History of Oneida County, New York : with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 19

Author: Durant, Samuel W
Publication date: 1878
Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts & Fariss
Number of Pages: 920

USA > New York > Oneida County > History of Oneida County, New York : with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 19

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The political condition of the country grew from bad to worse, until finally the attempt of General Gage to seize a collection of military stores at Lexington and Concord, Mass , precipitated the conflict, and on the 19th of April, 1775, was shed the first blood, in a regular military en- counter, of the great Revolution which severed the colonies from the mother-country, and set in motion causes which are still active in the complex political evolutions of the world. Upon the British government rested the responsi- bility of having discharged the first hostile shot, whether

# Mr. R. H. Lee wrote the address to the American people, and Mr. Jay that to the people of Great Britain.

t It is proper here to remark, that the experience of the British government with the "thirteen colonies" was afterwards turned to good necount in the treatment of other colonies, by which they have been preserved as portions of the Empire.

HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

the primary act of war be dated from the " Boston Mas- saere" of March, 1770, or from the deadly mitraille at Lex- ington, five years later. The former quieted down like the premonitory mutterings of the thunder-storm, but the latter was followed instantly by the earthquake-shock and the overwhelming storm which heralded the outbreak of the terrible volcano.

While the exciting seenes which marked the opening of the war were transpiring in Massachusetts, and while the Continental Congress was assembling, the Tories of Tryon County very unwisely undertook to make a demonstration in opposition to the proceedings of the Congress of the previous year. At that date Tryon County included all that portion of the State of New York lying west of a north and south line drawn through the centre of the present county of Schoharie. Its county-seat was at Johnstown.

The court was then in session, and a declaration in oppo- sition to the Congress was drawn up, and advantage taken of the presence of the people at court to obtain signatures; and a majority of the names of the magistrates and the grand jury were affixed to the declaration.

This proceeding stirred up the Whigs, who called meet- ings and appointed committees in every district. The first publie meeting was held at the house of John Veeder, in Caughnawaga. About three hundred persons were present, who assembled, unarmed, for the purpose of deliberating upon the situation, and also with the intention of raising a " liberty pole," then just becoming popular with the Whigs, but an object of bitter hate among the Loyalists.

The leaders of this gathering were a wealthy farmer, Sampson Sammons, and his two sons, Jacob and Frederick. In the mean time Sir John Johnson, who had heard of the gathering and its probable objeets, hastily collected a large number of the Scotch Loyalists of Johnstown and vicinity, all armed with swords and pistols, and accompanied by his brothers-in-law, Colonel Guy Johnson and Colonel Daniel Claus and the no less noted Colonel John Butler, proceeded to the place of gathering and interrupted the proceedings. High words ensued, and Sir John harangued the assembly of Whigs, threatening the terrible vengeance of the king, and the dire calamities of an Indian war, if the colonies persisted in their resistance to the government. He used intemperate and most insulting language, and it is probable that the want of arms among the Whigs alone prevented a bloody encounter. His language became so aggravating at length that Jacob Sammons openly called him a liar and a villain. Upon this interruption of his harangue Johnson came down and seized Sammons by the throat, calling him a d-d villain in return. A seuffle ensued, during which Sammons was quite severely injured by the whips and clubs of the Loyalists. He showed fight, but his friends finally drew him off, being in no condition for an armed encounter. Among those who were conspicuous on the side of the Whigs in this first encounter of the Mohawk Valley were the families of the Fondas, Veeders, and Vissehers. Sam- mons returned to his father's house bearing the first sears of the Revolutionary contest received in the Mohawk Valley.

"But this slight discontent, men say, Cost blood upon another day."

One of the largest and most enthusiastie meetings assem- bled at Cherry Valley in May of that year. It was held in the church, and men, women, and even children came in great numbers to hear and give enthusiasm to the occasion. Thomas Spencer, a noted half-breed Oneida Indian and interpreter, subsequently killed at Oriskany, was the prin- cipal speaker, and his oratory on this occasion is said to have been of the highest order, producing unbounded enthusiasm among his hearers, and so indelibly fixing itself in the minds of the assembly that tradition has preserved it to the present day. At this meeting a series of strong resolutions, condemnatory of the proceedings of the Loyal- ists at Johnstown above mentioned, and approbative of the action of the Continental Congress, were unanimously adopted.

The results of a meeting held in the Palatine district, on the 18th of May, were less satisfactory. It would ap- pear that the influence of the Johnsons and their retainers overawed the people of this western district, and prevented any definite action being taken. In speaking with reference to this matter, the Palatine committee use the following language : " This county has for a series of years been ruled by one family, the several branches of which are still strenuous in dissnading the people from coming into congressional measures, and have even last week, at a numerous meeting of the Mohawk district, appeared with all their dependents armed to oppose the people consid- ering of their grievances; their number being so large, and the people unarmed, struck terror into most of them, and they dispersed."

The Palatine committee also notified their friends in the valley that Sir John Johnson was fortifying the Baronial Hall by mounting swivels or light guns around it, and had paraded a part of his regiment of militia for purposes of intimidation. It was likewise rumored that the Scotch Highlanders settled around Johnstown, to the number of one hundred and fifty, were armed, and ready to suppress any movements in favor of popular liberty.

The Johnsons, Butlers, and Colonel Claus used every art to stir up the Indians against the colonies, and in this they were materially assisted by the Mohawk chief Thay- en-dan-e-gea, who was now the secretary of Colonel Guy Johnson. But for the influence of a few worthy men there is little doubt that the Six Nations would have es- poused the king's cause. Among these were Rev. Mr. Kirkland and James Dean. The influence of the former was so marked and effectual among the Oneidas and Tusca- roras that Brant labored assiduously to have him removed ; and though the missionary defended himself valiantly against the charges brought forward, he was finally ordered by Colonel Guy Johnson to desist from his labors some time in the early part of 1775.

There is no doubt, however, that both Johnson and Brant had good and sufficient reasons for distrusting Mr. Kirkland, for the Provincial Congress of Massachusetts had early realized the advantages of an alliance with the powerful confederaey of the Six Nations, and, with a view to obtain- ing so desirable an object, had already opened a corre- spondence with the missionary. The following is a copy of a letter addressed to him :

HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

" Coxconn, April 4, 1775.

" TO THE REV. SAMUEL KIRKLAND :

"Sir,-The Provincial Congress have thought it necessary te address the sacheio of the Mohawk tribe, with the rest of the Six Nations, upen the subject of the controversy between Great Britain and the American colonies. We are indaeed to take this measure, as we have been informed that these who are inimical to us in Canada have been tampering with these nations, and endeavoring to attach them to the interests of those who are attelepting to deprive us of ear inestimable rights and privileges, and to subjugate the colonies te arbitrary power. From a confidence in your attachment to the cnuse of liberty and your country, we now transmit to you the in- closed address, and desire you will deliver it to the sachem of the Mohaicks tribe, to be communicated to the rest of the Six Nations, and that you will use your influence with them to jeio with us in defense ef eur rights ; but if you cannot prevail with them to take an active part in this glorious cause, that you will at least engage them to stand neater, and not by any means to aid or assist eur enemies ; and as we are at a loss for the name of the sachem of the Mohawk tribe, we have left it to you to dircet the address to him, in such way as you may think proper."#

At the breaking out of the Revolution there was a set- tlement of Indians at Stockbridge, Mass., composed of the remnants of various tribes,-Mohickanders, Narragan- setts, Pequods, etc. They had located there in 1736, and remained until after the war, when they inigrated to the region of Oneida and Madison Counties, where they were granted a tract of land by the Oneida nation, six miles square. It is probable that as early as 1775 they were negotiating for a removal with the Oneidas, but the war prevented. These Indians early took up arms for the colonists, and did good service during the Revolution. The relations between them and the Oneidas and Tuscaroras were intimate, and it is probable their influence had more or less to do with the course those two nations pursued during the contest.

The Oneida Indians determined to remain neutral, though eventually a strong band, under the leadership of Skenan- doa, took up arms for the colonies, and did good service. The people of the colonies were somewhat divided on the subject of employing Indians, but, on the whole, the feel- ing was not in favor of it. They simply desired them to remain neutral, and let the hatchet rest.

The following address was sent by the Oneidas to Gov- ernor Trumbull, of Connecticut, some time during the month of May, 1775:

"THE ONEIDA INDIANS TO GOVERNOR TRUMBULL.

" As my younger brothers of the New England Indians, who have settled in our vicinity, are now going dowe to visit their friends,t and to move up parts of their families that were left behind,-with this belt by them, I open the road wide, clearing it ef all obstacles, that they may visit their friends and return to their settlements here in peace,

" The Oneidas are induecd to this measure en account of the disa- grecable situation of affairs that way ; and we hope, by the help of God, they may return in peace. We earnestly recommend them to your charity through their long journey.

" Now we more immediately address you, our brother, the Governor and the chiefs of New England.

"Brothers: We have heard of the wohappy differences and great cententien between you and Old England. We wonder greatly, and are troubled in our minds.

" Brothers : Possess your minds in peace respecting us Indians. We cannot intermeddle in this dispute between twe brothers. The quarrel seems to be unnatural. You are two brothers of one blood. We are unwilling to join eo either side in such a contest, for we bear an equal affection te both Old and New England. Should the great king of England apply to us fer aid we shall deny him; if the colonies apply we shall refuse. The present situation of you two brothers is new and strange to us. We Indians caonot find, nor recollect in the traditions of our ancestors, the like case er a similar instance.

" Brothers : For these reasons possess your minds in peace, and take ne umbrage that we Indiuas refuse joining in the contest. We are for peace.

" Brothers : Was it an alien, a foreign nation, who had stroek you, we should look into the matter. We hope, through the wise govern- ment and good pleasure of Ged, your distresses may be soen removed and the dark clouds dispersed.

" Brothers : As we have declared for peace, we desire you will not apply to our Indian brethren in New England for their assistance. Let us Indians be all of ene mied, and live with one another; and you white people settle your own disputes between yourselves.

"Brothers: We have now declared our minds. Please to write to us, that we may know yours. We, the sachems and warriors and female governesses of Oneida, send car leve to you, brother Governer, and all the ether chiefs of New England."}

The people of Tryon County had an especial dread of the Indians. Their exposed situation invited attack, and . they were conscious that, if once the savages were fairly 'enlisted on the side of the Crown, their worst fears of Indian invasion would be realized. They were suspicious of the Johnsons, and greatly feared the result of their in- trigues.

In a communication of the Palatine committee to that of Albany it was suggested whether it might not be expe- dient to prohibit the traffic in powder and lead in the Mohawk Valley, except through the hands of a proper committee.

The question whether the Johnsons were intriguing with the Indians was solved on the 21st of May, by the finding of a letter addressed to the chiefs of the Oneidas, written in the Mohawk language, and in Thay-en-dan-e-gea's hand- writing. It was discovered in an Indian path, and was supposed to have been dropped by a runner. The follow- ing is its English translation :

" WRITTEN AT GUY JOHNSON'S, May, 1775.

" This is your letter, you great ones or sachems. Guy Johnson says he will be glad if you get this intelligence, yon Queidas, how it goes with him new ; and he is now more certain concerning the intentiens of the Basten people. Guy Johnsen is in great fear of being taken prisoner by the Bostonians. We Mohawks are obliged to watch him constantly. Therefore we send you this intelligence that you shall know it; and Guy Johnson assures himself, and depends open your coming te his assistance, and that you will, without fail, be ef that opinion. He believes not that you will assent to let him suffer. We therefore expeet you in a couple of days' time. So much at present. We send but so far as to you Oneidas, but afterwards, perhaps, to all the other nations. We conelude, and expect that you will have coo- cern about our ruler, Guy Johnson, because we are all united.

(Signed) "AREN KANNENZARON,

" JOHANNES TEGARIHOGE,

" DEYAGODEAGHNAWEAGH.

" JOSEPH BRANT, " Guy Johnson's interpreter."

This letter, although it did not really indicate any hostile intention on the part of Guy Johnson, stirred up the people and still more intensified their suspicions that all was not right, and that he was busy preparing his immediate re-

# For further notice of Mr. Kirkland see Protestant Missions.

t This statement would indicate that a portion of the New Eng- land Indians, at least, had removed te the Oneida enaatry previous to the war. The general exodas was between 1783 and I788.

# Stene's Life of Brant.

HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

tainers and the Six Nations for hostilities. Rumors were ripe that emissaries or agents of the Crown had been among the Indians, and it was well known that supplies and am- munition were regularly distributed among them by British agents.

The suspicions were mutual. Colonel Guy Johnson had abundant reasons for keeping watch and ward. General Philip Schuyler kept his eye upon him,* and he was so closely watched as to produce a feeling of great uncertainty, as the following letter, addressed about this time to the magistrates of the upper Mohawk settlements, indicates :

" GUY PANK, May 20, 1775.

" GENTLEMEN,-I have lately had repeated accounts that a body of New Englanders or others were to come to seize and carry away my person, and attack our family, under color of malicious insinna- tions that I intended to set the Indians upon the people. Men of sease and character know that my office is of the highest importance to promote peace amongst the Six Nations, and prevent their enter- ing upon any such disputes. This I effected last year, when they were much vexed about the attack made upon the Shawanese, and I, last winter, appointed them to meet me this month to receive the answer of the Virginians. All men must allow, that if the Indiaas find their council fire disturbed, and their superintendent insulted, they will take a dreadful revenge. It is therefore the duty of all people to prevent this, and to satisfy any who may have been imposed on, that their suspicions, and the allegations they have collected against me, are false, and inconsistent with my character and office. I recom- mend this to you as highly necessary at this time, as my regard for the interest of the country and self-preservation has obliged mne to fortify my house, and keep men armed for my defense, till these idle and ridiculous reports are removed. You may lay this letter before such as are interested in these matters.

" I am, gentlemen, your bumble servant, G. JOHNSON."

" In view of these letters-the intercepted dispatch from Joseph Brant and others to the Oneidas, and Johnson's letter to the committee-the latter body adopted a series of resolutions renewing their expressions of sympathy for the sufferings of their brethren in Massachusetts and the other colonies ; declaring their approbation of the proceedings of the New England colonies in the existing crisis; denouncing the conduct of Colonel Johnson in keeping an armed force constantly about him, and stopping travelers upon the king's highway, as arbitrary, illegal, oppressive, and unwarrantable ; and declaring their determination never to submit to any arbitrary acts of any power under heaven, or to any illegal or unwarrantable action of any man or set of men what- ever."t

Events thickened. Colonel Guy Johnson kept an armed force of 500 men constantly around him, and he controlled the roads through the valley, and effectually cut off all com- munications between the friends of the colonies east and west. He had also sent messages inviting the Six Nations to a council at his residence.

The inhabitants of the districts west of Johnstown were nearly unanimous in their support of the measures of Con- gress, but they were without adequate arms and ammunition, and consequently powerless to act. Under these circum- stances their committee sent an urgent letter to Albany, explaining their situation, and suggesting the opening of the road through the Loyalist settlements by force. They

also recommended sending two trusty messengers to the upper or western members of the Six Nations, to lay the situation before them, and dissuade them, if possible, from following the advice of Guy Johnson.

The Albany committee immediately replied that there was no ammunition to spare in the river towns, and advising the people of the western districts to remain quiet for the present. The project of employing force was accordingly abandoned, but the committee sent four of their number to Albany for the purposes of obtaining information of the general state of the country and procuring ammunition. " Meantime they pushed their measures of internal organ- ization with great energy and success, establishing sub- committees wherever it was deemed expedient, and assuming the exercise of legislative, judicial, and executive powers. Secret articles for mutual succor and defense were proposed, and very generally signed by the Whigs; aod threats having been uttered by Gny Johnson that, unless the com- mittee desisted from the course they were pursuing, he would seize and imprison certain of their number, they solemnly bound themselves to rescue any who might be arrested by force, 'unless such persons should be confined by legal process, issued upon a legal ground, and executed in a legal manner.'

" It is here worthy, not only of special note, but of all admiration, how completely and entirely these border men held themselves amenable, in the most trying exigencies, to the just execution of the laws. Throughout all their proceedings the history of the Tryon committees will show that they were governed by the purest dictates of patriotism, and the highest regard for moral principle. Unlike the rude inhabitants of most frontier settlements, especially under circumstances where the magistracy are, from ne- cessity, almost powerless, the frontier patriots of Tryon County were scrupulous in their devotion to the supremacy of the laws. Their leading men were likewise distinguished for their intelligence ; and while North Carolina is disputing whether she did not, in fact, utter a declaration of inde- pendence before it was done by Congress, by recurring to the first declaration of the Palatine committee, noted in its proper place, the example may almost be said to have proceeded from the valley of the Mohawk."}

Colonel Guy Johnson, at the time of addressing the magistrates of the upper Mohawk, also addressed a similar letter to the mayors, aldermen, and commonalty of the cities of Albany and Schenectady,§ in which he adroitly sets forth that the people have no just cause to be alarmed at his course, and explaining the beneficial results of his endeavors to promote peace and good will among the Indians, while at the same time gloomily foreshadowing the terrible vengeance which the Indians would take on those who should dare to disturb their superintendent ; and closing by advising them to take measures at once to check the propagation of further insinuations and false- hoods against him.

The Albany municipality replied to this, disclaiming any belief in the rumors afloat, and advising Johnson to attend

# Washington, in a letter to General Schuyler, in June, 1775, cau- tioned him to be watchful of Guy Johnson. t Stone.

# Stone's Life of Brant.

¿ The latter was not strictly a city till 1798.

HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

strictly to his duties, " with an honest heart," and assuring him that he need fear no trouble so long as he carried him- self in a proper manner.

On the 25th of May, 1775, a council of Mohawk chiefs was held at Guy Park, the seat of Colonel Guy Johnson. The principal speaker for the Indians was Little Abraham, a brother of the famous Hendrick, who fell at Lake George in 1755, and chief of the lower castle of the nation. Dele- gates were also present from Albany and Tryon Counties. The proceedings were not important, the principal expres- sion of the Indians being a reiteration of their respect for Sir William Johnson and his son-in-law, Colonel Guy. They also congratulated the colonel that the rumors of his in- tended capture were unfounded, and expressed the hope that their supply of ammunition would not be cut off.

On the 2d of June there was a meeting of the Tyron County committee, at which all the delegates were present from the different districts. The names of the delegates were as follows :

Palatine District .- Christopher P. Yates, John Frey, Andrew Fink, Andrew Reeber, Peter Waggoner, Daniel McDougal, Jacob Klock, George Ecker, Jr., Harmanus Van Slyck, Christopher W. Fox, Anthony Van Vaghten.

Canajoharie District .- Nicholas Herkimer, Ebenezer Cox, William Seeber, John Moore, Samuel Campbell, Samuel Clyde, Thomas Henry, John Picard.

Kingsland and German Flatts District .- Edward Wall, William Petry, John Petry, Augustine Hess, Frederick Orendorf, George Wentz, Michael Ittig, Frederick Fox, George Herkimer, Duncan McDougal, Frederick Helmer, John Fink.

Mohawk District .- John Morlett, John Bliven, Abraham Van Horne, Adam Fonda, Frederick Fisher, Sampson Sam- mons, William Schuyler, Volkert Veeder, James McMaster, Daniel Line-42. Christopher P. Yates was chosen chair- man. He had been chairman of the Palatine committee, and drafted most of the letters and resolutions. He was a volunteer in Montgomery's army, and subsequently com- manded a company of rangers.

The following letter, written at the dictation of this com- mittee, to Colonel Guy Johnson, is so full of the spirit and character of the times that we give it as a sample doc- ument :

" According to the example of the counties in this and the neigh- boring colonies, the people of the distriet we represent have met in a peaceable manner to consider of the present dispute with the mother- country and the colonies, signed a general association, and appointed us a committee to meet in order to consult the common safety of our rights and liberties, which are infringed in a mest enorinous manner, by enforcing oppressive and unconstitutional acts of the British Par- liament by an armed force in the Massachusetts Bay.

" Was it any longer & doubt that we are oppressed by the mother- country, and that it is the avowed design of the ministers to enslave us, we might perhaps he induced to use argument to point out in what particulars we conceive that it is the birthright of English subjects to be exempted from all taxes except those which are laid on them by their representatives, and think we bave a right by the laws and con- stitution of England to meet for the purpose we have done; which meeting we probably would have postponed a while had there been the least kind of probability that the petition of the General Ag- sembly would have been noticed more than the united petition of almost the whole continent of America, by their delegates in Con- gress, which, so far from being anyways complied with, was treated with superlative contempt by the ministry, and fresh oppressions

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History of Oneida County, New York : with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 19

Author: Durant, Samuel W Publication date: 1878 Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts & Fariss Number of Pages: 920

Author: Durant, Samuel W
Publication date: 1878
Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts & Fariss
Number of Pages: 920