4-70 Agricultural Manual 



During the early wars opposing armies frequently passed 

 through the natural route afforded by the valley, and the history 

 of Oneida County prior to 1760, aside from the Indian trade 

 carried on over its territory, is mainly one of conflict. 



The first settlers were a German couple who pushed past the 

 Palatine settlement at German Flats, and early in 1760 were 

 located at Fort Stanwix, now Rome. At Fort Stanwix, in 1768, 

 the treaty hetween the Six Nations and the colonists was held, 

 fixing the boundary of their lands, or " line of property," as it 

 was called. 



Ten years previous to the Revolution, the Reverend Samuel 

 Kirkland established a mission among the Oneidas. Through 

 his influence and teachings the Oneidas refused to take part 

 against the colonists during the war, in spite, of the efforts of 

 Brant, the noted Mohawk leader. As a result the settlers of 

 Oneida County were spared the cruelties practiced by the Indians 

 in neighboring sections. 



Since central New York was regarded the point of control of 

 the American colonists, General Herkimer's victory at the battle 

 of Oriskany in 1777 was of great importance in forming the 

 history of our nation. After this battle, the stars and stripes 

 were raised for the first time over Fort Stanwix, or Fort Schuyler, 

 as it was then called. Congress had but recently conceived the 

 design, and the patriots here made their flag from odd pieces of 

 clothing. 



In 1784 a treaty was made at Fort Schuyler, whereby all the 

 land then owned by the Indian nations taking part in the treaty, 

 with the exception of certain reservations, was ceded to the state. 

 Through the results of this agreement great impetus was given 

 to immigration and to the growth and prosperity of Oneida 

 County. 



Shortly after the Revolution families from New England 

 made permanent settlements within the county. The opening of 

 the Erie Canal and the early railroads had a considerable effect 

 on the growth of Utica and Rome, and encouraged the building 

 up of various other villages along their lines. 



