Page:History of Delaware County (1856).djvu/79

DELAWARE COUNTY. 55 Dutch, wlio lived principally in the Mohawk valley, the de- scendants of the G-erman Palatines, who had settled in the Schoharie valley, and of Scotch Irish, who had settled in Cherry valley, Harpersfield, Laurens, Otsego, and other places. The Dutch and Grermans were an exceedingly illiterate people, and had been accustomed to look up to Sir Wm. Johnston for counsel and advice, who, being a man of sagacity and address, it is not strange that, when he declared himself openly opposed to Congress, and favored the cause of that monarch who had heaped upon him emolument and honor, a major portion of the inhabitants within his potent influence should also go over to his standard. But Providence, in the midst of his active preparations for war, and when in the midst of an Indian council at J ohnston, called him suddenly away " To that bourne from which no traveller returns." He died in June, 1774, and was succeeded in his estates and titles by his son. Sir John Johiuston, while the authority of superintendent of the Indian department fell into the hands of his son-in-law. Col. Gruy Johnston, who understood the Indian affairs better than any one else, having acted in the capacity of deputy to the old baronet. The successors of Sir William were illy calculated to assume, and fulfil successfully the exalted station vacated by his death, and consequently, quite a number of those least affected, declared unconditionally for the cause of Congress soon after. But while the larger portion of the inhabitants of the northern and eastern sections declared themselves uncon- ditionally in favor of the authority of the crown, in Cherry Valley and Harpersfield an exactly opposite state of things prevailed they there openly denounced the position assumed by the Johnstons and their adherents; they denounced the oppressive acts of Parliament, and loudly extolled the measures