The Carlisle Historical Society
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The Carlisle Historical Society August 2010 Carlisle, Schoharie County, New York Chartered 2008 Volume 3, Issue 2 Palatine Immigration Carol Cassidy and Jacqueline Turnquist Many Schoharie County natives trace their roots back to the Palatinate region of Germany. Reviews: Three-hundred years ago, large numbers of Palatines left Germany, many coming to New York State. Carol Cassidy, a student working on her Master of Arts degree, gave a Review of Spring 2010 Programs wonderfully in-depth and interesting presentation on their migration at the first spring 2010 program, which was a joint meeting of the Cobleskill and Carlisle Historical Societies. Our -Palatine Migration to New York most well-attended meeting to date, eighty people literally packed the Carlisle Town Hall to -Grosvenors Corners – Part I and hear Ms. Cassidy describe the causes that compelled the Palatines to leave their homeland Part II and what they encountered once they arrived. It was an invaluable presentation to anyone -The Hop Industry in Schoharie of Palatine descent interested in learning more about their heritage. Many thanks to Carol for sharing her slides with me after the presentation and working with me to develop this -Third Annual Bird Tour “condensed” article. –Jacqueline Turnquist, Editor Special Interest: The Romans bestowed the title of "Count Palatine" on certain leaders of the Frankish tribes as a way of making them allies. The word Palatine comes from one of the seven hills in -John Philip Karker Monument Rome (Palatine Hill) where the founders of Rome - Romulus and Remus - were said to have been raised. The lands of Count Palatine became known as the Palatine or the Palatinate. -CHS Elections There was an Upper Palatine (the land between the Naab river and the forests of Bohemia) and a Lower Palatine (the middle Rhine region). The Palatine was a flat, fertile valley. The area now known as Germany was made of many Frankish tribes that were somewhat Information: united under Charlemagne and his descendents and became part of the Holy Roman Empire (800-1806). All of Europe was evolving into regions ruled by both secular leaders and the -Books for Sale Church of Rome. Because both the Catholic Church and the secular leaders held power, there were constantly confrontations and hostilities over who had control. Europe saw many -Membership Information wars throughout the region over hundreds of years. -2010 Fall Schedule and Events The Reformation, started by the actions of Martin Luther in Germany in 1517, was played out in a series of religious wars focused in Germany which were attempts to reform the power of the Catholic Church. The Palatine region was caught up in these struggles, either with armies, often not well provisioned, devastating the region with looting and pillaging, invasions by other leaders or with large groups of people moving into the region due to religious followings. As these wars fueled by religious beliefs continued into wars over power, the region of the Palatine people endured famine and disease. In late seventeenth-century England, William Penn was a student at Oxford, but was expelled because he did not “conform”. He decided to travel throughout Europe, spending time in France and Germany. He went on to Ireland where he was influenced enough by the Quaker movement to become one himself. Returning to England, he eventually petitioned for a land grant in the New World to explore “the Holy Experiment” (his idea for an ideal government); he was issued one in March 1681. Penn went to America in 1682 and framed a government which was a forerunner of our democracy. In 1701 the “Charter of Privileges” gave self-government rule to Pennsylvania. (continued on page 4) The Carlisle Historical Society Page 2 of 12 GROSVENORS CORNERS – A 3 PART SERIES Grosvenors Corners native and probably buried in or around 134th NY, but there is no Cobleskill Historian Ted Shuart Washington, D.C. information or record – he did what ended up being a 3- John’s father Isaac Van may have been a deserter. part series on Grosvenors Wormer enlisted in 1864 at the Charles Johnson, single, Corners in April. Part I was age of 38 as a substitute. Born aged 21, enlisted in 1861 in hosted by the Grosvenors October 10, 1819, he lived in the 91st NY and served most Corners Methodist Church and the Safford House in of his time in Louisiana. He included a potluck dinner prior Grosvenors Corners. He was was discharged in 1862 due to to the presentation on Civil War wounded at Cold Harbor, VA “disability”, but reenlisted in veterans from the hamlet. and sent home. He died on June the cavalry. He was captured There were perhaps twelve 12, 1897, the father of 14 and imprisoned in veterans from Grosvenors children. There is a painting Andersonville. Corners, and like most soldiers done by Rufus Grider called George Rockefeller, a from Schoharie County, a “Caves of Grosvenors Corners” blacksmith in Carlisle, majority enlisted in one of two with Isaac standing in front of enlisted in the 12th NY regiments: the 7th New York the caves. Cavalry. He was discharged Heavy Artillery or the 134th Washington Irving Underhill, in 1865. He may have had the New York. Ted spoke about a 21 year old farmer, enlisted in blacksmith shop in Carlisle each soldier, sharing what 1862 as a first Sergeant with the Center (suggested by Allan information he has found 134th. He was never wounded Cross). regarding their lives in Carlisle and mustered out on June 6, Ted suggested George as well as their experiences in 1865 as a Lieutenant. He died Warner’s book “Military the Civil Wa r. He also gave in 1891, a widower with 2 Records of Schoharie County some background on the 134th daughters. Veterans of Four Wars” to and the 7th . The 7th spent much John Relyea enlisted in the 91st anyone looking for more of the early part of the war NY Company D in 1861 and detailed information. He also (1862-1864) defending was stationed in Louisiana and had some Civil War military Washington. As there was little Florida. He contracted typhoid clothing examples, which “action” in that area at the time, and died in 1862 of “Brain were very intriguing to the they were not very active. Their Fever”. audience. first battle came in May of Nicholas Miller, from the 17th 1864; by the end of the war they Wisconsin, was a soldier from The second part of Ted’s had lost 80% of their men. 1862-1865. He met and presentation was at the The 134th went from married Adeline Sweet of historical society’s regular Gettysburg to “Sherman’s Grosvenors Corners and spent meeting. This program was a March to the Sea” – one of the the rest of his life there. plethora of information and few regiments to do so. They John O’Brien enlisted in 1863 stories – much gleaned from fought in 42 engagements and joined the 7th. He was Ted’s childhood recollections during the war. wounded at Petersburg and and experiences – about the John Van Wormer enlisted in mustered out in 1865. Jacob people, buildings and places the 134th in 1862, was wounded and James O’Brine were both in Grosvenors Corners. There and sent home, then re-enlisted wounded at Cold Harbor. was also some interaction and in 1864 in the 7th. He was Another name is Peter (?) offerings from the crowd, wounded on May 19, 1864 in Mosher. Ted had no details many of whom live in Spotsylvania and died of his about him. Grosvenors Corners today. wounds in January 1865. He is David S. Becker enlisted in the (continued on page 5) The Carlisle Historical Society Page 3 of 12 New York State – King of the Hop Industry A presentation always Hops work well with diary migrated west. It started organized. Usually built improves when the presenter farming because hops in Massachusetts, of mud bricks, stone, or is passionate about the topic. require manure, so where Vermont and New York wood, they all have 4 there were dairy farms, there This was the case with Al in the 1830s then moved parts: the drying room were hops. In 1865, the Bullard, our May program westward after the Civil where the hops are laid on Schoharie County Directory presenter on the Hop War to Minnesota, a slatted floor and covered lists Sharon, Seward, Industry in New York State. Middleburgh and Cobleskill Oregon, Washington and with burlap to dry; the A resident of Milford in as the top hop growers. In California. This store room where the Otsego County, he has 1900, there were 25,000 migration was aided by furnace was located; the researched and collected acres of hops growing in the German immigrants storage room which has a items from the Hop industry New York State and Otsego and the rail system. hole in the floor and the since 1966, after completing County harvested the most at It was difficult to find press room below where his Masters Degree in Folk 4.7 million pounds. enough pickers in the the hops would be pressed Life Studies. He Hop growing is a work- east. Remington Arms on a rainy, cool or moist intensive crop requiring lots documented Hop Houses had to close their factory day. The lower floor with of help. In the spring the and acquired Hop tools for because the women went the store and press rooms poles are put in once the the Farmers’ Museum hop picking in the late was usually below ground ground is thawed. By May exhibit and remains a the hops are up – they grow summer.