THIS COUNTY was formed from Albany, March 12, 1772. It was first called Tryon County, in honor of William Tryon, the Colonial Governor, and embraced all that part of the State west of the Delaware River and a line extending north through Schoharie County, and along the east lines of Montgomery, Fulton and Hamilton Counties, to Canada. Its name was changed to Montgomery, in honor of Gen. Richard Montgomery, April 2, 1784. Ontario was taken off in 1780; Herkimer, Otsego and Tioga in 1791; Hamilton in 1816, and Fulton in 1838. It lies on both sides of the Mohawk, is centrally distant thirty-nine miles from Albany, and contains 436 square miles.

The general system of highlands which forms the connecting link between the northern spurs of the Allegheny Mountains on the south, and the Adirondacks on the north, extends through this County in a north-east and south-west direction. Mohawk River cuts through these highlands and forms a valley from one to two miles wide, and from 200 to 500 feet below the summits of the hills. The valleys of some 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 undulating uplands, with a general inclination towards the river, into which the whole surface of the County is drained. The principal tributaries of the Mohawk are the East Canada, Garoga, Cayadutta, Chuctenunda Creeks and Evas Kil on the north, and Cowilliga, Chuctenunda, Schoharie, Auries, Flat, Canajoharie and Otsaquage Creeks on the south. The highest point in the County is Bean Hill, in Florida, which is estimated at 700 feet above tide; and the lowest point is the bed of the Mohawk on the east line of the County, 260 feet above tide.

The lowest rocks of the County are primary, consisting of the various kinds of gneiss, granite, &c., and appear chiefly at "The Noses," on the Mohawk. Next above these, and appearing on the north bank of the river, is the calciferous sandstone group. This rock often contains in its cavities quartz and small pieces of anthracite coal, leading some to suppose that it may be found in quantities that will pay for mining. Traces of lead have been found near Spraker's Basin. Next in order are the Black River and Trenton limestone, which furnish valuable quarries of building stone. The slate and shales of the Hudson River group extend along the south border of the county, and are found in a few places north of the river. Drift and bowlders abound in some parts. 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 chiefly grass and spring grains. The uplands are well adapted to pasturage, and dairying forms the leading pursuit. Immense quantities of broom corn are raised along the Mohawk flats. Manufacturing is carried on at various points and will be noticed under the various towns. Important quarries are worked at several points.

The principal public works are the Erie Canal, extending along the south bank of the Mohawk, and the New York Central R.R., on the north bank. A wire suspension bridge crosses the Mohawk at Fort Hunter, and iron bridges at fort Plain and at Canajoharie also span the river while wood structures still afford the means of crossing at Amsterdam, Fonda and St. Johnsville.

The County Seat was located at Fonda, the site of the ancient Dutch Settlement of Caughnawaga, in 1836, on its removal from Johnstown, The conditions of removal were that a subscription of $4,500 should be raised, and a site of not less than three acres donated to the County. The Court House is a fine brick structure, surmounted by a dome and containing the usual County offices. It has undergone extensive repairs during the past year, and is now well adapted to the purposes for which it was designed. The Jail is a stone building in the rear of the Court House. A tablet with the following inscription is in the front wall of the Court House: "This building was erected in the year 1836, by Lawrence Marcellus, carpenter, and Henry Holmes, mason, under the charge of Aaron C. Wheelock, Henry Adams and Howland Fish, Commissioners charged with its erection."

The Montgomery Poor House is located in the town of Glen, about one and a quarter miles east of Fultonville. The following is taken from the Report of the State Commissioners of Public Charities:

"In 1866, under authority conferred by special act of the Legislature, the Supervisors of Montgomery county disposed of by sale, their county poor house together with a farm of one hundred and forty acres, for the sum of $8, 000. Since that time the poor of the county have been supported in the house by contract, the purchaser of the property being the contractor. The overseers of the poor arrange for the support of paupers of their respective towns, and the supervisors contract for those becoming a county charge. The price paid for the support of ordinary paupers is $2.50, and for insane and idiotic $ 3.50 per week. A single county superintendent attends to the general duties pertaining to the administration of out-door temporary relief."

"The buildings occupied are constructed of wood, and have been in use for nearly forty years. Since being taken possession of by the present owner, they have undergone extensive repairs and are now quite comfortable, The main building is two stories in height, and eighty-five feet in length by thirty-two feet in width; another building of the same length crosses at the rear, and the two buildings are connected by lateral wings on the right and left. The space enclosed by the several buildings forms a central yard, to which the inmates have free access at all times. A few aged persons are provided with separate apartments and receive marked attention; beyond this no classification of the inmates is made, except separation of the sexes at night."

"The buildings are warmed by stoves, readily ventilated, and supplied with water in abundance. There are no bath tubs in the house, but the inmates are required to bathe weekly in their rooms. The Sabbath is observed in attendance upon appropriate religious services held in the house, the supervisors appropriating funds to defray the necessary expenses, and also for the support of a week-day school, maintained during the entire year. The house is furnished with iron bedsteads throughout, and all the beds are covered with white counterpanes. Everything pertaining to the Institution was found neat and in good order, and as far as could be learned, the poor of the county are well fed and properly cared for. The contractor stated that the price paid for support had proved reasonably remunerative since his connection at the house. "

"The expenditures connected with the house during the past year amounted to $4,350.00, and that of temporary relief for the same period to $3,796.09; the aggregate expenses for the year on account of the poor being $8,146.09. Three thousand two hundred and eighty-three persons are reported as having been supported or relieved. About one-half of them were native born, and nearly one-third were reduced to want in consequence of sickness, infirmity or old age; a large number were the victims of intemperance."

"At the date of visitation, August 31st, sixty persons were found in the house. The majority of them were females, and two-thirds were native born. Included, and among the number, were eleven children under sixteen years of age, nine insane and four idiotic."

"The insane are assigned quarters in the main building situated at the rear of the main structure. The cells have been recently repaired and enlarged and without doubt this class of persons are better cared for than formerly, but nothing was seen to particularly commend in reference to their management. Four were found in confinement, and the only means of restraint employed is shutting up in cells. The balance are quiet and allowed their liberty during the day, being confined at night. Seven have been inmates of the State Asylum, and it was stated that a few had improved since their discharge, but it was not claimed that any had fully recovered. A physician visits the house, but the insane receive no special medical attendance except when sick; and the only care bestowed upon them is given by the keeper, aided by pauper inmates. The labor performed by those committed to the house inures to the benefit of the contractor."

The original purchaser of the property was Mr. Hiram Sammons. In December, 1868, he died and Robert Wemple purchased the property and assumed the contract for the support of the poor. The number of paupers is about eighty.

At the time of the advent of the whites to this County it was the chief seat of the Mohawks, one of the most powerful tribes of Indians in the State. The first settlers were German Palatinates, and the policy which they adopted towards the natives strongly attached a majority of them to the interests of the settlers. During the subsequent wars between the English and French, the Five Nations were faithful allies of the English and in many instances shielded them from hostile attacks. In 1665-6 a French expedition consisting of 600 men under De Courcelles and De Tracy, was sent against the Indians. It proceeded as far as Schenectady, but after much suffering and the loss of many men the army returned to Canada without accomplishing anything. Several expeditions were sent against the western tribes during the next few years, and by way of retaliation the Indians made a descent against Montreal in 1689 and laid waste a large tract of country and destroyed many lives. In retaliation several expeditions were sent against the Indians and English by Count Frontenace, one of which destroyed Schenectady in 1690. The Indians had three castles in the Mohawk Valley, one of which was at the mouth of Schoharie Creek, another at the mouth of Otsqaga, and a third at the mouth of the Nowadaga, in Herkimer County. In the winter of 1692-2 the French invaded this region and destroyed two of the castles and took about three hundred prisoners. In one engagement the French lost thirty of their number, and in their retreat were followed by Major Peter Schuyler, at the head of two hundred regulars and militia, who succeeded in killing about thirty and in rescuing about fifty prisoners. The remainder escaped and fled to Canada through the great northern wilderness. As early as 1642 the French Jesuits sent their missionaries among the Mohawks, and through their exertions some were induced to embrace the Roman Catholic religion and subsequently removed to Canada.

In 1711 a military post known as Fort Hunter was established near the mouth of Schoharie Creek, and about the same time a large number of German Palatinates, sent out by Queen Anne, settled on the Hudson, and soon after removed to the Mohawk Valley and settled on lands belonging to the Government. A considerable number of the Holland Dutch also settled in the County about the same time.

The land grants were issued on comparatively small tracts. In 1714 a tract of 2,000 acres was granted to John and Margaret Collins; in 1722, 6,000 acres to Lewis Morris & Co.; in 1723 a tract of 12,700 acres was granted to John Christian Garlock and others, for the benefit of the Palatinates, and called Stone Arabia. In 1737 a tract of 1 0,000 acres, south of the Mohawk, and 5,426 acres, north of the same stream, was grated to James De Lancey and others called De Lanceys Patent. Other grants were made, so that in 1760 but little remained in the County that had not been granted to some party.

About the year 1735, Sir Peter Warren, an Admiral in the British Navy, acquired the title to a large tract of land lying on the south side of the Mohawk, in the present town of Florida, and known as Warren's Bush. He sent his nephew, afterwards known as Sir William Johnson, to take the charge of it. Johnson at first located at the mouth of Schoharie Creek, but after obtaining the title to a tract of land north of the river, he erected a stone house, about three miles west of the village of Amsterdam, and made that his residence until his removal to Johnstown about 1762. This place was fortified and known as Fort Johnson, a name which it still bears. Through the influence of his uncle he obtained the appointment of Indian Agent, and by learning the language and adopting the dress and habits of the Indians whenever it appeared expedient, he acquired a greater influence over them than any other white man had ever before obtained. He died July 11, 1774. His son, Sir John Johnson, and his sons-in-law, Guy Johnson and Daniel Claus, were among the most influential of those who adhered to the King when the struggle for Independence began. The German Palatinates generally united with the Colonies, and the other settlers entertained similar sentiments, but for some time they were overawed by the Johnsons, and their efforts to organize were thwarted by the activity of the Tory leaders.

Tryon County was divided into six districts and for the purpose of a more thorough organization, delegates were appointed in each by the Patriots to form a Committee of Public Safety. These districts were Mohawk, adjoining Albany; Canajoharie, in the south side of the Mohawk; and Palatine on the north, extending up the river to Little Falls; German Flats and Kingsland, still further up the river; and Old England District, west of the Susquehanna. The first five 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 was changed to Kingsland, and Kingsland to German Flats. Old England District was formed April 3, 1775. Col. Guy Johnson had succeeded to the office of Indian Agent, and his acts were so aggressive and partisan that the Committee addressed a remonstrance. In June, 1775, he withdrew to Cosby's Manor, under pretense of holding a council with the Indians in the west part of the County, and shortly after fled to Montreal by 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 more liberal promises incited the Indians to active hostilities. In Canada he was joined by Joseph Brant, a distinguished and educated Mohawk Chief, and by John and Walter N. Butler, two Tories who gained an infamous notoriety for their barbarity, which surpassed that of the Indians. These persons had all resided in Tryon County and were well qualified by their knowledge of the settlements to lead marauding parties of Tories and Indians on their work of desolation. Sir John remained at the Hall, and though he could still count among his relatives and neighbors many adherents, yet he was not ignorant of the fact that the leaven of civil liberty was working among the Colonists to a greater extent than was desired by him. He therefore began to fortify Johnson Hall and to arm his attendants and make preparations to support actively the cause of the Crown whenever an opportunity should offer. The Committee of Safety suspecting that he was meditating hostilities and that he was in correspondence with Guy Johnson, determined to ascertain his intentions. For this purpose they addressed him the following letter:

"TRYON COUNTY COMMITTEE CHAMBER,}
October 26, 1775
Honorable Sir:
As we find particular reason to be convinced of your opinion in the questions hereafter expressed, we request that you will oblige us with your sentiments thereon in a few lines by our messengers, the bearers hereof, Messrs. Ebenezer Cox, James M'Master and John J. Clock, members of our Committee. We wish to know whether you will allow the inhabitants of Johnstown and Kingsborough to form themselves into companies according to the regulations of our Continental Congress for the defense of our country's cause; and whether your Honor would be ready himself to give his personal assistance to the same purpose; also whether you pretend a prerogative to our County Court House and Jail and would hinder or interrupt the Committee making use of the same to our want and service in the common cause. We do not doubt you will comply with our reasonable request and thereby oblige,
Honorable Sir,
Your obedient and humble servants,
By order of the Committee,
NICHOLAS HERKIMER, Chairman."

To this Sir John replied, that as to embodying his tenants, he never did or should forbid them; but they might save themselves further trouble as he knew his tenants would not consent. Concerning himself, sooner than lift his hand against his King, or sign any association, he would suffer his head to be cut off. As to the Court House and Jail, he would not deny the use of them for the purpose for which they were built, but that they were his property until he should be refunded seven hundred pounds. He further said he had been informed that two-thirds of the Canajoharie and German Flats people had been forced to sign the association.

Johnson continued his defensive works about the Hall, and it was currently reported that, in addition to his tenants and adherents, three hundred Indians were to garrison the works, to be let loose upon the settlement as occasion might offer.

Continue on to Part 2.

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