The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1872-01-02

| minated that after | had spent day
or two here, | would write my views and
impressions Of this beautiful village.
Three miles south Of Gloyersville lies
the ancient village Of Johnstown, with
one exception the oldest town in the
State west of Albany The town was
founded by Sir William johnson, prom
inent parsonage in the colonial history Of
New York and favorite Of King George,
who granted unto him by royal patent
large tracts of land in the old county Of
Tryon, since known as Montgomery. The
baronial residence of Sir William still
stands with some alterations, as original
ly built, in the outskirts Of the village,
and upon the balustrades Of the old FASH
toned staircase, from the bottom to the
top, may be seen to this day the notches
made by the tomahawks Of the Indian
chiefs, who were accustomed to assemble
here in council. Close by is the battle
ground where Col. Marinus Willetts with
a patriot force defeated large force Of
Tories and Indians under Sir Guy John
son and Col. Walter Butler in III.
Butler, the commander Of the tories on
this occasion, had, with similar force,
attacked and burned the settlement of
Cherry Valley, year previous, at which
time the most brutal atrocities were per-
petrated, the women and children being
mastered in cold blood and tradition
relates that after this battle the Tory
forces were SO hard pressed by the Amer
leans that they were oyertaken while
crossing East Canada Creek few miles
northwest Of Johustown. Butler, after
crossing, had tarried a moment on the
bank Of the river to get drink of water,
and was shot down while raising the cup
to his lips by friendly Oneida Indian,
who accompanied the patriot forces ms
they came up on the opposite side. The
Indian Immediately sprang across the
stream to secure the scalp, when Butler,
who was only slightly wounded, begged
piteously for quarter. eyes me give
you plenty quarter Ne give you Cher
ry Valley quarter ~ was the reply Of the
savage as he buried his tomahawk in the
skull Of the quivering wretch. History
records him as being one of the most in
human wretches that ever disgraced hui
mainly. Fcrocious, bloodthirsty, and
cruel, he seemed to revel in perfect de-
light at the spectacle of human suffering.
He surpassed the savages in barbarity ;
and many victim was saved from his
clutches by the Indian chief Brant. At
the age of twenty one, johnson came to
America as agent of his uncle, Sir Peter
Warren, and located in the Mohawk Val
ley. lie soon became identified with the
interests Of that section of the colony, and
a jealous promoter of its prosperity. He
was appointed Indian agent, learned the
language of the natives, which gave him
great facilities for intercourse and traffic
with them. Applying himself indus,
triously to the study Of the character Of
the Indians, adopting their habits and
dross whenever it suited his convenience
he gained an ascendency and influence
over them never before enjoyed by any
white person, which his official relations
served to strengthen, His successful
management in the Lake George expe-
dition in 1865, gave him high position
in the esteem Of the home government,
and secured him, as an especial favour,
the grant of large tract of land north
of the Mohawk, as a direct gift from the
King, and was also honored with Knight
hood. His first residence was at Scho-
haric Greek, from there he removed to
what is still known as Fort johnson, on
the Mohawk, in the town of Amsterdam
but about l76l, he made his final change
to new mansion. near the village OF
Johnstown, still standing and known as
johnson Hail." possessing an estate that
had few rivals in extent and value IN the
country with numerous tenants attached
to his interests, and the prospects Of iu'
turc greatness to his family were most
flattering. In 1850 he established 4
mission church in the town Of Danube
which place was the residence of "king
IIendrick" and "Joseph Brant, the eel
ebrated Mohawk chiefs. King Ilcndrick
sustained high character for sagacity
and integrity, was warmly attached tc
the English, and especially to Sir Will
liam johnson, whom he accompanied tc
Lake George in the summer Of 100
where he was killed. Sir William was
supposed to have been literally inclined
to the Revolution but his duty to the
government, whose Offices he held for.
babe him from favoring the cause OF the
colonies, while his attachment to his
neighbors and the inhabitants Of the col
ony rendered the thought of any meas
ures tending to their ruin extremely pain
full to his feelings, when it became APP
parent that struggle between the moth
er country and the colonies must ensue
but, with the prescience that foreshadow'
ed the significant purpose of his mind, he
intimated to his friends that he should
never live to see it, and he besought the
British Government to appoint his son tc
his Office, that of Indian Agent, which
was afterwards done. True enough, made
he the statement, for he died suddenly al
johnson Hail." on the afternoon ofJunC
"a, IVA, at the age Of sixty years but
sad indeed was the manner Of this illus
trious mans death, for it is the genera
belief that Sir William ended his OWL
life, supposed on account Of the perplex
ing situation the Revolution placed him
and there is not much doubt but that hi
hung himself in his garden. lie is sale
to have been thus found by his gardener
who, in his old age, minated facts tina
confirm this belief. He left remarka
bic will, dated Jan. ~, 1913, which in
Dictated that the near approach of dealt
was familiar thought, as his burial wa
an event for which he gave the most mi
mute directions. lie was buried in {
vault under the old Episcopal church
where his bones still rest. After thu
Revolution the splendid domains of thu
Johnsons and likewise other royalists,wer'
~ II IL . l.,