Three Rivers
Hudson~Mohawk~Schoharie
History From America's Most Famous Valleys

History of The OLD FORT HERKIMER CHURCH
German Flatts Reformed Church, 1723
By W. N. P. Dailey, D. D.
Published by the
St. Johnsville Enterprise and News
Lou D. MacWethy, editor
St. Johnsville, NY (Price 35 cents)

Thanks to Betty Hoagey for sending this for the web site!

Organized in 1723. Land given 1730 and 1773. Present edifice begun about 1730. A story of the Palatine people and their early struggles. Many names of first settlers. By Rev. W. N. P. Dailey, DD. Author of History of the Montgomery Classis, R.C.A.

Quaint Wording of 1773 Conveyance

This Indenture made and Concluded this Twenty Sixth day of Abrill in the Tertenth Yer of the Reingn of our Sovereign Lord King George the Thirth, of Great Britain, France and Ireland Defen: of the Faith &: and in the Year of our Lod Christ one Thousand seven Hundred and Seventy three, between Diedrich wohlleben, Peter Bellinger, John diedrich Steahl, Johan Jost Hercheimer, Thomas Schumacher, Augustines Hess, Nicklas Spoon, Johan Mickel Ittig, Frederick Arrendorf, Nicklas Staring, Henrich Heager of Burnetsfield in County of Tryon in the Province of New yoorck Yeomans of the fist part, and the Reformirth protestant Church and School on the South Side of the Mohawk River at the Same place of the other part witnesseth that the Said Partners Diedrich Wohlleben Peter Bellinger, Johan Diedrich Steal, Johan Jost Hercheimer, Thomas Schumacker, Augustines Hess, Niclas Spoon, Mickel Ittig, Frederich Arendorff, Niclas Staring, Henrich Heager for a good Lofe. . . C. . . . Sch Currand and LawfullMoney to them in hand paid before the enselling and livery thereof for a parcel of land, by the said Reformirth protestand Church and school the Receibt thereof, and is Situate lying and being at Burnatsfield on the South Side of the Mohowks River and is known and Distinguished by the Name of Loth N. Thirty as by a certain Certificate (bearing date) thei Said Partners and Every one of them aforesaid Diedrich wohlleben, Peter Bellinger, Died: Steahl Joh: Jost Hercheimer, Thomas Schumacher, Augustines Hess, Niclas Spoon, Johan Mickel Ittig, Friedrich Arendorff, Niclas Staring, Henrich Heager doth hereby acknowledge their Selves therwith fully Contented and apid, and thereof and of the aforesaid Parcel of Primes thereof do Exonerate and Discharge the said Reformirth protestant Church and School (forever) for Every by these present, thei and Every Partner of them, hat therefore given grandet Bargained Sold aliened Released and Confirmed, and by these Presents doth give Grand Bargain, sell alien Release and Confirm unto the Said Reformirth protestant Church and School for their and ther only Proper use for Every (forever) by these presents, the Certain Lot of Ground beginning at a Certain Marked pole Standding in the division Line of the Said Loth No. thirthy Near the south end of the gate in the Kings Rothe which stands near the house of Friedrich Fucks on the East Site, and Runce from thence South twenty four degrees west Three Chains and Twenty five Links, thence South Sixty Six degrees East three Chains and Twenty fife Links, thence North Twenty four degrees East Three chains and Twenty five Links thence with a Straight Line to the place wher it first begun Containing Nea one acre nine Rots Now inthe Possession of the Said Reformirth protestant Church and Schul Together with all and Singular the Houses and Buildings and Gardens and pastur ground any Propper use and benefit belonging unto the Said Reformirth protestant Church and Schul, or in any wise hereby Bargained appertaining tothe Said premiss or parcel of ground and the Said protestant Church and School Schall bee for Ever and absolutely Called a Reformirth protestant Church and School and the Said Church and School Shall and may from time to time and at all times of Ever her after free by virtu of these Presents, Lawfully Peacably and quietly hav hold use occuuupy possess an Enjoy Said granded and Bargained Premisses, with the appurtenances Free an Clear exonerated and discharged, of and from all Manner of former Gifts grants Bargains Sales, Releases wills Incumbrances and Troubles (first page of the deed ends here) what So Ever heafter the Said Parteners Diedrich wohlleben Peter Bellinger Diedrich Steahl Jost Hercheimer thomas Schumacher augustines Hess Niclas Spoon John Ittig Michel Ittig Fredrich arendorff Niclas Staring Henrich Heager for ther Selfs and Heirs, do Covenand and agree with the Said Reformet Protestant Church and School, and lastly the Said Parteners aforesaid and ther heirs and assigns the above Bargained parcel of Land or Primisses with its and every of its appurtenances all Persons Shall and will for Ever by these Presents warned and defend and the Said Parcel of ground formely is Sold from Niclas wohllegan unto the above Mentioned Parteners for a Church an School, and the Said Perteners do Execute the Said Primes unto the Present Revrd Minister Abraham Rosenkrantz and the Present Church warters which are Peter Bellinger and Diedrich Steahl and Jacob Boshroorn and Mrx Rasbach and their Successors from time to time and for Ever by these Presents. In witness thereof the Said Partners has hereunto Interchangable their hans and Seals the Day and Year first above written.

In the Presence of Rudolph Schumacher, Johann Christ Schell, Niccklas Kessler.

Signed, Sealed and Delivered.

Thomas Schumaher Seal

Jost Herchheimer Seal

Henrich heager his + mark Seal

Augustine Hess (No Seal is indicated in the book)

Dierich Steel Seal

Friedrich Aahrendarff Seal

Pietter Bellinger Seal

Nicklas Spoon Seal

The Palatine settlements in the Burnetsfield Patent, as noted, extended from Little Falls to Frankfort, comprising about 9,618 acres. Among the hundred acre lots on the south side were those of Jurgh, Madalana, and Johan Jost, and Catharina Erghemar. The first two were the parents of Johan Jost who was the husband of Catharina. They settled in 1722 at what is now Fort Herkimer. General Nicholas Herkimer was their son, born in 1728 at Fort Herkimer in what was probably the original Herkimer home, given up in 1740 for the large stone house, that in 1756 became Fort Herkimer. This house was occupied by the Herkimers for a hundred years.