The following Montgomery County/Towns portions of French's Gazetteer was made available to you through the efforts of Shirley Farone of Ashland, Ohio. Shirley is a native of Jefferson County, N. Y. and now lives in Ashland, Ohio. She has been interested in our county ever since reading Drums Along the Mohawk at the age of 13, at that time not realizing her ancestors lived here. She writes:

"Like so many of you, my family tree has roots in Montgomery County, N. Y. Four of my ancestral families - Padgetts, Lingenfelters, Winnes, and Van Burens - lived in this county. As far as I can determine, their period of residency spanned from the Pre-Revolutionary times to 1838."

"For those of us whose ancestors lived along the Mohawk, French's Gazetteer of New York State should not be overlooked as a very good informational source. Its pages have provided me a deep insight as to what life was like in this area during the county's early period. After reading French's accounts (mostly in the footnotes), I marveled that my ancestors even survived - a miracle indeed. I then felt a huge sense of respect and admiration for people whom I only knew thru that intangible called "heritage."

"So, in order that my grandchildren may someday be so enlightened, I decided to type this out for inclusion in my Family notebook. Yes, it could have been copied, but that would have been cumbersome and difficult to read, to say the least. After I finished the project, it occurred to me that perhaps other people would enjoy it via the Internet and the Montgomery County site, if only Martha would agree to post it. I'm most grateful to Martha for her acceptance and the work she has done in order that it may appear. We hope that you will enjoy what we've brought you and I know you will refer to it often."

"One more thing - if you're a descendant of my families - Padgetts, Lingenfelters, Winnes, or Van Burens, I'd very much like to hear from you. My fellow Lingenfelter researchers, of whom there are only three, need help in determining a relationship, if there was one, between the New York Lingenfelters and those from PA and MD. We have read that our New York line came from Germany, but from where in Germany did they emigrate? Did they come directly to the Kayaderosseras/Sacandaga Patents? Maybe you can help us. I'd love to find some new cousins, too. Thank you."

Shirley C. Farone
twigs@bright.net
April 4, 1998

Bracketed material in most cases represents that which appeared in the form of footnotes.

This county was formed from Albany, March 12, 1772, under the name of "Tryon Co". {Named from Wm. Tyron, Colonial Governor. Present name given in honor of Gen. Richard Montgomery, of the Revolution. As first formed, this co. embraced all of the State W. of Delaware River and a line extending N. through Schoharie, and along the W. (?) lines of the present cos. of Montgomery, Fulton, and Hamilton, and continuing in a straight line to Canada.} Its name was changed April 2, 1784. Ontario was taken off in 1789, Herkimer, Otsego, and Tioga in 1791, Hamilton in 1816, {Taken off with Herkimer in 1791, and restored to Montgomery March 31, 1797}and Fulton in 1838. It lies on both sides of the Mohawk, centrally distant 39 miles from Albany, and contained 436 sq. mi. The general system of highlands which forms the connecting link between the northern spurs of the Alleghany Mts., on the S., and the Adirondacks on the N. extends through this co. in a N. E. and S. W. direction. Mohawk River cuts through the upland, and forms a valley 1 to 2 mi. wide, and 200 to 500 ft. below the summits of the hills. The valleys of several of the tributaries of the Mohawk extend several miles into the highland district at nearly right angles to the river valley. The hills bordering upon the river generally rise in gradual slopes, and from their summits the country spreads out into an undulating upland, with a general inclination toward the river, into which every part of the surface of the co. is drained. The principal tributaries of the Mohawk are the East Canada, Caroga, Cayadutta, Chuctenunda Creeks, and Evas Kil, on the N. and Cowilliga, Chuctenunda, Schoharie, Auries, Flat, Canajoharie, and Otsquaga Creeks, on the S. The highest point in the co. is Bean Hill, in Florida, and is estimated to be 700 ft. above tide, and the lowest point is the bed of the Mohawk, on the E. line of the co., 260 ft. above tide.

Gneiss, the only primary rock in the co. is found in patches, the principal locality being at "The Noses," on the Mohawk. {This rock here contains pink colored garnets.} Resting directly upon this are heavy masses of calciferous sandstone, appearing mostly on the N. bank of the river and extending into Fulton Co. {This rock often contains in its cavities quartz and modules of anthracite coal, which has led to foolish expenditures of large sums in mining for coal. Near Sprakers Basin traces of lead have been found.} Next above this are the Black River and Trenton limestone, not important as surface rocks, but furnishing valuable quarries of building stone. The slates and shales of the Hudson River group extend along the S. border of the co. and are found in a few places N. of the river. Drift and boulders abound in various places. The soil along the river consists of alluvial deposits and a deep, rich, vegetable mold, and upon the uplands it is mostly a highly productive sandy and gravelly loam. The productions are principally grass and spring grains. The uplands are finely adapted to pasturage, and dairying forms the leading pursuit. Upon the Mohawk Flats immense quantities of broomcorn are raised. There are several important manufactories in the co., consisting chiefly of woolen goods, carpets, paper, agricultural implements, sash and blinds, and castings. Quarrying is extensively carried on. {Stone from these quarries were used in the construction of canal locks and other public works.}

The principal public works are the Erie Canal, extending along the S. side of the Mohawk, and the N. Y. Central R. R., {Formerly "Schenectady & Utica R. R." The Catskill & Canajoharie R. R., Incorp. in 1830, was opened to Cooksburgh from Catskill at a cost of $400,000. In 1842 it was abandoned, the track sold for $11,000 and taken up.} on the N. bank. A wire suspension bridge crosses the Mohawk at Fort Hunter, and wooden bridges at Amsterdam, Fonda, Canajoharie, Fort Plain, and St. Johnsville. An iron bridge was built at Fort Plain, in 1858.

The county seat is located at Fonda, a pleasant village on the Mohawk built on the site of the ancient Dutch settlement of "Caughnawaga." {"Caughnawaga" was one-half mi. E. of the courthouse, but is now included within the incorporation of the village of Fonda. The co. seat was removed from Johnstown in 1836. The conditions of the removal were that a subscription of $4500 should be raised, and a site of not less than 3 acres donated to the co. This removal occacioned great dissatisfaction, and led to the division of the co. in 1838.} The courthouse is a fine brick edifice, containing the usual co. offices. {By an act passed March 19, 1778, the sheriff's mileage in Tyron co. was directed to be reckoned from "The Noses," which practice appears to have been continued for some time.} The jail is a stone building, adjacent to the courthouse. {The jail is so constructed as not to answer the requirements of the law in the classification of prisoners. The courthouse and jail were erected at a cost of $300,500.} The co. poorhouse is located upon a farm of 150 acres situated in Glen, about 3 mi. E. of Fonda. The building is old and poor, and has few arrangements for the health, comfort, or convenience of its inmates. The average number of inmates is 125. The farm yields a revenue of $1,000.

The first newspaper in the co. was established at Fort Plain, in 1827.

The following appeared in the book as Endnote material:

The Watch Tower was begun at Fort Plain in 1827 by S. M. S. Gant, who was succeeded by John Calhoun & ____ Platt. In 1830 it was published as
The Fort Plain Sentinel.
The Fort Plain Gazette was begun in 1833 by H. L. Gros.
The Fort Plain Republican was begun in 1835 by E. W. Gill.
It was succeeded by
The Tocrin (?) in 1836, H. Link, publisher.
The Fort Plain Journal was commenced in 1838 by W. L. Fish.
It changed owners several times, and was finally merged in
The Lutheran Herald, which continued a short time.
The Students Gleaner, by students of the Fort Plain High School, was issued from The Journal office.
The Montgomery Phoenix was begun at Fort Plain Feb. 3, 1841,
by L. F. Backus, publisher, and D. F. Young, editor.
In Feb. 1854 it was changed to
The Mohawk Valley Register, under which name it is now published by Webster & Wendall.
The Mohawk Farmer was published at Caughnawaga at an early period.
The Canajoharie Telegraph was published by Henry Hooghkirk in 1825-26.
The Canajoharie Sentinel was published in 1827; Samuel Caldwell, editor.
The Canajoharie Republican was published in 1827-28; Henry Bloomer, editor, and afterward John McVean & D. F. Sacia.
The Montgomery Argus was published by J. McVean in 1831-32, and continued by S. M. S. Grant till 1836.
The Canajoharie Investigator was published from 1833 to '36 by Andrew H. Calhoun.
The Radii was begun in 1837 by Levi S. Backus, a deaf mute; In Nov. 1840, it was burned out, and removed to Fort Plain; in 1854 it was removed to Madison co., but has since returned to Fort Plain. For several years the State made appropriations for sending this paper to deaf mutes throughout the State.
The Mohawk Valley Gazette was published at Canajoharie by W. H. Riggs from 1847 to '49.
The Montgomery Union was published at Canajoharie by W. S. Hawley, 1850-63. Four numbers of another paper were published at the same place in 1854 by S. M. S. Gant.
The Mohawk Advertiser, published at Amsterdam by Darius Wells, was changed to
The Intelligencer and Mohawk Advertiser in 1834. In 1835 it was published by John J. Davis,
L. H. Nicholds, editor. In 1836 it was published by S. B. March, and, after several changes,
it was changed in 1854 to
The Amsterdam Recorder, which is now issued by H. Hayward, editor and publishers.
The Mohawk Gazette was published at Amsterdam by Josiah A. Nooman in 1833-34.
The Fonda Herald was issued by J. Reynolds, Jr. in 1837.
The Fonda Sentinal was begun in 1845; it is now published by Clark & Thayer.
The American Star, commenced at Canajoharie April 5, 1855, by Wm. S. Hawley, was removed to
Fonda May 17, 1855. In 1857 it was changed to
The Mohawk Valley American and published by C. B. Freeman. In 1858 this title was changed to
The American Star, which is now published by Wm. S. Hawley, original proprietor.
The Montgomery Whig was begun at Fultonville in 1840 by B. F. Pinkham. It passed into the hands of
Thos. Horton, and in 1855 its name was changed to
The Montgomery Republican, and is now published by P. R. Horton.
We are indebted to Prof. O. W. Morris, of New York, and to the files of The Phoenix, for the above list. Many changes of ownership are not stated.

The early history of this co. is full of incident and interest. At the time of the first advent of the whites it was the principal seat of the Mohawks, one of the most powerful tribes of the Five Nations. The policy adopted by the early Dutch settlers of the colony, and continued by their English successors, strongly attached a majority of these savages to their interests; and the unprovoked attack of Champlain, in 1609, made them hate the French in Canada with intense bitterness. In the wars that ensued, the Five Nations proved faithful allies to the English, and on many occasions shielded them from hostile attacks. In 1665-66 a French expedition, consisting of 600 men, under De Courcelles and De Tracy, was sent against the Indians, and proceeded as far as Schenectady; but, after much suffering and the loss of many men, the army returned to Canada without affecting any thing. Within the next few years several French expeditions were sent against the western tribes of the Five Nations, and in return the Indians made a descent upon Montreal in 1689, laid waste whole plantations, and destroyed many lives. (1) {Obiden's Five Nations; Smith's Hist. N. Y.} In retaliation, Count Frontenac sent several expeditions against the Indians and English, one of which destroyed Schenectady in 1690. (2) {See p. 598 - Schenectady County - not included here) In the winter of 1692-93 the French again invaded the Mohawk country, surprised and destroyed two of their three castles, (3) {The "Lower Castle" was situated at the mouth of Schoharie Creek, the "Middle Castle" at the mouth of the Otsquago, and the "Upper Castle" at the mouth of the Now-a-da- ga or Indian Castle Creek, in Danube, Herkimer Co.} and took about 300 prisoners. In the engagement at the third castle they lost 30 of their number; and in their retreat they were pursued by Maj. Peter Schuyler at the head of 200 regulars and militia, who succeeded in killing 33 and wounding 26 of their number and in rescuing 50 prisoners. Favored by the severe cold, the remainder escaped and fled to Canada through the great northern wilderness. Their sufferings on this journey were intense. As early as 1642-43, a French Jesuit visited the Mohawk settlements; and between that date and 1678, 10 missionaries of this order labored to bring over the Indians of this region to the French interests and the Catholic religion. Though attended with great hardships, and in one or two instances with death, these labors were in some measure successful, and in 1671 a large number of Indians removed from Caughnawaga to Canada. (4) {An Indian village named Caughnawaga, 9 mi. above Montreal, is the result of the emigration.}

A military post, known as Fort Hunter, was established near the mouth of Schoharie Creek in 1711. About the same time a large number of German Palatinates, sent over by Queen Anne, settled upon the Hudson, and shortly after removed to Schoharie and the Mohawk Valley and settled upon lands given them by Government. At about the same period a considerable number of Holland Dutch, from Schenectady and vicinity, found their way into the co. and extended their improvements up the valley. In 1730 the first mill, N. of the Mohawk was built on the site of "Cranes" Village by two or three brothers named Groat; and this for a time served the settlements at German Flats, 50 mi. beyond. (6) "Simms's Hist. Schoharie."

The land grants in this co. were made in comparatively small tracts. The first were issued as early as 1703. On the 19th of Oct. 1723, a patent of 12,000 acres, called "Stone Arabia," N. of the Mohawk, was granted to John Christian Garlock and others for the benefit of the Palatinates. The principal grants were made between 1730 and 1740; and in 1762 there remained little if any, unpatented land in the co.

About the year 1735, the British Admiral, Sir Peter Warren, acquired the title to a large tract of land known as "Warrensbush," mostly in the present town of Florida, and sent out his nephew, Wm. Johnson, then but 21 years of age, as his agent. Johnson first located at the mouth of Schoharie Creek: afterward he removed to 3 mi. above Amsterdam, and finally to Johnstown. Through the influence of his uncle he received the appointment of Agent of Indian Affairs, which gave him great facilities for intercourse and traffic with the natives. Applying himself industriously to the study of the character and language of the Indians, and adopting their habits and dress whenever it suited his convenience, he gained an ascendency and influence over them never before enjoyed by any white person. His easy and obliging manners made him equally a favorite with the white settlers; and until his death, which took place on the 24th of June, 1774, the event of his life are intimately interwoven with the history of the co. (For his service while in command of the expedition which resulted in the defeat of the French under Dleskau, at the head of Lake George, he received the title of Baronet and a gift of £5000 from Parliament. From this time until his death he lived in ease and opulence, devoting his time to the management of public affairs and the improvement of his estate.} His title and estates descended to his son, Sir John Johnson; but his commanding personal influence could not be inherited. Guy Johnson, son-in-law of Sir William, {Succeeded Sir William as Indian Agent} Col. Daniel Claus, and Col. John Butler, were attached to the interests of the Johnson family, possessed large estates, and lived in what were then considered sumptuous residences in the Mohawk Valley. They had considerable influence with both whites and Indians. In the controversy between the colonists and the mother country which resulted in the Revolution, the Johnsons and their adherents strongly espoused the cause of the King, from whom they had received so many favors.

As a class, the German Palatinates sided with the colonies, and a majority of the other settlers entertained similar sentiments; but for a long time they were overawed, and their efforts at organization were thwarted by the zeal and activity of the tory leaders. In the spring of 1775, while the court was in session at Johnstown, through the influence of the tories the signatures of most of the grand jurors and magistrates were procured to a document opposing the measures of the Continental Congress. {Annals of Tryon co., p. 46 ) This proceeding, coupled with others of a more aggressive and personal character, tended greatly to organize the opposition forces, to separate the friends and enemies of freedom, and to kindle feeling of bitter and vindictive hatred, which naturally led to all the horrors of civil war.

"Tryon co" was divided into 6 districts; {These districts were "Mohawk," adjoining Albany, "Canajoharie," on the S. side of the Mohawk, and "Palatine," on the N., extending up the river to Little Falls, "German Flats," and "Kingsland," still father up the river, and "Old England District" W. of the Susquehanna. The first 5 of these districts were formed March 24, 1772. On the 8th of March, 1773, the original name -- "Stone Arabia" -- was changed to "Palatine," "German Flats," to "Kingsland," and "Kingsland," to "German Flats." Old England Dist. was formed April 3, 1775.}; and for the purpose of a more thorough organization, delegates were appointed in each by the Patriots to form a committee of public safely. Upon a meeting of these delegates a significant remonstrance was addressed to Col. Guy Johnson, Indian Agent, for his aggressive and partisan acts; he withdrew in June, 1775, to Cosbys Manor, above German Flats, under pretense of holding a council with the Indians in the W. part of the co; and in a short time he fled to Montreal, by the way of Oswego, accompanied by a large number of dependents and followers. He continued to act as Indian Agent during the war, and by liberal rewards and still more liberal promises he greatly stimulated the natural ferocity of the Indians, and incited them to more active hostitility. He was joined in Canada by Joseph Brant, a distinguished and educated Mohawk chief, and John and Walter N. Butler, 2 tories who afterward gained an infamous notoriety. At the head of marauding parties of tories and Indians, they afterward returned and committed the most inhuman atrocities upon their old friends and neighbors. Sir John Johnson remained at "Johnson Hall," but continued active in his intrigues, and kept up a correspondence with Col. Guy Johnson in Canada. His preparations to fortify "Johnson Hall" excited alarm; and in Jan. 1776, a committee, consisting of Gen. Philip Schuyler, Gen. Ten Broeck, and Col. Varick, was despatched (sic) from Albany to consult with the local committee of safely and satisfactorily arrange matters. Gen. Herkimer called out the militia; and the affair was finally settled by the surrender of Sir John as prisoner, and an agreement that his Scotch tenants should be disarmed. He was sent to Fishkill, but being released on parole, he soon returned to Johnstown and resumed his intrigues. In May, Col. Dayton was sent with a regiment to again arrest him; but, being warned of their approach, Sir John and his follwers fled to the woods, and finally reached Canada by the way of Sacondaga and Racket Rivers, after 19 days of fasting and suffering. {The Indians at St. Regis still preserve a tradition of this event, and state that the party was reduced to the utmost extremity before they reached the inhabited region.} Sir John received a commission as colonel in the British service, raised a regiment of tories known as "Johnson's Greens," and was active and bitter in his hostility throughout the war. {Annals of Tryon Co: Simms's Hist. Schoharie Co: Hough's Hist. St. Law. Co; Dunlap's Hist. of N. Y.; Benton's Hist. Herk. Co.} Through the influence of the Johnsons, all of the Five Nations, with the exception of a portion of the Oneidas and Tuscaroras, {About 150 Oneidas and 200 Tuscaroras joined the British, -- Annals of Tyron Co.} were attached to the British interests, and were liberally aided by arms and provisions in their frequent incursions into the frontier settlements under the Butlers and Brant. {The Americans made several efforts to attach the Six Nations to their interets, or at least to induce them to remain neutral. In the winter of 1776-77, Col. Harper was sent to ascertain the object of the assembling of a large body of Indians at Oquago, on the Susquehanna. In the succeeding June, Brant, with a party of Indians, made a levy upon the settlers of the Unidilla; and many fled to a place of safety. Gen. Herkimer, at the head of 380 militia, marched to meet him; and on the 27th of June, 1777, a conferences was held between the general and the chief, but without producing any definite results. All efforts to propitiate the Six Nations were then abandoned, and all conference ceased until the close of the war, when the Indians were called upon, as vanquished enemies, to confirm the surrender of most of their lands as an atonement for their hositility.}

In the summer and fall of 1777, this co. in common with the whole northern and western frontier, was the scene of great alarm and of stirring military events, produced by the expedition of Burgoyne. Gen. St. Leger, at the head of a large body of tories and Indians, was dispatched by the way of Oswego to reduce the rebel posts and settlements on the Mohawk and join the main army at Albany. On the 3d of Aug. they laid siege to Fort Schuyler, upon the site of the present village of Rome. The militia of Montgomery co. were called out, and under Gen. Herkimer, marched to the relief of the fort. On the way the bloody battle of Oriskany was fought, in which 200 of the brave patriots of the co. were killed and as many more carried into Indian captivity. {There was scarcely a hamlet in the valley that did not lose one or more of its inhabitants.} In the latter part of the same month, Genls. Arnold and Learned, at the head of 900 troops, marched up the river, and St. Leger hastily abandoned the siege and fled. {For further particulars concerning these transactions, see Fulton County, which may be found elsewhere.) The destruction of the valley was thus averted, and for several months the inhabitants were allowed to remain undisturbed, save by small scalping parties, that hung round the unprotected frontiers and cut off the defenseless inhabitants.

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