Schoharie County and the Civil War

The distaste of war was once again on American soil in 1861, the Civil War. A person from Schoharie County was actually at Fort Sumpter when the South bombarded it.

The country rested their hands on their rapier, preparing for war, whether to preserve the union or destroy it. Even people in Schoharie County prepared. The first person, when the Civil War occurred, in the county to volunteer for the army was Hiram A. Blodgett, of Cherry Valley. People in our county who joined the services made up the Third New York cavalry, the 134^th New York regiment, and the 76^th N. Y. S. V.

The 134^th regiment was involved in the actions at Atlanta, Knoxville, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Missionary Ridge, Lost Mountain, Pine Knob, Resaca, Goldsborough, Peachtree Creek, and Savannah. Needless to say that the regiment got around a lot. Some died in battle, and many of them were killed by Typhoid fever.

The book lists, what seems to be, over a thousand people from around here, who were in the armed services, mainly the 134^th regiment.

The book also gives tribute to those who perished in the war. It’s astounding to think of Gettysburg, or a battle of that magnitude, and think of people from Schoharie County fighting in it.

The History of Broome

Broome was one of the original six towns that formed the county in 1797, and at that time it was called Bristol. On April 6, 1808, Bristol was renamed Broome, in honor of the current Lieutenant Governor, John Broome.

The Catskill Creek passes through the town, and used to be fed by a swamp, called the “vlaie”. The Indians had created a path that followed the Catskill, which, in fact, the first German settlers of the Schoharie County traveled. People also traversed the trail to get to good hunting lands.

During the Revolutionary War, people were scarcely found within the town, and, according to the book, we have only knowledge of one person actually staying in their house during the war. This man, whose name was Derick Van Dyck, stayed in his home until it was burned in 1781. Upon the close of the war, people began to emigrate to Broome, and the book lists the names of people who moved to the town after the Revolution, and were still there when the text was written.

Daniel Shays, a man you’re sure to find in any American History book, actually took residence in Preston Hollow. He, in fact, died in Preston Hollow, and was buried beneath an unmarked headstone. Also mentioned is David Williams, a man of great importance during the War for Independence. He chose Broome as a place to live and die. He died August 2^nd, 1831, and was buried in Livingstonville. The book also puts forth an account of David Williams’ life.

Livingstonville also lies upon the Catskill Creek, and is surrounded by large hills. The original inhabitants of Livingstonville were “Yankees”. In 1812, there was only one house in the village, but became “a center of business” around 1820.

The book tells of other people, towns, and churches, including a story about a man, named Julius Dutton, who settled in Broome, by himself, at age eleven. Also listed are names of people drafted in 1813, and supervisors in Broome. One name is Barent Stryker, who was the supervisor in 1831, who was mentioned a lot last chapter. Another name mentioned is George A. Dutton, who I must assume was related to Julius Dutton. The book also lists Broome’s boundaries.

It’s interesting to notice that people who were important in the early stages of the county, that their relatives were important in the later stages of the county.

Southern Schoharie County

Before 1848, Blenheim and Broome were two large towns. This posed problems for the citizens and politicians, therefore people petitioned the Seventy-first Legislature to divide the towns and form a new one. A bill, passed on March 16, 1848, created the town of Gilboa. The 20^th of the next month, the citizens of Gilboa held their first meeting, and elected their first officials.

During the “anti-rent” troubles of the 1840s, Gilboa was involved, yet there was no violence, except an incident where men dressed as “Injuns” threatened to tar-and-feather a deputy in he would not destroy rent papers. He did so. Nearly all people in Gilboa were Antis, actually, but they did not want to harm anyone, just scare landlords.

It is supposed that the first settlers of Gilboa was the Dise family. John Dise built a

grist-mill around the 1790s. The town’s prosperity attracted people to it. A man by the name of Archibald Croswell settled in Gilboa, having moved there from Connecticut. Mr. Croswell purchased the Dise mill property, and rebuilt a stone grist-mill. The wall cracked and fell after several years, and another mill was built. After a few years, business in Gilboa expanded, and in little time, Gilboa had a tannery, fulling mill, a hemlock-bark extraction factory, a sawmill, and a pottery factory. It even had a cotton factory, called the “Gilboa Cotton Mill Co.”, but it was subsequently destroyed in the flood of 1869.

In 1797, Gilboa built it’s first tavern. It also had three churches, the Reformed Church of Gilboa, the Methodist Episcopal Church of Gilboa, and the Flat Creek Baptist Church. Job Tibbetts founded the Broome Centre, notice the British influence in spelling. Interestingly, since Tibbetts founded the Centre, the hamlet was called “Tibbetts” by people, and, in fact, was the only name known, by some, of the Hamlet.

David Elerson was a soldier alongside with Timothy Murphy, settled in Schoharie after the battle of Monmouth. He was considered a hero, and is known mostly because of a pamphlet, written by an unknown person.

Also included in the chapter is the transcript by which Gilboa was created, and a picture of Thomas Colby’s home and farm.

The times and dates of these events, big and small, make you feel, pardon me for being generic, but you feel so insignificant. Yes, these events are not worldly important, but their age alone makes you think.

Southern Schoharie County

Before 1848, Blenheim and Broome were two large towns. This posed problems for the citizens and politicians, therefore people petitioned the Seventy-first Legislature to divide the towns and form a new one. A bill, passed on March 16, 1848, created the town of Gilboa. The 20^th of the next month, the citizens of Gilboa held their first meeting, and elected their first officials.

During the “anti-rent” troubles of the 1840s, Gilboa was involved, yet there was no violence, except an incident where men dressed as “Injuns” threatened to tar-and-feather a deputy in he would not destroy rent papers. He did so. Nearly all people in Gilboa were Antis, actually, but they did not want to harm anyone, just scare landlords.

It is supposed that the first settlers of Gilboa was the Dise family. John Dise built a

grist-mill around the 1790s. The town’s prosperity attracted people to it. A man by the name of Archibald Croswell settled in Gilboa, having moved there from Connecticut. Mr. Croswell purchased the Dise mill property, and rebuilt a stone grist-mill. The wall cracked and fell after several years, and another mill was built. After a few years, business in Gilboa expanded, and in little time, Gilboa had a tannery, fulling mill, a hemlock-bark extraction factory, a sawmill, and a pottery factory. It even had a cotton factory, called the “Gilboa Cotton Mill Co.”, but it was subsequently destroyed in the flood of 1869.

In 1797, Gilboa built it’s first tavern. It also had three churches, the Reformed Church of Gilboa, the Methodist Episcopal Church of Gilboa, and the Flat Creek Baptist Church. Job Tibbetts founded the Broome Centre, notice the British influence in spelling. Interestingly, since Tibbetts founded the Centre, the hamlet was called “Tibbetts” by people, and, in fact, was the only name known, by some, of the Hamlet.

David Elerson was a soldier alongside with Timothy Murphy, settled in Schoharie after the battle of Monmouth. He was considered a hero, and is known mostly because of a pamphlet, written by an unknown person.

Also included in the chapter is the transcript by which Gilboa was created, and a picture of Thomas Colby’s home and farm.

The times and dates of these events, big and small, make you feel, pardon me for being generic, but you feel so insignificant. Yes, these events are not worldly important, but their age alone makes you think.

The Times-Journal

The first issue of the Cobleskill Times appeared April 14, 1877, but was known as the Cobleskill Herald. The first owners were Johnson and Roberts of Oneonta, who saw an opportunity to establish a new paper in a rapidly growing county. The Herald championed the Republican cause and the venture succeeded despite Cobleskill and Schoharie County were heavily Democrat.

The original paper was four pages and eight columns in width. 1200 people resided in Cobleskill at the time. Miles G. Graham purchased the paper a few years later. As stated previously, the paper was pro-Republican, but it was noted as mild until 1883, by which time it represented a more vigorous political policy. In 1883 Charles T Conover bought the paper. Mr. Conover was a native of Esperance.

Mr. Conover put the paper on firmer grounds thanks to his ability to write fluently and well. He improved the paper fiscally. A year later, though, Conover left the paper, and moved to Seattle to invest in real estate. R. S. Keyser was the next owner of the paper, but after some time he became the principle of the Middleburgh High School, and he place his brother, Lynn, in charge. Things went terribly, and in 1885 Erwin B. Hard bought the paper.

Mr. Hard was a newspaperman. He was well trained, energetic, and a hard worker. Soon after he bought the newspaper he changed it’s name to the Cobleskill Times. In 1892 new equipment was bought for the paper. Hard lead the paper to prosperous times. The next publisher was Frank A. Linster, who became such in 1905. Linster purchased the first linotype machine for the paper, marking a great step forward-1908. The old way was setting the type by hand and typewriter.

Soon after, a group of fifteen people bought the paper, hoping to voice a strong pro-prohibition statement. But they soon realized that they couldn’t run a paper on sentiments alone, which lead to the sale of the paper to George W. Jones in 1915. But Jones found the paper too much trouble and sold it to Joseph R. Browne. Under Mr. Browne’s leadership, the paper did well, even during the hard days of WWI.

On August 4, 1919, Charles L. Ryder purchased the paper. Mr. Ryder, who had also published the Cherry Valley Gazette and the Sharon Springs Record, merged these papers with the Cobleskill Times. A paper, called the Schoharie County Journal, merged with the Times in 1946, to form the Times-Journal. The Ryders owned the paper until, well, at least 1976.

The Colonists and the Indians

Much of Chapter 2 talks about the Palatines in New York, Indians of Schoharie County, and Adam Vroman. It begins with Palatines in New York.

As stated previously, the Palatines were not immediately moved to Schoharie County. The excuse given was that the cost of creating a garrison, to protect the Palatines from the French and Indians, would be too great, but the camps in which they stayed in cost eight to twelve hundred pounds a month. Also, once the Palatines moved to Schoharie County, it didn’t cost the English government “a single farthing”.

The true fact of the matter is that the Governor of New York, a man by the name of Hunter, believed stigmatizations. He believed that Germans were ignorant and willfully obstinate. The Palatines finally settled Schoharie County around the fall of 1711.

Upon the infiltration of white men into Schoharie County, there were Indians. Numbers about these Indians are indefinite because much about the Indians is unknown.

The “Schoharie Tribe” was a “mongrel one”, meaning that it was made up of different tribes. The number of warriors in this tribe was estimated at 300. Mohegans of Connecticut were found to be in considerable numbers near Middleburgh. In fact, this tribe once consisted of thousands of people, but through warfare, this number was reduced to a few hundreds.

The Schoharie Tribe was ruled by Karee-a-dunka, here spelled Ka-rig-hon-don-tee, who was sent to the Schoharie County by his father-in-law, who feared Karee-a-dunka’s death at the hand of the Mohegans. These Indians were normally friendly towards the settlers, but sometimes the settlers didn’t return the favor.

This chapter also tells of the purchase of land by Adam Vroman, near Vroman’s nose. Vroman purchased “400 acres” of land from Indians, which turned out to be around 1100 acres. It is not clear, however, whether or not this was intentional. Later on, Vroman complained to the governor that the Palatines were trespassing, and destroying, his land. This lead to the issue of an arrest warrant for Conrad Weiser, who was thought to be the ring leader. Later on, Weiser was imprisoned in the tower of London.

By 1730, the Palatines had seven towns around the area, including Weiser’s dorf, where Middleburgh now is. By this time, a third wave of Palatines had come to America, settling in Schoharie and other locations. Through Indian grain pounding, the Palatines raised the efficiency of farming in the county.

The Vromans introduced slavery to the county, but the evils of slavery do not deeply stain this county. In fact, comparably, slaves were treated very well. They were even trusted enough to be sent to local markets by their owner. Another interesting fact is that, when slavery was abolished in New York in 1818, many slaves of our county refused to be freed.

During local trading, many trades between the whites and the Indians were one sided. Many times, blankets, trinkets, and rum were traded for land and furs. This fact is most evident in the Dutch trade for Manhattan.

It’s amazing to look at Vroman’s Nose and see the same thing that the Palatines saw 300 years ago. What we think when we see Vroman’s nose could be the same thing they thought.

Schoharie County's Witches

We all have heard of witches, old women in Europe who cast spells on the innocent. Witches are not solely a European peculiarity. Even our Schoharie County has had witches, or rather, people who were believed to be witches. In reality, actuality, and factuality, Schoharie County has had a few.

Deadman’s Creek, now called Swart Hollow, is about three miles south of West Fulton. In the mid 1800s, there lived a woman by the name of Margaret Hemstreet, who people believed was a witch. Of course, the people had stories to back up their clams.

Mrs. Hemstreet wished to buy a pig from a man named William Swart. Now this pig was his best, being that it was his fattest, so he refused to sell it to her. A few nights later, Mr. Swart was awakened by noises in his pig-pen. When he got there, the pig was having a “fit”. Swart figured that Mrs. Hemstreet put a spell on the pig. Apparently he knew a way to calm down a pig with a spell on it, so he wrestled the pig to the ground, cut of it’s ear, and burned it. According to Mr. Swart, the pig instantly grew calm, although it’s hard to believe that a pig, whose ear had just been cut off, would be calm.

Another story surrounding Mrs. Hemstreet involves the Swart family again. William Swart was visiting the Swart household, when Mrs. Hemstreet walked up to him. “You’ll have company on your way home”, she said to his. As he walked home across a moonlit, snow laden field, a black cat came up to him. The cat played with him, and gave him company on his way home, but when he got home, the cat disappeared. The next day, he saw his tracks in the snow, but no cat prints.

One time Mrs. Hemstreet asked a woman, named Jerusha Chase for thread. Mrs. Chase, who had just left her house, didn’t want to go back inside, so she didn’t give Mrs. Hemstreet the thread she asked for. That night, Mr. Chase was awakened by Mrs. Chase turning in bed. While asleep, Mrs. Chase began shouting that Mrs. Hemstreet was dragging her to a creek, and her husband discovered that she was soaking wet. Then Jerusha began shouting, “She’s poking needles under my finger nails.” Sure enough, blood sprouted from her fingers.

Mrs. Hemstreet would never be seen outside without her trusty white cap that covered her head and ears. When she eventually did die, her neighbors found that she was still wearing her hat. As curiosity is always a factor, they wanted to remove the hat, but Mrs. Hemstreet’s husband prevented them from doing so.

A woman named Eva Boeke, who lived in Huntersville, was believed to be a witch until her death in 1870. A woman called Aunt Jane Buell, who lived in Conesville, was believed to be a “white witch”, or healer. Actually, many would consider a healer a good thing.

All the accounts that I have related have been given the benefit of the doubt, although maybe such luxuries should be bestowed upon them. Although I don’t know people’s feeling towards Mrs. Hemstreet, it is possible that people lied about being a witch simply because they didn’t like her. Also, I believe this report is appropriate with Halloween on the horizon. Happy Halloween.

Bibliography

County Historical Review. Schoharie County Historical Society. Schoharie, N.Y. 1992.

The History of Jefferson

The town of Jefferson was first inhabited in 1793, by people from New England. The spirit of then inhabited the town, still, when the text was written. This spirit put forth an interest in education, and the use of “advantages derived”.

In January of 1803, people petitioned the Legislature to officially declare Jefferson a town. On February 12, the Legislature did just that. On March 1^st, the town elected it’s first officials, with Stephen Judd being included in five of them, them being, Assessor, Overseer of the Poor, Commissioner of the Highways, Fence Viewer, and Path Master.

Several years later, another village named Jefferson in New York, made an effort to change it’s name because of mailing problems. Afterwards, the town’s name was changed to Watkins.

The first school teacher in Jefferson was Herman Hickok. He founded the Jefferson Academy in 1812. Shares of the school were sold at $25 a piece, with Stephen Judd owning the most at 12. Those who owned shares had a vote in electing a board of directors. He also gave land for the academy to be built on. While construction continued, there was not enough revenue to complete the structure. To raise the money, Jefferson asked the town of Schoharie for the money. Schoharie obliged, and 44 people gave money, at a total of $216.50. People who donated were future Governor William Bouck, Peter Vroman, Adam Vroman and Heman Hickok, if I may assume to have some relation to Herman. Also, the list given spells Adam and Peter Vroman, “Vrooman”.

The building was finally erected in 1822, at forty-five square feet, with a height of three stories. It cost approximately four thousand dollars to build. Although started under firm footing, the building had troubles. Long times would elapse between school sessions, and it did not get needed repairs.

In the will of Stephen Judd, who died on June 8, 1821, it stated that the property was to be used as a school, so long as the academy was used for “school purposes”. Joshua H. Judd, Stephen’s great-nephew, demanded the property be returned to the Judds, on the grounds that the agreement of the continuation of “school purposes” was broken. He won the case. In it’s stead was a “Union School”, formed in 1878.

Two tanneries were in existence in Jefferson, both of which were founded in 1816, and both of which faded from existence in about 1846. There was a Presbyterian Church in Jefferson, which was founded in about 1809, but the book does not give an exact date.

The Judd family had a huge impact on Jefferson. As previously mentioned, the Judds helped raise, and, eventually, tear down the Jefferson Academy. Stephen Judd held huge lots of land, and had an inn, and his brother, Freeman, was a preacher. Also mentioned is a story that states that Daniel Judd was beheaded by Indians in the Revolution, and his was carried to Canada on a pole.

There were another three churches in Jefferson, all of which were Methodist. The Methodist Episcopal Church of West Jefferson was organized first, and services were held at private houses until 1816. The First Methodist Village Episcopal Church of Jefferson Village was organized in 1819, and was included in a circuit of 13 towns. The West Kill Methodist Church was organized in 1816, but became the First Methodist Village Episcopal Church of Jefferson Village, in 1819.

A skirmish was held upon Jefferson, and was a loss to patriots. As the book states, “This skirmish was the only one which occurred during the war that was disgraceful...within the borders of our County.” Jefferson also sent men to fight in the Civil War.

The book also lists justices of Jefferson, from 1803 to 1882. Mentioned are Stephen Judd, in 1804, and Heman Hickok, who served eight years in a row.

I don’t understand why Jefferson was founded in the very late 1700s, when Schoharie was founded so long before. I mean, can you imagine Jefferson was settled ten years after the Revolution.

Western Schoharie County History

One can easily derive Summit’s name by looking around the county, for the county has many summits. Mount Wharton stands a little to the west of the town, where the clouds embrace it, given it’s height. Mt. Wharton got it’s name from it’s owner, J. B. Wharton. Upon this mountain presides a “sheet of water”. The book goes out of it’s way to note the beauty of this entity.

Seymour Boughton was a resident of Summit, who moved there from Charlotteville. Boughton was the youngest of nineteen, yes nineteen, children, and, at about the turn of the 18^th century, he moved with his father to Charlotteville. In Charlotteville, he built the Van Buren house, which was used as a tavern. Boughton framed and painted his house by himself, to which his neighbors thought that he was “bent on wasting his property”. The tavern was the first framed house in town. Mr. Boughton died on June 11, 1872.

According to legend, the lake in Summit was named Utasayantho. A story that surrounds the lake concerns an unwed Indian squaw. This squaw gave birth to a child upon the bank of the lake. Chiefs of the tribe consulted with each other, then threw the child into the lake. For a long time, the lake was called “Jack’s lake”, but as time progressed, it was given the appropriate name of “Summit Lake”. Interestingly, it is said that Johnson and Brant stopped at the lake in 1780, relaxed, and even did some fishing.

Summit was settled after the Revolution. People who settled here were mainly from the Hudson river counties, and the “eastern States”. A man by the name of Levi Ives owned a distillery in Summit. This establishment was nationally famous, for many people from around the country ordered liquor from Ives.

To the west of Summit is a valley by the name of Charlotte. In the valley flows the Charlotte river. Along the stream there was an ancient Indian path. Along this path, POWs of the Revolution walked, on their way to Canada. Four miles south of the valley lived a man named Service. Although being neutral, in many cases, he was accused of being disloyal to the Whig cause. An order for his arrest was given, and a patriot party went to get him. Upon arriving, they put forth a letter, which they said proved his “disloyalty to the Continental cause”. He refused to go, and threw an ax at the patriots and ran. He was shot whilst he ran. One of the men who killed Service was Tim Murphy.

The book says “nothing of importance occurred in this part” until a school was built in 1850. The school was built for 300 children. In 1852, additions were built, and the school was then able to hold over 500 students. In 1867, the school burned down.

The first church in the valley was the First Baptist Church. The book lists church officials of the First Baptist. Other churches in the area were: the Second Baptist Church, the Reformed Church of Eminence, the Methodist Episcopal Church of Summit, the Free Methodist Church of Charlotteville, the Lutheran Church of Summit, and the Lutheran Church of Beard’s Hollow.

Lying in what is now Richmondville, was Beard’s Hollow. It was founded in 1794 by Killian Ritter. In 1800 there was a business which revolved around the manufacture of grindstones. Another hamlet was Lutheranville, which was called also “Tar Hollow”. During the Anti-rent wars, it is believed, that a deputy sheriff was “treated to a good coat of tar and feathers”. Another little hamlet that existed was “Dutch Hill”, which received it’s name because of the nationality of people who resided there. In 1851, it was renamed Eminence. The first town meeting of Summit was held in March of 1820.

Can you imagine a mountain named after you, like Mr. Wharton’s? Imagine three hundred years from now, a mother points and tells her son with an air of excitement, “Look, there’s Mount Laraway.”

The History of Fulton and West Middleburgh

A portion of Fulton was once owned by the Vromans, called Vromansland, and was purchased for one hundred gallons of rum and a few blankets. Adam Vroman’s father, Hendrick, was killed in the Schenectady massacre of 1690. Adam was born in Holland, in 1649, and had three wives, who begat 13 children. The book lists the children.

The Palatines and Vromans did not trust each other. When the Palatines saw the land that Vroman had bought, they realized that Vroman had cheated the Indians out of almost one thousand acres. The Palatines, Indians, and Vromans argued over the land until Adam Vroman repurchased it in 1726.

In 1753, a “fort” was built in Vromansland. This action was taken in preparation of a conflict with the French, and the order to build the fort was given by Sir William Johnson.

In the Revolution, Peter Vroman fought alongside the patriots as a Colonel. He also represented the Schoharie district at the “Provincial Convention”, which elected delegates to the Continental Congress. He also served as a delegate to the Council of Safety.

The Swart family were decedents of people from Holland. The first Swarts in the country were Frederick and Teunis Cornelius. One Swart became a judge.

The Cryslers settled in our county around the year 1750. When the Revolution erupted, they sided with the Crown, and the book states many times that they are a “stain upon our history”. During the Revolution, Crysler fled to Canada with other Tories.

In 1777, upper, middle, and lower forts were built. The strongest of these was the upper fort, which stood near Fultonham.

The book tells of the Vroman massacre in which many Vromans and servants were either killed or brought to Canada. This rendition includes the story of the Indians sparing the Vroman baby because of it’s laughter. Also, many of those killed had their scalps hung near those captured. These prisoners were traded for other prisoners in Canada and walked home from Saratoga after being gone for a year.

The Bouck family came to Fulton via the Palatine immigration, the first Bouck being William Bouck. In 1780, William was taken prisoner by Indians. He and other servants were rescued by patriots. William C. Bouck was born in 1786, and started school in 1795. Bouck was in the state legislature and was Governor for two years, and is the only Governor from our county. Bouck also attended the state constitutional convention and died in 1859, at 73.

The book gives a list of inhabitants of Fulton in 1788. Among the names are Bouck, Crysler, Vroman, and Swart.

This chapter also states that Tim Murphy was nothing but a kind-hearted person and a patriot. Murphy’s family moved here from Ireland. At 16, Murphy joined the patriots as a rifleman. It was Tim Murphy that killed General Fraser in the Battle of Saratoga in 1777. Murphy was dispatched to the Schoharie valley to help turn back expected invasions.

Mr. Murphy had many great feats, including defending the Middle Fort. His first wife was Marganet Feek. Murphy died in 1818 and was buried at his farm.

In the hills of Fulton was Petersburgh. Once having timber covering the land, hemlock took it’s stead when the timber was depleted. The hemlock was used as normal timber would be used.

Breakabeen’s “correct” name is “Brakabeen”, which was named by the Germans. One of the early settlers of Breakabeen was the Keysers. During the Revolution, three houses stood in Breakabeen, one of which was the Keyser residence. A man named Michael Borst came to Fulton in 1815 and built a tannery near the bridge; the tannery was later replaced by a foundry around 1850.

Fultonham was the place of a Palatine dorf and the Upper Fort. One of the first families were the Laraways. The book also mentions a man by the name of Charles Watson, which begs the question, is this who Watsonville is named after?

West Fulton was, for a long time, known as Byrneville, or Sapbush Hollow. The name was changed to West Fulton thanks to the post office. Michael Byrne built a church in the town for the Dutch Reformed.

Polly Hollow, or West Middleburgh, is also talked about. During the Civil War, two soldiers deserted and Union troops came to get them. The Polly Hollow militia fired on the Union force until they retreated.

Under the Supervisors of Fulton, names of interest that came up are Vroman, Watson, and Bouck. Fulton’s boundaries were formed in 1828.

The book tells of Crysler’s despicable actions. One must wonder what was going on in his mind.

History of Sharon Springs

Sharon was part of Tryon County from 1772-1784. Tryon was renamed Montgomery on April 2, 1784. On February 16, 1791, part of Carlisle, Seward, and Sharon formed the town of “New Dorlach”. When our county was formed, Sharon was annexed, and it’s boundaries were defined in 1797.

All the immigration stopped during the Revolution, but afterwards people started to go to Sharon. Peter Sommers kept the first store in the town, but went to Canada during the Revolution, and never returned. William Beekman was the first judge in the Court of Common Pleas, which he held until 1833. Beekman was also elected to the Senate in 1799, 1800, 1801, and 1802. He also built a mansion west of Beekman’s Corners, and died on November 26, 1845.

Many of the Indians and Germans remained loyal to the Crown during the Revolution. In 1777, some people answered the call of the Crown. On July 10, 1781, the battle of Sharon took place, in which Colonel Willett of Fort Stanwix battled a man named Dockstader, a Mohawk Tory. Although Dockstader commanded over 400 Indians and Tories, and Willett commanded under 300, the patriots took only five losses, while Dockstader took over 70. After the war, a few people petitioned the legislature to be compensated for things lost during the war.

At Moak’s Hollow, the Mynderts and other people were captured by a band of Indians and Tories. Mrs. Myndert was allowed to go, but the rest were taken to Niagara. They were still held after the war, but escaped by digging under their prison’s wall. William Kneiskern, who was taken to Rebel Island, escaped by binding three brandy casks together, and floating to America.

Previous to the Revolution, many of the settlers were well-to-do people, but the Revolution left them in poverty. By 1800, most, if not all, of the town was occupied. In 1793, the “Great Western Turnpike” ran through Sharon, and the thoroughfares that ran through the town gave a major business boost.

Beekman’s Corners was a booming town in the first quarter of the 1800s. This is where Judge Beekman lived. Dr. Sylvanus Palmer, whose pen-name was Peter Paradox, called Governor Bouck, soon after he was elected, a “Sour Kraut”. Peter A. Hilton built a brick mansion and storehouse in Beekman’s Corners.

Peter, Martin, Mathias, and Jacob Engle settled in Sharon in 1798. Peter built a grist-mill in 1810. Inside Sharon was the hamlet of Leesville, where it’s post office was located, and was where the town’s main business took place. Located in Leesville were three hotels, two stores, a tannery, and a blacksmith.

The springs of Sharon were highly acclaimed, for they were believed to hold disease curing abilities. Indians used them, in fact, long before the whites came. Provisions for accommodating settlers were started around 1825, by David Eldredge, who started to take in boarders, and added rooms upon his home to provide room for extra travelers. A major boarding home was constructed by a company from New York City, and afterwards, many more hotels were built by various people and companies. The book lists the minerals found in the springs.

Christian Myndert was the first to settle in Sharon, whose farm was purchased by Tinas Pynneo. Another name for Sharon is Moak’s Hollow. Some of the first settlers in Sharon were the Loucks, the Davenports, and the Klings, who still remain in the county. It’s amazing that the book devotes a big section to local graves.

It’s too bad that Sharon never became a big city. People have their theories why this never happened, but mine is that it didn’t happen because of the smells.

Our Local Government

The Court of “Common Pleas” was used from the colonial period, as time progressed. Under our state’s first Constitution, the number of judges, and “assistant” judges, was allowed to greatly vary from county to county. Also, assistant judges were appointed. In 1818, an act was passed which abolished assistant judges and limited the number of judges per county to five.

The New York Constitution of 1846 made it so that nearly all offices were elected by the people. In place of assistant judges, two justices of the peace were associated with the county’s judges. Among other offices elected by the public are: county clerks, county treasurers, sheriff, in their second term and on, attorneys, and most public service positions. The book gives a list of those who occupied different offices.

And amazingly, people from our county have held high and prestigious positions. Among this exclusive club is William C. Bouck, the only person from our county to become Governor, Abraham Keyser, who became the state’s treasurer, and fourteen senators. Peter S. Danforth was a Supreme Court Justice, and John F. Hazleton was consular to Italy.

The book also tells of people who practiced law in Schoharie County, some of which were alive when the text was written, but are presumably dead now. The book lists 39 people. Amazingly, one of those who practiced law professionally was Ralph Brewster, whose descendants landed at Plymouth from the Mayflower. Also, Peter Danforth is named. Right after that, his son, George, was also named. Apparently the elder Danforth had much influence on George.

It’s amazing that our county, our little county, has had a Governor, a Supreme Court Judge, and a consular to Italy. Our county has had immense political power, but hopefully it will soon be over-shadowed when someone from our county becomes President.

The Iroquois Era

(Written Circa Fall 2005)

A new tribe was formed in the late 1600s or the early 1700s and moved into the Schoharie County. This tribe consisted of Mohawks, Mohegans, Stockbridges, Oneidas, Tuscaroras, and Delawares and was headed by Karigh Ondonte. Karigh Ondonte’s name is spelled several ways.

A Mohawk village of about forty people, named Eskaharie, was twenty-four miles south of the Schoharie Creek junction with the Mohawk River. Also, under Vroman’s nose is where Karigh Ondonte’s village stood. John M. Brown, a historian, said the tribe consisted of about 300 people, but other speculation places the number at 2200. In Schoharie County, there were five major footpaths by the early 1700s. The Schoharie Valley was a “crossroads of Indian activity.” The valley’s proximity to the Delaware, Susquehanna, Hudson, and Mohawk rivers, and their trails, made the area “one of the cosmopolitan centers of Indian life.”

The Schoharie tribe was put together by several villages. These villages included two at Central Bridge, opposite each other on the Schoharie Creek, Karigh Ondonte’s village under Vroman’s Nose, and one composed of Mohegans at Little Schoharie. The village, in Central Bridge, on the west side of the Schoharie Creek was seeded by a man by the name of Lambert Sternbergh. With him he brought a skipple of wheat, about three peck, which yielded 83 skipples. Before to long, wheat fields joined Indian corn fields.

Karigh Ondonte’s village was the principle Indian settlement. In it there grew fruit orchards, corn fields, and a burial ground. Interestingly, Sir William Johnson built a 100 square foot “castle.”

Legend of the Stone Heap: Hundreds of years ago, an argument arose between two Mohawk braves, and ended with one killing the other. On that spot, to commemorate the event, Indians erected a pile of stones and it became custom that all warriors who passed by it left a stone, and thus the pile grew. In fact, a marker along route 30A marks the site of the stone heap. Sadly, the marker is on the wrong side of the road.

I would believe it to be very interesting if we started the stone pile anew. We could start our own stone pile, minus the killing part.

I had a fine Independence Day.

I had a fine Independence Day yesterday at Schoharie County's Old Stone Fort, where local Militia* read speeches and letters from Abigail Adams, Patrick Henry, Thomas Paine, George Washington, and let us never forget: Thomas Jefferson's Declaration of Independence.

The Old Stone Fort was originally built as a Reformed Dutch Church, but the calls of two Wars would force it into Military service - first as a refuge for local settlers during the Revolutionary War, and second as a armory for the Union Army during the Civil War.

I just love Independence Day.

To me it doesn't matter who is or who isn't President of our great Nation, and it doesn't matter which legislation has or hasn't been signed into law, because we live in America, where freedom will always reign, and where success will always be celebrated.

So how was your Independence Day?

* - Volunteer Re-enactment Militia.



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David Williams-- An American Hero

David Williams is a name that has been on the lips of many in Schoharie County, but how many know the entire story? His capture of Major Andre, his importance to the Colonial war effort, and his rewards.

David Williams is best known for his accomplishments during the Revolution. In 1775, Mr. Williams joined the army of the United Colonies, but his military service ended the next year, while he was stationed in Canada. Upon his return to the colonies, he joined a militia, in which he served from 1776-1779. On September 22, 1780, Williams joined up with John Paulding and Isaac Van Wart, who were heading for “neutral ground” in Tarrytown. Neutral ground was land disputed by the Whigs and Tories.

Little did they know that General Benedict Arnold had betrayed the United Colonies. He was in cahoots with the British and was given over 6000 pounds, British currency, in species, gold and silver, for sensitive military data. This data included the amount of money the colonies had, the military strength of the colonies, and crucial information about West Point. Arnold, in fact, gave control of West Point to the British. Benedict Arnold entrusted these documents to Major Andre, a British General.

Andre, whose alias was “John Anderson”, had a signed “permission form” from Arnold, to ensure easy travel through the colonies. Andre was dressed as a colonist, but was stopped by Williams, Paulding, and Van Wart in Tarrytown, on September 23, 1780. Upon strip searching Andre in his boot was found sensitive data signed by Arnold. Andre offer the men 100 guineas, the equivalent of $25,000 today, if they would let him go. Paulding said to this, “Ten thousand guineas would not stir a step” in them.

Andre was given to the authorities. Word spread of Arnold’s betrayal, and while Arnold became hated, Williams, Paulding, and Van Wart became loved and heralded as heros. Williams, Paulding, and Van Wart each received the “Andre Capture Medal”, obviously dedicated to the capture of Major Andre.
Andre was hanged, Arnold took shelter with the British, and Williams became a hero to regular people. Mr. Williams was given pension for life and any weapon he wanted from the continental armory. Williams died a hero on August 1, 1831 in Broome, and was buried in Livingstonville.

In 1876 a monument made of marble was built in his honor at the Old Stone Fort. It stands to this day, having been rededicated, cleaned, and restored just a few days ago. The fact that it still stands today is a symbol that America also stands, even after the trouble it’s encountered in the last 129 years.

If it was not for David Williams, the Colonies would probably have lost the Revolutionary War. If the British had actually captured West Point, the British would have gained control of the Hudson, effectively cutting the Colonies in half. If Andre and Williams had not met, the Revolution would have been all for not.

Bibliography:

Lester E. Hendrix. The Sloughters’ History of Schoharie County. The Times-Journal Press, Cobleskill, N.Y. Copyright 1994.

Historian Jeff O’Connor.

Schoharie County Tea Party confronts Congressman with a 15 foot rat.

Somehow attending a Lincoln Dinner seemed more interesting than protesting a Congressman who could care less about what I think (Dinner was excellent, Bruce Blakeman is the only man for the job, and I'll write about this sometime next week), but it appears the Tea Party of Schoharie County has outdone themselves:

It was a quiet peaceful protest at the Best Western. There were laughs about the 15 foot Rat, who someone named “Paul”. Speculation on who it was named after had the crowd laughing. It wasn’t until members of the Democratic Party of Schoharie County showed for their dinner that things started to get nasty. Some of the Democratic Party member began shouting vile things at the peaceful Tea Party members. Cursing and shouting the “F” word and other vulgarities at the men, women and seniors of the Tea Party was common place.

Please read the rest of that post on the Schoharie County Tea Party website, as it appears they also had a 15 foot rat with them, named Paul, and they wonder why heartless Democrats were cursing at them? Anyway, it appears this protest was successful in its' objective of meeting with Paul Tonko, even though he lied right to their faces.

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Interview With the Schoharie County Tea Party

 Jumping in Pools is proud to present number 80 in our ongoing series. This time we're happy to interview the Tea Party of Schoharie County. They held a very successful meeting just last week which attracted over 300 residents.

1. When did you decide to help organize a Tea Party movement in Schoharie County?   

In the past 1 month 

2. What is your overall goal-- strictly for Schoharie County?   

 Local, State and Federal with an emphasis on Schoharie County.  Grassroots works best from the ground up.

3. What are your criterions for supporting candidates? Does this include socially-liberally but fiscally-conservative Democrats?  

 The Tea Party movement is not affiliated with any party.  Its purpose, Nationally and the Schoharie County chapter, is to get the Country back on a course in keeping with the vision of our Founding Fathers and the Constitution.  It starts with fiscally responsible policies based on personal responsibility and individual freedom.  This means significant cuts in spending at all levels, reduction in entitlement programs, leaner and more efficient government and compensation for public sector employees in line with private sector pay and benefits.  In conjunction with reductions in spending, tax cuts and simplification are necessary to stimulate economic growth to enable us to get to balanced budgets and to ultimately reduce the National debt.

In addition to fiscally conservative policies, the Tea Party supports a strong National defense, gun rights, property rights, free enterprise capitalism, significant reductions in regulations and energy independence through domestic energy production.  Specific examples are repeal of the recently enacted Health Care Reforms, prevention of Cap and Trade legislation and other onerous taxes and regulations.  Also, immigration reform that does not include amnesty, health care reform that involves Tort Reform and free-market solutions to reduce cost.

As for social issues, the Tea Party is more in line with a Libertarian point of view in which people should be able to live their lives as long as they take responsibility for their actions and the associated consequences without looking to their neighbors for financial support for their poor decisions.

With all of the above in mind, citizens belonging to any political party (or no party at all) are welcome to participate. 

Although this is far too brief an answer to your question, hopefully it gives some perspective as to the goals of the movement.

4. Are you considering running (or supporting running) candidates under a third party?   

The Tea Party prefers to first start by supporting candidates that espouse the values as articulated above.  This Country is, at its very core, a 2 party system.  Any attempt to fight this reality via a 3^rd party would likely mean that our efforts would be diluted to the point of failure.  With this in mind, the Republican party is the most likely starting place for the changes that we view as necessary.  Should they disappoint, then we will move to a 3^rd party and never look back.

5. Do you approve of President Obama's job performance so far?   

No!  His policies CLEARLY do not fit within the values of this Nation as articulated above.  His assault on our free market economy must be stopped.  His assault on individual liberty and property rights must be stopped.  His policies to weaken our National defense must be stopped.

6. Do you consider yourself or the SC Tea Party movement more conservative, anti-statist, or libertarian?   

More conservative, especially as it relates to fiscal policy.

7. Anything else you'd like to add?   

I would invite you to attend our next meeting as everyone, regardless of party affiliation, is welcome.  We ask only that everyone treat each other with respect.  It is tentatively scheduled for 6pm on May 11^th at a location to be determined.  Please check back via our website www.teapartyofsc.com to confirm.

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Schoharie County Tea Party Meeting-- April 2010

From one participant:

"New Obama Care...we asked for bacon and eggs and the government serves us “imitation bacon bits and powered eggs” and says it’s the same thing, charges us more and says we no longer have a choice. Just eat it and shut up or else!... What kind of America is this? "

That was just some of the sentiment at the first meeting of the Schoharie Party Tea Party, which met on Thursday April 15th in Richmondville, NY. According to sources, between 300-400 people participated in this grassroots exercise in democracy.


The hall was so packed that many people had to wait outside as the speakers and the audience made their cases. We did have one of our writers at the meeting, and reported on the triumphant success of the meeting.

In attendance were many of political prominance-- in place to listen to the people. These included State Assemblyman Peter Lopez, State Senator Jim Seward, and Middleburgh Supervisor Dennis Richards.


The next meeting of the Tea Party will be May 11th in Richmondville. All are invited.


Special thanks to Mimi for the info!


http://www.teapartyofsc.com/

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Check Out the Schoharie County Young Republicans

Live in Schoharie County or right nearby? Under fifty years old? Interested in smaller government, responsible taxation, and less idiocy in politics? Then you have a place at the Schoharie County Young Republicans.

http://sloughterrepublicans.blogspot.com/

We're having our next regular meeting on May 19th at 6:00pm at the Schoharie County Board of Supervisors Room in the County Building in Schoharie. Plus you'll get to meet four of the writers from JiP. Feel free to ask for autographs! For more info, email Chairman Knight at aaaabraves@yahoo.com.


Some pictures, too!
http://sloughterrepublicans.blogspot.com/2010/04/april-pictures.html

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What City Folk Think of Schoharie County

I searched on Google today and found this New York Times article from 1991 about Sloughters.

Take a look:

Along the sinuous West Middleburgh Road that makes its way through the rolling green hills lie crumbling old shacks surrounded by chickens, decaying barns, rusting farm machinery and tiny overgrown family plots. Here, families with names that have been known in these parts for more than 200 years live lives that often seem untouched by modernity. They also live with a stigma, perhaps racial in origin, that has branded them as the underclass of rural Schoharie County.

"If you are a sloughter you are not much of anything," said Joan Mongelluzzo, as she stood on the dirt section of the road that runs past her small house. "It means you are of ill repute, you drink too much and bum around. You are lazy, no good altogether. You might get your teeth knocked out if you say it to the wrong person."

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