If any of you ever get the chance to visit upstate New York, I hope you'll follow the Mohawk River, from either side, as there are historical signs located all long the highways. Here you can read, and look upon the area where so much history has taken place from the early settlers who came up the Hudson River, then overland to come up the Mohawk River, or the Kings Highway. Many who settled along it's river banks, or move inland to a small village, and begin a new life. The Mohawk Valley Indians were always on guard for attacks, as early as 1660, the French, and Indians would attack the many Mohawk Castles along the river. In 1639 the first council was held between the Mohawk's, and the Dutch from Fort Orange in Albany. A Jesuit priest, Marquis de Lafayette ordered three forts to be built on the Schoharie Creek in 1778, with each fort containing one brass cannon. In 1646 Father Joques, a Jesuit Preist was murdered at the Shrine of Our Lady in Auriesville. The earliest settlement was by Palantines of a grant of 12,700 acres in 1723. They built the first church there at Palantine of logs in 1711, then a framed church in 1733. As the new settlers moved into the valley, ferries were added along the river, and many taverns dotted the Mohawk River, along with new farms, and gristmill's. Near Fort Hunter, Queen Anne's Chapel was built in 1712, which used as a meeting place for the Patriots during the American Revolution. In nearby Fort Hunter a fort was built in 1712 by Lieut. John Scott, which was 150 square foot with a blockhouse. In this small settlement the Dutch built the first school in 1757. Each new year the valley grew along its banks, and inland, from Albany, to Fort Stanwix. Cherry Valley was the one settlement that was the furthest from the Mohawk River. It was near here that my ancestor Robert Flint the Pioneer settled at Sprout Brook in 1749 four miles from Cherry Valley in a hamlet called Sprout Brook. There is an historical state marker telling of him, and where he lived, and died. There upon the hill is where I re-discovered this Ancient Burial of my ancestors. I will be adding pictures of this sacred cemetery on another page.
Early Morning Camp
Morning Militia Meeting
British on the March
Raid Begins
Copyright 2008 All rights reserved. All articles, and photos are by author, David Burton Flint Permission to use material from this site must be approved by the author.
