THE MUSEUM 



A Monthly Magazine Devoted to Research in Natural Science. 



^^OL. III. 



ALBION, N. Y., MAY 15, 1897. 



No. 



Reminiscences of a Trip to 

 Schoharie- 



(part VI.) 



Among the many objects of interest 

 in Schoharie county, perhaps none are 

 of greater notability than the old Stone 

 Fort in Schoharie village, and as it has 

 been mentioned many times in these 

 articles, I believe that a short chapter 

 should be given to its history. 



THE OLD STONE FORT. 



This edifice was built in 1772, as a 

 house of worship under the pastorate 

 of Johannes Schuyler. The material 

 of which it was built — it is said — was 

 contributed by the inhabitants of the 

 valley and surrounding neighborhoods, 

 and, it may be seen upon investiga- 

 tion, that the stone is from different 

 localities. Also in evidence to sub- 

 stantiate this bit of interesting history, 

 there can be seen upon many of the 

 stones in the structure, carved in deep 

 letters the names of many of the don- 

 ors, which now after a lapse of 125 

 years, many are still as eligible as 

 when carved. Among the names we 

 find that of their beloved Domine — 

 Johannes Schuyler. Johannes Ball, 

 (chairman of the Committee of Safety), 

 Thomas Eckerson, (donor of the 

 ground) and those of other good men 

 whose decendents are among the first 

 in the county, viz:, the Vroomans, 

 Werths, Kichtmyer, Rickert, Lawyer, 

 Becker, Enders, etc., etc. 



It may also be of interest to know 

 that this church was not the first built 

 in the valley. Soon after the settle- 

 ment of Schoharie their fathers built a 

 wooden structure upon a knoll a little 



to the east of the new site, which stood 

 until the stone church was completed. 



Domine Schuyler preached to his 

 congregation each Sabbath for two 

 hours in the morning and two hours in 

 the afternoon, in unalloyed Low Dutch 

 and John W. Brown led the singing. 

 (Brown was afterward County Judge, 

 also author of a History of Schoarie 

 county.) 



The good Domine preached to his 

 flock, in the old and new church 31 

 years with so much influence that his 

 labors successfully pacified the politi- 

 cal views of his people during his life. 

 After his death in 1778 or 1779, the 

 congregation became demoralized by 

 the existing political troubles constant- 

 ly arising and increasing, so in many 

 cases fathers were arrayed against 

 sons, brothers against brothers and 

 reckless vengeance actuated many to 

 desperate deeds. 



As has already been said in a former 

 paper, an armed force was constantly 

 quartered at the Lower Fort (Stone 

 Church) at all times, owing to its ex- 

 posed position, and the people sought 

 its friendly protection each night. 



The occasional invasions by the In- 

 dians and Tories and the flying rumors 

 were sufficient to arouse and awaken 

 the settlers to caution. 



\\'hen the proclamation of peace 

 came in 17S3, the suffering patriots 

 had a jollification around the Fort 

 which lasted three days and nights. 

 The little cannon in the fort echoed 

 their great joy in welcoming peace. 

 The \alley scouts and soldiers returned 

 to their homes, and at once rebuilt 

 their houses. 



