USA > New York > Schoharie County > Gazetteer and business directory of Schoharie County, N.Y. for 1872-3 > Part 10
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hand and inquired who dared to disobey his orders. Murphy replied that he fired on the flag. Major Woolsey then threat- ened him with instant death if he repeated the act. Murphy declared that sooner than see the flag enter the Fort, he would send a bullet through the heart of the Major. Murphy was sustained by the other officers of the Fort, who were desirous of seeing it defended at all hazards. The Major walked away and as the flag appeared, Murphy again fired upon it. A third time an effort was made to get a flag of truce into the Fort, and a third time was the bearer warned by a shot from Murphy's rifle, to return. Major Wool- sey gave up the command to Col. Vrooman and sought safety among the women and children. The firing was continued un- der the command of Col. Vrooman, the officers taking guns and fighting with the soldiers. The garrison was too weak to allow a successful sortie against the enemy, but several parties were sent out during the day to harass the enemy, and, if possible, save a large barn of John Becker, which stood almost in the direction of Johnson's position, and was surrounded with numerous stacks of hay and grain. The enemy remained about the Fort until all the property in the vicinity was de- stroyed, and about 3 o'clock in the afternoon moved down the valley. Less than half a dozen of the garrison were injured during the siege. The loss of the besiegers is not known, though it must have been much greater than that of the beseig- ed. Major Becker was in command of the Lower Fort with about 150 men. Ample time was given to make everything in the Lower Fort ready for defense. Several barrels of water were provided to extinguish the fire, should the church in which were the women and children be set on fire. In the tower, under the command of Ensign Jacob Lawyer, Jr., fifteen or twenty good marksmen were stationed, and a number of women stood at the pickets with pitchforks, spears &c., ready to repel an attack. Several shots from the enemy were lodged in the tower of the church. On the 18th a small force was col- lected to pursue the enemy and doubtless tended to restrict the field of their operations somewhat. It is said that 134 build- ings were burned in Schoharie County during the war, a large part of which were during this expedition. The citizens were living in good frame houses and had large barns well filled with grain. Schoharie had not only supplied her own citizens and soldiers, but had furnished large quantities of grain for the troops at other stations. Such was the destruction, that the most rigid ecomony would scarcely enable them to subsist on what remained, until the next year's harvest. Added to the great loss of grain, dwellings, stock &c., was the great deprecia-
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tion of the paper money of the country, large amounts of which were in the possession of some of the farmers, having been tak- en in exchange for the products of their farms. Fifty or sixty dollars in currency, in 1780, would command no more than one dollar in specie. An officer once paid seventy dollars for a single mug of flip.
In 1781 block houses were erected at Kneiskern's and Hart- man's dorf, and at Cobleskill. The last was erected by Capt. Dubois, of Catskill, and called Fort Dubois. It inclosed about half an acre of land, with pickets and a ditch, filled with water from a brook. July 10th an engagement took place about two miles east of Sharon Springs, between a party of Tories and Indians under Doxtader and Col. Willett. Though the force of the enemy was greatly superior to that of Willett, they were defeated, and a large amount of plunder taken the day before at Currytown, was recovered. Some of the prisoners taken by the enemy on the previous day, were killed, to prevent their falling into the hands of their friends. The loss of the Americans was five killed and eight wounded. The loss of the enemy was supposed to be about fifty. Most of the cattle driven away from Currytown were abandoned by their captors and found their way back to their former pastures. Several persons in Middleburgh were surprised and taken prisoners while in the harvest field.
Christian Myndert, who resided in Sharon, removed in the summer of 1781 to Fort Dubois, to escape the savages, leaving several hogs in the field and a quantity of peas growing on the ground. In the latter part of October, Myndert, accompanied by Lieut. Jacob Borst, of Cobleskill, Wm. Kneiskern and Jacob Kerker, proceeded to his former dwelling to secure his peas, shut up his hogs and secure some other property. While endeavoring to secure the hogs, six Indians, commanded by Walradt, a Tory, from the Mohawk Valley, secreted themselves in Myndert's barn. The day was cold and stormy, and after securing the property, Lieut. Borst and his companions re- paired to the house to warm themselves, setting their guns in one corner while they gathered around the fire. While thus engaged, the Indians suddenly burst in upon them and made them prisoners before they had time to seize their guns. The prisoners were bound and started for Canada. They encamped the first night at New Dorlach, but such was the vigilance of the enemy that there was no chance of escape. They suffered greatly on their march, being compelled to run the gauntlet at the Indian settlements, at which they suffered severely. Lieut. Borst died soon after arriving at Niagara. Kneiskern, who was imprisoned on an island in the St. Lawrence, succeeded one
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night in making his escape with several other prisoners. They dug out beneath the pickets which inclosed their prison, and made a raft on which to float down the river. One of the prisoners, fearing the raft would not sustain all of the party, swam several miles 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 safe among their friends, where their wants were supplied until they reach- ed their homes.
About the 1st of November, 1781, a party of Tories and In- dians under Brant and Capt. Adam Crysler, a former resident of the vicinity, entered Vroomansland near the Upper Fort. Mr. Isaac Vrooman was murdered and scalped near the house of his son, who escaped to the Fort and gave the alarm. A small party was dispatched in pursuit, and at " Bouck's Island" had a slight skirmish in which Derick Haggidorn was mortally wounded. The enemy were concealed, and their number was unknown; the party returned to the Fort. Col. Vrooman then dispatched Capt. Hager, with fifteen or twenty Schoharie rangers and a company of troops under Capt. Hale, the command being given to Hager. With two or three days rations they moved ยท up the river, and the next morning, near Lake Utsyantha, they
encountered the enemy, numbering about sixty or seventy In- dians and Tories. At the first fire, Hale and his men, with a single exception, retreated, leaving Hager with less than twenty men to resist a force three times that of his own. Capt. Hager and Murphy ran to intercept Hale, and, placing themselves in front, threatened to run him through if he did not halt. They retraced their steps, but the enemy retreated, and though pur- sued for some distance, they were unable to bring them again into action.
July 29th, 1782, Adam Crysler, his brother William and another Tory named Peter Erkert, with twenty-two Indians, appeared in the valley of Fox's Creek, murdered several and laid siege to the house of Major Becker, which was defended by the inmates with such spirit that after several hours siege they departed. As soon as information of the attack was conveyed to the Fort, Capt. Brown sent out a party which arrived soon after Crysler had left. One of the enemy killed was found to be Erkert, a cooper who had made flour barrels for Major Becker before the war. He was not dead when found, and on being re- cognized by the Major, was accused of ingratitude. The Tory appeared penitent and said he did not care which succeeded, King or Congress. Few counties suffered more from hostile incursions during the Revolutionary war than Schoharie.
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After the war many of the Tories returned to Schoharie, some of whom boasted of their evil deeds. The climate, how- ever, did not agree with them and they soon disappeared. Some of the Schoharie Indians also returned, but were looked upon with as much distrust as the Tories.
In 1845 and 1846 this County partook somewhat of the anti- rent excitement, in common with surrounding counties, though no actual violence occurred within its limits.
The State Gazetteer, published in 1860, says: "Within the last ten years, a mania for building large seminaries, far beyond the wants of the people, has spread through the County. The speculation has proved a ruinous one, and the entire amount of capital invested in the enterprises has been sunk. Of nine acad- emies built in this County, three have been burned, three are ' to let' and three are still open."
The first newspaper published in the County was
The American Herald, commenced at Schoharie in June 1809, by Derick Van Veghten. In 1812 the name was changed to The Schoharie Herald, and soon after it was discontinued.
The True American was commenced at Schoharie in Decem- ber 1809, by Thomas M. Tillman. It was discontinued in 1812 or 1813.
The Schoharie Budget was commenced in June 1817 by Derick Van Veghten. In 1820 it was changed to
THE SCHOHARIE REPUBLICAN. It soon after passed into the hands of Peter Keyser. It was afterwards published by Lemuel Cuthbert, A. A. Keyser, Wm. H. Underwood, Wm. H. Gal- lup, P. D. Lawyer and Rossiter, successively, for several years, J. B. Hall then became the publisher and continued until May 1860, when he was succeeded by J. C. Campbell, who published it until August 1861, when it passed into the hands of A. B. F. Pond. In April 1865, Sleight & Hunt became the publish- ers and continued until January 1, 1869, when Mr. Sleight sold his interest to his partner, A. A. Hunt, who has continued the publication to the present time.
The Observer was commenced at Schoharie in October 1818. In 1819 it passed into the hands of Solomon Baker, and in 1820 to Baker & Fish, and in 1822 Baker became the sole pro- prietor and soon after disconti .. ued its publication.
The Evangelical Luminary was commenced at Schoharie, Jan- uary 1, 1824, by George A. Lintner and L. Cuthbert. It was published about a year.
The Lutheran Magazine was commenced in February 1827, by the Western Conference of' Lutheran Ministers. It was
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published for several years as a monthly, and printed by L. Cuthbert.
The Schoharie Free Press was commenced February 9, 1830, by Duncan McDonald. In 1832 it was removed to Esperance and the name changed to
The Esperance Sentinel and Schoharie and Montgomery Re- porter. It was discontinued in 1835 or 1836.
The Gem was published a short time in 1837.
The Schoharie Patriot was started February 13, 1838, by. Peter Mix. It was subsequently published by S. H. Mix. In 1863 it passed into the hands of Henry E. Abel and the name changed to the
SCHOHARIE UNION. In 1867 it passed into the hands of Charles C. Kromer, the present proprietor.
The Star was commenced in April 1838 by S. H. Mix, then a school boy.
The Sun was commenced as an opposition paper in May 1838, by D. L. Underwood, another lad of the same age. These papers were about three by four inches, but were enlarged in 1839. They both ceased to shed their light in a short time.
The Huge Paw was a campaign paper, published from August 12 to November 11, 1840, by William H. Gallup.
The Helderbergh Advocate was commenced in 1841 by Wm. H. Gallup. In 1843 its name was changed to
The Guardian of the Soil, after which it was published one year.
The Americam Christian was commenced at Leesville, January 7, 1847, by J. D. Lawyer. It was discontinued soon after.
The Schoharie County Sentinel was commenced at Cobleskill Jan. 22, 1852, by Hiram C. Page. It was published a short time by Charles Cleveland and by Wadhams and Kniskern, and was soon after purchased by J. B. Hall, who merged it with the Schoharie Republican.
The Charlotteville Journal was commenced at Charlotteville in 1854 by Furman & Brown. In 1855 John Brown became the sole proprietor and removed it to Cobleskill and changed the name to
The Cobleskill Journal. It was published only a short time.
The Oasis was published semi-monthly, by the students of the Academy, a short time in 1855.
The Schoharie Jeffersonian was commenced at Cobleskill in 1859, by Mathew Freeman, and was continued until 1862.
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THE COBLESKILL INDEX was started in October 1865, by W. H. Weeks, the present proprietor.
THE SCHOHARIE COUNTY DEMOCRAT was started November 5, 1870, at Richmondville, by J. L. Multer, pub- lisher, and J. J. & J. L. Multer, editors.
THE MIDDLEBURGH GAZETTE was started Oct. 11, 1871, at Middleburgh, by O. B. Ireland, the present publisher.
The Schoharie County Agricultural Society and Stock Growers' Association have a fine Fair Ground of fifteen acres, situated a short distance south-west of the Court House. It contains sev- eral buildings, is well fenced and has a half mile track. The annual Fairs are generally successful and the Society is in a flourishing condition.
We have not as full statistics of the part taken by this County in the suppression of the great Rebellion, as is desirable. Im- mediately after the first proclamation of the President, Captain Hiram A. Blodget, of Co. D, Fortieth Regiment, N. Y. M., procured enlistment papers from the Adjutant General, and en- listed 28 men belonging to his company, but as the number was not sufficient to form a company, six of the men went to Al- bany and enlisted, and the remainder enlisted in the Seventy- Sixth Regiment, one company of which was chiefly raised in Schoharie County. One company of the Third N. Y. Cavalry was raised in this and Otsego Counties through the efforts of S. H. Mix, who became Lieut. Col. of the Regiment. Many of the citizens enlisted in the various regiments raised in this part of the State, but we have no means of determining the number.
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GAZETTEER OF TOWNS.
GAZETTEER OF TOWNS.
BLENHEIM, named from the Blenheim Patent, a part of which lies in the north part of the town, was formed from Schoharie, March 17, 1797. Jefferson was taken of in 1803, and a part of Gilboa in 1848. It is an interior town, lying south- west of the center of the County. The surface is a hilly up- land, broken by the deep ravines of the streams. Schoharie Creek flows north through the east part, receiving Westkill and several smaller streams from the west. These streams of- ten rise very rapidly, sometimes doing great damage. They are bordered by steep hills, rising to a hight of 300 to 500 feet. A wide flat extends along the Scoharie, equal in fertility to any land in the County. The soil is chiefly a clayey loam. Wheat is raised to some extent, and hops and broom corn are quite ex- tensively raised.
North Blenheim, (p. v.) known also as Patchin Hollow, is situated on the west bank of Schoharie Creek, at the mouth of the Westkill. It is divided into two parts by a steep hill that approaches so near the creek as to leave little room for more than a road. It contains two churches, viz., Methodist and Reformed; two school houses, two hotels, two stores; two wagon shops, two blacksmith shops, a harness shop, a shoema- ker shop, a tailor shop, a paint shop, a grist mill, two saw mills and about fifty dwellings. There is a fine water power that is not all improved. It is on the line of the Middleburgh and Gilboa stage. A steam sash and blind factory is near.
Eminence, (p. v.) on the west border, partly in Summit and Jefferson, contains two churches, Methodist and Reformed ; a hotel, two stores, a wagon shop, a blacksmith shop, a shoe shop, a milliner and dressmaker shop, and about twenty dwellings.
Minekill Falls is a post office.
Blenheim Hill, Cole Hollow and Burnt Hill are local names of neighborhoods.
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On the west side of Schoharie Creek, opposite the residence of Daniel Hager, was formerly an Indian burying ground. Two Indian settlements were formerly in this town.
The first settlements were made by Dutch and Palatinates, previous to 1761, but many of them were driven out during the Revolution. Among the early settlers were Gen. Freegift Pat- chin, Lawrence Mattice, Henry Effner, Henry and Jacob Hager, Lambert Sternberg, Wm. Freeck, Isaac Smith, Banks More- house and George Martin. Most of the settlers who came in after the war, were from New England. Hendrick Mattice, who erected the first mill on the Westkill, became a loyalist and went to Canada.
Many of the early settlers were soldiers of the Revolution. Daniel Hager and Philip Bartholomew were captains in the war of 1812. The former is still living, though still feeling the effects of wounds received at Sacketts Harbor and at Plattsburg. He is a grandson of Jacob Hager, who was a captain during the Revolution, and was with the army that captured Burgoyne. In 1777; when McDonald and his party invaded this County, he reached the river above Breakabeen on Sunday, August 10, and marched up and down the road stationing guards. Capt. Jacob Hager's father, then about seventy years of age, was anxious to give notice to the patriots below at the stone house, afterwards surrounded by pickets and known as the Upper Fort, but most of his neighbors had given in their adherence to the Royal authorities and he started to do the errand himself, a distance of nine miles. Leaving home about sundown, he had proceeded but a short distance when he was met by an emis- sary of royalty, who asked where he was going, his business &c. Pretending to have some business with a blacksmith a short distance below, he was told that the man he wished to see was in a house near by. Having made arrangements for his black- smithing, he was allowed to return home. Having proceeded on his way until out of sight of the Tory sentinel, he turned from the road, went down the bank of the river, which he ford- ed, and at length reached the stone house, making known to the patriots the near approach of the enemy. He met his son, Capt. Hager, who had just returned from the Northern Army. Capt. H. and Henry Becker were immediately sent to Albany for assistance.
In the afternoon of the same day, Col. John Harper arrived to consult with Col. Vrooman and others as to the best course to be pursued in the emergency. As the Tories were expected to pass down through the valley, it was necessary to be as ex- peditious as possible in obtaining aid, and Col. Harper volun- teered to go to Albany on horseback, and proceeded as far as
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the tavern of John I. Lawyer, near Schoharie Court House, and put up, as it was not deemed safe to travel in the night. The same night there was quite a gathering of Indians and Tories at the "Brick House," about a mile distant. After Harper had retired, a party from the Brick House called and wished to see Col. H. and have him accompany them to their place of rendezvous. Lawyer tried in vain to dissuade them from disturbing his guest. Harper, hearing the disturbance, stepped to the door and with pistols in hand threatened to shoot the first man who should step over the threshold. Thinking that discretion was the better part of valor, they retired, and Harper locked his door and was not further dis- turbed. The next morning he started on his journey, armed with sword and pistols, and was followed by two Indians armed with knives and tomahawks. Passing over a knoll or turn in the road which hid him from their view, he dismounted, drew his sword from the scabbard and, holding a pistol in each hand, awaited the approach of the savages. Riding rapidly, they were brought to a sudden halt within pistol shot of Harper, who exclaimed, " Stop you villains, face about and be off, this instant, or these bullets shall whistle through your hearts." They turned about and followed at a respectful distance after this. Col. Harper proceeded to Albany and returned with a small company of cavalry, giving great joy to the patriots along the valley. After a slight skirmish, in which Lieut. David Wirt was killed, the enemy retreated up the valley and departed for Niagara. It is said that more than twenty citizens from Vroo- mans Land and vicinity went with them.
On the 2d of April 1780, a scout of fourteen men, command- ed by Lieut. Alexander Harper, was sent from the Schoharie Forts, by Col. Vrooman, to the vicinity of Harpersfield, to keep an eye on the conduct of certain suspected persons, and if pos- sible make a quantity of maple sugar. Here they were sur- prised by a party of Indians and Tories under Capt. Brant, and hurried off to Canada. The surprise was so complete that the Americans did not fire a gun .. The ostensible object of this expedition was to invade the Schoharie settlements, but being assured by Lieut. Harper, that three hundred continental troops had recently arrived there, Brant very reluctantly gave up the expedition, and the settlements were undisturbed until October of the same year. This statement was received with some doubt, but he persisted in his assertion though it was utterly false. This is regarded as one of those falsehoods which are allowable in times of war. Freegift Patchin was one of the cap- tured party. The snow was very deep and the prisoners found it difficult to keep up with the Indians, who wore snow shoes.
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Brant was taken ill with fever and ague and compelled to lie by every other day, rendering the journey more endurable to the captors. After journeying about two weeks and arriving in a warmer latitude, a rattlesnake was found, and a soup made, a free use of which effected a cure of Captain Brant. About fifteen miles from the place of capture, they obtained three bushels of corn, which was afterwards equally divided among the whole party. The division was made by counting the ker- nels.
While in the vicinity of Tioga Point, the prisoners came near being sacrificed to gratify a savage disposition for revenge, even upon innocent parties. It appears that on their way down the Chemung, Brant detached ten of his warriors to Minisink, for plunder and prisoners. The object of the expedition was ac- complished and they were returning with their prisoners, when one night the latter fell upon their captors, killing nine and severely wounding the tenth, who alone escaped to tell the news. The wounded Indian interfered, telling the excited multitude that the prisoners, just arrived, had nothing to do with the affair and that it would be unjust to wreak their vengeance on innocent men. The party suffered greatly from hunger. Near the present site of Elmira, they found the car- cass of a horse frozen in the snow, and despoiling the wolves. of their meat, the party feasted upon it. Arriving near Niag- ara, they passed the gauntlet, no one except Patchin being seriously injured. The prisoners, except Harper, were finally lodged in prison at Chamblee, where they remained in irons for two years, suffering for the necessaries of life. Freegift Patchin became so reduced as to be unable to rise from the floor without assistance. The physician in charge totally neg- lected his duties. At length he was succeeded by a man with a humane heart, who on his first visit ordered the shackles re- moved from the prisoners, and their condition rendered more tolerable. At the close of the war the prisoners were released and arrived in Schoharie about three years after their capture.
General Patchin settled in this town in 1798, built a mill and gave his name to the village. The first inn was kept by H. Effner, and the first store by Tobias Cuyler, in 1803. The first tannery was built in 1825 by Jones & Lathrop. Jacob Sutherland, afterwards a Judge of the Supreme Court of this State, was formerly a resident of this town. Walter Butler formerly owned a large tract, including the flats in this town, and the hill portion was owned by John Lansing, Jr. It is said that Lansing gave a shilling an acre for his land, a large portion of which was leased to the occupants until the anti- rent excitement. Mr. Daniel Hager assisted in surveying this
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patent about 1809. The first lease given by Judge Lansing, was Stephen Mayhem, an Irishman. After the anti-rent excite- ment broke out, Mayhem purchased his land for two dollars an acre.
The citizens of this town partook of the excitement which prevailed in other localities, and meetings were held at which the anti-rent advocates appeared in the dress of Indians, and personal violence was threatened. Sheriffs Brown and Bouck were at one time stopping at a hotel in North Blenheim, and while quietly seated in conversation, the room was suddenly filled with men disguised as Indians. The Sheriffs were over- powered and taken to Baldwin's Hights with the intention of giving them a coat of tar and feathers, but better counsels pre- vailed and the plan was abandoned. If the anti-renters were lawless, the legal authorities were sometimes scarcely less so, the posse of the Sheriff sometimes taking unwarrantable liberties in searching premises and in the pretended exercise of their duty.
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