1780

The grandchildren this year are:

020109 Peter Christman (b.1780)
030401 Frederick Christman (b.1780)

Stimulated by Some Peculiar and Ever-Active Principle of Hostility

“It has been seen, from the commencement of the contest, that the Johnsons, and those loyalists from Tryon County most intimate in their alliance with them, appeared to be stimulated by some peculiar and ever-active principle of hostility against the former seat of the Baronet, and the district of county by which it was environed.”- William L. Stone

More Terror

“…Settlers were learning that General Sullivan’s massive campaign of destruction had only served to make the Indians more desperate. Raiding was general throughout the spring and summer of 1780 Colonel Daniel Brodhead, leading 500 to 600 men in month-long campaign along the Allegheny River and deep into Indian territory, retaliated by destroying the Mingo, Wyandot, and Seneca towns as well as some 500 acres of corn. Despite this, Mohawks, Senecas, and Cayugas launched a devastating attack against the Americans’ principal ally, the Oneidas, pushing them back to Schenectady. In March 1780, the militia garrison at Skenesboro, near Lake George, was overrun and captured. Harpersfield fell a few weeks later to Joseph Brant. From Canajoharie to the northern end of the Wyoming Valley small parties of Indians terrorized the frontier.

Then, on May 21, 1780, Sir John Johnson organize a massive assault on the forts and strong houses of the Mohawk Valley. With 400 Tories and 200 Indians, he burned Johnstown on May 23 while Brant hit Caughnawaga. – Alan Axelrod

June

NEW YORK By the latest intelligence from Schenectady, in New York, we are informed that Sir John Johnson, (who styles himself lieutenant-colonel commanding the King’s Royal Yorkers, in the paroles given to some of the prisoners,) on Lord’s day evening, the twenty-first of last month, (May,) made his first appearance at Johnson Hall, undiscovered by any but his friends, who, no doubt, were in secret. On Monday, about daybreak, they began to burn all the houses except those of the Tories; beginning at Aaron Putnam’s, below Tripe’s Hill, and continued burning to Anthony’s Nose, or Acker’s house, except a few which, by the vigilance of the people, were put out after the enemy had set them on fire. There are burnt, thirty three houses and out-houses, and a mill; many cattle were killed in the field, and sixty or seventy sheep burnt in a barn. Eleven persons were killed. Colonel Fisher and his two brothers fought with great bravery, when the two brothers were killed and scalped. The colonel went upstairs and there defended himself; but, being overpowered, was knocked down and scalped, on which they plundered the house, set it on fire, and went off. The colonel reviving a little, though he was left by the enemy for dead, pulled one of his dead brothers out of the house, then in flames; the other was consumed in the house. It is said that the mother had a narrow escape for her life, being knocked on the head by an Indian, who had formerly been used by him in kindness, and professed much gratitude.
Old Mr. Fonda was cut in several parts of his head with a tomahawk. Had it not been for the alertness of Mr. Van Vrank, probably more would have been butchered by their savage hands. He alarmed the people along the way to Caughnawaga, who, by crossing the river, saved their lives.
Having done all the mischief to the distressed inhabitants they possibly could, they returned to Johnson Hall in the afternoon, when Johnson dug up his plate, about sundown and marched for the Scotch Bush, about four miles, that evening. He took with him about fifteen or twenty of his Negroes, who had been sold. Several of his tenants and others are gone with him...New-Jersey Gazette, June 21

Brant, leading a force of 500 Indians and Tories, overran Canajoharie on August 1 and 2.

“In the spring of 1780, the Indians again made their appearance, infuriated, rather than humbled, by the destruction of their villages and grain the previous summer.
General Clinton gave the following orders to Colonel Gansevoort, dated

“Albany, June 6, 1780. “SIR,-“You will proceed with your regiment as soon as possible to Fort Plank, where you will find a quantity of provisions, destined for the use of the garrison at Fort Schuyler, which you will take into your charge and escort to that post.

“As the enemy are said to be out in force on the Mohawk River, it is absolutely necessary that you should pay the strictest attention to prevent a surprise; and, in case of attack, to defend the stores to the last extremity; the present situation of the garrison points out the absolute necessity of this caution.

“You will receive a supply of provisions before you march, for the use of your troops, to the end that you may not make use of that destined for the garrison. If you should fall short, you must impress from the inhabitants, avoiding every degree of irregularity.”

Brant, sagacious, and generally successful where he directed, had caused a rumor to be circulated that he intended to capture the batteaux, in order to divert attention from other points of attack. This plan succeeded in August following; when, on account of a similar report, the militia of Canajoharie were ordered out to guard a number of batteaux to Fort Schuyler. Brant made a circuit through the woods, and coming in the rear of them, laid waste the whole country around Canajoharie.

The following account of this movement is given by Col. Samuel Clyde, in a letter to Gov. George Clinton, dated

“Canajoharie, August 6th, 1780. “SIR,-“I here send you an account of the fate of our district. On the second day of this inst., Joseph Brant, at the head of about four or five hundred Indians and Tories, broke in upon the settlements, and laid the best part of the district in ashes, and killed sixteen of the inhabitants that we have found; took between fifty and sixty prisoners, mostly women and children, twelve of whom they have sent back. They have killed and drove away with them upwards of three hundred head of cattle and horses; have burnt fifty-three dwelling-houses, beside some out- houses, and as many barns, one very elegant church, and one grist-mill, and two small forts that the women fled out of.

They have burnt all the inhabitants’ weapons and implements for husbandry, so, that they are left in a miserable condition. They have nothing left to support themselves, but what grain they have growing, and that they cannot get saved for want of tools to work with, and very few to be got here.

“This affair happened at a very unfortunate hour, when all the militia of the county were called up to Fort Schuyler to guard nine bateaux about half laden. It was said the enemy intended to take them on their passing to Fort Schuyler. There was scarce a man left that was able to go. It seems that everything conspired for our destruction in this quarter; one whole district almost destroyed, and the best regiment of militia in the county rendered unable to help themselves or the public. This, I refer you to Gen. Rensselaer for the truth of.

“This spring, when we found that we were not likely to get any assistance, and knew that we were not able to withstand the enemy, we were obliged to work and build ourselves forts for our defense, which we had nearly completed, and could have had our lives and effects secure, had we got liberty to have made use of them. But that must not be, we must turn out of them; not that we have anything against assisting the general to open the communication to Fort Schuyler, but still anticipated what has happened while we were gone. But it was still insisted on that there was no danger when we were all out; that in my opinion there never has been such a blunder committed in the county since the war commenced, nor the militia so much put out; and to send generals here without men, is like sending a man to the woods to chop without an ax. I am sensible, had the general had sufficient men, that he would have been able to have given satisfaction both to the public and inhabitants here.” – Jeptha Simms

“From there Brant started down the Ohio, where he intercepted and ambushed a Pennsylvania militia force under Archibald Lochry. Out of 100, 5 officers and 35 men were killed and 48 men and 12 officers captured.

Triumphant, Brant and his men turned back north an rejoined Johnson for a continued assault on Tryon County, New York. Johnson, Brant, and a Seneca chief named Cornplanter met at Unadilla. As a force of 1,800 they descended upon the Schoharie Valley on October 1 and then progressed up the Mohawk River, burning everything they encountered. A small militia force of 13, men led by Colonel John Brown out of Fort Paris, near Stone Arabia, was cut to pieces by the far superior Tory Indian force at Fort Keyser, an abandoned outpost.” - Alan Axelrod

Fort Paris

“This was a palisaded enclosure of strong block- houses, within the grounds, and was intended to accommodate a garrison of 200 or 300 men, if necessary, as also its exposed inhabitants. It was commenced in December, 1776, and completed in the spring of 1777. It was situated between three and four miles to the northeast of Fort Plain, and stood upon the summit of ground half a mile north of the Stone Arabia churches, a dozen rods from the road, almost cast of a now district school- house. The station was a sightly one, and springs issuing a little to the north of it would run to the Sacondaga, while those on its southerly side would flow to the Mohawk.

This was an important post, and was usually manned by a company or two of rangers. [0206 Nicholas Christman was in Winns Rangers, and Lieut. Billington was in Getmans Rangers] Col. Klock and his Lieut.Col. Wagner, had much to do with its immediate command. In the fall of 1779 and winter following, it became the headquarters of Col. Frederick Visscher, who commanded that and its adjacent military posts. [ A deserter was shot that year] The merchant Isaac Paris, one of the most influential and reliable men its vicinity, was complimented with its name. At this post, and in its neighborhood, were enacted many a thrilling scene, too many of which, alas, are now forgotten. Since this account was written, the following paper has turned up-possessed by Mr. Nellis Getman, of Ephratah-which discloses another reason why the fort took on the name of Paris:

“IN COMMITTEE CHAMBER OF TRYON COUNTY, December 19th, 1776.
“Resolved, That the Rangers of Capt. Christian Getman’s company, stationed at Stone Arabia, shall, in the time of their leisure, when and which of them are not employed in ranging, cut timber for building a certain fort in the said place, under the sole direction and command of Isaac Paris, Esq. “Extract of the minutes. “JNO. EISENLORD, Secretary.” – Jeptha Simms

Johann Jacob Christman, called Jacob Jr., spent much time at Fort Paris. He was a corporal in the 2nd Regiment of the Militia. One evening he was on his way home [Lot 93, Stone Arabia Patent] from the fort. Passing Mr. Gramp’s sugar bush he discovered several Tories in a camp. Without being observed he returned to the fort with the information. A detachment was sent and the Tories were captured. Back at Fort Paris they were apparently beaten for information, but without success.

The Battle of Stone Arabia

“November, 1843, from Maj. Joseph Spraker, of Palatine. Col. Brown left Fort Paris, on. the morning of his death, with a body of levies and militia; and as he passed Fort Keyser, a little stockade, at which a small stone dwelling was inclosed - perhaps a mile south of Fort Paris, and about two miles distant from the river-he was joined by a few militiamen there assembled, making his effective force from 150 to 200 men.[Johann Jacob Christman, His brother Nicholas Christman, and brother-in-law Lieut. Billington]

He met the enemy nearly half way, from Fort Keyser to the river. They were discovered on the opposite side of a field which contained some under-brush, and which was partly skirted by a forest. As the Indians were observed behind a fence on the, opposite side of the field, Capt. Casselman remonstrated with Brown against his leaving the covert of the fence; but the hero, less prudent on this occasion than usual, ordered his men into the field, and they had hardly begun to cross it, before a deadly fire was opened upon them; which was returned with spirit but far less effect, owing to the more exposed condition of the Americans. Brown maintained his position for a time but seeing the Indians gaining his flank, he ordered a retreat about which time (nearly 10 o’clock, Am.), he received a musket ball through the heart, as I learned from Jacob I. Ecker.

The enemy pressed on so as to render it impossible for his men to bear off his body, and the brave Colonel was left to, his fate.

At the fall of their commander, some of the Americans fled toward the Mohawk, and others north into the forest. Two of them took refuge in the dwelling of the late Judge Jacob Ecker, in the hope of defending themselves, but the house was surrounded by a party of Indians, who set it on fire, and laughed at the shrieks of its inmates who perished in the flames.

None of the citizens who were not in the battle, it is believed, were either killed or captured, they having gained one of the two forts, or sought safety in the woods.
Here is an incident of the conflict: After Col. Brown fell, the Americans retreated. While the armies were engaged, Samuel Woolworth-one of Brown’s men—unconsciously got several charges in his gun, not heeding the increasing length of the ramrod-supposing his gun discharged, as the priming burned. Retreating, he was pursued by three Indians, on whom he fired, when he became aware of the nature of the charge, as he was sprawling on the ground, his gun lying several feet from him. As he regained his piece, he saw one of the enemy supported by his fellows, evidently in a dying condition. He was again pursued by other foes who fired on him, whose fire he returned, having reloaded without halting. After hard running he eluded his foe and reached Fort Paris. After the enemy had left, a visit to the field of carnage disclosed to Woolworth a dead Indian across a log, near where he fired on his first pursuers ; one of whom had no doubt received the contents of his over-loaded gun. Woolworth died at Fort Ann, N. Y., in 1811.-David Woolworth, of Hamilton county, a son of Samuel I. Woolworth.

John Zielie, a captain of militia, had charge of Fort Keyser on that day. George Spraker, father of informant, and John Waffle, elderly men ; Joseph and Conrad Spraker, brothers -, William Waffie, Warner Dygert, and possibly one or two other young men, were all who were ready to aid Capt. Z. in the defense of his little fortress, when the British regulars passed near it in column, soon after Brown’s engagement. It might easily have fallen into their hands, had they known the number of its defenders. The few men in it were at the port holes, each with his gun and a hat full of cartridges by his side, but restrained their firing from motives of policy. Within hearing of this stockade, the enemy sounded a bugle to collect his forces, while several tin horns were also heard blown with the same intent. Informant had two older brothers under Col. Brown, who effected their escape after lie fell.

Soon after the enemy were out of sight, the four young men named, proceeded in the direction the firing had been heard, and leaping a fence into the fatal field, Joseph Spraker stood beside the remains of the ill-fated Brown. His scalp had been taken off so as completely to remove all the hair on his head; this was unusual, as only the crown scalp was commonly taken, but knowing his distinction and prowess, we may justly infer the red man’s motive. He was stripped of every article of his clothing, except a ruffled shirt. The four young militiamen-the Spraker brothers, Waffle and, Dygert-took the body of their fallen chief, and bore it in their arms to Fort Keyser. The remains of most of the soldiers who fell in this battle were buried in one pit, and Col. Brown with them; but a day or two after, it was opened and his remains removed to a place of interment near the churches. Col. Brown was of middling stature, with dark eyes and a fine Military countenance ; he usually wore glasses. He was agreeable and urbane in his manners, but possessed a spirit when in danger, fearless as the dashing cataract.

He fell deeply lamented by his numerous friends, and the few silver-haired heroes of his acquaintance who survived for me to converse with, were enthusiastic in his praise.

The Burial of Col. Brown’s Men. – I learned from George M. Bauder Esq., a son of Michael Bauder who was a Ranger in the Revolution- where this burial took place., His mother was Lana, a daughter of John Klock-the Bauders and Klocks were among the earliest German families in Palatine, [Klock was Dutch] where informant was born August 28, 1768, and where he has always resided, honored for his integrity. And, I may add, be still holds a military 160 acre land warrant, for his own services at Sacketts Harbor in 1814. After the Stone Arabia battle, John Klock drew the bodies of Brown’s men together on a sled, but there was no snow on the ground. They were brought near Fort Paris which stood between “The Corners,” [Christman Corners - As per 1945 USGS Topographic Map.] and interred, as now believed, a few rods southeast of the present school-house. The Pit dug was a trench some 12 by 15 feet, sufficiently wide to take in two lengths of bodies; and; upon its brink stood Miss Lana Klock and saw the remains deposited. They were laid in side by side in the clothes in which they fell, without coffins ; but their number is unknown. It was probably 20 or 30. Some who fell in their flight from the battlefield -were elsewhere interred. The general interment near the fort has been corroborated by -Benj. Getman, -Michael Wick and Henry Lasher, all three being octogenarians.

Just how many fell in the Stone Arabia battle is unknown- Col. Stone gave the number as from 40 to 45, which I think closely aggregates the number. The loss of the enemy that day- was unknown, but having so greatly the advantage in numerical force, it probably did not exceed one-half the American loss. Most of the Americans slain were New England men.

Incidents Growing out of the Battle. - After Col. Brown fell, many of his men borne down by numbers fled westward, and quite a number were overtaken and slain on the Judge Jacob Eacker farm, a mile northerly from Palatine Bridge. It has been stated that six men took shelter behind a large rock, from, which they made several shots, but the enemy getting in their rear they were all cut off. After hours of concealment with his family and the enemy had been called westward by tin-horns, Judge Eacker sallied out to survey the burned district on which his own buildings had stood in the morning. A little back of the mansion which he erected in 1803, he found an American drummer-boy still alive, who had been scalped by the Indians. He was conveyed to Fort Paris, properly cared for and while convalescing he was sent to his Connecticut home, and was not again heard from again.

Jack, a valuable slave owned by Judge Eaker, was coaxed to go along with the slaves of Bernard Frey, in his early flight to Canada. In Sullivan’s expedition this slave was captured and Returned to his former master - a circumstance not mated in my investigations. Judge. E. gave Jack 25 cents each, to bring together and bury all the dead soldiers he could find scattered upon his farm-and thus was he supplied with pocket money for sometime. Eaker had a stack of wheat in William Ehle’s woods adjoining his own which escaped the torch, and this still supplied his family with food ; but the rest of his property shared the general fate of his patriotic neighbors.- Jacob I. Eaker

After the battle, one Loucks, a militiaman, was found dead near the John Eacker place, who, as he had no wounds, was supposed to have run himself to death. The John Eacker house, a stone edifice, was not disturbed ; the enemy probably thinking it fortified-hence dare not approach it.

Col. Andrew Gray’s house was the only one in its neighborhood that escaped burning.

It was set on fire and extinguished by his brother with milk from the cellar. An Indian was running with a fire-brand toward the barn, when Gray raised a window to fire upon him and he scampered off. This family saved several stacks of hay by a timely sally of Americans from the fort, who fired on the barn-burners and they decamped – Jacob I. Eacker.

The First Shot fired by Brown’s men after leaving tile fort, was by George Getman, who saw an lndian pursuing two women who were fleeing with bundles, supposed of clothing, from their own home. The Indian fired-one of them fell, and as he was running up to scalp her, Getman’s rifle brought him down. The other woman escaped.- George Bauder, then a boy at Fort Paris.

Escape of Snell and Getman - Fleeing from the battle- ground, George Getman, a militia man, overtook a Young Yankee soldier, who seized hold of his bayonet belt, much assisting him but retarding the flight of the former. After proceeding in this manner awhile, the belt broke and the lad fell behind, soon to be tomahawked and scalped.

Getman was running east and came to a bar-way in a fence, the middle bar was down, and as he stooped to pass through he heard a bullet strike the board ,over his head. His gun was loaded, but unluckily the flint had fallen from the lock. He was not pursued any farther, and in passing a fallen tree in a little course he heard a voice saying, “Come here, brother!” Concealed under this tree he found Jacob Snell (afterwards a county judge), a brother militiaman, with a wounded shoulder.

They both adjusted their gun-looks, soon after which a single Indian came within gun-shot and stepped upon a stump for observation. The fugitives had a deadly aim upon him but, not knowing how near other savages might be, they did not fire; but had he discovered them he would no doubt have fallen. Giving a few whoops, he disappeared.

Getman, with his hat off, was in the act of examining Snell’s wound, when a hawk flew down and struck its talons into his bald scalp, lacerating it and causing the blood to flow freely. Not seeing the bird, he thought an Indian had struck him, but,. turning round and seeing no third person, he knew not what hurt him, until Snell informed him.

His wound bled more freely than did his companion’s. On hearing his cause of alarm, Getman exclaimed-“ Blitz, that’s a warning.” After hearing the signals to call the Indians westward, they passed up a ravine and reached Fort Paris in safety.- Casper Getman, Jacob I. Eaker and Others.” – From Jeptha Simms

The Burning of Stone Arabia

“Col. Andrew Gray’s house was the only one in its neighborhood that escaped burning.” – Jeptha Simms.

“Among the Audited Accounts in the New York State Archives is an item (#132) for E-154.11.2, dated I November 1784, “State of New York, Dr. to Mary Snell, widow of George late sergeant in Col. Klock’s regiment of Montgomery Co., militia - To seven years half pay which I am entitled to, by the death of my husband, Geo. Snell, who was slain in the field on the 6th August 1777 as per Col. Klock’s certificate.”

The pension file of his son, Jacob Snell (823429, S28608), in the National Archives contains several references to the death of Jacob’s father at Oriskany. The file also shows that George’s family continued to suffer after his death. In November 1833 Peter C. Fox deposed that Jacob served at Brown’s Battle 19 October 1780; “ in the morning when leaving his place of residence, turning his back on leaving, the worth of Thousands behind, when returning after Browns Battle finding Nothing left, but the soil, which God hath created from the Beginning All desolate, consumed to ashes, and destroyed, and homestead & field left naked.” With his mother and family, Jacob resided at Fort Paris during the remainder of the fall, and during the winter they lived with the family of Peter C. Fox’s father until early spring when they returned to Fort Paris until late the next fall. This loss was suffered at the time of the burning of Stone Arabia which coincided with Brown’s Battle. In the same file is a deposition from Joseph Waggoner of Minden, 13 February 1832, that “the Enemy had caused [19 October 1780] a general Conflagration almost to the whole settlement of Stonearabia without leaving a Straw to the said Jacob, or his afflicted Mother and Sisters.” – David Kendall Martin;18th Century Snell Family.

“After Col. Brown fell, the enemy, scattered in small bodies, were to be seen in every direction, plundering and burning the settlements in Stone Arabia” - Jeptha Simms

“In the course of a five-day raid Johnson and his Indian allies had destroyed as much as General Sullivan had in a month-long campaign.” –Alan Axelrod

“On November 2 Sir John sent in an additional report. “The Crops at Scoharie, the Mohawk River &c, he exulted, “were never known to be so great since the first Settlement of that Country as they were this year, and as they had sent very little to Market, and we destroyed every grain before us for Near fifty Miles, their loss at the most moderate computation, cannot Amount to less than Six hundred Thousand Bushells of different kinds.”

The rebels agreed that great damage had been done, with many persons, both soldiers and civilians, killed or captured. Governor Clinton estimated the property loss as at least two hundred dwellings and 150,000 bushels of wheat. So great was the devastation that he feared to let the whole story get into the newspapers. Colonel William Malcolm of the Continental army who was on the Mohawk immediately afterward noted that “Everything except the soil is destroyed from Fort Hunter to Stone Arabia.””

As for Schoharie, it was all burned. Hardly more was left than the bleached driftwood in the creek which gave the place its strange Indian name. – Isabel Thompson Kelsay

It is possible that the 02 Christman homes were burned at this time. There is no grave for 02 Jacob’s wife Catherine, or his youngest son 02060Nicholas’ wife, Ann Eve.

These two women may have been burned to death in their homes, the sites being where 02 Jacob and 0206 Nicholas are buried.

The Pursuit of Sir John Johnson’s Force

“It was now nearly sunset, and in trying to get back to the highway Sir John and his men found themselves opposed by the militia who had finally come up and had posted themselves behind fences, houses, and trees. After a while the rebels moved back and formed in considerable force under the protection of their fort at Klock’s. Sir John’s Indians, finding the enemy so strong,” fled on their horses in panic across the river. Seeing this, the rebels were encouraged, and advanced under cover of trees and fences, firing heavily. Part of Sir John’s forces gave way, and the rebels raised a cheer. Sir John then fired his cannon and that, whether it was aimed properly or not, silenced them. It was now dark, and all was confusion among both pursued and pursuers. In this confusion some of Sir John’s troops got separated from the main body. Sir John does not say so, but he was pretty close to a rout for he lost his cannon and much of his baggage.” - Isabel Thompson Kelsay

“Finding himself pursued, Col. Johnson halted his men a little below St. Johnsville and prepared to give his pursuers battle. “And,” said Henry Smith, “on the lands of John Richard Failing, and near the former Edwin Snell place, a battle occurred. It could hardly be called a battle, for scarcely had it begun ere the end came.” But with the few shots exchanged, several were killed and wounded on both sides. It grew dark so fast after the armies were in array, that both parties, from fear of shooting their own men, were willing to adjourn for more light-at least such was a subsequent statement at Van Rensselaer’s court martial. Sir John was compelled to retreat to a peninsula in the river, where he encamped, with his men much wearied. His situation was such that he could have been taken with ease. Col.’Duboise, with a body of levies, took a position above him to prevent his proceeding up the river; Gen. Van Rensselaer, with the main army below[ 0304 Nicholas Christman]; while Col. Harper, with the Oneida Indians, gained a position on the south side of the river, nearly opposite. The General gave express orders that the attack should be renewed by the troops under his own immediate command, at the rising of the moon, some hour in the night. Instead, however, of encamping on the ground from which the enemy had been driven, as a brave officer would have done, he fell back down the river and encamped three miles distant. The troops under Duboise and Harper could hardly be restrained from commencing the attack long before the moon arose ; but when it did, they waited ,with anxiety to hear the rattle of Van Rensselaer’s musketry.

The enemy, who encamped on lands owned by the late Judge Jacob G. Klock, spiked their cannon, which was there abandoned ; and soon after the moon appeared, began to move forward to a fording place just above the residence of Nathan Christie, and not far from their encampment. Many were the denunciations made by the men under Duboise and Harper against Van Rensselaer, when they found he did not begin the attack, and had given strict orders that their commanders should not. They openly stigmatized the General as a “ coward “ and “ traitor;” but when several hours had elapsed, and he had not yet made his appearance, a murmur of discontent pervaded all. Harper and Duboise were compelled to see the troops under Johnson and Brant ford the river and pass off unmolested, or disobey the orders of their commander, when they could, unaided, have given them most advantageous battle. Had those brave Colonels, at the moment the enemy were in the river, taken the responsibility of disobeying their commander as Murphy had done at Schoharie three days before, and commenced the attack in front and rear, the consequences must have been very fatal to the retreating army, and the death of Col. Brown and his men promptly avenged.-.Jacob Becker, a Schobarie militiaman.

The invaders headed back to Oneida by various routes, a fact which probably saved them much grief, for the next morning the rebels wasted a good deal of time trying to decide which trail to follow.” At Oneida, on October 23, the main body defeated and captured a small scout from Fort Stanwix who had been sent out to destroy their boats at Onondaga Lake. To their great relief they reached the boats the next day, found them intact, and so got safety back to Oswego on October 26.”
– Isabel Thompson Kelsay

“Wounded during Johnson’s raid, Joseph Brant was out of action until early 1781, when he returned to the Mohawk Valley with a vengeance-though few families remained in the area. [Brant was shot in the foot]

On the frontiers of New York affairs had come to their lowest ebb. The supervisors of Tryon County reported, on December 20, 1780, the results of a census which they had taken to determine the extent of the war’s damage. Uncultivated farms, they declared, numbered at least twelve hundred, and 354 families had abandoned their farms entirely and had left the county. This, they added, was only a partial count. In some places, such as Cherry Valley, Springfield, and Harpersfield, there was nobody left to make an enumeration. Such were the economic casualties out of a prewar population that has been estimated at perhaps ten thousand. So deserted were the Mohawk valley and once-thriving neighborhoods to the north and south, that Schenectady, which had not been a frontier since the early days of the century, came near again to marking the outermost limit of civilization.” – Alan Axelrod

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