History of the Mohawk Valley: Gateway to the West 1614-1925
Chapter 115: American Locomotive Works — Schenectady.
Growth of an important Mohawk Valley industry from its organization in 1848 — Edward Ellis and Walter McQueen, the moving spirits of locomotive manufacturing at Schenectady — Interesting locomotive construction development.
By H. J. Downs.
For more than three-quarters of a century locomotive building has held a leading place in the commercial interests of the Mohawk Valley.
Through its identification with this industry, Schenectady first became known the world over.
From New York to China, from South Africa to Alaska, steam locomotives have carried the name of Schenectady to the four corners of the globe.
Back in 1848, when Schenectady had a population of 6500, its citizens raised the capital that contributed to the establishment of the Schenectady Locomotive Engine Manufactory.
The Norris Brothers of Philadelphia, who already had an eminent reputation as locomotive builders, having built an engine in Philadelphia as early as 1831, were engaged to manage the business.
The stockholders, all citizens of Schenectady, agreed to contribute an amount not to exceed $40,000, $20,000 of which was for buildings, $17,000 for tools and $1,000 for "ground."
Tools and machinery to the value of $10,576 were to be furnished by Edward S. Norris.
The Norris Brothers agreed to pay the interest on the capital invested, annually; also to pay back the whole capital in eight years, and in that way become the sole owner of the works themselves.
The initial enterprise was carried on for about one year.
One engine ("Lightning") was built and then the affairs of the Company turned out so badly that the Norrises were obliged to abandon the works.
The little locomotive plant lay idle for about a year when the company was re-organized on June 14, 1851, and came under the control and ownership of John Ellis, Daniel D. Campbell, Simon C. Groot, and Sebastian Bradt.
These gentlemen bought up the small holdings of those at first interested for a little more than half their original valuation and capitalized the new company at $60,000.
The concern was given a new name — The Schenectady Locomotive Works — which it subsequently held until the time of the merger with the American Locomotive Company.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
HISTORY OF THE MOHAWK VALLEY
Re: HISTORY OF THE MOHAWK VALLEY
History of the Mohawk Valley: Gateway to the West 1614-1925
Chapter 115: American Locomotive Works — Schenectady, continued ...
John Ellis was by far the most conspicuous personage then connected with the works.
He was the first president of the company after its reorganization.
It was largely due to his keen foresight and shrewd business ability that the Schenectady works was put on a secure financial foundation.
Mr. Ellis was a native of Scotland and possessed a goodly amount of Scotch grit, temper and courage.
He had no school education, but had succeeded in several business ventures before locating in Schenectady which gave him the necessary confidence and "wherewithal" to successfully carry out this new enterprise.
The Scotch temperament of Ellis caused him to frequently come into serious conflict with his associates, and affairs at last came to a climax.
His partners demanded that he name the price at which he would sell and they would do likewise.
Their price was so high that they thought he would be compelled to sell.
He asked for time in which to decide and in the interim went to the Mohawk Bank and made the necessary financial arrangements.
In an hour or two he returned and with his Scottish accent surprisingly informed his partners that he would "tak it".
It is said that this event occurred during the business depression of '57 and '58, but nothing seemed to daunt John Ellis when he had decided to pursue a certain policy.
It is thought that Ellis paid his partners $60,000, thereby becoming for a time sole owner of the works.
Through the instrumentality of John Ellis, Walter McQueen, a famous mechanic, was induced to come to Schenectady as Superintendent of the plant.
This position was held by Mr. McQueen from 1851 to 1876 and during this time McQueen engines became known the world over as a synonym for the output of the plant.
In 1865 Mr. Ellis died and the property came into the hands of his sons, John C. Ellis, Chas. G. Ellis, Edward Ellis, Wm. Ellis and Walter McQueen.
From that time the company had a steady and uniform increase in size and capacity.
There are many of the old employes who have laid down their tools to enjoy the fruits of their labor, who can recount, step by step, the growth of the "Big Shop", as it was called with pride from its earliest beginning to the present enormous plant.
Their sons and their grandsons who have taken their places, now build locomotives of a type and capacity of which they never dreamed.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
Chapter 115: American Locomotive Works — Schenectady, continued ...
John Ellis was by far the most conspicuous personage then connected with the works.
He was the first president of the company after its reorganization.
It was largely due to his keen foresight and shrewd business ability that the Schenectady works was put on a secure financial foundation.
Mr. Ellis was a native of Scotland and possessed a goodly amount of Scotch grit, temper and courage.
He had no school education, but had succeeded in several business ventures before locating in Schenectady which gave him the necessary confidence and "wherewithal" to successfully carry out this new enterprise.
The Scotch temperament of Ellis caused him to frequently come into serious conflict with his associates, and affairs at last came to a climax.
His partners demanded that he name the price at which he would sell and they would do likewise.
Their price was so high that they thought he would be compelled to sell.
He asked for time in which to decide and in the interim went to the Mohawk Bank and made the necessary financial arrangements.
In an hour or two he returned and with his Scottish accent surprisingly informed his partners that he would "tak it".
It is said that this event occurred during the business depression of '57 and '58, but nothing seemed to daunt John Ellis when he had decided to pursue a certain policy.
It is thought that Ellis paid his partners $60,000, thereby becoming for a time sole owner of the works.
Through the instrumentality of John Ellis, Walter McQueen, a famous mechanic, was induced to come to Schenectady as Superintendent of the plant.
This position was held by Mr. McQueen from 1851 to 1876 and during this time McQueen engines became known the world over as a synonym for the output of the plant.
In 1865 Mr. Ellis died and the property came into the hands of his sons, John C. Ellis, Chas. G. Ellis, Edward Ellis, Wm. Ellis and Walter McQueen.
From that time the company had a steady and uniform increase in size and capacity.
There are many of the old employes who have laid down their tools to enjoy the fruits of their labor, who can recount, step by step, the growth of the "Big Shop", as it was called with pride from its earliest beginning to the present enormous plant.
Their sons and their grandsons who have taken their places, now build locomotives of a type and capacity of which they never dreamed.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
Re: HISTORY OF THE MOHAWK VALLEY
History of the Mohawk Valley: Gateway to the West 1614-1925
Chapter 115: American Locomotive Works — Schenectady, concluded ...
The first locomotive built at Schenectady was a very small affair weighing twelve tons.
It was built for the Utica and Schenectady Railway and would be interesting today merely as an exhibit in a museum.
This locomotive was named "Lightning".
It had 16x22-inch cylinders, 7-foot driving-wheels, and a boiler pressure of 120 pounds.
The boiler was 42 inches in diameter with 116 two-inch tubes ten feet long.
The heating surface was 670 square feet.
This little locomotive had a tractive power of 6,850 pounds and if in service today could haul approximately 450 tons.
By considering the "Lightning" in contrast with the enormous Mallet locomotive built at the Schenectady Works for the Virginian Railway, the progress of seventy years of locomotive building is most apparent.
The "Lightning" with its 670 square feet of heating surface has given place to a locomotive with 8,606 square feet of heating surface and 2,120 square feet of superheating surface.
The little machine capable of exerting a tractive power of 6,800 pounds has given place to an enormous machine capable of exerting a corresponding force of 176,600 pounds.
Whereas the "Lightning" would haul 450 tons, the Virginian Mallet has hauled a train of 17,600 tons.
It is worth while in considering even so briefly locomotive building at Schenectady that Stevenson's Rocket was built in 1829, only twenty years before the first locomotive was built at Schenectady.
Even with this in mind on the one hand, and the vast extent of the country and its industries on the other, it is difficult to frame a proper conception of the importance of the locomotive development represented at Schenectady in the advancement of the nation.
Schenectady has the second largest locomotive building plant in the country, and no matter what other industries are now or may hereafter be provided in Schenectady, the name will be known as it has been for years known the world over for its locomotives.
Schenectadians take a great pride in the mammoth works situated in the northern outskirts of the town, the largest and most important of the plants of the American Locomotive Company, the greatest corporation of its kind in the world.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
Chapter 115: American Locomotive Works — Schenectady, concluded ...
The first locomotive built at Schenectady was a very small affair weighing twelve tons.
It was built for the Utica and Schenectady Railway and would be interesting today merely as an exhibit in a museum.
This locomotive was named "Lightning".
It had 16x22-inch cylinders, 7-foot driving-wheels, and a boiler pressure of 120 pounds.
The boiler was 42 inches in diameter with 116 two-inch tubes ten feet long.
The heating surface was 670 square feet.
This little locomotive had a tractive power of 6,850 pounds and if in service today could haul approximately 450 tons.
By considering the "Lightning" in contrast with the enormous Mallet locomotive built at the Schenectady Works for the Virginian Railway, the progress of seventy years of locomotive building is most apparent.
The "Lightning" with its 670 square feet of heating surface has given place to a locomotive with 8,606 square feet of heating surface and 2,120 square feet of superheating surface.
The little machine capable of exerting a tractive power of 6,800 pounds has given place to an enormous machine capable of exerting a corresponding force of 176,600 pounds.
Whereas the "Lightning" would haul 450 tons, the Virginian Mallet has hauled a train of 17,600 tons.
It is worth while in considering even so briefly locomotive building at Schenectady that Stevenson's Rocket was built in 1829, only twenty years before the first locomotive was built at Schenectady.
Even with this in mind on the one hand, and the vast extent of the country and its industries on the other, it is difficult to frame a proper conception of the importance of the locomotive development represented at Schenectady in the advancement of the nation.
Schenectady has the second largest locomotive building plant in the country, and no matter what other industries are now or may hereafter be provided in Schenectady, the name will be known as it has been for years known the world over for its locomotives.
Schenectadians take a great pride in the mammoth works situated in the northern outskirts of the town, the largest and most important of the plants of the American Locomotive Company, the greatest corporation of its kind in the world.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
Re: HISTORY OF THE MOHAWK VALLEY
History of the Mohawk Valley: Gateway to the West 1614-1925
Chapter 116: The City of Amsterdam.
1738-1925 — Sir William Johnson its first settler — Amsterdam an important industrial center — "The Rug City" — Interesting civic statistics — The suburbs of Cranesville, Hagaman and Fort Johnson — Guy Park, 1766 — Notes on Sir William Johnson's residence at Amsterdam and Fort Johnson.
Amsterdam is pleasantly located on both sides of the picturesque Chuctanunda (a Mohawk word meaning "stony"), its hills sloping upward from the turnpike to a maximum city elevation of 380 feet above the Mohawk, 635 feet above sea level.
This point is just where the street passes the city limits into the northern suburb of Rockton, in which the famous Sanford racehorse stock farm (1924) is located.
Part of Amsterdam lies on the south shore on both sides of the South Chuctanunda.
A road to Saratoga leads cross-country from Amsterdam.
Roads run south to the Schoharie.
Amsterdam — Industrial
Amsterdam was incorporated as a city in 1885.
In 1910, 34 per cent of the inhabitants were of foreign birth and 32 per cent of foreign parentage, the peoples of southern and eastern Europe predominating.
Amsterdam is situated in the valley of the Mohawk River, on the Barge Canal and the New York Central and West Shore Railroads.
Trolleys connect with Schenectady, Albany, Fonda and Johnstown-Gloversville.
The city is an important industrial center, with principal manufactures of rugs, carpets, knit goods, brooms, silk gloves, wool yarn, pearl buttons, box board and paper boxes, linseed oil and machinery.
Amsterdam is an important trading center for the adjacent farming section.
The city has 70 miles of streets, of which about 30 miles are improved, electric lighting service, a sewer system, municipal water works, two parks, playgrounds, homes for children and aged women, two public hospitals and a tuberculosis sanitarium.
A bridge here crosses the Mohawk.
Amsterdam industries in 1912, employing over 1,000 operatives, were: Carpets and rugs, 4,116; hosiery and knit goods, 3,905. Broom making employed 801; silk and silk goods, 770; woolens and worsteds, 546.
Amsterdam is a growingly important industrial center.
Its industries started here because of the water power furnished by the Chuctanunda Creek, which has been considerably developed since 1848.
Later statistics than 1912, as to numbers employed in each industry, are not available.
Amsterdam in 1909 had 97 factories with 10,776 employes, an annual manufactured product valued at $22,000,000, which value had doubled in ten years.
It has the largest number of industrial operatives and output value of any of New York's 43 cities between 10,000 and 50,000 population.
Its chief industry is rug manufacturing in which it is the second rug making city in the state, Yonkers being first.
This is also the first city in broom making in New York State.
Broom corn at one time largely covered the Mohawk Valley flatlands.
This important crop is now grown in the West.
Hagamans, village to the north, and Fort Johnson to the west are virtually parts of Amsterdam.
In 1919 Amsterdam had 117 factories, with 19,299 primary horsepower, capital of $10,449,000, 11,497 workers receiving $11,404,000 annually, and a total yearly manufactured production of $52,851,000 (1920 U. S. Census report).
TO BE CONTINUED ...
Chapter 116: The City of Amsterdam.
1738-1925 — Sir William Johnson its first settler — Amsterdam an important industrial center — "The Rug City" — Interesting civic statistics — The suburbs of Cranesville, Hagaman and Fort Johnson — Guy Park, 1766 — Notes on Sir William Johnson's residence at Amsterdam and Fort Johnson.
Amsterdam is pleasantly located on both sides of the picturesque Chuctanunda (a Mohawk word meaning "stony"), its hills sloping upward from the turnpike to a maximum city elevation of 380 feet above the Mohawk, 635 feet above sea level.
This point is just where the street passes the city limits into the northern suburb of Rockton, in which the famous Sanford racehorse stock farm (1924) is located.
Part of Amsterdam lies on the south shore on both sides of the South Chuctanunda.
A road to Saratoga leads cross-country from Amsterdam.
Roads run south to the Schoharie.
Amsterdam — Industrial
Amsterdam was incorporated as a city in 1885.
In 1910, 34 per cent of the inhabitants were of foreign birth and 32 per cent of foreign parentage, the peoples of southern and eastern Europe predominating.
Amsterdam is situated in the valley of the Mohawk River, on the Barge Canal and the New York Central and West Shore Railroads.
Trolleys connect with Schenectady, Albany, Fonda and Johnstown-Gloversville.
The city is an important industrial center, with principal manufactures of rugs, carpets, knit goods, brooms, silk gloves, wool yarn, pearl buttons, box board and paper boxes, linseed oil and machinery.
Amsterdam is an important trading center for the adjacent farming section.
The city has 70 miles of streets, of which about 30 miles are improved, electric lighting service, a sewer system, municipal water works, two parks, playgrounds, homes for children and aged women, two public hospitals and a tuberculosis sanitarium.
A bridge here crosses the Mohawk.
Amsterdam industries in 1912, employing over 1,000 operatives, were: Carpets and rugs, 4,116; hosiery and knit goods, 3,905. Broom making employed 801; silk and silk goods, 770; woolens and worsteds, 546.
Amsterdam is a growingly important industrial center.
Its industries started here because of the water power furnished by the Chuctanunda Creek, which has been considerably developed since 1848.
Later statistics than 1912, as to numbers employed in each industry, are not available.
Amsterdam in 1909 had 97 factories with 10,776 employes, an annual manufactured product valued at $22,000,000, which value had doubled in ten years.
It has the largest number of industrial operatives and output value of any of New York's 43 cities between 10,000 and 50,000 population.
Its chief industry is rug manufacturing in which it is the second rug making city in the state, Yonkers being first.
This is also the first city in broom making in New York State.
Broom corn at one time largely covered the Mohawk Valley flatlands.
This important crop is now grown in the West.
Hagamans, village to the north, and Fort Johnson to the west are virtually parts of Amsterdam.
In 1919 Amsterdam had 117 factories, with 19,299 primary horsepower, capital of $10,449,000, 11,497 workers receiving $11,404,000 annually, and a total yearly manufactured production of $52,851,000 (1920 U. S. Census report).
TO BE CONTINUED ...
Re: HISTORY OF THE MOHAWK VALLEY
History of the Mohawk Valley: Gateway to the West 1614-1925
Chapter 116: The City of Amsterdam, continued ...
Amsterdam is rapidly becoming the largest rug and carpet making city in America and the world.
Amsterdam is not only an unusual and important manufacturing city but it is picturesquely situated on steep hills rising from the Mohawk River.
The city has great historic interest as the site of Sir William Johnson's first (1738) valley location and the site of Guy Park, built here by Sir William in 1766.
Fort Johnson (1749), just west of the (1924) city limits, is the site of Johnson's third valley location and his first baronial home.
Fort Johnson village is in reality part of Amsterdam and will doubtless soon actually become so.
It is so considered in this book.
The North Chuctanunda Creek enters the Mohawk on the north bank and the South Chuctanunda on the south shore directly opposite.
Chuctanunda means "stony creek."
The Chuctanunda creeks are also said to have been named from an overhanging stony ledge on the north bank of the Mohawk, such stony points or projections being called "Chuctanunda" by the Mohawks.
Lock No. 11 and Dam No. 7, Barge Canal, Erie section, here located, are also known as the Amsterdam lock and dam.
There is a river water level rise of 12 feet here, from 255 feet sea level below, to 267 feet above the dam.
There is a Barge Canal terminal dock at Amsterdam.
The Amsterdam level extends five miles westward to the Tribes Hill Dam.
The Amsterdam Barge Canal lock and dam afford travelers through the Mohawk Valley an unusually good opportunity to inspect the working of these feats of canal engineering.
This is particularly so because tourists can visit historic Guy Park and then look over the Barge Canal lock and dam close by.
These Mohawk River movable dams are unusual and can be seen only in the lower Mohawk Valley.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
Chapter 116: The City of Amsterdam, continued ...
Amsterdam is rapidly becoming the largest rug and carpet making city in America and the world.
Amsterdam is not only an unusual and important manufacturing city but it is picturesquely situated on steep hills rising from the Mohawk River.
The city has great historic interest as the site of Sir William Johnson's first (1738) valley location and the site of Guy Park, built here by Sir William in 1766.
Fort Johnson (1749), just west of the (1924) city limits, is the site of Johnson's third valley location and his first baronial home.
Fort Johnson village is in reality part of Amsterdam and will doubtless soon actually become so.
It is so considered in this book.
The North Chuctanunda Creek enters the Mohawk on the north bank and the South Chuctanunda on the south shore directly opposite.
Chuctanunda means "stony creek."
The Chuctanunda creeks are also said to have been named from an overhanging stony ledge on the north bank of the Mohawk, such stony points or projections being called "Chuctanunda" by the Mohawks.
Lock No. 11 and Dam No. 7, Barge Canal, Erie section, here located, are also known as the Amsterdam lock and dam.
There is a river water level rise of 12 feet here, from 255 feet sea level below, to 267 feet above the dam.
There is a Barge Canal terminal dock at Amsterdam.
The Amsterdam level extends five miles westward to the Tribes Hill Dam.
The Amsterdam Barge Canal lock and dam afford travelers through the Mohawk Valley an unusually good opportunity to inspect the working of these feats of canal engineering.
This is particularly so because tourists can visit historic Guy Park and then look over the Barge Canal lock and dam close by.
These Mohawk River movable dams are unusual and can be seen only in the lower Mohawk Valley.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
Re: HISTORY OF THE MOHAWK VALLEY
History of the Mohawk Valley: Gateway to the West 1614-1925
Chapter 116: The City of Amsterdam, continued ...
Amsterdam Historical — Sir William Johnson's First Location, 1738
The Mohican Tribe of Algonquin Indians were resident in the lower Mohawk Valley before 1600, when the Mohawk Tribe of Iroquois drove them out.
Very few Mohican village sites have been found but one was unearthed in the township of Amsterdam in 1923.
Doubtless the first settler in the present limits of Amsterdam was William Johnson (Sir William Johnson, 1755), who located on the south shore road, in the present southeastern part of the city in 1738.
He came here from Ireland to superintend the estate of his uncle, Sir Peter Warren, a retired admiral of the British navy, then resident in New York City.
The admiral's lands lay in the present Town of Florida, opposite Amsterdam.
Johnson, then 23 years old, built a log house (his first home) and a store and here began his momentous and influential career.
In 1742 he removed to Mount Johnson.
Thus Amsterdam can claim the young, vigorous figure of Johnson as a patron city father just as Johnstown has the wise and honored baronet, and Schenectady proclaims the great Van Curler as its founder.
Likewise Utica has John Post, Rome has General Gansevoort (who defended Fort Stanwix at Rome, 1777), and Herkimer has General Herkimer, Fonda has Major Jelles Fonda, Fort Plain has Colonel Willett, Ilion has the later figure of Eliphalet Remington and so through most of the valley towns, which claim some figure as patron city father, as a representative symbol of the municipality.
Johnson's place at Amsterdam was known as "Johnson's Settlement."
Here he married his first wife, Katherine Weisenberg, who was variously said to be a Dutch and German girl.
Johnson paid his neighbor, Philips, 10 pounds for his housemaid, to reimburse him for the girl's passage money from the "old country."
Sir William Johnson's son, John, was born here at Amsterdam in 1742, and in 1743 Colonel Johnson and his family removed to his newly erected buildings, on the north shore, about two and a half miles westward.
He first occupied a small stone house about one-half mile east of Fort Johnson.
He called this Mount Johnson from the steep hill just back of it.
He later called Fort Johnson, Mount Johnson, up to 1755.
Johnson willed this house to his daughter Anna, wife of Col. Daniel Claus.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
Chapter 116: The City of Amsterdam, continued ...
Amsterdam Historical — Sir William Johnson's First Location, 1738
The Mohican Tribe of Algonquin Indians were resident in the lower Mohawk Valley before 1600, when the Mohawk Tribe of Iroquois drove them out.
Very few Mohican village sites have been found but one was unearthed in the township of Amsterdam in 1923.
Doubtless the first settler in the present limits of Amsterdam was William Johnson (Sir William Johnson, 1755), who located on the south shore road, in the present southeastern part of the city in 1738.
He came here from Ireland to superintend the estate of his uncle, Sir Peter Warren, a retired admiral of the British navy, then resident in New York City.
The admiral's lands lay in the present Town of Florida, opposite Amsterdam.
Johnson, then 23 years old, built a log house (his first home) and a store and here began his momentous and influential career.
In 1742 he removed to Mount Johnson.
Thus Amsterdam can claim the young, vigorous figure of Johnson as a patron city father just as Johnstown has the wise and honored baronet, and Schenectady proclaims the great Van Curler as its founder.
Likewise Utica has John Post, Rome has General Gansevoort (who defended Fort Stanwix at Rome, 1777), and Herkimer has General Herkimer, Fonda has Major Jelles Fonda, Fort Plain has Colonel Willett, Ilion has the later figure of Eliphalet Remington and so through most of the valley towns, which claim some figure as patron city father, as a representative symbol of the municipality.
Johnson's place at Amsterdam was known as "Johnson's Settlement."
Here he married his first wife, Katherine Weisenberg, who was variously said to be a Dutch and German girl.
Johnson paid his neighbor, Philips, 10 pounds for his housemaid, to reimburse him for the girl's passage money from the "old country."
Sir William Johnson's son, John, was born here at Amsterdam in 1742, and in 1743 Colonel Johnson and his family removed to his newly erected buildings, on the north shore, about two and a half miles westward.
He first occupied a small stone house about one-half mile east of Fort Johnson.
He called this Mount Johnson from the steep hill just back of it.
He later called Fort Johnson, Mount Johnson, up to 1755.
Johnson willed this house to his daughter Anna, wife of Col. Daniel Claus.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
Re: HISTORY OF THE MOHAWK VALLEY
History of the Mohawk Valley: Gateway to the West 1614-1925
Chapter 116: The City of Amsterdam, continued ...
Guy Park, 1766
Another Johnson — Col. Guy Johnson — was one of Amsterdam's pioneer residents.
Guy Johnson was a nephew of Sir William and married Mary, one of Sir William's daughters.
In 1766 Sir William Johnson built here, on the north side of the river close to the turnpike, a low two-story stone house for his nephew and his daughter.
With its adjoining estate it was known as Guy Park.
For ten years Guy Park was a brilliant social rendezvous of the small circle of pretentious Tory military aristocracy of Tryon County, of which Johnstown was the center.
It was the scene of Tory conference and Tory plotting in the feverish years preceding the Revolution.
On Sir William's death, in 1774, Col. Guy Johnson succeeded him as Indian Commissioner.
Then Guy Park became a council house for the Iroquois and other Indian warriors who gathered here to confer with the Tory successor of the Great White Chief Warraghegagey, which was the Indian name of their beloved and respected Sir William Johnson.
The following is a brief sketch of the Guy Johnson occupancy of Guy Park: For his day Guy Johnson was a talented man of considerable education, who inherited much of his uncle's talent in his diplomatic dealings with the Indians.
Johnson was skilled in map making and clever as an artist.
His sketch of Fort Johnson, as it stood about 1756, shows his ability.
In 1777 he is described as "a short, pursy man about forty years of age, of stern countenance and haughty demeanor, dressed in a British uniform, powdered locks and a cocked hat."
He was born in Ireland about 1740.
He was a lieutenant in the British service and about 1762 was appointed an Indian deputy after which he exchanged his commission for land in the Mohawk Valley.
He was so successful on a mission to the Onondagas that the tribe gave him the title of U-ragh-quad-ir-ha, meaning "Rays of the Sun enlightening the Earth."
Mary or Polly Johnson, daughter of Sir William, was courted by John Carden but Guy Johnson won her.
February 4, 1763, they were married.
Sir William presented them with Guy Park, a property a mile square, where he built a frame house for them, which was struck by lightning and burned.
Great attention was given to the gardens and fruit trees of the place.
In 1764 little Polly Johnson, a daughter, arrived.
In 1766, the new stone house was completed and beautifully fitted out with furnishings from London and an organ from New York.
All these goods came by sloop up the Hudson to Albany, from whence they were portaged to Schenectady by wagon and from thence came by boat up the Mohawk, which was then the valley freight route.
In 1767 Guy Johnson was made a colonel in Sir William Johnson's New York Colonial Militia forces.
In 1770 Guy became master of St. Patrick's Masonic Lodge of Johnstown.
In 1772, on the formation of Tryon County, he was made county judge and, on the death of his uncle, Sir William, in the same year, he was made British agent for the Northern Indians, including the Mohawks and Iroquois.
He was closely watched by American patriotic authorities on the outbreak of the Revolution, because of his strong Tory leanings.
Before this time Johnson had strongly fortified Guy Park.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
Chapter 116: The City of Amsterdam, continued ...
Guy Park, 1766
Another Johnson — Col. Guy Johnson — was one of Amsterdam's pioneer residents.
Guy Johnson was a nephew of Sir William and married Mary, one of Sir William's daughters.
In 1766 Sir William Johnson built here, on the north side of the river close to the turnpike, a low two-story stone house for his nephew and his daughter.
With its adjoining estate it was known as Guy Park.
For ten years Guy Park was a brilliant social rendezvous of the small circle of pretentious Tory military aristocracy of Tryon County, of which Johnstown was the center.
It was the scene of Tory conference and Tory plotting in the feverish years preceding the Revolution.
On Sir William's death, in 1774, Col. Guy Johnson succeeded him as Indian Commissioner.
Then Guy Park became a council house for the Iroquois and other Indian warriors who gathered here to confer with the Tory successor of the Great White Chief Warraghegagey, which was the Indian name of their beloved and respected Sir William Johnson.
The following is a brief sketch of the Guy Johnson occupancy of Guy Park: For his day Guy Johnson was a talented man of considerable education, who inherited much of his uncle's talent in his diplomatic dealings with the Indians.
Johnson was skilled in map making and clever as an artist.
His sketch of Fort Johnson, as it stood about 1756, shows his ability.
In 1777 he is described as "a short, pursy man about forty years of age, of stern countenance and haughty demeanor, dressed in a British uniform, powdered locks and a cocked hat."
He was born in Ireland about 1740.
He was a lieutenant in the British service and about 1762 was appointed an Indian deputy after which he exchanged his commission for land in the Mohawk Valley.
He was so successful on a mission to the Onondagas that the tribe gave him the title of U-ragh-quad-ir-ha, meaning "Rays of the Sun enlightening the Earth."
Mary or Polly Johnson, daughter of Sir William, was courted by John Carden but Guy Johnson won her.
February 4, 1763, they were married.
Sir William presented them with Guy Park, a property a mile square, where he built a frame house for them, which was struck by lightning and burned.
Great attention was given to the gardens and fruit trees of the place.
In 1764 little Polly Johnson, a daughter, arrived.
In 1766, the new stone house was completed and beautifully fitted out with furnishings from London and an organ from New York.
All these goods came by sloop up the Hudson to Albany, from whence they were portaged to Schenectady by wagon and from thence came by boat up the Mohawk, which was then the valley freight route.
In 1767 Guy Johnson was made a colonel in Sir William Johnson's New York Colonial Militia forces.
In 1770 Guy became master of St. Patrick's Masonic Lodge of Johnstown.
In 1772, on the formation of Tryon County, he was made county judge and, on the death of his uncle, Sir William, in the same year, he was made British agent for the Northern Indians, including the Mohawks and Iroquois.
He was closely watched by American patriotic authorities on the outbreak of the Revolution, because of his strong Tory leanings.
Before this time Johnson had strongly fortified Guy Park.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
Re: HISTORY OF THE MOHAWK VALLEY
History of the Mohawk Valley: Gateway to the West 1614-1925
Chapter 116: The City of Amsterdam, continued ...
At Guy Park, May 25, 1775, Johnson held a council with the Indians and the neighborhood magistrates, after which he immediately called another council at Canajoharie (present Indian Castle).
To this place Johnson went with his entire following, including his negro slaves, Joseph Brant and the two Butlers.
Without stopping there they went to Fort Oswego and there the party joined the British forces at Oswego.
Mary or Polly, wife of Guy Johnson, died July 11, 1775, at Oswego.
Colonel Johnson fought with the British forces in the Revolution and on several occasions was with raiding parties against his old valley neighbors.
Col. Guy Johnson died later in London March 5, 1788.
His daughter, Mary or "Polly," later married the British Field Marshal Lord Clyde.
After Johnson's flight Guy Park was confiscated by the American Revolutionary authorities and later was sold.
After a career as a tavern and a handsome private residence, the property had a varied career.
The building was altered and the roof raised about 1846 and the two wings were added in 1858.
About 1905 the State bought it for Barge Canal engineering purposes.
It was restored and turned over to a State Commission of five members of the Amsterdam Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution.
Guy Park is now a public historical museum and the home of the Chapter.
This result was brought about through the efforts of a member of this Chapter.
See "Fort Johnson and Guy Park," a pamphlet by C. F. McClumpha and Elma Strong Morris.
See "[The Story of] Old Fort Johnson" by W. Max Reid of Amsterdam, which contains much relative to Guy Park.
See Reid's "Mohawk Valley." [i.e., The Mohawk Valley: Its Legends and Its History]
TO BE CONTINUED ...
Chapter 116: The City of Amsterdam, continued ...
At Guy Park, May 25, 1775, Johnson held a council with the Indians and the neighborhood magistrates, after which he immediately called another council at Canajoharie (present Indian Castle).
To this place Johnson went with his entire following, including his negro slaves, Joseph Brant and the two Butlers.
Without stopping there they went to Fort Oswego and there the party joined the British forces at Oswego.
Mary or Polly, wife of Guy Johnson, died July 11, 1775, at Oswego.
Colonel Johnson fought with the British forces in the Revolution and on several occasions was with raiding parties against his old valley neighbors.
Col. Guy Johnson died later in London March 5, 1788.
His daughter, Mary or "Polly," later married the British Field Marshal Lord Clyde.
After Johnson's flight Guy Park was confiscated by the American Revolutionary authorities and later was sold.
After a career as a tavern and a handsome private residence, the property had a varied career.
The building was altered and the roof raised about 1846 and the two wings were added in 1858.
About 1905 the State bought it for Barge Canal engineering purposes.
It was restored and turned over to a State Commission of five members of the Amsterdam Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution.
Guy Park is now a public historical museum and the home of the Chapter.
This result was brought about through the efforts of a member of this Chapter.
See "Fort Johnson and Guy Park," a pamphlet by C. F. McClumpha and Elma Strong Morris.
See "[The Story of] Old Fort Johnson" by W. Max Reid of Amsterdam, which contains much relative to Guy Park.
See Reid's "Mohawk Valley." [i.e., The Mohawk Valley: Its Legends and Its History]
TO BE CONTINUED ...
Re: HISTORY OF THE MOHAWK VALLEY
History of the Mohawk Valley: Gateway to the West 1614-1925
Chapter 116: The City of Amsterdam, continued ...
The Ghost of Guy Park
After Col. Johnson's flight to Canada in 1775, Guy Park was confiscated by the Tryon County Committee of Safety, and leased to Henry Kennedy, who occupied it with his family.
The Kennedys affirmed that the specter of Mary Johnson, then deceased, revisited her old home much to their discomfiture.
The Johnson lady's apparition was said to have appeared in the northwest room just off the hall entrance.
These ghostly visitations were later explained by the supposition that they were attempts by female agents or spies, employed by the Johnsons, to secure valuables and papers which had been placed in secret closets alongside the fireplace in this "ghost chamber."
The Guy Park ghost is said to have been "laid" by a spy in the guise of a German traveler, who secured the desired articles, after which the visitations ceased.
This German awoke the family by a pistol shot in the dark hours of the early morning.
He said the ghost appeared and he fired his pistol point blank at it, whereupon it disappeared immediately.
The man mounted his horse and rode away, telling the Kennedys the ghost would not reappear and it is said from that time on that the spirit of Mary Johnson was never again seen in or about Guy Park.
In the busy days of the old Mohawk Turnpike, Guy Park was a famous turnpike inn and stopping place for large freight wagons.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
Chapter 116: The City of Amsterdam, continued ...
The Ghost of Guy Park
After Col. Johnson's flight to Canada in 1775, Guy Park was confiscated by the Tryon County Committee of Safety, and leased to Henry Kennedy, who occupied it with his family.
The Kennedys affirmed that the specter of Mary Johnson, then deceased, revisited her old home much to their discomfiture.
The Johnson lady's apparition was said to have appeared in the northwest room just off the hall entrance.
These ghostly visitations were later explained by the supposition that they were attempts by female agents or spies, employed by the Johnsons, to secure valuables and papers which had been placed in secret closets alongside the fireplace in this "ghost chamber."
The Guy Park ghost is said to have been "laid" by a spy in the guise of a German traveler, who secured the desired articles, after which the visitations ceased.
This German awoke the family by a pistol shot in the dark hours of the early morning.
He said the ghost appeared and he fired his pistol point blank at it, whereupon it disappeared immediately.
The man mounted his horse and rode away, telling the Kennedys the ghost would not reappear and it is said from that time on that the spirit of Mary Johnson was never again seen in or about Guy Park.
In the busy days of the old Mohawk Turnpike, Guy Park was a famous turnpike inn and stopping place for large freight wagons.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
Re: HISTORY OF THE MOHAWK VALLEY
History of the Mohawk Valley: Gateway to the West 1614-1925
Chapter 116: The City of Amsterdam, continued ...
Veddersburg, 1783-1804
During the Revolutionary war Aaron Vedder settled at the mouth of the Chuctanunda, and built a saw mill and grist mill.
Here he was captured by Indians but escaped.
Other early settlers were E. E. DeGraff, Nicholas Wilcox and William Kline.
A ford was here located at Stanton Island, below Amsterdam.
Ross' and Butler's British-Canadian-Indian regiment of raiders crossed the Mohawk to the north shore on the morning of October 25, 1781, on their way to defeat on the battlefield of Johnstown.
The beginnings of Amsterdam date from the close of the Revolution (1783) when settlers began to locate on and at the mouth of the Chuctanunda.
The little hamlet was called Veddersburg from Aaron Vedder, its first permanent settler.
In 1800 the Reformed Dutch Church of Veddersburg (now Amsterdam) was built here.
A map of 1807 shows about fifteen houses, five mills, a hotel and the Dutch Church.
The Chuctanunda is thereon called "Tjoughtenoonda, a never-failing stream."
In 1804, by popular vote, the hamlet's name was changed to Amsterdam in honor of the chief city of Holland, from which came the ancestors of many of the residents of this section.
In 1813 there were some forty-odd buildings here, of which twenty-five were dwellings.
In 1821 a bridge was erected across the Mohawk and in 1831 the growing settlement was incorporated as a village.
In 1840 Amsterdam is described as having a toll bridge over the Mohawk, 4 churches, 1 bank, 1 academy, 1 female seminary, 14 stores, 2 grist mills, 2 furnaces, 1 carpet manufactory, 1 printing office, 1 scythe factory and "various other manufactories," with 250 dwellings and a population of about 1,700.
The south side village grew up after the Erie Canal was built in 1825, and was called Port Jackson, prior to its incorporation in the City of Amsterdam in 1885.
The following dates regarding Amsterdam are of commercial and manufacturing interest: 1840, carpet manufacture begun at Hagaman; 1842, William K. Greene carpet factory started at Amsterdam; 1848, manufacture of linseed oil started; 1857, knit goods manufacture begun; 1860, first Chuctanunda water power reservoir constructed; 1868, first broom factory; 1876, second Chuctanunda water power reservoir built; 1885, Amsterdam chartered as a city.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
Chapter 116: The City of Amsterdam, continued ...
Veddersburg, 1783-1804
During the Revolutionary war Aaron Vedder settled at the mouth of the Chuctanunda, and built a saw mill and grist mill.
Here he was captured by Indians but escaped.
Other early settlers were E. E. DeGraff, Nicholas Wilcox and William Kline.
A ford was here located at Stanton Island, below Amsterdam.
Ross' and Butler's British-Canadian-Indian regiment of raiders crossed the Mohawk to the north shore on the morning of October 25, 1781, on their way to defeat on the battlefield of Johnstown.
The beginnings of Amsterdam date from the close of the Revolution (1783) when settlers began to locate on and at the mouth of the Chuctanunda.
The little hamlet was called Veddersburg from Aaron Vedder, its first permanent settler.
In 1800 the Reformed Dutch Church of Veddersburg (now Amsterdam) was built here.
A map of 1807 shows about fifteen houses, five mills, a hotel and the Dutch Church.
The Chuctanunda is thereon called "Tjoughtenoonda, a never-failing stream."
In 1804, by popular vote, the hamlet's name was changed to Amsterdam in honor of the chief city of Holland, from which came the ancestors of many of the residents of this section.
In 1813 there were some forty-odd buildings here, of which twenty-five were dwellings.
In 1821 a bridge was erected across the Mohawk and in 1831 the growing settlement was incorporated as a village.
In 1840 Amsterdam is described as having a toll bridge over the Mohawk, 4 churches, 1 bank, 1 academy, 1 female seminary, 14 stores, 2 grist mills, 2 furnaces, 1 carpet manufactory, 1 printing office, 1 scythe factory and "various other manufactories," with 250 dwellings and a population of about 1,700.
The south side village grew up after the Erie Canal was built in 1825, and was called Port Jackson, prior to its incorporation in the City of Amsterdam in 1885.
The following dates regarding Amsterdam are of commercial and manufacturing interest: 1840, carpet manufacture begun at Hagaman; 1842, William K. Greene carpet factory started at Amsterdam; 1848, manufacture of linseed oil started; 1857, knit goods manufacture begun; 1860, first Chuctanunda water power reservoir constructed; 1868, first broom factory; 1876, second Chuctanunda water power reservoir built; 1885, Amsterdam chartered as a city.
TO BE CONTINUED ...