It Happened Here -- A Marker was Erected...

Everyone pretty much knows what  New York State Historical Markers are. They are (1)free standing, (2) cast iron or cast aluminum signs, (3) cruciform--twelve sided cross-shape [see a] (or 10 sided if you allow for the rectangular ones with a pointed top [see d] ), (4) painted blue and yellow, (5) with raised letters,  (6)produced/funded by the State government, or one of its agencies, that (7) locate or describe an historical event, person or place.

a

b

c

d

                                                                         

Except that--

--a few are mounted on the side of buildings or are cemented in boulders, or walls;

--are made are made of enameled steel, or even wood;

--they come in several other shapes, (an arched top with supporting pillars is popular);

--they are painted green and white (Guilderland, Jefferson Co,), red and white (Monroe Co., Hague), brown and yellow

(NY Conservation Dept.,Town of Mayfield), brown and white, blue and white, blue and white w/ red border ( village of Aurora) and other combinations;

--they are produce/funded by over 700 organizations including local governments. local historical societies and associations, committees formed to celebrate the U.S. bicentennial, local bicentennials, sesquicentennials, centennials, and a tricentennial (Albany), civic organizations, ad-hoc citizen groups, private individuals and families, churches, businesses and special interest groups;

--they sometimes have as subjects a geological feature, or a commercial enterprises or are privately created signs to make a political statement.

Along with writing this blog, over the last two years I've taken on a task of recording the
"NYSHMs" that are currently in the state.  (Large numbers have been destroyed or removed
over time and new ones continue to be placed.) I have relied predominantly on four websites,
the Historical Marker Data Base, New York Historical Markers--A Waymarking.Com Category,  Flickr--New York Historical Markers Group and William G. Pomeroy Foundation -- Historic Roadside Markers. I have published  on the Flickr site pictures of  Markers that I have personally found or rediscovered. To date I have recorded 3588 markers.

Because there is so much variability in NYSHMs I have set my parameters to include any signs that
meet at least three of the criteria I mentioned in the first paragraph.  I also excluded the large "Thruway rest area" type signs, known as State Historical Area Markers from my ongoing work simply because they are well documented in several places and are pretty much self explanatory. Similarly I have excluded the fiberglass signs and kiosks that often employ extensive text, pictures and graphics, again, because they generally don't require much additional explanation.  Finally, falling outside my study interest would be most commercial signs, brass or other plaques or signs, and inscribed public or cemetery monuments.

In commemoration of the Sesquicentennial of the American Revolution,  The New York State Education Department began funding in 1926 a series of signs bearing the inscription "New York State Historical Marker," [see a] I have recorded 59 of these, dated 1927 (31) 1928 (14) and 1929 (9).
Additionally, on several (5) of this type sign the dates could not be read because the signs had been snapped off and welding repairs or repair brackets obscured the dates.

The popularity of these markers led the legislature to authorize a second marker program beginning in 1932, with the "State Education Dept." identified as the sponsor [see b].  A whopping 624 markers were dated 1932, but then the Great Depression hit the following year.  My records show only 4 dated in 1933 and none in 1934; but then as W.P.A. and other economic stimulus monies became available the numbers surged with 277 in 1935, and over 100 in 1936 and 1938.  With the approach of war, the numbers dropped off to 9 in 1941; then none were produced again until  1947.

 From 1945, into the early 1960's a few local towns and villages, veterans groups and private organizations sponsored individual "state style" historic markers. Starting in 1959, Monroe County was the first local government to create their own historic markers, with a distinctive emblem, the Monroe County Courthouse, and red letters on a white background. They produced 21 markers  between 1959 and 1962, and a total of 49 reported markers.  Following Monroe County's lead an increasingly diverse group of public and private organizations began to commission signs.

 The State Ed. Department encouraged local agencies and groups to create their own distinctive designs but most continued to use the State Ed format and colors. There was a considerable financial incentive for them continue the state format. The one or two companies that produced the signs could offer markers for substantially less if existing molds and matrices were used. (see c)

The next spike in marker creation activity occurred during the American Bicentennial.  Counties, towns and villages were encouraged to plan their own bicentennial activities and many chose to design and dedicate historic markers in their areas as part of their celebrations. At least 24 local "Bicentennial Committees" or "Commissions" were formed which produced markers, although in some cases it is not clear whether they where formed to celebrate the American Bicentennial or their local government's bicentennial. The Schoharie Bicentennial Commission's markers, for example, all date from 1995, the two hundredth anniversary of the creation of Schoharie County. The Genessee Bicentennial Commission's markers date from 2003.  To complicate matters further, in 1989 local governments were encouraged to celebrate the bicentennial of the United States Constitution.  At least two commissions created signs for members of the convention that ratified the Constitution in  New York.  In 1975,1976 and 1977  44, 84 and 20 signs were created.

The late 1970's and early 1980's saw a waning of interest in marker creation, as the number of new markers dipped to single digits at the end of the 70's.

 From 1984 through end of the decade yearly numbers increased, with 1986 reaching a high of 33 signs created as towns in the middle of the state celebrated their bicentennials and as a wide variety of groups began to sponsor signs.  1985, with 22 signs is typical.  The NY departments of Education and Conservation both produced 1 sign; Towns and one village produced 9 signs; Bicentennial/ Sesquicentennial  Committees produced 2 signs; an historical society produced 1 sign; two Rotary Clubs each produced one sign and 2 families were each responsible for a sign.

Most of the 1990's resembled the 1980's with a low of 5 signs produced in 1991, and a high of 34 in 1995; then in 1998, New York Governor George Pataki called for localities to submit the names of famous local women to be considered for historic markers. I have come across 26 of these Pataki commission signs, but have not found the complete list.  The Pataki initiative seems to have created new interest, in that the  number of signs created from 1998 to 2008 jumped to an average of 33.6 signs per year.

In the last six years the William G. Pomeroy Foundation has been making grants for organizations in New York State to purchase markers.  To date, they have produced 182 signs, including a series of signs for building listed on the National Historic Register. In the last two years, 52 and 62 new markers have been erected in New York.

Next Week--"A Marker was Erected..." continues with a discussion of the the roles of local governments, historical societies, civic organizations, businesses, special interest groups, families
and individuals producing markers, and the Marker of the Week returns. (Where, oh where have you been, these many weeks!)

                

It Happened Here -- The Big Cheeses

US 11, north of Pulaski

One of the grand stories of the Jacksonian era that is told to illustrate a sea change in American democracy is the story of the "Big Cheese." Though the American revolution had been fought by people of all social strata, the democracy that emerged out of the conflict was one that had a distinct upper middle class and aristocratic bias. State constitutions were written by community leaders that sought to insure that only people with considerable land holdings or other wealth would have the right to vote. One result was that the first six presidents all came from the Virginian planter aristocracy or the Boston mercantile elite.  With peace came the opening of the frontiers in many areas and the growth of small independent farmers and tradesmen who demanded a voice in their government. By the time Andrew Jackson ran for president property qualifications had been reduced or swept aside in the states and Jackson was able to ride into office on a tide of a new tradesman/ farmer/ workingman electorate.

In upstate New York, one of those successful independent farmers was Thomas Meacham.  Meacham was actually a Whig and had voted for Jackson's opponent, but once Jackson was in office he and other farmers from Oswego County decided to send him a present. Years before, farmers from Cheshire Massachusetts had sent President Jefferson a large cheese but now Meacham felt he could really outdo them!  For one thing, the logistics of moving a such large gift had become much easier, since inland canals and waterways now virtually linked his farm with the White House.  A short wagon ride would bring his cheese to the Oswego River Canal where it would go by canal boat to Syracuse and then via the Erie Canal to Albany. At Albany it would go by schooner to New York, down the coast and up the Potomac, almost to the President's front door.

Building a hoop, nearly four foot in diameter and over two foot high, he constructed a special over-sized cheese press.  From his 154 cow herd he produced milk curd, and over a five day period the hoop was filled and the cheese pressed. A decorative belt was created to surround the cheese and keep its wrapper in place. On it was a bust of the president and a chain of the twenty four states, and Jackson's patriotic toast, "The Union-It Must be Preserved."


                                                                                    Enthusiasm for Jackson was evidenced elsewhere
                                                                                                     in the State including at this bridge over the Hudson
                                                                                                                                     at Schuylerville
 

Along with the great cheese, ten other smaller cheeses were made, for Vice President Van Buren, Governor William L. Marcy, Senator Daniel Webster, the Congress and the New York Legislature, and the cities of Rochester, Utica, Troy, Albany and New York. As the cheeses made their way through New York State they became the center of patriotic celebrations and were paraded  through towns on flag bedecked wagons. At a large celebration at New York's Masonic Hall Senator Daniel Webster accepted his cheese. On January 1st 1836 President Jackson was presented with his mammoth cheese, as it was deposited in the vestibule of the White  House¹

Jackson made a valiant effort to distribute the cheese to staff, friends, visiting dignitaries, political supporters and perhaps even political opponents with whom Jackson was on speaking terms, but after several months of giving away large hunks of the stuff, the bulk of it was still there, aromatically aging in the warm Washington climate. In 1837 Jackson was in the last months of the second term of his Presidency and faced with the likelihood of having to haul perhaps a half ton of cheese back to Tennessee or leaving it for President-elect Van Buren (who still had his own 700 lb. Oswego cheese.that he would eventually sell in a charity auction.)

When Jackson had first come into power he had held an open house for all his supporters and the White House had been besieged by thousands of visitors.  The carpets, draperies, furniture and woodwork had suffered as the crush of well-wishers had forced the President to make an escape out of a back door (some said window.) The actual damage and unruliness of the crowd may have been overstated by a conservative press anxious to illustrate the dangers of giving political power to the common man. Since then, Jackson had had several better managed and controlled public receptions allowing people to express their opinions, but on this last open house, on Washington's birthday he invited the people of the Federal City in simply to eat cheese.  Thousands attended and in two hours it was all gone--all gone that is, except for the essence.  President Jackson's successor, Martin Van Buren, was forced that spring to wash the carpets and draperies and to paint and white-wash to get rid of the last traces of a cheese that  occupied the White House for a longer tenure than several presidents!

                                                                      --------------------
In the 18th century wheat was the major crop of New York farmers, with the Mohawk, Schoharie and Cherry Valleys becoming known as the "bread baskets of the Revolution."  By the first decades of the 19th century this was beginning to change. Larger wheat farms came into being in the states that were established  in the old Northwest Territory. The Erie Canal provided access to markets for these farms.  New York farmers began to diversify, raising more livestock and vegetables. The dairy industry began as feeder canals, turnpikes and plank roads brought urban markets within a day or two from most farms. More durable dairy products could be produced on a large scale. In Prattsville, Zaddock Pratt encouraged dairying on the lumbered-over hills surrounding his former tannery town. He favored commercial butter-making for the New York City market.  Oswego county farmers and  farmers in the Tug Hill Plateau region favored cheese making operations, and a "Cheese Factory" was begun in Berne, in the Albany County "hilltowns".

Albany Co. Rte 156, Berne

1At some point, it was probably moved to the East Room, for a drawing of the East Room exists with the cheese prominently displayed near its center.

It Happened Here -- Part II--A Close  Thing (Twice)

At Sacket's Harbor   

In the eight months of war that followed the first battle of Sacket's Harbor the little port town had been transformed. Its population had exploded with a large influx of Army regulars, militiamen, sailors and civilian ship builders. Shipbuilding facilities, warehouses for ship supplies and  supplies for armies mobilizing here for attacks on the Niagara Frontier and Upper Canada had sprung up around the port. Sacket's Harbor had became the headquarters for prosecuting the war along the northern front.

But surprisingly, the defenses to protect this vital town remained incomplete. The Fort Tompkins blockhouse had been finished, along with the shore batteries that flanked it and both were now armed. 

 

 

Another battery had been built on the opposite side of the harbor, called Fort Volunteer, and any ship that attempted to force its way into the harbor might be subject to a murderous cross-fire. To the southwest a new blockhouse, and Fort Virginia, a small fort built from squared timbers had been constructed.

 

But much of the rest of the town's perimeter was only lightly fortified. A map drawn by General Macomb in March 1813 showed how vulnerable it was. Around much of the perimeter there was nothing but an abbatis of felled trees with their sharpened branches sticking out toward would-be attackers (the 18th and early 19th century equivalent of barbed wire.)  Behind this it appears were a scattering of small wooden redoubts (small log walls, that gave infantrymen some cover, when firing from behind them) -- that was all! To the west of  Fort Tompkins were three rows of unfortified log barracks, with four large rooms in each of them, known as the Basswood Cantonment.

In May of 1813 the British were smarting from a successful raid the Americans had made on the town of York (Toronto) at the far end of the lake. The town had been burned and the Americans had carted off a large amount of supplies that were now being stored in Sacket's Harbor. The American's had also started building at Sacket's Harbor, a large brig, the General Pike, named for the American general killed in that raid. Then on the 28th of May the Americans launched a major assault on Fort George, near Niagara Falls.  British Commander of the fleet on the Great Lakes Captain James Yeo, and  Governor General of Canada, Sir George Provost sensed an opportunity. They cobbled together a raiding party composed of eight companies from four regiments, two companies of French Canadian Voltigeurs and about forty Canadian Native Americans to attack the weakened post of Sacket's Harbor.

As the raiding party began to come ashore, south of the town they spotted sails approaching.  Fearing it was Commodore Chauncey's fleet returning from Ft. George, they hastily returned to their ships but then realized it was nothing more than a group of nineteen American batteaux, under sail, from Oswego. Newly recruited element of the 9th and 21st Regiments were being sent to bolster the defenses at Sacket's Harbor. The British sent three large canoes of Native Americans and a gunboat after them. Seven batteaux escaped and eventually reached Sacket's Harbor. The British opened fire on the rest and the Americans attempted to escape by beaching their boats on Stony Point at the mouth of Henderson Bay and attempting to flee into the woods.  In less than an hour the Indians had tracked down and scalped thirty five of them. The rest, some 115 circled back to their boats where they surrendered to the British.

While the "Battle of Henderson Bay" was a complete British victory, it gave time for the Americans to muster the militia from the  surrounding countryside and to ready their defenses. The infirmary was scoured for any men capable of standing and aiding in a defense.  A unit called the "silver greys" composed mostly of Revolutionary War veterans, that normally performed auxiliary duties was called upon to man the battery at Fort Volunteer. 

Following the battle a larger fortification was built on the site of Ft.Volunteer

The next day the British landed on Horse Island, a small island about a mile from the Harbor that was connected to the shore by a narrow causeway.  As they landed they came under fire from the Albany Volunteers, who had been posted on the island.  The big 32 pounder at Fort Tompkins, that had played such an important role in the first battle,  also reached over the long distance to do damage,  and the militia firing from behind a gravel embankment contributed to British losses.  The Albany Volunteers retreated from the island, then the British, their landing accomplished, charged the narrow spit of land connecting shore and island. The militia from behind their natural gravel breastworks, could have offered serious resistance  but instead they fled in panic into the woods. Once on shore the British formed into two columns, one to advance along shore toward Fort Tompkins and the harbor, the other to protect the first column's flank.

 Despite the militia's precipitous flight, elsewhere pockets of resistance began to coalesce. On the Americans extreme left under the encouragement of one Captain Samuel M'Nitt a group of about 100 militiamen were fighting from behind several downed trees. On the American's right 250 dismounted Dragoons from the 1st Regiment, led by Colonel Electus Backus blocked the road leading to Fort Tompkins and to their left, the Albany Volunteers put up a stiff resistance. They were even joined by soldiers from Fort Volunteer.

Gradually, the British superiority of numbers forced the Americans back.  The Dragoons made a stand in a low drainage ditch that ran from in front of the new log barracks to the water; then they retreated to the partially completed barracks themselves, where fierce fighting occurred as muskets, bayonets and swords were thrust and parried in and out through windows and doors.

In front of Fort Tompkins one of the British ships had worked its way forward  to where it could fire on the fort. The wind had become extremely light and variable, but the Beresford's captain had used his ship's sweeps (long oars) to maneuver his boat to where he could attack the fort. The ship's cannon fire drove the Tompkin's gun crews from their guns and several shots from the Beresford         flew over the fort, crashing into the port. At the port a young acting Lieutenant John Drury had been given the order to set fire to the warehouses and the General Pike if the British were about to take the town.  From his position he could see panicked and wounded militiamen and solders streaming back through the town. He could hear the guns of Fort Tompkins had fallen silent, and then perhaps he thought the Fort's guns were being turned on the port itself. The young novice officer decided the time had come to execute his order. Within a few minutes the warehouses filled with ships stores and recently captured British supplies were burning out of control. He had set fire to the General Pike and also to the recently captured Duke of Gloucester.   

The acting Commandant of Sacket's Harbor was General Jacob Brown who had taken command of the port when General Henry Dearborne had left on the expedition against Fort George.  Brown was a General of Militia and was especially upset and embarrassed when his men had so precipitously fled at the beginning of the battle. Determined to bring them back, he sent out several mounted Dragoons into the woods armed with a lie. He told them to tell the fleeing men they found, that the British were beaten and in retreat.  When about three hundred of them were collected up, prepared to join in the victory, Brown addressed them, shaming them for their actions, exhorting them to redeem themselves, and steeling them for the fighting that still had to be done. (And assuring them that he had taken precautions that any of them that showed conspicuous cowardliness would be shot.)  He then marched about two hundred of them through the woods to attack the flank of British troops attacking the barracks.  The other one hundred were sent farther back to attack the British landing site if the opportunity presented itself.

By now the British attack was beginning to falter. Nearly one third of the attackers had been killed or wounded and Fort Tompkins and the Port had yet to be taken. Informants had told Captain Yeo and General Prevost that another regiment of Americans was at Oswego and would presumably try to march to the aid of the Americans at Sacket's Harbor. Now with the sudden appearance of Americans firing on their flanks it was easy to jump to the conclusion that this had happened. General Prevost called for a withdrawal. For the exhausted British troops the withdrawal deteriorated into a rout.  The Americans could not keep up and scores of dead and wounded British soldiers were left behind where they fell as the King's forces scrambled to return to their landing area. George Provost made one last effort to accomplish with bravado that which he could he could not accomplish with arms. He demanded the Americans surrender the town to him; then he demanded his surgeons be allowed to treat their wounded and recover them.  The Americans laughed at his first demand, and assured him his wounded would be treated with all humanity and care as American prisoners of war.

The warehouses set on fire were a total loss as some $500,000 went up in flames.  The ships, however, built out of green wood did not burn well and were saved.

Following this attack the defenses around Sacket's Harbor were greatly improved.  Fort Volunteer was replaced by Fort Pike with higher ramparts, more guns and a blockhouse.  The abbatis surrounding the town was strengthened by a wooden breastworks. A stone tower, Ft. Chauncy guarded one of the main roads into the town,  and an earthen redoubt, covering the road taken by the British in the 1813 attack was built. Sacket's Harbor was never attacked again.