History of Schoharie County, New York : with illusustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 7

Author: Roscoe, William E., fl. 1882
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y. : D. Mason
Number of Pages: 572

USA > New York > Schoharie County > History of Schoharie County, New York : with illusustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 7

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During 1776, the British were encouraged by the success of their arms upon Long Island- New York City-Fort Washington, and Lee, and to break the chain of defense upon the northern frontier, would embarrass the colonists, and have a tendency to stop hostilities. A grand move- ment, therefore, was conceived and to be made in August of 1777, from various points. Gen. Burgoyne was to march at the head of the best

* Records Committee of Safety.

MEASURES FOR PROTECTION AND DEFENSE.

drilled and equipped army upon the continent, down Lake Champlain, while St. Leger was to devastate the Mohawk, from Oswego, at the head of a motley crew of Indians and Tories, whose knives and tomahawks were whetted for the most atrocious crimes, and whose ambition was fired by the royalty upon scalps that the British officers promised.

The movement was well calculated to dis- courage the stoutest hearts, and unless the greatest wisdom and prudence, besides patriot- ism had engineered the northern department, it would have proved a success. With these pros- pects before them, the Schoharie militia were divided. Some were to be sent to Gate's re- lief, others were expected to join Gansevoort or Herkimer.

The valley had been in a measure put under a state of defense and watch, by dividing it into sections and appointing men to oversee the ar- rangements. An order to that effect was made by the Committee of Safety as follows :-

"Schoharie July 7th, 1777, in committee · chamber first resolved that all the persons be- tween the ages of sixteen and fifty years, frorn the dwelling house of Christian Shaffer to north- ward in Schoharie are to bring their arms and accoutrements when they come to the meeting at either of the two churches in Fountain town to Fox's town on Sunday or any other day when kept, and if any of them shall neglect in bring- ing their arms and accoutrements to either of the churches, shall forfeit and pay the sum of three shillings New York currency into the hands of Johannes Ball, for the use of paying the cost for the district of Schoharie, or if any person shall not pay the said sum aforesaid, it shall be lawful for Mr. Johannes Ball to give a warrant directed to a sergeant or corporal, and levy the same on the offender's goods and chat- tels, and also the cost thereof.

"And all the persons inhabiting from the dwell- ing of Baltus Krysler to the said Christian Shaf- fer are to bring their arms etc., to the church at Weiser's town, as they are ordered to in Fox's town and if neglected to pay the same to Jo- hannes Becker and be put in execution by him as ordered by Mr. Ball aforesaid.

" And any person southward from Baltus Krysler's are to be armed when they come to any

meeting that may be kept in Breakabeen and if neglected, to pay the fines to Mr. Wm. Zim- mer, and to be put by him in execution as be- fore mentioned, and for the use as aforesaid.

"N. B. Their resolve in Fountain Town Church is to be paid to Mr. Johannes Lawyer, and to be put by him in execution as within mentioned, and for the use as aforesaid, and George Warner is appointed to see that the in- habitants of Cobleskill bring their arms when they come to meeting there, and put their resolve in execution as within mentioned, and for the use aforesaid.

"Secondly Resolved that four watchers are to be kept in Schoharie every night from this time constant, the first to be kept at the dwelling house of Capt. George Mann, and under his command, and in his absence the next in com- mand, the inhabitants from Christian Shaffer's dwelling house, and to northward are to be un- der Capt. Mann's command for the watch to consist of eight men. The second is to be kept at the dwelling house of Mr. Hendrick P. Becker, and under the command of Capt. George Richtmeyer, and in his absence the next officer in command. The inhabitants from Hendrick Jansen's house and so northward to Christian Schaffer's are under the command of this second watch, and to consist of six men. The third is to be kept at the dwelling house of Mr. Johannes Feak, and under the command of Lieutenant Martymus VanSlyck, and in his absence the next officer in command. The inhabitants from Baltus Krysler's dwelling house and so north- ward to Hendrick Jansen's are under the com- mand of this third watch and to consist of six men. And the fourth is be kept by the inhabi- tants from Baltus Krysler's and so southward to the dwelling house of Hendrick Hager, under the command of Capt. Jacob Hager, in his ab- sence the next officer in command at this watch is to consist of six men. Every person or per- sons neglecting to serve on such or either of such watches aforementioned, shall for every neglect pay and forfeit the sum of twelve shil- lings for the use of the district of Schohar'e."

All arrangements were known and understood on the part of the colonists, and a few had left to join Gates, when the valley was aroused by the knowledge of an army of invaders, but a

HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY.

few miles up the valley, bent on sweeping down with fire and blade to meet with Burgoyne, St. Leger and Clinton, at the Whig city of Albany, to bask in the sunshine of success at the grand union of human vultures.

The invasion was a surprise, and in the great excitement the enemy's numbers were greatly cxaggerated.

The Schoharie militia could not be recalled, and efforts were made to procure aid from Albany. Colonel Peter Vroman, says Simms, dis- patched two messengers on foot on the 11th, and fearing they would be captured, Captain Hager and Henry Becker were sent the next morning on the same mission. Colonel John Har- per* arrived the same day in the valley, and being fearful of the messenger's ability to procure as- sistance, at once set out on horse, but proceed- ed only to the present village of Schoharie, and

* The following is extracted from Campbell's "Annals of Tryon County :"-

" In 1768, William, John, Alexander and Joseph Harper, with eighteen other individuals, obtained a patent for twenty-two thousand acres of land lying in the now county of Delaware. The Harpers removed from Cherry valley soon after, and made a settlement there which was called Harpersfield. This settlement began to flourish at the commencement of the war. Col. John Harper had the command of the forts at Schoharie, in 1777 and '78. The following account of a successful enterprise of Col. John Harper, was furnished by the Rev. Mr. Fenn, who received the information from him :-

" He informed me that in the year 1777, he had the command of the fort in Schoharie, and of all the frontier stations in this region. He left the fort in Schoharie, and came out through the woods to Harpersfield, in the time of sugar making, and from thence laid his course to Cherry Valley, to investigate the state of things there, and as he was pursuing a blind kind of Indian trail, and was ascending what are now called Decatur Ilills, he cast his eye forward and saw a company of men coming directly towards him, who had the appearance of Indi- ans. He knew that if he attempted to flee from them, they would shoot him down ; he resolved to advance right up to them, and make the best shift for himself that he could. As soon as he came near enough to diseern the white of their eyes, he knew the head man and several others; the head man's name was Peter, an Indian with whom Colonel Harper had often traded at Oquago, before the Revolution began. The Colonel had his great coat on, so that his regimentals were concealed, and he was not recognized; the first word of address of Col. Harper's was, ' How do you do, brothers ?' The reply was, ' Well-how do you do, brother? Which way are you bound, brother?' ' On a secret expedi- tion,' said Harper. 'Which way are you bound, broth- ers ?' 'Down the Susquehannah to cut off the Johns- ton settlement,' they answered. (Parson Johnston and a number of Scotch families had settled down the Susque- hannah, at what is now called Sidney Plains, and these were the people whom they were about to destroy). Says the Colonel, ' Where do you lodge to-night ?' ' At the mouth of Schenevus creek,' was the reply. Then shaking hands with them, he bid them good speed, and proceeded on his journey.

remained over night. The Tories in the neigh- borhood, especially at and around Fox's creek, were jubilant over the prospect of affairs, and made an attempt to arrest the Colonel at his lodgings. Being a brave and resolute man, their cowardly spirits quailed before his stern address, and retired. As day dawned, he con- tinued his journey, but was followed for several miles by two Indians, whose courage proved toc weak for an attack upon him. He arrived at Albany in safety, and procured a company of cavalry, under the command of Major Wyn- koop, and arrived in Schoharie on the next day (14th).

Stopping at Captain Mann's residence, they de- manded his presence, but being on the alert, he was not to be found. Taking with them an In- dian as prisoner from Mann's, who in attempt- ing to escape was killed, the company proceeded

" He had gone but a little way from them, before he took a circuit through the woods, a distance of eight or ten miles, on to the head of Charlotte river, where were a number of men making sugar; ordered them to take their arms, two day's provisions, a canteen of rum, and a rope, and meet him down the Charlotte at a small clearing called Evan's place, at a certain hour that after- noon; then rode with all speed through the woods to Harpersfield, collected all the men who were there, and being armed and victualled, each man with his rope laid his course for Charlotte; when he arrived at Evan's place, he found the Charlotte men there in good spirits, and when he mustered his men, there were fifteen, in- eluding himself, exactly the number as there were of the enemy. Then the Colonel made his men acquainted with his enterprise. They marched down the river a lit- tle distance, and then bent their course across the hill to the mouth of Sehenevus creek. When they arrived at the brow of the hill where they could look over the val- ley, they east their eyes down upon the flat, and discov- ered the fire around which the enemy lay encamped. " There they are,' said Colonel Harper. They descended with great stillness, forded the creek, which was breast high to a man. After advancing a few hundred yards, they took some refreshments, and then prepared for the contest-daylight was just appearing in the East. When they came to the enemy, they lay in a circle with their feet towards the fire, in a deep sleep. Their arms and all their implements of death, were all stacked up ac- cording to the Indian custom when they lay themselves down for the night. These the Colonel secured by car- rying them off a distance, and laying them down, then each man taking a rope in his hand, placed himself by his fellow. The Colonel rapped his man softly and said, 'Come it is time for men of business to be on their way,' and then each one sprang on his man, and after a most severe struggle, they secured the whole of the en- emy. After they were all safely bound and the morning had so far advanced that they could discover objects dis- tinctly, says the Indian Peter, 'Ha! Colonel Harper, now I know thee ; why did I, not know thee yesterday ?' ' Some policy in war, Peter:' 'A me find em so now.' The Colonel marched the men to Albany, delivered them up to the commanding officer, and by his bold and well executed feat of valor, he saved the whole Scotch settlement from a wanton destruction."

ADAM CRYSLER.

up the valley and met the Schoharie militia at the stone dwelling of John Becker, which they had barricaded with rails and timber, for a for- tress. Here we will leave the first troops that visited the valley, expecting them to be admired by the uncouth yeomanry, as well as to be re- galed by a few social mugs of "reviving spirits," such as the hospitality of every household, in those days presented, while we will reconnoi- tre the enemy's position, aim and strength. At the upper part of Vroman's land lived one, Adam Crysler, upon the farm now occupied by Mrs. John S. Lawyer. He was-a farmer who owned a large tract of land, and was a shrewd business man. He was commissioned Ensign on the 14th day of October, 1768, in a company of militia of which Isaac Vroman was cap- tain.

In the year 1781 he made an official report to the British Government, which has lain in obscurity among his descendants in Canada, until quite recently, which we here copy in part as far as regards the invasion upon which we are dwelling. The report says :-

" I thought it my duty to get as many men and Indians for government as laid in my power, which will be seen as follows, and my proceedings.

"In March [1777] I had to maintain all the Indians which were at Schoharie in number 25, until the 10th of August. In the meanwhile I recruited all the men for Government that laid in my power being in number 70. In June I received a letter from Brant who desired me to remain at Schoharie in readiness until he came to me. On the 9th of August, Captain Mc- Donald joined us with 28 men from Charlotte creek & I found them all in Provision for one day and night & from thence we went down the river about 4 miles to the lower end of Vro- man's land where we remained one day & night & where we were informed the rebels had got a reinforcement and we thought it proper to re- treat, until we saw a convenient place to make a stand, which was at my house ; from whence I detached 35 men to intercept the Rebels at Breakabeen if they should take that route. In the meanwhile the Rebels advanced until they came to the place where we laid in ambush waiting for them, when we gave them a

volley, killed and wounded three men and nine of their light horse. At the same time we were informed they were 400 strong and we retreated back in the woods which was on the 14th of August, where we held a consultation and con- cluded, that with the small number of men we had, it would be needless to attack their in- creasing numbers which was already four to one, but collect all together and proceed to Oswego to the army, for which purpose Mr. David Brass (now Lieutenant in Corps of Rangers) went in search of the 35 men which were de- tached to Breakabeen, on his return he in- formed me they were all dispersed."

It will be seen by Crysler's report that his and McDonald's force numbered but one hun- dred and twenty-eight if he had the whole force of recruits and Indians, but the patriots accord- ing to tradition estimated it to be between four and five hundred. The cavalry and militia having rested and having become acquainted with each other and the manner of attack, proceeded to give battle to the invaders. Not having any authentic account of the skirmish except the one already copied, we cannot give any plainer facts. As the Colonists over- estimated the strength of the invaders, so also did the invaders over-estimate that of the Colonists, as it could not have been in numbers to exceed one hundred. The stand made by Crysler was upon the rise of ground near the house, and lasted but a few moments. After the volley was given by Crysler's party the cavalry made a grand rush upon them and scattered their forces, which were not collected to renew an attack.

According to Simms, whose informants were in the fight, the patriots' loss was "David Wirt, a lieutenant of cavalry, and two privates wounded,-one Rose, mortally,-who died three days after." Farther on, the excellent author says truly "David Wirt was the first man that fell in Schoharie defending the principles of free government." The small and weary force returned to the rude fortress having the key of the gate to the valley safely in their grasp. The Tories that were so jubilant in the morning were silent, and those who through trembling, nervous fear, were led to join McDonald's and Crysler's clan, repented of their choice

HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY.

as the patriots placed an iron heet upon them, and forced them to do duty. Col. Vroman proceeded in the track of the invaders a few days after and found many that were returning to their homes, stating they were forced to follow them. While the Schoharie settlements were in the greatest consternation upon the Mohawk, St. Leger had found his progress im- peded by as brave patriots as the world has ever known.

Brave Gansevoort held Fort Schuyler, while determined Herkimer at Oriskany, with gallant Willet's timely aid, and Arnold's cunning message, put to flight the barbarous clan.

Many of the "bravest of the brave" fell upon that historical day. They

" Fought eye to eye and hand to hand, Alas ! 'twas but to dic ; In vain the rifle's deadly flash

Scorched eagle plume and wampum sash, The haichet hiss'd on high, And down they fell in crimson heaps Like the ripe corn the sickle reaps."

The Mohawk valley was saved and another army less to exult at the anticipated junction. Burgoyne laid down his arms upon the 17th and joy reigned supreme in the American camp.

The gloom that pervaded every patriotic heart but a few days before, was now dispelled, and all felt gratitude to the God of battles. All honor to the brave Herkimer, Gansevoort, and Willet. All glory to Arnold and Schuyler, whose laurels were plucked by Gates, and all reverence to the sturdy ones that stood before the exultant, well-fed foe-like the oak before the blast-unyielding, unflinching.

" O few and weak their numbers were A handful of brave men,

But to their God they gave their prayers, And rushed 10 battle then. They left the plowsharc in the mold,

Their flocks and herds without the fold, The sickle in the unshorn grain, The corn half garnered on the plain. And muster'd in their simple dress,

For wrongs, to scck a stern redress.

To right those wrongs, comc weal, come woe, To pcrish or o'ercome the foe."

The reverses with which the British arms met at Oriskany, Breakabeen, Bemis Heights and down the Hudson, at once satisfied the most

intelligent and far-seeing of the loyalists, that it was useless to continue the struggle by force of arms to conquer the patriots in the Northern Department, and that it could only be done, if done at all, by cutting off supplies from the already poorly clad and fed army, and carry hostilities upon Southern fields. Therefore it was conceived by those in command to make invasions and devastate those sections from which large supplies were procured.

The fact was known by all the Tories, and boasts were made by them that nothing should be allowed to grow or be gathered, and their vigilant eyes were turned to the productive vales of the Mohawk, Schoharie, Susquehanna and even to the Wyoming. The patriots know- ing their intentions, kept on the alert at every avenue leading to those sections.

The Schoharie valley being open, without any place but the forest for the people to flee for protection, Colonel Samuel Campbell of Cherry Valley, personally appeared before General La Fayette while at Johnstown attending an Indian Council, and petitioned for the building of three forts in the valley, each to be manned with a company of regular soldiers and a field piece. Accordingly engineers were sent out to locate and superintend their structure in the month of November, 1777.

The stone house already barricaded was sur- rounded by a moat and enclosed by pickets, and was called the " middle fort." About four miles above at the upper end of " Vro- man's land," upon the west side of the river, another house was barricaded and a block- house erected, which was called the "upper fort." The stone church near Schoharie village was enclosed, two block-houses built, at diagonal corners, the same as the upper and middle forts. These three were nearly an equal dis- tance apart and were well arranged for the people of the surrounding settlements to remove their valuables for safety and to find protection from the prowling enemies. Each was furnished with two small cannon and with such facilities as to warrant safety and comfort, yet would prove very inadequate at the present day to withstand the projectiles that would be brought to bear upon them by our well-disciplined and equipped soldiers. Within the pickets of each

SCENES AND INCIDENTS DURING THE WINTER AND SPRING OF 1777-78.

fort the citizens built rude huts to which they resorted for safety each night from many miles around, deeming it hazardous to risk their lives upon their own hearthstones, as the prowling clemons were at all times upon the watch to capture or kill the patriots after the battle of Breakabeen down to the close of the struggle.

Nothing more of importance (aside from the building of the forts) of a warlike nature oc- curred in the valley during the year 1777. It is well known by every one that the winter of 1777 was indeed a trying time to the provincial army. Washington lay at Valley Forge with his nearly starved and frozen army and the army of Gates at Benis Heights, with meagre supplies.

The citizens of Schoharie furnished them with grains from their well filled granaries and assisted in transporting cannon, powder, and all other army necessaries for the campaign of 1778. In the latter part of May of that year, when the earth began to teem with luxuriant grains and grasses such as are peculiar to the Schoharie valleys, the enemy was found lurking in the vicinity of Cobleskill. Captain Christian Brown knowing his force was too weak to cope with any considerable numbers, dispatched a messenger to the lower fort for assistance. Captain Patrick, with a company of forty regu- lars responded, and upon the first day of June he marched them together with the Cobleskill militia, only seventeen in number, about two miles and one half to the west of the present village of Cobleskill, to the "George Warner house." While tarrying for a few moments and enjoying the hospitality of that "committee- man," a few Indians made their appearance a short distance to the west. The small force pressed forward and was drawn into an ambus- cade planned by the sagacious Brant.

The battle raged furiously for but a few mo- ments as it was discerned that the Indians were surrounding them with untold numbers. Cap- tain Brown ordered a retreat as it was found that Patrick had fallen, mortally wounded. In their flight, they passed the Warner house-in which a few noble ones sought shelter to retard the advance of the blood-thirsty foe.

After burning the house and inmates the inva- ders passed down the valley, leaving houses, barns, and stacks of hay in ashes, and such stock

as they found they either killed or drove along. Women and children sought safety in the forest and wandered to the Schoharie or lower fort. The patriots' loss was twenty-two killed and two made prisoners from their force of fifty-seven. The enemy's strength according to official ac- counts was about two hundred. Their loss is not known. This invasion cast a deep gloom over the Cobleskill settlement and caused the inhabitants to seek and remain at the Lower fort. The men cautiously returned each morn- ing to do their work some time after, and walked the distance of ten miles back in the evening. During the year rumors were afloat many times, of the Indians' appearance to devastate, and the military officers at Albany were repeatedly called upon to send a force to Schoharie. We have the pay roll of a company under Captain Marselus of Colonel Lansing's regiment of militia that was sent in August, and was at the lower fort from the 15th to the 31st. They num- bered, officers and men, forty-four. Others were liere from time to time, beside the home guards and militia belonging to the district, which gave the inhabitants an assurance of pro- tection, and which undoubtedly restrained the Tories and Indians from making another unholy visit. It was in July of that year the terrible massacre was made at Wyoming which chills the heart blood and which presented scenes that devils incarnate should be ashamed to own. It may be interesting to know the fiend in hu- man form whose report we copied in relation to the invasion of McDonald, was present upon that occasion. We did not intend to diverge from the County's history, but being fortunate to ob- tain a copy of so valuable a document as the re- port of Adam Crysler, which has loomed up as a guilty conscience-to acknowledge deeds that had been placed against others and not being before published, we will repeat for history's sake what he acknowledges in regard to the affair :

" In May, 1778, I received [Crysler was at Unadilla ] orders from Colonel Butler to come to Canatasago, accordingly I did and brought nineteen men with me (who are with Colonel Butler's rangers now) at which time he made me a Lieutenant-and from there I went under the command of Colonel Butler to Wayomen where

HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY.

we had an engagement and killed about 460 of the enemy and from there we went to Aughqua- gy." Also we find he was at the destruction of Cherry Valley, and says :----

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History of Schoharie County, New York : with illusustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 7

Author: Roscoe, William E., fl. 1882 Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y. : D. Mason Number of Pages: 572

Author: Roscoe, William E., fl. 1882
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y. : D. Mason
Number of Pages: 572