GotliffOtto

SaraShaver

18/4/1808

CatherineOtto

JohnOtto

HenryOtto

PeterOtto

SallyOtto

ElizaOtto

WilliamOtto

2/3/1841

Mary AnnHawn

seePoapst/Hawn

NormanOtto

SarahOtto

EuranaOtto

MahalaOtto

JamimaOtto

ElizaOtto

WilliamOtto

AlbertOtto

JamesOtto

ZamimaOtto

GeorgeOtto

JohnGardnerCraig

21/7/1874

FannyHowes

LillyOtto

JessieOtto

JamesH Otto

Lila AOtto

GeorgeL Otto

FloraOtto

WilliamB Otto

ArmenaCraig

RobertP Craig

FlorenceCraig

ThurzaCraig

WilbertCraig

GraceCraig

DaisyCraig

WilliamCraig

RowlandCraig

BerthaCraig

HowardBower

WBower

OliveGray

WilliamLynch

WilliamTupper

JackCurran

MadelineCochrane

RobertWilson

AbSherritt

MayFardell

AliceWhite

ch:Garn,Cecil,Owen &Bill

see RobtJ Craigtree

ch:James,Harold&Will

ch:SidneyWill& Dawn

ch:EricGeraldGraceOren

ch:MelvillaNormanDalmar

ch:Jack,Jean,Alton,Margie,Wilbert &Edna Craig

EdithCraig

this info transcribedfromtree fromDawn Weise

AmandaAllen

WilliamG Otto

FannieYork

GeorgeA Otto

StephenOtto

seeTuppers.pdfdoc

FredAssman

ch:Barrie WMarvinch: Earl W, Flora, Marge,

Dorothy, Elwin, Delna

the Papst-Otto Connection1

1) Records of St. Paul’s Lutheran Evangelical Church, Schoharie, NY

These records of baptisms, marriages and deaths were maintained from 1743 to 1789 by the pastor, Peter Nicolas Sommer, and from 1791 to 1794 by his successor, Anthony Theodore Braun. The originals are at the State University Library, Albany, NY. Baptisms for the years 1743-57 are on-line at <http://www.rootsweb.com/~nyschoha/baptstpa.html>, but contain no references to either Otto or Papst.

Franz Otto, Sr., and his wife, Maria Elisabeth Schnall, were baptismal sponsors of Catharina, daughter of Adam Papst and his wife, Eva Maria, born 30 July 1773.

Franz Otto, Jr., was married to Maria Barbara Papst on 20 May 1783 in St. Paul’s Church. Their first daughter, Maria, was born 16 Oct. 1784 in Schoharie. John Fetterley and his wife (Maria Papst) were her baptismal sponsors. Their second daughter, Catharina, was born 11 Oct. 1786 in Schoharie. Johan Adam Papst and his wife were the sponsors at her baptism.

Franz Otto, Jr., and his wife, Mary Barbara, were baptismal sponsors of Johan Adam Frantz, son of John Fetterly and his wife, Maria Papst, born 21 March 1784.

Johann Gottlieb Otto married Elisabeth Papst, between 1781-86 at some place unknown. Their daughter, Anna Maria (Hannah, who later m. Phillip Ronjens), was born 13 Sept. 1793 in Schoharie, NY, and baptised 20 Oct. 1793. Her sponsors were Friederich Papst and Anna Maria Werlie. The latter, unmarried at the time, probably was the Mary Wardle who became the wife of Frederick Papst.

2) Minutes of Commissioners for Conspiracies

Victor Hugo Paltsits, Minutes of the Commissioners for Detecting and Defeating Conspiracies in the State of New York, Albany County Sessions, 1778-81. Albany: New York State, 1909. See below extracts for 1778 and 1781 related to Adam and Rudolph Papst.

3) Evidence of Service in Butler’s Rangers During Revolutionary War

See below New York Genealogical and Biographical Record, Vol. XXXI, January, 1900.

Also, photocopies and transcripts below of claims for losses sustained by Adam Popps (sic) and Gottlieb Otto in the Revolutionary War were made on their behalves by Rudolph Popps (Rudollf Pabst)at Montreal on 1 April 1786. Note the signature and how the names are spelled. He says “that he knowsthe said Otto to have belonged to Lt. Col. Butlers Rangers...” His declaration on behalf of his father, Adam Papst, made a similar statement but I did not have a photocopy made. The latter’s claim was transcribed from National Archives microfilm reel B-2446, available at Ontario Archives, Toronto, or on interlibrary loan.

Also, there is found in the Haldimand Papers (National Archives of Canada, MG 21, B-105A) a “Return of persons under the description of Loyalist, specifying number, age and sexes of each family in Capt. Lewis Grisnays(?) Company in the Corps of Rangers, Niagara, 30 Nov. 1783,” on which

1 Extracted from correspondence from Stephen Otto to John Poaps, 21 Aug 2000

appears the name of Adam Papes. He is shown as a single man and is not listed with any family.

4) Settlement and Land Grants

See below a list of original grantees in Second Concession, Township No. 3, now Osnabruck, in J.F. Pringle, Lunenburgh, or The Old Eastern District. Cornwall: Standard Printing House, 1890.Also, there are found in the Haldimand Papers (NAC, MG 21, B-168) “Returns of Disbanded Troops and Loyalists settled in Township No. 3 [Osnabruck]. Mustered this day 25th Sept. 1784”

Men Women Acres ClearedRudolph Paups 1 - 2

The other children of Adam Papst petitioned for land as sons and daughters of a U.E. Loyalist and weregiven grants by Order-in-Council of 5 Jan. 1798:

Mary (m. John Fetterly (Vetterle))Elisabeth (m. Johann Gottlieb Otto)Frederick (m. Mary Wardle)Catherine (m. Jacob Sheets of Osnabruck)Mary Barbara (m. Francis Otto)

5) Records of the Lutheran parishes of Williamsburg, Matilda, Edwardsburg & Osnabruck

These records, kept by the Rev. Samuel Schwerdfeger2, show connections between the families continued after they had emigrated to Canada. I believe the originals of the records are in the archives of the Anglican Diocese of Ottawa, but microfilm copies are in the National Archives of Canada. They are found on microfilm M-1496 and are available on interlibrary loan.

Franz Otto and his wife, Maria Barbara, were sponsors at the baptism of Maria Barbara Papst, daughterof Rudolph and Elizabeth Papst, born 3 Nov. 1794.

Adam Papst and his wife, Eva, were sponsors on 21 August 1796 at the baptism of Johannes (John), son of Gottlieb and Elizabeth Otto, born 22 July 1796 in Osnabruck, UC.

Gottlieb Otto and his wife, Elizabeth, were sponsors at the baptism of John Balthazar Sheet, son of Jacob Sheet and his wife Catharina Papst, born 5 July 1796.

Also of interest, and available on microfilm C-2125 is the following:

“Petition of the Elders and Members of the Lutheran Congregation of the Township of Osnabruck in the Eastern District praying for a grant of east half of common in the twp. Of Osnabruck:

‘That your petitioners are informed that the presbyterians of the said township, have applied for and obtained a grant of the other half of the said common, and being further and principally urged by an anxiety of keeping together their congregation, which has of late been too much distracted by canting methodists; they have prepared and collected together the materials for building a decent church upon that ground,

‘That your petitioners have for six years past endeavoured to make it worth the while of a minister to preach the gospel unto them, but from the fewness of their numbers, and their yet indigent circumstances, they have hitherto not been able to afford him a comfortable support, as to have him

2 Referred to as “Saint of the St. Lawrence Seaway” in a 1961 book “Memoirs of Reverend J. Samuel Schwerdtfeger” by Hazel Mae Schwerdtfeger, one of his many great-great grand-daughters.

wholly to themselves. Therefore they must humbly hope that for their future assistance in this endeavour, your honour will be pleased to grant to them for the support of a clergyman such a portion of the vacant lands of the Crown as to you may seem proper.

And your petitioners shall ever pray etc.

[Signators incuded]Rudolph PapstFrantz OttoGottlieb Otto

Rec’d 10 April 1798 of the Solicitor General

the Schafers

Another of Eliza’s American ancestors (a great grandfather): Friederick Schafer was born 14 Aug 1760 in Schoharie, Schoharie Co., NY and was christened 1760 in Schoharie, Schoharie Co., NY. He died 26 Apr 1818 in Osnabruck, Stormont Co., Ontario, Canada and was buried 28 Apr 1818 in Osnabruck, Stormont Co., Ontario, Canada. Friederick was the great grandson of Johannes Schaffer and Maria Schafferin.₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪

“Maria Elisabetha Schafferin made her first appearance on the Hunter Lists 30 June 1710 with 4 pers. over 10 yrs. of age and 2 pers. under 10 in the family. Her last entry on Hunter was 4 Aug 1710 with 5 pers. over 10 and 3 pers. under 10 yrs. of age. Her listing may have been continued by #627 Johannes Schaffer: 1) his entries begin 4 Ott 1710 with 5 pers. over 10 and under 10 yrs. when #637 Maria Elisabetha Schafferin’s end; and 2) a Johannes Schaffer sp. Henrich Meyer at West Camp in 1711, and a Henrich Meyer was recorded near Maria Elisabetha Schafferin on the the June 1710 Hunter Roll (HJ).Maria Schafer, the mother was listed with Johann Schafer and his family on Pastor Sommer’s Family List ca. 1744 (Schoharie Luth. Chbk.). Elisabeth Schafer d. 28 March 1749, aged 85 yrs. (Schoharie Luth. Chbk.). The ch. of Maria Elisabethal Schafferin (erroneously attributed to #634 Gerhard Schaffer in the past - HJ) were:

1) "Johannes2 (HJ). Perhaps he was the John Schaffer of Queensbury who was a Palatine Volunteer to Canada in 1711 (HJ). A Johannes Schaffer sp. Henrich Meyer in 1711 (West Camp Luth. Chbk.). Johannes Schaffer and his wife Anna Maria were recorded next to the Hanss Henrich and Johannes Zijller families at Neu-Ansberg ca. 1716/17 (Simmendinger Register). Pastor Berkenmeyer mentioned Johannes Schaffer often in Albany Protocol.

In 1736 on p. 190 he wrote: "After the service we returned to the home of Hannes Scheffer. The first thing he said was to ask me why I had bpt. the child b. out of wedlock, without having the mother first do pennance in the church. It was he who had said to Van Diren that he would not come again if he were willing to bpt. the child. When I remonstrated in a kindly way, I received the answer that I had putblame on the Luth. congregation and that if the Amsterdam Consistory did not adhere closer to the Luth. doctrine, then he would have nothing to do with it. There was no way of calming him down until his anger had spent itself. Then he asked me to have dinner with him, but I refused and said I should be happy to do so tomorrow after the first service. (See also pp. 98, 100, 161, 197, and 218 for more references to Johannes Schaffer in the Protocol).

“Johannes Scheffer signed as a Justice on the call from the Luth. Church at Schoharie to Rev. Dr. Gerdes in London 25 Aug 741 (Luth. Church in N.Y. and N.J., p. 171). His family appears on Pastor Sommer's Family List ca. 1744 (Schoharie Luth. Chbk.) Johannis Sheefer was a freeholder at Schoharie in 1763 (Albany Co. Freeholders). Johannes2 md. Anna Maria Zoller (HJ); she d. 15 Jul 1768 (Schoharie Luth. Chbk.). Johannis Sheefer was a freeholder at Schoharie in 1763 (Albany Co. Freeholders). Johannes 3 md. Anna Maria Zoller (HJ); she d. 15 Jul 1768 (Schoharie Luth. Chbk.). Johannes2 d. 15 May 1777, aged 87 (?) yrs. (Schoharie Luth. Chbk.).

₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪

1. Maria Elizabeth SCHAFFER-2263 was born about 1664 in , , , Germany. She died 28 Mar 1749 inSchoharie, Schoharie Co., NY.

DEATH: Recorded: St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Schoharie, Schoharie Co., NY. “Aged 85”

Maria married (MRIN:1207) Johannes SCHAFFER-2262. Johannes was born about 1664 in, Germany. He died about 1710.

HENRY Z. JONES: Letter dated 23 October 1992 to Herman W. Witthoft, Sr., 141 Hudson Ave., Chatham, NY 12037, from Henry Z. Jones, Jr., Fellow, American Society of Genealogists, P.O. Box 261388, San Diego, CA 92196-1388. He states: “I do think that Johannes Schaffer (#627) and Maria Elisabetha Schafferin (#637) probably were husband and wife. Carla (his German researcher) has searched for 23 years for them overseas, but no match yet with known U.S. data. As you know, the surname is extremely common, as it derives from an occupation. As of this writing, I am too busy with my new book..........to take any client work, sorry to say........ Thanks for understanding.” Johannes Schaffer (Hunter Lists #627) “Johannes Schaffer made his first appearance on the Hunter Lists 4 Oct 1710 with 5 pers. over 10 yrs. and 2 under 10 yrs. of age. As Johannes shows up relatively late in Oct 1710 on the Hunter Rolls, perhaps his family initially was represented on the Hunter Lists by #637 Maria Elizabeth Schafferin, whose last entry on these lists was 4 Aug 1710 with 5 pers. over 10 and 3 pers. under 10 yrs. (HJ). Johannes Schaffer then was recorded with 5 over 10 and 1 under 10 yrs. of ageon 31 Dec 1710; the entry for 24 June 1712 with the same numbers reads Johannes Schaffer’s wid. Johannes Schaffer sp. Henrich Meyer in late 1711 (West Camp Luth. Chbk.).” (Above numbers, Johannes (#627), page 816, and Maria Elisabetha Schafferin (#637), page 836, are references in Henry Jones’ book, THE PALATINE FAMILIES OF NEW YORK 1710, Vol. II, 1985.)

DEATH: Probably died about 1710 at sea enroute to America.

2. Johannes SCHAEFFER-2235 (Maria Elizabeth) was born about 1690 in , , , Germany. He died 15 May 1777 in Schoharie, Schoharie Co., NY.

DOCUMENTATION: THE PALATINE FAMILIES OF NEW YORK, 1710, Volume II, Henry Z. Jones, Jr.: The children of Maria Elisabetha Schafferin (erroneously attributed to #634 Gerhard Schaffer in the past - HJ) were: (and quoting from Page 836). "1) Johannes. Perhaps he was the John Schaffer of Queensbury who was a Palatine Volunteer to Canada in 1711 (HJ). A Johannes Schaffer sp. Henrich Meyer in 1711 (West Camp Luth. Chbk). Johannes Schaffer and his wife Anna Maria were recorded next to the Hanss Henrich and Johannes Zoller families at New-Ansberg ca. 1716/17 (Simmendinger Register). Pastor Berkenmeyer mentioned Johannes Schaffer often in “Albany Protocol”. In 1736 on p. 190 he wrote: “After the service we returned to the home of Hannes Scheffer. The first thing he said was to ask me why I had bpt. the child b. out of wedlock, without having the mother first do penance in the church. It was he who had said to Van Diren that he would not come again if he were willing to bpt. the child. When I remonstrated in a kindlly way, I received the answer that I had put blame on the Luth. congregation and that if the Amsterdam Consistory did not adhere closer to the Luth. doctrine, then he would have nothing to do with it. There was no way of calming him down until his anger had spent itself. Then he asked me to have dinner with him, but I refused and said I should be happy to do so tomorrow after the first service.” (See also pp. 98, 100, 161, 197, and 218 for more references to Johannes Schaffer in the "Albany Protocol"). "Johannes Scheffer signed as aJustice on the call from the Luth. Church at Schoharie to Rev. Dr. Gerdes in London 25 Aug 1741 (“Luth. Church in N.Y. and N.J.”, p. 171.). His family appears on Pastor Sommer’s Family List ca. 1744 (Schoharie Luth. Chbk.). Johannis Sheefer was a freeholder at Schoharrie in 1763 (Albany Co.

Freeholders).

Johannes md. Anna Maria Zoller (HJ); she d. 15 July 1768 (Schoharie Luth. Chbk.). Johannes d. 15 May 1777, aged 87 (?) yrs. (Schoharie Luth. Chbk.). They had (seven children):"

DEATH: “Aged 87 (?) years” (Schoharie Luth. Chbk.)

WILL: There is a reference: “The will of Johannes Sheffer of Schoharie, dated 16 July 1771 (recorded at Albany 1 Feb 1788), mentions sons John, Jacob, Martin, & Adam; and daughter Elisabeth, wife of Hen. Kniskern.”

Johannes married (MRIN:1194) Anna Maria ZOELLER-2236. Anna was born about 1697 in Germany. She died 15 Jul 1768 in Schoharie, Schoharie Co., NY and was buried 18 Jul 1768 in Schoharie, Schoharie Co., NY.

DEATH: Recorded: St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Schoharie, Schoharie Co., NY. Death entry reads: “July 15, 1768, Maria Schaffer, wife of Johannes Schaffer”.

NOTE: “An Anna Maria Zeller md. Johannes Schaffer by 1717 and remained in the Schoharie Valley; she was sp. in 1717 there by Johannes Zeller. Anna Maria obviously was related to the emigrating Zellers, perhaps a sister to Johannes and Henrich Zeller”.

Johannes and Anna had the following children:

4. Johannes SCHAEFFER Jr.-2256 (Johannes SCHAEFFER, Maria Elizabeth) was born 4 Jun 1717 in “Schogharie”, Schoharie Co., NY and was christened 9 Jun 1717 in West Camp, Ulster Co., NY. He died 1 Aug 1785 in Schoharie, Schoharie Co., NY and was buried 4 Aug 1785 in Schoharie, Schoharie Co., NY.

BAPTISM: Recorded: St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, West Camp, T-Saugerties, Ulster Co., NY. Parents: “Johann Schaster, Anna Maria”. Sponsors: “Johann Zoeller and wife”.

CONFIRMATION: “Heinrich, Martinus and Johannes Scheffer were confirmed at Scoharie in 1737.” (Loonenburg Luth. Chbk. Now: Zion Lutheran Church, Athens, Greene Co., NY USA.)

MARRIAGE: Recorded: Reformed Church, Schoharie, Schoharie Co., NY. “Johannes Scheefer, Jr., j.m. (young male), b Schogharie liv here and Anna Gertraud Staringse, j.d. (young dame), b Schogharie, liv here”

DOCUMENTATION: THE PALATINE FAMILIES OF NEW YORK, 1710, Volume II, Henry Z. Jones, Jr.: “ Johannes was noted on Pastor Sommer’s Family List ca. 1744 also. Johannes Sheefer Jr. was a freeholder at Schoharrie in 1763 (Albany Co. Freeholders). Hannes Scheefer jun: was an Insein in Capt. Jacob Sternberger’s Company at Schohare in 1767 (REPORT OF STATE HISTORIAN, Vol II,p. 842).”

Johannes married (MRIN:1222) Anna Gerdraut STARING-2582, daughter of Johan Nicolaus STARING-

2929 and Maria Catharine-2930 (MRIN:1380), on 11 Oct 1740 in Schoharie, Schoharie Co., NY, USA. Anna was born 14 Feb 1717 in Schoharie, Schoharie Co., NY. She died 7 Dec 1767 in Schoharie, Schoharie Co., NY and was buried 10 Dec 1767 in Schoharie, Schoharie Co., NY.

PARENTS: Father: Niclaus Staringer (Hunter Lists # 740). Mother: Anna Elizabeth Barckey. Quoting from THE PALATINES FAMILIES OF NEW YORK 1710, Volume II, Henry Z. Jones, Jr., page 995: “Niclaus Staringer made his initial appearance on the Hunter Lists 4 Aug 1710 with 3 pers. over 10 yrs.

He was called Staring on the 4 Oct 1710 listing with 2 pers. over 10 yrs. The family was recorded with 4 pers. over 10 on 24 June 1711, 4 over 10 and 1 under 10 on 29 Sep 1711, and 4 over 10 and 2 under 10 yrs on 13 Sept 1712. Nicolaus was called a brickmaker in 1711 (West Camp Luth. Chbk.) . NicolausStaring was a patentee on the south side of the Mohawk River 30 April 1725 (Burnetsfield Patent). The ch. of Nicolaus Staring were:” (and it lists 5 children by his first wife and 5 by his second wife.)

33. Friederick SCHAEFFER-2676 (Johannes SCHAEFFER, Johannes SCHAEFFER, Maria Elizabeth) was born 14 Aug 1760 in Schoharie, Schoharie Co., NY and was christened 1760 in Schoharie, Schoharie Co., NY. He died 26 Apr 1818 in Osnabruck, Stormont Co., Ontario, Canada and was buried 28 Apr 1818 in Osnabruck, Stormont Co., Ontario, Canada.

BAPTISM: Recorded: St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Schoharie, Schoharie Co., NY. Parents: “Johannes Schafer, Jr., Gerdraut”. Sponsors: “Martinus Schafer & wife”.

RESIDENCE: Lived on Lot 6, 4th Concession3, Osnabruck Twp., Stormont Co., Ontario Canada. “Before moving to Canada, he lived in Berne/New Scotland, Albany Co., NY USA.” (Gordon Stinson)

CENSUS: 1790 USA Frederick Shaffer Rensselaerville Town, Albany Co., NY USA 1 male 16 and over (himself) 1 male under 16 years 3 females

(Family members: Frederick & wife, Peter, Anna, Sarah.)

CHURCH: He received Holy Communion at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Berne, Albany Co., NY USA: (Communion record) 11th Sunday after Trinity, 1792 - Friedrich Schaffer 14th Sunday after Trinity, 1793 - Katarina Schaffer 15th Sunday after Trinity, 1794 - Friedrich Schaeffer Cathrina "

DOCUMENTATION: Listed in LOYALIST LINEAGES OF CANADA.

“1. FREDERICK SHAVER, B.R., born 1760, Schoharie, NY, died 1818, Osnabruck Tp, Ontario, Canada; resided: Schoharie, NY and Lot 6, Con 4, Osnabruck Twp, Ontario, Canada. Married: Catherine (Katrina) ECKER, born 1761, Schoharie, NY, died Osnaburck Twp., Ontario, Canada.

Children: Peter, John, Frederick, Hannah (Anna), Sarah, Mary Elizabeth (Marilla), Catherine, MargaretEva, Nicholas

CHILDREN: Identity of children Margaret, Eva and Nicholas is from LOYALIST LINEAGES OF CANADA. I do not find baptisms in the Schoharie Co., NY, churchbooks.

U.E.L. - United Empire Loyalist

MILITARY: Served in “Butler’s Rangers” from 1778 to 1784.

EMIGRATION: He emigrated to Osnaburck Township, Stormont Co., Ontario Canada, in the early 1800’s and resided at Lunenburg, Ontario, near his brother, Nicholas. “When living in Canada, he declined to accept some 1400 acres or equivalent cash as compensation for losses during the American Revolutionary War although his children successfully made this claim twenty years after Frederick’s death”.

BIOGRAPHICAL: “Frederick Schaffer supported the English during the Revolution and with his brother Nicolas, joined Butler’s Rangers in 1778. He was in Col. Ten Broeck’s company in the raid & massacre in the Wyoming Valley of Pennsylvania in July, 1778. In 1780 Butler’s Rangers swept thru the Schoharie & Mohawk Valleys. Frederick was captured and held at Johnstown but escaped in

3 Shavers were still on this lot in 1879, with Poapsts nearby. <GAT>

October 1780 and made his way to Niagara. He was discharged at Niagara January 1784 and returned to New York. He took his family to Canada in the fall of 1800.”

(THE MOHAWK VALLEY STARINGS AND ALLIED FAMILIES, by Sterling O. Kimball, 1998) Martha Foland says that he came back to the USA. He did, but according to the previous paragraph, “He took his family to Canada in the fall of 1800.” (And he was buried there.)

OCCUPATION: Farmer.

WILL: His will, registered 6 June 1818, mentions the following family: wife Cathrine; sons John, Nicholas and Peter; daughters Eave (sic), Margaret and Cathrine; and grandsons Frederick Price and Frederick Alvy. (Frederick was brother to Nicholas “Shaver” of Osnabruck, U.E.

BIOGRAPHICAL: From Gordon Stinson, Box B3 RR 1, 90 Clark Crescent, Port Sidney, Ontario Canada POB 1LO:

“The people in this area (Osnabruck and Cornwall Townships) know each other and have intermarried over the past two

hundred years.” Gordon writes: “Recently, (1998 ?), I drove up to a man mowing the lawn at Frederick’s farm and asked if this was Frederick’s farm.” The answer was, “Yes, do come in”. “(and after 200 years?)” Another example of people

knowing one another and their ancestors is: Gordon Stinson writes, “I stayed at a farm Bed and Breakfast (Wert family). I said to the people, “Your forebears rescued mine on 22 May 1780 and together were chased by 1700 Rebel riflemen with

our mothers and babies on horseback.” They answered, “Yes, I know, my cousin wrote a book about it.”

NOTE: Gordon Stinson passed away c 2003

Friederick married (MRIN:1432) Catharina (Katrina) ECKER-16191, daughter of Peter ECKARDT-

16186 and Marie Elisabeth RICKERT-16187 (MRIN:7351), on 11 Oct 1783 in Schoharie, Schoharie Co., NY. Catharina was born 13 Mar 1762 in Schoharie, Schoharie Co., NY and was christened 26 Jun 1762 in Schoharie, Schoharie Co., NY. She died 15 Feb 1820 in Osnabruck, Stormont Co., Ontario, Canada and was buried 17 Feb 1820 in Osnabruck, Stormont Co., Ontario, Canada.

BAPTISM: Recorded: Reformed Church, Schoharie, Schoharie Co., NY. Parents: “Pieter Ecker, Maria Elisabetha, daughter of Conrad Rickkert”. Sponsors: “Catharina, wife of Nicolaus Ecker”. (Only sponsor listed.)

Friederick and Catharina had the following children:

+ 214 F i. Hannah (Anna) SCHAEFFER-2966 was born 11 Jul 1784.

+ 215 M ii. Peter B. SCHAEFFER-2967 was born 19 Mar 1786 and died 20 Nov 1852.

+ 216 F iii. Sarah SCHAEFFER-2968 was born 10 Jan 1789.

+ 217 F iv. Mary Elizabeth (Marilla) SCHAEFFER-2969 was born 29 Dec 1790.

+ 218 M v. John Frederick SCHAEFFER-35223 was born about 1792 and died about 1862.

219 F vi. Catharina SCHAEFFER-4067 was born 18 Feb 1795 in Berne, Albany Co., NY, USA and was christened 6 Apr 1795 in Berne, Albany Co., NY, USA. She died 15Feb 1820.

216. Sarah SCHAEFFER-2968 (Friederick SCHAEFFER, Johannes SCHAEFFER, Johannes SCHAEFFER, Maria Elizabeth) was born 10 Jan 1789 in Berne, Albany Co., NY, USA and was christened 10 Feb 1789 in Berne, Albany Co., NY, USA.

BAPTISM: Recorded: Reformed Church, (Beaver Dam), T-Berne, Albany Co., NY. Parents: “Friedrich Schaefer, Catharina Eker” Sponsors: “Philip Werner, Elisabeth Schaefer”

Sarah married (MRIN:1631) Gottleib OTTO-55202 in , , Ontario, Canada. Gottleib was born about 1789.

RESIDENCE: He was from Osnabruck, Stormont Co., Ontario Canada.

Gottleib and Sarah had the following children:

748 i. Child # 1 OTTO-66507 was born about 1809.

749 ii. Child # 2 OTTO-66508 was born about 1811.

750 iii. Child # 3 OTTO-66509 was born about 1813.

751 iv. Child # 4 OTTO-66510 was born about 1815.

₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪Ontario records4: Call Number: MIC-Loyalist FC LFR .S3F3P3Name: Schaffer/Shaver Family. Title: Papers : 1804-1876.Description: 1 microfilm reel of textual records ; 35 mm.

Background Information: Nicholas Schaffer (1752-1838) and his brother Frederick Schaffer (1760-1818) were the sons of Johannes/John Schaffer and his wife Anna Geertraud Staring who lived in the Schoharie Valley of New York before the American Revolution. They were the descendants of Huguenot refugees from the German Palatinate who came to New York in 1710 andeventually made their way up the Hudson River and into the Mohawk Valley area. Both men served in Butler's Rangers during the American Revolution and came as Loyalists to settle in Osnabruck Township, in what is now Stormont County, Ontario.

Contents: The Schaffer/Shaver family papers contain land grants and wills of Nicholas Schaffer, and the will of his brother Frederick Schaffer. The wills of Tunis (Martinus) Schaffer, son of Nicholas, and an indenture of Harmanus Alguire with Nicholas Schaffer, are included.

Originals: The original documents were loaned by Mrs. Ellen Shaver, Cornwall, Ontario, to Kathryn Hilder, the librarian in charge of the Loyalist Collection at the Harriet Irving Library, University of New Brunswick, for microfilming and inclusion in the Loyalist Collection.

Notes: Three documents have been transcribed, and both the original manuscript and the transcription have been microfilmed. A large collection of Frederick Shaver Family Papers, 1830-1878, is held by the Archives of Ontario. The AO reference is, MU 2777. The name Schaffer has numerous spellings.

Other With: The Schaffer/Shaver family papers have been microfilmed on the same reel with the muster roll of the 1st Battalion, King’s Royal Regiment ofNew York, c.1782, and shelved in the Loyalist Collection at MIC-Loyalist FC LFR .S3F3P3.

4 Scource: http://www.lib.unb.ca/collections/loyalist/seeOne.php?id=487&string

Some Palatine History5

What was the Palatinate?The Palatinate consisted of two small regions in southern Germany near the Rhine River. The Lower orRhenish Palatinate which was also called the Pfalz was located in southwest Germany east of Luxembourg along both sides of the Middle Rhine River. The Pfalz included the present German Statesof Mainz, Treves, Lorraine, Alsace, Baden and Wurtemberg. Heidelberg was its capital. The name “Pfalz” was derived from the Latin word “palatinus” which meant palace or castle.The Upper (Bavarian) Palatinate was located in northern Bavaria, on both sides of the Naab River as it flows south toward the Danube, and extended eastward to the Bohemian Forest. The Palatines were ruled by Counts who later became Electors in the 14th century. The boundaries of the Palatinate varied with the military successes and political fortunes of the Counts Palatine. Today the Palatinate land west of the Rhine River is part of France. The rest of the Palatinate has been absorbed into other German states.

Why did the Palatines leave Germany?Different sources cite different reasons. Here are a few.The Palatinate was the centre of a deadly conflict between the Protestant German states and France during the late seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries. Between 1684 and 1713 there were two wars, the War of the Grand Alliance of England, Holland and the German Protestant States against France, and the War of the Spanish Succession. The War of the Spanish Succession resulted from the death of Charles ll of Spain without an heir. Except for four years of relative peace there was almost continuous war between 1684 and 1713.The troops of the French King Louis XIV ravaged the Palatinate, sacking the major cities, burning homes, stealing property, massacring people, destroying crops and laying waste to farms. An unexpected cold winter then occurred in 1709. The people had had enough and began to leave even though forbidden to do so upon pain of death by the rulers of the Palatinates. The Palatines fled down the Rhine to Rotterdam, Holland and then to England. The British Government circulated the “Golden Book” which was written by Reverend Kockerthal, throughout the Palatinate. It described British America as the land of milk and honey

1709 MigrationThe British encouraged the Palatines to migrate to England since the English Government wanted the Palatines to go to its North American Colonies to serve as a buffer between the French Colonies in the north and the British Colonies along the Atlantic Seaboard. Queen Anne offered the Palatines sanctuaryin England and literally offered to give the Palatines bread until they could produce their own. The Palatines began to cross from Holland to England in droves. By October, 1709, 13,500 penniless, ragged Palatines were in London. Most were camped in tents on the Surrey side of the Thames River atBlackheath. Others were billeted in the warehouses of Sir Charles Cox. Roman Catholic Palatines who would not swear an oath to become Protestants were sent back to Holland.From England the Palatines went to different destinations. About thirty-one hundred moved to Limerick in Ireland in 1709 to strengthen the Protestant cause in Ireland and to help develop agricultureand the further the linen industry.Six to eight hundred were sent to the Carolinas. Some also went to Virginia. However the biggest group

5 Excerpted from: The Palatines, by George Anderson UE (presentation was given at the Annual General Meeting of the UELAC in June, 2006 by Joan Lucas UE to the Branch Genealogists’ Workshop. The presentation was prepared by George Anderson UE and it covered information which he found over the years while researching the Palatines.) source: http://www.uelac.org/Loyalist-Research/Palatines.pdf

was destined for the New York Colony. About this time, Peter Schuyler, the mayor of Albany brought 5Mohawk Indian chiefs to London. They saw the plight of the Palatines and offered them land along Schoharie Creek in the Mohawk Valley. Governor Hunter of New York also offered to bring 3000 Palatines to the Hudson Valley to make pitch and tar from the pine trees for the British Navy.

West Camp and East Camp PalatinesThe Palatines who came to England decided to accept Governor Hunter’s offer to make naval stores. Governor Hunter then signed a contract with the Palatines to transport them to America. The contract stipulated that each Palatine family would receive five pounds and forty acres of land after the Palatineshad repaid the British Government for their expenses. On Christmas Day, 1709, three to four thousand Palatines were loaded on the ships. The ships did not sail until the end of January 1710. It took until July before all the ships reached New York City. About one sixth of the emigrants perished at sea. One ship, the Herbert floundered off the east end of Long Island. Most of the Palatines were landed on Nutten Island near New York City. Here they remained five months. Governor Hunter paid four hundred pounds to Robert Livingston to buy 6,000 acres of land along the Hudson River for the Palatines. The Palatines now established two camps - West and East Camp in the late fall of 1710 on this land. The villages which made up West Camp on the west side of the Hudson River were Elizabeth Town, Georgetown and New Village. Hunterstown, Queensbury, Annsbury and Haysbury made up EastCamp on the east side of the Hudson River. By now one quarter of the original group which had left England had perished. Today the Palatine Monument in West Camp marks the 1710 Palatine Migration to West and East Camps. The settlers at West Camp were pretty much left to themselves and allowed to build homes and to develop their farms. However, in East Camp the plan was for the settlers to make tar. The first winter the Palatines suffered from the severe cold, poor food and a food shortage. Some also enlisted in the British forces during the Seven Years War with the French but received no pay for their services. The land in East Camp was not very fertile, so they became discontented and wanted to go to Schoharie. The Palatines claimed that the British Government had originally promised that they could go to Schoharie. There is no documentary proof of this claim.Governor Hunter got into financial trouble and had to cut back on their rations. The tar project was a failure since little tar was produced. Tar is only made from the pitch of the Southern Georgian Pine. The northern or White Pine contains little pitch from which to make tar. Finally in 1712 Governor Hunter told the Palatines they were free to shift for themselves. So many decided to leave East Camp for Schoharie.An advance group of a hundred Palatines left East Camp for the Schoharie Valley in 1712, followed by a second group in 1713. At Schoharie, the Palatines organized themselves into seven villages. Some of the names of the villages were Weiser’s dorp (present Middleburgh),Fuchs’s dorp, Kniskern’s dorp and Brunnen dorp. Today on the bluff near Fuchs’s drop (FoxCreek) is where the present Old Stone Church stands in Schoharie. The Palatines at Schoharie had land ownership problems. The land on which they had settled was claimed by absentee landlords. Governor Hunter intervened on the landlords’ behalf. The Palatines appealed to the British King George lll and lost. Some Palatines now decided to buy their lands from the landlords. Others decided to seek land on the Mohawk River or to go to Pennsylvania. Some Palatine Mohawk Valley patents were Stone Arabia, Montgomery County, and the Burnetsfield Patent and the Snell- Timmerman Patent which were both inHerkimer County.

Palatine Repositories and On line SitesWe will now deal with where you can find Palatine information. This is just sampling of the information available on line. George Anderson has used most of the sites. Some are free. Others require a fee.Each county in New York State usually has a historical society or an on line web site. Not all historical

societies, such as the Herkimer County Historical Society, are on line.

Library and Archives CanadaLoyalist InformationYou can use the Library and Archives Canada documents pertaining to the Loyalists to find informationon the Palatine Loyalists. Here are a few examples:1) The Palatine Loyalists who came to Canada filed for petitions for land which are found in Upper Canada Land Petitions collection (RG1 L3).2) Palatine Loyalists served in the British forces during the American Revolution. A researcher can lookin the British Military and Naval Records Collection (RG 8, CSeries).3) The Haldimand papers (NA MG 21 G2) contain correspondence and records pertaining to Loyalists.Palatine SourcesLibrary and Archives Canada also has 161 sources which refer specifically to the Palatines. These are books, microfilms, etc. Some sources are also in German. Here are a few examples of the topics which are covered:Story and History of Palatines1) The Irish Palatinesa) Names of 1709 Palatine Immigrants to New York Stateb) North Carolina Palatines2) 300 Years of Palatine Queriesa) Palatine Family Genealogiesb) Palatine Pennsylvania tombstones.A more detailed list of Palatine sources will appear in the handout.

Map CollectionThere is also a map collection which shows the exact locations where many Palatine Loyalists settled inOntario. For example the 1786 McNiff survey maps for the Royal Townships show each lot with its number and the name of the settler on the lot. The Library and National Archives is available at: www.collectionscanada.ca/genealogy.

Palatines in America National Library, Columbus, OhioThis American National Library is a major resource for researching Palatine family history. Its collection contains over 5000 books, journals, etc on German Family History and Genealogy. Subjects which are covered include:1) Palatines in America2) Palatines in London, England3) Palatines in Europe4) Palatines in New York State5) Palatines in Ireland6) Palatines in Maine7) Palatine Immigration and EmigrationYou can find the London, England church records for the 1709 Emigration to England by looking at Palatines in London, England under: London church books and the German emigration of 1709. Die Deutsche Auswanderung von 1709 in den Londoner Kirchenbuchern by John Phillip. The collection also includes The Immigrant Ancestor Register. This register is genealogical research submitted by members on their immigrant ancestors. The Library is open to non-members for a nominal fee. Its catalogue can be searched online at: http://www.planam.org

New York State Archives and Library, Albany, New YorkThe New York State Archives and Library is a valuable source of genealogical information. It has family genealogies, original manuscripts, Bibles, newspapers, church records, county and local histories and vital records. You can search its records on line by surnames or by subject, etc. Among these records you will find a lot of information on the Palatines. You can also obtain detailed information on the various manors such as Livingston and Van Cortlandt Manors. For example, it has:1) The Manor of Cortlandt and its tenants, 1667-1783 by Sung Bok Kim. 1975.2) Maps and papers 1763-1903 Livingston Manor.3) Confirmation Patent of Livingston Manor by Robert Hunter. 1715Files from the New York State Archives and Library can be borrowed through interlibrary loan. The site can be reached on line at: http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/gengen.htm

Olive Tree GenealogyOlive Tree Genealogy is an online site which has a lot of Palatine information. Some sources are free. Most require paid subscriptions. Usually each subscription has a free trial period. Examples of Information on this site are:1) 1708 English Palatine Naturalization Records2) Pennsylvania Founding Families3) 1727 to 1775 and 1777 to 1789 Pennsylvania Foreign Oaths of Allegiance4) Pennsylvania 1740-73 Naturalization records5) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Indentures 1771-736) Swiss Emigrants in the 18th Century Ship Passenger Lists7) Pennsylvania German Pioneers 1727-18088) Philadelphia German Immigration 1700-759) Palatine Ships’ Lists to New York and Pennsylvania10) Palatine Child Apprentices 1710-14This site can be reached on line at http://olivetreegenealogy.com/pal/index.shtml

History of Schoharie County by William E. Roscoe6

CHAPTER I.

The first settlers of this County were Palatine tenants from the lower part of Germany. They were called “Palatines” from the fact that the lands which they occupied were owned and ruled by officers under the Crown, called “Palatines” and the country over which they presided, as governors, were “Palatinates.” By studying the history of that time, we find that the poorer class - the tenants of those officials - were ground down by crown, state and church taxation, so much so that they barely made a living. Yet, the church requirements were more obligatory through choice than compulsion, as the people had long been free from the Popish grasp, and, as a mass, were followers of Luther.

In order to give an idea of the cause of the German immigration to this country, we will draw the attention of the reader to a letter,7 written by one Joshua Kocherthal, a minister to the Board of Trade inLondon in 1708. He petitions, "in behalf of himself and the poor Lutherans, to be transported to some of ye Majesty's plantations in America." "We humbly take leave to represent that they are, in number, forty-one - ten men, ten women and twenty-one children; that they are very necessitous and in the utmost want, not having at present anything to subsist themselves; that they have been rendered to this by the ravages committed by the French in the Lower Palatinate, where they lost all they had.8

This small band, on the 29th of June 1709, was settled upon Quasek Creek9 in Ulster County, and was the first German immigration to America.

By referring to European history, the reader will find that in 1702, England, Holland and Germany declared war against France, in support of Charles, Archduke of Austria, to the Spanish throne.

Charles the Second of Spain died in 1700, and Louis the Fourteenth of France, wishing to make Spain an ally, trumped up a candidate for the throne in the person of Philip of Anjou. The war lasted until the year 1713. During the years 1708, '09, the French carried hostilities upon German soil, and devastated the Lower Country, as stated by Kocherthal in his petition. England, possessing a goodly portion of America and receiving but meager supplies from yer, embraced the opportunity (as she was but thinly inhabited) of peopling her possessions with the homeless Palatines; and, according to Brown’s Pamphlet History, sent agents throughout the Palatinates to induce them to immigrate here; as we of today find our Western railroad companies that received large bounties in land from the government sending agents throughout Europe, to induce immigration, that their claims may become settled and produce a revenue. A goodly portion of the Western States, through such agencies, have been peopled, and numberless poor, delving, tenants of the Old World have become landlords here, under the influence of our generous laws. We trust they will continue to come by thousands, as in them we find industrious, energetic and law-abiding citizens.

Seeing the opportunity offered of peopling the American possessions, Robert Hunter, a man of official ambition, conceived the idea of immigrating a large colony of the Germans, and petitioned the London Board of Trade to that effect. The board made the following report “To the Queen’s Most Gracious Majesty,” on the 5th of December, 1709, which was approved January 7th, 1710.

From this second immigration came the pioneers of Schoharie County, As we shall be under the

6 Excerpts from chapters of: HISTORY OF Schoharie County, NEW YORK, WITH Illustrations and Biographical Sketches OF SOME OF ITS PROMINENT MEN AND PIONEERS. By WILLIAM E. ROSCOE Published by D. MASON & CO., SYRACUSE, N.Y. - 1882. -

http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~nyschoha/roscoes.html7 London Documents 8 Documentary History 9 Now Chambers Creek

necessity of referring, in several points, to the above mentioned report, we will copy a portion of it, leaving out that which will be of no service to us, it being too monotonous for the matter-of-fact American reader: -

“May It Please Your Majesty: “In obedience to your Majesty’s commands, signified to us by the Right Honhorable the Earl of Sunderland, we have considered the proposals made to us by Colonel Hunter, for settling 3,000 Palatines at New York and Employing them in the Production of Naval Stores, and thereupon humbly Represent to your Majesty -

"That the Province of New York being the most advanced Frontier of Your Majesty s Plantations on theContinent of America, the Defence and Preservation of that place is of the utmost importance to the security of all the Rest; and if the said Palatines were seated, they would be an additional strength and security to that Province, not only with regard to the French of Canada, But against any Insurrection of the scattered Nations of Indians upon that Continent, and, therefore, we humbly propose that they be sent thither.

" By the best Information we can get, the most proper Places for the seating them in that Province, so as they may be of benefit to this Kingdom by the Production of Naval Stores, are on the Mohaques River and on the Hudsons Rivers, where are very great numbers of Pines fit for Production of Turpentine and Tar, out of which Rosin and Pitch are made.

"First - In relation to the Mohaques River: Your Majesty was pleased, by your order in Council of the 26th June, 1708, to confirm an Act, passed at New York, the 2nd of March, 1693 for vacating several Extravagant Grants, whereby large Tracts of Land are returned to your Majesty, and among the rest.

"A Tract of Land lying on the Mohaques River, containing About 50 miles in length and four miles in breadth, and a Tract of land lying upon a creek which runs into the said River, which contains between 24 and 30 miles in Length. This last mentioned Land, of which Your Majesty has the possession, is claimed by the Mohaques, but that claim may be satisfyed on very easy terms.

"The Objection that may. be made to the seating of the Palatines, on the fore-mentioned Mohaques River, is the Falls that are on the said River between Schenectady and Albany, which will be an interruption in the Water Carriage, but as that may be easily helped by a short land carriage of about 3 miles at the west, we do not see that this objection will be any hindrance to the seating of them there, InCase there be not an opportunity of doing it more conveniently in some other part of that Province.

* * * * *" We therefore humbly offer that the Governor or Commander in Chief be Directed upon their Arrival to Seat them all, either in a Body or in different Settlements, upon those or other Lands as he shall Findmost proper and that they be Encouraged to settle and work in Partnership, that is, 5 or more families tounite and work in common.

"That the Governor be likewise Directed to grant, under the Seal of that Province, without fee or Reward, 40 acres per head to each family, after they shall have repaid, by the produce of their Labour, the charges the publick shall be at in settling and subsisting them there, in the manner as hereinafter proposed: To have and to hold the said Lands, to them and their heirs forever, under the usual Quit-Rent, to commence and be payable after seven years from the date of Each respective Grant; and further, that in every such grant there be an express Proviso that the Lands so granted shall be seated and planted within a reasonable time, to be therein prefixed, or, on failure thereof, such Grant to be void and to revert to the Crown. And for the better preventing those people from falling upon the Wooden Manufactures, it will be proper that in every such grant, a Clause be inserted, declaring the said Grant to be void, if such Grantee shall apply himself to the making of Woollen or such like manufacture.

"As these people are very necessitous, they will not be able to maintain themselves there till they can reap the benefit of their labour, which will not be till after one year at the soonest. We therefore humbly

offer, that they be subsisted, the men and women at the rate of 6d sterling a head pr day, and the children under the age of l0 years, at 4d Sterling pr day, which as we are informed, will be sufficient.

"When their houses shall be built and the ground cleared for making their settlements, they may then beEmployed in the making of Turpentine Rozin Tar and Pitch, and that this will be beneficial not only to the said Palatines, but to this Kingdom.

* * * * *" As these Palatines are ignorant in the Production of those Stores, it will be necessary that three or fourpersons well skilled in the doing thereof (if to be had) be sent from hence, to instruct the said Palatines there, an that they be allowed ₤200, New York money, per annum each, during their being employed in this work.

"In case no such persons can be found here, then We propose that Mr. Bridges, Surveyor-General of your Majesty’s Woods on the Continent of America, who was sent 4 or 5 years ago to New England to instruct the People there, be Directed to go to New York for that purpose, and that he bring with him 3 or 4 other persons, the most skilfull be can get, who may assist him in the instructing the said Palatines,and for their pains therein have a Salary of ₤100 pr annum during such their employ and stay at New York.

"It will be likewise necessary that there be Supervisors appointed to reside among the said Palatines to over see and keep them at work, with a Salary of ₤100 per annum each. As to the number of the said supervisors we humbly conceive it cannot well be regulated here, for that will Depend in a great measure upon the number of the Palatines settlements, and On the Distance they may be one front the other. Therefore we are of opinion that this be left to the Discretion of Your Majesty’s Governor after his arrival there.

* * * * *" And we further offer that the Premium given by an Act made in the 3rd and 4th year of Your Majesty’s Reign to encourage the Importation of Naval Stores from your Majesty’s Plantations in America, be paid to such factor or Agent to and for the sole Benefit of such Palatines, who were the Manufacturers of such Stores, in like manner as Premiums are allowed to other Importers of Naval Stores from those parts.

"Lastly, we humbly offer that the said Palatines, upon their arrival there, be Naturalized without fee or Reward, that they may enjoy all such privileges and advantages as are Enjoyed by the present Inhabitants of that Province."

While the Palatines were in London, Brigadier Robert Hunter was appointed to superintend the transportation of them by Queen Anne. They set sail some time between the approving of the report (January 7th, 1710) and the 14th of June following. After their arrival, Hunter addressed the following letter to the board of trade in London: -

NEW YORK10, July 24th, 1710.

"My Lords: By a small vessel bound for Lisbon, I gave your Lordships notice of our arrival here (June 4th). Since that time all the Palatine ships, separated by the weather, are arrived safe, except the Herbert Frigat, where our Tents and Arms are. She was cast away on the East end of Long Island, on the 7th of July, the men are safe, but goods much damaged. We still want the Berkley Castle, which we left at Portsmouth. The poor people have been mighty sickly, but recover apace. We have lost above 470 of our number.

"Soon after our arrival, I sent the surveyor11 with some skillful men to survey the land on the Mohaks river, particularly the Skohare, to which the Indians had no pretense - being Col. Bayard’s grant - they

10 London Documents, IVIII 11 Augustus Graham was the surveyor that was sent to Schoharie to survey the land, and his bill - now in the office of the

Secretary of State - amounted to ₤121, being employed one hundred and twenty days at twenty shillings per day.

however, by the instigation of some ill-intentioned men, at first refused to suffer it to be surveyed, uponpretense of its having returned to them, after the resumption, but have been better advised since. So at this time he is actually surveying of it. These lands, however, I believe will be no ways fit for the design in hand, being very good Lands which bears no Pines and lyes very remote. I shall however be able to carry it on elsewhere, for there is no want of Pines, but the Pine land being good for nothing, thedifficulty will lye in finding such a situation as will afford good land for their settlements near the Pine lands. I am in terms with some who have lands on the Hudsons River fit for that purpose, which I intend to view next week in company with Dr. Bridges, who is now with me, and gives me good encouragement."

On the same day of Hunter’s arrival at New York (June 14th) he was appointed Governor of the “Province of New York and its dependencies.” Thus we find this the second immigration of Germans arriving at New York in June and July, 1710.

We find that the city council had the fact of the arrival brought before them, by Mr. Beekman, its President, on the 13th of June and "desired the council to give their opinion what measures are proper tobe taken with respect to them," and "that the mayor of ye city having petitioned to the board from himself and the corporation, setting forth that there is just cause to believe that there are many contagious distempers among them, which they are apprehensive, will endanger the health of the inhabitants of the city if they be landed, in any part thereof," etc. In council, June 16th, it was ordered that certain officials "doe draw up a Scheme, for ye Ordering, Ruling, and Government of ye Palatines, and that it is the opinion of this board, that Nutten Island (now Governors) is the properest place to put the Palatines,"etc.

Huts were constructed, and the Germans kept upon the Island until other provisions could be made for them. New York city at that time, was mostly Holland or Low Dutch, yet under English government. They were not on the best of terms with the Germans, or High Dutch. Whether enmity had existed towards each other at home, as a people, or was an off-spring of selfish commercial dealing here, we are unable to say; but by preserved letters of business transactions between the two branches of Dutch, which it is unnecessary to copy, we find that their early intercourse at New York was marked by ill feeling; and from the tenor of their communications, we are led to think that the Germans were very distrustful of the honesty of their neighbor Hollanders.

Among the Germans at Nutten Island were many children, quite a number of whom were orphans, made so, no doubt, by the sea voyage, as stated by Hunter. The Government having the whole in charge, to provision etc. we find that the council ordered, (so as to retrench expenses) on the 20th of June, the following: -

"There having been several Proposals made for the taking many of the Palatines children for a Term of years, and there being many Orphans who are unable to take care of themselves to work and many whoby sickness are Rendered incapable of doing any service for some time & in that condition would be a great expense and there being no prospect of Settling them this summer by reason its so much advanced, His Excellency does appoint Doctor Staats and Mr. Van Dam or either of them to take such Proposals for Placing out the orphans and other children whose Parents have a numerous Family, entering into an Instrument in Writing, to Clothe, Victual and use them well, and to deliver them to the Government when called for."12

We find that the boys were apprenticed until the age of seventeen, and the girls until fifteen years of age. Thirty-four were bound out in 1710 - twenty-five in 1711 - three in 1712 - and one in 1714.

Here we are led to think, undue advantage was taken of the poor Germans by Government officials. Wecannot believe that they would have immigrated under the protection of a foreign government, unless great inducements were offered for doing so. If they had not been assured of their little effects and

12 Historical Documents

families being retained, and also their freedom granted to support and maintain them, we do not believethey would have listened to England's entreaties. Apprenticing the orphans was right, as they had no one to care for them; but taking children away from their able-bodied parents, was inhuman, and uncalled for. The Government knew their situation and the expense likely to occur from transporting and settling the Palatines, and if they did not wish to support the children, they ought not to have taken them nor their parents under its protection. By a petition to the Crown in 1720, to which we will draw the reader's attention hereafter, this act of apprenticing children, is spoken of among a long list of grievances, and also the promise made to them of "forty acres of land to each person," with necessary utensils, etc., upon their arrival; after being huddled together upon Nutten Island until November, Hunter wrote to the Board of Trade, that he had purchased a tract of 6,000 acres of Robert Livingston "for the settlement of the Palantines," and upon the 14th of November, 1710, he wrote to the same:

"I have now settled the Palatines upon good lands upon both sides of the Hudson's River; about one hundred miles up, adjacent to the Pines. I have planted them in five Villages, three upon the East side atthe River upon 6,000 acres I have purchased of Mr. Livingston about two miles from Row L of Jansens Kill. The other two on the West side near Sawyer’s Creek, as your lordships will observe by the inclosed sketch No l0 compared with your maps.

"The lands on the west side belong to the Queen. Each family hath a sufficient Lot of good arable land, and ships of 15 foot draught of water can sail up as far as the Plantations. They have already built themselves huts, and are now employed in clearing off the grounds. In the Spring I shall set them to work preparing the Trees, according to Mr. Bridges direction."13

Thus it will be seen by the foregoing letter, that the Germans were settled at Livingston’ Manor, in November 1710, in five villages or encampments, which originated in the place being called "the Camps." Livingston was a man of large means, for those days. He owned a mill and brew-house, and made a contract with Gov. Hunter to supply “the camps” with provisions at the Governments’ expense. Such supplies were to consist of "For each person of them, each day the quantity of Bread, equal to one-third of a Loaf of bread of such sort and assize which is commonly at the price of four pence half penny in the city of New York, and one quart of Beer such as is usually called Ships beer, of the Prise of three pounds for each Tun, All which is to be delivered to the commissary of the Palatines." The firstaccount,for the subsistence of the Palatines, shows that the first arrival at "the camps" was Oct. 6th, 1710, and the number of persons 213. "On Jan. 1st, 1711, they numbered 1,434. In June 1711, there were, upon the east side of the river, four villages - called ‘dorfs’ - namely - Hunters-town, Queensbury,Annsbury, and Haysbury, containing 1,189 Palentines." On the west side, there were three, Elizabethtown, Georgetown, and Newtown, with 614, making 1,803 Palatines at "the camps." Over each of these villages, or " dorfs ", was placed one of their number, to keep a correct account of their condition, wants, etc., and was required to make a report to the commissary, at the beginning of each month. Those overseers or head men were called " List-masters," and were, in the order of the villages, just mentioned - "John Peter Kneiskern, John Conrad Weiser, Hartman Windecker, John Christopher Tucks, John Christopher Gerlach, Jacob Manch and Philip Peter Granberger."

In the spring of 1711, the Germans became dissatisfied with the lands upon which they were located, and asked to be taken to those which they had been promised - namely - Schoharie - or - as called by them " Schorie." Here, it will be observed, that the Germans first speak of a "promise " to be taken to "Schorie." During their discontentment at the "camps" they were firmly determined to leave them, and go to "Schorie," stating that the Governor and other officials had deceived them, by promising them while in England, to locate them in Schoharie, and to give to each forty acres of land, with necessary implements, etc The officials denied making such a promise, but as to the forty acres of land, admitted, that they were to have it after paying for it, together with the expense the Government had been to for transportation, in tar and pitch. But the Governor and council of New York had made arrangements to

13 Documentary History

begin the manufacture of tar and pitch at this time, yet upon attempting to set them to work, the overseers found the Palatines "resoluten in disobeying orders," in fact, mutinized. Secretary Clarke, in writing to the London Board of Trade says:

"About a fortnight ago his Excel' having received information from their Overseers and other Officers that these people had taken a Resolution neither to work in making Pitch and Tarr nor to remain on the land they are settled upon for that purpose, but even by force, If they could not otherwise effect it to remove to Schohary (a tract of resumed lands) and that they had actually hindered the Surveyor from laying out more Lots to them " also" By their deputies they returned for answer that when the surveyorscame to lay out more land, the People called them out, told them 'twas worth nothing, they would have no more, so that 'twas needless to survey it and that they would have the land at Schohary which the Queen had ordered them by their contract.

* * * * *"His Excellency replyed. That as to the lands at Schorie, its the malace of those who would have them for their slaves that put them on demanding it, for that those lands the Indians had not yet parted with, nor were they fit for their labor, no pine being within twenty miles of it, that it would be impossible to subsist them there, or defend them against ye French and French Indians & besides they had obliged themselves to settle on such lands as he should assign them and then desired their final answer, which was, that they would have the lands appointed them by the Queen.

"Whereupon his Excellency in writing told them that since neither their duty or allegiance or regard to Her Maj'. unparalled Charity in goodness in taking them up and providing for them when they were starving, and abandoned by the world beside, had been of any force to keep you within the bounds of their duty, and since they had no regard to a solemn contract signed by them, he was come to require & enforce the execution of it, Copies and Translations of which they had in their own language, and that they must give their final answer the next day at four in the evening.

"A few minutes after the deputies were gone, His Excellency was informed that a body of three or four Hundred of them were then passing the brook, the Deputies, among whom were the Captains, returned to him, and in appearance seemed softened, and then went to the people who were drawn up on the hill above the house, towards whom his Excellency marching with his detachment.

"One of the commisarys who had been with them told him they had come to pay their compliments to him, so his Excellency walked up to them, and asked them what they meant by appearing in arms, they told him what they told the Commisary.

"Thereupon his Excellency ordered them home to their habitations and being gone about a mile they discharged all their firelocks.

"But their saying they came to pay their compliments was only a presence, for they told two of their officers, as they were going home, that they came to relieve their Deputies in case they had been confined. The next day the Deputies came according to order with their answers which begins indeed with a desire that his Excellency would assist them, that they might be settled in the lands of Schohary, but they soon forgot their humble style and told his Excellency that they had rather lose their lives immediately, than remain where they are,that they are cheated by the contract, it not being the same that was read in England there, they say it runs thus, 'that seven years after they had forty acres a head apiece given them, they were to repay the Queen by Hemp, Mast trees, Tarr and Pitch, or anything else, so that it may be no damage to any man in his family.' Upon these terms they will perform the contract, but to be forced by any other contract to remain upon the lands all their lives and work for her Majesty for the ship use, that they will never consent to doe. What does it signify, they say, to promise them thisland that they shall make pitch and Tarr. They will be obedient to the Queen, but they will have the promise kept that Mr. Cast read to them in High Dutch in England, and upon that land which was promised them they will be there, and if they cannot they desire three or four men may goe for England

and lay their case before the Queen. They say like-wise there are a great many things promised them - Clothing, household goods and working tools which they desire to have" "They say further their peopledye for want of care and proper remedyes and desire money to subsist themselves and lastly they say Mr. Cast told them he'd make them slaves and therefore desire his Excellency" to appoint another in hisroom.

"Whilst his Excellency was talking to the Deputies he received information that there was a great body of men in arms on the other side of the brook and having by that time a re-enforcement of seventy men more, he marched the detachment immediately and passed the brook,the Palatines were run home to their houses. His Excellency marched to the first village and ordered them to bring in all their arms, which they did immediately except a few. He could goe no further that night, but the next morning marched to ye other three villages on the same side of the river and disarmed them all and then returning to Mr. Livingston, sent orders to the villages on the other side to bring in their arms that day to the storehouse to be transported to him, which I believe they have done."14

The letter is lengthy, and having given an idea of the Germans discontent and the extent of the mutiny, we will not copy the remainder, as the writer, in substance, "wonders how a people can be so ungratefulto the Queen," and that "Its hardly creditable that men who reap so great a benefit as they doe by these people - not only by the consumption of their provisions, but by the increase of strength, should be so malicious to possess them with notions so injurious to themselves and prejudicial to Her Majesty's Interest but yet it is so."

Whom those were that "possessed" the Germans we are unable to tell, but we are satisfied that Jolm Conrad Weiser, the List-master over Queensbury, urged their disobedience, as we find he was a very malicious" man, in the officials estimation after removing to Schorie." Without doubt, great advantage was taken by the officials over the Germans, especially by Mr. Livingston, in furnishing the supplies; as he was a shrewd, money-making man, and as more modern "government contractors" do, stinted in quality if not in quantity, to the detriment of the stomachs of the Palatines. Various interested men wrote to the London Board of Trade in regard to the "maliciousness" of the Germans, and without doubt that honorable body had discussed the matter. Being aware, however,of the temptations held out for money-making, a portion, at least, of that body, took a fair view of the matter and one in particular, Lord Clarendon, wrote to Lord Dartmouth in regard to Mr. Livingston, as follows: -

"I think it is unhappy that Col. Hunter at his first arrival in his Government fell into so ill hands, for thisLivingston has been known for many years in that province, for a very ill man. He formerly victualed the forces at Albany, in which he was guilty of most notorious frauds, by which he greatly improved hisestate. He has a Mill and a Brew-house upon his land, and if he can get the victualing of those Palatines, who are so conveniently posted for his purpose, he will make a very good addition to his estate, and I am persuaded, the hopes he has of such a Subsistence to be allowed by Her Majesty, were the chief, if not the only Inducements, that prevailed with him to propose to Gov. Hunter, to settle them upon his land, which is not the best Place for Pine Trees. The borders of Hudson's River above Albany, and the Mohawk River, Schenectady, are well known to be the best places for Pines of all sorts, both for numbers, and largeness of Trees.

My Lord, upon the whole matter, I am of the opinion, that if the Subsistence proposed, be allowed, the consequence will be, that Livingston and some others will get Estates, and the Palatines will not be richer."15

The Germans became convinced, no doubt, that they had been deceived, either by their misunderstanding the contract in England or the dishonesty of those who read it to them, and resolved to keep quiet, at least until after the contemplated campaign against Canada. In June of 1711, a secret

14 London Documents 15 London Documents, XVIII

expedition was started from New York city, both by sea and land, to take Quebec from the French. A land force was to form a junction with the fleet before the city, and capture the fortress. In July, (ten. Gen Nicholson started with the land force, and was joined at the “Camps “ by 300 of the Palatines, under the command of Capt. John Peter Kneiskern, Conrad Weiser, Hartman Windecker and J. Christopher Tucks. The vessels encountered a heavy storm and were driven back, and a few of them were wrecked and failed to reach Quebec The land force waited impatiently for the vessels and at last decided to return, which they did in the latter part of the August following. They found that their families had been poorly provided for and were upon the verge of starvation which again aroused them to a sense of the injustice with which they were dealt, and a deeper desire to remove from the “Camps.”Some of them became “unwary,” and settled upon lands belonging to others, and “ye justices” were ordered to cause them to return to their own settlements, and in May, 1712, a detachment of troops was ordered among them, as they “will not obey orders without compulsion.”

Upon the 6th of September, 1712, the Governor wrote a letter16 to Mr. Cast, one of the commissioners, the substance of which we will here give; and we desire its special notice, as reference will be given to it again. He says: - "I have at length exhausted all of my credit I was master of, for the support of the Palatines; and have thereby, I assure you, embarrassed myself with difficulties, which I know not how to surmount, if my bills of exchange be not paid.

"When you call the people together, and communicate together the present state of my affairs, you will tell them, that I wish they would accept any employment they may get from farmers, and others in this Province, and New Jersey, for their own, and their families support, until they are recalled by Proclamation or other public notice."

Upon learning the situation of affairs from Mr. Cast, the discontent became greater, and since they wereobliged to seek employment elsewhere, and that, too, at the close of the year, they concluded to embrace the opportunity of seeking the "promised land Schorie," and after years of " trouble " even in that imaginary paradise, they sent a petition to King George - as their devoted Queen Anne had gone to her - laying their grievances before his Majesty, which we will here copy as it gives us the true dates, toverify in a measure that which we have already noticed.

"The Condition, Greivances and oppressions of the Germans In His Majesty’s Province of New York InAmerica, 1720: - "In the year 1709 was her late Majesty Queen Anne most graciously pleased to send abody of between 3 and 4000 Germans to New York under the Inspection and Care of Robert Hunter, then Governor there, with particular Orders & Instructions to settle them upon lands belonging to the Crown, and such as was most proper for raising Tarr & Pitch and other Naval stores.

"Before they left England they were promised 5 pounds in money pr. head,of which they have received nothing at all. It was likewise promised that on their arrival there, Each of them should receive Cloaths,Utensils, tools and other Conveniencys belonging to Husbandry, all which were sent with them from England for their use but of these they have received but little.

" They were moreover to have a grant of 40 acres of land to each person but it was never perform’d.

"On their landing at New York they were quartered in tents on the common & divided in six companiesover each of which was a Captain appointed to Command them, (of which number John Conrad Weiserarrived here in London 1718) with an allowance of ₤15 per annum each but not one farthing has been hitherto paid to them.

"About the same time took the Govern’r without & against their consent many children from them and bound them to several of the Inhabitants of that province till they should arrive to the age of 21 years, particularly two Sons from Captain Weiser, one of twelve and another of 13 years of age by which means they were deprived of the comfort of their Childrens Company and Education as well as the assistance & Support they might in a small way have reasonably expected from them.

16 Documentary History

"In the fall of that year, those that were living [then it must be observed that during their voyage thither and after their landing a great number of them died] were removed to a tract of land belonging to one Mr. Livingston where they liv’d in houses, erected by themselves, till the Spring following, when they were ordered to the woods to make Tarr & Pitch and continued there nearly two years, but as the land was improper to raise any sort of naval stores in any Considerable Quantity their labors turn’d to a different account and the profits of building & Improving the lands fell to a private person, they not being able to matte more than 200 barrels of Pitch and tarr. The small prospect they had of being in a Capacity to serve the nation, who had so generously & Charitably advanc’d very great sums of money for their relief & Support and the Impossibility there was of raising Corn, Cattle & other provisions for their subsistence on such ordinary & almost barren land oblig’d them to petition the aforesaid Governorthat they might be put in possession & settle on the land Call’d Schorie which the Indians had given to the late Queen Anne for their use, he answered that tho the lands was theirs he could nor would not takeit from them, neither could he settle them there, because it would oblige him to maintain to many Garrisons.

"The said Governor thought fit sometime after to visit all the villages, where they were settled and viewthe people there, who with one Consent apply'd to him again, humbly praying they might go and inhabit the above promis’d land, upon which he in a passion stamped upon the ground & said, here is your land (meaning the almost barren rocks) where you must live and die.

"The second year after our arrival were orders sent to them to detach 300 able men to serve on the late unfortunate expedition against Canada, which they willingly & Cheerfully did, and on their return, were their arms taken from them, tho all that went on the expedition should have kept them by her late Majesty’s particular Order without paying them any wages or Sallery, (notwithstanding they were put on the Establishment of New York and New Jersey or both, & the money received by the said Governor) they marched home, where they found their family’s almost starved, no provisions having been given them during their absence.

"The Winter following did the Inhabitants of the frontier Town of Albany desire the Governor that they might have (being fearful) the assistance of some of them to strengthen ye Garrison of that town from Invasion of the Indians in Conjunction with the French of Canada, which the Governor agreeing to, they went accordingly, but were never paid.

"In the second year of their abode at Livingston’s on the pitch wood, three of their people were sent down to Col. Hunter, Petitioning that he would be pleased to order them their full allowance of provisions, which they never hitherto had, to which he answered that they should return home & he would send orders after them, and about 8 days after came this surprising message from him, that he had not received any subsistence for them from England, & therefore every one of them, must shift for himself, but not out of the province.

"This was the latter end of the year and winter just at hand which is very severe, there being no provisions to be had, & the people bare of Cloaths, which occasioned a terrible Consternation amongst them & particularly from the women and children, the most pityful Cryes and lamentations that have perhaps ever been heard from any person under the most wretched and miserable circumstances, so thatthey were at last much against their wills, put under the hard & greeting necessity of seeking relief from the Indians. Upon which some of their Chiefs were suddenly dispatch'd away to the Indians by whom they were kindly received, & to whom they open'd their miserable condition & that being whollycast off by the sd Governor, & left destituted of the means of living elsewhere, they entreated them to give 'em permission to settle on the tract of land call'd Schorie which they immediately granted, saying,they had formerly given the sd land to Queen Anne for them to possess and that nobody should hinder them of it, and they would assist them as far as they were able. Whereupon these chiefs returned to the people acquainting them of the Indians favorable disposition.

"This put the people in some heart & finding it absolutely necessary to embrace that opportunity so providently bestowed on them all hands fell to work and in 2 weeks Clear’d a way thr’ the woods of 15miles long with the utmost toyle and labor, tho almost starved & without bread. Which being effected 50 family’s were immediately sent to Schorie when being arrived & allmost settled they there received orders from the Governor, not to go Upon that land & he who did so should be declared a Rebell.

"This message sounded like thunder in their ears, and surprised them beyond expression, but having seriously weighed matters amongst themselves & finding no manner of likelyhood of subsisting Elsewhere but a certainty of perishing by hunger, Cold. etc. if they returned, they found themselves under the fatal necessity of hazzarding the Gov’rs "Resentment, that being to all more Eligible than Starving.

"In the same year in March did the remainder of the people (tho treated by the Governor as Pharao treated the Israelites) proceed on their journey & by Gods assistance, travell’d in fourtnight with sledges tho the snow which there covered the ground above 3 foot deep, Cold & Hunger, Joyn’d their friends and Countryman in the promised land Schorie.

"The number of Germans who came hither to search for bread for themselves, their wifes and children, were more than the land already granted them by the Indians could supply with settlements & some of the people of Albany endeavoring to purchase the land around em from the Indians on purpose to close them up, and deprive them of any rang for their Cattel, they were obliged to solicit all the Indian Kings there adjoining for more land, which they willingly "granted ’em & sold ’em the rest of the land at Schorie being woods Rocks and pastaridg for 300 pieces of Eight.

"No sooner had Governor Hunter notice of their settlement and agreement with the Indians but he ordered one Adam Vroman to endeavor to persuade the Indians to break the agreement made.

"Upon the first settlement of this land the misery’s of those poor & almost famished Creatures underwent were incredible, & had it not been for the Charity of the Indians, who shew’d them where togather some eatable roots and herbs, must inevitably have perished, every soul of them, but what God said in Anger to Adam was in mercy fulfilled viz Thou shalt eat the herbs of the fields, when they continued about one year on this land, build small houses and huts and made other Improvements thereon, with their bloody sweat ~ labor and under the most greivous hardships & dayly hazard of their lives from the French & Indian Enemy's, as well as from those more dreadful ones, Cold & Hunger, severall Gentlemen Came to them from Albany, declaring they had bought that land of Gov. Hunter & if they intentioned to live thereon they must agree with them, to which demand these poor people answered. That the land was the Kings and that they were the Kings subjects and had no power to agreeto anything about his Majesty's lands without his special order, upon which these Gentleman said, Wee are Kings of this land, but the Germans reply’d that their King was in England, & that the land should not be taken from them without his Majesty’s particular order.

"Sometime after did these gentleman send the Sheriff with some others upon the land and to take the sdCaptain by force, dead or alive, but he having timely notice of it was on his Guard so they were prevented.

"These Gentleman finding the Inhabitants resolut in keeping possession of the lands, they had thus improved and from whence they drew the only support to themselves and familys fell on an other project which was Clandestinely and basely to endeavor to sew Enmity betwixt them and the Indians and if possible to pursuade them (for Money or Rum) to put them in possession of the land and declare them rightful owners thereof, but in this they also fail'd, tho not without great trouble & charge to thosepoor people who were forced to put themselves on the mercy of the Indians by giving them out of their nothing and beg of them, that since they had so long suckled them at their breast, not to ween them so soon and cast them off.

"In the spring of 1715 the Gentleman from Albany sent a man to affix some papers on the land,

Containing in Substance that whoever of the Inhabitants should see those papers must either agree with them or leave the land.

"This with their threatenings being done in the Spring, the best planting time for Indian corn (the chief of their subsistence) damp’d the spirits of these poor people - slackened their Industry & did ’em great damage.

"In the year 1717 came the Governor to Albany and sent orders to the Inhabitants of the land Schorie that 3 men of every village should appear before him on a day appointed and particularly the above mentioned Captain Weiser. "When they appeared before him, he said that he would hang John Conrad Weiser and ordered them to answer him the 3 following questions vizi: -

"1st, Why they went to inhabit the land Shorie without his orders?"2nd, Why they would not agree with the people of Albany?"3d. Why they concerned themselves so much with the Indians?

"Their answer to the first question was, that his Excell’cy had ordered them to shift for themselves & denied them further subsistence, the utmost necessity and poverty forced them to remove thither to earntheir bread for the maintainance of their wifes and children and that they continued their settlement on the same motives in expectation of His Majesty’s Grace and His Excell’cy favor.

"When they mentioned his Majesty the Governor in a passion said What Great Britain & Mr. Livingston added, here is yr King, meaning the Governor. Whereupon they beg’d his pardon, and that he would forgive them their Ignorance and Inadvertency.

"To the second question they returned their answer that the people were so many, the land so small and the wages so bad, that it was impossible to agree with the gentleman on their extravagant terms, especially after the vast expense and labor they had had, not mentioning, that the Indians had given it tothe Crown for their use and that there was no direction immediately from his Majesty to confirm it to them, they being sent over with a promise of so much land pr head and if they served any body it must be the King and not a privat person.

"They answered to the 3d point, that because they lived on the borders of the French as a Frontier & were liable to their dayly insults against whom they could scarcely stand, they were obliged to keep fairwith the friendly Indians amongst whom they dwelt, which was the only way to be protected and live inpeace.

"Governor Hunter then ordered that those who would not agree with or turn tenants to those Gentlemanfrom Albany, to whom he had sold the land for 1500 pistoles should remove from their habitations and Improvements & that they should make two lists, one of those that would agree the other of those that could not agree with the Gentleman & and that he soon expected an order from England to transplant them to another place, but no such thing was performed.

"They then most submissively remonstrated with the Gov. how hard it would be to leave & abandon their houses, lands and Improvements for nothing beside that they were indebted for other necessary’s, thereupon Gov. Hunter answered, that he would send l2 men to examine their works and Improvementsand give them money to pay their debts but it was never performed.

"The winter following they sent 3 men to New York to the Governor humbly beseeching him to grant them liberty to plough the lands or otherwise take care of them, but he answered, What is said is said, meaning the Prohibition of plowing at Albany

"This was thunder clap in the ears of their wifes & children and the lamentations of all the people increased to such a hight and their necessity’s grew so great, that they were forc’d for their own preservation to transgress those orders and sew some Summer Corn and fruits or Else they must have starv’d.

“These Gentleman have thrown one of their women in Prison at Albany, who still continues there also a

man for ploughing the land and will not release him till he gives One Hundred Crown’s security, the same has also happened to others.

“The Governor sent orders, that all the Germans should take their oaths of being faithful and withal to pay 8 shillings pr head, which they willingly agreed to, in hopes of a settlement, but this with all the promises formally made, unto them was in vain.”

[Endorsed] “Greivances of the Palentins in New York Rd Aug 20th 1722”

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CHAPTER III.

The settlements of Schoharie, which included those along the Schoharie Creek and its tributaries and the sparse ones of Seward, (old Dorlach) up to the commencement of the Revolutionary struggle had been quiet and progressive.

Occasional fears were aroused by the British officers as to the imagined invasion of the French and French Indians during hostilities between the English and French Governments. During all the wars from the time the Germans came across the ocean up to the Revolution, they and their descendants proved true to the English Government.

Quite a number from this isolated section, as before stated, took an active part in the contests at Fort George, Oswego and Niagara, where they did signal service All of the companies were equipped with guns and the necessary accoutrements and drilled in a rude way, which proved to be a schooling for them in the use of arms when they needed such discipline in their struggle for liberty.

It must be borne in mind that both classes of Dutch, high and low, found in these settlements, were veryconscientious as a mass, in their duty to God and to each ether. One characteristic was more prominently displayed perhaps than any other; that of the sacredness of their word, especially an oath, and we find many who held military positions and had taken the oath of allegiance as is required by all governments, at the commencement of the war for Independence, refused to desert the Crown and make a stand against it on conscientious scruples, deeming that the oath was life-long and not to be forfeited. When friends and neighbors expostulated and when the excitement became great and led to threatenings, some removed to Canada and were quiet but others returned as invaders, while a few remained here until they were compelled to leave.

The descendants of those who remained loyal and sought safety upon Canadian soil may still be found living to the west of Niagara and near Toronto. Those going from the Mohawk and Schoharie settlements and not taking an active part were called “Mohawks,” while those who did return to murderand plunder were called “Tomahawks.” As we find families divided upon political questions to-day, so also many were divided upon the great issue at stake at that day.

But very few families existed but that some member or branch adhered to the Crown and much to the detriment of the character of the belligerents, the most heinous crimes were committed by such, especially upon their kinsmen. We do not like to chronicle upon the whitened page bloody deeds of more than demons, of fathers and mothers falling beneath the tomahawk of disguised sons, and brothers bathing their hands in fraternal blood. Oh no, we wish to pass them by, their stain is hard to erase, but such as chill the blood without creating a spirit of devotion to country and pride of brotherhood, should be cast out of the emerald pages which the American Revolution caused to be written.

It should be enough for us to know of the dangers, hardships and privations our noble forefathers experienced in the attainment of our liberties, to animate us to a just appreciation of them, and enough to give birth in us to a just pride in those patriots and homage to their spirit and principle by observing their unyielding devotion to country and unflinching patriotic endurance, under the most withering circumstances.

Many upon the extreme frontier, conceiving their numbers so few, and those of England and her Indian allies so great, thought it a foolish and ignorant step to undertake to cope with them. They were placed far from help, surrounded by Indians and enthusiastic loyalists, whom they believed would exterminate them if they chose the Colonial cause, and consequently were led to countenance British rule and aggression, when within their hearts a burning hatred existed. When the tide of events began to roll the almost wrecked ship of Independence nearer and nearer to the harbor of success, they began to feel a thrill of patriotic joy, and ere peace was proclaimed proved themselves active and staunch adherents to the new order of things.

Each one as now had a right to a choice, an we cannot condemn those whose sympathies were with the mother country, only in the manner in which the majority of them espoused the cause and mode of warfare. We cannot but give homage to one that stands up manfully and defends oppression, dictated by a true sense of its being just and right, as well as to him who does the same in what we consider a more just cause. But the one that clothes himself in the garb of deceit and sneakingly defends his cause and employs the most cowardly means to attain the end, and ruthlessly destroys the innocent and helpless, should be, and is condemned by all.

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CHAPTER XXII.

HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF SCHOHARIE

The owner of the Schaeffer house was Christian, the son of the original settler - Hendrick. He had been a cripple for several years and refused to leave home and seek the fort for safety. When the squad of Indians and Tories entered the building, a negress slave assumed a loyal air, and verified it by strong language, and placed a goodly supply of pies and other eatables within sight, which tempted their appetites and they left the house without doing any damage. It was supposed the members of this clan were strangers to the family, and finding them at home, while true patriots were in the fort, beside through sympathy to Mr. Schaeffer in his infirmities, were the reasons the house was spared. It still stands in a good state of preservation, and is something of a curiosity. The beams are hewn smooth, andthe braces are cased in a curve, with oak. A groove is cut in the posts in which split slats are placed to plaster upon, which saved the expense of nails and sawing lumber for lathing.

Mr. Schaeffer not having any heirs, adopted his only brother’s (Jacob) son, Hendricus, who was at this time at the fort as before mentioned. In the possession of Mr. Martin L. Schaeffer are several relics, among which is an oil painting of Hendricus and his wife; also the weathercock that was perched upon the steeple of the old stone Lutheran church of 1750. It is made of beaten iron, of the thickness of very heavy sheet, and displays good workmanship. Undoubtedly Johannes Lawyer, the first deacon of the church, suggested the idea of placing a “Rooster” upon the spire, as we find he was very partial to thosebipeds, requiring each of his tenants to give him a pair of chickens yearly, beside the stipulated rents. These interesting relics lure us back to olden times, and awaken a lively curiosity to seek further through such interstices in the hazy past, for more mementoes, more facts.

Near the time that Hendrick settled here, his brother, Johannes, also built a house, near the present location of the brick house upon the opposite side of the road. We cannot say why Johannes was not mentioned when the lands were first mapped, but he was, without doubt, as early a settler as his brother. During the war the house was burned, while the family was absent, supposed by the enemy to be in the fort, where they really were.

Before leaving these two families to follow the footsteps of the invaders, we will open the records, and trace their genealogy down to the present time, fearful that those yellow leaves may lose the impress that dimly marks their names, and those that wish to learn of them will search in vain. Hendrick had two sons and eight daughters. The sons were Jacob, who settled at Breakabeen, and Christian the cripple. Jacob had but two sons, that we know of - Marcus and Hendricus. Hendricus settled, as has been seen, with Christian, and had but one son, Christian H., the father of the present Gideon, Martin, Luther and Jacob H. His only daughter married the late Nicholas Russell, of Cobleskill. Christian H. married the daughter of Peter Schaeffer, of Cobleskill, who passed his last days at this place. Johannes, the brother, was succeeded by his son, Martinus, whose son Marcus occupied the old homestead when burned, and was at the fort. David was the son of Marcus and the father of the present Marcus and Henry living near. Thus we find the last ones mentioned in line of the two families are the fifth generation.

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CHAPTER XXIII

HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF COBLESKILL.

Johannes Schaeffer of Ulster county, purchased six hundred acres east of the present village, in 1749, and in the year following, his son John, and Peter his nephew, settled upon it. At the same time Jacob Borst settled upon the south side of the creed, opposite the Schaeffer brothers. John built a log house where Mrs. Peter Lawyer’s fine residence now stands, and Peter built to the west, across the brook, near where Charles Hamiltion now resides. Johannes Schaeffer was a large land holder as will be seen by many of the old titles, and whether he was a relative of the Schoharie Schaeffers or not we are unable to tell. In after years, they became connected by the daughter of Peter marrying Christian H. Schaeffer, the father of the present Gideon, Martin L., Jacob H. and Mrs. Russell.

John was long known as Hans Schaeffer, and built the Mrs. Lawyer mansion for an inn, about the year 1815, and for many years was a respected “host.”

The orthoepy of the family name is Schaeffer but that branch of the family found in and around Cobleskill have changed it to Shafer and Shaver.

Source: http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~nyschoha/roscoes.html

The Palatine Experience(A Loyalist Perspective)

The German U.E. Loyalists of the County of Dundas Ontario17 - Part I.By Alexander Clark Casselman, Toronto.

On both banks of the Rhine where it is joined by the Neckar, is a large district about 3,500 square milesin extent, that from the Middle Ages to the beginning of this century was known as the Palatinate, and whose people were called Palatines. Its capital was Heidelburg, and within its borders were the cities ofMayence, Spires, Mannheim and Worms, all names famous in history.

Situated as this Garden of Europe was, near to Wittenburg and Geneva, its inhabitants soon embraced the Reformed faith. Some became followers of Calvin, and some of Luther. The Electors or rulers of the Palatinate for many years were Protestants, but in 1690, the Elector, John William, a devoted adherent of the Roman Church, tried to bring his people back to the old faith.

From its position the Palatinate became both the cause and the theatre of that long war between Louis XIV. of France and nearly the rest of Europe. Louis wished to fulfil the desire and dream of every French ruler,—to make the Rhine the eastern boundary of France. Turenne, Louis’ general, laid waste the Palatinate to the west bank of the Rhine. Two Electors, unable to bear such oppression, died of broken hearts. Louis claimed the Palatinate for his brother Philip. The League of Augsburg was formed against him, the soul of the combination being William, Prince of Orange. In this war Louis’ generals again overran the Palatinate to chastise its people for receiving kindly the French Protestants who left France after the revocation of the Edict of Nantes. General Montclas, accordingly, gave the people three days to leave their homes. The villages and towns were burned, the castles and churches destroyed, the ashes of the Emperors in the tombs at Spires’ were scattered to the winds. Many of the people perished of hunger, but as Macaulay says, “Enough survived to till the towns of Europe with beggars who had once been prosperous shopkeepers and farmers.” The ruins, softened by time, still remain as reminders of Louis’ wrath ind as a warning to France that a United Germany shall never permit the like to occur again.

This blow, although hard for the Palatines to bear, was really the means of their deliverance. For while Louis was thus seeking a personal vengeance, William had become firmly seated on the throne of England; and thus he brought in opposition to France the power that was to emancipate Europe, destroythe fleets of France and drive her armies from every continent. Once more, during the War of the Spanish Succession, the Palatinate was despoiled. But, in this instance, the greatest general the world

17 From UNITED EMPIRE LOYALISTS of THE COUNTY OF DUNDAS, ONTARIO. Read before the United Empire Loyalists’ Association of Ontario, at Toronto, 1900

ever saw, taught, not only the French, but the people of Europe, that France was not invincible. To Marlborough belongs the credit of making Britain feared by the sovereigns of the continent, and showing the oppressed that there they might find an asylum. During the time when he was all powerful in England, was passed the Naturalization Act under which refugees from France and other countries found a home in England or its colonies.

In the spring of 1708, fifty-two Palatines, led by their Lutheran minister, Joshua Kockerthal, landed in England, and petitioned to be sent to America. The Board of Trade recommended “ that they be settled on the Hudson River, in the Province of New York, where they may be useful, particularly in the production of naval stores, and as a frontier against the French and Indians.” It was further recommended “ that they be given agricultural tools and be sent out with Lord Lovelace, the recently appointed Governor of New York.” They arrived there in due time and were located at Quassaick Creek, just where the City of Newburg now stands, a name which is probably a perpetuation of the name of the then reigning house of Newburg of the Palatinate.

About 1 May, 1709, large numbers of people came down the Rhine to Rotterdam on their way to London. They came in such numbers and so penniless that the people of Rotterdam were put to straits to supply them with the necessaries of life.

The British ministry consented to receive 5,000 of them, and to provide means for their transportation. Others followed rapidly, and by June the number in London reached 7,000. There was apparently no cessation to the stream of people. The English became alarmed. Queen Anne and the Government tried to stop them. Men were sent to Holland and up the Rhine to turn them back. The Elector Palatine, John William, tried to keep his subjects. All these efforts were in a measure unavailing, and not until October, when the number in England had reached about 15,000 did this strange emigration cease.

Why so large a number of people, devotedly attached by nature to their homes, should leave their country to seek new domiciles—they scarcely knew where—is a question that historians have tried to answer. Few migrations parallel it in the history of civilization. It is conceded that it was not due to any single cause, but to a coincidence of causes. The events in the history of Europe just touched upon, throw some light upon the reasons for this peculiar movement. The persistent religious persecution ; thedespoiling of their country by the French ; the remarkably severe winter just passed, all combined to weaken the ties that bound the Palatine to the Fatherland ; while from beyond seas came the encouraging messages of compatriots who had already established happy homes in America. At this very juncture when all seemed so hopeless in the Palatinate, devastated as it was by war and winter, theland- holding proprietors who were seeking to people America, showed extraordinary zeal and activity ; and assisted by their agents in Germany convinced the Palatines that better things awaited them under the British flag across the Atlantic, Till now there had been no escape from oppression, however severe. But Marlborough had made England respected on the Continent; Marlborough had made England loved in the Palatinate; and when in 1709 the Naturalization Act was passed by the English Parliament, it came as an invitation to the helpless Palatines, and they responded by a migration unique in the history of nations.

The question that now confronted the Queen, the ministry, and, in fact, the best men of the Kingdom was what to do with this large addition to the population. It was a new problem! It was fortunate for these poor people that their general demeanor and their devotion to the Protestant religion had enlisted the active personal sympathy of not only “Good Queen Anne,” and the mighty Marlborough, but also of the cultured Sunderland, of the cautious Godolphin, and of the fearless and the broad-minded GilbertBurnet, Bishop of Salisbury. For their present subsistence the Queen allowed them nine pence a day, and she ordered army tents to be supplied to them from the Tower. Warehouse not in use were given over by their owners as shelters. By the command of the Queen collections were taken up for their benefit in the churches throughout the land. After some days’ deliberations, the Board of Trade resolvedto settle some of the Palatines within the Kingdom. Accordingly a bounty of £5 a head was offered to

parishes that would receive and settle the foreigners. While many were accepted on these terms becausethey were clever artisans, and, doubtless, became in a generation or two absorbed in the English population,—a large number of those thus accepted merely because of the bounty were soon virtually compelled to return to Blackheath. An attempt to settle 600 in the Scilly Islands resulted in failure, costing nearly £1,500. A contract to place 500 on Barbadoes in the West Indies was apparently not carried out, Ireland absorbed 3,800 of them who formed prosperous settlements in Munster. The Carolinas received 100 families. Death claimed 1.000 on Blackheath; about 800 were returned to their homes ; and many enlisted in the English army. While they thus appeared as clay in the potter’s hand, there is no doubt that the unanimous desire of these exiled people was to reach America.

And strangely enough a complete solution to the problem was not to be given by the consensus of the intelligence and Christian devotion of England. It so happened that about this time the four Mohawk chiefs that form the subject of one of Addison’s pleasantest papers were in London under the guidance of Peter Schuyler and Col. Nicholson ; and in their sight-seeing tour they were taken to see the foreigners at Blackheath.

Touched by their misery but more probably eager to appear generous, they invited the Palatines to America, and gave the Queen a grant of land on the Schoharie for their benefit.

The idea of sending them to America was favored by Robert Hunter who was coming out as Governor of New York. Ten ships with 3,200 Palatines on board set sail in March, 1710; nine of them reached New York in June and July, with a loss of 470 lives. One .ship was wrecked on Long Island. This incident gave rise to the legend that the ship, lured on shore by false beacons, was robbed and burnt by pirates and all on board killed. A light is said to be sometimes seen from the eastern part of the Island, which, from its fancied resemblance to a burning ship is called the Palatine light or the Palatine ship.

This furnished Whittier a theme for one of his poems :—

" Leagues north, as fly the gull and auk,Point Judith watches with eye of hawk ;Leagues south thy beacon flames, Montauk !

There, circling ever their narrow range,Quaint tradition and legend strangeLive on unchallenged, and know no change.

And old men mending their nets of twine,Talk together of dream and sign.Talk of the lost ship Palatine,—

The ship that a hundred years before,Freighted deep with its goodly store.In the gales of the equinox went ashore.

The eager islanders one by oneCounted the shots of her signal gun,And heard the crash when she drove right on !

Into the teeth of death she sped ;(May God forgive the hands that fedThe false lights over the rocky head !)

Down swooped the wreckers, like birds of preyTearing the heart of the ship away.And the dead had never a word to sav.And then, with ghastly shimmer and shineOver the rocks and the seething brine,They burned the wreck of the Palatine !

But ihe year went round, and when once more

Along their foam-white curves of shoreThey heard the line-storm rave and roar,

Behold ! again, with shimmer and shine,Over the rocks and the seething; brine,The flaming wreck of the Palatine.

Do the elements subtle reflectiops give ?Do pictures of all ages liveOn Nature's infinite negative,

Which, half in sport, in malice half,She shows at times, with shudder or laugh.Phantom and shadow in photograph ?

For still, on many a moonless night,From Kingston Head and from Montauk lightThe spectre kindles and burns in sight.

Now low and dim, now clear and higherLeaps up the terrible Ghost of Fire,Then, slowly sinking, the flames expire.

And the wise Sound skippers, though skies be fine,Reef their sails when they see the signOf the blazing wreck of the Palatine !

Before the various vicissitudes of fortune that befel the newcomers in America are recounted a quotation from an admirable history of “The German Exodus to England “ by Mr. F. R. Diffenderfer, ofLancaster, Pa., will form a fitting close to their history in England. " From first to last and during every stage of its progress, this remarkable episode proved a very costly affair to the British Government. Therecords are still accessible, and from them we learn the total cost was £135,775. Here we have more than half a million dollars, paid out at a period when England was not so rich as she is now, and at a time too when she was engaged in costly foreign wars, and when money was worth much more than it is to-day. * * * All Germans, and more especially we Americans of German origin, owe a heavy debt ofgratitude to Great Britain, the Government as well as her individual citizens for what they did for those forlorn and distressed Palatines." It is exceedingly gratifying to find a citizen of the United States giving due credit to the power that expended men and treasure to elevate and free the people of all countries.

It was from this New York colony that the German U.E. Loyalists of the counties of Dundas and Stormont are descended. There were some additions to the colony from Germany from this time till 1774, but they were of an individual character. No U. E. Loyalists from any other German source ever came to these counties. It has been the prevalent error both of historians and of the people to believe that the founders of these countie were the descendants of the Hollanders who were the original ownersof New Netherlands (now New York). There is scarcely a name of Dutch origin on the roll of the King’s Royal Regiment of New York. In fact, nearly all the Hollanders of the Hudson were rebels.

The survivors of the Atlantic voyage were domiciled at Nuttan Island for five months, until lands could be surveyed for them. Before they left for their new homes eighty-four orphan children were apprenticed to the people of New York. It was the intention of Gov. Hunter to employ the Palatines in producing tar from the pine for the use of the British navy. There was very little pine near the Schoharieand the Mohawk, so the governor bought 6000 acres of land from Robert Livingstone on the east side of the Hudson river and placed some of the refugees there, and some on the west side on 600 acres of crown lands — possibly because both these sites were nearer New York. Huts were built and next

spring some commenced the production of tar, while 105, or one-sixth of the levy from the whole province, enlisted for service against the French in Canada. The invasion was a failure owing to the loss of the British fleet under Sir Hovenden Walker in the Gulf of St. Lawrence; consequently the land troops did not march beyond Albany.

During the summer the Palatines began to murmur, and after a time quit work. They had got the idea that they were to be made slaves and were not to be allowed to till the soil. Their excuses were, bad food, poor clothing, and no pay for their military service. Moreover they found that the land was unfit for cultivation. Governor Hunter came and pacified them ; they agreed to fulfill the contract they had entered into. He had no sooner gone than the discontent manifested itself more plainly than ever. Hunter returned, sent for troops from Albany and disarmed the few that had arms. Under fear they returned to work and continued at it till winter. By the next spring the Governor, who had expended his private fortune in the mistaken idea that tar in paying quantities could be made from the northern pine, found that the government in England, now under Harley and St. John, would not countenance the projects of their predecessors nor recoup him for his expenditure of over £20,000. There was nothing todo but to abandon the tar project. The Palatines were informed that they would have to shift for themselves, the Governor advising that they seek employment with farmers in New York and New Jersey to support their families until they be recalled to fulfill their contract. They were not to be allowed to remove to any other province unless they wished to be treated as deserters—brought back and imprisoned. Notwithstanding these orders only a few stayed on the Livingstone manor. Thirty families moved south on some land they purchased in fee from Henry Beekman. There they founded the town of Rhinebeck which bears that name to-day. A few went to the “ West Camp,” the name of the settlement on the west side of the Hudson. The greater portion had their hearts set on the lands of the Schoharie, granted to them by Queen Anne. They waited patiently to hear from the seven deputies they had dispatched secretly to look for lands there, to make arrangements with the Indians and to find out the best means of getting to what they called their “promised land.” The report was favorable, so a small party in the winter of 1712-13 stole away and arrived in Schoharie, where they were to experience hardships and annoyances almost equal to those they had known in the Fatherland. Without food or shelter they must have perished but for the kindness of the Dutch at Albany and of the Indians who showed them where to find edible roots In the spring a second party of about 100 families joined them. No sooner had they arrived in the valley than the Governor, soured by the failure of his pet theory, for which the Palatines were in no way to blame, ordered them not to settle upon the land. Fromnecessity they refused to obey. Then commenced the long fight with Schuyler, Livingstone, Wileman and Vroman, the large landholders at Albany. For ten years the fight went on. Some bought their land, others became tenants and some moved to adjacent lands on the Mohawk.

Since 1710 the emigrants from Germany had been going to Pennsylvania, no doubt because of the unfavorable reports from the New York colonies. In 1722, Sir William Keith, Governor of Pennsylvania, accompanied Governor Burnett, of New York, to Albany to meet the Indians in a great council. While there Governor Keith heard of the dissatisfaction of the Palatines. He knew their value as colonists and, being compassionate as well as politic, he invited all to settle on grants beside their German countrymen in Pennsylvania, where they would be accorded “freedom and justice.” Fully two-thirds accepted the offer. This was their third migration. Is it any wonder that 175,000 Germans of Pennsylvania, half the population in 1775, remained neutral or took the rebel side? it may be put down as one of the mistakes of the British that they did not cultivate the kindly acts the friendship of those German settlers, and furnish them leaders in whom both Briton and German would have confidence. This would have been comparatively easy, as subsequent events have proved. Many years after the struggle was over, hundreds of Germans in Pennsylvania, after a trial of republican government, found homes in Upper Canada, where they could enjoy the blessing of British institutions.

But how fared those who remained on the Schoharie and the Mohawk ? For nearly forty years they

were unmolested. Only those who know something of the thrift and energy of their descendants in Eastern Ontario along the St. Lawrence, can form any idea of the progress made by their ancestors in the Mohawk Valley. Situated on the rich alluvial flats, the finest and most fertile lands in the Province, they soon became rich and prosperous. The gently sloping hills and winding river formed a picturesquescene that must have reminded them of their old home on the Rhine.

But the spoiler of their vine-clad cottage in the Palatinate, finds them even in the Valley of the Hudson. England and France were soon to engage in the final struggle for the possession of this continent. In November, 1757, Belletre with his French and Indians swept through the valley, and burned every barn and house on the north side of the Mohawk. The majority of the settlers saved their lives by crossing the river and entering the fort, but 40 were killed and more than 100 carried away as prisoners. The south side was visited next year by another war party. In this raid fewer were killed but the destruction of property was as great.

It was fortunate for Britain that a man of the ability and integrity of Sir William Johnson lived on the Mohawk. He secured and retained the good will and devotion not only of the Indians but also of the Palatines.

After Canada was taken by the British, quietness and happiness reigned on the Mohawk for twelve years. But there were signs of the coming storm that was to devastate this beautiful valley, and again drive the Palatines from their homes when the fortune of war went against them.

United States writers with characteristic unfairness have hinted that if he had lived, Sir William would have sided with the rebels, Sabine hints that he committed suicide rather than take the Loyalist side. It was wholly due to Sir William that Northern New York produced more Loyalists than any other similar section in the thirteen colonies. Again, it may be said that it was owing to the apathy of his son, Sir John, in the early days of the struggle, that the rebels gained an advantage around Albany, that was never recovered.

The Palatines were divided in their opinions but the majority were loyal. For years the enemies of Britain were busy sowing the seeds of dissension among them. A few years previous to the war. Sir William settled on his estate about 500 Scotch emigrants, a large number of whom were Roman Catholics of the Clan MacDonell. The enemies of Sir William went among the Palatines and told them that it was the intention to use the Highlanders and the Indians to drive them from their lands. To some of the Palatines anyone not of the Reformed faith was hateful; and by these the stories were believed, because the Highlanders when appearing in public, wore the full Highland dress, including dirk, pistols,and claymore. Many meetings were held, yet little impression was made by the rebel emissaries in the settlements. The leaders of the Loyalists must be silenced. A bold stroke was resolved upon. In December, 1775, Philip Schuyler with 4,000 New England troops was sent to disarm the Loyalists on the Mohawk, and to exact assurances of neutrality from Sir John Johnson and his friends. Sir John granted everything ; arms were given up, and he agreed not to leave the county if his property and that of his friends were not touched. Some Palatines and Highlanders were taken as hostages and sent to Connecticut. Although Schuyler got all he asked for, still the rebels must be fed in a way that would notcost them anything. Under pretense that all arms were not given up since the Highlanders kept their dirks, he declared the agreement broken and gave free license to his followers to plunder. The cattle, horses, pigs and poultry needed, belonging to the Loyalists, were taken ; the church was looted, the vault containing the remains of Sir William Johnson broken open and his lead casket stolen and melted into bullets. For this Schuyler received the thanks of Congress

Thus in direct violation of a solemn agreement was the destruction of property on the Mohawk begun by the rebels. Could the authors of such outrages expect any mercy from Sir John Johnson, from John Butler and his son, Walter Butler, and their followers when they swept down on this valley again and again during the war, when they returned to their old homes simply to despoil the spoilers now in

possession ?

Sir John, after being subjected to petty annoyances all winter, heard from his friends in Albany that Schuyler intended to release him from his parole, and at the same time take him prisoner. Losing no time, he hurriedly buried his papers; and, trusting to a negro servant to bury his plate, gathered about 200 followers and started by an unfrequented route to Montreal. They arrived there during the last week of June, the day after the city, recently evacuated by the rebel invaders, was entered by Sir Guy Carleton. On the journey they had suffered severely from hunger, as they could not in their haste prepare supplies for nineteen days ; and so their principal food had been leeks and the young leaves of the beech. During the last days of the toilsome march many, from exhaustion, fell by the way ; the Indians of Caughnawaga were sent out to the rescue. All were brought in safe to Montreal.

Properly to understand the hardships of the Loyalists on the Mohawk it should be borne in mind that they knew of no safe means of escape. On the north, all Canada, except Quebec, was in possession of the rebels ; the continental armies controlled the old frequented highways leading to the British headquarters to the south. Imprisonment or death from hunger in the forest was the only alternative for all that would not forsake their allegiance to their King.

As soon as Sir John arrived in Montreal, scouts were sent out to the Mohawk to show the way to those who wished to come to Montreal and the British posts of Chambly and Ile-aux-Noix, on the Richelieu.

On July 7th Sir John Johnson was granted the privilege of raising a battalion from among his followers and the Loyalists around Johnstown on the Mohawk. This battalion was called the “King’s Royal Regiment of New York,” or “The Royal Yorkers,” or “Royal Greens.” Recruiting went on, and in the fall the battalion was complete. In 1780 another battalion was formed. A very large number, in fact the majority of each of these battalions, were Palatines. Butler’s Rangers, Jessup’s Rangers and Rogers’ Rangers also contained not a few Palatines. A very moderate estimate places the number of Palatines who served in the various corps and who settled in Dundas18 and adjoining counties at about 600. This does not include those refugees unfit for service, or those who would not enlist, or those who came hereafter the peace. It is an estimate of the able-bodied soldiers who survived the various campaigns of six years’ border warfare and garrison duty at the several posts. How many lost their lives in the hazardous enterprises that the corps took part in, or how many died in prison or were hanged as spies, is not known; but the number must have been considerable.

18 “In 1788 the first grist-mill in Dundas County was erected by Messrs. Coon and Shaver; this was a small structure in Matilda Township, one mile above the village of Iroquois, and it had one run of stone capable of grinding 100 bushels of grain per day.” Pioneer Days in Upper Canada, by Edwin C Guillet, U of T Press, 1933 reprinted1963. p. 65

Most of the officers were English or Scotch. This is accounted for by the fact that the Highlanders who had recently settled on the Mohawk had, before emigrating, seen active service in various grades in the British army. The Palatines had had no such military training.

In the spring of 1784 the several regiments were settled upon the lands allotted to them along the banksof the St. Lawrence, from Charlottenburg in Glengarry to the Bay of Quinte, The future homes of these vigorous pioneers were not determined by chance. The Highlanders longed for a Highland settlement. The Scotch Presbyterians and the Palatine Lutherans and Palatine Presbyterians asked to be placed in separate communities where they might enjoy the consolations of their own religion. Accordingly in acceding to this petition the authorities with a wonderful foresight so arranged the several conflicting interests of nationality and religion that the utmost harmony has prevailed. The Highland Roman Catholics were placed farthest east beside their French co-religionists ; west of them the Scotch Presbyterians ; then the Palatines - some Lutherans, some Presbyterians, speaking a different language and forming a barrier between the English to the west and the Scotch and French to the east. Thus was laid the foundation of the Ontario that was yet to be, the common bond being the love of British institutions, which is as strong to-day in their descendants as it was in those who risked everything for a“United Empire” so that Britain should be the controlling power in America.

The Palatines were not novices at clearing away the forest and bringing the land quickly under cultivation. If they had readily become the most serviceable and reliable of soldiers; if cut off from home and family, they had under Sir John Johnson and the Butlers for seven years held the rebels at bay in Central New York and swept the country in raid after raid from Oswego to the borders of Pennsylvania - yet now they showed that they had not forgotten the arts of peace. They returned to the implements of husbandry and won in their new homes victories not less splendid than their triumphs amid the ruins of their old homes. They were aided for two years by supplies from the government and in the third year were not only self-sustaining but actually had grain for export. Although settled in the wilderness far from the centres of population, they knew something of the advantages of older settlements. To acquire such advantages as soon as possible was their aim from the beginning.

It is worthy of note that the first Protestant church in the Province of Canada was built by the Lutheran Palatines on the banks of the St. Lawrence about three miles below the present village of Morrisburg. Itwas commenced in 1789 and finished the next year. The first pastor was Rev. Samuel Schwerdfeger, who along with his family was imprisoned by the rebels for his persistence in exhorting his flock on theMohawk to retain their allegiance to their king.

To another paper must be left the rest of the story of the hardy Palatines, now after four migrations, hewing new homes for themselves out of the “primeval forests” of North America. The growth of the settlement, the individual experiences, the persistent and effective defense of their new homes against their invading enemy in 1813, their wise and loyal efforts for constitutional reform in 1837, all form important chapters in the development of that happy, prosperous, progressive and intelligent people thatnow enjoy and prize the privileges so dearly bought by their ancestors more than a hundred years ago.

In conclusion, I wish to refer to some statements made recently about the U. E. Loyalists. An article on “The Loyalists of the American Revolution,” appeared in the Quarterly Review for October, 1898, and received notice in an annual publication of the library of our Provincial University. The editors of this publication are the Librarian and the Professor of History. Herein the statement is made that the U. E. Loyalists were “drawn from the official, professional and commercial classes” and that they were a “melancholy procession of ‘weeping pilgrims’.” To say that position or wealth or profession or any other selfish motive, determined the choice of the Loyalists is far from the truth, and we as a society should not allow it to go unchallenged. It was principle, not place, that caused their adherence to the old order of things. Loyalists were found among all classes, all occupations, all denominations, and all nationalities represented in the colonies.

To refute the charge that it was the classes that remained loyal, your attention is directed to the Germans, Scotch, English and Irish of New York who were prosperous farmers and artisans on the Mohawk and who became in a short time again the prosperous farmers and artisans of the St. Lawrenceand the Bay of Quinte. Moreover the U. E. Loyalists were not a “melancholy procession of ‘weeping pilgrims’,” but a determined band of the most stout-hearted, upright, incorruptible people of the provinces, conscious of the righteousness of their choice, and relying on a faith in themselves that no adversity of fortune could shake. Does anyone, acquainted with the history of the country, believe that a nation like Canada had as a foundation “melancholy, weeping pilgrims”? We do not hope for American writers to say anything very praiseworthy of the U. E. Loyalists, but from Canadians, holding prominent positions, which add effectiveness and respect to their opinion, we do expect that they will, to say the least, be fair.

The German U.E. Loyalists of the County ot Dundas, Ontario.- Part II.By Alexander Clark Casselman, Toronto.

In the first paper on the German U.E. Loyalists of the County o£ Dundas, I described tlie exodus of their ancestors from the Palatinate in 1710, their stay in England, their voyage to America19, their settlement in the province of New York along the banks of the Hudson River, their secret migration to Schoharie, their trouble with the large-acred proprietors, their flight to Canada, and their enlistment in the King’s Royal Regiment of New York, under Sir John Johnson. The disbandment of that regiment and the selection of their farms by lot at New Johnstown—now Cornwall—and their occupying these farms along the northern bank of the St. Lawrence have been briefly noticed. I now turn to a narration of their experiences in their new homes.

When the Loyalists went to settle upon their land grants, they were given by the Government provisions and implements absolutely necessary to clear away the forest, build their houses, and put in their gift of seed grain. Clothing material and blankets had to be served out to them, as very little more than the clothing on. their backs could be brought by their families from their old homes.

In October, 1784, a muster of the settlers was held to enable the Government to learn how much progress had been made towards a permanent settlement, and to find out the quantity of necessary supplies required by each settlement. By this muster of the disbanded troops of the King’s Royal Regiment of New York, we find the following returns from the townships settled by the German Palatines :

Men Women Children Servants Acres Cleared.

Township No.2 (Cornwall) 215 87 214 1 101½

3 (Osnabruck).50 7 14 4 30

4 (Williamsburg 93 33 76 1 101¾

5 (Matilda) 75 33 64 5 56½ '

433 160 368 11 289¾

The townships of Cornwall and Osnabruck are front or river townships in the County of Stormont, the other two are the front townships of the County of Dundas. I have included the two former townships because the greater number of the first settlers in them were German. Williamsburg and Matilda were wholly German. That in the short space of three months these early settlers had built habitations for themselves and cleared, as we see from the returns, about two-thirds of an acre of land foreach man is aremarkable record of their energy, activity and earnestness. Anyone acquainted with the heavy hardwood timber of the virgin forest along the banks of the St. Lawrence will say there were few idle moments for those able to work. It must be borne in mind that an axe of a very clumsy pattern, and often of very poor material, was the principal implement, and that the rolling together of the timber, or logging, was done in most cases without the aid of horses. But these settlers were once farmers on the banks of the Mohawk, and had laid down the axe and the reaping hook of the husbandman for the sword and the musket of the soldier. They now returned to their former occupations, to lay the foundation of an empire north of the St. Lawrence as readily as they tried to preserve for the king those more populous portions south of that river.

To depict the home life of these people is not necessary. It was exceedingly simple—from necessity; and if they were not always comfortable they were happy, and were cheered by the prospect that their

19 Some of these people settled in Ireland and were known as ‘Irish Palatines’.

industry would in time bring them consolation. The same story of conquering the forest may be told of every U. E. Loyalist settlement in Canada. In the whole history of the colonization of a country can anything be more sublime than the soldier-farmers winning homes for themselves against the giants of the forest and the rigorousness of a severe climate? The thought that should till each breast with pride at this time is that our ancestors accomplished this with a cheerfulness and enthusiasm that should be the guiding light—the inspiration of the people of Canada for all time.

Active as they were in the duties and labors of their new homes they were not less interested in the affairs of the commonweal. In 1774 the British Parliament passed the Quebec Act. This was specially framed to suit the inhabitants of French origin in the newly-acquired colony of Canada. When the Loyalists settled in Canada in 1784 the authority for the government of the new subjects was vested in this Act. As the Act had been intended only for the French, it was partly inoperative with respect to the Loyalists along the St. Lawrence The law was administered by military officers and was a kind of military rule from which all the harshness, usually implied thereby, was excluded. The executive officerof the county of Dundas was Captain Richard Duncan, a Scotchman, who before the war was for five years an ensign in the 55th Regiment. His home was at Mariatown, now a small collection of houses about a mile west of the present village of Morrisburg. It was founded by Capt. Duncan and named in honor of his daughter, Maria, who was said to be the most beautiful woman in the new settlement. From all that I can learn of Judge Duncan, as he was called, he was a kind-hearted and generous man, who dealt out the law of right and justice, although not strictly in accordance with the existing constitution.

As the German settlers were deeply religious and generally industrious no serious cases of dispute arose. They had trial by jury, with sheriff and judge, and Mr. Croil in “Dundas” says that Mr. Richard Loucks, in whose tavern the court was held, had an account not only against the grand jury for liquor used in the court room, but also against the judge for brandy furnished for a supper given by him to the jurymen. Notwithstanding the congeniality of judge and jury, some penalties were, inflicted for misdemeanors. Minor offenses were atoned for in the pillory, which adjoined the inn of Loucks. Extreme offences were punished by banishment to the United States! This, of course, was considered unusually severe and ranked next to the sentence of death.

Although the geniality and generosity of the judge were unbounded, it will be readily understood that the sturdy Loyalists, familiar as they were with representative institutions in the colony of New York, would soon strive for a more substantial form of government than that dispensed by a military officer, however efficient he might be.

Just here allow me to correct an impression that many, even in Canada, have regarding the U. E. Loyalists. Their detractors say, because they risked their lives and all their worldly belongings for the sake of British connection and British supremacy, that they approved all the acts of George III. in relation to America, that their loyalty was a blind fidelity to flag and sovereign. This is one of the calumnies under which they labored. But if the descendants of their bitterest enemies have not wholly vindicated the Loyalists' action, they have materially softened their imputations. Among the Loyalists were many men, men of high ideals, of liberal culture and of the highest character who were the bitterest opponents of the oppressive and unwise acts of George III. Although they deplored the actions of the king they did not consider rebellion the proper means to rectify any existing error that the Britishhad made with respect to them. This was the noble distinction between the Loyalists and the rebels. TheLoyalists believed that constitutional means would furnish a more meritorious and more lasting methodfor redress of grievances than a resort to arms. There is no one but will admit that it required more courage to take up arms in defence of a government whose acts you cannot approve than to be a rebel. In a little more than fifty years in their new home the Loyalists had to face similar difficulties and similar oppression, and I am proud to say that they then resisted a resort to arms as strongly as when they had taken up arms in a righteous cause, that by the fortunes of war was destined to drive them

from their comfortable homes to seek ntw ones in the unbroken wilderness.

True to those principles of constitutional redress of grievances. the Loyalists of the County of Dundas, pointed out the civil difficulties under which they labored and greatly influenced the legislation for the colony. In the state papers of this time we find in a petition of Sir John Johnson and other Loyalist subscribers to the king, dated April 11, 1785, several suggestions that were afterwards embodied in the Constitutional Act of 1791. After pointing out the hardships involved in the land tenure under the Quebec Act, they propose : (1) A district from Point au Baudet (Beaudette) westward, distinct from the province of Quebec ; (2) The division of the district into counties with Cataraqui (now Kingston) as themetropolis. The petition closes with these words, “Your petitioners implore your Majesty that the blessing of British laws and British government and an exemption from the French tenures may be extended to the aforesaid settlements.”

The British officials were slow to move and other petitions followed the next year. One was sent from New Johnstown (Cornwall) dated Dec. 2, 1786 ; one from New Oswegatchie (Prescott) dated Nov. 16, 1786, and one from Cataraqui (Kingston).

In the following year, on June 13, another petition was forwarded to the British Government, praying for the same as in the last petitions, and in addition : 1. For English tenure of lands. 2. For assistance in establishing churches of England and Scotland. 3. For assistance to establish a school in each district. 4.For a prohibition of pot and pearl ashes from Vermont as leading to an illicit trade with the United States, and for a bounty on these articles and hemp. 5. For a loan of three months’ provisions. 6. For clothing to the distressed. 7. For the speedy running of the division lines of the townships. 8. For a post road from Montreal to Cataraqui, and for post offices at New Johnstown, New Oswegatchie and Cataraqui. 9. For a passage from the head of the Bay of Quinte, through to Lake Huron for the Indian trade. 10. That three places may be pitched upon between River Baudet and Cataraqui to receive grain from the settlers. 11. That the commissioners on claims would visit New Johnstown, New Oswegatchie and Cataraqui, the general poverty of the settlers preventing them from pressing their claims at Montreal and Quebec. 12. That the use of canal locks be confirmed to them and that in respect to lands they be put on an equal footing with the 84th Regiment.

It should be understood that nearly all the population of what is now Ontario was east of what is now Belleville, except a small settlement at Niagara. If the proper significance is attached to these petitions, there is thrown on the thoughts and character of the people, a side light that beautifully illumines this page of our history. They show that the people had in them the instincts of popular government and were not the serfs of any government or king. They prove that the grand principle they had fought for was right. Patience and pressure by constitutional methods will bring about better results than a resort to arms. The answer to these petitions was the Constitutional Act of 1791. This Act gave to Upper Canada a more liberal and popular form of government than possessed by England at the time, and fully as liberal as that in any of the boasted democracies of the United States. There were some clauses in this Act that caused a great deal of trouble in after years, notably the provision for the clergy, and the creation of an irresponsible upper chamber. We see from these petitions that the word Protestant in the Act meant Church of Scotland, as well as Church of England. With all the defects in the Act, as we see it now, considering the state of the country, and the absence of precedents, it would not be easy to suggest much improvement. The qualification for voters was extremely liberal. They must be British subjects of the full age of 21 years, and possessed of lands of the yearly value of forty shillings sterling or upwards within the county. In towns the yearly value for qualification was five pounds.

Under the Constitutional Act the inhabitants of the County of Dundas were happy. Their industry was amply rewarded by good crops from lands that are as suited to mixed farming as any on the continent. Mills for grinding grain and sawing lumber by power from water and wind were built at convenient places on the river bank. Although there were no factories for making cloth from wool, flax ,and hemp until many years after the beginning of the century, this deficiency was supplied by the handiwork of

the women, who, with the rudest hand tools, carded, spun, and wove the various materials into substantial cloth for clothing and household uses. More than one member attended the sessions of the Legislature at Newark and York in a suit of clothes wholly manufactured in his own home.

The rural simplicity and quietness of the county was somewhat disturbed during the War of 1812-15. Many of the inhabitants enlisted in the active colonial corps and took part in the famous actions of that war. The principal duty however of the militia of the County of Dundas was to guard the convoys of boats or wagons passing up the river to supply the forts at Prescott, Kingston, Niagara and York. This was no sinecure as all stores and ammunition had to pass in sight of the United States troops ready to seize them, had they not been securely guarded. Although many were the attempts only on one occasion was the guard surprised and overpowered and the supplies taken. Some of these encounters were desperate, and for the numbers engaged might be dignified by the name of battle.

Mr. Hough, the historian of St. Lawrence County in New York State, says - “The early settlers on the south bank of the river were indebted in an especial manner to their Canadian neighbors for many kindnesses which relieved them from those extremities that settlers of other parts less favorably situated endured. When the war broke out, each became suspicious of the other. The visits ceased for about a year, and by some means were renewed, but always at night and in secret. There was one Canadian who thought this visiting wrong, and when called upon to sustain the interest to his king, felt the old-time spirit return. Although a very kind-hearted man and strongly attached by ties of friendship to his American neighbors, he sternly refused all renewals of acquaintance, from a sense of duty, and discountenanced it among hisneighbors. One evening an inhabitantof the south shore resolved to attemptto conquer this spirit by kindness andboldly visited his house as had beenhis custom. Finding him absent at a neighbor’s, the American followedhim, and warmly saluted him with acordial grasp of the hand, and friendlychiding, for so long and so obstinatelywithstanding the claims of friendship.This appeal to the heart outweighedthe decision of the head, and thesalutation was, after a moment'shesitation, returned with a cordialitythat showed him sensible of the truth,that man is by nature a social being,and intended to live by the side of hisneighbors. Peace was thus declaredalong this frontier long before the factwas established by diplomatists.”During the three years war the mostmomentous event in which the Dundasmilitia bore a part was the battle of Crysler’s Farm. In October, 1813, aninvading army of the enemy about10,000 strong assembled at Sackett’sHarbor with the intention of takingKingston and other posts on the river

and proceeding to Montreal to co-operate with another army moving against that city by the Lake Champlain route. The season was well advanced before this large army under the command of General James Wilkinson, was prepared to move. Kingston was well guarded, so it was decided to pass it and invest Montreal. They passed down the river in about 800 boats and were not seriously interfered with till the County of Dundas was reached, Here the old soldiers of Sir John Johnson and their sons lined the banks of the river and with their muskets seriously annoyed the invaders in their closely-packed boats. So vexing and worrying had this become that the flotilla had to halt, and a detachment was landed and sent down the north bank to clear the way to insure the safe passage of the boats. This so checked the advance of the enemy that Col. Morrison, with a corps of observation of 750 men from Kingston had time to overtake them at Lot No. 10 in the township of Williamsburg. Here on Nov. 11th, 1813, the British and Canadians, assisted by the Dundas Militia, all under the command of Morrison, aided by Col. Harvey, in all about 1,200 men, attacked the rear guard of Wilkinson’s army of about 5,000 men, under General Boyd, well-equipped with cavalry and cannon, and utterly defeated it. The loss of the Americans, according to their despatch, was 102 killed and 237 wounded. The loss of the British and Canadians was 24 killed and 221 wounded.20 This was the best-fought battle of the whole war. The Americans retreated to their own shores and Montreal was saved. The value of this victory was much enhanced by the fact that it was badly needed to revive the spirits of the Canadian people. The whole of the western peninsula had been lost by Procter's defeat at Moraviantown ; Niagara and Fort Erie were in the hands of the enemy ; and the small army of General Vincent was preparing to withstand a siege at Burlington Heights. York had been twice taken during the year, and a large amount of property destroyed. Thus the fortunes of the British were at the lowest point during the war. The victory of Crysler’s Farm restored confidence, and was the beginning of the end. The British government recognized its importance by granting a medal for this victory. The value of this will bo understood when it is recalled that medals were grante«l for only two other engagements during the war, for Detroit and for Chateauguay. The government of the United States was equally cognizant of this victory, for General Wilkinson, their commander, was court-martialed, and General Boyd’s serviceswere not retained on the reduction of their army at the close of the war.

The inhabitants of the County of Dundas, every one a soldier, deserve a large share of credit for the victory, They were the first settlers along the river to offer any resistance to the flotilla. They detained the invaders by an organized system that kept the enemy in constant terror. They employed the same tactics by which they spread consternation among the rebels during the revolutionary war. Always invisible, but ever present, they forced the invaders to fight and then defeated them. The highest tribute to the people of Dundas is paid them by Gen. Wilkinson, who says in his despatch :—“The enemy deserve credit for their zeal and intelligence, which the active universal hostility of the male inhabitantsof the country enable them to employ to the greatest advantage. Thus while menaced by a respectable force in rear, the coast was lined by musketry in front, at every critical pass of the river, which obliged me to march a detachment and thus impeded my progress.”

The British commander also testifies to the zeal which all classes had shown in their endeavors to oppose the threatened invasion. For Sir George Prevost says for the information of His Majesty’s Government that “The very great exertions made for the preservation of the Canadas by its population in conjunction with the small force under my command, may eventually degenerate into indifference for the result of the present contest unless the support from the Mother Country is equal to the magnitude of the stake.”

20The British put the American loss at 600 to 700 killed and wounded, and 180 prisoners. (Col. Harvey’s letter of 12th Nov. in “Ten Years of Upper Canada”, by Lady Edgar.) This is a close approximation to the result deduced from the councils of war held by Wilkinson. On Nov. 9th, at Tuttle’s Bay, in the township of Matilda, he states he has 7,000 effective troops. On the 12th at Barnhart’s Island near Cornwall he states he has only 6,000. Thus in three days the loss was 1,000 men, and as there was only a skirmish at Hoople’s Creek near the head of the Long- Sault, 800 at least may be credited to the engagement at Crysler’s Farm on the 11th , a number equal to two-thirds of the whole British force.

For some years the representatives of the County of Dundas in the parliament of Canada urged the government to erect some memorial column to mark the spot where Canadians and British fell in defence of our country. The most active promoters of late years in this laudable work were our respected president, Mr. H. H. Cook, M.P. for East Simcoe, himself a Dundas boy, born within sight of the battle-ground ; Dr. C. E. Hickey, M.P. For Dundas, and his successor, Mr. H. H. Ross. It was the good fortune of Mr. Ross, while representative of the county to see their labor of love and patriotism accomplished. On the 25th of September, 1895, the monument, just completed, was unveiled by John Graham Haggart in presence of a vast crowd of people from the surrounding country. Of the important personages present on this historic occasion, not the least notable were Mr. Samuel Crysler, aged 90, and Mr. George Weaver, aged 91, who heard the roar of battle and saw some of its movements on this same ground 82 years before.

After the close of the war the people returned to their peaceful occupations once more. Then more fiercely than ever commenced that great constitutional struggle between the elected and appointed branches of the Parliament that ended in the Union of Upper and Lower Canada in 1841, and somewhatlater in the abolition of irresponsible advisers of the Lieutenant-Governor.

To attempt to outline even the political history of Dundas: from the close of the war till 1841 would be tedious. It may be said, however, that for twenty years Dundas sent to Parliament representatives who continually pressed for a better form of government, a government which if prone to do wrong would have less power to inflict harm. Because the people of Dundas so persistently opposed what was called The Family Compact, it must not be understood that they were disloyal or even had the remotest idea of taking up arms to redress grievances. In the whole Eastern district not one was even suspected of committing any treasonable act. Of course it should not be considered a great virtue to be loyal. But since some rashly resorted to arms to enforce their opinions and to sever Canada from Britain, I merely mention the fact. The people of Dundas occupied a strange position which was very different from that of the people of the western portion of the province. In the west were many settlers from the United States who were in their hearts disloyal. Their object was to make Canada a part of the United States, and the surest way to bring this about was to take sides with the constitutional agitators for reform. The treasonable designs of these disloyal persons cemented the old U. E. Loyalists into one opposing camp whose watchword was British connection. Very different was the situation in the east. None but Loyalists settled there - in fact none but tried Loyalists were allowed to do so. Hence they divided, as communities will on any subject, but it was understood that every Loyalist desired nothing else but British connection, and without tear of being called sympathizers with the United States, they could elect members pledged to use their best endeavors to .secure reforms. For four parliaments Dundas senttwo members showing that its population was relatively more than some other counties of much greaterarea. The men that stand out prominently during this period of political strife are Col. John Crysler, Peter Shaver and John Cook. Peter Shaver and John Cook being the joint representatives for three consecutive parliaments. Col. Crysler served for l3 years (1805-1808 incl, 1812-1820 incl); Peter Shaver for 20 years, (1821-1840 incl) ; John Cook, for 15 years, (183l-1844).

When the province was invaded at Prescott by sympathizers with the rebels, from the United States, under Von Schoultz, the Dundas militia were soon at the scene of action. Their loss was, four rank and file killed, one lieutenant and five rank and file wounded. The result of this engagement is well-known to all. Not one of the 170 invaders escaped. Nearly 100 were killed and the remainder surrendered prisoners of war. Von Schoultz and others of lesser note were hanged at Kingston. A few of the youthfuladherents were pardoned and sent home to the United States, of the remainder a few were imprisoned and the others transported to Van Dieman’s Land21.

Again, during the Fenian scare, did the militia of Dundas nobly respond to the call for the defence of the country. And at this time (February, 1900) some of its young men are members of each of the

21 Isle of Tasmania – then a British penal colony.

contingents on active service in South Africa.

A mere recital of the main facts in the history of even one family would require the space of a whole paper such as this. But I shall conclude with two typical stories of romantic adventure and hardship.

Henry Merkley was a young man living with his father in the valley of the Schoharie, New York, when the revolutionary war broke out. He was known to be a Loyalist; and when he was working in the harvest field, a neighbor, named Young, and his son came over and began talking on the political aspectof the times. Merkley would not declare himself, and we believe, took rather a non-partisan standpoint. This was an act of prudence on his part, as his unwelcome callers were armed with muskets. However, this discretion did not save Merkley. John Young, the son, shot him in the side, but did not kill him; and, when about to finish his murderous work with the butt end of his musket, he was prevented by his father. Soon after this Merkley was put into Schoharie jail. After his wounds were healed he managed to make his escape and reached Niagara. He at once joined the King’s Royal Regiment of New York, and served in the several memorable campaigns with that famous regiment until the close of the war. After its disbandment he settled in Montreal, and subsequently in Williamsburg in the County of Dundas. Here he soon became a prosperous and popular farmer, and took an active part in the civil and military affairs of the country. From 1809 to 1812 he was the representative of the County in the Legislative Assembly of Upper Canada. He was an officer of the Dundas militia, and was present at Crysler’s Farm, and took part in the several engagements on the St. Lawrence frontier during the war.

When Mr. Merkley was living on his farm in Williamsburg, a beggar came to his door and asked for a meal. The farmer and beggar instantly recognized each other. The last time they met was in the harvest field in Schoharie. The beggar was none other than John Young, who had so nearly taken Mr. Merkley’s life some years before, now reduced to the humiliating position of asking alms from the manhe so cruelly wronged. The utter abjectness of his position, led him to ask forgiveness for his despicable deed. Mr. Merkley, was not quite so willing to grant the forgiveness, but his Christian spirit overcame his feelings. His former enemy was fed and sent on his way.

The following sketch of one of the U. E. Loyalists of Palatine descent has hardly a parallel among the annals of hardship, adventure, and peril experienced by the first settlers of Canada.

Christina Merkley, was the seventeen-year-old daughter of Michael Merkley, a thrifty farmer of Schoharie. Her mother was dead and the affairs of the household and the care of her five-year-old brother, were to a great extent in charge of herself and her sister two year younger. On the day our storybegins, her father was away with his niece on a visit to her married sister. As the shades of evening began to fall the two girls became somewhat impatient and their sense of loneliness was increased by the crying of their brother. After a few moments of watching the father and cousin were seen riding swiftly towards the house. The little boy’s crying changed to joyous laughter and the three ran out to greet their father. Just as they emerged from the house a volley rang out and the father and cousin dropped from their horses dead. Before they could realize what had happened they were prisoners of a band of Indians. After taking the booty they required, the Indians set the house and buildings on fire and (quickly took their departure with their prisoners. To hasten the children’s footsteps and to frighten them into silence they were shown the scalps of their father and cousin. The boy, not old enough to know the meaning of such a threat, kept on crying, and between sobs would call out “I want my father, I want my father!” The threats of the savages and the fearful pleadings of the sisters proving ineffectual, the girls were ordered to go on ahead with the squaws. They believed they would never see their brother again. His cries ceased, and in a few minutes when his bleeding scalp was dangled before them as a warning, their belief was confirmed.

Who can describe the feelings of these children during the five weeks march to Niagara ! Their physical sufferings were scarcely less severe than their anguish of mind. Exposed to the weather on long marches with insufficient clothing, they were in constant danger but were always saved from the

drunken Indians by the Indian women.

After seven weeks of hardship and captivity in the Indian encampment at Niagara, their presence there came to the knowledge of Sir John Johnson. He compelled the Indians to give them up in exchange for some presents. By him they were taken to Montreal, and till the end of the war they lived with his household. In May, 1784, just before the King’s Royal Regiment started for their future homes on the banks of the St. Lawrence, Christina married Jacob Ross, a soldier of the first battalion of that famous regiment. Jacob Ross drew land in township № 2, or Cornwall. Like other Loyalist families they were supplied with the necessaries of life for making a home in the wilderness. But they were without a cow and they had no money to purchase one. As the prospects for getting money from the sale of the produce of a farm that as yet was a forest, seemed rather distant, it was arranged that Mrs. Ross should go to Montreal and seek domestic employment and thereby earn sufficient money to purchase this useful animal. At the end of a year the cow was bought and, meanwhile, the husband had cleared enough land so that some grain and vegetables could be raised. The difficulties incident to making a new home in the wilderness being now overcome, there is little to chronicle besides the routine of others similarly situated.

Mrs. Ross died in 1857 at the great age of 98. She was a member of the German Lutheran church and her last desire that her German Bible and prayer-book be buried with her was gratified.

The descendants of Mrs. Ross in the Counties of Stormont and Dundas, are many. All the honorable professions are represented among her descendants, while some of them have been elected to serve their fellow citizens in the legislative halls of our country.

One grandson, Samuel Ault, represented Stormont in the parliament of the old province of Canada from1861 to 1867 and for one term in the parliament of the Dominion. In 1861 Mr. Ault’s opponent was no less a personage than John Sandfield Macdonald22. Another grandson, John Sylvester Ross, was the representative of Dundas for two terms in the parliament of the old province of Canada and also for twoterms in the Dominion parliament. Hugo H. Ross, of Iroquois, son of the preceding, was M.P. For Dundas from 1891 to 1896.

22 First Premier of Ontario.

A little bit about Osnabruck:

Cornwall and Osnabruck were two of the original eight “Royal Townships” established along the Saint Lawrence River in Upper Canada. Osnabruck was named after a title formerly held by Prince Frederick, son of George III, who at one time was Prince-Bishop of Osnabrück in Lower Saxony, and Cornwall was named for Prince Frederick’s title as Duke of Cornwall.

This area was first settled by members of Sir John Johnson’s King’s Royal Regiment of New York, and became Stormont County in 1792.

The Lost Villages, ten ghost towns which were flooded by the construction of the St. Lawrence Seawayin 1958, were located in the former Cornwall and Osnabruck Townships. The communities of Long Sault and Ingleside were newly built to accommodate displaced residents of the flooded villages. Due to this relocation, the towns were entirely planned from their inception - a rarity in Ontario.

Note Gottlieb Otto & Adam Papst

Appendix Butler’s Rangers

Butler’s success with the Indians during the campaign at The Battle at Oriskany Creek led Sir Guy Carleton to authorize him to raise a Corps of Rangers to serve with the Indians on the frontiers. The Beating Order was issued 15 September 1777. The Corps was variously referred to as: “A Corps of Rangers commanded by Colonel Butler,” “Lieutenant Colonel Butler’s Ranger’s,” “Butler’s Corps of Rangers,” and “Butler’s Rangers,” the latter being the most common designation. Butler wrote the Commander-in-Chief asking that the Corps be given a formal designation, but nothing seems to have come of the request.

There is no known Ranger uniform in existence today. In all probability, when the Rangers were disbanded the soldiers had little clothing, and they wore their uniforms until they were worn out.

The uniform with which the Corps was issued closely resembled that worn by the British Regulars and other Provincial corps raised in Canada. Charles Lefferts stated that it consisted of: dark green coats faced with scarlet and lined with the same, a waistcoat of green cloth, and buckskin Indian leggings reaching from the ankle to the waist...their caps were almost skull caps of black jacket leather with a black cockade on the left side and a brass plate in front with the letters GR and words Butler’s Rangers.Their belts were of buff leather and crossed at the breast where they were held in place by a brass plate marked in the same manner and with the same words as the cap plate...

It is unlikely, though that the description of the cap plate is accurate, for distinctive regimental cap badges did not come into general use in the British Army until after 1800, which leads to some divergence of opinion as to whether there was a helmet plate, whether the cartridge pouch plate was worn, whether the design was painted on the front plate, or whether there was anything worn on the capitself.

The Rangers had another field uniform that they worn when they were in the bush. They wore a smock which was dyed a dark green and worn wrapped tightly around the body so that it would not get caught on anything when they were travelling through the bush. They usually carried a knife, tomahawk and a club tucked in their belts.

The British Regulars did not like fighting in the woods with the Rangers as the Rangers were in dark green clothing while the Regulars were wearing their bright uniforms. There was another cause for discourse between the Rangers and the Regulars. The Rangers had to supply their own firearms. Because of this they were paid more than the Regulars. They also were billeted at different camps to keep the different factions apart.

The Rangers usually fought in pairs. One would kneel while his partner would stand close behind him. One of the pair would shoot while the other one covered him while he reloaded and then he would shoot.

Some of the Rangers had smooth bore muskets while others had muskets with riffling. The smooth borewas not very accurate. Colonel George Hanger, a Revolutionary veteran to comment on their performance.

A soldier’s musket, if not exceedingly ill-bored... will strike the figure of a man at eighty yards; it may even at 100; but a soldier must be very unfortunate indeed who shall be wounded... at 150 yards, provided that his antagonist aims at him...I do maintain...that no man was ever killed at 200 yards by a common soldier’s musket by the person who aimed at him.

Submitted by Harold Morgan U.E.

.....The Wyoming Massacre - July 3, 1778Transcribed by Judy Longley

"Copy of a letter from Major John Butler to Lieutenant Colonel Bolton dated Lacuwanack 8 July 1778"

SirOn the 30th of June I arrived with about 500 Rangers and Indians at Wioming, and encamped

on an eminence which overlooks the greatest part of the settlement, from whence I sent out parties to discover the situation, and strength of the Enemy, who brought in eight Prisoners, and scalps: Two loyalists who came into my camp informed me that the Rebels could muster about 800 men, who were all assembled in their Forts.

July 1st. I marched to the distance of half a mile of Wintermonts Fort and sent in Lieutenant Turney with a Flag to demand imediate possession of it, which was soon agreed to. A flag was next sentto Jenkins' Fort which surrendered on nearly the same conditions as Wintermonts both which are

enclosed. I next summoned Forty fort the Commandant of which refused the conditions I sent him.July 3d parties were sent out to collect cattle, who informed me that the Rebels were preparing

to attack me. This pleased the Indians highly, who observed they should be upon an equal footing with them in the woods; at Two o'Clock we discovered the Rebels upon their march in number about four or five hundred. Between 4 & 5 o'Clock they were advanced within a mine of us; finding them determined, I ordered the Forts to be sett on fire, which deceived the Enemy into an opinion that we had retreated: We then posted ourselves in a fine open wood, and for our greater safety lay flat upon theground, waiting their approach. When they were within 200 yards of us, they began firing; we still continued upon the ground without returning their Fire till they had fired three Vollies: by this time theyhad advanced within 100 yards of us, and being quite near enough Suingerachton ordered his Indians who were upon the right to begin the attack upon our part; which was imediately well seconded by the Rangers on the left. Our fire was so close, and well directed, that the affair was soon over, not lasting above half an hour, from the time they gave us the first fire till their flight. In this action were taken 227Scalps and only five prisoners. The Indians were so exasperated with their loss last year near Fort Stanwix, that it was with the greatest difficulty I could save the lives of those few. Colonel Denniston who came next day with a Minister, and four others to treat for the remainder of the settlement of Westmoreland assures me, that they have lost one Colonel two Majors, seven Captains, Thirteen Lieutenants, Eleven Ensigns, and two hundred and Sixty Eight Privates. On our side are killed one Indian, two Rangers, and Eight Indians wounded. In this incursion we have taken and destroyed eight pallisaded Forts, and burned about 1000 Dwelling Houses, all their Mills &c., we have also killed and drove off about 1000 head of horned Cattle, and sheep and swine in great numbers. But what gives us the sincerest satisfaction is, that I can with great ___ assure you that in the destruction of this settlementnot a single person has been hurt of the Inhabitants, but such as were in arms, to those indeed the Indians gave no Quarter.

I have also the pleasure to inform you that the Officers and Rangers behaved during this short action highly to my satisfaction, and have always supported themselves through hunger, and fatague with great chearfullness.

I have this day sent a party of men to the Delaware to destroy a small settlement there, and to bring off prisoners. In two or three days I shall send out other parties for the same purpose if I can supply my self with Provisions, I shall harrass the adjacent country, and prevent them from getting in their harvest.

The settlement of Schohary or the Minisinks will be my next objects, both of which abound in Corn, and Cattle the destruction of which cannot fail of greatly distressing the Rebels. I have not yet been able to hear any thing of the expresses I sent to the Generals Howe & Clinton, but as I sent them by ten different routes, I am in hopes that some of them will be able to make their way to them and return.

In a few days I do myself the honour of writing to you more fully and send you a Journal of my proceeding since I left Niagara.

I am Sir, with respect, Your most obedient & very humble Serv't (signed) John Butler

Appendix Otto BibleRecords from a Bible printed in 177823

Anna Maria ist geboren auf Schoharry Jhon Jahr1793, im October dem 13Johannes ist geboren in July den 23 im Johr 1796Margret ist geboren dem 10 Feb 1801Peter ist geboren dem 24 Janer 1791, Morgensum 6 uhr========================================================================= Ossnaburgh May 13 1821------------------------------------------------Gutliff Otto born June 4 1787Sarah Shaver born January 11 1789-------------------------------------------------Gutliff Otto and Sarah Shaver married April 18 1808Issue of this couple:Catherine Otto born Nov 12 1809John Otto born Oct 27 1811Henry Otto born Nov 17 1815Peter Otto born June 9 1819Sevshie ist geboren dem julie dan im 18 in idr 1822Margaret Eliza Otto born 18 Feb 1827William Otto is born February 17 1831=========================================================================Peter Otto married May Ann Ibom born Feb 9 1823on 2 March 1841issue of this couple:Norman Elijah Otto born 14 Sept 1842Sarah Margaret Otto born 2 July 1844Eurena Amm Otto born December 14 1845Mahalah Emaline Otto born October 6 1847Thersa Jamima Otto born Feb 7 1850Eliza Adaline Otto born Nov 8 1851William Henry Otto born May 21 1854Albert Wilson Otto born Dec 6 1856James Ezra Otto born Jan 21 1859Jemina Adalade Otto born April 15 1861George Alpheus Otto born March 29 1867=============================end==========================================

23 From a hand-written penciled note – with original spellings. Note: the 5 youngest of Peter’s family were still at home inthe 1881 census (Russell Twp)