The Dave Fund

A facsimile of a poster hung in SUNY Cobleskill ca 2005-2006. There is no Dave fund, so don't donate, except if you know a guy named Dave.

The Dave Fund

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Revolution Comes to the Valley

This chapter is about Schoharie County’s role in the Revolutionary War. It tells of local loyalties, local companies, and local food resources.

Many of the Palatines, upon the outbreak of the war, decided to stay loyal to the crown, citing oaths of loyalty. Many also believed that the strength of the English, and her allies, rendered the revolution “foolish”. These people stated their loyalty to the crown was life-long and was never to be forfeited. Many of these people moved, some to Canada, but a few stayed here until they were compelled to leave.

A few people who did move to Canada returned to kill and fight with former neighbors, and to pillage familiar land. Those who returned to kill and plunder were called Tomahawks, while those who did not were called Mohawks. The book stresses, however, that we cannot condemn those who stand up for a cause.

On January 24^th, 1775, a secret meeting was held in Albany. This meeting included two delegates from Schoharie County, one of them being Adam Vroman. The “Committee of Correspondence”, by which they were called, resolved that they would “adopt & endeavor to carry into execution whatever measures may be recommended by the Continental Congress, ... opposing the Execution of the several arbitrary and oppressive acts of the British Parliament...”

This same committee, later that year ordered donations of wheat, corn, and other supplies to Boston.

In association with this committee, the “Committee of Protection” and the “Committee of Safety” were formed. On this committee six people from Schoharie County were appointed. These committees relay that, on October 20, 1775, three military companies were formed in Schoharie County. The first was formed at Schoharie, the second at Vromansland, and the third at and near Middleburgh. In 1777, another company was formed in Cobleskill.

In 1777, Colonel Adam Crysler, of a local militia, and “Captain McDonald”, commanded a force that skirmished against a Tory-Indian force in Schoharie. The following encounter resulted in the death of one man, David Witt.

In October of 1780, under Joseph Brant and John Johnson, a large group of Tories and Indians attacked and burned the orchards, farms, barns, houses, and anything in their path. They’re main reason for this was to destroy the Continental Army’s food supply. They destroyed over 300 buildings, and a countless amount of hay and grain. Following the invasion, Indians and Tories killed the Merckleys in Seward and burned their buildings.

On July 10, 1781 another invasion of over 500 Indians and Tories came to this valley. They killed and pillaged. The next morning, Willet of Oriskany, set out with a much smaller number of men. Ingeniously trapping the Tories and Indians, Willet attacked. After two hours of fighting, the enemy fled. In the end Willet had lost five men, while the opposing force had lost over sixty.

It’s amazing that where we are right now is where others fought and died. Where we are now was a vital part of the Revolution. Where we are now is where history was made.

History of Richmondville

Contrary to popular belief, Richmondville was not formed on April 11, 1845, but rather April 11, 1849. All of Richmondville was taken from Cobleskill, when it was originally founded, and in October of 1851, part of Seward was also annexed.

The first settlers were Germans named George Warner and John Zea, who settled near what is now Warnerville. During the Revolution, the Warners were patriots, and, in fact, the first building that the Warners built here was the first in the county to be burned by the enemy. During the same war, John Zea Jr. War killed at Cobleskill, and his brother, Nicholas, was a Tory who fled to Canada. Now, there are no more Zeas left in the county.

In 1778, a small group of Indians was spotted by patriots. Although cautioned not to follow, a group of about sixty patriots pursued the Indians. The patriots were ambushed, and many were killed, while some escaped. During the escape, four heroic souls gave their lives, as decoys, to save the lives of their fellow comrades. The Tories and Indians proceeded to burn homes and barns, but luckily few, if any, women and children were killed.

George Snyder, a Cobleskill native, was born in 1833, and was a veteran of Fort Sumter, where, as you know, the Civil War began. A seminary was built in Richmondville in 1853. Richmondville also had a paper mill, an Iron works, a hotel, and even had the first mail carrier in the county, who delivered his mail by horseback. The town had four churches, the Methodist Church, the Lutheran Church, The Baptist Church, and the Christian Church of Warnerville. The town also had a bank and a schoolhouse.

One of the citizens of West Richmondville was once a plantation owner, who was spared from a revolt thanks to a friendly slave. Richmondville also had a water-powered facility fed by two reservoirs. In the town and it’s hamlets were various industrial people, including a photographer, and a hop-press maker.

I find it interesting that in every chapter that gives the history of a town, it’s churches are also mentioned. It shows the religious tendencies of the earlier Americans.

History of Cobleskill

There are several stories of how Cobleskill got it’s name. Versions of Cobleskill’s name included “Cow-bell Kill”, “Cobble Kill”, and “Cobus Kill”.

Johannes Schaeffer bought 600 acres near today’s village, and Judge Brown’s brother built a mill nearby. Judge Brown’s brother, Christian, was saved by a bird repeatedly landing on his shoulder while Indians were approaching.

The first time the British invaded was June of 1778, under Brant with 200 Indians, and skirmished with Patriots in what is now Richmondville. The Indians burned many buildings before retreating. Some of those, whose homes were burned, fled to other towns, while others like Captain Brown and Henry Shafer had to outrun Indians to safety.

After the war, two drunk Tories boasted of their crimes, and a patriot whipped them and had them pull a carriage with stones in their pockets shouting “king’s money”.

In 1781, under threats from the enemy, citizens of Cobleskill built a fort surrounded by a moat. Tories and Indians attacked the fort the same year.

In 1867, a brick schoolhouse was built in Cobleskill. Abraham Lawyer owned a hotel, the United States Hotel. His father was killed by a rolling log.

Cobleskill had four churches, three of which were Protestant and one Catholic. The Lutheran Church still stands today, built in 1796. One citizen was a Hessian soldier that exclaimed for King George, and was burnt by a patriot and nearly died. Little hamlets sprung up outside Cobleskill only after the Revolution, when the threat of war passed.

Howe’s Caverns was a popular tourist destination, second only in New York State to Niagra Falls. The caves were found by Lester Howe in the early 1800s, and soon the caves were open to the public. Punchkill is nearby the caves, and other hamlets of Cobleskill are Mineral Springs and Lawyersville.

Captain James Dana fought in both the Revolution and against the Barbary Pirates. He was appointed Brigadier General, the first man to accomplish that in Schoharie County. Dana attended George Washington’s funeral in 1799. William Elmandorf fought in the War of 1812, and died at the age of 96.

Henry Smith was elected Speaker of the State Assembly in 1872. Reuben and Minard Harder bought the Empire Agricultural Works created by David Anthony around 1850.

The First National Bank of Cobleskill was created in 1864, with a pool of $60,000. Cobleskill was incorporated in 1868. The most common names of Supervisors were Shafers and Lawyers.

Charles Holmes was born in 1826. He was elected a Member of Assembly and was selected as Judge in 1871.

Jebediah Miller was born in Massachusetts in 1782, and descended from the pilgrims. He was elected to the assembly in 1819 and 1820. When he died, he had no living relative left.

Joseph Ramsey was born in Sharon in 1816. He was elected to the assembly in 1854, and pushed for legislation for what would be the Susquehanna railroad, and was elected Vice President, and later President of the Albany Iron Manufacturing Company.

Thomas Lawyer was born in Schoharie in 1785. He was a lawyer and was elected to the U.S. Congress from 1817 to 1819. He died in 1868.

Charles Courter was born in Schoharie in 1808. He was an esteemed business man and was an Elector in a Presidential election. He died in 1879.

James Tanner was born in 1844. He joined the Union army in 1861. He lost both legs at the Second Battle of Bull Run, and was captured by the Confederates. He later worked in the war Department and was next to Abraham Lincoln when Lincoln died. Tanner was named Commander of all forces in New York, and was still alive in 1882.

Philip Wieting was born in 1800. He was a reverend in life and helped push for a church in Lawyersville. He died in 1869.

Going through the list of names at the end, there are plenty of Vromans, Shafers, Bellingers, Lawyers, Beckers, and a few Murphys.

I wonder how many pages it would take to write a history of New York City.

Prices in 1930

As I read an article on Sheriff Steadman’s murder, I came across an advertisement for a four tube radio. Afterwards, I thought it would be intresting to do a presentation on prices of 1930. I found it especially interesting because 1930 was right in the middle of the depression.

Everyone needs clothes, so I’ll discuss clothes first. I came across shoes selling for about 3-8 dollars a pair, and I also saw an ad for shoes, that were on sale, for $2.50-$3.50. Socks were 10 and 20 cents a pair. Hats were also relatively cheap at 1-5 dollars. And for the ladies, fur trimmed coats were 39 dollars each.

Food, every loves food. Roast pork sold at 28 cents a pound, sausage sold for 28 cents also. Sirloin sold from 32-45 cents, and veal chops sold at 35 cents a pound, so did sliced bacon. Ham sold for 30 cents a pound, while coffee sold for 23 cents, and corn flakes sold for 8 cents. Three pounds of rice sold for 19 cents, about 6 cents a pound, and a half pound of chocolate sold for 25 cents. Rum was 49 cents a pint, while a dozen oranges went for 54 cents. Cod liver oil, a personal favorite, was 79 cents a pint, and for the one with a weak stomach, indegestion pills were 25 cents, for a small bottle, and 75 cents for a large one. And, although it hardly passes for food, aspirin was 49 cents for a bottle. Also, listerine went for 10 cents, for a small bottle, and a quarter for the large one, and tooth paste went for 10 cents a tube.

Believe it or not, they had cars way back then. A 1930 Chevy Roadster went for 495 dollars, while a Ford Roadster went for 435 dollars. A 1930 Chevy Coupe went for $565, while a Ford Coupe came out to be $500. The 1930 Chevy Sedan went for 675 dollars, and the Ford Town Sedan went for $670. Now, you could think that Ford was a better value, but personally, I think Chevy was more expensive because it was, still are, built well, better than Ford. In other prices, a 1927 Model T Sedan went for $175, and the 1926 Model T Sedan went for $100. The “new” Model As went for 550 dollars each. Advertisements also offer cars “as low as $50”, the ads also boasted of “cars with over 50 horsepower”.

Some miscellaneous prices are as follows. Pencils were one cent each and soap cakes were 50 cents a cake. Coffee pots were 55 cents each, while dinner plates were 10 cents each. Hammers were 10, 25, and 50 cents each, according to size, and spark plugs were 25 cents. Paint brushes were 5, 10, and 25 cents, depending on size, and pocket knives were 69 cents to a dollar. Tickets for the Cobleskill theater were 10-40 cents each, and dry cell batteries were 40 and 45 cents.

The oddest, if you could call it that, ad was an ad for “Chesterfield Cigarets”. It’s not odd that it’s a cigaret ad, no, rather it’s who is on the ad. Right on the ad is the picture of a minstrel, not the medieval singer. No, it’s a person white person in black face.

The prices for things were easily found, in fact all the prices I found were in January of 1930. And by the way, the price for the four tube radio was 129 dollars, and that’s excluding tubes.

Bibliography

1. The Cobleskill Times. January 2, 1930.

2. The Cobleskill Times. January 9, 1930.

3. The Cobleskill Times. January 16, 1930.

4. The Cobleskill Times. January 23, 1930.

5. The Cobleskill Times. January 30, 1930.