Skohere
And the Birth of New York’s Western Frontier
1609 – 1731
Chapter Synopses
Prologue: The Schoharie Valley and its First Peoples
Thousands of years of native occupation in the Schoharie Valley – Archaeological evidence – The People of the Long House and their creation story – Contact
Chapter 1: The North River
Hudson’s voyage of 1609 – The creation of the New Netherlands Company
Chapter 2: Fort Nassau and the Kleynties Expedition
Dutch establish trading post at Fort Nassau near present-day Albany – First European expedition into Mohawk Country
Chapter 3: Fort Orange
Fort Orange established at present-day Albany, 1624 – Beaver trade – First Mohawk – Mahican War begins
Chapter 4: New Amsterdam
Director Peter Minuit’s purchase of Manhattan
Chapter 5: Wampum
A description – Its importance as a trade item with the Iroquois
Chapter 6: Rensselearswyck
Killian Van Rensselaer – the Patroon system – Setting boundaries
Chapter 7: Van den Bogaert’s Journey to Mohawk Country
The first documented visit to Mohawk Country and the Schoharie Region
Chapter 8: The Trouble with New Englanders
English encroachment on the eastern boundary of New Netherland – The Pequot War
Chapter 9: The Hunt For Beaver
Competition depletes beaver population – second Mohawk – Mahican War begins – Mohawks trade for firearms
Chapter 10: The Martyrs
Mohawk – Huron War of the 1640’s – Jesuit captives – disease in Mohawk villages – Rene Goupil – Father Jogues and martyr Saints
Chapter 11: Keift’s War
Director William Keift’s war on the Lenape begins
Chapter 12: A Man of the People Emerges
Adriean Van der Donck challenges Kieft – Kieft is recalled
Chapter 13: The Good Hope Incident
Rensselaerswyck challenges Dutch authority
Chapter 14: New Netherland in Ruin
The causes of Kieft’s War examined – the destruction at New Amsterdam
Chapter 15: Enter: Director – General Petrus Stuyvesant
Reconstructing New Amsterdam – Stuyvesant flexes his authority – tensions at Fort Orange
Chapter 16: Revolution in England
Charles I beheaded – sons Charles and James in exile – Stuyvesant wary of New Englanders
Chapter 17: Remonstrance of New Netherland
Adriean Van der Donck’s political rise to power – challenges Stuyvesant – Van Der Donck drafts Remonstrance of maladministration – leads delegation to the Hague
Chapter 18: A Description of New Netherland
Van der Donck publishes book to entice colonists
Chapter 19: Beverwyck
Stuyvesant’s war with Rensselaerswyck – Beverwyck established
Chapter 20: The Anglo-Dutch War and Von der Donck’s Fall
Cromwell declares war on Dutch – Van Der Donck attempts to force recall of Stuyvesant
Chapter 21: The Battle For The South River
New Englanders encroach upon eastern border of New Netherland – Stuyvesant reclaims the South (Delaware) River
Chapter 22: New Amsterdam Under Attack
The Peach War – Swath of destruction – Von der Donck killed
Chapter 23: Peace, Jesuits, and a Longhouse Divided
Canaqueese, the Flemish Bastard – Mohawks vie with Onondaga for a Jesuit mission – Five Nations seek peace with French, but make war on allied nations
Chapter 24: Bloodshed at Esopus
Third Mohawk-Mahican War begins – the Jesuit mission at Onondaga – Esopus Indians attack settlers
Chapter 25: The Doorkeepers Divided
Seneca -Mohawk tensions over trade – expedition through Mohawk Country – Mohawk diplomatic missions to the South River and Esopus
Chapter 26: Schonowe (Schenectady)
Arent Van Curler’s purchase – “The Most beautiful land” – settlement
Chapter 27: War at Esopus
Wiltwyck burned – Fort Orange in disrepair – general Indian war on the lower Hudson River threatened – Catskill Indians
Chapter 28: Iroquois on the Warpath
Expansion of Iroquois militarism – war with New France – Mohawks at war with New England Indians – Anglo-Dutch hostilities
Chapter 29: The Surrender of New Netherland
Connecticut Governor Winthrop’s visit to the Hague – English plan to take New Netherland – Stuyvesant surrenders New Netherland to English
Chapter 30: Peter Stuyvesant’s Legacy: a Protegé
Relation to Nicholas Bayard – early biography of Bayard
Chapter 31: The Dogs of War
The French punitive expeditions of 1666 against the Mohawk
Chapter 32: An Uneasy Peace
Mohawks seek peace with French – Anglo-Dutch War creates turbulence in New York – Death of Arent Van Curler
Chapter 33: The Last Mohawk – Mahican War
Relocation of Mohawk Villages – Jesuit converts – New England Indians – Great Mohawk war captain Kryn – Battle of Kinquariones
Chapter 34: New Netherland is Won – and Lost – Again
Governor Nicolls replaced by Governor Lovelace – Anglo-Dutch War in Europe – New York City & Province capitulate to a Dutch fleet – Province of New York handed back to English
Chapter 35: A Longhouse Divided
Mohawk Villages divided – Jesuit successes – Exodus from Mohawk Villages to Canada
Chapter 36: A Link is Forged
James II – Boundaries of the Jersies – Governor Edmund Andros – Long Island rebellion – Security of the Province
Chapter 37: Standoff at Saybrook
Border dispute with Connecticut – Andros’ near invasion of Connecticut
Chapter 38: King Phillip’s War
Metacom (King Philip) – Plymouth Colony – causes – early skirmishes
Chapter 39: Albany and Tionontogeun – The First Link in the Covenant Chain
Andros first governor to visit Five Nations – Onondaga Chief Garkontie – Treaty of alliance and commerce
Chapter 40: Phillip’s War Moves West
Indian Commissioners established at Albany – Robert Livingston – New England towns in flames – the war moves into New York – Albany accused of treachery – Robert Sanders – Phillip at Schaghticoke – Mohawks enter war
Chapter 41: Schaghticoke and the Tree of Peace
Peace offerings – Losses of New England – Andros and Mohawks invite New England Indians to live peacefully in New York
Chapter 42: The End Of Phillip’s War and the Covenant Chain is Forged
Mohawk and Seneca victories – The Andros-Iroquoian bond – The Covenant Chain councils
Chapter 43: The State of New York – 1677
The dawn of the Covenant Chain era – Greenhalgh’s visit through Five Nations – Governor’s report of 1677
Chapter 44: Au Revoir
Mohawk departures to Canada – key Jesuit converts – the story of Catherine (Tekathwitha), Lily of the Mohawks
Chapter 45: A Comet Cometh, A Governor Goeth
Andros and the Jersies – Gov. Andros is recalled
Chapter 46: The Business of Land
Comparison of Dutch vs English land sales – The Livingston Patent – Rensselaerswyck re-confirmed – New Paltz
Chapter 47: Enter, Governor Dongan
Dongan biography – his arrival
Chapter 48: The Susquehanna River
Explorations of the Susquehanna – The Susquehanna River “Gift” – William Penn’s interest
Chapter 49: The Province is Divided into Counties
Albany and other counties are formed – Death of King Charles II – Rensselaerswyk’s boundaries established
Chapter 50: A Considerable Trader and Schohare
Trade expeditions to the Susquehanna and beyond – Identity of Andrew Brown revealed – the 1686 Petition to purchase land at Schohare – Biography of “Brown” – relationship to Nicholas Bayard
Chapter 51: Shadows of War
Explorer Robert LaSalle – French trade and forts the Illinois country – Seneca war with Illinois – De la Barre’s brief invasion of Seneca country – English licenses to trade in Indian country – Dennonville leads French assault on Seneca
Chapter 52: In Defense of New York
Dongan prepares province for war – Schenectady fortified – Dongan marshals native support for Seneca
Chapter 53:Houses Divided
The New England super colony – New York annexed – Andros returns as Governor of unified Dominion of New England – Catholic King James II has unexpected heir – William of Orange crosses channel – March for London – James II abdicates throne
Chapter 54: Inglorious Revolution – the Rise of Jacob Leisler
French raids – Andros and council members seized in Boston – dissolution of Dominion – Andros’ remaining council in NYC – Lt. Governor Francis Nicholson – Nicholas Bayard – unrest in New York City – Nicholson departs – Jacob Leisler ascends
Chapter 55: King William’s War Act I – Bloody LaChine
War with French begins – Iroquois offensive -attacks at Cataraqui, LaChine and Montreal area
Chapter 56: Albany Dissents; Bayard a fugitive
French raids – Jacob Leisler Commander in Chief – Albany Convention – Albany resists Leisler’s claim of authority – Bayard head of opposition to Leisler in NYC – Bayard threatened, flees to Albany – Adam Vrooman of Schenectady refuses Leisler – Jacob Milborne at Albany – Connecticut troops sent to Albany
Chapter 57: King William’s War Act II – Burning of Schenectady
Schenectady influenced by Leisler – Events in England – Leisler assumes authority as Lt. Governor of Province of New York – upheaval in Schenectady and Albany – dissension at Schenectady – the attack and burning of Schenectady
Chapter 58: Retribution
The scene of Carnage at Schenectady – pursuit of French – Bayard imprisoned – Robert Livingston rises as leader of Anti-Leislerians
Chapter 59: King William’s War Act III – Invasion of Canada
Leisler heads inter-colonial congress – Arent Schuyler’s derring-do – invasion of Canada underway – Winthrop given command – Canada Campaign
Chapter 60: Jacob Leisler’s Last Breath
Canada Campaign fails – Winthrop arrested -Leisler opponents jailed – Long Islanders rebel – Henry Sloughter named governor of New York – arrival delayed – Major Ingoldsby arrives in NYC – Friction with Leisler – skirmishes – Sloughter arrives – Leisler arrested and tried – Deaths of Jacob Leisler and Jacob Milborne
Chapter 61: Governor Sloughter, We Hardly Knew Ye
The brief administration of Governor Sloughter – re-establishing English control – Important Council with Five Nations – Sloughter’s death
Chapter 62: The Governor Fletcher Era Begins
War takes toll on Mohawks – Major Ingoldsby’s transitional government – British resolve questioned by Five Nations – Governor Benjamin Fletcher appointed as Governor – his arrival
Chapter 63: The French Invade the Mohawk Valley
A French army assembles and departs – alarm raised – Major Schuyler pressed into action – Mohawk Villages siezed and destroyed – Schuyler’s pursuit – Governor Fletcher’s race to Schenectady – French army escapes
Chapter 63: Rebuilding
The Mohawks rebuild – Tribe’s Hill – Villages relocated south of Mohawk River – Tionderoge – profiteering
Chapter 64: Governor Fletcher, Through the Eyes of His Enemies
Anti-Leislerian faction rises – Fletcher’s relationship with other governors – Establishes a state religion – Trinity Church – Fletcher’s excesses
Chapter 65: The Quest for Skohere
Major Peter Schuyler’s journey to Oneida – Arent Schuyler at Minnisink – Arent Schuyler land hunting – Nicholas Bayard finances – Bayard seeks land in Mohawk Country – the purchase of the Skohere tract
Chapter 66: King William’s War – the Final Act
Fort at Cataraqui rebuilt, renews war – Desertion at Fort Schenectady – Frontenac destroys Onondaga & Oneida – final raids – Peace of Ryswyck – French lose Palatinate – Johann Conrad Weiser introduced
Chapter 67: Fletcher Undone – Leislerians, Pirates and Livingston
The case against Governor Fletcher – Pirate connection – Leislerian resurgence – Robert Livingston, schemer – Captain Kidd, pirate hunter
Chapter 68: The Extravagant Land Grants
Governor Fletcher recalled – Richard Coote, Earl of Bellomont new governor – Captain Kidd turned pirate – rooting out corruption – Mohawk complaints about land sales – Rev. Dellius Mohawk Valley Tract – Bayard’s Skohere Patent Peace of Ryswyck – population of the Five Nations – – Extravagant Grants vacated
Chapter 69: Treasure, Treason and Trials
Capt. Kidd’s “Gilboa” treasure – Capt. Kidd’s “pirate” voyage – his trial & execution – Governor Bellomont’s death Leislerians seek vengeance – Bayard arrested – his trial – – Edward, Viscount Hyde new governor – Bayard seeks retribution
Chapter 70: Karighondontee
State of the Five Nations ca. 1700 – Livingston, the humanitarian – Schoharie County’s genesis story – Karighondontee – his Mohawk community – why he came to the Schoharie Valley – who was Karighondontee
Chapter 71: Queen Anne’s War
Queen Anne’s Assession – The War of the Spanish Succession – Affect on New York – Iroquois neutrality – Deerfield – Continental War in Europe – Marlborough’s march through the Palatinate – Blenheim – Lt. Col. Robert Hunter – Ramilles
Chapter 72: We, the Poor Distress’d Palatines
History of French invasions of Palatinate – Marshal Vilars ravages Lower & Upper Palatinates – Flemish farming practices – Hard winter of 1707-08 – Weiser family – “Palatine” exodus begins
Chapter 73: Strange New York
Uneasy peace in New York – Five Nations make war in the south – Diplomatic missions between Mohawks of New York and Canada – Governor Cornbury’s abuse of power and corruption – His scandalous behavior – Cornbury the debtor
Chapter 74: The Kotcherthal Settlement & the Golden Book
Reverend Joshua Harrsch, a.k.a Kotcherthal – the Extravagant Grants controversy settled – Kotcherthal’s Carolina advertisement – 52 Palatines to America – the Quassack Creek (Newburgh) settlement – Kotcherthal Returns to England – Nicholas Bayard rescues Palatine settlement – New edition of the Carolina book dubbed the “Golden Book”
Chapter 75: England’s Embrace
The journey to Holland – arrival at Rotterdam – Resident James Dayrolle at the Hague – charity of the Dutch – arranging transport to England – the first wave of Palatines at St. Catherine’s – The Temple Exchange Coffee House committee – employment opportunities – the encouragement & aid from the Duke of Marlborough steps in – more waves transported – refugees swell – life in tent dorfs
Chapter 76: An Augustan new Governor & Restless Palatines
The Union of England and Scotland – Colonel Robert Hunter – his political start – his imprisonment & release – appointment as Governor of New York – attempts to stop Palatine migration – the Weiser family crosses the channel – the last two Palatine waves – political divisions in Parliament – attempts to relocate Palatines – disillusionment
Chapter 77: the Naval Store Solution
The Wesier family at the Blackheath – more plans to settle Palatines abroad – naval stores explained – Scandinavian monopoly – American opportunities – Governor Bellomont’s plan – Governor Hunter submits his own plan
Chapter 78: The Wonder Fleet
Palatines board transport ships – conditions on board – waiting for final approval – sufferings – tracing the coastal journey
Chapter 79: A Tale of Two Landings
Four Kings – their journey to England – Portsmouth – fetted in London – visiting the Black Heath – Palatines cross the Atlantic – Land at Nutten Island – quarantined – the Herbert – Apprentices – Governance of the Palatines
Chapter 80: Do You Think to Treat Us Like Children?
Search for land to settle the Palatines – Surveyor stopped by Mohawks – Hunter targets Skohere – Mohawk anger – Governor Hunter at Albany – Five Nations Councils – Hendrick’s gift – Extravagant Grants revisiited – Mohawk discontent – Skohere declared unfit – pitch pines and Skohere
Chapter 81: The Camps
On the Common – Governor Hunter and Col. Samuel Vetch – the Livingston and Fuller tracts – Palatines head upriver – Livingston’s victual contract – flekkens established – the Camps – winter rebellion in East Camp – Skohere first spoken of – gardens – policing the Camps
Chapter 82: Stirring the Pot
John Bridger goes AWOL – Richard Sackett takes charge – last of Palatines arrive in Camps – 7 flekkens – un happy Wesier, Jr. – spring rebellion – troops at Livingston’s Manor – Gov. Hunter plays hardball – armed confrontation – corruption in commissary dept. – Palatine contract read & reaction – discrepancies – preparation of trees begins – martial law imposed – listmasters
Chapter 83: Forsaken
Change of government in England – Jonathan Swift’s poison pen – New York politics – French at Onondaga – Hunter’s imperialistic response – Gen. Nicholson’s War Council at New London – Canadian Expedition – Hunter disappointed – Palatines conscripted – the Five Nations break treaty of neutrality – the provincial Army – Admiral Walker’s failure – campign ends
Chapter 84 – Penetrating Skohere
Skohere for sale – Cuyler & Wendell claim – Adam Vrooman’s Schenectady troubles – 1711 Vrooman deed
Chapter 85 – Fort Hunter
Five Nations Council – Hunter’s promises – carpenters contracted – specifications
Chapter 86 – Shift For Yourselves
Palatine soldiers return to the Camps – condition of families – Governor Hunter’s finances – state of the naval store operation – the Nicholson and Livingston cabal – the Ketlin Massacre – winter settles in – trouble expected – the Slave revolt of 1712 – spring comes & so do soldiers – rations reduced at Camps – Palatine reaction – Mr. Cast’s instructions – Palatines directed to shift for themselves – the contract, breeched
Chapter 87 – The Road to Skohere
Deputation to the Mohawks – Scouting the Schoharie Valley – The Palatine vanguard – road from Schenectady – first 50 families at Skohere – Weisers remain at Schenectady
Chapter 88 – A Hard Winter
Critical analysis of the dorfs – Weiser’s Dorf (Brunnen Dorf) – wintering at Skohere – Reverend Andrews arrives – Hendrick’s insulting welcome – Taquayanont – Conrad Jr. departs for Tionderoge – his winter
Chapter 89 – The Promised Land
Lingering effects on Five nations after failure of Canadian expedition – Tuscarora war – 100 Palatine families arrive at Skohere in spring – their route – more land purchased – Weisers arrive – dorfs established – Oberweiser’s Dorf – Mohawk assistance – Church assistance – crops planted – first wheat sown – Battle of Hartman’s Dorf
Chapter 90 – Not Your Land
Conditions at the Camps – Life in the Skohere dorfs – Getting hemmed in – Bayard’s visit – The Partners – The Vrooman Patent – Karighondonte’s house located – Conrad Weiser, Jr.’s misery
Chapter 91 – Rebellious Proceedings
War of the Spanish Succession ends – Good Queen Anne dies – King George I – settling (Ober) Weiser’s Dorf – Meeting with the Partners – Intrigues with the Mohawks – Vrooman complaints – arrest warrant for Weiser, Sr. – sheriff & posse after Wesier – more Vrooman complaints – Palatines divided – A man called Adams – Rent, buy or leave – Magdelena Zeh
Chapter 92 – A Thunder Clap in the Ears
Schoharie & Mohawk Valleys up for sale – Naturalization – The Truax murder – Weisers meddle with Five Nations – A posse springs a trap at Albany – Hunter’s questions – Prohibition on plowing – law broken
Chapter 93 – Oppressions and Grievances
1718 census – Kotcherthal’s land grab & death – Prosperity of the dorfs – Palatines choose England delegation – Weiser, Schaeffer & Walrath – the journey – Hunter leaves New York in ill health – new Governor Burnet – Palatine delegation woes – Board of Trade meetings – The Case & Petition – the Schefs petition – the quarrel – Weiser’s request – final decisions – Oppressions and Grievances
Chapter 94 – New Beginnings
Conrad Weiser agrees to terms – Marries – Making amends – Governor Burnet – Council with Six Nations – Hendrick returns – Complaints about Fort Hunter – The Niagara Plan – Scouting Oswego
Chapter 95 – Stone Arabia
Factions at Skohere – Disappointment – Garlach & Yorke purchase – New Palatine arrivals – Stone Arabia – Removal from Skohere
Chapter 96 – Burnetsfield
Leadership of Conrad Weiser – Petri & Rickert petition and patent – Ehrgemars (Herkimers) – Trading at the Little Falls – Trading Post at Oswego – Trade route – Prosperity
Chapter 97 – Tulpehocken: Where the Turtles Sang and Wooed
Schettery, explained – Johann Conrad Weiser and the Penn family – Weiser/Scheffs rift, explained – Weiser’s self-interest – Pennsylvania Governor Keith – The Reiths – Hans Lawyer – an invitation -Swatara Creek – Planning a journey – the advance party – the route – canoe making – Accounts, examined – several journeys made – Governor Keith’s scam – Palatines as pawns – Secretary Logan – Weiser’s land scheme – Conrad Weiser leaves Skohere – the routes, re-examined – Shickellamy – Land troubles, again – Penn family makes good – Conrad Weiser begins a new career
Chapter 98 – The Otsquago Purchase
Conrad Wesier’s petition for Otsquage – For Father? – Hartman Windecker patent – Removal from Schoharie Valley – Johann Conrad Weiser’s final years
Chapter 99 – Schohary Becoming One People
Schoharie Valley, 1731 – Effects of dispersal – the remaining settlements – Jacob Kobel & mills – Cobus Kill – Government comes to the Schoharie Valley – building roads – Militia Law – More laws – Making Schoharie Valley part of New York – earliest Palatine land pursuits in valley – The Breakabeens – Afgevallen Berghen – Yorks & Lawyers – Kniskern’s Dorf patent – Staats & Coeyman’s scheme – Adam Vrooman’s Patent reconfirmed – Vrooman divides his lands – The Dovegatt – Schoharie Mohawk occupation – archaeological record – Karighondonte’s legacy – The rise of Seth – 1756 fort – Dutch settlement – Clauver Wie – One People
Chapter 100 – Earliest Churches and Ministers at Skohere
After Kocherthal & Hager – Lutheran Pietism – Hallensianism – Awakening – Johannes Bogardus Van Duerhen – Controversy – Van Duerhen at Schoharie – divisions – First church in Schoharie Valley – Tulpehocken connection – Wilhelm Christophus Berckenmeyer – Van Duerhen v. Koll – Peter N. Sommer & parsonage – Reformed Church – Johannes Jacob Ehle – At Schoharie – Reinhardt Erickson – George Michael Weiss – Johannes Schuyler – Weiser’s Dorf Church – Churches at Brunnen Dorf – Locating the first and second Church at Fox’s Dorf – Schoharie Mohawk Seth
Chapter 101- Schoharie Creek: Gateway to the West
The German Seed – Oswego Route – Mohawk View – Mouth of the Schoharie Creek – Mabee Patent – Fort Hunter – Lt. John Scott Patent – Corporation of Albany and Tionderoge – 5,000 acre fraud – Governor Cosby’s gesture – Cosby v. Rip Van Dam – Lewis Morris Jr. & Anthony’s Nose – Governor Cosby & Sons land pursuits – John Lindsay Patents – Cherry Valley – Lt. Walter Butler at Fort Hunter – Butler as broker & land owner – 86,000 acres near Tionderoge – Charles Williams Patent – Captain Peter Warren – His purchase – William Johnson arrives – The future after 1731, foreshadowed
END