USA > New York > Schenectady County > Schenectady > A history of the Schenectady patent in the Dutch and English times : being contributions toward a history of the lower Mohawk Valley > Part 25
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45
254
History of the Schenectady Patent.
which they founde at Shinnechtady that they would not doe the Maquase harm Yea if they should burn and Destroy never so many houses at Canida and kill never so many french, they would not touch a hayr of there head; for there Govern' had such an Inclination to that People he would live in Peace with them; nay to gain the hearts of ye Maquase whatever they Desyred at Shinnechtady was graunted ye women and Children that were left alive upon there Desyre were Released and saved, ye very houses where ye Maquase lay at were saved upon there Request, so that they leave no stone unturned to bring ye Indians to there Devotion.
"The 40 Maquase that were out as Skouts at ye Lake whom we furnish'd with Powder and Lead to lye there a Purpose, we must Conclude have knowne nothing of ye Enemies Comeing; for they had Posted themselfs at one of ye Passages, and before they had sent men to ye oy" Passage ye Enemy was Past by, which we must Impute to there negligence.
"The s" French, had Belts of wampum along with them which they showed to a maquase Squae at Shinnechtady which they Design'd to have given to our Indians upon Proposealls of Peace if they had met with any upon ye way, soe yt we must Conclude they want nothing but a Peace with our Indians to Destroy al the sd Parts.
" Our Maquase have got one of there Indians Prisoner whom they have Tortur'd and afterwards have Released him, but Delivered him into our Custody; for we feard he would make his Escape and Runn away to ye Enemy; y" s' Indian Confesses that there were 600 men Preparing to come out upon this Place or N. England, and one hundred men were gone out against Skachkook Indians which Was Besides this 200 men; & that this . Company had been 22 days from Canida.
"After ye french had done ye Principall mischieffe at Shinnechtady Capt. Sander, a Justice y' lives cross ye River was sent for by ye Capt. of ye french, who had Put himself in a Posture of Defence in his fort with the men that he could get by him ; when 13 came there and told him they should not fear for there orders was not to wrong a Chicken of his, upon which Capt Sander Ordered them to lay downe there arms, and so were let in where they Left one man for a hostage & Capt. Sander went to ther, Commander who told him he had Commission to come and Pay a Debte which they owed ; Col Dongan our gov". had stirrd up our Indians to doe mischief at Canida, & they had done the same here ; and Pulling his Com- mission out of his Bosom told he was strikley Charged not to doe any harm to him or his, since he but Especially his wife had been so Charitable to ye french Prisoners, so yt Capt Sander saved sundrey houses from being burnt and women & Children from being Carried away ; But ye Snow was so Extream Deep y' it was Impossible for any woman to march a mile, so y they took none but men and boys that could march.
255
Burning of Schenectady.
" As soon as ye Maquase of ye first and 2d Castle came downe and see ye Ruines of Shennechtady were Verry much griev'd The 2 Principall Capins said to M' Wessels and some oy' gent. y' were sent from Albany to Dis- patch ye Christians and Indians away in Pursute of ye french. Now you see your Blood spilt, and this is ye beginning of ye miseries if not suddenly Prevented. Therefore write to all them that are in Covenant with us Viz !. New England Virginia and all ye English Plantaçons of America to make all Readinesse to master Canida early in the Spring with Great Shipps Else you cannot live in Peace You Say ye King is a great king, and you are Very · numerous here in this Country farr above ye french you are so But now is the time to show it, else ye more you are ye greater shame it is to suffer ye french to be master; and then we and all the 5 nations yea all ye farr nations must acknowlege ym for a great People and master of ye french if you now Subdue it. But hitherto we see ye french are the Souldiers they have been at ye northwest and killd ye English there ; They have killd ye Indians at ye Sinnekes Country and now they come here and kill ye Dutch meaning ye Inhabitants of Shinnechtady who were formerly of ye Dutch nation. They are Victorious wherever they goe. Them of N. England have told us they would Destroy Canida, we have much Depended upon there great Promises since we know they are Potent Enough to doe it, & now we know there is open warr. If we were but assured yt ye English would minde theree Interest now and make Ready against ye spring we would keep them in alarm, we must goe hand in hand and Destroy the french, we hope yt ye Govern" with men is come which you have often told us off. You told us also yt ye king of England was so Potent that he had Blokt up the french havens; yet ye french gov' is come & we hear nothing of yours. In ye mean time we goe out now with Sixty Maquase of ye first & 2d Castle 25 River Indians Besides ye Christians and above 100 men of ye 3d Castle are comeing to morrow, we will Pursue ye Enemy and doubt not but to overtake them too; and Rescue ye Prisoners.
"Now Gent" The Indians Speak well yet we are Satisfyed by all there actions that they will side with ye Strongest and ye Indians y' are among ye french are all of our Indian Relations, so y' it cannot be Imagined that they will Destroy or anoy; Therefore if there majes subjects doe not Rise like one only man against ye french there Majes Interest in these Parts will be Destroyed, and they once being Rooted out all oy" Evills which Spring from them as the fountain will be quashed, the Longer we stay the worse it will be, for we must doe it at last and then probably after we have lost many hundreds of our People which would be fitt to help in such an Expe- dition; we have felt ye smart of that nation and Pray God our neighbours may not come to ye same Disaster, we are Satisfyed they did not Design to Destroy Shinnectady but all our out Plantations but fyndeing them so secure sett upon them & left the oy" untoucht thinkeing they could never Escape there Cruelties.
256
History of the Schenectady Patent.
"Dear neighbours and friends we must acquaint yu yt never Poor People in ye world was in a worse Condition then we are at Present, no governour nor Command no money to forward any Expedition and Scarce men enough to maintain ye Citty and we must Conclude there only aim is this Place which once being attaind ye 5 nations are Rent from ye English Crowne & in Stead of being a Bulwark to these Dominions as hitherto they have Proov'd will help to Ruine and Destroy the Countrey and Lay all waste. We have here Plainly Laid ye Case before y" and doubt not but you will so much take it to heart and make all Readinesse in ye Spring to Invade Canida by water. We Pray God Continually for ye arriveall of our Gov" without which we can doe but litle haveing enough to doe to keep ye Indians to our side with great Expense; for these Distractions and Revolutions at N: Yorke hath brougt us ino a miserable Condition, That without y' assist- ance and the 50 men from N. Yorke we should not be able to keep ye Place if any Enemy came wee begg an answer with al haste y' we may Satisfy ye Indians, we write to N: Yorke and oyr Parts of our mean Condition. We long much to hear from yr hon's haveing sent an Indian Expresse ye 15 January last with what papers Related to ye Indians at y' time, since when our messengers are come from onnendage and ye Indians al declare to be faithfull to this governmt. We have writt to Col Pynchon to warn ye upper townes to be upon there guarde feareing yt some french & Indians might be out to Destroy them. We have no more to add in these Trouble- some times but yt we are Honble gent.
The Mayor, &c: of Albany their bre giveing acco of ye ffrench & Indians cutting of a Town of
Your most humble & obed' servis ye Convention of Albanie Pr SCHUYLER, Mayor
wilo verssell ? Rokov"
English &c., many things
-
& Dutch Feb., 1689."
[Mass. Archives, 239-246.]
-
* [Prof. Pearson makes these signatures DIRK WESSELLS, Rekor and KILIEN VAN RENSSELAER. I think they should be read DERCK WESSELLS, Rekor and R. (RICHARD ?) VAN RENSSELAER, Justice .- M'M.]
Burning of Schenectady.
257
" The Governor & Council of Massachusets to the Mayor, recorder, &c., of Albany.
"Boston, 27th February, 1698.
" Honrd Gent".
Yors of the 15th instant bringing the sad and Solemn News of the desola- tion of Schinectedy, and the barbarous cruelties exercised towards the people of that place came to hand on Munday the 24th of this instant, which is a loud Alarm to the whole Country to make all meet preparation to put themselves in a posture of defence. The Government here have had before them the consideration of an expedition against the French in the Eastern parts And have consented to severall propositions for the Encouragement of such as shall undertake the charge of carrying on the same, divers con- siderable Gentlemen Offering to advance towards it, and hope that some- thing will be soon brought to Effect in that matter the people here seeming to be greatly Spirited therein. It is very unhappy that the animosities and divisions amongst the people in yor parts and refusing to Subject to any Order should make them careless and neglective of their duty for their own Security and to expose themselves thereby to the incursion of the Enemy. It's hoped this sad providence will Awaken them that are yet unattacked to unite for the comon Safety and to make provision accordingly, and be very diligent in their watches to prevent Surprise. Should the French gain any more such advantages it is to be feared that it would farther their jesuitical insinuations with the Indians and draw them to their side, when they see their Success and Observe the security and divisions that are among the English, yo' care and Endeavours to hold the Indians firme to their promiss and Covenant lately renewed may by no meanes be wanting at this time; And it will highly concern the English of these Colony's and those of New Yorke and Maryland & Va to maintain a good correspondance and intelli- gence at this critical time and to unite against a comon Enemy. In which wee shall not be wanting on our parts as Occasion shall offer.
" Wee thanke you for y' care in the Speedy Intelligence and notice given of the danger to the upper Towns of this Colony. And desire the farther comunication from time to time of what may occur for their Maties Service, Comending you to the gracious Protection of the Almighty.
Subscribe
Gent" yo" Friends and Servant the Governo" and Councill of their Maties Colony of the Massachusetts Bay. Signed by their Order." -Mass. Archives, Book xxxV, 277-8.
33
SLAX
258
History of the Schenectady Patent.
" Governor Bradstreet & Council of Massachusetts Bay in answer to a letter from Capt. Jonathan Bull commander of the connecticut troops stationed at Albany & Schenectady.
" Boston Feb. 27 1688.
" Cap' Bull.
" Altho' we are excedingly greived for the horrid Tragedy lately acted at Schenectady, yet the matter of fact being so, we are glad to be informd of it by the Albany Magistrates, and your self. Because tho' it's to late to succor that dolefull desolate place; yet the Example of it may be a means to prevent the like Ruine to ourselves. And if their Destruction doe thoroughly awaken us, that being forewarnd we may become forearmd we shall be so far happy. Your sorrowfull account does the more concern us, because we therein take notice of five of our Men slain & five Captivated, the Leiu' being among the slain. Twas very Commendably done of you to endeavour a pursuit of the Enemy; and when that designe faild to shew the last office of Humanity in providing a Grave for ye bodyes of our mur- dered Freinds and Neighbours. One would hope that the very looks and hideous Complaints of the poor frosen persons who escaped would be an Oration powerfull enough to persuade your Cityzens to peace & Unity. Tis an universall Truth that a Cyty divided against itself cannot stand Albany New York and Boston must finally die the death, if stricken with the same Division Plague. The Lord inspire you and the Citizens with that Courage, Prudence and Unanimity, as not to think of deserting so im- portant and defensible a Post as Albany is; the hinge upon which in a great measure the weight of our present New England affairs doth turn. Division is your Ruine you say; but where can you so probably expect a Cure of it, as in that Neighbourhood: And without a Cure that disease will prove mortall Whatsoever Town or Climate you betake your selves to. Twould be satisfactory to us for you in your next to say how many fight- ing men were in Schenectady, how well provided with Great Guns and small Armes, of what strength & Circumference the fortification whether it be now Tenable or no, so as to give any encouragemt to the French to place a Garrison there; what Church & Minister was in the place.
" An Embargoe is laid upon all vessells here this day which is to take effect the eight of March next That so we may the more vigorously apply our selves to the present Expedition against the French at the Eastward and to the defence of our own Frontier Towns, of which by the Blessing of God we hope we may in some short time be able to give you a good ac- count. We are very sensible of the good Correspondance Albany Gentle- men hold with us in Communicating to us what occurs. In the same storm wherein Schenectady was lost, Skippar Dotey of Plimouth, his son, and Elkana Watson were Cast away on Barnstable Barr, & all three lost their
259
Burning of Schenectady.
Lives, but whether by sea, or by persons, on shoar more inimicall than the sea itself, is matter of Doubt & Jealousy. The America a ship of near two hundred Tunns is near ready to saill for London, by which Conveyance, shall give a full account all Passages to our Agents, if we do not send on purpose. Not doubting but all prudent means will be used by your Magistrates to fix the five Nations on our side. We pray God to prosper you and us, as that our Actions may gain Credit with them, and so take leave remaining yor Loveing ffriends.
The Treasurer has given
ye Bearer. Fourty shill- ings to help bear his charges and even ye score in Town as to himselfe
his Companion and
The Gov' & Councill of the Massachusetts Colony signed by their order.
Horses."-Mass. Archives, xxxV, 279.
The survivors of the massacre had become so discouraged by their late ter- rible experience, that it was seriously debated whether the settlement should not be abandoned. The frontiers were now so harrassed by straggling par- ties of the enemy, that the husbandmen could not safely plant and harvest their crops.
In the midst of these discouragements the Mohawks strove to dissuade them from abandoning their plantations, promising them aid, and counsell- ing them to fortify their village more substantially.
At a council held in Albany by the Sachems and the chief inhabitants of Albany and Schenectady, the Mohawks made the following speech to their. white brethren.
" 25 Feb. 1690
" Propositions made by the Sachims of ye Maquase Castles to ye Mayor &c .- of ye Citty of Albany, * * 25th day of February 1688.
" BRETHERN. - Wee are sory and Extreamly grieved for ye murther Lately Committed by ye french upon our Brethren of Shinnectady wee Es- teem this evill as if done to ourselfs being all in one Covenant chain,
". Wee Lament and Condole the death of so many of our brethren so basely murthered at Shinnectady, we can not accompt it a great victory for itt is done by way of Deceit.
" BRETHEREN .- Doe not be discouraged this is butt a beginning of ye Warr we are strong eneugh the whole house have there Eyes fixed upon yrs and they only stay your motion and will bee ready to doe whatever shall be resolved upon by our Brethren.
260
History of the Schenectady Patent.
" Wee Recommed ye brethren to keep good watch and if any Enemies came take care y' mesengers be more speedily sent to us than lately was done we would not advise ye brethren quite to deseret Shinnectady but to make a fort there. The Enemy would be too glorious to see it quite desolate and yr Towne is not well fortifyed ye Stockades are so short ye Indians can jump over them like a dogg. * " __ Doc. Hist. II.
" Leisler to the Bishop of Salisbury, 31 Mar. 1690.
they murthered 60 persons and bore away with them 27 prisoners, wounding some others so that there remain but about one sixth part of them, having their cattle, goods and provision destroyed ; and arrested from them, the remnant sheltering them selves at Albany, where there is provi- sion made for them from New Yorke.
" Robert Livingston to Sir Edmund Andros, ap. 14, 1690.
On ye 9th of Feby last a Compy of 250 French and Indians came upon yt place when they were all asleep about 11 a'clock at night, and killed & destroyed 60 men women and children, carryed 27 men and boys prisoners and burnt ye towne except 6 or 7 houses which are saved by Capt. Sander [Glen], whom they did not touch, having Expresse command to med- dle with none of his relations for his wifes sake, who had always been kinde to ye French prisoners.
" The people of that Towne were so bygotted to Leysler that they would not obey any of ye Magistrates neither would they entertain ye Souldiers sent thither by yt Convention of Albany, nothing but men sent from Leys- ler would do theire turn.
" Thus had Leysler perperted yt poor people by his seditious letters now founde all bloody upon Skinnechtady streets, with the notions of a free trade boalting etc., and thus are they destroyed ; they would not watch, and where Capt. Sander [Glen] commanded, there they threatened to burn him upon ye fire, if he came upon the garde .* * * " __ Doc. Hist. I, 193.
Extract from Leisler's letter to Maryland.
March 4, 16§8.
* 200 men fell upon them (Shenectady) and barbarously murdered sixty- two men, women and children and burned the place left but 5 or 6 houses unburned, carried away captive 27; the rest escaped, many of which being about 25 persons much damnified by the french. * *
"By the Com's for Albany &c.
"Forasmuch as it is of high Concern to preserve his Majties City and county of Albany from the rage and mischief of the French and their ad- herents, who to o' sad experience have made divers attempts upon the skirts of the same; Wee doe therefore Order, and hereby it is ordered that
261
Burning of Schenectady.
the Posts of Schanechtede, Connestigieone and the half Moone be forth with supplyed with proper numbers of men to defend the same, *
* 12th day of May, 1690."-Doc. Hist., II.
In regard to the number of persons killed and carried away to Canada at the destruction of Schenectady, the best accounts agree substantially. The names of sixty persons massacred and of twenty-seven captives, have been preserved among the historical documents in the office of the secretary of State and are given below, accompanied by remarks as to their residences in the village. It will be noticed that the largest number of the slain resided when living on State Street; hence the survivors called this street Mar- telaer's straat, in pious remembrance of their slaughtered relatives and neighbors,-a name whose significance and sentiment are in striking con- trast with the utter poverty of invention and good taste shown by their descendants in borrowing a name from Albany for their chief business street.
' List of ye People kild and Destroyed by ye French of Canida and there Indians at Skinnechtady twenty miles to ye Westward of Albany, between Saturday and Sunday ye 9th day of February, 1688.
Myndert Wemp kild " 1
He was the eldest son of Jan Barentse Wemp (Wemple) who owned half the great island west of the town and died in 1663, leaving another son Barent and two daughters.
Myndert's house lot was on the west side of Washington street a little north of State street. His son Johannes was carried away to Canada but was redeemed and lived many years afterwards.
" Jan Van Eps and his sonne and 2 of his Children kild." 4
Jan Van Eps was the only son of Dirk Van Eps and Maritie Damens. The father died early and the mother married two husbands afterwards, the last of whom was Cornelis Van Nes of Albany. With Jan Van Eps were also killed three of his children, and a fourth, Jan Baptist, then seventeen years of age was carried away by the French. He remained with the Indians three years, but finally escaped in one of their excursions against the Mohawks. On account of his familiarity with the language of the natives, he was often employed by the Governors of the Province as an interpreter.
262
History of the Schenectady Patent.
The Van Eps house lot was on the north corner of Church and State streets and embraced about two hundred feet on each street.
The east half, including the corner, was early sold to the Bratts.
It is probable that Van Eps resided upon the west half at the time of the massacre.
" Sergt Church of Capt. Bull's compy." 1
" Barent Janse [Van Ditmars] killd and Burnd his sonne kild." 2
His son's name was Cornelis,-a young man of mature age, the husband of Catharina Glen, daughter of Sander Leendertse Glen.(?) The elder Van Ditmar's in 1664, married Catalyntie De Vos, widow of Arent Andriese Bratt, one of the earliest settlers of Schenectady, by whom she had six children, all living at the time of her second marriage.
At the time of the massacre she was living with her family on her village lot-on the east corner of Washington and State streets, and it was here that Van Ditmars and his son Cornelis were slain.
" Andries Arentse Bratt shott and Burnt and also his Child " [one child]. 2
He was the eldest son of Arent Andriese Bratt and Catalyntie De Vos above mentioned, and lived on the same ample lot (200 ft. square), as his mother, on the north side of State street. In the massacre his wife, Margareta Jacobse Van Slyck, and two other children were spared.
" Maria Vielè wife of Dowe Aukes and her two children killd, 3 and his Negro Woman Francyn, 1
Maria Alolff Wife of Cornelis Vielè Jun' Shott." 1
These five persons were killed in one house, standing on the south corner of Mill lane and State street next the ancient church. Aukes kept an Inn there; Vielè was uncle of his wife and subsequently became heir of his property.
At the same time Arnout Cornelise Viele, brother of Aukes' wife, was carried away to Canada.
" Sweer Teunise [Van Velsen] Shott and burnt his wife kild & burnt, 2 Antje Janz daughter of Jan Spoor kild & burnt, 1 Item 4 Negroes of ye said Sweer Teunise ye same death, 4 Enos Talmidge Leift. of Capt. Bull kild & burnt." 1 All in one house.
263
Burning of Schenectady.
Van Velsen's house was next east of Douwe Auke's above mentioned, on the south side of State street, now numbers 54 and 56. He was the town miller and directly in the rear of his house stood his corn mill on Mill lane.
As he died without heirs, his estate was divided among his wife's child- ren,- the Wemps,- a portion being reserved for the church.
" Hend : Meese Vrooman & Bartholomeus Vrooman kild & burnt, 2 Item 2 negroes of Hend : Meese ye same death." 2
He lived on the north side of State street where the New York Central railroad crosses. All the Vroomans in this vicinity are his descendants through his two sons Adam and Jan.
"Gerrit Marcellis and his wife and Childe kiled," 3
He was son of Marselis Janse of Albany. At the time of his death he was residing on the lots now occupied by McCamus & Co's stores.
"Rob Alexander sould' of Capt Bulls Shott." 1
He was probably quartered in the blockhouse at north angle of the village at the corner of Front and Washington streets.
" Robert Hesseling." Residence unknown. 1
" Sander ye sonne of gysbert gerritse [Van Brakel] kild & burnt," 1
He lived on the east corner of Ferry and State streets.
" Jan Roeloffse de goyer burnt in ye house," 1
He was son of the famous Annke Janse, and lived upon the lot of Mr. G. Y. Van de Bogart opposite the Court House. He left no descendants.
"Ralph grant a souldier in ye fort shott," 1
" David Christoffelse & his wife wth 4 children all burnt in there house," 6
His house lot was on the east side of Church street now occupied by the late Mrs. Volney Freeman.
He was the son of Christoffel Davids of Albany, an Englishman by birth. " Joris Aertse [Vander Baast] shott and burnt, Wm Pieterse kild," 2
His house lot was on the south corner of Church & Union streets.
"Joh : Potman kild his wife kild and her scalp taken off," 2
His house stood on the lot on the north corner of Ferry and Union streets where Mr. Barney now lives.
He was the ancestor of the Putmans of this vicinity.
264
History of the Schenectady Patent.
" Dome Petrus Tassemaker ye minister kild and burnt in his house" 1 "Frans Harmense [Van de Bogart] kild." 1
His house lot was on Front street-and near the north gate.
His son Claas was carried away, but was afterwards redeemed.
" Engel the wife of Adam Vrooman shot and burnt her child the brains dashed out against ye wall." 2
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.