USA > New York > Forts and firesides of the Mohawk country, New York : the stories and pictures of landmarks of the pre-Revolutionary War period throughout the Mohawk valley and the surrounding country side, including some historic and genealogical mention during the post-war period > Part 15
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Following the Battle of Oriskany, Walter Butler, the Tory whose home still stands near Fonda, was sent through the Valley to recruit British sympathizers and scatter dissension in the Colonial ranks. It is difficult to understand how such a mission could have been conceived, for following Oriskany, feelings were running high and capture must have seemed almost certain. Perhaps Sir John Johnson, who was, no doubt, the instigator, underestimated the fervid patriotism of the majority of the people or overestimated his own importance, or perhaps he was grasping at a "last straw" as provisions for the British troops surrounding Fort Stanwix were running short.
The troops from Fort Dayton (Herkimer) learning of a secret Tory meeting at the Shoemaker house, made a surprise attack, and Walter Butler, with others, was captured. Among Butler's papers was a letter addressed "To the Inhabitants of Tryon County" and signed by Sir John Johnson and others which is in part: --
"You have no doubt, great reason to dread the resentment of the Indians on account of the loss they sustained in the late action (Oriskany) and the morbid obstinacy of your troops in this garrison (Fort Schuyler) who have no resource but in themselves; for which reason it is become your indespensable duty, as you must answer the consequences, to send a deputation of your principal people to oblige them immediately to what, in a very little time, they must be forced, - the surrender of the garrison --- "
General Benedict Arnold, then in charge of the relief expedition of the Colonial forces to Fort Schuyler, tried Butler as a spy and found him guilty. Narrowly escaping hanging, he was sent a prisoner to Albany where for a time he was confined, but finally managed his escape.
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The old tavern is famous as having been the stopping place of Washington while on his tour of the Valley in 1783. He is said to have had dinner on the lawn in front of the house.
Those who read Walter Edmonds' "Drums Along the Mohawk" will remember the Shoemaker Tavern as the meeting place of Nancy Schuyler and her red-coated lover, Jury McLonis.
The Shoemakers were early settlers as shown by the fact that one Rudolf Shoemaker signed the petition for funds with which to repair in stone in 1767, the edifice known as the Herkimer Church. Another, this time a Thomas Shoemaker of German Flatts, petitions on May 2nd, 1781, to Governor George Clinton: ---
"That on the fifth of August last, my wife and two children was made prisoners by the Savage Enemy; which has left me in a Deplorable Situation with three children. Your Petitioner humbly begs your Excellency would please to point out to him some means by which he may have his Wife and Children restored to him again: as the difficulty attending him with three children left without a Mother makes the situation of your Petitioner truly miserable ---- "
Moses Younglove, a physician attached to the Colonial Army and captured at Oriskany was finally returned. He later rendered a bill for his services. Among the patients he attended, he mentions -
"May 28th (1781) Nath Shoemaker, wounded with a ball through his breast; dressed twice a day for eight weeks: £4, 10."
From the date given one would judge the wound was received during an engagement in connection with one of Sir John Johnson's raids.
There are two Shoemakers: Rudolph Jr., of Canajoharie, a lad of but fifteen, and Thomas of Herkimer, mentioned on the roster of troops engaged in the Oriskany Battle. However, this list, though it does contain over 450 names, is supposed to represent but a half of those who actually marched into the fight. There was also a Major Honyoast (John Joseph) Shoemaker, attached to the Tryon County Militia from the Kingsland German Flatts District in 1775. He was a son of Rudolph (one of the original patentees) and Gertrude Herkimer, a sister of General Herkimer and born in 1747. And so it is seen there were Shoemakers who were loyal patriots if others were Tories.
The building has been considerably remodelled but is in an excellent state of preservation and again in use as a tavern. But now the guests arrive, not in coaches or on horseback but in big shiny creations that skim over the concrete "trails," not at six but sixty miles an hour!
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Clinton
John J. Vrooman-1912
Rev. Kirkland Home
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KIRKLAND HOME
Kirkland Home
T the edge of the Campus of Hamilton College stands the simple little cottage of the Reverend Samuel Kirkland; and close by it is his grave. His birthplace was at Norwich, and the greater distance from his birthplace to his grave is more nearly the measure of his field of activities.
He was of Scotch descent, the tenth among a family of twelve children, born December 1st, 1741, the son of a Congregational minister. At nineteen, he was in attendance at the Eleazer Wheelock School at Lebanon, Conn., one of the prominent schools of the time and the one to which Sir William Johnson sent the Indian, Joseph Brant, who later became an important figure in Valley history.
In 1765 he graduated from Princeton, which strangely enough came after he had fairly started on his career as a missionary. Thus he seems definitely to have chosen his life work while yet in the Wheelock School, for there he began the study of the Indian language. In November of 1764 we find him at Fort Johnson with Sir William, where he stayed until the following January 16th. Evidently there was much to occupy him and much to learn from Sir William and the comings and goings of the Indians at the fort.
With the full support and cooperation of Sir William he left Fort Johnson in company with two Seneca Indians, no doubt selected by Sir William to lead him beyond the country of the Mohawks to the home of the Onondagas in what is now central New York, where he stayed for a time. Later he moved to the home of the Seneca tribe and then returned to Lebanon, Conn. in 1766 to be ordained.
In July of that year he was back among the Oneidas with his life's work begun as an emissary of the Scotch Missionary Society. His gentle demeanor and quick sympathy endeared him to the Indians to whom he had dedicated himself, while his bravery and discretion won for him an almost absolute control over them, so great was their faith in his word and deed.
Perhaps the most noted of his converted brothers was Chief Skenandoa, who, under his tutelage and guidance, became an eloquent power for peace. Chief Skenandoa died at Oneida Castle March 11th, 1816 at the remarkable age
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of 110 years. A simple character, strong in his faith, honest and direct in his dealings, his life is a remarkable tribute to his mentor, Kirkland.
But to return to Kirkland to whom the Valley owes an immeasurable debt of gratitude. His influence over the Oneidas was strong enough to nullify a concerted appeal which the Johnsons, the Butlers, the Mohawks, and every other tribe of the Six Nations made to them to join the English. To Kirkland's personal influence, must be given the credit for holding their friendship throughout the war.
In 1769 Rev. Kirkland married Jerusha Bingham, a niece of Dr. Wheelock, founder of Dartmouth College, who joined him in the field. Their journey from Connecticut was made partly by boat and partly on horseback, the bride riding on a pillion behind her husband. She returned to Stockbridge with their children when the war loomed so ominously.
In 1774 Sir William Johnson died at his home, Johnson Hall, and Guy Johnson succeeded him as Secretary of Indian Affairs. Rev. Kirkland now had a new and powerful influence to combat. Guy Johnson planted the seeds of deceit and discontent among the Indians in an effort to destroy Kirkland's hold upon them. The War was fast approaching.
In 1775 the Continental Congress directed Kirkland to use every influence, not only among the Oneidas but with every tribe of the Six Nations, in an effort to hold them, not necessarily as allies, but as non-combatants in the coming struggle. In this he failed, for while his influence was great among those who knew him best, his work had been largely among the Oneidas. The Mohawks, firm allies of the Johnsons, as well as the Johnsons themselves, the Butlers and others of the Johnson associates, swung the balance of power among the Indians to the English. In June of that year Kirkland appeared at Schenectady in company with five Oneida Indians and appealed to the Schenectady Committee of Safety for some of their members to accompany them to Albany, whither they were bound, to discuss their relations with the Colonists. This was granted and on their return they were entertained and given presents before returning to their home.
Following the Clinton . Sullivan Expedition into the Indian country, in 1780, it became necessary for the entire Oneida tribe to abandon their village for the shelter of Fort Schuyler at Rome, to escape the vengeance of the Indians whose fields and villages had been destroyed by Clinton and Sullivan. These Indians, allies of the English, destroyed the abandoned Oneida village and surrounding
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KIRKLAND HOME
crops and when it became apparent the Oneidas could not return in safety to their country, being so completely outnumbered, they were moved in a body to Schenectady where they remained until the end of the war, supported by the Government. Their total number was four hundred and six, over half of whom were children.
During the war, Rev. Kirkland served as an Army Chaplain at Fort Schuyler (Rome), and after the war, rendered valuable aid in the adjudication of Indian affairs, going as far as Philadelphia in company with a body of Chiefs. Here in conference they met Washington and many other leaders.
In 1788 he received from the Indians, with the approval of the State of New York, a valuable tract of land in what is now Kirkland Township where he took up his residence with his family.
Still interested in the welfare of the Indians he made repeated attempts to establish a school system among them and in 1793, with the aid of such men as Baron Steuben, Colonel North, Major Williams, and Stephen Van Rensselaer, the Hamilton Oneida Academy was formed. Baron Steuben laid the cornerstone.
Rev. Kirkland built this house in 1795, its original location being on the south side of the road at the foot of the College Hill. It was moved to its present location by Elihu Root, an alumnus of the College. The school struggled through a long and difficult period leading to the founding of Hamilton College in 1812, too late, unfortunately, to serve the Oneidas who had been uppermost in Rev. Kirkland's mind, for they had moved to their "Reservation." These great accomplishments the Reverend Kirkland did not live to see, for he died on College Hill February 28th, 1808, after spending the last years of his life blind and crippled.
Chief Skenandoa had begged to be buried beside "his brother (Kirkland) that he might at the resurrection lay hold of his skirts." His prayer was answered. His remains lie close by those of the Rev. Kirkland on College Hill. His own words are his epitaph:
"I am an aged hemlock; The winds of a hundred Winters Have whistled through my branches; I am dead-at the top. The generation to which I belonged Have run away and left me."
Carved Powder Horn Showing Fort Stanwix (Schuyler)
Powder Horn of LIEUT & ANNErANT. CHRISTOPHER HUTTON, JAKREG! THE LINE . Comanded by Col. Peter Gangercost; who was commandant at Fort Sangles (Stanwix) during the Geiger in Buy. MITT. In addition to owners name- "CHRIST HUTTON ~ 1777- FORT SCHUYLER -IL RESTO PLAG is prominente fraistedy, clearly representing the STARS 9 STRIDES. Inut Hutton without doubt was present with his regiment curing mie period of their service at For Port Schuyler - Apr 1777 / Mar 17, 8. It isvery possible to believe the hard way carved during this service, and that theflag engraved therear represis the fine made and never over Fort Schuyler during the seife. The only question is - has the hornengraved 'se- where at alater date. Howniet, so far as has been learned, konut. Hutton was never again in that vicinity during the Revolutionary Har, but was constantly in active service in other sections of the country.
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FORT STANWIX - FORT SCHUYLER
Fort Stanwix-Fort Schuyler
S early as 1736 traders from up and down the Mohawk Valley petitioned for a fort at the long carry at what is now Rome. This was a danger point, perhaps the most dangerous along the entire water route from Schenectady to the Great Lakes, as the traders were almost helpless if surprised by an attack while engaged in getting their boats and cargoes from the Mohawk to Wood Creek. These men did not travel in large groups or "expeditions" for the very obvious reason that trading could not be satisfactorily carried on in that manner.
Fort Williams, built in 1746, on the north bank of the Mohawk, was the answer to the petition for a fort at the carry which the traders called the "Trow . Plat." Fort Bull was built at the other end of the carry on the bank of Wood Creek, where the westbound boats were again launched. A lesser important fort named Fort Craven was built half way between the two terminal forts.
In 1756 the English abandoned and destroyed Fort Williams, and Fort Stanwix succeeded it. The site of the latter is the site of the present day Rome Club in the center of Rome's business district. It was constructed in 1758 and became the most important and costly structure in the western end of the Valley proper, the amount expended being in excess of £60,000. Its name honored its builder, General John Stanwix of the British Army.
Fort Stanwix was dismantled and allowed to go to ruin and decay following the close of the French and Indian war, and this was its condition at the outbreak of the Revolution. In 1776 it was restored by Colonel Elias Dayton under orders from General Washington, and was given the name, "Fort Schuyler," as a token of esteem for Colonel Philip Schuyler of Albany. Colonel Gansevort was placed in command, and it was he who defended the place against the formidable army of St. Leger, Sir John Johnson and Colonel Butler with their 1750 men, many of whom were Indians. The siege of the Fort was undertaken and the action here dovetails with the Battle of Oriskany where the greatest fighting occurred.
Considerable confusion has arisen over the two names "Fort Stanwix" and "Fort Schuyler." Perhaps it is better known as Fort Stanwix as this was the
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name given the original stronghold by the English while Fort Schuyler was of course the American Fort. Yet one often hears the phrase repeated that the "Stars and Stripes were first flown at Fort Stanwix." The confusion is heightened by the fact that there was another "Fort Schuyler" at what is now Utica.
After the Revolution it was again allowed to fall into ruin by flood and fire in 1781, and finally when its earthen outworks were leveled off, the last tangible evidence of its presence was forever lost.
No doubt the reason for the complete disappearance of this Fort is that it was built of wood, reinforced with only earthen parapets, no stone being used. Its loss is lamentable, for while there were other Forts constructed somewhat similar to this one, Fort Schuyler was the most important and the most pretentious of them all, and of all so built, and there were several, not a vestige of any of them remains. Nor have any of them been reconstructed for the benefit of thousands upon thousands of students of history, tourists and school children whose interest in these battlegrounds and their buildings increase in an astonishing ratio with the passage of the years.
Many important Indian treaties were consummated here. One which Sir William negotiated with an assemblage of 3200 Indians was the treaty of 1768. By another treaty in 1784 between the Indians and the United States a western boundary for the Six Nations was fixed. At this treaty Red Jacket, the famous Seneca Chief, made a fiery speech in which he declared the Indians should not cede any of their lands. After the war in 1788 came the treaty between New York State and the Six Nations which threw open to settlement a vast area of western New York. Governor Clinton and Lafayette were present at this conference.
Of greater interest, however, than any conference held here is the historic fact that the newly adopted American flag, the Stars and Stripes, was for the first time hoisted as the National Emblem over the ramparts of Fort Stanwix (Schuyler) on August 3rd, 1777.
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John J. Vrooman -- 19 $X
Site of Fort Bull
Rome
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Royal Block House Rome
FORT BULL, FORT WILLIAMS AND THE ROYAL BLOCKHOUSE Page 179
Fort Bull, Fort Williams and The Royal Blockhouse
HESE structures were links in a chain of fortifications along the natural trans-state waterway near Rome. In 1756 but two forts protected the carry. Fort Williams, built in 1746, stood a few blocks from the business center of Rome, near the bank of the Mohawk at the eastern end of the carry and Fort Bull was at its western end on. Wood Creek. Fort Bull was a star shaped enclosure of pickets 15 feet high, with a double row inside rising six feet above ground. It carried no cannon.
The destruction of Fort Bull is told in a French account of the action taken from the Paris Documents:
."The detachment having commenced their march along the highroad (trail) the soldiers having their bayonets fixed, M. DeLery gave orders to move straight forward without firing a shot and scize the guard on entering the fort. He was still five acres off when he heard the whoop of the Indians, not withstanding the prohibition he had issued. He instantly ordered an advance, double quick time, in order to carry the gate of the fort, but the enemy had time to close it. Six Indians only, followed the French, the others pursued six Englishmen, who unable to reach the fort, threw themselves into the bush. M. DeLery sent some to cut down the gate and caused the commandant and all his garrison, to surrender, promising quarter to him and all his garrison, to which he only answered by a fire of musketry and by throwing a quantity of grenades. Our soldiers and the Canadians, who ran full speed, the moment the Indians whooped, got possession of the port-holes; through these they fired on such of the English as they could get a sight of. Great efforts were made to batter down the gate, which was finally cut to pieces in about an hour. Then the whole detachment, with a cry, 'Vive le Roi' rushed into the fort and put everyone to the sword they could lay hands on. One woman and a few soldiers were fortunate enough to escape the fury of our troops. Some pretend that only one prisoner was made during this action."
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The magazine was blown up, setting fire to the fort and all was totally destroyed. An effort was made by Captain Williams at Fort Williams to rescue those at Fort Bull by sending out a detachment to relieve it, but the party fell into an Indian ambush and many of them were killed, the survivors being driven back to Fort Williams. The earthworks which surrounded Fort Bull are still visible and are all that remain of this group of fortifications.
The French then withdrew fearing the arrival of Sir William Johnson with a superior number of reinforcements. This engagement took place on March 26th, 1756. The loss must have been a severe one to the English, according to the DeLery report which lists as destroyed:
"40 thousand weight of powder, a number of bombs, grenades and balls of different calibre. A great deal of salted provisions, bread, butter, chocolate, sugar and other provisions were likewise thrown into the water. The stores were filled with clothes and other effects which were pillaged; the remainder burned. The day cost the English 90 men of whom 30 were prisoners. Our detachment killed or captured 30 horses."
Fort Williams was abandoned and destroyed by the English when its commander learned of the capture of Chouegen (Oswego) and never figured in any important action.
The Royal Blockhouse was not yet built. It was constructed at the same time as Fort Stanwix (1758), when this latter Fort replaced Fort Williams. The Blockhouse was merely an outpost and shelter maintained by a garrison of 15 men located beside Wood Creek near its confluence with Oneida Lake and time has so completely obliterated it that not even its identical location is known though a state marker approximates it. In order to avoid a difficult passage through the troublesome Wood Creek which was both narrow and shallow, a military road was cut through the forest and it was over this road that General Amherst passed in 1760.
tr.
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John J. Vrooman-1932
Scriba Mansion Constantia
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THE SCRIBA MANSION
The Scriba Mansion
HIS building does not come strictly within the period of years under consideration but because of its interesting history and as an example of what occurred immediately following the close of the Revolution, it is included.
In the latter part of 1791, John and Nicholas J. Roosevelt, New York merchants, purchased from the State some 500,000 acres of land at thirty nine cents per acre. The tract included practically all of Oswego County (as now existing) west of the Oswego River as well as a part of the present Oneida County.
George Frederick William Agustus Scriba, born in 1752 in Germany and later a Holland banker, emigrated to this country and became a wealthy New York merchant, credited with one and a half million dollars. He became interested in the speculation offered in "wild lands" and on December 12th, 1794 he took over by patent the entire Roosevelt tract. He then bought and sold large tracts of land; one large division of his first purchase he sold to Alexander Hamilton in what is now largely the town of Richland, Oneida County. At one time Scriba owned approximately a million acres of land extending from Oneida Lake to Lake Ontario. The original patent papers issued to the Roosevelts and signed by Governor Clinton are still in the house.
About 1796 Scriba moved to New Rotterdam, as he then called it, but now known as Constantia, and built the "mansion" still standing, overlooking Oneida Lake. It is still owned by a direct descendant who bears the Scriba name. Frederick W. Scriba built the village church now flanked by its interesting old cemetery.
The census of 1790 shows but one family by the name of "Scriba" and this one is listed under the "East Ward, New York City. George Scriba, 3 males, 5 females, 0 slaves." This was of course our George Scriba who did not leave New York until six years after this census was taken.
Scriba planned to develop his land by building two towns to be known as "Rotterdam" after his home town in Holland and "Vera Cruz," the latter at the mouth of Little Salmon Creek. He laid out roads to the towns and did a great deal to encourage settlement. Near his house at Rotterdam (Constantia) he built a store which was remarkably well stocked with $10,000 in merchandise, and here he did a big business, trade coming from forty miles around. Here was brandy at four shillings a quart and flour at six pence a pound. One could
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secure board at the tavern "for sixteen shillings per week without liquor." Scriba owned his own line of ships and did his own importing and exporting.
His home is this frame building two stories high with long sloping roof. It faces south overlooking the Lake. From its location its owner could watch the arrival of prospective land buyers as they came up the Lake in their Durham boats to investigate his property. John Meyer, Scriba's agent, sold land for $3.00 an acre in 1805 which eighteen months earlier he had sold for $1.00. Here at Rotterdam was the western most postoffice of the entire North Country for several years.
Pioneers who had made the long tedious journey of 120 miles from Albany to Rome via the Mohawk River and thence on westward told tall tales about the wild lands along the Oneida Lake and on out toward Oswego, belonging to Scriba. Much of it was very fertile country.
The home this land baron built is suggestive of an early Mohawk Valley dwelling. Entering its front door, then adorned on either side by lanterns, one sees a beautifully proportioned hall which exactly divides the house. This hall terminates in another at right angles, toward the rear, leaving two large rooms at the front of the house and three smaller rooms across the back.
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