HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY
by Jeptha R. Simms - 1845
CHAPTER IV, continued ...
Near Fort Edward, the party fell in with two Mohawk Indians, one of whom, being an old acquaintance, gave the prisoner a hat, of which he had been plundered by his captors.
The Mohawks were on a hunting excursion, and remained in company with the party for a day or two, in the hope of affording the prisoner an opportunity to escape.
The captors were to be made drunk by liquor in possession of the Mohawks; but as the time for the expedient drew near, Groat fell sick, and had to see his friends depart without him.
He, however, gave one of them his tobacco-box, and requested him to carry it to his family, and tell them when and where he had seen its owner, that they might know he was still alive.
The Indian did return and deliver the box as requested: but the family were suspicious the Indian had killed him and fabricated the story; which his protracted absence tended to confirm.
When he got back, he presented the friendly Indian with a fine horse.
They proceeded some distance by water down Lake Champlain, and on landing at an Indian settlement, Groat had to run the gauntlet.
His captors had conceived quite an attachment for him and offered before arriving at the village, to place a belt of wampum around his neck, which, according to the custom of their tribe, would have entitled him to the same privileges as themselves; and exonerated him from the running ordeal.
He thought the acceptance of the belt would be an acknowledgment of his willingness to adopt the Indian life, and refused the offer proffered in kindness, which he regretted when too late.
As the lines of women and boys were drawn up through which he was to flee, and he was about to start, his captors, who had relieved him of his pack, buried their faces in their hands, and would not witness his sufferings.
He was beaten considerably, and on arriving at the goal of freedom, the blood from some of his bruises ran down to his feet.
A short time after, Groat was sold to a French Canadian, named Lewis De Snow, who told him, on going to his house, that he was to be his future master, and his wife his mistress.
The former replied that he had long known his master - "he dwells above," he added, pointing his finger upward.
At first the Frenchman treated him unkindly.
He was willing to work, but would not submit to imposition; and on being severely treated one day, he assured his Canadian master, that sooner than put up with abuse, he would poison him and his wife, and make his escape.
Learning his independent spirit, his owner ever after treated him like a brother.
The next summer, war was formally declared between Great Britain and France.
Groat was claimed as a British prisoner previous to the capture of Quebec, and was for six months imprisoned at St. Francis'-way, near Montreal: where he suffered from short allowance of food.
He was finally liberated and returned home, after an absence of four years and four months, to the surprise and joy of his family, which had considered him as lost forever - was again married, and my informant was a son by his second wife.
John L. Groat died in January, 1845, aged about 90 years.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
ON THE ROOTS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION
Re: ON THE ROOTS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION
HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY
by Jeptha R. Simms - 1845
CHAPTER IV, continued ...
Early in the French war, Eve, the wife of Jacob Van Alstine, who resided in the Mohawk valley, not far from the Groat family, was proceeding along the road on horseback, with a little daughter in her arms; and while in the act of opening a swing-gate which obstructed the road, was fired upon by a party of hostile Indians, and wounded in one arm.
The enemy then dispatched and scalped her, but sparing her child, carried it to Canada.
After a long captivity, the child returned, - and now, (1843,) at the age of nearly a century, is still living with her nephew, J.C. Van Alstine, Esq., at Auriesville, Montgomery county.
The following particulars relating to Sir William Johnson and his family, which were mostly derived from Mr. Groat, will, I trust, prove interesting to the reader.
Lewis Groat, his father, lived on terms of intimacy with the Baronet, from his first arrival in the Mohawk valley, to the day of his death.
Sir William Johnson was born in Ireland in 1714, and was descended from honorable parentage.
His uncle, Admiral Warren, (Sir Peter Warren,) secured a title to some fifteen thousand acres of land, lying mostly within the present town of Florida: not long after which, Sir William became his agent for those lands.
Young Johnson had been disappointed in a love affair in his native country, and was possibly sent to America on that account.
He arrived in the colony of New York between the years 1735 and 1740, and settled at a place then known as Warren's Bush, a few miles from the present village of Port Jackson.
On his arrival, the Mohawk valley was mostly peopled by Indians.
Small settlements had, indeed, been made by Germans at Canajoharie, Stone Arabia and the German Flats; and the Dutch were tardily extending their settlements westward of Schenectada; but the white population in the valley was, comparatively speaking, very limited.
He at once resolved on a permanent settlement - closely observed the habits and customs of the natives, and being an adept in the study of human nature, soon acquired their confidence and good will.
He had not been long in the valley before he became an agent of the British government, for the Six Indian Nations, possibly through the instrumentality of admiral Varre.
Johnson had been only a few years at Warren's Bush, when his friend Lewis Groat, who lived but a short distance from his own residence, asked him in a familiar manner why he did not get married?
He replied that he wanted to marry a girl in Ireland - that his parents were opposed to the match, and that since he could not marry the girl of his choice, he had resolved never to marry, but would multiply as much as he could.
It is believed that he faithfully observed this resolution for many years.
Near the two canal locks below Port Jackson, some two miles from Johnson's residence, lived at that time, Alexander and Harman Philips, brothers.
With those brothers, was living in the capacity of a servant girl, Miss Lana [Eleanor] Wallaslous, unless I am mistaken in her name, of German parentage.
She was native of Madagascar, and on arriving at New York at an early age, was sold into servitude, to pay her passage.
She was an uncommonly fair - wholesome looking maid.
Groat, knowing his friend's determination not to marry, asked him why he did not go and get the pretty High Dutch girl at Philips's, for a housekeeper?
He replied, I will do it!
And they parted.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
by Jeptha R. Simms - 1845
CHAPTER IV, continued ...
Early in the French war, Eve, the wife of Jacob Van Alstine, who resided in the Mohawk valley, not far from the Groat family, was proceeding along the road on horseback, with a little daughter in her arms; and while in the act of opening a swing-gate which obstructed the road, was fired upon by a party of hostile Indians, and wounded in one arm.
The enemy then dispatched and scalped her, but sparing her child, carried it to Canada.
After a long captivity, the child returned, - and now, (1843,) at the age of nearly a century, is still living with her nephew, J.C. Van Alstine, Esq., at Auriesville, Montgomery county.
The following particulars relating to Sir William Johnson and his family, which were mostly derived from Mr. Groat, will, I trust, prove interesting to the reader.
Lewis Groat, his father, lived on terms of intimacy with the Baronet, from his first arrival in the Mohawk valley, to the day of his death.
Sir William Johnson was born in Ireland in 1714, and was descended from honorable parentage.
His uncle, Admiral Warren, (Sir Peter Warren,) secured a title to some fifteen thousand acres of land, lying mostly within the present town of Florida: not long after which, Sir William became his agent for those lands.
Young Johnson had been disappointed in a love affair in his native country, and was possibly sent to America on that account.
He arrived in the colony of New York between the years 1735 and 1740, and settled at a place then known as Warren's Bush, a few miles from the present village of Port Jackson.
On his arrival, the Mohawk valley was mostly peopled by Indians.
Small settlements had, indeed, been made by Germans at Canajoharie, Stone Arabia and the German Flats; and the Dutch were tardily extending their settlements westward of Schenectada; but the white population in the valley was, comparatively speaking, very limited.
He at once resolved on a permanent settlement - closely observed the habits and customs of the natives, and being an adept in the study of human nature, soon acquired their confidence and good will.
He had not been long in the valley before he became an agent of the British government, for the Six Indian Nations, possibly through the instrumentality of admiral Varre.
Johnson had been only a few years at Warren's Bush, when his friend Lewis Groat, who lived but a short distance from his own residence, asked him in a familiar manner why he did not get married?
He replied that he wanted to marry a girl in Ireland - that his parents were opposed to the match, and that since he could not marry the girl of his choice, he had resolved never to marry, but would multiply as much as he could.
It is believed that he faithfully observed this resolution for many years.
Near the two canal locks below Port Jackson, some two miles from Johnson's residence, lived at that time, Alexander and Harman Philips, brothers.
With those brothers, was living in the capacity of a servant girl, Miss Lana [Eleanor] Wallaslous, unless I am mistaken in her name, of German parentage.
She was native of Madagascar, and on arriving at New York at an early age, was sold into servitude, to pay her passage.
She was an uncommonly fair - wholesome looking maid.
Groat, knowing his friend's determination not to marry, asked him why he did not go and get the pretty High Dutch girl at Philips's, for a housekeeper?
He replied, I will do it!
And they parted.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
Re: ON THE ROOTS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION
HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY
by Jeptha R. Simms - 1845
CHAPTER IV, continued ...
Not long after this interview, Groat was at Philips's on business, and not seeing her, enquired of one of the brothers where their High Dutch girl was?
Said Philips, "Johnson, that d__d Irishman came the other day and offered me five pounds for her, threatening to horse-whip me and steal her if I would not sell her."
"I thought five pounds better than a flogging, and took it, and he's got the gal."
Johnson obtained the girl in the precise manner he had assured his friend he would proceed.
This German girl was the mother of Sir John Johnson, and the wives of Col. Guy Johnson, an Irish relative of Sir William, and Col. Daniel Claus.
Henry Frey Yates, Esq., in a communication to his son, Bernard F., in which he notes several exceptions to sayings of Col. Stone, in the Life of Brant, which memoranda have been kindly placed in the hands of the writer by the son since the above was written, quotes from the first volume of that work page 101, a remark that "the mother of Sir John Johnson was a German lady," and thus discourses: "Mr. Stone has been misinformed as to the history of the mother of Sir John; she was not a German lady."
"She was a German by birth."
After naming William Harper, a former judge of Montgomery county, and his brother, Alexander, as authority for what he says, he thus continues: "The facts with respect to the mother of Sir John are, that she was a poor German girl, who, on her arrival in New York, was sold for her passage over from Germany."
"That was then the universal practice, and the only method that the poorer class of German emigrants had, when they wanted to emigrate to this country."
"They were obliged, before they embarked on ship-board for America, to sign articles by which they bound themselves to the captain, that, on their arrival here, they should be sold for their passage money, for one, two, three, or four years, as the captain could make a bargain with the purchaser, the captain being obliged to board them, &c."
"Whenever a ship arrived, it was immediately advertised that she had brought so many male and female immigrants, who were to be sold for their passage."
They were usually sold into servitude, to such persons as would take them at the shortest period of services, and pay the captain, in advance, his charges for their passage and contingent expenses.
Purchasers were bound, on their part, to treat those servants kindly, and release them at the expiration of their time.
This custom continued for some twenty-five years after the close of the American Revolution, and numbers who proved valuable citizens, availed themselves of this method of crossing the Atlantic.
When passengers were advertised for sale, says Mr. Yates - "The wealthy Germans and Low Dutch, from various parts of the country, would then repair to New York and make their purchases."
"Sometimes one would purchase for a number of families."
"In this way it was, that the mother of Sir John was purchased for her passage across the Atlantic by a man named Philips, residing about twelve miles above Schenectada, on the south side of the Mohawk; and nearly opposite Crane's village on the north side of the river."
"Sir William, seeing the young woman at the house of Mr. Philips, and being pleased with her, bought her of him and took her to his dwelling at the old fort."
"Sir William had three children by her, Sir John, Mrs. Guy Johnson and Mrs. Col. Claus."
"Sir William never was married to her, until on her death bed, and then he did it only with a view to legitimize [legitimatise] his children by her."
"The ceremony was performed by Mr. Barkley, the Episcopal minister residing at Fort Hunter, where he officiated in a stone church built by Queen Anne for the Mohawk Indians."
TO BE CONTINUED ...
by Jeptha R. Simms - 1845
CHAPTER IV, continued ...
Not long after this interview, Groat was at Philips's on business, and not seeing her, enquired of one of the brothers where their High Dutch girl was?
Said Philips, "Johnson, that d__d Irishman came the other day and offered me five pounds for her, threatening to horse-whip me and steal her if I would not sell her."
"I thought five pounds better than a flogging, and took it, and he's got the gal."
Johnson obtained the girl in the precise manner he had assured his friend he would proceed.
This German girl was the mother of Sir John Johnson, and the wives of Col. Guy Johnson, an Irish relative of Sir William, and Col. Daniel Claus.
Henry Frey Yates, Esq., in a communication to his son, Bernard F., in which he notes several exceptions to sayings of Col. Stone, in the Life of Brant, which memoranda have been kindly placed in the hands of the writer by the son since the above was written, quotes from the first volume of that work page 101, a remark that "the mother of Sir John Johnson was a German lady," and thus discourses: "Mr. Stone has been misinformed as to the history of the mother of Sir John; she was not a German lady."
"She was a German by birth."
After naming William Harper, a former judge of Montgomery county, and his brother, Alexander, as authority for what he says, he thus continues: "The facts with respect to the mother of Sir John are, that she was a poor German girl, who, on her arrival in New York, was sold for her passage over from Germany."
"That was then the universal practice, and the only method that the poorer class of German emigrants had, when they wanted to emigrate to this country."
"They were obliged, before they embarked on ship-board for America, to sign articles by which they bound themselves to the captain, that, on their arrival here, they should be sold for their passage money, for one, two, three, or four years, as the captain could make a bargain with the purchaser, the captain being obliged to board them, &c."
"Whenever a ship arrived, it was immediately advertised that she had brought so many male and female immigrants, who were to be sold for their passage."
They were usually sold into servitude, to such persons as would take them at the shortest period of services, and pay the captain, in advance, his charges for their passage and contingent expenses.
Purchasers were bound, on their part, to treat those servants kindly, and release them at the expiration of their time.
This custom continued for some twenty-five years after the close of the American Revolution, and numbers who proved valuable citizens, availed themselves of this method of crossing the Atlantic.
When passengers were advertised for sale, says Mr. Yates - "The wealthy Germans and Low Dutch, from various parts of the country, would then repair to New York and make their purchases."
"Sometimes one would purchase for a number of families."
"In this way it was, that the mother of Sir John was purchased for her passage across the Atlantic by a man named Philips, residing about twelve miles above Schenectada, on the south side of the Mohawk; and nearly opposite Crane's village on the north side of the river."
"Sir William, seeing the young woman at the house of Mr. Philips, and being pleased with her, bought her of him and took her to his dwelling at the old fort."
"Sir William had three children by her, Sir John, Mrs. Guy Johnson and Mrs. Col. Claus."
"Sir William never was married to her, until on her death bed, and then he did it only with a view to legitimize [legitimatise] his children by her."
"The ceremony was performed by Mr. Barkley, the Episcopal minister residing at Fort Hunter, where he officiated in a stone church built by Queen Anne for the Mohawk Indians."
TO BE CONTINUED ...
Re: ON THE ROOTS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION
HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY
by Jeptha R. Simms - 1845
CHAPTER IV, continued ...
At page 387, vol. 1, of Stone's Brant, Molly Brant, a sister of that chief, is spoken of as the wife of Sir William Johnson.
With reference to this woman, says the memoranda of Yates - "It is true that Sir William was married to Molly according to the rites of the Episcopal church, but a few years before his death."
"The Baronet, feeling his life drawing to a close, and abhorring living longer in adultery, to quiet his conscience, privately married Molly to legitimize his children by her, as he had done those by the German girl, who was the mother of Sir John and his sisters."
Among the few who witnessed the ceremony of the Baronet's second marriage, the memoranda names Robert Adams, a merchant of Johnstown, and Mrs. Rebecca Van Sickler: to the last mentioned he accredits his authority.
Mrs. V.S., as the manuscript continues, "was always received into all the respectable families in Johnstown as a welcome guest, and was very fond of relating anecdotes of Sir William."
"Molly was a very exemplary woman, and was a communicant of the Episcopal church."
"Among all the old inhabitants on the Mohawk, Molly was respected, as not only reputable, but as an exemplary, pious, christian woman."
"The care that she took of the education of her children, and the manner in which she brought them up, is at once a demonstration of the depth of the moral sense of duty that she owed her offspring."
As early as the summer of 1746, Colden, in his Indian history, speaks of Mr. William Johnson (afterwards Sir William Johnson) as "being indefatigable among the Mohawks."
"He dressed himself," says that writer, "after the Indian manner, made frequent dances according to their custom when they excite to war, and used all the means he could think of, at a considerable expense, (which His Excellency, George Clinton, had promised to repay him,) in order to engage them heartily in the war against Canada."
[The same writer, noticing the efforts made by Johnson to engage the Mohawk Nation in the British interest against the French, in a war then existing, says that with a part of the Mohawks then residing principally in the vicinity of the Lower Castle, he went to Albany to attend a treaty.]
"That when the Indians came near the town of Albany, on the 8th of August, Mr. Johnson put himself at the head of the Mohawks, dressed and painted after the manner of an Indian war-captain; and the Indians who followed him were likewise dressed and painted as is usual with them when they set out in war."
"The Indians saluted the Governor as they passed the fort, by a running fire, which his Excellency ordered to be answered by a discharge of some cannon from the Fort."
"He afterwards received the sachems in the fort-hall, bid them welcome, and treated them with a glass of wine."
Sir William was a military man of some distinction in the colony, and during the French war, held a general's commission.
Soon after the signal defeat of Baron Dieskau, in 1755, by the troops under Gen. Johnson, in the northern wilds of New York, the title of baronet was conferred upon him, with a gift of parliament to make it set easy, of five thousand pounds sterling, nearly twenty thousand dollars - in consideration of his success.
His fortune was now made, and he was the man to enjoy it.
Previously, he erected Fort Johnson, a large stone mansion on the north side of the Mohawk, about three miles west of Amsterdam, where he resided for nearly twenty years.
This building, which was a noble structure for the middle of the last century, is pleasantly situated near the hill on the west bank of a creek, on which the Baronet built a grist mill.
This dwelling, which was finished inside in a then fashionable style, is said to have been fortified from the time of its erection, until the conquest of Canada and termination of the French war.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
by Jeptha R. Simms - 1845
CHAPTER IV, continued ...
At page 387, vol. 1, of Stone's Brant, Molly Brant, a sister of that chief, is spoken of as the wife of Sir William Johnson.
With reference to this woman, says the memoranda of Yates - "It is true that Sir William was married to Molly according to the rites of the Episcopal church, but a few years before his death."
"The Baronet, feeling his life drawing to a close, and abhorring living longer in adultery, to quiet his conscience, privately married Molly to legitimize his children by her, as he had done those by the German girl, who was the mother of Sir John and his sisters."
Among the few who witnessed the ceremony of the Baronet's second marriage, the memoranda names Robert Adams, a merchant of Johnstown, and Mrs. Rebecca Van Sickler: to the last mentioned he accredits his authority.
Mrs. V.S., as the manuscript continues, "was always received into all the respectable families in Johnstown as a welcome guest, and was very fond of relating anecdotes of Sir William."
"Molly was a very exemplary woman, and was a communicant of the Episcopal church."
"Among all the old inhabitants on the Mohawk, Molly was respected, as not only reputable, but as an exemplary, pious, christian woman."
"The care that she took of the education of her children, and the manner in which she brought them up, is at once a demonstration of the depth of the moral sense of duty that she owed her offspring."
As early as the summer of 1746, Colden, in his Indian history, speaks of Mr. William Johnson (afterwards Sir William Johnson) as "being indefatigable among the Mohawks."
"He dressed himself," says that writer, "after the Indian manner, made frequent dances according to their custom when they excite to war, and used all the means he could think of, at a considerable expense, (which His Excellency, George Clinton, had promised to repay him,) in order to engage them heartily in the war against Canada."
[The same writer, noticing the efforts made by Johnson to engage the Mohawk Nation in the British interest against the French, in a war then existing, says that with a part of the Mohawks then residing principally in the vicinity of the Lower Castle, he went to Albany to attend a treaty.]
"That when the Indians came near the town of Albany, on the 8th of August, Mr. Johnson put himself at the head of the Mohawks, dressed and painted after the manner of an Indian war-captain; and the Indians who followed him were likewise dressed and painted as is usual with them when they set out in war."
"The Indians saluted the Governor as they passed the fort, by a running fire, which his Excellency ordered to be answered by a discharge of some cannon from the Fort."
"He afterwards received the sachems in the fort-hall, bid them welcome, and treated them with a glass of wine."
Sir William was a military man of some distinction in the colony, and during the French war, held a general's commission.
Soon after the signal defeat of Baron Dieskau, in 1755, by the troops under Gen. Johnson, in the northern wilds of New York, the title of baronet was conferred upon him, with a gift of parliament to make it set easy, of five thousand pounds sterling, nearly twenty thousand dollars - in consideration of his success.
His fortune was now made, and he was the man to enjoy it.
Previously, he erected Fort Johnson, a large stone mansion on the north side of the Mohawk, about three miles west of Amsterdam, where he resided for nearly twenty years.
This building, which was a noble structure for the middle of the last century, is pleasantly situated near the hill on the west bank of a creek, on which the Baronet built a grist mill.
This dwelling, which was finished inside in a then fashionable style, is said to have been fortified from the time of its erection, until the conquest of Canada and termination of the French war.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
Re: ON THE ROOTS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION
HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY
by Jeptha R. Simms - 1845
CHAPTER IV, continued ...
This place, (now owned by Dr. Oliver Davidson,) is called Fort Johnson to this day.
At a latter period he erected dwellings for his sons-in-law, Guy Johnson and Daniel Claus.
That occupied by the first named, a large stone dwelling, is still standing one mile above Amsterdam, and was formerly called Guy Park.
Previous to its erection, he occupied a frame building standing upon the same site, which was struck by lightning and consumed.
The mansion of Col. Claus, which was about centrally distant between Fort Johnson and Guy Park, was also constructed of stone, and was large on the ground; but being only one and a half stories high, it presented a less imposing appearance than did the other Johnson buildings.
The cellar of the latter house is still to be seen.
Each of those dwellings had a farm attached to it of one square mile, or six hundred and forty acres.
About ten years before his death, Sir Wm. Johnson erected Johnson Hall, a large wood building with detached stone wings, situated one mile west from the village of Johnstown; and on his removal to that place,(at present owned and occupied by Mr. Eleazer Wells,) Fort Johnson became the residence of his son, who, during a visit to England, had also been gifted by royalty with a title to his name; and an annual stipend of five hundred pounds for the honors of knighthood.
Sir John married a Miss Watts of New York city.
He was also on terms of intimacy for several years with Miss Clara Putman of the Mohawk valley, by whom he had several children.
The following notice of the Baronet is from the September No. (1755) of the London Gentleman's Magazine.
The article was an extract from a journal written in America.
"Major General Johnson, (an Irish gentleman) is universally esteemed in our parts, for the part he sustains."
"Besides his skill and experience as an old officer, he is particularly happy in making himself beloved by all sorts of people, and can conform to all companies and conversations."
"He is very much of the fine gentleman in genteel company."
"But as the inhabitants next him are mostly Dutch, he sits down with them, and smokes his tobacco, drinks flip, and talks of improvements, bears and beaver skins."
"Being surrounded with Indians, he speaks several of their languages well, and has always some of them with him."
"His house is a safe and hospitable retreat for them from the enemy."
"He takes care of their wives and children when they go out on parties, and even wears their dress."
"In short, by his honest dealings with them in trade, and his courage, which has often been successfully tried with them, and his courteous behaviour, he has so endeared himself to them, that they chose him one of their chief sachems or princes, and esteem him as their common father."
Sir William Johnson lived in comparative opulence from the time of his knighthood to the day of his death, which occurred suddenly at Johnson Hall, on the 24th of June, 1774.
He died at the age of nearly sixty years.
It was supposed by many of his neighbors at that time, that he found means to shorten his days by the use of poison.
Col. Stone, in his Life of Brant, expresses a different opinion; but several old people still living, who resided at that time, and have ever since, but a few miles from Johnson Hall, believe to this day that he took the suicidal draught.
There were certainly some very plausible reasons for such a conclusion.
As the cloud of colonial difficulty was spreading from the capital of New England to the frontier English settlements, Sir William Johnson was urged by the British crown to take sides with the parent country.
He had been taken from comparative obscurity, and promoted by the government of England, to honors and wealth.
Many wealthy and influential friends around him, were already numbered among the advocates of civil liberty.
Should he raise his arm against that power which had thus signally honored him?
Should he take sides with the oppressor against many of his tried friends in a thousand perilous adventures?
These were serious questions, as we may reasonably suppose, which often occupied his mind.
The Baronet declared to several of his valued friends, as the storm of civil discord was gathering, that "England and her colonies were approaching a terrible war, but that he should never live to witness it."
Such assertions were not only made to Lewis Groat, but also to Daniel Campbell and John Baptist Van Eps, of Schenectada, and to some of them repeatedly.
At the time of his death, a court was sitting in Johnstown, and while in the court house on the afternoon of the day of his death, a package from England, of a political nature, was handed him.
He left the court house, went directly home, and in a few hours was a corpse.
The foregoing particulars are corroborated by the researches of Giles F. Yates Esq.
The excitement of the occasion may have produced his death without the aid of poison; but as he died thus suddenly, his acquaintances believed he had hastened his death.
The three individuals named, being together after the event, and speaking of the Baronet's death, agreed in their opinion that his former declarations were prophetic, and that he was a man sufficiently determined to execute such design if once conceived.
Col. Guy Johnson succeeded Sir William at his death, as the superintendent of Indian affairs for the colony of New York.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
by Jeptha R. Simms - 1845
CHAPTER IV, continued ...
This place, (now owned by Dr. Oliver Davidson,) is called Fort Johnson to this day.
At a latter period he erected dwellings for his sons-in-law, Guy Johnson and Daniel Claus.
That occupied by the first named, a large stone dwelling, is still standing one mile above Amsterdam, and was formerly called Guy Park.
Previous to its erection, he occupied a frame building standing upon the same site, which was struck by lightning and consumed.
The mansion of Col. Claus, which was about centrally distant between Fort Johnson and Guy Park, was also constructed of stone, and was large on the ground; but being only one and a half stories high, it presented a less imposing appearance than did the other Johnson buildings.
The cellar of the latter house is still to be seen.
Each of those dwellings had a farm attached to it of one square mile, or six hundred and forty acres.
About ten years before his death, Sir Wm. Johnson erected Johnson Hall, a large wood building with detached stone wings, situated one mile west from the village of Johnstown; and on his removal to that place,(at present owned and occupied by Mr. Eleazer Wells,) Fort Johnson became the residence of his son, who, during a visit to England, had also been gifted by royalty with a title to his name; and an annual stipend of five hundred pounds for the honors of knighthood.
Sir John married a Miss Watts of New York city.
He was also on terms of intimacy for several years with Miss Clara Putman of the Mohawk valley, by whom he had several children.
The following notice of the Baronet is from the September No. (1755) of the London Gentleman's Magazine.
The article was an extract from a journal written in America.
"Major General Johnson, (an Irish gentleman) is universally esteemed in our parts, for the part he sustains."
"Besides his skill and experience as an old officer, he is particularly happy in making himself beloved by all sorts of people, and can conform to all companies and conversations."
"He is very much of the fine gentleman in genteel company."
"But as the inhabitants next him are mostly Dutch, he sits down with them, and smokes his tobacco, drinks flip, and talks of improvements, bears and beaver skins."
"Being surrounded with Indians, he speaks several of their languages well, and has always some of them with him."
"His house is a safe and hospitable retreat for them from the enemy."
"He takes care of their wives and children when they go out on parties, and even wears their dress."
"In short, by his honest dealings with them in trade, and his courage, which has often been successfully tried with them, and his courteous behaviour, he has so endeared himself to them, that they chose him one of their chief sachems or princes, and esteem him as their common father."
Sir William Johnson lived in comparative opulence from the time of his knighthood to the day of his death, which occurred suddenly at Johnson Hall, on the 24th of June, 1774.
He died at the age of nearly sixty years.
It was supposed by many of his neighbors at that time, that he found means to shorten his days by the use of poison.
Col. Stone, in his Life of Brant, expresses a different opinion; but several old people still living, who resided at that time, and have ever since, but a few miles from Johnson Hall, believe to this day that he took the suicidal draught.
There were certainly some very plausible reasons for such a conclusion.
As the cloud of colonial difficulty was spreading from the capital of New England to the frontier English settlements, Sir William Johnson was urged by the British crown to take sides with the parent country.
He had been taken from comparative obscurity, and promoted by the government of England, to honors and wealth.
Many wealthy and influential friends around him, were already numbered among the advocates of civil liberty.
Should he raise his arm against that power which had thus signally honored him?
Should he take sides with the oppressor against many of his tried friends in a thousand perilous adventures?
These were serious questions, as we may reasonably suppose, which often occupied his mind.
The Baronet declared to several of his valued friends, as the storm of civil discord was gathering, that "England and her colonies were approaching a terrible war, but that he should never live to witness it."
Such assertions were not only made to Lewis Groat, but also to Daniel Campbell and John Baptist Van Eps, of Schenectada, and to some of them repeatedly.
At the time of his death, a court was sitting in Johnstown, and while in the court house on the afternoon of the day of his death, a package from England, of a political nature, was handed him.
He left the court house, went directly home, and in a few hours was a corpse.
The foregoing particulars are corroborated by the researches of Giles F. Yates Esq.
The excitement of the occasion may have produced his death without the aid of poison; but as he died thus suddenly, his acquaintances believed he had hastened his death.
The three individuals named, being together after the event, and speaking of the Baronet's death, agreed in their opinion that his former declarations were prophetic, and that he was a man sufficiently determined to execute such design if once conceived.
Col. Guy Johnson succeeded Sir William at his death, as the superintendent of Indian affairs for the colony of New York.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
Re: ON THE ROOTS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION
HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY
by Jeptha R. Simms - 1845
CHAPTER IV, continued ...
In 1775, Guy Johnson abandoned his situation on the Mohawk, and, with Joseph Brant and a formidable number of the Six Nations, went to Canada.
Whether Colonel Claus accompanied Guy Johnson or Sir John to Canada, is uncertain; but sure it is, he also left his possessions in the valley and removed thither.
Sir John, violating a compact of neutrality made with General Schuyler, set out for Canada in the month of May, 1776, accompanied by about three hundred followers, mostly Scotch settlers in and around Johnstown.
After a march of nineteen days through an almost unbroken wilderness, suffering severely for the want of provisions, they reached Montreal.
The wife of Guy Johnson died a short time after her removal to Canada.
Guy Park, which was just completed when its owner left it, was occupied during the war by Henry Kennedy; Fort Johnson by Albert Veeder; and the Claus' house by Col. John Harper, until it accidentally took fire from a supposed defect in the chimney, and burned down.
A tavern was afterwards erected near its site, and was for years known as the Simons place.
These buildings, and the lands of their owners, with Johnson Hall and the lands belonging to it, were confiscated to the United States; as was also the property of Col. John Butler, one of the King's justices for Tryon county, a man of influence and wealth, who removed at the beginning of the war from the same neighborhood to Canada.
The commissioners appointed March 6th, 1777, for disposing of confiscated personal property in Tryon county, were Col. Frederick Fisher, Col. John Harper, and Maj. John Eisenlord.
The latter was, however, killed in the Oriskany battle, early in August following, and his place supplied by one Garrison.
When the personal property of Sir John Johnson was sold, which was some time before the sale of his real estate, his slaves were disposed of among the "goods and chattels."
Col. Volkert Veeder bought the confidential one with whom the Knight left his plate and valuable papers, who buried them after his former master left.
He kept the concealment of those valuables a secret in his own breast for four years, until Sir John visited the Mohawk valley in 1780, and recovered them and the slave.
The commissioners for selling real estates in Tryon county, were Henry Otthout and Jeremiah Van Rensselaer.
They sold Johnson Hall, with seven hundred acres of land, to James Caldwell of Albany, for £6,600 - who soon after sold it for £1,400.
Caldwell paid the purchase in public securities, bought up for a song, and said he made money in the speculation, although he disposed of the property for £5,200 less, "on paper," than he gave for it.
This transaction will serve to show the state of American credit at that period - probably in 1778 or '79.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
by Jeptha R. Simms - 1845
CHAPTER IV, continued ...
In 1775, Guy Johnson abandoned his situation on the Mohawk, and, with Joseph Brant and a formidable number of the Six Nations, went to Canada.
Whether Colonel Claus accompanied Guy Johnson or Sir John to Canada, is uncertain; but sure it is, he also left his possessions in the valley and removed thither.
Sir John, violating a compact of neutrality made with General Schuyler, set out for Canada in the month of May, 1776, accompanied by about three hundred followers, mostly Scotch settlers in and around Johnstown.
After a march of nineteen days through an almost unbroken wilderness, suffering severely for the want of provisions, they reached Montreal.
The wife of Guy Johnson died a short time after her removal to Canada.
Guy Park, which was just completed when its owner left it, was occupied during the war by Henry Kennedy; Fort Johnson by Albert Veeder; and the Claus' house by Col. John Harper, until it accidentally took fire from a supposed defect in the chimney, and burned down.
A tavern was afterwards erected near its site, and was for years known as the Simons place.
These buildings, and the lands of their owners, with Johnson Hall and the lands belonging to it, were confiscated to the United States; as was also the property of Col. John Butler, one of the King's justices for Tryon county, a man of influence and wealth, who removed at the beginning of the war from the same neighborhood to Canada.
The commissioners appointed March 6th, 1777, for disposing of confiscated personal property in Tryon county, were Col. Frederick Fisher, Col. John Harper, and Maj. John Eisenlord.
The latter was, however, killed in the Oriskany battle, early in August following, and his place supplied by one Garrison.
When the personal property of Sir John Johnson was sold, which was some time before the sale of his real estate, his slaves were disposed of among the "goods and chattels."
Col. Volkert Veeder bought the confidential one with whom the Knight left his plate and valuable papers, who buried them after his former master left.
He kept the concealment of those valuables a secret in his own breast for four years, until Sir John visited the Mohawk valley in 1780, and recovered them and the slave.
The commissioners for selling real estates in Tryon county, were Henry Otthout and Jeremiah Van Rensselaer.
They sold Johnson Hall, with seven hundred acres of land, to James Caldwell of Albany, for £6,600 - who soon after sold it for £1,400.
Caldwell paid the purchase in public securities, bought up for a song, and said he made money in the speculation, although he disposed of the property for £5,200 less, "on paper," than he gave for it.
This transaction will serve to show the state of American credit at that period - probably in 1778 or '79.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
Re: ON THE ROOTS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION
HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY
by Jeptha R. Simms - 1845
CHAPTER IV, continued ...
Tradition says that a black ghost appeared several times during the Revolution, in a room in the north-west part of Fort Johnson, while occupied by Veeder.
In one of the rooms at Guy Park, a female ghost resembling the then deceased wife of Guy Johnson is said to have appeared, to the great annoyance of the credulous Kennedy family.
Even in the day time, they were more than once alarmed.
About this time a German, a stranger to the family, called there, and inquired if the lady of its former proprietor had not been seen; and when answered in the affirmative, he requested permission to tarry over night in the haunted room.
It was readily granted, and he retired at an early hour.
In the morning before his departure, he told the family they need be under no further apprehension, that the ghost would not again appear; and in truth she did not.
The mystery of the visits to those dwellings, which was a favorite theme on the tongue of the marvelous for many years, has never been revealed, and some of the old people living in the vicinity still believe that the visitants were supernatural beings, or real ghosts.
The truth probably is, that the black ghost seen at Fort Johnson, was not the ideal, but the flesh and blood person of the confidential slave of its former proprietor; who, by showing his ivory to some purpose, took advantage of the fears of the family to bear off some valuable article secreted in some part of the building by its former occupants.
Nor is it unlikely that a similar mission prompted some female to visit Guy Park - for ghosts never travel by daylight - that she could not find the article sought for, and that consequently a man, a stranger to the family, whose agent she may have been, knowing she had failed to obtain the treasure, visited the house, and by gaining access to the room, found the object desired, and could then tell the family confidently that the ghost would not reappear.
Many valuable articles were left behind by tories in their flight, who expected soon to return and recover them; and when they found the prospect of their return cut off, or long delayed, they then obtained them by the easiest means possible - and surely none were easier than through the mystery of superstition.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
by Jeptha R. Simms - 1845
CHAPTER IV, continued ...
Tradition says that a black ghost appeared several times during the Revolution, in a room in the north-west part of Fort Johnson, while occupied by Veeder.
In one of the rooms at Guy Park, a female ghost resembling the then deceased wife of Guy Johnson is said to have appeared, to the great annoyance of the credulous Kennedy family.
Even in the day time, they were more than once alarmed.
About this time a German, a stranger to the family, called there, and inquired if the lady of its former proprietor had not been seen; and when answered in the affirmative, he requested permission to tarry over night in the haunted room.
It was readily granted, and he retired at an early hour.
In the morning before his departure, he told the family they need be under no further apprehension, that the ghost would not again appear; and in truth she did not.
The mystery of the visits to those dwellings, which was a favorite theme on the tongue of the marvelous for many years, has never been revealed, and some of the old people living in the vicinity still believe that the visitants were supernatural beings, or real ghosts.
The truth probably is, that the black ghost seen at Fort Johnson, was not the ideal, but the flesh and blood person of the confidential slave of its former proprietor; who, by showing his ivory to some purpose, took advantage of the fears of the family to bear off some valuable article secreted in some part of the building by its former occupants.
Nor is it unlikely that a similar mission prompted some female to visit Guy Park - for ghosts never travel by daylight - that she could not find the article sought for, and that consequently a man, a stranger to the family, whose agent she may have been, knowing she had failed to obtain the treasure, visited the house, and by gaining access to the room, found the object desired, and could then tell the family confidently that the ghost would not reappear.
Many valuable articles were left behind by tories in their flight, who expected soon to return and recover them; and when they found the prospect of their return cut off, or long delayed, they then obtained them by the easiest means possible - and surely none were easier than through the mystery of superstition.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
Re: ON THE ROOTS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION
HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY
by Jeptha R. Simms - 1845
CHAPTER IV, continued ...
From the great facility of Sir William Johnson to obtain lands, he became a most extensive land-holder.
He was remarkably fond of women; and is believed to have been the father of several scores - some say an hundred children; by far the larger number of whom were part native, some by young squaws, and others by the wives of Indians who thought it an honor to have them on intimate terms with the king's agent; and would even bring them a great distance to prostitute them to his insatiable lust.
The Five Nations, says Colden, carried their hospitality to distinguished strangers so far, as to allow them their choice of a young squaw, from among the prettiest in the neighborhood, (washed clean and dressed in her best apparel) as a companion during his sojourn with them; who performed all the duties of a fond wife.
Of this custom, which was in vogue when the Baronet settled among them, he availed himself.
He had a rich scarlet blanket made, and bound with gold lace, which he wore when transacting business with the Indians, and it being a partial adoption of their own style of wardrobe, it pleased them very much.
He often boasted of the pleasurable scenes of which that blanket was the sole witness.
He erected buildings at a place called the Fish House, on the south bank of the Sacandaga river, some twelve or fifteen miles north-east of Johstown, where he kept two white concubines, by the name of Wormwood.
After the death of the mother of Sir John Johnson and his two own sisters, the Baronet took to his bosom Molly Brant, with whom he lived until his death.
She was the mother of seven of his children.
Many pleasing anecdotes are related of Sir William Johnson, who perhaps exerted an unbounded influence over a greater number of Indians, than it was ever the lot of another white man to obtain in North America.
His general character was rather happily delineated by Paulding in his Dutchman's Fireside.
When he had trinkets and other presents to distribute among the Five Nations, and they assembled around Fort Johnson, and afterwards Johnson Hall, his tenants and neighbors were invited to be present.
He was extravagantly fond of witnessing athletic feats, and on such occasions was gratified.
On those festivals, not only young Indians and squaws, but whites, both male and female, were often seen running foot races, or wrestling for some gaudy trinket, or fancy article of wearing apparel.
Men were sometimes seen running foot races for a prize, with a meal-bag drawn over their legs and tied under the arms.
The ludicrous figure presented by the crippled strides and frequent tumbles of those competitors, was a source of no little pleasure.
Not unfrequently a fat swine was the prize of contention.
It's tail being well greased, the whole hog was given its freedom, and the individual who could seize and hold it by the tail became its lawful owner.
It required a powerful gripe to win, and many a hand did such prizes usually slip through.
An old woman is said to have seized on one, amid the jeers of the laughing multitude, after it had escaped the grasp of many strong hands, and firmly held it.
The secret was, she had prepared herself with a handful of sand.
On one occasion, half a pound of tea was awarded to the individual who could, by contortion of feature, make the wryest face.
Two old women were sometimes heard scolding most vehemently, the successful one to be rewarded with a bladder of Scotch snuff.
The erection of a straight pole, after it had been peeled and well besmeared with soft-soap, with a prize upon its top worth seeking, - and after which the young Indians, in a state of nudity, would climb, was an oft repeated source of amusement.
Children were sometimes seen searching in a mud- puddle for coppers Sir William had thrown in.
His ingenuity was taxed for new sources of merriment, and various were the expedients adopted to give zest to the scenes exhibited on those gala days.
He was also a man of considerable taste, and discovered not a little in the cultivation of shrubbery around Fort Johnson.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
by Jeptha R. Simms - 1845
CHAPTER IV, continued ...
From the great facility of Sir William Johnson to obtain lands, he became a most extensive land-holder.
He was remarkably fond of women; and is believed to have been the father of several scores - some say an hundred children; by far the larger number of whom were part native, some by young squaws, and others by the wives of Indians who thought it an honor to have them on intimate terms with the king's agent; and would even bring them a great distance to prostitute them to his insatiable lust.
The Five Nations, says Colden, carried their hospitality to distinguished strangers so far, as to allow them their choice of a young squaw, from among the prettiest in the neighborhood, (washed clean and dressed in her best apparel) as a companion during his sojourn with them; who performed all the duties of a fond wife.
Of this custom, which was in vogue when the Baronet settled among them, he availed himself.
He had a rich scarlet blanket made, and bound with gold lace, which he wore when transacting business with the Indians, and it being a partial adoption of their own style of wardrobe, it pleased them very much.
He often boasted of the pleasurable scenes of which that blanket was the sole witness.
He erected buildings at a place called the Fish House, on the south bank of the Sacandaga river, some twelve or fifteen miles north-east of Johstown, where he kept two white concubines, by the name of Wormwood.
After the death of the mother of Sir John Johnson and his two own sisters, the Baronet took to his bosom Molly Brant, with whom he lived until his death.
She was the mother of seven of his children.
Many pleasing anecdotes are related of Sir William Johnson, who perhaps exerted an unbounded influence over a greater number of Indians, than it was ever the lot of another white man to obtain in North America.
His general character was rather happily delineated by Paulding in his Dutchman's Fireside.
When he had trinkets and other presents to distribute among the Five Nations, and they assembled around Fort Johnson, and afterwards Johnson Hall, his tenants and neighbors were invited to be present.
He was extravagantly fond of witnessing athletic feats, and on such occasions was gratified.
On those festivals, not only young Indians and squaws, but whites, both male and female, were often seen running foot races, or wrestling for some gaudy trinket, or fancy article of wearing apparel.
Men were sometimes seen running foot races for a prize, with a meal-bag drawn over their legs and tied under the arms.
The ludicrous figure presented by the crippled strides and frequent tumbles of those competitors, was a source of no little pleasure.
Not unfrequently a fat swine was the prize of contention.
It's tail being well greased, the whole hog was given its freedom, and the individual who could seize and hold it by the tail became its lawful owner.
It required a powerful gripe to win, and many a hand did such prizes usually slip through.
An old woman is said to have seized on one, amid the jeers of the laughing multitude, after it had escaped the grasp of many strong hands, and firmly held it.
The secret was, she had prepared herself with a handful of sand.
On one occasion, half a pound of tea was awarded to the individual who could, by contortion of feature, make the wryest face.
Two old women were sometimes heard scolding most vehemently, the successful one to be rewarded with a bladder of Scotch snuff.
The erection of a straight pole, after it had been peeled and well besmeared with soft-soap, with a prize upon its top worth seeking, - and after which the young Indians, in a state of nudity, would climb, was an oft repeated source of amusement.
Children were sometimes seen searching in a mud- puddle for coppers Sir William had thrown in.
His ingenuity was taxed for new sources of merriment, and various were the expedients adopted to give zest to the scenes exhibited on those gala days.
He was also a man of considerable taste, and discovered not a little in the cultivation of shrubbery around Fort Johnson.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
Re: ON THE ROOTS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION
HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY
by Jeptha R. Simms - 1845
CHAPTER IV, continued ...
As the Johnsons were extensive land-owners, and preferred leasing to selling land, their disaffection to the American government, and its final confiscation, was a good thing for the country, as it became subsequently occupied by freeholders.
The confiscated lands of the Johnson family, must have yielded no inconsiderable sum to an impoverished treasury.
The following anecdote is related of Sir William Johnson, who preferred retaining in himself the right of soil to his landed possessions.
He one day visited a tenant who was engaged in chopping wood for him.
After some little conversation, the chopper described a certain one hundred acre lot in Albany bush, (now the eastern part of Johnstown,) and asked the Baronet what he would take for it, and execute him a deed.
The latter, supposing the man had very little money, named a sum which was about the real value of the soil.
"I will take it," was the quick and emphatic reply of the laborer; and he began counting out the money to his astonished landlord, upon the very stump the last fallen tree had left.
"I would rather not have sold it for twice that sum," said Sir William, "but since you have fairly bought it, you shall have a title to it;" and taking the money, he executed a deed to him.
He was the patron of many laudable enterprises, and I must suppose him to have aided in establishing Queen's College, N.J., as he was the first trustee named in the charter.
In the summer of 1764, says the Gentleman's Magazine, published soon after:
"Sir William Johnson, with a body of regular and provincial forces, to which more than one thousand friendly Indians have joined themselves, has lately marched to visit the forts of Oswego, Niagara, Detroits, Pittsburg, &c., in order to strike terror in the Western nations, and to reduce them to reason; many of these nations are unknown to their brethren, and some have already offered terms of peace; the Shawnese are the most formidable of those who stand out: And the friendly Indians express great eagerness to attack them."
"Since the march of these troops, the back settlements have enjoyed perfect tranquility; and the Senecas have sent in a great number of English prisoners, agreeable to their engagement."
In the May number of the same Magazine, for 1765, I find the following additional notice of the Baronet:
"Sir William Johnson at his seat at Johnson Hall, in North America, has had a visit lately paid him by upwards of a thousand Indians of different tribes, all in friendship; greatly to the satisfaction of his Excellency, as tending to promote a good understanding with those nations, for the good of his Majesty's subjects."
TO BE CONTINUED ...
by Jeptha R. Simms - 1845
CHAPTER IV, continued ...
As the Johnsons were extensive land-owners, and preferred leasing to selling land, their disaffection to the American government, and its final confiscation, was a good thing for the country, as it became subsequently occupied by freeholders.
The confiscated lands of the Johnson family, must have yielded no inconsiderable sum to an impoverished treasury.
The following anecdote is related of Sir William Johnson, who preferred retaining in himself the right of soil to his landed possessions.
He one day visited a tenant who was engaged in chopping wood for him.
After some little conversation, the chopper described a certain one hundred acre lot in Albany bush, (now the eastern part of Johnstown,) and asked the Baronet what he would take for it, and execute him a deed.
The latter, supposing the man had very little money, named a sum which was about the real value of the soil.
"I will take it," was the quick and emphatic reply of the laborer; and he began counting out the money to his astonished landlord, upon the very stump the last fallen tree had left.
"I would rather not have sold it for twice that sum," said Sir William, "but since you have fairly bought it, you shall have a title to it;" and taking the money, he executed a deed to him.
He was the patron of many laudable enterprises, and I must suppose him to have aided in establishing Queen's College, N.J., as he was the first trustee named in the charter.
In the summer of 1764, says the Gentleman's Magazine, published soon after:
"Sir William Johnson, with a body of regular and provincial forces, to which more than one thousand friendly Indians have joined themselves, has lately marched to visit the forts of Oswego, Niagara, Detroits, Pittsburg, &c., in order to strike terror in the Western nations, and to reduce them to reason; many of these nations are unknown to their brethren, and some have already offered terms of peace; the Shawnese are the most formidable of those who stand out: And the friendly Indians express great eagerness to attack them."
"Since the march of these troops, the back settlements have enjoyed perfect tranquility; and the Senecas have sent in a great number of English prisoners, agreeable to their engagement."
In the May number of the same Magazine, for 1765, I find the following additional notice of the Baronet:
"Sir William Johnson at his seat at Johnson Hall, in North America, has had a visit lately paid him by upwards of a thousand Indians of different tribes, all in friendship; greatly to the satisfaction of his Excellency, as tending to promote a good understanding with those nations, for the good of his Majesty's subjects."
TO BE CONTINUED ...
Re: ON THE ROOTS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION
HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY
by Jeptha R. Simms - 1845
CHAPTER IV, continued ...
Before his death, Sir William Johnson willed to his children by Miss Brant, the valuable lands known as the Royal Grant, which he obtained so easily from the celebrated warrior Hendrick.
After death, his remains were placed in a mahogany coffin, and that inclosed in a leaden one, previous to being deposited in a vault beneath the Episcopal Church; which building was erected in Johnstown about the year 1772.
At some period of the Revolution, lead being very scarce, the vault was opened and the leaden coffin taken by the patriots and moulded into bullets.
The coffin containing the body having become somewhat broken, a new one was made after the war closed, and the Baronet's remains transferred to it.
The lid of the first coffin, which bore his name in silver nails, was afterward suspended in the church.
Not many years ago, the edifice was fitted up at considerable cost, at which time the vault was filled up with sand.
In a destructive fire which subsequently visited Johnstown, the church was burned down; and on its being rebuilt, the site was so altered as to leave the grave of Sir William 2 outside its walls. - Alexander J. Comrie.
Hendrick, Great Chief of the Mohawk Nation
"The brave old Hendrick, the great SACHEM or Chief of the Mohawk Indians, one of the Six Nations now in Alliance with, and subject to the King of Great Britain."
This celebrated warrior, commonly called King Hendrick, was, for a time, the most distinguished Indian in the colony of New York.
For the picture from which the above was engraved, I would here acknowledge my indebtedness to John S. Walsh, Esq., of Bethlehem.
This interesting relic of the Mohawk valley, around which cluster associations of classic interest, connected with the colonial history of the state, was sold in the revolution among the confiscated property of Sir John Johnson, went into the Cuyler family for a length of time, and subsequently into that of Mr. Walsh.
The tradition in the latter family is, that Hendrick visited England in the evening of his life, and that while there was presented, by his Majesty, with a suit of clothes richly embroidered with gold lace, in which he sat for his portrait.
As he is represented in full court dress, it is highly probable the tradition is correct.
The original picture is a spirited engraving - colored to life and executed in London, but at what date is unknown/ probably about the year 1745 or '50.
He visited Philadelphia some time before his death, says the historian Dwight, at which time his likeness was taken; from which a wax figure was made, said to have been a good imitation of his person.
King Hendrick was born about the year 1680, and generally dwelt at the Upper Castle of the Mohawk nation, although for a time he resided near the present residence of Nicholas Yost, on the north side of the Mohawk, below the Nose.
He was one of the most sagacious and active sachems of his time.
He stood high in the confidence of Sir William Johnson, with whom he was engaged in many perilous enterprises against the Canadian French; and under whose command he fell in the battle of Lake George, September 8th, 1755, covered with glory.
In the November number of the Gentleman's Magazine, for 1755, is the following notice of his death:
"The whole body of our Indians were prodigiously exasperated against the French and their Indians, occasioned by the death of the famous Hendrick, a renowned Indian warrior among the Mohawks, and one of their sachems, or kings, who was slain in the battle, and whose son upon being told that his father was killed, giving the usual Indian groan upon such occasions, and suddenly putting his hand on his left breast, swore his father was still alive in that place, and stood there in his son."
2. A portrait of Sir William Johnson was owned in Johnstown until about the year 1830, when it was purchased by a member of the Col. Claus family for a small sum, and taken to Canada. - Mrs. W.S.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
by Jeptha R. Simms - 1845
CHAPTER IV, continued ...
Before his death, Sir William Johnson willed to his children by Miss Brant, the valuable lands known as the Royal Grant, which he obtained so easily from the celebrated warrior Hendrick.
After death, his remains were placed in a mahogany coffin, and that inclosed in a leaden one, previous to being deposited in a vault beneath the Episcopal Church; which building was erected in Johnstown about the year 1772.
At some period of the Revolution, lead being very scarce, the vault was opened and the leaden coffin taken by the patriots and moulded into bullets.
The coffin containing the body having become somewhat broken, a new one was made after the war closed, and the Baronet's remains transferred to it.
The lid of the first coffin, which bore his name in silver nails, was afterward suspended in the church.
Not many years ago, the edifice was fitted up at considerable cost, at which time the vault was filled up with sand.
In a destructive fire which subsequently visited Johnstown, the church was burned down; and on its being rebuilt, the site was so altered as to leave the grave of Sir William 2 outside its walls. - Alexander J. Comrie.
Hendrick, Great Chief of the Mohawk Nation
"The brave old Hendrick, the great SACHEM or Chief of the Mohawk Indians, one of the Six Nations now in Alliance with, and subject to the King of Great Britain."
This celebrated warrior, commonly called King Hendrick, was, for a time, the most distinguished Indian in the colony of New York.
For the picture from which the above was engraved, I would here acknowledge my indebtedness to John S. Walsh, Esq., of Bethlehem.
This interesting relic of the Mohawk valley, around which cluster associations of classic interest, connected with the colonial history of the state, was sold in the revolution among the confiscated property of Sir John Johnson, went into the Cuyler family for a length of time, and subsequently into that of Mr. Walsh.
The tradition in the latter family is, that Hendrick visited England in the evening of his life, and that while there was presented, by his Majesty, with a suit of clothes richly embroidered with gold lace, in which he sat for his portrait.
As he is represented in full court dress, it is highly probable the tradition is correct.
The original picture is a spirited engraving - colored to life and executed in London, but at what date is unknown/ probably about the year 1745 or '50.
He visited Philadelphia some time before his death, says the historian Dwight, at which time his likeness was taken; from which a wax figure was made, said to have been a good imitation of his person.
King Hendrick was born about the year 1680, and generally dwelt at the Upper Castle of the Mohawk nation, although for a time he resided near the present residence of Nicholas Yost, on the north side of the Mohawk, below the Nose.
He was one of the most sagacious and active sachems of his time.
He stood high in the confidence of Sir William Johnson, with whom he was engaged in many perilous enterprises against the Canadian French; and under whose command he fell in the battle of Lake George, September 8th, 1755, covered with glory.
In the November number of the Gentleman's Magazine, for 1755, is the following notice of his death:
"The whole body of our Indians were prodigiously exasperated against the French and their Indians, occasioned by the death of the famous Hendrick, a renowned Indian warrior among the Mohawks, and one of their sachems, or kings, who was slain in the battle, and whose son upon being told that his father was killed, giving the usual Indian groan upon such occasions, and suddenly putting his hand on his left breast, swore his father was still alive in that place, and stood there in his son."
2. A portrait of Sir William Johnson was owned in Johnstown until about the year 1830, when it was purchased by a member of the Col. Claus family for a small sum, and taken to Canada. - Mrs. W.S.
TO BE CONTINUED ...