terwards. — Mrs. Evert Yates, daughter of John Fonda.
' Mr. Fonda had seen service in the French war under Sir Wm. Johnson,
had for many years been extensively engaged in merchandising, was a cap
tain and afterwards major of militia in the Revolution ; and was much of that
period in the commissary department. He was a man of wealth, influence
and respectability, and at the beginning of colonial difficulties, had the most
flattering inducements offered him to side with royalty, which he promptly
rejected.

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 359
lives, at which place she then kept a public house. The enemy
making her son, Mina, a prisoner, locked her up in her own
dwelling and set it on fire. From an upper window, she made
the valley echo to her cries of murder and help, which brought
some one to her relief. Her voice arrested the attention of John
Fonda, who sent one of his slaves round the knoll which former
ly stood west of the Fonda Hotel, to learn the cause of alarm ;
but hardly had the slave returned, before the enemy's advance
from both parties was there also, making Fonda a prisoner, and
burning his dwelling.
The eastern party, on arriving at the dwelling of Maj. Fonda,
plundered and set it on fire. There were then few goods in his
store ; but his dwelling contained some rare furniture for that pe
riod, among which was a musical clock, that at certain hours per
formed three several tunes. The Indians would have saved this
house for the great respect they had for its owner, but their more
than savage allies, the tories, insisted on its destruction. As the
devouring element was consuming the dwelling, the clock began
to perform, and the Indians, in numbers, gathered round in mute
astonishment, to listen to its melody. They supposed it the voice
of a spirit, which they may have thought was pleased with them
for the manner in which they were serving tyranny. Of the
plunder made at this dwelling, was a large circular mirror, which
a citizen in concealment saw, first in the hands of a squaw, but
it being a source of envy it soon passed into the hands of a stout
Indian — not however without a severe struggle on her part. The
Indians were extravagantly fond of mirrors, and it is not unlikely
this costly one was broken in pieces and divided between them.
Among the furniture destroyed in the house, was a marble table
on which stood the statue of an Indian, whose head rested on a
pivot, which, from the slightest motion was continually —
"Niding, nodding, and nid, nid nodding."
Neither the parsonage, which stood a little north of the present
one, or the church at Caughnawaga, were harmed. Dr. Romeyn,
then its pastor, was from home. Mrs. Romeyn, as she was flee-
24

360 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
ing up the hill north of her house with her family, carrying two
children, was seen by the Indians who laughed heartily at the
ludicrous figure she presented, without offering to molest her, un
less possibly by an extra whoop.
When the alarm first reached the family of Douw Fonda, Pene
lope Grant, a Scotch girl living with him, to whom the old gen
tleman was much attached, urged him to accompany her to the
hill whither the Romeyn family were fleeing ; but the old patriot
had become childish, and seizing his gun he exclaimed — " Pene
lope, do you stay here with me — I will fight for you to the last
drop of blood !" Finding persuasion of no avail, she left him to
his fate, which was indeed a lamentable one ; for soon the enemy
arrived, and he was led out by a Mohawk Indian, known as One
Armed Peter (he having lost an arm) toward the bank of the
river, where he was tomahawked and scalped. As he was led
from the house, he was observed by John Hansen, a prisoner, to
have some kind of a book and a cane in his hand. His murderer
had often partaken of his hospitality, having lived for many years
in his neighborhood. When afterwards reproved for this murder,
he replied that as it was the intention of the enemy to kill him,
he thought he might as well get the bounty for his scalp as any
one else ! Mr. Fonda had long been a warm personal friend of
Sir William Johnson, and it is said that Sir John much regretted
his death, and censured the murderer. This Indian, Peter, was
the murderer of Capt. Hansen, on the same morning. With the
plunder made at Douw Fonda's were four male slaves and one
female, who were all taken to Canada. Several other slaves
were of the plunder made in the neighborhood, and doubtless be
came incorporated with the Canada Indians*
An incident of no little interest is related by an eye witness
from the hill, as having occurred in this vicinity on the morning
* The preceding facts relating to this invasion were obtained from Daniel
Visscher and John Fisher, sons of Col. Fr. Fisher ; Mrs. Margaret Putman,
a sister of Col. Fisher; Angelica, daughter of Capt. Henry Hansen, and
widow of John Fonda ; Catharine, daughter of John Fonda, late the wife of
Evert Yates ; Peter, a son of Cornelius Putman; Volkert Voorhees ; Cornelius,
ton of Barney Wemple ; David, son of Mam Zielie ; and John S. Quackenboss.

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 361
of this invasion. A little distance in advance of the enemy, a man
was seen in a wagon which contained several barrels, urging his
horses forward. Despairing of making his escape with the wa
gon, he abandoned it, and mounting one of his horses he drove to
the river, into which they plunged and swam across with him in
safety. On reaching the wagon, the barrels were soon found to
contain rum, which had been destined to one of the frontier forts.
Knocking in the head of a cask, the Indians were beginning fo
drink and gather round with shouts of merriment, when a British
officer dressed in green came up, and with a tomahawk hacked
the barrels in pieces, causing the liquor to run upon the ground,
to the mortification of his tawny associates, who dispersed with
evident displeasure. — Mrs. Penelope Forbes. Her maiden name
was Grant.
The enemy, led by Col. Johnson in person, on their way to
Caughnawaga, plundered and burned the dwellings of James Da
vis, one Van Brochlin and Sampson Sammons. — Mrs. John Fon
da. Sammons with his sons, Jacob, Frederick and Thomas, were
captured, but himself and youngest son, Thomas, were set at lib
erty : the other two were carried to Canada. For an account of
their sufferings, see Life of Brant.
Cornelius Smith, who lived two miles west of Major Fonda, on
the morning of Johnson's invasion, was going to mill,* and called
just after daylight at Johannes Veeder's. The latter was then at
Schenectada, but his son, Simon, (afterwards a judge of Mont
gomery county,) who resided with him, was at home, and had
arisen. On his way to Veeder's, Smith had discovered the smoke
of the Sammons dwelling, but being unable to account for it,
continued his journey, and was captured just below. Mr. Veeder,
who had accompanied Smith toward the road from hearing the dis
charge of musketry down the valley, soon after his neighbor was
out of sight, beheld to his surprise a party of Indians approach
ing him from that direction ; upon which he ran to his house,
* A small grist mill, which stood near the present site of the district school
house in Fonda. This mill was inclosed by palisades in the latter part of
the war, to serve the purposes of a fort.

362 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
(which stood a little distance above the present village of Fonda,
where a namesake now resides,) pursued by them. He alarmed
his family, which consisted of Gilbert Van Deusen, Henry Vroo
man, a lame man, and James Terwilleger, a German ; and seve
ral women and slaves. The three men snatched each a gun and
fled from a back door, Vrooman with his boots in his hand ; and
as Veeder, minus a hat, was following them with a gun in each
hand, the enemy opened the front door. They leveled their guns
but did not fire, supposing, possibly, that he would be intimidated
and surrender himself a prisoner. As Veeder left the house, the
women fled down cellar for safety. The fugitives had to pass a
board fence a few rods from the house, and as Veeder was leaping
it, several of the enemy fired on him, three of their balls passing
through the board beneath him. One of his comrades drew up
to return the fire, but Veeder, fearing it might endanger the safe
ty of the women, would not permit him to. The house was then
plundered, and after removing the women from the cellar, an act,
I suppose, of an Indian acquaintance, the house was fired, and
with it several out buildings. The dwellings of Abraham Veeder,
Col. Volkert Veeder, that of Smith already named, and those of
two of the Vroomans, situated above, also shared a similar fate,
and became a heap of ruins. — Volkert, a son of Simon Veeder.
At this period, George Eacker resided where Jacob F. Dock
stader now does, just below the Nose. Having discovered the
fire of the burning buildings down the valley, he sent his family
into the woods on the adjoining mountain, but remained himself
to secure some of his effects. While thus busily engaged, several
of the enemy arrived and made him prisoner. As they began to
plunder his house, they sent him into the cellar to procure them
food. On entering it, he discovered an outside door ajar ; passing
which, he fled for the woods. As they thought his stay protract
ed, the Indians entered the cellar, and had the mortification to see
their late prisoner climbing the hill, beyond the reach of their
guns. Finding his family, he led them to a place of greater se
curity in the forest, where they remained until the present danger
was past, and their buildings reduced to ashes. — David Eacker,
first judge of Montgomery county at his death.

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 363
The enemy proceeded at this time as far west as the Nose, de
stroying a new dwelling, ashery, &c, just then erected by Major
Jelles Fonda. — Mrs. John Fonda.
When Sir John Johnson removed from Johnstown to Canada,
a faithful slave owned by him, buried, after he had left, his most
valuable papers and a large quantity of silver coin, in an iron
chest, in the garden, at Johnson Hall. Among the confiscated
property of Sir John sold at auction, was this very slave. He
was bought by Col. Volkert Veeder, and no persuasion could in
duce him to reveal any secrets of his former master. This slave
was recovered by Johnson on the morning of his invasion ; and
returning to the Hall with his first owner, he disinterred the iron
chest, and the contents were obtained. Some of the papers, from
having been several years in the ground, were almost destroyed.
This slave, although well treated by Col. Veeder, was glad of an
opportunity to join Col. Johnson, (who had made him a confidant,)
and accompany him to Canada. — Mrs. Fonda.
Several boys were captured along the river, who were liberat
ed at Johnson Hall, and returned home, among whom were James
Romeyn, and Mina Wemple. The latter, hearing the proposi
tion made by Sir John, to allow the boys to return, who was
rather larger than any of the others, stepped in among them say
ing, me too ! me too ! and was finally permitted to accompany
them off; and returned to the ashes of her inn, to console his
mother. Thomas Sammons, Abraham Veeder, and John Fonda,
(and possibly some others) were also permitted, on certain condi
tions, to return home ; the latter, and his brother Adam, casting
lots to see which should be retained a prisoner. The captives thus
liberated, were given a pass, by Col. Johnson, lest they might
meet some of the enemy, and be retaken. They had not proceeded
far when Veeder, (who was a brother of Col. Volkert Veeder,)
halted, to read his pass. " Well," said his companion, Fonda, in
Low Dutch, "you may stop here to read your pass, if you choose,
but I prefer reading mine when out of danger of them red devils
of Sir John's." — Evert Yates.
Colonels Harper and Volkert Veeder, collected, as speedily as

364 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, ETC.
possible, the scattered militia of Tryon county, to pursue the inva
ders, but being too weak successfully to give them battle, they
were permitted, almost unmolested, to escape with their booty to
Canada. John J. Hanson, captured at Tribes' Hill, after journey
ing with the enemy two days, effected his escape, and arrived
half-starved, at the dwelling of a German, living back of Stone
Arabia, who supplied him with food, and he reached Fort Hunter
in safety. — Mrs. Evert Yates.

( 365 )

CHAPTER XII.
The following facts were obtained in 1837, from Henry Hynds,
a son of William Hynds, who was one of the few whigs living in
New Dorlach, in the Revolution. On the evening of July 4th,
1780, a party of the enemy, consisting of seven Indians, a squaw,
and one white man, Capt. Adam Crysler, arrived in the settle
ment and put up, as was afterwards learned, at the house of Mi
chael Merckley. The ostensible object of their visit was, to cap
ture Bastian France, as a son of the latter informed the author ;
but as he chanced to be from home, at the suggestion of the
Merckley family, they concluded to seize upon some other whigs
in the vicinity. As there was but Httle intercourse among distant
neighbors in that busy season of the year, and William Hynds was
living in quite a retired place, it was suggested to Crysler, that if
this family was carried into captivity, and the house not burned,
they might be gone a week, and no one else know of their ab
sence. The suggestion was received with favor, and the next day,
as the family of Hynds were at dinner, they were surprised, and
taken prisoners. As the captors approached the dwelling, they
fired a gun in at an open door, to imtimidate the family ; and en
tering secured Mr. Hynds, his wife, daughters Catharine, and Ma
ry, who were older than my informant, and four children, younger,
Elizabeth, William, Lana, and an infant. The Indians then plun
dered the house of whatever they desired to take along. Henry
was compelled to catch four horses belonging to his father, obedi
ence to which command several of the party stood with ready ri
fles to enforce, and prevent his escape. Upon the backs of three
horses was placed the plunder made in the dwelling ; and upon
the fourth, on a man's saddle, Mrs. Hynds, with several of her
youngest children, was permitted to ride. The party moved for-

366 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
ward about 2 o'clock, and traveled that afternoon to Lake Utsay-
antho, and encamped near the Champion place, seven miles dis
tant from the dwelling of Hynds. The second night they en
camped in an orchard near Collier's. Among the plunder taken
from the dwelling of Hynds, was a quantity of ham and pork,
which the Indians ate ; giving the prisoners flour, which they
made into pudding.
Mr. Hynds was bound nights, and a rope laid across his body,
each end of which was tied to an Indian. The party were three
weeks going to Niagara ; and killed on the route one deer, sev
eral muskrats, otters, &c, which served for food. In lieu of salt,
they used ashes, and the family continued well until they reached
Niagara. The large children went barefooted nearly all the way
to Canada. Soon after they started, the squaw took from Henry,
his shoes, which, as she could not wear them, she threw away.
While journeying, they built fires nights, around which they slept
upon the ground. Soup was their usual supper. On passing
Indian villages, the prisoners were much abused by squaws and
children ; and on one occasion, Mr. Hynds was knocked down by
a blow upon the head with an empty bottle. '
Soon after their arrival at Niagara, Mr. Hynds and all his fa
mily, except Henry, took the fever and ague, of which William,
a promising lad, died. The prisoners were at Niagara when the
troops under Sir John Johnson, destined to ravish the Schoharie
and Mohawk valleys, set out on their journey. The tories from
Schoharie and New Dorlach, who accompanied the army, often
boasted to the prisoners, that Albany would soon be taken by the
British, when themselves were to possess certain choice sections
of the Schoharie flats. Mary, then fourteen or fifteen years of age,
was separated from the rest of the family at Niagara, and taken to
supply a vacancy in an Indian family, occasioned by the death of
one of its members. Some time in the fall, the prisoners were re
moved to Buck's Island, where Elizabeth, the child next older
than William, also died. From the Island, they were removed to
Montreal, where Lana, the youngest child but one, died. Mrs.
Hynds, whose constitution was undermined by the accumulating

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 367
load of her mental and bodily sufferings, with her infant child
soon after followed her other three children to the grave ; reduc
ing the family from nine to four. In the winter following his
capture, Henry had a severe attack of fever and ague, and was
removed from the guard-house to the hospital ; where he was
properly treated and soon recovered.
About two years and a half after their capture, Mr. Hynds, his
son Henry, and daughter Catharine, with nearly three hundred
other prisoners, returned home by the usual route down the Hud
son river. Mary was detained nearly three years longer in Ca
nada, but finally returned home. As was surmised, the whigs of
New Dorlach knew nothing of the capture of Mr. Hynds and his
family until they had been gone three or four days.
The greater part of the month of July, 1780, Seth's Henry,
and a few other Indians, were secreted about the Schoharie set
tlements, in the hope of killing or surprising some of the princi
pal settlers, as he stated after the war.
One dark night, this Indian, says Josias E. Vrooman, visited the
upper fort, in the hope of surprising a sentinel. He commenced
climbing up at one of the sentry-boxes, with a spear in his hand,
but before he was within reach of the sentinel, who chanced on
that night to be Frederick Quant, the latter heard his approach,
and gave the usual challenge. The Indian then dropped down
upon the ground, and threw himself under one of the farm wag
gons which usually clustered around the outside of the pickets. A
ball from the rifle of Quant, fired in the direction he ran, entered
a waggon near his head, but the Indian made his escape.
For the following particulars the author is indebted to the ma
nuscript of Judge Hager, to Col. J. W. Bouck, and the memory of
Dick, a former slave belonging to the Bouck family.
About the 25th of July, William Bouck, an elderly man, the
one mentioned as the first white male child born in Schoharie,
went from the upper fort tq his dwelling, situated where Wilhel^-
mus Bouck now resides, (nearly two miles distant from said fort,)
to secure his crops, taking with him a girl named Nancy Latti
more, a female slave, and her three children, two sons and a daugh-

368 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
ter. As the family were making preparations in the evening to
retire to rest, Seth's Henry and three other Indians entered the
house and captured them, securing the little plunder it chanced to
contain. The leader was disappointed in not finding either of Mr.
Bouck's three sons at home.
Dick Bouck, the youngest of the slaves, as the enemy entered
the house, sprang behind a door which stood open, and escaped
their notice. The other prisoners were taken out, and as they
were about to start on their journey, Master Dick, afraid of being
left alone in the dark, made some noise on purpose to attract their
attention, and one of the Indians re-entered the house and " hus
tled him out." Speaking of his capture, Dick said, " I made a
noise, like a tam fool, and de Ingens took me dar prisoner." The
party then set forward, and the captor of Dick (then eight years
old) took him upon his back, and carried him as far as the resi
dence of the late Gen. Patchin, a distance of seven or eight miles,
where they encamped. The enemy expected to be pursued the
following day, when it would undoubtedly become known that
Mr. Bouck had been captured, and before daylight the march was
resumed. After sunrise, Dick had to travel on foot with the other
prisoners ; and on the following night encamped at Harpersfield.
At this place lived a Scotch tory, named Hugh Rose, who made
jonny-cake for the Indians, which the latter shared with their pri
soners. " Dis, said Dick, " was de fus food de gabe us fore we
lef home." While on their way from the Patchin place to Har
persfield, the party, for obvious reasons, avoided the beaten road,
but Dick, who said " de bushes hurt him pare feet," embraced re
peated opportunities to steal into it, and sometimes traveled seve
ral rods in it, before his violation of their commands was ob
served. He often was cunning enough to leave the road just in
time to avoid detection, but repeatedly he was caught in "the for
bidden path," when he was put upon a new trail, with a threat or
a slap. Rose furnished provisions for the enemy to subsist on a
part of the way to Canada, and they left his house about 8 o'clock
the next morning.

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 369
William Bouck, Jr. was out on a scout from the upper fort at the
time his father's family was captured. The scout consisted of
Bouck, John Haggidorn, Bartholomew C. Vrooman, (the first hus
band of Mrs. Van Slyck before mentioned,) and Bartholomew
Haggidorn. They were sent on the errand which had led so ma
ny scouts in that direction — to anticipate, if possible, any hostile
movement of the enemy. The Indians, with their prisoners, had
been gone but a very short time from the house of Rose, before
the scout named entered it. They enquired of Rose if there were
any Indians in that vicinity. " Yes," he replied, " the woods are
¦full of them." They desired to know in what direction they were
from his house, when, instead of sending them from, he directed
them towards the enemy. The footsteps of the scout arrested the
attention of the Indians, who halted, leveled their rifles, and wait
ed the approach of the former. The Indians were on a rise of
ground, and as Bouck looked up he saw Nancy, waving her bon
net, with fear depicted in her countenance, which signal he right
ly conjectured was intended to warn him of danger, and direct his
flight in another course. He instantly divined the reason of her
being there, and apprising his comrades of their peril, he turned
and fled in an opposite direction. At that instant the Indians
fired, and John Haggidorn was wounded in the hip, and a ball
passed through the cravat of Bouck, which was tied around his
neck. Haggidorn fell, but instantly sprang up and followed his
companions. Had they known that there were but four of the
enemy, they would no doubt have turned upon them and rescued
the prisoners. The scout returned to the house of Rose, and as
Haggidorn was too severely wounded to proceed, he was left by
his friends, who assured the tory that if harm befel their wounded
friend, or he was not well taken care of, his own life should be the
forfeit. As was anticipated, Bouck was missing in the morning, and as
soon as information of the fact reached the fort, Capt. Hager des
patched about twenty men, under the command of Lieutenants
Ephraim Vrooman and Joseph Harper, in pursuit of the captors.
They rightly conjectured the enemy would take the usual route to-

370 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
wards Harpersfield, and after proceeding in uncertainty until they
discovered the track of Dick in the path, which they at once sup
posed left the impression, of his heel, they pushed forward rapidly.
The scout had gone but a few miles towards the fort, when they
fortuately fell in with the pursuing party, and instantly joined it.
After arriving at the place where Haggidorn had been wounded,
they soon struck upon the trail of the enemy, which ascended the
high grounds near. The Indians had gone but a mile or two be
yond where the scout saw them, and halted to rest upon a narrow
plain near the top of the mountain, where three of them remain
ed with the prisoners, while Seth's Henry ascended to the summit,
which afforded a most extended prospect, to reconnoitre. The In
dians left with the prisoners, feeling themselves secure, had laid
down their packs, and were in the act of mending their mocasons,
as the Americans were cautiously winding their way up the ac
clivity. Seth's Henry, from his elevated position, completely overlooked
his approaching foes, and feeling satisfied that they were now
safe, he had just returned to his companions and told them they
were out of danger from pursuit, as the Americans gained a view
of them within rifle-shot distance. The lives of the prisoners
being endangered, several of whom were nearest the Americans,
prevented the instant discharge of a volley of balls, but as Leek
had a fair aim upon an Indian, he snapped and his rifle unfortu
nately missed fire. Hearing the click of this lock, the Indians
instantly sprang to their feet, seized their weapons, and leaving
their prisoners and packs, giving a whoop and exclaiming Yan
kees, fled barefooted down the mountain in an opposite direction.
The prisoners were then unbound, grateful for so unexpected a
deliverance, and the party descended the hill, and proceeded to
the dwelling of Rose. A kind of litter was there prepared, on
which Haggidorn was carried by his friends to the fort, where,
under proper treatment, he recovered.
If Seth's Henry, was foiled in taking Mr. Bouck and his family
to Canada, it did not discourage him from making other attempts
to surprise some of the Schoharie citizens. Familiar as he was

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 371
with every hill, dale, ravine, and cluster of shrubbery along the
river, he was enabled often to approach the very dwellings of the
settlers, without being observed.
He told Mrs. Van Slyck, after the war, that en Tuesday, one
week before the destruction of Vrooman's Land, and about a week
-after his capture of William Bouck, himself and two other In
dians, one of whom was called William, his sister's son, lay con
cealed near a spring, in an angle of a fence, by the thick shade of
a sassafras tree, not far from her father's dwelling, when she with
a pail went to the spring for water — that William wanted to shoot
her, but he would not let him.
Mrs. Van Slyck stated, that on the day referred to, her father,
Samuel Vrooman, was at work, with several others, in a field of
grain not far from his house, where a small party of riflemen from
the fort were in attendance to guard them ; and that she was at
home alone to prepare their dinner. When she had it about
ready, she went with a pail to the spring mentioned for water.
As she approached it she saw the mocasoned track of an In
dian, which she at once recognized as such, but recently made
in the soft earth near it. In an instant she was seized with the
most lively apprehension ; and the first thought — as she felt her
hair move on her head — was, that she would turn and run ; but
this would betray to the enemy her knowledge of their supposed
proximity; whereas, if she did not pretend to notice the track, if
her scalp was not what the foe sought, she would doubtless es
cape. She therefore walked boldly up to the spring, dipped her
pail, with little caution about roiling the water, and walked back
to the house. She expected, at every step, to hear the crack of
a rifle discharged at herself, and passing several stumps on the
way, this, and this, thought she, will shield me for the moment.
On arriving at the house, she set down her pail, and ran to the
field (leaving several gates open) to tell her friends what she had
seen at the spring. The soldiers visited it and saw the Indian
foot-marks, but the makers, observing their approach, had fled.
Seth's Henry pretended, after the war,athat nothing but his
friendship for her saved informant's life at the spring, but the fear

372 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
of pursuit from the riflemen near, was, perhaps, the real cause of
her escape. William, who leveled his rifle at her, and was pre
vented firing by the caution of his leader, had, for many years,
held a grudge against her. Being often at her father's house be
fore the war, she one day accused him of stealing geese eggs,
which he resented, although perhaps guilty, drew his knife and,
struck a blow at her, the blade of which entered the right thigh,
leaving an indellible evidence of his resentment.
The same day that those Indians were concealed at Vrooman's
spring, they were discovered elsewhere by some person in the
settlement. Seth's Henry told Mrs. Van Slyck, that the night
^preceding his visit to the spring, he, with his companions, had
entered the kitchen of Ephraim Vrooman's dwelling, and finding
a kettle of supawn, made use of it for their suppers. Two Ger
mans lodged in the house that night ; a fact unknown to the In
dians, as was to the former the nocturnal visit of the latter. Af
ter procuring food at this house, they went to the barn of Samuel
Vrooman, where they tarried over night. Thus were an armed
and savage foe often prowling about the very dwellings of the
frontier settlers of New York, without their knowledge.
Seth's Henry, at his interview, also stated to Mrs. Van Slyck,
that some time in the summer of 1780, seven Indians (of which
number, was the Schoharie Indian, William,) went into the vici
nity of Catskill to capture prisoners. That they visited a small
settlement where the whites were from home, and soon succeeded
in capturing seven lusty negroes. The latter generally went so
willingly into captivity that they were seldom bound in the day
time. After traveling some distance, the party halted upon the
bank of a spring to rest : when the Indians, leaving their guns
behind them, descended to drink. The favorable moment was
seized by the prisoners to liberate themselves, and snatching up
the guns, they fired upon their captors, four of whom were killed :
the other three fled, and William was the only one who recovered
his trusty rifle. The negroes, with the six guns, returned home
in due time, without further molestation.
Capt. Richtmyer, who resided near the Middle fort, was told

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 373
by Joseph Ecker, (a tory who returned to Schoharie after the
war,) that on a certain day, four tories, a Shafer, a Winne, a Mil
ler, and another person he would not name, (supposed by Captain
R. to have been Ecker himself,) were secreted all day near his
meadow, not far from the present site of the county poor house,
in the hope of making him their prisoner. The grass was cut,
and they expected the captain would be there to cure it, but for
tunately Col. Zielie ordered him to superintend the making of
cartridges at the fort, and next day several soldiers were sent
from the fort to guard the workmen. Thus was the design of the
enemy frustrated. Four places of concealment were made and
occupied by the tories near the field, by setting up green twigs,
which were afterwards noticed by the citizens. — George, a son of
Capt. Richtmyer.
On the second and third days of August, 1780, the settlements
in and around Canajoharie were laid waste by a body of Indians
under Brant. Sixteen of the inhabitants were killed, between
fifty and sixty made prisoners ; over one hundred buildings burnt,
and a large amount of property destroyed. This happened at a
time when the Tryon county militia were mostly drawn off to Fort
Schuyler. See letter of Col. Clyde to Gov. George Clinton, da
ted, " Canajoharie, August 6th, 1780 ;" first published in the An
nals of Tryon County.
At this time a party of the enemy appeared in the vicinity of
Fort Dayton. Two Indians had the temerity to approach a barn,
in which two men were threshing, on whom they fired. The flail-
stick in the hands of one was nearly severed by a bullet, but the
young farmers escaped to the fort. It was well garrisoned, and
a party of Americans being then mounted, pursued and killed •
both the Indians. The enemy succeeded, however, in capturing
the wife of Jacob Shoemaker, and her son, a lad some ten years
old, who were in a field picking green peas. On their arrival in
Canada, Sir John Johnson, paid seven dollars to ransom the
mother, who, leaving her son in captivity, arrived at Albany some
time after, from whence she was carried to Schenectada in a
wagon, by Isaac Covenhoven, and from thence she accompanied

374 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
one Walradt, a former neighbor to Herkimer. — Isaac Covenhoven,
who was at Fort Dayton during the invasion.
It is probable the Schoharie settlers had been notified of the
misfortunes of their friends in the Mohawk Valley, and were anx
ious to guard against surprise. The Schoharie forts were feebly
garrisoned at the time, but small parties of soldiers were constantly
engaged during the day, to guard the more exposed inhabitants
while harvesting an unusual growth of wheat.
Early on the morning of the 9th of the same month, a scout,
consisting of Coonradt Winne, Leek, and Hoever, was sent by
Capt Hager, from the Upper fort to reconnoitre in the western
part of the present town of Fulton. The scout was instructed to
return immediately to the fort without firing, if they saw any of
the enemy, and were not themselves discovered. In that part of
Fulton, now called Byrnville, or Sap Bush Hollow, some five or
six miles distant from the Upper fort ; the scout seated themselves
upon a fallen tree, near the present residence of Edwin M. Dexter,
to eat their breakfast ; and while eating, a white man, painted as
an Indian, made his appearance within some fifty yards of them.
Stooping down as nature prompted, he became so good a mark,
that Leek, who was a dead shot, not seeing any one else, could
not resist the temptation to fire, and levelling his rifle, the tory was
instantly weltering in his gore. As surgical instruments were af
terwards found upon his person, he was supposed to have been a
surgeon, in the employ of Brant. A small stream of water near,
which took its name from the killing of this man, whose carcase
rotted by it, has been called Dead Man's creek, ever since.
Leek had not had time to reload his piece, before the enemy
appeared in sight. The scout fled, hotly pursued by a party of In
dians, who passed their dying comrade without halting. Hoever
had to drop his knapsack, containing some valuable articles, to
outrun his pursuers, which he afterwards recovered, the enemy
supposing it contained nothing more than a soldier's luncheon.
They were so closely followed that they were separated, Leek fly
ing towards the fort, while Hoever and Winne were driven into
the woods, in an opposite direction. The two latter afterwards

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 375
saw, from a place of concealment near the Schoharie, in the pre
sent town of Blenheim, their foes pass up the river with their pri
soners and plunder. Leek reached the fort in safety, after a race
of nine or ten miles, but not enough in advance of his pursuers, to
have a seasonable alarm given to warn the citizens of impending
danger. The single discharge of a cannon was the usual signal ;
if the discharge was repeated, it was considered hazardous to ap
proach the fort, while a third successive discharge served to as
sure the citizen that he could not possibly reach the fort, without
encountering the enemy.
The invaders, consisting of seventy-three Indians, almost naked,
and five tories — Benjamin Beacraft, Frederick Sager, Walter Al-
let, one Thompson, and a mulatto, commanded by Capt. Brant,
approached Vrooman's Land in the vicinity of the Upper fort,
about ten o'clock in the morning. They entered the valley on
the west side of the river, above the Onistagrawa in three places;
one party coming down from the mountain near the present resi
dence of Charles Watson : another near that of Jacob Haines,
then the residence of Capt. Tunis Vrooman ; and the third near the
dwelling of Harmanus Vrooman, at that time the residence of Col.
Peter Vrooman, who chanced to be with his family, in the Mid
dle fort.
Capt. Hager, had gone on the morning of that day, to his farm,
attended by a small guard, to draw in some hay nearly seven
miles distant from the Upper fort, the command of which then de
volved on Tunis Vrooman, captain of the associate exempts. Al
though the citizens of Schoharie had huts at the several forts
where they usually lodged nights, and where their clothing and
most valuable effects were kept during the summer, the female
part of many families were in the daily habit of visiting their
dwellings to do certain kinds of work, while their husbands were
engaged in securing their crops. On the morning of the day in
question, Capt. Vrooman also returned home to secure wheat, ac
companied by his family, his wife to do her week's washing.
The command of the garrison next belonged to Ephraim Vroo
man, a lieutenant under Capt. Hager, but as he went to his farm-
25

376 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
soon after Capt. Vrooman left, it finally devolved on Lieut. Wil
liam Harper, who had not a dozen men with him in the fort. The
wife of Lieut. Vrooman also returned home to do her washing.*
Capt. Vrooman, who had drawn one load of wheat to a bar
rack before breakfast, arose on that morning with a presentiment
that some disastrous event was about to happen, which he could
not drive from his mind ; and he expressed his forebodings at the
breakfast-table. Four rifle-men called at his house in the morn
ing and took breakfast with him, but returned to the fort soon af
ter, to attend the roll-call. Capt. Vrooman's family consisted of
himself, wife, four sons, John, Barney, Tunis and Peter, and two
slaves, a male and female. After breakfast, Capt. Vrooman and
his sons drew another load of wheat to the barrack : and while it
was unloading, he stopped repeatedly to look out towards the sur
rounding hills. The grain had not all been pitched from the wag
on, before his worst fears were realized, and he beheld descend
ing upon the flats near, a party of hostile savages. He descend
ed from the barrack, not far from which he was tomahawked,
scalped, and had his throat, cut by a Schoharie Indian named John :
who stood upon his shoulders while tearing off his scalp.
Many of the old Dutch dwellings in Schoharie (the outside
doors of Which were usually made in two parts, so that the lower
half of the passage could be closed while the upper remained
open,) had a kitchen detached from them : and such was that of
Capt. Vrooman. His wife was washing in a narrow passage be
tween the buildings, where she was surprised and stricken down.
After the first blow from a tomahawk, she remained standing, but
a second blow laid her dead at the feet of an Indian, who also
stalped her. The house was then plundered and set on fire, as
was the barn, barracks of grain, hay, &c; and the three oldest
boys, with the blacks, made captives. Peter, who fled on the
first alarm and concealed himself in some bushes, would probably
have escaped the notice of the enemy, had not one of the blacks
• Mrs. Vrooman said to her friends as she left the fort, " This is the last
morning I intend to go lo my house to work." Her words were truly pro.
phetic — Andrew Loucks.

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 377
made known his place of concealment : he was then captured
and taken along a short distance, but crying to return, he ran to
a fence, to which he was pursued by the tory Beacraft, who caught
him, and placing his legs between his own, bent him back and
cut his throat ; after which, he scalped and hung him across the
fence.* Vrooman's horses were unharnessed and civen to the
boys to hold, as were several more, while the Indians were plun
dering, killing cattle and other animals, and burning buildings.
While the Indians were shooting hogs in the pen, a ball went
through it and lodged in the calf of John's leg; which instantly
brought him to the ground : the horses then ran towards the river,
and two of them were not recaptured.
The party which entered the valley at the dwelling of Colonel
Vrooman, were led by Brant in person, who hoped to surprise a
rebel colonel; but the services of that brave man were to be
spared to his country. His family were also at the Middle fort.f
From the dwelling of Col. Vrooman, which was a good brick
tenement, and to which was applied the torch of destruction,
Seth's Henry (with whom the reader has some acquaintance,) led
several of the enemy to the dwelling of Lieut. Vrooman ; which
stood where Peter Kneiskern now lives. His family consisted of
himself, wife Christina, sons Bartholomew and Josias E., and
* Of the murder of this Vrooman boy, Beacraft took occasion repeatedly
to boast, in the presence of the prisoners, while on his way to Canada ; as
also he did on several subsequent occasions : and yet he had the impudence
to return, after the war closed, to Schoharie. His visit becoming known, <i
parly of about a dozen whigs one evening surrounded the house he was in,
near where the bridge in Blenhein now stands, and leading him from it into
a grove near, they stripped and bound him to a sapling ; and then inflicted
fifty lashes, with hickory gads, upon his bare back, telling him, at intervals
of every ten, for what particular offence they were given. He was then un
bound, and given his life on condition that he would instantly leave that val
ley, and never more pollute its soil with his presence. He expressed his
gratitude that his life was spared, left the settlement and was never afterwards
heard from by the citizens of Schoharie. — Captivity of Patchin, corroborated.
fFrom what has appeared in several publications,, a belief has gone
abroad that Col. Vrooman was a cowardly, weak man. The impression is
very erroneous, he was far otherwise, as the author has had indubitable ar.d
repeated evidence.

378 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
daughters Janett (four years old,) and Christina, (an infant,) two
Germans, Creshiboom and Hoffman, (captured at Burgoyne's sur
render,) and several slaves : the latter, however, were at work
near the river and escaped. On hearing the alarm, Vrooman ran
to his house, caught up his infant child and fled into the corn-field,
between his dwelling and the Onistagrawa, followed by his wife
leading her little daughter ; said to have had long and beautiful
hair for a child. He seated himself against the trunk of a large
apple tree, and his wife was concealed a few rods from him in
the thrifty corn. The road is now laid between the orchard and
mountain, but at the period of which I speak, it passed over the
flats east of the dwelling. His family would, no doubt, have re
mained undiscovered, had Mrs. Vrooman continued silent; but
not knowing where her husband was, and becoming alarmed, she
rose up and called to him in Low Dutch — " Ephraim, Ephraim,
where are you : have you got the child 1" The words were
scarcely uttered, when a bullet from the rifle of Seth's Henry
pierced her body. When struggling upon the ground, he ad
dressed her in the Dutch tongue, as follows : " Now say — what
these Indian dogs do here ?"* He then tomahawked and scalped
her. While Seth's Henry was killing and scalping Mrs. Vrooman,
the tory Beacraft killed her little daughter with a stone, and drew
off her scalp : in the mean time a powerful Indian directed by her
call to her husband's place of concealment, approached him and
thrust a spear at his body, which he parried, and the infant in his
arms smiled. Another pass was made, was parried, and the child
again smiled. At the third blow of the spear, which was also
warded off, the little innocent, then only five months old, laughed
aloud at the supposed sport ; which awakened the sympathy of
• This Indian had held a grudge against Mrs. Vrooman for many years.
She was a Swart before marriage ; al which time, and just after the ceremo-
ny was performed, she entered the kitchen of her father's dwelling, and see
ing several young Indians there, she imprudently asked a bystander, in
Dutch, what do these Hdian dogs do here f He remembered the expression
and bis resentment led him directly to her residence, to revenge the insult. 
Mt$. Van Slyck.

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 379
the savage, and he made Vrooman a prisoner. His sons and the
Germans named, were also captured.

WmkAA

THE ONISTAGRAWA AND SCENE BENEATH IT.
Upon the top of this mountain (called by some Vrooman's Nose) which af
forded a fine prospect of the valley, the enemy were often secreted to watch
for exposed citizens.
John Vrooman, who dwelt where Bartholomew Vrooman now
lives, was captured, as were his wife and children. His house
was set on fire but put out. Adam A. Vrooman, who lived where
Josias Vrooman now does, fled to the upper fort, three-fourths of
a mile distant, after being twiee fired upon by the enemy. He
had a pistol, and when the Indians gained upon him he presented
it and they would fall back, but renewed the chase when he set
forward. He was pursued until protected by the fort. On his
arrival he was asked how he had escaped : his answer was, " I
pulled foot." From that day to his death he was called Pull
Foot Vrooman. His wife was made a prisoner.

380 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
Simon Vrooman, who resided where Adam P. Vrooman now
does, was taken prisoner, as were his wife and son Jacob, a boy
three years old. John Daly, aged over sixty, Thomas Meriness,
and James Turner, young men, Abbey Eliza Stowits, a girl of
seventeen summers, the wife of Philip Hoever, the widow of Cor
nelius Vrooman, and several slaves not mentioned, were also cap
tured in Vrooman's Land, making the number of prisoners, in all,
about thirty. The five persons mentioned, were all that were
killed at this time. Brant might easily have taken the Upper fort,
had he known how feebly it was garrisoned.
Abraham Vrooman, who happened to be in Vrooman's Land
with his wagon, on which was a hay-rack, when the alarm was
given, drove down through the valley and picked up several of
the citizens. On arriving at the residence of Judge Swart, who
lived in the lower end of the settlement, he reined up and called
to Swarfs wife, then at an oven a little distance from the house —
" Cornelia, jump into my wagon, the Indians- are upon us !" She
ran into the house, snatched up her infant child* from the cradle,
returned, and with her husband bounded into the wagon, which
started forward just before the enemy, tomahawk in hand, reached
their dwelling. Vrooman had a powerful team, and did not stop
to open the gates which then obstructed the highway, but drove
directly against them, forcing them open. Passing under an ap
ple tree, the rack on his wagon struck a limb, which sent it back
against his head, causing the blood to flow freely. He drove to
the Middle fort, which was also feebly garrisoned.
The destructives burnt at this place nine dwellings and the fur
niture they contained, with their barns and barracks, which were
mostly filled with an abundant harvest. Ninety good horses were
also driven, with their owners, into captivity. Large slices of meat
were cut from the carcases of the cattle and hogs, strewed along
the valley, and hung across the backs of some of the horses, to
serve as provisions for the party on their way to Canada. Among
• The child thus seasonably rescued, is now the wife of David Swart, of
Shelby, Orleans county, New York.

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 381
the plunder was a noble stud-horse, belonging to Judge Swart,
and as the Indians were afraid of him, he was given young Tunis
Vrooman to ride, who rode him all the way to Canada. His
having the care of this horse caused the enemy to treat him
kindly : and he was not compelled to run the gantlet.
Before Seth's Henry left the settlement, he placed his war club,
which he believed was known to some of the citizens, in a con
spicuous place and purposely left it. Notched upon it were the
evidences, as traced by the Indians on similar weapons, of thirty-
five scalps and forty prisoners. No very pleasing record, as we
may suppose, for the people of Schoharie, who knew that several
of their own valuable citizens helped to swell the startling, though
no doubt authentic record of the deeds of this crafty warrior.
On the arrival of Leek at the upper fort, after being so hotly
pursued, John Hager, then at work on his father's place, hearing
tlie alarm gun of the. fort, mounted a horee, and rode up and in
formed Capt. Hager that the buildings were on fire in the valley
below. The hay on his wagon, which was unloading in the barn,
was quickly thrown off, and the few inhabitants of that vicinity
were taken into it, driven into the woods, and concealed near Key-
ser's kill. Henry Hager started with the wagon, when a favorite
dog, that began to bark, wras caught by him, and fearing it would
betray the fugitives, he cut its throat with his pocket knife. Af
ter proceeding some distance from his house, having forgotten some
article he intended to have taken with him, he returned and found
it already occupied by the enemy, who made him their prisoner.
He was nearly eighty years old ; and as he was known to the
enemy to be a firm whig — his sons (one a captain) and several of
his grandsons all being in the rebel army — he was treated with
marked severity.
The enemy, on leaving Vrooman's Land, proceeded with their
booty and prisoners directly up the river. A grist-mill, owned by
Adam Crysler, a tory captain, and standing on the Lower Brak
abeen creek, as called in old conveyances, which runs into the
Schoharie near the residence of Benjamin Best, was sacked of the
little flour it chanced to contain, and then set on fire; — the tories,

382 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
with the enemy, declaring that the whigs of Vrooman's Land should
not be longer benefited by said mill. Several fragments of the
mill-stone used in this mill, which was an Esopus conglomerate,
have been recovered from the creek since 1841, and deposited in
the cabinets of geologists. The Indians, on their arrival in that
part of Brakabeen, burned all of Captain Hager's buildings, and
Henry Hager's barn. Henry Mattice and Adam Brown, tories,
accompanied the enemy from Brakabeen of their own accord.
I have said thatthe families of Capt. Hager anduhis father were
concealed at Keyser's kill. The waggon which carried them from
their homes was left in one place, the horses in another, and the
women and children were sheltered beneath a rock in a ravine of
the mountain stream before named. After the women and chil
dren were disposed of, Capt. Hager, taking with him his brother,
Lawrence Bouck, Jacob Thomas, and several others who composed
the guard mentioned, proceeded from Keyser's kill with due cau
tion, to ascertain if the Upper fort had been captured. It was
nearly noon when Brant left the vicinity of that fort, and nearly
night when its commandant and his men reached it. On the fol
lowing day the party concealed near Keyser's kill, were conveyed
to the fort.
The 10th day of August, 1780, was one of sadness and mourn
ing for the citizens of Vrooman's Land, some of whom had lost
near relatives among the slain, and all, among the captives, either
relatives or valued friends; while the destruction of property to
individuals was a loss, especially at that season of the year, when
too late to grow sustenance for their families, to be most keenly
felt and deplored. The burial of the dead took place the day af
ter their massacre, on the farm of John Feeck, near the fort. The
bodies of Capt. Vrooman, his wife and son, were deposited in one
grave, and that of Mrs. Ephraim Vrooman and her daughter, in
another. The remains of the former body presented a most hor
rid appearance. Left by her murderers between the burning build
ings, her flesh was partly consumed, exposing her entrails.
When the dead body of Mrs. Ephraim Vrooman was first dis
covered in the corn-field, it was evident that she had partially re-

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 383
covered, and had vainly endeavored to staunch the flowing blood
from the wound in her breast, first with her cap or some portion
of her dress, and afterwards with earth, having dug quite a hole
in the ground. This woman, as one of her sons assured the wri
ter, had had a presentiment for nearly three years that she was to
be shot. She fancied she felt a cold substance like lead passing
through her body, from the back to the breast, and often the same
sensation returned. She frequently expressed her fears in the fa
mily that she was to be shot, and singular as the coincidence may
appear, when she was shot, the ball passed through her body
where she had so long imagined it would. Nearly three years
before her death, in the month of November, several of their ap
ple trees were observed to be in blossom, which freak of nature
the superstitious also considered an unfavorable omen. After her
death those circumstances were often discussed by her relatives.
The destroyers of Vrooman's Land proceeded on the afternoon
of the same day about fifteen miles, and encamped for the night.
The scalps of the slain were stretched upon hoops, and dried in
the presence of the relative prisoners, the oldest of whom were
all bound nights. As the party were proceeding along the east
shore of the Schoharie, in the afternoon of the first day, after
journeying some six miles, Brant permitted the wife of John Vroo
man, with her own infant, and that taken with Ephraim Vroo
man, to return back to the settlement. The reader may desire to
know the fate of this child, whose infant smiles had saved its
father's life. Its mother being already dead, it was necessarily
weaned, but at too tender an age, and three months after, it sick
ened and died. On the morning after the massacre, the line of
march was again resumed, and when about half way from the
Patchin place to Harpersfield, Brant yielded to the repeated im
portunities of several of his female captives, and perhaps the sea
sonable interference of several tory friends living near, and per
mitted all of them, (except Mrs. Simon Vrooman,) with several
male children — nearly one half the whole number of prisoners —
to return to Schoharie. Brant led the liberated captives aside
nearly half a mile to a place of concealment, where he required

384 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
them to remain until night. The female prisoners, when captured,
were plundered of their bonnets, neckerchiefs, beads, ear-rings,
etc., which articles, of course, they did not recover. Word hav
ing been been sent to Schoharie that those prisoners had been li
berated, Maj. Thomas Ecker, Lieut. Harper, and Schoharie John,
a friendly Indian, who lived at Middleburgh during the war, met
them not far from where Mrs. Vrooman had been left the preced
ing afternoon, with several horses ; and placing three persons on
a horse, they conveyed them to the Upper fort, where they arrived
just at dusk.
On the evening of the second day, the journeying party reach
ed the Susquehanna. The prisoners were obliged' to travel on
foot, with the exception of Mrs. Vrooman, and the lad, Tunis
Vrooman. The provisions on the journey were fresh meat after
the first day, as they obtained but little flour, which was boiled
into a pudding the first night. The meat taken from Schoharie
was soon fly-blown, but when roasted in the coals it was feasted
upon by the hungry prisoners. They progressed slowly, because
they were obliged, to hunt deer, and catch fish for food on their
way, generally having enough to eat, such as it was. Fish they
usually roasted whole in the coals, ate the flesh, and then threw
the offal away. The parties that had been led by Brant and Qua-
kock, a chief second in command, into Tryon county and the
Schoharie settlements, assembled at Oquago, when several hun
dred of the enemy, with their prisoners, came together.
The prisoners again separated at Oquago, and proceeded by
different routes to Canada. Josias E. Vrooman, who was amon"
3 &
the prisoners, claimed by Seneca warriors, went with a party np
the Chemung. In the Genesee valley he saw a stake planted in
the ground, some five or six feet high, which was painted red and
sharpened at the top, on which was resting a flesbless skull. The
Indians told the prisoners it was the skull of Lieut. Boyd, who
was killed in that vicinity the year before, and each of them was
compelled td hold it. Whether the skull shown the Vrooman's
Land prisoners was that of Lieut. Boyd, or some other prisoner
who had shared a similar fate, cannot now be known ; but as se-

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 385
veral teeth were found with Boyd's and Parker's bones, when re
moved, there can remain no doubt but that the head of Parker,
which was identified by an old scar, was buried by his comrades.
— C. Metcalf, Esq.
While on their journey, Lieut. Vrooman was once led out be
tween two Indians — one armed with a tomahawk and the other a
knife — to be murdered. Standing on a log which lay across a
marsh or mire between the Indians, he addressed them in their
own dialect, and finally made his peace with them for some tri
fling offence, and his life was spared. The old patriot Hager was
cruelly treated all the way, and was several times struck upon the
head with the flat side of a tomahawk.
I have said that John, a son of Capt. Vrooman, was wounded
by the enemy while holding his father's horses. He was com
pelled to travel on foot, and as no attention had been paid to the
wound, it was soon filled with maggots, becoming exceedingly
painful. The Indians began to talk of killing him, if he failed
to keep up with them. His namesake, who was his uncle, then
assumed the care of him, and dressed his wound with tobacco
leaves ; when it gained a healthy appearance, and he was greatly
relieved. While going through the Tonawanda swamp, the ball
worked out and the wound soon after healed.
On arriving in the Genesee valley, Mrs. Vrooman, then quite
ill, was left there. Adam Vrooman, a brother of her's, from be
low the Helleberg, on hearing of her captivity, paid her ransom.
Some of the prisoners were twenty-two days on their journey.
On arriving at the Indian settlements, they were compelled to run
the gantlet ; when some of them were seriously injured. A girl
twelve or fourteen years old, who was among the prisoners made
in the Mohawk valley, was nearly killed ; and Simon Vrooman
and John Daly were so badly hurt, that they both died soon after
arriving at their journey's end. Vrooman's widow afterwards
married a man named Markell, in Canada, and remained there.
Meriness was taken to Quebec, and while there, attempted, with
several other prisoners to blow up the magazine. The design
was discovered, and the conspirators were nearly whipped to

386 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
death— two of them did die ; but Meriness finally recovered. Ne
gro captives were seldom bound while on their way to Canada,
nor were they compelled to run the gantlet. They hardly ever
returned to the States to remain, generally adopting the Indian's
life. A negro belonging to Isaac Vrooman, usually called Tom
Vrooman, who was taken to Canada, at this time, became a watt
er to Sir John Johnson, and in that capacity, passed through the
Schoharie and Mohawk valleys in the following October. He
was, however, captured by Joseph Naylor, an American soldier,
near Fort Plain, and with him an elegant horse belonging to his
new master, with saddle, holsters and valise.
The greater part of the Schoharie prisoners were taken to Ni
agara, where they remained until November : when they proceed
ed in a vessel down Lake Ontario. A new ship, called the Sene
ca, left Niagara at the same time with the commandant of that
garrison, and three hundred and sixty soldiers on board. Not
long after they sailed, a terrible storm arose, and in the following
night, the Seneca foundered and all on board were lost. The ves
sel contained a large quantity of provisions destined for Montreal,
which were also lost. The prisoners were conveyed down the
St Lawrence in bateaus ; and s6me of them suffered much for
the want of suitable clothing, being barefooted, although the
ground was covered with snow where they encamped on shore
over night. They arrived at Montreal about the first of Decem
ber ; from which place, after a few weeks stay, they were re
moved nine miles farther, to an old French post, called South Ra-
kela, where they were confined until the summer following, and
then exchanged for other prisoners. While confined at the latter
place, their provisions consisted, for the most part, of salt-beef —
not always of the best kind — and oat-meal ; the latter being
boiled into puddings and eaten with molasses. When an ex
change was effected, most of the Schoharie prisoners, with others,
were sent on board a vessel to the head of Lake Champlain,
where they were landed, and from which place they returned
home on foot, via. Saratoga. They arrived at Schoharie on the

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 387
30th day of August, after an absence of little more than a year.
Mr. Hager was gone about eighteen months.*
* The particulars relating to the destruction of Vrooman's Land, and the
captivity of the citizens, so minutely detailed, were obtained from Tunis, a
son of Capt. Tunis Vrooman ; Josias E. and Bartholomew E., sons of Lieut.
Ephraim Vrooman ; Maria, daughter of John Vrooman, and afterwards the
w^e of Frederick Mattice, who were captives at the time ; the manuscript of
Henry Hager ; Mrs. Susannah Van Slyck, daughter cf Samuel Vrooman ; An
gelica, daughter of Col. Peter Vrooman, afterwards the wife of Major Peter
"Vrooman ; Lawrence Bouck and Lawrence Mattice.

( 388 )

CHAPTER XIII.

An affair of love : for Cupid was unchained even in perilous
times. Timothy Murphy, who so providentially escaped from the
enemy in Sullivan's campaign, returned to Schoharie in the sum
mer of 1780. While on duly there in the fall and winter of 1778
and spring of 1779, Murphy became acquainted with — yes, ena
mored with — Miss Margaret, daughter of John Feeck, whose house
was inclosed at the Upper fort. She was an only child, and at that
period was considered, in prospective wealth, the richest girl in
the Schoharie settlements.
Perhaps the reader would be gratified with a brief outline of
the personal appearance of a young. lady, whose artless smiles
could, at the age of fifteen or sixteen, win the affections of a rough
soldier, and cause him, at the earliest opportunity, to transfer the
services he considered due his country, to the fertile valley in
which she dwelt. The writer has conversed with not a few who
were well acquainted with her, several of whom were numbered
among her most intimate female friends, all of whom ascribe to
her the character of a virtuous and amiable girl.
At the period of which I am writing, she had just passed "sweet
seventeen," and was entering her eighteenth year ; a period in the
life of woman peculiarly calculated to convey and receive tender
impressions. She was rather tall, and slim ; possessing a genteel
form, with a full bust ; and features, if not handsome, at least
pretty and very insinuating. Her hair was a rich auburn ; her
eyes a dark hazel, peering from beneath beautiful eye-lashes ; her
teeth clean and well set ; her nose — but alas ! that was large, and
altogether too prominent a nasal organ to grace the visage of a

HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, ETC. 389
perfect beauty. Her ruby lips and peach-colored cheeks, how
ever, contrasted charmingly with her clear white skin, besides,
nature had given her, what all men like to see, a neatly turned
ankle. Miss Feeck's literary acquirements, we must conclude,
were limited. She had not been sent to a fashionable boarding
school, and instructed in the genteel and desirable arts, to the en
tire exclusion, indeed abhorrence, of a practical knowledge of
domestic household duties, as is too often the case at the present
day. She, however, possessed a good share of common sense,
was not too vain tobe instructed, and practically understood house
keeping. Uniting, as she did, a very amiable disposition with her
other good qualities, it is not surprising that she won the soldier's
affections, and proved to him an agreeable and happy companion.
Murphy, who was twelve years the senior of Miss Feeck, was
a stout, well made man, with rather a large body and small limbs,
was not quite as tall as his lady-love, but was handsomely fea
tured, having jet black hair, black eyes, and a skin shaded in the
same dye. He possessed great muscular power, was fleet on foot,
and wary in the covert as an Indian. He indulged too much in
profane levity — was passionate, and often rough-tongued ; but
was warm-hearted and ardent in his attachment, and proved him
self a kind and indulgent husband, an obliging neighbor and wor
thy citizen. He returned to Schoharie soon after the enemy de
solated Vrooman's Land.
He had been back but a short time before it became apparent
that what had, at an earlier day, seemed only a partiality on his
part, and a juvenile perference on hers — won, perhaps, by his
" deeds of noble daring" — was ripening into ardent, reciprocal
love. But when did love's torrent ever flow smoothly on 1 As
soon as their mutual preference became known to the parents of
Miss Feeck, every effort was made by them to prevent the young
lovers from meeting ; and when they did chance to steal an inter
view, which sometimes happened when duty called him from the
Middle to the Upper fort, it was, of necessity, brief and unsatisfac
tory. Every effort was made by the parents to prevent those in
terviews, and Margaret was prohibited from leaving her father's

390 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
house, alone, on any account. Indeed, she was not allowed to go
out of the picketed inclosure to milk, unless a vigilant cousin, or
some member of the family attended her — while Murphy was for
bidden to enter the house under any pretext. The couple were
plighted, but a serious obstacle interposd between tbem and Hy
men's altar. The law then required the publishing of the banns
for several Sabbaths in a religious meeting. Those marriage pro
posals were usually read by a clergyman, but as the Schoharie
flocks were left to the mercy of the wolves, that of Murphy and
his affianced was publicly read for several successive Sabbaths by
John Van Dyck, (a good old deacon, living in the vicinity,) at a
conference meeting held at the Middle fort, a certificate of which
ceremony was placed in the hands of the groom.
Cupid is seldom wanting in stratagems, and agents to execute
them. Although it had been contemplated by the parents to con
fine Margaret in a small room ofthe house, and she was so close
ly observed, still Murphy found repeated opportunities to nullify
the paternal edict of non-intercourse, and communicate with his
betrothed — not by letter, for he could not write — but through the
agency of a trusty female named Maria Teabout, who was, as X
have elsewhere stated, part native. Maria was the bearer of five
or six verbal messages between the couple. As she was about to
start on one of those errands, expressing some fear about her own
safety, Murphy, whose character she almost venerated for the act;
placed his hand upon her head, and repeating a few words — no
doubt a lingo of his own, as he was at no loss for words — told
her that no harm would ever befal her if she proved faithful to
him. She assigned as a reason why she escaped injury or capti
vity in the war, the protection invoked at that time. As every
thing was in a state of preparation for consummating their hap
piness, on a certain day about the 1st of October, 1780, Maria
was sent with the final message from Murphy to his sweetheart —
which was, in substance, Come, for all things are now ready. A
report had some time before reached the ears of Margaret's pa
rents, that she had engaged to marry Murphy; which report, in
answer to their interrogatories^ she denied1, hoping by white lies

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 391
to lull their suspicions. Still their vigilance was not relaxed, and
it was with no little difficulty Maria found an opportunity at this
time to inform Margaret, that her lover had the necessary certifi
cate of publication, and would meet her that evening near the ri
ver, with a horse, and convey her to the Middle fort. The answer
to Murphy's last message was brief and artless ; " Tell him" said
Margaret, "I will meet him near the river, at the time appointed."
The day designated for a meeting with her lover, was one of
no little anxiety to Margaret. The thought of leaving the home
of her childhood against tlie wishes of her parents — possibly for
ever, and uniting her future destiny with that of a poor, though
brave soldier, whose life was surrounded with constant danger, to
say nothing of future prospects, was one of serious moment, as
may be imagined, to a reflecting mind. But love will brave every
danger, and encounter every hardship. In the course of the day
she had matured her plan for eluding the vigilance of her parents,
who little suspected her intended elopement ; and with impatience
she awaited the setting sun. Margaret dared not change an article
of apparel, as that would excite suspicion, and in any thing but a
bridal dress, she went at the evening hour for milking, to per
form that duty, accompanied as usual by a neighboring female
cousin on the same errand. The task accomplished, the girls se
parated, her cousin to go to her own home at a little distance from
the fort, and our heroine to the presence of her mother. On ar
riving with her pail of milk, some of which had been emptied
upon the groitnd, she told her mother that one ofthe cows, it not
being with the rest, had not been milked. — " Then," said her
mother, " you must go after it, that cow must be milked." This
was placing matters precisely as she desired, and taking another
pail she left the house with a light heart — barefooted, the better
to disguise her real object. Hanging her pail upon a stake at
the cow-yard, she stole away unobserved in the direction of the
river, and was soon concealed from observation by the darkness
then fast obscuring the Onistagrawa. Murphy, " as the evening
shades prevailed," aceompaned by three of his trusty comrades
wpJJ. armed, left the Middle fort, crossed the river and proceeded
26

392 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
along its western bank to meet his intended. Having gone full
two-thirds ofthe way to the Upper fort, and above where she was
to await his arrival, without meeting her, he began to apprehend
his plan had proven abortive, and that her parents — aware of her
intention — had taken proper means to prevent her leaving home.
Satisfied in his mind that such was the case, he began to retrace
his steps, — gently calling her name as he with his friends pro
ceeded homeward. On arriving just below the present site ofthe
Middleburgh bridge, great was his surprise to hear her sweet
voice respond to his call from the opposite shore of the river.
Fearing she might be followed, our heroine had not stopped where
her lover had agreed to seek her, but went forward. Not meet
ing him, she supposed some military duty had called him away,
and believing her intention to leave home had already been dis
covered, by finding the cow in the yard and the pail near, she re
solved to proceed alone to the Middle fort, and had actually forded
the Schoharie, the water at the time being quite cold, before the
voice of Murphy greeted her ear. On his crossing the river, she
mounted the horse behind him, and they rode to the fort where
they were heartily welcomed by its inmates, about eight o'clock
in the evening.
Some little time elapsed before the absence of Margaret was
known at the paternal dwelling, which favored her flight ; but
when the discovery was made, it aroused the most lively appre
hension ofthe parents, for her safety. Scouts were daily return
ing to the fort, with reports of either seeing parties of the enemy,
or evidence of their recent proximity to the settlement; and the
first supposition was, that one pf those straggling parties had sur
prised and carried her into captivity. But on finding the empty
milk-pail, and learning from Margaret's cousin that the cows had
all been milked while she was present, and that Maria had been
up that morning from the fort below — the elopement ofthe daugh
ter was revered evident. Margaret's father, accompanied by
Joachim FoUock, a soldier in the Upper fort, proceeded without
delay to the Middle fort, the former often calling in .Low Dutch
to his Mar-chra-che, to which call the Onistagrawa feebly .echoed,,

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 393
" Scratch-you." On approaching the fort late in the evening,
they were challenged by a sentinel, and not being able to give
the countersign, came near being fired upon. Mr. Feeck could
not, by the most earnest entreaties, prevail upon his daughter to
return home with him that night — still, to know that she was safe
and unharmed, he felt amply compensated, after so great an ex
citement, for his journey to the fort, and the danger of having a
bullet sent through his head. He returned home, as we must sup
pose, httle suspecting what the second act was tobe in the comedy,
of which he was not even to be a spectator, much less an actor.
As Margaret had left home in a sad plight to visit Hymen's
altar, her young female friends at the fort lent her from their own
wardrobes, for the occasion — one a gown, another a bonnet and
neckerchief, a third hose, shoes, &c. ; until she was so clad as
to make a very respectable appearance. Early in the day suc
ceeding the elopement — preliminaries having been arranged the
evening before — Murphy and Miss Feeck, accompanied by Miss
Margaret Crysler, William Bouck, an uncle of the latter, and
Sergt. William Lloyd, a Virginian, set out in a wagon furnished
by Garret Becker, for Schenectada. Although Murphy had the
certificate of Mr. Van Dyck, a worthy old gentleman who was pretty
well known abroad, that a notice of his intention " to commit ma
trimony" had been legally read, still it was feared the father
might take effectual means in the cities of Albany and Schenec
tada to prevent the marriage of his daughter : and in anticipation of
such an event, Maj. Woolsey, who then commanded the fort, gave
Murphy a furlough to go to the head-quarters of the Commander-
in-chief, if necessary, to have the marriage take place.
The party went to Schenectada, where Murphy on his arrival
purchased silk for a gown, and other articles necessary to com
plete the female attire of a bride, and the immediate requisition of
several dress-makers of that ancient town hastily fitted them to
the pretty form of our heroine ; soon after which she was united
in wedlock to the heroic Murphy — who had discovered himself suc
cessful, thus far, not only in the art of war, but of love. The cou
ple were united, if I am rightly informed, by the Rev. Mr. Johnson,

394 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
who preached in Princetown several years, and subsequently in
Harpersfield. On the following day the party returned to Scho
harie, where the successful groom was loudly cheered by his com
patriots in arms. During the absence of the wedding party, the
officers of the garrison, assisted by the young ladies in the vici
nity, made preparations for their -reception in a becoming manner,
at the house of Peter Becker, who then lived where Ralph Man
ning now resides — but a short distance from the Middle fort. A
sumptuous feast was prepared for the numerous guests, which
was followed in the evening by a ball, given in honor of the happy
event. Nearly all the officers of the garrison were among the
guests ; on which occasion the beauty and fashion then existing
in that valley were brought together. After the delighted com
pany had partaken of a rich supper, the tables were removed and
the guests began to dance. The young wife, from her modest
and unsophisticated demeanor, as an old lady who was present
assured the author, appeared to very good advantage in the eve
ning, and "was indeed a pretty bride." She, however, had pre
viously been allowed to go into company but little, and her know
ledge of dancing was limited — consequently at this ball, given in
honor of her nuptials, she was led while performing her part of
the dance.
Only two or three figures were danced, when a scout returned
to the fort and reported, that they had fallen in with a party of
Indians not far distant, whereupon the linstock was applied to the
alarm gun, and its thunder went booming along the valley, echo
ing and re-echoing among the surrounding mountains — a most
unwelcome sound at the moment, but its import too well under
stood to be disregarded; and the party all repaired to the fort to
finish the. festival.
Now for a reconciliation. When Margaret's parents learned
that she was married — that she was in truth the wife of Murphy 
they were at first highly offended, and resolved never aga:n to ad
mit her into their house. But time, which has healed worse
wounds than theirs — which were occasioned more by the poverty
of their son-in-law than by his demerits — began to work its own

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 395
cure of wounded pride. The mother, who felt the absence of an
only child, who had been her constant companion, the most sensi
bly, was the first to yield to the dictates of nature ; and Maria,
who had acted as a stair-case between the lovers, was now em
ployed by Mrs. Feeck, to obtain for her an interview with her
daughter. Margaret, if she had not dimpled cheeks, or a hand
of French, and a foot of Chinese dimensions, had an affectionate
and feeling heart, and longed to see her mother. The meeting,
according to appointment, was held in a field not far from her
father's dwelling : but as she dared not approach her mother,
much less enter the picketed inclosure which surrounded their
dwelling — fearful that an effort would be made to detain her —
they conversed on a grass plot, for some time, at a little distance
apart. The parent was anxious to effect a reconciliation with
Margaret and have her come home, but she could not think of ad
mitting her Irish husband with her. ¦" Never," said the daughter
with spirit, " as much as I love home and my parents, will I en
ter your house until my husband, who is quite as good as I am,
enters it with me !" As Margaret was about to return to the
fort below, her mother requested her to remain until she could go
to the house and get her something to eat. She soon returned
with a pie, which — as the daughter retreated on her approach —
she set down on the ground, then retired a little distance, and had
the satisfaction to see her darling — her only child — advance, take
it up, and eat of it. This act was witnessed by Mrs. Frederick
Mattice. After eating part of the pie, she set out to go back,
and the moistened eye of the mother followed, with womanly
pride, the retreating footsteps of her daughter.
The father had not been present at the interview mentioned, and
Ms heart also yearned to embrace his daughter, although pride
prevented its acknowledgment. Repeated messages were sent to
Margaret, offering full pardon on her part for the past, urging her
to visit the paternal dwelling : to all of which, her answers were
similar to the one previously given her mother. After a little
time, it was hinted that Murphy intended to take his wife to Penn
sylvania, which, report caused the parents of Margaret much anx-

396 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
iety. A new mediator, in the person of Cornelius Feeck, a re
lative of the young bride, was now deputed to wait upon the lat
ter. Among other fine sayings of his, which were uttered to in
duce her to return home, he told her "how much her father thought
of her." " Yes," she replied, with dignity and some warmth —
conscious of the change in her personal appearance which the
goodly apparel bought by her generous husband had wrought —
"When at home, I had two or three striped linsey petticoats and
a calico frock : now see how I am drest !" she added, at the
same time flouncing the skirt of a rich silk gown — " This shows
who cares most for me !" She also intimated the intention of
soon accompanying her husband to Pennsylvania.
On learning the result of their kinsman's interview with their
daughter, who had heard from her own pretty mouth (which, gen
tle reader, was neither too large nor too small,) that she expected
soon to remove to another state, the anxiety of the parents be
came exceedingly irksome. The fear of losing their daughter
forever, wrought a wonderful change in the feelings of the pa
rents, and false pride now yielded at once to the Christian spirit
of forgiveness and reconciliation; and the next message from
them offered a full pardon to groom and bride for past offences,
promising to bury in oblivion all former animosities — receive them
home with a festival such as the Germans and Dutch were pro
verbially known to make at weddings in former days — and treat
them as children deserved, having no bad habits, and no serious
fault ; unless genuine love could be so called. The liberal terms
proposed were accepted : a treaty of family alliance formed ; and
at an appointed time, the happy couple, accompanied by about
thirty officers and soldiers, and a party of citizens — the whole at
tended by martial music — proceeded to the Upper fort. As the
guests drew near the entrance, Mr. Feeck ran forward, threw
open the gate, and extending to Murphy and his wife each a hand,
welcomed them home. Said he, as he grasped the hand of the
patriot soldier, " You have my daughter, but you shall not take
her to Pennsylvania : I have enough to support us all." Murphy
was a man of powerful lungs, and giving the old man's hand a

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 397
gripe he long remembered, replied in his usually loud voice — "She
is no longer your's, Masther Fake ; she is my wife. I did not
marry her to get your property, as I can take care of her myself."
As the party entered the house, the parents both wept for joy at
the restoration of their child ; and the good things were abun
dantly served to the guests, whose hearts — if I dare tell it in tem
perance times-^" were made glad with good wine." This recon
ciliation took place about a month after the marriage ; from which
time, the couple made their home at Mr. Feeck's. On the death
of her parents, Margaret inherited their valuable estate, and her
sons still live on the patrimonial farm. — Mrs. Angelica Vrooman,
Mrs. Van Slyck, Mrs. Frederick Mattice, Maria Teabout, and
others. Most of the riflemen who continued in Schoharie during the
war, and some of the more fearless citizens, enlisted to, perform
the duty of scouts, more or less of whom, were kept constantly out
from the Schoharie forts, in the summer season. They were called
Rangers, a term very applicable. Their duties were at times of
the most dangerous and fatiguing kind, and not unfrequently in
the fall and spring of the year, when they had to encamp on the
ground at night without a fire, they suffered almost incredible
hardships. The music of those scouts, was that, produced by
a conch-shell, which was carried by the leader, and served to call
the party together when they chanced to become separated in the
woods. — David Elerson.
ff the duties of the Schoharie Rangers were peculiarly hazard
ous and perplexing, still they saw some happy hours. Among the
soldiers at the Middle fort were two fiddlers, who often played for
their comrades to dance, when the latter could find female part
ners. On a certain occasion, the officers at the Middle fort, re
solved to have a dance. The soldiers concluded to have one on
the same night, and spared no pains or expense to rival the offi
cers. They sent to Albany for few gallons of wine among other
necessaries, and succeeded in getting the ladies all away from
their epauletted superiors, so as entirely to prevent the latter from
dancing. My informant said that this dance cost him thirty dol
lars, and he supposed it cost several others quite as much. — Elerson

398 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
In the fall of 1780, a small party of the enemy, a dozen or
more in number, entered the Ballston settlement, under the di
rection of Joseph Bettys, a subaltern officer in the British ser
vice, known in border difficulties by the familiar name of Jo.
Bettys. He resided in the Ballston settlement previous to the war,
and when the contest began, took up arms for the states, but af
terwards entered the British service, proving to his former neigh
bors a source of frequent terror.
Major Andrew Mitchell, of Ballston, having visited Schenec
tada on business, there learned, possibly through the Oneida run
ners, that a small detachment, mostly tories, had left Canada,
the destination of which was unknown. In the afternoon, Mitch
ell set out for home on horseback, accompanied by one Arm
strong, a neighbor. After proceeding several miles, and arriv
ing on the north side of Allplass creek, the thought occurred to
him, that possibly he might not be free from danger, as a liberal
reward was paid for the persons or scalps of officers. He was
riding through the woods at the time, and scarcely had the
thought visited his mind, which caused him to quicken the speed
of his horse, when he was hailed in a commanding voice to stop,
by a man who sprang upon a fallen tree near the road. The
Major put spurs to his gallant steed and was soon out of sight of
the highwayman, who fired at him as he passed. Armstrong could
not keep up with his companion, but as his person was not sought
for, he escaped unmolested.
Before the Revolution, Jo. Bettys and Jonathan Miller, another
celebrated tory, dwelt, one on each side of Maj. Mitchell. After
the transaction occurred which is noticed above, it was satisfac
torily ascertained that the man who fired on the major, was his
old neighbor Miller ; who had accompanied Bettys in his expedi
tion, and then had at his beck some half a dozen genial spirits.
The ground being sandy, the horse's hoofs made but little noise,
and the militia officer was not observed until opposite the party,
secreted on both sides of the road expressly to capture him.
An enterprise of Bettys in the Ballston settlement, within a
few days of the affair related, proved more successful. He sur-

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 399
prised and captured Aaron Banta, and his sons, Henry and Chris
tian, Ensign Epenetus White, and some half a dozen others.
The elder Banta was left on parole, and the rest of the prisoners,
who were among the best citizens in the vicinity, hurried off to
Canada. The escape and return of part of them with Col. Gor
don, who was taken the year before, is already known to the
reader. — Charles and Hugh, sons of Maj. Mitchell.
A scout, consisting of Timothy Murphy, Bartholomew C. Vroo
man, William Leek, and Robert Hutt, under the command of
Sergeant Lloyd, left the Middle fort only a day or two after the
celebration of Murphy's marriage, expecting to be gone eight or
nine days. Their t absence was protracted to the thirteenth day,
when they were Welcomed at the fort, on the evening preceding
the invasion of Schoharie by Sir John Johnson. The scout
while absent, visited Punchkill, Sharon, Cherry-Valley, Unadilla,
Susquehanna, Delhi, Minisink, and Cairo ; seeing the tracks of
Indians in several places, but none of their persons. They how
ever captured a tory prisoner at Prattsville, and brought him to
the fort. The return of this scout was most opportune for the
Welfare of the garrison, as will soon appear.
In the latter part of September, 1780, Sir John Johnson left
Niagara with about five hundred British, Royalist, and German
troops, and pursued the road opened the year before by Gen. Sul
livan, most of the way from the Genesee valley to the Susque
hanna; where he was joined by a large body of Indians and tories
there assembled under Capt. Brandt ; making his effective force as
estimated at the several forts, one thousand men. There is a tra
dition, that several hundred of the Indians who left Niagara with
Brant, returned, owing to a quarrel. Johnson's object in making
this long journey so late in the season, was to ravage the beauti
ful valleys of the Schoharie and Mohawk rivers, when the crops
of the husbandman were secured and could be burned, and if pos
sible to capture and destroy the three Schoharie forts.
From Charlotte river, the eastern branch of the Susquehanna,
the enemy proceeded toward the Schoharie, and passing down
Panther creek, arrived near its shore in the evening of October

400 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
16th, and encamped just above Ottegus-berg* a romantic moun
tain on the west side of the river, near the upper end of Vroo
man's Land.
Judge Brown assured the author, that two days before the ar
rival of the enemy, he obtained a knowledge of their approach
through a sister who was tor j -fied, and communicated the fact to
Col. Vrooman ; whereupon Marcus Bellinger, the supervisor, was
sent to Albany to procure a wagon-load of ammunition, in antici
pation of such an event. Bellinger was detained in the city from
some cause, but arrived in safety at the Lower fort, on the eve
ning of the 16th inst.
Col. Johnson intended to resume his march sufficiently early on
the morning of the 17th,f to pass the Upper fort, situated about
three miles from his encampment, unobserved;: and arriving at
the Middle fort, just at daylight, surprise and capture it ; supposing,
with very good reason, that the possession of it would soon cause the
surrender of the other two more feebly garrisoned. The enemy,
passing along the bank of the river, crossed it nearly opposite,
and not one third of a mile distant from the Upper fort. Owing
to some unknown delay, the troops were not in motion as early as
they had intended, and the rear of the army was yet upon the
bank of the river, when Peter Feeck, who had started to go after
cows just as day began to dawn, discovered it, and notified a sen
tinel, who discharged his musket. The troops were instantly
called out, and the alarm gun thrice fired. Captains Jacob Ha-
* This mountain was so called by the early German settlers, and signified
the Panther-mountain, the creek taking its name from it near which it enters
the Schoharie. A mountain situated 'on the opposite side of the river above
Panther mountain, distant from the latter not more than a mile or two, was
called by the early Germans, Wock-holter-berg ; and signified the Berry
mountain — so called from the unusual quantity of juniper or other berries
found upon it. The Schoharie by its serpentine course, flows at the base of
both mountains, giving its banks a rugged appearance.
t Col. Stone, in the " Life of Brant," erroneously dates this transaction on
the 16th of October. Campbell, who wrote at an earlier period, has given its
true date, and so far as it goes, a much more authentic account of the inva
sion. Col. Stone blended part of the invasion in August, with that in Octo
ber, and incorporated several popular errors in the narrative.

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 401
ger, and Joseph Harper, both men of acknowledged courage, with
two companies of troops, numbering it is believed, less than one
hundred men, were in this fort at the time. The command of the
garrison devolved on Capt. Hager, the senior officer, who sent a
party of volunteers to the river early in the morning, among
whom were Henry Hager, his son, Lawrence Bouck, and Isaac
Vrooman. They saw several of the enemy on the opposite shore,
and crossed the river and captured an Indian who lagged behind
his fellow. As they approached him he fired upon them, the
ball striking the powder-horn of Vrooman. When they drew up
to fire, he sprang behind a tree, which received three of the bul
lets discharged at him : he then fled, abandoning his horse, a poor
black mare with a sore back, which, with a heavy pack on, was
taken to the fort.
The Middle fort, at this, time was under the command of Major
Woolsey, a continental officer, unfitted for the important duties of
the station he held, who is said to have been a broken officer be
fore going to Schoharie.* Col. Vrooman was fortunately in the
fort, as were Lieut. Col. Zielie and Maj. Thomas Ecker, officers
belonging to his regiment. Captains Lansing, Pool, Hall, Miller
and Richtmyer, were in the fort on that day, several of whom
were continental officers, and all, it is believed, were men of real
courage. The fort was garrisoned by about two hundred conti
nental troops, or nine months' men, as then called, and between
one and two hundred militia. Once during the night preceding
the invasion, the Sentinels gave a partial alarm, caused by the ap
proach of a hostile scout.
Some of the citizens and soldiers were already up at the Middle
fort, and hearing the alarm gun of the fort above, the drums were
quickly beating to arms. Livingston, an officer of artillery, was
looking for a match to respond to the evidence of danger, when
Susannah Vrooman ran to the house and brought him a live coal,
"When Major Woolsey, who was remarkably spry, first went to Schoharie,
and was seen to leap fences, and give other evidences of agility, he was ta
ken to be very smart, and was, of course, much respected, until found want
ing in courage. He was the first man who wore a garment, since called a
roundabout, in the Schoharie valley, considered at the time a novelty. — Mrs.
Angelica Vrooman.

402 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
with which the gun was instantly fired. The voice of a brass nine
pounder was thrice responded to from the Lower fort, and war's
thunder rolled along the valley. The discharge of the alarm
guns at the forts, became the signal for the foe to apply the in
cendiary torch, which was accordingly done to the buildings of
Frederick Mattice, situated on the east side of the river in Clauver-
wy, (where Edward Pindar now resides) and opposite that part of
Vrooman's Land which was desolated the preceding August. The
barn of Mattice was the first of the beacon lights seen at the Mid
dle fort that day, the number of which, from buildings, barracks
of grain, and stacks of hay, viewed at that place, was estimated
by an eye-witness, at three hundred. An invasion having been
anticipated, the citizens lodged at the several garrisons, and the
movement of the hostiles commencing thus early, no individuals
were found in their dwellings except such as were either tinctured
with royalty, or chose to brave the coming dangers to save their
property. A strong northeast wind continued to blow throughout the day,
and served to fan the flames of destruction. The weather was
also exceedingly cold, and snow in squalls almost constantly filled
the air. Maj. Ecker called for volunteers soon after daylight, and
nineteen bold spirits left the fort with him to learn the cause of
alarm, just as the fire of Mattice's buildings was discovered. As
the wind then blew almost a gale, the soldiers left their hats, and
substituted kerchiefs tied closely about their heads. The head of
Timothy Murphy was adorned by the one that had concealed the
pretty neck of his young bride, placed there by her own trembling
hands; the head of Bartholomew C. Vrooman with that of Susan
nah Vrooman, his intended, (to whom he was married about two
weeks afterwards,) and- those of others by the shawls of friends or
lovers. Maj. Ecker, among whose followers were Lieut. Martin
us Zielie, Sergeant Lloyd, Murphy, Elerson, Hoever, Vrooman,
Richard Hanson, Peter Van Slyck, Wilbur, Joachim Folluck, Ad
am Shell, Tufts, and Leek, proceeded from the fort in the direction
of the present village of Middleburgh, and fell in with the ene
my's advance not far from the site of the Brick church. Murphy

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 403
was on the extreme right toward the river. Ecker's men now fired
upon the enemy from behind a board fence, and some of them se
veral times. From his position, Murphy discovered that the ene
my was extending his right to cut off their retreat to the fort, and
communicated the fact to Maj. Ecker, who instantly ordered a re
treat. Murphy, although he had the greatest distance to run, was
the last man who left the ground, and remained at the fence until
he obtained a fair extra shot, when he also fled to the fort. Hun
dreds of balls were fired within gun-shot at the volunteers, and
several boards in the fence from which Murphy fled, were literal
ly riddled with bullets ; and yet not one of the party was wound
ed. Most of the volunteers were riflemen, and wore short linen
frocks, through which several of the enemy's shot passed, as also
they did through other parts of their dress, and one struck the
powder-horn of Vrooman.
Colonel Johnson had given orders to his troops to spare the
churches in Schoharie, but the Dutch church, standing opposite
the burying ground, and near the present residence of Dr. James
Van Gaasbeck, in Middleburgh, was burned. It is said to have
been set. on fire by William Crysler, a tory, owing to a grudge
he held against some of its members. — Andrew Loucks. This
church was built after the model of the ancient Dutch church in
Albany, with a steeple rising from the centre. It was well finish
ed within, and painted white outside. — Mrs. Van Slyck.
Early on the morning of the 17th, Maj. Joseph Becker, then
in command of the Lower fort, knowing the lack of powder at
the Middle fort, sent two men, each with a bag containing the
necessary article on his back to that garrison. Hearing the alarm
guns of the Upper fort, and the response of the other two, they
increased their speed, and fortunately arrived at their destination
just as the enemy invested that post. Mattice Ball, one of the
two, and from whose lips this fact was obtained, said they were
detained there during the day.
The enemy, crossing the flats obliquely, passed the fort near
the hill east, and halted on a small eminence nearly north of it,
in the orchard of Peter Becker, near the present residence of Peter

404 HISTORY OF SCHOHARffi COUNTY,
I. Borst. At this time many of the Indians were scattered over the
flats, engaged in the work of destruction. As the enemy were
proceeding from the river toward the hill east of the fort ; Lansing,
a captain of the Albany militia, followed by a party of volunteers,
sallied in that direction and met the advance, with which he ex
changed several shots. Elerson, stated that at this time he was
behind a board fence near the wood, beyond his comrades, when
he observed an officer in a red coat advance from the British ranks,
at whom he discharged his rifle. He saw the enemy's guns lev
eled at him, and instantly fled to the fort. He supposed that
seven hundred fired at him in this flight, yet he escaped from them
untouched. The fence from which he ran, like that which had
concealed Murphy just before, was completely peppered with
bullets. Capt. Miller, who commanded a company of Claverack
militia, then in the fort, called to Elerson's wife, to see her hus
band run. Col. Vrooman, also, as Elerson was informed, watched
his flight with intense anxiety. A shot sent among the Bri
tish troops from the brass-cannon, while they were firing on El
erson, caused some confusion among Johnson's Greens. They
were then passing the most exposed part of the fortress. There
was a small gate on the east side, through which Capt. Lan^
sing and his men entered.
Col. Johnson had with him a small mortar, and a field-piece —
the latter a brass six-pounder. The carriage for the cannon was
carried in parts, and required screwing together. They were made
ready to fire, at the stand he had chosen in Becker's orchard, and
a cannonading and bombardment commenced, while a constant
firing was kept up with small arms, but generally at too great a
distance for the latter to take effect. Three shells were well
thrown from this position by the enemy at the fort, and many can
non-shot were fired but with less precision, the most of them pass
ing entirely over the destined object. The first shell fired, sung in
the air like a pigeon, and exploded directly over the house ; and
as its fragments fell upon the roof, Mrs. Richtmyer, an old lady,
then in an upper room, who had been an invalid, and unable to
rise alone from her bed for a long time, was so frightened that she

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 405
sprang from it, and went below, surviving the effect but a short
time. The second shell fell within the pickets near the well, and
while the fuse was burning off and the ball dancing in a mud hole,
every person exposed to its explosion had ample time to gain a
respectful distance, and it scattered its fragments without injuring
any one.*^ The third shell fell through the roof of the main
building, and lodging on a pile of feather-beds in the chamber,
which were deposited upon several chests of bedding, it exploded
tearing the beds in pieces, doing little other mischief, except
that of frightening Christian Rickard, an old bachelor, who
chanced to be in the room, almost to death. The explosion com
pletely filled the room with feathers, and groping his way down
stairs, Rickard made his appearance below, where many of the
women and children were, covered with feathers, and spitting
down from his mouth, which sudden fear had caused him to open
too widely for such an atmosphere. When asked what had hap
pened, he replied in Low Dutch, (as kindly rendered by a Dutch
friend, at my elbow) " Ik donk de duyvel is op de. solder, de veri vlie-
gen so rondt dat ik niet zien con."-^-l think the devil is in the cham
ber, for the feathers fly around so that I cannot see. The beds
were set on fire but were easily extinguished, as water had been
provided for such emergency.
After the firing had been continued for some time by the ene
my, and several shells thrown, it suddenly ceased, and a white
flag was seen to leave the British ranks and advance toward the
fort. The flag-bearer was accompanied on his right by an officer
in a green uniform, and on his left by a fifer, playing Yankee-
doodle. When the flag was discovered approaching, Maj. Wool
sey gave orders to have it admitted, but not another officer in
the fort, to their credit be it said, was in favor of its admission ;
and Murphy and Elerson, who conjectured what their fate might
"It is stated in the Life of Brant, that a woman brought several buckets of
water from a well vtithout the works exposed to the enemy's fire, for the thirsty
soldiers ; one of whom, when required, dared not perform the feat. This
story has no foundation in truth. The well was within the pickets, and af
forded ai» abundant supply of water, as I have been assured by nearly a do
zen credible witnesses, who were in the Middle fort at the time alluded to.

406 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
be, should the enemy learn the actual strength of the garrison,
and succeed in its capture — determined, so the latter informed the
author, that before the flag should enter the fort, one or the other
of them should shoot Woolsey himself. On that day, Murphy
used his double-barreled rifle,* and as the flag drew near he fired
upon it — not with the intention of killing its bearer, or either of
his companions, as is generally supposed, but to say, in effect,
" approach any nearer and you are a dead man." The trio with
the flag halted, faced about and marched back to their former
station. When Murphy fired on the flag, Maj. Woolsey was not present,
having visited his quarters to prepare himself to enforce submis
sion to his commands ; for soon after, he returned pistol in hand,
and demanded who had dared to disobey his orders'? "I fired
on the flag," said Murphy. Maj. W. then threatened the brave
soldier with instant death if he repeated the act ; and the latter,
who believed the willingness of the commandant to admit the flag
proceeded from cowardice alone, retorted with warmth — " Sooner
than see that flag enter this fort, will I send a bullet through your
heart." Seeing an evident disposition in all the officers present
to sustain Murphy — for they had rallied round him to a man, (not
from a desire to see just commands violated, but to defend the fort
at all hazards,) the major walked towards the house. In this
time, the flag attended as before, had again advanced, and Maj.
W.' had not proceeded two rods when Murphy again fired, and its
bearer faced about and retired.
During this parley the firing on both sides had ceased, with
the exception stated, and was not resumed until after Col. John
son, from his great desire to get a flag into the fort, despatched it
by the same party a third time. It is possible that from his posi
tion he had, with a spy-glass, observed the movement of Maj.
"Much has been said about Murphy's double-barreled gun— and more
than it merited: at least, so a son of Murphy assured the writer he had often
heard his father say. He had scuh a gun, while at Schoharie, but it was so
heavy he seldom used it, except on garrison duty. An anecdote told by
Campbell, ofthe use of this gun, I have not been able to authenticate so as to
warrant its insertion.

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 407
Woolsey. They had not proceeded as far as at first, however,
when a third bullet from Murphy's rifle passed over their heads,
saying, in effect, " thus far, but no farther ;" and they returned to
the ranks. The firing was then renewed.
Maj. Woolsey, after the spar with Murphy, entered the dwelling
where the women and children were confined ; but their jeers sa
voring too much of satire, he left their presence and sought safety
elsewhere. The cellar under the kitchen part of the dwelling
was occupied as a magazine, and Col. Vrooman, to conceal the
deficiency of powder, brought it himself when wanted. All the
officers in the fort, except Woolsey, divested themselves of their ¦
hats early in the siege and substituted cravats : while several of
them laid off their coats, and taking guns, all fought manfully.*
As powder was needed Col. Vrooman laid down his gun and
sword and went to get it. Near the cellar door he encountered
Maj. Woolsey, who had just left the presence of the women, as
may be supposed, not in very good humor; " Maj. Woolsey, is
this your place," interrogated the brave colonel, " who are placed
here to defend this fort 1" He replied, half dead through fear —
" Col. Vrooman, the men will not obey me, and I give up the com
mand to you." At this moment a cannon shot struck the house
and fell harmless at their feet. The colonel instantly caught it
up, and playfully extended it to the major, with the simple excla
mation — " Send that back to them !" With perfect indifference
the coward replied, " That I think would be s — n work." The
fire of the Dutch colonel was instantly ignited at the indifference
and filthy expression of the commandant, and speaking in his
usually quick manner, he rejoined — "Maj. Woolsey, had I my
sword I would run you through with it." The major, perhaps
ashamed of his conduct, wheeled and walked off, and the colonel
not his powder and returned to his men, exclaiming as he gave
them the necessary article, " Fire away my brave lads, we have
plenty of ammuniton." The troops were gratified to learn that
* In the early part of the war the captains all carried guns, but at a later
period they were prohibited frora bearing them, from a complaint that while
loading they neglected duties to their men.
27

408 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
the command of the fort was surrendered to him, and obeyed his
orders with alacrity. More than once when he went for powder,
as he afterwards confessed, did his hair rise on his head, not from
fear of the enemy, but lest the small supply of ammunition should
be completely exhausted, and the foe, becoming conscious of it,
storm their works. — Mrs. Angelica Vrooman.
The firing of shells was not renewed by the enemy, and the
discharge of grape and round shot was only continued at inter
vals from the fort, as the supply of powder would not warrant its
constant use. Destructionists were to be seen at this period of
the siege, scattered over the flats in almost- every direction. The
garrison was too weak to make a bold sortie, but many small par
ties were sent out during the day to harass the enemy, and save,
if possible* a large barn belonging to John Becker, which stood
almost in the direction of Col. Johnson's position : around which
clustered numerous stacks of hay and grain. As several Indians
were seen approaching the barn, a party from the fort went to
meet them. Several shots were exchanged, and Sergeant Coop
er, of Albany, received a wound in one leg; and was^nstantly
borne off by two of his comrades to the fort : but while proceed
ing thither, he received a ball through his body, of which his car
riers were unconscious. As they entered the fort, Susannah Vroo
man enquired where Cooper was wounded 1 The reply was, " in
the leg." She remarked that he bled from the body, and on lay
ing him down, it was ascertained that he had received a wound
there, of which he soon after died.
About this time, several volunteers entered the fort, who had
been pursued by the enemy. Miss Vrooman stood near the en
trance in an exposed situation, and Samuel Reynolds, as he en
tered, said to her — " Susannah, get away from here or you will
be shot !" The words were scarcely uttered before a ball entered
his own head, of which wound he died nine days after. He was
from New Jersey : was a likely soldier, and died lamented. Je
remiah Loucks was also wounded in one arm, and Tufts slightly
in the head — the latter, while entering the fort — who, with the
two mortally wounded, it is believed, were all that were injured

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 409
belonging to the Middle fort. The wounded were properly at
tended by Doct. John King, the settled physician at that place,
who acted as surgeon during the war.
Nicholas Sloughter, who acquired the reputation of a good sol
dier, had a very sick child in the fort, and as he was leaving it,
with a party of volunteers under Murphy, was told that his child
appeared to be dying* and he had better remain. " I can do the
child no good," was his reply ; " my duty is to protect the living
as well as the dying." Before his return, he and Murphy took a
prisoner, dressed in a green uniform ; who gave his name as Ben
jamin Butts. He was a New England man, who had been made
prisoner some time before, and while in Canada, had enlisted into
the British service as a ranger, to embrace an opportunity to de
sert. He returned home soon after. — Mrs. Van Slyck.
During the seige of the Middle fort, a scout under Lieut. Mar
tinus Zielie, captured a French Indian while stealing a horse
owned by Harmanus Bouck. Lewis Denny, a French Indian,
nearly white, (mentioned as having scalped a squaw and after
wards married her,) joined the Americans in the Revolution, and
remained at Middleburgh. Being in the fort when Lieut. Zielie
returned with his prisoner, the Jatter was so saucy, that Lewis,
who could understand his insolent gibberish, instantly knocked
him down. This prisoner is said to have been an Indian interpre
ter. — George Richtmyer.
Elerson had command of a few rangers during the day ; one of
whom, John Wilbur, fell in with a tory, catching a horse, near
the present residence of Peter Swart, and asked him to what par
ty he belonged 1 He replied, " the Indian party ;" and instantly
received a bullet from Wilbur's rifle. He took off his scalp, and
as he entered the fort with it in his hand, Maj. Woolsey told him
he ought to have his own scalp taken off. This man and another,
shot during the day, were supposed to be Indians at the time, but
proved to be tories from the vicinity of Albany. — David Elerson,
Mrs. Van Slyck and George Richtmyer.
While Elerson was out with his party, he saw an Indian ap
proaching the stacks at the barn near the fort, at whom he fired.

410 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
The warrior ran off towards the woods east of the barn. In the
following spring, a dead Indian was discovered in that direction,
by Bill, a slave owned by John Becker, while getting fire-wood.
He was found sitting with his back against a tree, having his gun
between his knees and resting in his arms, His eyes had been
dug out, as supposed, by birds. This Indian was presumed to have
been the one fired on by Elerson. — Elerson, Mrs. Van Slyck and
Judge Hager.
We have seen that Murphy did not spare his rifle balls when
the Middle fort was invested. Needing an additional supply, An
gelica Vrooman, as she informed the author, took Murphy's bullet
mould, lead, and an iron spoon, went to her father's tent, and
there moulded a quantity of bullets for that fearless ranger, amidst
the roar of cannon and musketry.
Jacob Winne, of Albany, was commissary at the Schoharie
forts; occupying a part ofthe Becker house, two rooms in which
are said to have- accommodated five families each. Samuel Van
Vechten, of Albany, was press-master, and Douw Fonda, forest
er, all of whom, it is believed, were in the Middle fort when be
sieged by the troops under Johnson. The commissary was a lit
tle corned during the action, and finding Maj. Woolsey stowed
away in one of the small family huts, bored him not a little. Not
only the commissary, but many others, some of whom were fe
males, made themselves merry at the coward's expense, jeering
and teasing, him with perfect impunity. — Mrs. Van Slyck and
Andrew Loucks.
Col. Johnson remained with the regular troops near the Middle
fort, until his destructives had effectually demolished every species
of. property they possibly could in that vicinity, when he moved
down the valley about 3 o'clock, P. M. After the enemy were
out of sight, Maj. Woolsey ordered several apple trees near to be
cut down and brought around the fort, fearing the enemy might
return and attempt to storm the works. He left Schoharie the
next day, and was never seen again leaping fences on horseback,
in that delightful valley. — Andrew Loucks and others.

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 411
As may be supposed, the most intense anxiety was felt at the
Upper, while the firing continued at the Middle fort ; and soon af
ter it began, Capt. Hager gave orders that in case the enemy ap
peared before that fort, the women and children should go into a
long cellar under the Feeck house. While preparations were in
progress to resist an attack should it be made, Mary Haggidorn, a
buxom lass of goodly proportions, who partook of the spirit which
animated her brothers, and who had heard the cellar order with
other feelings than those inspired by fear, stepped up to the com
mandant and thus addressed him : " Captain, I shall not go into
that cellar ! Should the enemy come I will take a spear, which
I can use as well as any man, and help defend the fort." Capt.
Hager was gratified to find a soldier where he little expected one,
and admiring her fearless spirit, he replied, " Then take a spear,
Mary, and be ready at the pickets to repel an attack !" She did
take a spear, nor was it discarded until the danger was past. As
soon as the firing ceased the second time at the fort below, Capt.
Hager dispatched Ensign Peter Swart, William Zimmer, and Jo
seph Evans to learn whether their worst fears were to be realized
— whether the British cross had taken the place of Freedom's
stars. On their return with the report that all was safe, the wel
kin rang with huzzas for the American flag. — Manuscript of Judge
Hager. What loss the besiegers sustained in their attack on the Middle
fort is uncertain, but it is supposed to have been several times
greater than that of the Americans. Where had formerly stood
the barn of Judge Borst, charred bones were found, supposed to
have been those of several of their number which they had pur
posely burned. What induced Sir John to abandon further at
tempts to take the fort is uncertain, but it is conjectured that from
the firing on the flag he was led to suppose the troops were con
scious of being able to defend it. The enemy succeeded, during
the day, in burning part of the grain which had beenstacked near
the fort for safety. — Mrs. Van Slyck.
Maj. Becker had at his command at the Lower fort, on the ar
rival of Sir John Johnson in its vicinity, Capt. Stubrach with his

412 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
company of militia, a part of the associate exempts under Captain
Peter Snyder, (who succeeded Capt. Vrooman athis death,) and
a body of Norman's-kill militia ; making his effective force, from
one hundred and fifty to two hundred men. — Peter Vrooman*
Early in the morning, Jacob Van Dyck, Anthony Brontner and
Barney Cadugney were dispatched by Maj. Becker to ascertain
the cause of the firing at the forts above. Arriving at the house
of Jacob J. Lawyer, they found his wife and a wench at home
preparing to bake. At the house of Hendrick Shafer, the females,
were also at home, where they saw food upon a table. The wo
men of those families chose to brave the dangers of the day, to
save their dwellmgs from the general conflagration, while the
men were in the fort below. The scout proceeded as far as Bel
linger's, and saw the British troops about a mile distant. Near
this place, they met the advance of the enemy, and were pursued
by seven Indians led by Seth's Henry. They were fired upon,
and the balls struck near them. A ball striking the fence by Ca-
dugney's side, threw a splinter into his arm. He called to his
companions that he was wounded ; and near the present residence
of Peter Richtmyer, Van Dyck drew the splinter from his arm,
telling him he was not hurt much : which he would hardly believe.
Gaining upon the Indians, who had halted to reload their pieces,
Cadugney took occasion, as the latter were out of sight, to con
ceal himself in a hollow stump — near which they passed without
discovering him.
When the firing ceased in the Middle fort for the flag to ad
vance, the inmates of the fort below were apprehensive it had
been taken, and Major Becker dispatched another scout, consisting
of George Snyder, Jacob Enders, John Van Wart and John Hutt,
to ascertain whether the fort had been captured. The second
scout met the first near where Storm Becker resides, and joined it
in flight. They were hotly pursued, and were obliged to scatter.
Enders and Snyder were together, and as the enemy were level
ing a volley of balls at them, they sprang behind a rock, against
• He was a major of militia after the war. He married Angelica, daugh
ter of Col. Peter Vrooman.

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 413
which several of the leaden messengers spent their force. End
ers, who was fleet as an antelope, often took trees to favor the
flight of his less speedy companions, which always treed the ene
my, Van Dyck struck off into the woods east of the residence of
Jacob H. Shafer, again struck the flats below, and regained the
fort in safety. Enders and Snyder also arrived there before the
enemy. Van Wart (who is said to have put on his go-to-meet
ing hat before he left the fort,) had observed on his way up, sev
eral apple-pies just taken from the oven at Lawyer's, and not
having had any breakfast, declared his intention of having some
pf the pie on his return. He was warned not to stop ; but disre
garding the caution of his companions, as the enemy were not
then in sight, he halted.. While he was eating, Westhoft, a Ger
man school teacher, who had been teaching school the preceding
summer in Ingold's barn near by, opened the door and exclaimed :
" Here they come !" as a party of Indians arrived at the house,
In fhe act of jumping from a back window, he was fired upon in
front and rear, the enemy having already surrounded the house.
He was instantly dispatched, and his body much mutilated. He
was a Low Dutchman, born near Albany ; was a cooper by trade,
and had resided nine years in the Ingold family, near where he
was shot.
As the Indians entered Lawyer's dwelling, one of them raised
a tomahawk to strike the schoolmaster, but Mrs. Lawyer seized
his arm and arrested the fatal blow. She pleaded for his life and
it was spared, adding another evidence to the influence of woman.
Brett, an old female slave, was considered a lawful prize, and was
taken along a little distance, but was finally permitted to return.
— Anna Eve, widow of Jacob J. Lawyer*
John Ingold, who dwelt where his son and namesake now re
sides, was in the fort that day with all his family except Anthony
Witner, his step-father. As a hostile invasion was expected, the
* Mrs. Lawyer stated to the writer, in 1835, that while her husband and a
hired man were harvesting grain during the war, they were fired upon by the
enemy, and the laborer killed ; the former fled across the river and escaped.
Mrs. Lawyer was a daughter of Philip and Christina Berg. She had two
children, a son and daughter. The latter is now the wife of Ex-Gov. Bouck_

414 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
present John Ingold, then a lad fourteen years old, went the eve
ning before with a wagon to take old Mr. Witner to the fort,
but he declined going, and said he chose to stay and defend his
house. He had given his grandson an old gun which was then
at the fort ; this he requested to have sent to him in the morning.
The Ingold dwelling was burned, and as a part of two skeletons
were found in its ruins, it was conjectured that a plunderer had
been killed by Mr. Witner, before his death. The remains ofthe
latter were identified by his silver knee-buckles. A barrack filled
with peas, standing scarcely three yards distant from lngold's
barn, was set on fire and the enemy supposed from its proximity
it would burn the latter ; but as the former stood west ofthe build
ing and the wind blew a gale from the northeast, the fire was for
tunately not communicated to it. A fence on fire and slowly burn
ing to the windward, which would have carried the flame to the
barn, Was extinguished after the enemy left. The dwelhng of
Hendrick Shafer was not burned, that of Tunis Shafer, which stood
where David Shafer lives, was burnt with its out buildings ; and
that of Lawyer, below lngold's, shared the same fate the night
following. — John Ingold, Mattice Ball, and others.
The firing at Middleburgh was heard in Cobelskill, ten miles
distant, and Lawrence Lawyer and Henry Shafer proceeded to
wards Schoharie, to learn the cause. Arriving on the hills near,
they caught a view of the general conflagration ; and they un
expectedly fell in with a party of Indians, but escaped their no
tice by the timely movement of several cattle in the woods close
by, which directed the enemy from their concealment. The two
friends remained secreted until the Indians had retired, when they
hastened back to Cobelskill, to warn tbe citizens of their danger. —
Lawrence Lawyer.
Johnson's troops had been so long in the valley, that ample
time was gained to get every thing in -readiness at the Lower
fort, for its defence. Several barrels of water were provided to
extinguish the church, which contained the women and children,
should it be set on fire. The magazine which was thus liberally
replenished, was kept beneath the pulpit in the church, and was

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 415
under the charge of Dr. George Werth, a physician, settled in
the vicinity, who acted as surgeon. In the tower of the church
were stationed, under Ensign Jacob Lawyer, jr., fifteen or twenty
good marksmen, who could command considerable territory.
Quite a number of fearless women at the Lower fort are said to
have stood ready at the pickets, when the enemy appeared in
sight, armed with spears, pitchforks, poles, &c.,* to repel an at
tack. — Maj. Peter Vrooman, Col. Dietz, of Beaver Dam, Jacob
Becker, Judge Brown and others.
The enemy approached the Lower fort in a body, about four
o'clock P. M., and were saluted with a small mounted cannon
without the pallisades, (the one formerly owned by John Law
yer,) charged with grape and cannister shot. Col. Johnson rais
ed a spy-glass as the swivel was drawn out, and suddenly lower
ing it, said to his men, It is only a grass-hopper, march on ! It
was supposed to have done fearful execution, as many of the
enemy fell, but to the surprise of the Americans, they arose and
advanced ; having only fallen to let the shot pass over them. A
grape shot entered the knapsack of a soldier, and lodged against
a pair of shoes. He was more frightened than hurt, and carried
the shot to Canada. The American soldiers were hardly able to
obtain shoes, and this Canadian had an extra new pair, which
saved his life.^-Becker, Van Dyck, Vrooman and Dietz.
Jacob Van Dyck, Nicholas Warner, Jacob Becker, John Ingold,
Sen., and John Kneiskern, were among the men stationed with
* Judge Brown, who was accounted a genuine whig., was suspected,
though unjustly I believe, of disaffection on the day Schoharie was burnt.
He stated to the writer, that he was at the Lower fort on the morning of that
day, and aided in the early preparations for its defence ; and had intended
to volunteer his services in case of a hostile attack. His wife was deter
mined to go to Livingston's manor, where she had relatives; and to set out
that day. She went out and seated herself in the wagon, outside the pick
ets; and declared her intention to remain there and he shot rather than
again enter the fort, where she had already been over two years. Brown
probably knew, that "Ifa woman will, she will," and he might " depend on't;"
said he felt ashamed to be seen quarreling with his wife — reluctantly yielded
to her wishes — entered the wagon and drove off. The smoke of burning
buildings was then visible up the valley. This I consider another specimen
of female influence.

416 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
Lawyer in the church tower. When Capt. Stubrach and others
were firing the " grass-hopper," Peter, a brother of Ensign Law
yer, who had command of the men on the church, was seen to ap
proach the fort from the direction of the river, in advance of the
enemy. He proceeded to the tower, and held a secret conference
with his brother, soon after which they both left the fort together,
and did not return until the invaders were out of sight. The con
duct ofthe ensign subjected him to some censure at the time — in
deed, it needs an explanation at the present day.
Hearing that his ensign had deserted his station, which was too
commanding not to be properly occupied, Capt. Snyder immedi
ately took charge of the men, who rendered good services by their
skill as marksmen. — Becker, Van Dyck, and Warner.
The enemy, when fired upon, filed off, the regulars, under John
son, to the west, and the Indians, under Brant, to the east. The
former crossed the flats, between the fort and the river, and did not
halt until after they had passed Foxes creek, below the old saw
mill. They were several times fired upon from a block-house,
upon that side, which mounted a six-pounder, charged with grape
and canister, but with what effect is unknown. Most of the In
dians crossed Foxes creek in a body, but a few stragglers lingered
to burn buildings. The wood-work of Tunis Swarfs tavern, the
present residence of Lodowick Fries, was burned. The parson
age, which stood some twenty rods east of the present one, was
not consumed. A house now standing on a knoll some thirty
rods southeast of the church, was occupied in 1780 by the widow
of Domine Schuyler, and one of her sons. It was erected one
and a half stories, with a gambrel roof, but was altered to its pre
sent form after the war. About the time Swarfs dwelling was
fired, an Indian was seen approaching this house with a fire-brand.
Several rifles were instantly discharged at him from the tower,
and he sprang behind the trunk of an apple-tree, which is still to
be seen. Five balls struck the tree as he sprang behind it. No
more was seen of the Indian, who abandoned the attempt to burn
the house. — Nicholas Warner and Jacob Becker. This apple-tree
has an antiquated look, stands alone, and I really hope that the
" Woodman" will " spare that tree !"

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 417
I have said Col. Johnson halted after crossing Foxes creek.
Preparations were now made to give the Americans a passing sa
lute — the gun carriage was screwed together, and the gun placed
upon it. At this time it was supposed by the men in the tower,
from the ease with which the gun was carried and the manner of
its transportation in a wagon, to be a " peeled log" placed with
the design of frightening its inmates to surrender the fort. On
applying the linstock it twice flashed, and the Americans were
the more confirmed in their opinion that the foe was " playing
possum"— but the third application of the match was followed
by a peal of war's thunder, which sent a ball through one side of
the roof of the church, and lodged it in a heavy rafter on the op
posite side. The shock jarred the whole building. A second
discharge of the enemy's gun lodged a ball in the purlin-plate ;
and the hole made by its entrance is visible at the present day. —
Jacob Becker, and Cyrus Clark, corroborated by others*
While the enemy were discharging their cannon, rum sweeten
ed with gun-powder was carried round in a pail to the soldiers,
by Mrs. Snyder, to divest them of fear. This was a common
beverage in former times, when hostile armies were about to con
flict. The liquor was thought to embolden, while the powder
maddened the warrior. As she presented the glass to the soldiers
at the pickets, the hands of some trembled so as scarcely to hold
it. — Peter M. Snyder.
While the enemy were firing on the church, an Indian crept
behind an elm tree on the bank of the creek northwest of it, and
lodged three rifle balls in the tower. They struck nearly in the
same spot over head, but the first two were not buried sufficiently
deep to remain, and fell upon the deck, one of which was taken
up by John Kneiskern, but found it too hot to be retained. By re
moving part of the paling, a rifle was brought to bear on the
• Not many years ago, a new covering was put upon the church by Mr,
Clark, who states that the cannon shot lodged in the western plate in 1780,
was then taken out and presented to John Gebhard, Esq. of Schoharie ; and
the one from the rafter to P. M. Snyder, in consequence of the intrepidity of
Snyder's mother when the balls were lodged. This relic was presented the
writer by Mr. Snyder in 1837. It weighs a little over six pounds.

418 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
presumptuous foe. As he showed part of his face, to try a fourth
shot, a marksman planted a bullet in the tree near his head, when
he decamped in hot haste. — Jacob Becker, and Jacob Van Dyck.
The enemy made but a short stay near the Lower fort. Brant,
after burning the tavern and out building of Jacob Snyder, and
those of some other citizens along Foxes creek, came into the
river road a few rods north west of the Brick House of Capt
Mann. This house was two stories in the Revolution, but was
razed a story some time after. Brant was joined on the rise of
ground above Mann's, by the regulars under Johnson, who made
a little show of giving another salute ; but a shower of rifle balls
from the church tower, with several successive and well directed
discharges of grape-shot, from the block-house in the north east
corner of the inclosure, caused him to move down the valley. A
dwelling and grist mill standing near the fort, (where those of
Griggs now are,) were set on fire, but extinguished after the ene
my left. The barn and other out buildings were consumed. — P.
M. Snyder, Maj. P. Vrooman and Jacob Becker.
Whether the enemy sustained any loss in their attack on the
Lower fort is unknown. If any had been killed, their bodies were
no doubt consumed in some of the burning buildings in Kneiskern's
dorf. At an interview with Jacob Enders, the soldier previously
mentioned, he related the following incident. After the enemy
began to move down the valley, he left the fori to hang upon
his rear. Discovering an Indian, he followed him along the
creek toward the river, until he got a shot at him. He had on a
large pack, and over one shoulder hung a goose, he had recently
killed. When Enders fired, the Indian fell upon his knees, and
dropped his pack and goose ; then springing upon his feet, he set
off on a moderate trot toward the river. Enders pursued until
the Indian turned and raised his rifle on him, when he halted to
load, and the Indian without firing, again ran off. After pursu
ing until he was exposed to the fire of others of the enemy, En
ders gave over the chase. On arriving where he had left the pack
and goose, he found that John Rickard, a fellow soldier, who had

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 419
seen the spoils abandoned from his position in the block-house,
had been there and taken them to the fort. Enders claimed them,
but Rickard would not give them up, or any part of them. The
pack contained eight pairs of new mocasons.
On the day Schoharie was burned, three soldiers, Abraham
Bergh, Jacob Kneiskern, and one Grenadare, with several other
persons, were returning to the Lower fort with three head of fat
cattle for that garrison ; and on arriving near the present residence
of Daniel Larkin, they discovered the advance of the enemy, and
drove the cattle into the adjoining woods. The citizens made
good their retreat, and the soldiers secreted themselves to watch
the motions of the enemy. They observed a small party of In
dians approach Mercle's place, on the Ferry road. The trio suc
ceeded in getting within gun shot of the party, and as the latter
were at a pump, fired upon them, killing one of their number with
a buckshot. The Americans then made good their retreat, and
reached the fort in safety. — David, a son ofAbr. Bergh.
Having executed his mission in Schoharie so far as he found it
practicable, Sir John Johnson encamped for the night near Harman
Sidney's, the present residence of John C. Van Vechten, nearly six
miles north of the Lower fort. A noble deer confined in a pen at
Sidney's, -which he was fatting with no little care for his own use,
was killed and feasted on by the enemy. Some soldiers at work
for its owner a few days before, wanted to kill the animal then,
but he chose to reserve it for another occasion. In the morning,
Col. Johnson sank his mortar and shells in a morass, and directed
his course to Fort Hunter. One of the shells was recovered some
weeks open in mud knee deep ; and on being broken open it was
found to contain dry powder, which was divided among the vic
tors. — Col. Deitz, William Becker, and Jacob Enders.
After Sir John Johnson passed the Lower fort, George Meri
ness was despatched to Albany by Maj. Becker, with intelligence
of his invasion, and success in Schoharie. — William Snyder.
That beautiful valley, on the evening after the invasion, pre
sented a most gloomy picture. Ruin and desolation followed in
the train of the foe, and many a man who had risen in the morn-

420 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, ETC.
ing in comfortable, if not in affluent circumstances, found himself
in the evening houseless, and almost ruined in property. His
barns and barracks which the morning light had disclosed well
filled with the rich reward of his season's labors, were so many
heaps of smouldering ruins. His cattle, horses and swine, which
had grazed " upon a thousand hills," either lay dead in the ad
joining fields, or had been taken by the ravagers : while some of
his fences had been burned and others demolished. Thus was re
venged the destruction of the Indian possessions in the Chemung
and Genesee valleys the year before by Gen. Sullivan ; which,
had they a historian, would be found a no less gloomy picture.
Scarcely a log house at that early day was to be seen in the Scho
harie valley : the dwellings were mostly good framed buildings,
well finished and some of them painted. But here and there a
building, from some cause, escaped the devouring element, to ren
der the general ruin the more obvious. The dwelling of Peter
Rickard was set on fire, and after the enemy had left it, an old ne
gro, owned by John Lawyer, went to it from his concealment in
the woods near, found a quantity of milk on the premises, and
with that extinguished the flames. The house of one of his neigh
bors was also set on fire and put out. — Andrew Loucks. It is
possible one or two other houses may have escaped the general
conflagration under somewhat similar circumstances. Several fa
milies residing on the uplands, east of the Court House, remained
at home undisturbed by the enemy. — Eleanor, widow of Nicholas
Feeck. Henry Haines, jr., of New Dorlach, who was with the enemy
in the Schoharie valley, on the evening after its conflagration, ar
rived at the Lower fort, and enquired for John Rickard, his half
brother, who was a whig. Haines had burned his feet so badly
in plundering a building on fire, that he could not travel ; and
claimed the sympathy of his kinsman. Rickard pitied the wretch
and concealed him in his hut for several days under lock and key,
to keep him from the revenge of his injured fellow countrymen :
allowing him, possibly, to pick the bones of Enders' goose. —
Peggy Ingold, corroborated.

(421 )

CHAPTER XIV.

On the morning of October 18th, Col. Vrooman, collecting
what troops could be spared from the three forts, pursued the re
treating foe. He hung upon his rear all the way to the Mohawk
valley, and by a timely movement circumscribed his burning foot
steps. — Jacob Becker, Nicholas Warner, and David Zeh.
The fire and smoke of the burning buildings in the lower part
of Schoharie, fifteen or twenty miles distant, were distinctly seen
at the residence of Cornelius Putman, on the Schoharie, about a
mile from its junction with the Mohawk. — Peter, a son of Corne
lius Putman, who lives on the paternal farm.
On the following morning, Victor, a son of Cornelius Putman,
and Garret, a son of Cornelius Newkirk, proceeded on horseback
from the vicinity of Fort Hunter in the direction of Schoharie, to
discover the cause of the light seen the previous afternoon, and
learn if a foe was approaching the Mohawk. They fell in with
the enemy's advance on the Oalc Ridge, a few miles from their
last encampment, retreated, were hotly pursued, and Newkirk
made captive. The timely return of his companion, however,
who borrowed a horse of William Hall, a pioneer settler, (having
been obliged to abandon his own,) enabled several families in the
neighborhood to make good their escape, or guard against sur
prise and capture.
At this period dwellings had been erected by Richard Hoff
and Marcus Hand, on the west side of the Schoharie, some four
miles from Fort Hunter, in the present town of Glen. Those
houses were plundered and burnt by the Indians under Brant.
The family of Hoff escaped captivity by flight, and Hand was in
Florida at the time.

422 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
Cornelius Putman removed his family into the woods, and se
creted a part of his most valuable effects before the enemy ap
peared in sight. His neighbors, Cornelius and John Newkirk,
brothers, who lived on the east side of the river, also secreted a
part of their property, and their families escaped, except William,
a son of the latter, and three or four slaves, who had lingered a
httle too long at the house, and were captured. The enemy did
not fire any buildings in the valley, until they had been there
some time. Putman, after securing his effects, secreted himself,
with a loaded gun, near his house, and saw the first Indian enter
upon his premises. He went into the barn and brought out his
arms full of tobacco (most of the farmers then raised a patch of
the plant) which he laid down and began twisting into suitable
hanks ; and as often as made, thrust into his blanket above the
belt which encircled his waist. Putman several times drew up
his gun to fire on the Indian, but when he reflected that he would
doubtless be pursued, and his flight might lead not only to his own,
but to the death of his family, and the destruction or plunder of
his concealed property, he desisted from firing. From his retreat,
however, he watched the motions of the enemy for hours. A
party entered his Tiouse, and among the spoils brought from the
cellar a keeler full of eggs, which they took to the kitchen, a lit
tle building detached from the dwelling, where they made a fire,
boiled, and divided them. He saw them rob his bee-hives, and a
part of the robbers sit down and feast upon the dainty product of
the insect's labor. Soon after this a gun was fired, which was the
signal for applying the incendiary torch, and one of the party, in
Putman's presence, after swinging a fire-brand several times over
his head until it blazed, applied it to the well-filled barns which
were soon in flames. The house was set on fire, and several of the
party fired their guns into a number of stacks and barracks of
grain near, and all were soon reduced to a heap of ruins. The
dwellings and out-buildings of the Newklrk's were also set on
fire at the given signal, and soon shared the same fate. — Peter
Putraan, Ab'm V., son of Victor Putman, and John, son of Mar
cus Hand.

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 423
The family of Putman had crossed the river, and with the
Newkirk families was on its way to Fort Hunter, when the
enemy in a body appeared in sight, at which time several hun
dred of the Indians and tories were seen riding Schoharie horses.
The fuoitives then concealed themselves in the woods, at which
place the ashes blown from John Newkirk's barn and barracks,
completely covered them. Putman, very fortunately, had a large
stack of peas out of sight from his house, which escaped the con
flagration, and enabled him, by an exchange of peas for rye,
which he made at Claverack, to provide his family with bread the
next season. On the west side of the river, a little distance above
Putman, dwelt Harmanus and Peter H. Mabee, brothers. A short
time previous to this invasion they had removed to Rotterdam.
Many of their effects were left in their dwellings, which, with
their well-filled barns and barracks, shared the same fate as those
of their neighbors. One of the Mabees had seven large fat hogs,
in a pen near the house, which were all killed by the enemy, and
left in the pen. They were killed with a pitchfork taken from
Putman's barn, being all stabbed with it between the eyes.
Putman had several large hogs in a pen, which he let out before
the enemy arrived. They were yet round the pen when the first
Indian appeared, but had fortunately found a place of conceal
ment before the destructives were ready to, slay them. — Peter Put
man. The citizens of Cadaughrity built temporary huts next day,
and erected log dwellings soon after, in which they passed .the
winter. Leaving the Schoharie valley the enemy entered that of
the Mohawk. They avoided Fort Hunter, from which they were
fired upon, approaching no nearer to it in a body, than the pre
sent residence of Richard Hudson, distant half a mile or more.
At the latter place there resided a, German named Schrembling,
who, although a tory, chanced to be outside of his house, and
being unknown, was killed and scalped ; his family were how
ever left undisturbed. The enemy, after taking a few women and
children prisoners, among whom were Mrs, Peter Martin, (whose
husband was then a merchant in Quebec,) proceeded up the Mo-
28

424 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
hawk. Soon after the invasion of Johnson, a small block-house
was erected on the land of Cornelius Putman, which was also un
der the management of Capt. Tremper. — Peter Putman.
At Martin's, the Indians obtained a two horse iron-shod wagon,
a vehicle rarely seen in those days, and a horse which, with a
pack-horse, was harnessed before it. Mrs. Martin and her two
boys, Barney and Jeremiah, after seeing their house burnt and
all their property destroyed, were put into the wagon with se
veral scullions and a quantity of baggage ; among which were
a few pans of honey from Putman's. The party proceeded up
the valley as far as the present residence of George J. E. Lasher,
(just below the Nose, and known on the Erie canal as the Willow
Basin,) where they encamped for the night; plundering and
burning all the whig dwellings which had escaped former visita
tions of a similar character. The road was so bad at that time,
that the enemy found it very difficult to get along with the wa
gon, and finally abandoned it near the present village of Fulton-
ville. It was unloaded, filled with rails from an adjoining fence,
and set on fire ; the iron-work was afterwards recovered. Jere
miah Martin, then onlv four or five years old, was eating honey
in the wagon unconscious of danger, and on leaving it, was li
terally covered with the vegetable nectar from head to foot.
The prisoners, around whom was placed a guard of British sol
diers to prevent the Canadian Indians from murdering them, suf
fered from the cold that night, and the following morning, John
son, learning that troops were on their way from Albany and
Schenectada to attack him, gave Mrs. Martin and her children
permission to return, which liberty was gratefully received ; they
Were, however, plundered of some of their clothing — Jeremiah
Martin. On the evening of the 18th, Gen. Robert Van Rensselaer of
Claverack,' with a body of the Claverack, Albany and Sehenec-
tada militia, and about two hundred Oneida Indians under Col.
John Harper, in pursuit of the enemy, encamped on the hill near
the Stanton place, in the present town of Florida, perhaps fifteen
miles east of Johnson's encampment. — John Ostrom, who was a

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 425
soldier present* Learning at this place that Fort Paris in Stone
Arabia, about twenty miles north-west from the American camp,
was to be attacked the following morning, Gen. Van Rensselaer
sent a note to Col. John Brown, its gallant commander, to turn
out and head the enemy at nine o'clock, and he would fall upon
their rear. Sir John passed along the foot of the mountain and
crossed the river on the morning of the 19th, at Keator's rift, near
Spraker's Basin, and leaving the river above the Nose, a large
part of his forces marched towards Stone Arabia. Col. Brown,
a braver man than whom bore not a commission in the continen
tal service, left his little fortress and led his men to attack the
foe. After marching some distance from the fort, he thought it
possible he might be killed or captured, and lest the letter of
Gen. Van Rensselaer should fall into the hands of the enemy, he
dispatched a messenger with it to the fort. As this letter could
not afterwards be found at the fort, it was conjectured, that pos
sibly the bearer had acted the traitor, and borne it directly to the
enemy, as the greater part of his forces united soon after the fir
ing began between Brown and the advance. — Jacob Becker.
Gen. Van Rensselear, who had an effective force nearly double
that of the enemy, put his army in motion at the moon's rising.
Near Fort Hunter, where he arrived before day-light and was
joined by the Schoharie militia : the wrong road was taken for
some little distance, when Gen. V. R. uttered expressions bis offi
cers thought unbecoming his station. The American commander
arrived at Keator's rift soon after the enemy had passed it, but
instead of crossing the river and seconding the movement of Col.
Brown as he had agreed, and as a brave and prudent officer would
have done, he remained upon the south side, where news was
brought him by a fugitive from Brown's command, that the latter
officer, with many of his men, was slain. Fort Paris was three
miles north of the Mohawk, and yet Brown met the enemy nearly
two-thirds of the way to the river, where the contest began.
Overpowered by numbers he continued the conflict, slowly re-
• Col. Stone erroneously states the place of Van Rensselaer's encamp
ment, on the night in question, to have been at Van Epps's.

426 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
treating, expecting every moment to hear the firing in the ene
my's rear — but in vain. And contesting the ground inch by inch
for some distance, he at length fell a martyr to freedom, and his
blood, with that of more than thirty of his brave followers dyed
the fertile fields of Stone Arabia. What loss the enemy sustained
in this engagement is unknown, but as they were better sheltered
by fences 'and trees than were the Americans, and were enabled
to outflank, and had nearly surrounded them when Brown fell, it
is supposed their loss was not as great. — John Ostrom, and Jacob
Becker. The following particulars, in addition to those above, were ob
tained in November, 1843, from Maj. Joseph Spraker, of Pala
tine. Col. Brown left Fort Paris (so called after Maj. Paris,) a
little distance north of where the Stone Arabia churches now
stand, on the morning of his death, with a body of levies and mi
litia ; and as he passed Fort Keyser, a little stockade, at which a
small stone dwelling was inclosed — perhaps a mile south of Fort
Paris, and about two miles distant from the river — he was joined
by a few militiamen there assembled, making his effective force
from 150 to 200 men. He met the enemy nearly half way from
Fort Keyser to the river. They were discovered on the opposite
side of a field which contained some under-brush, and which was
partly skirted by a forest. As the Indians were observed behind
a fence on the opposite side ofthe field, Capt. Casselman remon
strated with Brown against his leaving the covert of the fence ;
but the hero, less prudent on this occasion than usual, ordered his
men into the field, and they had hardly begun to cross it, before
a deadly fire was opened upon them; which was returned with
spirit but far less effect, owing to the more exposed condition of
the Americans. Brown maintained his position for a time, but
seeing the Indians gaining his flank, he ordered a retreat ; about
which time, (nearly 10 o'clock, A. M.,) he received a musket
ball through the breast. The enemy pressed on in such over
powering numbers, as to render it impossible for his men to bear
off his body, and the brave colonel was left to his fate.
At the fall of their commander, some of the Americans fled to-

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 427
ward the Mohawk, and others north into the forest. Two of
them took refuge in the dwelling of the late Judge Jacob Eacker,
in the hope of defending themselves, but the house was surround
ed by a party of Indians, who set it on fire, and laughed at the
shrieks of its inmates who perished in the flames.
None of the citizens who were not in the battle, it is believed,
were either killed or captured, they having gained one of the two
forts, or sought safety in the woods.
John Zielie, a captain of militia, had charge of Fort Keyser on
that day. Geo. Spraker, father of informant, and John Waffle,
elderly men, Joseph and Conrad Spraker, William Waffle, War
ner Dygert, and possibly one or two, other young men, were all
who were ready to aid Capt. Z. in the defence of his little fortress,
when the British regulars passed near it in column, soon after
Brown's engagement. It might easily have fallen into their
hands, had they known the number of its defenders. The few
men in it were, however, at the port holes, each with his gun and
a hat full of cartridges by his side, although its commandant re
strained their firing from motives of policy. Informant had two
older brothers under Col. Brown, who effected their escape after
he fell.
Soon after the enemy were out of sight, the four young men
named, proceeded in (he direction the firing had been heard, and
leaping a fence into the fatal field, Joseph Spraker stood beside
the mangled remains of the brave, ill-fated Brown. His scalp
had been taken off so as completely to remove all the hair on his
head : this was unusual, as only the crown scalp was commonly
taken, but knowing his distinction and prowess, we may justly
infer the red man's motive. He was stripped of every article of
his clothing, except a ruffled shirt. The four young militiamen
took the body of their fallen chief, and bore it in their arms to
Fort Keyser. The remains of the soldiers who fell in this battle
were all buried in one pit, and Col. Brown with them, but a day
or two after it was opened and his remains removed to a place of
interment near the churches. Col. Brown was of middling sta
ture, with dark eyes and a fine military countenance: he usually

428 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
i
wore glasses. He was agreeable and urbane in his manners, but
possessed a spirit when in danger, fearless as the dashing cataract.
He fell deeply lamented by his numerous friends, and the few
silver-haired heroes of his acquaintance who still survive, are en
thusiastic in his praise.
Col. Brown was a native of Massachusetts, and was born Oct.
19th, 1744. On the 19th day of Oct., 1836, fifty ^six years after
his death, arrangements having been made for the occasion, a
monument was erected over his remains in the presence of a large
assemblage of respectable citizens of the county, convened to
honor the ashes of a hero. The monument was reared at the ex
pense of Henry Brown, Esq., of Berkshire, Mass., a son of the
warrior, who, I regret to add, has since deceased. The following
is the monumental inscription :
" In Memory of Col. John Brown,
who was killed in battle on the 19 day of October, 1780,
at Palatine, in the county of Montgomery,
JE. 36."
After the ceremony of raising the .monument, a sermon was
preached by the Rev. Abraham Van Horne, of Caughnawaga,
and a very patriotic address delivered by G. L. Roof, Esq., of Ca
najoharie : portions of which I have been kindly furnished by the
author. The following is an extract from that address :
" Col. Brown fell in battle on the 19th day of October, 1780;
the very day he reached the age of thirty-six, so that the anni
versary of his birth was also the day of his death. But though
he fell thus early in life, and before he had filled the measure of
his fame, yet his deeds of bravery and patriotism will not be for
gotten by posterity; and the name of Brown will, for ages to
come, be held in grateful remembrance. His was that bravery,
that quailed not before tyranny, and that feared not death. His
was that patriotism that nerves the arm of the warrior battling for
the liberties of his country, and leads him on to the performance
of deeds of glory."
The forces of Col. Johnson, a part of which had crossed the
river near Caughnawaga, destroyed all the Whig property, not
only on the south, but on the north side, from Fort Hunter to the
Nose : and in several instances where dwellings had been burned

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 429
by the Indians under his command in May, and temporary ones
rebuilt, they were also consumed. Of the latter number was that
, of Barney Wemple. After his dwelling was burnt in May, he
went to Tribe's Hill, tore down a tory dwelling, and erected it up
on the ruins of his former one. — Rynier Gardinier* After Brown
fell, the enemy, scattered in small bodies, were to be seen in eve
ry direction plundering and burning the settlements in Stone Ara
bia. In the afternoon, Gen. Van Rensselaer, after being warmly
censured for his delay by Col. Harper and several other officers,
crossed the river at Fort Plain, and began the pursuit in earnest.
The enemy were overtaken on the north side of the river above
St. Johnsville, near a stockade and block-house at Klock's, just
before night, and a smart brush took place between the British
troops and the Americans under Col. Duboise ; in which, several
* On the morning of the day on which the Stone Arabian battle was fought
Fred. H. Dockstader, who lived on the "Sand Flats" in the present town of
Mohawk, having seen the fires along the river, concealed his family and per
sonal effects in the woods, and then approached the Mohawk valley to gain
a view of passing events ; thinking the enemy would confine their move
ments to the river settlements. As he was about to gain the desired position,
he was surprised to see a party of Indians approaching him. He walk bold
ly up, and addressing them with confidence assured them he was their friend,
and on his way to meet them. They proceeded with him to his house, and
after laying him under contribution in the way of plunder, left him and his
buildings unharmed. Before leaving, they took several of his horses, one of
which was a favorite, although he dared not protest against their taking it.
This party of the enemy burned the. house of F. H. Dockstader's brother,
within sight of his own, and left a war club in a conspicuous place ; as much
as to say, we will kill the proprietor if we can catch him.
A pleasing incident occurred at Dockstader's, illustrative of the red man's
character. One of the Indians caught a colt that had never been rode, and
with his belt and some cords made a kind of bridle which he put upon its
head. The colt stood still until the Indian mounted with a bundle of plunder
in one hand and his rifle in the other, seemingly delighted with his new mas
ter ; but as soon as he had made ready to set forward, and struck his heels
against the animal, it dashed onward and reared several times, .sending the
Indian heels over head upon the ground in one direction, and his rifle and
duds in another. Thus rid of his load, the colt stopped and looked back to
witness the plight of, the rider. The rest of the Indians laughed as though
their sides would split, and Dockstader, who dared not laugh, expected to
see the Indian rise and shoot the animal ; but instead of doing so, he sullen
ly gained his feet — picked up his portable wealth, and moved off amid the
merry jeers of his companions.— Henry F., son of Fred. H. Dockstader.

430 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
on each side were killed or wounded. Johnson was compelled to
retreat to a peninsula in the river, where he encamped with his
men much wearied. His situation was such that he could have
been taken with ease. Col. Duboise, with a body of levies, took
a station above him to prevent his proceeding up the river ; Gen.
Van Rensselaer, with the main army, below : while' Col. Harper,
with the Oneida Indians, gained a position on the" south side of
the river, nearly opposite. The general gave express orders that
the attack should be renewed by the troops under his own imme
diate command, at the rising of the moon, some hour in the night.
Instead, however, of encamping on the ground from which the
enemy had been driven, as a brave officer would have done, he
fell back down the river and encamped three miles distant. The
troops under Duboise and Harper could hardly be restrained from
commencing the attack long before the moon arose ; but when it
did, they waited with almost breathless anxiety to hear the rattle
of Van Rensselaer's musketry. The enemy, who encamped on
lands owned by the late Judge Jacob G. Klock, spiked their can
non, which was there abandoned;' and soon after the moon ap
peared, began to move forward to a fording place just above the
residence of Nathan Christie, and not far from their encampment.
Many were the denunciations made by the men under Duboise
and Harper against Van Rensselaer, when they found he did not
begin the attack, and had given strict orders that their command
ers should not. They openly stigmatised the general as a coward
and traitor ; but when several hours had elapsed, and he had not
yet made his appearance, a murmur of discontent pervaded all.
Harper and Duboise were compelled to see the troops under John
son and Brant ford the river and pass off unmolested, or disobey
the orders of their commander, when they could, unaided, have
given them most advantageous battle. Had those brave' colonels,
at the moment the enemy were in the river, taken the responsibili
ty of disobeying their commander as Murphy had done three days
before, and commenced the attack in front and rear, the conse
quences must have been very fatal to the retreating army, and
the death of Col. Brown and his men promptly revenged.— Jacob
Becker, a Schoharie militiaman.

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 431
Garret Newkirk, the prisoner who was captured on his way to
Schoharie, effected his escape the second night after, and returned
home unmolested. As if to cap the climax of Gen. Van Rensse
laer's management, he had sent an express to Fort Schuyler ; from
whence, Capt. Walter Vrooman* (the same mentioned as being at
the Johnstown fort in May preceding,) was dispatched with a
company of fifty men to Oneida lake, to destroy the enemy's con
cealed boats. Col. Johnson, informed of the movement, as sup
posed, through tbe treachery of one of Vrooman's men, surprised
and captured the entire command.
It was confidently asserted in the American army, that some
relationship by marriage existed between Gen. Van Rensselaer
and Sir John Johnson, which induced the former to favor the es
cape of the latter. — Becker and Ostrom.
The Americans took two nine pounders from Schenectada,
which were left at Fort Plain. So much dallying took place on
the part of the commanding officer, that the enemy, although pur
sued some distance on the south side of the river, were not pre
vented from making their escape. At a small block-house and
* Soon after Capt. Vrooman, who was a large muscular man, (as brave as
strong,) was taken, an Indian, claiming him as his prisoner, fastened to his
shoulders a heavy pack, which he compelled him to carry. Those Indian
packs were usually made of striped linsey petticoats, stolen from frontier set
tlers : such was the one, filled with plunder made in Stone Arabia, imposed
on Capt. Vrooman. He had not borne it far, before he was observed by Col.
Johnson, who enquired why he carried it? He replied that an Indian had
placed it upon him. The colonel then drew his sword and severed its fasten
ings. In a short time, the owner of the pack, who was in the rear at the
time it fell, came up, and in anger replaced it, with a threat of death if he
did not continue to carry it. It had been restored but a little While, when Sir
John again observed the American captain (who was a fine specimen of the
early Dutch,) under the ungainly load, and once more cut its bands ; placing
a guard around him to prevent his receiving any injury or insult from the red
warrior. In a few minutes, the latter reappeared with uplifted tomahawk,
threatening vengeance ; but finding his approach to the prisoner prevented by
bristling bayonets, he sullenly fell back : he, however, continued to watch
for a favorable opportunity all the way to Canada, to execute his threat.
While crossing a rapid stream on a log shortly after, this Indian fell off with
his pack on, and would have been drowned, but for the timely aid of his com
rades. On arriving at Montreal, Capt. Vrooman was incarcerated in prison
and did not see the sun again for two long years. — Volkert Voorhees.

432 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
stockade between Fort Plain and Fort Herkimer, called Fort
Windecker, after a German, near whose house it was erected,
(which house stood just above Crouse's Lock, on the Erie Canal,)
seven men and a boy killed an Indian and took nine prisoners,
several of whom, worn out with constant exertions, purposely
surrendered. They stated that if the Americans had followed
up their advantages, Johnson and most of his men must have
been captured. Forty or fifty horses belonging to citizens of
Schoharie were recovered,, and either taken back by the sol
diers at this time, or reclaimed in the Mohawk valley the follow
ing winter, by some half a dozen men who went from Schoharie
on purpose. — Jacob Becker and David Zeh.
In the pursuit of Johnson from Schoharie, the militia being de
ficient in knapsacks, carried bread on poles. Holes being made
in the loaves, a pole was passed through several, and borne be
tween two soldiers, who also added a loaf at each end. — Mattice
Ball. In the summer of 1843, I obtained from John Ostrom, a wor
thy citizen of Glen, some additional particulars relating to this
invasion. Mr. Ostrom was a militiarhan under Gen. Van Rensse
laer, in the pursuit of Sir John Johnson. When the Americans
arrived at the Nose, on the enemy's trail in the morning, Col.
Brown was then engaged with the latter not two miles distant,
and they heard the firing, but made no attempt to cross the
river where the enemy had crossed. When the skirmish took
place between Col. Duboise and Col. Johnson, the reason assigned
by Gen. Van Rensselaer, for not following up the success gained,
and leading his men to the attack, was, its being so near night.
Henry Ostrom, a captain of militia, from the vicinity of Albany, and
father of informant, to whose company the latter was attached;
surprised at the indifference of the general, asked him if he did not
intend to prosecute the attack. He replied that it was so near
night his men would not march. Capt. Ostrom, still remonstrat
ing with his commander, for what he considered a neglect of duty,
finally received orders to lead his own men forward ; which he
did with promptness, to the surprise of the general, who, having

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 433
mistaken his mettle, countermanded the order after the company
had proceeded several rods. Why Van Rensselaer chose to fall
back down the river three miles to encamp, remains among the
mysteries of the past.
Capt. Duncan, an officer under Sir John Johnson, in this inva
sion, returned after the war closed to the residence of his father,
situated a few miles from Schenectada. His return having been
kept private for a little time, he invited in several of his former ac
quaintances, some of whom he had oppdsed in arms, of which
number was Capt. Ostrom. On this occasion he informed his
guests, while speaking of Johnson's invasion now under considera
tion, that after the skirmish with Col. Duboise, the British officers
held a consultation, at which it was agreed to surrender the whole
army, worn out with fatigues as it was, prisoners of war ; but
that General Van Rensselaer did not give them a chance. Capt.
Duncan finding himself kindly treated by his old neighbors, re
mained in the state.
But to return to the Schoharie, valley which we left in ruins.
Fearing an invasion, considerable grain had been stacked in the
woods and by-places remote from dwellings the preceding harvest,
in the hope that if he did appear, possibly those stacks might es
cape the fire-brand. Andrew Loucks had two stacks thus con
cealed, as had also Chairman Ball, which were not burnt.
Loucks had very fortunately let out his hogs to live on acorns,
and they, too, were spared. Some individuals lost at this time
from eight to ten horses, comparatively few of which were reco
vered. Mr. Ball lost nine. — Andrew Loucks and Peter Ball.
On his return to the Middle fort, Col. Vrooman found himself
once more its lawful commander, Maj. Woolsey having taken
French leave during his absence. Col. Vrooman was often from
home on public business during the winter months of the war ;
and. sometime after the destruction of Schoharie — being a mem
ber of the state legislature, he went to Poughkeepsie, where it
was about to convene. Among other members, Col. Vrooman
was an invited guest at an evening party. On his arrival at the
place of mirth, almost the first person who caught his eye was

434 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
Maj. Woolsey. He laid off his loose clothing, and very soon af
ter sought an interview with his military friend, but to his sur
prise, he found the latter had suddenly left the house ; nor did he
reappear that night. Recollecting their last interview near the
magazine, he possibly did not care about meeting the Dutch co
lonel. — Angelica Vrooman.
Where now stands the dwelling, so long known as Spraker's
Tavern on the Mohawk turnpike, stood a small house in the Revo
lution owned by one of the Tribes' Hill Bowens, and occupied by
John Van Loan — whose politices were of a suspicious character.
On a certain occasion, two tories, Albert Van De Warken, and a
man named Frazee entered the settlement in the character of spies,
and were traced to the dwelling of Van Loan ; where they were
concealed in the daytime. A small party of patriots having as
sembled under Capt. John Zielie for the occasion, approached
the house one evening to kill or capture the emissaries of the
enemy ; and discovered them through a window at supper. Be
coming apprised by some means of the proximity of armed men,
the spies found means to leave the house and flee to a barrack of
hay, which stood between that and the hill. Around the bar
rack Capt. Zielie stationed his men to prevent the escape of the
fugities, and await the return of day. As light began to dawn,
the rascals sprang from their concealment and ran at the top of
their speed. Frazee, in attempting to pass Adam Empie, a sol
dier present, was thrust through with a bayonet and killed;
while his comrade, more fortunate, although a volley of bullets
whistled around him, fled up the mountain and escaped.
The tory dwelling above mentioned, was burnt by the enemy
under Sir John Johnson, who crossed the river a few rods below
it, on the morning Col. Brown fell ; from what motive is un
known. — Joseph Spraker.
When the war of the Revolution commenced, three brothers,
William, John, and Philip Crysler, who lived in new Dorlach ;
with their brother Adam, who lived in Schoharie, took up arms
with the foes of their country, and went to Canada in 1777. As
it began to be doubted by many of the tories in 1780, whether

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 435
Britain could subdue the states, Philip, whose family still lived in
New Dorlach, and who desired to remove it to Canada, had a
party assigned him near Harpersfield to aid in its removal. It
is supposed they arrived near the settlement a day or two before
the army reached Schoharie ; and were concealed until Seth's
Henry and possibly some others met them in an appointed place,
and communicated intelligence of the proceedings in Schoharie,
that the movement of Crysler's destructives should not precede the
general irruption. However that may be, it is certain Seth's
Henry, who was at the burning of Schoharie, was on the follow
ing day also of tbe hostile party in New Dorlach.
The enemy, consisting of eighteen Indians and three tories,
made their appearance just after noon at the dwelling of Michael
Merckley,* where Hiram Sexton now resides. Merckley was at
this time a widower. His family consisted of three daughters,
three sons, and a lad named Fox. The daughters were all
young women ; one was married to Christopher Merckley, and
lived in Rhinebeck, a small settlement a few miles from New
Dorlach — the other two were at home. The oldest son had gone
to Canada three years before, the second was then at Schoharie,
and the youngest, a lad about thirteen years old, and Fox, a boy
near his age, were also at home. Frederick, a brother of Mi
chael Merckley, then resided less than a mile east of the latter.
He had an only daughter named Catharine, who by repute was
the fairest young lady in the Schoharie settlements. He also
had several sons. Christian, (from whom some of these particu
lars were obtained) about seventeen years old, who was then at
home; Martin, a younger brother, who had been sent to his
uncle Martin's about noon of that day to borrow a currier's
knife, and possibly one or two others. On arriving at Merckley's,
the enemy captured his two daughters, the two boys, and their
cousin Martin who chanced still to be there.
About three-fourths of a mile west of Michael Merckley, then
resided Bastian France, where his son Henry now resides, a lit
tle distance from the road, which ran much as it does at the pre-
• This name was formerly writen Mercie, and pronounced Mericle.

436 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
sent day.' As the country was new, however, it was shaded
more by trees, and not bounded by fences as at present. Mr.
France had eight children. His two oldest sons, young men, liad
gone to Schoharie on the 17th, to learn how matters stood in
that valley, and were in the Lower fort when the enemy passed
it. Christopher, the oldest of those brothers, (who was the first
white child born in the town of Seward,) and Miss Catharine
Merckley, had plighted hymenial vows, and were to have been
married two weeks from the day of her death. Four other sons
were at home — John, fourteen years old, Henry, thirteen, and two
younger : and two daughters — Betsey, a young lady of seventeen,
and a little girl perhaps ten years of age. At the road, near the
residence of France, resided Henry Haines, a tory. West creek,
a tributary of Cobelskill, passed near his house, and on this he
had erected a small grist-mill— the first erected in the town of
Seward. Philip Hoffman, an old gentleman, lived not far from
Haines, where Klock now resides.
Mr. Merckley, at whose house the Indians first appeared, had
been to visit his married daughter at Rhinebeck settlement, as had
also Catharine Merckley and Betsey France, all on horseback.
Mr. Merckley returned home but a little in advance of the girls,
and approaching his house he discovered the Indians about
the door, but conscious of his kind feelings towards them,
and zeal in the royal cause, while in the act of dismounting from
his horse with perfect unconcern, he was shot down, killed, and
scalped. If was at his house, it will be remembered, the party
were harbored who captured his neighbor, William Hynds, and
family, the preceding July. When the girls approached his mill,
Haines came out, and addressing Catharine, enquired, " What is
the news ?" The reply was, " Betsey Will tell you ; I am in a
great hurry to get home." Miss France had reined up just above
the mill, to cross the creek, between the road and her father's
dwelling, as her beautiful companion rode forward, evidently ex
cited from some cause, to meet her impending fate. Possibly she
had heard the gun fired at her uncle, and anticipated danger.
She had but little more than a mile to go after parting with her

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 437
young friend. The road, by a bend from Haines' mill, swept
along the verge of a rise of ground on the north side of West
creek, leaving the flats southwest of the road. The ground is ele
vated in front of the Merckley place, and just beyond it the road
turns off, nearly east, towards Hyndsville. Miss Merckley was ri-

MURDER OF CATHARINE MERCKLEY.
ding a noble gray horse, and as she drew near her uncle's dwel
ling she saw the Indians and tories about the door, several of whom
called on her to stop ; but her eye, no doubt, caught a view of the
mangled remains of her uncle, and instead of reining, she urged
her horse up the acclivity at a quick gallop. At the instant she
was opposite to him, Seth's Henry leveled his rifle and fired at her,
and as she did not immediately fall, he snatched a rifle from the
hands of another Indian and fired again. The horse, as though
conscious of danger, and the value of his burden, increased his
speed, but the fatal messenger had done its errand — the lovely vic
tim pitched forward and fell to the earth, writhing in the agonies
of death.

438 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
She was shot through the body evidently by the first bullet, as
it had passed in at the right side. She survived but a few mi
nutes, and expired clasping her hands firmly upon the wound.
The tragic death of this young lady, so justly celebrated for her
personal charms, was witnessed from the house by her brother and
cousins. Her murderer, as he tore off her bleeding scalp, struck
with the beauty and regularity of her features, remarked — " She
was too handsome a paleface to kill, and had I known the squaw
had such long black hair, I would not have shot her." The horse
ran home, after losing his rider, and the bloody-saddle shadowed
forth the tidings her friends might expect to hear, of their dear
relative's fate. The family instantly fled, and secreted themselves
in the woods, where they remained until the following day.
Bastian France, who was then advanced in life, and quite in
firm, was in his chamber making shoes. Hearing the firing at
Merckley's, he came down and told his family (his wife was then
visiting at the house of Haines near by) he felt alarmed and tak
ing his gun, said he would go through the woods south of his
house and learn the cause of disturbance. He had not gone half
way to Merckley's, when he discovered several Indians proceeding
directly to his own dwelling. Knowing he could not reach it be
fore they did, he resolved to proceed on foot, by a circuitous route,
to the lower Schoharie fort for assistance, distant eighteen or twen
ty miles, and return as soon as possible. He arrived there late in
the evening, greatly fatigued, and found that all the troops which
could be spared were preparing to follow the enemy to the Mo
hawk. It was late the following day when he again arrived at
his own dwelling.
Two Indians reached the residence of France in advance of
their fellows, at which time the children were standing on the
stoop looking for the cause of alarm. As they approached the
house, a large watch- dog ran out and attacked them, which one
halted to shoot. The other approached the children and led out
John and Henry, the two oldest boys at home, towards a pile of
wood to be killed* As the Indian who had shot the dog came up,
John was handed over to him by his captor to -be murdered for the

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 439
British value of his scalp. The Indian aimed a blow with his
tomahawk at his head, which the latter warded off with his arm.
As the second blow which brought him to the ground was raised,
Henry saw the other children running off, and followed them.
Seeing his captor start in pursuit, lest he should be shot down, he
sprang round a corner of the house and stood still. The Indian
turned the corner and took him, with the other children, back to
the stoop.
Without waiting to scalp the victim, the Indian who had felled
John, left him and ran across the creek to the house of Hoffman,
but the latter with his wife, having heard the gun which was fired
at France's dog, took seasonable alarm, fled into the woods and
escaped. As the children returned to the door with their captor,
some half a dozen more of the enemy arrived ; and proceeding to
the cellar, helped themselves to several pies, and such other food
as it contained, which they took up stairs, placed on a table in
the centre of a room and greedily devoured. Mrs. France hear
ing the noise, hastened home to protect her children or share theft
fate, just as the Indians were surrounding the table. When Henry
was taken back, he went to his wounded brother, who could still
sit up, and attempted to raise him on his feet; but he was unable
to stand. Henry then told him to crawl under the oven where the
dog usually had slept, but the hatchet had done its bidding, and
he was too weak. When his mother arrived at the house and be
held the situation of her dying son, who was then past speech, her
maternal sympathy was aroused. Her little daughter, crying,
clung to her knees and besought her to save John from the cruel
Indians ; and she in tears entreated them to carry him into the
house, or spare him from further injury. This they refused to do,
but promised not to harm her other children.
While his captor was eating, Henry was compelled to stand
near him, by whom he was closely eyed. Twice he walked to
the door, and on turning round, observed the stealthy eye of the
red man fixed upon him and he walked back ; he thus lulled the
suspicion of his keeper, and the third time he reached the door,
perceiving he was not watched, he sprang out of the house, ran
29

440 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
round it and fled towards the woods. When about twenty rods
distant, he looked back and saw several Indians turn a corner of
the house, and instantly falling to the ground he was gratified to
observe, that as they scattered in pursuit, none started in the di
rection he had taken. From behind some old logs he watched
their motions, and as soon as they had returned to the dwelling,
he gained the adjoining woods in safety.
A few minutes after Henry had eluded the vigilance of his new
master, the Indian who had gone to Hoffman's returned, was quite
angry because the former had escaped, and instantly dispatched
and scalped John. Philip Crysler lived in the direction of Hoff
man, and when the murderer returned, the former, disguised as an
Indian, came with him. He was not known to the family at the
time, although they observed he had blue eyes, (the eyes and hair
of a blooded Indian are almost invariably black,) but they after
wards learned from a sister of Crysler, that his wife, hearing the
gun fired at the dog of France, told her husband to put on his In
dian dress, run over and save the France family by all means, as
she was under such great obligations to them. They had almost
wholly supported herself and family for three years. To the
counsels of the blue-eyed Indian, as Crysler was called, the party
reluctantly yielded ; and leaving the rest of the family and most
of their effects undisturbed, soon after withdrew. The Indian who
had been foiled by Henry, seemed most dissatisfied ; and snatch
ing a brand of fire he ran to the barn and thrust it into the hay.
Another Indian drew it out and threw it away, but some coals
must have remained, as the barn and its contents were soon after
in flames. Two large barracks, each an hundred feet in circum
ference, standing near the barn, were also consumed. Two ofthe
Indians at the house of France could speak Low Dutch ; Mrs.
France begged of them to intercede for the lives of her offspring.
The invaders went as far west as the dwelling of Haines, cap
turing several of his slaves. Haines went to Canada himself at a
subsequent period. As soon as the Indians were out of sight, Mrs.
France carried the body of her murdered son into the house, his
warm blood trickling upon her feet ; and then, with Betsey and
three younger children, concealed herself in the woods.

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 441
Henry France, after gaining the forest back of his father's
house, ran, by a circuitous route, towards the dwelling of William
Spurnhuyer, who resided not far from Christian Merckley. In the
mean time, the enemy, with their plunder, accompanied by the fa
mily of Crysler, after burning the dwelling and barn of Michael
Merckley, set forward on their journey. On arriving at the house
of Spurnhuyer, who had gone with his family to a place of great
er security but a day or two before, they made a halt. Spurnhuy
er had left a young heifer near the dwelling, which was shot to
serve the party for food. When the gun was fired at the amimal,
young France was not in sight, though near, but was running di
rectly toward that place, and supposing it fired at himself, chang
ed his course, nor did he know at what the gun was discharged,
until the return of Martin Merckley, some time after. Thus had
this lad a third time escaped the tomahawk. He then went back
and secreted himself, about sun-down, near the creek, a few rods
from his father's dwelling. He had been but a short time in this
place when Mrs. Haines, who was going past with a milk-pail,
discovered him in the bushes, and told him where he could find his
mother. Procuring blankets at the house the weeping group re
turned to sleep in the woods, fearing a visit from the bears and
wolves less than they did that of the armed savage. The family
lived in the woods until the third day following their disaster, when
they went to Schoharie.
Spurnhuyer's house, after being plundered, was set on fire, and,
with his barn consumed. The invaders had proceeded only a mile
or two from the settlement, when the two boys cried to return.
The executioner of the party halted with them, and soon after
overtook his comrades with their bloody scalps. Berkley, a tory
present, from the vicinity of Albany, told the Misses Merckley
that their brother and young Fox would not have been killed had
they not cried. Indians never fancy crying children. It was not
known in New Dorlach that those boys were killed, until a year
or two afterwards, when the fact was communicated by a letter
from the Merckley girls to their friends. Persons who visited the
spot near the mountain south of their father's, designated as the

442 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
place where the boys were murdered, found bones scattered over
the ground, wild beasts having no doubt eaten the flesh that once
covered them. The party journeyed directly to Canada by the
usual southwestern route, and as the weather was then cold, the
suffering of the prisoners was very severe. They were greatly
straightened for food on the way, and putrid horse-flesh, fortunate
ly found in the path, was considered a luxury, and doubtless saved
some of them from starving. Martin Merckley was compelled to
run the gantlet, and was beaten and buffeted a great distance. Pri
soners captured in the spring or fall, when the Indians were con
gregated in villages, usually suffered more than those taken in
midsummer. As the Merckley girls were then orphans, and their
father's personal property all destroyed, they accepted offers of
marriage, and both remained in Canada.
On the day following their massacre, the remains of John
France were buried by Henry Haines, Sen., and those of Mr.
Merckley and his charming neice, by Mr. Haines, Michael Fri-
mire, and Christopher France, Miss M.'s intended husband. Sad,
indeed, must have been the feelings ofthe young lover, while per
forming this most melancholy duty. Few were the witnesses pre
sent ; no funeral knell told the distant neighbor that death was
abroad ; the ceremony was brief and informal. No long proces
sion followed those mangled corpses to measured steps, preceded
by the man of God in sacerdotal robes ; yet one there was whose
sorrowing came from the heart. A few rough boards were laid
in the " narrow house" which had been hastily dug a little dis
tance east of where they had fallen, and blooming youth and
parental age were placed side by side in it, and quicky buried.
A few years ago their remains were taken up, placed in a cof
fin, and funeral services performed over them ; after which they
were deposited in the family burying ground, on the Frederick
Merckley place, where a marble slab may now be seen with the
following inscription :
" In Memory of Catharine Marcley and Michael Marcley,
who was [were] killed by the Indians, Oct. 18, 1780."
Nothing on the stone indicates their ages or consanguinity : she

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 443
was about 18 ; and her uncle, probably, 45 or 50 years old. Af
ter young France was engaged to Miss Merckley, he gave her,
agreeable to custom, a pair of silver shoe-buckles. These Seth's
Henry left upon her feet, and they were returned to the lover.
It has been a mystery to many in Schoharie that Michael
Merckley, who was the avowed friend of royalty, should thus
have been killed, his property destroyed, and his family broken up.
The following circumstance reveals the secret. A short time pre
vious to the Revolution, a daughter of Philip Crysler (then in her
teens) was living in the family of one Barnhard, in the capacity
of a hired girl. While there, a son of Michael Merckley several
times visited her, about which time she became gravis. This fact
coming to the knowledge of her parents, they desired her to fix
paternity on young Merckley and compel a marriage.- She was
taken before Judge Brown, then a justice ofthe peace, who, hav
ing previously been apprized of all the circumstances in the case,
told the girl the nature of an oath, the criminality of its being
falsely rendered, and what the future consequences might be. He
then administered the oath, and the honors of paternity were
awarded Barnhard. This affair caused a lasting hatred between
the two families ; and when Crysler obtained the direction of a
party of Indians, there can remain little doubt but what some of
them were found willing, in anticipation of plunder, to share his
prejudices and gratify his savage propensities ; for such we must
call the inclinations of those who joined the enemy, went to Ca
nada, and from choice came back repeatedly, to imbrue their
hands in the blood of their former neighbors and relatives.
Many of the settlers, tories as Well as whigs, concealed their
effects in the war ; and it is said that Philip Crysler had concealed
part of his. As old Mr. Hoffman and his wife were inoffensive
people, and did not meddle with politics, it was supposed from
the attempt to kill them at the time of his removal, and of their
massacre the next season, that it was in consequence of the fact,
that a girl, who had once lived with Hoffman, had discovered and
appropriated to her own use, some of the hidden property of
Crysler. Trifling circumstances were construed into plausible pre-

444 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
texts too often in the Revolution — as, in fact, they will be, from
the nature of things, in all civil wars — for the perpetration of the
most heinous and revolting cruelties. The reason is obvious:
when all laws are disregarded and set at defiance, the baser pas
sions of the human breast triumph over virtue and social order;
and crime — " Stalks abroad at noonday,
Nor does she cease at midnight to destroy.*"
Nothing of importance transpired in the Schoharie valley that
year, after the invasion of Sir John Johnson. The loss at that
time to the citizens seems almost incalculable. Of the one hun
dred and thirty-four buildings, said by Judge Brown to have been
burned in Schoharie county during the war, the greater part were
consumed at this time. Among all the houses burnt in the coun
ty, I do not remember to have heard of a single log tenement :
the citizens were comfortably situated in good framed dwellings,
with large barns (which the Dutch are celebrated for erecting)
abundantly filled. Schoharie had constantly supplied not only
her own citizens and soldiers with wheat, but had furnished large
quantities for the support of American troops at other stations :
but now, by the most rigid economy, the remaining supply could
hardly have been expected to subsist the citizens until new crops
returned. Some families were compelled to take up temporary
residences abroad, while others set about erecting such dwellings
as their crippled means would allow. That the destruction of the
Schoharie settlements that season was properly considered in oth
er colonies at the time, the following extract of a letter from Pre
sident Madison, dated at Philadelphia, Nov. 14, 1780, (which I
find in the Albany Evening Journal of Nov. 30, 1841,) will clear
ly show. After alluding to the difficulty of procuring supplies of
wheat and flour for the Army, he adds :
" The inroads of the enemy on the frontiers of New York have
* The occurrences which took place in New Dorlach were told the author
in 1837, by Henry, son of Bastian France ; the wife of Tunis Vrooman, and
daughter of Ernest Fritz ; Henry, a son of Wm. Hynds, and Christian, a
son of Fred. Merckley, corroborated by others.

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 445
been most fatal to us in this respect. They have almost totally
ruined that fine wheat country, which was able, and from the en
ergy of their government, was likely to supply magazines of flour,
both to the main army and the northwestern posts. The settle
ment of Schoharie, which alone was able to furnish, according to
a letter from Gen. Washington, eighty thousand bushels of grain
for public use, has been totally laid in ashes."
Nor was the great loss of grain, dwellings, stock, &c, the on
ly one to be deplored in Schoharie. The paper currency of the
country, which had increased by the year 1780 to the enormous
sum of 200,000,000 dollars, had become nearly worthless. Of
this trash, some of the Schoharie farmers had large amounts;
mostly taken in payment for the products of the soil, for quite or
nearly its pretended value. Some who had been holding on to it
in the hope that it would become more valuable, or because they
found it difficult as a leech to shake off, had the mortification to
learn, that from fifty to sixty dollars continental money would
command in 1780 but one single dollar in speoie. An old soldier
informed the author, that he once sent an eight dollar continental
bill to buy a quart of cider, and received a two dollar bill, Rhode
Island currency, in change. At a later period, an officer of his
acquaintance once paid seventy dollars of continental money for a
single mug of flip. At the close of the war, it could hardly
have been considered of any value, except fcr cigar or lamp
lighters. To give the reader an idea of the currency of which I have so
often spoken, I give the facsimile of a continental note, and the
vignettes of others. In selecting mottos for vignettes, care was
taken to get brief Latin sentences, which should be characteristic
of the position of this country with England ; and would be most
likely to stimulate patriotic sentiments and enlist the feelings
of Americans in the popular cause. The significant devices on
the bills generally proved an index to the sentiments prevailing at
their date. The back of the notes contained the amount of the
same, with the name and residence of the printers, and some sim
ple device, as that of a leaf, a vine, or an Indian bow. The lat
ter appears on the back of the note, from which the following cut

446

HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY^

was engraved. Some of the continental notes contained water
marks, only to be seen by holding them up to the light. Many
of the vignettes also contained a colored mark of some kind.

WMJMMnSMmMSjiimm

Sixty Do ffars. No.W^

2T/us Bill entities
^Bearer to receive
Sixty Spanifh mill
ed Dollars, or
v/ieYahit tiereof in
Gold cr Silver, ac
cording to a, Refolu
tion /iaffe& by (Son-
grcfs atP/uGzdeCfi&i,
Sefit,

The vignette of this bill is the emblem of a globe surrounded
by the motto—" The Lord reigns, let the earth rejoice." A
quotation from the Psalms of David, showing the confidence of
the states in the God of battles. This device, a'circular chain,
bearing on each link the name
of a state, is an admirable em
blem of their union, and im
plies that while it remains un
broken, no foreign power can
la;) destroy its central government.
y This note, Two Thirds of a
Dollar, is dated Feb. 17, 1776,
and in a device upon the back
is the commendable caution,
" Mind your business."

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK.

447

This is the vignette of a Six Dollar
Note, dated Feb. 17, 1776. It repre
sents a beaver gnawing a tree. This
sagacious animal constructs its dams
|and dwellings, by cutting down trees
with its teeth : a slow but sure process.
The motto over it is — " By persever
ing." Saying in effect to the colonists :
persist and your labors shall be crowned
with success.
This is the vignette of a Five Dollar
Note, of New York currency, dated
March 5, 1776. It represents a candle
stick with thirteen burners, to denote the
number of states. The motto signifies,
" One fire and to the same purpose."
Implying that the states were all alive to
a sense of their just rights.
Here is the vignette of a Five Dol
lar Note, dated May 9, 1776. Itshows
a thorn tree, with a hand grasping it.
The motto says — "Sustain or abstain."
This device, at that period, represents
the colonies assaying in effect to Great
Britain, Pass laws to protect, or none
to affect us.

This device, a contest between an
eagle and a stork, is from a Three Dol
lar Note, dated July 22, 1776. The
stork represents the colonies struggling
against the superior force of the moth
er country. The motto encourages by
saying — " The result is uncertain."

448

HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,

= iQ OF

Here is the vignette of an Eight
Dollar Note, also dated July 22, 1776.
It contains a harp, surrounded by the
motto, " Large things are consonant
with small ones." As the strings of
a harp must all be in tune to give
music ; so the states, with diversified
interests and opinions, must be guided
by wisdom to unite and harmonize
them for the general good.
This device, on a Half Dollar Note, da
ted Aug. 13, 1776, is a most interesting
and significant one. It is that of a hand
planting a young tree. Its motto — " For
Posterity," shows the duty of practising
disinterested benevolence ; in struggling to
establish a government which will extend
its greatest benefits to future generations.
The vignette of this note for Four Dol
lars, dated Jan. 14, 1779, represents a
swine encountering a spear ; and de
manding, as he received it, " Death, or
Life with Decency."

This note for Eighty Dollars is also
dated Jan. 14, 1779, and bears the device
of a majestic oak tree. Around it are the
words, " It bHALL Flourish through Ages
Ages." Prophetic allusion is here
made to the establishment and perpetuity
of a republican government. Heaven
grant the prediction may be fully verified,

and that the worms of faction may ever die before reaching the

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 449
roots of liberty's tree : planted by oppression and nourished by
the best blood of the land.
This little device, which appears on a note for
One Shilling, New York currency, dated Aug.
13, 1776, (on which are the words, " 'Tis death
to counterfeit") is truly expressive. It repre
sents incense rising from an altar, and over it
the motto — " Not without God."
Many important events transpired in the United States, in 1780,
to hearten or dispirit the American patriot. On the 13th day of
May, Charleston, S. C, then in the command of Gen. Lincoln,
fell into the hands of the British with nearly five thousand men,
and four hundred cannon. In June 5000 men under Gen. Knip-
hausen, entered New-Jersey, and committed many acts of violence.
On the 10th day of July, Admiral M. de Ternay sent by the French
goverment, with seventeen armed vessels and several transports,
arrived at Newport, R. I., bringing six thousand French troops,
under the Count de Rochambeau, to aid us in our struggle for
freedom. The arrival of these allies was greeted by the citizens
with every demonstration of joy. On the 16th of August, the
American army under the command of Gen. Gates met the British
at Camden, one hundred and twenty miles north-west of Charles
ton, S. C, under Lord Cornwallis ; at which meeting the laurels
of Saratoga were transformed for the American commander, to
drooping willows. Gates, with his militia, retreated before the
successful British troops, while the brave Gen. De Kalb, second in
command, with a body of Continental troops who shared his spirit,
withstood the repeated assaults of the whole British army until he
fell covered with wounds and glory. Congress resolved at the
time to erect a monument to the memory of this noble German
at Annapolis, which has not yet been done.
In September, an attempt was made by Gen. Benedict Arnold
to surrender the fortress of West Point by treachery, to Sir Henry
Clinton, which transaction with its interesting details, will be
found in another part of this work, under a sketch of the life of
David Williams, one of the captors of Maj. Andre.

( 450 )

CHAPTER XV.

The events of 1781, opened with an unpleasant occurrence.
The sufferings of the soldiers had been very severe, added to which
some had been detained in service beyond the term of their en
listment, while all were in arrears of pay for their services. In
the evening of the first day of January, the troops of the Penn
sylvania line stationed at Morristown, New Jersey, numbering
1300, paraded under arms — determined to march to Philadelphia
and demand from Congress immediate redress. Their officers
endeavored by persuasion to lull their murmurs and disperse them
to their quarters, but to no purpose — although one was killed and
several wounded. Gen. Wayne, in front of these men, cocked
his pistols to compel obedience to his commands, but in an instant
an hundred guns were leveled at his breast. " We love and re
spect you," said the malcontents, " but fire and you are a dead
man." Declaring their intention of not going over to the ene
my, they elected temporary officers — and marched off in a body
for Princeton. Several agents sent by Sir Henry Clinton to
win them to the British interest, were handed over by the re-
volters to the Americans, 'who executed them as spies. Commit
tees from Congress and the Legislature of Pennsylvania, met them
at Princeton, paid part of their arrears in specie, and they return
ed to their duty. This mutiny was followed by one of less con
sequence in the troops of New Jersey, which was quelled and the
ringleaders instantly executed.
Early in the year 1781, a block-house was erected on Mr.
Houck's land in Kneiskern's dorf, near the present residence of
George Taylor, and picketed in. A similar one was constructed

HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, ETC. 451
about the same time in Hartman's dorf. A block-house, similar
to the one called Fort-Plain, was erected that spring near the
dwelling of Jacob Shafer in Cobelskill, about half a mile east of
Cobelskill village. This block-house was erected by Capt. Du
boise of Catskill, and was called Fort Duboise. It was surround
ed by a deep moat, which was partially filled with water from a
brook running near. About half an acre of ground, on which
stood the dwelling of Shafer, was embraced in the inclosure,
which was also surrounded by pickets. The gate or principal
entrance was on the eastern side. This fort, with a small garri
son, was for some time under the command of Capt. Duboise.
Early in the spring of this year, several minor transactions of
interest occurred in the Saratoga settlements. In the present
town of Clifton-Park resided one Fillmore, a lieutenant of militia,
who possessed a fearless spirit. He was engaged, in the proper
season, in making maple-sugar, and usually boiled all night, re
turning home in the morning to be relieved by a daughter, until
he had foddered his cattle and taken breakfast. On going to the
woods she was instructed, in case she saw any suspicious looking
persons, to give no signs of fear, but communicate the discovery
to her father as soon after as prudence allowed. One very foggy
morning, when Miss Fillmore was in attendance at the sugar-
bush, an individual passed it, without seeing her, going in the di
rection of a retired dwelling occupied by a widow lady. As soon
as the strange figure was out of sight, she ran home to apprise
her father of the discovery. She described the man to be a sus
picious looking person, having a gun and a hairy pack. -
Lieut. Fillmore, rightly suspecting the visitant to be the noto
rious Jo. Bettys, got two of his neighbors, named Perkins and
Corey, to accompany him, and all well armed proceeded unob
served to the widow's house, one of the three going upon the
back side of it, to prevent his egress. The other two burst open
the door, and disclosed the object of search at the breakfast table.
He had imprudently seated himself with his back toward the door,
and his rifle lying across the table. The instant an entrance was
forced, the Ueutenant seized the villain by the collar and drew him

452 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
from the table, as he was reaching for his trusty piece. He was
soon overpowered by the three militiamen, and tightly bound.
Before he started for Albany, he desired to smoke, and was par
tially loosened to afford him an opportunity. He went to the
fire-place to light his pipe, and was noticed to cast something in
the fire. One of his captors snatched it from the live embers, and
found it to be a silver bullet which screwed together ; inside of
which was a message to Sir Henry Clinton from an officer in Ca
nada, written in figures. On the testimony contained within the
bullet, Bettys was convicted and hung at Albany as a spy. Con
sidering his desperate character, the enterprise of Lieut Fillmore
and his companions in arresting him, was one of the most daring
performed in the whole war.
When the arrest of Bettys became known in the Ballston set
tlement, Maj. Mitchell enjoined secrecy of the affair, rightly con
jecturing that he had not traversed the northern forests of New-
York, alone. A Mrs. Camp or Van Camp, a widow living in the
neighborhood, had a son in the British service, who it was thought,
might possibly have accompanied Bettys. The arrest of the lat
ter having been kept close during the day ; Kenathy Gordon, a
sergeant, was entrusted by Maj. Mitchell with the search to be
made the same night. Attended by John Sweatman and several
other fearless neighbors, properly armed, young Gordon gained
access to the house of Mrs. Camp after bed- time, and enquired
for her son. She declared her ignorance of his whereabouts, pre
tended to be highly incensed at having armed men enter her
dwelling and disturb the family at midnight, and still more on be
ing suspected of harboring an enemy.
This woman talked very patriotic, but the warmth she mani
fested satisfied the sergeant, who was a resolute fellow, that her
son was in the house ; and he went to the fire-place, seized a
blazing brand and started up stairs. Young Camp and Jonathan
Miller had accompanied Bettys to the neighborhood, and were
then in an upper room. Hearing the noise below, they sprang
out of bed, seized their guns and leveled them. At the click of
their locks, Gordon jumped down stairs, and swore if they did not

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 453
descend and surrender themselves prisoners in less than five minutes,
he would smoke them out. Believing he would execute his threat
and burn the house, they concealed some money under a rafter,
and then came down and submitted to Gordon's authority, who
conducted them to the dwelling of Maj. Mitchell, where they
were secured until morning. The prisoners had not the least sus
picion that Bettys had been arrested, until after they were. On
his way to the major's dwelling, Miller was heard to say he would
rather he shot than to enter it. Obadiah Miller, a brother living in
the vicinity, was sent for in the morning, and unexpectedly ush
ered into the presence of his tory kinsman, whose visit to the neigh
borhood was unknown to him. His surprise was evidently irk
some, and he trembled like a leaf. It leaked out in the sequel,
that the two Millers were together in the woods when the attempt
was made the fall before to capture the major, which he possibly
suspected. The two prisoners were taken to Albany, from whence
they were liberated or effected an escape. — Charles Mitchell.
In the spring of 1781, Col. Livingston, with his regiment of
New York troops, marched up the Mohawk valley to Fort Plain.
On arriving at the house of George Adam Doekstader, situated
four miles west of the present village of Fonda, the regiment halt
ed. This was the only house except the parsonage, left standing
in the valley the year before, from Tribe's Hill to the Nose, a dis
tance or nine or ten miles. An upper room of Dockstader's house
was found to be locked, and Maj. Davis,* a spirited officer of the
regiment, demanded the key : but the magic iron of ingenious in-
•Maj. Davis was a native of East Hampton, L. I. He became a prisoner
to the enemy in the latter part of the war, was confined in one ofthe charnel
houses in New York, and there died, as was believed, by having poison ad
ministered to him in chocolate. An American captain, who was a feilow-
prisoner, tasted the beverage, but suspecting its ingredients, would not drink
it, and advised Maj. D. not to — but the latter had already swallowed a portion
of it. He was immediately taken ill, and died soon after. Several other pri
soners died at the same time, from the same cause. Such was the fate of
many — yes, very many, brave American officers and soldiers. They were eith
er poisoned outright, or subjected to such privations for the want of whole
some food, clothing, medical attendance, fuel, and ventilated rooms, at hur-
ried them off by hundreds to eternity. — Williamson.

454 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
vention had disappeared, and could not possibly be found. "Well,
then," said the intrepid major, " bring me an axe ; I can open it."
Rather than have the door mutilated, the family produced the key,
when lo ! the room was found to be literally filled with hams
and other smoked meat. The major concluded, and no doubt cor
rectly, that from the different colors the meat presented, it had been
smoked in many places ; and that most of it must have been gath
ered by Indians and tories, and there deposited to be used as occa
sion might require. He therefore thought it advisable to victual
his own men from it, and leaving a year's supply for the family, the
rest was "pressed into the service," to the gratification of the
troops. — James Williamson, a soldier present.
On the 2d day of March of this year, James Williamson, a ser
geant, was sent, (as he informed the writer) with Corporal Samuel
Betts and half a dozen soldiers, from Fort Schuyler to guard about
the same number of wood-choppers, and attend to measuring a
quantity of wood already chopped, distant about half a milairom
that post. While thus engaged, Brant came suddenly upon the
Americans, with a large body of Indians and tories, and discharg
ing a' volley of balls to intimidate them, rushed up and captured
the whole party, except Williamson, who fled, amidst a shower of
bullets, in safety to the fort. Only two of the Americans were
wounded, WlHiarn Moffatt and Timothy Reynolds — the former
with a broken thigh, and the latter a bullet-hole in his cheek, the
ball having entered at the mouth. Moffatt fired on the Indians,
on which account he was tomahawked, scalped, stripped of his
clothing, and left for dead. The enemy immediately set forward,
and forded the Mohawk some distance below.
On the arrival of Williamson at the fort, an alarm gun was
fired, by which the captives knew their sergeant had escaped. A
strong force immediately turned out, and were piloted by him in
pursuit of the foe. At the place where the Americans had been
surprised, Moffatt was found alive, but died soon after. On reach
ing the path near the river, which led from Fort Schuyler to Fort
Dayton, Brant halted his men, and cut the straps which contain
ed the buckles, from his prisoners' shoes, which he carefully dis-

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 455
posed along the path on the crusted snow, that his enemies might
know what he had done, giving the captives deer-skin straps with
which to tie their shoes. The pursuing party found the buckles, but
as it was near night the chnse was given over, from fear, probably,
of an ambuscade, as the numbers of the presumptuous foe were
unknown. Brant first conducted his prisoners to the Oneida cas
tle, some sixteen miles southwest of Utica, and after procuring a
supply of corn directed his course to Fort Niagara by the great
southwestern route.* Early in the same spring, two boys, who
had gone back of an orchard, only a few hundred yards from Fort
Herkimer, to drive home cows, were surprised and captured by
seven Indians and two tories, and hurried off to Canada. — Wil
liamson. On the 9th day of July, 1781, a party of the enemy, number
ing about five. hundred, mostly Indians, under the command of
Captain John Dockstader, a tory, who had gone to Canada from
the vicinity of the Mohawk, entered a small settlement called
Curry Town,f in the present town of Root, three miles southeast
from Spraker's Basin. A small block house had been erected
near the dwelling of Henry Lewis and picketed in, previous to
this invasion, which took place about 10 o'clock, A. M.; and so
unexpected was it, that most of the settlers were at their occupa
tions at home when the first alarm was sounded. The Henry Lew-
*An incident mentioned by Prieit, in the memoirs of David Ogden, (a cap
tive at the time,) as having taken -place before their arrival at Niagara, de
serves a notice. Having halted al noon to rest, " Brant took a notion that
Corporal Betts should exercise his men and -fellow-prisoners, to see, as he
said, whether the Yankees could go through the tactics of Baron Steuben.
The corporal was very loth to do this, through diffidence or a broken spirit,
hanging back considerably ; but Brant insisted upon it, when Betts drew out
his men in due order, fifteen in number, quite a company, dressed them in a
straight line, and then went through the manual exercise according to Steu
ben, to the full approbation of Brant. But as they did this, the tories assay
ed to make! sport of them, which Brant fqrbid with a terrible frown, saying
that the Yankees went through with it a d — d sight better than they could,
and that he liked to see the thing done well, although it were done by tbe
enemy." t So called after William Curry, the patentee of the lands in thai settle
ment.
30

456 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
is house is still standing. Jacob Dievendorf, a pioneer settler at
that place, was at work in a fallow, with his two sons, Frederick
and Jacob, and a negro boy named Jacobus [James]- Blood. The
last two were captured ; and Frederick, a lad twelve or fourteen
years old, in attempting to escape to the fort, was overtaken, toma
hawked and scalped. Mrs. Dievendorf, with several female chil
dren and five or six slaves, fled from her dwelling and reached the
fort in safety. Mrs. D. was a large fleshy woman, and in hastily
climbing a fence, on her way to the fort, it fell with her. Peter
Bellinger, a brothef of Mrs. Dievendorf, who was plowing in the
settlement, hearing the alarm, unharnessed a horse, mounted it,
and rode toward the Mohawk, pursued by several Indians, who
arrived in sight of the river almost as soon as he did ; he, how
ever, escaped. Rudolf Keller and his wife happened to be at the
fort when the invaders appeared; Keller, Henry Lewis, and Con
rad Ehders being the only men in the fort at the time. Keller's
oldest son, discovering the enemy, ran home : and' as they lived too
far north of the fort to think of gaining it, he hurried the rest of
the family into the woods northwest of the house, where they
gained a place of temporary safety. . As they entered the woods
they looked back and saw the Indians at their dwelling. Fred
erick Lewis and Henry Lewis, Jr., were among the first to gain
the fort. The former fired three successive guns to warn the set
tlers of danger, and several, thus seasonably warned, found a safe
retreat in the forest. Jacob Tanner, with his family, were among
the last to gain the picketed inclosure. The escape of this fa
mily would afford the artist a fair subject for his pencil. As the
Indians were approaching his dwelling, he fled from it with a
small child in one hand and a gun in the other, followed by his
wife, with an infant in her arms, and several children on foot hold
of her clothes. The family were pursued toward the fort by the
tawny savages, with uplifted tomahawks, thirsting for their blood.
Finding he could not cut off their retreat, the Indian in advance
drew up his rifle and fired at Tanner. The ball passed just over
the head of the child he carried, and entered a picket beside him.
Several guns, fired from the fort, caused the enemy to gain a more
respectful distance.

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 457
The Indians plundered and burnt all the buildings in the settle
ment, a dozen or more in number, except the house of David Lewis,
who resided where Heniy Vorhees now does, and a log school-
house. Lewis was a tory, and although his house was set on fire,
an Indian chief with whom he was acquainted, gave him permis
sion to put it out when they were gone. He did so, and part of
the building is still standing. Jacob Moyer and his father, who
were cutting timber in the woods not far from Yates's, were found
dead and scalped, one at each end of a log. They were killed by
the party who pursued Peter Bellinger. The Indians were visible
about the settlement until after four o'clock, P. M., when, they
moved off with their booty. They either killed or drove away
most of the cattle and horses in the neighborhood. Several ofthe
latter which were let loose by the Dievendorfs on the approach of
the enemy, fled from their pursuit, and leaping a fence the saga
cious animals gained a place of safety in the forest.
The lad Frederick Dievendorf, after lying insensible for several
hours, recovered and crawled toward the fort. He was seen by
his uncle, Mr. Keller, who went out to meet him. As he ap
proached the lad, whose clothes were dyed in his own blood ; the
latter still bewildered, raised his hands imploringly and besought
his uncle not to kill him. Mr. Keller assured him of his intended
kindness ; took him up in his arms and carried him to the fort.
His wounds were properly dressed and he recovered ; but was
killed several years after by a falling tree. Jacob Dievendorf,
senior, fled before the Indians on their approach, and in his flight
ran past a prisoner named James Butterfield, at a little distance
from whom he threw himself under a fallen tree. His pursuers
enquired of Butterfield what direction he had taken. " That
way," said the prisoner, pointing in a different direction for the
one taken. The party were thus put upon a course which soon
carried them past Dievendorf, and left him his own master.
Some of the pursuing Indians passed over the log under which the
object of search was concealed, and had they looked back, must
have discovered him. The captives taken along by the enemy,
were Jacob Dievenddrf, jun., fhe negro Jacob, two lads by the

458 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, ,
name of Bellinger, and a little girl by the name of Miller, ten or
twelve years old*
On the morning of the same day on which Curry Town was
burnt, Col. Willet dispatched Capt. Gros from Fort Plain, with
forty men, with the two-fold object of looking for provisions, and
for American foes. As it was known that the settlements of New-
Dorlach and New Rhinebeck, were mostly inhabited by tories;
thither Capt. Gros directed his steps, in the hope of getting a few
beeves for the garrison. Near the fbrrher residence of one Baxter,
he struck the trail of the enemy ; drew up his men beside it, and
marched them three times over the ground ; when he found that
one hundred and twenty men would hardly begin to beat a cor
responding track. By this test the number of the enemy was es
timated to be, at" least five hundred, the number it was after
wards ascertained fully to equal.
Selecting two of his best men to follow the trail, Capt. Gros
marched his company to Bowman's creek, to await the report of
the scout. The latter proceeded about a mile and came upon
the ground where the enemy had encamped the previous night
They approached sufficiently near to observe a large number of
packs ; and Saw a few Indians cooking food — -making prepara
tions, as they supposed, for the return of their comrades, who, as
it proved, had then gone to destroy Curry Town. They proceed
ed hastily to the creek and reported to Capt. Gros what they had
discovered, who dispatched John Young and one other man on
horseback to Fort-Plain, to inform Col. Willet of the espionage,
proposing to await his further orders at Bowman's creek.
Willet sent a message to Lieut: Col. Veeder to march as speedi
ly as possible with what troops he could collect at Fort Paris and
elsewhere, to the theatre of action. Collecting all the men that
could with safety be spared from Fort Rensselaer and Fort-Plain
*¦ The preceding facts respecting the invasion of Curry Town were obtained
by the Writer at repeated interviews with John, a son of Rudolf Keller , above
named; Jacob Dievendorf, the young captive named; and Toby Blood
at that time a young slave in the Dievendorf family . Butterfield, although a
stranger to Dievendprf at the time of saving his life, came to Curry Town af
ter the war, and was hospitably entertained by him.

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 459
with the militia he could in the mean time assemble, Col. Willet
set out for Bowman's creek. Passing Fort Clyde, a picketed
block-house in Frey's Bush, a draft was made upon that for ad
ditional troops, and about midnight he united his forces with those
of Capt. Gros : the aggregate number of which was 260, many of
whom were militia. Willet set out for the camp of the enemy,
and arrived in its vicinity about daylight. They were encamped
in a cedar swamp on the north side of the Western turnpike, near
the centre of the present town of Sharon. A part of this swamp
may now be seen N. E. of the public house kept by Jacob Hiller,
about two miles east of the Sharon springs. At that period the
swamp extended farther eastward, and the encampment was on
the highest ground in the swamp, only a few rods distant from
the turnpike, as now laid. On the south side of the road a ridge
of land may be seen, and still south of that a small valley. By a
circuitous route Col. Willet gained this little dale, and there drew
up his men with care in a crescent.
Thus prepared to receive the enemy, who were nearly double
his own forces, he sent several men over the ridge to show them
selves, fire on the foe, flee, and thus elicit pursuit within the Ame
rican defiles. The decoy succeeded admirably, the whole party
snatching up their weapons joined in the pursuit of the fugitives ;
and Willet's victory must have been most signally complete, had
he stationed his men nearer the enemy's camp, as he might have
done without observation : but having nearly half a mile to run,
the stool-pigeons were so hotly pursued that the lines were broken
to rescue them, which prevented the surprise from being entirely
successful. So closely were the camp spies pursued, that Fre
derick Bellinger, one of the number, was overtaken and slain.
Willet's men had been previously instructed to take trees or fallen
logs and not leave them, and they were in all cases to reserve
their fire until they had a fair shot. The battle lasted about two
hours, when, to use the words of an American soldier who was
in that battle, " The Indians got tired of them, and made off." —
John Adam Strobeck. He was a private under Capt. Gros, was
in the hottest part ofthe engagement, and was wounded in one hip.

460 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
The enemy, in their retreat, were hotly pursued by the Ameri
cans, led oh by Col. Willet iri person, and so completely were
they routed, that most of their camp equipage, and plunder ob
tained the day before, fell into the hands of their victorious pur
suers. Willet continued the chase but a short distance, fearing
he might in turn fall into a snare, and the tables be turned upon
him. — Strobeck.
When the enemy returned in the evening to their encampment —
distant from Curry Town 12 or 14 miles — they captured a Ger
man living near the former place, named Carl Hefwagen. Find
ing it necessary to retreat, the Indians chose to kill their prisoners^
lest they should lose the value of their scalps. Herwagen, who
had been tied fo a tree during the engagement, was loosened by
his captor, Who told him to run with the retreating Indians, in
stead of doing which he turned and fled the other way — was shot
down, tbriiahawked and scalped. The prisoners were all scalped
except Butterfield and one of the Bellinger boys, who were taken
to Canada. — JaCob Dievendorf* Mrs. Tunis Vrooman and Fre
derick Hiller. The latter settled in the vicinity of the Indian
camp soon after the war.
Col. Willett, had five men killed in this battle^ two of whom
were Bellinger before mentioned, and a soldier named Kittle :
and eight wounded, two mortally; Capt. Robert McKean, a brave
and meritorious officer wbo died the next day atFortRensselaer,f
arid a private who died at Fort Plain. Among the Wounded was
a son of Capt. McKean, who received a bullet in his mouth. The
loss of the enemy was very severe, although never satisfactorily
known; it was supposed in killed and mortally wounded, tobe
about fifty. Capt. Dockstader undertook the principal direction
of this body of destructives, as was afterwards ascertained, to show
* The Life of Brant erroneously states that he, (Dievendorf,) was buried
by Willet's men. He says he partially buried himself in leaves, to keep off
the punkies and musketoes which annoyed him.
t This fort, erected early in 1781, was at Canajoharie, where a stone-house
owned by Philip Van Alstine was inclosed. This ancient dwelling, now
owned by John H. Moyer, is still standing. It was for a time the head-quar
ters of Col. Willet.

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 461
himself worthy of a major's commission. He is said to have had
one other engagement, and returned to Canada with his forces
greatly reduced, glad to retain a captain's commission. — Strobeck.
Two of the enemy carried a wounded comrade from the battle
field, on a blanket between two poles, all the way to the Gene
see valley, where he died. Col. Willett returned to Fort Plain
without burying any ofthe dead. After the battle was over and
the conquerors had left the field, Col. Veeder,* arrived there with
one hundred men from the north side of the river, mostly from
Stone Arabia. He buried the Americans killed in battle, and for
tunately found and buried those murdered near the camp. Young
Dievendorf, who had been scalped, was discovered alive rustling
among the leaves, and his bloody face was mistaken for that of an
Indian by one of Veeder's men who leveled, a guti to fire upon
him ; but a fellow soldier seasonably knocked up the weapon.
Miss Miller, also scalped, was found alive, and was with the lad
Dievendorf taken along to Fort Plain. The little girl was very
weak when found, and on, drinking a draught of cold water she
instantly expired before reaching that fort, Jacob Dievendorf
and his brother Frederick, under the care of Doctor Faught, a
German physician of Stone Arabia, recovered from their wounds.
— Strobeck, Dievendorf and Hiller.
Jacob Dievendorf 's' head was five years in healing. He still
lives in Curry Town ; is one of the wealthiest farmers in Mont
gomery county ; and is in truth a living monument of that unholy
policy which armed the savage, taught from his infancy to prac
tise cruelty on an enemy instead of mercy, with a tomahawk and
scalping knife, to slay the helpless women and unoffending off
spring of the rebel sons of Briton, who dared demand as their
rights the privileges of British, subjects*
Most of the cattle driven away from Curry Town, being aban
doned in the retreat of the enemy, found their way back alone to
their former pastures : one of twelve horses taken by the enemy
was recovered near the Indian camp, and three more broke loose
from their new masters and returned to the settlement. — John Keller.
* Col. Veeder resided in th$ Mohawk valley, two miles west of thevillage
of Fonda, on the farm now owned by Lynds Jones.

462 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
On the morning of the same day on which Col. Willet en
gaged the enemy, the Rev. P. N. Sommer,the Lutheran minister of
Schoharie, then blind, was to have preached in New Rhinebeck,
in which settlement he had several sons with whom he dwelt.
His hearers, some from a distance of five or six miles, were as
sembling at the barn of Conrad Brown, and he had taken his text,
as a messenger, named Utman, arrived and reported that he had
heard several hundred guns fired in rapid succession a few miles
distant. The minister, it is said, turned deadly pale on hearing
the report, and the meeting was instantly broken up. Philip Hoff
man, the old gentleman living near the France family, who had
escaped from the tomahawk of Crysler and his mercenaries the
preceding fall, hastened home from the meeting to secrete his wife
once more ; and just as he arrived at his house some half a dozen
Indians came up and killed and scalped them both. No other
injury was done in the settlement at that time*
The Indians, in their retreat from Sharon, crossed the west
creek in New Dorlach, near the former residence of Col. Rice, on
their way to the Susquehanna. — Brown.
John D. Hiller, who now owns the ground on which the Sha
ron battle was fought, found several relics of that contest after
the land was cleared up ; one of which, the barrel of a fowling
gun, of London manufacture, is still in his possession. Many hu
man bones which were bleeching on the land below, were collect
ed and buried.
I conjecture that some small parties of the Indians who accom
panied Capt. Dockstader, lingered about the Susquehanna and re
turned to the frontier settlements. In the latter part of July, a
party of the enemy, consisting of Capt. David, a Mohawk sa
chem, Seth's Joseph, a Schoharie Indian, and brother of Henry,
and seven others — one of whom was suspected by the prisoners to
have been a painted tory — surprised William Bouck (a relative
• Henry France, Marcus Brown, and ihe record of the Lutheran Church,
which records the murder of Hoffman and wife, and Herwagen, as having
transpired on the 10th day of July, the date given by several living witnesses.
Col. Stone erroneously dates the occurrence on the 1st of July.

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 463
of his namesake previously captured,) and his son Lawrence, (then
18 years old,) Frederick Mattice and his son Frederick, (a lad 10
years old,) and two little girls : one a sister of young Mattice, and
the other a cousin. The captives when surprised, were engaged
in harvesting wheat in the afternoon, near a large oak tree, which
is still standing on the lands of John Henry, in Middleburgh.
Two other lads, George, a son of Frederick, and Nicholas, a son
of Wm. Mattice, who were in the field when the enemy appeared,
escaped by flight.*
The party moved directly up the Schoharie valley, and after
proceeding several miles, the two girls were liberated and returned
home. They encamped the first night twelve or fifteen miles dis
tant from the wheat-field. When the journey commenced, the
Indians had but little to eat : near the Gen. Patchin place, they
shot a hedgehog, which, when they encamped at night, after
burning off the quills instead of skinning, they roasted for their
supper. Tomahawks were used instead of carving knives to dis
tribute it, but the prisoners declined eating.
At night, the captives were stripped of part of their clothing
and tightly bound. In the evening a thunder shower came up,
and all the party took shelter under a large tree. As they laid
down to rest, Lawrence Bouck was so closely pinioned, he told
Capt. David he could not sleep, and the rope was loosened. He
then laid down between two Indians, while a third one located
himself so as to substitute his body for a pillow. While the In
dians were eating supper, Lawrence, having an opportunity, told
the elder Mattice, who was his uncle, that he intended to make
his escape that night. Some time in the night, he worked him
self out from under the precious head he pillowed, and sat up.
Perceiving the party all asleep, he succeeded in loosening the cord
which bound his arms. A band, such as the Indians generally
used to carry burdens over their shoulders, adorned his neck ;
which, in his first efforts to loosen, he shirred in a noose tightly
• The particulars relating to the captivity of these persons, were derived
at personal interviews, from Lawrence Bouck and the younger Mattice : two
of the captives.

464 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
around his throat ; but this also, be removed ; then at a single
bound, without touching his hands, he sprang upon his feet : a
feat which he declared himself unable ever afterwards to perform.
Casting his eye over the group indistinctly visible upon the ground
around him, he saw no movement ; and taking French leave of
his drowsy companions, he directed his steps towards the Upper
Schoharie fort, only a mile or two from which he had been cap
tured. Bouck afterwards learned from his father, that his running
awoke the Indians, several of whom pursued him one hundred
yards or more; but it being too dark to discover the course he
had taken, they returned. The two Matrices were led out in the
morning and tied to a. tree to be killed, the Indians suspecting
them of having loosened the cords which bound their fellow pri
soner. Mr. Bouck told them that his son would not have made
his escape, had he not feared they would bind him so tight as to
cause his death. He was treated with far less severity on the
way to Canada, than was either Mattice or hjs son.
Lawrence Bouck arrived near the Patchin place, on his return,
just at daylight, where he saw numerous tracks, and was at first
seriously alarmed, as the captors had asserted, the day previous,
that a large body of Indians were to attack the Schoharie settle
ments that day; but on examining the tracks, his fears were dis
pelled, by observing that the feet which made them had not been
mocasoned, as those of Indians would have been.
When it was known at the forts that the Boucks and Matrices
were taken prisoners, Col. Vrooman dispatched Capt. Gray, with
a small company of troops, in pursuit. He followed until eve
ning, and not overtaking the enemy, returned to Schoharie. Had
he prosecuted the pursuit next day, it was believed he would have
come up with them. It was the tracks of these soldiers that Law
rence Bouck discovered while returning. — George Richtmyer.
The captives were twenty days journeying to Niagara, and se
veral times were greatly straightened for food. Once on the way,
probably on the Susquehanna, they lived a day or two on green
apples; and for four days they had nothing to eat. At Oquago
they fortunately found a colt which had been lost by Capt. Dock-

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 465
stader's party. This was killed, divided and feasted upon. Part
Of the animal was dried by the fire and taken along. One wild
duck was also shot on the way. They went down the Susque
hanna river to Chenango Point, (now Binghamton) — on foot,
however — and from thence to the Genesee valley, where the pri
soners were compelled to run the gantlet. Young Mattice had
been previously divested of all his clothing, except his shirt, which
rendered him peculiarly vulnerable to the gads and corn-stalks
used by the young Indians. In the Genesee valley they obtained
green corn and pumpkins. On arriving at the Tonawanda creek,
the punlcies tormented young Mattice nights, and he adopted the
expedient of the lad Dievendorf — that of burying his person in
the forest leaves — to keep them off. They all laid down to rest
nights, li/ce so many dogs in a kennel.
On arriving at Niagara the prisoners were confined in the guard
house. They were soon after separated, Bouck being taken first
to Montreal and then to Quebec — from whence, being exchanged
for an American prisoner, he was removed to Halifax, and soon
after sailed for Boston. From the latter place he traveled to Scho
harie, where he arrived between Christmas and New Year's day,
the year succeeding his capture.* The Matrices did not return
home until after the conclusion of peace. A tory brother of the
elder Mattice, who had left Schoharie in 1777, then residing in
Canada, on learning that Frederick was a prisoner, tried to per
suade an Indian to kill him. Such was the fraternal affection too
often manifested in the Revolution by those who espoused the roy^
al cause. Mr. Mattice was retained by an Indian, five weeks, to
construct a log house. During this time, the latter, on one occa-
* Peter Zimmer, of Schoharie, taken the July following Bouck's capture,
and Adam Garlock of Sharon, fellow prisoners, accompanied him home from
Boston. On their way they had to beg provisions, and the cupboards of the
patriotic Yankees were willingly opened to them. Garlock evinced some de
licacy lest they might tax too heavily the hospitality of strangers, and when
the inquiry whether they would not have more bread, was made, Ke replied no,
they had a great plenty. His ready answers cost his companions several
stinted meals, until they threatened to flog him if he again prevented their
satifying their hunger. They afterwards fared better, and reached home in
safety.

466 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
sion, returned from Niagara drunk, and got his prisoner up in the
night to murder him. He struck a blow at his head with some
missile, which the latter parried, and the Indian's squaw caught
hold of her liege lord and held him, sending Mattice out of the
hut, where he remained until the demonizing effect of the alcohol
passed from the warrior's brain.
On the ratification of peace in the summer of 1783, the British
and American prisoners were all liberated, at which time the Mat
rices were put on board of a sloop, with about six hundred others,
and taken to Bucks Island, near the outlet of Lake Ontario, from
whence they were sent to Montreal in bateaus. After a delay of
two weeks, the Mattices, with a great number of other prisoners,
proceeded by water up the river Sorel, and landed at Plattsburg,
on Lake Champlain, and were set free about the 16th day of De
cember. The snow was then some six inches deep, through which
they had to foot it home. The prisoners were tolerably well pro
tected against the weather by old clothes given them at different
places. Three brothers, named Van Alstyne, who had been cap
tured in the Mohawk valley, returned home with the Schoharie
prisoners. On Sunday preceding August 14th of this year, about four hun
dred Indians and tories, under Capt. Caldwell, made their ap
pearance in Ulster county, but were so warmly received by the ci
tizens and militia in several skirmishes, that they retreated with
much more loss than gain. At this time, Gov. Clinton, fearing
the next point of attack from the enemy would be Schoharie,
wrote to Gen. Gansevoort, the commanding officer at Albany, to
send a detachment of troops there to protect those settlements.
About the same time, Col. Vrooman, of Schoharie, who had heard
of the enemy's proximity, wrote Gen. Gansevoort for assistance.
Troops were accordingly dispatched, under Colonels Van Rens
selaer and Wemple, to Schoharie, where they were joined by a
party of Oneidas from Schenectada.* — Letters of Gov. Clinton to
Gen. Gansevoort, and note to the same in Stone's Life cf Brant.
•The aid thus seasonably sent to Schoharie was fortunately not called into
requisition. I conclude that the forces under Capt. Caldwell consisted prin-

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 467
At the Keyes' place in Sharon,* dwelt in the Revolution, a
Hanoverian named Christian Myndert, whose family was the
only one in that part of Sharon. Having been alarmed several
times in the summer, he removed towards fall, in 1781, to Fort
Duboise ; leaving, at the time of his departure, several hogs run
ning in a field, and a quantity of peas growing on the ground. In
the latter part of October, Myndert, accompanied by Lieut. Jacob
Borst, of Cobelskill, sergeant Wm. Kneiskern, and Jacob Kerker,
proceeded to the dwelling of the former, in Myndert's val
ley, to secure his peas, shut up his hogs, and take care of some
other property. John Crounse now lives on the Myndert farim
The day was cold and stormy, rain and snow alternately falling.
The party were endeavoring to secure the hogs, when six Indians
commanded by Walradt, a tory from the Mohawk valley, who
had been watching their motions for some time, secreted them
selves in Myndert's barn near his dwelling.
After Lieut. Borst and his companions had been thus engaged,
they repaired to the house, wet and cold, to warm themselves.
On entering it, they set their guns in one corner of a room and
gathered round the fire place, where was igniting a quantity of
dry wood. At this time the enemy entered the dwelling, and so
suddenly, that not one of the party could seize a gun in time to
fire. Borst snatched up his, however, but in attempting to turn
around to discharge it, he was prevented by an Indian who had
anticipated his movement. Kneiskern seized a chair to strike one
of the invaders, but the latter grappled it in the same instant.
Seeing the foes nearly double their own number, with arms
in their hands, the Americans surrendered themselves prisoners
cipally of the same destructives led by Capt. Dockstader to Curry Town four
weeks before ; that the latter officer, meeting a body of the enemy on their
way to the frontier settlements of New York, with most of his men, joined
Caldwell in the enterprise. If so, this will account for the information of
Mr. Strobeck, that Dockstader was again engaged with, and defeated by the
Americans, after Willet's battle in Sharon, with very serious loss, before his
return to Canada.
* The tavern stand of Zachariah Keyes, an inn-keeper, known, to every
one who traveled the western turnpike twenty-five years ago. Several plea
sing anecdotes of him are omitted for the want of room.

468 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
without further resistance. The latter were then bound, Borst and.
Kneiskern very tightly, some little plunder made, and all set for
ward on their journey to Canada. They proceeded to New
Dorlach, but a few miles distant, on their way toward the Sus
quehanna, and encamped for the night. Borst and Kneiskern,
thinking their foes all asleep, were planning their destruction and
their own escape, when an Indian who had been watching their
intimacy, approached and asked them what they were talking
about ; and whether they did not contemplate killing their cap
tors. They replied that they were complaining of the cords be
ing so tight they could not sleep. The Indians did not allow them
an unguarded moment, and they found it impossible to escape.
It began to snow soon after they left Myndert's place, and the
captives suffered very much on their journey from the severity of
the weather, the want of proper food? and the cruelty of their
masters. As they approached Indian settlements, they were
compelled to run the gantlet, by which severe corporal chas
tisement was inflicted on all, but the most severely on Borst, who
fell into a decline soon after reaching Niagara, owing to his cruel
treatment on the journey, and death soon after ended his miseries.
Thus ignobly fell one of the most daring spirits Schoharie pro
duced during the war. Kerker, who was confined with Borst,
was a good nurse, and took care of the latter while lingering with
consumption. Kneiskern, who was imprisoned on an island in
the St. Lawrence, succeeded one night, in company with several
other prisoners, in making his escape. They dug out beneath
the pickets which inclosed the fort where they were confined,
made a raft on which they floated down, the river; and one ofthe
party, from fear the raft might not be sufficient to carry them in
safety, swam eight or nine miles with but little support, his clothes
being upon it, to where they effected a landing on the American
shore. After suffering incredible hardships in the forest, living on
birch bark, roots, &c, they arrived in safety among friends, where
their wants were supplied, and they reached their homes. — -Henry
France, and John M. Brown.

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 469
Sometime in the summer of 1781, Solomon Woodworth, who
so gallantly defended the Sacondaga block-house, single-handed,
in the spring of 1780, having been appointed to the command of
a company of rangers, was stationed at Fort Herkimer. Accom
panied by his lieutenant, Wilson, forty-three soldiers, and five
friendly Indians, he left that fort on a pleasant summer's morning,
and crossing the Mohawk, passed up the West Canada creek, on
a secret expedition. His movements, however, had been carefully
noted by his foes, who were hovering about the settlement in great
numbers, thirsting for his blood. Capt. Woodworth's command
made a fine appearance on leaving the fort, and were in unusually
good spirits. They had proceeded but a few miles up the stream
when they found themselves instantly surrounded by a large body
of the enemy, with whom they contended bravely for a time, but
were overpowered by numbers, and their leader and many of his
men killed. Of fhe whole fifty, who set out in the morning full
of life and hope, only fifteen whites and two Indians again reached
the fort, having cut their way through the thick ranks of the foe-
man. A party sent to bury the dead, found their bodies greatly
mutilated and disfigured, done by the Indians to revenge the death
of the five slain by Woodworth and party as before shown.
The same season a man named Weaver went to catch a horse
in the vicinity of Fort Dayton, and was shot down and scalped.
He was left for dead, but revived and lived three days. Captain
Small and a soldier who went from the same fort that fall to an
orchard to bury apples, were surprised by a party of Indians and
both killed. Two men were shot at Fort Herkimer the same year
for desertion. They were tried at a fort below, and sent there to
be executed. As they sat upon their coffins, a sergeant and six
privates fired at one, and a corporal and six privates at the other;
after which two soldiers advanced and discharged their pieces with
the muzzles near, into the heads of the unfortunate men, blowing
out their brains. — Sylvanus Wilcox, a soldier at Fort Dayton in
1781, and general of militia after the war.

( 470 )

CHAPTER XVI.

On the afternoon of October 24th, 1781, a body of the enemy,
consisting of nearly seven hundred British and royalist troops and
Indians, under Maj. Ross, who was accompanied in the expedition
by Maj. Walter Butler, of Cherry Valley memory, entered the
Mohawk river settlements, making their first appearance in Curry
Town. Passing through that ill-starred place, which had been
pretty effectually destroyed the preceding July, they avoided the
little fort and did, not fire the buildings then standing, from fear of
frustrating part of their enterprise. Proceeding from thence to
the Mohawk valley, they met and captured Jacob Tanner, Rudolf
Keller, and his wife, Frederick Utman, Michael Stowits, and Ja
cob Myers, citizens of Curry Town, as they were returning from
the funeral of a Mrs. Putman, who had been buried that afternoon
near Lasher's canal tavern. Mrs. Keller was left near Yates's, by
the interposition of a nephew who was among the tories, and the
party afterwards avoided capturing females. Mr. Myers, who was
far advanced in years, being unable to endure the fatigues of so
long and rapid a march, was killed and scalped on the way to
Canada, and his body there left a prey for wild beasts. — John
Keller. Maj. Ross proceeded down the Mohawk, taking the new road
but recently laid over Stone Ridge, in Root. On the Ridge they
captured John Wood, the son of a widow, at whose house they ar
rived near twilight. Joseph Printup,* a lieutenant of militia, was
• William Printup, an Englishman, father of the one named in the context,
who was among the early settlers of the Mohawk valley, was a blacksmith.
and resided near the lower Mohawk castle. While there, he Was employed
by Ihe British government to repair guns, make axes, hatchets, hoes, &c., for
the natives. One day when Printup was at work in his shop, an Indian, who

HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, ETC. 471
living at that time near the residence of his son, the late William
L Printup. He was at home as Ross approached, and Jacob
Frank, a brother-in-law, John Loucks and John Van Alstyne,
neighbors, were also at his house. Printup had just been clean
ing his gun, and as he loaded it and returned the ram-rod, he re
marked, " Now I am ready for the Indians !" He had scarcely
uttered the words, when an advance party of them, just at dusk,
was seen approaching the door. Frank and Loucks sprang out
of the house and fled up the hill south ; the former was shot down,
however, and scalped, but the latter unscathed, effected his escape.
As the Indians approached his door, Printup fired at them, when
they rushed into the house, and one of them, placing the muzzle
of his gun near Printup's breast, drew the trigger, — at which in
stant the latter struck the weapon down, and its bullet passed
through the fleshy part of the thigh. A tory acquaintance, who
was with the enemy, then interfered to save Printup's life, and he
was taken prisoner, soon after which the enemy resumed their
march down the river. A little distance east of Printup's, a halt
was made at a large rock beside the road to kill him; but the to
ry again interposed, and declared he should not be killed while
he could keep up with his captorsw Van Alstyne lent his servi
ces to aid his wounded companion, who leaned upon his shoulder,
and was thus enabled to continue the journey. — John, a son of Jo
seph Printup.
had taken umbrage at him from some cause, entered the shop and bade him
kneel down and pray. "Pray!" said Printup, "for what ?" "Because I am go
ing to kill you," was the reply. "To kill me? VU beat your head in with my
hammer," he retorted, raising the instrument he held in his hand, and giving
evidence of suiting the action to the word, as he turned upon his red foe. The
latter, armed only with a knife, was taken all aback, and seeing the deter
mined look of his antagonist, fled from his shop, hotly pursued by Vulcan in
his leather apron, with uplifted hammer. The chase was continued for some
distance, in the presence of many Mohawks, who were not a little amused ;
and who added several loud whoops, crying out, "Kill um Print ! Cha-aw.go-
cheth-e-taw-go .*"** terrifying the poor fellow so that he buried himself in the
recesses of the forest, and never again disturbed the labors of the King's
blacksmith. The Indian word Cha-awgo-cheth-e-law-go, signifying Pursue-
and-kill-him-ifyou-can, was the name by which Printup was ever after called
by the natives.—/. L. Groat. 31

472 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
Jacob, a brother of John Van Alstyne named above, resided on
the Stone Ridge at this time. He had been to attend a religious
meeting near the present village of Fultonville, and was return
ing home on horseback, when he unexpectedly fell in with the
enemy. A large Indian seized the bridle, several of his fellows
drew Van Alstyne from the horse a prisoner, and the former mount
ed. The Indian was hardly upon his back, when the horse, not
fancying his new rider, reared, floundered and soon left him upon
the ground with a broken shoulder. The sagacious animal then
set off at full speed, and the enemy opening to the right and left,
gave him a free passage ; and not caring to fire on him, he escaped
from them and returned home, greatly alarming Van Alstyne's fa
mily as may be supposed. The prisoner was divested of part of
his clothing and the march resumed. — Cornelius G. Van Alstyne.
Charles Van Epps, who resided where the dwelling of Evert
Yates now stands in Fultonville, escaped with his family as the
enemy approached. Evert Van EppS, a nephew of the former,
started in the evening, which was very dark, to go to his uncle's,
(distant from his own dwelling scarcely one quarter of a mile,)
to enquire after the news. Possibly he had heard the firing at
Printup's two miles above, and suspected all was not right. He
had not proceeded half way to his uncle's residence, when, as he
had crossed a small bridge and was opening a swing gate near
the end of it into the road, in the present garden of John Mead^
he heard the click made by cocking several guns, and a voice
sternly demand " Who's there ?" The first thought of Van Epps,
who could distinguish no visible object, was, to turn and flee ; but
supposing some of the enemy might be in his rear, or that he
would instantly be fired at if he attempted to run, he remained at
the gate and was soon surrounded by a hostile party, who were
on their way to his house. On securing this prisoner, the enemy
again moved forward. — John E., son of Evert Van Epps.
Opposite is a very accurate view of Fultonville, as seen in the
summer from an eminence in Fonda, on the opposite, or north
side of the Mohawk. In giving place to this plate, it may be ne
cessary to assign some reason for its insertion. The village has
but few historic associations, and is but the fourth of importaace

Jobth View or F" U LT O N VI L LE . M cimt Co

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 475
in Montgomery "county; Amsterdam, Fort Plain and Canajoharie
each having a population more than twice as large. The engrav
ing is inserted in compliance with the wishes, and at the expense
of its enterprising citizens ; from whom the author has received,
as his list of subscribers can show, flattering encouragement to
publish. Fultonville, named at a meeting of the citizens soon af
ter it began its existence, in honor of Robert Fulton, has sprung
up on the Erie canal since its completion, and contains an hundred
dwellings, with a population of six hundred inhabitants. A good
part of the village is now built on ground called in the Revolution,
" Van Epps's Swamp." The small dwelling seen in the extreme
left of the picture, was erected just after the war of the Revolution
closed, by John Starin. This house stands near the bank of the
river, and was for a long time known as a public house. Indeed,
before the Mohawk turnpike was constructed, a line of stages was
established on the north side of the river, and at this inn the pas
sengers from Albany usually dined. About the year. 1795, this
house was the western termination of the mail-route in the Mo
hawk valley, which route was afterwards extended to Herkimer,
and still later to Utica. When the mail-route ended at the house
in question, to which it was borne once a week, Myndert Starin,
a son of the inn keeper, as often carried it to Johnstown, four
miles north, then its place of destination, either on foot or on
horseback. In the river, nearly opposite this dwelling, may be
seen the rock which originated a name for the ancient village of
" Caughnawaga" on the north side, which, as already stated, lit
erally signifies, " Stone in the water." A few rods from the site
of the dwelling near the bank of the river, seen in the right hand
of the picture, (more ancient site of the Charles Van Epps dwel
ling,) stood a small block-house, erected near the close of the Re
volution. But to return to the war path. Seasonable alarm was commu
nicated by John C.,* a son of Charles Van Epps, who chanced
fortunately to be on horseback, to the river settlers below, who
made their escape. On arriving at a brook in a small ravine,
near the present site of John Van C. Alstyne's store, at Auriesville,
John Van Alstyne said to his fellow prisoner, Printup, " Were it
not for you, I would now make my escape." His wounded friend
replied — " Never mind me : if you can escape, do so, and leave
me to my fate." They were walking between two Indians, when
Van Alstyne sprang out, dashed up the ravine with the fleetness of
an Indian, and escaped : the enemy did not care about firing on
* He was a justice of the peace after the war. While crossing the river
on the ice, some years ago, he broke through and was drowned.

476 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
him from motives of policy. Again tbe Indian who had captured
Printup was about to sink a tomahawk into his head, but was
prevented by the tory who had before interdicted such an occur
rence. From Auriesville, the enemy proceeded to Fort Hunter,
forded the Schoharie near its mouth and prosecuted their enter
prise as far as Yankee Hill, in the present town of Florida. From
thence, becoming fearful of pursuit, the main body forded the Mo
hawk and directed their course to Johnstown. Small parties of
the Indians, however, carried their designs still further ; but Capt
Wm. Snook, who had been notified of their approach, sent Con
rad Stein, an officer under him, to warn the settlers of danger,
and they generally effected their escape, with a portion of their
property. A short time before the Revolution, Matthias Wart
and Marcus Hand, Germans, settled in the interior of this town.
The invaders burnt the dwellings of Wart, Henry Rury, Captain
Snook, John Stein, Samuel Pettingell, Wm. DeUne, Patrick Con
nelly, George Young, and several others in the neighborhood.
Near the house of Rury, a man named Bowman was captured,
and in attempting his escape, soon after, was killed. The female
part of Rury's family, consisting of his wife, her sister Harriet
Notman, and a little girl named Jane Shelp, were made prisoners
by One Armed Peter ; who conducted them some distance from
the house. Harriet had a child in her arms, and falling down
with it, Peter insisted on carrying it, as supposed, to prevent his
being shot, should he meet an American marksman. Arriving at
a by-place, the party halted, and the Indian asked the young wo
men if they had any money. An outside pocket was then worn
over the dress, and Harriet, loosening hers, handed it to him.
From it he transfered two doubloons to his own person, and then
returned it. Giving a loud yell, it was responded to by some half
a dozen so terrific, as to cause Miss Jane to faint away beside a
log. Being joined by several of his comrades, Peter gave the
prisoners their liberty, and no further injury or violence was offered
them. The suffering of Printup must have been acute while crossing
the Schoharie and Mohawk rivers, the waters of which were then

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 477
cold. On arriving at Johnstown, Mrs. Van Sickler, a Scotch wo
man, and resident of the place, interceded in his behalf, and he
was left at her house : from whence he returned home and was
cured of his wounds. — Van Epps, Printup and John Hand. At
Johnstown, Hugh McMonts, a constable, and William Crowley
were surprised and killed. — Mrs. Penelope Forbes.
What other mischief the invaders occasioned previous to their
arrival in Johnstown, I have not learned ; but it is presumed that
other prisoners were made, and possibly some other citizens slain.
On the following day, Col. Willet having collected what troops
could be spared from the garrisons in the Mohawk valley, and
militia in the vicinity, marched to attack the enemy, who were
overtaken near Johnson Hall, where a severe engagement took
place, which lasted for several hours, with alternate success.
Capt. Zielie, a brave militia officer, was captured by the enemy
during the day, and taken to Canada, receiving while there his
full share of suffering. Ross was finally compelled to retreat,
which he did with serious loss. He proceeded about four miles
and encamped for the night, at which time the prisoner Van
Alstyne escaped.* — C. G. Van Alstyne. Retreating westward
* The following incident attendant on the Johnstown battle, was told the
author by Joseph Wagner. In the Revolution a hedge-fence ran eastward
from Johnson Hall, and the men under Willet were upon one side of it, and those
under Ross Ihe other. After a few shots the Americans retreated in confu
sion, but were rallied, returned to the field; and acting in concert with troops
in the enemy's rear, gained a signal victory: When the Americans first re
treated, Wagner was the last man to leave the ground. Seeing an officer
genteelly clad spring into the fence near, he fired and brought him down.
In an instant a hundred guns were leveled at his own person, and he fled in
safety amid their discharge. After the battle was over and Willet's men had
encamped, Wagner attended by several friends visited the field to learn the
fate of the handsome officer he had fired at. He found him on the ground near
where he had fallen, and addressed him much as follows : — My dear sir, I
am the man who shot you in the afternoon, but I have a fellow feeling for
you : permit me and I will take you to our camp, where you shall receive
kind treatment and good care. " I would rather die on this spot," -was his
emphatic reply, " than leave it with a d  d rebel !" The young officer, who
was very good looking," with long black hair, was left to his fate.
By dawn of day the Americans were put in motion, and Wagner saw no
more of the warrior named ; but on the approach of several Oneidas in .the

478 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
from Johnstown,* the enemy took the Fish House road, — Joseph
Wagner. Arriving at the East and West Canada creeks, the en
emy forded them four abreast, carrying poles to prevent falling. —
Van Epps. Near the West Canada creek, a skirmish took place
morning, he observed in the hands of one, a scalp, the hair of which re
sembled that of his.
Capt. Andrew Fink, a native of the Mohawk valley, who possessed a spirit
suited for the times, was also in the Johnstown battle. In a correspond
ence between Andrew Fink, his son, and H. F. Yates, in which a part of the
military services ofthe captain are mentioned, I find the following facts no
ted. During the action near the Hall, the British took from the Americans a
field-piece, which Col. Willet was anxious to recover. He sent Capt. Fink
with a party of volunteers to reconnoitre the enemy, and if possible get the
lost cannon. Three of the volunteers were Christian and Myndert Fink,
brothers of the captain, and George Stansell. While observing the movement
ofthe enemy from the covert of a fallen tree, Stansell was shot down beside
his brave leader, with a bullet through his lungs ; and was borne from the
woods by Hanyost Fink. Strengthening his party of volunteers, Capt. Fink
again entered the forest, soon after which he picked up a British knapsack
containing a bottle of French brandy and a cocked hat. The cannon was soon
after re-captured, and it being near night, Willet drew off his men and quar
tered them in the old Episcopal church in Johnstown ; gaining entrance by
breaking in a window.
* Most of the Scotch settlers in and around Johnstown either went to Can
ada with the Johnsons at the beginning of difficulties, or if they remained,
were more the friends of the British than the American government.
Duncan McGregor, who resided several miles north of Johnson Hall, was an
exception. At the time of Ross' invasion, several Indians and a tory entered
this pioneer's house in the evening, who left it as they were approaching, un
observed by them. He gained the rear of his log-dwelling, and through a
cranny watched the motions of the party. He was armed with a gun and a
sword, and resolved that if any injury or insult was offered his wife, to shoot
the offender and flee to the woods. Mrs. McGregor detected a tory as one of
the party, by observing his white skin where the paint had worn off. This
white Indian enquired of her, " if she could not give them something to eat."
She replied that she had some jonny-cake and milk. " That will do," said he,
and soon they were eating. As they rose from the table, one of them espied
a handsomely painted chest in one corner of the room, and asked what it con
tained? " It contains books," said she, " and other articles belonging to a re
lative in Albany." " Ah !" said the speaker, " he belongs to the rebel army
I suppose?" She replied that he did, and her countenance indicated no little
anxiety as he exclaimed with a menacing gesture, " le careful you do not de
ceive us." One ofthe intruders with a tomahawk instantly split the cover,
and the books and sundry articles of clothing were thrown upon the floor.
The clothing was added to their stock of plunder, and soon after the warriors
departed. — A. J. Comrie.

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 479
between Willet's advance under a sergeant, and a party of the
enemy, in which several of the latter were killed. — John Ostrom.
After the enemy had passed West Canada creek, Walter But
ler lingered behind, unconscious of being within reach of Ameri
can rifles, and having dismounted, he was in the act of drinking
water from a tin cup, as he was discovered by Daniel Olendorf,
and Anthony, a Mohawk sachem, both well known in the valley..
The two, who were a scout in advance of Willet's army, readily
recognized the tory chieftain, and both fired upon him. He fell,
and the Indian, casting off his blanket and upon it his rifle, dash
ed through the stream, tomahawk in hand, to him. He was lying
with one elbow upon the ground, the hand supporting his aching
head, and as his foe approached, he raised the other hand implor
ingly and cried — " Spare me — give me quarters !" Remember
ing the onslaught at Cherry-rValley, and the part the suppliant
had there acted amid the unheeded prayers of weeping mothers
and orphan children, the Indian replied, " Me give you Sherry-
Falley quarters !" — burying, with the words, his keen-edged toma
hawk in his brain. At the moment he fell, Col. Willet and seve
ral of his officers arrived upon the bank of the creek. Informed
by Olendorf of Butler's proximity, he instantly forded the stream,
attended by Col. Lewis, the Indian chief, on horseback, followed by
Col. And. Gray of Stone Arabia, and John Brower of the Mohawk
valley, on foot : the two latter walking together to stem the cur
rent. They reached the spot just as Anthony raised his knife to
perform the last act in the tragedy. Seeing his chief he asked him
if he should do it, making a circular motion around the bleeding
head. The red colonel asked Willet if he should be scalped, who
replied, he belongs to your party, Col. Lewis. An approving look
was sufficient, and the reeking scalp-lock was torn off, in the pre
sence of those witnesses, as the victim lay quivering in death.
Such was the fall of Walter Butler. — Daniel and Peter Olendorf,
sons of Daniel Olendorf named in the context ; and John I. Brower,
son of John Brower above named.
Which of the American scout shot Butler is uncertain, but Olen
dorf stated to his friends that he aimed at the cup, which, as the

480 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
sun shone, upon it, afforded him a good mark ; and as Butler was
wounded in the head, it is highly probable the ball of Olendorf 's
rifle brought him down. The Indian having stripped his victim,
re-crossed the creek to his companion, and hastily putting on the
regimentals began to strut about and assume the airs of a British
officer. " I be Brish ofser !" said he to Olendorf. "You area
fool!" replied the latter. "Me fool?" responded the Indian
with warmth — " Me fool 1 No, me Brish ofser!" and again the
bushes had to bow their submission to his assumed character.
Said Olendorf again, " You are a fool ! and if any of our men
should see you at your back, they would mistake you for the vil
lain who once wore those clothes and instantly shoot you down."
This was a view of the case which the Indian had not taken, but
the words were hardly uttered by his comrade ere he doffed them
and resumed his blanket. — The Olendorf brothers.
The prisoners captured by Maj. Ross and party, suffered much
on their way to Canada from the cold, being seventeen days jour
neying to the Genesee valley, during which time they were com
pelled to live almost wholly on a stinted allowance of horse-flesh.
Some of the prisoners wintered in the Genesee valley, and were
taken to Niagara the following March. Keller, one of the Curry
Town prisoners, on arriving at Niagara, was sold, and one Coun
tryman, a native ofthe Mohawk valley, then an officer in the Bri
tish service, was his purchaser. In June he was sent to Rebel
Island, near Montreal ; in November, to Halifax ; thence to NoVa
Scotia, and finally to Boston, where he was exchanged, and left
to foot it home without money, as were many of the prisoners du
ring the war. They were, however, welcomed to the table of
every patriot on whom they chanced to call, and suffered little by
hunger. Keller reached his family in Minden, near Fort Plain,
whither they had removed in his absence, on the 24th day of De
cember, 1782. Van Epps, a fellow prisoner, again reached home
about eighteen months after his capture, and the rest of the prison
ers, taken that fall, either returned at the time he did, or at subse
quent periods, as they were confined in different places. — Keller
and Van Epps.

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 481
About the 1st of November, 1781, a party ofthe enemy under
Joseph Brant, and Capt. Adam Crysler, a former resident of that
vicinity, entered Vrooman's Land early in the morning, near the
residence of Peter Vrooman, a little distance from the Upper Scho
harie fort. Isaac Vrooman, father of Peter, had removed his fa
mily below the Helleberg some time before, and had, at the time
of which I am writing, visited his son to procure his aid in mov
ing his family back to his old residence in Schoharie. A few days
before the arrival of his father, Peter had removed from a hut he
occupied at the fort, to his dwelling, which he intended should be
his winter quarters, thinking the season so far advanced that the
enemy would not re-appear that fall.
Peter was a self-taught blacksmith, and had a little shop near
his house, where he usually did his own horse-shoeing. It was
found necessary, previous to leaving home, to set several shoes ;
and the father rose before daylight, carried a shovel of coals from
the house to the shop, and made a fire. As it began to get light,
the old gentleman left the shop, as was supposed, to call his son.
On his way two guns were fired at him — the one by the tory chief
tain, and the other by an Indian warrior beside him. The door of
Vrooman's dwelling was on the side opposite the shop, and the
son, already up, hearing the report of the two guns, and rightly
conjecturing the cause, sprang out of his house, and ran towards
the fort, a few hundred yards distant. He had gone but a short
distance from his house, when he was discovered, fired upon, and
hotly pursued by several Indians, but reached the fort in safety.
The wife of the younger Vrooman, on hearing the guns, ran up
stairs, and from a chamber window saw an Indian in the act of
tearing off the scalp of the elder Vrooman, who was then on his
hands and knees, bellowing most piteously.- After the scalp was
torn off, the Indian, who was the reader's old acquaintance, Seth's
Henry, dispatched his victim with a war club, cut his throat, and
with the bloody knife added another notch on the club, to the re
cord of the many scalps he had taken in the war ; after which he
laid it upon the body of the murdered man and left him. The
reader will remember that this Schoharie chief left a war-club in

482 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
the same neighborhood some time before, which recorded a most
startling account of his prowess and cruelty ; the record was much
larger at a later period, and I think it hardly possible that an equal
number of scalps and prisoners were made during the war by any
other individual Indian. When the enemy entered Vrooman's
house for plunder, Mrs. Vrooman went below, and being known
to several of the Indians, she addressed them in their own dialect,
and they spared her life, probably from the recollection of former
kindness. The invaders did not linger long in the vicinity of the fort, but
advanced up the river, appropriating to their own use whatever
was attainable. Soon after the arrival of Peter Vrooman, a par
ty of fifteen or twenty were dispatched from the fort in pursuit of
the foe, of whose numbers they were totally ignorant. Who
commanded this American scout is unknown, but Timothy Mur
phy is said to have had its principal direction. They proceeded
with alacrity along the eastern shore of the Schoharie, and when
on " Bouck's Island," a few rods above the present residence of
Gov. Bouck, they were fired upon by the enemy, who were con
cealed on the bank of the river above Panther mountain, and one
of their number, Derrick [Richard] Haggidorn, mortally wound
ed. The Americans returned the fire and retreated. As Haggi
dorn fell, he called to his companions not to leave him to a mer
ciless foe ; whereupon Murphy addressed his brave com-
ades nearly as follows : " My boys, every ball was not mould
ed to hit, let us save him."* He was then taken between two of
his friends and borne off in safety to the fort, where he died Ihe
next day, much lamented, as he had been a patriotic and faithful
soldier. * The remark of Murphy, that every ball was not moulded to hit, was pecu
liarly applicable to his own case. He was almost constantly exposed in bor-
der wars from the beginning to the close of the Revolution, ever seeking the
post of danger — the front rank, if an enemy was near, and probably, at the
lowest estimate, had several hundred bullets fired at him by good marksmen,
without ever receiving the slightest wound. To look back on the multiplied
dangers he passed through, without injury— but a few of which have come
down to the writer in a tangible form— it would almost seem as though for
tune had her particular favorites.

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 483
Whether the enemy received any injury from the return fire of
Murphy and party was unknown ; but not long after, Jacob Fri-
mire, a soldier who was out on a hunt from the Upper fort, found
the body of a white man sitting against a tree, with his gun and
equipments by him ; supposed to have been a tory under Brant
and Crysler, and to have been mortally wounded by the scout on
Bouck's Island : the appearance of the body justifying the belief
that he had been dead about that length of time. The dead man,
who had been shot through the body, was found a mile or more
from where the skirmish had taken place, near where a brook
intersected the mill stream known as Bouck's saw mill creek : the
brook was afterwards called dead man's creek.
As the enemy were concealed, their number was still unknown
on the return of Murphy and party, but enough having been seen
and heard to judge somewhat correctly of their strength, Colonel
Vrooman dispatched Capt. Hager with fifteen or twenty Schoha
rie rangers, and a company of eastern troops, numbering about
sixty men, under Capt. Hale. The command of the Americans
was given to Capt Hager, who, taking two or three days' provi
sions, moved up the river. The enemy, as was afterwards ascer
tained, numbered between sixty and seventy Indians and tories,
under the command of Brant and Crysler. One of the principal
objects of the invasion was, the removal to Canada of Crysler's
family, which, up to this time had remained in Brakabeen.
Capt. Hager halted his men just at dark near the present tavern
stand of Wm. Fink, where they encamped in a pine grove beside
the road. The nighjt was a very cold one, and the troops suffered
considerably, deeming it imprudent to build fires in the night near
an enemy whose strength they did not know.* Three hours be-
* Johan Jost Dietz and Peter Vrooman, the former a colonel and the latter
a major of militia after the war, were left at the place of encampment, in
charge "of a keg of rum and a quantity of provisions, to await the return of
the troops : and well did they perform their duty, as they assured the writer
when together in 1837 ; being unable a part of the time to leave the trust if
they would, lest others who liked " the striped pig " should fall in with them
and bear off the keg, they secured a liberal share of its contents within their
own stomachs.

484 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
fore the dawn of day, the pursuit was renewed : and near the re
sidence of the late Gen. Patchin, the Americans ascended the
mountain by a narrow and uneven road ; overhung by a heavy
growth of hemlock. As the night was cloudy and dark, the pro
gress of the troops was necessarily slow. On arriving at the
forks of the roads which led, one to Harpersfield and the other to
Lake Utsayantho, they halted, struck up "fires and ate breakfast :
it being then about daylight. It was discovered that the enemy
had gone towards the lake, and a consultation now took place be
tween the officers about the road to be pursued. Capt. Hager
was in favor of making a rapid march on the Harpersfield route
and, if possible, head the enemy at a favorable place for surprise ;
but was overruled and the trail of the enemy followed.
Capt. Hager and his men had pursued the enemy but a short
distance on the Lake road, before their approach was known to
the latter, who made preparations to receive them. About a mile
from the place of breakfasting, they met two of Capt. Hager's
horses hoppled together, which the enemy had taken the preced
ing day. The captain who was walking in front of his men at
the time, with the cautious Murphy beside him, stept up to the
horses and cut the cord which fastened them together. They had
proceeded but a little way farther, when they heard the whoop of
several savages, whom they supposed were in search of the hor
ses. A rapid march soon brought the Americans where the ene
my had encamped the previous night ; seven large fires being still
burning. Several horses laden with plunder and a number of cat
tle were abandoned by the Indians near the fire.
On arriving at the lake, the road, which was little more than an
Indian foot path, ran along its margin. A ridge of land extended
nearly to the Lake where the Americans were approaching, and
as they were rising the eminence, the enemy who were concealed
near its summit, discharged upon them a volley of balls. The in
stant they fired, Capt. Hager commanded Hale, who was march
ing in the rear to "flank to the right and march on !" Hager.
intended to bring the enemy between his command and the lake ;
but Hale, instead of obeying the order, faced to the right about,

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 485
and followed by his men with one noble exception, retreated in
double-quick time. Brant and his destructives seeing the cow
ardly retreat of Hale and his men, advanced to meet Hager, who
was left with less than twenty men to resist a force more than
triple his own. The little band had taken trees, and were begin
ning to return the enemy's fire at the time Hale retreated ; but
seeing that they must soon be entirely surrounded if they at
tempted to maintain their position, their brave leader ordered a
retreat. On leaving the ground, they were necessarily exposed
to the fire of the enemy, and Sacket, a Bostonian, (the exception
to Hale's men,) sealed his bravery with his blood, as did Joachim
Van Valkenberg,* one of Capt. Hager's followers. Joseph, a
brother of Capt. Hager was also wounded severely in the right
shoulder, but the ball was extracted and he subsequently recov
ered. It was thought by the Americans at the time a most pro
vidential circumstance, that, exposed as they were in their re
treat to the fire of so many good marksmen, only two should have
been killed. Capt. Hager, with Murphy still at his side, then ran
to overtake the cowardly Hale; and after a chace of about five
hundred yards overtook him : as both of them gained his front,
they placed the muzzles of their rifles at his breast, and the cap
tain in a voice of thunder exclaimed, " Attempt to run another
step and you are a dead man !"
Thus unexpectedly brought to a stand, Hale, at the order of
Capt. Hager, which he was not in a situation a second time to
• The following anecdote was related to the author by Lydia Kline, a sister
of Van Valkenberg. Among the Indians who returned to Schoharie, after the
war, was one who called at the house of Henry, a brother of Van Valkenberg
above named, having with him a gun. Henry instantly recognized the gun
as that of his deceased brother, and taking it up he asked the Indian where
he got it. He replied that he had killed a man at the ' Little Lake,' and thus
obtained it. Said Henry, " This is my gun, and I shall keep it." The red
man was unwilling to concede that point, it being as he believed a lawful
prize from the fortune of war. Henry however retained the gun, and told the
Indian to take it from his grasp and he should have it. Mortified at thus los
ing his gun, the Indian left the house and went into a swamp near by. Not
long after this event the body of a dead Indian was discovered in this swamp,
but the cause of his death, or by whose hand he had fallen, remained among
the mysteries of the times.

486 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
misunderstand, faced about and began to retrace his steps. But
the golden moment to punish the invaders of Schoharie and
avenge the murder of Vrooman, was past. Brant, to whom pos
sibly the actual force under Capt. Hager was known, having, as
before remarked, a French war acquaintance with the latter, and
knowing what resistance he might expect if a stand was effected
by him, chose, encumbered as he was with Crysler's family, to
make a rapid march to the Susquehanna. The two soldiers who
fell near the lake were scalped by the foe.
Having restored order and infused a share of his own fearless
spirit into his ranks, Capt. Hager was about to renew the pursuit
as Col. Vrooman arrived upon the ground, with forty men drawn
from the Lower fort. After a short consultation, the chase was
continued, but still in ignorance as to the enemy's numbers; after
proceeding about two miles and losing all trace of their footsteps,
they having left the usual path for some unknown route, the pur
suit was abandoned, and the troops returned to Schoharie. — Man
uscript of Judge Hager, one ofthe pursuing party.
In the latter part ofthe war, supposed in the year 1781, six to
ries, who had threaded the forests from Niagara to Schoharie in
the hope of making a profitable adventure, were concealed in and
around the settlements for a week or more. They were led by
Nicholas Snyder, a former resident of the valley and neighbor of
my informant Jacob Enders, whose person they thought to secure.
The party were secreted in a small swamp several days, near the
dwelling of William Enders his father, on Foxes creek. After
awaiting in vain nearly a week for a sight of Jacob's person, two
of the number dressed in Continental clothes, went to the house
of Enders, and supposed to be patriots, were very kindly treated :
they enquired of Mr. Enders, while partaking of his hospitality,
if he had no sons to aid him in his farming! He replied that he
had a son, who was then in the nine months' service at the Middle
fort. Mortified at being thus foiled in their attempts, the tories then
sought to surprise and capture Capt. Stubrach, to effect which
they laid in wait for him some time under a bridge in Kneiskern's

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 487
dorf; but the captain was not to be caught napping, and the en
terprise proved abortive.
Capt. Henry Eckler, late of Warren, Herkimer county, was out
with a friend in the summer of 1781, in the vicinity of Fort Her
kimer, and unexpectedly fell in with Brant and a party of his war
riors. The chief, who was well acquainted with Captain E., ad
dressed him by name, and asked him if he would surrender him
self his prisoner. "Not by a d — d sight, as long as IJiave legs to
run !" and suiting the action to the word, he turned and fled at
the top of his speed, and his companion with him. The surprise
took place near a piece of woods, into which the fugitives- ran,
pursued by a band of yelling savages. Eckler had proceeded but
a httle distance in the woods, when he found it would be impos
sible for him to run far with the speed requisite for his escape by
flight ; and passing over a knoll which hid him from the observa
tion of his pursuers, he entered, head first, a cavity at the root of
a wind-fallen tree. He found its depth insufficient, however, to
conceal his whole person, and like a young ostrich or partridge,
that, with its head concealed, feels secure, if it remains still, he
resolved to keep silence and trust to Providence for the issue. The
party pursuing soon arrived upon the knoll, and halted almost over
him to catch another glimpse of his retiring form. But they look
ed in vain ; and while they stood there, and he heard their con
versation, he expected every moment would be his last, as he was
sure if his foes looked down they could not fail to see at least one
half his person. He thought, as he afterwards told his friends,
that had Brant, who also came upon the bank above him while
he was thus concealed, but listened, he must have heard his heart
beat, as it felt in his breast like the thumping of a hammer. Sup
posing Eckler had fled in an opposite direction, his pursuers over
looked his place of concealment, and expressing to each other
their surprise at his sudden exit, and declaring that a spirit had
helped him escape, they withdrew, when he backed out of his hi
ding place, and regained his home in safety. His comrade also
effected his escape uninjured, although he had a long and strong
race for his liberty. — Dr. Z. W. Bingham, who also communicat
ed the facts detailed in tlie next succeeding adventure.

488 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
In the fall of 1781, a man was captured in the vicinity of Fort
Plank, a picketed block-house, situated in the western part of the
present town of Minden, some three miles westward of Fort Plain*
The prisoner of whom I speak was captured by seven Indians,
and hurried off into the wilderness. At night the party halted at
a deserted log tenement in that part of Danube known as Otsqua-
go,f or as usually spoken, the Squawke. As the weather was
cold the Indians made a fire, and after partaking of a scanty sup
per, gathered round it to talk over the result thus far of their ex
pedition. They had, as they stated, taken but a few scalps, very
little plunder, and but one prisoner, who, they concluded, was
hardly worth taking to Canada alone. They there resolved to
have a pow-wow in the morning, kill and scalp the prisoner, re
turn toward the Mohawk, and seek among the defenceless or un
guarded whom they might plunder or slay.
The enemy, after discussing thus freely their future plans in the
Mohawk dialect, laid down upon the floor to rest, with their feet
to the fire. The prisoner was compelled to lie down between two
Indians, under cords fastened to their bodies, which crossed his
person over the breast and thighs, and not long after, all, save the
prisoner, were in a sound slumber. If the Indians were soon
dreaming of rich hunting grounds, human scalps, " beauty and
booty," the case was far otherwise with the poor captive, who
understood every word they had said, and had listened with hor
ror to his own approaching fate. Believing his foes all under the
padlock of Morpheus, he began to tax his ingenuity for some
means of escape. Hope of procuring those means was fast fading
from his excited mind, which already began to suffer the imagina
ry pangs of savage torture, when, in moving his hand upon the
floor, it accidentally rested upon a fragment of broken window-
glass. 'Col. Stone, with several other writers, has fallen into the error of suppos
ing Fort Plank but another name for Fort Plain.
tThis is the Indian name for the creek which runs into the Mohawk at Ft.
Plain, and signifies "The Springs," alluding to its sources. — Wagner.

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 489
No sooner did the prisoner seize the glass, than a ray of hope
entered his bosom, and with the frail assistant he instantly set
about regaining his liberty. He commenced severing the rope
across his breast, and soon it was stranded. The moment was
one of intense excitement ; he knew that it was the usual custom
for* one or more of an Indian party to keep watch and prevent the
escape of their prisoners. Was he then watched 1 Should he
go on, with the possibility of hastening his own doom, or wait
and see if some remarkable interposition of Providence might save
him? A monitor within whispered, "Faith without works is
dead," and after a little pause in his efforts, he resumed them, and
soon had parted another strand ; and as no movement was made,
he tremblingly cut another ; it was the last, and as it yielded he
sat up. He then was enabled to take a midnight view of the
group around him, in the feeble light reflected from the moon
through a small window of a single sash. The enemy still ap
peared to sleep, and he soon separated the cord across his limbs.
He then advanced to the fire and raked open the coals, which re
flected their partial rays upon the painted visages of those mis
guided heathen, whom British gold had bribed to deeds of damn
ing darkness ; and being fully satisfied that all were sound asleep,
he approached the door.
The Indians had a large watch dog outside the house. He
cautiously opened the door, sprang out and ran, and as he had
anticipated, the dog was yelling at his heels. He had about
twenty rods to run across a cleared field before he could reach the
woods : and as he neared them he looked back, and in the clear
light of a full moon, saw the Indians all in pursuit. As he neared
the forest, they all drew up their rifles and fired upon him, at
which instant a strong vine caught his foot and he fell to the
ground. The volley of balls passed over him, and bounding to
his feet, he gained the beechen shade. Not far from where he
entered, he had noticed the preceding evening a large hollow log,
and on coming to it, he sought safety within in. The dog, at
first, ran several rods past the log, which served to mislead the
32

490 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
party, but soon returned near it, and ceased barking without a vi
sit to the entrance of the captive's retreat.
The Indians sat down over him, and talked about their prison
er's escape. They finally came tq^ the conclusion that he had
either ascended a tree near, or that the devil had aided him in his
escape, which to them appeared the most reasonable conclusion.
As morning was approaching, they determined on taking an early
breakfast and returning to the river settlements, leaving one of
their number to keep a vigilant watch in that neighborhood for
their captive until afternoon of the following day, when he was
to join his fellows at a designated place. This plan settled, an
Indian proceeded to an adjoining fieldj where a small flock of sheep
had not escaped their notice, and shot one of them. While enough
of the mutton was dressing to satisfy their immediate wants, oti>
ers of the party struck up a fire, which they chanced, most unfor
tunately for his comfort, to build against the log, directly opposite
their lost prisoner. The heat became almost intolerable to the
tenant of the fallen basswood, before the meat was cooked — be
sides, the smoke and steam which found their way through the
worm holes and cracks, had nearly suffjcated him, ere he could
sufficiently stop their ingress, which was done by thrusting a
quantity of leaves and part of his own clothing into the crannies.
A cough, which he knew would insure his death, he found it most
difficult to avoid : to back out of his hiding place would also seal
his fate, while to remain in it much longer, he felt conscious, would
render his situation, to say the least, not enviable.
After suffering most acutely in body and mind for a time, the
prisoner (who was again such by accident,) found his miseries al
leviated when the Indians began to eat, as they then let the fire
burn down, and did not again replenish it. After they had dis
patched their breakfast of mutton, the prisoner heard the leader
caution the one left to watch in that vicinity to be wary, and soon
heard the retiring footsteps of the rest of the party. Often during
the morning, the watchman was seated or standing over him. Not
having heard the Indian for some time, and believing the hour of
his espionage past, he cautiously crept out of the log ; and find-

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 491
ing himself alone, being prepared by fasting and steaming for a
good race, he drew a bee-line for Fort Plank, which he reached
in safety : believing, as he afterwards stated, that all the Indians
in the state could not have overtaken him in his homeward. flight.
The events of the year 1781, are among the most important
during the war, and gave the seal to American independence.
In the early part of the year, the southern states became the thea
tre of war, and Gen. Greene, who had succeeded Gates after his
southern disasters, aided by Morgan, Lee, Marion, Sumpter, and
other brave officers, fought many battles with skill and alternate
success to the American arms. On the ]9th of January, Gene
rals Greene and Morgan met and defeated, with an inferior numeri
cal force, mostly militia, Col. Tarleton with the flower of the Brit
ish army. Not long after, Lee and Pickens — the latter a militia
officer — fell in, by accident, near the branches of the Haw river,
with a body of royalists on their way to join Col. Tarleton, and
killed upwards of two hundred of their number. On the 15th of
March, Gen. Greene met Lord Corn wallis near Guilford Court
House, and although victory several times perched upon the spangled
banner, the Americans were finally compelled to retreat — with a loss,
however, less than that of the victors. On the 25th April, the-
battle of Camden was fought, between the armies under General
Greene and Lord Rawdon, when fortune again showed herself a
fickle goddess — siding, in the latter part of the action, with the
foes of freedom. The killed and wounded on each side was be
tween two and three hundred. The vigilance of the prudent
though daring Greene, and the spirit with which the British were
every where met at the south by the yeomanry of the land, caused
them, by the early part of June, to abandon nearly all of their
line of military posts in the Carolinas, and concentrate their forces.
Probably in no other section of the union were the friends of lib
erty and royalty more equally divided : or was a spirit of bitter
acrimony and rancorous hostility more vividly manifested during
the war, than in the Carolinas in the summer of 1781. Indeed,
many of their most valuable citizens were sacrificed in a spirit of
partisan strife or retaliation. The last important engagement in

492 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
South Carolina, took place on the 8th of September, at Eutaw
Springs, between the troops under Gen. Greene and Lieut. Col.
Stewart. This was one of the most bloody battles during the
war for the numbers engaged, and was fairly won by the Ameri
cans ; but in their retreat, a body of the British entering a large
brick house, kept their pursuers in check until the officers could
rally the fugitives : who returned to the charge, and in turn com
pelled the Americans to retreat ; which was done in good order,
and the wounded borne from the field. The armies were each
2000 strong when the action began. The Americans lost in killed
and wounded 550 men, and the enemy about 700.
Early in the season the traitor Arnold was sent with an army
into Virginia. In this expedition, Arnold destroyed, by confla
gration and otherwise, much property, public and private, at Rich
mond, Westham, Smithfield, and some other places. While the
traitor was thus serving his new master, Washington concerted a
plan for his capture — but the French fleet not co-operating with
Gen. Lafayette, to whom was entrusted the enterprise, it proved
abortive. Arnold was soon after superseded by Gen. Phillips, who
sailed up James river, destroying much property at BoswelPs Fer
ry, City Point, Petersburg, and Manchester.
In May, a project was formed by Gen. Washington and other
officers assembled at Wethersfield, Connecticut, to attempt the re
covery of New York city. The French fleet, under Count de
Grasse, expected to cp-operate by water, arriving in Chesapeake
bay, the contemplated siege of New York was abandoned, and
the capture of Lord Cornwallis, who was strongly fortified at
Yorktown, undertaken. The seige of the place began about the
1st of October, and on the 19th, Cornwallis and his army of eight
or nine thousand men, surrendered themselves prisoners of war to
the American and French armies, with a park of 160 pieces of
artillery, mostly brass. The enemy's naval force in the harbor
was assigned to the Count de Grasse, and the land forces to Gen.
Washington. The loss of a second entire army inclined Britain
to think of making a peace. This great victory was celebrated

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 493
throughout the Union with festivals and rejoicings, and a day of
national thanksgiving was appointed.
The destination of the American army was so judiciously con
cealed from Sir Henry Clinton, commanding at New York, that
Washington was treading a southern soil when that officer sup
posed him in his own neighborhood.
A fact attendant on the capture of Cornwallis, deserves a no
tice. It was the usual custom in the Revolution, when one army
was vanquished by another, to have the standards borne by lieu
tenants and transferred to officers of the same rank. At the sur
render of the troops at Yorktown, it was observed that the British
flags were in the hands of orderly sergeants. Two officers of
that grade, James Williamson of the New York, and a man named
Brush, of the Connecticut troops, were quickly selected to perform
this honorable duty, in consideration of services rendered during
the seige, to evidence which each wore on his person the soldier's
mark of honor. The British army passed between files of Ame
rican troops, and as the standards reached Williamson and Brush,
they received, furled, and laid them down. When the first stan
dard-bearer reached Williamson (from whom these facts were de
rived) he was ordered by him to halt. " Sir," said he, " 1 will
receive your standard." The British orderly at first hesitated, and
seemed not a little surprised that he was to deliver it to a knotted
officer, but with a very graceful salute he presented it and passed
on. The old veteran remarked that he had quite a pile of British
flags when the vanquished army had all passed. It was after
wards supposed that the enemy designed, by delivering their en
signs through non-commissioned to subaltern officers, to cast a slur
upon the stars of America.*
* The following anecdotes were attendant on the march of the American
army to and from Yorktown. At Baltimore, one Gregg, who belonged.to Col.
Cortlandt's regiment of New York troops, was flogged eight hundred lashes.
Several complaints having been rendered to the colonel that the soldiers were
stealing from each other ; in order to stop the habit effectually, he gave or
ders that the first one guilty of theft should receive fifty lashes for the value
of every Shilling stolen. A missing shirt was found shortly after in Gregg's
knapsack, which two of his fellow soldiers adjudged to be worth two dollars.
Poor Gregg was literally flayed. He lingered a long time between life and

494 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
Chagrined at the turn affairs had taken at the south, Clinton
sent the traitor Arnold on an embassy of destruction to New Lon
don, Ct. Fort Griswold, situated on elevated ground in Groton,
on the east side of the Thames, nearly opposite, commanded the
death, but finally recovered. It turned out in the end that a rascally soldier
had stolen the garment, and placed it in Gregg's knapsack on purpose to see
him flogged. — James Williamson.
Cady Larey one day stole a turkey, and put it in the knapsack of a fellow
soldier named Berrian, expecting, no doubt, to feast on it. It was discover.
ed, and Col. Cortlandt sentenced Berrian to receive a severe whipping for the
theft. His back was bared, and as the lash was about to descend upon it,
Larey, conscience-stricken, advanced into the ring and confessed the crime —
declaring that if any one deserved a flogging it was himself. The act of con
fession was so manly, that Col. C. forgave them both. — Williamson.
All classes could safely be trusted with secrets in the Revolution. A cheese
having one day disappeared in an unaccountable manner in a New England
regiment, great search was made for it, but in vain. Among others examin
ed was a faithful negro waiter to one of the officers, who was interrogated,
and replied much as follows : "Jack, have you seen any one steal a cheese?"
" No, massa ; me no see any one steal chee.'' " Have you seen a cheese in
the hands of any one ?"• " No, massa." " Well, Jack, have you seen any
cheese?" "Why, ye-ye-yes massa, me see a chee go by, but nobody wid em." —
Capt. Eben Williams.
At Baltimore the regiment of Col. Cortlandt embarked in a vessel; and af
ter the troops were all on board, the colonel gave strict orders that no one
should go on shore without his permission. The night following, Larey and
Berrien, the two soldiers mentioned in another anecdote, yielding to a tempta
tion to violate their officer's commands, which their love of liquor prompt
ed, swam ashore. While returning to the ship, Larey was drowned, but his
equally boozy companion was discovered floundering in the water, taken on
board, and instantly cited before his commander. He confessed his guilt, and
at the mention of his companion's name began to cry. " Why do you cry?"
demanded the colonel. "Because poor Larey was drowned," he replied ; "for
about his neck was tied a canteen^-eh ! of as good brandy as ever a man
tasted — eh." The colonel finally forgave Berrian because of his penitence
and great sorrow for the loss of his companion and the precious jewel about
his neck— but admonished him and his fellow soldiers never to be guilty of
another act of disobedience, if they would not share the fate of poor Larey
who could never drink his own brandy. — Williamson.
On the return march of Colonel Cortlandt's regiment from York Town a
gentleman near whose house it had encamped, complained in the evenin" to
Colonel C, that his watch had been stolen by a soldier. Secrecy was en
joined until the troops were paraded to march in the morning, when a rigid
search was made of the person and knapsack of every soldier in the regiment
but the search was in vain, and the army moved forward. Some days after
the watch was discovered on the person of a soldier, who was publicly whip-

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 495
city ; and in order to rifle the latter it became necessary to cap
ture the former. For this object, a large body of men under Lt.
Col. Eyre were dispatched ; but they were repelled with spirit by
its inmates, about 120 men, mostly militia, assembled in its vicini
ty. The Americans were too few to resist so Jarge a force, and
the works were finally carried ; but not until, according to Ar
nold's official account, 48 of the assailants were slain, and 145
wounded, many mortally. Numbers were killed with cold shot
thrown from the ramparts. The Americans lost but a few men
until after the works were carried and they had grounded their
arms, when about seventy of their number were brutally massa
cred, and nearly all the rest wounded ; several are said to have
escaped injury by hugging British soldiers, so as to endanger the
lives of the latter if those of the former were attempted. One
man, who fled from the fort as the enemy entered, was shot at
with some others also escaping, and falling uninjured, he remain
ed in the grass feigning himself dead, until the enemy withdrew,
when he joined his friends. As Maj. Montgomery entered the
fort, (Col. Eyre, his superior, being wounded) he asked who com
manded it. The brave Lt. Col. William Ledyard responded very
civilly, " I once had that honor, the command is now yours :"
presenting at the same time the hilt of his sword. The brutal
major seized it, and with the spirit of a demon, passed it through
the vitals of the unarmed giver. An American officer next in
command to Ledyard, and standing near him at the time, re
venged the act by cutting down Montgomery, but was in turn
slaughtered. The command of the enemy then devolved on Maj.
Bromfield. The dastard!)- example of the officers was followed
by an indiscriminate slaughter of the unresisting soldiery. We
talk ofthe savage massacres of Cherry-Valley and Wyoming —
here was a more than savage massacre, for it was committed by
ped for its theft. Exhibiting it exultingly afterwards, he exclaimed — •" Who
' would not take a flogging for such a watch as this ?"
When asked how he had' managed to conceal the watch, the rogue said he
was about to bake a bread-cake as he obtained it, and putting it within the
dough, baked it in. The bread was in his knapsack when searched, but no
one thought of breaking the loaf to find a concealed treasure. — Williamson.

496 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
a people claiming to be civilized. In vindication of the British
character, it has been stated that the Americans continued the
fight after they had struck their colors. This however is not
true : the flag-staff upon the walls was more than once shot off by
the enemy, but.the flag was waving above them when they car
ried the fortress. A regiment of militia under Col. Gallup, who
witnessed the whole transaction at a distance of one mile from the
fort, would not march to its rescue. Had he led his men into the
fort, as a sense of duty should have prompted, the British could
not have taken it. Ledyard sent a messenger to Gallup to march
into the fort to his assistance when the enemy were landing, but
the latter pretended not to have received the message. Gallup
was tried by court martial for his want of bravery on the occasion,
and broken of his office.
The enemy while in possession of the fort, loaded an ox-cart
which chanced to be near, with wounded Americans, and started
it down the declivity with the intention of running it into the river,
but it struck a large apple-tree after gaining considerable velocity,
and thwarted their merciless intention. The shock when it struck
was tremendous, and several of the bleeding soldiers were killed
outright. One Stevens who was in it at the time with a broken
thigh, and was nearly killed by the shock, afterwards stated no
one could conceive the acuteness of his suffering when the cart
struck the tree. The enemy after burying their own dead, spik
ing or destroying the cannon, and laying a train of powder to the
magazine, left the fort. The explosion was however prevented,
as has been stated by some previous writer, by a wounded soldier
who crawled upon the train, and saturated it with his own life-
blood so that it did not communicate with the magazine. The
British burnt New-London, destroyed some shipping in the har
bor, and embarked for New-York. Soon after they left the fort,
the Americans in the neighborhood entered it. The former had
buried their dead but slightly, with their clothes on. The Ame
ricans, who found it difficult to obtain clothing, dug up their dead
foes ; divested them of their apparel ; dug deeper graves, and
again buried them ; interring also their fallen countrymen. Facts

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 497
from Mr. Ephraim F. Simms, of Otsego county, who obtained
them at the request of the author, from Capt. Peckham Maine, a
former resident of that county. The latter, then a lad, entered Fort
Griswold soon after the enemy left it, and aided in stripping and
burying the dead.
A patriotic old lady is still living in the vicinity of this fort, or
was but recently, who was in it at the time it fell into the hands
of the British, of whom the following anecdote is related. As the
enemy were approaching the fortress, one of the guns was about
to become useless for the want of wadding ; when our heroine
loosening a flannel petticoat on her person, threw it to the cart
ridge-man with the exclamation, " this will enable you to fire a
few shots more !" The garment was torn up, and the guil con
tinued its fearful execution upon the foeman. In consequence of
the patriotic deed related, this old lady has been visited by many
distinguished individuals, among whom, if I mistake not, are num
bered several Presidents of the United States. — Rev. J. M. Van
Buren.

( 498 )

CHAPTER XVII.

Although the preceding year had closed with a cessation of hos
tilities, predatory border enterprises were continued during the
summer of 1782.
Christopher P. Yates, Esq., who was one of the best informed
and most efficient patriots in the Mohawk valley, in a letter dated
"Freyburg, 22d March, 1782," written to Col. H. Frey,* a broth
er-in-law, respecting timber, thus observes :
" We have already had three different inroads from the enemy,
which you have doubtless heard before. The last was at Bow
man's kill, from whence they took three children of McFee's fami
ly. If they act upon the same principle as the last year, which
from their conduct is evident, their intention in coming to the
creek so early was to clear it of all inhabitants, that they might
pass unobserved. I fear that in the course of the present year they
will infest us chiefly on the south side of the river, and in small
parties : for this reason I think our bush to be in more danger than
it has yet been. God grant that I may be wrong."
* Col. Stone in the Life of Brant, speaking of the acts of the first meeting
of the Palatine district, thus observes — " The original draft of the proceed
ings of that meeting is yet in existence, in the hand- writing of Colonel Hen
drick Frey, a patriot who lived to a great age, and is but recently deceased."
" This," says the memoranda of H. F. Yates, "is a total and entire mistake.
The draft was made by Christopher P. Yates, and is in his hand writing.
Col. Stone meant John, instead of Hendrick Frey. The latter was a tory,
and was one of the disaffected sent by the Tryon County Committee to Hart
ford, Connecticut. The whole of those papers, [the early correspondence of
the Tryon County Committee,] were drawn and written by C. P. Yates. He
was the only scholar among them ; and was a man of strong mind, much
reading, and a very forcible writer. He was the competitor at the bar of
Montgomery County, of the late Abram Van Vechten, from the year 1787, till
the Legislature by law, prevented the clerks from practising law in their re
spective counties."
As in the Schoharie, so it was in the Mohawk valley in the Revolution.

HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, ETC. 499
In the spring of this year, a party of fifteen Indians proceeded
by a circuitous route through the Schoharie settlements, without
committing any hostile act to Beaver-dam, Albany county, where
was a small settlement, a grist-mill, &c. The settlers were most
ly tories in this vicinity, except the Dietzes and Weidmans. To
destroy the family of Johannes Dietz, an old gentleman who lived
between the mill and a Scotch settlement at Rensselaerville, was
the especial object of the invaders in making their tedious jour
ney. The family consisted of the old gentleman and his wife,
his son Capt. William Dietz and wife, four children of the latter,
a servant girl, and a lad named John Bryce, whose parents lived
at Rensselaerville.
The enemy arrived at Dietz's just before night, and surprised
and killed all the family, except Capt. Dietz and young Bryce,
then 12 or 14 years old. Robert Rryce, a brother of John, 11
years old, had been sent on horseback that day to the mill at Bea
ver-dam with a grist, in company with several other lads on the
same errand. Their grain was ground, but as it was nearly sun-
Many of the most influential families were not only related to each other, but
were often divided in their political opinions ; and not unfrequently members
were found in hostile array. Major Frey had a brother named Bernard, who
joined the enemy, and with some of his former neighbors of the Mohawk
valley, doubtless assisted in desolating portions of it. Colonel Hendrick Frey
married a sister of General Herkimer, and his patriot brother, Major Frey,
married another relative ofthe General. The wife of Christopher P. Yates
was the youngest sister of the Freys named. The Finks, Coxes, Klocks,
Bellingers, Parises, Feeters, Nellises, Foxes, Groses, Eckers, Wagners,
Seebers, Helmers, Eisenlords, Snells, (seven men of this name were killed in
the Oriskany battle. — Jour, of N. Y. Congress,) Nestells, Sprakers, Zielies,
Van Alstynes, Roofs, Van Slycks, Dievendorfs, Fondas, Veeders, Visschers,
Harpers, Putmans, Quackenbosses, Van Eppses,Wemples, Hansons and Groats
were also among the patriotic German and Dutch citizens of the Mohawk
valley ; not a few of whom were connected by ties of consanguinity.
Of Gen. Herkimer, it may be well here to remark, that he was much better
informed than many suppose. Says the manuscript of Yates, " I claim not foi
the General, that he was versed in Latin 'and Greek, or in the philosophy of
the German schools ; but I claim for him, that no German emigrant was bet.
ter read in the history of the Protestant reformation, and in the philosophy
of the Bible, than General Herkimer." I may add, in truth, he possessed
largely those sterling qualities, good common sense, sympathy, honor, and a
spirit of bravery ia a just cause, unrivalled by that of a Montgomery or De
Kalb.

500 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
down they all concluded to tarry with the miller over night, ex
cept Bryce, who resolved to return as far as Dietz's, three miles
toward his home, and stay with his brother. He arrived just at
twilight near the house, when an Indian sprang from a covert by
the road-side, and seized his bridle-reins. A short time before his
arrival, the family had been led out of the house to be murdered,
agreeable to a savage custom, perhaps that their mangled remains
may terrify surviving friends ; and as the horse, with Robert still
on him, was led near the house, the lad discovered the disfigured
bodies of all the family, except Capt. Dietz and his own brother,
who were tied to a tree near by.
The enemy, after plundering the dwelling of such articles as
they desired, set it on fire, and, with the outbuildings, it was soon
reduced to ashes. Securing the scalps of the eight bleeding vic
tims, or sixty-four dollars worth of American blood in an Eng
lish market — after placing their plunder on a number of horses
belonging to the Dietzes, and that of young Bryce, on which his
grist was retained for food — they started forward on their tedious
journey to Canada. They traveled about two miles and encamped
for the night, distant from the paternal house of the Bryce boys
about a mile. Little did their parents dream of the fate and fu
ture prospects of their sons. By dawn of day next morning, the
journey was resumed. The Indians desired to take the southern
route to Niagara, and hoped to gain the sources of the Schoharie
without molestation. Tidings of the untimely fate of this fami-
lyiwere next day communicated to the Schoharie forts, and a body
of troops was dispatched by Col. Vrooman in pursuit.
Lieut. John Jost Dietz, a relative of the family, who was sent
from the Lower fort with a party to bury the dead, met them in a
wagon owned by a neighbor. The bodies had been mutilated by
hogs, and presented a most revolting appearance. They were
all deposited in one grave, in a yard attached to a small Reformed
Dutch church, then standing not far distant from the place of
massacre. Suspecting the route the invaders would take, the Americans
proceeded up the river, and towards night, on the second day af-

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 501
ter the massacre, fell in with and fired upon them near the head
waters of the Schoharie. Several of the Indians were wounded,
but they all effected their escape with their prisoners. They
however abandoned their horses and plunder at the onset, which
were restored to the surviving friends of the family. The In
dian who claimed ownership to the person of Robert Bryce, was
badly wounded in one leg by the fire of the Schoharie troops, and
being unable to keep up with the party, journeyed with his pri
soner and two of his partizans at a much slower pace. On arriv
ing at the Indian settlements in western New York, Robert was
initiated into the cruel mysteries of gantlet-running :, receiving a
lesson in which school, on one occasion, nearly cost him his life.
He was taken to Nine Mile Landing on Lake Ontario ; sold to a
a Scotchman, who was the captain of a sloop, for fifteen dollars ;
was removed to Detroit, from whence he was liberated and re
turned home, after the proclamation of peace, in company with
his brother and several hundred prisoners liberated at the same
time. The treatment of Capt. Dietz and the elder Bryce was more
severe than that of Robert. Their party were greatly straight
ened for food on their way, and for several days lived on winter-
green, birch-bark, and, possibly, a few esculent roots and wild
berries. On the Susquehanna river, near the mouth of the Una
dilla, a deer was shot, which providentially saved them from starv
ing. Their progress at this period was very slow, as they were
compelled daily to spend much of their time in hunting food.
They journeyed through the Chemung and Genesee valleys, and
at villages, the prisoners were compelled to endure the running
ordeal. Added to the stripes of his foes and the gnawings of hun
ger, Capt. Dietz suffered the most severe mental agony. He was
not only doomed to see the blood-stained scalps of his honored
parents, his bosom companion and four lovely children stretched
in hoops to tan in the sun, as was the custom, but often to have
them slapped in his face by the Indian who bore them, in the
most insulting manner.
George Warner, who was captured the same season, informed

502 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
the writer that he saw Capt. Dietz in his confinement at Niagara,
and conversed with him. The latter appeared heart-stricken and
in a decline, under which he sunk to the grave not long after.
He told Capt. Warner (the latter was a military captain after the
war) where a certain amount of money had been concealed near
their dwelling. Capt. W. afterwards understood the treasure had
been recovered. — Priest's narrative and Col. Wm. Dietz of Sc/w-
harie, corroborated by others.
Early on the morning of July 4th, Adam Vrooman (a name
sake and cousin of "Pull Foot Vrooman," and son of Isaac
Vrooman, who was killed the preceding fall,) went from the Up
per Schoharie fort, accompanied by Peter Feeck; (the man who
discovered the rear of the British army on the morning of John
son's invasion,) to drive cattle to a pasture near the dwelling of
the late Cornelius Vrooman. Feeck was driving the cattle as his
companion went forward to open the gate ; and as the latter was
in the act of so doing, he received several bullets from a party of
seven Indians and tories concealed in ambush, and fell dead.
Feeck fled, and although fired at by the enemy, he reached the
fort, nearly a mile distant, in safety. On the same morning, Jo
seph Brown, who had left the Upper fort on the same errand as
had Vrooman and Feeck, was captured by the same party and
hurried off to Canada. A band of rangers left the fort on the re
turn of Feeck, and soon struck the trail of the enemy ; but the
latter having stolen a number of horses in the neighborhood, ef
fected their escape. — Mrs. Van Slyck and Josias E. Vrooman.
On the morning of July 26th, 1782, the tory captain, Adam
Crysler, accompanied by his brother William, another tory named
Peter Erkert, and twenty-two Indians, appeared in SFoxes creek
valley. They had tarried the preceding night, as was believed,
at the dwelling of a tory in the vicinity, whose family and prop
erty were left unmolested. Early in the morning the destructives
approached the house of Jacob Zimmer, which was one of the
first stone dwellings erected in Schoharie county.*
•This house, situated a little distance from the hamlet called Gallupville,
which dwelling has for many years past been owned and occupied by Theo-

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 503
Jacob Zimmer, sen., was absent when the enemy arrived at his
house, as was also his son Peter ; the latter, however, had not left
the neighborhood. Crysler was sadly disappointed in not finding
the elder Zimmer at home. His namesake was tomahawked and
scalped in the presence of his wife and mother — two who could
feel most keenly his loss. The women were not captured, and
the enemy, after plundering the house, set it on fire, as also
they did the barn, and then proceeded down the creek. The form
er was extinguished by the women, after the barn-burners had
left, but the barn was reduced to ashes. Proceeding a little dis
tance from the house, the party met Peter Zimmer, and took him
prisoner. Peter enquired of his captors if they had seen his broth
er Jacob, and was answered that they had left him at /tome with
the women, but did not tell him that the bloody trophy one of their
number had secured for a British market, was the scalp of his
near relative. A Hessian, who had entered New York as a sol
dier under Burgoyne, and who had chosen to desert and remain in
the country, was at work for the Zimmers at the time of Crysler's
invasion, and was also murdered, as his scalp would command
eight dollars in Canada. Blood was said to have been visible on
a stone beside the road where this poor Hessian was slain, for a
great length of time afterwards.
The morning being unusually foggy, the light of Zimmer's
house was not discovered by the citizens below, and as they had
refrained from firing, their proximity was unsuspected.
At this period, Johannes Becker, one of the earliest German
settlers on Foxes creek, was still living about two miles below
Zimmer, and with or near him five sons, Joseph, major of militia,
George, John, Jacob, and William; and one daughter named
bold Hilts, unfortunately took fire on the 9th day of March, 1843, and with
most of its contents soon became a heap of ruins. Mr. Zimmer was a patri
ot, a man of influence, and well known in the country, having been associated
as patentee with John Lawyer and others in the purchase and sale of exten
sive tracts of land in Albany county. To secure such a prisioner (possibly
one of the Schoharie council of safety at the time) was an object not to be
overlooked by the tory chief; he accordingly led his destructives to Zimmer's
hoase. Mr. Zimmer had two sons, Jacob and Peter, living with him, who
were young men grown — the former of whom had a wife also at bis father's.

504 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
Maria.* The 'three brothers, John, Jacob, and William Becker,
went on the morning of Crysler's invasion, to work in a cornfield
on the north side of the creek. Arriving at the field, they found
they had but two hoes, and John, the eldest, sent William, the
youngest ofthe three, then twenty-two years old, to the house for
another hoe. He soon returned with a report that the women
were hoeing a patch of cabbage, and did not like to part with it.
As previously stated, many of the farmers concealed their hay and
grain in the woods during the war, to avoid the enemy's fire
brand. The day before this invasion, the brothers had been cut
ting brush to make room for several hay stacks, and to open a
road to the place, some distance from the house.
When William returned without the hoe, John told him he
could go and finish the road in the woods, make bars, &c. Wil
liam started, but was called back by John, who told him to stay
and hoe with Jacob, saying that he would go and finish the other
work himself, as then he would be sure of its being done to suit
him ! John was afterwards found dead, lying upon the brush he
had been cutting, and appeared not to have moved after he re
ceived the blow of a tomahawk. The brim and lower part of his
hat crown were cut open, and the weapon had penetrated the
brain. It was supposed that an Indian had stolen up behind him
unobserved, and felled him to the earth, where he scalped and
left him. As the enemy went directly from Zimmer's to the field
where the Becker brothers had been at work the day before, it
was supposed that their place of labor had been communicated by
some tory in the settlement. Soon after John had left his bro
thers hoeing, William discovered the enemy in the upper side of
the field/ approaching them, and directed Jacob's attention that
way. Both at the same instant let fall their hoes and ran towards
home. Rightly conjecturing that their foes would if possible cut
off their retreat to the house, they ran directly to the bank of the
* Joseph Becker had two sons, George three, John one, and Jacob four ;
nearly all of whom are now residents of Schoharie county. Johannes Becker
died soon after the war was over, and Major Becker, his oldest son, died
Aug. 21st, 1806, the latter in the 68th year of his age.

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 505
creek not far above the house, and opposite a small island that
has since disappeared. At this place the stream was deep, and
they had to diverge from their course to cross a log which ex
tended from the shore to the island. They dashed down the bank
with an impetus that carried them both into the water, and Jacob
fell down ; but regaining his feet he reached the log, crossed, and
ran up on the south side of the island, hotly pursued by a single
Indian, who had to make the same circuit to cross or else swim
the stream — the others having gone below to head them, sup
posing they would run to the house. Jacob, who was closely
followed by the warrior with uplifted tomahawk, on arriving at a
place on the southern shore of the island, which terminated bold
ly, sprang down the bank and remained quiet. William ran but
a few rods beyond his brother, and also secreted himself beneath
the bank. The pursuing Indian ran to within a few feet of where
Jacob lay, halted, and looked up the stream in vain, to catch an
other glimpse of the fugitives — little suspecting that one of them
was almost within reach of him — near where he had last seen
him, and who doubtless was still visible had he looked down.
He gave up the chase, crossed the island, passing very near the
concealment of William, gained the north bank of the creek, and
hastened to join his companions below. The Indians did not fire
on the young men, as they hoped to surprise Maj. Becker and
some others near by. The brothers remained concealed until the
firing began at the house, and then crossed the creek and went
into the woods, east of their corn-field. When the enemy left
the valley, they passed so near the concealed brothers, that the
latter distinctly heard them talk.
Maj. Becker, at that period, owned and occupied a substantial
stone dwelling, the present residence of his son Henry, late a
judge of the county ; and near it stood a grist mill owned by him,
which was one of the earliest erected mills in Schoharie county.
The dwelling is pleasantly situated upon a knoll on the south side
of the creek, at a little distance from the Albany road, and had at
that period a gambrel roof. A hall passes through it from north
to south, with a door at each end. The house contained five front
33

506 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
and five rear windows ; and at that time two chamber windows in
the east gable end, since altered. The upper part of the house was
unfinished and all in one room ; and the windows were barricaded
nearly to the top with oak plank. The front door was closed
np with plank, and the back door, then the only entrance to the
house, strengthened by a false door also of oak, to arrest the bul
lets of an enemy. Just before Crysler and his murderers arrived
at Maj. Becker's, Henry, his son, then nine years old, Jacob Zim
mer, jun., (nephew ofthe one. murdered) and several other boys
about the same age, had been a little distance southeast of the
house to drive hogs to a pasture. On their return, and when
within ten or fifteen rods of the house, one of the boys said to the
rest, " See the rifle-men over there ; they are painted like the In
dians !" The Schoharie Rangers when on a scout, were often
clad much like Indians : but young Becker instantly recognized
the party to be a band of savages. A few rods above the house
was a small island containing perhaps an acre of ground, sepa
rated from the bank southeast of the dwelling, by a deep pool of
stagnant water, over which had been felled a tree. The enemy
being upon the island, had either to make quite a circuit or cross
the log, which could only be done in single file. This gave the
boys a little start and they ran to the house shouting, " Indians !
Indians!" They could easily have been shot, as they were but a
few rods distant from the enemy, but the latter still hoped to sur
prise a militia major, which would doubtless have been done, had
not the boys thus opportunely discovered their approach. Major
Becker chanced to be engaged back of the house — caught the
alarm, and running in seized his gun — entered the south west room
— thrust it through a loop-hole above one of the windows, and fired
on the invaders, breaking an Indian's arm. As the boys ran into
the hall door, they encountered several children within ; and all
tumbled in a heap. Major Becker's wife, who was a woman of
the times, sprang to the plank door which fastened with a ring
and bolt— drew it to, and held it ajar with the bolt in her hand.
John Hutt, as the enemy approached, was at the western end of
the house making a whifHetree. Mrs. Becker continued to hold

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 507
the door open for Hutt, who took the alarm from the furious bark
ing of three large dogs belonging to the inmates of the house,
which had met and were giving battle to the invaders, who halted
to shoot them. As Hutt neared the door, a large Indian sprang
to seize him ; but the former raising the missile which he had re
tained in his hand, in a threatening manner, the latter recoiled and
he sprang into the door, which was quickly bolted by the Major's
Spartan wife. Had not Mrs. Becker possessed great presence of
mind, and the dogs met the enemy, Hutt must have either been
slain or captured by them. The shot of Maj. Becker may also
have damped the ardor of the assailants. George Shell, another
Schoharie soldier, was fortunately in the house at the time, and
assisted in its defence.
The inmates of the dwelling consisting of the three men named,
Mrs. Becker, Mrs. Adam Zimmer, possibly one or two other wo
men, and some eight or ten children, went up stairs. The Major
took his station at the south-west corner window, which com
manded the enemy's approach to his barn, assigned to Hutt the
eastern gable windows ; and to Shell the north west window op
posite his own, which commanded their approach to the mill,
which stood a few rods from the house upon ground now occu
pied by the race-way of the present mill. The lower sash of the
upper windows was also secured by plank. The enemy immedi
ately ran round the eastern end of the house and there gained
temporary shelter, some under the creek bank, some behind a
fence, and others behind a small log building standing at a little
distance south east of the house, used as a sort of store-room.
The enemy fired numerous balls in at the windows, twenty-eight
entering the window Hutt was stationed at. He was a bold, vi
gilant fellow, and often incurred the censure of Maj. Becker for
exposing his person so much about the window, telling him that
the force of the enemy was unknown, but their own was three
mm, the loss of one being one third of their strength. Hutt, how
ever, could not be restrained by the prudent counsels of the Major,
and kept constantly returning the shots of the enemy. Discover
ing through a cranny of the log building the hat of one of his foes,

508 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
Hutt sent a bullet through the brim of it close to the crown-
This hat, it was afterwards ascertained, was on the head of Capt.
Crysler. The balls of the enemy cut the air several times around
the head of Hutt like the fall of hail in a hurricane, but fortunately
without injury.
While a part of the invaders were firing in at the windows, one
of their number was discovered by Shell crawling along the bank
of the creek, which was then steeper than at present, with a brand
of fire, intent on burning the mill. Shell was an eccentric fellow,
and had acquired the habit of thinking out loud. Aiming his rifle
at the foe, he was heard by several in the room to think much as
follows : " Ah! that's what you're at, is it ? you go a little fur
ther and you'll catch it. Now, look out ; I'll give it to you.
When you get there, you\get it ; there, "there ; that will do !" In
the midst of this soliloquy, his head in motion the while, crack
went his rifle ; and he continued, There, he has it; he's down;
one less; you wont come again; now burn the mill will you! you
infernal Indian !"
After continuing the attack as narrated for some time, the ene
my attempted to fire the building. They placed a wheel-barrow
under the water conductor leading from the gutter at the north
east corner of the house, to within three or four feet of the
ground ; and piling on combustibles, set them on fire, which
quickly communicated with the wooden spout, and threatened the
destruction ofthe building.. It was impossible for the inmates ofthe
house to fire on their foes while applying the incendiary tcrch,
without exposing themselves to almost certain death, as some of
the Indians were constantly on the look- out for such an exposure.
As the flame began to ascend the gutter toward the roof, Major
Becker, who had no inclination to be burned alive, set about forc
ing off the corner of it with a piece of scantling, which fortune
placed in the chamber, while his wife went into the cellar to pro
cure water. On entering the cellar, she found an outside cellar-
door upon the north side of the building, standing wide open,
where the enemy might have entered had they gone to the other
end of the building, which they could have done without danger.

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK.

509

Fastening the door, and procuring a pail of water ; she returned
to the chamber.

MAJOR BECKER'S HOUSE INVADED BY THE ENEMY.
For a time the roof, which was nailed on with heavy wrought
nails as was the ancient custom, baffled all the major's efforts ,
but it at length yielded, and he sank down almost exhausted. As
the shingles fell to the ground, the Indians gathered them up, ex
claiming, " Yok-wah!" Thank you! And added in their dialect
" we can kindle it now." A hole being made, water was thro wr.
down, and the spout was extinguished. The enemy soon had it
blazing again with additional combustibles, and then remarked,
also in their own tongue, Chock-wot de wink-wock !". It now
burns like tobacco ! It was again put out, and again enkindled and
and put out, until the spout had burned off above their reach,
when they abandoned further attempts to set the house on fire.
Supposing their firing would be heard at the Lower fort, some
three miles distant, the assailants took French leave of the premi-

510 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
ses about nine o'clock, A. M., and buried themselves in the forest ;
having been about the Becker house several hours.
The father and mother of the Becker brothers, with a child of
Shell, (who was in the stone-house,) who lived just below Major
Becker, and where Robert Coats now resides, taking the alarm on
the enemy's approach, fled towards the fort along the southern
bank of the creek. They were discovered, and fired on by the
invaders, and several balls struck a fence near them, before they
were out of danger; but the enemy being so intent on the cap
ture of Maj. Becker, and plunder of his house, did not pursue
them and they escaped. Adam Zimmer and John Enders, who
fled on the approach of the enemy from the vicinity of Maj. Beck
er's, carried news of the invasion to the Lower fort, then com
manded by Captain Brown ; when a party of Americans under
Lieut. Snyder sallied forth, and arrived at the scene of action just
after Crysler and his followers had left. The state of the atmos
phere was such, that, what is surprising, the firing at Becker's was
heard at the Middle Fort, six or seven miles distant and not heard
at the Lower fort, less than half as remote.
After the enemy retired from Becker's, the supposed Indian
whom Shell had shot, was found to have fallen partly in the wa
ter and was not dead. He was taken into . the house, and doctor
Werth called to examine his wound, who pronounced it mortal ;
the ball having passed diagonally through the body at the shoul
ders. The man was now discovered to be a painted tory instead
of an Indian ; and was shortly after recognized to be Erkert, a
Scotch cooper, who had made flour-barrels for Maj. Becker be
fore the war. The major, on making the recognition, accused the
tory of ingratitude. Said he, " when you came to me for work,
I employed you, and always paid you well ; and now you come
with a band of savages to murder me and my family ; plunder and
and burn myb uildings." The man appeared very penitent as cer
tain death was before him ; expressed his sorrow for the course he
had taken, and said " he did not then care which succeeded, King
or Congress." He was scalped in the afternoon by a friendly In
dian named Yan, (a son of David, who was killed by the cav-

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 511
airy under Col. Harper, in 1777,) and on the following morning
he was summoned to the bar of his Maker, to render an account
" for the deeds done in the body." The victims of Crysler's in
vasion at Foxes creek, were buried in rough boxes with their
dothes on. — Jacob and Wm. Becker, who escaped by flight; Judge
Becker and Jacob Zimmer, jr., two ofthe boys who discovered the
enemy near the house ; and the manuscript of Judge Hager.
John Snyder, known after the war as "Schoharie John," and
Peter Mann, of Foxes creek, were captured in the morning by Crys
ler and party, as the former were returning from Beaver-dam; Mann
was however liberated in Kneiskern's dorf. The enemy proceeded
from the estuary of Cobelskill and the Schoharie, up the former
stream. On the following day in the present town of Cobelskill, George
Warner, jun., who was engaged in shifting horses from one field
to another, was captured by Crysler and his destructives, who di
rected their course from thence to the .Susquehanna. Warner in
stantly recognized as one of the master spirits among his captors,
the Schoharie chief Seth's Henry, who still carried upon his arm
the indellible evidence of Sawyer's ' strike for liberty,' when a
captive in his hands. The second day after leaving Cobelskill,
the whole party were obliged to subsist on horse flesh without
bread or seasoning of any kind. Warner, who communicated
these facts to the author, said he ate on the way to Niagara, of a
deer, a wolf, a rattlesnake, and a hen-hawk, but without bread or
salt. The two captives, Zimmer and Warner, were lightly bound,
and generally fared alike while on their journey. They had for
some days contemplated making their escape, and complaining
that they could not travel on account of their cords, they were
a little loosened, which favored their plan. They concluded they
ought, in justice, to communicate their intention to their fellow
prisoner, although he was not bound, and give him a chance to es
cape with them, if he chose to embrace it. But a short time after
their intention was communicated to a third person, the conspi
rators for liberty were more firmly bound then ever, and were af
terwards continually watched until they arrived at Niagara.

512 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
Nights they were pinioned so tight that they could not get their
hands together ; and were secured by a rope tied to a tree or pole,
upon which rope an Indian always laid down.
On their way, the party passed several rattle-snakes, which the
Indians avoided disturbing ; and at the narrows on the Chemung,
which was barely wide enough for a road, they, with no little dif
ficulty, made a circuit to pass one. The New York Indians had
a superstitious notion, that to harm a rattle-snake was ominous of
evil, and they never did it, unless to use the reptile for medicinal
purposes, or prevent starvation. While on their journey, Snyder,
from some cause, had angry words with one of the savages, and
the latter several times twirled a tomahawk over his head, and
drew a scalping knife round the crown threateningly : but they
made up friends and renewed their march. The Schoharie pri
soners also passed on their way, another party of Indians, who
were killing a prisoner in a singular manner. His captors had
tied his wrists together and drawn them over his knees, after which
a stick was passed under the knees and over the wrists, and a
rope tied to it between them, and thrown over the limb of a tree.
His tormenters then drew him up a distance and let him fall by
slacking the rope ; continuing their hellish sport until the con
cussion extinguished the vital spark.
Soon after the party passed the outlet of Seneca lake, Captain
Crysler told the prisoners, tauntingly,, how soon the King would
conquer the rebels. Warner listened with impatience for a time,
and being unable to restrain his feelings, replied, " I do not be
lieve the King will ever conquer the colonies : in the French war
Great Britain and America united were hardly able to compete
with France ; and now, since France and America are united, I
do not believe it possible for England to conquer them." This
conversation took place in the evening, and Warner observed,
while speaking, that a frown rested upon the brows of the dusky
warriors and their lawless captain. Warner soon after heard the
tory give orders in the Indian tongue, which he understood, to
have his bands tightened. In the morning, he expostulated with
Crysler for so doing ; who was very angry and declared, that

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 513
"for those cursed words he" should hang at noon." Accordingly
a noose was made in a rope, and the rest of it coiled and placed
around his neck, which he was compelled to wear. As may be
supposed, he traveled the forest with a heavy heart : still he
looked upon the gallows with no little indifference, as it would
end his bodily torments, and relieve him from the treatment of an
unfeeling royalist. About 10 o'clock, A. M., the party halted, as
Warner supposed, to anticipate the time of his execution ; but,
contrary to his expectation, the rope was taken off without any
explanation. Warner and Zimmer, on arriving at the Indian villages in
western New York, were subjected to the cruelties their customs
inflicted on captives. The first treatment of the kind they re
ceived was from a gad in the hands of Molly Brant, (former
housekeeper of Sir William Johnson,) who embraced every op
portunity during the war to insult and injure captive Americans.
Soon after Molly had vented her spleen upon the two bound cap
tives, they arrived at an Indian castle, where they had to run the
gantlet. When the lines were formed, an Indian chief called
Abraham, who recognized Warner, stepped up to him and asked
him, in German, where he was from. He replied, Schoharie.
" Do you know George Warner of Cobelskill 1" continued the
Indian. " He is my father," replied young Warner. This Indian,
as Warner afterwards learned, had often partaken of his father's
hospitality before the war. Said the Indian, " When you start
to run, the boys will get before you, but you must run over them
or push them one side ; they will not hurt you any the more for
it, and when you get through, run to a wigwam and you will not
again be hurt." Their fellow prisoner was not compelled to run,
and as it happened, Zimmer started first. As the Indian had an
ticipated, the boys ran before him and he was receiving a severe
castigation, when Warner, forcing his way past him, ran down
several of the living obstacles, and was near the end of the lines
almost untouched : where stood a large boy, who, as he bounded
along, dealt him a blow upon the back of his head, which felled
him. senseless to the ground. Zimmer, who had not heard the

514 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
conversation between Warner and the Indian, and feared to harm
the boys, followed his companion closely in the path he had opened,
and arrived at the goal of delivery, without having sustained any
serious injury.
On arriving within half a mile of Niagara, Peter Ball, who
had removed at the beginning of the war to Canada, from the vi
cinity of Schoharie, saw and recognized Warner, and led him
away from the squaws and young Indians, who were besetting him
at every step with some missile. Zimmer saw on the journey,
his brother's scalp, with those of the other similar trophies of
Crysler's invasion, stretched upon hoops to dry ; and on arriving
at Niagara, saw them deposited, with bushels of similar British
merchandize, made up of the crown scalps of both sexes and all
ages. There were about two hundred prisoners confined at Ni
agara when Warner and Zimmer were there, many of whom fared
hard, and several of whom died for want of food and pro
per treatment. Among the prisoners confined at Niagara there
were nearly one hundred Virginia riflemen, some of whom, to say
the least, feared nothing in this world.
Warner, for a considerable time during his captivity, worked
for a man living near Niagara, as did also Christian Price, a spi
rited Virginian. In the latter part of the war, several Indians
were found dead at different times, early in the morning, but the
author of those midnight mysteries, although the prisoners were
often accused of them, were never discovered, nothwithstanding
numbers were sometimes in the secret. Among the victims who
were thus sacrificed in revenge of the cruelties and indignities me
ted to the American prisoners, was a young Indian, sixteen or
seventeen years old, known about the fort as William Johnson.
He was a half-breed, said to have been a son of Sir Wm. Johnson,
after whom he was called, by a squaw. This namesake of the
Baronet, who was one among numerous evidences of his rakish
propensity, was one morning discovered in a barrel of rain water,
under the conductor of a house, into which he had unaccountably
fallen head first and drowned. Several prisoners were sus
pected of being accessory to the death of this Indian, but free

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 515
masonry was then at its zenith. The tories on one occasion gave
a stump to the prisoners to wrestle. Price, who was a muscular,
athletic fellow, accepted the challenge and walked into the ring
to wrestle with the acknowledged bully. The prisoner, with ease,
threw the braggadocio in a very feeling manner, and the sport
was soon ended. Warner was retained a prisoner until after peace
was proclaimed, and with twenty-three others ran away from Ni
agara one Sunday night. They halted at Oswego, purchased pro
visions of the British soldiers, and made the best of their way
home through the forest. Zimmer returned home a short time
before Warner, on parole. Snyder, on arriving in Canada, en
listed into the British service, as his friends have stated, to afford
him an opportunity to desert and return home.
If the American prisoners at Niagara usually fared hard, they
occasionally had an hour of merriment, as the following anecdote
will show.
A Tory Wedding. — Among the tories who removed from Scho
harie county to Niagara, in the beginning of the war, was a man
named Cockle, who had a pretty daughter called Peggy. On a
certain occasion an Irishman named Patrick Tuffts, who
worked much in Col. Butler's garden, and who was a dissipated,
simple fellow, was made the butt of no little pleasantry. The
farce was set on foot by a British officer, and the matter- princi
pally conducted by him. Tuffts was induced to make love to the
charming Peggy, who, agreeably to previous arrangements, re
ciprocated the sentiment, and at an appointed time, agreed to
marry him. Christian Price, the Virginian previously mentioned,
who in features somewhat resembled the fair toryess, was in the
secret, and on the evening appointed, changed dresses with her,
so that, to use the words of a guest, " Peggy was Price and Price
was Peggy." At the hour appointed, the guests, who were nu
merous, for many of the prisoners were invited, assembled at the
house of an influential tory. Stephen Secutt, a sergeant,.a shrewd
fellow, acted the ministerial part. The couple stood up before
Secutt, who, with no little sang-froid, performed the marriage
ceremony ; at the close of which he received from the happified son

516 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
of Erin a silver dollar — a rarity in those days — to compensate for
his official services.
Ample provision had been made by the officers and soldiers,
and when the knot was pronounced tied, wine sparkled in many
a cup. After the party had been drinking for some time, and the
groom and bride had received many happy salutations, the tones
of a violin greeted the ear, and the party prepared for a dance.
The bride, who had been sitting a while in the lap of Tuffts, who
was at least " half seas over," arose to dance with a guest as
partner — the groom never having visited France, unless it were
to-^" lend us your grid-iron." In the midst of the dance Mistress
Tuffts allowed her partner certain liberties, which the groom, be
ing told by a guest was very improper, arose to resent. Bound
ing into the figure with a rash oath, he changed it into a reel by
knocking down his wife. Mistress Tuffts sprang from the floor
and ran out of the room to doff the petticoat and gown ; and soon
after returned as Christian Price, to bathe a black eye with a
glass of wine. Tuffts, poor fellow, was soon to be seen stagger
ing amid the delighted company, inquiring for his wife. At
length he inquired of Warner if he had seen her. " You have no
wife," was the answer. " Yes I have — eh," said Tuffts ; " I am
lawfully married — eh. Did I not pay a silver dollar to be mar
ried — eh V " Yes, you are married," said Warner, " to Chris
tian Price." This was a poser, and he could not at first credit
the story of his deception ; but after being ridiculed by the whole
party, and jeered until nearly sober, he withdrew from the scene
of merriment made at his expense, to mourn over the result of his
precipitate marriage, which had wedded him to a man, and taken
from him his only dollar. Had he ever seen the Latin line so of
ten quoted, he would no doubt have exclaimed, on counting over
his beads and retiring to rest — 0 Tempora ! 0 Mores! ! — George
Warner. About the 1st of September, 1781, a party of twenty or thirty
of the enemy, mostly Indians, by whom led I have not been able
to learn, entered the lower part of the Cobelskill settlement, which
took in that part of the town now known as Cobelskill village,

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 517
or Tlie Churches. The enemy, on entering the settlement, sur
prised and killed George Frimire, and captured his brother, John
Frimire, with George Fester, Abraham Bouck, a boy, John Nich
olas, and Nicholas, Peter, and William Utman, brothers. After
plundering and burning the dwellings and out-buildings which
had eseaped the enemy's visitation four years previous, they pass
ed in the afternoon near the fort, then feebly garrisoned. As there
was but little ammunition in the fort, few shots were fired upon
the enemy, who did not incline to attack it. The dwelling of Ja
cob Shafer was picketed in, and a little distance outside the in
closure stood two large barns owned by him. Two Indians, with
fire-brands, approached these barns, whereupon Shafer, declaring
" My property is as dear as my life !" with gun in hand, left the
fort, followed by Christopher King, a young man of spirit. As
they advanced towards the barn-burners they gave a savage war-
whoop, drew up their guns, and fired ; and the Indians, abandon
ing their design, showed their heels in rapid flight. That night
the enemy stayed at the house of one Borst, which they burned
in the morning, and soon after again passed near the fort, upon
which several of them then fired, without, however, doing any
injury. The enemy then disappeared, probably pursuing the usu
al southwestern route to Niagara. The treatment those prisoners
received has not come to the knowledge of the writer, but it was
undoubtedly of that character usually experienced by captives
among the Indians — suffering from exposure, possibly torture, hun
ger, and the gantlet — Capt. George Warner, {this old hero died
April 4, 1844, aged 86 \ years,) and Mrs. Elizabeth, wife of Tu
nis Vrooman, before named, who was in the Cobelskill fort when
invaded. The reader will remember that when Brant desolated the upper
part of Cobelskill in 1778, the log house of the elder George
Warner was spared from conflagration, as was then supposed, to
afford an opportunity to capture a committee man. Feeling too
poor to erect a frame dwelling upon the ashes of his former one,
he took up his winter residence in his old log dwelling. Seth's
Henry, and six other Indians, who had traversed the forest from

518 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
Niagara to Cobelskill, at that inclement season, (a distance, by
their route, of at least three hundred miles,) for the sole purpose
of capturing Warner, who was known to be an influential whig,
arrived in the vicinity of his dwelling on Sunday, the 11th day of
December, 1782. On the same day Nicholas Warner, his oldes
son, went from one of the Schoharie forts to the paternal dwel
ling in a sleigh, accompanied by Joseph Barner, to get a lumber-
sleigh owned by the former, for the winter's use of which the lat
ter had agreed to pay him one dollar — a dollar being as valuable
in the then impoverished state of the country as half a dozen
would be at the present day. When Warner and Barner were
fastening one sled to the other, one of their horses broke loose and
ran into the woods, and while they were recovering the animal
the enemy arrived. On surprising old Mr. Warner, one or two
shots were fired to intimidate him, which, as it snowed very fast,
were unheard by his son and companion. Catching the stray
horse, they returned and fastened the team to the sleds. As they
drove past the house they discovered the Indians, three of whom
attempted to take them. In making a little circuit to avoid the
enemy, the horses were driven partly into the top of a fallen tree,
when the friends attempted to cut loose the back sleigh. At this
time two of the Indians fired upon them, the third reserving his
fire. The horses ran partly over a log concealed in the snow, and
the hindmost sleigh, not running true, struck a sapling" and drew
the box off, and Warner under it. Barner, having the reins, was
drawn over the box, and remained upon the sleigh bottom. When
Warner regained his feet, he observed that the Indian who had
reserved his fire, had advanced to within some twenty paces of
him, with a steady aim upon his person, — and conscious of the
danger he must encounter to regain the sleigh, he abandoned the
attempt, and told his comrade, still holding his restive steeds, to
secure his own flight if he could, and leave him toliis fate. He
then drove off, and Warner became a prisoner. Soon after, one
of the Indians, who knew him, enquired if he could shoot as good
as he once could ? His reply was, " I can, on a proper occasion."

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 519
Mrs. Warner and a daughter who chanced to be at home, were
left unharmed. After plundering the house of such articles as
they desired, and securing a quantity of meat and flour to afford
them subsistence for several days, the Indians, with their prison
ers, some time in the afternoon, set off up the creek, pursuing the
most direct route to the Susquehanna. The snow was then near
ly knee deep, and receiving copious accessions : the party, there
fore, could not travel very rapidly. They proceeded about six
miles and encamped, when they boiled a portion of their meat in
a stolen teakettle — sad perversion of its use, as the tidy house
wife will say — for their supper. When cooked, an Indian cut it
as nearly as possible into nine equal parts ; then a second Indian
turned his back, and a third gave owners to each mess ; as fisher
men and hunters often do, by " touching it off:" which is done
by pointing at a portion, unobserved by another individual, with
the familiar demand, who shall have that ? — whose reply gives it
a lawful owner.
When captured, the younger Warner had on " Dutch shoes" —
brogans. Observing that, the Indian who claimed him as prison
er (who could speak Low Dutch, which he partially understood,)
asked him if he would trade a pair of mocasons with him for his
shoes — taking them off, and making known by signs what he
could not fully communicate in Dutch. Said he to the Indian, " I
am your prisoner, and if I freeze my feet and cannot keep up with
you, you will kill me : I now look to you for protection as to a
father, and will try to love you as such." The Indian compre
hended enough of what his prisoner had said to arrive at his
meaning, and made the exchange. Warner then put on the mo
casons, which were made with leggins, and buttoned his breeches
over them ; when the Indians, to use his own words, " Looked wild
at one another." He thought they exchanged very significant
looks, and fearing they suspected his intention, already conceived,
of making his escape, he moved about a little and rubbed his legs,
as if the better to adjust his new disguise, and then seated himself
before the fire, with his hands clenched across his knees. Instead
of allaying, his last movement had a tendency to increase the sus-

520 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
picion and vigilance of his dusky captors ; observing which, he
took off the mocasons, folded them up with care and put them in
to the bosom of his shirt ; which lulled all suspicion. Said War
ner, at our interview in 1837, " To relate what took place on the
night I was a prisoner with the Indians, now makes the cold chills
run over me." The party laid down early to sleep, but the young
er Warner, intent upon escaping, did not close his eyes; and
about midnight, thinking all were slumbering, he arose and ran
off — directing his footsteps homeward. He had hardly started, as
his father afterwards informed him, when his escape was discov
ered, and four of the enemy were in pursuit ; but as it was still
snowing fast, and dark as the rotunda of Gebhard's cavern, they
could not catch a glimpse of, much less follow him. He took a
circuitous route in his flight, conjecturing that if pursued it would
be on the back track, which was in fact the case. The Indians
ran but a short distance and abandoned pursuit, fearing they might
be troubled to retrace their steps to their own camp. Warner
ran several miles with one hand before him, to prevent striking
the trees. He crossed the creek six times in his flight, which he
was as often conscious of, and arrived at Fort Duboise, nine miles
from his captor's encampment, just at daylight. There was an
old body of snow on the ground which was stiff, and the falling
snow being damp readily packed upon it, otherwise he must have
worn out his stockings and frozen his feet.
The elder Warner did not attempt to escape, but was watched
with vigilance night and day. He must have suffered much from
cold, but little from hunger ; as one of the party was an expert
hunter, and usually supplied plenty of food of some kind. Nim
rod was however ill a few days and the party did not fare as well ;
but when others brought in game, he usually took good care to
fill his meat basket, and soon recovered. An Englishman pre
fers going into battle upon a full stomach, and an Indian being
sick upon the same allowance. It was considered an honorable
affair to capture an influential whig, besides entitling to a very lib
eral reward ; and as Warner was one of the most noted in the
Schoharie settlements, his captors were anxious to dehver him in

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 521
Canada, and he was treated with greater forbearance and kind
ness on his way, than was any other captive who went from the
Schoharie settlements during the war. The flour taken from War
ner's was boiled in the teakettle, and usually eaten by the Indians,
who gave the prisoner meat ; reversing the usual treatment of
captives in their anxiety to deliver him safely in Canada. Af
ter the escape of his son, five of the Indians usually kept watch
over Warner in the early part of the night and two in the latter
part. One of the Indians treated the captive committee man with
the kindness of a brother all the way to Niagara. On arriving
at the Indian settlements in western New York, this Indian took
him by the hand and led him unhurt outside the lines which had
been formed for his reception, to the displeasure of those, who
had from infancy been taught to delight in tortures and cruelty.
A prisoner being led by his captor outside the gantlet lines, was
an evidence of protection and exemption from abuse seldom ever
violated. While Mr. Warner was a captive he frequently sung a hymn
in German. The young Indians almost invariably would begin
to mock him, but if the name of the Deity was introduced, they
usually understood it, and if so it never failed to produce their si
lence ; such reverence had those unlettered sons of the forest for
the Great Spirit of the Universe. Indeed, the Indians of the Six
Nations had no words in their dialect by which they could pro
fane the name of Jehovah, and if they did so, it was in the lan
guage of their white neighbors.* Soon after his arrival in Canada,
Mr. Warner was sent to Rebel Island near Montreal, where he
was given parole liberty.
After an absence of about eleven months, Mr. Warner was ex
changed, and being sworn to secrecy, returned home by the north
eastern route, coming through Hartford, Conn. ; and what was
unusual, was better clad on his return than at the time of his cap
ture. Had all the captive Americans been treated with the kind
ness and forbearance of George Warner, sen., the horrors of our
• A fact communicated by Joseph Brant, to a friend ofthe author.
34

522 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
¦
border wars had been greatly mitigated, and the suffering, which
in the aggregate was most astounding, rendered comparatively
triflin

*

Gen. Washington, while at Albany in the summer of 1782,
was invited by the citizens to visit Schenectada.f He accepted
the invitation, and in company with Gen. Schuyler, rode there in
a carriage from Albany on the 30th of June ; where he was re
ceived with no little formality by the civil and military authorities,
and escorted some distance by a numerous procession, in which he
walked with his hat under his arm. Abraham Clinch, who came
to America as drum-major under Gen. Braddock, then kept a tav
ern in Schenectada, and at his house a public dinner was given.
Having previously heard of his sufferings, one of the first persons
Washington enquired after, was Col. Frederick Fisher, who was
then residing in the place. He expressed surprise that the colo
nel had not been invited to meet him, and agreeable to his request
a messenger was sent for him. He was a man of real merit, but
modest and retiring in his habits. On this occasion, he was found
*The particulars of the capture of the two Warners, were obtained from
Nicholas Warner in the fall of 1837 : at that time he had a cancer on his
mouth, which terminated his existence on the 27th day of July, 1838. He
was 91 years old on the 31st day of October preceding his death.
t This ancient town, at a time when England and France were at war, was
invaded by 250 French and Indian warriors, who made the journey from Ca
nada in the depth ol winter expressly to destroy it. The village, then num
bering about 40 good dwellings, was inclosed by pallisades, and approached
by two gates. As the visit of an enemy was not anticipated at that incle
ment season, the gates were both left open, and had been for some weeks.
On Saturday night, Feb. 8, 1690, the invaders entered the town by the west
ern gate, and separating into small parties, began an indiscriminate slaughter
of the inhabitants. Many of the male citizens were killed in the onset; but
of those persons who escaped at the eastern gate, some 20 arrived in Albany,
more or less frost-bitten, having fled nearly naked in the snow, a distance of
sixteen miles, while others perished by the way. Sixty persons, mostly wo
men and children, were carried into captivity, the town all plundered and
burnt, except two dwellings. The commanders ordered the casks of liquor
found in the place all stove, to prevent the men from getting drunk. A parly
of cavalry from Albany, joined by a band of brave Mohawks, were soon on
their trail, and overtaking them in a favorable place, fell upon their rear and
slew 25 of them. The remainder, after much suffering, arrived in Canada
With their scalps and plunder.

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 523
at work in his barn, which, under the circumstances, he left with
reluctance, but was kindly greeted by the illustrious guest, who
paid him marked attention.
At the dinner table were assembled a respectable number of
gentlemen, among whom were Gen. Schuyler, Colonels Ab'm
Wemple and Fr. Fisher ; Majors Ab'm Switz, Myndert Wemple,
and Jelles Fonda ; Captains Peter Truax and John Mynderson ;
Henry Glen, Dep. Com. Gen., and Isaac Truax, then the oldest
man in the place. Washington assigned the seat next his own to
Col. Fisher. — Isaac De Graff and John J. Schermerhorn.
This was indeed a proud day for " Old Dorp."* Some person
publicly addressed the visitor on the occasion, and before return
ing to Albany, he wrote the following reply :
" To the Magistrates and Military Officers of the town of Schenec
tady :
" Gentlemen: — I request you to accept my warmest thanks for
your affectionate address.
" In a cause so just and righteous as ours, we have every reason
to hope the Divine Providence will still continue to crown our arms
with success, and finally compel our enemies to grant us that peace
upon equitable terms, which we §o ardently desire.
" May you, and the good people of this town, in the mean time,
be protected from every insidious and open foe, and may the com
plicated blessings of peace soon reward your arduous struggles for
the establishment of the freedom and independence of our com
mon country.
" GO. WASHINGTON.
" Schenectady, June 20th, 1782."
The following anecdote originated at Schenectada during the
visit of Gen. Washington. He was walking a public street in
company with Brower Banker, a respectable citizen, and black
smith by trade, when an old negro passing took off his hat and
bowed to him : the great commander immediately returned the
compliment Banker expressed surprise that his companion thus
noticed this descendant of Ishmael, observing it was not the cus
tom of the country thus to notice slaves. " / cannot be less civil
'This is the Dutch word for town, and when used within a hundred miles
ofthe place is understood to mean Schenectada : Ihe latter is an Indian word,
said to signify Over-lhepines. Albany and Schenectada were early distin
guished by the Dutch words stadt, for city, and dorp, for town.

524 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
than a poor negro," was his manly reply, as they proceeded on
ward. — Rynier Gardinier.
Some of the necessaries of life rose excessively high during the
Revolution, besides being extremely difficult to obtain. Individu
als went from the westward of Albany to Boston to procure salt.
In a letter written by Cornelius Cuyler, of Albany, to Robert
Snell, Esq., of Tryon county, dated, " Albany, March 5, 1779,"
I find the following sentence : " Could you not get wheat from
the farmers in exchange for salt, to be delivered at Schenectada
on your order *? If so, let the farmers deliver the wheat at your
mills, and give them a certificate on my brother, John Cuyler, for
the quantity they may deliver, and they shall receive salt in pro
portion of six skipples of wheat for one of salt. Cheese was sold
from seventeen to twenty cents per pound, and nails used in the
Highlands, fifty cents per pound.
Some time in the Revolution, Timothy Murphy had charge of
a small scout which went to reconnoitre in the vicinity of Oqua
go. While there they took three prisoners, one of whom was a
Scotch lad of suspicious character, and soon after started on their
. . ***•
return to Schoharie. In the night, the boy escaped, taking along
Murphy's rifle — an act not very pleasing to the fearless ranger.
Some month's after, the boy was retaken by another scout, and
with him the stolen fire-lock. When Murphy learned that the
boy was taken, and was approaching as a prisoner, his worst pas
sions were aroused, and he declared his intention to kill him, and
armed himself with a tomahawk for that purpose. Elerson, and
one or two of his companions in arms, reasoned the matter with
him. They told him to imagine himself in the boy's situation,
and asked him if he, similarly situated, would have acted differ
ently from what the boy had 1 His anger was in a measure ap
peased ; resentment yielded to the force of sober reasoning ; and
the boy was brought into his presence without receiving any inju
ry. He was afterwards taken to Albany, and sold for the time
being. Murphy, speaking of this affair, after the war, expressed
his gratitude that he was prevented by his friends from injuring
the lad who had stolen his gun. — Elerson, Nidi. Warner, Jacob
Becker, and Mrs. Van Slyck.

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 525
A tory, named Jacob Salisbury, was concealed in a house in
the present town of Bern, Albany county, in the latter part of the
war, for several months. A hole had been cut in the floor, and
covered with a trap door, and in a small space dug beneath the
floor, the tory concealed himself whenever any of his neighbors,
not in the secret of his burrow, were at the house. His object, it
is believed, was to act the spy, but having been discovered, he
was arrested and imprisoned. — Mrs. Eleanor Feeck.
There is a tradition in Schoharie, currently believed by some,
that an attempt was made in the latter part of the Revolution, to
capture Timothy Murphy by stratagem. It is said that the hero
had a cow, on the neck of which he placed a bell, the better to
enable him to find her ; and that an Indian, to gain an interview,
took the bell from the cow's neck and placed it upon his own,
when he gingled it about in the woods, where the cow sometimes
ran, to afford him and bis companions an opportunity either to
kill or capture its owner. Murphy knew too well whether a cow
or an Indian rattled his bell, and driving her home from another
part of the woods, he left the ding-dong warrior to make music
for his fellows. — Mrs. Angelica Vrooman.
Timothy Murphy, the brave soldier with whom we must soon
part company, (whose daring spirit the reader has no doubt been
pleased with,) was never wounded in battle, and, I believe, never
a prisoner with the enemy. It was his misfortune, like that of
many other master spirits of the Revolution, not to have had the
advantages of an early education, even such as our common
schools now afford. In fact, he possessed not the elements of an
education : the art of reading and writing. For this reason, he
declined accepting a proffered commission; knowing that he
would be subjected to much inconvenience, and be liable to be
imposed upon by designing men. Had he been an educated man,
he might have made another Wayne or Morgan : but the want
of the rudiments of an education compelled him to see others less
fitted in other respects than himself, occupying stations of profit
and honor. At the close of the war, he became a cultivator of
the soil on the farm of his father-in-law, on which his ashes now

526 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
repose. He was a citizen much respected in the county. As a
father, he was generous and indulgent to a fault, having been
known to bring home, from Albany, for a daughter, some five or
six dresses at one time.
Although Murphy could neither read nor write, yet, when
mounted upon a stump or some eminence, he could harrangue a
public audience with great effect, and for many years exerted a
powerful influence in the political ranks of Schoharie county. He
was very active in bringing his young friend and neighbor, the
Hon. Wm. C. Bouck, from retirement into public notice — was
zealous in obtaining for him the appointment of sheriff — and in
directly contributed not a little to his subsequent distinction.
On the 15th day of March, 1784, the ice lodged in the river
near Middleburgh, overflowed the flats in the neighborhood of
Murphy's residence, where they seldom if ever before had been
similarly inundated. Many cattle and sheep were swept off in
the freshet and perished. In an attempt to save the family of
John Adam Brown, a near neighbor, Murphy waded into the wa
ter amidst the ice, and succeeded in bearing to a place of safety
his two sons ; but Brown, and Lana, his only daughter, then about
12 years old, were unfortunately in the lower part of the house
and were drowned. Murphy lost his wife (by whom he had nine
children) in 1807 ; and married Mary Robertson five or six years
after, by whom he also had several children. He died of a can
cer upon his throat June 27th, 18 18 ; the foundation of which
disease was supposed to have been laid, while attempting to res
cue Brown and his family in 1784. The Rev. John Schermerhorn
preached the funeral sermon of Murphy and that of two other in
dividuals, George Mattice and a colored woman, on the same day.
The following are the inscriptions upon the tomb-stones of Mur
phy and his first wife :
" Timothy Murphy died June 27, 1818 ; aged 67 years.
" Here too, this warrior sire, with honor rests,
Who bared in freedom's cause his valiant breast
Sprang from his half drawn furrow, as the cry
Of threatened liberty came thrilling by ;
Look'd to his God, and reared in bulwark round

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 527
Breast free from guile, and hands with toil embrown'd,
And bade a monarch's thousand banners yield —
Firm at the plough, and glorious in the field,
Lo ! here he rests, who every danger braved,
Marked and honored, amid the soil he saved."
" Margaret, wife of Timothy Murphy, died Sept. 1, 1807,
aged 44 years."
Some time in the latter part of the war, possibly when the ene
my were in its vicinity, an incident occurred at Fort Duboise, in
Cobelskill, which, in its result, was a source of merriment. John
King was one night in a sentry box, keeping vigils for the safety
of himself and others, when he discovered some object slowly ap
proaching the place where he was stationed. It was light enough
for him to obtain a sight of the object, but not with sufficient dis
tinctness to identify its character ; and supposing it to be a tory
or an Indian visitant, he hailed it with the accustomed " Who
comes there 1" demanding also the countersign. To the interro
gatories of the sentinel no reply was given, but the supposed foe
continued to advance ; and King, already imagining he saw the
uplifted tomahawk of a gigantic Indian, leveled his trusty gun
and fired. The report echoed upon the midnight air until lost in
gentle murmurs among the distants hills, and greatly alarmed the
little garrison and several families of citizens, clustered in rude
huts within the picketed inclosure for safety. The courageous
were quickly armed for an expected onset of a desperate foe.
King pointed out, in the uncertain light, to the swolen eyes of his
officer and comrades the supposed enemy, evidently weltering in
his blood, for his temerity in presuming to approach a post, guard
ed by so trusty a sentinel. The object soon became still, and the
silence of midnight was again restored. The inmates of the fort
retired to rest — probably, few to sleep again that night ; but all
to pray for the return of daylight. That light at length came,
and. disclosed to the inmates of the fort, whose curiosity was on
tiptoe, that the vigilant watchman had actually killed a large — "bull
calf." The heedless animal, ignorant of the police of a camp,
had strayed from a neighboring field, and was slowly grazing to
ward the wary guards when he received a bullet which killed him
outright. — Marcus Brown.

( 528 )

CHAPTEE XVIII.

Sleep on ! fearless ranger ; the Indian no more
Shall dye his coarse blanket in citizen's gore :
He has left, aye, forever, the vales where you fought,
And his hosts of brave warriors have dwindled to nought.
The vigils you kept in the partizan strife,
Protecting the weak from the merciless knife
Of mocason'd foes, who at midnight came near,
We'll ever remember in green leaf and sear —
And with tears dew the roses that bloom o'er the graves,
Of the heroes who saved us — the pioneer braves.
The active operations of the enemy closed with the year 1782,
preliminaries for a peace having been agreed upon in November
of that year, which was finally ratified on the 30th day of the fol
lowing September. On the 25th of November, 1783, the British
troops evacuated New York, and the Americans, under General
Washington, entered the city the same day, where they were wel
comed by the friends of the Republic with many demonstrations
of joy. Washington repaired to Annapolis, Md., where Congress
was then in session, and on the 20th day of December he resigned
to that august body his military command, prefaced by a brief and
appropriate address, which was handsomely responded to by its
president, Gen. Mifflin. Once more a private citizen, the great
Washington repaired to his seat at Mount Vernon, followed by the
prayers and admiration of every lover of civil liberty upon the
habitable globe.
Otthout Van Rensselaer, Esq., of Albany, is said to have been
commissioner for disposing of confiscated property in the Schoha
rie settlements. The title of farms (in New York) in the posses
sion of royalists, which had been purchased of patriotic Ameri-

HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, ETC. 529
cans, and not paid for, reverted to the private owner,- — while those
of active royalists, who held a free title, were confiscated to the
government. Nearly all the property sequestered in the present
county of Schoharie, was owned in Brakabeen, Rhinebeck, and
New Dorlach, more than one thousand acres of which were in
the latter settlement.
After the war not a few tories came back to Schoharie, some
of whom even boasted of their evil deeds, and if they were not
treated like Beacraft, they were looked upon with great suspicion
for at least one generation,
A number of Schoharie Indians, who had escaped the bullets of
the rangers, claiming the same privilege as the tories with whom
they had acted, also returned to the scenes of their former cruelties.
Among them was Seth's Henry, as previously mentioned, Abram,
his sister's son, and a few others of notoriety. The former had
not been long in Vrooman's Land before he became suspicious of
the republicans, and whenever he entered a house he preferred a
position where he could look from an open door or window, and
anticipate any ominous movement. From this place he started to
go to the Charlotte river, was followed by Timothy Murphy, who
had kept vigils of his footsteps in the valley, and, as he never
reached the place for which he set out, it was currently believed,
though not generally known, that his bones were left to bleach in
the intervening forest. The writer has no doubt from the inform
ation he has received from Lawrence Mattice, David Elerson, and
others, that a bullet from the rifle which sent Gen. Fraser to his
long home, also ended the career of this crafty chief, who was
one of the most blood-thirsty and successful warriors of the Re
volution. The Schoharie Indian, Abram, who returned with Seth's Hen
ry, was followed by Peter C. Vrooman, (familiarly known as Ha
zel Pete,) armed with an axe, into the kitchen of Samuel Vroo
man's house, in Vrooman's Land, where he inflicted two blows
upon his head, and would no doubt have slain him as he lay upon
the floor, had not a slave belonging to the house seized the arm
of the assailant, and afforded the Indian an opportunity to effect

530 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
his escape. The Indian had provoked Vrooman's vengeance by
boasting of his former deeds, and would no doubt have been kill
ed by the first blow struck at him, had not the missile hit the floor
over head, and broken its fall. He was a long time in recover
ing, and is said to have been less saucy afterwards. — Mrs. Van
Slyck and J. W. Bouck.
This same Indian, if report is true, .tarried about Schoharie for
a year or two, and suddenly disappeared. He was at a bee, as a
gathering of neighbors is called, when they are assembled to husk
corn, draw wood, or manure, &c, as is often witnessed in the in
terior of New York, — the sequel of which usually is, a good warm
supper, got up in the best possible style, — on some occasions fol
lowed by a dance. Such bees are common in the Schoharie and
Mohawk valleys now, and have been from the time of their ear
liest white settlements. Indeed, they are not confined to the males
either^ quilting bees, spinning bees, apple-paring bees, and the like,
are common among the females, and fortunate, indeed, is that
young man's lot who has notice to be present and help " shake
the quilt," or remove the rejected parts of the apple, as he some
times has most delectable kissing when the quilt is folded, the ap
ples cut, and the happifying "come Phylanders," and many other
nectar originators are fairly begun. — Pardon this digression, kind
reader : I was going to say that the Indian Abram was at a bee of
some sort at the house of a farmer on Foxes creek, and was not
a little intoxicated. " Schoharie John" was there also, and pro
bably not sober enough to "walk a crack," unless it were a curv
ed one. They quarreled; after passionate words had escaped
them, the Indian left the house, and was followed in a short time
by "Schoharie John." This Indian was never seen again in the
settlement, and as a large pile of drift-wood upon the bank of the
creek not far distant, was seen on fire the following morning, it
was conjectured by some, that possibly Abram's bones might be
found in the ashes ; but whether they were or not, or whether
suspicion slandered the old soldier who followed him from the
house, the writer knows not.-^Doc*;, P. S, Swart, J. M, Swart,
and others.

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 531
Most of the Indians who returned to Schoharie after the war,
remained about the settlement until fall, when several of their
number disappeared in a very unaccountable manner. The fact
was, several of them had been met in by places by citizen hunt
ers, and were possibly mistaken for bears. A few disappeared ,
and the rest took the hint and left the country. — Lawrence Law
yer. The most common beverages drank by the soldiery in the Re
volution, were flip and Mil-devil. The former was made of
beer brewed from malt and hops, to which was added sugar and
liquor — the whole heated with a hot iron. The latter was made
like^2ip, except that cider was substituted for beer. The price of
each was one shilling for a quart mug : half a mug usually serv
ed two persons.
Among the survivors of the Revolution, with whom the author
has spent many agreeable hours, is Capt. Eben Williams, a son
of Jonathan Williams, of Lebanon, Connecticut. He entered the
army under Col. Patterson, of Berkshire county, Massachusetts,
in 1775, from which time to the end of the war, he was in con
stant and varied service. He was on duty in eleven of the thirteen
states and the Canadas. He witnessed the battle of Bunker Hill,
but was with the troops at their camp on the main land, where
an attack was expected. He also witnessed the surrender of the
armies of Burgoyne and Cornwallis.
On the 20th day of May, 1776, he was in the battle of Tlie
Cedars, thirty-nine miles from Montreal, on which occasion he be
came a prisoner to the Indians, by whom he was robbed of his
clothing. He was kept in confinement ten days, and then ex
changed. He was commissioned as second lieutenant of infantry,
in September, 1776. In February, 1777, Col. Patterson was pro
moted to brigadier-general, and Joseph Vose became the colonel
of his regiment, which formed a part of the army of Gen. Gates
in the fall campaign of that year. Col. Vose, who made a pru
dent, good officer, had been educated a butcher. While marching
at the head of his regiment, in the vicinity of Burgoyne's army,
to execute a command, a party of Hessians brought two field-pieces

532 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
to bear upon them, and a shot striking the Colonel's horse killed
it under him, but without halting his men he proceeded on foot,
ordering a drummer to bring along his pistols.*
In the fall of 1777, the brigade of Gen. Glover, to which Wil
liams, then a lieutenant of infantry, was attached, proceeded from
Bemis's Heights to Valley Forge for winter quarters. On arriving
near the residence of Gen. Richard Montgomery's widow, the
brigade halted for the night. Mrs. Montgomery was then pleas
antly situated near the Hudson, about midway between Red Hook
and Rhinebeck. Col. Shephard, at that time in temporary com
mand of the troops, as a compliment to the widow of so conspic
uous a martyr in the cause, dispatched Lieut. Williams, in the ca
pacity of adjutant, with a major-general's guard, and the compli
ments of the commander, tendering the service of the guard for
the night. A major-general's guard consisted of a subaltern offi
cer and twenty men ; and a brigadier-general's guard, of a ser
geant and twelve men. As Williams rode up to the door, Mrs.
Montgomery (a Livingston before marriage) made her appear
ance. She possessed a genteel form, with a small sparkling eye,
and was neatly clad in black. She performed her part of the ce
remony very politely, accepting the guard, and quartering them
for the night. The officer of the guard was a gallant young en
sign under Capt. Pillsbury, who was highly pleased with the duty
and executed it handsomely. He was enthusiastic, on joining his
regiment in the morning, in describing the very hospitable man
ner in which himself and men were entertained.
In the summer of 1778, Lieut. Williams was on duty in New
Jersey, and was at the battle of Monmouth. In August follow
ing that battle, Gen. Glover's brigade, consisting of four Massa-
•The sangfroid manifested by Col. Vose, while under Gen. Gates, reminds
me of another anecdote of the same campaign. Col. Scammel was distin
guished for his courage and activity in the battle of Saratoga, and in the heat
of it his cue was nearly shot off by a ball from the enemy. Pulling it off, he
threw it down in the direction of the foe, exclaiming with emphasis — "D — n
you, take it all!" Col. S. led the van of Washington's army on their march
to Yorktown, early in the seige of which place he fell, covered with glory.
He was promoted to adjutant-general just before his death. — Jas. Williamson.

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 533
chusetts regiments, commanded by Colonels Shephard, Wiggles-
worth, Bigelow, and Vose, proceeded to Rhode Island to strength
en the army of Gen. Sullivan.
In June, 1779, Jeremiah Miller, his captain, was appointed
pay master of the regiment, and Lieut. Williams took the com
mand of the company ; from which time until the war closed, he
almost constantly performed the duty of captain. In July, his
regiment marched to West Chester county, N. Y., and the follow
ing winter, (known as the cold winter,) Gen. Glover's brigade
was cantoned at a place called Budd's Huts, situated three miles
east of West Point ; on the road leading from Fishkill to Peeks-
kill. The snow was deep while the huts were building, and the
water did not drop from the eaves of those rude dwellings for
forty successive days. Part of the army wintered the same sea
son three miles back of West Point, in what were called the
York Huts. The logs for Budd's huts were brought together by
the soldiers with drag-ropes.
In the summer of 1780, Capt. Williams was on duty on the
borders of New York and New Jersey ; and in the summer of
1781, in the vicinity of Kings' Ferry, until September, when he
marched with the army of Gen. Washington to York-Town.
During the siege of that place by the American and French ar
mies, two strong redoubts thrown up by the enemy were carried ;
the one on the bank of the river by American light infantry un
der Gen. Lafayette, and the other by French grenadiers under the
Baron de Viomenil. To divide the attention of the enemy while
the redoubts were being stormed, Col. Laurens, who had recently
returned from a foreign embassy, was required, ashis first milita
ry duly, to select two trusty captains, each with forty chosen men
from Scammel's corps of infantry, (ten from a company,) and
march in between the redoubts. Captains Williams, of the Mas
sachusetts line, and Betts, of the Connecticut, were the two offi
cers chosen for this honorable task. A heavy fire was opened
frora both redoubts and the army in front upon the troops under
Laurens ; but it was illy directed, and soon silenced after an en
trance was forced by the forlorn hope : and what is surprising,

534 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
not one of Laurens' command was either killed or wounded. Op
position had nearly ceased when Laurens and his men entered the
redoubt carried by the American infantry. Charles Miller, an
Irish lieutenant, and the bringer up of the fourth platoon under
Williams, was a very large man, and could not enter the passage
forced. Said he to his comrades, " My lads, take me on your
bayonets and toss me in !" Said Betts to Williams, as Britain's
flag gave place to the stripes of liberty, " This is the thirteenth
engagement I have been in during the war, and this is the best of
them all." Those redoubts were carried on the 14th of October.*
In December, 1781, Capt. Williams returned to Westchester
county, where he wintered and continued in service in that vicini
ty a good part of the year 1732. On his return from Yorktown,
Capt. Hitchcock of the light infantry, had some difficulty with
Lieut. Stone, of his own company. The quarrel ended in a duel
and the captain was killed ; soon after which Williams was trans
ferred to the command of his company. It is worthy of remark
that but little dueling took place in the American army in the Re-
*The following incidents of the seige were communicated to the author just
before this work went to press, by Nicholas Hill, of Montgomery county, who
belonged to the New York state troops at the time. At some period of the
seige a bomb-battery of the enemy, situated not far from York river, was car
ried by a party of Americans in the night, who entered as their foes left it.
A detachment of American troops arriving after its capture, supposing it still
occupied by the British, discharged their pieces in at the entrance, but most
fortunately no one was injured within, and a pleasing recognition took place
immediately after. The next day the enemy opened upon the lost battery, a
heavy cannonade from one of their inner works. A board projected from an
exposed part of it, which was a source of inconvenience to its new occupants,
and an axe was procured with which to cut it off. A temporary silence pre
vailed, when Christopher Van Voast, a native of Schenectada, snatched up
the axe, and exclaiming " You're all a pack of d — d cowards !" sprang up, as
a volunteer, to do it. He raised the axe, but ere it had descended to the board
a cannon shot passed through his body, cutting it nearly in two. About the
same time an American soldier named Smith, was observed to fall near the
battery, and on going to him his fellows found he was dead. There was no
external mark of injury about him, but on examining his head, the skull was
found broken in as was determined by a surgeon, from atmospheric concus
sion, caused by the passage of a cannon shot near it. Mr. Hill, said he did
not believe the skull was fractured in the manner decided, but supposed the
injury to have proceeded from the sudden fall upon the ground.

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 535
volution, the moral part of the community sternly rebuking the
practice. A quarrel between Gen. Poor and Brigade Major Por
ter, which originated, it is believed, in a reproof of the former to
thelaticr for his rakish conduct, resulted in a duel, which took
place in 1780, near Perames, New Jersey, in which the general,
a fine officer, was killed.
In tlie summer of 1782, a celebration took place at West Point
in honor of the birth of the Dauphin of France, at which festival
Capt. Williams was present, and which, from memory, he thus
describ s. A large bower was erected about eighty or one hun
dred reds from the river, covered with evergreens and beautifully
festooned at the ends. Many natural flowers, interwoven with
flower-'Je-lis cut from tissue paper, decorated the sides and ends.
Long poles for the bower were brought on the shoulders of the
soldie: ¦¦:, who on casting them down were sometimes heard, the
one to exclaim with earnestness, " God bless the Dauphin !"
while his comrade at the other end, with equal zeal would add,
" God d — n the Dauphin !" An ox roasted whole for the occa
sion wis eaten within the bower, and after his bones had been re
moved, and a few bumpers of wine drank, Gen. Washington, who
appeared in unusually good spirits, said to his officers, "Let us
have a dance !" Selecting a partner among the officers, the
great commander led the dance, ina " gander hop," or "stag
dance," as called in modern times, when no ladies are present, to
the favorite old tune, Soldier's Joy, played by a military band.
Wash.ngton was a very graceful dancer, and presented a fine fig
ure amocg his officers. The numerous regiments of troops there
convened were paraded towards evening along the mountain back
of Fort Putnam, and upon the high grounds on the east side of
the ri\ cr, to fire a salute. The regiments were under the com
mand of quarter master sergeants, and the companies commanded
by orderly sergeants : not a single commissioned officer holding
any command among the thousands thus conspicuously paraded.
As may be supposed, the non-commissioned commanders were
justly proud of the confidence reposed in their integrity. At a
given signal, a running fire began at the south end of the line and

536 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
extended along the west side of the river to the north end, when
the feu-de-joie was caught by the troops on the opposite side of
the river and carried south. Thus did the rattle of musketry three
times make its distant circuit along the Hudson, in honor of an
event which gave a prospective heir to the crown of France, then
the efficient ally of our republic, — after which, the troops, in the
twilight of a lovely evening, returned to the Point. On the day
of this festival, an extra one day's ration was served to the soldiers,
and all seemed equally to enjoy the holiday, which passed off with
out an accident to mar its pleasantry.
The following is one verse of a song believed to have been writ
ten either for or on account of the celebration at West Point, for
which I am indebted to the memory of my friend J. H. T.
" Hark, hark, a feu-de-joie — makes trembling ether ring,
Whilst shouting armies hail, a Prince, a future King,
On whom may Heaven with liberal hand
' Her choicest gifts bestow :
May peace and wisdom hless his reign ,
And laurels deck his brow :
A Dauphin's born, let cannon loud
Bid echo rend the sky.
Chorus. — Long life to Gallia's King,
Columbia's great ally."
In the army arrangement of the Revolution, the colonel, lieut.
colonel, and major of each regiment of state troops, retained the
command of a company in the same called theirs, to which no
captain was assigned. The immediate command of those compa
nies usually devolved on subaltern officers ; that of the colonel on
a captain lieutenant ; that of lieut. colonel on a first lieutenant ;
and that of major on a second lieutenant.
Capt. Williams continued in the army of Washington near the
Hudson until the British evacuated New-York, on the 25th of
Nov. 1783, at which time he accompanied the victorious army in
its entree to that City ; and was present at Francis' Tavern, or
" Black Sam's " as familliary called, when Gen. Washington took
leave of his officers on the 4th. of Dec. On leaving the disband
ed army Capt. W. could say — what few others could — he was ne
ver mustered during the whole war, sick or absent, when duty

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 537
required his presence. At the close of the war he became a mem
ber of the Massachusetts Cincinnati. Those Associations com
posed chiefly of military officers, were formed in the several states
with a general society of the United States, of which Gen. Wash
ington was president. About the year 1808, Capt. Williams re
moved from Massachusetts to Onondaga county, N. Y. He now
(1845) resides in the town of Schoharie ; and although in his nine
ty-sixth year, few young men read more than he does. He from
choice cuts his own fire-wood, works his own garden, &c; and the
fall he was ninety years old, he revived the trade of his youth by
framing two good sized buildings. He has ever continued to be a
firm supporter of that government he helped to establish. He has
long been an exemplary Christian — and imbibing in childhood the
moral principles of a New England mother ; he has proven himself
a worthy, honest and respected citizen. He still writes a legible
hand without glasses. His answer to the question — Were you a
young man with the knowledge you now have, would you enter
the army if a war should break out 1 — was, "Yes, I think I should.
Yes, I am pretty sure I should."
I have made several quotations from the Military Journal of
Major, afterwards Col. Benjamin Tallmadge, an active and effici
ent officer of the Revolution. This private journal, which was
prepared after the war at the request of his children to exhibit his
military life, contains memoranda of an interesting character ; and
from it I glean the following additional facts.*
Col. Tallmadge was the second of five sons of the Rev. Benj.
Tallmadge, a settled minister at Brookhaven, L. I.
He graduated at Yale College with literary honors in 1773,
soon after which he was called to the charge of a high school in
Weathersfield, Ct. Capt. Chester of Weathersfield, having been
appointed a colonel of state troops, and tendering young Tall
madge a lieutenant's commission, with the appointment of adju
tant of his regiment, the student laid aside his books, and the con- '
•For the loan of this Journal, the author would here acknowledge his in
debtedness to the Hon. John P. Cushman, of Troy, a son-in-law of Colonel
Tallmadge 35

538 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
templated study of the law, and entered the service of his coun
try. He was commissioned a lieutenant by Gov. Trumbull, June
20th, 1776, and received a warrant as adjutant, bearing the same
date. He marched with the army of Washington to New York;
was engaged in the disastrous battle of Long Island, and in seve
ral skirmishes above New York, in one of which Brigade Major
Wyllis was made prisoner, and he was given his station. At the
battle of White Plains, he was with a division of the army under
Gen. Spencer, who engaged the Hessian troops under Gen. Rahl,
when the Americans, pressed by overpowering numbers, were ob
liged to fall back to Chadderton's Hill, then occupied by Gen.
McDougall. As the adjutant was about to enter the Bronx with
the rear of the army, the Rev. Dr. Trumbull, their chaplain, sprang
upon his horse behind him, with an impetus that carried them
both headlong, with saddle and accoutrements, into the river.
Regaining their feet, they, however, forded the stream in time to
make good their retreat. Long poles, with iron pikes, supplied
the want of bayonets, at this time, in the American camp. Near
the close of the year, a new organization of the army took place,
when Lieut. Tallmadge received the command of a company of
dragoons, under Col. Elisha Sheldon.
Early in the spring of 1777, a squadron of four companies of
Sheldon's corps, under the command of Tallmadge, the senior
captain, joined the army of Washington, near Middlebrook, N. J.
His own troop was mounted entirely on dapple gray horses, of
which, under black mountings, he acknowledges he felt proud.
On the 25th June, 1777, he was engaged in the battle of Short
Hills, between the Americans, under Lord Sterling, and the ene
my, under Lord Cornwallis, in which the former lost four field pie
ces a second time. About this period Capt. Tallmadge was pro
moted to major of cavalry. In 1778, while actively employed
with the army in New Jersey, Maj. T. opened a private corres
pondence with some persons in New York, for Gen. Washington,
which lasted through the war.
About the 1st of July, 1779, when the dragoons of Col. Shel
don were stationed below North Castle, a large body of the ene-

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 539
my's light horse and infantry, under Lord Rawdon, attacked them
in the night. The onset was impetuous, and the Americans, borne
down by superior numbers, and flanked by infantry, found it neces
sary no retreat — doing which the servant of Maj. Tallmadge was
wounded and captured by the enemy, and with him his master's
horse and valise, the latter containing twenty guineas. In the
summer of 1780, Gen. Washington honored Maj. T. with a sepa
rate command, consisting of a body of horse and two companies
of infantry, formed from dismounted dragoons. He took a station
soon after at North Stamford, Conn., and while there Gen. Par
sons proposed a joint enterprise of their forces against the ene
my's garrison at Lloyd's Neck, on Long Island, which was aban
doned, owing to the treachery of the agent employed by the ge
neral to gain the requisite information.
" On the 5th of September, 1779," [says the journal,] " I un
dertook an expedition against the enemy on Lloyd's Neck, Long
Island. At this place, and on a promontory or elevated piece of
ground next to the Sound, between Huntington Harbor and Oyster
Bay, the enemy had established a strongly fortified post, where
they kept a body of about five hundred troops. In the rear of this
garrison a large band of marauders encamped, who, having boats
at command, continually infested the Sound and our shores.
Having a great desire to break up the banditti of freebooters, on
the evening named I embarked my detachment, afmounting in the
whole to about one hundred and thirty men, at Shipand Point, near
Stamford, at eight o'clock in the evening, and by ten we landed
on Lloyd's Neck. Having made my arrangements we proceeded
in different divisions to beat up their quarters. Our attack was so
sudden and unexpected that we succeeded in capturing almost the
whole party, a few only escaping into the bushes, from whence
they commenced firing on my detachment ; which gave the alarm
to the garrison. This prevented our attempting any attack upon
the outposts and guards of the fort, and after destroying all the
boats we could find, as well as the huts of these refugees, we re
turned with our prisoners to our boats,, and embarked for Connecti
cut, where we landed in safety before sunrise the next morning,
and without the loss of a single man."
As the fall advanced Maj. Tallmadge revived his project of an
expedition to Long Island. Through agents he obtained accurate
returns of a fortification in Suffolk county, called Fort St. George-
It was constructed "at a point which projects into the South Bay

540 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
on Smith's Manor, being the enemy's easternmost defence." It
is thus described in the journal :
"I found it to be a triangular inclosure of several acres of ground,
at two angles of whieh was a strongly barricaded house, and at
the third, a fort, with a deep ditch and wall encircled by an abattis
of sharpened pickets, projecting at an angle of forty-five degrees.
The fort and houses were entirely connected with a strong stock
ade, twelve feet high, every piece sharpened and fastened to each
other by a transverse rail strongly bolted to each. The work was
nearly finished."
Having obtained the necessary information he proposed to the
Commander-in-chief to destroy the works, who concluded the ex
pedition too dangerous to warrant its undertaking. Not willing
to abandon his project, Maj. T. visited the island in person about
the 1st of November, to ascertain the then state of the works.
He learned " that the fortress was completed, and was the depo
sitory of stores, dry-goods, groceries, and arms, from whence Suf
folk county could be supplied." Provided with an accurate draft
of the fort, and apprised that a large quantity of forage was col
lected at Coram, from the east end of the island, he again impor
tuned Gen. Washington to sanction a contemplated visit, who, on
the 11th day of November, signified his assent by letter. The
expedition is thus entered in the journal :
"All preparations necessary being made, on tbe 21st of Novem
ber, at about four o'clock, P.M., I embarked my detachment com
posed of two companies of dismounted dragoons, (and in all short
of one hundred selected men,) at Fairfield, and the same evening
at nine o'clock, we landed at a place on Long Island called the Old
Man's. I was obliged to go so far east to avoid a large body of
the enemy which laid at Huntington and its vicinity, partly in our
direct route from Stamford. Soon after we landed, say by ten
o'clock, I put the troops in motion to. cross Long Island. We had
not gone far, say four or five miles, before the wind began to blow
from the southeast, and the rain soon followed. I faced the troops
about, returned to our boats, which were drawn up and concealed
in the bushes. There we remained through the night and the next
day, and at evening the rain abated, and I again ordered the troops
to march for our destined place on the south side of Long Island.
At four o'clock next morning I found we were within two miles of
Fort St. George, when we halted a short time to take refreshment.
Having made my arrangements for the plan of attack, I placed two
small detachments under the command of subaltern officers of high

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 541
spirit, at different positions from the fort, with orders to keep con
cealed until the enemy should fire on my column. Just as the day
began to dawn, I put my detachment in motion. The pioneers
who preceded my column had reached within forty yards of the
stockade before they were discovered by the enemy. At this mo
ment, the sentinal in advance of the stockade, halted his march,
looked attentively at our column, demanded "who comes there ?"
and fired. Before the smoke from his gun had cleared his vision,
my sergeant, who marched by my side, reached him with his bay
onet, and prostrated hfm. This was the signal for the other troops
to move forward, when all seemed to vie with each other to enter
the fort. So resolute were the men, that a breach was soon made
in the stockade, where the rear platoon halted to prevent the pri
soners from' escaping. I led the column directly through the grand
parade against the main fort, which we carried with the bayonet in
less than ten minutes, not a musket being loaded. At the same
instant that I entered one side of the fort, the officers commanding
the smaller detachments mounted the ramparts on the other sides,
and the watchword, Washington and Glory ! was repeated from
three sides of the fort at the same time. While we were standing,
elated with victory, in the centre of the fort, a volley of musketry
was discharged from the windows of one of the large houses,
which induced me to order my whole detachment to load and re
turn the fire. I soon found it necessary to lead the column direct
ly to the house, which being strongly barricaded required the aid
of the pioneers with their axes. As soon as the troops could en
ter, the confusion and conflict was great. A considerable portion
of those who had fired after the fort was taken and the colours
had been struck, were thrown headlong from the second story to
the ground. Having forfeited their lives by the usages of war, all
would have been killed had I not ordered the slaughter to cease.
The prisoners, being secured, it was soon discovered that the ship
ping, which laid near the fort, loaded with stores, &c, were get
ting under weigh. The guns of the fort were brought to bear on
them, and they were soon secured. All things were now safe and
quiet, and I had never seen the sun rise more pleasantly. It be
came necessary to demolish the enemy's works, as far as possible,
which was done : an immense quantity of stores of various kinds,
English, &c, were destroyed. The shipping and their stores were
also burnt up. Some valuable articles of dry goods were made
up in bundles, placed on the prisoners' shoulders, who were pin
ioned two and two, and thus carried across the island to our boats.
The work of capturing and destroying this fortress being effected,
at eight o'clock, A.M., I put the troops under march to recross the
island to our boats. Having given the command of the detach
ment to Capt. Edgar, with orders to halt at a given point near the
middle of the island, I selected ten or twelve men, and mounted
them on horses taken at the fort, with which I intended to destroy
the King's magazine of forage at Coram. This place was nearly

542 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
half way to the place where a large body of British troops were
encamped, east of Huntington. I reached the place in about an
hour and a half; made a vigorous charge upon the guard placed
to protect it; set it on fire [some three hundred tons of hay], and
in about an hour and a half more reached the place where I had
ordered the troops to halt, having rode some fifteen or sixteen
miles. As I arrived at the spot, I was gratified to see the head of
the detachment, under Capt. Edgar advancing with the prisoners.
As none of us had halted since we parted, we sat down for nearly
an hour and refreshed. After this we took up our line of march,
by four o'clock reached our boats, and before sunset we were all
afloat on the Sound ; by midnight, or one o'clock next morning,
every boat arrived on Fairfield beach, although we had entirely
lost sight of each other in the darkness of the night. This ser
vice was executed entirely without the loss of one man from my
detachment, and one only was badly wounded, and him we brought
off. The enemy's loss was seven killed and wounded, most of
them mortally. We took one lieutenant colonel commandant, one
captain, one lieutenant, one surgeon, and fifty rank and file, with
a host of others in the garrison."
On reporting the result of his expedition to the Commander-in-
chief, Maj. Tallmadge requested permission to give his troops the
spoils they had borne from the captured fortress, to which he re
ceived the following reply : " Moekistown, 28th Nov., 1780.
"Dear Sir — Both your Letters of the 25th came to my hands
this day. I received with much pleasure the report of your suc
cessful Enterprise upon Fort St. George, and the vessel with stores
in the harbor ; and was particularly well pleased with the destruc
tion of the hay, which must, I should conceive, be severely felt by
the enemy at this time.
" I beg of you to accept my thanks for your judicious planning,
and spirited execution of this business, and that you will offer
them to the Officers and Men who shared the honor of the Enter
prise with you.
" The gallant behavior of Mr. Muirson gives him a fair claim to
an appointment in the second Regt. of Dragoons, or any other of
the State to which he belongs, where there is a vacancy ; and I
have no doubt of his meeting with it accordingly, if you will make
known his merits, with these sentiments in his favor.
" You have my free consent to reward your gallant party with
the little booty they were able to bring from the Enemy's works.
" With much esteem and regard, I am, Dear Sir,
"Your most obed't Servt,
GO. WASHINGTON."

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 543
The following honorable notice of Maj. Tallmadge's success
over the enemy on Long Island, is found on the Journal of Con
gress for 1780, under date of Dec. 6th, that body having been
apprised of the affair some days before by Gen. Washington.
" While Congress are sensible of the patriotism, courage and
perseverance of the officers and privates of their regular forces, as
well as the militia throughout these United States, and of the mi
litary conduct of the principal commanders in both, it gives them
pleasure to be so frequently called upon to confer marks of distinc
tion and applause for enterprises which do honor to the profession
of arms, and claim a high rank among military achievements. In
this light they view the enterprise against Fort George, on Long
Island, planned, and conducted with wisdom and great gallantry
by Maj. Tallmadge, of the light dragoons, and executed with in
trepidity and complete success by the officers and soldiers of his
detachment. "Ordered, therefore, That Maj. Tallmadge's report to the Com
mander-in-chief be published, with the preceding minute, as a tri
bute to distinguished merit, and in testimony of the sense Congress
entertain of this brilliant service."
"No person but a military man," says the journal of Col. T.,
" knows how to appreciate the honor bestowed, when the Com
mander-in-chief and the Congress of the United States return their
thanks for a military achievement."
Contemplating an expedition against a British garrison of eight
hundred men at Lloyd's Neck, and that of Fort Slongo, eight
miles eastward of it, guarded by one hundred and fifty men, Maj.
Tallmadge again visited Long Island, April 22, 1781, to obtain
accurate information. Submitting his plan of intended operations
to Gen. Washington for the capture of these posts, and clearing
the sound of the enemy's small craft, with the aid of more troops,
ahd the co-operation of the French frigates, it was favorably re
ceived, and he was furnished with a flattering letter of introduc
tion to Count Rochambeau, then at Rhode Island, for the naval
force. The absence of the vessels of the size wanted, prevented
the prosecution of the enterprise. In the fall of this year, Maj.
Tallmadge renewed his project of annoying the enemy on Long
Island. "The fortress at Treadwell's Neck, called Fort Slongo, [says the
journal,] seemed to demand attention, and on the 1st of October I

544 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
moved my detachment of light infantry into the neighborhood of
N6rwalk ; at the same time I directed a suitable number of boats
to be assembled at the mouth of Saugatuck river, east of the town
of Norwalk. On the evening of October 2d, 1781, at nine o'clock,
I embarked a part of my detachment, and placed Maj. Trescptt at
the head of it, with orders to assail the fort on a particular point.
The troops landed on Long Island by four o'clock, and at the dawn
of day the attack was made and the fortress subdued. The block
house, and other combustible materials, were burnt, and the troops
and prisoners returned in safety, bringing off one piece of hand
some brass field-artillery."
When the campaign of 1782 was opened, many felt as though
the independence of the country had already been secured by the
capture of Cornwallis and his army, but Gen. Washington, what
ever may have been his private opinion " inculcated upon his
troops the necessity of strict discipline, that they might be pre
pared for any emergency." Many supernumerary officers were
permitted to retire from the army early this season, the most effi
cient being retained in service. As this year was one of compa
rative inactivity, the soldier's life became irksome, and he sighed
for employment.
Towards the close of tne year 1782, Major Tallmadge having
been informed that six hundred of the enemy had encamped at
Huntington, Long Island, conceived the plan of "beating up their
quarters." He disclosed his project in person to Gen. Washing
ton, in the latter part of November, and obtained his permission
to undertake it, the general claiming to name the time. The 5th
of December was the day fixed upon, when the Commander in
tended to execute an enterprise on the Hudson — which was, to
throw a large detachment of his troops below Fort Washington,
while he moved down with the main body to Fort Independence
and Kingsbridge, thus bringing the enemy between two fires. On
the evening of the day named, Maj. Tallmadge assembled his
troops at Shipand Point, where his boats had been ordered. His
forces, some seven hundred men, consisting of four companies of
infantry, a party of dismounted dragoons, to mount the captured
horses, and a body of Connecticut levies, began to embark at sun
set ; but the half had not left the shore, when a wertern storm
arising, they were called back, the boats drawn on shore and turn-

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 545
ed up for a shelter. The Sound was agitated the next day, and
at night became quiet, and the troops were beginning a second
time to embark, but another gale arising, the troops were shel
tered as on the previous night. Apprised on the morning of the
7th, that three of the enemy's boats from Long Island had taken
refuge and were wind-bound on the Norwalk islands, a few miles
east of the point, Maj. Tallmadge despatched six sail boats under
Capt. Brewster, to give some account of them. Two were cap
tured, after a spirited contest, in crossing the Sound, there about
twelve miles wide, and the third escaped to land. Capt. Brew
ster received a bullet in the breast, which passed through the bo
dy, but recovered of the wound. The wind again rising on the
third night, the expedition to the island was abandoned. The con
templated movement of Gen. Washington, on the evening of the
5th,. was prevented by several British vessels having moved up
that day, and anchored above Fort Washington.
In the winter of 1782 and '83, considerable illicit intercourse
was carried on by traders along the Sound with the merchants of
New York, and boats thus employed often fell into the hands of
the vigilant Americans. Informed that a public armed vessel, in
the employ of the government, was actively employed in the traf
fic " technically called the London trade," Maj. Tallmadge pro
posed to punish the offenders. The craft was a large sloop called
the Sheeldham, Capt. Hoyt. Furnished with a copy of her in
voice of goods, and notified of her expected arrival at Norwalk,
Maj. T. repaired to that place with a party of dragoons, and had
the satisfaction of seeing her approach the harbor. She anchored
near the Old Wells, soon after which he went on board with a
warrant, and constable to serve it. Making known his errand,
the captain flew into a passion, and threatened to throw him over
board. While the intrepid major was endeavoring to reason with
the dealer in contraband wares, the latter weighed anchor, hoist
ed sails, and stood out into the Sound, with a breeze from the north
west. When ordered to put back, he not only refused, but swore
he would throw his guest overboard. The rest of the farce is thus
noted in thejournal :

546 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
" My captain continued his course towards Lloyd's Neck, where
the enemy's fleet lay, until we reached the middle of the Sound.
I inquired of him where he was going, when he informed we with
an oath, he would carry me over to the enemy. I informed him
that for such an offence, by our martial law, he exposed himself
to be punished with death. He professed to care nothing for the
consequences. I maintained my former course, and sternly or
dered him to put about his vessel and return to Norwalk, assuring
him that if he executed his threat I would have him hanged as
high as Haman hung if ever I returned, as I did not doubt I should.
The time now became very critical, for we were rapidly approach
ing the enemy, when I again commanded him to put about his
ship and, return. He began to hesitate, and in a few minutes or
dered his men to put about ; and then steered directly back into
Norwalk harbor. As soon as he came to anchor down at the Old
Wells, the captain went ashore in his boat, and I never saw him
again. I now found myself in the peaceable possession of the ves
sel, and its cargo. On taking up the scuttle in the cabin, I found
an assortment of English goods corresponding with my invoice,
which I had duly libeled and condemned. Thus ended my ha
zardous contest with the captain of the Sheeldham, a man void of
principle, and unworthy the commission he held."
One of the enemy's sloops of war having been seen repeatedly
to cross the Sound and anchor under Stratford Point, Conn., where
she went to barter merchandize for produce, measures were taken
to capture her. At Bridgeport, Maj. Tallmadge met Capt. Amos
Hubbel, who had a suitable vessel, and readily engaged in the
enterprise. The captain agreed to bring his craft along side the
hostile ship, if indemnified against her loss in case of capture by
the enemy, to which proposition Maj. Tallmadge readily assented.
On the 20th of February, 1783, when the English sloop was at
the point, the major placed forty-five men of his detachment, un
der the immediate command of lieutenants Rhea and Hawley,
with Capt. Brewster's boat's crew of continental troops, on board
of Capt. Hubbel's vessel, the whole to be commanded by Capt.
Brewster. Capt. Hubbel, taking the helm in person, sailed at two
o'clock, P.M., and at four was within hail of the foe. The Ame
rican troops were kept concealed until the vessels were brought in
contact. As they neared, the enemy opened a broadside, which
crippled their antagonist considerably in the mast and rigging ;
but Capt. Hubbel, with great presence of mind, brought her up

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 547
gallantly to the work. The troops, at a given signal, appeared
on deck, discharged a volley of balls, and under Capt. Brewster
boarded and carried the enemy at the point of the bayonet, " as
in a moment," nearly every man on board being either killed or
wounded. Not one of Brewster's men were harmed, nor was the
vessel materially injured. In a few hours both vessels were moor
ed in safety at Black Rock harbor. The affair being duly report
ed to Gen. Washington, he expressed his thanks to Maj. Tall
madge by letter, ordered the condemnation of the prize, and the
avails thereof to be distributed among the troops who captured it.
In view of the disbanding the army, on the 10th day of May,
1783, a meeting of the American officers was held to organize
the association, afterwards called "The Society of the Cincinnati,"
at which the Baron de Steuben, the senior officer, presided. G ene-
rals Knox, Huntington, and Hand, and Capt. Shaw, were appoint
ed to prepare a written form or constitution expressive of its ob
ject ; and at a meeting held at the quarters of Steuben on the 13th
of May, their report was adopted. Of the State Society organ
ized in the Connecticut line, Maj. Tallmadge was chosen treasur
er for several years, and until he became its president. Most of
the state legislatures granted acts of incorporation to these asso
ciations, but that of Connecticut refused a charter, and the society
disbanded, giving the balance of its funds to Yale College.
In the summer of 1783, after preliminary articles of peace had
been announced, Maj. Tallmadge, with the approbation of Gen.
Washington, proceeded to New York, under the sanction of a flag,
to grant that protection the times demanded, to such persons as
had transmitted intelligence of the enemy's doings from time to
time during the war, to Maj. T. and others employed by the Com
mander-in-chief to procure it. Private emissaries, in other words
secret spies, employed for years in the American service were thus
protected against the insults of their countrymen, who, on enter
ing the city, might otherwise have treated them with indignity,
instead of merited respect. Several Enoch Crosbys were secretly
engaged in the Revolution in transmitting to Gen. Washington,
as best they could, important information of the enemy's move
ments in and around New York.

548 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
Maj. Tallmadge was with the troops under Gen. Washington,
who entered New York on the day it was evacuated by the ene
my. On this occasion, Gen. Knox, at the head of a select corps,
led the van of the American army. " The Commander-in-chief,
accompanied by Gov. Clinton, and their respective suites, made
their public entry into the city on horseback, followed by the lieu
tenant governor and members of the council, the officers of the
army, eight abreast, and citizens on horseback, eight abreast, ac
companied by the speaker of the Assembly and citizens, on foot,
eight abreast. So perfect was the order of march, that entire
tranquility prevailed, and nothing occurred to mar the general
joy." Gov. Clinton gave a public dinner on the occasion, at Which
Gen. Washington and numerous other guests were present. On
the Tuesday evening following, a most splendid display oi fire
works took place near the Bowling Green, at the foot of Broad
way. Maj. Tallmadge was also present, at Francis' Tavern in
Pearl street, when Gen. Washington took final leave of his offi
cers. They assembled at 12 o'clock, M., soon after which Gen.
Washington appeared. After partaking of a little refreshment,
in almost breathless silence, His Excellency filled his glass with
wine, and turning to his companions in arms, thus addressed them :
" With a heart full of love and gratitude, I now take leave of you.
I most devoutly wish that your latter days may be as prosperous
and happy as your former ones have been glorious and honorable"
The officers drank a glass of wine with him, after which he added:
" I cannot come to each of you, but shall feel obliged if each of
you will come and take me by the hand." Gen. Knox, being
nearest, grasped his hand, and they embraced each other in si
lence. This was no doubt one of the most affecting interviews of
the kind ever known. Each officer, in turn, imitating the exam
ple of Gen. Knox, embraced their Commander, and saluted him
with a kiss, while their tears mingled profusely with his own.
Waving his hand to his comrades, he left the room, and passing
through a corps of light infantry paraded to receive him, he walk
ed in silence to Whitehall, where a barge waited his arrival.
His officers followed to the wharf, where a large multitude had

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 549
assembled to see his departure, and there witnessed his last salu
tation, which was the waving of his hat above the boat.
On the return of peace, Maj. Tallmadge again visited his native
place, where the patriotic citizens got up a festival, roasted an ox
whole, and made the major master of ceremonies.
On the 16th of March, 1784, Maj. Tallmadge led to Hymen's
altar, the eldest daughter of the Hon. Wm. Floyd, of Mastick,
Long Island ; after which he commenced the mercantile business
in Litchfield, Connecticut. He was much respected for his ta
lents, and represented the district in which he resided in the coun
cils of the nation.

( 550 )

CHAPTER XIX.

Among the officers of the American army deserving of notice,
was Captain Thomas Machin, engineer ; distinguished alike for
his mathematical skill and patriotic bravery. He was bora
March 20th, 1744, 0. S., four miles from Wolverhampton, Staf
fordshire, England. His father, John Machin, a distinguished
mathematican, had two sons, John and Thomas. The former
was killed at the seige of some town near the outlet of the Red
Sea ; and the latter was one of a corps of English cadets, which,
with the British infantry became so distinguished for their bravery
in the battle of Minden, Germany. The cadets, or fencibles, as
called, were almost annihilated in that battle, which took place
between the allied army under Ferdinand and the French, in Au
gust, 1759.
The Duke of Bridgewater, who may justly be styled the father
of the canal navigation of Great Britain, projected at his own
expense a canal from the coal measures on his lands in the town
of Worsley to Manchester, a distance of some ten miles ; obtain
ing his first act for the same at the session of parliament for the
winter of 1758 and 59. A few years after he obtained an act
for carrying a branch of it lo Liverpool, nearly thirty miles. The
former canal was carried by a stone aqueduct over the river Ir-
well, forty feet above its surface, so that shipping might pass un
der it in the river ; and the latter over the Mercer. Those great
works which were looked upon at their commencement by the
incredulous as wholly impracticable, were prosecuted to comple
tion under the direction of the celebrated engineer and mechani
cal inventor, James Brindley. Soon after Brindley began those
works, Thomas Machin entered his employ ; and it is not sur
prising that under such a tutor, he, too, should have become a

HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, ETC. 551
good practical engineer. He was engaged in taking the levels
for the Duke's canal ; and as clerk paid off many of the laborers
employed by Brindley.
After making a voyage to the East Indies, Machin sailed for
America, and arriving in 1772, took up his residence in the city
of New York. The principal object of his voyage was to ex
amine a copper mine in New Jersey. After a short stay in New
York, he went to reside in Boston, and evidently intended a per
manent residence ; as he warmly espoused the cause of the Bos-
tonians against his " father land." He was one of the celebrated
Boston tea party of 1773. He was engaged and wounded (in
one arm) in the conflict on Bunker's hill, while acting as lieuten
ant of artillery.
Mr. Machin received his first commission in the American ser
vice, as second lieutenant in the regiment of artillery, command
ed by Col. Henry Knox, which was dated Jan. 18th, 1776.
That the patriots of Massachusetts were not only acquainted with
Lieut. Machin's skill as an engineer, but actually called it into
requisition in laying out the fortifications for the American camp
around Boston, the following papers will show.
" Boston, June 19„ 1776 — Wednesday evening.
" To Lieut. Machin, at Nantasket:
" Sir — I informed the committee that you could go to Sandwich
on the survey if it could be taken this week ; in consequence of
which, we agreed that you might set out as soon as you thought
proper, and begin the survey, and that we would follow, and be
there next Tuesday. I beg you would let me see you to-morrow
evening, that the committee may hear what to depend on.
" Sir, your most humble serv't-
" JAMES BOWDOIN."
" Lieut. Machin, the bearer hereof, being employed in y"
Colony service, it is desired he may pass from hence to Sandwich
and back without interruption.
" Boston, June 20, 1778." " JAMES BOWDOIN."
" Camp at White Plains, August 9, 1778.
" These are to certify, that the subscriber, being Aid-de-Camp
to Maj. Gen'l Ward, in the year 1776, while stationed at Boston:
General Ward directed Lieut. Thomas Machin, of the Artillery,
to act as Engineer to erect fortifications for the defence of the

552Town and Harbor of Boston, from the first of April, 1776, to the
month of June following, which service he faithfully performed.
" JOSEPH WARD."
Owing to the skillful manner in which Lieut. Machin had dis
charged the important task of laying out the fortifications around
Boston, he was selected by the Commander-in-chief for the
arduous duty of securing the navigation of the Hudson through the
Highlands, as the following paper will show :
" Head-Quarters, New-York, 21st July, 1776.
" Sir — You are without delay to proceed to Fort Montgomery,
or Constitution, in the Highlands, on Hudson's River, and put
yourself under command of Col. George Clinton, or tlie command
ing officer there, — to act as Engineer in compleating such works
as are already laid out, — and such others as you, with the advice
of Col. Clinton, may think necessary: 'Tis expected and required
of you, that you pay close attention to this business, and drive on
the works with all possible despatch. In case of an attack from
the enemy, or in any action with them, you are to join and act
with the Artillery on that station ; and to return to your duty in
the regiment as soon as you can be spared from the works.
" I am, sir, your most humble serv't.
" GO. WASHINGTON."
To the letter of instructions we find wafered the following
paper : " Fort Montgomery, August 9th, 1776.
" A list of the carpenters that have entered into the Continental
service under Capt. Bums : Stephen Concklin, Joseph Halsted,
Joshua Sager, Silas White, John Young, John Homan, Gilbert
Roberts, Barzilla Tuthill, Cornelius Van Vlack, James Scoldfield."
" Capt. Burns — The above persons belonging to your company,
being Artificers employed in the works here, you are therefore to
have them at this place to be employed by and under the direction
of Mr. Machin, the Engineer. " GEO: CLINTON, Brig'r Gen'l."
Gov. Clinton was promoted about the time Gen. Washington's
directions to Lieut. Machin were dated, and having occasion to
leave the works, he placed his brother, Col. James Clinton, in
temporary command to oversee them, as the following paper will
show: " Fort Montgomery, 10th August, 1776.
" To Lieut. Machin — As I am now ordered to march with the
new levies to Kings Bridge, and as you will want many necessa
ries for compleating the new works we have begun on the south

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 553
side of Poplopin's Kill,* and the works to be erected for securing
the pass of Anthony's Nose. You are to use your best endeavors
by all means in your power, (applying to Col. Clinton from time
to time for his aid and advice) to purchase and procure such articles
as may be wanted, of which the clerk of the Check is to keep a
just account. The artificers aheady employed and such others as
may be wanted, are, (in the erecting of these works) to be under
your directions, for which purpose Col. Clinton will be given the
necessary orders. " I am your humble serv't,
" GEO. CLINTON, Brig. Gen."
Gen. Schuyler early saw the necessity of obstructing the navi
gation of the Hudson in the Highlands to prevent the passage of
British shipping to Albany ; and communicated to the N. York
Council of Safety his wishes on that subject, as the following
papers will show : and as they are found among the papers of
Capt. Machin, there can be no doubt but he was the person em
ployed to make the requisite survey. " Fishkill, Nov. 6, 1776.
" Gent. — I am directed by the Committee of Safety to transmit
you the enclosed extract of Gen. Schuyler's letter, and to request
that you'll cause his request to be immediately complied with.
'• I am, gentlemen, with esteem,
" Your very humble servant,
" PIEREE VAN CORTLANDT, V. Pres."
" To the Gent, ofthe Secret Committee."
" Extract of a letter from Gen'l Schuyler directed to Peter R.
Livingston, Esq. President, &e. dated Albany, Nov. 3d, 1776. —
I wish the Convention would order the depth and breadth of Hud
son's River to be carefully taken at such places as they conceive
would be most proper effectually to obstruct the navigation; Ver-
planck's Point, or Jan Canten Hook, may be proper places ; per
haps the latter."
" (True extract.) ROBT. BENSON, Sec'y."
Col. Rufus Putnam, an officer of merit, commanded the 5th
Massachusetts regiment, and was promoted to Brig. Gen. near
the close of the war. He was wall-eyed. The following paper
from Col. Putnamf no doubt refers to the survey of the Hudson
made agreeable to Gen. Schuyler's request.
* These works, when completed, were called Fort Clinton.
f While Col. Putnam was on duty in the neighborhood of West Point, he
36

554 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
" Peekskill, December IZth, 1776.
" Sir — I beg you will not delay sending a sketch of the North
River through the Highlands, with a geographical description of
the country on the west side ; as I am going in a few days to wait
on His Excellency with the best account of this part of the country
that, without an actual survey, I am able to give. If you cannot
send to me in two days, you must send it to His Excellency as
soon as possible, for I can wait no longer.
" Sir, your humble servant,
"R. PUTNAM."
" To Lieut. Machin, Engineer."
Jan. 7th, 1777, the State authorities took official cognizance of
the doings of Capt. Machin, as appears by several resolutions on
the " Journal of the Committee of Safety." His commission
dates his rank as Captain Lieutenant of U. S. Artillery, on the
1st day of January, 1777, although it did not pass the office of
the Board of War, until April 21st, 1780.
The succeeding papers directed " To Capt. Thomas Machin,
at Murderer's Creek," one of which was without date, were evi
dently written while the navigation of the river was being ob
structed, in 1777.
" To Capt. Machin:
" Sir — I have already directed that no more timber should be
cut on Mr. Ellison's land for the obstructions to be made in the ri
ver, (except it should be such long walnut pieces as could not be
so conveniently had any where else,) until a proportionate share of
timber for that use was also got on lands lying equally near the
river. I am surprised, therefore, to hear that a company of car
penters are in his woods cutting away timber of every kind, which
I trust must be without your order or knowledge. He is willing
you should take such long walnut pieces as you want and can't
get as conveniently elsewhere ; other kind of timber we certainly
ascended Butter Hill with a party of his troops, and with their aid succeeded
in prying off from its summit a rock which weighed many tons. Started
from suoh an eminence, the immense mass came thundering down the moun
tain crushing the forest trees which impeded its onward course, and dashed
into the Hudson. Sloops navigating the river sometimes pass it inland. Its
course upon the mountain side was long visible from the water to the summit
of the Hill, and was called Putnam's Path. The rock is called Putnam's
Rock to this day. Some writers have fallen into the error of supposing the
rock and its path called after Gen. Putnam. — Capt. Eben Williams.

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 555
can, and more so. I expect, therefore, you will direct the carpen
ters to desist cutting in his woods till further orders from me.
" I am your most obed't serv't,
"GEO. CLINTON."
" New Windsor, 31st Jan'y, 1777.
" Dr. Sir — I set out for Kingston to-morrow morning, where bu
siness will detain me a few days. I wished to have seen you be
fore I set out. I cannot now expect it. I think the artificers nei
ther go out early enough in the morning, or continue late enough
in the evening, at work. I was surprised this day to see many
break off a littte after three in the afternoon. It was said they had
not been home to dinner, but allowing that to be the case, from
nine in the morning until three in the afternoon is not by any
means a day's work. To cure this mischief I enclose you an order
which you '11 publish among those employed, and endeavor to carry
it into execution. If you think the hours are too long, make any
alteration you think right ; but pray, whatever hours are fixed on,
contrive to make them work.
" I am in great haste your most obed't,
"GEO. CLINTON."
" Capt. Machin."
" Orders to be observed by the artificers and others employed in ob-
sliucting the navigation of Hudson's river, 13th Jan'y, 1777.
" As high wages are given by the public at this season of the
year, when the days are short and the weather fickle, in order to
have this most necessary work (on which not only the safety of this
State, but of the whole continent depends,) completed in due sea
son: — It is therefore expected that those who are employed and re
ceive the public's money, will be faithful in the service and do the
most they can. It is the business of the master workmen who
have contracted to carry on the work and taken the charge of small
parties under them, to see that they are diligently employed and
work faithfully. It is for this they are allowed extra wages, and
it is expected that in this way they will earn, or in justice they
cannot expect to receive it. The monthly pay rolls must be at
tested (if required,) by the master workmen, and an honest man
can never return a man for a full day's pay who has not done a
full day's work. This would be dishonest and punishable ; but
that every possible guard may be set against deception, and that
all account for pay of artificers and others may stand fair and un
controvertible, the engineer is to fix upon the hour in the morning
at which all hands are to he at work — the hour they are to quit for
dinner, the time when they are to return to work after dinner, and
break off in the evening ; and to cause the rolls to be called over
by such person or persons as he shall appoint at those and such
other times as he shall see fit ; and mark the defaulters (if any,)
that a proper deduction may be made from their wages. It is ex-

556 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
pected at present that those employed near the barracks will work
at least eight hours every day, and those employed where the tim
ber now lays, or at that distance, at least seven. The time for
working; each day to be lengthened when the days grow longer.
" GEO. CLINTON, B. Gen'l."
Opposite is the facsimile of a letter from Gen. Washington
" To Brigadier Gen. Knox, commanding the corps of Artillery."
It was written during the visit of Capt. Machin tp the Comman
der-in-chief, at his winter quarters :
The following paper, which is without date, was no doubt
written about the time Gen. Clinton visited Kingston :
" Sir — I am informed that the Inhabitants of Kingston are de
sirous of making some Works for the Defence of their town. I
approve of their intentions, and wish to give them every assistance
in my power in the execution of this business ; and that the works
may be constructed on a Plan most efficient and least expensive, I
request you will repair to that place and assist in laying them out,
in which Col. Bruyn will advise. It will not be practicable,
neither do I conceive it necessary to enclose the town, as the hou
ses are stone, and will form (if the Windows and Doors are properly
secured) good Lines of Defence. Small Redoubts or block-houses,
therefore, at the different and most commanding quarters of the
Town, are all that to me appear necessary ; which ought to be con
structed each for a Piece or two of artillery, so as to clear the lines
formed by the houses ; and when it can be, conveniently, these
should be so contiguous to each other as to be within the reach of
Musquetry, which will be a saving of Ammunition. In construct
ing these works, it is to be observed that Artillery against them is
not to be apprehended. " I am your most obed't serv't.
" GEO. CLINTON."
" Capt. Machin."
By the next paper we perceive that Capt. Machin was given
discretionary power, by Governor Clinton, to act in certain emer
gencies :
" Dear Sir — I received yours of this date. I approve your con
duct in marching your men against those Parricides, and no pains
must be spared to apprehend or destroy them. Major Logan, and
every other Officer in both Counties, I know, will exert themselves

tf

jSSk Ju*.rty </777

-'**^t****3'-^***"---2^^ /^^r-^ —

y£^-jC2^^zfe^^& <AZg, <S5k-£2_ Ay^sx^A

'£b~*^Z\_&^'^-&^<7<.

^k.  \^r ~s tf' -i***--^ — £_

AND border wars OF NEW YORK. 559
on this occasion in drawing out the Militia for quelling this dange-
ous insurrection ; nor must any risk be run in taking prisoners.
" I am your most obd't serv't
"March, 10th, 1777. " GEO. CLINTON, B. Gen."
" P.S. A party will march towards the Forest of Dean, to guard the de
files there."
" To Capt. Thomas Machin."
" To Capt. Machin, at Capt. Nicolls'."
" Dear Sir — This will be handed you by Mr. Chambers from
Marble Town, who has come down, with 6 or 7 carpenters, to be
employed in our works ; and in a few days I expect as many more
will be here from that quarter as will complete his company to 12.
As these are men who were engaged at our request, when the
others misbehaved and quit work, they must be employed — in
deed, we can't have too many now. How you will find room for
them I can't tell, but you are good at contrivance.
" I am your H. S.
"GEO. CLINTON."
" Uth March, 1777."
The following paper, from Gov. Clinton to Capt. Machin, shows
the preparation making for the enemy's reception in the Highlands :
" Dear Sir — Let one know immediately whether twelve Pound
ers, having the trunions broke off, can be quicker repaired by
stocking them, or fixing new trunions to them. If the former way
is the speediest and best, I beg you would come down here imme
diately and bring such Artificers with you as can do them directly.
If the latter way is the best, can't you spare Van Houton, your
Smith, to work a while at this business at Fort Constitution ? He
shall be well used, and Barney will stay with him. On receipt
hereof you will send down the two twelve Pounders at New
Windsor, with the ammunition and stores belongingto them, to
this Port. In their room I have ordered you the Brass24 Pounder
from Fishkill ; it will suit you better, and you are to preserve her
at all events ; if she should be lost at your Port you will be in Dis
grace forever. I expect you will have the 24 lbr. to-morrow at
your Port. If you come here yourself on an alarm, you will take
care to leave behind you some persons who can use the 24 lbr.,
and who will guard and save her. Gen. Putnam wants to know
how you come forward with your Boom, and whether you meet any
Obstructions in that Business which you did not forsee.
" I am your most obd't serv't.
"GEO. CLINTON."
" Fort Montgomery, 3d July, 1777."
"P.S. Wont your scow, well manned, bring the guns down quicker and ea
sier?"

560 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
By a memorandum, found among the Machin papers, it appears
that the sum of one hundred and fifty pounds was paid in one
month for teams " Employed in drawing Timber for the use of
the works Obstructing the navigation of Hudson River," under his
individual direction. Thirty shillings was the regular price paid
per day for a teamster with two yoke of oxen.
In anticipation of an attack from the enemy, under Sir Henry
Clinton, the following orders were issued by Gen. James Clinton :
" Head Quarters, Fort Montgomery, July 10th, 1777.
" The Signals to be given on the approach of the Enemy : On
the firing of Two Cannon at Peekskill by Gen. Varnam one min
ute from each other ; Two will be fired by Gen. Huntington ; Two
by Gen. Parsons ; to be answered by Two at Fort Independence ;
Two at Fort Montgomery; Two at Fort Constitution: and the
Beacon there to be fired as usual ; to be answered by two from the
Brass twenty-four Pounder, near New Windsor : upon this Sig
nal, the Militia on the West side of Hudson's River, in the Coun
ties of Orange and Ulster, as far up as Col. Harbrouk's Regiment,
including the same, are to march by detachments, without further
notice, as a Reinforcement of this Garrison, and the Militia on the
East side of the River, as far up as Poughkeepsie, including Col. ¦
Freus' Regiment, to march for the reinforcing the Garrison under
Gen. Putnam.
" This order is immediately to be published by the Command
ing officer at Fort Constitution, and copies of it transmitted by him
to Capt. Lieut. Machin, of the Artillery at New Windsor, that he
may cause the same to be published there."
In the month of September Capt. Machin was engaged in the
recruiting service, as his correspondence with Col. John Lamb, his
commanding officer, doth show.
Early in October, to make a diversion in favor of Gen. Bur
goyne, Sir Henry Clinton ascended the Hudson with his army,
and succeeded, with a severe loss, in storming Forts Montgomery
and Clinton, on the west bank of the Hudson, six miles below
West Point — one on either side of Poplopin's kill. At the time
of the attack on the former fort, Capt. Machin managed a heavy
gun which did fearful execution in the ranks of the assailants.
As the army drew near the fort, late in the afternoon, Machin saw
a man step from the ranks of the enemy and poise his musket to
fire at him. He had just prepared his ordnance for a discharge,

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 561
loaded to the muzzle with round, grape and double headed bar
shot, the latter projecting from the gun ; as he caught the eye of
the soldier who had raised his piece to fire on him. Machin's gun
ner in the act of applying the match, was shot down by his side,
and the former snatching the linstock from the hand of the fallen
hero applied it to the gun, the contents of which mowed a fearful
swath, causing the assailants to fall back. At the instant the
match was applied, Machin received a bullet in his body, and re
tired with the wounded. The ball entered his breast and came
out under his right shoulder. A man who was aiding the woun
ded captain, near sundown, in his retreat, was shot and fell upon
him, and it was with no little difficulty he extricated himself from
his dying comrade. It began to grow dark, when Machin asked
a retreating soldier if he could not help him. " It is a d — dgood
fellow who can help himself," was the unfeeling reply, as the
man passed on. Capt. Machin was soon after taken into a boat
and thus made his escape. On the morning following, Capt. Mil-
ligan of Orange county, who had been wounded the preceding
evening in one knee, was discovered near the river, by the ene
my, of whom he begged for quarters ; instead of granting which,
his unfeeling foes bayoneted and threw him down the rocks.
While recovering from his wounds Capt. Machin was entertained
at the house of Gov. Clinton, from whose family he received the
kindest treatment. The Americans, on losing Forts Montgomery
and Clinton, abandoned Fort Constitution as untenable, leaving in
their retreat considerable booty to the enemy. Gen. Vaughan then
ascended the river as far as Kingston, burning it and destroying
a large quantity of military stores there collected; soon after
which most of the army returned to New York city ; evacuating
the captured forts, but retaining and fortifying Stoney Point, a
few miles below Forts Montgomery and Clinton.
Early in December Capt. Machin was so far recovered from
his wound as to be engaged in his regular duties, as the following
Clinton papers will show. " Little Britain, 1st Dec'r, 1777.
" Dear Machin — I wrote to Doctor Tappen and Maj. Billings
some time ago to endeavor to provide me a house at or near Pough-

562 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
keepsie, providing the legislature determined to meet at that place ;
since which I have not heard from them. Mrs. Clinton is anxious
to get settled again, and as I believe Poughkeepsie would be her
choice as well as the place where the legislature will meet, I will
be much obliged to you if you will be kind enough to take a ride
there, consult with Maj. Billings and Doct. Tappen, and concert
with them— -endeavor to procure some convenient house for me.
It will be no objection should it be a mile or two out of town.
"I offered Capt. Harris the use of my house this winter for his
family. He thinks it would be too lonesome for her, [his wife.]
But as Mrs. Bedlow is not to move to New Windsor, suppose Capt.
Harris was to move into my house and you was to take your lodg
ings with them ; and indeed Capt. Harris will be at home great
part if not the whole of the winter. Will you mention this to the
captain ?
" I have a cot at my house out of which the militia stole the
irons : will you get it repaired for me, as I have no other bed or
bedstead. " I am Dr. Sir, yours sincerely,
"GEO. CLINTON."
" P. S. If you go to Poughkeepsie advise me of it by a line. Maj. Taylor
will furnish you with a horse for the purpose."
"Poughkeepsie, 13lh Dec, 1777.
"Dear Machin — There are some mahogany boards in and about
our mill which Mrs. Clinton brought from Capt. Nevin's, which I
wish you would measure and secure for me. You forgot to send
my razors ; pray let me have them by first good conveyance.
"Yours sincerely,
"GEO. CLINTON."
"P. S. We are all well.
" Mis. Clinton's compliments to you." " Poughkeepsie, 19th Dec'r, 1777.
" Dear Sir — I am much obliged to you for the wood, &c, you
have sent me by Serg't Halsted. The sloop carries but six and a
half cords of wood : I have therefore got but that quantity. The
Sheep the sergeant tells me he put up in my stable and gave
them in charge of some militia that were threshing : in the mor
ning they were gone, so that I have not got them. I suppose, or
at least it is likely, they stole them. I wish you would try to find
them again, and when you come to see us throw them in the bot
tom of your slay [sleigh] and you shall eat part of them. Sam
gave your saddle-bags to Col. Dubois' Bob, who promised fo take
care of them for you. Col. Taylor promised to send Mrs. Clinton
two pots, which he has forgot; perhaps you may have an opportu
nity to send or bring them. As to my house and farm, I leave it
entirely at your discretion and disposal. I wish to oblige Capt.
Harris, but if he declines you can let it to who [whom] you
please. I wish to have the timber saved as much as possible.

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 563
" I had letters from Head Quarters dated the 3d and 10th in
stant. No News there. Gen. Washington is anxious about se
curing the river. Putnam is ordered to turn his whole attention to
that business, and will be up with his troops in a few days.
Colonels Webb and Ely were taken in a sloop with about thirty men,
crossing to Long Island, by an armed brig. Gen. Parsons has had
a brush with the Hessians, beat them and took one field piece, it
is said, but wants confirmation. Ensign Adamson about a week
ago broke his parole and went off", but was fortunately taken with
six other rascals, in Mile- Square — two of them negroes he had se
duced off. Mrs. Clinton joins in best respects to you and love to
Caty. I wish to see you soon. "Yours sincerely,
" GEO. CLINTON,"
The following is the copy of a letter from Capt. Machin to the
New York Council of Safety, preserved among his papers :
" To the Honorable Committee of New Windsor:
" Gentlemen — It will be needless for me to point out to you
the necessity of some speedy obstructions being made in Hudson's
river, against gun-boats, galleys and small crafts that will pro
bably come up at the first opening of the spring, and prevent our
making such necessary works as may preserve the good people
on the banks of the river, from the revenge of a merciless enemy
{remember Kingston), towards effecting which, much time has al
ready elapsed and but little done, which drives me to the necessi
ty of applying to the Honorable Committee on this occasion.
" We shall want a large quantity of timber for the Chain,
which cannot be got up the river on account of the frost ; and
when the frost breaks up it will be too late for our business. I
shall not think it consistent with my duty to distress any indivi
dual by cutting all the timber off one man's land, and thereby
render a good farm of little value ; and I cannot always be with
men in the woods : useless destruction may be made by them un
less over seen by somebody to prevent it. For this purpose I
should be glad if the Honorable Committee will appoint a Wood
Ranger to oversee the business, that the Master Carpenters may
apply to him for such timber as they shall receive orders to get.
It ought to be a person in disinterested circumstances, a man of
honor, resolution and stability. A compliance with this will
much forward the present business and oblige — gentlemen,
" You humble servant,
THOS. MACHIN.
New Windsor, 22d Feb., 1778.
The following letter from Gen. James Clinton to Capt. Ma
chin, is of a private rather than public character ; and shows that

564 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, \
some men even at that early day, were rather above their busi
ness : or had conceived that sickly modern notion of its being
dishonorable or disgraceful to labor. If- it be honorable to dis
obey the commands of God, then indeed is it dishonorable to
work — but if not — not. r "Little Britain, March, ith, 1778.
" Dear Sir — I received your favor by Lieut. Strachan with a
few lines from Col. Taylor inclosed, concerning a complaint that
Capt. Young has made against Capt. Mills, (both ofthe Artificers,)
but as Col. Taylor does dot set forth what injury Capt. Mills has
done Capt. Young, I can't give you any advice about the matter.
" I think your letter seems to confirm the charge against both of
them ; for what can stain an officer's character more than not do
ing his duty ? A captain of a company of artificiers, if he does
his duty, will have harder work than any of the privates, and I
think you are answerable for their conduct, as you have the charge
of the work ; and if they dont do their duty you must arrest them,
if nothing else will do.
" If they be gentlemen of such high spirits as to think it a scan
dal for them to work because they bear the title of captain, I think
they might decide such disputes between themselves without troub
ling any officer with it. Inclosed you have Col. Taylor's report,
and if I must give my opinion of the matter, let me know what
stories Capt. Mills has propagated against Capt. Young.
" I am, Sir, Yours,
" JAMES CLINTON, B. G."
The following papers will show the spring of 1778, like that
of the preceding year, to have been a very busy one in the High
lands of the Hudson :
" Sir: — As Col. Laradiere has left us, I wish you, if you can be
absent from New Windsor for a day to come to this port to-morrow
or the day after, to advise about the proper method of fortifying
this place. " From, Sir, your humble servant,
" SAM'L H. PARSONS.
" West Point, 11th March, 1778."
" Monday afternoon, March 11th, 1778.
"My Dear Captain: — You will receive by the bearer some paper
and all the white rope of the size mentioned we. have. I have sent
off Charley this minute to forward the cordage from Danbury, as
well as from Fairfield, but cant say what size there is at the latter
[place], as it is sent by Mr. Shaw, of New London, at the request
of Gen. Putnam, who never told me the sizes he ordered. I be
lieve there are no more cables to be expected of Mr. Ives till he

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 565
gets more hemp — at least, I understood him so. In my letter to
Gen. Putnam, I informed him, while he was in Connecticut, that
all sizes would be wanted, and advised that the whole cargo should
be bought.
"He referred the matter to Governor Trumbull, (and I imagine)
the Governor to Mr. Shaw, who may, possibly, serve himself first.
However, as I said before, Charles is gone to learn the true state
of what is on the road, and forward it along. When he returns,
which will be in two or three days, I expect, you shall hear further.
I will wait on the general, and let you know his orders concerning
the hands. Inclosed you have the general's order for the men re
quired. " I am, Dear Captain,
" Yours in truth,
" J. HUGHES.
"P. S. You have also an order on Sheaf at Wappinger's creek."
" Little Britain, March 20th, 1778.
" Dear Sir : — I expected to have been to see you before now, but
the riding was so bad I deferred it a little while, as I want to go to
the West Point. I send my boy for the papers if they are come.
" I suppose you begin to ketch [catch] some fish this fine weath
er ; if so, I would be glad you would send a few up here — and you
will oblige, Yours, "JAMES CLINTON."
The following paper, which is without date or signature, is in
the hand writing of Gov. Clinton, and was filed by Capt. Machin
as received from him March 20th, 1778 :
" Mr. Machin will write to Samuel Bronson, at Goshen, to know
if he has any knowledge of a lead mine in the mountains, about
nine miles off" the river, of which he once spoke to Thos. Smith,
Esq. " Mr. Machin will also go to Wawarsink and see the mine there
now working by one McDonald, and what prospect there is of work
ing it to purpose. It is said there is a lead mine near Mamecot-
tang [Mamakating, as now written], and one on this side the Shaw-
angunk mountains, of which make inquiry— Hjf the latter from CoL
Palmer, the former from everybody. Mr. Wisner has the samples
of them ; get those from him  in those of Wasink in Dutch
ess and  ." [Several words at the close of this paper are
rendered unintelligible.]
" Sir — if 'tis possible to spare any timber from the creek, I beg
you to order it rafted immediately for this place, where we are
in the greatest need of it; it ought not to be delayed a moment,
our information being of a nature which requires immediate at
tention to compleating the batteries. [Probably in the vicinity of
West Point.] Your obedient serv't,
" 3d April, 1778. SAML. H. PARSONS."

566 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
The following is the copy of a letter from Capt. Machin to
Gen. McDougal, which shows when the chain, which was stretch
ed across the Hudson at West Point, was completed.
" Honored Sir — Lieut. Woodward who I told you was at
Sterling iron works inspecting the chain, is now returned, and
informs me that seventeen hundred feet of the Great Chain,
which is more than equal to the breadth of the river at the place
last fixed upon, is now ready for use. The capson [capstan] and
docks are set up at the lower place ; the mud blocks are launched
and only wait for good weather to carry them down : four cannon,
twelve and nine pounders are at the beach, also waiting for
weather to go down : four more will be ready by Saturday ; and
if no unforseen accident should appear, I shall be able to send
down four cannon next week. If the weather should be favorable,
I am in hopes we shall be able to take the chain down all fixed
in about 6 days. Lieut. Woodward was ordered by Gen. Parsons
to assist me at those works, and as he is a gentleman well skilled
in mechanical powers, and a person of steady application, it will
put me much out of the way to have him removed at this time.
Should therefore be glad if you will continue him in the work, as
somebody must be in his place, and to take an entire stranger at
this time will be onerous and dangerous. I am, dear sir,
Your humble servant,
THOS. MACHIN."
" The Honorable Maj. Gen. McDougal.
" April 20th, 1778." " Poughkeepsie, 3d May, 1778.
" Dear Sir — I received your letter of yesterday and am happy
to learn that the chain is across the river, and that you had the
good fortune to accomplish it so expeditiously and so much to your
satisfaction. " I am informed that old Mr. Teabout, who lives (or did lately)
at Van Deuzens, near the Clove, has a phaeton that he will dispose
of. If so, and it is a neat, good one, as I am told it is, I wish to
buy it, provided it can be had at a reasonable price. A new one
used to cost about £80. I would be willing to give something
more now. Will you call and take a look at it — know the price,
and if good and reasonable purchase it for me. The sooner you
see it the better. Yours, sincerely,
"Capt Machin. GEO. CLINTON."
The following paper tells credibly for the skill and character of
Capt. Machin :
" I hereby certify that about the middle of July, 1776, Capt.
Machin, of the Artillery, came to Fort Montgomery, and by the

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 567
direction of His Excellency, Gen. Washington, was there employ
ed in laying out and erecting works for the defence of that place,
and for securing the pass to Anthony's Nose, until towards the lat
ter partof August, when Gen. James Clinton took the command of
that post. That in December following, Capt. Machin was em
ployed in constructing chevaux-de-frize for obstructing the navi
gation of Hudson's river, opposite Pollopel's island ; and that he
continued in that business, sinking the same, making the necessa
ry preparations for fixing the chain across the river at Fort Mont
gomery, and occasionally superintending the works at that place,
until some time in June 1777, when Gen. Putnam took the com
mand of the army in the neighborhood of the North river, and by
his orders Capt. Machin was employed in constructing and making
booms to draw across the river in front of the chain, till the reduc
tion of that fort by the enemy, at which time he was badly wound
ed. And I have reason to believe, that upon his recovery he has
been steady employed to this time in the necessary preparations
for fixing the new chain across the river, completing one of the
booms, the chevaux-de-frize, and raising the galley which was
sunk on the enemy's advance up the river. In justice to Capt.
Machin I am bound to add, that while he was under my command
he discovered great diligence and industry in forwarding the differ
ent works committed to his care, and that in the execution of them
he experienced an uncommon share of labor and fatigue, being
often necessarily exposed to work in the water in very cold weath
er. " Given under my hand at Poughkeepsie, this 17th of August,
1778, GEO. CLINTON."
The expenses of placing obstructions in the Hudson at the
Highlands, were necessarily very great. An account current, in
the hand writing of Capt. Machin, shews an indebtedness (before
deducting assets,) of the " Quarter Master General, to Noble &
Townsend, proprietors for the Sterling Iron Works," for some
135 tons of iron wrought into booms, bolts, clips, chains, swivels,
clevises, bands, &c, oi fourteen thousand eight hundred and sixty-
nine dollars and eighty nine cents ; nearly all of which is accre
dited in the latter part of the year 1777. Another memorandum
among the Machin papers, which is headed " A general abstract
of several companies of Artificers employed in the works obstruct
ing the navigation of Hudson's River, under the direction of Capt.
Thomas Machin, Superintendent," gives the footing of the Pay
rolls for the labor of twelve companies of artificers, which
amounts to eleven thousand eighty-nine dollars and fifty cents :

568 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
the longest term for which any of the Rolls was made being from
Dec, 1776, to the first of June, 1777. After the enemy evacu
ated Fort Montgomery, and the Americans began to repair those
works in the fall of 1777, a dock, anchor and booms, for obstruct
ing the river at that place, were again constructed by Capt. Ma
chin, as engineer, agreeably to the orders of Gen. Putnam, as his
papers show.
The iron of which the mammoth chain used at West Point was
manufactured, was wrought from ore in equal parts from Sterling
and Long Mines, Orange county, N. Y. The links of this chain
weighed from 100 to 150 pounds each. The whole chain weigh
ed 186 tons.* This chain was buoyed up in the middle of the
river by several large spars, secured a few feet apart by strong
timbers framed into them, upon which the chain rested. Every
Fall it was drawn on shore by a windlass and the float taken
out — both being replaced early in the Spring. — {Capt. Eben Wil
liams.) The chain, as may be supposed, was properly fastened
on shore at the ends. Several writers have promulged an error
by stating that a chain was stretched across the Hudson, at West
Point, in the Autumn of 1777.
A chain of half the diameter of the one placed at West Point,
in the Spring of 1778, was drawn across the river near Fort
• Report of W. Horton, assistant Geologist in 1838, on the geology of Or
ange county.
In addition to the above, I glean the following facts from a letter from Pe
ter Towftsend, Esq., of New York, to Mr. Franklin Townsend, of Albany:
the latter gentleman is a great-grandson of Peter Townsend, of Chester, the
principal contractor for manufacturing the chain. The Sterling Iron Works, in
Sterling, Orange county, are situated 25 miles back of West Point, and have
been in extensive operation since about the year 1750. Col. Timothy Pick
ering, who was entrusted with the responsibility of making the chain, ac-.
companied by Capt. Machin, arrived at the house of Mr. Townsend, in Ches
ter, late on a Saturday evening, earlyin March, 1778. The latter gentleman
readily agreed to construct the chain, and such was their zeal in the popular
cause, that the parties left Chester at midnight, in a violent snow-storm, and
rode to the Sterling works, a distance of fourteen miles, to commence the,
job. At daylight on Sunday morning, Mr. Townsend had all his forges in
operation, and the chain was begun. The work went on without interruption
the herculean task was finished, and the chain, carted in sections by New.
England teamsters, delivered at West Point in six weeks.

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK.

569

Montgomery, in Nov., 1776. This chain, which, agreeably to
the letter of Peter Townsend, already quoted, was made at the
Ringwood Iron Works, New Jersey, and composed of cold short
iron, was broken by the enemy in the fall of 1778. The West
Point chain crossed the river just above the Point to Constitution
Island, a distance of some 1500 feet. It was guarded by a
strong battery, erected at each end to command its approach, and
was never molested by the enemy.

WEST POINT, AS SEEN IN 1780.
Explanation. — A, a battery on Constitution island. B, the great
chain suspended across the Hudson. C, Fort Clinton on the West
Point. The latter, which occupied nearly the present site of the
military academy, commanded a southern approach to the Point.
The following letter, found in the correspondence of the Pro
vincial Congress of N. Y., shows the result of the survey, made
agreeably to the request of Gen. Schuyler, in the Autumn of
1776 : "Nov. 22, 1776.
" In consequence of a letter received by us, the subscribers,
members of the secret committee, from the Committee of Safety,
dated the — day of November instant, when we were at Fort
Montgomery fixing the chain across the river, enclosing an extract
from Gen. Schuyler, requesting the Convention to have the river
sounded in different places in the Highlands, we have sounded the

570 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY.
river, beginning between Verplanck's and Stoney Point, thence
northward through the Highlands to PollopePs Island, and find no
part of the river in that distance less than eighty feet deep in the
main channel, till within a short distance of the island.
" From the island to the western shore, we found, by measure
ment, the distance to be fifty three chains ; the channel near the
middle of the river at that place, is about eighty chains broad, and
about fifty feet deep ; from the channel the water shoals gradually
on both sides to the flats, which are about eight or ten chains
broad, reckoning both sides. This above described place is the
only one, in our opinion, that it is possible for an obstruction to be
made by docking, effectually to impede the navigation of Hudson's
river, at any place above the south part of the Highlands.
"HENRY WISNER.
" GILBERT LIVINGSTON."
In accordance with the survey made as above certified, chev-
auxdefrize were sunk in the river between Pollopel's Island and
the west bank of the river, under the direction of Capt. Machin.
The chain which guarded the river near Fort Montgomery, parted
twice soon after it was fastened. The following certifies- to the
accident : " Fort Montgomery, Dec. 9, 1776.
" These are to certify that the chain that has been stretched
across the North river at this fort, has been broke twice ; the first,
a swivel broke, which came from Ticonderoga, which was not
welded sound ; the second time, a clevin broke, which was made
at Poughkeepsie, in a solid part of the chain, and no flaw to be
seen in any part of said chain. Which we do certify at the re
quest of Messrs. Odie and Vanduzer.
"JAMES CLINTON, B. Gen.
"ABM. SWARTWOUT, Capt.
"JAS. ROSECRANS, Capt.
" DANL. LAWRENCE, Lieut."
This chain, which was stretched across the river from Fort
Montgomery to Anthony's Nose, was 1800 feet long. The State
Committee authorized Capt. Machin to alter it or change its place.
Below the chain he placed a boom. Of those works the historian
Botta thus observes : " They were remarkable for their perfection,
and had been executed with equal industry and difficulty."
Several writers have stated that skillful engineers were sent
out by the King of France to explore the Highlands of the Hud-

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 571
son, and locate suitable defences; that they superintended the
erection of forts and obstructions along the river, for which they
were never paid. This is all untrue. The Continental Congress
recommended a survey of the Hudson, and the erection of seve
ral batteries in the Highlands, as early as May, 1775. In June
following, Col. James Clinton and Christopher Tappen were ap
pointed by the Provincial Congress pf New York to designate sites,
and having reported to that body, it resolved to build them. Com
missioners to superintend the construction ofthe works were select
ed from the delegates, of which number John Berrien acted as com
missary. Bernard Romans, then a pensioner from the British crown,
was employed to act as engineer, and entered upon the duties in
the latter part of September. Fort Constitution, situated on
" Martelair's Rock Island," afterwards called Constitution Island,
in the east side of the Hudson, just above the West Point, was
then commenced. Some difficulty having arisen between the en
gineer and commissioners, a special committee visited the works
in December, to reconcile the existing differences. They censured
the course ofthe engineer in not consulting the commissioners — dis
approved of the plan adopted, as too expensive for the benefits
likely to accrue, and recommended the erection of defensive works
at Poplopins' kill. , Romans continued at Fort Constitution until
some time in the winter.
In January, 1776, the erection of a battery, to mount 30 guns,
was commenced by Thomas Grennell, one of the commissioners,
on an eminence 714 yards east of West Point, to command the
stretch of the river above and below it, about which time a bat
tery, to mount eighteen heavy cannon, was begun on a gravel
hill, 500 yards eastward of Fort Constitution, and 1700 north of
the other battery, intended to cover the fort and scour the West
Point. In Feb., 1776, Capt. Smith, Gen. Lee's engineer, suc
ceeded Mr. Romans, and began the construction of Fort Mont
gomery, on the north chop of Poplopin's kill, 6 miles distant
from Fort Constitution : and soon after, Fort Clinton, on the south
side of the kill was commenced.
Application having been made in June, 1776, to Gen. Wash"
37

572 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
ington for an engineer, by the Provincial Congress of New York,
he agreed to send them one " who would take the whole direction
of the works in the Highlands ;" whereupon the commissioners
were discharged from further service. The engineer sent, as has
been shown, was Capt. Thomas Machin.
The correspondence inserted will serve to show the reader, to
some extent, the duties performed by Capt. Machin in the High
lands. Under his direction, forts Montgomery and Clinton were
completed, * and several other forts and batteries along the' river
planned and erected, and the navigation obstructed. After the
enemy destroyed forts Montgomery and/ Clinton, the latter was
never rebuilt, but a strong fortress was placed on West Point,
(the present site of the military academy,) and given the same
name. Above, and commanding this fort, stood Fort Putnam, the
ruins of which are still visible, and on an eminence, half a mile
south-west of [the former, was a strong reboubt called Fort
Willis. Early in Jan., 1778, John Sloss Hobart, Henry Wisner, John
Hathorn, and Zeph. Platt, delegated for that purpose by the
State Congress, Generals Putnam and George Clinton, the Lieut.
Col. Of Engineers, Capt. Machin, and several other military gen
tlemen, met at Poughkeepsie, to consult about fortifying and ob
structing the Hudson ; and the works located at and near West
Point, were placed there in accordance with their views. Gene
rals Schuyler, Lee, Sterling, and a few other officers, were also
consulted on some occasions, about fortifying the river.
The following letter from poet. Freeman, shows Capt. Machin
still engaged in the Valley of the Hudson.
" Sandwich, August 10th. 1778.
" Dear Sir— Your favor by Mr. Williams I received, also one
before; am very glad to hear you are well, and employing your
ingenuity and abilities in such a glorious cause, and with such
promising aspects.
" Your'chest of 'books* and instruments are safe here, and ready
to be delivered to your order at any time, and should be very happy
to see you here yourself, which hope shall have opportunity for ere
long. Mr. Williams can tell you all y° news from this quarter,
to whom I refer you*. He manifests a great regard for you, and

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW TTQRK. 573
any favor you can show him will meet my sincerest gratitude, as
he is my neighbor and friend. Your letters give me much satis
faction, and would have been answered before, but for want of
opportunity. As often as you write me you will greatly oblige
your affectionate friend and humble serv't.
" N. FREEMAN."
" Mrs. Freeman sends her compliments, &c."
" P. S. Our report respecting the channel was seasonably made
and in favor of it, but nothing done."
Lieut. Woodward, mentioned by Capt. Machin as being his
assistant at West Point, became after they separated his constant
correspondent. The following is one of his letters.
" White Plains, 5th Sept. 1778,
" Dear Captain — This is the fourth time of my writing without
hearing or receiving from you. I believe you to be buried by this.
Give me joy; I am ordered to join Capt. Walker, who- is annexed
to Gen. Huntington's Brigade near the Artillery Park. We live
exceedingly happy on rum, beef and bread. The board of officers
are sitting to settle the rank of the regiment, which makes me sorry
you are not present. I waited on Gen. Parsons yesterday, who
expressed surprise that you had not got down yet. Your company
does duty with Capt. Wool's in Gen, Clinton's Brigade. Your
lads are all well and want to see you. Our Captains are all high
for rank. I hope you will not forget my foiles, but send them
down by the first opportunity. I should be very glad if you can
send down my ward, which is in my chest at Mr. Fraser's. Give
my tender regards to Mrs. Logan and the Maj. if returned' — also
to all your friends as well as mine.
" Your friend,
" PETER WOODWARD."
In a bill of expenses for extra services, Capt. Machin rendered
in 1778, are the following items : " Exploring Hudson's River
from the 1st day of Jan. with 7 men 6 days, £6 10 0 ; expenses
of getting down the chain logs with 40 men 4 days, .£6 0 0 ; ex
penses in raising the Lady Washington galley at Kingston creek
20 days, j£9 10 6." This vessel "was purposely sunk on the
enemy's approach the preceding October.
In the years 1777 and 1778, Capt. Machin paid out, indepen
dent of sums already named, as appears from the vouchers among
his papers, between thirty and forty thousand dollars — mostly for
obstructing the River. The usual price paid carpenters per day
was $0.932— foreman $l-50 '• blacksmiths from $1.37£ to $1.50

574 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
— -foreman $2: artificers same as blacksmiths: shipwrights $1.
50 — foreman $2.12^, and captains of companies $3. "Joshua
Marriner, super-instructor of the artificers, employed in making
carriages and stocking cannon," had $2 per day. Men employed
in the summer of 1778, in burning coal to be used in preparing
obstructions for the River, received Is. 6d, or 93| cents per day.
The burning of coal from January to August of that year
amounted, as appears by vouchers, to two hundred and forty dol
lars. A few pounds of sole-leather used in making pump boxes:
to aid in raising sunken vessels, was paid for at the rate of $1.25
per pound.
As appears from Capt. Machin's papers, he acted in the latter
part of 1776, and early part of 1777, under the direction of Gov.
Clinton: in the latter, part of that year and early part of 1778,
under that of Maj. Gen. Putnam; and in the summer and autumn
of 1778, under that of Brig. Gen. Parsons.
To secure the passage of the Hudson through the Highlands
against the enemy's shipping, was considered of most vital impor
tance ; and its principal direction being assigned to Capt. Machin,
tells credibly for his skill and integrity.
In the spring of 1779, as a part of the meditated invasion of
the Indian country in New-York by Gen. Sullivan; Col. Van
Schaick marched to Onondaga, as I have shown, to destroy the
possessions of that nation. The following journal of that trans
action is on file among Capt. Machin's papers. ,
f% " Early on Monday morning, 19th of April, 1779 — Marched
from Fort Schuyler with a detachment of troops consisting of 568
men including officers ; and after marching [putting] eight days
provision into bateaus which had been conveyed over the carrying
place in the night, and leaving a sufficient number of soldiers to
assist the bateaumen to get the boats down Wood Creek, with five
officers to hurry them on — the remainder of the troops marched to
the old scow place, twenty-two miles by land, but much more by
water : the troops arrived by 3 o'clock P. M., but the boats did not
all arrive until 10 o'clock, having been much obstructed by trees
which had fallen across the Creek. As soon as the boats arrived
the whole of the troops embarked,(and on entering the Onidahogo
[Oneida Lake], was much impeded by a cold head wind. Made
one halt in the night for the rearmost boats to come up, and then

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 575
proceeded to Posser's Bay, where we arrived at 8 o'clock in the
morning of the 20th, to wait again for the coming up of the boats,
when we continued with as much expedition as possible to the On
ondaga Landing opposite the old fort, and arrived there at 3 o'clock
P. M. from whence, after leaving the boats with properLguard, we
marched eight or nine miles on our. way to the Onondaga settle
ment and lay on our arms all night without fire, not being able to
continue our marching — dark — the night cold. Very early on the
21st proceeded on to the old Salt Lake, and at 9 o'clock A. M.
forded an arm of that Lake two, hundred yards over and four feet
deep a considerable part of the way : pushed on to the Onondaga
Creek, where Capt. Graham with his company of Light Infantry
took an Onondaga warrior prisoner, which was the first Indian we
had' discovered. Ordered Capt. Graham to endeavor to surround
the first Onondaga settlements which were about two miles off,
and hastening on the troops by companies as fast as he crost the
Creek upon a log— the Creek not being fordable. I soon arrived
with the whole detachment at the principal Castle, but was before
apprised of their having discovered our advanced parties while they
were taking some prisoners, upon which I ordered different routes
to be taken by several different detachments in order to surround
as many of their settlements as possible at the same time, which
extended eight miles in length, with some scattered habitations
lying back of the coasts and on the opposite side of the Creek ;
but notwithstanding, entered their first settlement in the most secret
manner and quite undiscovered by them. They soon received the
alarm throughout the whole and fled to the woods, but without
being able to carry off any thing with them. We took thirty-three
Indians and one white prisoner, and killed twelve Indians — the
whole of their settlement consisting of about fifty houses, with a
quantity of corn and every other kind of stock we found were
killed [destroyed] — about one hundred guns, some of which were
rifles, were among the plunder, the whole of which, after the men
had loaded [themselves] with as much as they could carry, was
destroyed, with a considerable quantity of ammunition : one swivel
taken at the Council House had the trunnions broken off and
otherwise damaged : in fine, the destruction of all their settle
ments was compleat, after which we begun our march back re-
crossing the Creek, and forded the arm of the Lake alongside of
which we encamped on very good ground ; having been once in
terrupted in our return by a small party of Indians who fired at us
from the opposite side of the Creek, but were soon beat off by
Lient. Evans' riflemen, with the loss of one killed on the part of
the enemy and none on ours ; unfair weather all this day. 22d
marched down to the landing ; found bateaus in good order ; re-
embarked and rowed down to the Seven Miles' Island where we
encamped — fair weather. 23d, crossed the Lake and landed two
miles up Wood Creek; at two o'clock left two companies to guard
and assist the bateaumen in getting up the boats— marched eight
miles and encamped alongside Feals Creek — fair weather. Sa-

576 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
turday 24th, small shower of rain on our march to the Fort, where
we arrived at 12 o'clock; having been out five days and a half,
the whole distance of going out and returning being one hundred
eighty miles, not having lost a single man."
In May, 1779, Capt. Machin was engaged in taking a water-
level between Albany and Schenectada, with a view of supply
ing the former city with water. He submitted a plan for this
object to the city corporation, with drawings to show the manner
in which an aqueduct and reservoir should be constructed.
Agreeable to his table of levels, a mark on a post at the water
ing trough at Bratt's half-way house, was 277 feet 3fW inches
above the city hall wharf. The first mile stone out of Albany
was 211 feet 5*-fo inches below the mark at Bratt's.
Capt. Machin, as engineer, was in Sullivan's expedition to the
Genesee valley in 1779. At Canajoharie he received one, and at
Otsego lake the other, ofthe following letters from Dr. Young.
"Dear Sir— Yours of the 21st by Doct. Maus came safe to
hand this forenoon, and gives me the greatest pleasure to find
things are conducted with spirit. The fortunate capture and im
mediate execution of Lieut. Hare, will, I hope, produce good
consequences, as it will convince the enemy, that we have spirit
enough to retaliate, and chastise them for their savage barbarity.
The surgeon of Hazen's regiment writes Doct. Stringer, that Ha
zen, with about half the regiment are within 40 miles of St.
Johns, that many Canadians had joined him, that the Canadians
in bulk (a few of the lowest of the people excepted,) are strongly
attached to the cause of the Americans. That two French frigates
have lately made their appearance in St. Paul's Bay, near Isle a
Caudre, and that no English vessels had arrived this season,
which causes some to imagine that the French have a fleet in the
river. The news from Charles Town, I think may be depended
upon — as soon as it comes officially from Congress, I will trans
mit it to you by the first opportunity. Continue to write, and ex
pect the most material occurrences in our quarter in return; TwO
members of Congress, viz: Doct. Weatherspoon and Col. Atlee
passed thro' this place to the state of Vermont, on Monday ; pro
bably to deliver to them [Vermonters] the sentiments of Congress
concerning their separation from this state.
" Please to present my compliments to the gentlmen of the
Artillery Corps, and believe me to be with sincere esteem,
Your Friend and Serv't,
JOS. YOUNG."
" Albany, June 22d, 1779."

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 577
"Dear Sir — I acknowledge the receipt of yours of the 25th
inst., and am happy to hear that every thing has succeeded so
well hitherto — hope your may glide, on in the same current of
good fortune, till the end of a glorious campaign, and return to
Albany crown'd with unfading laurels. Another acct. of our suc
cess over the enemy at Charles Town is arrived, the particulars
of which will be transmitted to the Gen. by Capt. Lush.
"A Pennsylvania paper is in town, containing a speech of one
Gordon, in the house of Commons, equal in freedom and smart:
ness to Junius's letters — could I procure it, I would inclose it.
Our little fleet in raany late instances has demurr'd to the claim of
the haughty Britons, to the universal empire of the sea ; and have
convinced some of them that their claim was not well founded,
by a most powerful train of well directed arguments, leaving them
high and dry at anchor in the state house at Philadelphia. One
of the British litigants never put in a plea, but suffered judgment
to pass against him by default.
" D'Estaing's and the English fleets, are both out at sea of
nearly equal numbers, and in sight of each other ; by which cir
cumstance it is conjectured there will be much chopping of logic,
and many learned and forcible arguments made use of pro and
contra, when the pleas are closed, 'tis said a jury of surgeons
meet to decide upon the merits of the cause in question : when I
receive their verdict I will transmit it to you — as it may have a tend
ency to elucidate some points, that are at present under the con
sideration of the literati, both at St. James' and Philadelphia.
Till which I am Your friend and servant,
JO. YOUNG."
" Albany, June 27th, 1779."
The following extracts are from a letter to Capt. Machin while
at Otsego lake:
" The southern news still remains without a confirmation from
Congress." [The southern news alluded to by Young and Rut
gers, was no doubt the abortive attempt of the British army un
der Provost, to capture the city of Charleston, S. C, about the
middle pf May.] " Though there is not the least doubt of its be
ing true. The enemy are yet at King's Ferry. A few days since
it was thought they were coming up; as some heavy cannons, are
arrived from the eastward, I think we shall be in tolerable good
order to receive them, if ever they get in earnest about it.
" Gen. Washington is at New Windsor and quarters at Col-
Ellison's. The park of artillery I hear is at Chester, and the in.
fantry scattered in the defiles of the mountains near the garrison.
The inhospitable mountains not suffering the army to remain in
their usual compact order. ,
Your most obedient, &c,
HENRY RUTGERS, Jun."
While under Sullivan, Capt. Machin executed a handsome map

578 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
of Cayuga and Seneca lakes, with the distances on the Way out
at intervals of one mile each, from Tioga Point to the end of the
route, which terminated nearly sixty miles west of the outlet of
Seneca lake ; and back to the starting place.*
While Sullivan's army was in the Indian country an incident
occurred to which I have before alluded, some additional particu
lars of which may prove interesting. An advance party which
was opening a road for the army and protected by a strong cover
ing party, were attacked by Kayingwaurto^ a Seneca chief, with
eighty-two warriors. The guard instantly ran to rescue the ad
vance, ahd a skirmish ensued in which that chief and two of his
followers were slain. The enemy, from the noise and impetuo
sity of the attack, supposing the whole army was upon them
fled precipitately, leaving their packs, blankets, kettles, &c. Upon
the person of this Seneca chief was found a pocket book which
contained two papers of interest. One was a certificate of which
the following is very nearly a copy.
" This may certify that Eayingwaurto, the Sanake Chief, has
been on an expedition to Fort Stanwix and has taken two scalps, t
one from an officer ahd a corporal that were a gunning near the
fort, for which I promise to pay at sight, ten dollars for each scalp.
" Given under my hand at Buck's Island.
"JOHN BUTLER, Col. and Supt.
" of the Six Nations and the '
" Allies of his Majesty."
* The route pursued as marked upon this map crosses Spring creek near
the Tioga, into which it empties, twenty-one miles from its mouth, and pass
ing up the west side of that stream a few miles, struck the head waters of
Seneca creek. The route continued some five or six miles along the west
side of the creek, then crossing, was continued upon its eastern side With
one exception at an angle, to " French Catharine's Town," Situated in a bend
ofthe creek three or four miles from its mouth. From Catharine's Town
the route led along the east side of Seneca lake crossing at a little distance
from the lake, twenty-five small streams which ran into it along its eastern
shore. Eleven miles from the outlet, probably in the present town of Ovid,
they destroyed an Indian village situated on the north side of a small creek,
and called on Machin's map "Candia." Crossing the outlet of Seneca lake,
the army proceeded westward, and a few miles from the lake destroyed
" Kanadesago," the largest of the Seneca towns.
t Those scalps were obtained by this Indian in the following manner. In
the summer of 1777, Capt. Greg left Fort Stanwix, or as then called Fort

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 579
It having been asserted in Congress, after the war, that there
was no evidence of the fact that the British government author
ized the payment of money for scalps, the certificate of Col. But
ler to Kayingwaurto, known by one of the New York members
to be in Machin's possession, was sent for, and was accordingly
forwarded to the seat of government : the evidence it contained
was satisfactory that Britain did buy American scalps, and thus
the controversy ended.
The other paper found in the pocket book of the Seneca Chief,
filed, " Convention of Whyoming," is an original manuscript un
der the hand and seal of John Butler and Kayingwaurto, the seal
of the latter being the figured emblem of a turtle.
" Westmoreland, 5th July, 1778.'
" This doth hereby certify that Lieutenant Elisha. Scovell has
surrendered his garrison with all his people to government, and to
remain as neutral during this present contest with Great Bri
tain and America ; in consideration of. which, Col. John Butler,
Superintendent of the Six Nations of Indians, their allies, &c,
Schuyler, one afternoon with a corporal also of that garrison, to shoot pi
geons. Toward night the fowlers, when about to return to the fort, were
fired upon by concealed foes. Greg, after receiving some blows on the head
with a tomahawk, was scalped, an Indian drawing off the bloody trophy with
his teeth. Securing also the scalp of the corporal who had been killed out
right, the Indians withdrew. Partially recovering, Capt. Greg thought if he
could pillow his aching head upon the body of his fallen comrade, it would
be a source of relief and ease a dying hour; and after several attempts he
succeeded in gaining that position: but to his great annoyance a little dog
kept up a continual yelping and whining. The bleeding captain was too sick
at heart to bear patiently the evidence of his dog's sorrow, and addressed him
as though a rational being. Said he, " If you wish So much to help me, go
and call some one to my relief!" To the surprise of the sufferer, at the close
of the command the dog ran off to three men belonging to the garrison, who
were fishing nearly a mile distant, and by his pitiful moans attracted their
notice. They doubtless knew whose dog it was, and as his appearance was
unusual, they agreed to follow him and have the mystery solved. After fol
lowing the dog for some distance, the sun being down and the forest danger-
ousj they were about to return, perceiving which the little messenger increa
sed his cries, and seizing their clothes in his teeth endeavored to pull them
toward the spot where his master lay. The fishermen now resolved to fol
low the dog at all hazards, and he soon led them to the scene of blood. The
corporal was hastily buried, and the captain carried to the fort where his
Wounds were dressed with care — he was restored to health and narrated the
above particulars to his friends. — Dr. Dwight.

580

HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,

with Kayingwaurto, the chief of the Sanake [Seneca]. Nation and
the- other chief warriors of the Six Nations, do promise, that they
shall live in the quiet possession of their places with their fami
lies, and shall be daily protected from insult as far as "lies in
their power, and provided that they should be taken it is our de
sire that they may forthwith be released.
" [L. s.] JOHN BUTLER.
" [Device of Turtle.] KAYINGWAURTO."
The map made by Capt. Machin also shows that on the return
of Sullivan's army from the Genesee country, it proceeded along
the north side of the outlet of Seneca Lake, destroying about
equi-distant from Seneca and '-Cayuga Lakes, an Indian village
called Scawyace. Crossing the outlet of Cayuga the route was
continued up the eastern side of the lake. " East Cayuga or Old
Town; Cayuga Castle; Upper Cayuga; and Chonodote," are
places noted on the map on this part of the route. Fourteen small
streams are located as having been crossed along the eastern
shore ofthe lake, all running into it before reaching its principal
tributary. Passing a few miles up the latter stream the army
crossed it, and continuing a south-westerly course came into the
road by which it had gone out, about five miles above the mouth
of Spring Creek. The following table of distances, made at the
time, is preserved with the map;
"Distance of Places from Eastown to Chennessee, [Geneseee]
Castle, taken in 1779, by actual survey.

Names of Places
From Eastown to Weoming,. 
To Lachawaneck Creek, 
" Quailuternunk, 
" Tunkhannunk Creek, 
" Meshohing Creek, 
" Vanderlip's Plantation 
" Wealusking Town 
" Wessawkin or Pine Creek, 
" Tioga, 
" Chemung,  , 
". Newtown,  , 
" French Catharine's Town, ........
" Candia or Apple Town, 
" The outlet of the Seneca Lake,
" Kanadesago or the Seneca Castle, . .
" Kanandaque, 
" Haunyauya, 
" Adjusta, 
" Cossauwauloughby  ,
" Chenesee Castle 

Miles.

Total.

65

65

10

75

7

82

11

93

9

102

5

107

8

115

141

1294

lo*

145

12

157

18

1651183|

27|

211

IH

2224

34

226

15$

241|

134

255

12$

2674

7

2744

54

280

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 581
" Distance from Kanadesago round the Cayuga Lake to New
town — Fort Reed.

9S

Names of Places.

Miles.

Total.

From Kanadesago to Scawyace, 
To across the outlet of the Cayuga,  : 
" The Cayuga Castle,  '.. 
" Chonodote, a town remarkable for a number of peach trees,
" The upper end of Cayuga Lake,. . 
' ' [A town on the map but not named,!  • 
And from thence to Newtown, otherwise Fort Reed, . ¦ 

84

17

10

27

34

304

23

534

5

584

274

86

The following letter from Gen. Clinton again found Capt. Ma
chin at New Windsor. " Little Britain, Oct. 31st, 1779.
" Dr. Sir — I received your favor and am much obliged to you
for the trouble you have taken : the key of my case is in the ma
jor's chest, I believe, so that you have done all for me I expected
or could wish you to do.
" I left East Town last Wednesday at the time the army set off
for Warwick, and had Gen. Sullivan's permission to go on before
the brigade to visit my family : when I got to Sussex Court House
there arrived an express from head quarters for our army to march
frpm East Town to Pumptown, btit as our army was then at Log
Gaol, within ten miles of Sussex Court House, I don't know what
route they have taken, but it was thought they would march from
thence to Hacket's Town and so to Pumptown.
" As I consider myself on furlough I can't pretend to order you
for the above reason, but would advise you to send the baggage
agreeable to Lt. Hervey's orders. I expect to go to head quarters
on Tuesday next, where I expect to receive orders what to do with
the troops of the brigade, &c. at New Windsor. In the mean time
let the commanding officer know that its my orders that he hold
them in readiness to march on the shortest notice.
' I am sir, yours, &c,
"JAMES CLINTON."
" P. S. I expect to be at N. Windsor on Tuesday as I go to head quarters,
when perhaps I will see yon."
The following extract of a letter from Lieut. Woodward to
Capt. Machin, dated "Newburgh, Nov. 20, 1779," shows Cupid
recruiting for his service in the American army-
" We have had the most surprising accident happen that ever
you could hear of, which is, that" a sergeant of our company has
run away with a young lady of this place by the name of Fauster,
who is the first fortune in town, and she is the only heiress."

582 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
I have before adverted to tbe suffering of the American army
in the winter of 1779 and 80 ; the following letters from Henry
Rutgers, Esq., and Dr. Young, allude to the same subject :
" New Windsor, Jan. 18, 1780.
" My Dear Sir — I was this moment favored with your letter of
the 14th inst., and with pleasure read its contents, as your troubles
were beginning to cease hy the necessaries of life coming in again.
By this time, I make no doubt, you have experienced every vicis
situde of fortune in almost every stage of your life — hunger, cold
and every inconveniency attending a soldier, you are no stranger
to. It is needless for me to moralize or philosophize on the sub
ject, to encourage your perseverence, as such arguments are famil
iar to you. One thing I would only beg leave to mention, which
is, that this spring, in my opinion, the war will either cease or be
transferred to some other part of the world ; as I conceive it im
possible for Britain to continue it at so great an odds. In either
case I shall, be content, as my country will then he enabled to re
cruit from the depredations committed upon her by the cruelty and
tyranny of Britain.
I was just now entertained with an agreeable view : 2 or 300
cattle passing to Windsor, on the ice, for head quarters. If enter
taining to me, what will you feel upon their arrival ! I flatter my
self that I anticipate the pleasure. Want of time and paper pre
vent my saying more, than that I wish you every succession of
happiness with the blessings of, the year. Mr. and Mrs. Bedlow,
with Miss Caty and Polly, join me in their professions for the
same, and believe me, dear Sir, that I remain
Your friend and very humble servant,
"HENRY RUTGERS.
" To Capt. Machin, at Morris Town."
" Dear Sir— I received your kind epistle of the 14th Instant, and
most feelingly sympathize with the noble boys who have suffered
such ucommon hardships without complaining. If this is not patri
otism, I will thank the British Despot that will inform me what it
is. However, I rejoice that you have obtained a supply of provi
sions, and hope you will not experience such another trial.
" We have nothing new in this quarter worth your notice ; but
hope, if Lord Sterling succeeds in his enterprise against Staten
Island, you will embrace the first opportunity to inform me ofthe
particulars, together with what other news you may hear from any
other quarter.* I hope soon to have the pleasure of seeing you in
* The enterprise to Staten Island proved a failure ; the American troops not
ariving in sight of the British garrison they were sent to surprise until after
day-light. Nearly a sleigh load of black soldiers, sent on the expedition,
were frozen to death. Col. Angel's regiment of blacks, although said tp
have been as brave, could not endure the cold as well as white soldiers. —
James Williamson.

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 583
Albany, when I will show you with what dexterity and pleasure I
ride my Electrical Hobby Horse. Till then I am
Your sincere friend and humble servant,
" JO. YOUNG.
"P. S. My kindest compl'ts to all my friends in camp.
"Albany, Jan'ry, 24, 1780."
The following letter, from Lieut. Patterson to Capt. Machin, is
inserted because of its historic interest :
" Fort Pitt, July 3d, 1780.
" Dear Sir — Nothing can contribute more to my happiness, in
this distant and remote part of the world, than a correspondence
with a gentleman of your natural and acquired abilities, upon the
genuine principles of true and disinterested friendship, and nothing
prevented me from writing sooner but a diffidence of my own abi
lities. " As the bearer is waiting I have only time to inform you of our
safe arrival at this post the twenty-fourth ult., very much fatigued,
after a long and tedious march, of near five weeks, from Carlisle.
I begin to find we shall not be so fond of the place as we imagined
before we arrived, for there is nothing but repeated scenes and
ideas, and such a sameness in every day's transactions, that will
make time glide on a very slow pace.
" The Fort is very pleasantly situated in the forks at the con
flux of the Mahangahela and Alleghana Rivers. It is very strong,
but the walls and barracks are much decayed, and the best build
ings were destroyed by the English when they evacuated the gar
rison. The town, which consists of about fifty log-houses and
cabins, is situated on the bank of the Mahangahela, about two or
three hundred yards from the Fort. There is [are] about fifty
Dalaware Indians and a number of Squaws at this place, which
[who] brought in a quantity of skins and furs, but it is hard for the
officers to get enough to supply their wants, there is such a num
ber of old traders that can talk Indian, and they are much fonder
to exchange them for shirts, blankets, &c, than any other way.
I am informed there are continually a number of them loitering
about town to draw provision.
" I shall inform you more particularly of the place the next op
portunity, by which time I will be better acquainted, and therefore
in my power to do it with more exactness. Please to write every
opportunity and inform me of your transactions at Head Quarters,
for we have scarcely ever any news here that can be depended on.
I am, with the greatest —
" Your most obedient and very humble servant,
" EZRA PATTERSON."
" Present my best compliments to Mr. Woodard and the Gent, of my ac
quaintance." The following copy of a letter of instruction to the committee

584 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
of conference with the Legislature of New York, shows the po
verty of the army in a peouniary view :
" Camp Steenrapin, Sept. 6th, 1780.
" Gentle'n. — We have chosen you our Committee to wait UpOn
the Legislature of the State of New York, for the important pur
poses of representing to that body the unhappy and distressing
situation of the troops under our command, and their immediate
care and direction, and of enforcing a speedy execution of the re
solves of Congress relative to the supplies necessary for the com
fortable subsistence of the army; and as well to ascertain and
liquidate the loss sustained by the army by the depreciation of the
currency, as. to obtain proper security for the payment thereof.
These, Gentle'n., are the essential objects to which we would call
your attention. The real depreciation upon the monies received
and expended by the Army you are well acquainted with, and the
most eligible mode to ascertain it, we conceive, will be by taking a
comparative view of the prices of articles most needed in camp, be
ginning at the first establishment of our present pay, and thence
computing at different periods the advance upon such articles.
You will please to have in view, that the pay of the troops has
been very irregular, and that they have seldom been with less
than three months' pay in arrears, and often with more ; especially
in the present year, the pay for which from the 1st of January is
still due, the depreciation on which can be computed at nothing
less than the real value of the money on the first of August.
With respect to the payment of such depreciated money as may
be due us, we think that cash, or nothing less than a real security
or Transfer of lands, will by any means answer the good inten
tions of the state, or relieve us. Certificates, or notes for payment,
we find by long experinece, like other paper credit, is subject to the
ebbs and flows of the times : we have had melancholly instances
of this in the Eastern States, where the notes given to the troops
have been sold at the most enormous discount, and the distresses
of their army, which the Legislatures had in view to relieve, have
by no means been removed. Good landed interest is secure from
these failures, and is the security we wish to receive ; it is such, if
conveyed to us firmly and bone-fide, will always form a capital up
on whieh we can draw without any discount. When we say land
ed interest, we mean, Gentlemen, improved estates, such as have
a real and immediate value, of which the state to which we be
long have an abundance, by the attainder of many of its inhabi
tants who have withdrawn themselves from its allegiance. In set
tling the value of these lands, it will be necessary for you to pay
particular attention to the mode to be adopted. We would recom
mend that three different men may be appointed under oath fpr
that purpose, and that we may have a voice in nominating as well
the persons to value, as the lands to be apprized. As Congress
has, by a resolve of the 24th of August last, recommended to the

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 585
different states to make provision for the widows and orphans of
Officers who have died or may die in the service, we request your
attention thereto, and that the provision therein recommended, or
some other, may be extended to the widows and orphans of the
Nqn-Commissioned Officers and soldiers in the like circumstances.
" We beg gentlemen that you will proceed as soon as possible
upon the important business to which you are delegated, and we
have the utmost confidence in your zeal and abilities to serve us,
we would wish you to consider these instructions more or less ab
solute as you shall find circumstances require, and to do whatever
else may be necessary for our interest, tho' not particularly men
tioned herein. We wish you, gentlemen, a pleasant journey and
happy success in your endeavors to serve us.
We are, gentlemen,
" To Lieut. Col. Willet, Yours &c."
Major Fish,
Capt. Machin."
I regret that I am not able to give the names of the officers
under whom the committee, on the part of the army acted. The
following letter from Lieut. Bradford directed to Capt. Machin
at the assembly, Poughkeepsie, or Esopus, affords but another
evidence of the sorry condition of the army in the fall of 1780,
and the importance of the committee's visit to the legislature.
" Head Quarters, 17th September, 1780.
" Dear Sir — This being the first conveyance since you left us,
you will permit me to enquire after your welfare, and to inform
you of that of your friends and acquaintances^in this quarter:
Capt. Mott and Lieut. Ashton excepted, the former is very ill, and
the latter much indisposed — since your departure we remain in
the same position, no alterations in the army in general, and but
few in our regiment. One circumstance which probably will not
be unexpected, [is,] that of the desertion of Mr. Gable ; he left
Capt. Moodie on the 14th inst., since which we have heard noth
ing from him. The night before he went off", Lieut. Brewster
lost every article out of his tent, the shirt on his back excepted,
and at the smallest computation his loss must amout to £4000.
Mr. Brewster's situation is truly chagrining ; and from some cir
cumstances appearing against Mr. Gable, that of his leaving his
blanket and knapsack, and stealing two empty ones before -he
went off, gives every suspicion of his being the" thief. In conse
quence of those circumstances appearing against the deserter, Mr.
Brewster with two matfrosses set out to Blooming-grove in expec
tation of coming up with the scoundrel. Corporal McBride and
James Whitmore set out for Morris Town, in some hopes of meet-,
ing with him there. I sincerely wish Mr. Brewster every success,
tho' t much despair of his meeting with the fellow.

586 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
" The situation of our army since you left us has been truly
distressing. Six days out of fifteen have the principal part of our
army been without provisions, tho' it has not been the case with
us; but we have had some small share in the disappointment:
these circumstances are much against us, tho' it would not be
thought so much of, was it not for a d — d rascally resolve of Con
gress ; who say that if any officer or soldier does not draw the ra
tions on the day they are due, they shall not receive them after
wards ; from those circumstances we may naturally suppose, if we
judge from the present, we shall be starved one-third of the time.
From this, and almost every other proceeding of that August
Body, they seem as tho' they had positively determined to injure
the most Virtuous Body in the United States ; (that of the army,)
permit me, Dear Sir, to say things with us appear very gloomy.
It is confidently asserted that the state of Connecticut has refused
to supply the army with any more beef, in consequence of which
one of the general's aids, Capt. Humphery set off with letters to
Governor Trumbull to know (as we suppose) the reasons.
" Of the accounts from the southward, the newspapers will give
you more particular information than I can. We have it confi
dently reported, and indeed generally believed, that Admiral
Rodney, with thirteen sail of the line are arrived at New York
from the West Indies, and the French fleet, consisting of eighteen
sail of the line, are arrived at Rhode Island ; should this be the
case, we are in hopes the French will be able tp give a good ac
count of Mr. Graves.
" Mr. Bumside requests me to inform you that, as he was not
on the New Windsor side, and being disappointed in not succeed
ing agreeable to his wishes, he entirely forgot to leave your let
ter for Mr. Rutgers ; a neglect for which he is very sorry. Dean
has returned to us from Capt. Moodie, being very much indispos
ed. By the same post as this is sent, I have forwarded you a
letter from Capt. Wool. Thus have I agreeable to my promise,
given you a short and as minute a detail of circumstances as my
abilities will admit, and hope they may prove agreeable. I am
joined with Mr. Bumside and the remainder of the officers, with
best wishes for your happiness. Believe me with every sentiment
of respect and esteem, Your obedient humble servant,
JAMES BRADFORD."
" P. S. A line by the first conveyance and what you are like
to succeed in, would be agreeable — pray inform me if you have
ever seen my father. Excuse this scrawl, &c, &c.
Capt. Machin appears to have been engaged at New Windsor
much of the year 1781, in the recruiting service. . Having the
principal direction of that business, and to have disbursed much

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 587
money.* The following paper from Capt. Hubbell shows in truth
the situation as regards funds, of very many of the officers of the
American army in the latter part of the war.
" Dear Sir — I am under the necessity of sending a man off
into Connecticut to-morrow morning, and have not a shilling of
money for the poor felloW to bear his expenses — should therefore
be exceedingly obliged to you for gome money. As his going is
a matter of moment to a number of the gentlemen of the regi
ment, beg you would oblige me in this request — 12th March,
1781. I am, respectfully yours,
" Capt. Thomas Machin. J. HUBBELL."
Difficulties in the recruiting service were unavoidable, as the
following paper directed to " Capt. Machin, Artillery Park, New
Windsor," will show. "Pokeepsie. April 20th, 1781.
" Dear Sir — Mr. George Thompson informs me that one of
your recruiting parties pretended to have enlisted his son, and
that he apprehends difficulties will arise on the subject. If Mr.
Thompson's information is right, it would appear that the business
was unduly managed ; however, as the old gentlemen is of re
spectable character, I would not wish you to carry the matter to
any extremity ; but to submit it to the determination of the civil
magistrate. He is ready to appear before any in the neighbor
hood. I am yours sincerely,
" Capt. Machin. GEO. CLINTON."
In the fall of 1781, Capt. Machin accompanied the park of
Gen. Washington's army^ and, as engineer, aided in laying out
the American works at the memorable siege of Yorktown. His
skill in gunnery, which caused Gen. Sullivan to exclaim of the
cannonading at Newtown, near Elmira, that it wag elegant, was
again manifested in the early part of this seige, by sending a shell,
agreeable to the orders of Gen. Knox, into the magazine of a
small British vessel lying in the river, and blowing it to atoms.
Gen. Knox is said to have remarked, with evident satisfaction, as
the shell performed its mission, and the men were blown into the
* In furnishing recruiting officers with orders, it was particularly specified
that they should- enlist no slave, tory, or individual who had been in the ser-
, vice of the enemy.
38

588 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
air — " See the d — d rascals go up." — Thomas, son of Capt. Ma
chin. The following paper from His Excellency, affords additional
evidence of his friendship and confidence :
" Pokeepsie, 13th January, 1782.
" Dear Sir : — I was favored with your letter of the 16th ultimo,
a few days ago. I am happy in the good opinion entertained of
Mr. Tappan, and particularly obliged to your friendly offers res
pecting him, which shall be communicated to his father. The
warrants for the several gentlemen lately appointed to your regi
ment will be1 forwarded by the present conveyance to the Colonel,
as also certificates of their appointment to the War office.
" I have nothing worth communicating. Mrs. Clinton begs you
to accept the compliments of the season ; ahd believe me,
" Dear Sir, with great regard,
" Your most obed't serv't,
" Capt. Thomas Machin. " GEO. CLINTON."
The following paper from Maj. Popham, without date, gives
further evidence of the straitened circumstances of the American
officers, or rather of one of them :
"Dear Machin : — The situation of my finances at present obliges
me tp apply to you as a dernier resort. It must be hard times when
a soldier is obliged to sell or pawn his arms. If you could dispose
of my sword at Head Quarters, it would be infinitely agreeable to
me ; and if it was in your power to spare me a few dollars for pre
sent use, until your return, you would add much to the happiness
of yom friend. Nothing but extreme necessity could induce me
to write what I could not speak last night when I saw you.
"Adieu.
"Capt. Machin. W. POPHAM."
"Paid £3 4s 0 specie.
" " 3 4 0 new emission.
" May 14— 3 4 0 specie."
By the memorandum on the paper, we may suppose the major's
sword was sold for $24. Poor fellow: I hope he was not compel-
ed, after parting with his trusty blade, to follow the fortunes of
war with a wooden one.
The following extracts are copied from a letter from Lieuf.
Morris to Capt. Machin, dated Burlington March 24fh, 1782.
"You expressed an anxiety to be acquainted with our movements
after we reached Lancaster : to comply with your desire I am un
der a friendly injunction to give a relation of the expedition. We
were ordered to that post to guard prisoners from thence to Phila-

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 589
delphia, but before we reached the place of our destination, we
found ourselves fatigued to a great degree, from the deepness
of the roads, and the summit of every hill we passed pre
sented to our view the same sad comfort that we had just passed.
However, a generous supply from the financier, and my own re
sources, rendered every obstacle a mere trifle, and soon erased from
my memory that gloomy prospect I had pictured in my imagina
tion. " Suppose we change the subject and give you a little of the
news. The French have at length succeeded on Brimstone Hill,
in the island of St. Christophers, and are in quiet possession of
that place. The British made an attempt to succor the garrison
by landing 1000 men at Basseterre, but were repulsed with 400 of
them killed.
" We are furnished with the debates of the House of Commons
by a late arrival from France : the minority are thundering away
against the prosecution of the American war, and the other party
are strenuously opposing them. I am clearly of the opinion they
will continue it a campaign or two longer. The Dutch, to my great
astonishment, seem disposed to make a peace with England through
the mediation of Russia. This circumstance, added to a little suc
cess the British have had in the East Indies, convinces me they
mean to spend a few millions more. I must conclude ; and believe
me to be, "Your friend and humble servant,
"W. MORRIS."
" P. S. Remember me to my uncle Richard if you should see him."
The period at length arrived when Capt. Machin's great skill
in engineering could not construct a breast-work to guard him
against an arrow from Cupid's bow. In other words, when he
was to love one of the softer sex, and feel confident that a virtu
ous young woman reciprocated the sentiment. The following ex
tracts of a letter from Maj. Doughty hint the existence of the
skillful captain's tender passion. "Burlington, March 27th, 1782.
" My Dear Sir — How goes on recruiting ? Do you meet with
encouragement ? Is there any prospect of money from the State ?
These are questions I wish you would answer for me, for I feel
interested in them all.
" You promised to write me on the subject of my depreciated
notes, and the prospect of improving them to advantage by joining
you in the purchase of the lands formerly Gen'l, Clinton's : you
have forgot your promise — perhaps your being in love, and the
pear object that inspires that interesting passion so totally en
grosses your attention, as to leave no room for your friend Doughty.

590 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
I know he must give way both to the passion and its object, but
still he must claim a share though a small one, of your friendship
and attention ; and believe me that he esteems them both not a
little. Adieu— make my respects fo Col. Bedlow and family,
Maj. and Mrs. Logan,and believe me to be with the greatest truth,
" Your friend and servant,
"JNO. DOUGHTY."
The following paper relating to the service in which he was
then engaged, was received by Capt. Machin per Col. Cobb.
" Head Quarters, 2ith May, 1782.
" Gent'n — You will proceed to Fish Kill and there apply to
Colonel Weissenfels' for the proportion of the levies destined for
your line, one half of which are for the regiment of artillery and
the other half for the regiment of infantry.
" So soon as you have received your proportion of Col. Weissen
fels' regiment, you will send them on to the regiments for which
they are destined, under the care of an officer, and the remaining
officers will wait at Fish Kill to receive those which will be sent
from Col. Willet's regiment, which are to be divided in the same
manner. Before you send away the recruits you will make a re
turn to me of the number you have received.
" I am, &c.
" Signed GO. WASHINGTON."
" To Capt. Machin, ")
" Lt. Forman, > York Line."
" Ens'n Swartwout, )
The following extracts are made from aletter from Lieut. R.
Parker to Capt Machin, dated George Town, July 6th, 1782.
" Capt. McClure and myself are stationed at this place. Its
situation I suppose you are acquainted with : its trade is much
increased within a short time past, a number of valuable prizes
have been sent here. Rum, and most kinds of West India goods
are plenty. The southern army and the country in general re
ceive great advantages from it. I believe they could scarcely be
supported without it.
" Here are a number of fine girls and rich widows. I have not
yet got far in love — but can't promise for the future — some fair
nymph may captivate my heart — and while guardian reason sleeps,
Cupid's fatal shaft may wound my rising heart and make me own
his superior power, &c, &c.
" We have no news : Gen. Greene lays near Goose Creek,
twenty miles from Charleston. An evacuation of Charleston and
Savannah is daily expected by our sanguine friends.
" I have hardly got over celebrating the fourth of July in a
Bacchanal frolic — Impute my inaccuracies to a pain in the
head, &c."

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 591
A letter from Capt. Machin to Oliver Wendell, Esq., of Boston*
of which the following is a copy, discloses the fact fully at
which Maj. Doughty hinted, and adds another evidence to the
truism, that the course of true love is beset with thorns, thistles,
and a multitude of briers. " New Windsor, 10th Aug't, 1782.
"Honored Sir — An experimental knowledge of your philan
thropy has emboldened me to address you on this occasion.
Know then, my Dear Sir, that I am at this time engaged to a
young lady in the State of New York:, the day for our union
was set, and we both, I am led to believe, waited with equal
anxiety for the arrival of that happy period ; in which I think two
feeling soul's would have been happily united in the honorable
bonds of Hymen. But to my great mortification, somebody was
pleased to inform the young lady's friends that I had a wife in
Boston. And as I always did, and I hope ever will, detest decep
tion, be it of what kind soever it will : and much more that which
is of all the most villanous ; I therefore, relying on our former
friendship and your justice, make no doubt but you will give
the bearer, Mr. Dunning, the young lady's and my friend, what
ever information he may require relating to my conduct when
in Boston. Please to give my compliments to Mrs. Wendell, and
beheve me Dear Sir, to be, with all the esteem that is due to ho
nor and merit, " Your hum'l. serv't,
" THO'S MACHIN."
" The Honorable Oliver Wendell, Esq."
The aspersions of some villain on the fair fame of Capt. Machin
were satisfactorily removed by Mr. Dunning's visit to Boston, and
his marriage took place in August, 1782. He was married to
Miss Susan, daughter of James Van Nostrand ; who resided at or
near Huntington, L. I. The marriage took place at the hOuse of
Timothy Dunning in Goshen, who had previously married a sister
of Miss Susan.
The following letter from Lieut. Woodward, shows to some ex
tent the popularity and influence of Capt. Machin in the army.
" West Point, 2Qlh Oct. 1782.
" Dear Sir — While I was gone to Poughkeepsie the day before
yesterday, Lt. Tappen was so imprudent as to give permission for
William Ockerman to leave the Point to go to New- Windsor, and
return the same evening ; but in order to keep alive the dignity
of his former conduct he has broke into Goshen goal. — That is, I
am informed he is taken by the constable for a tavern debt. Col.

592 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
Stevens desires you will take upon you the trouble of procuring his
enargement and send him to Camp. His inducement for request
ing you to undertake the task, is because that you by some means
or other can accomplish it, while another officer would not be able
to succeed. You must give my best compliments to Mrs. Machin,
&c. &c. " I am, dear sir, with every sentiment of respect,
" Your ob't humble serv't,
" Capt. Machin." " PETER WOODWARD."
At this period general officers were deficient in funds.
" Little Britain, Nov. 9lh, 1782.
" Dear Sir — I received your favor by Serj't Reino, and should
have sent you the balance of Maj. Bush's account as you have
made it out if I had the cash, which article I never was scarcer of
than at present ; at the same time must inform you that you have
not given me all the credit in your account that I ought to have,
but that is a matter we can easily settle when opportunity serves.
I wish it was in my power to pay you the whole or half due on the
account of your location; as soon as it is I will do it : if I can't
soon I will give you a note or bond with interest.
" I am, sir, yours, &c.
" Capt. Machin." " JAMES CLINTON."
Considerable correspondence passed between Joseph Wharton,
Esq. of Philadelphia, and Capt. Machin in the year 1782 : it
began in the latter part of the preceding year, as the following
letter will show. " Philadelphia, Dec. 24th, 1781.
" Mr: Thomas Machin. Sir — You have been so obliging as to
offer me your services in the State of New-York, I commit to your
care two deeds from Col. George Croghan to me; the first, dated
April 3d, 1780, for twenty-five thousand four hundred and seventy-
seven acres of land with a release for the same ; and the other for
eleven hundred and fifty-seven acres, dated June 27th, 1780, with
its release ; and both tracts situated on and near Lake Otsego in
Tryon county in that State. These lands becoming more and more
valuable, it's necessary the deeds should be recorded in the proper
office. And as I have some reason to apprehend an assignment of
the Mortgage on these lands to the late Governor Franklin, is
attempting to be obtained, when probably some hasty step may be
pursued to recover payment by public sale, injurious to my prop
erty; I earnestly press it upon your friendship to have the deeds
recorded in Albany, or wherever the most suitable office is, in the
most expeditious manner ; and for your assiduity herein as well
as the necessary charges, I will gratefully pay due honor to your
draft. The repossession of the deed's will give me great satisfac
tion ; yet I would not have them sent, unless a gentleman of char-

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 593
acter and whom you know can be found to be entrusted with them.
In the mean time, I beg you will inform me by post the moment
the deeds are enrolled, as well as any farther information you may
receive of the value of these lands in consequence of any rise since
your departure from their vicinity : for surely the late glorious
victory to the Southward, and our proximity to absolute indepen
dence must have started the value of such excellent tracts;
" I have shown you Mr. Hooper's Field Book, containing as
well his description of the exterior lines of my 15074 acre tract on
the Tennedena, as the qualities of the land of each 1000 acres :
the whole being surveyed into fifteen lots ; and you have read that
the soil and other natural advantages are very good and exceeding
great. Will you, sir, be pleased to enquire the utmost price that
can be obtained for the whole of this tract payable in two months,
or rather one-half in six weeks and the other in three months with
interest in specie or sterling bills on France? Because if this 15000
acre Tract will command what I conceive it will, it will enable me
to keep the Otsego Tract to a future day, and a far more benefi
cial price. I must also request you will have the offices searched
to know what Mortgages and Judgments are on the Otsego Tract ;
for although there may be a Judgment or two, yet whether the
legal steps have been pursued to secure payment previous to the
time you will have my Deeds enrolled is the question. Among
other favors you are going to bestow on me, do let me know the
Law of your State in regard to Mortgages, that is whether any
time is limited for their recording ? Whether a second or third
Mortgage being entered first does not supersede, or at least obtain
first payment ? And if a Deed enrolled prior to a previous Mort
gage (as in my case) will not bar a recovery by the Mortgage ?
" It may be necessary to explain the hint I have given relating
to Governor Franklin's* Mortgage for £1800 your money, which
is, that his creditors here and in Burlington are endeavoring to
procure his Assignment of Testatum, (if I have the word right)
and although it ever was my disposition that Justice should be
done, yet prudence dictates a cautionary prevention to the sale of
my estate to my disadvantage, which surely would be the circum
stance if it was to be sold at this period. For I suppose in cases
of Sequestration your State, like ours, hath taken care that just
creditors shall be satisfied as far as such estate will admit.
" I am, with respect,
" Your most obed't humble serv't,
" JOS. WHARTON."
* Lest all my readers may not be aware of the fact, I will here remark,
that the Governor Franklin above alluded to was a son of Doctor Franklin,
and at the beginning of the, war was Governor of New-Jersey— rthat not
having the just counsels of his father, and possibly the fear of God before
his eyes, he espoused the cause of the mother country which had honored
him with the Executive authority of a Colony ; and was soon arrayed in
sentiment against that great and good man his father; whom the world de-

594 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
Under date of Sept. 11th, 1782, Mr. Wharton wrote Capt.
Machin as follows.
" My situation in life requiring me to raise a capital sum af-
money in the course of the Winter, has determined me to sell the
Otsego Tract, containing about 27,000 acres; provided I can be
paid one-third part on the sale, and the remainder in the Spring.
My price will be twenty shillings this currency {specie) per acre.
[He proposed to let 7,000 pounds of the purchase remain unpaid
with security. He considered the land worth, he said, thirty shil
lings per acre. He added] — Should my limit be thought too high,
let me know the highest sum obtainable for the whole Tract, pay
able in part down and the rest in six months with interest ; or if
it would be more agreeable, I will take twenty thouiand pounds for
it and the purchaser to be accountable for the incumbrances;"
[which were some 2,000 pounds N. Y. currency on that and a
Tract of 40,000 acres adjoining.] Col. Croghan was buried about
ten days since."
The reader may here see what was once considered the value
of the rich lands in and around Cooperstown, which money will
now hardly buy.
The campaign of Gen. Sullivan in 1779, discovering the valu
able lands in Western New York, was the means of their being
brought into market. The following paper, from Capt. Nestell,
shows where some of the lands in the earliest transfers were situ
ated, and the price they brought : " April 17, 1783,
" Received of Ebenezer Burling the full sum of thirty pounds,
which was his subscription for a Right of six hundred acres of
land between Seneca and Cayuga Lakes. Received by me,
" PETER NESTELL."
On the 21st of January, 1783, Gov. Clinton sent the bounds of
a certain lot of land to his friend, with the following request :
" Capt. Machin will please to take a view* of the above Tract
and see that the settlements are properly made, and no land
cleared that will injure tbe Tract in point of timber. That the
persons who live on it clear annually a proportion of swamp, and
plant out fruit-trees, and make such agreement with them as shall
be easy and reasonable ; but they are to be Tenants at Will, as I
may conclude to sell. Fix on the most convenient place for a
homestead,, and erecting a dwelling house, &c, supposing it to
be divided into two farms. " GEO. CLINTON.
" Pokeepsie, 2\st Jan., 1783.'?
lighted to honor. A desire to retain place has forfeited for many individuals
the good opinion of the virtuous, and the rich inheritance of parental good
deeds.

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 595
On the 17th of April following, Capt. Machin wrote Gov. Clin
ton from Murderer's creek, that he had made a beginning of the
works at the Great Pond— was cutting timber, and expected to
have a dwelling ready to move into within five weeks from that
time, &c, &c; to all of which doings Gov. Clinton wrote an ap
proving letter April 19th.
Mr. Machin was commissioned a captain by Gov. Clinton, and
the council of appointment March 12th, 1793, to take rank as
such from August 21st, 1780. The appointment was confirmed
by Congress on the 28th of the following April.
On the approach of peace, in 1783, we find Capt. Machin lay
ing aside his warlike implements, and Cincinnatus like, following
his plow. He settled at a place called New Grange, Ulster coun
ty, a few miles back of Newburgh, where in 1784, he erected se
veral mills, as a grist-mill, saw-mill, &c.
The following order of the quarter-master-general, on Lieut.
Denniston, is inserted to show the reader how particular that offi
cer was in closing his official business :
" New York, April 10, 1784.
" Sir: — Capt. Machin will deliver you six spades and shovels,
which he received last summer from the store at Newburgh. You
will deliver him One band for the nave of a wagon wheel, and two
wagon boxes, to complete a wagon he bought of the public.
" TIM: PICKERING, Q. M. G.
"Mr. George Denniston, West Point."
About the 1st of September, 1784, Gov. Clinton removed from
Kingston to New York, as appears by several letters to Capt.
Machin, directed to his address at " Great Pond, Ulster county ;"
by which it appears the captain was to send down his winter's
stock of fire-wood.
The following credible voucher appears to close the correspon
dence between Capt. Machin and his former general:
" This is to certify that I have been acquainted with Capt. Tho
mas Machin ever since the year 1776, and have had considerable
dealings with him, and I always found his accounts to he just.
" Given under my hand the 7th of March, 1786.
"JAMES CLINTON."

596 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
The correspondence between Machin and Gov. Clinton, closed
with the following letter, (until the latter was chosen Vice Presi
dent of the United States,) which is inserted because it tells sO
credibly and justly for that plain-hearted and honest republican,
who not only dealt honorably with the unprotected himself, but
was gratified to find others do likewise. In fact, he gained the
reputation among the soldiers of the Revolution, of being a very
plain, honest, unostentatious patriot, — and as an evidence of the
fact, was exceedingly popular wherever known.
" New York, 13th November, 1786.
" Dear Sir : — The bearer is a brother-in-law and executor to Mr.
Briggs, deceased. He has been here some time settling the affairs
of the deceased. Among the little property he has left for his chil
dren, the location under a military right in your hands is a princi
pal part. Mr. McClagley is anxious to know how it stands, and
whether you have done the needful to give a title to the executors
for the use of the infants. For this purpose he means to call on
you on his way home, and the regard I have for the widow and
family has induced me to write you on the subject, not doubting,
at the same time, that you will pay every attention to them and
their business. " Yours, sincerely,
"Capt. Machin. GEO. CLINTON."
On the 18th of April, 1787, Capt. Machin formed a copartner
ship with Samuel Atlee, (a porter brewer,) James F. Atlee, Da
vid Brooks, James Grier, and James Giles, (an attorney at law,)
all of the city of New York. The term specified for its continu
ance was seven years, with a capital of .£300. The firm seems
to have been formed for the avowed purpose of coining copper,
provided Congress, or any of the state legislatures, enacted a law
allowing individuals to coin money. As the object was to make
money, a small capital was considered sufficient for the under
taking. On the 7th of June following, that firm formed a copart
nership with one then existing, which consisted of four partners —
Reuben Harman, Esq., William Coley, of Bennington county,
Vermont, Elias Jackson, of Litchfield county, Connecticut, and
Daniel Van Voorhis, goldsmith, of the city of New York — for a
term of eight years from the first of the following July, that being
the limitation of an act of the legislature of Vermont to said Har-

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 597
man, for the coinage of copper. The first mentioned firm was to
furnish a capital of .£500 for the concern ; £200 of which capi
tal, with £400 more, New York currency, to be paid to the lat
ter firm two years after, was to be theirs as an equivalent for ad
mitting the New York firm into communion with them — the lat
ter being required to furnish no capital. The ten partners were
to enjoy equally " the benefits, privileges, and advantages arising
from the coinage of copper in the state of Vermont, to be coined
in that state, and also in Connecticut, New York, and elsewhere,
as the parties should think fit. On or before the first day of July,
the first mentioned, or New York firm, were required, by the co
partnership, "to complete, at their own cost, the works then erect
ing at the mills of the said Thomas Machin, near the Great Pond,
in the county of Ulster," while the other part of the firm agreed,
in the same time, to complete works they were then erecting, at
Rupert, in the county of Bennington, Vermont. Agreeably to
the written contract, Giles was to have charge of the writing and
book-keeping ; Harman and Coley were to manage the money
cJiangers at Rupert ; and Machin and J. F. Atlee were to " ma
nage, act, and perform that part of the trade which concerned the
coinage of money and manufacturing hard ware," at Machin's
mills ; Grier was to be " cashier of the money coined at Rupert ;"
Van Voorhis, "cashier of the money coined at Machin's Mills ;"
Grier and Jackson were to have the general management of the
expenses, purchase of necessary articles, &c. ; while other joint
business was to be performed by Brooks and Samuel Atlee. It
was further stipulated that Giles should keep a " certain book of
resolutions ;" that the firm should meet, either in person or by
proxy in other members, agreeably to a written form of authority
incorporated, on the 1st day of February, June, and October of
each year, at Rhinebeck, New York, unless otherwise agreed upon.
In case either of the partners obtained a grant from Congress or
any of the states to coin money, the profits resulting from such
act were to be shared by all the partners, — Who also bound them
selves personally, " in the penal sum of one thousand pounds,"
for the punctual performance of the contract.

598 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
Whether the long firm of money makers, ever coined coppers
enough to fill the pockets of all the Green Mountain boys ; or.
whether they found the business profitable, is uncertain ; but from
Mr. Machin's papers I am led to conclude they never effected
much. At his mills perhaps a thousand pounds of copper was
manufactured, as appears by the papers, in the jear 17S9 ; pre
vious to which little seems to have been done. " What is every
body's business is nobody's ;" and the saying seems to have been
verified in the doings of this copper firm : for in a letter from J.
F. Atlee to Mr. Machin, dated Vergennes, October 14, 1790, he
expresses a wish that the concern might arrive at a settlement on
equitable terms, and compromise their matters without a tedious
and expensive law suit.
In Jan., 1797, Capt. Machin removed from New Grange to
the town of Mohawk, Montgomery county, from which town were
afterwards organized the towns of Charleston, Glen, and part of
Root. The fall previous to his removal he had visited his lands,
accompanied by two hired men, and erected a log tenement,
cleared a fallow, planted fruit-trees, currant bushes and sallad,; —
made sap-troughs, &c, &c, as is shown by a journal he kept at the
time. His lands were situated 10 miles north of Schoharie Court
House, and 20 south of Johnstown village.
Capt. Machin continued to practise surveying after his remo
val to Montgomery county, and several officers of the army were
among those who profited by his skill, among whom were John
Lamb, his former colonel, and Gen. Nicholas Fish. Among Mr.
Machin's personal friends was George Tiffany, Esq., a native of
Massachusetts, who settled in Schoharie about the time the county
was organized * Capt. Machin took no little pains to educate
his children, a son and a daughter.
At the close of the war,. Capt. Machin became a member of
the Cincinnati Society. He also belonged to the fraternity of
* Mr. Tiffany was a fine classic scholar, and while in Schoharie county
was distinguished for his legal ability. Previous to his locating in Schoharie
he taught an Academic school in Albany, believed to have been the first of
the kind established in that city. He removed from Schoharie to Ancaster,
Upper Canada, where, at a good old age, he died Jan. 8, 1842.

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 599
Free Masons, and on the establishment of a lodge in Schoharie,
he was appointed master to install its officers. Silas Gray was
also appointed as senior and Johannes Dietz junior wardens of the
same. The following is the evidence of Capt. Machin's appoint
ment :
" To all Greeting —
" Be it known that I, Ezra Ames, Grand High Priest of the G.
R. A. Chapter of the State of New York, by virtue of power in
me vested by the third Sec'n. and fourth article of the General
Grand Constitution, Do hereby authorize and empower our worthy
Brother, Thomas Machin, to install the officers of Ames Mark
Lodge, in the town of Schoharie, County of Scho'e., agreeable to
the Gen'l. Grand Constitution of the United States, and to make
returns of his proceedings thereon, at the next session of the G.
Ch.
" EZRA AMES.
"Albany, 1th Feh. 5807." [Year of the world.]
By the following letters from his old friend Gov. Clinton, who
was then Vice President of the United States, it appears that
Capt. Machin sought for a pension, and, afterwards, its increase :
" Washington, Uth Aqril, 1808.
" Dear Sir — Agreeably to the request contained in your letter,
I have done what was necessary on my part to give success to
your application to be put on the Pension List. It gives me plea
sure to render you this little service, being, with great regard,
" Yours sincerely,
"GEO. CLINTON.
" Capt. Thomas Machin." " Washington, Qlh March, 1810.
" Dear Sir — Yesterday I received your letter of the 22d of. last
month. You may rely on every assistance in my power to afford,
to obtain an increase of your pension. But the preparatory steps
to an application can be done most conveniently to you in the
State, under a commission from Mr. Talmadge, the District
Judge. 1 have requested Mr. K. K. Van Rensselaer to communi
cate to you the manner in which this commission is to be obtained,
as well as the necessary subsequent measures tobe taken previous
to your application; to accomplish which, if expeditiously per
formed, may yet be in season for the present session of Congress.
I am, with best respects to Mrs. Machin,
" Yours sincerely,
"GEO CLINTON."
" Capt. Thomas Machin."

600 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, ETC.
Capt. Machin, after seeing the country of his adoption, in the
defence of which he had freely shed his own blood, pass triumph
antly through two wars with the previously acknowledged mis
tress of ihe 'wave, at the close of each gaining the admiration and
respect of the world, died at his residence in Charleston on the
evening of April 3d, 1816, aged 72 years. A brief notice of his
services and death appeared in the Albany Gazette of April 15th,
which closed with the following sentence : " In the camp and in
retirement his qualifications were holden in very high considera
tion." He was buried with Masonic honors.
In a letter of personal introduction from Col. Aaron Burr to Hen
ry Remsen Esq., dated at N. Y., Dec. 30, 1830,1 find the follow
ing sentence; "Capt. Machin, who will have the pleasure to hand
you this, is the son of my old friend and fellow-soldier, Capt. Ma
chin, who was a distinguished officer in our Revolutionary war,
and was probably known to you."

( 601 )

CHAPTER XX.

Schoharie county, which is situated mostly within the forty-
second degree of north latitude, was organized by a Legislative
Act of April 7th, 1795, from portions of Albany and Otsego
counties. It is Centrally distant north from New York city 150
miles, and west from the capitol 40 miles ; and presents a very
uneven surface — from river flats to mountain elevations. The
county originally consisted of six towns, which, except Schoha
rie, were not incorporated until March 17th, 1797.
In il801, New York contained thirty counties; and by a Le
gislative Act dated April seventh of that year; they were pro
perly divided into towns. The Session Laws printed in 1802,
provide, that —
" The county of Schoharie shall contain all that part of the
State bounded earterly by the county of Albany, northerly by
part of the south bounds of the county of Montgomery, as hereaf
ter described, westesly by a line beginning at the south-west cor
ner of a tract of land formerly granted to Jyhn Lyne, and running
thence the following courses and distances as marked by order
of the Surveyor General : south twenty-one degrees and forty-
eight minutes west, two hundred and nineteen chains, to the place
i where Joshua Tucker formerly resided; thence south seven de
grees and forty-eight minutes west, one hundred and ninety-three
chains, to the eastermost line of a tract of land known by the
name of Belvidere patent ;¦ thence south nine degrees "east six
hundred and ninety-five chains to a ceartain hill known by the
name of Grosvenor's hill ; thence with a direct line from the north
west comes of Stroughburgh patent ; thence with a direct line to
the most northerly corner of Harpersfield on the Charlotte or Ade-
gataugie branch of the Susquehanna river ; thence south-easterly
along the north bounds of Harpersfield to Lake Utsayantho, and
southerly by a line formerly run from the head of, Kaater's creek,
where the same issues out of the southerly side or end of a certain

602 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY.
lake or pond lying in the blue mountains to the said Lake Utyas-
antho, and by part of the north bounds of the county of Greene.
" And all that part of the said county of Schoharie beginning at
a point in the west bounds of the county of Albany, two miles
southerly of the place where Foxes creek intersects said west
bounds, thence westerly to the place where Weaver's stony creek
originally emptied itself into the Schoharie creek, and thence
westerly to the place were the Cobelskill road crosses the Punch-
kill, thence with a straight line to a point in the south bounds of
the county of Montgomery five miles westerly of Schoharie creek,
thence easterly along the county of Montgomery to Duanesburg,
thence along the westerly, and southerly bounds of Duanesburg
and the West bounds of the county of Albany to the place of
beginning, shall be and continue a town by the name of Scho
harie. " And all that part of the said county of Schoharie beginningat
the place where the Cobelskill road crosses the Punchkill, thence
with a straight line to the north-west corner of a patent granted to
Michael Byrns and others, thence with a straight line to the west
corner of the house now or late of Jacob Best hear the head of the
north branch of the Westkill, thence continuing the same line to
a tract of land called Blenheim, thence easterly along the north
erly bounds of Blenheim until it strikes Schoharie creek, thence
easterly with a straight line to the north-east corner of the dwell
ing house now or late of Moses Winter, thence with the same line
continued to the west bounds of the county of Albany, thence
northerly along the same to the south-east corner of the town of
Schoharie, thence along the southerly bounds thereof to the place
of beginning, shall be and continue a town by the name of Mid
dleburg. [The citizens now write it Middleburgh.]
"And all that part of the said county of Schoharie beginning in
the middle of Schoharie creek where the same is intersected by
the southerly bound of the town of Middleburg, thence along
the northern bounds of a tract of land called Blenhiem to the
north-west corner thereof, thence continuing'the same line to the
county of Otsego, thence along the easterly bounds of Otsego to
the county of Delaware, thence along the northern bounds thereof
to the middle of Schoharie creek, thence northerly through the
middle of said creek to the place of beginning, shall be and conti
nue a town by the name of Blenheim.
" And all that part of the said county of Schoharie beginning
at the north-east corner of the town of Blenheim, thence south
erly along the eastern line of said town to where the said creek
is intersected by the south bounds of the county of Schoharie,
thence easterly along, the said south bounds to the county of- Al
bany, thence westerly along the same to the south-west corner of
the town of Middleburg, thence westerly along the south bounds
of the same to the place of beginning, shall be and contiune a
town by the name of Bristol.

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 603
" And all that part of the said county of Schoharie, beginning
at a point in the northern boundary line of the same, six miles and
a half easterly of the north-east corner of the town of Schoharie,
in the said county, thence southerly in a direct line to the west cor
ner of the dwelling house now or late of John Redington, thence
in a direct line to the westerly corner of the dwelling house now
or late of Peter Bogardus, and thence in a straight line to the
northerly corner of the dwelling house now or late of Joseph Webb,
thence in a direct line to the westerly corner of the dwelling house
now or late of Nicholas Smith, thence south-westerly to the near
est point in the division line between the counties of Schoharie and
Otsego, thence southerly along the bounds of the county of Otsego
to the north-west corner of the town of Blenheim, thence easterly
along the north bounds thereof to the south-west corner of the
town of Middleburg, thence northerly along the westerly bounds
of the town of Middleburg and Schoharie to the north bounds of
the county, and then along the same west to the place of begin
ning, shall be and continued a town by the name of Cobelskill.
" And all the residue or remaining part of the said county of
Schoharie, shall be and continue a town by the name of Sharon."
After Schoharie county was organized, a new era began in its
history. The frequent assembling at court of men distinguished
for oratory and legal acumen — especially where science and let
ters have been neglected, cannot fail rapidly to improve the state
of society and manners of the people. The first attorneys who
located in Schoharie, were George Tiffany and Jacob Gebhard.
I had occasion, in the fore part of this book, to speak of the
cleanliness of the pioneer settlers, and now advert to that of their
descendants — and in justice must observe, that few, if any dis
tricts can show a greater proportionate number of very tidy
housekeepers, than may now be seen in the Schoharie valley.
Twice in a year, at least, Dr. Franklin's description of a house
cleaning is realized, not only in the primitive Schoharie, but in the
Mohawk river settlements. Every article of furniture, from the
garret to the cellar, is then removed, that tbe place it occupied
may be scrubbed. Lime is profusely used on such occasions, es
pecially in the Spring, and it would be difficult to detect the track
of a fly on a window, wall, or floor, after the operation. The
description given by Brooks, in his travels in Europe, of the neat
ness of the people in some of the Dutch and German countries
through which he traveled, is applicable, in many instances, to
39

604 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
the people of Schoharie : for as he says — "It is scrub, scrub, scrub
from morning till night — -from pillar to post — where there is dirt,
and where there is none." The Schoharie women usually cleanse
their floors daily, sometime semi-daily, by a process they call
filing, which is done with a piece of sacking retained in the hands
instead of being secured to a mop-stick.
" Time," says Irving, " which changes all things, is but slow
in its operations upon a Dutchman's dwelling." The Germans
and Dutch do not generally display as much taste in the selection
of a site for, and the erection of their dwellings, as do the Eng
lish. Frequently a Dutchman's house fronts its owner's barn, in
stead of fronting a public highway. A small kitchen and an oven
are often separately erected — both detached from the dwelling.
Houses recently built in Schoharie discover far more taste and
beauty than those constructed in former times.
If the Dutch manifest a want of taste in erecting their dwell
ings, some of the Yankees do quite as much in locating their
out-buildings ; for it is but a few years since there might have
been seen opposite many good farm-houses in some parts of New
England, a corn-crib or waggon-house, the front of which was
literally covered with sheep, racoon, or skunk-skins.
Schoharie county contains 62 1 squ are miles. Its avera ge length
is 30 miles from north to south ; and width 22 miles from east to
west. Its population, in 1825, was 25,926 ; in 1840, 32,358 :
of which latter number, 16,002 were white males ; 15,863 white
females ; 253 black males ; and 240 black females. The valua
tion of assessed property is usually about $2,000,000. The coun
ty contained in 1840, 199 common schools, with 9,244 scholars :
and no distillery, where were six in 1824.
About the year 18 10, a federal newspaper was established in
Schoharie by Thomas Tillman, called The True American,;
soon after which The American Herald, a republican journal,
was issued by Derick Van Vechten. In 1818, Mr. Van Vechten
published a paper called The Budget ; and the same year So
lomon Baker commenced a paper entitled The Schoharie Ob
server, which he published nearly five years. In 1819, The

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 605
Schoharie Republican, a weekly sheet, as were its predecessors,
was established, and is at present conducted by William H. Gal
lup. For several years previous to 1830, The Lutheran Maga
zine, a monthly periodical, was issued at the Republican office.
A whig journal, entitled The Schoharie Patriot, was begun in
1837, by Peter Mix, and continued until 1844.
The Loonenberg, now Athens Turnpike, leading from Athens
to Cherry-Valley, passes through the county from northeast to
southwest ; and the Western Turnpike crosses the north part of
the county. The route of the Canajoharie and Catskill Railroad
is also laid through the county from north to south.
This county presents almost every variety of soil and surface,
from river flats to mountain elevations, and yields good crops of
such grain as is usually produced in the same climate. It is also
well timbered : along the water-courses chiefly with oak, hickory
and pine, and on the uplands with maple, beech, birch, basswood
and hemlock.
The interval lands along the Schoharie, so justly celebrated for
their beauty and fertility, are a rich alluvial deposit, formed by
the transporting agency of the river, and its numerous tributaries,
of such portions of earth, abraded and disintegrated rocks, and
vegetable and animal matter as came under its influence. The
most southern flats are least calcarious, being principally formed
from the contiguous sand rock ; consequently the soil is not as
productive without more artificial enriching.
The county is well watered, and affords numerous hydraulic
privileges, some of which are improved, and others not. It is
principally watered by the Schoharie, the largest tributary of the
Mohawk, and its numerous inlets. The Schoharie heads in the
town of Hunter, Greene county, the principal branch rising in a
small swamp, about eight miles from the Hudson, at Saugerties.
The country is there very mountainous, ridges of the Catskill
mountains separating the water- courses. Among the most im
portant tributaries near its source, are Eastkill and Westkill,
which rise in Hunter and run into it in Lexington ; and Batavia
creek, which enters it at Prattsville. — W. W. Edward.

606 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
Entering the county, the Schoharie courses northerly through
the towns of Summit, Blenheim, Fulton, Middleburgh, and Scho
harie, until it arrives near the north end of the latter, when it
takes an easterly course, and unites with the Mohawk five miles
east of Fultonville, — its whole length being about seventy miles.
From the mountainous nature of the country through which it
flows, this river often rises suddenly, doing at times no little da
mage to the numerous mills its rapid course has invited to its
banks. The first bench of common plea judges in Schoharie county,
consisted of William Beekman, Adam P. Vrooman, John M.
Brown, David Sternberg, and Jonathan Danforth ; the former
was first judge about forty years. The courts, for a time, held
their sessions in a small building still standing in the rear of John
lngold's dwelling.
Schoharie sends two members to the State legislature; with
Otsego forms the twenty-first congressioml district : and with Al
bany, Schenectada, Delaware, Greene, Columbia, and Rensselaer
counties, makes the third senatorial district.
The north part of the county is mostly underlaid with lime
stone, which supplies an abundance of good building materials;
and as it contains numerous fossils, some of which are very rare,
— there being among them, the lily encrinite and several varie
ties of trilobite, — it affords the practical geologist a good oppor
tunity to investigate his useful science. There are, also, in the
limestone region, several caverns oi notoriety, the novelty and
sparry formations of which invite to their dark chambers the ad
mirer of nature's wonder workings.
There have been but two executions in this county for a capital
offence since it was formed. The first was that of Abraham Cas
ler for the murder of his wife, which he effected by administering,
alternately, opium and arsenic. Casler was not a resident of the
county, but committed the deed at an obscure tavern, while tra
veling through it. As was generally believed, from testimony
adduced on the trial, he desired to marry another woman, and
poisoned his wife to prevent her proving an obstacle in the way

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 607
of gratifying his unholy desires. Mrs. Best, the inn-keeper's
wife, an intelligent woman, was the principal witness. He was
tried before Judge Yates, Sept. 12th, 1817, and publicly executed
on the hill east of the court-house in May following.
The other case I notice more minutely, not with a view to in
crease its notoriety (for I am conscious that the relatives of this
criminal are highly respectable), but to show how an inscrutable
Providence follows crime with detection and punishment.
John Vanalstyne was indicted Nov. 18th, 1818, for the murder
of Wm. Huddleston, and tried for the offence at a spceial court of
oyer and terminer at the Schoharie court-house, in Feb., 1819.
The trial commenced on the morning of Feb. 17th, before Chief
Justice Ambrose Spencer, and lasted nineteen hours. The crimina
ting testimony was entirely circumstantial. Eighty-three witnesses
were subpoenaed, seventy-five of whom were present at the trial.
On Friday afternoon, Oct. 19th, Huddleston, then a deputy
sheriff of the county, went on horse-back to the house of Van
Alstyne to collect several executions, amounting to about $1450.
The former was seen just at night with the latter, soon after which,
as subsequently appeared, he must have killed him at or near his
barn. The mysterious disappearance of Huddleston aroused pub
lic inquiry as to his fate, and when Van Alstyne was questioned
about his last interview with him, he stated that he had paid up
the executions the former had against him, saw them endorsed
satisfied, and supposed the d  d rascal had run away with the
money. He was also heard to say that no sheriff held any exe
cution against him. When interrogated after the murder, his
statements, as to the amount of the several executions against him
and the moneys paid to the sheriff, were contradictory. After
the murder he took several bank-notes to a neighbor to be chang
ed, which appeared to have been purposely torn, and on one blood
was found. He also stated in a conversation that the sheriff had
on spectacles when he settled with him.
Fearing detection, Van Alstine clandestinely left home on
the evening of the 16th, and on the 17th, a great number of
men having assembled from different parts of the county, his pre-

608 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
mises were strictly searched, which resulted in discovering traces
of blood in the barn, and on several fences leading towards a
plowed field, 400 yards from the house ; and, finally, in finding
the body of Huddleston in that field, where the accused had been
harrowing on the day after the murder, although he had sown no
grain. A further search in the barn brought to light the papers
of the sheriff concealed in the hay, among which were the exe
cutions against Van Alstyne, not endorsed ; and under a sill a
heavy oak stake was found bloody, and with hair upon it ; the
spectacles of the sheriff were also found on the premises. In a
swamp, some distance from the barn, a place was observed where
a horse had been fastened some days, and under a log near was
found part of a sheep skin used by Mr. Huddleston upon his sad
dle, while the saddle was found beneath a small bridge by chil
dren pursuing a squirrel.
No doubt was entertained but what Van Alstyne was the mur
derer, and had fled with Huddleston's horse. Accordingly, a re
ward of $250 was offered by Governor De Witt Clinton, and $ 100
more by Sheriff Keyser, for his apprehension. The Governor in
creased the whole reward to $500. It was shown on the trial
that the prisoner was seen at Trenton and Lowville, in possession
of Huddleston's horse, making his way towards Canada. Arri
ving at Buffalo, he took passage on Saturday, the 14th of Nov.,
on board of the Com. Perry, Capt. Johnson, a vessel bound for
Detroit, assuming the name of John Allen, and accompanied by a
suspicious person calling himself Isaac Page.
On board the Com. Perry Elias W. Slocum, who was remov
ing with his family from Jefferson county to some part of Ohio,
had also taken passage, to be landed at Sandusky. On Monday
morning the vessel was at anchor at Long Point, where, in conse
quence of a strong gale having arisen, she parted her cable, and
was obliged to put back to the harbor at Black Rock, from whence
she had sailed. While on the lake, Slocum had some conversa
tion with Van Alstyne, who betrayed, as he thought, evidence of
criminality ; and having a newspaper which contained the pro
mised reward for the apprehension of Huddleston's supposed mur-

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 609
derer, with a description of his person, he at once suspected his
fellow passenger, whose personal appearance and clothing ans
wered the description, and, on arriving at Black Rock, he appre
hended and lodged him in Buffalo jail. When arrested, he denied
that his name was Van Alstyne, or that he had ever known a man
named Wm. Huddleston, but was soon after identified by several
persons who knew him, and he was removed to Schoharie.
The conduct of Page, after Van Alstyne was arrested, in con
nection with the fact that he had an over-coat of the prisoner in
his possession, increased the suspicion of Slocum as to his true
character, and it was only by the threat of his arrest as an ac
complice that he could get rid of him, he evidently being intent
on aiding the prisoner in an escape. What became of the horse
rode off by Van Alstyne was never known at Schoharie. The
trial was conducted by Henry Hamilton Esq., tbe District Attor
ney, assisted by M. J. Cantine Esq. ; and the prisoner was defend
ed by Jacob Gebhard and T. J. Oakley Esquires. Nine jurors
were set aside as having pre-judged the case. The cause was
ably managed, and resulted in finding tbe prisoner guilty of
the crime for which he was indicted. In pronouncing his sen
tence, Judge Spencer depicted in glowing colors the enormity of
the prisoner's offence, — warning the numerous assemblage against
the indulgence of crime. Van Alstyne was publicly executed on
the hill, where Casler had previously suffered a similar death,
March 19th, 1819; and there would seem to have been a most
signal interposition of Providence in bringing him to punishment
Circumstances, over which human action could have no control,
urged on the car of Justice and sealed his untimely fate. On board
of a vessel bound to a distant port, he felt comparatively safe
from pursuit ; but instead of gentle breezes wafting the vessel to
her place of destination, a furious gale broke her fastenings, and
compelled a return to the starting point to deliver up the offender.
The result of this man's trial, for a crime witnessed by no human
eye, should deter all persons from the perpetration of any offence
against law, committed in the hope that, because unseen by man,
they will escape detection, for it is not in man that walketh to di-

610 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
red his steps. The love of money, or free indulgence of passion,
may cause man to violate wholesome laws; but vengeance is
mine, and I will repay the guilty, saith the Lord of Hosts.
The Lutheran and Dutch Reformed Churches were organized
in the Schoharie settlements at an early period. The following
brief history of the Lutheran Church was mostly taken from a
sketch of its establishment and progress which appeared in the
Lutheran Magazine in 1827, prepared by Rev. Dr. G. A. Lintner.
Soon after the Germans located at Schoharie, they formed a
church, and had preaching occasionally as before stated. On the
7th of September, 1742, the congregation gave a call to the Rev.
Peter Nicholas Sommer, a native of Hamburgh, Germany, who
was ordained in that city as pastor of this church on the 2 1st of
the same month. He arrived in the field of his labors May 25th,
1743, and on the 30th preached his introductory sermon. The
first officers were Abraham Berg, and Michael Freymaurer, el
ders ; Henry Schaeffer and Peter Loewensteen, deacons. The
first vestry meeting was held on the 8th of June; 1743, at which
it was resolved to commence erecting a parsonage house for the
minister, which dwelling was to serve the present purposes of a
church. On the 3d of July following his arrival, Mr. Sommer
first publicly administered the sacrament of the Lord's Supper in
Schoharie, when the communicants participated. On the 12th of
September, the same year, public worship was held in the new
parsonage, and continued to be for several years. Early in 1750,
preparations were commenced for erecting a church ; on the 10th
of May the corner stone of the foundation was formally laid by
the pastor ; and the edifice, which was built of stone from an ad
joining field, having been completed, it was solemnly dedicated
on Whitsuntide, May 6th, 1751.
Mr. Sommer, who appears to have been much esteemed by his
people, was a faithful laborer, and for many years not only preach
ed in his own church, but at stated periods in the German settle
ments of Stone Arabia, Little Falls, in and near the Mohawk val
ley ; Rhinebeck, East and West Camp, Claverack, and Loonen-
burgh, on the Hudson ; Hoosick Road, in Rensselaer county ; and

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 611
Albany, Helleberg, 'and Beaver-dam, in Albany county. The
congregations in the three first-mentioned places, the nearest of
which was twenty-four miles from Schoharie, were for a time in
cluded in his pastoral charge ; but the Rev. Johan Frederick Ries
became their minister in December, 1751.
In December, 1758, Mr. Sommer preached for the first time in
Cobelskill, and there administered the sacrament ; after which pe
riod his services were mostly confined to the Schoharie settlements.
In 1768 he became suddenly blind, and was led to church by An
drew Loucks, for many years its clerk and chorister, continuing to
discharge most of the official duties with the infirmity* Old age
obliged him to retire from the ministry early in 1789. From
Schoharie he went to reside with relatives in Sharon, where he
died about the,year 1795 ; and his bones now repose on the farm
of Judge Robert Eldredge, the grave being identified by a frag
ment of coarse sandstone placed at its head, on which are rudely
engraved the initials of his name in the following order, N. S. P.,
the last letter being now hardly intelligible. If the Lutheran
churches he was instrumental in organizing in Schoharie county,
would remove the bones of this faithful old laborer in their ser
vice to the Schoharie burying ground, which is located on the site
of the church in which he ministered, and erect a suitable monu
ment over them, they would do a laudable act, and discharge a
duty they owe to his memory.
In 1791, the Rev. Anthony Theodore Braun took charge of
the Lutheran church in Schoharie, and continued its pastor until
1794. He was succeeded by the Rev. Frederick H. Quitman in
1795. In 1796 the congregation erected the brick edifice it now
* After having been totally blind nearly twenty years, he awoke one Sab
bath morning, to his great surprise, with his vision restored. His wife had
previously risen, and calling her into his room, he exclaimed, " i* can see as
well as ever I could '" She was at first terrified, supposing him deranged ;
bnt he continued, " Be not alarmed — my sight is restored !" " What can you
see ? his wife, still trembling, interrogated. " I see you — see every object in
the room — see yonder trees!" said he, pointing to several large trees visible
from a window. He left his bed with feelings Jew can realize, put on his
clothes, and from that time to the hour of his death, his perception of objects
was restored to its former condition.

612 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
occupies. Mr. Quitman left his station in 1798. In 1799 Mr.
Braun was recalled to the pastoral duties of this church, but again
relinquished them in 1801. The church was without a pastor un
til 1805, when the Rev. Augustus Wackerhagen entered upon
those duties. In 1815, he accepted a call from Columbia county.
The four pastors named were men of good classic attainments,
— were fine German scholars, — usually preached in the German
language, — and were very much respected. In 1816, the Rev.
John Molther became pastor of the congregation ; but on account
of his dissipation he was removed by the Lutheran Synod in 1818.
In 1819, the Rev. George A. Lintnerwas called to preside over
this congregation, and the church has prospered ever since, he still
being its pastor. This institution, which had to contend with ma
ny trials in its early existence, known only in border settlements,
was evidently of Divine origin. It struggled through scenes of
difficulty and danger in the early history of the settlement, shed
ding the light of Christian benevolence around the footsteps of
the pioneer. It was threatened by the perils of the French and In
dian wars : and Domine Sommer preached a proper discourse and
administered the sacrament to a company of volunteers, who
marched from Schoharie in 1746, to join an expedition against
Canada. In the American Revolution, religious service was most
ly discontinued in border settlements — and this congregation knew
from -experience the horrors of a civil war — a condition of things
much at variance with the doctrines of Christianity.
During our last war with Great Britain, many individuals and
associations sent out small notes, usually denominated shin-plas
ters, and this church issued them. The following is a blank
copy of one :
" The Consistory of St. Paul's Church, in Schoharie, promise
TO PAY THE BEARER, ON DEMAND, Two CENTS.
Nov. 16, 1314.  Secretary."
At what period the Reformed Dutch Church was established in
Schoharie, I am unable to show ; it is believed, however, to have
been nearly as early as was the Lutheran Church. The church
records were consumed in the parsonage some years since, which

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 613
misfourtune deprives me of data necessary fo show its organiza
tion and early history. I, however, gleaned from one of its old
est male members, that the first house of worship stood several
rods northeast of the old stone church ; was constructed of wood ;
was built after the model of the Dutch Church in Albany, with a
steeple over the centre ; that it was provided with a small bell,
the rope of which came down in the middle of the building ; and
that it was razed at the time the stone edifice was erected in 1772.
The clergyman who preached in Schoharie at an early day, offi
ciated in the German language in Schoharie, and in low Dutch,
at Weiser's dorf, where a Dutch church was erected nearly as ear
ly as was the one in Schoharie. The Dutch Church had similar
difficulties to surmount in its early history to those which usually
attend the planting of churches in a new country.
Judge Brown, as he assured the writer, was clerk and chorister
of the Schoharie Church, or fore-singer, as then called, before
the Revolution, and used often to go from his residence in Carlisle,
on Sabbath mornings, to church on foot, a distance of fourteen
miles, and be there in time for the service ; returning home after
it in the same manner. Is there a man in the county now, would
go that distance to church eyery Sabbath, if he could be driven
there in an easy chair ? H there is, let him declare it, "for him
have I offended."
The Rev. Mr. Schuyler, long a pastor of this church, died du
ring the Revolution, and I am not able to show who have been
his successors in regular order. I have in my possession a blank
call for a minister to take charge of the Dutch churches in Scho
harie, written in German, from which I learn that he was to re
ceive, for every person baptised, a fee of one shilling ; for every
couple married, a fee of eight shillings; that his salary was to be
paid half in cash and half in wheat ; that his fire-wood was to be
furnished scot-free ; and that he was to have four Sabbaths in a
year to himself.
Until about the year 1820, not only the Schoharie churches, but
those in other parts of New York and New England, were nearly all
destitute of stoves, or any convenience for warming them in the

614 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
winter ; and the families in attendance usually carried small foot-
stoves to church on the Sabbath, supplying them with a few coals,
buried in hot embers, at the dwellings nearest the sanctuary. Al
though the health of numbers was endangered by attending di
vine service before the introduction of the box-stove, still the
churches were in general well filled with attentive hearers. Be
tween the morning and afternoon service, that part of the con
gregation living remote from country churches, at the period un
der consideration, usually depended on the hospitality of the good
people living near, at whose dwellings they not only received the
benefit of a warm fire, but frequently were served with a luncheon
of fried cakes, cheese, and apples, and a glass of good cider.
The intermission, which was seldom over an hour, was often spent
in discussing some religious topic, to the edification of numbers
present. In former times, the churches of New England and New York
were provided with tiding-men — persons appointed to keep or
der in the galleries, having authority to change the position, or
even impose corporeal punishment, ort such as in any manner dis
turbed the congregation. Cornelius Van Schaack, who was for a
long time sexton of the old Dutch Church in Albany, and during
the Revolution, was much of tha time its tiding^man. I Often
might this efficient officer have been seen during the service to
enter the gallery with a hickory-gad, and lay it over the backs of
mischievous children, or noisy half-grown boys, if they did not
see him coming and escape punishment by creeping under the
benches, which was not unfrequently the case. — {James Lansing.)
Tiding-men were continued in many ofthe New England church
es to as late a period as the year 1825.
Before the Revolution, constables in Albany were required, as
a part of their duty, if they saw children at play on the Sabbath,
to correct them — and those guardians of order were often seen to
enter the door-yard of a rich man, and flog his peace-disturbing
boys, regardless of what parents or guardians might say or do. —
J. Lansing.

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 615
Blenheim,* a town in the south-westerly part of Schoharie
county, is centrally distant 44 miles south-west from Albany ; 20
west of south from the county seat ; and 35 north of west from
Catskill. It is bounded north by Fulton, east by Broome and
Conesville, south by Delaware county, and west by Jefferson.
Population 2,726.
Most of the early settlers in the south part of this town were
from New England, and their descendants are engaged in the
dairy business. A large tract of land, embraced in Scott's Patent,
is located in Conesville, Broome, and southerly part of this town.
Much of the tract is now owned by the Livingston family, and
leased to tenantry. The prevailing strata of rock is graywacke
and red-sand, the latter affording, in several quarries, a good
building material. In it are also found some fossils. This town
contains 2 post-offices — Blenheim and North Blenheim — and 4
churches — 2 Methodist, 1 Baptist, and 1 Reformed Dutch.
Broome (name changed from Bristol, April 6, 1818,) is about
35 miles south-west of Albany, 15 south of the county seat, and
30 from Catskill. It is bounded north by Middleburgh, east by the
county of Albany, south by Conesville, and west by Blenheim —
somewhat resembling a boot in its shape. Population 2,404. Its
early settlers were mostly from New England. It has 3 post-offi
ces — Livingston, Smithton, and Gilboa — and 6 churches — 2 each
Presbyterian and Baptist, and 1 each Methodist and Chris
tian. Chancellor Lansing once owned a valuable tract of land in this town. In
1818, Jacob Sutherland Esq., who had married a daughter of the chancellor,
went to reside at a romantic place in North Blenheim, to look to his own and
the possessions of his father-in-law ; about which time he was appointed Dis
trict Attorney for the U. S. District Court. While a resident of the county,
he was appointed one of its judges ; and when the convention met in 1821 to
alter the constitution, he was sent, with Olney Briggs and Asa Starkweather,
to represent Schoharie county in the convention, and proved an efficient mem
ber. Soon after the adoption of the new constitution, Mr. Sutherland was
elected a state senator, but a seat being ofTered him on the bench of the Su
preme Court, he declined the former, accepted the judgeship, and remov-
ed to Albany. Some years since, he resigned the office of judge, received
that of clerk ofthe same court, and removed to Geneva.. He died at Albany
May, 13, 1845, aged about 58 years.

616 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
One of the first settlers in the interior of this town was David
Elerson, who located in 1793. Previous to the Revolution he
was engaged in the Indian wars of Virginia, in which he received
a bullet through his left shoulder. Several Indians having secreted
themselves behind a fallen tree, were doing fearful execution in
the ranks of the colonial troops, and Elerson determined, at the
peril of his life, to punish them. While crawling towards a cov
ert for that purpose, he received the ball as described, but soon
had the satisfaction, by one or two effective shots, of driving the
enemy from their position.
He was in the Monmouth battle, under Col. Morgan, and es
caped unhurt. Col. Morgan hung upon the rear of the British
army some distance in their retreat. Arriving near Middletown,
Elerson, Murphy, Wilbur, and Tuffts (all of whom were after
wards on duty in Schoharie,) obtained permission to leave the
ranks, with the caution of extreme vigilance from tlieir command
er, and pursue the enemy towards Raritan Bay. Having separa
ted from his companions, Elerson found himself in sight of his
foes. The army had embarked at Gravelly Point, and effected a
landing on Staten Island by the boats of the enemy's fleet, then in
the bay to cover their retreat. Nothing remained on the Middle-
town shore except 40 or 50 horses, several baggage-wagons and
a phaeton, supposed to belong to Sir Henry Clinton. This pro
perty he perceived was guarded by only two sentinels, one of
whom stood on the beach near the water. Arriving unperceived
within a few yards of the two soldiers, one of whom was a mount
ed trooper, he leveled his rifle and shoutec" to them to surrender
themselves prisoners. The man on foot was so surprised that he
let his gun fall into the water, wetting its powder. The dragoon
rode into the water, with the intention of swimming his horse to
the island, but the tide compelled him to return. In the mean
time, Elerson ordered the other man to harness a span of good
horses before the carriage, and compelled, with leveled rifle, his
immediate compliance. Returning to the beach, the trooper was
evidently intent on getting a pistol shot at Elerson, when the lat
ter ordered him to leave his presence or surrender himself a

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 617
prisoner. Elerson did not wish to fire, as the British army and
fleet were in sight, and would doubtless turn their artillery upon
him ; but the sentinel, drawing a pistol, did not heed his threats,
and he sent a ball through his heart. The rifle's report had
hardly ceased its echoes, when a cannon shot plowed up the sand
near his feet ; and just as the second ball lodged in ihe loose soil
near him, having reloaded his piece and observed that his carriage
was ready, he bounded into it, and, with his prisoner for driver,
soon left the Middletown hills, and rode in safely to the American
camp. This daring hero, as he assured the author, sold his car
riage and horses for $187.50, and sent the money to his poor
father in Virginia. As was the case with many other brave spi
rits of the Revolution, Elerson could neither read or write. He
died in 1838 or '39.
David Williams, one of the captors of Major Andre, removed
from South Salem, Westchester county, 1805, to this town, and
settled on the farm ofthe late Gen. Shays,* near Livingstonville,f
where he resided to the time of his death. For a sketch of his
life, the capture and execution of Andre, &c. see the succeeding
chapter. Carlisle, formed in 1807, from parts of Cobelskill and Sharon,
is about 8 miles long from east to west, and nearly 7 wide : situ-
" This Gen. Shays was the man who headed an insurrection against the
government of Massachusetts in 1786 : the malcontents were dispersed in
1787, by State troops under Generals Shephard and Lincoln. This transac
tion has since been called Shays' Rebellion. Not long after becoming thus
celebrated he removed to Schoharie county, from whence after a residence of
some 15 years, he went to reside at Cayuga, N. Y., where he died in 1821.
He drew a pension of $240 a year ; a captain's pay for services in the Revo
lution. Shays was a man of noble and commanding figure, fine martial
appearance, and pleased with the title of General, with which he was usually
saluted.- -W .W. Murphy. \
f A war path in the Revolution led from Kingston to Schoharie. Follow
ing up the Catskill through the towns of Durham and Rensselaerville, it
proceeded onward through Broome to Middleburgh. At I-ivingstonville in
Broome, directly on this path, lived Derick Van Dyck, who settled there be
fore the war ; and often did Timothy Murphy partake of the hospitality of
this pioneer when on his secret expeditions into that neigborhood, and regale
himself with a good draught of buttermilk ; a beverage of which it is possible
l*oe Indian also partook in the absence of his destroyer.— Judge Murphy.

618 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
ated 10 miles northwest of the county seat, and 40 from Albany.
It is bounded north by Montgomery county, east by Schoharie,
south by Cobelskill, and west by Sharon. Population 1,850. It
has 1 post-office, called after the town ; and 3 churches, 1 Presby
terian, 1 Methodist, and 1 Union church, the latter built by seve
ral denominations. The two first named churches are at Carlisle,
the principal village in the town, which is situated on the Western
Turnpike ; the other is at Grosvenor1 s Corners, a small hamlet in
the south part of the town. Near the latter place is an interesting
locality to geologists, oi fibrous sulphate of barytes ; the fibres
being from half an inch to two inches in width. Near the barytes
is a layer of fibrous carbonate of lime, or arragonite.
A part of this town was embraced in the local settlement deno
minated New Rhinebeck, its pioneers having removed there about
the year 1760, from Rhinebeck, on Hudson River. The four
families which first located were those of Andrew Loucks, Con
radt Engle, Philip Kerker, and Peter Young. The late Judge
Brown settled near them soon after.
Its substratum is limestone, which is filled with indubitable
evidence of former conditions of this region, since which change
has passed over it, and drawn her petrifying finger in calcarious
lines around its mundane existence. In the rock are numerous
caverns, a few only of which have been visited. Young's and
Selleck's caves are the most extensive of any as yet explored, and
they have only been but partially so. The latter, first visited in
1841, by George Shibley and J. C. Selleck after whom it is called,
is said to be roomy, affording the visitor fine specimens of spar.
In the woods, about a mile northwest of Carlisle village, is a
small cavern; in which it is believed the Indians often found rest
when visiting the neighboring settlements in the Revolution, as it
afforded them ample security. Near it issues a fine spring. The
bones of animals, fire brands, and some fifty sticks, set in the ground,
apparently, for the purpose of drying meat, gave evidence of re
peated visitants, to those who discovered the place after the war".
In this town is one of the most lofty elevations in the county,
known by the aboriginal name of O-waere^souere: It is of a co-

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 619
nical form, and may be seen from Fulton county, fifty miles north
of it.
Cobelskill, centrally distant from the Court House, 10 miles,
and from Albany 40, is bounded north by Carlisle, east by Scho
harie and Fulton, south, by Summit and Otsego county, and west
by Seward and Sharon. Population 3,583. This township is of
an oblong shape. The Cobelskill, a fine mill stream, rises on the
•Tallmadge farm, in Worcester, Otsego county, near the source of
Schenevas creek, and running northeast sixteen miles, falls into
the Schoharie near Central Bridge. West creek, its greatest tri
butary, rises on the borders of Cherry Valley, and affording nu
merous good mill seats in Seward, through which it courses eas
terly, unites with the Cobelskill near Cobelskill Centre.
The first settlement in this town was made on the flats, a strip
of rich alluvion, extending several miles along the Cobelskill, in
1750, by Shafers, Boucks, Warners, Lawyers, Frimires, Borsts,
and Browns, from Schoharie, and George Fester, from Pennsyl
vania, all of whom were of German origin.
In this toWn there are 6 churches, and 6 villages, each with
a post office, viz : Cobelskill, Richmondville, Lawyerville, Barn
erville, Cobelskill Centre, and Punchkill. The first two villages
are the most important ; the former having 2 churches,. Luther
an and Dutch Reformed, — several stores workshops, &c, and pro
bably the best district school house in the county, a neat edifice,
recently erected. The other villages have 3 churches, 1 each, —
Lutheran, Methodist, and Baptist, a tannery, several work
shops, stores, &c. The rock in the south part of the town is prin
cipally sandstone and graywacke — the grit of the former in some
quarries being suitable for grindstones. The north part of the
town abounds in limestone, in which are numerous unexplored
caverns. Among the early settlers at Lawyerville, were Capt. James
Dana, a native of Ashford, Connecticut, and John Redington ;
the former having served his country as a captain of the Connec
ticut line of Continental troops, and the latter a soldier of that
gallant band. Dana was at the battle of Bunker Hill, and in
40

620 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
command of a company of men was stationed, with Capt. Knowl
ton and his company, by the orders of Gen. Putnam, to prevent
the enemy from gaining Col. Prescott's rear, and thus cut off the
retreat of the Americans to the main-land. From this position,
Capt. D., with Lieut, Thomas Grosvenor and Sergeant Fuller, at
a given signal, fired on Maj. Pitcairn, a British officer, marching
with a body of men toward the fence, and he fell mortally wound
ed. During the battle a cannon shot struck the fence, and forced "
a rail against Dana's breast with such violence as to prostrate
him ; but he regained his feet, and kept his ground until the troops
left the hill, when he drew off his men and aided in covering the
retreat of the army in good order. While retreating a bullet
lodged in his canteen.
After the battle of Bunker Hill, a colonel's commission was of
fered Captains Knowlton and Dana, which the former accepted
and the latter, from his native difficence, declined : he, however,
left the army at the close of the war, with the rank of brevet-
major. On arriving at the American camp, near Boston, and be
coming apprized of the bravery of the two captains mentioned,
and their deeds in the late battle, Gen. Washington immortalized
their names in his first general order, announcing as the secret
countersign, Knowlton ! and parole, Dana !
Thomas Grosvenor, who was a lieutenant; and third in com
mand of the troops stationed at the fence on Bunker Hill, and who
was promoted to colonel, — in a letter to Col. Daniel Putnam, who
was compelled to vindicate the character of his father, Gen. Israel
Putnam, from an ignoble charge of cowardice made by Gen.
Dearborn, which letter is dated April 30th, 1818, in speaking of
the officers at that station, makes no mention of Capt. Dana, who
was second in that command, and why he does not seems mysteri
ous, for Dana was the man who first communicated the evident in
tention of the enemy to out-flank the Americans. Lieut. Grosve
nor was wounded, and retired early from the field. That Dana
was a modest, uneducated man, affords no good reason why lau
rels fairly won by him should be claimed by others. The truth is

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 621
Capt. Dana merited a position in Col. Trumbull's picture of that
battle, which is given to another.*
On an occasion when Gen. Washington was reconnoitering the
American lines, Capt. Dana was on duty in the neighborhood, and
observing the former riding in a direction where the enemy were
just before posting sentinels, he said to him — " Perhaps your Ex
cellency may be in danger of a surprise if you proceed further
that way; the enemy in force are just over that knoll before you."
The Commander thankfully received the caution, and bowing res
pectfully, galloped back to his quarters. But for the prudence of
Capt. Dana, it is possible Gen. Washington would have been a
prisoner to Sir Henry Clinton. Capt. Dana stood high in the
confidence of the Commander-in-chief.
When he located at Lawyerville, he erected a good log
dwelhng, in which he ever after resided. His virtues were
held in high estimation in the community. On the organi
zation of a brigade of New York infantry, Capt. Dana received
from Gov. Lewis, as a partial reward for services rendered his
country, a general's commission. He was the first man who ever
held that office in Schoharie county, and discharged its duties with
becoming dignity.
The following anecdote of Gen. Lee was related to his friends
by Gen. Dana : While the latter was reconnoitering on some
occasion in the vicinity of the enemy's works, they were firing
shells towards the American camp. Observing a shell to strike
near him, he stepped behind a large tree near by. At the mo
ment it fell, and while the fuse was burning off, Gen. Lee arrived
upon the spot with a favorite dog. He did not even seek the co
vert of a tree, — and the dog, imitating his master's example of
unconcern, with curiosity to know the cause of its buzzing,
ran up to smell of it at the instant it exploded. The dog
• Gen William Eaton, who was the first American to unfurl the banner of
freedom' on the sands of Africa, (in 1803j) and win for his country the res-
peet of the haughty Bashaw of Tripoli, by planting the American flag on the
subdued fortifications of the city of Derne, the second city of importance m
his dominions, commenced studying the art of war at an early age, as a pn-
vale soldier, under Capt. Dana.

622 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
was sent several rods, though not killed. Seeing his canine friend
thus precipitated, he addressed him, unconscious of being over
heard — " You d — dfool! have youbeen so long in the service, and
don't yet know what a bomb is ?"
John Redington, was a private in Capt. Dana's company of
Connecticut troops, and was taken prisoner at Horseneck by De-
lancey's cavalry. In the retreat of the Americans he concealedf
himself under a bridge, and being discovered by the enemy he
was brought out, divested of his hat, shoes, &c, and thus driven
on foot by the unfeeling corps, with which he was compelled to
keep up, all the way to New York, where he was incarcerated in
that charnel, the Sugar House — enduring snch sufferings as an
iron frame only could endure — to the end of the. war. On the
return of peace he removed from Connecticut to Cobelskill, and
settled in the neighborhood of his respected captain. In conse
quence of his patriotism and sufferings, he was given the command
of the second company of cavalry ever organized in Schoharie
county. He was a very enterprising man, and the Reformed
Dutch Church, near his residence, was erected about the year
1800, through his influence.
The commissions for Gen. Dana and Capt. Redington, were ob
tained for them through the influence of a gentleman of great li
terary attainments, then residing in their neighborhood, who com
municated the incidents in their lives, here given, to the author.
The following inscriptions are copied frpin monuments in the
grave-yard at Lawyerville :
*' In memory of General James Dana, who died October 16th,
A. D. 1817, aged 85 years,"
"Erected A. h.* 5817, by Morality Lodge, No. 217, of Free
and Accepted Masons, in memory of William Huddleston, Esq.,
who was assassinated on the 9th of October, 1818, while in the
discharge of his official duty, aged 60 years, 3 months, and 26
days." " In memory of Captain John Redington, who died April 12th,
1830, aged 73 years, 6 months, and 14 days. A Revolutionary
veteran, an enterprising settler of the county, of distinguished pub
lic spirit — an honest man."
•Anno Lucis — Year of Light.

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 623
" Doct. Jesse Shepard, late a Judge of Schoharie county, died
April 19th 1832, aged 57 years, 10 months, and 18 days."
Conesville, southeast town in the county, was formed March
3d, 1836, from Broome and Durham in Greene county, and is
bounded in the act of incorporation as follows :
" Beginning at the centre of the Schoharie creek in the county
of Schoharie, where the Manor creek empties into the same ;
thence north 46 degrees east 176 chains, to the northwest corner
of a lot in Scott's patent known as the Leming lot ; thence east
along the lines of lots in the said patent 320 chains, to the east
line of the said patent 21 chains, to the north line of Stringer's
patent ; thence east along the north line of the said last mentioned
patent, 176 chains to the east line of the county of Greene ; thence
eastwardly along the north line of the said county of Greene, 34
chains ; thence south two degrees east, 166 chains to the dividing
Une between the towns of Durham and Windham ; thence west
wardly and northwardly along the said dividing line and the
dividing line between Durham und Prattsville, until it intersects
the north line of the county of Greene ; thence westwardly along
the said county line, to the centre of the Schoharie creek, and
thence northwardly down the centre of the said creek to the place
of beginning."
This town is centrally distant from Albany 40 miles; from the
county seat 26 ; and from Catskill 30. Population 1,621. It is
watered by Diesman's creek, which runs into the Schoharie near
Gilboa : on this creek near its mouth is a beautiful cascade, of
some 60 feet descent. It has 1 post-office, bearing its name ;
and 3 churches, 1 Dutch Reformed., and 2 Methodist. The pioneer
settlers of this town were Peter Richtmyer, Judge John Reynolds,
Thomas Fitch, John Walker, and Elisha Bates ; the four last
being New England men : the settlement was made about the
year 1795. The inhabitants are mostly engaged in the dairy
business. — A. Richtmyer and W. W. Murphy.
Fulton, incorporated in 1828 from part of Middleburgh, is
centrally distant from Albany 45 miles, and from the county seat
12. Population 2,146. On the flats in this town were some of
the earliest settlements made in the county by the Dutch at Vroo
man's Land ,and the Germans at Brakabeen. It has 3 post-offices
Fultonh'am, Brakabeen, arid Byrnvill'e ; and 4 churches, 1 Refor
med Dutch, 1 Baptist, 1 Union, and 1 Lutheran.

624 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
Bouck's Falls, situated on Panther creek, a mill stream which
rises in Jefferson, and runs into the Schoharie just above Panther
mountain in this town, are among the most interesting natural
curiosities in the State. At my first visit to this waterfall (in Oct.
1837), I named it after Col. J. ,W. Bouck, who accompanied me
to it. The stream dashes down a precipice in a little distance at
least one hundred feet, into a deep pool its action has worn at the
base. The bold cliffs tower upwards on either side about 200
feet, while the trees — standing upon the summit like sentinels on
the walls of a castle — present a picture romantic and enchanting
indeed. In its descent, the water is concealed by projecting rocks
except in two places, the one near. the bottom, and the other 50
or 60 feet above, at which latter place it dashes down with thun
dering, deafening roar. The opening cut in a mountain gorge
by this cataract, is from 200 to 300 feet across at the bottom and
much less at the summit, so that could the hill tops unite, a cavern
would thus be formed several hundred feet in depth, with a vaulted
ceiling nearly a hundred feet high. The rock is sandstone, similar
to the prevailing formation of Otsego and Madison counties, char
acterised at this point by the inoceramus and several other varieties
of fossil shells, and farther upward by the trilobite De Kayii.
As if to add interest to the scene at the time of the visit named)
there stood Dick Bouck, then a gray-headed old negro, who, as
before stated, was the little captive slave taken with William
Bouck and part of his family in 1780. Dick had been fishing for
trout until they would no longer bite, and was then hooking them
up. He recounted the story of his captivity — but could not resist
the temptation, as a good sized fish came within reach, to attempt
its capture, thus often losing the thread of his tale, to the great
amusement of his auditors, who were constantly reproving him
for his inattention. He several times raised his hooks from the
water for the purpose of finishing his narrative, but the line would
as often sink unconsciously into it, to capture a good sized trout.
Poor Dick, he sleeps with his fathers, and has for several years ;
but long will the author remember the story of his captivity, and
the novel manner in which he related it.

BOUCK'S FALLS.

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 627
Ex-Governor William C. Bouck, is a native of this town, and
was born January 7th, 1786. His farm is situated upon an island
on the east side of the river, and his dwelling is pleasantly located
near the bank of the river, fronting the road, the river, and on its
opposite shore a romantic mountain called Ottegus-berg — Panther
mountain. His early education was good considering the former condition
of our common schools, at which he received a considerable share
of it. His was however a mind of that inquisitive sort, susceptible
of improvement from general reading and close observation. —
Numerous have been the instances in our country, in which men
have — imitating the commendable example of a Washington and
a- Franklin, by untiring application after they have done going to
school, where in fact an education is but just begun, — stored their
minds with a fund of useful knowledge which has been the means
in after life, of elevating them to stations of distinction and honor.
In 1807, then 21 years of age, he was elected clerk of his na
tive town, and the following year its supervisor. In 1812, he
was appointed sheriff of Schoharie county, by Governor Tomp
kins, and the year following was chosen to represent that county
in the assembly, to which body he was returned in the years
1814 — '15, and '17. While there, he was active in sustaining
the course of Gov. T., who seconded the measures of the general
government in prosecuting the war with England to a glorious
termination. In 18 19 he was elected a state senator, about which
time he was appointed colonel of the 18th regiment of New- York
infantry ; the duties of which latter office he is said to have dis
charged with becoming dignity and skill. Still in the senate in
1821, where he was respected for his personal knowledge, he was
chosen from that station by nearly the unanimous vote of both
houses of 'the legislature, irrespective of party considerations, a
member of the canal board, and was appointed to superintend an
important portion of the Erie Canal then constructing. He was
retained as canal commissioner for nineteen years, during which
period most of our canals — public works of which our State may
very justly be proud — were prosecuted to completion.

628 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
In 1840, Mr. Bouck was the democratic candidate for the office
of Governor, and in 1842, having been again nominated, he was
elected by a large majority.*
Col. Joseph Bouck, brother of the late governor, has once been
a member of Congress.
Mr. Abraham Keyser, formerly sheriffof Schoharie county.and
for many years treasurer of the state, — the duties of which office he
discharged most satisfactorily — was also a native of this town, his
ancestors being among the earliest German settlers.
Jeffekson, erected from Blenheim in 1803, is 20 miles south
west of the county seat, and 53 from Albany. Population 2,033.
Its inhabitants — who are mostly descended from New England
parentage — are extensively engaged in the dairy business. It has
2 pOst-offices, Jefferson and Mossville, and 5 churches, 3 Metho
dist, 1 Baptist, and 1 Presbyterian. The Delaware river rises in
this town. Jefferson Academy, incorporated at an extra legisla
tive session in 1834, is pleasantly located in the village of Jeffer
son. Middleburgh is centrally distant from the court-house 5 miles,
and from Albany 38. It is bounded north by Schoharie, east by
Albany county, south by Broome and Blenheim, and west by Ful
ton and Cobelskill. Population 3,841. In this town there are
3 post-offices, — Middleburgh, Franklinton, and Hunters Land, —
and 6 churches, — 1 Lutheran, 1 Presbyterian, 2 Methodist, 1
Quaker, and 1 Independent Presbyterian or Bellingerite.
There is in the south part of Middleburgh a place called the
Vlaie — a German word, signifying a marsh or swamp. The
place was known as a black-ash swamp, nearly a mile in length
and covering many acres, when it obtained the name. It is on
• Many a word spoken in jest becomes prophetic. About the year 1820,
an honest farmer living "on Fox creek, held a conversation with a friend of
ours, in which Mr. Bouck was mentioned. Of the latter gentleman the for
mer thus remarked : " Depend upon it that man will yet be governor of this
state ; for instead of going round a hill as other men do to see what is on the
opposite side, he looks right through it." This casual remark was made at a
time, when his excellency's intimate friends did not anticipate for him a seat
in the gubernatorial chair of state.

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 631
the summit level of the Canajoharie and Catskill rail-road route,
though by no means on the summit of the grounds in that neigh
borhood ; for the mountain towers above it on both sides. The
Vlaie is situated in a gorge of the mountain, where the sun, at
some seasons of the year, sets to the traveler before noon. From
the Vlaie issue two streams of water, and what is very remarka
ble, the one from the north end runs northerly, and, forming the
Little Schoharie kill, runs into the Schoharie at the lower end of
clauver-wy ; while the one from the south end runs southerly,
making the head waters of the Catskill. Dams have been erect
ed at both these outlets, and good mill privileges thus obtained.
A considerable share of the Vlaie was thus covered with water,
and fish having been put into it by the owners, it affords at the
present day fine sport for the angler, especially if he is an adept
in the art of trolling for pickerel. The name Vlaie now attaches
to the pond, which is fed by innumerable never failing springs.
This is in truth a remarkable spot. An artificial dam of sufficient
strength thrown across each end of the gap, would raise a lake of
an hundred or more feet in depth. The county buildings for the
accommodation of paupers, are pleasantly situated on the west
side of the river in this town.
Schoharie, now the largest and wealthiest township in the
county, was incorporated March 7th, 1788, as part of Albany
county, and is bounded north by Montgomery county, east by
Schenectada and Albany counties, south by Middleburgh, and west
by Carlisle and Cobelskill. The public buildings, which are con
structed of stone, are situated at a village* on the river flats,
bearing the name of the town, in its south-west part ; distant
from Albany 33 miles ; from Schenectada 22 ; and from Catskill
'For a view of Schoharie village see frontispice.
Description of plate. In the righthand ofthe picture is seen the Academy,
erected and incorporated in 1835. At the foot ofthe street in the foreground
is the new Methodist church. Farther to the left is seen the Lutheran church
and steeple of the Dutch church, between which is the court-house. The
public buildings, except the court-house and clerk's office, are of brick ; the
two latter of stone. The front of the court-house was fitted up with a pi
azza and columns in 1844.

632 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
48. This town, like Middleburgh, contains mountainous eleva
tions and broad, fertile interval lands, and was first settled by
Germans in 1711. Population 5,532. It has 6 villages, each
With a post-office, viz — Schoharie Court House, Esperance, Sloans-
ville, Gallupville, Central Bridge and WaldensvUle. The ancient
stone church, fortified in the Revolution, is still standing, one mile
north of the court-house.
Esperance, the only incorporated village in the county, is situ
ated in the north-east corner of the town, 8 miles distant from
the court-house, and 25 from Albany. It is pleasantly situated on
the north side of the river, ahd has a Presbyterian and Methodist
church, the former of which is a stone edifice, constructed of red
sand-stone, from its vicinity, and a classic school. A bridge
across the river separates this place from the town of Duanes
burg, called formerly The State Bridge. This was the second
covered bridge erected in the state, the first being built over the
Hudson, at] Waterford.
Sloansville, 4 miles west of Esperance (also on the turnpike),
and 7 north of the court-house, contains 2 Baptist churches. An
Indian foot-path, leading from Schoharie to Fort Hunter, passed
near Sloansville, a large mound of stones, which had been reared
by the Indians long before the whites settled this part of the state.
A title to the adjoining lands was called the Stone Heap Patent.
Tradition says that two Mohawk hunters were passing this place —
a quarrel arose between them — one murdered the other — and his
fellows, to commemorate the event, erected a pile of stones upon
the spot. A custom of their nation required every warrior tra
veling that path, to appease the departed spirit by adding a stone
to the heap, and thus it grew to one of enormous dimensions.
Not many years ago the land on which it stood was owned by an
individual who cared little for the sacred altars of the red man,
and the long accumulating record of homicide was converted by
hira into stone wall, to the unfeigned regret oi pious antiquarians.
The route pursued by Sir John Johnson and his army, from Scho
harie to the Mohawk, in October, 1780, led directly past this
monumental pile.

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 633
Gallupville, a hamlet romantically situated on Foxes creek, 5
miles from the court-house, has a Reformed Dutch church and
classic school. This place is located on the stage road leading
from Schoharie to Albany.
Central Bridge, 5 miles northwest from the court-house, is a
small hamlet of recent growth, with a Lutheran church, erected
in 1844. At this place a bridge crosses the river, called Central
Bridge, from its being nearly equidistant from the Esperance and
Schoharie bridges.
WaldensvUle, on Foxes creek in the northeast part of the town,
is an unimportant hamlet, with an axe factory, several work
shops, &c.
A small church owned by the Methodist persuasion at Punch
Kill, stands within the limits of this town.
Gebhard's Cavern, (called formerly Ball's Cave,) ranks conspi
cuously among the natural curiosities of the county. I have chosen
to call it after John Gebhard, jun. Esq., its present proprietor ; a
gentleman who has done much to advance the science of geology
— particularly that branch now denominated palaeontology. This
cavem is situated upon an elevation called Barton hill, its en
trance being in a piece of woods nearly four miles east of the
court-house. It was first partially explored in September, 1831.
On the 21st of October of the same year, Doctor Joel Foster, Mr.
John S. Bonny, John Gebhard, Esq., and several other citizens
of Schoharie, having prepared a boat, again visited this cavern,
and being let down by ropes with their skiff, "they pretty thoroughly
explored it Its entrance, which is funnel shaped, is some 12 feet
across, and when first visited was literally covered with fallen
timber, a part of which had been cast into the aperture to prevent
domestic animals from falling in.
This cavern is situated in the midst of a forest, and ingress to
its dark chambers is down a natural chimney of 70 feet depth,
through massive lime Tock, with nearly perpendicular sides. The
chimney is now supplied with a substantial ladder, the foot of
which rests upon timber and earth, which have accumulated in
the lapse of time to several feet in depth. From the foot of the

634 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
ladder, the principal direction of the cavern is southwest ; and the
visiter after descending some 30 feet more by a craggy footing
and a second ladder, arrives at a passage some 10 feet wide, and
for a little distance not over three feet high.
On the right of this passage, which is nearly 30 feet long with
an arch of nature's masonry, a stream of pure water issues from
an opening three feet wide and fifteen inches high. A small boat
having been constructed for the purpose and called after its pro
jector the Bonny Boat, Mr. Bonny in one of his early visits ex
plored this part of the cavern. In a recumbent posture he was
pushed off in his tiny craft with torch in hand into the dark hole,
which soon enlarged to respectable dimensions, so that he could
stand up and propel it : this he did by taking hold of projections
of the rock. He discovered nothing very peculiar in this passage,
which led in a northerly course, except that its limpid water was
obstructed by fourteen natural dams, in themselves a curiosity of
no little interest. They were located where the passage was 8
or 10 feet wide and about as high, with a depth of water between
them ranging from 10 to 30 feet ; and consisted of tufaceous for
mations resembling sections of a circle, the curve in each dam
being towards the outlet of the lake, or sluggish stream. Those
dams, which rose several inches above the level of the water be
low them, and over which the stream gently rippled, were about
four inches in thickness on the top, upon which the fearless navi
gator had to stand astride his boat, and push it into the lake up
on its opposite side.
This part of ihe cavern, which has been denominated passage
of the dams, terminates in a large room nearly fifty feet square,
the walls of which are graywacke, and hang in threatening con
fusion on every side. As the characteristic rock of the mountain
is here changed, it affords the visitor no geological specimens of
interest ; and as this passage is explored with much hazard, few
will ever see it. The last time Mr. Bonny visited the dams, (in
1835,) the writer launched his craft and awaited with anxiety,
at the entrance, his return. Mr. B. then gave this part of the ca
vern a satisfactory examination, and observed that many frag-

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 635
ments of rock had fallen in the square room since his first visit ;
and supposed that tons more might be dislodged by the discharge
of a musket. He came near losing his balance while standing
upon a dam and pushing over the then water-soaked boat, and on
making his egress, expressed his gratitude for having, as he be
lieved, barely escaped a watery grave ; for had he lost his light,
and with it his boat, he could hardly have found his way, by
swimming in such cold water nearly one quarter of a mile to the
place of entrance.
On the south side of the main passage leading from the en
trance, at a little distance from the outlet of the lake, obstructed
by dams, is an opening scarcely large enough to admit a grown
person, which leads into a room some ten feet in diameter, called
the Fox room ; its early visitors having found within it animal
bones, supposed to have been those of a fox. The sound of ham
mer strokes upon the wall or floor of this room give evidence of
a cavity beyond, into which a passage could easily be opened
with proper implements.
Following the rippling stream in the main passage, it leads to
the shore of a lake nearly 400 feet in length. This sheet of
transparent water, buried about 100 feet beneath the earth's sur
face, and on which the zephyr bre:ze has never cast a ripple, is,
with two or three exceptions, not over 8 or 10 feet wide, averag
ing in depth from 6 to 30 feet. In some places, the arched lime-
rock rises above the head of the young mariner 20 or 30 feet,
while in others he is compelled to adopt Franklin's maxim, and
stoop to avoid a thump.
The lake terminates at its southwest end in an enlargement of
the passage, and climbing up a steep ascent of 10 or 12 feet, a
small aperture leads into a spacious room called from its circular
form, the rotunda. This room is 315 feet in circumference, with
a vaulted roof and concave floor, separated in the centre by a
space of some 40 feet A single candle reflects but a sickly light
in this dungeon of nature, but the writer once visited it when
some thirty other individuals were there on the same errand, and
the light of thirty torches discovered the magnificence of the

636 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
apartment. The only living inhabitants of this cavern are bats,
which hang suspended to each other from. the walls, by bringing
info requisition the little hooks on their wings, and resemble bees
at rest in a hive. Trout would, no doubt, live in the cold, clear
waters of this everlasting dungeon.
From the rotunda is a low narrow passage running in a south
east direction several hundred feet, in no part of which can the
visitant stand upright. On the north side of the rotunda, an
opening leads into a small room denominated, from musical sounds
sometimes heard in it, the Music Saloon. A few years ago this
cavern was purchased by John Gebhard, jr. and Mr. Bonny,
who opened a passage in the clay and sand which constitute tbe
floors, from the music room into several other small apartments in
that vicinity ; and it is highly probable that similar excavations
would disclose other hidden recesses. In fact, a few hours' labor
would doubtless open a passage through the floor in one part of
the rotunda, beneath which the outlet of the lake can be heard
descending to a lower level, and thus disclose to the visitor new
attractions — new wonders.
Tons of rare minerals have been removed from the several
rooms of this cavern, to adorn the cabinets of practical geolo
gists. Stalactites aud stalagmites, of semi-transparent alabaster,
white as Alpine snow, ahd of every seeming variety of shape,
have been taken from this laboratory. Minerals depending from
the ceilings, or attached to the walls and floors, were removed by
the early visitors, but many of the richest specimens have been
discovered at a later period, by digging in the earthy floors.
Some of the slabs of alabaster, which have been formed in the
lapse of ages by the percolation of water through the fissures of
lime-rock, and its escape by gaseous exhalation, thus leaving its
imbibed sedimentary deposit of carbonate of lime on the floors of
this cavern, are found to contain geodes filled with beautiful flos-
feri, or thread-like crystals. The satin spar is only rivalled by
that of Derbyshire, England, while the brown calcarious spars and
arragonite are rarely equalled in beauty by those of any other
cavern.

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 637
A specimen weighing several hundred pounds now adorns the
valuable cabinet of John Gebhard, Esq., which was removed by
immense labor from the music saloon, and drawn to the surface
by a windlass. It is a mass of pure white alabaster, which has
incorporated in its formation several stalagmites, and projecting
from a part of which are forty-one distinct stalactites of various
sizes, pointing, like so many magnets, to the centre of all gravity.
Another specimen which was excavated in this part of the cav
ern, deserves especial notice. It is a female bust, or rather breast,
of purest alabaster ; the contour is French, and approximates sur
prisingly to nature, on which account it is one of the most valua
ble of all stalagmitic formations — for it is a form which may be
admired without the fear of its imbibing false pride, or blushing
at the exposure of its own charming proportions.
Gebhard's cavern has a merited celebrity on account of its se
cluded locality, its limpid lakes, its rotunda, its salubrious atmo
sphere, and the immense quantity of beautiful minerals it has af
forded the admirer of Nature's handiwork ; not a few of which,
for their snowy whiteness, are scarcely equalled by those of any
other cavern in this country; and it will continue to have nume
rous visiters, although other caves, dark and deep, may become
justly celebrated in its neighborhood. For as a previous writer
observes — " The novelty of navigating a crystal lake by torch
light, beneath an arch of massive rock, at tbe distance of some
hundred feet from the surface of the earth — the breathless excite
ment resulting from the real and imaginary dangers of the enter
prise, &c, are themselves sufficient to render this cavern a place
of frequent and interesting resort."
Several females have explored it, the first of whom was Miss
Wayland, a spirited and intelligent young lady from New York
city. The interior of all caverns is ever damp— ever dirty ; and
those who would visit this or any other, and explore its or their
extent, must go provided with a suit of once rejected apparel : in
other words, they must increase the novelty of their visit by gaz
ing on curious objects in the most ludicrous figure they can possi
bly present— which is that of disguising their persons in the cast-
41

638 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
off clothing of somebody's grand-parents. Col. Stone, speaking
of Miss Wayland's preparation to enter this cavern, said " she
had prepared herself at the village with a garb which would have
appeared well in the beggar's opera."
A clever romance of the Mohawk, written a few years since
by Hoffman, and given the name of Greycelaer, (a name which
sounds too much like that of certain tory leaders, mentioned in this
volume, to please the writer,) locates some scenes of it in this ca
vern, to which he applies the very pretty Indian name of Wane-
onda. It is not probable, however, that any Indian ever entered,
noticed, or named it. The charming Alida de Roos, its heroine,
the reader may almost fancy personified in the person of Miss
Wayland, who is doubtless quite as pretty.
Otsgaragee Cavern, known in its vicinity as Howe's cave, and
called by G. F. Yates, Esq., (an antiquarian and naturalist, who
was one of its earliest visiters, and first to describe it), The
Great Gallery Cave, is situated on the farm of Henry Wetsel,
in the extreme northwest corner of this town, about three and a
half miles from Central Bridge, and five from the Court House.
It was first explored by Lester Howe, its present proprietor, in the
month of May, 1842. The entrance is in the side of a mountain
ridge of limestone, on the west side of the Cobelskill, not far dis
tant from, but elevated some fifty feet above that stream. From
the entrance, which is very easy of access, its principal direction
is nearly west, leading off under the town of Cobelskill.
A visit to several spacious rooms in this cave, is made with com
parative ease, and little or no danger ; one of which, situated some
distance from the entrance, is very properly called the Chapel, in
a published notice of it. This apartment, which crosses the prin
cipal direction of the passage, somewhat resembles in shape the
hull of a ship bottom upwards, in an inclined position, the floor at
one end being elevated above the other, and is some sixty or sev
enty feet in length by about twenty in breadth, with a vaulted
roof separated from the floor by a space of twenty or, thirty feet.
Near the upper end of this room is a stalactite which will weigh
several hundred pounds, and beneath it a stalagmite of corres-

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 639
ponding dimensions. They are ash-colored, of interesting form,
and far more valuable where they are, than they would be in any
other place, as they may, in fancy, be considered the desk of the
Chapel. From the room just described, the visitor, whose curiosity leads
him farther, is obliged to pass through a place called the tunnel,
nearly two hundred feet in length, so contracted as to compel him
either to creep on all fours, or prostrate, and worm himself along
upon a plank placed for his convenience, where the cavities
of the floor are filled with water, which plank are of course con
stantly wet. Threading this passage, in some parts of which he
cannot turn round if he would, the visitor will feel awe-stricken,
and, if he never has before, will realize to some extent the con
sciousness of his own weakness and ability of
That Spirit-power the earth we tread now quakes,
And closing old, new mountain-caverns mattes ;
Which bids the clouds send down their timely rain,
And whistling winds go drink it up again.
This narrow passage conducts into a room in which a boat is re
quired to cross a small sheet of limpid water, which is thirty feet
long, twenty wide, and ten deep, over which Charon ferries his
friends. From the lake the main passage of the cavern extends a
great distance, much of the way following the meanderings of a
brook, the passage being sufficiently large to permit visitors to
proceed with no other inconvenience than their exposure to wet
feet. Several extensive rooms are met with in the back part of
the cavern, which contain formations of a novel character ; and
in one of its secret passages is heard the thundering of a cataract,
where a stream of water dashes down unobserved into caverns far
below. The passages of this cavern, large and small, extend
several miles from its entrahce, and disclose to the visitor many
interesting peculiarities ; and that persons may not travel great
distances to visit it and go home disappointed, as several have,
who expected to explore " The rival of the Mammoth Cave in
Kentucky,'* I am constrained to observe that several accounts have

640 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
exaggerated its true picture. To say nothing of a lake within it,
in which subsist fish that have no visible organs of sight, " The
Mammoth Cave in Kentucky," says James K. Paulding, "is the
largest cavern in the known world, having cither thirty or thirty-
two avenues radiating from the area within the entrance, each
one extending to the distance oi ten miles under the earth. A
man, therefore, in going and returning through these avenues,
would cover a distance of upwards of six hundred miles." There
are acres of ground in single rooms in this great cavern, while
much of the Schoharie cave under consideration, consists in nar
row passages, not to be explored without some difficulty, and the
hazard of receiving a sponged coat and muddy boots.
Far inland, this cave abounds in mineral deposits, peculiar to
caverns in limestone, such as calcarious spar, arragonite of vari
ous colors, and alabaster in stalactical and other forms ; few of
which as yet taken out will compare, however, in pearly and
snowy whiteness, with similar formations found in Gebhard's
Cave. Some of the dangerous looking holes in Cobelskill and
Carlisle, may possibly be found to communicate with Howe's Ca
vern. The proprietor is making praiseworthy efforts to open a
passage round the tunnel to the lake, which, if successful, will ob
viate the greatest difficulty now met with in satisfactorily explor
ing this cave, and it will then be visited by numerous guests.
Nehtaway's Cave, situated on the farm of Peter Nethaway,
two miles south-west of the court-house, was explored in 1836
by John Gebhard Esq., and Mr. Bonny. It afforded nothing
worth removing, save a few choice cabinet specimens of colored
rhombohedral spar, which resembles the most inviting maple
sugar. In addition to the rich minerals found in its caverns, this town
affords several others of beauty and interest. Sulphate of stron
tian, an exceedingly rare mineral, is found in two localities : one
in a yeinbetween layers of rock at the Karighondontee moun
tain, about three miles northwest, and -another one-fourth of a
mile southeast of the court-house. This mineral receives a fine
polish, and resernbles marble in its appearance, but is easily de-

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 641
termmed by its specific gravity, which is much heavier than that
of marble. Carbonate of strontian, almost as rare a mineral, is
also found at the last mentioned locality.
A mine of iron pyrites, to appearance exhaustless, is situated
on the west bank of the river, one mile southwest of the court
house. Some of its crystalizations are very beautiful ; but the
mineral is of no great value. A German chemist, named John
Casper Staudt, is said to have made small quantities of copperas
at this place during the Revolution. In fact, he acquired the repu
tation of making contraband coppers also, which are said to have
passed more currently than continental paper.
On the south bank of Foxes creek, one mile east of the court
house, is a locality of clay-stones. They are small, regular forma
tions of indurated clay, and present the appearance of having been
turned in a lathe. They are washed out at every freshet from a
steep bank, at a depth of at least ten feet below the surface.
They are valueless, but in themselves a matter of no little curiosity.
Fluate of lime or Jluor spar, is found in small quantities in
seams of the lime-rock, half a mile southeast of the court-house.
In its vicinity also occurs a strata of water limestone, which Pro
fessor Beck analyzed with the following result :
Carbonate of Lime  ..56.25
Carbonate of Magnesia,  30.75
Silica and Alumina,  11.50
Oxide of Iron,  1 .50
100.000
Calcarious tufa is found in several localities along the west
side of the river. In it are beautiful specimens of fossil moss;
the incrustations of limy matter being so delicate as to preserve
every fibre ofthe once living moss ; while other portions, finding the
former bed a fertilizer, grow upon its top, presenting the pheno
mena of white and green in the same cluster. A specimen ana
lyzed by Professor Beck, gave the following result :
Carbonate of Lime  97.25
Organic matter,  t.95
Silica,  80
100.000

642 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
On the walls of the. old stone church, are cut the names of
most of the individuals who aided in its erection. In the grave
yard near it is the following monumental inscription :
" In memory of Col. Peter Vrooman, who departed this life De
cember 29th, 1793, aged fifty-seven years, nine months, and nine
days." Seward, erected from Sharon February 11th, 1840, is distant
from the Court House 15 miles, and from Albany 48. It is bound
ed north by Sharon, east by Cobelskill, south and west by Otsego
county ; and was named after His Excellency, William H. Sew
ard, then Governor of the State. This town has 4 churches — ]
Methodist, 2 Lutheran, and 1 Baptist ; and 2 post offices, called
Hyndsville, and Gardnersville.
The local settlement called New Dorlach, after a town in Ger
many from whence its citizens came, was made in this town in
1754, by Sebastian France, Michael Merckley, Henry Hynds, and
Ernest Fretz, who landed at New York in the fall of 1753, pro
ceeded to Albany in the winter, and the following spring began
their pioneer residence. These settlers had part of their early
milling done at Schenectada.
The north part of Seward has a supply of limestone. A spur
of the Catsbergs runs along the south side of West creek. On
the north side of that stream, situated between Hyndsville and
Lawyerville, is a hill, called on the early maps by the Indian name
of Gogng-ta-nee. The following inscription may be seen in the
burying ground of the Methodist Church, near Hyndsville :
" In memory of Horace Handy, who died Sept. 11, 1834, in the
22d year of his age. H. H. was a graduate of Union College, a
member and benefactor of the Adelphi Society, by whose, order
this was erected."
Sharon, centrally distant northwest from the Court House 18
miles, and from Albany 45, is1 bounded north hy Montgomery
county, east by Carlisle, south by Seward, and west by Otsego
county. This town was so called after Sharon in Connecticut.
Being underlaid with limestone, it has numerous caverns, few,
if any of which, have yet been explored. The rock contains

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 643
numerous fossils, among which I have procured good specimens
of branch coral. Sharon has 4 post offices— Sharon, Leesville,
Argusville, and Sharon Centre (the last mentioned being nearest
the Sharon Springs); and 4 churches— 1 Reformed Dutch, 1 Me
thodist, 1 Baptist, and 1 owned by the Lutherans and Baptists.
In a ravine nearly a mile north of the turnpike, two miles from
the Sharon Centre post office, and about the same distance from
Leesville, are the Sharon Sulphur Springs — mineral waters — said
to be similar in properties to the celebrated springs of Virginia.
The principal spring boils up from the bed of a small brook, dis
charging a column of water which must ever supply an abundance
for medicinal purposes.
An analysis, made by Dr. Chilton, of New York, of water from
this spring, gives the following result : Grains.
Sulphale of Magnesia,  42.40
do Lime,  111.62
Chloride of Sodium, .... ........ 2.24
do Magnesium,   2.40
Hydro-sulphuret of Sodium, > „ o0
do Calcium, $  **-*-*
Total number of grains, 160.94
Sulphuretted Hydrogen Gas, 16 cubic inches.
Besides this, there are several smaller springs of like efficacy
near, and, as stated by Dr. Beck, a chalybeate spring in the same
neighborhood. The waters of the first mentioned spring are high
ly impregnated with sulphuretted hydrogen — indeed, to such a de
gree as to tarnish silver, even in the pocket of the visiter. There
is a pretty cascade, about a quarter of a mile distant from the
shower house, to lure the lover of romance, while around the
springs fossil leaves and moss are easily obtained in great perfec
tion by geologists.
Anhydrous sulphate of lime, an exceedingly rare mineral, is
found in a little cave near the principal spring at this place. It is
a remarkable fact, that while crystals are decomposing on one
side of a mass of this mineral, they are often forming on the op
posite side.

644

HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,

The waters of the Sharon Springs have obtained great celeb
rity for the last twenty years, for their beneficial effects on rheu
matic, cutaneous, and other diseases ; and a public house was long
since erected near the principal spring. The Pavilion, a magni
ficent hotel, reared by a company of gentlemen from New York,
in 1836, on an adjoining eminence, for the better accommodation
of visiters, is now fitted up in elegant style, and under the direc
tion of its present proprietors, Messrs. Gardner & Landon, is well

;:/~5S§-gj SHARON SPRINGS PAVILION.
patronized by invalids, who would know the efficacy of the mine
ral waters, and fashionable tourists, who would seek a summer re
sidence where novel and picturesque scenery, and a most salubri
ous atmosphere cannot fail to invite them.
The Pavilion is situated on the borders of Schoharie, Montgo
mery, and Otsego counties, about 45 miles west from Alba
ny, 20 northwest from Schoharie Court House, and 8 east from

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 645
Cherry Valley. Visitors who would approach the Springs from
the valley of the Mohawk, will find carriages running daily, in
the summer season, from Canajoharie, nine miles distant, for their
accommodation. Summit,* erected April 13, 1819, from Cobelskill and Jefferson,
is distant southwest from the Court House 20 miles, from Albany
50, and from Catskill 55. It is bounded north by Cobelskill, east
by Fulton, south by Jefferson and Delaware county, and west by
Otsego county. It began to be settled about ten years after the
close of the Revolution, by men from New England, whose de
scendants are engaged in the dairy business. Population 2,009.
The prevailing rock is slate. Summit has 7 churches— -3 Metho
dist, 2 Baptist, 1 Lutheran, and 1 Christian ; and 2 post offices —
Summit 4 Corners and Charlotteville. Summit Pond, a small,
placid sheet of water, near the corners in this town, covers some
sixty acres of land. — /. W. Baird.
"On the borders of this town is a small lake, bearing the soft Indian name
Ut-say-an-tho. It is known in the neighborhood as Jack's lake, so called af
ter the late John A. Hudson, who owned lands around it— Jack being our na
tional vulgarity for John. This sheet of water, which affurds one of the sour
ces ofthe Susquehanna, owes its poetic name, as tradition says, to the follow
ing circumstance : Ulsayanthp, a beautiful Indian maiden, gave birth lo an
illegitimate chi)d on its romantic shore, and a council of chiefs having been
called to deliberate on its fate, they decided to drown it in the lake, and did
so ; since which it has been known by the name of the unhappy mother.— E.
B, Bigelow. Jr,

( 646 )

CHAPTER XXI.

While water is running from mountain to plain,
And our star-spangled banner floats over the main ;
When myrtle and laurel in green life are drest,
We '11 cherish thy mem'ry, brave. captors at rest.
But the acts of a knave, a traitor — ingrate,
Must kindle forever our deadliest hate ;
Shall invoke through all time, base Arnold, on thee,
The withering curse ofthe virtuous and free.
To R. W, Murphy, Esq. of Preston Hollow, a nephew of Da->
vid Williams, would the author acknowledge his indebtedness for
Several interesting incidents in the life of the latter.
The captor Williams was a son of After and Phebe Williams,
who emigrated from Holland in early life. They were poor but
reputable : he died near the close of the Revolution, and the
widow died at the residence of her son David, in 1795. The fol
lowing biography of David Williams appeared in the Albany
Daily Advertiser in January preceding his death, said to have
been dictated by himself.
" I was born in Tarrytown, then called Philips' Manor, West
chester county, New-York, October 21st, 1754. I entered the
army in 1775, at the age of 21, and was under Gen. Montgomery
at the siege of Fort St. Johns, and afterwards on board the flat bot
tomed boats to carry provisions, &c; served out my time which
was six months. I then went, listed again in the spring of 1776,
and continued in the service by different enlistments as a New-
York militiaman until 1779.
In 1778, when in Capt. Acker's company of New-York militia
at Tarrytown, I asked his permission to take a walk in company
with William Van Wart, a boy sixteen or seventeen years old. I
proceeded to the cross-roads on Tompkins' ridge, stood looking a
few minutes, saw five men coming, they had arms; we jumped

-\

HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, ETC. 647
over a stone fence and concealed ourselves in a corner of it ; ob
served that they were armed with two muskets and three pistols.
They came so nigh that we recognised two of them, viz. William
Underhill and William Mosher, who were tories, and known to be
of De Lancey's corps. When they came within proper distance,
I said to my companion, ' Billy, neck or no joint !' I then said
aloud, as if speaking to a number, with the view of intimidating
them, ' men make ready ." They stopped immediately ; I told them
to ground their arms, which they did ; I then said, ' march away ;'
they did so ; I then jumped over the fence, secured their arms,
and made them march before us to our quarters. I continued in
the service until a week or ten days before the year 1780. . In De
cember, 1779, Captain Daniel Williams, who was commander of
our company, mounted us on horses and we went to Morrisiana,
Westchester county. We swept all Morrisiana clear ; took proba
bly $5,000 worth of property, returned to Tarrytown, and quar
tered at Young's house. My feet being frozen, my uncle Martinus
Van Wart took me to his house. I told Capt. Williams that the
enemy would soon be at Young's, and that if he remained there
he would be on his way to Morrisiana before morning. He paid
no attention to my remarks — he did not believe me ; but in the
course of the night a woman came to my uncle's crying ' Uncle
Martinus ! Uncle Martinus !' The truth was the British had sur
rounded Young's house, made prisoners of all the company except
two, and burnt the barn.
" Having got well of my frozen feet, on the third of June, 1780,
we were all driven from Tarrytown to the upper part of Westches
ter county, in the town of Salem. We belonged to no organised
company at all; were under no command, and worked for our
board or johnny-cake. Isaac Van Wart, who was a cousin of mine,
[the father of Williams and mother of Van Wart were brother and
sister,] Nicholas Storms and myself went to Tarrytown on a visit ;
we carried our muskets with us, and on our way took a Quaker
who said he was going to New- York after salt and other things.
The Quaker was taken before the American authority and ac
quitted. " In July or August a number of persons of whom I was one,
went on a visit to our friends in Tarrytown, and while on the way
took ten head of cattle which some refugees were driving to New-
York, and on examination before the authority, the cattle were
restored to their right owners, as they pleaded innocence saying
they were stolen from them. I then returned to Salem and worked
with a Mr. Benedict for my board until the 22d of September. It
was about one o'clock, P. M., as I was standing in the door with
Mr. Benedict's daughter, (who was afterwards my wife), when I
saw six men coming; she remarked ' they have got guns.' I
jumped over a board fence and met them. ' Boys,' said I, ' where
are you going !' they answered ' we are going to Tarrytown.' I
then said ' if you will wait until I get my gun I will go with you.'

643 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
The names of the six persons were Isaac Van Wart, John Pauld
ing, William Williams, John Yerks, and James Romer ; the name
of the sixth I have forgotten. We proceeded about fifteen miles
that night, and slept in a hay barrack. In the morning we crossed
Buttermilk hill, when John Paulding proposed to go to Isaac
Reed's and get a pack of cards to divert ourselves*with. After
procuring them we went out to Davis' hill, where we separated ;
leaving four on the hill, and three, viz. Van Wart, Paulding and
myself proceeded on the Tarrytown road about one mile and con
cealed ourselves in the bushes on the west side of the road, and
commenced playing cards three handed, that is each one for him
self. We had not been playing more than an hour, when we heard
a horse galloping across a bridge but a few yards from us ; which
of us spoke I do not remember, but one of us said, ' there come as
trader going to New-York.' We stepped out from our concealment
and stopped him. ' My lads,' said he, •' I hope you belong to our
party.' We asked him ' what party?' he replied ' the lower
party.' We told him ' we did.' He then said ' I am a British
officer, have been up the country on particular business, and would
not wish to be detained a minute,' and as a token to convince us
he was a gentleman, he pulled out and shewed us his gold watch ;
we then told him we were Americans. ' God bless my soul,' said
he, ' a man must do any thing these times to get along ;' "and then
shewed us Arnold's pass. We told him it would not satisfy us
without searching him. ' My lads,' said he, ' you will bring your
selves into trouble.' We answered, we did not fear it,' and con
ducted him about seventy rods into the woods. My comrades
appointed me to search him ; commencing with his hat, I searched
his person effectually, but found nothing until I pulled off his boot,
when we discovered that something was concealed in his stocking.
Paulding caught hold of his foot and exclaimed, ' By G-d here it
is !' I pulled off his stocking, and inside of it next to the sole of his
foot, found three half sheets of paper enclosed in another half sheet
which was endorsed ' West Point ;' and on pulling off the other
•boot and stocking, I found three like papers, enclosed and endorsed
as the others. On reading them one of my companions said, ' By
G-d he is a spy '.' We then asked him where he got those papers:
he told us ' of a man at Pine's bridge,' but he said ' he did not
know his name.' He offered us his gold watch, his horse, saddle,
bridle and 100 guineas if we would let him go ; we told him ' no,
unless he would inform us where he got the papers.' He answered
us as before, but increased his offer to 1000 guineas, his horse, &c:
we told him again we would not let him go ; he then said ' gen
tlemen, I will give you 10,000 guineas [nearly $50,000], and as
many dry goods as you will ask ; conceal me in any place of safety
while you can send to New-York with an order to Sir Henry Clin
ton from me, and the goods and money will be procured so that
you can get them unmolested.' [Paulding then told him, as he
stated on the trial of Joshua H. Smith a few days after the arrest,]

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 649
' no, by G-d, if you would give us ten thousand guineas you should
not stir a step ; we are Americans, and above corruption, and go
with us you must.' We then took him about twelve miles to Col.
Jamieson's quarters at North Castle."
Andre was, about five feet eight inches high, with black eyes, a
bold military countenance, and was a good looking, though rather
small, trim-built man.
The father of David Williams was a farmer in Tarrytown at
the beginning of the war, who, being too poor to purchase a farm,
worked land upon shares. When the British and tories began to
commit acts of cruelty in the vicinity, Williams removed with his
family into the town of South Salem. He lived on lands belong
ing to Joseph Benedict Esq., near the village of Cross River.
The Americans having possession of the countiy in the vicinity
of West Point, and the British that above New York, tories about
the neutral ground, from their acts of cruelty, such as murder,
theft, rapine, and the like, received from the whigs the title of
cow-boys. These despoilers of Whig property, whose visits were
generally made in the night, frequently drove off cattle, horses,
swine, &c, to the British posts, where they were liberally re
warded for the stolen property of their neighbors. In conse
quence of the tories stealing so many cattle in the vicinity of the
British army, they were called cow-boys by the patriots, — a term
implying at that period the very lowest calling in life De Lancy's
corps, which became a terror to well doers, from their being gene
rally mounted on horseback, was chiefly formed from cow-boys.
On the removal of the Williams family to Cross River, David
hired out to Mr. Benedict to work on his farm, and became so
much of a favorite with the family, that, whenever he was not
engaged in military service, he made the house of his employer
his welcome-home. Mr. Benedict had a fair daughter named
Nancy, and Cupid had so interwoven the affections of the young
couple, it is not surprising that David found his time pass
agreeably at her father's. The whigs who encountered the cow
boys in their excursions into the country, were generally in the
militia service on short inlistments, and as they had been obliged

650 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
in many instances to change their residences, they acquired- the
name of refugees, a title sometimes given the tories. The cow
boys were often overtaken or intercepted, and tbe plunder they
had made taken from them by the refugees, almost within sight
of the British camp. Not unfrequently the agressor's life was for
feited on these occasions, and now and then a conflict ensued,
when the life-blood of friend and foe mingled together.
In the fall of 1780, at a time when Williams was at the house
of Mr. Benedict, enjoying an agreeable tete-a-tete with his Nancy,
she pointed out to him a small company of armed men approach
ing their village. They entered an inn near by, and the lover,
having recognized them, stole a parting kiss from his fair one,
and hastened to join them. The names of the party are given in
the preceding statement of Williams. The night before, a party
of cow-boys had been into the adjoining town of Poundridge, led
on by one Smith, a noted tory,. and besides stealing much pro
perty, they had killed a neighbor to some of the whigs then con
vened, by the name of Pelham, who had run out in his night-
clothes to save his horses. To reclaim the stolen property and
return it to the widow, or avenge the death of her husband, was
the especial object this scout of American militia had in view,
when they set out for Tarrytown ; true, some of them hoped also
to see several relatives.
Williams and his companions kept together until they reached
Tarrytown, when they separated ; the former, with Paulding and
his cousin Van Wart, taking the east road, and the other four the
west road, leading to New York. At an angle of the road^ Wil
liams and his associates concealed themselves, obtaining a north
and west view of it for some distance. The approach of Andre,
his arrest, &c, is inserted as related by Williams. Meeting the
three armed men below the American pickets, Andre took them to
be cow-boys, and being thrown off his guard, his manner excited
suspicion in his captors, and he was strictly searched. His pass
from Arnold, which had protected " John Anderson" thus far,
would protect John Andre no farther. While in the act of exhi
biting his pass, he stated that he " was going below on an ex-

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK.

651

press from the head quarters of the American army at West Point,
-and here," he added, " is a pass from Gen. Arnold, who com
mands in the absence of Gen Washington." The pass, which
was dated Head Quarters, Robinson house, September 22d, 1780,
required all persons to assist John Anderson, who was going to
New York on business highly important to the American army,
forbidding any person to stop or molest him at their peril.
Knowing that Washington had gone to Hartford on business, af
ter the pass from Arnold was produced, his captors had nearly
allowed him to proceed, and he was reinng his horse into the
road, when Paulding in an under tone observed, " D  n him, I
do not like his looks ! " It is stated in the Life of Gen. Greene,
who was president of the board which tried Andre, that when he
first became visible to his captors he was engaged in examining a
sketch of the route, to determine which of the several roads he
ought to pursue.

PLACE WHERE ANDRE WAS CAPTURED.
At the* expression of Paulding that he did not like his looks,
he was again ordered to stop. One of the party enquired what
he had done with the paper he had in his hands when he first ap
peared in sight. The question produced a momentary hesitation,
and his embarrassment being noticed by the party, he was then
told that the circumstances of his first avowing himself to belong

652 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
to the lower party— T-his having an undress British coat under his
surtout, in connection with Arnold's pass — required their search
ing his person, to which he firmly remonstrated, threatening them
with the vengeance of Arnold for detaining him. But his threats
were of no avail ; his manner increased their suspicions ; the
love of liberty fired the patriotic heart, and leading his horse aside
into a field partially covered with underwood, he was examined.
His person was strictly searched — his hat, coat, vest, shirt and
breeches — even his hair, which was done up in a cue, the fashion
of the day, was untied without creating any unusual anxiety in
the prisoner, until he was ordered to take off his boots, when he
changed color, and fear was manifested in his countenance. As
he did not feel disposed to remove them, Williams, who had been
selected by his companions lo search him, while they retained their
arms, drew them off, and inside his stockings, next his bare feet,
the treasonable papers were found : in one boot was also discov
ered the sketch of the route. He had upon his person eighty
dollars, continental money. Finding his true character disclosed,
and being told that he was considered as a spy, Andre saw at once
the danger of his situation, and attempted to regain his liberty by
the offer of bribes, such as required Roman firmness— I should say
American firmness, for Roman history exhibits no parallel — to
resist. But the attempt was futile, evincing in his captors a love
of liberty stronger than love of riches and virtue that kings might
envy. While they were searching Andre, his horse had strayed some
distance, grazing among the under-brush ; when the search was
completed, one of them led np the horse and he was permitted to
mount and ride between his captors, to the military post, com
manded by Lieut. Col. Jamieson. At the examination of Andre
at Tappan, and also at his trial at the same place, the captors
were present. While at West Point, the magnanimous Wash
ington took the three intrepid soldiers into the arsenal, and pre
sented each of them a sword and brace of pistols, telling them to
go constantly armed—" that they would be hunted like partridges
upon the mountains" — offering at the same time, that if they

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 653
chose to remain in the army, he would give to each of them a
captain's commission. They all declined promotion,' and returned
to their friends ; and as Williams was, I have no doubt they all
were narrowly watched by the tories.
On one occasion, while at his father's, Williams came near be
ing taken. The house was surrounded in the night by a party of
cow-boys, but their cowardice in making the attack was probably
the only circumstance to which he owed his life. At another time
Williams, having spent the evening with his intended, was return
ing home from her father's in the night, was waylaid in a by-
place, and a man, stepping from his concealment, exclaimed,
" Stand, you d  d rebel ! " Williams drew a pistol and fired
upon his nocturnal intruder, who vacated the path and retreated
into the bushes. The next day the course of his assailant could
be traced some distance by the drops of blood. Thus one of the
pistols presented by Washington prevented his falling into the
hands of his enemies, if it did not in fact save his life.
The following singular coincidence is related at the particular
¦request of the widow of David Williams, and may be relied up
on as strictly true. The father of David, a short time before the
capture of Andre, had the following singular dream : He saw a
crow alight in his path, having in its beak a folded paper. He
was extremely anxious to obtain the paper, and see what it con
tained. For some time he followed after the bird, which would
repeatedly fly up and again alight in his path. His anxiety to
obtain the paper increasing, he threw his hat at the bird, which
then dropped it. He snatched it up, and eagerly unfolding, found
it a blank sheet of paper, containing in one end a piece of gold,
and in the other a piece of silver. A few days after, he heard of
Andre's arrest, and that his son was one of the captors. Divi
ners of dreams are at liberty to make out of this what they please.
They can, if they choose, liken the bird to the dark spirit which
was besetting the path of Andre ; the paper to the pass of Ar
nold ; the gold to the bribe offered by the prisoner for his release ;
and the silver to the reward granted the captors by act of Congress.
The following extract of a letter from Gen. Washington to the
42

654 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
president of Congress, dated " Robinson's house, in the Highlands,
September 26, 1780," will show the manner in which that body
was apprized of Arnold's treason and Andre's arrest :
" I do not know the party that took Maj. Andre, but it is said
that it consisted only of a few militia, who acted in such a manner
upon the occasion as does them the highest honor, and proves them
to be men of great virtue. As soon as Iknow their names I shall
take pleasure in transmitting them to Congress."
Washington communicated to the president of Congress the
names of Andre's captors, as the following extract of a letter, da
ted " Paramus, October 7, 1780," will show :
" I have now the pleasure to communicate the names of the three
persons who captured Maj. Andre, and who refused to release him,
notwithstanding the most earnest importunities, and assurances of
a liberal reward, on his part. The names are John Paulding, Da
vid Williams, and Isaac Van Wart." [They were presented to
Gen. Washington by Col. Hamilton.]
The following is a resolution of Congress, adopted Nov. 3d,
1780 :
" Whereas Congress have received information that John Pauld
ing, David Williams and Isaac Van Wart, three young volunteer
militiamen of the State of New York, did, on the 23d day of Sep
tember last, intercept Maj. John Andre, Adjutant General of the
British Army, on his return from the American lines in the Char
acter of a Spy ; and notwithstanding the large bribes offered them
for his release, nobly disdaining to sacrifice their Country for the
sake of Gold, secured and conveyed him to the Commanding offi
cer of the district, whereby the dangerous and traitorous conspira
cy of Benedict Arnold was brought to light, the insidious designs
of the Enemy baffled, and the United States secured from impend
ing danger : Resolved, That Congress have a high sense of the
virtuous and patriotic conduct of the said John Paulding, David
Williavu and Isaac Yan Wart: In testimony whereof, Ordered
That each of them receive annually, out of the Public Treasury,
Two Hundred Dollars in specie, or an equivalent in current money,
of these States, during life, and that the Board of War procure
for each of them a silver Medal, on one side of which shall be a
shield with this inscription, " Fidelity" — and on the other the fol
lowing motto, " Vincit Amor Patrias" — and forward them to the
Commander-in-Chief, who is requested to present the same,' with
a copy of this Resolution, and the thanks of Congress for their Fi
delity, and the eminent service they have rendered their Country."
In addition to the medal and yearly annuity, Congress granted

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 655
to each of the captors the privilege of locating any confiscated
lands in the county of Westchester, to the value of $1250, or of
receiving the said sum in cash, to be expended as they chose.
About this time, Williams married Miss Benedict, who was sev
eral years younger than himself, and with the $1250 granted by
Congress, bought a part of the farm owned by his father-in-law
and settled upon it, erecting a log cabin to live in.
The medal, which is now treasured as a sacred relic by Mrs.
Williams, is about as large again as a silver dollar. On one side
is represented the United States coat of arms, bearing the simple in
scription, " Fidelity." On the other side is inscribed the Latin sen
tence, " Vincit Amor Patrice" — the love of country conquers.
At the time of Andre's arrest, Williams was older than either of
his comrades. It may be said of him, that his charity knew no
^bounds. He was liberal even to a fault ; and the sin of selfish
ness was one of the least for which he had to render a final ac
count. He was most esteemed and respected by those who knew
him best, which is ever the surest test of merit. Naturally hon
est and confiding, he believed others to be so, and therefore was
liable to be plundered by the knavish. He was by habit an ear
ly riser, andVery industrious. His early education, like that of
many others who fought under the stars of liberty, was limited ;
but being fond of reading, he acquuired before his death a good
fund of general information. He collected some valuable books
which he repeatedly read through, and not only took a newspaper
and paid for it, but he read its contents. In principle, he was a
warm republican. Liberal in his religious views, he never was
heard extolling one denomination and denouncing another ; and
although he made no public profession of religion, he regularly
attended divine worship when held in his neighborhood, frequent
ly opening his own house for that purpose. In the latter part of
his life, he often read the scriptures aloud in his family, and not
unfrequently he was seen or over-heard engaged in secret devo
tion. In the fall of 1830, the Corporation of the city of New York
sent an invitation, by a special messenger, to Mr. Williams, to be

656 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
present as a guest at the celebration of the French Revolution.
He was, with Enoch Crosby, another hero of '76, and two others,
drawn in an elegant carriage at the head of the procession, at
tracting much attention, as the writer well remembers. While
in the city, he visited with the mayor and other distinguished citi
zens, theatres, public schools, the navy yard, &c, at all of which
he was a welcome guest. At one of the schools a silver cup was
presented' to him, and at another a silver headed cane, the stem of
which was made from a part of a chevaux-de-frise, used near
West Point in the Revolution. He was also presented while on
this visit, with an elegant horse, carriage and harness by the
mayor. Mr. Williams returned from New York in December, soon after
which he began rapidly to fail. The excitement attending his
visit had no doubt been too great for one of his age and retired
habits. When spring again opened, and nature began to deck
her offspring in blooming apparel, he exhibited symptoms of ap
proaching dissolution. Conscious of his situation, he manifested
a spirit of resignation to the Divine will. His complaint was
dyspepsia. At times he suffered great pain in his limbs and
breast, which could only be relieved by opium as an anodyne.
During the paroxysms of pain he would frequently say, " Oh, how
long before the contest will be over !" He wished for relief in
death. He was attended in his last illness by good physicians,
among whom was the late Doct. Hyde, of Rensselaerville. He con
tinued gradually to waste away until sunset on Tuesday, the 2nd
day of August, 1831, when he expired without a struggle or a
groan. The last time he spoke was on Monday morning to give
some directions about the place of his burial. Mr. Williams at
his death, left an only child, a son, David W. Williams, who now
lives upon the farm formerly owned by his father in Broome. He
has seven children, four sons and three daughters, and is now
(1845) 48 years old. His mother, now in her 89th year, lives
with him. After her husband had been dead ten years, Mrs.
Williams obtained a continuance of his pension, which had been
stopped at his death, receiving $2000 at once.

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 657
The following account of the death and burial of Mr. Williams,
is copied from the Schoharie Republican, dated Tuesday, August
9th, 1831.
" The venerable David Williams, the last of the captors of Ma
jor Andre, has gone to his rest, full of years and full of glory. He
died in Broome, Schoharie county, on Tuesday, the 2d instant, at
the age of 77. His remains were interred on Thursday, with mi- ,
litary honors, at Livingstonville, in the presence of a large con
course of citizens, who had assembled to pay the last sad tribute
of respect to his mortal remains.
" At 10 o'clock, A. M., a sermon was preached by the Rev. Mr.
Smith of Rensselaerville. After the service, a procession was
formed, under the direction of Col. Joseph Bouck, of Middleburgh,
in the following order : Military.
Reverend Clergy.
Pall Bearers. & Pall Bearers.
p.
Col. John Niles. rj Col. L. M. Dayton.
<D
Col. Z. Pratt. jf] Lt. H. Dayton.
Relations of the Deceased.
Citizens."
At the grave a very appropriate eulogy was pronounced by
Robert McClellan, Esq. Mr. Murphy addressed the assemblage,
briefly reviewing the former life of his deceased kinsman ; and
the solemn exercises were closed by a prayer from the Rev. Mr;
Smith. When the British evacuated Philadelphia in 1778, Geri. Bene-
* diet Arnold was given command of that station. His extrava
gance and dissipation, while a resident of that city, subjected him
to a court martial, and a reprimand from the Commander-in-chief.
From that moment the star that had guided his footsteps in the
path of glory and honor was extinguished, and more evil spirits
took possession of his soul, than haunted a certain woman of old
en time. In 1780, Arnold sought and obtained from Gen. Wash
ington, the command of the forts at West Point He soon after,
by letter, signified to Sir Henry Clinton, the British Commander-
in-chief, then at New York, by a correspondence carried on for a
while between Maj. Andre and Mrs. Arnold, and afterwards by

658 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
himself, under the assumed name of Gustavus, while Andre as
sumed that of John Anderson, his intention of surrendering that
fortress, the Gibralter of the Union, to the British. Andre was
selected by Clinton to complete the diabolical design, and he, for
that purpose, landed from the sloop of war Vulture, which had
ascended the Hudson, on Thursday night, September 21st, 1780,
and held an interview with Mons. Gustavus. Joshua H. Smith,
with two brothers, Samuel and Joseph Cahoon, as oarsmen, visit
ed the Vulture about midnight, with oars muffled with sheep-skins,
agreeable to the orders of Gen. Arnold, and receiving Andre on
board their boat, landed with him at the foot of a mountain called
the Long Clove, on the west margin of the river, 3J miles below
Smith's residence at Haverstraw, (which residence was distant
from Stony Point 2| miles,) and nearly 20 miles below West Point.
To the place of meeting, Arnold had ridden from Smith's house.
The boatmen refused to return that night to the ship, and after a
protracted conference, Arnold and Andre proceeded on horseback
to the dwelling of Smith, who went with the boatmen to Crom's
Island, in Haverstraw creek, where the boat was left, and then re
turned with them to his home, arriving about daylight. Andre
was clad in full uniform, but over it he wore a blue traveling coat.
The positive orders from Clinton to Andre were — " not to change
his dress — go within the American lines — or receive any papers."
Morning dawned ere the hellish plot was consummated, and his
return to the sloop deferred until the next night. Early in the
morning a heavy gun was brought to bear on the Vulture, by a
party of Americans on shore ; and several shots planted between
wind and water compelled her to drop down the stream, where
her men stole some plank on the bank of the river, and stopped
her leaks. The night following, two men deserted from the Vul
ture in a boat. It was very dark, but the darkness being lit up at
intervals by vivid lightning, the fugitives escaped to the shore, al
though they were pursued some distance by a boat's crew. — Jude
Watson, a sentinel in the Highlands at the time.
Finding his return to the vessel cut off, Andre was compeled to
set out for New York by land. Laying aside his regimentals, he

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 659
put on a plain suit of clothes belonging to Smith, and having re
ceived a pass from Arnold, he started on horseback, under his as
sumed name, on Friday evening, September 22d, accompanied by
Smith and a black servant of the latter. About sundown they
crossed the Hudson at King's Ferry, from Stony Point on the west,
to Verplanck's Point on the east side. They met with but little
interruption until they arrived near Crom pond, between eight and
nine o'clock, when they were hailed by a sentinel under Capt.
Ebenezer Boyd. That officer examined the pass of Arnold to
Smith, and advised the party to put up at one Andreas Miller's
over night, which advice was followed. He also advised Smith
to take the road by North Castle Church and Wright's mills, as
being less likely to meet with cow-boys on that than on the Tarry
town road : the latter advice was, however, not regarded, for ob
vious reasons. Two miles beyond Pine's bridge they ate a break
fast of hasty pudding, or supawn and milk, at the house of a Dutch
woman. Smith soon after took leave of Andre, and with his ser
vant returned to Peekskill, and from thence to Fishkill, where his
wife had been previously sent. Andre succeeded in passing all
the American guards and posts on the road without suspicion,
and was proceeding to New York in perfect security, when, on
Saturday morning, between nine and ten o'clock, he was arrested
in what was then called Beekman's forest, near a small brook,
about half a mile from Tarrytown, He had taken the road that
way as being more likely to meet with friends upon it, or to find
safety on board a British vessel in that part of the river.
The following papers were found on the person of Andre :
" No. 1. — Artillery orders [then] recently published at West
Point, directing the disposition of each < corps in case of alarm.
No. 2. — An estimate of the American force at West Point and its
dependencies. No. 3. — An estimate of the number of men requi
site to man the works. No. 4. — A return of the ordnance in the
different forts, redoubts, and batteries. No. 5. — Remarks on the
works at West point, describing the construction of each, and its
strength or weakness. No. 6. — A report of a council of war lately
held at Head Quarters, containing hints respecting the probable
operations of the campaign, and which had been sent by Gen.
Washington a few days before, requesting his opinion on the sub
jects to which it refered. These papers were all in the hand-

660 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
writing of Arnold, and bore his signature. In case of Andre's
detection, the papers were to be destroyed."
When taken before Col. Jamieson by his captors, Andre, anx
ious for his own safety and that of his accomplice, requested Col.
Jamieson to inform Arnold that Anderson (himself,) was taken,
which solicitation was very imprudently complied with. A line
was despatched by Solomon Allen, which gave the traitor an op
portunity of making his escape ; and he readily embraced it,
leaving the spy to his fate.
At the time of his treason, Arnold was making his head quar
ters at the Beverly, or Robinson house, as still called, a dwelling
which belonged to Beverly Robinson, then an officer in the Brit
ish service, situated about two miles below West Point, on the east
side of the river. It was at his own quarters he had purposed to
have held his interview with Andre, at an earlier date ; but cir
cumstances prevented. Washington was to have breakfasted with
Arnold on the morning of his flight ; but sending his aids with
his compliments, and an apology to Mrs. Arnold, he rode down to
inspect the redoubts on that side of the river. The messenger
with Jamieson's note arrived while the company were at break
fast. Leaving the table abruptly, and with evident emotion, Ar
nold set out for West Point, saying that his immediate presence
was demanded there. Washington had been to Hartford on busi
ness, and an express dispatched to him passed him, in consequence
of his taking an unexpected route back, else he would have been
apprized the evening before of Arnold's treason. Instead of going
to West Point, Arnold proceeded to the river ; and entering his
barge, ordered two men to row him on board the Vulture, then
at anchor in Tappan bay, below King's ferry. They did not like
to comply with his request, but were stimulated to do so by the
promise of a liberal reward. Once on board the vessel, Arnold
wished to detain the men as prisoners ; but the captain, on being
informed what was passing, interfered, ordered the men to be paid
what the traitor had promised them, and then liberated ; which
order was promptly obeyed. He made his escape at 10 o'clock
on Monday morning following the capture of Andre, and Wash-

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 661
ington was apprized of his treasonable conduct at 4 P. M. of the
same day.
It seems not a little surprising that Col. Jamieson, after enjoin
ing secrecy on the captors, from a belief that others were con
cerned, should himself take measures to notify one he could not
fail, in his right mind, to suspect, even if he did not discover that
the treasonable papers were all in his hand-writing. Col. Jamie
son was probably bewildered ; for at first he actually ordered Maj.
Andre sent to Arnold's head quarters. From the Journal of
Maj. Tallmadge, who had command of a corps of cavalry in
West Chester, I make the following extract :
" When I reached Lieut. Col. Jamieson's quarters, late in the
evening of the 23d, and had learned the circumstances of the cap
ture of the prisoner, I was very much surprised to learn that he
was sent by that officer to Arnold's head quarters at West Point,
accompanied by a letter of information respecting his capture. At
the same time he despatched an express to meet Gen. Washington,
then on his way to West Point. I felt much impressed with the
course which had been taken, and did not fail to state the glaring
inconsistency of this conduct to Col. Jamieson in a private and
most friendly manner. He appeared greatly agitated when I sug
gested to him a measure which I wished to pursue ; offering to
take the whole responsibility on myself, and which, as he deemed
it too perilous to permit, I will not further disclose." [The meas
ure proposed by Major Tallmadge was, as he at a subsequent pe
riod informed his family, to proceed as speedily as possible with
his troops to Arnold's head quarters, and arrest him on his own re
sponsibility.'] " Failing in this purpose," [continues the journal,] " I instantly
set about a plan to remand the prisoner to our quarters, which I
finally effected, although with reluctance on the part of Col. Jamie
son. When the order was about to be despatched to the officer to
bring the prisoner back, strange as it may seem, Col. J. would per
sist in his purpose of letting the letter go to Gen. Arnold. The
letter did go on, and the prisoner returned before the next morn
ing. As soon as I saw Anderson, and especially after I saw him
walk (as he did almost constantly) across the floor, I became im
pressed with the belief that he had been bred lo arms. I very soon
communicated my suspicion tp Col. Jamieson, and requested him
to notice his gait, and especially when he turned on his heel to re
trace his course across the room. It was deemed best to remove
the prisoner to Salem, and I was to escort him. I kept constantly
in the room with the prisoner, who became very conversable, and
extremely interesting. Indeed, he very pleasantly inquired why
I wafched him so narrowly. It was very manifest that his agita-

662 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
tion and anxiety were great ; and after dinner on the 24th, per
haps by 3 o'clock P. M., he asked to be favored with a pen, ink,
and paper, which I readily granted, and he wrote the letter to Gen.
Washington, dated Salem, 24th September, 1780, which is re
corded in most of the histories of that eventful period. In this let
ter he dicslosed his true character to be ' Major John Andre, Adju
tant General to the British Army.' When I received and read the
letter, for he handed it to me as soon as he had written it, my
agitation was extreme, and my emotions wholly inddscribable. If
the letter of information had not gone to Gen. Arnold, I should not
have hesitated for a moment in my purpose ; but this I knew must
reach him before I could possibly get to West Point.
" I took on Maj. Andre, under a strong escort of cavalry, to
West Point, and the next day I proceeded down the Hudson to
King's ferry, and landed at Haverstraw, on the west side of the
Hudson, where a large escort of cavalry had been sent from the
main army at Tappan, with which I conducted the prisoner to head
quarters, where I reported proceedings to Gen Washington, who
ordered a Court Martial."
The part Joshua H. Smith had acted in the treasonable affair,
left suspicions resting upon him ; on which account he was tried
by a court martial. The board consisted of Col. H. Jackson, as
president, Lieut. Col. Hait, Maj. Ball, and Captains Jacob Wright,
Drew, Fry, Sandford, Fowle, Daniels, J. A. Wright, Marshall,
Chase, and Tiffany ; conducted by John Lawrence, Judge Advo
cate General. The captors of Andre were among the witnesses
called on the trial. In the absence of testimony to criminate him,
after an investigation lasting two weeks, he was finally acquitted,
though not without some suspicion of guilt. Arnold and Andre,
however, both exonerated Smith from any knowledge of what
was passing between them ; the former by letter, and the latter
when on trial.
Maj. Andre was tried at Tappan, Sept. 29, 1780, and con
demned to be hung as a spy. The board consisted of
Nathaniel Greene, M. Gen., President.
Sterling, M. G. H. Knox, B. G.
La Fayette, " Jno. Glover, "
R. Howe, " Jno. Patterson, "
Steuben, " Edw. Hand, "
Saml. H. Parsons, B. G. J. Huntington. "
James Clinton, " John Starke, "
John Lawrence, Judge Adv. Gen.

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 663
Of this court martial it may justly be said, that an abler or
more impartial one was never convened on a similar occasion.
When the examination commenced, he was informed by the
court, from whom he received every possible indulgence, that he
was at liberty to answer no questions unless he chose ; but he
frankly confessed every thing material to his condemnation. He
evinced great firmness on his trial, in the course of which he
spoke of Capt. Hale. Said he, " I wish that in all that digni
fies man, that adorns and. elevates human nature, that I could
be named with that accomplished, but unfortunate officer. His
fate was wayward and untimely ; he was cut off yet younger
than I now am. But ours are not parallel cases."
After his condemnation, Andre wrote to Gen. Washington re
questing as a last favor that he might be shot; a request the
commander would have granted, had he consulted only his own
feelings, instead of the inflexible demands of justice. The exe
cution was first ordered to take place at 5 o'clock P. M., on the
1st day of October, and a vast concourse of people then assem
bled, but it was postponed until the next day in consequence of
the arrival of a flag from the enemy. Gen. Greene met Gen.
Robertson at Dobb's Ferry, but as the latter could make no pro
posals calculated to save the spy, the conference soon ended. —
Journal of Maj. Tallmadge.
When led out on the morning of Oct. 2d, he chose to walk
to the place of execution, some two miles distant. The Ameri
can army was drawn out to witness the sad spectacle, and as he
passed through the files of soldiers bowing to those he knew,
many a brave heart throbbed with emotion, and from many an
eye, which had calmly glanced along the rifle's barrel in the
hour of peril when it was dealing groans and death, now gush
ed the warm tears of pity.
A wagon containing his coffin, the latter painted black, fol
lowed a number of American officers of rank on horseback ; be
hind which Andre marched in procession with Maj. Tallmadge
on foot. About one-quarter of a mile from the village of Tap-
pan, in Rockland county, stood a high gallows, made by setting

664 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
up two crotches and laying a pole across the top. The wagon that
contained his coffin was drawn under the gallows. Andre, after
shaking hands with several friends, stepped into the wagon, and
stood upon the coffin. Laying down his hat, he paced back
and forth several times the length of his narrow house, with his
hands upon his hips, casting his eyes upon the pole overhead
and the surrounding scenery. He was dressed in a British uni
form, sent to him after his arrest. It consisted of a rich scarlet
coat trimmed with green, with vest and breeches of bright bufi.
His dying request to the spectators was — " Witness to the world
that I die like a brave man !" The executioner, painted black,
stepped into the wagon to adjust the halter, which had a hang
man's knot at the end, " Keep off your black hands," said An
dre, as he removed his cravat and unpinned the collar of his
shirt. Seizing the rope, he placed the noose around his neck
with the knot under the right ear, and drew it up snugly ; then
taking from his coat a handkerchief, he tied it over his eyes.
An officer told the hangman his arms must be tied. Andre
drew the handkerchief from his eyes, and taking out another,
handed it to the executioner, replacing the one over his eyes.
His arms were tied above the elbows, behind his back — and the
rope made fast to the pole overhead. The wagon was then sud
denly drawn from under him, and soon his spirit was in the pre
sence of his God.
After hanging nearly half an hour, the body was taken down
and laid upon the ground. His coat, vest, and breeches were
taken off and handed to two dwarfish looking servants dressed in
gaudy apparel, who were in attendence from New York ; to one
of whom Andre handed his watch while standing in the wagoni.
The body was wrapped in a shroud, (as I have been informed by
an eye witness,) before it was placed in a coffin. The captors
of Andre witnessed his execution. Very great sympathy was.
manifested for Andre at his death. Says Maj. Tallmadge,
" When I saw him swing under the gibbet, it seemed for a
time as if I could not support it. All the spectators appeared to ber
overwhelmed with the affecting spectacle, and many seemed to

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 665
be suffused in tears. There did not appear to be one hardened,
or indifferent spectator in all the multitude of persons assembled
on that solemn occasion."
Sir Henry Clinton made some efforts to save Andre, but still
greater were those made by Gen. Washington; and " it is a sin-
gular fact, that while the former was hastening the death of
Andre, the latter was exerting himself to ward off that calamity."
So great was the desire of Gen. Washington to get Arnold and
3ave Andre, that he sent one of his best soldiers into the camp of
the enemy. Major Lee, who was entrusted by the Commander
with the attempt to arrest the traitor, selected John Champe, a
sergeant of cavalry, for the enterprise. Champe was a native of
Loudon county, Virginia ; a young man of much discernment and
great personal bravery. The sergeant was to enter the enemy's
lines as an American * deserter — enlist into the British service
under Arnold, and having matured his plans, was, with a trusty
companion to surprise and gag him late in the evening — bear him
to a boat and cross to the Jersey shore from New-York ; where
Major Lee was to await his arrival with two spare horses. —
Champe approached the enemy hotly pursued by a party of his
countrymen, and as they supposed their former comrade a deser
ter, it is not surprising the enemy admitted him into communion.
Having all things ready, he notified Lee when to meet him ; but
fortunately for Arnold, on the afternoon of the very day on which
the plan was to be consummated, that officer shifted his quarters,
and the sergeant was transferred to another regiment. The
scheme, of course proved abortive. Nothing but an unforeseen
event saved Arnold from the just vengeanee of his countrymen.
The intrepid sergeant readily embraced the earliest opportunity
to desert and return to the camp of Washington, who kindly re
ceived and rewarded him. — Niles' Principles of the Revolution.
Capt. Nathan Hale, to whom Major Andre alluded on his
trial, is not sufficiently well known to the American reader. He
was a son of Deacon Richard Hale, of South Coventry, Con
necticut, and was born on the sixth day of June, 1756. He gradu
ated at Yale College in September, 1773, with the first honors of
the institution. He ardently espoused the cause of his suffering

666 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
country at an early day, and when the news of the Lexington
fight reached New London where he was then teaching an acade
my, he dismissed his school, and joining the company of Capt.
Coit, as a volunteer, marched to the vicinity of Boston. In the
fall of 1775, he received a lieutenant's commission, and soon after
a captain's, in Col. Charles Webb's regiment. Early in the sum
mer of 1776, Gen. Washington formed a select regiment of in
fantry for special service, under the command of Col. Knowlton, a
brave officer who fell that season at Harlem Hights.
After the unfortunate engagement which took place on Long
Island, August 27, 1776, the Americans under the prudent Wash
ington, abandoned the island and retreated to New-York, in the
manner described in the journal of Major Tallmadge.
About this time an incident occurred as stated in the Memoir of
Capt. Hale, (a neat pamphlet published early in the summer of
1344, for the Hale Monument Association — for a copy of which
and the beautiful poem sent with it, the author would here ac
knowledge his indebtedness to the society,) which will serve to
show the daring spirit of that hero.
" Our troops were still wretchedly supplied with e ren the neces
saries of life ; things without which the warmest zeal cannot long
endure. There was much suffering and much repining. A Brit
ish sloop, laden with provisions, was lying in the East river, under
cover of the ship Asia, man-of-war with 90 guns. Capt. Hale
formed the bold project of capturing this sloop, and bringing her
into the harbor of New-York. He soon found hardy compeers for
the enterprise. At dead of night the little band of adventurers
rowed silently, in a small boat, to a point near the sloop, and there
waited for the moon to go down. As soon as it was dark, and all
still, save the watchman's voice from the deck of the Asia, they
darted upon their prey, sprang aboard, hoisted sail, and brought
her into port with the British tars in the hold, and without the loss
of a man. This exploit was loudly applauded, and the daring
leader distributed the goods of his prize to feed and clothe the
hungry and naked soldiers."
The retreat of the Americans from Brooklyn, left the whole
island in possesion of the British. Anxious to obtain information
of their strength and intended future operations, Washington ap
plied to Col. Knowlton to gain such information, who made the
request known to his officers. Among others, he solicited a ser-

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 667
geant to undertake it, who had served in the French war : but
the knotted hero promptly refused, saying that he was ready to
fight the British at any place or lime, but did not feel willing to
go among them to be hung up like a dog. Young Hale, inspired
with a sense of duty, and a belief that the safety of his country
demanded the desired information, at once volunteered his services
for the enterprise ; and in a citizen's dress and capacity of a
school teacher, he proceeded to Norwalk, Conn., from whence
he was conveyed to Huntington, L. I., in an armed sloop. He
journeyed to Brooklyn, went through the enemy's lines, and after
making a careful survey of their posts and strength, he crossed
over to New -York, where a part of the British army were then
stationed ; and having faithfully completed his charge, set out on
his return to the American camp, then near the Harlem Heights —
five or six miles from the city. When nearly out of danger as
he supposed, he met a small party of the enemy, and one of their
number, a refugee cousin who had espoused the cause of oppres
sion, recognized and betrayed him. This relative was on a visit
to Hale's father's only a year or two before. The party made the
spy a captive, and hastened with him to the presence of Sir Wil
ham Howe.
The proof of his object was so clear that he frankly acknowl
edged who he was, and what were his views. Howe at once gave
orders for his execution on the following morning. The order
was executed on the morning of September 22d, in a most unfeel
ing and barbarous manner, by William Cunningham,* the British
provost-marshal, than whom a greater villain never disgraced a
human form. " A clergyman, whose attendance he requested,
* He was a native of Dublin, Ireland. He was executed some time after
the war for a forgery committed in England. In his dying confession,
he says: " I shudder to think of the murders I have been accessory to, both
with and without orders from government, especially while in New York; du
ring which time there were more than two thousand prisoners starved in the
different churches, by stopping their rations, which I sold. There were also
two hundred and seventy five American prisoners and obnoxious persons exe
cuted, out of all which number there were only about one dozen public exe
cutions, which chiefly consisted of British and Hessian deserters." — Niles'
Principles of the Revolution.

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 668
was refused him ; a Bible, for a few moments' devotion, was not
procured, although he wished it." Letters, which, on the morn
ing of his execution, he wrote to his intended, and other friends,
were destroyed ; and this very extraordinary reason given by the
provost-marshal, " That the rebels should not know they had a man
in their army who coidd die with so much firmness." Unknown
to all around him, — without a single friend to offer him the least
consolation, — thus fell as amiable and as worthy a young man as
America could boast, with this, his dying observation : " He only
lamented that he had but one life to lose for his country." Andre,
in his defence, alluded to the death of Capt. Hale, and paid his
character a just tribute. He closed his allusion to the fate of Hale
by saying that their cases were not parallel. Let us see how far
they differed :
Both, when taken, were in a citizen's dress, and that of Andre
at least, not his own ; both had been within the lines of the ene
my in that disguise ; Andre had assumed a false name, although
it is not certain that Hale did ; both had gone to learn the situa
tion of the enemy's works, and Andre was taking measures to
criminate another — and while neither the expectation of pecunia
ry reward or promotion influenced the action of Hale, it is not
certain but both were in prospect for Andre. The one was the
agent of a powerful king, sent to fix the manacles of despotism
upon his fellow subjects, and by so doing entwine the laurel wreath
upon his own brow, or receive a high sounding court title ; the
other was the agent of an oppressed people, struggling to be free,
who felt it his duty, not for gold or worldly honors, to peril his
life. Andre was planning the easy capture of a strong fortress by
becoming accessory to treason ; Hale was endeavoring to learn
the future operations of the enemy, not through the treachery and
crime of her officers. Andre was twenty-nine years old when he
suffered, and Hale but twenty-two. If both were guilty of the
same crime, under precisely the same circumstances, should not
sympathy naturally incline to the younger 1 for age is expected
to bring with it experience divested of rashness. Contrast the
treatment of the two officers after their arrest : The one is tried

669 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
by court-martial, and every possible indulgence granted him, add
ed to the sympathy of the whole American people ; while the
other, without the form of a trial, or the sympathy of a single
Briton, — without being granted the favor of Christian devotion, —
without permission to send a dying epistle to his father,— is hur
ried out and executed, with the cold formality that would attend
the hanging of a rabid dog. Finally, let us contrast their dying
words. Said Andre to the spectators, "Witness to the world that I
die like a brave man !" Said Hale, " I only lament that I have
but one life to lose for my country !". The one implies a desire
for personal fame, even in death ; while in the other, self is bu
ried deep in the love of country. Reader ! can you look on this
picture, and feel that justice is done to the character of your be
loved Hale *? — to an accomplished and feeling scholar, who laid
down his life a willing sacrifice for his bleeding country ? His
blood, while yet warmed with the fire of youth, watered the then
withering roots of the tree of Liberty. The time has arrived when
justice ought to be done to the character of Hale ; and I believe
that if ever this Republic rears two monuments for her illustrious
dead, the one should bear the name of " the father of his coun
try," and on the other should be inscribed the name of the patriot
martyr to American liberty, Nathan Hale. It is said that the
father of Capt. Hale was mentally deranged ever after the exe
cution of his son.
In August, 1831, the remains of Andre were exhumed by roy
al mandate, under the direction of J. Buchanan, British Consul at
New York, and removed to England to find a resting place in
Westminster Abbey, where a monument had previously been
erected to his memory.
Major Andre was no doubt a brave, accomplished, and at times,
generous man ; but sympathy, for which the American character
has ever been distinguished, and for which I trust it ever will be,
tended at the time of his death to throw around his name a ficti
tious coloring that would not stand the ordeal of scrutiny. Going
to prove that fact, is the following article, which is an extract of
a communication published in the Philadelphia True American,
and copied by Niles in his Register, March 1, 1817 :
43

670 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
" Andre was in Philadelphia with the English army, and was
quartered at the house of Dr. Franklin, in which the Doctor's fur
niture and very valuable library had been left. When the Brit
ish were preparing to evacuate the city, M. D. Simetre,* who was
an intimate friend of Andre, called to take leave, and found him
busily engaged in packing up and placing amongst his own bag
gage a number of the most valuable books belonging to Doctor
Franklin. Shocked and surprised at the proceeding, he told him,
in order that he might be influenced by the highly honorable con
duct of Gen. Kniphausen, who had been quartered at Gen. Cad-
wallader's that that officer sent for the agent of the latter, gave
him an inventory, which he had caused his steward to make out on
his first taking possession, told him he would find every thing in
proper order, even to some bottles of wine in the cellar, and paid
him rent for the time he occupied it. Not so with Andre ; he qui
etly carried off his plunder. I have often thought his character
owes many beams which play around it, to the fascination of Miss
Seward's verse and description, of which he was by no means
worthy, though there can be no doubt but he was a gallant soldier,
and in some respects, an honest man."
It is also stated in a pamphlet publication of the proceedings,
at the time a monument was erected to the memory of John
Paulding, on the authority of Johnson's Life of Gen. Greene, that
Maj. Andre was in Charleston, South Carolina, in the character of
a spy, during the seige of that city by the British ; and that he
was probably instrumental, to a great extent, in involving the
very men in captivity, whose fate he intimated in his letter to
Washington avowing his real character, " the treatment he receiv
ed might affect."
Gen. Greene was in command of the army at head quarters du
ring Washington's visit to Hartford, to meet the French officers,
and in a letter to him, dated two days before Andre's arrest, he
thus writes from Tappan :
" Col.  communicated the last intelligence we have from
New York ; since that I have notbeen able to obtain the least in
formation of what is going on there, though we have people in
from three different quarters. None of them returning, makes
me suspect some secret expedition is in contemplation, the success
of which depends upon its being kept a secret."
" Arnold knew the bearing of this post (West Point), upon all
•Simetre was a native of Genoa, who had settled in Philadelphia, and was
the person who laid the foundation of the valuable museum, now belonging
to Mr. Peal. ,

AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 671
the operations of the American army ; and afterwards avowed his
confident expectation, that, had the enemy got possession of it,
the contest must have ceased, and America been subdued."
Andre was not only pleased with poetry, but wrote it very
well. His poetic wit generally flowed in a strain of sarcasm,
and the American officers were usually the butt of it. His most
celebrated poem of the kind was called the Cow Chase, written
a short time before his death, and in this he aimed a share of his
wit at Gen. Wayne, one of the bravest of the brave. The dog
gerel ended with the following stanza :
" And now I've closed my epic strain,
I tremble as I show it,
Lest this same warrior-drover, Wayne,
Should ever catch the poet."
When Andre was delivered a prisoner at the village of Tappan,
he found Gen. Wayne in command of a division of the army, the
first Pennsylvania brigade, then stationed at that place. Thus
we see that indirectly " the warrior-drover Wayne" did catch the
poet. As a reward for his treason, Arnold received from the British
government, as is supposed, ten thousand pounds, and a commis
sion in her service. He issued a proclamation to induce the
American soldiers to desert ; yet, as dark as their prospects were,
English writers say there was not a solitary instance of desertion
on his account. He was actively employed until the close of the
war, exerting himself to injure his parent country. At the end of
the war, he was engaged in commercial pursuits in the West In
dies. He afterwards removed to England, where he was shunned
and despised by all virtuous and honorable men.*
He died in London in 1801. The following acrostic, published
many years ago, and for which the writer is indebted to the tena
cious memory of a bachelor friend, does ample justice to his cha
racter :
•The following anecdote, given by one of his biographers, will show the
estimation in which his character was held in the land of his adoption. On
a certain occasion Lord Surry, rising to speak in the House of Commons, and
perceiving Arnold in the gallery, sat down with precipitation, exclaiming, " I
will not speak while that man" pointing to Arnold, " is in the house."

672 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY,
" Born for a curse to nature and mankind,
Earth's darkest realms can't show so black a mind j
Night, sable night, his crimes can never hide,
Each is so great it gluts historic tide :
Defunct, in memory shall ever live,
In all the glare that infamy can give ;
Curses of ages shall attend thy name ;
Traitors alone shall glory in thy fame.
Almighty vengeance sternly waits to roll
Rivers of sulphur o'er thy treach'rous soul;
Nature looks back, with conscious error sad,
On such a tarnished blot that she had made.
Let hell receive thee, riveted in chains,
Damned to the focus of its hotest flames.''
The captors of Andre are now dead, and monuments have
been erected over the dust of two of them, to point the traveler
not only to the generosity of their countrymen, but to the tri
umph of virtue over the corrupting influence of gold. Paulding
died Feb. 18th, 1818, and was buried at Peekskill, Westchester
county, where a monument was raised to his memory by the
common council of New York, Nov. 22d, 1827. Van Wart died
May 23d, 1828, and on the 11th of June, 1829, the citizens of
Westchester placed a monument over his remains. My friend,
Mr. Murphy, who well knew the merits of the last survivor,
Williams, has been indefatigable in his efforts to get a monu
ment to his memory. He has repeatedly petitioned Congress, the
proper source surely, for an appropriation to erect one, and has
even been in person to urge the matter — but as yet in vain. Are
republics ungrateful? Mr. Murphy has several times elicited
from Congress a favorable report ; but those reports, like similar
ones for a monument to the ill-fated Hale, have died still-born.
The memory of those heroes should be honored, although it be
necessary to lessen the mileage of Congressmen, or tax their re
ceipts for imaginary distance to do it. Virtue merits the cherish
ed recollection of the good, and surely it is not vanity that dic
tates the erection of marble to remind us of departed worth, and
tell where rests a hero.

YALE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY

3 9002 01505 7327