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602 SCHOHARIE COUNTY.
nently located upon his patent in 1727. The German and Dutch races long remained distinct.
The Dutch were generally wealthier than the more hardy and laborious Germans, and preferred
to contract marriages with those of their own class in the older Dutch settlements. They often
kept slaves, while the Germans seldom had further assistance than such as their own households,
of both sexes, might afford. The Germans, by intermarriage, became a “ family of cousins;” and
they were united by many ties of common interest. Industry and frugality gradually brought
them to a level, and long acquaintance has almost entirely obliterated these hereditary distinctions
of society. Upon the approach of the Revolution, a part of the people espoused the cause of the
British; but the majority were ardent patriots. In many cases members of the same family were
engaged on opposite sides, and the struggle assumed all the horrors of a civil war, aggravated by
Indian barbarities. A Council of Safety was organized in 1774, of which Johannes Ball was
chairman. During the war several conflicts took place within the limits of the co., and the people
were continually exposed to the attacks of small scalping parties of the Indians.1
At the close of the war a large number of families removed to Canada, and their property was
confiscated.2 Several tories and Indians who had been active during the war returned at its close
and were waylaid and shot. Others, warned by these examples, fled the country.3 Since that
period little of especial interest has occurred in the history of the co. In 1845 and ’46, in
common with the surrounding regions, this co. partook largely in the anti-rent excitement,—
though no actual violence took place within its limits.4 Within the last ten years, a mania for
building large seminaries, far beyond the wants of the people, has spread through the co. The
speculation has proved a ruinous one, and the entire amount of capital invested in the enterprises
has been sunk.5
Three weekly newspapers are now published in the co.6
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1781, July.—Several persons at Middleburgh were surprised
and taken prisoners while harvesting. One
escaped, and the others were carried prisoners
to Canada.
“ Oct.—Three men at Christian Myndert’s house, in
Sharon, were taken prisoners by a small
party of Indians, and carried to Canada.
“ Oct. 24.—A party of 60 or 70 Indians, under Brant, en¬
tered Vroomansland and commenced their
work of plunder. Isaac Vrooman was mur¬
dered. A party of Americans, under Capt.
Hager, rallied to their assistance, and the
Indians retreated. A sharp skirmish took
place at Utsyanthia Lake; but a part of the
American force, under Capt. Hale, fled at the
commencement, and the remainder were
obliged to retreat. Hale was arrested in his
retreat by the threat of being shot; but the
enemy had escaped.
1782, July 26.—Several tories and 22 Indians made an incur¬
sion into Foxes Creek Valley for the purpose
of capturing Maj. Becker; but the Maj. and
family defended the house with such vigor
that the Indians retreated. Several persons
were murdered by the Indians, and several
of the latter were shot.
1784, Dec. 16.—Many persons who had been taken to Canada
were released on Lake Champlain, and re¬
turned to their homes.
2 Tn Canada, opposite St. Lawrence co., are many families
who claim relationship to inhabitants of this co. They were
refugees to whom gra'nts of land were made by the British
Government.
3 Among these was one Beacraft, who boasted of his feats of
villainy. Soon after his. return he was surprised by about a
dozen whigs, near Blenheim Bridge, led into a grove, stripped,
bound, and punished with fifty lashes with hickory gads, the
executioners at every ten telling him for what particular offense
they were applied. He was then unbound and allowed a very-
short time to disappear.
4 In this co. George Clark had then considerable tracts, leased
for 3 lives at a rent of 6 pence sterling per acre. Scott’s Patent
of 56,000 acres w^s then chiefly owned by the heirs of John
Livingston, and leased for 2 lives at a rent of $14 per 100 acres.
The Blenheim Patent was also in part leased.
6 Of 9 academies built in this co., 3 have been burned, 3 are
“ to let,” and 3 are still open.
6 The American Herald, the first paper published in the co.,
was commenced at Schoharie in June, 1809, by Derick
Van Veghten. In 1812 its name was changed to
The Schoharie Herald, and the paper was soon after discon¬
tinued.
The True American was commenced at Schoharie in Dec. 1809,
by T. M. Tillman. It was discontinued in 1812 or
1813. '
The Schoharie Budget was commenced in June, 1817, by Derick
Van Veghten. In 1820 its name was changed to |
1
The principal events of the Revolution in Schoharie co. were
as follows:—
1774. Council of Safety formed.
1776. Col. James Huston enlisted tories at Loonen-
bergh.
1777. Schoharie militia called into service under
Captain Hager. Col. Huston and 20 others
were arrested, and Huston was hung.
“ Aug. 10.—Engagement between an American force under
Col. John Harper and the tories under Capt.
McDonald at Breakabeen. The-tories were
defeated and fled. Capt. Geo. Mann, one of
their number, remained secreted in the
vicinity until the succeeding spring, when
he delivered himself up to the authorities.
He never afterward joined the enemy, and
his property was not confiscated.
“ In the autumn of this year the middle fort was
built, and the upper and lower forts were
begun. The lower fort is the old stone
church, lately changed to an arsenal.
1778, May 8.—Battle of Cobles Kil, in which Captain Patrick
and 22 men were killed.
July.—Lieut. Col. Wm. Butler, with 3 companies of
.Morgan’s Riflemen, was stationed at Scho¬
harie. Several tories recruiting for the
British were shot.
1779, Aug.—Col. Butler joined Sullivan’s expedition against
the Western Indians.
1780, Aug. 9.—A party of 73 Indians and 3 tories made an
attack upon the settlements at Vroomans¬
land, killed 5, and took 30 prisoners.
“ Oct. 16.—Sir John Johnson, with 500 troops and a large
body of tories and Indians, invaded the
Schoharie settlements from the S. The upper
fort was garrisoned by 100 men, under Capts.
Jacob Hager and Joseph Harper; the middle
fort by 350 men, under Maj. Woolsey; and
the lower fort by 150 men, under Maj! Becker.
The middle fort was attacked, and the com¬
mander, Major Woolsey, being an arrant
coward, wished to surrender it; but a soldier,
named Murphy, fired upon the flag which was
sent with a summons to surrender; and,after
an ineffectual attack, Sir John abandoned
the attempt. The dwellings, barns, stacks,
and all the property of the inhabitants were
destroyed, though but few persons lost their
lives.
1781. Early in the year blockhouses were built at
“ Kneiskerns Dorf,” “Hartmans Dorf,” and
Cobleskill.
1781, July 9.—-An engagement took place in Sharon, 2 mi. e.
of the springs, between a party of tories and
Indians under Doxtader, and an American
force under Col. Willett, in which the former
were defeated, with a loss of 40 killed.
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