History of Montgomery & Fulton Counties by F. W. Beers & Co. Montgomery County, Ch7

THE HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

CHAPTER VII.

PATRIOTIC ACTION OF THE PALATINE DISTRICT COMMITTEE--THE COUNTY COMMITTEE TO GUY JOHNSON-HIS SUSPICIOUS COURSE.

The patriots of Tryon county were early confirmed in their suspicion that the Johnson party was preparing to suppress all patriotic demonstrations in the county; and also inciting the Indians to take up the hatchet for the king when actual hostilities should break out. As evidence of his intentions, Sir John Johnson planted swivels around the Hall, and organized and armed a body of Scotch Highlanders living near it. The Palatine committee, in view of the alarming state of affairs, met on the 19th of May, 1775, and addressed the following letter to the committee at Albany :

"We are so peculiarly circumstanced in this county relating to the present struggle for American liberty, that we cannot longer defer laying the situation of this county before you. The district we represent has been foremost in avowing its attachment to liberty, and approving the mode of opposition adopted in America, and are now signing an association similar to what has been signed in other counties of this province. And we hope in a few days to have the pleasure to transmit it down for the press. The county being extensive, it takes a considerable time before the people who are favorable to the cause can be got to sign, for we have caused copies of the association to be dispersed in divers parts of the county.

" This county has for a series of years been ruled by one family, the different branches of which are still strenuous in persuading people from coming into Congressional measures, and even last week, at a numerous meeting of the Mohawk district, appeared with all their dependents, armed to oppose the people from considering of their grievances. Their number being so large, and the people unarmed, struck terror into the most of them, and they dispersed. We are informed that Johnson Hall is fortified by placing a parcel of swivels round the house, and that Col. Johnson has had part of his regiment under arms yesterday, no doubt with a design (to prevent the friends) of Liberty from publishing their attachment (to her to) the world. Besides which we are told, that certain Highlanders (Roman Catholics) in and about Johnstown, are armed and ready to march upon like occasion. We are also informed that Col. Johnson has stopped two New England men and searched them, being, we suppose, suspicious that they were going to solicit aid from us or of the Indians, whom we dread * * * there being a current report through the county that they had been made use of in keeping us in arms.

" We recommend strongly and seriously to you to take in your consideration whether any powder and ammunition ought to be permitted to be sent up this way, unless it is done under the inspection of the committee, and contigned to the committee here, and for such particular shopkeepers as we in our next shall acquaint you of.

"We are determined to suffer none in our district to sell any but such as we approve of, and sign the association. When anything particular comes to our knowledge relating to the Indians (whom we shall watch), or any other thing interesting, we shall take the earliest opportunity in communicating the same to you. And as we are a young county, and remote from the metropolis, we beg you will give us all the intelligence in your power. We shall not be able to send down any deputies to the Provincial Congress, as we cannot obtain the sense of the county soon enough to make it worth our while to send any; but be assured we are not the less attached to American liberty, for we are determined, although few in number, to let the world see who are and who are not such, and to wipe off the indelible disgrace brought on us by the declaration signed by our grand jury and some of our magistrates, who in general are considered by the majority of the county as enemies to their country. In a word, gentlemen, it is our fixed resolve to support and carry into execution everything recommended by the Continental and Provincial Congress, and to be free or die."

Shortly after this letter was written, accidental confirmation was obtained of the belief that the superintendent of Indian affairs was tampering with his savage wards in anticipation of hostilities. A communication from the Mohawks to the Oneidas, in the language of the former, was found in an Indian trail, where it was probably dropped by one of their couriers. It was written by Joseph Brant, from Guy Johnson's house, and was an application for warriors to act as part of a perpetual body guard for the superintendent who, the despatch said, was " in great fear of being taken prisoner by the Bostonians." It was announced that the other nations might be called on. This dispatch was interpreted by those into whose hands it fell as an attempt of Johnson to reinforce himself for purposes incompatible with their safety. Col. Johnson himself wrote about the same time to the magistrates of the upper districts, urging them to dissipate if possible the impression that he meditated an improper use of his influence with the Indians. It was learned, however, that the remoter tribes of the Six Nations had been invited down to his house. The superintendent's own domestic army amounted to five hundred men, and he had already cut off free communication between Albany and the upper Mohawk settlements. The Palatine district committee, at a meeting held May 21, to consider these facts, unanimously adopted a series of resolutions including the following :

"THIRD.-That as the whole continent has approved of the proceedings of the Massachusetts Bay and other colonies of New England, we do adopt and approve of the same, and therefore we must and do consider that any fortification or armed force raised to be made use of against them, is designed to overawe us and make as submit.

" FOURTH.-That Col. Johnson's conduct in raising fortifications around his house, keeping a number of Indians and others constantly about him, and stopping and searching travellers upon the king's highway, is very alarming to the county and highly arbitrary, illegal, oppressive, and unwarrantable, and confirms us in our fears that his design is to keep us in awe, and to oblige us to submit to a state of slavery.

" FIFTH.-That as we abhor a state of slavery we do join and unite together under all the ties of religion, honor, justice and love for our country, never to become slaves, and to defend our freedom with our lives and fortunes."

It was ordered that the German Flats and Kingsland districts be invited to join the Palatine for the purpose of a common defense.

This meeting was held at the house of Philip W. Fox, near the Palatine stone church, a house which is said, with great probability, to have been burned during the Revolution. The owner was called by his Dutch neighbors Lips Fox. He was a grand juror at a court held March 9, 1779, and also at a session which convened at Johnstown June 12, 1781, and adjourned, probably for greater security, to Fort Hunter, where it is believed the court sat in Queen Anne's Chapel. They were men of such standing who formed the Tryon County committee of safety.

In the latter part of May, Guy Johnson sent to the common council of Albany a letter complaining of the expense to which he was put in protecting himself from being kidnapped by certain New Englanders, or persons about Albany or Schenectady, who he had been repreatedly warned were meditating such an attempt, on the false and malicious rumor that he intended to make the Indians destroy the settlers. The savages would, however, he declared, do something of the. kind if he should be taken prisoner in the way suggested. He appealed to the municipality ofAlbany, as having authority and influence, to disabuse the public mind, and prevent the alarming consequences which he feared.

A prompt reply to Col. Johnson's communication contained the following words :

" We trust that you are so well acquainted with the nature and duties of your office, that you will pursue the dictates of an honest heart, and study the interest, peace and welfare of your county. In which case we presume you need not be apprehensive of any injury in your person or property, neither can we learn or conceive that there either is or has been any intention of taking you captive, or offering you any indignity whatever, either by the New England people, or any of the inhabitants of this city, or any one else; and we have but too much reason to think that these groundless reports have been raised and industriously propagated, in your own phraseology, by some busy people in your county, to rouse up the Indians from their peaceful habitations, and take up arms against such of our American brethren as are engaged on the part of America in the unhappy contest between Great Britain and her colonies."

The Albany committee in reply to the Palatine committee's letter, said they had no ammunition to spare, and advised their correspondent not to attempt to open communication between the two counties by force, and the project was accordingly given up.

On the 24th of May, the committees of all the districts but the Mohawk met together at the house of William Seber, in the Canajoharie district, unanimously approved of the proceedings of the Palatine committee in their meetings, and voted that Daniel McDougall, for Palatine district, David Cox, for Canajoharie, and Edward Wall and Duncan McDougall, for German Flats and Kingsland, be sent to Schenectady and Albany to confer with the committees at those towns on the situation and the duties of the hour; and to get a supply of ammunition, to be sold under the supervision of the body ordering it. It was also " resolved unanimously, that whereas the persons of some' of the members of this commitee have been threatened with imprisonment on account of their being concerned in our just opposition, in which case we do associate and unite together, we will to the utmost of our power do our endeavors, by force, or otherwise, to rescue them from imprisonment, unless such person or persons are confined by legal process, issued upon legal ground, and executed in a legal manner,"

William Seeber, the committeeman at whose house this meeting was held, was the Major of a batallion of militia at Oriskany. He was mortally wounded, but survived the battle 126 days, at his house, which was near the present village of Fort Plain, and within rifle shot of the Fort Plain block house. The farm that was his is now owned by the Lipe brothers, David and Seeber. A tenant is now Dec., 1877, on the place, which for years previous to the spring of 1877, was owned and occupied by Adam Lipe, a brother of the present proprietors.

On the 25th of May, a council of the Mohawks was held at Guy Park. It was attended by delegates from the Albany and Tryon county committees. The principal chief and speaker of the Mohawks was Little Abraham, a brother of the famous Hendrick. He said he was glad to hear that Guy Johnson was in no danger; the Indians did not wish to quarrel with the whites, but they were alarmed by reports that their powder was stopped; they obtained their supplies from the superintendent, and if their ammunition was intercepted they should distrust the whites, but would at all times listen to what they had to say in the presence of Col. Guy Johnson. The representatives of the committees, after holding a consultation, replied that they were pleased to hear the friendly expressions of the speaker. They assured the Mohawks that the reports of ammunition being withheld from them were false, and that when business was to be transacted, they would meet the Indians at the council fires, and in presence of their superintendent. The Mohawk speaker, in his response, said that the love his people had for the memory of Sir William Johnson, and the obligations of the whole Six Nations to him must make them regard and protect every branch of his family. He promised that he and his comrades would explain things to all the Indians, and hoped the committee men would do the same to their people.

The council broke up in apparent good feeling, but the result was unsatisfactory on both sides. No confidence was placed in the pledges of the Indians. The Mohawks only were represented, and the superintendent made this fact the excuse for immediately calling another council at the German Flats. Under cover of this appointment, he removed with his family, attended by a large retinue of Mohawks, to the residence of a Mr. Thompson, a few miles above the Flats.

On the 29th of May, a meeting of the Tryon county committee was held at the house of William Seeber, at which a resolution was passed prohibiting all trade with persons who had not signed the article of association; forbidding also the owners of slaves to allow them off their premises without a written permit, and declaring that whoever disregarded these regulations should be treated as an enemy of the district and the country. The first full meeting of the Tryon county committee was held June 2, at the house of Warner Tygert, in the Canajoharie district; the Mohawk members having thus far been prevented from attending by the Johnsons. Warner Tygert, or Dygert, as the family now spell their name, lived in the extreme western end of the Canajoharie district, at the foot of Fall Hill, and but a short distance from the General Herkimer dwelling. In the latter part of the war, Tygert was killed by Indians, on the hill above his residence, where he had gone to build a corn crib. While thus engaged, he laid down his gun, struck fire and lit his pipe, and was about to resume his work, when a party of Indians, concealed in the bushes near by, shot him down, tomahawked and scalped him. A little son, ten years old, who accompanied him, was taken a prisoner to Canada, where he remained. Dygert was one of the first grand jurors at Johnstown.

It is well here to record the names of the committee-names that must never be lost from the history of the Mohawk valley, and of the Revolution; they are as follows:

MOHAWK DISTRICT.-John Marlett, John Bliven, Abraham Van Horn, Adam Fonda, Frederick Fisher, Sampson Sammons, William Schuyler, Volkert Veeder, James McMaster, and Daniel Lane.

PALATINE DISTRICT.-Isaac Paris, Christopher P. Yates, John Frey, Andrew Fink, Jr., Andrew Reeber, Peter Waggoner, Daniel McDougall, Jacob Klock, George Ecker, Jr., Harmanus Van Slyck, Christopher W. Fox, and Anthony Van Vechten.

CANAJOHARIE DISTRICT.-Nicholas Herkimer, Ebenezer Cox, William Seeber, John Moore, Samuel Campbell, Samuel Clyde, Thomas Henry, and John Pickard.

KINGSLAND AND GERMAN FLATS DISTRICTS.-Edward Wall, William Petry, John Petry, Marcus Petry, Augustinus Hess, Frederick Ahrendorf, George Wents, Michael E. Ittig, Frederick Fox, Geo. Herkimer, Duncan McDougall, Frederick Hilmer, and John Franck.

Christopher P. Yates was chosen chairman of the county committee, and Edward Wall and Nicholas Herkimer were deputed to deliver to Guy Johnson a letter from the committee, of which the following is the essential part:

"According to the example of the counties in this and the neighboring colonies the people of the district we represent have met in a peaceable manner to consider of the present dispute with the mother country and the colonies, signed a general association and appointed us a committee to meet in order to consult the common safety of our rights and liberties, which are infringed in a most enormous manner by enforcing oppressive and unconstitutional acts of the British Parliament by an armed force in the Massachusetts Bay.

" Was it any longer a doubt that we are oppressed by the mother country and that it is the avowed design of the ministers to enslave us, we might perhaps be induced to use argument to point out in what particulars we conceive that it is the birthright of English subjects to be exempted from all taxes except those which are laid on them by their representatives, and think we have a right, not only by the laws and constitution of England, to meet for the purpose we have done; which meeting we probably would have postponed a while had there been the least kind of probability that the petition of the general assembly would have been noticed more than the united petition of almost the whole continent of America by their delegates in Congress, which, so far from being any ways complied with, was treated with superlative contempt by the ministry, and fresh oppressions were and are daily heaped upon us. Upon which principles-principles which are undeniable-we have been appointed to consult methods to contribute what little lies in our power to save our devoted country from ruin and devastation; which, with the assistance of Divine Providence, it is our fixed and determined resolution to do; and, if called upon, we shall be foremost in sharing the toil and danger of the field. We consider New England suffering in the common cause and commiserate their distressed condition, and we should be wanting in our duty to our country and to ourselves if we were any longer backward in announcing our determination to the world.

" We know that some of the members of this committee have been charged with compelling people to come into the measures which we have adopted, and with drinking treasonable toasts. But as we are convinced that these reports are false and malicious, spread by our enemies with the sole intent to lessen us in the esteem of the world; and as we are conscious of being guilty of no crime and of having barely done our duty, we are entirely unconcerned as to anything that is said of us or can be done with us. We should, however, be careless of our character did we not wish to detect the despisable wretch who could be so base as to charge us with things which we never have entertained the first distant thoughts of. "We are not ignorant of the very great importance of your office as superintendent of the Indians, and, therefore, it is no more our duty than inclination to protect you in the discharge of the duty of your proper province; and we meet you with pleasure in behalf of ourselves and our constituents to thank you for meeting the Indians in the upper parts of the county, which may be the means of easing the people of the remainder of their fears on this account and prevent the Indians committing irregularities on their way down to Guy Park. And we beg of you to use your endeavors with the Indians to dissuade them from interfering in ihe dispute with the mother country and the colonies. We cannot think that as you and your family possess very large estates in this county, you are unfavorable to American freedom, although you may differ with us in the mode of obtaining a redress of grievances.

" Permit us further to observe that we cannot pass over in silence the interruption which the people of the Mohawk district met in their meeting, which, we are informed, was conducted in a peaceable manner; and the inhuman treatment of a man whose only crime was being faithful to his employers and refusing to give an account of the receipt of certain papers to persons who had not the least color of right to demand anything of the kind. We assure you that we are much concerned about it, as two important rights of English subjects are thereby infringed, to wit: a right to meet and to obtain all the intelligence in their power."

To this letter Col. Johnson returned, from Mr. Thompson's, Cosby's Manor, an admirably worded reply, mildly deprecating what he considered the unconstitutional means taken by the colonists for a redress of their grievances, stating that it was only on reliable advices of his danger that he fortified his house; denying that he had stopped any travelers, except two New England men, and claiming that in that case he did only a magistrate's duty. He closed with the assurance that the people had nothing to apprehend from his endeavors, and that he should always be glad to promote their true interests.

Any good impression that may have been made by the superintendent's letter was dissipated by his movements. He did not hold the council called by him at the German Flats, but pushed on to Fort Stanwix, taking with him not only his family but a considerable number of his dependents and the great body of the Mohawk Indians, who, when they started with him on this westward march, left their old home along the river they had named never to return to it except in flying incursions for butchery, incendiarism and plunder. The suspicions of the Tryon county patriots were further excited by a communication from the provincial congress of Massachusetts to that of New York, in which the former mentioned having been informed that Col. Guy Johnson had " taken great pains with the Six Nations in order to bring them into a belief that it is designed by the colonies to fall upon them and cut them off." The congress of New York replied to this communication, disclaiming, as it had repeatedly done, any intention to injure Johnson or the Indians.