When the Revolutionary War came to the valley, the people found themselves on a frontier exposed to raids by the Mohawk Iroquois Indians allied with the British.  In 1777, a force of Loyalist Americans and Indians tried to enforce the King's authority, even convincing tavern owner Captain George Mann of the local militia to "turn his coat."  This was during British General Burgoyne's campaign to drive through New York from Canada. A troop of continental dragoons, detached from the American forces at Albany, made the U.S. Army’s first cavalry charge — complete with bugle horn — defeating the Loyalists and Indians at the "Battle of the Flockey."

The Upper, Middle and Lower Forts were established along the Schoharie Creek to provide refuge in the event of another raid.  These were made by enclosing a sturdy building within a wooden wall or stockade.  The Lower (Stone) Fort was built in 1777 around the Dutch Reformed stone church, constructed in 1772 by the congregation of Foxesdorf, now part of Schoharie.

In October of 1780, a major raid led by Sir John Johnson and the Mohawk Chief Joseph Brant swept through the valley.  At this time, farmers in the Schoharie Valley were supplying huge amounts of grain to Gen. George Washington's Army, earning for it the nickname of "The Breadbasket of the American Revolution."

While the people took shelter in the forts, the raiders laid waste to the valley, burning houses, barns and crops.  Middle Fort might have been surrendered, if not for legendary rifleman Timothy Murphy, already a hero of the "Battle of Saratoga."  He fired on the British negotiating party in defiance of orders, helping to convince Sir John to move on.  The raiders then advanced to the Lower (Stone) Fort and bombarded it with their single cannon. 

After the war, the forts were dismantled and farming again became the dominant occupation in the Schoharie Valley, with the cultivation of wheat, flax, corn and hops occupying most people. Schoharie County was formed in 1795 and local government began to grow in importance with the arrival of New Englanders and immigrants.

The Civil War took many men from Schoharie.  By this time the Stone Fort was again in military use as an armory for the local regiments of New York Volunteers. Three Schoharie County natives received the Medal of Honor for their service.  Col. Delavan Bates served with the 30th U.S. Colored Troops, receiving the citation for "Gallantry in action where he fell, shot through the face, at the head of his regiment" at Cemetery Hill, VA.  Other recipients were Sgt. Luman L. Cadwell, who at Alabama Bayou, LA, "Swam the bayou under fire of the enemy," capturing a boat; and Sgt. John S. Kenyon, who in Trenton, NC, voluntarily "returned to face enemy fire and helped a man upon a horse," enabling him to escape capture or death.

On the evening in 1865 when President Abraham Lincoln was shot at Ford’s Theatre in Washington, D.C., Corporal James Tanner — a disabled army stenographer from Schoharie County -- was called to record the last moments of the President’s life. 

With peace, Americans enjoyed the products of the Industrial Revolution at home and on the farm.  Dog treadmills powered early machines that increased productivity as the 19th century progressed.

Come, See!  Schoharie County is an easy drive from just about anywhere.  While readily accessible from the interstates, visitors often come via one of the many other scenic routes.  A trip to Schoharie County from the historic Cooperstown area, the Mohawk Valley, Catskills Region or the Capital Region takes less than an hour.

Come see Schoharie County where there is always something different. Additional information is available by calling Schoharie County Tourism at 1-800-41-VISIT.

Little Known Facts

DID YOU KNOW...

The Old Stone Fort Museum in Schoharie has a 1731 fire engine thought to be the oldest in the state. 

First, Last and Most 

• The only New York State Governor to come from Schoharie was its 13th, William C. Bouck, 1842-1844.  He cut the executive household budget by having his wife do the cooking.  Often described as New York’s first farmer-governor, he was born, educated and married in Schoharie County. 
• The first drive-in theater in the United States was in the Village of Schoharie.  In the 1930's, the movie theater was Main Street, with road traffic diverted during the shows. 
• Mrs. Perry Taylor, Mayor of Schoharie, was New York State's first woman mayor and the state’s first licensed woman driver.  The first automobile accident in Schoharie County occurred in 1901.
• The last Revolutionary War veteran in Schoharie County, Nicholas Weeder, died in 1863.
• The flood plain of Vroman's land in Middleburgh is one of the richest, most fertile cornfields in the world.
• Fossil trees, dating back more than 370 million years, were first found in Schoharie County. 

Life for the Early Settlers 

During the Revolutionary War

• Nicholas Somers, the Schoharie Lutheran minister, was blind for 20 years before suddenly regaining his sight at an old age. 
• The population of old Schoharie in 1776 was probably less than 200 people. The 1778 Battle of Cobleskill was actually fought in Warnerville. 
• The first U.S. Continental Army commander in the Schoharie Valley in 1778 complained that the residents were all Tories.

The 20th Century

• Until the early years of the century, a dollar a day was the common wage for a laboring man. 
• From the 1860's to 1930's, Schoharie County had its own railroad, the Middleburgh and Schoharie. There was one car. 
• The favorite breakfast in old Schoharie in 1900 was buckwheat pancakes. 
• Schoharie students once rode the D&H Railroad to college classes in Albany. 
• Until less than 80 years ago, Schoharie farmers often paid their bill at the grocery store with butter and eggs. 
• As late as 1920, car owners in Schoharie stored their cars during the winter months, leaving the battery at the local hardware store to be kept charged. 

For more information and interesting facts about Schoharie County visit Schoharie County Chamber of Commerce website at http://www.schohariechamber.com

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