'o. . * .0* -n^o^ V \^ * Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2010 with funding from The Library of Congress http://www.archive.org/details/minutebookofcommOOtryo The Minute Book of the Committee of Safety THE MINUTE BOOK of the COMMITTEE OF SAFETY Of Tryon County, the Old New York Frontier Now Printed Verbatim for the Firft Time With an Introdumon by J. HOWARD HANSON and Notes by SAMUEL LUDLOW FREY NEW YORK: DODD, MEAD AND COMPANY • MDCCCCV LIBRARY of CONGRESS Two Copies Received DEC 6 1905 Copyright Entry cuss c^ XXc. No, COPY ^. Copyright, igo^y By the Montgomery County Historical Society Copyright, igos. By S. L. Frey Copyright, igos. By Dodd, Mead & Company Published October, 1905 THE UNIVERSITY PRESS, CAMBRIDGE, V.8.A. TO STEPHEN SANFORD Who has done so much to make the fair valley of the Mohawk as famed for its industrial activity as for its wondrous natural beauty, and whose generosity has preserved for future generations the relics of the unwritten history of the valley's past. ILLUSTRATIONS The illustrations are reproduced from photographs made by J. Arthur Maney Court House at Johnstown Frontispiece ■ Facsimile of the First Page of the Original Manu- script of the Minutes 8 Guy Park. Amsterdam. Home of Colonel Guy Johnson i6 Colonel Jacob Klock's House. St. Johnsville .... 28 Map of Tryon County 36 House of Gose Van Alstine. Canajoharie 44 Mount Johnson, or Fort Johnson. Built by Sir William Johnson 52-^ The Turnpike. Palatine Church in the Distance . 62- A Cliff on the Canajoharie Creek 70 '' Jail at Johnstown 78 "^ The Mohawk at Trikes Hill 86 ^' Queen Anne's Chapel Parsonage (17 12) at Fort Hunter 94 Johnson Hall. Johnstown. Built in 1763 .... 102 House of General Herkimer. Danube no The Mohawk at Little Falls 118^ House of Colonel Peter Waggoner. Palatine . . . 128 House Built by Henry Frey. 1739. Palatine . . . 136 ^ COMMITTEE OF SAFETY Introduction This is the Land of the Pioneer, Where a life-long feud was healed ; Where the League of the Men whose Coats were Red With the Men of the Woods whose Skins were Red Was riveted, forged, and sealed : Now, by the blood of our Splendid Dead, God save our sons from the League of Red! R. W. Chambers. Committees of Safety or Committees of Correspondence, as they were at first styled, were the children of the genius of Samuel Adams, " the helmsman of the Revolution." As early as 1764, Adams recognized that if there was to be, on the part of the colonists, any successful opposition to the oppressive measures of the British ministry, there must be a thorough understanding between all of those, throughout the various colonies, that were in sympathy with the patriot cause. [vii] MINUTES OF THE On October 5th, 1772, he wrote under the pseudonym of "Valerius Poplicola " in the " Boston Gazette," " Let Associations and Combinations be everywhere set up to consult and recover our just Rights." As a result of Adams' persistent efforts, there were organized throughout Massachu- setts, and eventually throughout most of the colonies, associations of men, pledged by vows of secrecy or of honor to support and to defend what they deemed to be the liberties of Eng- lish subjects. These associations, at first called Committees of Correspondence and afterwards Committees of Safety, were, in the language of Fiske, the "beginnings of the American Union." The transactions and proceedings of these committees, in so far as they have been pre- served, are of greater or less interest to the student of to-day in proportion as they were surrounded by the element of danger. If they record the acts of those living in a community in which the patriot cause was overwhelmingly predominant, and there was no fear or danger [ viii ] COMMITTEE OF SAFETY of a British invasion or of an armed resistance on the part of the loyalists, then they lack those heroic qualities which fire our feelings and imaginations. If, however, the doings of those old patriots were " set in Danger's Van " then, aside from their purely historical interest, they greatly move and inspire all in whom the love of country is not dead. If the shedding of blood, the sacrifice of property, the sundering of family ties, the breaking of life-long friendships, if all or any of these are any measure of one's devotion to a cause, then surely the men of the old New York frontier, who espoused the patriot side in the Revolutionary Contest, attained as high, if not a higher level of heroic achievement than those in any other of the thirteen colonies. Tryon County, whether, as contended by some, its limits included all the territory within the present boundaries of the State of New York west of the westerly line of Albany County, or was more restricted in its area as asserted by others, was the New York frontier and the scene of the most memorable, savage, and sanguinary border wars of the Revolution. MINUTES OF THE The principal settlements of the county followed the present and the immemorial lines of travel, the Old Iroquois trail, to be suc- ceeded in turn by the batteaux, the stage- coach, the Erie Canal, and in these later days, the great systems controlled by the New York Central & Hudson River Railroad Company. All of these lines of communication from Schenectady west followed the valley of the Mo- hawk. The traveller from Albany westward, through the Mohawk Valley, looks out upon not only one of the fairest and most peaceful of landscapes in the western world, but one as rich In historic memories, in heroic traditions, and in weird legend as it is in natural beauty. To appreciate, in any degree, the dangers which surrounded the patriots of Tryon County, one must have some knowledge of the conditions there preceding the Revolution- ary period. The county was the home of one of the most commanding figures in American colonial history, Sir William Johnson, who had been for years His Britannic Majesty's Superintendent of Indian AflFairs in North America. It was Sir William Johnson's tact, [7] COMMITTEE OF SAFETY ability, and diplomacy, that had made the powerful league of the Six Nations the firm and trusty ally of the English King. He had by an Indian marriage allied himself to the most capable and powerful Indian chieftain of his day. Life in the valley presented a curi- ous anomaly in Colonial civilization. Side by side with the white population, consisting principally of those of Holland Dutch, Pala- tine German, and Scotch-Irish descent, were Mohawks and Oneidas of the Iroquois con- federacy, while many times the council fires of the Long House were lighted at Fort Johnson and Johnson Hall. History and tradition both tell us that for years prior to the Revolution the valley was rich and populous, with excel- lent homes and farm buildings and large areas of land under a high state of cultivation. The shiretown of the county was Johnstown, where Sir William lived in baronial state. Here also were the jail and court-house, still standing, and still used for their respective purposes. Sir William had died in 1774 and his manor house came into the possession of his son Sir John. The office of Superintendent of Indian [xi] MINUTES OF THE Affairs passed to his nephew Col. Guy John- son, whose home, Guy Park, remains in an excellent state of preservation at Amsterdam. The dread and fear with which the elder John- son had looked upon the coming crisis between the colonies and the crown were evidently not shared by his son and nephew, in the war of pen and petition which preceded the actual battle at arms of the Revolution, the lines between the patriots and loyalists in Tryon County were early and sharply defined. In August, 1774, a meeting was held in the Pala- tine district of the county, at which, by a set of resolutions couched in as dignified language as that of any paper of the time, the patriots of that district pledged their support to their brethren of Boston and their firm allegiance to the cause of the colonies. It is with the pro- ceedings of this meeting that the minutes of the committee of Tryon County commence. From that time on until 1783, or two years after the surrender of Cornwallis, the county knew no peace. There was first the struggle between the Johnson faction and the com- mittee for the Indian alliance on the one side COMMITTEE OF SAFETY and for Indian neutrality on the other. Then there came, in quick succession for eight long years, the raids of the Johnsons and Butlers with their Indian allies, the horrors of the fire- brand and the scalping-knife, the strife of border warfare, and the awful carnage of Oris- kany. Well might General Clinton have ex- pressed the fear, in 1779, that Schenectady would become the frontier of the State ! And what a desolation at the end ! The Johnson family and their adherents were forever driven from the State ; their Indian allies were dis- persed or destroyed, the League of the Iro- quois that had shattered the hopes of French colonization in North America was broken. Of the inhabitants of the county two-thirds had been killed, and of the remainder three hundred and eighty were widows and two thousand fatherless children. Besides the loss of life, the loss of property in the Johnson and Indian raids had been appalling. A con- servative historian in estimating this property loss states that seven hundred buildings had been burned and one hundred and fifty thou- sand bushels of wheat destroyed, while twelve [ xiii ] MINUTES OF THE thousand farms lay uncultivated. Surely " if blood be the price " of liberty the patriots of Tryon County paid in full measure and run- ning over. The pages that follow are a ver- batim reprint, now published in full for the first time, of the transactions of the Committee of Safety of Tryon County, or of so much of them as are in existence. Read with a knowledge of the political and social conditions which surrounded the actors, and of the tragic events which followed, they are of intense, dramatic interest. The ample and scholarly notes of Mr. S. L. Frey add very much to an Intelligent understanding of the minutes, and are in themselves a valuable contribution to the history of the period. The MS. itself has survived all of these years because of the watchful care of Mr. Frey and of his forbears, the descendants of Major John Frey, the last known chairman of the committee. It is a matter of much regret that the last pages of the MS. are apparently forever lost, but after all the most interesting portion re- mains, the portion which deals with the prep- arations, civil and military, for the conflict in [xiv] COMMITTEE OF SAFETY the county. The record is not history so much as it is the bare recital of facts from which history and romance are made. It is hoped that the publication of these minutes will not only preserve something of value for the historian and antiquarian of the future, but that the reading of them will inspire a greater appreciation of the devotion to duty and of the high endeavor of the fathers, which made our Independence possible. To the inhabitants of the Valley, and of historic Tryon County may the minutes recall that " Here where the ghost-flower, blowing, Grows from the bones below. Patters the hare, unknowing, Passes the cawing crow : Shadows of hawk and swallow. Shadows of wind-stirred wood. Dapple each hill and hollow, Here where our dead men stood ; Wild bees hum through the forest vines Where the bullets of England hummed. And the partridge drums in the ringing pines Where the drummers of England drummed." J. HOWARD HANSON [XV] TO THE MEMORY OF THE PATRIOTS WHO LABORED AND FOUGHT FOR THE CAUSE OF AMERICAN LIBERTY IN TRYON COUNTY The Minute Book of the Committee of Safety COMMITTEE OF SAFETY Minutes of the Com- mittee of Safety County of ) Tryon^ SWi^tVt^^ the Brittlsh Parliament has lately passed an Act for raising a Revenue in America without the Consent of our Repre- sentative to abridging the Liberties and privi- leges of the American Colonies and therefore blocking up the Port of Boston; the Free- holders and Inhabitants of Palatine Dist.,^ in the County of Tryon aforesaid, looking with Concern and heartfull Sorrow on these Allarm- ing and calamitous Conditions, Do meet this 27'.'' Day of August 1774. on that purpose at the house of Adam Loucks^ Esqf at Stonearabia,* and Concluded the Resolves following : Vizt. I.) That King George the Third is Lawful and Rightful Lord and Sovereign of Great Britain and the Dominions thereto belonging, and that as Part of his Dominions We hereby testify, that We will bear true Faith and Alle- giance unto him, and that we Will with our Lives and Fortunes support and maintain him upon the Throne of His Ancestors and the 1st Meeting [■] [>] MINUTES OF THE just Dependence of these his Colonies upon the Crown of Great Britain — II.) That we think and consider it as our greatest Happiness to be governed by the Laws of Great Britain, and that with Chearfulness We will always pay Submission thereunto, as far as we consistently can, with the Security of the Constitutional Rights and Liberties of English Subjects, which are so sacred, that we cannot permit the same to be violated. — III.) That We think it is our undeniable Privilege to be taxed only with our own Con- sent given by ourselves (or by our Representa- tive). That Taxes otherwise laid and exacted are unjust and unconstitutional. That the Late Acts of Parliament declarative of their Right of laying internal Taxes on the Ameri- can Colonies are obvious Incroachment in the Rights and Liberties of the British Subjects in America — IV.) That the Act for blocking up the Port of Boston^ is oppressive and arbitrary, injurious in its principles and particularly oppressive to the Inhabitants of Boston, who we consider as Brethren suffering in the Common Cause. V.) That We will unite and join with the different Districts of this County, in giving COMMITTEE OF SAFETY whatever Relief it is in our power to the poor distressed Inhabitants of Boston, and that we will join and unite with our Brethren of the Rest of this Colony in anything tending to sup- port and defend our Rights and Liberties — VI.) That we think the sending of Dele- gates from the different Colonies to a general Continental Congress is a Salutary Measure, and absolutely necessary at this alarming Crisis, and that we intirely approve of the five Gentle- men chosen Delegates ^ for this Colony by our Brethren of N. York, hereby adopting and choosing the same persons to represent this Colony at the Congress — VII.) That We hereby engage faithfully to abide by and adhere to such Restrictions and Regulations, as shall be made and agreed upon by the said Congress — VIII.) That we conceive it necessary, that there be appointed a standing Committee of this County, to correspond with the Commit- tees of N. York and Albany, and we do hereby appoint Christopher P. Yates '' — Isaac Paris ^ John Frey & ^ Andrew Finck junf^*' _ MINUTES OF THE who together with persons to be appointed by the other District of this County shall com- pose a Committee of Correspondence to con- vey the sentiments of this County in a Sett of Resolves to New York — IX.) It is voted by this meeting, that Copies of the proceedings of this Day Certi- fied by the chairman be transmitted to the Supervisors of the different Districts of this County. — And we recommend it to the Inhabitants of the said Districts to appoint persons, to compose also a Committee of Correspondence — II MEETING of Palatine District on Thursday the (early May) House of Adam Loucks Esq' — The Resolutions of the Meeting of the 27- Day of August were read and unanimously approved And an Association to the like purpose (was formed) as followeth : Viz! — Whereas the Grand Jury of this County, and a Number of the Magistrates have signed COMMITTEE OF SAFETY a Declaration, declaring their Disapprobation of the just Opposition made by the Colonies of the oppressive and arbitrary Acts of the British Parliament, the purport of which is evidently to entail Slavery on America. And as the said Declaration may in some measures be looked upon as the Sense of the County in General, if the same be passed over in Silence : — We the Subscribers Freeholders and Inhabi- tants of the Said County, inspired with a sincere Love for our Country and deeply interested in the Common Cause, Do Solemnly Declare our fixed Attachment to and entire Approba- tion of the proceedings of the Grand Conti- nental Congress held at Philadelphia last Fall, and that We will strictly adhere and abide by the same. We do also solemnly declare and express our Confidence in the Wisdom and Integrity of the present Continental Congress, and that We will support the same to the ut- most of our power, and that we will Religiously and inviolably observe the Regulations and proceedings of that August Body — The following persons were appointed to be a standing Committee of this District, to cor- respond with the Committees of this and other Counties : Viz! I [5] MINUTES OF THE Christopher P. Yates' John Frey Isaac Paris Andrew Fink jf Andrew Reber^^ Peter Waggoner ^^ 'Daniel MfDougain^ Jacob Clock 14 George Eker junf ^^ Harmanus V. Slyck^^ Christopher W. Fox ^"^ , Anthony V. Fechten ^^ Which concluded the Business of this meet- ing- Ill. MEETING of the Palatine Committee May 19- 1775 In the presence of the follow. Members Mefs? Yates ^ Mefsf Eker Frey Van Slyck Paris - Fox Finck Van Veghten Reher Christopher P. Yates was appointed chair- man. The Committee taking into their Consider- ation, the alarming State of the Province in general, and this County in particular, thought fit to write the following Letter to the Com- mittee of Albany, Viz' — We are so peculiarly circumstanced in this County relating to the present Struggle for — COMMITTEE OF SAFETY American Liberty that we cannot longer defer laying the Situation of this County before You — The District, we represent, has been fore- most in avowing its attachment to Liberty and approving the Mode of Opposition adopted in America, and are now Signing an Association Similar to what has been signed in other Coun- ties in this Province. And we hope in a few Days to have the pleasure to transmit it down for the press. The County being extensive, it takes a considerable time, before the people who are favorable to the Cause can be got to sign, for we have caused Copies of the Asso- ciation to be dispersed in divers parts of the County. This County has for a series of Years been Ruled by one family,^^ the different Branches of which are still strenious in dissuading people from coming into Congressional Measures, and even have last Week at a numerous Meeting of the Mohawk District^'' appeared with all their Dependants armed to oppose the people from considering of their Grievances, their Number being so large and the people unarmed, struck Terror into most of them, and they dispersed. — We are informed, that Johnson Hall^^ is fortified by placing a parcel of Swivels round MINUTES OF THE (the same ;) and that Col. Johnson has had part of his (Regiment of Mihtia) under arms yesterday, no doubt with a design to prevent the friends of Liberty from publishing their attachment to the Cause to the World — Be- sides which we are told, that about 150 High- landers (Roman Catholicks) in and about Johnstown, are armed and ready to march upon the like Occasion. — We have been in- formed that Col Johnson has stopped two New England-Men and searched them, being we suppose, suspicious, that they came to sol- .licit aid from us or the Indians, who we dread most — there being a current Report through the County, that they are to be made use of in keeping us in Awe. — We recommend it strongly and Seriously to You, to take in your Consideration whether any powder and amuni- tion ought to be permitted to be sent up this Way, unless it is done under the Inspection of the Committee, and consigned to the Com- mittee here and for such particular Shop- keepers, as we in our next shall acquaint you of — We are determined to suffer none in our District to sell any, but such as we approve of and sign the association. — When anything particular comes to our knowledge relating to _ - ^ .^. - :^ c \i jh \ \ pj c» w W h h D O I? w s O H < 33 Dh h O a: h b. a. c2 w u ac O) h ID ;z; b < o § M J J >^ O >A W o o o w o a: COMMITTEE OF SAFETY Requested of every Friend to this Country to take up and secure every Servant or Slave not having such Certificate — Ordered therefore that these Resolutions be published by the Clerk of the Committee at all the pubHck places in the District. This Committee taking into their Serious and Mature consideration the distressfull and calamitous Situation of the Inhabitants of the Mohawk District, and the Usage of particulars in said District, do sympathise with their Brethren in that District — Do Resolve to recommend to the next Meeting of the General Committee of the County to take Such Steps therein and Issue Such Orders to prevent anything of the kind for the future, as to them shall seem meet — VII. MEETING of the County Committee of all the Districts on Fryday the 2? of June 1775. at the House of Werner Tygert of Conajohary District — Members present from Palatine Kingsland ^ Germ". Jlatts Mefs? Isaac Paris Mefs? Edward Wall Christopher P. Yates William Petry [^] ['7] MINUTES OF THE John Frey John Petry Andrew Finck j! Marcus Petry Andrew Reber Augustinus Hess Peter Waggoner Frederick Ahrendorf Daniel McDougal George Wents Jacob Clock Michel Ittig George Eker jun! Frederick Fox Harm! Van Slyck George Herkimer Christopher W. Fox Duncan McDougall Anthony V. Fechten Frederick HoUmer^^ _ , , John Franck Conajohary *' Nicholas Herckimer Mohawk Ebenezer Cox John Marlatt William Seeber John Bliven^^ John Moore ■ Abraham V. Horn ^ Samuel Campbell ^^ Adam Fonda Samuel Clyde ^^ Frederick Visher Thomas Henry ^^ Sampson Simons John Pickert^a William Schuyler 65 Volkert Vedder James MfMaster ^6 Daniel Lane^? It is Resolved by this Committee, that the following Letter™ be wrote to Guy Johnson Esq: Viz' We the United Committees of the Districts of Palatine, Conajohary, German flatts. Kings- land and of part of the Mohawk Districts '^^ beg Leave to acquaint you, that upon reading a Letter wrote in the Mohawk Dialect from some Mohawk Indians to the Onydas, which Letter, we were assured, was found on the [18] COMMITTEE OF SAFETY Road and open added to some flying Reports spread a General Allarm in the Minds of the people, that the Indians would destroy the settlement along the Mohawk River, but upon perusing and considering a Letter from You to the Magistrates and Supervisors of the Upper Districts, intimating that you had appointed to have a general Congress with the six Nations this Spring, the fears of the people have in general subsided — According to the Example of the Counties in this and the Neighbouring Colonies the people of the Districts we represent, have met in a peaceable Manner considered of the present Dispute with the Mother Country and the Colonies signed a general Association and appointed us a Committee to meet, in order to consult the Common Safety of our Rights and Liberties, which are infringed in a most enor- mous manner by inforcing oppressive and un- constitutional Acts of the British parliament, by an armed force in the Massachusetts Bay. Was it any longer a Doubt, that we are oppressed by the Mother Country, and that it is the avowed Design of the Ministry to enslave us, we might perhaps be induced to use argu- ments to point out, in what particulars we MINUTES OF THE conceive that it is the Birthright of English Subjects to be exempted from all Taxes, except those, which are laid on them by their Repre- sentatives, and think We have a Right not only by the overruling Law of Selfpreservation, but by the Laws and Constitution of England to meet for the purpose, we have done. Which Meeting we probably would have postponed a while had there been the least kind of Proba- bility, that the Petition of the General Assem- bly would have been noticed more than the united petition of almost the Whole Continent of America by their Delegates in Congress, which so far from being any way complied with, was treated with Superlative Contempt by the Ministry, and fresh Oppressions were and are daily heaped upon us. — Upon which prin- ciples, principles which are undeniable, We have been appointed, to concert Methods to contribute what little lies in our power, to save our devoted Country from Ruin and Desola- tion, which with the assistance of Divine Provi- dence it is our fixed and determined Resolution to do, and if called upon. We shall be foremost in sharing the Toil and Danger of the Field. — We consider New England suffering in the Common Cause, and commiserate their dis- COMMITTEE OF SAFETY tressed Situation ; and we should be wanting in our Duty to our Country and to ourselves, and to our Posterity, if we were any longer backward in avowing our Determination to the World — We know, that some of the Members of this Committee have been charged with com- pelling people to come into the Measures, which we have adopted and with drinking treasonable Toasts, but as we are convinced, that these Reports are false and malicious, spread by our Enemies with the sole Intent to lessen us in the Esteem of the World. And as we are conscious of being guilty of no Crime, and of having barely done our Duty, we are entirely unconcerned, as to anything, that is said of us, or can be done with us, we should however be careless of our Characters, did we not wish to detect the despicable Wretch, who could be so base as to charge us with things, which we never have entertained the most distant thought of. — We are not ignorant of the very great Importance of y' office as Superintendant of the Indians and therefore it is no more our Duty, than Inclination to protect You in the Dis- charge of the Duty of your proper Province MINUTES OF THE and we meet you with pleasure in Behalf of ourselves and our Contituents to thank you for meeting the Indians in the upper part of the County, which may be the Means of easing the people of the Remains of their Fears on their account, and prevent the Indians of com- mitting Irregularities on their Way down to Guy Park ; and we beg of You to use your Endeavors with the Indians to dissuade them from interfering in the Dispute with the Mother Country and the Colonies. — We cannot think, that as You and your Family possess very large Estates in this County, you are unfavorable to American Freedom, altho' you may differ with us, in the Mode in obtaining a Redress of Grievances. — Permit us further to observe, that We can- not pass over in Silence the Interruption, which the people of the Mohawk District met in their Meeting, which we are informed, was conducted in a peaceable Manner, and the in- human Treatment of a Man, whose only Crime was being faithful) to his Employers and refus- ing to give an account of the Receipt of certain papers to persons, who had not the least Colour of Right to demand anything of that kind. — We assure you, that We are much concerned COMMITTEE OF SAFETY about it as two important Rights of English Subjects are thereby infringed, to wit, a Right to Meet, and to obtain all the Intelligence in their power — We likewise are obliged to observe, that the keeping of a constant armed Force about you is extremely unnecessary and greatly inflames the Minds of the people, which as we do not mean to molest or interrupt the peace of any person whatever, and as we are well assured from proper authority that the New England- ers never meant to come into this County to take you or any of your Family into Captivity, we Request You to Disperse, which will cer- tainly satisfy the people — The Stopping and Searching people travel- ling upon the Kings Highway, which every Man has a Right to use unmolested, altho' it has (as we are informed from good authority) happened frequently, we cannot yet persuade ourselves, that it hath been Countenanced by you, and think, has only been practised by persons, who were fond of giving themselves airs of importance, altho' illegally. — This Committee and every Member par- ticularly for himself assures you, that we have not, nor hath any one of us to our knowledge. MINUTES OF THE ever spoken or made Use of any unbecoming or malevolent Language of you or any of your Family — &c — It is Ordered, that Edward Wall, Peter Wag- goner, Nicholas Herkhimer, Adam Fonda and Frederick Fox be a Committee to wait upon Guy Johnson Esq' to deliver the same Letter, and request his answer,^^ and ask him, when to wait on him for his Answer, and request his ap- probation to appoint Sub-Committee to attend him at the Congress with the Indians — Resolved, that all Expences accrued in Each District shall be raised in such a manner, as the Committee of each District shall judge most expedient, and the Expenses made by the General Committee shall be equally divided among the different Districts, and raised by Subscription of our Constituents. Resolved, that the account of Mess? Edward Wall, Daniel M^Dougal, Duncan M^Dougal and David Cox, amounting to Twelve pounds be passed and allowed by this Committee. Resolved, that it be Recommended by this Body to the Committee of Palatine and Cona- johary Districts, to agree with one fit and able COMMITTEE OF SAFETY Man in each District, to be always ready to attend the Business of this Committee, as Oc- casion may Require, and that the Expence be a common Charge to the Whole — Resolved, that 26. Members, or more, when met, and the Chairman is absent, have power to appoint a Chairman pro-tempore out of the Members so met — Who is to Issue the Chair, whenever the Chairman appears — This Committee is adjourned untill to Mor- row Morning 8 oClock precisely — VIII. COUNTY COMMITTEE MEETING — according to adjournment on Saturday the 3^ June 1775 — Mr Nicholas Herkheimer reported, that M' Wall and him had awaited upon Co! Johnson with the Letter of yesterday, who answered, that he would be ready to deliver his answer on Monday next — Ordered, that Nicholas Herkheimer, Au- gustinus Hess and WiUiam Petry be a Com- mittee to wait on Co! Johnson for his answer, which they after perusal are to transmit to the Chairman — MINUTES OF THE Ordered also, that the before ment? three persons be a Committee to attend the Congress with the Indf and to procure some able person, as an Interpreter, and make Report in Writing to the Chairman. — Resolved unanimously, that it is the Opinion of this Committee, as a very necessary Meas- ure, that the Subscribers of our Association embody themselves into Companies,^^ and ap- point proper officers. It is Recommended therefore to the Committee of each District, to carry the above Resolution into Effect with the greatest Expedition in such a manner, as they judge most proper, and make Report thereof to the next Meeting of this Body — IX. COUNTY COMMITTEE MEETING — on Sunday the ii- June 1775 at the house of Gose Van Alstyne.^* Members present from : Palatine Germanjiatts and King'sland Mefs'.» Christ' P. Yates Mefs? Edward Wall John Frey Duncan M-Dougall Isaac Paris Augustinus Hess Andrew Finck J"^. Frederick AhrendorfF Andrew Reber John Frank Peter Waggoner [Tel COMMITTEE OF SAFETY Daniel M'^Dougal Jacob Clock — Anthony V. Fechten George Eker 'f. Conajoh^ Nicholas Herkimer Ebenezer Cox William Seeber John Pickert Cunrad Pickert Mohawks John Marlatt Abraham V. Horn Adam Fonda Frederick Visher Abraham Yates Sampson Simons Volkert Vedder Upon Reading Letters from the provincial Congress of 31" May and 3? June 1775, rec- ommending therein the appointing of Deputies to meet in Congress — The Question being put, whether any should be sent down ? Which was carried in the Affirmative — This Committee having great Confidence in the Integrity and Abilities of Christopher P. Yates, and John Marlatt Do Resolve, that the said Christopher P. Yates and John Marlatt be appointed, and are accordingly appointed to be Deputies, to attend the Provincial Congress without Delay and to act in Conjunction with the Members of that Body upon the very alarming & calamitous Situation of British America — Resolved That it be Recommended, and MINUTES OF THE it is accordingly Recommended to the Sub Committee of each District with as much Dis- patch as possible to make perfect Lists of all the Freeholders and Inhabitants of their re- spective Districts : — That the General Asso- ciation be tendered to such, as have not signed it, and that exact Lists of such persons in each District, who shall refuse or neglect to sign the same, be Returned to this Committee by the first Day of July next, or sooner, in Order that the same be transmitted to the provincial Congress by the 15- Day of July next, or sooner — Nicholas Herkheimer was appointed to be Chairman pro tempore, and accordingly took the Chair — Resolved that on or before the Return of the Deputies of this County Ways and Means be devised to defray their Expences — Ordered, that this Committee meet again at the House of Gose Van Alstyne on the first day of July next, unless some Emergency should require its Meeting sooner — The Committee was adjourned accordingly — __ COMMITTEE OF SAFETY X. MEETING — of the Committee of Conajohary District on the 15'? June 1775, at the house of William Seeber in said Dis! — In the presence of : Mefs? Nicholas Herkimer, Chairman William Seeber This Meeting was, to have a Review of the associated Freeholders and Inhabitants of this Dis! who, after having been formed into Com- panies of Militia, have chosen their officers, agreeable to Regulations of our Provincial Congress — And after Such performance concluded the Business — XL MEETING — of the Palatine Committee on the 16^} June 1775, at the house of Jacob Clock in the said District — In the presence of: — Mefs? Nicholas Herkimer, Chairman. John Eisenlord''^ Clk. Jacob Clock — At this meeting the associated Freeholders & Inhabitants of this Dis! along the Moh!" MINUTES OF THE River were upon Notice assembled, and have also, after having been formed in Companies, choose their Officers — and thereby concluded the Business of this Meeting — XII. MEETING — of the Committee of Germanflatts and King's- land Districts on the 17- June 1775. At the house of Frederick Fox in King'sland Dist! — Members present from : Mefs'.* Nicholas Herkheimer Chair? John Eisenlord Clk Kin^sland Germi jlatts Mefs'' Michel Ittig Augustinus Hess Frederick Fox John Franck George Herkheimer George Wents Fredl? Ahrendorf ^ < 'Mefs^s Duncan M?DougaIl Edward Wall William Petry Frederick Hellmer Jacob N. Weaver John Petry The associated Freehol ders and Inhabitants this Day assembled have been mustered, but the regular forming them into Companies of Militia and the choosing of Officers was postponed — [30] COMMITTEE OF SAFETY By this Meeting a Number of people of both Districts — which were not yet associ- ated, have voluntarily signed the association ; And in particular Mefs'f Rudolph Shoemaker, Jost Herkheimer jun!'^^ and John Thomp- son,^^ who have last Spring joined with the Grand Jury of our County, and subscribed their Names to their Declaration, have this Day also associated themselves with us in the manlier following : — County Tryon ss — We the subscribers. Respective Freeholders of the said County, do hereby solemnly declare, and acknowledge the same on our Oaths, when Required that we will support our American Liberties to the utmost of our power in Company and asso- ciation with our Neighbors and Fellow Free- holders of our said County. Given under our hands this 17*? Day of June 1775. Rudolph Shoemaker Joost Herkimer junf John Thompson — The Question was put to all those, who signed at this meeting respectively the associ- ation and the last mentioned particular Decla- ration, Whether they had signed by Motives of MINUTES OF THE Force or Fear, and being assured that they were in no Danger, in case they should refuse — And in answer thereupon — They jointly & severally declared, that they acted of their own free Will and Accord — Mr. Edward Wall, a member of the German- flatts Committee, begged to be excused in serv- ing any longer in that office and for sufficient Reason it was Ordered that he shall be dis- charged — XIII MEETING — of the County Committee on the 29- Day of June 1775. at the house of Frederick Bel- linger ^ in Germanflatts Dist! — Members present from : Mefs? Nicholas Herkimer Chair? This Meeting extraordinary was occasioned by the Sachems and Warriors of the Oneyda and Tuscarora Indians,^^ who were assembled this Day afores? at the house above ment? to hold a Congress with our Committee, joined by two deputised Members from the Com- mittee of Schenectady, and four Members of COMMITTEE OF SAFETY the Albany Committee, concerning our Coun- try's Cause. Several Speeches were mutually passed, and with agreeable assurances they said Nations renewed and confirmed peace and true Friend- ship with us, as Brothers, and also promised their zealous Endeavour to unite their Brothers of the Six Nations in ahke Manner — vide speech page Marcus Ittig and William Cunningham ^^ appeared before this Board, and gave their Affidavits, concerning Guy Johnson's malevo- lent Insinuations to the Indians of our Ameri- can Cause — vide Affid. page The said Sachems and Warriors shewed their hearty Thanks for the kindnesses and generosi- ties, they Received of this Board, and of the Freeholders of both Districts in particular, and before their Adieu Recommended to us, that we should not neglect to shut (in their manner of speaking) the Gate at Fort Stainwix, that nothing might pass and repass to the hurt of our Country — They further assured us, to communicate to us all the Remarkable News [3] Izz^ MINUTES OF THE and Intelligences they can get in Regard to these present Troubles, and desired the Same of us Reciprocally — This Congress continued till to the 2? Day of July a. c. when these Nations contentedly and peaceably departed for their Respective Castles — Therefore the County Committee Meeting limited in the last meeting of the ii- June, to be held on the i- Day of July must be postponed to the 3~ of July Inst! and it [is also Ordered to meet on that Day at the ap- pointed house of Gose Van Alstyne. XIV. MEETING — of the County Committee on the 3"! Day of July 1775. at the house of Gose Van Alstyne in Conaj. D'ist\ Members present Mefs" Nichol. Herkimer ch. John Eisenlord Clk. Palatine Conajohary Mefs? John Frey /Mefs? W? Seeber Isaac Paris \ Ebenezer Cox Harman*. V. Slyck [17] COMMITTEE OF SAFETY Peter Waggoner George Eker j! Andrew Finck jr Andry Reber Mohawks rAdam Fonda i Sampson Simons IVolkert Vedder King^sland i^ jlatts jAugustinus Hess XFred*? Helmer The petition of the Settlers in N. German- town/^ containing their forming themselves into a Company of Militia under their chosen Officers was granted — vide ■petition page Upon Receipt of two Letters of the 2? & 3? July inst! from Mr. John Bliven, a Member of the Mohawk's Committee where in he in- forms this Board, that the Mayor of Albany, Abraham C. Cuyler, being suspicious as a Tory against the American Liberties made his En- deavors to escape from Albany with a con- siderable Quantity of some sort of effects and perhaps ammunition or other Warlike Stores, this Committee consulted upon the Matter, and upon further Intelligence, that the said Mayor passed in a Battoe well loaded already the District of Palatine, thought proper to send a party to stop and examine him and his __ c^ide Letters [page MINUTES OF THE Effects, and it is therefore unanimously Re- solved & Ordered That Capt. George Herk- heimer with a sufficient party shall immediately execute said Orders and if any suspicious Letters or Warlike stores shall be found with said Mayor, to take the Same in possession and send Him & his Battoe back — Cap? George Herkheimer after having per- formed the orders of him Requested, Reports, that by perusing the Letters which the said Mayor carried along in his Journey to Mon- treal, he found nothing suspicious, nor any Contents in Regard to our American Troubles. The Battoe of said Mayor was also Searched, and no ammunition, nor any Warlike Stores found, therefore permitted to pass on his Journey. The associated Settlers at Fort Stainwix^^ represented to this Committee their dangerous Situation of abodes, being few in Number and daily exposed to an Invasion of the Frontiers, desiring a sufficient guard to be posted there at the said Fort, alledging also the opinion and advice of the Oneyda Indians, as their nigh Neighbors, that the gate at Fort Stainwix ought to be shut, to prevent all pernicious [36} \ y~'\ CA^!^D^ MAP OF TRYON COUNTY COMMITTEE OF SAFETY passing and repassing of Enemies to the Coun- try — It is Resolved & ordered, that these Circumstances and Requests shall be commu- nicated to the Committee of Schenectady, in order to send a party of abo! loo. Men to the said post, as judged beneficial and a safeguard to this Country — vide Letter page Resolved and Ordered that our Delegate by the provincial Congress in N. York, Mr. Christo- pher P. Yates, shall be acquainted of some or our proceedings worthy of Remark, and to Re- quest him for Militia Orders to procure the same, if not passed in the house already — vide Letter page A list of such persons Names, who refused or neglected to this Day, to sign^* the associa- tion, within the Distr? of Palatine, Conajohary, Germanflatts and King'sland, and a Return thereof sent to our said Delegate, according to a Resolve passed in our County Committee Meeting held the ii- June 1775. at the house of Gose Van Alstyne — vide Return page Resolved, that the Committee of Palatine and Conajohary Districts shall meet on the — - MINUTES OF THE lo'? July next at the house of Jacob Clock in Palatine to hold a Congress with the Indians of the Conajohary Castles — XV. MEETING — of the Committee of Palatine & Conajohary Districts on the lo^ July 1775. ^^ ^^® house of Jacob Clock in Palatine — Members present : Mefs? Nich? Herkimer chair." John Eisenlord, Clk. Palatine Conajohary Mefs? John Frey Mefs? Ebenezer Cox Isaac Paris William Seeber Peter Waggoner AndrT Reber Jacob Clock Harmf V. Slyck George Eker jf At the Request of the Sachems and Warriors of the Indians in the Conajohary Castles,^ This Committee met to hold a Congress with them, in regard to our present Troubles and their Concern about the same — Speech page \ COMMITTEE OF SAFETY The said Indians, upon an address to them from this Committee interpreted by Mrs. Peggy Johnson, the Wife of Thariachyako Johnson (an Indian of the said Castles) answered in a long Speech, assuring us of their true Friendship and to be entirely neuter in the present Controversies of America with the Mother Country — The Freeholders and Inhabitants of both Districts have been very generous and liberal, in tributing to the said Indians a considerable present of flower, pease Ind" Corn, Bread, pork and money — wherefore the said Indians shewed their hearty Thanks to the Com- mittee — And — The next ensuing Day, on the ii- July inst* they, the said Sachems and Warriors, made another Speech to us, under the same assur- ances of peace and Brothership, as above ment? and therewith conclud-ed the Business of this Meeting — XVI. MEETING — of the Committees of Palatine and Conajahary Districts on Thursday the if^ July 1775. at the house of Gose Van Alstyne — [39I MINUTES OF THE Members present : M.\ Christopher P. Yates, chair" Palatine • Conajohary Mefs" John Frey Mefs? John Moore George Eker jun^ Ebenezer Cox Andry^ Reber Samuel Campbell Jacob Clock David Cox Peter Waggoner W2? Seeber Harm! V. Slyck John Pickert Andr. Finck Daniel M?Dougal This Committee taking under Consideration the Necessity of Administring an Oath of Se- crecy to the Members of this Committee. — Do Resolve, that the following Obligation be administered to every Member of the Same Committee. vide Committee Oath p. Ordered, that the following Letter be wrote to the Committee of Schenectady and Albany ; Vizt — M! Ebenezer Cox informed this Board, that M: Peter S. Tygert^^ told this Informant, that he was informed by a person, who we have Reason to think, has it from good authority, that Co! Johnson was ready with 800. or 900. Indians to make an Invasion of this County, _— COMMITTEE OF SAFETY that the same Indians were to be under the Command of Joseph Brand^^ and Walter But- ler/^ and that they were to fall on the Inhabi- tants below the Little Falls, in order to divide the people in two parts, and were to march yesterday, or the Day before ; Cap! Jacob Clock informed this Board, that this Morn- ing about an hour before day three Indians of Fort Hunter ^^ came to his House from Oswego in their Way home, that he was in- formed by a free Negroman, a serv* of him, that they had each a Bag of powder on their horses, that they staid about an hour and then went off. — From these and other concomi- tant Circumstances, We have but too much Reason to think, it is true, and that all our Enemies in this County will appear in arms against us, as soon as the Indians are nigh to us, which from the above Information we must expect in a few Days — We have sent off a party of people by Way of a Scout, to find out, if possible, the Rout of the Indians, and to give us early Intelli- gence — Our ammunition is so scant that We cannot furnish three hundred Men so as to be able to make a Stand against so great a Number — MINUTES OF THE In these deplorable Circumstances We look up to You for assistance both in Men and Am- munition, to save this County from Slaughter and Desolation, which We beg you will not be backward to afford us as soon as possible — We have ordered some of our Companies up towards the Little Falls,®" who are to keep scouting parties out ; And we intend to keep sitting until such Time, as we can be convinced of our Safety. — This is the more alarming to us, as we shall be obliged in a few days to begin with our harvest. Men are therefore absolutely necessary — We beg of you to forward this by Express®-^ to Albany & Copies from these to the provin- cial Congress and to General Schuyler — &•= Ordered, that the above so far as it relates to the Name of the person who gave M! Tygert the Intelligence, be kept a profound Secret — Resolved, that necessary Orders in that Con- cern be sent immediately to the Captains — Adjourned till tomorrow morning at lo. o'clock at the house of W? Seeber in Conajo- hary Dis* — COMMITTEE OF SAFETY XVII. MEETING — of the Committees of the Mohawks, Palatine & Conajohary Districts, according to adjourn- ment on the 14* July 1775. at the house of William Seeber in Conajohary Disd — Members present : Mefs";^ Nicholas Herkimer chair^ p. t. Christopher P. Yates Char5. Palatine Mefs" Daniel M'Dougal Jacob Clock Peter Waggoner Harm? V. Slyck AndrY Reber AndY Finckj^ George Eker j^ Conajohary Mefs''^^ Ebenezer Cox Samuel Clyde Samuel Campbell W'? Seeber Mohawks Sampson Simons Adam Fonda Volk' Vedder Daniel Lane Resolved, that the following Order be given to Ebenezer Cox, who is appointed by this Com- mittee, to have the Command of the Companies of Palatine & Company — vide order page. Ordered that Direction be given to the Mem- bers of this Committee, who reside in Cherry Valley and places adjacent — concerning this Ind'^ alarm — MINUTES OF THE Adjourned till the Morrow Morning at the house of Werner Tygert at the Fall hill — XVIII. MEETING — of the above ment^ Districts according to ad- journment on the 15- July 1775. at the house of Werner Tygert — Members present : Mefs? [Nicholas Herkimer chair"^ p. t.1 \Christopher P. Yates chair" J Palatine Mohawks Mefs? Isaac Paris Mefs? Adam Fonda Jacob Clock Volk! Vedder AndrT Finck ]\ John Bliven Daniel M^Dougall Ws Schuyler Peter Waggoner Abrsi V. Horn Conajohary David Cox W™ Seeber James M'iMaster M' Peter S. Tygert was called in and made his Deposition of the Information, he had of the Invasion of Indians — vide Depos. page Major Ten Broeck^^ was sent for, to give an account of his Conduct since the first Day of April last made his Declaration voluntarily — COMMITTEE OF SAFETY vide Ten Broeck's oblig. p. Ordered, that a Letter be sent to the provin- cial Congress, containing the Declining of the Officers appointed for a Companie to be raised, — to Recommend instead — Christopher P. Yates, as Capt^ as Lieut^ John Kayser ]^^ 1 r AndrY Finck ]'. vide Letter page Received answers from the Schenectady and Albany Committees dated this Ins! day upon the Letter sent to them from us, dated July 13 1775 — together with 150 lb of powder from Albany at £iS- pr C! — and 300^''' lead from Schenectady at 40 / pr C! — vide Letters page Received two Letters from M! Ebenezer Cox, Commander of Several Companies of Militia, containing some Reports from his post — vide Letters page Adjourned till the next morning the 16'^ July at the same house of Werner Tygert — — MINUTES OF THE Letter page] XIX. MEETING — of the Committees on the other side mentioned in the house of said Werner Tygert on the 16*? July 1775 according to adjournment. Received a Letter of M' John Eisenlord, containing a Report of his Scouting party sent out according to orders — Ordered, that Cap! John Retry ^* shall be sent to Albany under a guard with a Letter containing his Misconduct — vide Letter page Concluded the Business of these Meetings — XX. MEETING of the Committees of Palatine and Conajohary Districts on the 12'? of August 1775. at the house of WiUiam Seeber — Members present : Mefs? Nichols Herkimer, Chairm" John Eisenlord, Clk. Palatine Conajohary Mefs? John Frey Mefs? Ebenezer Cox Isaac Paris Whi Seeber Peter Waggoner John Pickert Daniel MfDougall Samuel Clyde Andr- Reber Samuel Campbell COMMITTEE OF SAFETY Harm! V. Slyck Jacob Clock Conrad Pickert David Cox Ordered, that advertisements be put on the most publick places from Carogue Creek^^ to N. Germantown included within the Palatine District, to elect two New Members of Com- mittee for said Palat. Dist^ on Fry day the lo^ Aug'.' instant at the house of Charles Gordon, near the Canada Creek ^^ — Ordered, to be Sent a letter to the provincial Congress in N. York for Instructions and Regulations, how to act in Military and civil Matters against the Enemies of Association and the Transgressors of our Orders ; and how to defray the Expenses necessary for the Common Cause within our County — Joseph Meby®^ appeareth, who has been accused to engage and Stir up Indians, to rescue Cap! John Petry, being sent prisoner for Misconduct to Albany, and acknowledgeth before this Board, to have acted entirely wrong, and beggs to be exscused for this first fault, — Which upon his promise of Sincerity and future good Behaviour towl the Association and in particular to this Committee, was granted and he discharged — [47] MINUTES OF THE Resolved & Ordered that a General Meeting of all the Committees of this County shall be held on Fry day the 23'! Inst' at the house of Gose Van Alstyne in Conajohary District, and therefore Letters to be sent by the Clk. for Notice — XXI. MEETING — of the County Committee on Fry day the 25- of August 1775. at the house of Gose Van Alstyne — Members present : Mefs? Nicholas Herkimer, Chair"! John Eisenlord, Clk — Palatine Mefs? John Frey Andrew Reber Peter Waggoner Daniel M^-Dougal Jacob Clock Harmf V. Slyck George Eker j! Anthony V. Fechten Conajohary Ebenezer Cox David Cox W"? Seeber [48] Mohawks Mefs''? Fred"^ Visher Volk^. Vedder Adam Fonda Samson Simon John Bliven W" Schuyler Abraham V. Horn Abraham Yates G.flatts & King'sland Augustinus Hess Michel Ittig Frederick Ahrendorf COMMITTEE OF SAFETY John Moore Samuel Campbell Samuel Clyde Henry Heints ^^ William Petry Henry Harter Resolved, and agreed unanimously, that the following new Chosen Members by the Free- holders and Inhabitants of Palatine District, joining the Old ones, agreeable to a late adver- tisement dated the 12^ inst! And also all the Several old Members, who have not taken the Oath as Committee, shall be Sworn by the Oath prescribed in the 5- Meeting — Sworn this day NB. Old members not yet sworn Anthony V. Fechtenl ,,1^ ^ Fred'^ Hellmer Abraham Yates y John Eisenlord Christian Nelles 99 Wi2 Fox junr 100 I John J. Clock 101 J newmembersy iKing's- John Demoothi02j land j George Herkheimer] ) John Franck los I Fredf Fox iw J Cunrad Pickertjconajoharjr G. flatts Affidavits, Concerning the Case happened the 25- June last past between John Fonda of the Mo- hawk's Dist! and a Servant of the SheriiF Alexand! White^o^ — John Kinton appeareth as an Evidence in this Case and upon Oath Saith, that as he was plowing upon John Fonda's Land, Saw the [4] [49] MINUTES OF THE Servant of the Sheriff Alexander White named Thomas Hunt, coming through said Fonda's Land with a brushsith ^°^ upon his Shoulder, and meeting said John Fonda with an hoe, who did forbid said Thomas to walk through his Land but to use the footpath along the fence, as he cannot pass his Land without do- ing damage, having got these meadow ground and pease sowed. The said Thomas replied upon, that he would go through that Land in Spite of said Fonda. — The Depon! also saw them both taking hold of one another but not Strike and among other threatning and scold- ing Words the Dep! heard Thomas Hunt say, that he would be the Death of Said Fonda, and afterwards he saw John Fonda turning homewards — John Fonda ^°'^ appeareth and on Oath de- clareth that he going homewards from howing Corn, the Servant of the Sheriff White, named Thomas Hunt, going over his Land, where meadow ground and pease was Sowed. He for- bid him, the said Serv! not to make a Road through his Land to his Damage, but to use the footpath along the fence. The said Thomas would not follow his said Fonda's Orders, but on the Contrary tried to resist Spitefully, and in COMMITTEE OF SAFETY particular took up his Brushsith to strike Fonda, whereupon Fonda for his Defence gave him a blow with his hoe, and knocked him down. After this the said Thomas used the Deponent very ill with scolding and threatning, especially expressed himself in these words, that he would be the Death of him the said Fonda, but Fonda left him and went his Way home. This is the Case, wherefore Said Fonda was arrested and put to our County GoaP°^ by the Sheriff White — Adjourned till to Morrow — XXII. MEETING — According to adjournment on Saturday the 26'^ Aug=! 1775. at the said Van Alstyne's house — The same Members present as yesterday : Resolved and agreed unanimously by this County Committee, That i ) All Disorders and Disobediences of Non Commissioned Officers and private Soldiers shall be punished by the Officers of their respective Companies, by in- flicting fines according to the Acts of our as- M I N U T E S O F THE sembly therefore provided, and recovered the same by distraining the Goods and Chattels of the Transgressors, if any to be got, but in Default of goods & chattels such Transgressor shall be brought before the Committee of his District, by which he shall be sentenced. — And this Resolve shall be in Force, until We shall be provided with a Militia Act from the pro- vincial Congress — 2.) If any Disputes or other Misdemeanors in Civil Matters should arise among Neighbors, Freeholders, Inhabitants and Residents within our County, the same shall be determined and decided by three Members of Committee of such District, where the case shall exist. But if the Members are too Distant, then by One of the Committee and a Jury of Six Freeholders chosen by the parties themselves, or if the parties cannot agree upon, chosen by the said Member of the Committee within such District, where the Disputes and Dis- orders arose, the Case not exceeding ^5. — N. York's Currency — 3.) The Damages and forfeitures, as well as the Costs of Suit by such Tryals Shall be re- covered in manner above provided in the first Resolve — _ COMMITTEE OF SAFETY 4.) The Officers of each Companie of Militia within our County first chosen and elected are confirmed to keep their Offices and Respective Appointments, and shall be obeyed as such by their respective Companies — according to the Return delivered to the Committee — 5.) The Constables already appointed shall pay Obedience to the Orders of the Committee — 6.) The Officers chosen at the first Meeting of N. Germantown for a Company of Militia in that precinct be established as the Right Ones, and all the other Meetings and Votings be void and of no Effect. Viz' — The Same, which those Settlers of that place have nominated in their petition delivered to the General Committee in the Meeting are hereby confirmed, as John Eisenlord — Cap! John Kayser — V- Lieu! Adam Bellinger ™ — 2^ Lieut. John Smith ^ — Ensign — 7.) The said Companie formed shall begin at Jacob "Staring's "^ included, and take in all the Inhabitants from 16 to 50 Years of Age on the North side of the highroad to Cunrad Pickert's, Thence all the Inhabitants of N. Germantown of the ages above ment!^ and Tsn MINUTES OF THE extend so far in SI W— Johnson's Deceased Settlement,"^ until the Companie amounts to 60. private Men, the Sergeants & Corporals included — 8.) The following persons are nominated by the Majority of Votes, as Field Officers for each respective District — Vizi Conajohary Palatine 1 5! Colonel Nicholas Heikheimer Lieu! Coil Ebenezer Cox Major — Robert Wells H* — Adju' — Samuel Clyde — S Col! Jacob Clock w Lieu! Co; Peter Waggoner ''I Major-Harm? V. Slyck •^ Adj ut! Anthony V. Fechten Mohawk's King'sland & G. flatts Col' Frederick Fisher Lieu'. Col Adam Fonda Major — John Bliven Adju'. Robert Yates Col Hanyoost Herkheimer 115 Lieu* Co! Peter Bellinger 116 Major Hanyoost Shoemaker 117 Adj'. — John Demooth 109 By the Majority of another Voting of this Committee, Colonel Nicholas Herkheimer, Esq. is appointed Chief Colonell & Commander for the County of Tryon — Resolved, That each Committee of a District shall nominate their respective pathmasters, to make and keep in Repair the highroads "^ — Resolved, That a Memorial shall be sent to Major General Schuyler"^ at Ticonderoga,*^*' __ COMMITTEE OF SAFETY for a couple Companies Militia under his Command to secure our exposed frontiers. Upon an Enquiry of the proceedings in Regard to an advertisement ^^^ dated the 2,8- July last put on by Christopher P. Yates Esq! as Chairman of this Committee, — It was found proved by the Examination and Declaration of each Member in particular of the Palatine Com- mittee at this Meeting that the Same was per- formed without the Consent or Consult of the Major part of the Committee, and therefore Resolved unanimously, that the said advertise- ment was put on illegally, and therefore of no Value — EXAMINATIONS AND AFFIDAVITS — concerning the Threatnings of Alexander White, late Sheriff for our County — JMajor Jelles Fonda,^^^ upon Examination de- 1 of the Mh'^= } poseth and saith on oath, that he heard the Sheriff say oftentimes, that he would fight for his King and Country with his asso- ciation and the party on the King's Side like a brave Man, and swore to be Sure, that they would conquer, but the party on the Coun- try's side do fight with the halters on their — — MINUTES OF THE Necks. — He also heard him many times de- clare, that he hopes to have the pleasure of hanging a good Many yet for their Resistance against the Acts of Parliament and further saith not — John Vedder^^^ upon Oath deposeth and saith, (d°) that he heard the Sheriff often say, that the King's people fight for Glory, but the Country doth fight with the halters on their Necks ; And that an Army is a coming down from Canada, and they will pick out the houses and further saith not — William Wallace^^* under Oath deposeth and (d°) saith, that the Sheriff White did one Day at John Vedder's publickly say — The Estates of the Country here are all forfeited, especially pointing upon Adam Fonda and Sampson Simons, and the people will be hanged, and further saith not — William Seeber under Oath Saith, that on a of Conajohary I certain day in the Beginning of May last abo! 9. o Clock in the Night came Wl Johnson^^ (the Indian) another Indian and Sheriff White in the Deponent's house, called for Liquor, and the Sheriff immediately en- COMMITTEE OF SAFETY quired for the Answer upon a Letter, which the Deponent Rec"! of Cof Claus that same Day, and insisted upon that answer till the next Morning, and further said with many Curses, that if he had been here this day by signing the Association he would have shot some of 'em through their hearts, and the Rest he would have carried away to the Westward, to be hanged there. Upon which the Depon- ent's Son, Jacob Seeber ^^^ did reply, that it was not such an easy Matter to do that ; Where- upon the SheriiF got his pistol, cocked it and presented it to the Breast of said Jacob, say- ing: You d . . . d Rebell, if you say one Word more, I '11 blow your Brains out, and the Indians had Swords and knives in their hands, but notwithstanding it was no hurt done, as said Jacob made himself out of their Sight, and further saith not — Anthony Van Fechten under Oath deposeth and saith, that When he was at Johnson Hall last Month to get the Sheriff, the said Sheriff did with many extraordinary Curses, declare to the Deponent, that h'e 11 have to hang a good many yet of this County before long — [57] MINUTES OF THE The same Deponent further declareth on Oath, that on the same Day, being the 21'.' of July last he heard Peter Bown standing at the front Door of Johnson Hall express himself in those Words to him the Dep! — We have as good Men among us, as you have, and we will shew you the same : And further saith not — EXAMINATIONS & AFFIDAVITS AG^r LEWIS CLEMENT 127 _ Major Jellis Fonda appeareth and Saith under Oath, that at the Time when Lewis Clement returned from Guy Johnson of Oswego, the said Clement expressed himself, that he has 12. guns at home, & therewith could and would Sweep perhaps soon a good part of Kachana- wago, at least with his family for his part, which the Deponent shall see very soon — Lewis Clement * appeareth & under Oath declareth, that on Monday the 24- of July last in the Night he met Lewis Clement with 4. Indians and i. Squah and i. Indian Boy going towards Sacontago for a Convoy of the Sheriff White, who did curse & Swear, and * This is an error in the entry. The deponent was Lodo- wick Putman (Potman). COMMITTEE OF SAFETY Saying to the Deponent: Is it not a pity, that I being a Man of a good Estate must go and leave the same for sake of these d . . . d Fon- das, but I shall soon make up a good Number of Indians, and return with them to destroy and ruin such people all here about, but you, (meaning said Potman) have nothing to fear, because you abide in a safe place, which (being near Johnstown) shall not then be hurted. — EXAMINATION & AFFIDAVIT OF NICHOLAS ZESSINGER concerning Adam Loucks Esq'of Stonearaby — Nicholas Zessinger appeareth, and on Oath deposeth, that last Sunday before the Church at Stonearaby there was a Discourse abo* the present Troubles, and he the Deponent heard Adam Loucks -^^^ say, that it is yet possible the King may get the Victory over the Country, and upon some Replies of the people about him, he the said Adam Loucks further said, that within a fortnight you will see a great Confusion here among the people, and thinks, the people will yet Kill one another themselves, and further saith not — MINUTES OF THE Anna Catharina, the wife of Nicholas Zessinger afores? deposeth the same, under Oath, as her husband related, and further saith not — Adam Loucks^^^ appeareth and promiseth, to clear himself by sufficient Evidences of what he then said, at the next Meeting of the Committee of Palatine District, to which it was adjourned, for want of the Evidence pres! — Affidavit of Jacob Ja. Clock, v? Charles Gordon, concerning Christian House and Roger Baxtor — Jacob Ja. Clock under Oath deposeth and saith, that to day, when he had Christian House prisoner to appear before the General Committee, to answer some Questions to be laid against him, especially concerning a cer- tain Letter sent to the Committee under his Name, dated the ii*? of this Inst! he the De- ponent heard Charles Gordon Say, that if the Committee will have any Reason for the quest? Letter sent by him and Said House, they must send for himself, the said Gordon, and he would answer for the same at any Time, when desired — _ COMMITTEE OF SAFETY The said Deponent under Oath further saith, that at the Time, when he had Christian House prisoner, at the house of Rogert Baxtor, the said Baxtor expressed himself in these Words : God d . . . n it. Christian House is a great fool to appear before this Committee; The great Man Hannickel Herkheimer, must send 150. Men up for him the said House, and then We will knock some of em down. And gen- erally the said Baxtor and Charles Gordon did blackart and illuse in villain Expressions the whole General Committee jointly & severally ; and further saith not — Deposition of Doctf William Petry, a Mem- ber of our Committee, concerning his Imprison- ment by Alexander White, Sheriff — William Petry under Oath saith, that as he was in John'stown to look for his Servant Runa- way, who by the Information of one Conner should have been that Time at the Same place or thereabo!, the Sheriff White stopped the Deponent in the Street, and told him, that he must go to Goal. Whereupon the Deponent enquired for the Writ against him, or any other Reason, Why he should go to Goal, but the MINUTES OF THE said Sheriff replied shortly to him that it is too late to give this prisoner close. The next Day the said Sheriff wrote a Recognizance of £,^0. penalty, and wanted to have the same signed by the said Petry, which when done, said he, shall Relieve him immediately ; This Signing the Deponent refused, and after some hours past, the Jailkeeper ordered the Deponent out of the Goal again, without any Bail or Recog- nizance, and further saith not — Adjourned the Meeting till to morrow Morning. XXIII. MEETING of the County Committee continued according to adjournmen! on Sunday the 27*!" AugV 1775. at the same house of Gose Van Alstyne — The same Members present, as yesterday : David Cox, a Member of our Committee, appeareth and upon Oath deposeth & Saith that at a certain Meeting and Voting held the 5'? of this Inst! at the house of Henry W. Nelles^^^ in Palatine Distr! he heard Thomas Baxtor argue a great Deal in Regard and Be- half of the persons on the day afores? chosen fwS COMMITTEE OF SAFETY by him & his Company for Members of the Committee for said Palat. District, and in par- ticular pretended, that these new chosen mem- bers shall soon make an Alteration in Orders, and shall fall upon such people like Henry W. Nelles, and many others alike; The said Thomas did express himself in many threat- nings ag'.^ the said Nelles — Also this Night last past, when the Dep! fetch*} said Thomas prisoner upon Orders of this Committee now Sitting, the said Thomas Baxtor refused several times to appear before this Board, and declared to have no Regard to them, for, says he, they are a parcel of great Rascals, and that he would not be forced to go ; he used also in particular the Dep! with very ill and scolding Words — Uriel Comes, Constable, appeareth and giveth his Evidence under Oath & saith that at the time, when he served a Subpoena to Christian House, Thomas Baxtor being then and there present said, that Christian House would be a d . . . d fool to appear before the Com- mittee upon this Subpoena, for this Com- mittee is a d ... d club of people, and if they will sit again, (Thomas said,) they will get a good flocking, and upon Reply of the MINUTES OF THE Dep! who the same shall do, Baxtor an- swered : We and in particular Henry Zim- merman can do it, and he '11 be sure, that he would perform it — Jacob Ja. Clock further under Oath deposeth and saith, that when he went with his prisoner, Christian House aforesaid, from the homestead of Roger Baxtor, his Son John followed him and desired him the Deponent not to tell any- thing to the Committee, of what has been said by his Father against the said Committee, but the said John says further that if Christian House shall be sent to Albany Goal, he would spend all his Estate in the Civil Law against Such proceedings — Resolved and Ordered, that these Baxtors, House and Gordon shall be fetch'd immedi- ately before this Board — Whereas it appeareth to the General Com- mittee of this Board by the foregoing several Evidences against Christian House, Charles Gordon, Roger Baxtor and Thomas Baxtor, and also by their own Declarations and Ex- pressions before this General Committee, they the said prisoners did not only misuse the Committee with unmannerly and scandalous Expressions and Reflections, but also pretend COMMITTEE OF SAFETY not to be liable to obey the Orders and Directions of the old chosen Committee, in- sisting intirely upon their new Members voted by a small party of Inhabitants in Palatine District — Therefore it Is Resolved by the Majority of Votes, That notwithstanding Such 111 Behaviours and mutinous pretensions the Said accused persons, in Case they acknowledge their faults, and promise to pay strict obedience in future to all further needful Directions and Orders of our General Committee, as well as of the old chosen & confirmed Palatine Committee to the Behalf of the Common Cause, they for this Time shall be forgiven. But if they will not accept of this our Indulgence, and insist upon their mutinies, they shall be sent im- mediately down to the Care and further Dis- cretion of the Albany Committee — Thomas Baxtor did acknowledge his fault, hoped to be forgiven, and will obey all further Regulations and Orders of this General Com- mittee, and of the respective Sub-Committees of each District. — But afterwards refused to sign to his Dec- [s] i^S^ MINUTES OF THE laration aforesaid, and insisted with the Rest of his accused Company to be sent to Albany — Therefore Resolved, that Roger Baxter, Thomas Baxter, Charles Gordon and Christian House shall be bound under an Obligation of j[iQO. — to appear before the Albany Committee at Albany on the 26*? Day of Sept^ next for their Tryal — vide Obligation & Declaration page XXIV. MEETING — of the County Committee on Thursday the 7- Septy 1775. at the House of Gose Van Alstyne — Members ■present rMefs? Nicholas Herkimer, chai'!'! \ John Eisenlord Clk J Mohawks Palatine Mefs? Fred'? Visher Mefs? Harmf V. Slyck Volkert Vedder Jacob Clock Sampson Simons John Frey Christian Nelles ^ . , AndT Reber Conajohary ^^^^ j, ^^^^^ Ebenezer Cox Peter Waggoner V\^2 Seeber Isaac Paris John Moore Daniel Ml^Dougal Samuel Campbell £661 COMMITTEE OF SAFETY Conrad Pickert David Cox King's land 6- G'fiatts Jacob N. Weaver Fredif Hellmer John Franck George Wents George Herkimer Whereas It is an unanimous Complaint of al] the Freeholders and Inhabitants in our County (only the Tories Excepted) against the Scanda- lous, dammaging & dangerous Conduct of our late Sheriff, Alexander White, as he has proved Sufficiently himself unworthy of his Office and an enemy in general and in particular to our American Cause ; Therefore the County Com- mittee at the Expiration of his Commission thought necessary to the Satisfaction of the publick and to the Behalf of our Constitution, to have a free Voting of a New Sheriff by the Freeholders and Inhabitants of our County. — In Order thereof the Voting begun, and at the Conclusion — John Frey Esq^ — has got the Majority of Votes for High Sheriff of the County of Tryon — (The Votes being 89 for him ag'.* 31-11. &3 for others set up.) Resolved and Ordered, that these proceed- ings shall be sent in a Letter to our provincial MINUTES OF THE Congress, and recommended to their Interest and further Direction — Resolved, That the Members of the Mohl" District improve the first and best Oppor- tunity, to take Mefs? Lewis Clement and Peter Bown, and them safely keep in Custody, until the General Committee be notified and come together, to judge of the Matter — Resolved That Mr. John Eisenlord doth fetch from Albany 4 : or 500 W! of powder and Lead in proportion, which is to be deposited in the care of M' Daniel M?Dougall, until Ordered by the Colonels of each Respective District, to be distributed to the people of each Dist^ in proportion, as the Quantity, that may be obtained, can bear : And that the Cap!' im- mediately call their Companies under Arms, and Examine, what Quantity of Ammunition they want, and make a Return to their Respec- tive Col! so that they may be supplied out of the publick Store — Delivered therefore an Order to the said M^ Eisenlord on the Committee of Albany — Crownidge Kinkead,^^^ John CoUins^^^ and Marte J. Van Alstyne^^^ signed to the Association Adjourned till to Morrow Morning — COMMITTEE OF SAFETY XXV. MEETING — of the County Committee continued according to adjournm* on Fry day the 8*!* Sept. 1775 at the house afores? — Members present, as yesterday : Agreed and Resolved unanimously, that from henceforth Every Member of or belonging to this Board, when Legally notified shall without fail appear at the Time and place appointed to meet, under the penalty of forfeiting the Sum of Twenty Shillings, besides being obliged to bear their equal part of the Expences of the Committee at that Sitting, provided that they cannot give a Sufficient Reason, why they do not appear or attend ; But in Case of Sickness, or any other sufficient Reason Satisfactory to the Committee, then to be free, but otherwise shall be liable to pay the above penalty right down to the Committee, which fines are to be converted to defray the publick Expence, to which agreement We have annexed our Names the day above ment? — Provided Also that the German flatts and King'sland District, and also the Mohawk District may send the Major part of their MINUTES OF THE Members instead of all, as a Sub-Committee of them appointed. — Also that no Member, when assembled, shall withdraw or depart without Leave of the Chair- man or the whole Board be discharged, under the above penalty — Peter P+ Waggoner James M^Master mark Harmanus V. Slyck Volkert Vedder Christian Nelles George Ekert j^ Adam Fonda Sampson Simons John Clock his Cunrad + Pickert mark David Cox George Herkimer his Ws 4- Foxjun^ mark Duncan M?Dougall AbrS Van Home John Jacob Weber Isaac Paris Frederick Fisher John Frey Samuel Clyde John Eisenlord Ws Schuyler DanJ M^Dougall Nicholas Herkheimer John Marlatt Fred"^ Hellmer John Moore his Fredi;^+ Arendorf mark Anthony V. Veghten Augustinus Hess William Seeber H enrich Harterl33 Andreas Reber John Frank John Bliven Ebenezer Cox George Wents Jacob Clock Sworn this day by the Committee Oath as Members of our Board, John Frank George Herkheimer Cunrad Pickert Fred'f Hellmer Resolved, and Ordered, to acquaint in a Letter the Albany Committee of the Disturbances of Gordon & Baxtors, and to desire their immedi- ate answer, whether they would undertake the ^■^^:l ' :^-.^>*^^'-^ A CLIFF ON THE CANAJOHARIE CREEK COMMITTEE OF SAFETY Tryal thereof, as referred to them in our last Meeting under an Obligation of the said ac- cused persons signed at the said Meeting — vide Letter page XXVI. MEETING — of the County Committee upon express Re- quest of our late Delegate, John Marlatt Esq' on Wednesday the 13^*1 September 1775. at the house of Gose V. Alstyne — Members present : JMefs? Nicholas Herkheimer Ch?) \ John Eisenlord Clk. J Mohawks Mefs? John Marlatt Volkert Vedder Frederick Fisher Adam Fonda Abrs V. Home John Bliven Sampson Simons W? Schuyler James Mi^Master Abraham Yates Conajohary Ebenezer Cox David Cox John Moore Samuel Clyde Palatine Mess? Anth. V. Fechten John Frey Isaac Paris George Ekert j! Harm! V. Slyck Peter Waggoner AndT Reber Ws Fox John y. Clock Christian Nelles Jacob Clock King'sland—G. 'fatts. Fred^ Arendorf August! Hess George Wents [71] . MINUTES OF THE Samuel Campbell John Demooth Cunrad Pickert Henry Harter WS} Seeber Duncan M'^Dougall According to a Letter from the Committee of Safety of N. York our Major & a Quarter- master to each Batt" shall be returned, and the Resolve for civil Matters repealed. vide Letter page John Demooth, a Member of our Commit- tee is sworn this Day to the Committee Oath — Resolved & Ordered, that Silence shall be kept in every Convention of the Committee, and if any one has anything to mention, he shall move in a regular manner to the Chairman, and all private Discourse shall be omitted — The Sachem Abraham ^^* of the Mohawks at Fort Hunter, and with him two Warriors of the same Castle appeared before this Board, and maketh a long Speech interpreted by Quackinbush to this Committee, wherein he endeavoureth to convince us of the Ignorance and Non Consent of the Sachems and most all the Warriors of their Castle in guiding Lewis Clement and Peter Bown with the Sheriff White, as Suspicioned Enemies to Canada. — COMMITTEE OF SAFETY He asserts, that they want nothing to be but Brothers with us, and to be entirely uncon- cerned with the Enemies of our American Cause. He repeatedly assures us in the Name of all the Sachems and Warriors of said Castle, that no more any treacherous Communication with our said Enemies of them shall be per- mitted, nor less any such guide or guides towards our Enemies, but if in Case any one should apply to the Castle in future for such assistance, they would not only acquaint imme- diately our Committee thereof, but also en- deavor to seize such person and dehver him bodily before the Committee, and generally he remembers the new Covenant made with us in Albany, which they as true Brothers shall and will keep Inviobly — This Board replieth in answer upon this Speech, to be heartily thankful for their Broth- erly assurances and to be always ready to shew unto them reciprocally true affections — John Marlett Esq^ moved, that Cap! Steven- son on his Journey to Canada shall be stopped, and sent back to Albany under a Guard — Resolved by the Majority of Votes, that said Stevenson shall be sent back to the Committee MINUTES OF THE of Schenectady without a guard upon his Word of honor, to return with his Boat — Ordered the Same, and willingly performed immediately by said Cap! Stevenson — The whole Committee now present, being ^6. members, was sworn, according to a Resolve passed in the provincial Congress the i- Sept. a. c. to try Lewis Clement and Peter Bown of the Mohawk's District, now prisoners of this Board — vide Resolve page — Affidavit of John Bown — John Bown of the Mohawk's deposeth under Oath and Saith that when Lewis Clement took farewell from him, he the Said Clement ex- pressed himself in these Words : — Now I go to Canada, & shall never come back, till it is peace. — The prisoner Lewis Clement gives himself over to the Breast of this Board — By Examining Several Affidavits against Lewis Clement hereafore in the Meeting in- serted as well as the Copies of Affidavits Rec? py the Committee of Albany from Major Gen- eral Schuyler of Ticonderoga, the said Lewis Clement was unanimously found guilty of the _ COMMITTEE OF SAFETY Crime, to have acted as a dangerous Enemy of our American Cause, and therefore — Resolved, by the Majority of Votes, that Lewis Clement, as a punishment for his said Crime, shall either pay the Sum of Twenty five pounds N. York Currency within two Months Time from this date under a Bond and Judg! with a personal-Bail, or shall be sent to the close Confinement in the Goal of Albany for the space of Three Months at his own Costs, according to the Resolve of our provincial Congress in this case provided. — Resolved unanimously, and it is hereby Ordered, that the proceedings of the Tryal and Determination of said Lewis Clement shall be kept a Secret, and not revealed to any Body — The prisoner the confinement copper. The prisoner this Board, and menf! and also deroga, and by and Sentiments sociation. — Lewis Clement doth choose and refused to pay a single Peter Bown appeared before by the afiidavits here afore- by the Evidence of Ticon- his own Acknowledgement yet Declining from our As- MINUTES OF THE The Majority of Votes found said Peter Bown guilty of the Crime of inimical Acts and Deeds ag'.' the American Cause, and as the prisoner leaving it to the Determination and Breast of this Board, it is — Resolved by the Majority of Votes, that Peter Bown shall suffer the Same Punishment which is inflicted on Louis Clement above expressed — The prisoner Peter Bown chooses alike to go to the Goal of Albany — Resolved, that the proceedings of this Deter- mination and the Voting thereof shall be Kept Secret — Philip Sheffer of the Mohawks District appeared before this Board accused of several Threatnings and other Misconduct against our American Cause, and for Want of Evi- dences absent, this Tryal shall be at the next Meeting, for which appearance upon notice he is bound under an Obligation of ^^loo. N. York Currency — vide Oblig. page The abovement? prisoners, Clement and Bown are sent under a Guard of three Con- stables with a Mittimus to M\ W- Pemberton, Keeper of the Goal of Albany. — — COMMITTEE OF SAFETY Together with a Letter to the Albany Com- mittee concerning his Tryal — John Marlatt Esq' having been of our Del- egates at the provincial Congress, and now returned therefrom, delivered to this Com- mittee, his Bill of Service, amounting to 87 days a 12/ ^52.4-0. and desired the payment in part at present, as he alledges, to have taken money upon Interest for his Expences, and the payment of which is already called for. Resolved, that the payment of this Bill shall be considered in our next Meeting — Resolved by majority of Votes, that M' John Moore, a Member of the Committee for Cona- johary District shall represent our County as Delegate in the provincial Congress at N. York, instead of John Marlatt Esq! returned. — And it is the Opinion of this Board, that one Delegate would suffise, as the Expenses for two would be too burthensome for our small County, which was Recommended to the provincial Congress in our address of the said new chosen Delegate — Uriel Comes, Constable, delivers his account of Services for and by Orders of the Com- mittee. — MINUTES OF THE Upon a Letter of Cap* Abner French of Warrensborough ^^^ with Complaints against the Committee — Ordered and sent to him an Answer vide Letter page that he shall appear at the limited Meet- ing on the 26- of October next, to assert and prove his Complaints and Accusations before this Board then sitting. David Cox, a Member for Conajohary Dist! desireth his Discharge, which was granted — vide Discharge page Resolved & Ordered, that the next Meeting shall be held on the 16^^. of October next at the house of Gose Van Alstyne, if no particular & needful Business shall not require a Sooner Meeting — XXVII. MEETING — of the County Committee on the 26- Octo- 1775. at the house of Gose Van Alstyne — Members present : Mefs"'- Nich* Herkimer chair"^ John Eisenlord Clk Mohawk^ s Palatine Mefs? John Mariatt Mefs? Anthony V. Fechten Volkert Vedder John Frey Adam Fonda Isaac Paris COMMITTEE OF SAFETY John Bliven James M^Master Conajohary Ebenezer Cox Samuel Clyde Samuel Campbell W? Seeber Germ" jiatts George Eckert Harm= V. Slyck AndT Reber W"!" Fox John J= Clock Christian Nelles Jacob Clock Duncan M^ Dougall Resolved, that the Tryal of Philip Sheffer, as he was not noticed of this our present Meeting to appear, shall be adjourned to the next Meeting — Resolved, that the agreement and Settlement of Major-Bliven as Representative in the Case ag" the new Chosen Committee for Palatine Dist! shall stand, and the two new Members agreed upon; viz* Charles Gordon and Lawrence Zimmermann shall be accepted — Resolved, that upon the Complaint of Cap! Jacob Seeber in Conajohary District for Dis- obedience by Several privates of his Company shewn to his Orders for Appearance under arms to exercise, it shall be expedied an Order from our Committee to the said Cap' Seeber, to fine the disobedients immediately in conformity to the Articles of our provincial Congress therefor [79] MINUTES OF THE provided, and also prosecute the payment thereof accordingly — Resolved, that alike Orders are given to Cap- tains Clyde and Eisenlord — Resolved pi: Majority, that the Days Wages of one of our Delegates to the provincial Con- gress shall be Eight Shillings N. York Currency py Day and no more — And that their account shall be paid by the first raising Taxes for our County's Expences ; and also that Interest shall be paid to our late Delegate, John Marlatt Esq' for a part of his account amounting to ^630. from the 13*^ of June last, untill the said principal be paid. — By Examination of Cap! French's Letter of Warrensborough to this Committee dated Aug'.' 23"! a.c. it was found out by the Confession of Cap! French himself, that Mess? W"!' Schuyler and Abraham Van Home, Members of our Committee informed him of the particular Re- flections made in a certain Meeting of our Com- mittee, that a man, who has no Sufficient Estate, even if he would give Bail, be not worthy of a Commission in the Military Service, which was intended to be applied upon him, as such a one understood. — Therefore it is COMMITTEE OF SAFETY Resolved, that the said W? Schuyler and Abra- ham V. Home shall render Reason Wherefore to the Committee at our next Meeting — Resolved, that the absent Members at this Meeting, having got Notice at our Meeting of Aug'.* 0.6'^ last past. Shall pay upon Notice to our next Meeting their fines a 20/ each, accord- ing to our Resolve in the afores'' meeting sub- scribed by each Member — Viz! — {Jbsentees of this Meeting] Moka^wk" s Abraham v. Home Fred'' Visher Abraham Yates Sampson Simons Ws Schuyler Palatine Peter Waggoner Daniel MsDougall King's land ConajoM 'George Herkimer resigned John Pickert Mich} Ittig August. Hess Fred^ Arendorf George Wents Fred!? Fox John Frank Cunr'5 Pickert Henry Heints G. jlatts Ws Petry Fredi^ Hellmer John Demooth Jacob R. Weaver Henry Harter Moved & Resolved, unanimously, that three Members of our Committee shall be sent to S- John Johnson, to ask him, whether he will allow, that his Inhabitants of John'stown & King'sborough shall form themselves into Com- panies according to the Regulations of our Continental Congress to the Defence of our Country's Cause ; — And Whether he would [6] [81] MINUTES OF THE be ready himself to give his personal assistance to the same purpose. And whether he pre- tends a Prerogative to our County Courthouse and Goal, and would hinder or interrupt the Committee, to make use of the same publick houses to our Want and Service in the Com- mon Cause — By the Majority of Votes, Mefs? Ebenezer Cox, M'iMaster and John j! Clock, are chosen and appointed to go on the purpose above- mentl — A Letter was sent with aforesl Messengers, containing the abovemenfJ Questions, and a Copy Kept in our Record — Adjourned till to Morrow Morning — XXVIII. MEETING — Continued according to adjournment on the 27*'' of October 1775. at the same house — The same Members present, as yesterday : Moved & Resolved, That a Letter should be sent to the Sachems of the Conajohary Castle in Regard to the Return and present abiding of some Indians in their Castle from Canada, who have acted inimically against us, and [17] COMMITTEE OF SAFETY fought against our united forces near the Fort S! John,^^^ not to give Shelter to such real Enemies among 'em — Resolved & Ordered, that Cap! French of the Mohawk District shall prosecute his disobe- dients for nonappearance under arms to exer- cise, according to Resolves of the provincial Congress therefore provided — Resolved and expedied an Order alike to Cap! Samuel Clyde of Cherry Valley, and to Cap! John Eisenlord in N. Germantown — Resolved, that each Battallion of Militia shall meet on Saturday the 4'? Novemb! next at convenient places respectively, appointed by each Colonel, to choose the Minute Men, and to form them into Companies, and also to procure the Officers chosen by them, accord- ing to the Resolves of the provincial Congress, and a Return to be made to the chairman immediately after proceedings — The Deputies, Mefs" Ebenezer Cox, James M^ Master and John j! Clock, Returned from their Message to Sir John Johnson, and upon our Questions sent to him in a Letter, they brought by Word and Mouth the following answer back to the Committee — Viz! MINUTES OF THE I.) By perusing our Letter Sy John replied, that he thinks our Requests very unreasonable, as he never had denied the Use either of the Courthouse or Goal to any Body, nor would yet deny it, for the Use, where these houses have been built for, but he looks upon, that the Courthouse & Goal be his property, till he is paid jQjoo. — which being out of his pocket for the Building of the same — 2.) In Regard of embodying his Tenants into Companies, he never did forbid them, neither should do it as they may use their pleasure, but we might save ourselves the Trouble, he being sure, that they would not — 3.) Concerning himself, he said that before he would sign any Association, or would lift up his hand against his King, he would rather suffer, that his head shall be cut off. — And further he replied, that if we would make any unlawful Use of the Goal, he would oppose it. Also he mentions, that there have many unfair Means been used for signing the Asso- ciation and uniting the people, for he was informed by credible Gentlemen in N. York, that they were obliged to unite, otherwise they could not live there. And that he was also COMMITTEE OF SAFETY informed by good Authority, that likewise two thirds of the Conajohary and German flatts people have been forced to sign — And by his Opinion the Boston people are open Rebells, and the other Colonies have joined them — Moved & Resolved by the Majority of Votes, that our prisoners Lewis Clement and Peter Bown sentenced to be confined in Goal for 3. months Imprisonment which being Returned from Alby Committee, shall be sent to our County Goal at John'stown, to find out, whether S! John shall judge this Use of our County Goal for unlawful, and will oppose the same — Ordered, therefore, that a party of Eight men under the Command of Cap* Jacob Seeber shall be sent immediately, to take the said prisoners and convey them to the said Goal, and if the Goaler should refuse to receive them in his Custody and close Confinement for the Time limited, or be opposed by Si; John then the said party shall bring them to the house of our voted and elected new High Sheriff, John Frey Esq' who shall immediately inform thereof our Chairman for further Directions — MINUTES OF THE Continued the same Day at the House of William Seeber — Members present : Mefs? Nicholas Herkheimer Chairm" John Eisenlord Clk. William Seeber ; Jacob Clock ; John Frey ; Harm? Van Slyck ; Christian Nelles ; John J^ Clock & Duncan M?=Dougall — Answer & Speech of the Ind! of Conajo- hary Castle upon our Letter sent to them this Day: — The Sachems as well as the Warriors ap- peared and made their Answer in the following Manner : Viz! Brothers, We are thankful to You, that you openned Your hearts, and We comprehend to be all true, what you wrote to us. — We live together Gentlemen, and We shall do our En- deavor to answer you upon all the Contents of your Letter, as much as we can Remember thereof — Brothers, We have not yet forgotten our agreement made in Albany, it is not such a long, time ago. We can remember it yet, al- tho' we have not put it in Writing, but it is yet in our Memory — We can Remember very well, that there have been 12. Governors, with w I— ( Pi h H King's Land §" rjohnDemooth"! Michel Ittig 5^ J Jacob Weaver I John Frank > ^ j Henry Harter j John Eisenlord Moved, to vote a Chairman for this Session in the absense of our Chairman, Nicholas Herk- heimer Esq' being presently Sick and by the Majority of Votes has got the Chair : Z' Coll Ebenezer Cox — Resolved by the Majority of Votes, that agree- able to the Resolve of the provincial Congress dated Oct! io\'' a. c. the Delegates of each County shall be elected this day we proceed MINUTES OF THE therefore in Voting of ours after due publick Notice given in each District of our County. Moved & Resolved, that two Delegates are Suffi- cient as Representatives for our County — By the Majority of Votes of the Freeholders of our County this day assembled, are chosen and elected as the said two Delegates for our county. — Mefs? John Moore 1 & Isaac Paris I But in Case M^ Paris shall refuse this Ser- vice, Ml" Sampson Simons, as the next in Votes, will accept of — Upon a Letter of the Albany Committee cham- ber dated Oct. 23? a. c. concerning their pay- ment for 150. lb of Powder sent up to us p' M' Frederick Visher, a Member of our Committee. Resolved, to answer, that as soon as the Per- sons, who have got the Disposal of the s? powd' shall be returned home, being presently out of the County in the Service of the publick. We shall enquire for their Disposal, and immedi- ately after send the money due to the Com- mittee of Albany — ^9^1 COMMITTEE OF SAFETY NB. The Mohawk's Committee kept of this quest^ Quantity of powder 3. Caggs c 25. lb 75 lb Christopher P. Yates Esqf Rec*^ 2. Caggs 50 — And Mr John Moore Rec"^ prsaid Yates i Cagg a 25 — Total 1 50 — As the Heads of the Mohawk's applied to John Marlatt Esq- in the Name of the Com- mittee that we should discharge Peter Bown and Lewis Clement for their Misbehaviour John (Frey) Esq- Moveth to answer upon in this Manner, that if we do discharge them We would do it upon account of the said Mohawk Indians and upon no other means else — . And in Case the said Mohawks would bring the said Bown & Clement before us, and they then will acknowl- edge their faults, also promise to behave them- selves Brotherlike to the best of our Country's Cause, and no more against it, then We will forgive and discharge them in full — This Motion carried the Majority of Votes in the Affirmative, and such an answer expedied — Vide Letter page Whereas We have been informed of a cred- ible person, who came in a Battoe from Oswego, MINUTES OF THE that Co! Butler ^^''' with a party of three or four more of our former Residents in our County are on their Journey to return to their home among us, and in particular said Butler de- sired the above ment? Battoeman, to take him along in his Battoe, but was refused. — Upon this dangerous intended Return of our proved Enemies, who left the County to serve against us in a hostile Manner, as much as it did lie in their power, and did actually not only fight themselves ag'.^ our Forces near S! John's, but also tried their best to set up the Savages against us. — John Frey Esq! Moved, that We should imme- diately order and keep a guard of fifteen Men at the Dwelling house of John Franck in King'sland Dist^ and also a Guard at the Carry- ing place on the Little Falls, to stop the abovement? returning Enemies, and take them prisoner (by Force of Arms if Need Requireth) and keep them in safe Custody, but in the mean While send an express to the Chairman of their proceedings for flirther Orders and Regulations Also that a Spy guard of two or three Men be sent up above the Flatts, who shall upon Sight of such Enemies as afores*! immediately ^9^1 COMMITTEE OF SAFETY and with all speed return to the Flatts to in- form thereof either the officer commanding the guard at Frank's, or any other Militia Officer or Committee Member next & first meeting in Return — This Motion is approved by Majority of Votes, and immediate Orders expedied on that purpose to Cap! George Herkimer and Cap! John Eisenlord — M! Ebenezer Cox, the present Chairman, moved further on the point aforemenfl that this guard be ordered at Frank's house and at the little Falls to stop any person by Land or Water going up or down, whom they think proper and especially suspicious to them, and keep them in safe Custody, until they give proper Satisfaction — This Motion is approved also unanimously, and inserted in the abovementf orders — Mr John Eisenlord moved, that in Regard to the Landlord of our Meetinghouse, Gose Van Alstyne, as he has Business sometimes to go out and in our Chamber of Convention, the Oath of Secrecy should be taken of him — Approved unanimously of this Motion, and MINUTES OF THE accordingly the Said Gose Van Alstyne was sworn immediately — Henry Zimmerman lays before the Com- mittee, that he with a certain Number of his Neighbors living in Palatine Dist^ on the North side of the Mohawk River do not choose to train under a Captain in Conajohary District on the southside of the Mohawk River, but desire to be inlisted in the Company being nearest to their habitations on their side of that River. And brings also for further Rea- son, that he with his said Neighbors did never choose the officers on the other side of the River, whereby they shall be commanded. Whereas the other party defend! is not pres- ent, which pretends to prove the Consent of the plaintiffs with the Officers chosen on the Southside of the Mohawk River whereby they have been commanded, it is — Resolved p' Majority, that this Case shall be adjourned to the (next) Meeting, to hear both parties for the Decision and Difference — adjourned till to-morrow [94] C4 w h IS X h O h O <: 125 o CO P< a, W o. ^^^^' •'■ i!Vi'iS < < o w COMMITTEE OF SAFETY 37 Concerning Edward Wall, of the German Flats District, little is known. His name appears and he seems to have been an active member. 38 Dr. William Petry was surgeon in Col. John Harper's regiment of levies, as well as in several others. He was in the Oriskany fight, and was wounded, but not severely. He dressed General Herkimer's wounds on the battlefield and returned home with the remnant of the troops. He was a member of Assembly in 1782 and 1783. 39 Jacob Weaver was one of the patentees of the German P'lats. He belonged to the Second Regiment Tryon County militia, and took part in the battle of Oriskany. ^^ Of this member of the committee no information is obtainable. He appears, however, to have been a man of influence. *^ Lieut. Marcus Petry was killed at the battle of Oriskany. *2 There were ten Petrys in the Fourth Regiment Tryon County militia, — John Petry being one of them, who was killed at Oriskany. *3 George Wents appears as a private in Col. Peter Bellinger's regiment, the Fourth Tryon County militia, and also as second lieutenant. ** John Frank also was in the same regiment, and appears to have been a pensioner after the war. *^ Frederick Fox likewise was in the same regi- ment. In fact practically the whole of German Flats and Kingsland, regardless of station, wealth, ["9] Ednvard fTall William Petry Jacob Wea'ver Duncan McDougall Marcus Petry John Petry George Wents John Frank Frederick Fox MINUTES OF THE Augustinus Hess Michael Ittig Frederick Ahrendorf George Herkimer Speech to the Oneidas Warner Dygert Sth Meeting Adam Fonda position, name, or nationality, were embarked heart and soul in the Patriot cause. *6 Augustinus Hess was in Colonel Bellinger's regi- ment at Oriskany and was a pensioner after the war. *'' Michael Ittig was a captain in Col. Bellinger's regiment, the Fourth Tryon County militia. *s Frederick Ahrendorf was a private in Colonel Bellinger's regiment. 4^ There were five Herkimers in Colonel Bellinger's regiment. George Herkimer, next to his brother General Nicholas, was the most prominent patriot of that numerous family. He was a captain in the Eighth Company Fourth Battalion Tryon County militia and was at the battle of Oriskany. He was an influential and active member of the Committee of Safety. He had a large family of children, and many Mohawk Valley families are connected with the Herkimers through him. ^*^ These two speeches are not to be found, as the " Indian page " of the records is lost. Neither are they printed in any of the local histories. ^1 Warner Dygert married Magdalena, sister of General Herkimer, and General Herkimer's first wife was Dygert's sister. He was a prominent patriot and a member of the Committee of Safety. He kept a tav- ern at the foot of the " Fall Hill," where he was killed by an Indian in 1780 and one of his sons at the same time taken prisoner. There were twelve Dygerts In the service. ^2 There were fifty men of this name in the ser- vice ; the name was spelled in various ways. In fact [ 120] COMMITTEE OF SAFETY this phonetic and careless way of spelling family names is confusing and misleading in studying the history of the time. Adam Fonda was in Colonel Fisher's regiment, the Third Tryon County. He was also a member of the " Associated Exempts." He was at Oriskany. At the twenty-second meet- ing of the Committee he was nominated as lieutenant- colonel of Colonel Visscher's regiment. ^^ Colonel Vedder was a prominent officer. He was lieutenant-colonel of the Fifth Albany militia, and then of the Third Tryon County militia. His name appears to be spelled both Veeder and Vedder. There were seventy-five men in the service by the name of Vedder and Veeder. ^ The Sammons family were leading men in the Mohawk District and were bold and outspoken patri- ots. Sampson Sammons, the member of the Com- mittee, was the father of that Jacob Sammons who bore the first scars in the conflict in the Mohawk Valley, and who, while a prisoner in Canada, kept a journal detailing the horrors and the hardships he endured. Both he and his father took part in the Oriskany Battle, and in 1780 their house was burned by Sir John Johnson in one of the raids of that year. The elder Sammons was an ensign in the Tryon County militia, " Associated Exempts." He was the first tenant of Johnson Hall after Sir John went to Canada. ^^ John Marlatt was a Deputy to the first Pro- vincial Congress, May to November, 1775. A man of that name was a private in Colonel Fisher's Lt.-Col. Volkert Vedder Sampson Sammons John Marlatt MINUTES OF THE Abraham Yates Colonel Frederick Visscher The first ^^ boycott'"'' yth Meeting regiment. It may well have been the committee- man. ^ There is no definite information as to which Abraham Yates this was ; there were several of the name in the service. It was a large and influential family in Albany, Schenectady, and in Tryon County. ^7 Frederick Visscher — or, as it is spelled in " New York in the Revolution," Fisher — was commissioned by Congress as colonel of the Third Regiment, Tryon County militia, and later as colonel of the Third Regiment, " Land Bounty Rights." He was of Hol- land descent, the family coming to America in 1649. He was with his regiment at Oriskany, and it was through no fault of his that his men were seized with the panic that has so often been written about. He was a brave and efficient officer and did what he could to rally his frightened men. In the raid of May 1780, he was scalped and nearly lost his life ; two of his brothers were killed, his house burned, and his property stolen. He was one of the judges of the county, the fourth in succession, chosen in 1787 and serving till 1801. His homestead is now owned by Alfred DeGrafF, the fifth in descent from Colonel Visscher. ^3 This is the first *' boycott " on record, at least in this part of the State of New York. It shows how intense and strained the relations were between the Whig and Tory factions, and how rapidly the " inevi- table conflict " was approaching. ^^ There were two colonels in the First Regi- ment Tryon County militia, according to " New [ 122] COMMITTEE OF SAFETY York in the Revolution," — Campbell, and Eben- ezer Cox. The regiment was at Oriskany, and Cox being killed, Colonel Campbell was in com- mand and brought off the regiment, or what was left of it. He was also colonel of a battalion of "Minute Men," presumably a local organization for the protec- tion of Cherry Valley. The family was Scotch-Irish, and came to Cherry Valley with several other in 1741 from New Hampshire. In the massacre of Cherry Valley, Mrs. Campbell and her four children were among the prisoners, and were not exchanged until 1780. Colonel Campbell died in 1824, aged 86 years. Judge William W. Campbell, the author of the " Annals of Tryon County," was his grandson, and Douglas Campbell, author of " The Puritan in Holland, England, and America," his great-grandson. 60 Samuel Clyde of Cherry Valley was commissioned lieutenant-colonel of the First Regiment Tryon County militia, but was raised afterward to the rank of colonel. He was a very efficient officer, and rendered valuable aid to the cause throughout the war. He was in command at Fort Plain in 1783, when Washington was there on his way to Fort Stanwix and Otsego Lake. In the massacre of Cherry Valley, Colonel Clyde's whole family escaped by hiding in the woods. He was in the Assembly in 1777 and 1778 and sheriff in 1785 to 1789. 61 No information is obtainable in regard to [ 123 ] Colonel Samuel Campbell Colonel Samuel Clyde Thomas Henry MINUTES OF THE Lieutenant John Pickert John Bli'uen Abraham Van Horn William Schuyler James McMarten Daniel Lane Frederick Hellmer Thomas Henry. He was probably a Cherry Valley man. ^^ John Pickert was an ensign in the First Regi- ment Tryon County. (See note 36.) ^^ There was a Major John Bliven killed at Oris- kany, but the name does not appear in the official roster of New York soldiers. This indicates that an accurate list has not yet been made of all the men furnished by New York to the Revolutionary armies. There can be little doubt that the John Bliven killed at Oriskany was the committeeman. ^ Abraham Van Horn was the quartermaster of the Third Tryon County militia, and probably a private in the Third Regiment, " Land Bounty Rights." He served in the Assembly in the ist, 2d, 4th, and 9th sessions, and was sheriff of Montgomery County from 1781 to 1785. 65 William Schuyler was an enlisted man in the Third Regiment Tryon County militia, " Land Bounty Rights." 6^ There were two men by the name of James McMarten in Colonel Visscher's regiment, the Third Tryon County militia, — one a lieutenant, the other a private. ^"^ An enlisted man by the name of Daniel Lane was in Colonel Visscher's regiment. 6^ Captain Frederick Helmer is among those re- ported killed at Oriskany. There was a man by this name in Colonel Bellinger's regiment, the Fourth Tryon County militia, and one likewise who survived the war and became a pensioner. [ 124] COMMITTEE OF SAFETY ^^ That part of the Mohawk District lying imme- diately around Johnstown was entirely controlled by the Johnsons. 70 The letter spoken of is as follows : Guy Park, May 20, 1775. Gentlemen : — I have lately had repeated ac- counts that a body of New Englanders or others were to come to seise and carry away my person and at- tack our family under color of malicious insinuations, that I intended to set the Indians upon the people. Men of sense and character know that my office is of the highest importance to promote peace amongst the Six Nations and prevent their entering into any such disputes. This I effected last year, when they were much vexed about the attack made upon the Sha- wanese, and I last winter appointed them to meet me this month to receive the answer of the Virginians. All men must allow that if the Indians find their Council fire disturbed, and their Superintendent in- sulted, they will take a dreadful revenge. It is there- fore the duty of all people to prevent this, and to satisfy any who may have been imposed on, that their suspicions and the allegation they have collected against me, are false and inconsistent with my char- acter, and office. I recommend this to you as highly necessary at this time, as my regard for the interest of the country, and self preservation has obliged me to fortify my house and keep men armed for my defence, till these idle and ridiculous reports are removed. Part of the Mohaivk District Letter of Guy Johnson MINUTES OF THE Letter of Guy Johnson Guy John- son letter from Cosby^s Manor You may lay this letter before such as are inter- ested in these matters. I am Gentlemen Your Humble Servant G. Johnson. To the Magistrates and others of Palatine, Canajoharie and the Upper Districts. At the same time he wrote to the authorities of Albany and Schenectady. In the Minutes of the Committee of Safety of the latter place, the receipt of this letter is acknowledged. It is of about the same purport as the other, and can be found in Stone's " Life of Brant," page 67. He was probably warranted in his fear of capture, for notwithstanding his denials, he was secretly using all of his persuasion to induce the Indians to espouse the cause of the King. The Council spoken of in the letter met at Guy Park on the 25th of May, 1775, but it was sparsely attended, and so Johnson appointed another to meet in the upper part of county, and it was ostensibly to be present at that council that Johnson left Guy Park and moved up the valley to a Mr. Thompson's on Cosby's Manor, above the German Flats. His real intentions, however, were evident, for he took his whole family and a great retinue with him. ■^1 The answer to this letter of the Committee can be found in Stone's " Life of Brant," page 74, Vol. I, and in the " Annals of Tryon County," page 47. It file] COMMITTEE OF SAFETY is dated Cosby 's Manor, June 5, 1775, and is strangely in contrast with the truth, and with Colonel Johnson's actions both before and after the date of the letter. He soon went to Canada with some of the Mohawks, and neither he nor they ever returned to their native valley in peace. '^2 This " Congress " was not held, and it is evi- dent that there was no intention of holding one j Colonel Johnson's measures were all complete, and he was at this time on his way to Fort Stanwix, Oswego, and Montreal. ''^ The general organization of the Tryon County militia took place Aug. 26, 1775. The list as com- pleted may be found in the " Calendar of Revo- lutionary Papers," Vol. I, and also in Simm's "Frontiersmen of New York," Vol. I, page 530. 7* Gose, or Gosen, Van Alstyne was a Hollander, — a trader, farmer, innkeeper, and miller. His house, located on what was then known as Scrembling's Kill, now the Canajoharie Creek, was central in its location. It was convenient for all districts, and so it was here that many meetings of the Committee were held. The house still stands, and is a fair sample of the houses of that day. When it was built, probably 1740 or 1750, it was the only house in what is now the village of Canajoharie. ''^ John Eisenlord, a native of Germany, came to Tryon County in 1765. He signs his name as "Secretary" of the Committee, in December, 1776. He was killed at Oriskany. He seems to have been the second major in the Fourth Regiment militia. 8i/i Meeting Indian Council at Cosby'' s Manor Organizing of the Militia Regiments gth Meeting Gose Van Alstyne nth Meeting John Eisenlord [ 127] MINUTES OF THE 1 2th Meeting Rudolph Shoemaker Jost Her- kimer y Jr. John Thompson ijth Meeting Oneida and Tuscarora Indians There is an obscurity about him, for although he appears in the roster of Oriskany among the killed, there appears a Major John Eisenlord among the pensioners, in " New York in the Revolution." "'^ Rudolph Shoemaker was one of the patentees of the German Flats. At this time he was an old man. He had three children : Han Yost, who was the first major in the German Flats Regiment ; Rudolph, Jr., a captain in the same regiment, and who was at Oriskany, though but a mere boy of fifteen ; and Anna Gertrude, who married, first. Lieutenant Mathew Wormuth, who was killed by Brant near Cherry Valley ; and, second. Major John Frey, after he returned from imprisonment in Canada. Rudolph Shoemaker, Senior., married Gertrude Herkimer, a sister of General Nicholas Herkimer. There were twelve Shoemakers in the service. "^"^ This Jost Herkimer, Jr., must be John Jost, a brother of the General, and if so, after this a Tory, who went to Canada, and lost his property by confiscation. ''^ It is not possible to determine which Thompson this was, there were so many in the service. It is probable, however, that he was the Mr. Thompson who lived on Cosby's Manor. '^^ Why the names of the committeemen present at this important meeting are not given is not known. It was through the influence of the Rev. Samuel Kirkland, missionary to the Oneidas, that the Oneidas and Tuscaroras were prevailed upon not to follow the guidance of Guy Johnson. Congress had re- solved to hold a general conference with the Indians [128] COMMITTEE OF SAFETY at Albany, and Kirkland was at this time very active in bringing all the tribes to attend. In the minutes of the Schenectady Committee of Safety, 23d of June, 1775, they say that "the Rev. Sam'l Kirkland, with five Oneida Indians, waited on this board and informed us that they were going to Albany to speak to the Committee there." John Roseboom, one of the Schenectady Committee, was sent to accompany Kirkland to Albany, and on the 27th of June they returned with two of the Albany delegates. These were Turbot Francis and Volkert P. Douw, Commis- sioners appointed by Congress to attend the Indian council about to be held. Two members of the Schenectady Committee of Safety were chosen to ac- company them, Hugh Mitchell and Abraham Oat- hout. Preliminary to the general council to be held at Albany, this " Meeting Extraordinary " was held at the house of Frederick Bellinger in the German Flats District. Some of the speeches made on this occa- sion may be found in Stone's " Life of Brant," and Campbell's " Annals of Tryon County," where also the proceedings of the Albany council, held the 23d of August, are recorded. This was the last Indian council ever held in Albany. 80 There were seven Bellingers in Col. Peter Bel- linger's regiment, the Fourth Tryon County militia, Frederick Bellinger being one of them. He was at Oriskany, and taken prisoner to Canada. 81 William Cunningham was a private in Col. Klock's regiment. Marcus Ittig should probably be Michael Ittig, one of the committeemen. Frederick Bellinger ( See Note lib) William Cunningham [9] [ 129] MINUTES OF THE T^th Meeting North Germantoiun Names of disaffected persons ^2 North Germantown was north of Little Falls, back from the river. (See Simm's " Frontiersmen of New York," Vol. I, page 511.) ^2 Fort Stanwix, originally built in 1758 at great cost, was at this time decayed and almost useless. There were a few settlers in the vicinity. It was the very outpost of civilization, and the settlers realized their danger. The call they made on the Committee of Tryon County for aid was referred by the Com- mittee to the Committee of Schenectady. It was re- ceived by them on the 14th of July, as appears in their Record of that date, viz. : " Received a letter from Christopher P. Yates, Chairman of Tryon County, informing this board of the supposed danger that county was in of being invaded by the Indians, and desiring assistance : " This board having taken the contents of said letter into consideration, and being unable to afford any assistance, " Resolved to enclose said letter in one from this Board to the Committee of Albany for their perusal." This seems to have been the end of it : and it is not strange, for there was no organization as yet, civil or military. It was all excitement and chaos, and little realization as yet of the fearful danger that threatened not only those few settlers at Fort Stanwix, but the whole valley as well. ^* The names, as far as we know, have not come down to us, but a perfect list, could it be made, would contain the names of most of the families in Tryon County. There were exceptions, but there were a [ 130] COMMITTEE OF SAFETY very large number of the families divided, disrupted, and permanently estranged by the war. 85 The Mohawks at this time had but two " Castles," the " Lower Mohawk Castle," at Fort Hunter, and " The Castle of the Can-a-jo-har-ees," or " Upper Castle of the Mohawks," at Indian Castle, in what is now the town of Danube, in Herkimer County. They were known as " Castles " but this was merely a survival from the early days, when their palisaded strongholds were called " Castles " by the white man. This " Canajoharie Castle " was more like a white man's village than an Indian village : the houses were framed buildings, had doors and windows, chimneys and fireplaces, and were comfortably furnished. They had at this time little to eat, for in the summer of 1775 they were kept in a state of unrest by the John- son family, and by the Committee of Safety ; and instead of hunting and fishing, and planting corn and beans, they attended councils. Besides, where in the old days they owned all the valley, and had in store much corn and other things, now the white man owned the land, and doled out " flower, pease, Ind'n Corn, Bread, pork, and money," to these " Konoshi- oni," to these Men before all others. " Old Brant " lived here, and his children, Joseph and Molly, and it had been the home of old King Hendrick. The Mohawks were not numerous at this time, and it is evident that but few of them had as yet followed Guy Johnson to Canada. ^ Peter S. Tygert was a private in Colonel Klock's regiment. 13th Meeting Canajoharie Castle l6th Meeting Peter 'Tygert MINUTES OF THE "Joseph Brant Walter Butler Fort Hunter ^"^ It is hardly necessary in these notes to say any- thing of Joseph Brant ; so much has been written of him that it would be a mere repetition. A full blooded Mohawk of the Bear clan, a chief of his tribe, an Iroquois of unusual ability, the brother-in-law of Sir William Johnson, his intercourse with the whites, and his partial education naturally made him a leader of his people. He combined in a large degree the ferocity of the savage with the milder humanities of the better class of white men. He is to be judged, not from a partisan viewpoint, for while in the Mohawk Valley he was execrated, at Brantford, in Canada, where he lies buried, a monument was erected to his memory, lauding his virtues and recounting his noble deeds. That he wrought havoc along the borders of Tryon County there is no question; it was his native way of fighting ; neither is there any question but he was better than those painted white men, natives also of the valley, who emulated their Indian allies in all their fiendish deeds. ^^ Walter Butler ! what shall be said of this man ? his name and his deeds are as well known as are those of Joseph Brant. Son of the man who organized " Butler's Rangers," the companion of Sir John and Col. Guy Johnson, he out-Heroded Herod in his cruelty, and in his persistent animosity to his old neighbors in Tryon County. ^^ Fort Hunter was built in the reign of Queen Anne to protect the Mohawks and the settlements of Schenectady and Albany from the " French of Canada." [ 132 ] COMMITTEE OF SAFETY It was near the mouth of the Schoharie Creek, where it enters the Mohawk, and close to the lower village of the Mohawk Indians, who for many years had been located on different sites near this point. One of these, Os-se-ru-e-non, is supposed to be the place where the Jesuit missionary, Isaac Jogues, was killed in 1646, and the supposed location is now marked by the shrine at Auriesville. Inside the fort was a church, and a missionary to preach to the Indians the gospel of Christ, and to teach to their children the catechism. The fort is gone, many years ago, but the parson- age still stands, built in 1712, and is the oldest house in the valley, west of Schenectady. 9° This is that remarkable and picturesque fall in the Mohawk River caused by an " uplift " of the granitic rocks. It was known by various names, the "Little Carrying place," to distinguish it from the " Great Carrying place," at Fort Stanwix, between the Mohawk and Wood Creek. It was also called " The Canajoharie Falls," being only a short dis- tance from the Indian village of that name at Indian Castle. The present " Canajoharie Falls," on the creek of that name, was not so called at that time. This stream was then know as " Scremb- ling's Kill " for several miles from where it entered the Mohawk; then "Bowman's Creek," as it wound its way through the Ames Valley ; and from there on to its source, Te-ka-ha-ra-wa, the aboriginal name at an early day for the whole stream. [ ^33 ] Little Falls MINUTES OF THE Expresses J 8th Meeting Major Ten Broeck John Kayser igth Meeting John Petry ?oth Meeting Caroga Creek East Canada Creek Joseph Maby ^1 These " Expresses " were either by swift runners or on horseback. ^2 There were twenty-three Ten Broecks in the service. There was a Major Samuel Ten Broeck in the Tenth Albany Regiment. He was afterwards in the Assembly for two terms. ^3 The Kaysers, or Keysers, were quite a prom- inent family in the northern part of the Kingsland District. There was a fortified house to the north of Palatine Bridge called "Fort Keyser." ^* There was a John Petry in the Fourth Regiment Tryon County militia. ^° The Garoga, or Caroga, Creek has its head waters in a small lake, about eighteen miles from the Mohawk. It is the first lake of the Adirondacks, going north from this point in the valley. The stream is rapid and picturesque, its channel cut deeply in many places into the Utica slate. On its banks is the site of one of the prehistoric aboriginal villages, and also one of the later period of Mohawk occupa- tion. The stream enters the Mohawk near the old Palatine church. ^6 The East Canada Creek is a much larger stream than the Garoga, and has for its sources a large number of beautiful lakes. On an old map there are numerous streams to which the name " Canada " is applied, but only two now retain the name, the East Canada and the West Canada. ^7 Joseph Maby was a private in the First Regiment Tryon County Militia (Land Bounty Rights). COMMITTEE OF SAFETY 98 There is no information in regard to Henry Heintz, the new member of the Committee. 9» Christian Nellis belonged to a large and influ- ential family of the Palatine District, one of the patentees of the Harrison tract. He lived to the eastward of St. Johnsville, and his house was some- what fortified and called Fort Nellis. He contributed sixty pounds towards the erection of the old Palatine church. He, or a son of the same name, was an enlisted man in the First Regiment Tryon County militia, and in the Second Regiment " Land Bounty Rights." He was a member of Assembly, sixth session. 100 William Fox, Jr., was a lieutenant in the Second Regiment Tryon County militia. 101 John J. Clock was in the service, but little is known of him ; it was a numerous family. 102 John Demoth was an enlisted man in the Fourth Regiment. It was a numerous German Flats family. 103 See note 44. 10* Frederick Fox belonged to the Fourth Regi- ment. In the third session, 1779 and 1780, he was a member of the Assembly from Tryon County. The twelfth meeting of the Committee was held at his house in the Kingsland District, as mentioned in note 45. 105 The implement of that time called a " sith " was of two kinds. Neither one of them was a scythe such as is used in cutting grass. The " brush sith" was a short curved blade six or eight inches long, attached to a straight handle with a knob or Henry Heintz, Christian Nellis William Fox, Jr. John J. Clock John Demoth Frederick Fox Sith [135] MINUTES OF THE Alexander White John Fonda cross piece at the end. It was a very effective tool for cutting brush or thistles. The other " sith " was used more especially for cutting peas ; the blade was two or three feet in length, curved, narrow and slender, attached to a short straight handle. In his left hand the reaper carried a tool for raising up and rolling the peas into bundles ; it was a slender piece of ash or hickory, with an iron finger six inches long, fastened at right angles to the handle. 1^ Alexander White was the first sheriff of Tryon County, and held the office from March i6, 1772, to September, 1775. He was an outspoken loyalist, and a bitter partisan. His acts became so obnoxious to the Committee that at the expiration of his com- mission, they thought it well " to have a free voting for a new sheriff." John Frey was elected, and White took his way to Canada. It depended of course on results whether this drastic and illegal proceeding was revolution leading to honor, or rebellion leading to disgrace and the gallows. The Committee knew this, and had pondered it well, and were firmly grounded in the belief that all government was, or ought to be, vested in the people and not in kings, and they were ready to establish this belief at all hazards in America. 107 John Fonda was a prominent member of this large and patriotic family. There were forty-five Fondas in the service. A man of that name was a tax collector in 1764. The amount levied on the [136] CO COMMITTEE OF SAFETY Mohawk Valley in that year was ;^6o7.i9, and paid to the Commissioners in Albany. He was in Colonel Visscher's regiment, and also a member of the Tryon County " Associated Exempts." Sheriff White lived on the site of the present old court house in Fonda, and John Fonda a little to the eastward. The sequel to the affray about which John Fonda testified before the Committee was, that he was ar- rested and locked up in the Johnstown jail, hearing of which, many of his Whig friends went there one night and set him at liberty, and at the same time made an attempt to arrest the sheriff. He fired into the crowd, and many shots were exchanged, but he made his escape. He was afterwards captured and imprisoned at Albany. Finally, in 1783 he was banished by the Committee, and sent within the enemy's lines. 1^^ The County jail is the one still standing in the city of Johnstown. It was built by Sir William Johnson, and claimed by Sir John as his private property, but the Committee disallowed the claim. ^^^ The Committee of Safety had by this time as- sumed all authority in civil and military affairs. The old order of things with them had passed away. There was no more talk of fealty to King George ; the lines were drawn ; Tories and Whigs ; Loyalists and Patriots. As the courts and Judges and officers of the old militia were King's men, the Committee assumed to take their place. It was revolution in [ 137 ] Jail Assumption of authority by the Committee MINUTES OF THE Adam Bellinger John Smith Jacob Staring Sir William Johnson" s settlement Robert Wells the Mohawk Valley as certainly as what was going on at the same time at Lexington and Concord and Bunker Hill was revolution in Massachusetts, but the world has not heard so much about it. If there was merit in such action, if it was praiseworthy to organize revolution, are not the men of remote Tryon County worthy of as much honor and praise as those men who " fired the shot heard round the world " ? ^1^ Adam Bellinger was a lieutenant in Col. Clock's regiment, and present at Oriskany. He was prob- ably a grandson of Col. Peter Bellinger, who married Delia Herkimer. m As there were two hundred and fifty-nine Smiths in the New York service, it is a little uncer- tain which Smith this was, but there is reason to think that John Smith here mentioned was a lieu- tenant in the Fourth Tryon County militia. 1^ Jacob Staring was a private in the Second Regiment Tryon County militia. 112 This settlement had been begun by Sir William Johnson at some point on the Royal Grant, or Kings- land patent, and was therefore to the north of Little Falls. 11* Robert Wells, nominated as major in the Cana- joharie militia, was killed in the massacre of Cherry Valley, November ii, 1778, together with his mother, wife, and four children, his brother and sister and three servants. But one of the family, a younger son, at school in Schenectady, escaped. 11^ This Hanyoost Herkheimer, or John Joseph __ COMMITTEE OF SAFETY Herkimer, was the third son of the patentee of the same name. He was born in 1751 and died in 1787. He finally became a Tory, went to Canada, and lost his property by confiscation. ^^ Peter Bellinger, colonel of the Fourth Regi- ment, Tryon County militia, was born in 1758. He married Delia Herkimer. They had four sons and four daughters, and their descendants are a mul- titude, connecting very many families in the upper Mohawk Valley. Colonel Bellinger was a most efficient officer and an ardent patriot. He led his regiment at Oriskany. Lieut.-Col. Frederick Bellinger, of the same regiment, was among the prisoners taken to Canada. He and Major John Frey were confined together in the prison at Montreal, and through the kindness of Col. John Butler were furnished with some necessary things, and a little money. There were thirty Bellingers in the service, eight of whom were in the Fourth Regiment. ^^"^ Hanyoost, or John Joseph, Shoemaker was the son of Rudolph Shoemaker and Gertrude Herkimer, and was born in 1747. Michael Myers Shoemaker is their great-grandson. '^^ There was at this time a road on the north side of the river leading from Albany westward ; this was known as the " King's Highway -, " there was like- wise a road on the south side ; also roads to Johns- town, to Stone Arabia, to Cherry Valley, and to other remote settlements. Without exception they were bad, leading as they did over high hills to avoid swamps [ 139 ] Jokn Joseph Herkimer Colonel Pete) Bellinger Hanyoost Shoemaker Road MINUTES OF THE General Philip Schuyler and passing through dense forests. They were either filled with boulders or were sloughs of mud. 11^ Major-General Philip Schuyler, on the whole the most commanding figure that New York gave to the Revolution, was of pure Holland blood, the fourth in descent from the founder of the family, who emi- grated from Amsterdam to America in 1650. Philip Schuyler was now forty-two years old, com- missioned by the Continental Congress Major-General of the Northern Department, and was at this time burdened and almost overwhelmed with the difficulties incident to the occupation of Ticonderoga and the expedition to Canada. Added to these was the har- assment caused by the jealousy and hatred of New England for all New York things in general, and the Dutch Schuyler in particular. At this juncture, there- fore, this request of the Tryon County Committee of Safety must have come as an added anxiety. The " Memorial " nevertheless, shows the necessities of the situation, and that the signers had a more realiz- ing sense of the threatened dangers than any one else outside of the Mohawk Valley. They were told from different quarters to protect themselves and not call so loudly for outside help. Such advice showed but little understanding of the situation, and came easily from those remote from this exposed frontier, torn as it was by factions. One third of the inhabitants were Tories. The entire country was overshadowed by the influence of the Johnson family, who had the Mohawk Indians at their doors, and all Canada and the cantons of Western [ 140 ] ^ OMMITTEE OF SAFETY New York standing ready to strike. Besides, all the men and boys between fifteen and sixty were in the ranks, and women and old men alone managed the farms. 120 Ticonderoga had been captured by Benedict Arnold and Ethan Allen on the loth of May. 121 What this advertisement was is not known, but aside from the irregularity of its issue, the fact is ap- parent from various letters of the period that there were private jealousies and animosities, even in the Committee, and that even so pronounced a patriot as Yates was not free from suspicion. He was far above the most of them in intellect and education, and was probably opposed to some of the drastic acts of a majority of the Committee which drove many good men into the Tory ranks. 122 Jelles or Giles Fonda was a son of Douw Fonda, who came from Schenectady to Caugnewaga (now the eastern part of the village of Fonda) at an early day. The elder Fonda was killed by the Indians. Jelles Fonda was born in 1727 and died in 1791. He was a captain under Sir William Johnson; a captain, and afterwards a major in Colonel Visscher's regiment ; captain of Associated Exempts ; was pres- ent with his regiment at the battle of Oriskany. In civil affairs he was Judge of Tryon County, 1784 to 17-87, and a State Senator in the ist, 3d, 4th, nth, 1 2th, 13th, and 14th sessions, covering a period of fourteen years. He was one of the early traders, his business ex- ticonderoga Ad'verttse- ment of Yates , Major Jelles Fonda [141] MINUTES OF THE ■John Vedder William Wallace William Johnson — Indian — (S« HotiisS) Jacob Seeber Leivis Clement tending far to the west, even to Niagara and Detroit. His trading-post stood on what is now the Montgom- ery County Fair grounds; but previous to the Rev- olution he had built a house, mills, ashery, &c., on what was known then as the " Canagara, or " Cana- joharie," Creek, since known as the Schenck place, and now the location of the Montgomery County poor- house. These buildings were all burned in the raid of 1780. ^^^ There were several Vedders and Veeders in the service by the name of John, and it is not possible to tell which of these the witness was. ^* William Wallace was a private in the Third Regiment " Land Bounty Rights." 126 William Johnson the Indian may be the one mentioned in Sir William Johnson's will, and called " Tagawirunte." He was killed at Oriskany, and it was to satisfy his manes that Isaac Paris, one of the Committeemen, was given up to torture and death. ^26 Jacob Seeber was later a captain, and took part in the affair at Oriskany, but if he had any sense of humor, many a strenuous situation must have been relieved when he thought of this episode and the locat- ing of his " Brains " in his " Breast." ^2^ Lodowick Putman was a private in Colonel Visscher's regiment. Lewis Clement is shown by Putman's testimony to have been a fair sample of those low, vicious, profane wretches who added so much to the horrors of the Indian warfare along the Mohawk. An Indian was bad, but a white man stripped and wearing a waist cloth, stained and COMMITTEE OF SAFETY covered with grease and charcoal, was infinitely worse. 128 At this distance of time it seems that such an expression of opinion as that made by Adam Loucks was harmless enough. Any one might have expressed so simple a belief. Loucks was a patriotic man, but he had reason to be annoyed by the action of the Committee. As to the depositions of Clock and Dr. Petry, these con- cerned a different class of men, and an injustice that the Committee might well have taken notice of. 129 Henry W. Nellis sold the land on which the old Palatine church stands. The family was dis- rupted by the war, two of his sons being Tories. 13" Crownidge Kinkead was an enlisted man in the Third Regiment Tryon County militia, and in the " Associated Exempts." 131 There were several men of this name in the service. 132 There were fifty-three Van Alstines in the ser- vice ; fifteen being in the First Regiment Tryon County Militia. The name is spelled in various ways. There are a number of Martins, but for some reason Martin J. does not appear in the roster. 133 There are several Herters and Harters whose names appear in the roster, but none of this name. He appears here for the first time as a member of the Committee. 13* Abraham, or Little Abraham, was a chief at the lower Mohawk Castle, Fort Hunter. He was an able man and a fluent speaker. It would appear from [143] Adam Loucks Henry W. Nellis 24th Meeting Croivnidge Kinkead John Collins Martin J. Van Alstine 23th Meeting Henrich Harter 26th Meeting Little Abraham MINUTES OF THE Captain AbnerFrench Fort St. John 2gth Meeting Colonel John Butler these proceedings that most of the Mohawks still re- mained at Fort Hunter and Indian Castle. They may have been sincere in their professions of friend- ship, but the overpowering influence of Colonel Johnson and Sir John turned the scale, and they all, with scarcely an exception, went to Canada, taking with them a precious heirloom, the silver communion service given by Queen Anne to her "Indian Chapel of the Mohawks "in 17 12, and also the Bible, prayer-book, altar cloths, and fine linen napkins. 13^ Abner French was a captain in Colonel Wyn- koop's Regiment of militia. Warrensborough, or Warrensbush, was eastward of the mouth of the Schoharie Creek, and was a settle- ment that had been made by Sir Peter Warren upon the tract which he had bought at this point. It was here that Sir William Johnson came as a young man to take charge of his uncle's estate. 136 Yoxt St. John on the Richlieu river was a stronghold occupied by an English garrison, and in the early fall of 1775 it was invested and taken by General Montgomery. In these engagements the few Mohawks who had gone to Canada with Guy Johnson took part, and it was on this account that the Indians of the upper castle were called upon for an explanation. ^7 John Butler was the notorious leader of that company of cruel and vindictive Tories known as " Butler's Rangers." A Canadian, evidently a man of position and influence, has arisen to defend the acts [ 144] COMMITTEE OF SAFETY of these men, and this in cold blood after a hundred years ! Butler at this time must have been returning to his home — between Fonda and Johnstown — for con- sultation, and for the beginning of the organization of his Rangers ; that he was successful in enlisting so many young men of prominence in the Valley is a sad commentary on human nature. Although Butler was active with an irregular force of recruits previous to September, 1776, it was not un- til that time that he received permission from Sir Guy Carleton " to raise a battalion of rangers to serve with the Indians." There were to be eight com- panies, each composed of a captain, a lieutenant, three sergeants, three corporals and fifty privates. "Two Companies must understand the Indian lan- guage, and be acquainted with their customs and manners of making war." Or in other words two companies of the " Rangers " in particular, must re- vert to savagery, and take lessons in scalping and in torturing. That they learned their lessons well is testified to by the Indians themselves. 138 William and Peter Johnson, two half-breed sons of Sir William, belonged to Butler's rangers. The language William used is not choice, but in a verbatim reprint it cannot be eliminated. 139 A few pages of the " Minutes " are lost, and the record comes to an abrupt close ; it probably contained the proceedings of the Committee for the balance of the year 1775. That they continued to meet in 1776 is gathered from fragmentary refer- ^^oth Meeting William Johnson J 1st Meeting [10] [HS] COMMITTEE OF SAFETY ences in local histories, where names appear as mem- bers, which are not on record here; they may even have continued on into the early summer of 1777; but certainly the 6th of August of that year ended the labors of the Committee of Safety of Tryon County, for at Oriskany the most of them died, or were wounded, or were carried away into the prisons of Montreal and Quebec. Of course in these notes it has only been possible to speak of names and incidents that appear in the Minutes. They form but a small part of the whole history of the struggle in Tryon County. There are hundreds of names just as worthy of mention as those about whom it has been necessary to speak : there is a history yet to be written, full of instances of heroism, courage, devotion to duty, and the cause of liberty, that are comparatively unknown, but still not equalled in any other section of the American Colonies. It is hoped that this first publication of the " Minutes " in a verbatim copy will be of interest. For the notes I am indebted to many sources; that they are without error is not to be expected. Such as they are, they will help to elucidate the text of this fragment of the " Minutes of the Com- mittee of Safety of Tryon County." [146] Abraham, Sachem, 72, 143. Ahrendorf, Frederick, 13, 18, 26, 30, 48, 70, 71, 81, 8g, 99, 120. Allen, Ethan, 141. Alsop, John, 108. Anthony's Nose, 107, 114, 116. Arnold, Benedict, 141. Baxtor, John, 64. , Roger, 60, 61, 64, 66, 70. j , Thomas, 62-66, 70. Bellinger, Adam, 53, 138. , Frederick, 32, 129, 139. , Peter, 54, 97, 119, 120, 124, 129, 13S, 139. Bliven, John, iS, 35, 44, 48, 54, 70, 7I) 79) 89, 98, 124. Boston, I, 2, 3, 85, 87, 108, 115. Bown, Peter, 58, 68, 72, 74-76, 91, 97- Brant, Joseph, 41, 116, 128, 131, 132. Brantford, 132. Broadalpin, 114. Brown, Col. John, 108. "Brush sith," 50, 51, 135. Butlerbary, 99. Butler, John, 96, 100, 102, 139, 144, 145. , Walter, 41, 132. Butler's Rangers, 132, 144. Cameron, James, 99-101. Campbell, Douglas, 123. , Samuel, 18, 40, 43, 46, 49, 66, 72, 79, 89> 95> 99. 123- , William, 115, 123. Canada Creek, 47, 97, 134. Conajoharie District, 12, 14-18, 24, 27, 29, 34, 37-40, 42-44, 46, 48, 49, 54, 56, 66, 71, 77-79, 81, 85, 89, 94,98, 99, 116, 117. Conajoharie Castle, 38, 82, 131. Falls, 133. Carleton, Sir Guy, 145. Carogue Creek, 47, 114, 134. Cherry Valley, 43, 83, no, 114, 116, 118, 123, 124, 128, 138, 139. Claus, Daniel, 57, 113. Clement, Lewis, 58, 68, 72, 74-76, 85, 91, 142. Clock, Jacob, 6, 10, 13, 15, rS, 27, 29, 38, 40, 41, 47, 48, 54, 60, 64, 66, lo, 71, 79, 86, 89, 95, 97, 98; 112, 113, 129, 131, 138, 143. , John J., 49, 66, 70, 71, 79, 82, 83, 86, 89, 98, 135. Clyde, Samuel, 18, 43, 46, 49, 54, 70, 71, 79, 80, 83, 89, 98, 99, 123. Comes, Uriel, 63, "JT. Committee of Safety, 72, 137. Continental Congress, 3, 5, 9, n, 108. Cook, George, 97. Cosby's Manor, 126, 128. Counties, 105. Cox, David, 13, 14, 24, 40, 44, 47, 48, 62, 67, 70, 71, 78, 118. , Ebenezer, 13, 18, 27, 34, 38, 40, 43» 45, 46, 48, 54, 66, 70, 71, 79, 82,83,89,93, 99, 118,123. Crawford, George, 99, 102. Cimningham, William, 33, 129. Cuyler, Abraham, 35. DeGraff, Alfred, 122. Demooth, John, 49, 54, 72, 81, 89, 135- Douw, Volkert, 129. Duane, James, 108. A, B, C, D [147] INDEX Z), E, F, Dunlap, Rev, Samuel, no. French, Abner, 78, 80, 83, 144. G, H Dygert, Warner, 120. Frey, John, 3, 6, 13, 15, 18, 26, 34, 38, 40, 46, 48, 66, 67, 70, 71, 78, Backer, Jacob, 112. 85, 86, 89, 91, 92, 98, 109, 113, East Canada Creek, 134. 115, 128, 136, 139. Eker, George, 6, 13, 15, 18, 27, 35, 38, 40, 43, 48, 70, 71, 79. 89, 98, Garoga Creek. See Carogue Creek. 112. German Flats, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 26, Eisenlord, John, 29, 30, 34, 38, 46, 30. 32, 35. Z7, 48, 49. 54. 67, 69, 48, 49, 66, 68, 70, 71, 7^, 80, 83, 71, 79, 81, 85, 89, 92, 93, 97, 99, 86, 89, 93, 96-98, 127, 128. 117, 119, 128, 129, 135. Goal, 84, 137. Fall Hill, 15, 44, 116, 120. Gordon, Charles, 47, 60, 61, 64, 66, Finck, Andrew, 3, 6, 10, 13, 15, 18, 70, 79. 26, 35,40, 43-45. "I- Guy Park, 22, 113, 114, 126. Fisher, Frederick, 16, 18, 27, 48, 54, 66, 70, 71, 81, 89, 90, 98, 121, Hall, Edward, 32. 122, 124, 137, 141, 142. Hamilton, Philip, 113. Fonda, Adam, 16, 18, 24, 27, 35, 43, Hare, John, 97. 44. 48, 54. 56, 70. 71, 78, 98, 120, Harper, John, 119. 121. Harter, Henry, 49, 70, 72, 81, 89, , Douw, 141. 143- , Jelles, 55, 58, 141. Heints, Henry, 49, 8t, 89, 98, 135. , John, 49-51, 136, 137. Hellmer, Frederick, 18, 30,35, 49, 67, Fort Hunter, 41, 72, 131, 132, 143, 70, 81, 89, 124. 144. Henry, Thomas, i8, 123. Keyser, 134. Herkimer, 117. Klock, 112. , Delia, 138, 139. Nellis, 135. , George, 13, 18, 30, 36, 49, 67, Plain, III, 117, 123, 127. 70, 81, 93, 99, 109, no, 113, 119, Rensselaer, 117. 120. Stanwix, 33, 36, in, 123, 127^ , Gertrude, 128, 139. 130. 133- , Hannikel, 61. St. John, 83, 95, 144. , Johan Jost, 31, 54, 117, 128, Fox, Christopher, 6, 10, 15, 18, 113. 138, 139- , Frederick, 13, 18, 24, 30, 49, , Magdalena, 120. 81,89,99, 119,135. , Nicholas, 13, 18, 24-30, 32, , Philip W., 10, 96, 114. 66, 70,71,78,86,89,98,117, 120, , William J., 49, 70, 71, 79, 89, 128. 98, 135- Hess, Augustinus, 13, 18, 25, 26, Francis, Turbot, 129. 30. 35. 48, 70. 71, 81, 89, 99, 120. Franck, John, 13, 18, 26, 30, 49, 67, Holmer, Frederick, 18. 70,81, 89,92,93, 99, 119. House, Christian, 60, 61, 63, 64, 66. Freel, John, 99, loi, 102. Hunt, Thomas, 50, 51. [148] INDEX Irving, Washington, 109. Ittig, Michael, 13, 18, 30, 48, 81, 89, 99, 120,1129. , Marcus, 33, 129. Jay, John, 108. Jogues, Isaac, 133. Johnson, Guy, 8, 10, 11, 18, 24, 25, 33. 40, 58, 99-103. "3-"6, 125- 128, 131, 132, 144. , Sir John, 81, 83-85, 113, 114, 121, 132, 137, 144. , Mary, 114. , Mrs. Peggy, 39. , Peter, 145. , Thariachyako, 39. , Sir William, 54,88,95,96,110, 113, 114, 116, 132, 137, 138, 141, 144. , William (Indian), 65, 142, 145. Johnson Hall, 7, 57, 113, 114, I2i- Johnstown, 8, 59, 61, 81,85,95, 99, 110, 113, 114, 125. ^Z7^ 139- Kachanawago, 58. Kayser, John, 45, 53, 134. Kingsborough, 81, 99, 114. King's Highway, 11, 23, 139. Kingsland District, 12-14, 17, 18, 26, 30, 35, 37, 48, 49. 54. 62, 69, 71, 81, 89, 92, 97, 99, 116, 117, "9. 134, 135. 138- Kinkead, Crownidge, 68, 143. Kinton, John, 49. Kirkland, Samuel, 128, 129, Klock, Jacob, See Clock. Lane, Daniel, 18, 43, 124. Letter to Albany Committee, 40. to Congress, 88. to Guy Johnson, 18, 125. to Sir John Johnson, 84. Little Falls, 41, 42, 92, 93, 107, 130, 133. 138. Livingston, Philip, 108. Loucks, Adam, 1,4, 59, 60, 107, 143. Low, Isaac, 108. Mabv. See Meby. Marlatt, John, 16, 18, 27, 70, 71, "j^, 77, 78, 80, 89, 91, 98, 121. Massachusetts Bay, 11, 19, 105-107. McDougall, Daniel, 6, 10, 13, 14, 18, 24, 27, 40, 43, 44, 46, 48, 66, 68, 70, 81, 89, 96, 112. , Duncan, i'^^ 14, 18, 24, 26, 30, 70, 72, 79, 86, 99, 119. McMarten, James, 124. McMaster, James, 18, 44, 70, 71, 79, 82,83,89,97,98.. Meby, Joseph, 47, 134. Mitchell, Hugh, 129. Montgomery County, 106, 108, 124, 142. Montreal, 100-102, 127, 139. Moore, John, 13, 18, 40, 49, 66, 70, 71. 77, 90. 91, "8. Mohawk District, 7, 16, 17, 18, 22, 24, 27, 29, 35, 43, 44, 48, 49, 54- 56, 66, 68, 69, 71, 74, 76, 78, 81, 83, 89, 98, 105, III, 114, 120, 121, 125. Mohawk Indians, 10, 18, 72, 91, 107, 109, 115, 116, 131,132, 141. Mohawk River, 18, 94, 106, 107, 114, 116. Mount Johnson, 113. Nelles, Christian, 49, 66, 70, 71, 79, 86, 89, 98, 135. , Henry, 62, 63, 143. North Germantown, 35, 47, 53, 83, 130. Nose Hill. See Anthony's Nose. Old England District, 116. Old Treaty Line, 106. Oneida Indians, 10, 13, 18, 32, 36, 95, 115, 116, 120, 128, 129. /, 7, ^, L, M, N, O [ 149 ] INDEX 0, P, ^, Oriskany, 109, no, 112, 113, 117- Schenectady, 14, 32, 37, 40, 45, 74, R,s, r 120, 127-129, 138, 139, 141, 142, 100, 105, 122, 126, 129, 130, 131, 146. 132, 138- Schoharie Creek, 133, 144. Palatine District, i, 4, 6, 10, 12- Schuyler, PhiHp, 42, 54, 74, 140. 15, iS, 24, 26, 29, 34, 35, 37-40, 43, , William, 18, 44, 48, 70, 71, 44, 46-49, 54, 55, 60, 62, 63, 65, 80, 81, 98, 124. 66, 71, 78, 79, 81, 89, 94, 98, io7> Schremblings Kill, 127, 133. 109, 113, 114, 135. Seeber, Jacob, 57, 79, 85, 97, 142. Palatine Church, in, 112, 114, 134, , William, 12, 13, 15, 16, 18, 27, 143- 29, 34, 38, 40, 42-46, 48, 56, 66, Paris, Isaac, 3, 6, 10, 13, 15, 17, 26, 70, 72, 79, 86, 89, 99, 117. 34, 38, 44, 46, 66, 70, 71, 78, 90, Seneca Indians, 87. 98, 109, 142. Shaffer, PhiUp, 76, 79. , Peter, 109. Shoemaker, Anna Gertrude, 128 Pemberton, William, 76. , John Joseph, 54, 128, 139. Petry, John, 13, 18, 30, 34, 46, 47, , Michael Myers, 139. 119, 134. , Rudolph, 31, 128, 139. , Marcus, 13, 18, 119. Simmons, Sampson, 16, 18, 27, 35, , William, 13, 17, 25, 30, 49, 61, 43, 48, 56, 66, 70, 71, Si, 89, 90, 62,81, 89, 99, 119, 143. 98, 121, Pickard, John, 118. Six Nations, 19, 33, 34, 87, 106. Picken, John, 99. Smith, John, 53, 138. , Robert, 97, 99. Staring, Jacob, 53, 97, 138. Pickert, Cunrad, 27, 47, 49, 53, 67, Stevenson, Capt., 7^^, 74. 70, 72, 81, 89, 99. St. Johns, 92. , George, 124. St. Johnsville, 112, 135. , John, 13, 18, 27, 40, 46, 81, St. Regis, 105. 89, 99, 118, 124. Stone Arabia, i, 59, 107-109, in, Provincial Congress, 27, 29, 37, 42, 139- 45, 47, 67, 77, 83, 88, 89, 108-110, 118, 121. Ten Broecks, Samuel, 44, 45, no. Putman, Lodowick, 58, 59, 142. 134- Thompson, John, 31, loi, 103, 128. Queen Anne's Chapel, 144. Ticonderoga, 54, 74, 75, 140, 141. Tryon County, 1-3, 31, 54, 67, 99, Reber, Andrew, 6, 10, 13, 18, 26, 100, 105-108, no, 113-124, 126, 35, 38, 40, 43, 46, 48, 66, 70, 71, 129, 130, 132, 136, 13S, 79, 89, 98, I". Tryon County Militia, 54, 11, 112, Rickert. See Prickert. 118, 121, 124, 127, 129, 134, 13s, Robinson, John, 100. 138, 139, 142, 143- Roseboom, John, 129. Tuscarora Indians, 32, 128. Tygert, Peter S., 40, 42, 44, 131. Sammons, Jacob, 114, 121. , Werner, 15, 17, 44,45, 46. [150] INDEX Van Alstyne, Gose, 26, Z7, 39, 4S, 51, 62, 66, 71, 93, 94, 98, 127. , Marte J., 68. Van Horn, Abraham, 18, 27, 70, 71,80, Si, 89, 98, 124, Van Rensselaer, Robert, 117. Van Slyck, Harmanus, 6, 10, 18, 34, 38, 40, 43, 47, 48, 70, 71, 79, 86, 89, 98, 113. Van Vechten, Anthony, 6, 13, 27, 48, 49, 54, 57, 70, 71, "3- Vedder, Volkert, 16, 18, 27, 44, 48, 66, 70, 71, 79, 89, 9 , John, 56, 142. Visher, Visscher, Visgor. Fisher. 28, 34, 78, 89, 44, 48, 13, 15, 54, 66, 15, iS, 78, 89, 35, 43, S, 121. See Waggoner, Peter, 6, 10, 13, 15, 18, 24, 26, 35, 38, 40, 43, 44, 46, 48, 54, 66, 70, 71, 81, 89, 98, 112. Wagner, Webster, 112. Wall, Edward, 13, 14, 17, 24-26, 30, 119. Wallace, William, 66, 142. Warren, Sir Peter, 144. Warrensborough, 78, 80, 144. Washington, George, 123. Weaver, Jacob, 13, 30, 67, 81, 89, 99, "9- Weber, John Jacob, 70. Wells, Robert, 54, 138. Wents, George, 13, 18, 30, 67, 70, 71, 81,89, 99, 119- White, Alexander, 49, 50, 51, 55, 56, 58, 61, 62, 67, 72, no, 136, 137. Wormuth, Mathew, 128. Yates, Abraham, 16, 27, 48, 49, 71, 81, 122. , Christopher P., 3, 6, 10, 13, 15, 17, 26, 27, 2-;, 40, 43, 44, 45, 55, 91, 108, no, 130. , Robert, 54. Zessinger, Anna Catherina, 60. , Nicholas, 59, 60. Zimmerman, Henry, 64, 94. , Lawrence, 79, 89, 98. ^, if", r, z [151] kV^ ■v^* <> ••' ^^ ... "V .^ -^ 0^ -' • « „ o , \J -..*' A-- \/ y^x %.*' •^: -^-^z " ^* ^ov^ : ■^ "oK LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 014 108 102 Oo 'i^m ^f, A, ^^ luf-l-xl J<^^^?>?. '/-'.i'-: ^)^m VvV.>-l l/fi'^'^v. :i\?^. ;M ^]"y' J^M '(■^:f ','.."■>''.''. .■? "?';,■" t"' ■■/' I ^^•.T•'V^■'r''Ay >/.>;;.■*■• -< ••' ■ ' .,^^/ 'v^fev^^:;-- :. ■■■■V )■'',