USA > New York > Schenectady County > History of the County of Schenectady, N. Y., from 1662 to 1886... > Part 7
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Your most humble and obed' serv" y' Conven- tion of Albanie
P. SCHUYLER, Mayor. Junto vaisselle} Pokor
The Mayor, &c., of Albany their bre giveing acco' of y ffrench & Indians cutting of a Town of English &c., many things & Dutch Feb., 1689." [Mass. Archives, 239-246. ]
The survivors of the massacre had become so discouraged by their late terrible experience, that it was seriously debated whether the settlement should not be abandoned. The frontiers were now so harassed by straggling parties of the enemy that the husbandmen could not safely plant and harvest their crops.
In the midst of these discouragements the Mo- hawks strove to dissuade them from abandoning their plantations, promising them aid, counseling them to fortify their village more substantially.
May 12, 1690, the "Commissioners for Albany" ordered that the " posts of Schanechtede, Connes- tigieone and the Half Moone be forthwith supplied with proper numbers of men to defend the same." [Doc. Hist., II.]
In regard to the number of persons killed and carried away to Canada at the destruction of Sche- nectady, the best accounts agree substantially. The names of sixty persons massacred, and of twenty-seven captives, have been preserved among the historical documents in the office of the Secre- tary of State. The largest number of the slain re- sided, when living, on State street; hence the sur- vivors called this street Martelaer's straat, in pious remembrance of their slaughtered relatives and neighbors, a name whose significance and senti- ment are in striking contrast with the utter poverty of invention and good taste shown by their de- scendants in borrowing a name from Albany for their chief business street.
The following is the list of those killed, above referred to:
Myndert Wemp, Jan Van Eps, "his son and two of his children;" Sergt. Church, of Capt. Bull's company; Barent Janse (Van Ditmars) and - . son; Andries Arentse Bratt and child; Maria Viele, two children and negro woman servant; Maria Alolff, Sweer Teunise (Van Velsen) and wife; four negroes of Teunise, Antje Janz, Enos Talmidge, lieutenant of Capt. Bull's company; Henderson Meese Vrooman and Bartholomens Vrooman, " and two negroes of Henderson;" Gerrit Marcellis, wife and child; Robert Alexandier, soldier; Robert Hes- seling, Sander, "son of Gysbert Gerritse (Van Brakel);" Jan Roeloffse (son of Anneke Janse); Ralph Grant, a soldier; David Christoffelse, wife and four children; Jaris Aertse (Van der Baast), Johannes Potman and wife; Wm. Pieterse, Dom- inie Petrus Tassemaker; Frans Harmense (Van de Bogart); Engel Vrooman and child; Reynier Schaats and son; Daniel Andries " and George, two soldiers;" "a French girl prisoner among the Mohogs;" "a Maquase Indian," "Johannes, son of Symon Skermerhorn, and three negroes of Sy- mon Skermerhorn."
Among those taken prisoners and carried to Canada, some died on the way there and some were afterward released and returned to Schenec- tady.
The following ballad, though without much lit- erary merit, has some value for the facts set forth therein.
It was evidently written by a person belonging to the English garrison, stationed at Albany.
28
HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF SCHENECTADY.
A BALLAD,
"In which is set forth the horrid cruellties practised by the French and Indians on the night of the 8th of last February. The which I did compose last night, in the space of one hour, and am now writing the morning of Fryday, June 12, W. W." 1690.
God prosper long our King and Queen, Our lives & safeties all. A sad misfortune once there did Schenectady befall.
From forth the woods of Canada The Frenchmen tooke their way The people of Schenectady To captivate and slay.
They march'd for two & twenty dais All thro' the deepest snow ; And on a dismal Winter Night They strucke the Cruel Blow.
The lightsome sun that rules the Day Had gone down in the West ; And eke the drowsy Villagers Had sought and found their reste.
They thought They were in Safetie all, And dreampt not of the Foe ; But att Midnight They all awoke, In Wonderment & Woe.
For They were in their pleasant Beddes, And soundelie sleeping, when Each door was sudden open broke By six or seven Men.
The Men and Women, Younge & Olde, And eke the Girls and Boys, All started up in great Affright, Att the alarming Noise.
They then were murther'd in their Beddes, Without shame or remorse ; And soon the Floores and Streets were strew'd With many a bleeding corse.
The Village soon began to Blaze, Which shew'd the horrid sight :- But, O, I scarce can Beare to Tell The Mis'ries of that Night.
They threw the Infants in the Fire, The Men they did not spare ; But killed All which they could find Tho' Aged or tho' Fair.
O Christe! In the still Midnight air, It sounded dismally, The Women's Prayers, and the loud screams Of their great Agony.
Methinks as if I hear them now All ringing in my ear ;
The Shrieks and Groanes and Woefull Sighs, They utter'd in their Fear.
But some ran off to Albany, And told the dolefull Tale :
Yett, tho' We gave our cheerful aid, It did not much avail.
And we were horribly afraid, And shook with Terror, when They told us that the Frenchmen were More than a Thousand Men.
The news came on the Sabbath morn Just att the Break of Day, And with a companie of Horse I galloped away.
But soone We found the French were gone With all their great Bootye ; And then their Trail We did pursue As was our true Dutye.
The Mohaques joynd our brave Partye, And followed in the chase Till we came upp with the Frenchmen Att a most likelye Place.
Our soldiers fell upon their Reare, And killed twenty-five, Our Young Men were so much enrag'd They took scarce One alive.
I)'Aillebout Then did commande, Which were but Theevish Rogues, Else why did they consent and goe With Bloodye Indian Dogges?
And Here I end the long Ballad The Which you just have redde ; I wish that it may stay on earth, Long after I am dead.
ALBANY, 12th of June, 1690. WALTER WILIE.
INDIAN WARS ON THE BORDER, 1662- 1713.
The destruction of Schenectady and the uncer- tainty of future safety of the border settlers in the vicinity of that village awakened in their minds serious doubts as to the expediency of rebuilding their dwellings and putting seed into the ground. To reassure the courage of the people, the Conven- tion at Albany passed the following resolution, on the 22d February, 1690 :
Resolved, That for y' p'servation of there maj" Intrest in these parts & y' Secureing of there Subjects in this time of war wth y' french, y' all means be used to Perswade all ye maquase to come & live & Plant at Schinnectady, lately Destroyed by yª french and there Indians we will be a means y' y' winter corn sowed there may be reaped & y' Indians in Readinesse to join with our forces upon any occa- sion if y' enemy should come .- [Doc. Hist., II, p. 90.]
The Five Nations, too, in a council held at Al- bany, May 3, spoke encouraging words :
"Brother Corlaer, be no wise discouraged, but make your fort strong (as we have our castles) at Schenectady, and maintain a garrison there, that your Corne may be preserved, & reap your harvest; also send for your wifes and children from New York and encourage them that we shall be safe, and fear not, * * The words of Diadorus are ended."
So impoverished had Albany and Schenectady become that aid was called for from Connecticut for "fournishing the souldiers with provisions, Shenectady being destroyed and most of the out plantations deserted, that your hon" would be pleased to send a supply of an hundred barrels of
.
29
INDIAN WARS ON THE BORDER.
porke or beefe equivalent for maintaining their Maj" Forces."
On the 9th June, 1690, four persons of those who had been captured by the French and escaped from Canada arrived in Albany, to wit : Klyn Isack [Swits], of Schenectady, and his eldest son
Symon ; Ryck Claessen [Van Vranken], of Niskay- una, and one of Captain Bull's soldiers taken at the destruction of Schenectady. Four more cap- tives taken at the same place were brought in, March, 1691, by a "party of Christians and maquase."
DK.9.75
78 Chank
5. Maloes mile
& thong to the land -
1/68
MAP OF THE TOWN OF SCHENECTADY.
In the beginning of June, 1691, Gov. Sloughter, i about 150 farms deserted & destroyed by the - French." who succeeded Andros, visited Albany and Sche- nectady to inspect the defenses and hold a council October 5, 1691, "At a council held at Fort . William Henry [N. Y.] with the Five Nations, and, on the 11th of July, Gov. Sloughter wrote to the Governors of the other Provinces that he had just returned from Al- ; tady under consideration, it is thought convenient
bany, where he "found our Plantations and Sche- nectady almost ruined. I have garrisoned Schenec- tady and Halfe Moon with some of the 100 fusileers raised by our Assembly."
Again, August 6, he says : "I found Albany full of disorder, the people ready to disert it ;
"This Board having the Garrison of Schenec- to remove the 4 guns from there to Albany, and that Petardoes be placed in their steade."
Late in the year 1691 another of the prisoners taken at Schenectady the year before was brought back by an Oneida Indian, who was rewarded in "Duffels and Rom " to the amount of {2 2s.
.
1
HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF SCHENECTADY.
30
In January, 1692, Cornelis Van Slyck, Harmen Van Slyck and Hendrick Janse went out from Schenectady with the Maquase upon the Brand- wach, toward Canada, Captain Sander Glen fur- nishing "sno shoes " for them.
In February came an alarm from Albany to Governor Fletcher that " 350 French and 200 In- dians had come within 36 miles of Schenectady."
The Governor proposed to " detach three hun- dred men out of the city regiment and adjacent counties to be transported to Esopus by water," from whence they were to be sent on to Albany and Schenectady by horses.
In May there was a new alarm, and Major Ingoldsby visited Albany, where the officers " rep- resented that they need a force of 400 men on this frontier, 200 at Albany, 50 each at Schenectady, Canastigione & Half Moon, & 50 to go out with 100 Indians as constant scouts in the woods."
In October, Governor Fletcher visited Schenec- tady and put it in some posture of defense for the coming winter.
In August, 1692, a new expedition was fitted out at Schenectady, consisting of 350 Indians of the Five Nations under Canachkorie to attack Canada. The expense of the outfit was £54 38. 5d. Among other things furnished was four ells of "red and blew " ribbons "to tye in his eares."
P. Davitse was allowed nine shillings for making two gun-stocks; Jellis Funda, nineteen shillings and six pence for making four gun-stocks, and Barent Mynderse and Christian Smith, £7 6s. 8d. for repairing arms for the Indians.
While at Schenectady the "Mayor & the Rest " stayed with Johannes Glen. Hille Van Olinda, their interpreter, made two great belts of wampum, for which she received {2 8s.
There was furnished for the expedition 600 lbs. of "beefc & pork, besides the four quarters of a small beasts," amounting to {1 16s., 25 skipples of pease @ 2s. 6d., and 24 loaves of bread @ 7d.
A large quantity of wampum belts was sent along to draw over the Praying Indians of Canada. The zewant for two great belts cost {3 12S.
So impoverished had the people of Schenectady become, that a tax of only £29 7s. ($73.33) was considered too great a burden for the whole town- ship, and they petitioned for a release of the same, which petition was, October 11, 1692, granted, " nemine contradicente."
"In the expedition the English lost four soldiers and four Indians, twelve wounded. Killed of the enemy, 33, including their captain-commandant
and twenty other officers, and two of their com- manding Indians, and rescued forty or fifty "pris- oners."
During the winter of 1693 and the summer of- 1694 there were no important movements on either side; the French using their best endeavor to make peace with the Five Nations; the English striving to counteract their projects. During the summer of 1695 there were constant conflicts be- tween the Five Nations and the French, but the anticipated raid during the winter of 1696-1697 did not take place, though in the spring of 1697 small parties appeared on the Mohawk, doing such mischief as opportunity favored.
On the 20th September, 1697, articles of peace were signed between France and Great Britain, called the peace of Ryswick. For nearly ten years the Mohawk valley had been the scouting ground of the two hostile parties. The husbandmen had labored with his musket by his side, and made his dwelling literally his castle.
The news of peace did not reach Canada until May, 1698, and then by the way of New York in a communication from Governor Bellomont.
Although peace had been declared between the two nations, the French of Canada still threatened war against the Five Nations, and Governor Bello- mont prepared to espouse the cause of his Indian allies by calling upon the trained bands of Albany and Schenectady to hold themselves in readiness to march with the regulars. The dangers and alarms of these times are clearly stated by Governor Bellomont in a letter to the Lords of Trade, dated 24th October, 1698.
After the proclamation of peace, early in 1698, the fortifications and garrisons on the border were greatly neglected. May 25, 1700, Governor Bellomont wrote to the Lords of Trade "that at the very time they [the French] are fortifying against us and keeping up the same number of soldiers still, which they did all the war, we on our part let our wooden forts fall to the ground, and re- duce our pittance of soldiers, and neither mind paying nor recruiting them."
On the 29th August, 1700, Governor Bellomont held a conference with the sachems of the Five Nations at Albany, to whom he made the follow- ing complaint:
"I have some complaints at this time made to mee of mischief lately done by some of your people in killing their cattle above Schanegtade. I desire you will inquire into the matter, and take such or- der that reperation may be done the people that have been so wronged." * *
31
INDIAN WARS ON THE BORDER.
From 1697 to 1701 there was peace between England and France, consequently between Canada and the English Provinces. Nevertheless the con- stant intrigues and threats of the French toward the Five Nations made it necessary for the Pro- vincial authorities of New York to use persistent and vigilant circumspection to counteract these intrigues.
Governor Bellomont died 5th March, 1701. Al- ready rumors were rife in New York of a prospect- ive war between France and England, on which account Colonel William Smith, President of the Council and ex officio Governor of the province, in writing to the Lords of Trade, " begs leave hum- bly to repeate the state and condition of the forts at Albany and Schenectady, which are almost to- tally decayed & unserviceable."
In 1709 orders were sent from England to Governor Lovelace to prepare for an attack upon Canada and Nova Scotia. It was proposed to send out a naval squadron and five regiments of regu- lar troops to Boston, there to be joined by 1, 200 of New England.
These troops were to attack Quebec, while 1,500 men marching by way of Albany were to attack Montreal.
The Five Nations and River Indians were to as- sist. This expedition was to be commanded by Colonel Francis Nicholson and Colonel Samuel Vetch, but like the attempt in 1691 proved a mis- erable failure. The English ministry, instead of sending the promised armament to their American provinces, sent it to Portugal.
The Five Nations, during the war (1701-13) be- tween France and England, being neutral, became corrupted, and less firmly attached to the latter.
In 1711 another attempt was made to conquer Canada, as abortive as the others, the naval expe- dition proving a failure. As a consequence, the French Indians commenced their skulking attacks upon the frontiers, killing two families in Schagh- takook.
January 1, 1712, Governor Hunter wrote to the Lords of Trade: " All is quiet at present upon the frontier."
From this time until the "old French War" in 1744 there was peace between France and Eng- land, and consequently between Canada and the colonies.
In 1715 the township of Schenectady had two military companies of foot, consisting of about sixty men each, including officers.
Although the peace of Utrecht brought compara- tive quiet to the border settlements of this province,
the Five Nations still distrusted the French and their Indians, and stood prepared to defend them- selves against their attacks.
The English sympathized with them and fur- nished them every aid and help short of an armed force. They built their forts, supplied them with arms and ammunition, repaired their muskets and tomahawks, clothed them with duffels and strouds, and in times of scarcity sent them corn. In many cases the smiths and carpenters sent there were citizens of Schenectady.
In 1711 Governor Hunter, the better to pro- tect his faithful allies, the Iroquois, contracted with Gerrit Symonse [Veeder], Barent Vrooman, Hendrick Vrooman, John Wemp and Arent Van Petten, carpenters, of Schenectady, for {1,000, to build two forts in the Indian country, one for the Mohawks, 150 feet square and 12 feet high, of logs one foot square, with a block house at each angle two stories high and 24 feet square; also a chapel within the fort, 24 feet square; the other, for the Onondagas, of like dimensions.
In 1724 Harmen Vedder was appointed cap- tain of a party of smiths stationed among the Sen- ecas, at a salary of £50, and Andries Brat at £15, --- Hendrick Wemp at {25, and Harmen Van Slyck at {25, as smiths among the Onondagas.
In 1726 Joseph Van Lice, of Schenectady, pre- sented a bill to the Governor for seven months' service as smith in the Senecas' country, for which he claimed {20.
At a conference between Governor Burnet and the six sachems at Albany, 9th Sept., 1726, a Seneca sachem said:
* * * "It is three years ago that you offer'd us a smith, and told us we might look for one to our minds; we found one there who pleased us very well. It was Myndert Wemp; when his time was expired he told the sachims that he was going home, whereupon they desired him to come again, because he was good and charitable to the poor; therefore we desire he may be our smith and go with us when we go home. We desire also an Armourer who can mend our Locks and Arms; such a man lives at Schenectady."
"5 October, 1728.
"Brother Corlaer :
" It has been customary when we came here to- wards the fall that a Smith and an Armourer to be sent to work for you, but then to work in our Country; we beg you to grant us now that Joseph Van Lise and Hendrick Wemp may be Ordered to go up with us, who are fit persons for our Occa- sion."
32
HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF SCHENECTADY.
His Excellency answered:
"I will order a Smith and an Armourer to be sent to work for you, but then I Expect that you will not suffer the ffrench Smith who is now there, nor any other from Canada, to reside among you for the Future."
A Sinneke sachem said:
"Brother Corlaer:
"We desired a Smith and an Armourer, but we do not hear further of it. You spoke about a ffrench Smith, who is now with us; he can Make no work, for he is an old man, and can scarce see. So we beg again that Joseph Van Lize and Hen- drick Wemp may go up with us. We would fain have the Smith and Armourer go with us now, that we may be sure of them, otherwise it may be neg- lected."
His Excellency answered:
" Brethren:
"I will give Effectual orders to the Commission- ers to send a Smith and an Armourer with you to work in your country."
THE OLD FRENCH WAR, 1744-1748.
The Old French War, so called to distinguish it from that of 1753, was declared by Louis XV, on March 15, 1744, and accepted by England March 29. It was two months after before the news reached New England, although known a month earlier by the French of Canada. To secure the friendship and active aid of the Six Nations, the Governor of New York called a council of the chiefs of the confederacy, who met at Albany, June 18, 1744, and "renewed, strengthened and bright- ened the covenant chain that had so long tied them and the subjects of his Majesty, the great king, their father, in mutual ties of friendship."
Although inclining to peace, they promised in the strongest terms to stand by their friends if at- tacked. During this war, as in the other preced- ing it, the French and their allies were the most actively aggressive, sending out, almost daily, small parties of their Indians to annoy and distress the frontier settlements, and bring back such plunder and captives as they could find. The points of attack in this province were settlements along the Mohawk and Hudson, particularly Saratoga, Sche- nectady and Albany and the outlying places.
No family was safe unless protected by block- house or palisade; no man was exempt from mili- tary duty save by age or infirmity. In Schenectady and Albany each able-bodied man kept watch and ward every third or fourth night. French and
English reports also give sad accounts of shocking barbarities practiced on both sides by skulking parties of savages and white men. French reports clearly show the cruelties practiced by these two Christian nations, who rewarded their savage allies in proportion to the number of scalps returned.
The French and their savages made war upon the almost undefended frontier settlers, who were taken by surprise and practically unprepared.
The distress occasioned by this war is clearly set forth by the following petition of the inhabitants of Albany for relief, made to the Provincial Assembly, July 27, 1747.
The sufferings of Schenectady were even greater, because more exposed, more impoverished and less secure :
“* * That the inhabitants of the corporation of the city of Albany are in great misery and distress by reason of the present war with France, and with the Indians in their alliance.
"That the inhabitants of the said city, ever since the commencement of the war, by their frequent watching, have been very much taken off from themselves and families : That every man of our corporation has been obliged to attend in person, or pay a hired man in their stead, upon watch and ward every third or fourth night during the whole time, excepting a small interval of time in the spring the duty was demanded only every fourth night ; but now, and for some time past, for the safety of this frontier and the poor inhabitants, we are obliged again to come upon a fourth night : That our corporation, by reason of the present war, are indebted * * * * for the supplying of fire, wood and candles for the night watches, and for powder and ball for the poorest of the inhabitants, * * * * besides what the inhabitants have done by a voluntary taxing themselves for providing and setting up new stockades, where the old ones were gone to decay."
While the people of Schenectady were striving to protect their borders from the attack of the enemy they were called upon to send men to Oswego.
The following answer of Col. Jacob Glen disclosed a sad state of morals at that important fortress :
COL. SCHUYLER : It is impossible to procure men for going to Oswego, especially when John Vischer remains there. John Baptist [Van Eps, the interpreter] says, if a hundred pounds was offered him over and above his wages, [he] would not remain a year under his command.
SCHENECTADY, Sept. ye 8, 1747. JACOB GLEN.
33
THE BEUKENDAAL MASSACRE.
Glen, in a previous letter, says the officers at Oswego are drunkards.
During the year 1747 Capt. Tiebout's company of foot was stationed at Schenectady.
THE BEUKENDAAL MASSACRE.
As the war drew to a close, in 1748, Schenectady met with the severest loss it had suffered at any one time since the year 1690. This is generally called the Poopendal massacre. It was, however, in no sense a massacre like that of 1690, except per- haps in the killing of the first victims, but a stand up and hand to hand fight in Indian fashion, in which the whites were the attacking party and, on that account, suffered more severely than the savages. About twenty of the former were killed and some thirteen or more made prisoners ; of the losses of the latter we have no sufficient accounts.
Beyond tradition the accounts of this skirmish are meager and uncircumstantial.
A brief letter to Col. William Johnson, written by Albert Van Slyck, July 21, 1748, three days after the affair, is the only semi-official narrative we have by one who was in the fight.
"From the details preserved in this letter, it appears that a party of men from Schenectady, the leader of whom was Daniel Toll, had been dis- patched to some place in the vicinity to bring in a number of horses, which was surprised by a party of the enemy, whose presence in the neighborhood was neither known nor suspected.
" The firing being heard by Adrian Van Slyck, a brother of the writer of the account, who seems to have resided at a distance from the town, he sent a negro man to the latter place to give the alarm and obtain reinforcements. Four parties of armed men successively repaired to the scene of action, the first of which was composed of the New England lieutenant, with some of his men, and five or six young lads, accompanied by Daniel Van Slyck, another brother. The second party was led by Ackes Van Slyck, and some men, how many of either party is not stated.
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