Greene
County
Historical Quiz
Answers
Quizzes and answers were located in the Coxsackie News, in 1952 and were written by George W. Bagley, President of the Greene County Historical Society at the time.
Transcribed by Sylvia Hasenkopf
Click here for questions
Historical Quiz #1
The Dutch in New Amsterdam shortly after their arrival called
the river which we designate as the Hudson, by a new name, which was the
"North River". The reason they gave for this new name was one of the
following:
ANSWER
5) To distinguish it from the Delaware River. The Dutch
claimed south to the Delaware which they called the South River, and to
northward where they called the Hudson the "North River" merely to
designate between these two great bodies of water.
The French when they discovered the lake we call Lake George gave it a name:
ANSWER
2) Lake St. Sacrament.
The Dutch started the slave trade in New Netherlands and all but one of the
following statements are true: Which is false?
ANSWER
3) Governor Stuyvesant freed all slaves in 1664. In fact
slavery continued in the colony long after the Revolution
Hans Vos, one of the earliest settlers at Catskill, is remembered:
ANSWER
2) Because a creek was named after him. Hans Vos built on the
stream which has taken his name, called today the "Hans Vosenkill." It
flows into the Catskill, near the foot of Jefferson Hill. Hans Vos was an early
settler, and at times helped other settlers to build their homes near the creek.
He had considerable difficulty with the authorities from time to time and while
he eventually got a political appointment in Albany, he does not appear to have
been an outstanding citizen.
Roeliff Jansen, after whom the Roeliff Jansen Kill was named (a creek which
empties into the Hudson almost across from Catskill) was in charge of the
farming for Patroon Van Rensselaer. All but one of the following statements is
true:
ANSWER
4) Her descendants sued and recovered the property. For years
the descendants of Annetje Jans fought to recover the property from Trinity
Church, but never succeeded. This was some of the most valuable real estate in
the lower part of the city. Dominie Bogardus, Annetje Jans second husband had a
great deal of trouble with Governor Kieft, and they were enemies. Eventually
they both went to Holland on the same ship to present their arguments. The ship
foundered just off the coast, an Governor Kieft and Dominie Bogardus both were
drowned.
Historical Quiz #2
Historical Quiz #3
Historical Quiz #4
In 1674 the Scotsman Robert Livingston arrived in New York and was able
to procure a huge tract of lands along the east bank of the Hudson. These
lands extended ten miles, opposite present Greene and Ulster counties. He
became the First Lord of the Manor. All but one of the following statements
is true:
ANSWER
3) He is always remembered for his kindness to the Palatines
History will not always judge a man, as did some of his contemporaries.
Livingston's tactics with the "Tar Maker's was considered an exploitation,
by many, and they resented his hold over their lives. History does tell,
however, that the Palatines were anxious to get away from Livingston's
Manor, since they could not buy land there, as they had hoped. The great
migration to Schoharie was partially prompted by these differences in
opinion.
Which Dutch Governor did not wear a pair of shoes?
ANSWER
4) Peter Stuyvesant
Peter Stuyvesant had one leg. Consequently, he did not wear a pair of shoes.
Stuyvesant lost his leg before coming to New Amsterdam, in an engagement
with a Portuguese man-of-war. A cannon-ball was supposed to have done the
trick.
In Jefferson Heights, during colonial times, was only one of the following:
ANSWER
5) A race track
Early Dutch colonials had a race track in the section now known as Jefferson
Heights. The flat land was suitable for for racing, and stories have been
told of many exciting races held there. Some of the Indians rode as
"jockeys" for the Dutch owners. To those os us who imagine the early days as
being ones of hardship, it comes somewhat as a relief to know that even the
Dutch farmers could relax and have a good time once in a while.
The Iroquois, known as the Five-Nations, were composed of the following
tribes: Mohawks, Senecas, Oneidas, Onondagas, Cayugas. Early in the
eighteenth century it was then referred to as the Six-Nations. The Sixth
tribe was:
ANSWER
5) The Tuscaroras
The Tuscaroras were southern Indians who had been forced out of their
hunting grounds by inroads of settlers, and moved northward into New York
where they became the Sixth Nation of the Long House.
The Canadian French and Iroquois were about to complete a lasting peace in
1688 when one of the greatest pieces of duplicity in history happened. All
but one of the following facts is true: Which is false?
ANSWER
3) The Hurons claimed to be mortified when they heard from the Iroquois
survivors the purpose of their trip
The Dionondodies, a subtribe of the Hurons, had a profitable trade with the
English at Michilimackinack. Their leader Adario, called "the Rat" by the
French, conceived the plan to set the French against the Iroquois and vice
versa, thereby driving a wedge between people who might have been friends,
but served his purpose better if fighting between themselves. Ever afterward
the French and Iroquois were enemies, each believing the other guilty of
duplicity. The only statement untrue was part of the last statement, that
the Hurons were offered membership in the Iroquois Confederacy. The Hurons
were always enemies of the Iroquois, and were never asked to join their
confederacy.
Historical Quiz #5
A prominent land mark on the Hudson River was designated by the English
sailors by what name?
ANSWER
4) Flying Corner
Just south of Athens is a prominent bend in the river and to the west is the
point designated as "Flying Corner". It was later called by other names,
such as Brandow's Point.
The early Dutch families often permitted their children to become indentured
servants of other families. History tells us that all but one of the
following is true:
ANSWER
3) A strong union was established of these servants
Oftentimes it was necessary to allow children to work for other families,
and since there was a "help-shortage" in Dutch days, every child who could
do so worked for someone. This was not considered demeaning, and oftentimes
master and servant enjoyed complete social equality in the community. The
children sent over from alms-houses often married well, in time, and became
social leaders. Of course, all servitude was not considered pleasant, and
many a servant ran away. Perhaps if they had organized some sort of a union,
like workers do today, they might have fared better, but nothing of this
sort happened, of course, and this is probably true because these indentured
servants worked at all kinds of jobs from clerks, to field hands, and
domestics. Many amusing instances are on record of young children being
returned by their parents to the person who hired them, despite the child's
homesickness, which caused the child to "run away" and return home!
While Indian tribes tended to move from one locality to another, the Indians
located near the village of Catskill, during the earliest colonial days were
mostly those of the tribe known by what name:
ANSWER
1) Esopus
The Esopus Indians, one of the branches of the great Delaware
tribe, inhabited this area. Each region had small sub-tribes scattered
about, and the so-called Catskill Indians were one of these. Important to
note is that the Mohawks never claimed Iroquois territory as far south as
Catskill, but their hunting grounds seem to have come down nearly to
Coxsackie. Occasional raids of war parties infiltrated the region around
Catskill, and the Mohican-Mohawk battle of an earlier period indicates that
the Mohicans were at one time a very strong tribe in this neighborhood.
On July 30, 1673, the Dutch fleet sailed back into the harbor of New York,
and demanded the colony surrender. This was a surprise and Governor Lovelace
had quite a problem in his hands. Captain John Manning, who was in charge of
the fort did all but one of the following:
ANSWER
2) After the messenger returned, the British soldiers defended the fort
to the last man.
Not a shot was fired. The fort surrendered peacefully though critics of
Manning said he need not have done this. Later the King broke his sword, and
disgraced him, which, though a disgrace for Manning, was preferable to
being shot, for his meek surrender of the fort!
England secured New York for the second time after peace was signed and in
1678 we find that the Colony of new York was listed with the following facts
except one. Which one?
ANSWER
3) Lutherans were the predominant religious sect.
The Dutch Reformed Church was the strongest church in New Netherland in
1678.
Historical Quiz #6
The oldest building in Leeds is a barn, which is still in use, and which
was erected by Marte Gerritse in what year?
ANSWER
1) The oldest building near Leeds is a barn built by Marte Gerritse in
1680, according to the Historical marker in front of the barn. It is still
in use, after 272 years.
When the new monarchs, William and Mary, ascended the English throne in
1689, their adherents in New York City seized the garrison. All but one of
the following statements is true. Which one?
ANSWER
2) Leisler was not English. He had lived in the colony for many years
prior to the English regime. In fact the record of baptisms in the Dutch
Church in New York indicate he had seven children baptised there between
1664 and 1676, their names, if you are interested being: Susanna, Catharina,
Jacob, Mary, Johannes, Hester and Francina.
Rumors of a French Invasion in 1689, under Count Frontenac caused hurried
plans to build forts, and recruit an army. Several young men, including
Francis Salisbury (his home was near present day Leeds) answered this call
to the colors. Brothers Dirk and John Van Vechten (who lived near present
day Rushmore's Dam), went to Albany and enlisted as privates. Army pay was
not high. How much do you think they got?
ANSWER
3) The private soldiers were signed up at 12 pence a day. In those days it
was probably not as common to have someone ask, "brother, can you spare a
dime?"
While in 1689 preparations were underway, winter came, and out of the north,
Count Frontenac descended in a surprise attack on the village of
Schenectady. All but one of the following statements is true. Which one is
false?
5) The party of horsemen Colonel Schuyler sent to relieve the village of
Schenectady thought they would face an army estimated at fourteen hundred
French and Indians. Actually, there were not as many as supposed, but the
British did not dare attack and the French escaped with about forty of the
best horses, loaded with spoils, and all the cattle they could find. There
was no battle, between the British and French at this time. However, the
damage was done and Schenectady was in ashes.
The first Dutchmen to settle among the Indians in "Old Catskill" (now called
Leeds) built a log house about 1675. His name was one of the following. Can
you identify him?
ANSWER
1) Jan Bronk was the first Dutch settler near Leeds. The historical
marker near the bridge tells that his cabin was near the creek, a short
distance south of the present Leeds bridge.
Historical Quiz #7
The answers appeared in the Greene County News on May 23, 1952.
Historical Quiz #9
Historical Quiz #10
In pre-revolutionary days, one of the women listed below was
the owner of a famous landmark, known as the "Old Stone Jug",
which was built on the bank of the Catskill creek, opposite the
DuBois property and near the site of the present Plusch's boat
yard. The Old Stone Jug, so called, was a splendid mansion, and
unfortunately it was torn down a few years ago, to make way for
industrial development. Which woman was the owner?
ANSWER
3) Jane Dies
Jane Dies was the owner of the Old Stone Jug, and she was one of
the notable personages hereabouts. her husband appears, from
historical references, not to have been of as high calibre, and
little that is favorable has been reported of him. The building
was erected in 1763.
The Palatine settlements on the East Bank of the Hudson were
called "The East camp" and later the region was designated as
Germantown. Those on the west bank were called the "West Camp",
which is still known today by that title. In all, these two camps
included seven villages. Of the eight names below, one of them
should not be included. Which one?
ANSWER
8) Evesport
Evesport is a more recent name. The original villages have been
absorbed, and their outlines are either lost or very vague.
However, many old buildings still stand, and a curiosity seeker
will be able to identify them. One of the outstanding institutions
of the Palatines, remains in the West Camp Church.
In 1703 the Rev. Justus Falkner became the first pastor of the
Lutheran Church in Loonenburg (Athens). He is remembered as an
outstanding personage. All but one of the following statements is
true:
ANSWER
5) His body was buried in the church building
The Rev. Justus Falkner is not buried at Zion Church, in Athens,
although a later pastor is buried ther. This practice of burying a
renowned pastor in the church is not unusual. At West Camp Church,
you will find the grave of the Rev. Joshua Kochertal, Pioneer of
the Palatine migration.
During both Dutch and English administrations of the colony,
Piracy flourished, and one of the men listed below is directly
connected with piracy on the high seas as well as on the Hudson
River. Which one was he?
ANSWER
3) Captain William Kidd
None other than the famous Captain William Kidd, sailed the
Hudson, and as a pirate he had a few equals. Legend has it that
Kidd's treasure has been buried on the various banks and islands,
but so far we have learned of no startling discoveries of its
whereabouts, though history records many attempts to locate it.
Kidd may have been more sinned against than sinning, if we believe
some accounts. However, that he paid for his piracy by execution,
cannot be questioned. Piracy was very common in the seventeenth
century.
The province and colony of New York, during the French and Indian
Wars, did not intend to its present geographical limits as found
on a 1952 road amp. The French occupied Canada and for all
practical purposes, how far south do you estimate the French
influence extended?
ANSWER
4) As far south as Lake George, and the surrounding region
While French claims and French conquests were not one and the same
thing, it can be stated with a reasonable amount of justification
that the French influence extended down to Lake George and further
south, at times. It seems as though many inroads, and expeditions
attempted to force the claims nearer to Albany, but were repulsed
by the English and Iroquois. However, the realists among the
French undoubtedly felt that they could consider Lake George and
the surrounding region as part of Canada. This seems hard for us
to conceive, because it places Albany, less than 50 miles from the
frontier. It does not explain, however, the desire of the English
to maintain a strong defensive line on the Mohawk River.
Historical Quiz #11
Churches were never organized in
a wilderness, but awaited the time sufficient colonists were
grouped together in hamlets or villages. Which is the earliest
organized of the following churches?
ANSWER
4) The Lutheran Church at Loonenburg, now known as Athens
While the general impression seems to be that Dutch Reformed, or
Calvinist churches were the most common because of the Dutch
influence, this is not true, so far as our immediate region is
concerned. A large percentage of the Dutch were, or became,
Lutherans and Zion Church in Loonenburg (Athens) is a testimonial
to the fact. It was organized many years before the church at
Leeds. Zion Lutheran will celebrate its 250th anniversary in 1954.
This is a ripe old age for any church! Later on, the Dutch
Reformed Churches exceeded the Lutherans in membership.
During the eighteenth century the English and Colonists feared
most of all one thing. What was it?
ANSWER
5) An invasion of the colony by the French and Indians
French and Indian invasions were a constant threat. As the Mohawks
were the leading tribe allied with the British, the Hurons and
Algonquin tribes of Canada were allies if the French. The river
Indians were reduced to impotency or moved inland, soon after the
English settlements became numerous, but the constant threat of
the French invasion from the north. fills the historical record.
In 1727 the three brothers named Van Loon in Loonenburg presented
a plot of land known as a "Glebe" to Zion Lutheran Church. With
reference to this particular "glebe", all the statements below are
true except one:
ANSWER
4) After due consideration the church authorities rejected the
offer, and instead purchased the land outright
Zion's glebe was accepted and remains in full force today, after
nearly two hundred and fifty years. True, the glebe rents were
small, but numerous. They do not constitute any real burden on the
people who have built homes within the glebe. While unusual, this
glebe is not by any means the only one in existence. Considerable
in the way of legal technicality has hindered a change in the
arrangement.
Colonial roadways were little more than widened paths cut thru the
forest, but early in the eighteenth century the first road of any
considerable importance in our region was built.
ANSWER
1) From Catskill to Old Catskill (Leeds)
The first real road was completed early in the eighteenth century
between Old Catskill (Leeds) and Cauterskill. This enabled the
settlers in those regions to get back and forth to the settlement
and church at Leeds. Other lesser roads were established , as time
went on, but Indian trails were good enough for most travel
through the woods, whether you were on foot or horseback.
EDITOR'S NOTE: We regret that a typographical error in this
question last week inadvertently listed under 1) From Catskill to
Old Catskill, when the correct question should have been From
Cauterskill to old Catskill.
In 1734, nearly 110 years after the province was established, the
Colonial Assembly made ready to defend its frontiers against war
with the French in Canada. The outposts and garrisons considered
necessary for this purpose included all but one of the following
and funds were appropriated for that purpose. Which one should be
excluded?
ANSWER
4) 500 pounds to fortify West Point
West Point was not fortified, as early as 1734, since it was well
inside the frontier. However, a constant concern, judging by the
appropriations of the Assembly, was the threat of the French from
the Champlain and Ontario areas. Countless small local blockhouses
and refuges were in existence, manned by the local militia when
needed, and many of the earlier homes were constructed with loop
hopes and escape cellars and tunnels. One had to be on the alert,
to be sure he and his family survived.
Historical Quiz #12
The Rev. Johannes Schuneman, who is fondly known as the "Dutch Dominie
of the Catskills" was one of the most outstanding patriots of his
time. All but one of the following statements is correct. Which one is
false?
ANSWER
4) He died at the age of sixty-five at the height of the war.
Dominie Schuneman was active throughout the entire Revolution
and for years afterwards. He lived till 1794, and was dominie
until shortly before he died. The church for which he did so
much still benefits from his will, which provides a small yearly
income.
The year 1735 is notable because it established Peter Zenger in the
hearts of Americans as a leader in the fight for Freedom of the Press.
His tribulations included all but one of the following:
ANSWER
2) He was editor of the New York Herald Tribune, which failed.
Zenger's New York Weekly Journal and not the Herald Tribune was
the newspaper that caused the fight for Freedom of the Press, so
ably handled by Andrew Hamilton. This freedom often contested,
is a heritage of all Americans, which we hope will never be
abridged.
Which of the five following statements or legends is not connected
with the village of Coxsackie:
ANSWER
4) Coxsackie was the birthplace of the famous Peter Bronk.
Many famous people come from Coxsackie, but Peter Bronk was not
born there. He came to the colony, living in Beverwyck (Albany)
and secured a grant from Governor Stuyvesant later confirmed buy
English Governor Nicolls. Like the earlier grantees, he bought
and paid for the lands from the Indians who claimed ownership,
in addition to the Royal decree.
In 1741 a plot was uncovered of a slave uprising to burn New York
City. All but one of the following is reported to have taken place.
Which statement is false?
ANSWER
5) The slaves which were deported were sent to Connecticut.
The so-called Slave Uprising was probably not planned as such,
but culminated in through fears of Spanish instigation of the
blacks and indentured servants. It was the most sanguinary of
the alleged revolts, and the suffering blacks and a few white
persons paid heavily with their lives. Records indicate that the
71 slaves were deported to Africa, and not to Connecticut. Most
of the white persons involved, seem to have been indentured
servants.
In 1741 there were an estimated twelve thousand people in the city of
new York. Of these, what percentage were slaves?
ANSWER
3) one-sixth
Figures are difficult to prove, but
historians indicate that about one sixth of the population of
New York City were slaves, at the time of the uprising of 1741,
and the subsequent trials. Like many of the incidents of our
early history if which we can not be very proud, historians tend
to ignore incidents of this kind., although they were part of
the fabric of the lives of the colonists, and constituted
sources of dissention and difficulty.
Historical Quiz #13
In 1745 a surprise expedition by New England Troops and a British
fleet was made against Louisburg, the capital of Cape Breton Island
off the coast of Canada, held by the French. All but one of the
following statements is correct. Which one is false?
ANSWER
2. The second in command was Colonel Philip Schuyler of N.Y.
The campaign was not under Colonel Schuyler, since he was at home in
Albany, preparing the defenses of the New York villages. This
Louisburg expedition, however, was an outstanding example of the way
the colonial troops and British could work together, in a siege.
France lost most of her fisheries, and a great deal of trade, when
the fortress fell. This campaign spurred on the British to
eventually take all of Canada.
In 1745 during the action against Louisburg, vain attempts were made
to hurry along the interior fortifications in the Albany region. Our
New Yorkers had little success, and while they were doing this all
but one of the following events took place:
ANSWER
5. None of the outpost villages in New England were disturbed.
Neither the French nor the English were ever satisfied to do one campaign at a time, which was doubtless good sense, strategically, since it kept the opponents off-balance. The French and Indian inroads which devastated New York, swept into New England, at the same time. These attacks were made almost simultaneously, to divide the Colonial forces. While Saratoga and Hoosic were being attacked, many of the outskirt towns in New Hampshire, and Massachusetts suffered attacks. It was all our lives were worth to keep defenses covered in case of attack.
In 1746, flushed with the success of the Louisburg expedition, the
Colonials resolved to take all of Canada. Plans were halted when a
French fleet of forty warships and 4000 soldiers in transports was
reported under way to relieve Louisburg. Disaster striking the
French fleet, all but one of the following events took place:
ANSWER
3. Too late, a cure was found for the sickness.
The English and our colonies did not have any monopoly on bad luck,
and the almost complete destruction of the French fleet, by tempest,
shipwreck and disease, as well as the death of their commander,
indicate that fortunes of war do not always hinge on man-made
events. The diseases that broke out were never "cured". Doubtless
this was smallpox but the outbreaks of smallpox were so common in
our armies and those of our enemies in colonial days it is sometimes
a wonder that there were any men left to carry on the war!
In 1776, a plague hit Albany proving fatal to many inhabitants and
Indians living nearby. It was diagnosed by the doctors as being:
ANSWER
2. Yellow Fever
Historians probably differ on what the disease was that broke out at Albany, and decimated the population. It is reported to have subsided in the cold weather, and was likened to "yellow fever". However, it apparently was a severe contagious fever of some sort, and caused great concern.
One of the last official acts of British Governor George Clinton in
1753, was to appoint James Delancey as Lieutenant Governor, a man
whom he felt knew the job. However, the crown sent over a new man as
governor, Sir Danvers Osborne. The remarkable thing about this last
named gentleman is one of the following:
1. His term of office was the shortest on record
Sir Danvers Osborne's wife had recently died, and he appears to have
been much distressed in mind and spirit. Regardless of the cause, it
is sad to relate that the man committed suicide, by hanging, within
forty-eight hours after taking office, becoming the Governor with
the shortest official record, in our history. He was succeeded by
Lieutenant-Governor Delancy, who had been chosen by Osborn's
predecessor for the post.
Historical Quiz #14
From 1748 to 1753 a semblance of peace prevailed under Governor Clinton. Here in Greene County, we find the following, except one, affecting our citizens:
ANSWER
5) The plan rejected by the crown as it gave too little authority to
the colonial assemblies.
The plan of union was not carried to full completion being rejected, it is said, by the Crown because it gave too much authority to the colonies, and also rejected by the colonies because it gave too much authority to the Crown. Apparently, it was too advanced for its time. Twenty years later a Declaration of Independence would settle the matter!
The power of France in Canada was finally broken in 1759 removing the last major obstacle to prosperity in our colony. In the final campaigns of the French and Indian War, as we call it, all but one of the following incidents took place:
ANSWER
2) General Braddock was defeated in campaign against Fort DuQuesne
General Braddock's disastrous campaign against Fort DuQuesne was
several years previous, and was not repeated in the final years of
the war. In fact, when Fort DuQuesne finally fell, General Braddock
had long since died.
For two decades after the war, an outstanding factor in our local History took place, that had not happened before. Which one of the statements below do you believe is correct?
ANSWER
2) Great numbers of British soldiers received grants of land in this
region, in appreciation of services rendered.
This question is interesting for two reasons: First because of the
impossibility of all but one of the answers. The First Cholera
epidemics came in the 19th century. Schools of the size indicated
hadn't even been thought of. Connecticut did not claim land here,
though strangely enough there are some western parts of the state in
which claims were actually made years later, and no serum had been
developed for wholesale vaccination against the dread scourge of
small pox. The one outstanding fact is that great numbers of British
soldiers were granted land in this region. A review of the
individual grants and patents indicates dozens of them, from
colonels to lieutenants, from sergeants to drummer boys. It appears
that many of His Majesty's men were anxious to locate in the
colonies. During the Revolution many of these men were undoubtedly
on the loyalist side, and constituted a "Tory threat" to the older
families.
Abraham Van Vechten was born at Catskill in 1762. He was one of the local-boys-who-made-good. History tells us that he did all but one of the following things:
ANSWER
5) Served during the Revolutionary War in the army
Abraham Van Vechten was an outstanding individual and served his nation well, but there seems to be no record that he was an active soldier in the war recorded in the local histories. Everyone didn't shoulder a musket!
James Barker, an English lawyer settled near Cairo and Durham in the years before the Revolution. It is recorded that he contributed greatly towards the prosperity of the area. The statements below reflect some of the facts regarding him. One is false. Which one?
ANSWER
5) He was an active Patriot during the revolutionary struggle
James Barker like many Englishmen, appears to have attempted to remain
neutral during the war. This has been found true of a number of the
earlier residents. Some, of course, were active on the Patriot side,
others on the King's side, while large numbers attempted to remain
neutral. Barker had an enviable record as an attorney, and in one of
his cases he is reported to have saved a friend from death by his
defense in court.
Historical Quiz #15
After Canada was subdued in 1760 by the English, the Colony of New York and the Colony of New Hampshire worked themselves into war over the ownership of the land that we call Vermont. Which statement is untrue?
ANSWER
5) Colonel Philip Skeen applied for a charter, and was made Governor of
Vermont, by the Kings Decree in 1775, ending the dispute.
Colonel Philip Skeen is reputed to have made earnest attempts to have had this contested region set up as a separate colony, and to have been names its governor. In fact the Crown apparently was willing to go along on the project. However, as we all know, the start of the Revolutionary War in 1775, brought things of this nature to a standstill. It remained for Vermont to be established as a state until 1791, the fourteenth of the union.
After repeal of the obnoxious Stamp Act in 1766 why did the British claim they would have to levy a tax on imports?
ANSWER
3) To support troops quartered in the colonies
The colonists claiming "taxation without representation" objected
strenuously to the alleged taxation to support troops in their midst,
which was the excusr given by the British crown.
In 1771 Lt. Col. Bradstreet protested to Sir
William Johnson against what he called an outrage against the citizens
and colonists. What was the basis of his complaint?
ANSWER
3) That in 65 years only ten families had settled in the huge
Hardenburgh Patent, depriving others of land.
Lt. Colonel Bradstreet objected to the enormous Hardenburgh patent lying
idle when land was needed. This patent, one of the greatest in size ever
granted in the colonies, had not been developed to any great extent,
though squatters had settled without title in many sections. The Colonel
in his complaint to Sir William Johnson stated he felt this was against
public policy, and an abuse. It is possible that the Colonel was right
in his statement, but hardly correct in the numbers of people involved,
since there were numerous settlers scattered along the streams, that he
did not know of.
Five years before the Battle of Lexington, a clash between Americans and British soldiers took place at Golden Hill, New York City, on January 18, 1770. The Americans that were involved in this clash, several of whom were wounded, were known as:
ANSWER
3) Sons of Liberty
The Sons of Liberty were organized to protest against the actions of the
King, and in various places they took upon themselves more
responsibilities than they probably should have. This was natural when
hot-headed young men get together. In the clash at Golden Hill, which
was an earlier clash than most, the tempers of the young men flared up
at the British soldiers, and the British whose temper had worn thin by
the treatment they were receiving from the populace, reacted.
In March 1772, the Colonial Legislature divided Albany County into districts, the portion (of present day Greene County) along the river below Albany being called the Coxsackie District., and the southern portion being called the Great Imboght District. All but one of the following statements is true:
ANSWER
1) The Colonial Legislature considered naming
the whole region "Greene County" but no action was taken at this time.
The Colonial Legislature in dividing the counties into districts, had no
intention of setting up a new county of Greene, at this early date.
Greene County was not established until almost 30 years late, and long
after the Revolution. During the Revolutionary War, the people of the
Great Imboght and Coxsackie Districts were considered part of Albany
County. In fact, in some old records it is confusing, because oftentimes
the "Albany" is used, meaning the county, when actually the inference is
to some place inside the county, such as Athens, Old Catskill, etc.
Thus, we find old records stating that so-and-so was born at "Albany",
when in fact he might have been born at some place fifteen or twenty
miles distant from the city.
Historical Quiz #16
In 1774, a year before the Revolution, the New Hampshire and New York
difficulties had reached such a pitch that open warfare between these
two colonies was not improbable. The New York Legislature declared it a
felony for any settlers in the disputed territory to resist the New York
authorities by force. This felony was to be punished by one of the
following penalties:
ANSWER
3) Death
The New York Legislature set the penalty of "death" for those who opposed the authorities with force, in their attempt to carry out the claims of our colony in the New Hampshire grants. The leaders Ethan Allen and Seth Warner were to figure soon in another role, as leaders of the "Greene Mountains Boys," patriot forces that helped free the north country, but this never entered the heads of the New York legislators as early as 1774!
To
drive a wedge between the colonies and cause dissention and arguments
between each of them, the British Government in 1775 did one of the
following:
ANSWER
3) Restrained the trade of all colonies except New York, Delaware
and South Carolina
To get the colonies into arguments between each other, the British "restrained the trade," of all but New York, Delaware and South Carolina, but these refused to take the bait. They said what was fair for one was fair for all.
Governor Tryon, past of the pre-war British Governors, became alarmed
for his own personal safety in 1775, and left by ship for:
ANSWER
5) Halifax
Halifax was Governor Tryons destination. Many other Loyalists also followed from New York and New England. From Halifax they re-organized forces for eventual return to fight for the King.
At the outset of the Revolutionary War, in 1775, about how many families do you believe were living in the area which now constitutes the village limits of the Village of Catskill?
ANSWER
1) 10
There seem to be about ten families living in the area now included in the corporation limits of Catskill, in the year 1775. There were a number of others outside and if course a considerable number near present day Leeds, in Cauterskill, in the Imboght region, and Kiskatom. However, the "Landing" was not populated to any extent.
A month after the outbreak at Lexington and Concord patriots under command of Ethan Allen took Fort Ticonderoga in the name of "God and the Continental Congress". Co-incidental with this attack, the following happened:
ANSWER
5) A battle for Lake Champlain ensued in which the British were
defeated.
Ethan Allen and Seth Warner and their Green Mountain Boys did a good job
of clearing Lake Champlain, but this was accomplished without any major
battle. The British realizing they were outnumbered, and doing business
with fellows who wouldn't take no for an answer, seem to have given up
with little or no resistance. If it had been as easy to hold Lake
Champlain as it was to take it, history would have been different.
Unfortunate for our country, many bloody battles during the next three
years followed this early easy victory.
Historical Quiz #17
Following a historical precedent, Americans determined to conquer Canada, and General Montgomery and Arnold were named, in 1775 for the campaign. All but one of the following events took place.
ANSWER
5) After a sanguinary battle, General Arnold finally captured the
city.
The first, last and only campaign of the Revolution against Canada, failed. Within an ace of taking Quebec, Arnold was unable to deliver the knock-out-punch. The American forces withdrew in the spring, after wintering in Canada. Small pox seriously weakened the American forces, and after a series of unfortunate events they returned to Albany, and the upper forts on Lake Champlain.
British Lord Howe made up his mind to keep communications open and fortify the Hudson. He wanted to meet the army he thought would come down eventually from Canada. All but one of the following happened:
ANSWER
5) This was the last attempt the British made to take the Hudson
This was only the first, but not the last attempt of the British to take the Hudson. Its strategic position was recognized by both sides. All through the war, the British endeavored to control the river, as did General Washington. In this the only naval battle of the Hudson, early in the campaign, and before the British were firmly established in New York City, the American forces retired, to Spuyten Duyvil in safety.
Joseph Brandt, whose Indians raided our region during the Revolutionary War was all but one of the following:
ANSWER
2) A brother-in-law of Sir John Johnson
Joseph Brandt of which much has been written, was first, last and always
loyal to the elder Johnson, Sir William. Because of the loyalty the
Johnson's had for the crown, Brandt was alligned with the British
throughout the war. He was not, however, a brother-in-law of Sir John
Johnson, though Brandt's sister was Mollie Brandt who lived with Sir
William till his death. Brandt was a Mason, and historians have recorded
numerous instances in which this affiliation was recorded to his credit.
After the British had occupied New York City in 1775, the Colonial Assembly as it was called, was forced to move, several times. It met in all the following places except one. Which one?
ANSWER
4) Hudson
The Colonial Assembly had to move "early and often", and while it met in many of the larger Hudson River towns, Hudson was not one of them. Probably the outstanding meeting place was at Kingston, where the state Constitution was adopted, at the Senate House, which today is a museum.
In 1776 Independence having been declared, New York made ready to stem an invasion from Canada, British General Carlton. All but one of the following events occurred:
ANSWER
5) Arnold was rewarded by the Continental Congress and made
commander in chief.
If General
Arnold had been properly rewarded for his activities on behalf of the colonies,
and recognized for his undeniable talents perhaps the unfortunate betrayal of
his country would not have followed. He was side-stepped, however, and sometimes
not mentioned as having been the one responsible for successful planning and
execution of the plans. Historians today, feel that much mis-management by
second rate commanders, was responsible for some of the defeats in the
Revolutions. General Washington recognized Arnolds talents and had confidence in
him, but Congress did not feel as Washington did in these matters.
Historical Quiz #18
Captain Samuel Van Vechten's Company from Catskill served in what
campaign?
ANSWER
3) With the forces opposing General Carlton in 1776.
Much of the local historical material in these quizzes is taken from Beers' History of Greene County. In this record we find that Capt. Samuel Van Vechten's company was in the campaign of 1776. Considerable detail is given of the activities of the company, roster of names, list of enlistments, discharges, deaths, desertions, etc. Since the record is not as complete as possible, it is unknown just what other campaigns, if any, this Catskill company was in. Persons having pertinent data which can be substantiated may supply it to this newspaper, as subject matter for a more detailed sketch at a later date.
In 1777 the most important military campaign ever to take place in New York was carried on. This was the famous "Burgoyne Invasion". The invasion plans included all but one of the following:
ANSWER
2) Sir John Johnson with the Iroquois Indians were to march
against and capture Fort Niagara
Fort Niagara was and remained a British base, throughout the war and it
was not included in the objectives that needed to be taken. The patriots
did not hold Fort Niagara at any time till the end of hostilities.
There has always been a question as to just why Lord Howe did not carry
out his part of the plan, which seemed to be the easiest and most
important. The generally accepted belief is:
ANSWER
1) That the war ministry neglected to advise Lord Howe until it
was too late to make adequate preparations.
It is generally supposed that Lord Howe's directives from the British
War ministry were pigeonholed, and therefore delayed. When Howe
eventually got his directives, the campaign was far advanced, and this
doubtless accounts to a great degree for his failure to carry out the
extensive campaign up the Hudson. That he did make some attempts will be
shown in subsequent quiz questions, but they were inconclusive and
ineffectual, so far as any major help to Burgoyne was concerned.
Burgoyne withered and died on the vine, so far as help from New York was
concerned!
A half mile south of
Catskill is a low hill called Kykuit (pronounced cake-out). It was used for what
purpose?
ANSWER
3) As a place for setting warning fires.
The Kykuit (pronounced cake-out) was a hill on which warning fires were lit, it
is believed on several occasions, particularly when the British made their raids
up the Hudson in 1777. Until recently the Kykuit carried a plaque explaining the
purpose to which the hill was put, but the plaque has been removed, and the
hill, which is on the left as one drives down Broome Street extension, commands
a broad view of the lower Hudson valley.
Major Augustine Prevost, who became a leading citizen and benefactor in
Greenville is credited with all but one of the following:
ANSWER
5) He served on General Washington's staff during the Revolution.
The name of Prevost is honorably remembered in Greenville, but the
family were Loyalists, and the Major appears to have served in the Third
Royal American Regiment during the French and Indian War, and thereafter
to have been on the King's side rather than that of the colonists.
Beers' History, from which the information is taken, credits both the
Major and his father as being active for the British throughout the
Revolutions. The Prevosts came to Greenville after the Revolution.
Historical Quiz #19
When it was finally decided to to Burgoyne's assistance Sir Henry Clinton and his British army in New York did all but one of the following things:
ANSWERS
To follow
Historical Quiz #20
ANSWERS
To follow
Historical Quiz #21
Earliest
settlers in the Cairo area were the Strope family, who lived near Round
Top. They were Loyalists, and friendly with the Indians. They are
remembered in the locality for one unusual fact:
ANSWER
3) Was it because of his treatment by the Indians?
The Strope family, earliest settlers in the Round Top region of present day
Cairo, have an unusual place in local history. Believing the Indians were
friendly, Strope returned to his home one day to find the Indians ransacking the
place. Both he and his wife protested, and in return both were killed. The
Indians sometimes did not differentiate between the scalp of a friend or foe,
especially when they had some real or fancied grudge against a particular
settler. scalps brought a good price at Niagara.
Frederick
Schermerhorn was one of the few young men of our region who was captured
by the Indians in 1780 and lived to tell the tale. He reported that all
but one of the following befell him:
ANSWER
5) Finally, watching his chance, he escaped and came back to his home.
Frederick Schermerhorn, a relative of Mrs. Strope, was captured at the time of the raid and taken to Canada by the Indians. Being a Loyalist at heart we suppose he had no great aversion to joining the Loyalist forces, since it was not easy to choose the alternative. His saga is an interesting one, but it was after peace was signed that he was discharged. There is no record that he ever attempted to escape once he had enlisted with the British.
Robert
R. Livingston, son of the owner of "Clermont House" and the
patron of Robert Fulton was one of American's most famous statesmen. He
did all but one of the following things:
ANSWER
3) He was in charge of the defense of New Jersey during the
Revolutionary War.
Not Robert Livingston, but his eminent brother William became war-time governor
of New Jersey and was placed in charge of the defense of the colony. He was of
great assistance to Washington in this capacity.
Henry
Brockholst Livingston, great-grandson of the First Lord of the
Livingston Manor was born in 1757, and had an exciting time during the
Revolution. He did all but one of the following things. Which one?
ANSWER
5) He studied law in 1783, after the war, and remained a lawyer the rest
of his life.
Henry Brockholst Livingston, a great grandson of the first lord of the Manor, after studying law, eventually became a Justice of the US Supreme Court. There are few families in American history that can boast of so many eminent men. They were part of the life-blood of our Hudson Valley. Many were criticised, especially in the rent-wars, but that they had the interest of the Patriotic cause at heart cannot be doubted.
Even before the end
of hostilities, settlers were drifting into the region now known as
Greene County. The largest population of these new settlers came from
one of the following regions. Which one?
ANSWER
2) Connecticut
Reading Greene
County history, and that of the neighboring regions, one can not help but be
impressed with the fact that hundreds of persons migrated into this area from
Connecticut. The history of all our towns abounds with names of Connecticut
settlers. They even gave their place-names to some of the new villages.
Historical Quiz #22
No history of the Catskill region would be complete without reference to the story of David and Anthony Abeel, who lived in the old house known today as "Bak-oven", near Kiskatom. All but one of the events listed happened to them.
ANSWER
3) Both men were forced to run the gauntlet, and nearly killed.
David Abeel was not compelled to run the gauntlet of squaws and young
Indians which stoned, pummelled and struck young Anthony, since the
Indians spared him this humiliation and pain. Anthony, however, was not
injured but lived to spend an active life, back in Catskill. In one the
most fascinating stories of our revolutionary history, he and Captain
Jeremiah snyder, also a prisone, escaped late at night from prison, and
after nearly starving in the Vermont wilderness after their escape,
finally got back to Catskill.
After the Revolution, thousands of Loyalists
felt much bitterness that they could no longer remain in the colony,
under the new government. Large migrations, including whole regiments of
Loyalist troops and their families left the country. The largest number
of these people went to what place?
ANSWER
1) Nova Scotia
Loyalists in the Valley by the hundreds, shipped down river to New York,
and embarked for Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, where they started new
settlements. Their descendants are there today. Many historical novels
have been written about these people, who felt that the revolution could
not and should not succeed. Time has healed the wounds, but many a
family today, living in Nova Scotia, got it's start right here in the
Hudson Valley.
In 1786 the town of Coxsackie reported a total population of 3288. Those were about evenly divided between men and women, but over 1400 were children under the age of sixteen years of age. Slavery was common in Coxsackie at this time. How many slaves would you estimate there were in Coxsackie in the year 1786.
ANSWER
5) 395
Coxsackie included considerably more territory in 1786 than it does today, but the tabulation for that year stated that there were 395 slaves in the district of which two hundred and nine were males, and one hundred and eighty six were females. More than a quarter of a century later the slaves were freed, in New York State, but many persons owned slaves until 1823.
The mountain called "The Colonel's Chair" is named after which colonel?
ANSWER
4) Colonel William Edwards, born in New Jersey, 1770
The Colonel's Chair, a mountain near Hunter, was named after Colonel
William Edwards, who came to the region and was instrumental in its
early development. Hunter, at one time was called Edwardsville.
About 1794 several enterprising speculators attempted to do all but one on the following:
ANSWER
4) Were compelled to change the name to "The Landing."
Esperanza never turned out as well as the speculators had hoped.
Eventually it became the village of Athens that we know today. The name
"The Landing" was not used to designate Esperanza, but was the title
used to designate the present site of the Village of Catskill, until
almost the end of the eighteenth century. Both Catskill Village and
Athens Village were incorporated after the turn of the century.