HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY
by Jeptha R. Simms - 1845
CHAPTER II, continued ...
During the confinement of the disappointed trio, many of the people of Schoharie, convinced that they stood in their own light, and that they had wholly mistaken the intention of Bayard, too late indeed to obtain a legal title to their lands free of charge, began to purchase of the partners, who granted them liberal terms.
At length, Weiser and his comrades were discharged from the tower, and proceeded home with all possible haste: and had the former only been by name in the positive degree on his arrival in England, he assuredly would have been by nature in the comparative on his return to Schoharie; as he had become in fact much wiser.
The return of the embassy, whose mission had resulted in effecting nothing but disgrace for themselves; and tended only to disclose the general ignorance of their constituents, created no little excitement in the valley.
Conrad Weiser was, by nature, a proud, high-spirited man, and could not brook the mortification his own ignorance had originated.
Soon after his return, he resolved to leave Schoharie forever, and had little difficulty in persuading many of his countrymen to join him.
Accordingly, with as little delay as possible, about sixty families packed up and set forward with all they possessed for Pennsylvania.
The want of horses and cows, which was so seriously felt by the Germans when they first located at Schoharie, was, at the time I now speak of, a source of little inconvenience, as they then owned a goodly number.
The disaffected party passed up the Schoharie river, piloted by an Indian.
Brown says, they arrived, after a journey of five days, at the Cook-house, 1 where they made canoes, in which they went down the Susquehanna.
Here is a trifling error in his pamphlet, as the Cook-house is on the Delaware river.
As he says, they passed down the Susquehanna, preparing their canoes for that purpose, near the mouth of the Charlotte river.
Nicholas Warner, one of the oldest citizens of Schoharie county, in the fall of 1837, assured the author that he had seen the stumps of the trees on the Charlotte branch of the Susquehanna, which Wieser and his friends felled to make the canoes from, in which they floated down the river.
Their cattle and horses were driven along the shore, and were frequently in sight of the water party, until the latter left their canoes.
Weiser and his followers settled at a place called Tulpehocken, in Berks county, Pennsylvania, on the north side of a creek of that name; where, it is said, he became a distinguished and useful citizen. 2
1 I make the following extract from a letter from the Hon. Erastus Root, of the New York Senate, in answer to several inquiries, dated Albany, April 11, 1843. "You ask whence originated the name of Cook House. Various derivations have been given, but the most natural and probable one is this - That on the large flat bearing the name, being on the way from Cochecton, by the Susquehanna and Chemung to Niagara, there was a hut erected, where some cooking utensils were found. It had probably been erected by some traveler who had made it his stopping place and had cooked his provisions there. It has been stated to me as a part of the tradition, that the hut remained many years as a resting place to the weary traveler, and that the rude cooking utensils were permitted to remain as consecrated to the use of succeeding sojourners." General Root went to reside in Delaware county in 1796.
2 In 1744, one Conrad Weiser was Indian interpreter for the colony of Pennsylvania, who was, doubtless, the swift-footed son of the one named in the context.
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 II, continued ...
The party probably settled near their countrymen who emigrated from Germany at the time they did, and located in that State.
Most of the families which followed the fortunes of Weiser, were from Weiser's and Hartman's dorfs.
Hartman Wintker removed at the same time to Pennsylvania.
Whether they had to purchase lands in Tulpehocken, I cannot say.
Few of Weiser's party ever revisited Schoharie: several old men did, however, nearly fifty years after.
A similar circumstance is said to have transpired, showing the instinct of the horses which accompanied the emigration to Pennsylvania.
Twelve of those noble animals left their master's cribs, and after an absence from them of a year and a half, ten of them, in good condition, arrived at Schoharie: a distance through the wilderness of over three hundred miles.
It is possible they remembered the sweet clover 3 of Weiser's dorf, and longed again to munch it.
Two instances of brute instinct, not dissimilar to the one related, were told the author by Mrs. Van Slyck.
About the year 1770, the Bartholomews removed from New Jersey to the Charlotte river.
Soon after their arrival there, three of their horses disappeared, and after much unsuccessful searching for them, it was concluded that they had strayed away and become a prey to wild beasts.
Judge the surprise of the owners to learn after some time, that one of them had been taken up within two, and another within five miles of their former residence.
The third was found by them near Catskill.
The other story is perhaps the most singular of the two, as the horse has been given numberless instances of remarkable sagacity.
Not many years from the period above cited, Ephraim Morehouse removed in the spring from Dutchess county to the vicinity of the Charlotte river.
He passed through the Schoharie valley on his way, and tarried over night with Samuel Vrooman, father of my informant, with whom he was acquainted.
He drove with his cattle a large sow with a bell on.
As Morehouse approached the end of his journey, the sow disappeared.
After considerable delay in a fruitless search for her, he proceeded on his way.
In the following autumn he revisited the place of his former residence, and on his return again tarried over night with Vrooman.
He then related the circumstance of losing his sow, and again finding her.
She had returned to the old stye in due time, to the great surprise of the neighborhood.
Whether she retraced her way by the same path or not is unknown; but to reach her former place, had been compelled to swim the Hudson, and perform a solitary journey of one hundred miles.
3. The land through which the little Schoharie kill, in Middleburgh, runs to the river, is to this day called the clauver wy, which signifies the clover pasture. When the Schoharie valley was first settled, the land along that stream was thickly covered with clover, which was seen in few other places about the Schoharie: hence the appropriate name.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
by Jeptha R. Simms - 1845
CHAPTER II, continued ...
The party probably settled near their countrymen who emigrated from Germany at the time they did, and located in that State.
Most of the families which followed the fortunes of Weiser, were from Weiser's and Hartman's dorfs.
Hartman Wintker removed at the same time to Pennsylvania.
Whether they had to purchase lands in Tulpehocken, I cannot say.
Few of Weiser's party ever revisited Schoharie: several old men did, however, nearly fifty years after.
A similar circumstance is said to have transpired, showing the instinct of the horses which accompanied the emigration to Pennsylvania.
Twelve of those noble animals left their master's cribs, and after an absence from them of a year and a half, ten of them, in good condition, arrived at Schoharie: a distance through the wilderness of over three hundred miles.
It is possible they remembered the sweet clover 3 of Weiser's dorf, and longed again to munch it.
Two instances of brute instinct, not dissimilar to the one related, were told the author by Mrs. Van Slyck.
About the year 1770, the Bartholomews removed from New Jersey to the Charlotte river.
Soon after their arrival there, three of their horses disappeared, and after much unsuccessful searching for them, it was concluded that they had strayed away and become a prey to wild beasts.
Judge the surprise of the owners to learn after some time, that one of them had been taken up within two, and another within five miles of their former residence.
The third was found by them near Catskill.
The other story is perhaps the most singular of the two, as the horse has been given numberless instances of remarkable sagacity.
Not many years from the period above cited, Ephraim Morehouse removed in the spring from Dutchess county to the vicinity of the Charlotte river.
He passed through the Schoharie valley on his way, and tarried over night with Samuel Vrooman, father of my informant, with whom he was acquainted.
He drove with his cattle a large sow with a bell on.
As Morehouse approached the end of his journey, the sow disappeared.
After considerable delay in a fruitless search for her, he proceeded on his way.
In the following autumn he revisited the place of his former residence, and on his return again tarried over night with Vrooman.
He then related the circumstance of losing his sow, and again finding her.
She had returned to the old stye in due time, to the great surprise of the neighborhood.
Whether she retraced her way by the same path or not is unknown; but to reach her former place, had been compelled to swim the Hudson, and perform a solitary journey of one hundred miles.
3. The land through which the little Schoharie kill, in Middleburgh, runs to the river, is to this day called the clauver wy, which signifies the clover pasture. When the Schoharie valley was first settled, the land along that stream was thickly covered with clover, which was seen in few other places about the Schoharie: hence the appropriate name.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
Re: ON THE ROOTS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION
HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY
by Jeptha R. Simms - 1845
CHAPTER II, concluded ...
About the time Weiser and his friends left Schoharie, there were others among the dissatisfied, who, not choosing to follow his fortunes, sought a future residence in the Mohawk valley.
Elias Garlock, the founder of Garlock's dorf, removed to the Mohawk, accompanied by several of his neighbors.
Some of the party had relatives or friends there who located at the time the Schoharie settlements were begun, which induced them to remove thither.
They settled in and about Canajoharie, at Stone Arabia, or upon the German Flats.
Tradition has preserved but little in the life of Justice Garlock, the most noted of the Schoharie Germans, who removed to the Mohawk valley.
He is said, while there, to have been the only justice of the peace in the Schoharie valley.
The name of the shrewd constable who aided him in administering the few laws by which they were governed, has been lost.
Only one important decision of this sage justice is known to the author.
His summons was usually delivered to the constable viva voce, and thus by him to the transgressor of the law.
If the justice wished to bring a culprit before him, he gave his jack-knife to the constable, who carried it to the accused, and required him at the appointed time to appear with it before the justice.
What it meant he well understood.
If two were to be summoned at the same time, to the second he gave the tobacco-box of the justice, and as that usually contained a liberal supply of the delectable narcotic, the consequences of a failure to return it in person to the justice, in due time, were dangerous to the extreme.
The decision of Justice Garlock alluded to, terminated so happily for those most interested, that I cannot withhold it from the reader.
A complaint having been entered before him, the knife was issued, and the parties assembled forthwith.
The plaintiff told his story, which appeared simple and true.
The defendant, with more zeal and eloquence, plead his cause - quoting, if I mistake not, some previous decisions of his honor - and made out, as he thought, an equally good case.
After giving the parties a patient hearing, the justice gave the following very important decision.
"Der blandif an derfendur bote hash reght; zo I dezides, an pe dunder, der knonshtopple moosh bay de kosht."
TO BE CONTINUED ...
by Jeptha R. Simms - 1845
CHAPTER II, concluded ...
About the time Weiser and his friends left Schoharie, there were others among the dissatisfied, who, not choosing to follow his fortunes, sought a future residence in the Mohawk valley.
Elias Garlock, the founder of Garlock's dorf, removed to the Mohawk, accompanied by several of his neighbors.
Some of the party had relatives or friends there who located at the time the Schoharie settlements were begun, which induced them to remove thither.
They settled in and about Canajoharie, at Stone Arabia, or upon the German Flats.
Tradition has preserved but little in the life of Justice Garlock, the most noted of the Schoharie Germans, who removed to the Mohawk valley.
He is said, while there, to have been the only justice of the peace in the Schoharie valley.
The name of the shrewd constable who aided him in administering the few laws by which they were governed, has been lost.
Only one important decision of this sage justice is known to the author.
His summons was usually delivered to the constable viva voce, and thus by him to the transgressor of the law.
If the justice wished to bring a culprit before him, he gave his jack-knife to the constable, who carried it to the accused, and required him at the appointed time to appear with it before the justice.
What it meant he well understood.
If two were to be summoned at the same time, to the second he gave the tobacco-box of the justice, and as that usually contained a liberal supply of the delectable narcotic, the consequences of a failure to return it in person to the justice, in due time, were dangerous to the extreme.
The decision of Justice Garlock alluded to, terminated so happily for those most interested, that I cannot withhold it from the reader.
A complaint having been entered before him, the knife was issued, and the parties assembled forthwith.
The plaintiff told his story, which appeared simple and true.
The defendant, with more zeal and eloquence, plead his cause - quoting, if I mistake not, some previous decisions of his honor - and made out, as he thought, an equally good case.
After giving the parties a patient hearing, the justice gave the following very important decision.
"Der blandif an derfendur bote hash reght; zo I dezides, an pe dunder, der knonshtopple moosh bay de kosht."
TO BE CONTINUED ...
Re: ON THE ROOTS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION
HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY
by Jeptha R. Simms - 1845
CHAPTER III
After the removal of Weiser and others from Schoharie, the difficulties to which the ignorance and suspicions of the people had subjected them, were soon quieted, and they once more became a happy community.
They were careful afterwards to secure legal titles to their lands, and thereby remove the danger of troubles in future, from a cause which had already tended greatly to decrease their numbers, and harass their feelings.
There were, as I have been informed, several apple trees standing on the flats near the present dwelling of John Ingold, at the time the Germans arrived, supposed to have been planted by the Indians.
One of these antiquated trees, at least 140 years old, was still standing in 1842, and very fruitful.
Other trees of the same planting were yet bearing fruit in 1837.
The trees from which the first apple orchards in Schoharie were derived, were procured, as Judge Brown assured me, in the following manner.
One Campbell and several other individuals went from the Schoharie valley to New York, to be naturalized, a few years after the settlement was commenced.
Their business accomplished, they started for home on board of a sloop; but not having money enough to pay their passage to Albany, they were landed at or near Rhinebeck, and traveled from thence on foot.
Crossing the Rhinebeck flats, each pulled up a bundle of small apple trees in the nurseries they passed, from which the first orchards in Schoharie were planted.
The second season after the murder of his agent Truax, in Vrooman's Land, Peter Vrooman returned to that place and established a permanent residence.
He planted an apple orchard, which is yet standing, near the dwelling of Harmanus Vrooman.
Some of the Swarts, Eckers, Zielleys, Haggidorns, Feecks, and Beckers, with perhaps some other Dutch families, settled in that vicinity about the same time.
There were few regular mechanics among the first settlers, on which account the native genius of all was more or less taxed.
We have seen to what inconvenience and labor they were subjected for the want of mills.
The first grist mill in the county was erected by Simeon Laraway, on the small stream called Millbrook, from that circumstance, which runs into Fox's creek near Waterbury's mills.
Upon a bridge which crossed this brook, Sheriff Adams was left, after having had occular demonstration of the prowess of Magdalene Zeh, in the first anti-rent war.
Some part of the race-way of this mill is still to be seen.
Before the erection of Simeon's mill, as usually called, several hand mills, like the one at Weiser's dorf, were in frequent use.
In the course of twenty or thirty years after Weiser and his friends left, several other mills were established in and about Schoharie.
One Cobel erected two of those. 1
One of them was built on a small brook in a ravine on the south side of the road, a few rods distance form the river bridge, one mile from the Court House.
The other mill he erected about the same time on Cobelskill, which took its name from that circumstance.
It stood near the mouth of the kill.
It was not until about the year 1760, that bolting cloths were used in Schoharie.
Henry Weaver, who owned a mill near where Becker's now stands, on Foxes creek, was the first who introduced them.
1. This creek took its name after the paternal name of the mill-wright, as Judge Brown assured me. I find the name written Cobels kill in many of the old conveyances, and in all the early Sessions laws, of the state. It is, in truth, the correct orthography of the word. In writing Fox's and Cobel's kill, I shall in future omit the apostrophe and hyphen, for reasons obvious to the reader. The Indians called Cobelskill the Ots.ga.ra.gee which signified the hemp creek. When first settled by the whites, an abundance of wild hemp grew along its banks. The natives often visited them to procure it, making from it fish nets, and ropes to aid them in transporting their portable wealth.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
by Jeptha R. Simms - 1845
CHAPTER III
After the removal of Weiser and others from Schoharie, the difficulties to which the ignorance and suspicions of the people had subjected them, were soon quieted, and they once more became a happy community.
They were careful afterwards to secure legal titles to their lands, and thereby remove the danger of troubles in future, from a cause which had already tended greatly to decrease their numbers, and harass their feelings.
There were, as I have been informed, several apple trees standing on the flats near the present dwelling of John Ingold, at the time the Germans arrived, supposed to have been planted by the Indians.
One of these antiquated trees, at least 140 years old, was still standing in 1842, and very fruitful.
Other trees of the same planting were yet bearing fruit in 1837.
The trees from which the first apple orchards in Schoharie were derived, were procured, as Judge Brown assured me, in the following manner.
One Campbell and several other individuals went from the Schoharie valley to New York, to be naturalized, a few years after the settlement was commenced.
Their business accomplished, they started for home on board of a sloop; but not having money enough to pay their passage to Albany, they were landed at or near Rhinebeck, and traveled from thence on foot.
Crossing the Rhinebeck flats, each pulled up a bundle of small apple trees in the nurseries they passed, from which the first orchards in Schoharie were planted.
The second season after the murder of his agent Truax, in Vrooman's Land, Peter Vrooman returned to that place and established a permanent residence.
He planted an apple orchard, which is yet standing, near the dwelling of Harmanus Vrooman.
Some of the Swarts, Eckers, Zielleys, Haggidorns, Feecks, and Beckers, with perhaps some other Dutch families, settled in that vicinity about the same time.
There were few regular mechanics among the first settlers, on which account the native genius of all was more or less taxed.
We have seen to what inconvenience and labor they were subjected for the want of mills.
The first grist mill in the county was erected by Simeon Laraway, on the small stream called Millbrook, from that circumstance, which runs into Fox's creek near Waterbury's mills.
Upon a bridge which crossed this brook, Sheriff Adams was left, after having had occular demonstration of the prowess of Magdalene Zeh, in the first anti-rent war.
Some part of the race-way of this mill is still to be seen.
Before the erection of Simeon's mill, as usually called, several hand mills, like the one at Weiser's dorf, were in frequent use.
In the course of twenty or thirty years after Weiser and his friends left, several other mills were established in and about Schoharie.
One Cobel erected two of those. 1
One of them was built on a small brook in a ravine on the south side of the road, a few rods distance form the river bridge, one mile from the Court House.
The other mill he erected about the same time on Cobelskill, which took its name from that circumstance.
It stood near the mouth of the kill.
It was not until about the year 1760, that bolting cloths were used in Schoharie.
Henry Weaver, who owned a mill near where Becker's now stands, on Foxes creek, was the first who introduced them.
1. This creek took its name after the paternal name of the mill-wright, as Judge Brown assured me. I find the name written Cobels kill in many of the old conveyances, and in all the early Sessions laws, of the state. It is, in truth, the correct orthography of the word. In writing Fox's and Cobel's kill, I shall in future omit the apostrophe and hyphen, for reasons obvious to the reader. The Indians called Cobelskill the Ots.ga.ra.gee which signified the hemp creek. When first settled by the whites, an abundance of wild hemp grew along its banks. The natives often visited them to procure it, making from it fish nets, and ropes to aid them in transporting their portable wealth.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
Re: ON THE ROOTS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION
HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY
by Jeptha R. Simms - 1845
CHAPTER III, continued ...
At almost as late a period as the revolution, the colonist procured most of their shoes at Albany, or East Camp; and one pair was the yearly allowance for each member of the family.
They were repaired by traveling cobblers.
Those unaffected Germans were not votaries to fashion, of course they were not very particular about receiving their male fashions from England, or their female from France.
The good wife and daughters generally cut and made the rude apparel of the family, and thought it no disgrace.
The settlers manufactured most of their own buttons, and often the same garment had on those of very different sizes, of wood, horn, bone or lead.
Not having been accustomed to luxuries from childhood they were contented with simple fare and uncouth fashions.
Their clothes, as may be supposed, did not set out a good form to very fascinating advantage.
Those useless bipeds denominated dandies, noted for their mustaches, idleness and empty pockets, were unknown in the Schoharie valley at that day; indeed, they are strangers there at the present time.
Of course, other considerations that mere dress, or a display of jewelry, could create, influenced their choice of a partner for life.
They had little to be proud of, consequently many of the men did not shave oftener then once or twice a month.
A Dow or a Matthias would hardly have been distinguished from them, had they appeared at that day.
Habituating themselves to do men's work, many of the women were, from exposure, sun-burnt and coarse featured, and in some instances it became necessary for them to chip an exuberant growth of beard, which was done with scissors.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
by Jeptha R. Simms - 1845
CHAPTER III, continued ...
At almost as late a period as the revolution, the colonist procured most of their shoes at Albany, or East Camp; and one pair was the yearly allowance for each member of the family.
They were repaired by traveling cobblers.
Those unaffected Germans were not votaries to fashion, of course they were not very particular about receiving their male fashions from England, or their female from France.
The good wife and daughters generally cut and made the rude apparel of the family, and thought it no disgrace.
The settlers manufactured most of their own buttons, and often the same garment had on those of very different sizes, of wood, horn, bone or lead.
Not having been accustomed to luxuries from childhood they were contented with simple fare and uncouth fashions.
Their clothes, as may be supposed, did not set out a good form to very fascinating advantage.
Those useless bipeds denominated dandies, noted for their mustaches, idleness and empty pockets, were unknown in the Schoharie valley at that day; indeed, they are strangers there at the present time.
Of course, other considerations that mere dress, or a display of jewelry, could create, influenced their choice of a partner for life.
They had little to be proud of, consequently many of the men did not shave oftener then once or twice a month.
A Dow or a Matthias would hardly have been distinguished from them, had they appeared at that day.
Habituating themselves to do men's work, many of the women were, from exposure, sun-burnt and coarse featured, and in some instances it became necessary for them to chip an exuberant growth of beard, which was done with scissors.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
Re: ON THE ROOTS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION
HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY
by Jeptha R. Simms - 1845
CHAPTER III, continued ...
Lawrence Schoolcraft, one of the first settlers in Schoharie, at the residence of Peter Vrooman, made the first cider in the county.
The manner of making it being unique, was as follows.
The apples were first pounded in a stamper similar to the Indian corn stamper before mentioned.
After being thus bruised, the pumice was placed in a large Indian basket previously suspended to a tree, beneath which was inserted a trough, made by fastening together the edges of two planks, which served to catch and carry the juice compressed by weights in the basket, into some vessel placed for its reception.
In the year 1752, one Brown, the father of Judge Brown, removed from West Camp to Schoharie.
He was then a widower, and soon after his arrival married a widow, who possessed ten acres of land and about one hundred and ten pounds in cash; which enabled him to establish and carry on his trade successfully.
He was a wheel-wright, and the first who prosecuted that business in the county.
The people had manufactured a kind of rude wagon before his arrival, with which they transported light loads to and from Albany, performing the journey in about five days.
This Brown, in 1753, made the first cider-press ever used in the county.
The same process which prepared the pumice for Schoolcraft did for Brown, as he purchased the same pounder.
The press was first used at Hartman's dorf, where he resided.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
by Jeptha R. Simms - 1845
CHAPTER III, continued ...
Lawrence Schoolcraft, one of the first settlers in Schoharie, at the residence of Peter Vrooman, made the first cider in the county.
The manner of making it being unique, was as follows.
The apples were first pounded in a stamper similar to the Indian corn stamper before mentioned.
After being thus bruised, the pumice was placed in a large Indian basket previously suspended to a tree, beneath which was inserted a trough, made by fastening together the edges of two planks, which served to catch and carry the juice compressed by weights in the basket, into some vessel placed for its reception.
In the year 1752, one Brown, the father of Judge Brown, removed from West Camp to Schoharie.
He was then a widower, and soon after his arrival married a widow, who possessed ten acres of land and about one hundred and ten pounds in cash; which enabled him to establish and carry on his trade successfully.
He was a wheel-wright, and the first who prosecuted that business in the county.
The people had manufactured a kind of rude wagon before his arrival, with which they transported light loads to and from Albany, performing the journey in about five days.
This Brown, in 1753, made the first cider-press ever used in the county.
The same process which prepared the pumice for Schoolcraft did for Brown, as he purchased the same pounder.
The press was first used at Hartman's dorf, where he resided.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
Re: ON THE ROOTS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION
HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY
by Jeptha R. Simms - 1845
CHAPTER III, continued ...
John Mattice Junk, or Young in English, the grand-father of Judge Brown, on the Mother's side, is said to have taught the first German school at the Camps, ever taught in America.
This was about the year 1740.
Schools began to be taught in the Schoharie settlements shortly after; one Spease kept the first, and one Keller the next.
German teachers were employed in the German settlements, while at Vrooman's land a school was taught in Dutch.
About the year 1760, English instruction was introduced into those schools, and in some instances the English, German and Dutch languages were all taught by one teacher, in the same school.
Little attention was then paid to the convenience or comfort of the scholars.
Barns, in some instances, became school-houses as well as churches, in the summer; and if schools were continued in the winter, some rude log dwellings became a witness to the child's improvement.
Stoves, in those days, were unknown.
The settlers had mammoth fire-places, however, and plenty of wood; and in numberless instances, a fearful proportion of a cord was seen ignited in the same fire.
Few horses were shod for many years after the settlement began; and those persons, who required any kind of smith-work their own ingenuity could not create, were obliged to go to Albany or Schenectada to get it done.
John Ecker is said to have been the first black-smith in the Schoharie valley, and he was a self instructed one.
The Germans formerly brewed a kind of domestic strong beer, and most of those in Schoharie brewed their own.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
by Jeptha R. Simms - 1845
CHAPTER III, continued ...
John Mattice Junk, or Young in English, the grand-father of Judge Brown, on the Mother's side, is said to have taught the first German school at the Camps, ever taught in America.
This was about the year 1740.
Schools began to be taught in the Schoharie settlements shortly after; one Spease kept the first, and one Keller the next.
German teachers were employed in the German settlements, while at Vrooman's land a school was taught in Dutch.
About the year 1760, English instruction was introduced into those schools, and in some instances the English, German and Dutch languages were all taught by one teacher, in the same school.
Little attention was then paid to the convenience or comfort of the scholars.
Barns, in some instances, became school-houses as well as churches, in the summer; and if schools were continued in the winter, some rude log dwellings became a witness to the child's improvement.
Stoves, in those days, were unknown.
The settlers had mammoth fire-places, however, and plenty of wood; and in numberless instances, a fearful proportion of a cord was seen ignited in the same fire.
Few horses were shod for many years after the settlement began; and those persons, who required any kind of smith-work their own ingenuity could not create, were obliged to go to Albany or Schenectada to get it done.
John Ecker is said to have been the first black-smith in the Schoharie valley, and he was a self instructed one.
The Germans formerly brewed a kind of domestic strong beer, and most of those in Schoharie brewed their own.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
Re: ON THE ROOTS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION
HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY
by Jeptha R. Simms - 1845
CHAPTER III, continued ...
From the fact, that the Dutch, who settled in Vrooman's Land, were more wealthy than their German Neighbors located below them, a kind of pride or distant formality, was manifested by the former towards the latter for many years.
When prejudices of any kind are allowed to gain a place in the human breast, it often requires generations to eradicate them.
The prejudices alluded to as having existed between the Dutch and Germans, tended for many years almost wholly to prevent inter-marriages between them.
The former, therefore, who did not choose to marry cousins -- most of those settlers being related -- went to Schenectada or Albany for wives.
As Cupid is now and then a very mischievous boy, there may have been individual instances, in which the irresistible passion of love, aided by stratagem, trampled paternal prejudices under foot, and united the sturdy German and amorous Dutch maiden.
But we must suppose such cases extremely rare, as the law which still requires in some parts of New England, the publishing of the bans for several Sabbaths preceding the nuptials, was then in force in New York.
The Germans, when they located at Schoharie, owned no slaves, nor, indeed, did they for several years; but these accompanied the Dutch on their arrival as a part of their gear.
By industry, and a proper husbanding of what the earth produced, the wealth of the former increased rapidly, and it was not long before they, too, possessed them.
The manner in which the slaves of Schoharie were generally treated by their masters, is not ineptly described by Mrs. Grant, in her Memoirs of Albany.
They were allowed freedom of speech, and indulged in many things, which other members of the family were, whose ages corresponded to their own; and to a superficial spectator, had the color not interfered, they would have seemed on an equality.
Individual instances may now be cited where blacks would be much better off under a good master then they now are, or, indeed, than thousands of the operatives of England are -- still, no one can from moral principle, although he may form motives of expediency, advocate the continuance of the evil as just and proper in any country.
The existence of slavery in the United States, is the greatest stain upon their national escutcheon.
This I believe to be a fact generally conceded, by all the good and virtuous in the land.
The question then, which naturally arises, is, or rather it should be, what is the best and most proper manner of obliterating the stain?
Let reason and common sense, not fanaticism and malice, reply.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
by Jeptha R. Simms - 1845
CHAPTER III, continued ...
From the fact, that the Dutch, who settled in Vrooman's Land, were more wealthy than their German Neighbors located below them, a kind of pride or distant formality, was manifested by the former towards the latter for many years.
When prejudices of any kind are allowed to gain a place in the human breast, it often requires generations to eradicate them.
The prejudices alluded to as having existed between the Dutch and Germans, tended for many years almost wholly to prevent inter-marriages between them.
The former, therefore, who did not choose to marry cousins -- most of those settlers being related -- went to Schenectada or Albany for wives.
As Cupid is now and then a very mischievous boy, there may have been individual instances, in which the irresistible passion of love, aided by stratagem, trampled paternal prejudices under foot, and united the sturdy German and amorous Dutch maiden.
But we must suppose such cases extremely rare, as the law which still requires in some parts of New England, the publishing of the bans for several Sabbaths preceding the nuptials, was then in force in New York.
The Germans, when they located at Schoharie, owned no slaves, nor, indeed, did they for several years; but these accompanied the Dutch on their arrival as a part of their gear.
By industry, and a proper husbanding of what the earth produced, the wealth of the former increased rapidly, and it was not long before they, too, possessed them.
The manner in which the slaves of Schoharie were generally treated by their masters, is not ineptly described by Mrs. Grant, in her Memoirs of Albany.
They were allowed freedom of speech, and indulged in many things, which other members of the family were, whose ages corresponded to their own; and to a superficial spectator, had the color not interfered, they would have seemed on an equality.
Individual instances may now be cited where blacks would be much better off under a good master then they now are, or, indeed, than thousands of the operatives of England are -- still, no one can from moral principle, although he may form motives of expediency, advocate the continuance of the evil as just and proper in any country.
The existence of slavery in the United States, is the greatest stain upon their national escutcheon.
This I believe to be a fact generally conceded, by all the good and virtuous in the land.
The question then, which naturally arises, is, or rather it should be, what is the best and most proper manner of obliterating the stain?
Let reason and common sense, not fanaticism and malice, reply.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
Re: ON THE ROOTS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION
HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY
by Jeptha R. Simms - 1845
CHAPTER III, continued ...
Many of the tools used in husbandry in former days, were both clumsy and uncouth.
Rakes used in Schoharie, were made with teeth on both sides.
Hay forks were made of wood, from a stick having a suitable crotch for tines, or by splitting one end of a straight stick and inserting a wedge.
The improvement made in plows since that time, is perhaps as great as that made on any one implement of the cultivator.
The wagons seen in Schoharie before the year 1760, had no tire upon the wheels.
Grain was then thrashed, as it is at the present day by the descendants of those people who have no machines for the purpose, by the feet of horses.
The process is simple, and as it is fast giving place to the buzzing of machines, it may be well to relate it.
In the center of the barn floor, which is roomy, an upright bar is placed, previously rendered a pivot at each end, to enter a hole in the floor below, and a corresponding one in a beam or plank over head.
Through this shaft, at a suitable height from the floor, a pole is passed, to which several horses are fastened so as to travel abreast.
Sometimes a number are fastened to each end of the pole, and in some instances, a second pole is passed through the shaft at right angles with the first, to which horses are also attached.
A quantity of sheaves being opened and spread upon the floor, the horses are started at a round trot, thus trampling the grain from the straw.
The upright, when the horses move, turns upon its own pivots.
Persons in attendance are constantly employed in turning and shaking the straw with a fork, keeping the horses in motion, removing any uncleanness, &c.
The outside horse travels, as may be supposed, much farther in his circuits than the inside one, for which reason they are occasionally shifted.
Grain is broken less if thrashed with unshod horses.
Some use a roller to aid in the process.
This is a heavy, rounded timber, worked much smaller at one end than the other, with square pins of hard wood inserted at proper distances the whole length.
The smaller end of this roller is so fastened to the shaft as the preserve the horizontal motion of one, and the perpendicular motion of the other, at the same time.
To the heavy end of the roller, horses are fastened, drawing it on the same principle, that the stone wheel in an ancient bark mill was drawn.
In threshing with horses, the roller is a great assistance.
Fanning-mills, for cleaning grain, were unknown in former times, it being separated from its chaff by fans, or shoveling it in the wind.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
by Jeptha R. Simms - 1845
CHAPTER III, continued ...
Many of the tools used in husbandry in former days, were both clumsy and uncouth.
Rakes used in Schoharie, were made with teeth on both sides.
Hay forks were made of wood, from a stick having a suitable crotch for tines, or by splitting one end of a straight stick and inserting a wedge.
The improvement made in plows since that time, is perhaps as great as that made on any one implement of the cultivator.
The wagons seen in Schoharie before the year 1760, had no tire upon the wheels.
Grain was then thrashed, as it is at the present day by the descendants of those people who have no machines for the purpose, by the feet of horses.
The process is simple, and as it is fast giving place to the buzzing of machines, it may be well to relate it.
In the center of the barn floor, which is roomy, an upright bar is placed, previously rendered a pivot at each end, to enter a hole in the floor below, and a corresponding one in a beam or plank over head.
Through this shaft, at a suitable height from the floor, a pole is passed, to which several horses are fastened so as to travel abreast.
Sometimes a number are fastened to each end of the pole, and in some instances, a second pole is passed through the shaft at right angles with the first, to which horses are also attached.
A quantity of sheaves being opened and spread upon the floor, the horses are started at a round trot, thus trampling the grain from the straw.
The upright, when the horses move, turns upon its own pivots.
Persons in attendance are constantly employed in turning and shaking the straw with a fork, keeping the horses in motion, removing any uncleanness, &c.
The outside horse travels, as may be supposed, much farther in his circuits than the inside one, for which reason they are occasionally shifted.
Grain is broken less if thrashed with unshod horses.
Some use a roller to aid in the process.
This is a heavy, rounded timber, worked much smaller at one end than the other, with square pins of hard wood inserted at proper distances the whole length.
The smaller end of this roller is so fastened to the shaft as the preserve the horizontal motion of one, and the perpendicular motion of the other, at the same time.
To the heavy end of the roller, horses are fastened, drawing it on the same principle, that the stone wheel in an ancient bark mill was drawn.
In threshing with horses, the roller is a great assistance.
Fanning-mills, for cleaning grain, were unknown in former times, it being separated from its chaff by fans, or shoveling it in the wind.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
Re: ON THE ROOTS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION
HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY
by Jeptha R. Simms - 1845
CHAPTER III, continued ...
As I have already stated, much prejudice existed at Schoharie in former days, between the Germans and Dutch.
These national antipathies were manifested in nothing more clearly at first, than in matters of religion.
The early Germans were, almost without exception, disciples to the doctrines of Martin Luther; while the Dutch, collectively, subscribed the Calvinistic, or Dutch Reformed creed.
Time, however, the great healer of dissensions, aided by intelligence, the champion of liberality, by degrees lessened, and has now almost entirely removed those prejudices.
While they existed, they tended to prevent that friendly interchange of good feeling -- that reciprocity of kindness, so necessary to the prosperity and happiness of an isolated people.
As Judge Brown remarked, at our interview, "the Low Dutch girls formerly thought but little of the High Dutch boys," and the young people of both settlements kept separate companies for many years.
In a few instances, elopement took place, but they were rare, as distant ministers were cautious about uniting a couple who could not produce a certificate of publication, although occular demonstration might convince them of the genuineness of their affection, and demand their union.
Among the first shoemakers who worked at the trade in Schoharie, was one William Dietz.
Few, if any, boots were then worn.
Men wore low, and women high heeled (called French Heeled) shoes.
A specimen of the latter may now be seen in the Cabinet of John Gebhard, jr. Esq., at Schoharie Court House.
Shoes were then fastened with buckles, which, like those worn at the knees, were made of silver, brass or pewter.
Caleb Cosput and John Russeau were the first tailors.
They worked, as did the first shoemakers, by whipping the cat -- from house to house.
Breeches and even coats were made of deer-skins, and in some instances, of blankets, in their day: the former being fastened to striped hose at the knees with huge buckles, of silver, if attainable, if not, of brass or pewter.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
by Jeptha R. Simms - 1845
CHAPTER III, continued ...
As I have already stated, much prejudice existed at Schoharie in former days, between the Germans and Dutch.
These national antipathies were manifested in nothing more clearly at first, than in matters of religion.
The early Germans were, almost without exception, disciples to the doctrines of Martin Luther; while the Dutch, collectively, subscribed the Calvinistic, or Dutch Reformed creed.
Time, however, the great healer of dissensions, aided by intelligence, the champion of liberality, by degrees lessened, and has now almost entirely removed those prejudices.
While they existed, they tended to prevent that friendly interchange of good feeling -- that reciprocity of kindness, so necessary to the prosperity and happiness of an isolated people.
As Judge Brown remarked, at our interview, "the Low Dutch girls formerly thought but little of the High Dutch boys," and the young people of both settlements kept separate companies for many years.
In a few instances, elopement took place, but they were rare, as distant ministers were cautious about uniting a couple who could not produce a certificate of publication, although occular demonstration might convince them of the genuineness of their affection, and demand their union.
Among the first shoemakers who worked at the trade in Schoharie, was one William Dietz.
Few, if any, boots were then worn.
Men wore low, and women high heeled (called French Heeled) shoes.
A specimen of the latter may now be seen in the Cabinet of John Gebhard, jr. Esq., at Schoharie Court House.
Shoes were then fastened with buckles, which, like those worn at the knees, were made of silver, brass or pewter.
Caleb Cosput and John Russeau were the first tailors.
They worked, as did the first shoemakers, by whipping the cat -- from house to house.
Breeches and even coats were made of deer-skins, and in some instances, of blankets, in their day: the former being fastened to striped hose at the knees with huge buckles, of silver, if attainable, if not, of brass or pewter.
TO BE CONTINUED ...