Speech about Indian Castle's History, presented by Joyce Berry on Colonial Sunday
The Area around Indian Castle
Our valley is very beautiful, but it took millions of years to form. The land underwent a lot of upheaval and the continents collided, not just once but many times. Three times Africa crashed into the American continent, crumbling the land to make mountains, and then it pulled away and over time the land smoothed again. Each time, the process consumed millions of years. The last time, Cape Cod stuck, a part of Africa. From all the collisions, the land was left with stress fissures, cracks.
Most of New York was covered with ICE during the last ice age, and when the ice melted, it found the stress fissures, which the water widened. You have seen water widen a path, I am sure. It takes persistence to widen a path through rock, and it takes millions of years to accomplish. The Mohawk is one of our continent's oldest rivers. It was formed by the melting ice cap and it was a huge torrent of water, 60 feet in height, it reached to the top of the hills along its banks. Once the ice cap melted far enough north, the St. Lawrence began helping to drain the water, and the high water in the Mohawk River dropped.
The Term "Native American" is a misnomer, America had no people who were native to its land. Early man crossed the land bridge from Asia, when oceans were lower. The first people who lived in our valley were the Algonquins, then the Iroquois came about 1570-1590. They were a fierce and warlike people, from the north; what we know as Canada. The Iroquois formed a Confederation, which gave the tribes strength and unity in times of war. At first, the Iroquois lived only north of the river in wooden longhouses. They were a matrilineal society, the women held the land and provided the necessities because the men were away for long periods of time.
First the Dutch and French came into the valley, but the land into the Mohawk was difficult to explore, the Mohawks were the keepers of the Easter Gate and did not let many white faces into their lands. The Red Man lived in the area of Tumbling waters, at East Creek where they had easy hunting, a lot of water, and easy transportation. When the white man began to come into the valley, their wise leader, King Hendrick moved his people to the south side of the river, Indian Castle where the white man's taverns and alcohol were not as easily accessible. Castle is their name for a village or settlement.
This area was known as Canoharee by Native Americans. At the time of the early settlers, they were living in homes, much like the white settlers though their homes tended to be smaller and one simple room. The Historical marker for Fort Hendrick, also across the road is mislabeled, the fort was to the east several miles by the crossing from East Creek. Buzz Flanders pointed this out to me recently and showed me some old maps where the fort was clearly labeled. As you know, a village about 10 miles east of here is called Canajoharie today.
Around the church are two Cemeteries, one still in use, the other is overgrown and thought to contain bodies of early settlers and Indians.
Important people in the history of Indian Castle
Of course there was Sir William Johnson, born in 1715, died in 1774. He was an English Baronet. William came to America to manage the holdings of his uncle, Admiral Sir Peter Warren. He became known through trade with the Indians by learning their language and customs as well as treating them fairly. Later, he held the rank of Major General in the British Militia and distinguished himself in the border warfare with the French. In 1748, he was put in command of all the New York colonial forces, and in 1755, he was appointed "Sole Superintendent of the Affairs of the Six United Nations, their Allies and Dependents". He held this position until his death, July 11, 1774, age 59.
Sir William became interested in Joseph Brant, the Mohawk Indian Chief, and later took Brant's sister, Molly, as his common-law wife. He was subsequently knighted for his service in the French and Indian War and given 100,000 acres of land in the Mohawk Valley. During extensive meetings on a hot July day in 1774, where he was trying to convince the Indians to align themselves with the English during the looming problems, he was stricken and later died.
King Hendrick, was an outstanding giant in white/red man relations. He was born between 1680 and 1690, a Mohegan by birth, a Mohawk by adoption. A Great leader, close friend and confidant to Sir William Johnson King Hendrick threw his influence into peace and morality. He helped knit white man and red and preserve the treaty of peace between the 6 Nations and the crown. He was well known for his powers of oration, and served his people under Peter Schuyler and Sir William Johnson. During his productive life, he made a voyage to England and there received honors at court. Early on he saw the evil of liquor, and was foremost in lobbying for legislation barring traders from selling it to his people. He was greatly admired at home and abroad, eloquent, displayed sound judgment.
Hendrick signed deeds with the sign of the bear, upside down, since he was standing on other side of table from the clerk. Other Mohawk signs: Wolf and Turtle, the three clans of the Mohawk Tribe.
King Hendrick or Hendrick Peters Theyanoguin, a member of the Bear Clan, was a Christian, his name appears on the Fort Hunter register of communicants. When Albany speculators attempted to secure his own lands about Indian Castle, he became an aggressive advocate of Indian rights and fought hard for his rights and for the rights of his people. He was universally friendly with the white settlers whom he allowed to come into the country and reside long before any land grants were given. The Klocks, Zimmermans, and other early traders, all knew Hendrick and were friendly with him. An untutored savage, educated only in the way of nature and red man, Hendrick was respected by both races, he stood tall beside the white man and lost nothing by comparison. His reasoning and philosophy compared favorably with the best modern man. Early on, he saw the power of whites and realized nothing would be gained by war and instead sought peace, justice and used diplomacy with his powers of oratory and advocacy. Through his behavior, he earned the respect of all. He died in battle at Lake George, Sept. 8, 1755.
There is a story, perhaps only a story, about Sir William and King Hendrick. Supposedly King Hendrick said to his friend, "I dream." Sir William asked what about. Hendrick replied, "A new suit of clothes, like yours." "Then you shall have them," declared his friend.
Shortly thereafter, Sir William had a dream. "I dream" he told Hendrick. "What about?" Hendrick asked. "Land, much land." And Sir William told which lands he dreamed about. "Then you shall have them", said Hendrick. Then he leaned close and said, "But dream no more."
Joseph Brant was the last figure of stature from Indian Castle, the last chieftain, a man truly caught by the Winds of Change. Of course he aligned himself with his friend, and mentor, Sir William Johnson. After his friend's death, he aligned himself with Sir William's heir, Sir John Johnson. Joseph was educated, cultured, and traveled abroad. This was his home and his land and he fought for his lands and home every much as did the valley residents.
A number of years ago, the basement of Brant's home was excavated by NYS archeologists and the ruins of some of the Native American homes. There was quite a settlement of small homes in this area.
Many atrocities attributed to Joseph Brant were not done by him. In fact during the time of the Wyoming Massacre, he was abroad. Walter Butler and Sir John Johnson were the culprits. Of the 308 Recorded Battles fought in revolution, 92 were in New York State, and most in Montgomery (Tryon County). Everything west of Albany up to Indian Territory was Tryon County. Because the war went against the Mohawks, Joseph Brant and people left the valley and went to live in Brantford, Ontario, Canada.
The Church's origins: Here the missionaries of the Protestant faith made their stand for England and the Protestant faith against the "Black Robes", or Jesuits from France, who were coming into the valley, deeper each year. The church was originally an Anglican (Church of England) mission church. Indian Castle is believed to be the only surviving colonial Anglican Mission Church in America.
The Mohawks and the Anglican Church first associated in early 18th century. Anglicanism was the State Religion, its liturgy contained statements of loyalty to the English monarch. Sir William wanted to insure the Mohawks would support and preserve the established order. The lower Castle was at Fort Hunter, Queen Anne built a substantial church for their worship, supplied by Anglican ministers. Christianity became very fashionable. Archeologists still find brass rings given for baptism to the Indians. In 1760's the Mohawks began to "tease" for their own church, and in 1769, Sir William built this church from his own funds for $1150 at the Upper Castle, Canajoharie. The dimensions are 50 X 32 feet with a bell furnished at the "earnest solicitation" of the Indians. Also, the steeple had a gilded ball above a weathercock.
The dedication sermon was preached by Rev. Harry Munro of Albany, but Sir William could not find a clergyman to regularly serve Indian Castle and he lamented about this in his letters.
Changes began almost at once for this church. Sir William died, 1774. Molly Brant, Joseph Brant's sister was common law wife of Sir William and after his death, she returned to her home at Indian Castle, with their children.
The Valley at war
It was from this church Molly Brant sent a warning to the British which resulted in the ambush of General Herkimer at Oriskany.
The war for Independence tore the valley apart. Approximately one third were neutral, one third were outright Loyalists, and one third were patriots. The sad part is that many Tories or Loyalists came back from Canada and helped wage war upon their neighbors. This part of the country as no other part, truly suffered during the war.
Little is know about the church during the war, however, an 1845 newspaper account mentions loopholes in the walls of the building. It probably was a shelter for homeless neighbors. It was not burned, probably because like some area other churches, the people hoped to return to their homes and churches after the war. Many Mohawks left the Upper Castle at the beginning of the war. Those who did not leave then, left in 1776 when the Whigs ransacked their homes in an act of retribution for the patriot losses at the Battle of Oriskany. With the loss of the war and confiscation of their lands, the Indians "removed" to Canada permanently.
The Bell
Indians loved bell, and felt it was theirs. It was an object of great pride and curiosity. They returned after the war to reclaim bell. One night they took it down, it is less than 100 lbs, concealed it, when they thought it safe, put it on a pole but failed to fasten the clapper. The ding dong betrayed what was happening and several armed neighbors rallied in pursuit for the bell. The natives abandoned it and fled.
Another tradition says they were placing it in a canoe when the clapper betrayed their position and being pursued the Indians threw it overboard. Before they could return to fish it out, the neighbors retrieved it and put it back in place.
You can view the bell, it is still in its place in the belfry.
After the War
The church served a number of Protestant congregations. The thrifty Germans seem to have been the first to claim the structure.
St. John's from across the river had a Dominie who was willing to serve the Castle Church. After a morning service in Zimmerman's (present day St. Johnsville), Dominie Dysslin forded the river or used a small boat to cross for afternoon services at the castle. In the evening, services were at the Reymensnyder's (Snell's Bush) German Reformed Church. The few available church records were found in the Dominie's German handwriting in St. John's records. All of the St. John's records can be found on the St. John's web site which is linked with the Indian Castle and Fort Klock web sites. It is assumed that the other churches who yoked with the church kept their records in the main church because there were no records which remained with Indian Castle.
A congregation was formed in 1800 under Rev. Christopher Pick who also served the Dutch Reformed Church of Canajoharie, located in the present day Fort Plain.
In later years, once again the church was joined with St. John's and served by Rev. Knieskern who also served the Manheim or Snell's Bush Church.
In 1820 a "Union Congregation" was formed. Presbyterians used the building from 1833 until about 1835, the Lutherans were active in 1838.
In 1848, Benson Lossing visited and sketched the church.
1855, a meeting of inhabitants living near the church to consider "repairing or rebuilding the church. Another Union Society was formed, Methodists, Presbyterians, Calvinists, Lutherans and Universalists cooperated.
It was decided to rebuild the church in part, in a Greek Revival form, turn the church 90 degrees, the arched Georgian windows replaced by rectangular frames.
One small original window in the south wall was retained, the steeple was modernized.
1925, regular services were discontinued. People turned to bigger and more elaborate buildings, and this church stood alone and empty.
Modern Day
Here it stands, though modernized in the past, owned and maintained by Indian Castle Church Restoration and Preservation Society a non-profit Board of Regents, chartered organization and is presently open to the public as an historic site. This old church still had one more hurdle in its continuing history.
On November 30, 1979, it was extensively damaged by fire, apparently the work of an arsonist. Here is the article from the Little Falls Evening Times.
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