Tryon County: Why its Important to Revolutionary Schohary

TRYON COUNTY –  On March 24, 1772, Tryon County was created from the most westerly portions of then Albany County.  It essentially comprised everything west and north of the current Schoharie County, including the Town of Sharon, and part of Carlisle.

The County seat of Tryon was Johnstown, home of Sir William Johnson.    William Johnson rose in prominence during his service to the Crown during the French and Indian War (1754-1760).  Early on, the British military were dealt a series of significant losses at the hands of the French: the notable exception was the Battle of Lake George, in September, 1755.  Provincial Major General (meaning colonial, not British)  in command of a Provincial army raised in New York and New England scored a victory over the French.  For his efforts, Johnson was awarded with a Knighthood, a Title (Baronet), and 5000 pounds sterling …. Worth about 1.5 million today. 

At its formation, all major County-wide offices in the new Tryon County were appointed by Governor Tryon, from recommendations made by Sir William.

Among the  appointees to the courts were Guy Johnson ( Sir William’s nephew and son in law), John Butler (longtime friend and associate), Sir John Johnson (his son), and Daniel Claus (his son in law).  

The Three Militia Regiments in the County, with approximately 1400 men , were commanded by Daniel Claus, Sir John Johnson,  and Guy Johnson, while Sir William himself was Major General in Charge of it all.

Sir William Johnson died in July 1774.  On his death, Sir John inherited his estates, and Title; Sir John did not inherit his father’s gravitas, nor his personality.  Guy Johnson would become Crown Indian Superintendent.  The Johnsons, along with the Butlers and Joseph Brant would remain ardent Loyalists throughout the War to come.

History focuses on the British occupation of Boston, and to a lessor extent, New York City.  

For the Schohary-Duane District of Albany County, a Royalist stronghold was based not 150 miles away, but merely a long days march from its borders.

Following the action of April 19, 1775,. Guy Johnson was summoned to Montreal to help coordinate future actions against the Rebels in New England.   He would be joined by the Butler clan, John and Walter.

Following his arrest and parole in early 1776, Sir John Johnson would make his way to Montreal.   Johnson would form the King’s Royal Regiment of New York from Loyalists who fled the Valley area.  John Butler would form  Butler’s Rangers within the British Indian Department..   

August 1777 would bring the Battle of Oriskany, and locally the Normanskill and the Flockey.  For the remainder of the War, the combatants would largely be local Militia and Levies, and Loyalists and Natives;  the raiding would not end after Yorktown in October 1781, but would continue into 1783.

John Osinski