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Schoharie County History

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.