USA > New York > Gazetteer of the State of New York: embracing a comprehensive view of the geography, geology, and general history of the State, and a complete history and description of every county, city, town, village, and locality, Part 2 > Part 10
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The Amsterdam Recorder, which is now issued by H. Hayward, editor and publisher.
The Mohawk Gazette was published at Amsterdam by Josiah A. Nooman in 1833-34.
The Fonda Herald was issued by J. Reynolds, Jr., in 1837.
The Fonda Sentinel was begun iu 1845; it is uow pub- lished by Clark & Thayer.
The American Star, commenced at Canajoharie April 5, 1855, by W'm. S. Hawley, was removed to Fonda May 17, 1855. In 1857 it was changed to
The Mohawk Volley American, and published by C. B. Freeman. In 1858 this title was changed to
The American Star, which is now published by Win. S. Ilawley, original proprietor.
The Montgomery Whig was begun at Fultonville in 1840 by B. F. Pinkham. It passed into the hands of Thos. Horton, and in 1855 its name was changed to
The Montgomery Republican, and is now pub- lished by P. R. Horton.
We are indebted to Prof. O. W. Morris, of New York, and to the files of The Phoenix, for the above list. Many changes of ownership are not stated.
1 Colden's Five Nations ; Smith's Hist. N. Y.
2 See p. 598.
8 The " Lower Cuatle" was sitnated at the mouth of Schohario Creek, the " Middle Castle" at the month of the Otsqnago. and the " Upper Castle" at the month of the Now-a-da-ga or Indian Castle Creek, in Danube, Herkimer co.
' An Indian village named Caughna waga, 9 mi. above Montreal, is the result of this emigration. 6 Simms's " Hist. Schoharie."
409
MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
Mohawk, was granted to John Christian Garlock and others for the benefit of the Palatinates. The principal grants were made between 1730 and 1740; and in 1762 tlcre remained little, if any, un- patented land in the co.
About the year 1735, the British Admiral, Sir Peter Warren, acquired the title to a large tract of land known as "Warrensbush," mostly in the present town of Florida, and sent out his nephew, Wm. Johnson, then but 21 years of age, as his agent. Johnson first located at the mouth of Scho- harie Creek: afterward he removed to 3 mi. above Amsterdam, and finally to Johnstown. Through the influence of his uncle he received the appointment of Agent of Indian Affairs, which gave him great facilities for intercourse and traffic with the natives. Applying himself industriously to the study of the character and language of the Indians, and adopting their habits and dress whenever it suited his convenience, he gained an ascendency and influence over them never before enjoyed by any white person. His easy and obliging manners made him equally a favorite with the white settlers; and until his death, which took place on the 24th of June, 1774, the cvents of liis life are intimately interwoven with the history of the co.1 IIis title and estates descended to his son, Sir John Johnson; but his commanding personal influence could not be inherited. Guy Johnson, son- in-law of Sir William,2 Col. Daniel Claus, and Col. John Butler, were attached to the interests of the Johnson family, possessed large estates, and lived in what were then considered sumptuous residences in the Mohawk Valley. They had considerable influence with both whites and Indians. In the controversy between the colonists and the mother country which resulted in the Revolution, the Johnsons and their adherents strongly espoused the cause of the King, from whom they had received so many favors.
As a class, the German Palatinates sided with the colonies, and a majority of the other settlers entertained similar sentiments; but for a long time they were overawed, and their efforts at organi- zation were thwarted by the zeal and activity of the tory leaders. In the spring of 1775, while the court was in session at Johnstown, through the influence of the tories the signatures of most of the grand jurors and magistrates were procured to a document opposing the measures of the Continental Congress.$ This proceeding, coupled with others of a more aggressive and personal character, tended greatly to organize the opposition forces, to separate the friends and enemies of freedom, and to kindle feelings of bitter and vindictive hatred, which naturally led to all the horrors of civil war.
" Tryon co" was divided into 6 districts;" and, for the purpose of a more thorough organization, delegates were appointed in each by the Patriots to form a committee of public safety. Upon a meeting of these delegates a significant remonstrance was addressed to Col. Guy Johnson, Indian Agent, for his aggressive and partisan acts; he withdrew in June, 1775, to Cosbys Manor, above German Flats, under pretense of holding a council with the Indians in the w. part of the co .; and in a short time he fled to Montreal, by the way of Oswego, accompanied by a large number of dependents and followers. He continued to act as Indian Agent during the war, and by liberal rewards and still more liberal promises he greatly stimulated the natural ferocity of the Indians, and incited them to more active hostility. He was joined in Canada by Joseph Brant, a distin- guished and educated Mohawk chief, and John and Walter N. Butler, 2 tories who afterward gained an infamous notoriety. At the head of marauding parties of tories and Indians, they after- ward returned and committed the most inhuman atrocities upon their old friends and neighbors. Sir John Johnson remained at "Johnson Hall," butscontinued active in his intrigues, and kept up a correspondence with Col. Guy Johnson in Canada. His preparations to fortify "Johnson Hall" ex- cited alarm; and in Jan. 1776, a committec, consisting of Gen. Philip Schuyler, Gen. Ten Broeck, and Col. Varick, was despatched from Albany to consult with the local committee of safety and satis- factorily arrange matters. Gen. Herkimer called out the militia; and the affair was finally settled by the surrender of Sir John as prisoner, and an agreement that his Scotch tenants should be disarmed. He was sent to Fishkill, but, being released on parole, he soon returned to Johnstown and resumed his intrigues. In May, Col. Dayton was sent with a regiment to again arrest him; but, being warned of their approach, Sir John and his followers fled to the woods, and finally reached Canada by the way of Sacondaga and Racket Rivers, after 19 days of fasting and suffering.8 Sir John received a commission as colonel in the British service, raised a regiment of tories known
1 For his services while in command of the expedition which | extending up the river to Little Falls, "German Flats," and resulted in the defeat of the French under Dieskan, at the head of Lake George, he received the title of Baronet and a gift of £5000 from Parliament. From this time until his death he lived in ease and opulence, devoting his time to the management of public affairs and the improvement of his estate.
2 Succeeded Sir William as Indian Agent.
8 Annals of Tryon co .. p. 46.
" Thege districts were " Mohawk," adjoining Albany, "Canajo- harie," on the s. side of the Mohawk, and "Palatine," on the N.,
" Kingsland," still farther up the river, and " Old England Dis- trict," w. of the Susquehanna. The first 5 of these districts were formed March 24, 1772. On the 8th of March, 1773, the original name-" Stome Arabia"-was changed to " Pulatine," "German Flats" to " Kingsland," and "Kingsland" to "German Flats." Old England Dist. was formed April 3, 1775.
6 The Indians at St. Regis still preserve a tradition of this event, and state that the party were reduced to the utmost ex- tremity before they reached the inhabited region.
.
410
MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
as "Johnson's Greens," and was aetive and bitter in his hostility throughout the war.1 Through the influence of the Jolinsons, all of the Five Nations, with the exception of a portion of the Oneidas and Tuscaroras,2 were attached to the British interests, and were liberally aided by arms and pro- visions in their frequent incursions into the frontier settlements under the Butlers and Brant.3
In the summer and fall of 1777, this eo., in common with the whole northern and western fron- tier, was the seene of great alarm and of stirring military events, produced by the expedition of Burgoyne. Gen. St. Leger, at the head of a large body of tories and Indians, was dispatched by the way of Oswego to reduce the rebel posts and settlements on the Mohawk and join the main army at Albany. On the 3d of Aug. they laid siege to Fort Sehuyler, upon the site of the present village of Rome. The militia of Montgomery co. were called out, and, under Gen. Herkimer, marched to the relief of the fort. On the way the bloody battle of Oriskany was fought, in which 200 of the brave patriots of the eo. were killed and as many more carried into Indian captivity.6 In the latter part of the same month, Genls. Arnold and Learned, at the head of 900 troops, marched up the river, and St. Leger hastily abandoned the siege and fled.5 The destruction of the valley was thus averted, and for several months the inhabitants were allowed to remain undisturbed, save by small scalping parties, that hung round the unprotected frontiers and eut off the defenseless inhabitants.
In the spring of 1778, Gen. La Fayette, accompanied by Gen. Sehuyler and Col. Duane, went to Johnstown and held a conference with a body of Indians, which resulted in a treaty of considerable subsequent benefit to the settlers. In the following summer the horrible butcheries at Wyoming, Harpersfield, German Flats, and Cherry Valley were perpetrated; and in the summer of 1779 the army of Gen. Clinton marched from this eo. to join Gen. Sullivan's expedition against the chief villages and farming grounds of the Onondagas, Cayugas, and Seneeas. On the 21st of May, 1780, Sir John Johnson, at the head of 500 Indians and tories, suddenly made his appearance at Johnson Hall. He arrived about sunset on Sunday, and, dividing his force into two parties, at daylight the next morning he made a simultaneous attack upon Tribes Hill and Caughnawaga. Several persons were killed and others taken prisoners, and every building upon the route, except those belonging to tories, was burned. The militia began to collect in considerable numbers, and toward night Sir John hastily retreated, and safely reached Canada by the way of the wilderness w. of the Adiron- dack Mts.6 Near the last of the July succeeding, the militia of the co. were employed to convey a provision train sent to the relief of Fort Schuyler; and on the 2d of Aug., while they were absent, Brant, at the head of 500 Indians and tories, made an attack upon the settlements in the neighbor- hood of Fort Plain. Fifty-three dwellings were burned, 16 persons slain, and 60 women and chil- dren earried into eaptivity. Upon the approach of the militia from Johnstown and Schenectady, the party retreated. On the 15th of the following Oct. a large party of tories, Indians, and Cana- dians, under Sir John Johnson, Brant, and Cornplanter, made their appearance in the Mohawk Valley, at the mouth of Sehoharie Creek, after having laid waste the Schoharie settlements above. From this point they marehed up the valley, burning the houses, destroying the property, and murdering or taking prisoners all that they met. The militia under Gen. Robert Van Rensselaer hastily came together and marched to attack the invaders. On the 18th of Oct., Col. Brown, who commanded a small stockade fort at Stone Arabia, acting under the order of Van Rensselaer, marched out with 150 men to attack the enemy; but. receiving no support from the main army, the little detachment was soon routed, with the loss of the commander and 30 to 40 men killed. Sir John halted at Fox's Mills, about 8 mi. above Fort Hunter, in the town of St. Johnsville, and erected a temporary breastwork. At a late hour in the day he was attacked by a detachment under Col. Dubois, and the Indians under his command were defeated.7 The Americans, under Van Rensselaer, fell baek 3 mi. and eneamped; and the next morning, upon marching forward to renew the attack, they found that the enemy had fled.8 Sir John finally succeeded in making his escape,
1 Annals of Tryon Co. ; Simms's Hist. Schoharie Ch. : Hough's | Hist. St. Law. Co .; Dunlap's Hist. of N. Y .; Benton's Hist. Herk. Co.
2 Abont 150 Oneidas and 200 Tuscaroras joined the British .- Annals of Tryon Co.
3 The Americans made several efforts to attach the Six Nations to their interests, or at least to induce them to remain neutral. In the winter of 1776-77, Col. Harper was sent to ascertain the object of the assembling of a large body of Indians at Oqnago. on the Susquehanna. In the succeeding June, Brant, with a party of Indian-, made a levy upon the settlers of the Unadilla; and many fled to a place of safety. Gen. Herkimer, at the head of 380 militia, marched to meet him: and on the 27th of June, 1777, a conference was held between the general and the chief, but without producing any definite results. All efforts to propitiate the Six Nations were then abandoned, and all conferences ceased |
until the close of the war. when the Indians were called upon, as vanquished enemies, to confirm the surrender of most of their lands as an atonement for their hostility.
4 There was scarcely a hamlet in the valley that did not lose our or more of its inhabitants.
5 For further particulars concerning these transactions, see Fiore 316.
6 The principal object of this incursion was to obtain the silver plate which had been buried by Sir John on his first hasty flight from Johnson Hall. The plate was recovered and carried to Canada in the kunperks of 60 men.
7 This engagement is known as the battle of ". Klocks Field." 8 Du Bois had nearly gained the victory, when Van Rensselaer came up and gave orders not to renew the battle until the signal should be given from headquarters. The forces of the former were under arms all night, momentarily expecting the promised
411
MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
though his force was greatly reduced by hunger, fatigue, and the continual, harassing attaeks of the militia, which hung upon their rear.
The prospects of the Mohawk Valley were now gloomy in the extreme. Nearly cvery settlement had been desolated, and nearly every family had lost some of its members.1 In the spring of 1781, Col. Willett assumed the command of the American forces on the Mohawk, and, by his military skill, daring, and knowledge of Indian warfare, he not only sueeessfully repelled all attacks made upon the Mohawk settlements, but carried the war into the enemy's own country.
On the 9th of July, 1781, 300 Indians, under a tory named Dostader, made a sudden attack upon the settlement of Currytown, (in the town of Root.) After burning the buildings and collecting a large amount of booty, they retreated. Col. Willett, at the head of 150 militia, immediately pursued and overtook them at " Durlah," (Dorlaeh, ) a few mi. over the line of Schoharie co. A severe skirmish ensued, when the Indians fled, leaving 40 of their number dead on the field.2 The final incursion into the Mohawk Valley was made Oct. 24, 1781, by a party of 600 British and Indians, under Maj. Ross and Walter N. Butler, and made their first appearance in the neighborhood of Warrens- bush. They marched to the vicinity of Johnson Hall and commenced the usual work of plunder and murder, but were arrested by a sudden attack by forces under Cols. Willett, Rowley, and Harper. A severe engagement ensued, resulting in the retreat of the enemy. Col. Willett pur- sued, and, coming up with the rear guard at West Canada Creek, another skirmish took place, in which the infamous Walter N. Butler was killed." The shattered remnant of the British forces eseaped by way of Oswego. This affair practically ended the war in Tryon co., and the remaining citizens, stripped of almost every thing except the soil, were allowed to resume in peace their aeeus- tomed employments." In a few years the ravages of the war were completely obliterated, and the fertile regions of Central and Western N. Y., which had beeome known through the military expe- ditions that had traversed them, soon began to fill up with a New England population. The splendid domains of the Johnsons and other royalists were confiscated, and the feudal tenants of the colonial period were replaced by enterprising freeholders under the new government.5
AMSTERDAM6 __ was formed from" Caughnawaga,"7 March 12, 1793. Perth (Fulton co.) was taken off in 1838. It lies on the N. bank of the Mohawk, in the N. E. corner of the co. Its surface consists of the intervale along the river, and a rolling upland gradually rising for the space of 2 mi. and attaining an elevation of 300 to 500 feet. The principal streams are the Kayaderosseras, 3 mi. w. of Amsterdam Village, Chueteuunda,8 at the village, and Evas Kil,9 near the E. border. The soil in the valley is a decp, rich alluvium, and upon the hills it is a fertile, gravelly loam. Near Tribes Hill are extensive stone quarries. A considerable amount of manufactures is carried on in town, consisting of mill machinery, agricultural implements, earriages, car springs, and carpets, at Amsterdam Village, and of woolen goods at MIagemans Mills. Amsterdam,10 (p. v.,) incorp. April 20, 1830, contains 4 churches, the Amsterdam Female Seminary, a bank, printing
signal ; and they had the inexpressihle mortification and chagrin | buman suffering. Ile surpassed the savages in barharity; and to see the beaten foe slipping through the net in which they many a victim was saved from his clutches by the interposition of the Indian chief Brant. had been canght, without the possibility of preventing their escape. Had it not been for the indecision or cowardice of Gen. Van Rensselaer, the whole party might have been taken. At the time, he was openly charged of cowardice or treachery by the Queida chief, and he entirely lost public confidence.
1 Some idea of the extent of these ravages may be formed from a statement prepared by the supervisors of " Tryon co.," dated Dec. 20, 1780, and addressed to the legislature. They therein stated that 700 buildings had been burned within the co .; that 354 families had abandoned their habitations and removed; 613 persons had deserted to the enemy; 197 had been killed, 121 taken prisoners; and 1200 farms lay uncultivated by reason of the enemy. This statement did not include Cherry Valley, Newtown-Martin, Middlefield, Springfield, Harpersfield, and Old England District, which had been totally deserted and abandoned. The population of the co. at the beginning of the war was about 10,000. While the sufferings of the colonists were thus great, the Indian loss was much greater. Their whole country had been ravaged, their homes and crops destroyed, and a large portion of their number had died in battle or by starvation. At the close of the war the miserable remuant of the once powerful nations humbly sued for peace, and were content to accept terms that deprived theni of almost their entire country.
2 By stratagein Col. Willett succeeded in drawing the Indians into an ambuscade. They fled so hastily that all their baggage and plunder was captured. On their retreat they murdered a number of prisoners to prevent their escape.
3 Walter N. Butler was one of the most inhuman wretches that ever disgraced humanity. Ferocious, bloodthirsty, and cruel, he seemed to revel in perfect deligbt at the spectacle of
4 Special acts were passed in 1780, '81, and '83, directing the cominissioners of sequestration to relieve certain distressed fami- lies. Rev. Daniel Gros, of Canajoharic, acted as almoner of the commissioners ; and his acts are preserved among the public papers of the State.
6 For several years after the war, ghosts were reported as fre- quently seen stalking about the old residences of the royalists. The appearances which gave rise to these reports were doubtless the tories themselves, returned in disguise to obtain valuables which had been secreted upon their previous hasty flight. The settlers, who had suffered so much, were slow in forgetting the injuries they had received ; and for many years after, few, either Indians or tories, who had been engaged iu the war, could show themselves in the settlement with safety.
6 Named by Emannel E. De Graff, a Hollander and early settler. 7 On the 9th of March, 1780, the portion of Mohawk district N. of the river was set off and named "Caughnawaga." The first town meeting was held at the house of John B. Wimples. " Caughnawaga" was formed as a town, March 7, 1788. It en- braced all that part of Montgomery co. lying N. of the Mohawk and E. of a line extending from The Noses x. to Canada. This town was divided in 1793 into Amsterdam, Mayfield, Broadalbin, and Johnstown.
8 Signifying "Twin Sisters," and applied to the streams flow- ing into the Mohawk on opposite sides; in some documents spelled Chuct-to-na-ne da.
9 Pronounced E-vaws-kll; named from Mrs. Eva Van Alstyne, who was wounded and scalped by the Indians in 1755, while crossing this stream.
10 Formerly called " Feedersburgh."
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MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
office, and several manufactories. Pop. 2044. Hagamans Mills (p. v.) has 124 inhabitants, Cranesville1 (p. v.) 92, and Mannys Corners 8 houscs. Tribes Hill,? (p.o.,) on the line of Mohawk, is a hamlet. A wire suspension bridge here crosses the Mohawk to Florida.' The first settlement was commenced about 1710, by Dutch and Palatinates. About 1740, Sir Wm. Johnson built a large stone mansion upon the w. side of the Kayaderosseras, 3 mi. w. of Amsterdam Village." This building was fortified and named "Fort Johnson." Col. Daniel Claus and Guy Johnson, sons-in-law to Sir William, occupied fine mansions respectively 1 and 2 mi. below Fort Johnson,5 previous to the Revolution. The first settlers at Amsterdam Village were Albert Veeder, E. E. De Graff, Nicholas Wilcox, and Wm. Kline. The first church (Ref. Prot. D.) was formed in 1792.6 The first settled minister was Rev. Conrad Ten Eyck, in 1799. There had been preaching in town at a much earlier period.
CANAJOHARIET-was formed as a district March 24, 1772, and as a town March 7, 1788. Minden was taken off in 1798, a part of Root in 1823, and a part of Minden in 1849. It lies on the s. border of the co., w. of the center. The surface consists of the intervale of Canajoharie or Bowmans Creek,8 and undulating uplands 200 to 600 feet above the valley. The soil is a gravelly loam, derived from the disintegration of the underlying slate, in some places intermixed with clay. The cultivation of hops receives some attention. A small woolen factory is located on Bowmans Creek. Canajoharie, (p. v.,) incorp. April 30, 1829, contains 5 churches, the Canajoharie Academy, and a bank ; pop. 1500. A bridge crosses the Mohawk at this place, con- necting it with the village and R. R. station of Palatine Bridge. Ames,8 (p. v.,) in the s. part of the town, contains an academy and 204 inhabitants, and Buel,10 (p. v.,) in the s. w. part, 25 houses. Sprout Brook, (p. o.,) Mapleton, and Marshville are hamlets. The first settlement in town was commenced in early colonial times; but the precise date is not known." During the Revolution the people warmly espoused the American cause, and were afterward among the greatest sufferers in the Mohawk Valley.12 Gov. Clinton, while marching to join Sullivan in 1779, made this place his headquarters for some weeks.13 In Aug. 1780, Brant made an incursion into the valley and destroyed nearly the whole settlement.14 During the war several other incursions were made; and the people were often driven to the utmost extremity. Several small forts were built in the town, which afforded some protection to the people.15 In 1795, Archibald and James Kane estab- lished themselves as merchants at this place, and commenced a business which soon grew to be one of the largest in the interior of the State.16 In 1823, the "Central Asylum for the Instruction of the Deaf and Dumb" was located near Buel, in this town; but in 1836 it was united with the one pre- viously established in New York City.17 The first church (Free Will Bap.) was organized at Ames, in 1796-97, by Rev. George Elliott.18
CHARLESTON-was formed from Mohawk, March 12, 1793.19 Glen and a part of Root were taken off in 1823. It is the most southerly town in the co., and the only one not bordering upon the Mohawk. It lies upon the high plateau region immediately w. of Schoharie Creek ; and the
1 Named from David Crane, who settled here in 1804.
2 So named because the Indian tribes were wont to assemble here.
8 A Remington suspension bridge built here somo years since fell of its own weight before it was finished.
4 This edifice was richly ornamented with carvings of oak and mahogany; and at the time of its erection it was one of the finest mansions in the colony. It is still standing, and is the property of Algneyson Young, Esq. Sir William lived hero for many years, surrounded by numerous dependents, and was frequently visited by great numbers of Indians, by whom he was highly esteemed. He built a mill upou the Kayaderosseras, near his mansion.
6 The former of these was burned, and its site is now occupled by the hotel of Chas. Chase. The latter, known as " Guy Park," is still standing, between the R. R. and river, 1 mi. w. of Am- sterdam. It is now owned by Jas. Stewart. A tract I ui. square was originally attached to each of these residences, but the whole was confiscated and sold with the estates of the tories.
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