On this day – December 11

On this day in 1745, a court of inquiry was established at Albany to ascertain the reason for the loss of Saratoga in the raid in November by French officer Marin and his force of “22 officers, 23 cadets, 6 volunteers, 235 inhabitants, 90 Abenaki, 100 Iroquois-equal number from the Sault [Caughnawaga] and the Lake [Lake of Town Mountains]- 23 Nisissings, 16 Huron” for a total of about 520 men; in 1873, there was a claim by George Strover vs. the State of New York, regarding the enlargement of the Champlain Canal in the spring included twenty one trees and a stone wall; in 1927, Malcolm Drew was born, he would serve as a Seaman Second Class in the US Navy during World War II; in 1982, Harry J. Hughes passed away, he served as a Captain in the US Army in World War II; in 2002, the Schuylerville Village Board conducted a meeting at which Mayor John Sherman reports that valuable archeological artifacts had been found at the water filtration plant near the boat launch, approval was given to pay C. D. Perry for engineering and construction on the new dam on the old Champlain Canal, and Drug Risk Solutions was given permission to place a second trailer adjacent to the old school on Spring Street; in 2007, the Quaker Springs Fire District conducted the annual Fire District Commissioner election and a vote on a bond resolution authorizing the issuance of Serial Bonds in an amount not to exceed $600,000 for the construction of a fire sub-station on Route 9P; and in 2013, archeologists from Hartgen made a site visits to the Saratoga study area (along Route 4 south of the Schuyler House) to study the topography and identify natural and man-made landscape features.

On this day is a chronological timetable of events that occurred on this day in history around the Town of Saratoga. Discover what happened today in local history by following us on Facebook at https://ift.tt/2kLifwt

(Thank you to Deputy Historian Patricia Peck for compiling information for this timetable.)

December 11

Champlain Canal

“In the year 1844, … the aqueduct across Fish creek at Schuylerville was rebuilt, having a new abutment and wings built of masonry on a pile foundation. The trunk of the aqueduct was enlarged so as to permit two boats to pass in it. The dam across the Hudson at Saratoga was raised and planked, and a new apron was constructed in 1844.” This was an selection from “.The Champlain Canal”. History of the Canal System of the State of New York by Nobel E. Whitford (1906)

The Champlain Canal has served as a travel corridor for centuries. Stretching 64 miles between the Hudson River and Lake Champlain, the Champlain Canal stands as one of the earliest and most significant public works projects in the history of the United States.

It was General Philip Schuyler that recognized the economic potential for a continuous waterway between the Hudson River and Lake Champlain. The Champlain Canal was opened in 1823 and consisted of a land cut channel from Waterford to a canalized Wood Creek, which joins Lake Champlain at Whitehall. Later efforts to build a canal large enough for ocean-going vessels were too ambitious and costly to implement. Instead, an enlarged barge canal incorporating the Hudson River was built in 1916. 

Construction of the Champlain Canal created a physical and commercial connection between Saratoga (Schuylerville) and the U.S. Atlantic coast (and the nation’s Midwest and West) that had impacts far beyond its intended effects. The canal formed the first truly effective means of inland interstate commerce, directly enabling the growth of Schuylerville, Midwestern agriculture and the emergence of New York City and New York State as national and international economic powers.  The Champlain Canal help define this community and our region as a corridor of commerce.  Preserving key landscapes enhances our historic settings and protects the natural systems that are shared throughout our community, county and region.

On this day – December 10

On this day in 1775, American Generals Richard Montgomery and Benedict Arnold set up a battery of artillery 700 yards from the walls of Quebec, they lack proper siege mortars and by this time the ground is frozen – they have to thaw snow to entrench the guns in ice, the guns did little damage, and Arnold’s men are starting to desert, since their contracts end at the end of the month; in 1844, the USS Saratoga is decommissioned in Norfolk,Va. after demonstrating the determination and ability of the United States to maintain American honor along the coast of Africa, being generous with friend and firm but fair with enemies; in 1886, there was moonlight coasting on Pine Street in Victory; in 2010 Bob Stickle was noted in the newspaper for operating a family-run shop, Schuyler Sweet on Broad Street; and in 2016, James L. Gorham Jr., of Mennen Rd. passed away, he was the Tax Collector for the Town.

On this day is a chronological timetable of events that occurred on this day in history around the Town of Saratoga. Discover what happened today in local history by subscribing to our blog at https://ift.tt/2czXtwq

(Thank you to Deputy Historian Patricia Peck and Town Supervisor Thomas Wood for compiling information for this timetable.)

December 10

Knox Cannon in Saratoga

Faces and Places: Town of Saratoga Historian’s Photographic Archives Title: Sean Kelleher at the 2000 Knox Artillery Trail Reenactment at the Schuyler House 09 Dec 2000 was a  bitterly cold day for about 45 reenactors to commemorate the Knox Artillery Train some 225 years after the noble train of artillery travelled through Saratoga.  In 1775, an expedition led by Continental Army Colonel Henry Knox transport artillery that had been captured at Fort Ticonderoga and Crown Point to the Continental Army camps outside Boston, Massachusetts during the winter of 1775/1776.   Knox was in Saratoga on 24 December 1775.  He first went “on foot to Fort Miller: where Judge Dewer (Duer) procur’d me a sleigh to go to Stillwater… , and then crossed the river by ferry to the west side and arrived at Saratoga (Schuylerville) where he stopped and had dinner: We dined & set off about three OClock it still snowing exceeding fast… after the utmost efforts (of the) horses we reach’d Ensign’s tavern (just at the Saratoga/Stillwater town line) 8 miles beyond Saratoga – we lodg’d.” The images contained in this digital Faces and Places collection document Town of Saratoga’s past through its villages, buildings, and events. They are drawn from the Town of Saratoga Historian’s Collection. The majority of these photos were taken by former Town Historian Thomas N. Wood or Deputy Historian Veronica Wood. The images on Faces and Places collection are part of the Town of Saratoga Historian’s Photographic Archives. They are the property of the Town of Saratoga, which retains all right thereto. No publication or reproduction, electronic or otherwise, is allowed without the expressed permission of the Town of Saratoga Historian’s Office. The collection is opened by appointment. You may contact us by e-mail at historiantosaratoga@gmail.com The vast majority of the collections with Town of Saratoga Historian have been donated by many generous individuals and organizations throughout our community. We greatly appreciate such generosity and continue to rely heavily on this support in order to continue building collections for future generations. If you are interested in making a donation, contact us by e-mail at historiantosaratoga@gmail.com

We do history in Saratoga!

We do history in Saratoga!

This photo of the 2001 Skate the Harbor in Schuylerville hosted by the Old Saratoga Historical Association. Guess what? Our forefathers skated on the canal 100 years ago.

The Old Saratoga Historical Assn, formed in 1952, promotes interest in the history of the area, from Native American occupation, through the Dutch, French, British and colonial American to modern times. The group offers monthly programs, hosts 18th Century Day and a Candlelight Tour of the Schuyler House, and prepares a calendar with pictures and tidbits from the past.

We do history in Old Saratoga. Whether you call us Saratoga, Old Saratoga, Schuylerville, Victory Mills, Clark’s Mills, Northumberland, Easton, Greenwich, we are all part of a community with so much history and so many traditions. It’s hard to find a month in the year that doesn’t have an remembrance, event or festival!

A variety of local organizations ensure that the Earth Day, Memorial Day, Turning Point Parade, 18th Century Day, Candlelight Tour, Veterans Day, Dutch Christmas and more brings visitors, neighbors and friends out to enjoy the music, remembrances, costumes and heritage.

The Town of Saratoga is proud be a part of these efforts. The Town works with a wide range of partners to help promote and participate in many other events like Saratoga National Historical Park, Old Saratoga Historical Association, Hudson Crossing Park, Lakes to Locks Passage, Friends of the Battlefield, Saratoga PLAN, Historic Hudson-Hoosic Rivers Partnership, Heritage Hunters of Saratoga County, Schuylerville Area Chamber of Commerce, villages of Schuylerville and Victory, and the Turning Point Parade Committee ….and more.

Remembering, commemorating, and celebrating together fosters community ownership and neighborliness, develops more volunteers that work together to create positive changes for our community and encourages visitors to get to know us better. It is how we do history.

Join in the fun, and you’ll appreciate the sense of community that’s been at the foundation of Saratoga for centuries. There are many ways you can help care for Old Saratoga, from one-time to reoccurring volunteer opportunities for youth, families, groups and individuals. To learn more about volunteering contact historiantosaratoga@gmail.com

2000 Knox Artillery Trail Reenactment at the Schuyler House

Faces and Places: Town of Saratoga Historian’s Photographic Archives

Title: 2000 Knox Artillery Trail Reenactment at the Schuyler House

On 09 Dec 2000, a  bitterly cold day about 45 reenactors commemorate the Knox Artillery Train.  The oxen used for the cannon were provided by Herb Trombley.  Some of the reenactors came from Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Canada.  They did to this to remember 225 years before the noble train of artillery which traveled through Saratoga. 

In 1775, an expedition led by Continental Army Colonel Henry Knox transport artillery that had been captured at Fort Ticonderoga and Crown Point to the Continental Army camps outside Boston, Massachusetts during the winter of 1775/1776.   Knox was in Saratoga on 24 December 1775.  He first went “on foot to Fort Miller: where Judge Dewer (Duer) procur’d me a sleigh to go to Stillwater… , and then crossed the river by ferry to the west side and arrived at Saratoga (Schuylerville) where he stopped and had dinner: We dined & set off about three OClock it still snowing exceeding fast… after the utmost efforts (of the) horses we reach’d Ensign’s tavern (just at the Saratoga/Stillwater town line) 8 miles beyond Saratoga – we lodg’d.”

The images contained in this digital Faces and Places collection document Town of Saratoga’s past through its villages, buildings, and events. They are drawn from the Town of Saratoga Historian’s Collection. The majority of these photos were taken by former Town Historian Thomas N. Wood or Deputy Historian Veronica Wood. The images on Faces and Places collection are part of the Town of Saratoga Historian’s Photographic Archives. They are the property of the Town of Saratoga, which retains all right thereto. No publication or reproduction, electronic or otherwise, is allowed without the expressed permission of the Town of Saratoga Historian’s Office. The collection is opened by appointment. You may contact us by e-mail at historiantosaratoga@gmail.com

The vast majority of the collections with Town of Saratoga Historian have been donated by many generous individuals and organizations throughout our community. We greatly appreciate such generosity and continue to rely heavily on this support in order to continue building collections for future generations. If you are interested in making a donation, contact us by e-mail at historiantosaratoga@gmail.com

On this day – December 9

On this day in 1775, Alexander Lindsay, earl of Balcarras, was made Major in the Fifty-third Foot Regiment, he saw three years of service under Carleton and Burgoyne, he commanded the light infantry at Ticonderoga and at Hubbardton, Vt, in the latter action he was wounded—thirteen balls passing through his clothes, in the battle of September 19th he commanded the advanced corps of the army at Freeman’s Farm and in the action of October 7th, 1777, on the death of General Fraser, October 8th, 1777, he was made lieutenant-colonel of the Twenty-fourth foot, his bravery and prominence in both of the battles of Saratoga have always received particular mention and Major General Philip Schuyler wrote George Washington, ”inclose the Return of Cannon at Crown Point Tionderoga besides these there are a few at Fort George, the Return whereof I gave Colo: Knox to Copy & he forgot to redeliver It to me,” and the letter has the following postscript “…I have heretofore observed that Colo: Arnold had great Merit, he has been peculiarly unfortunate in that one third of his Troops have left him, if the whole had been with him when he arrived before Quebec, he would probably have had the sole Honor of giving that important Place to America, he will however share in the Glory of Its Reduction & I make no Doubt, but that It will be in our Possession before any Troops can come to It’s Relief;” in 1790, Rev. Samuel Smith, a young man who had just completed his studies, had accepted the call to lead the Dutch Reformed Church of Saratoga, arrived on the ground; in 1895, Giancamillo Raulli was born, he would serve as a private in the Battery E 33rd Field Artillery Regiment in World War 1, the unit was organized 5 August 1918 at Camp George G. Meade, Maryland and demobilized 12 December 1918; in 1919, John S. Nowkin Sr. was born on this day, he would serve as a Seaman 1st Class in the US Navy during World War II; in 1943, the USS Saratoga underwent overhaul at San Francisco for 25 days that included having her antiaircraft battery augmented and receiving 60 40-millimeter guns in place of 36 20-millimeter guns; in 1998, voters approved new school addition; in 2000, on a bitterly cold day, the Knox Artillery Train was Reenactment some 225 years after the noble train of artillery travelled through Saratoga, this was an expedition led by Continental Army Colonel Henry Knox to transport heavy weaponry that had been captured at Fort Ticonderoga and Crown Point to the Continental Army camps outside Boston, Massachusetts during the winter; and in 2002, the Town of Saratoga Board decided not to approve the Advanced Life Support services and stated that it would not do so until the General Schuyler Emergency Squad would guarantee that they would provide the services to the entire town, it was agreed to advertise for a Request for Proposal for soil borings to be taken at the Town hall to determine what is located at what depth and the town board also approved contracts with the Schuyler Hose Company for $18,107.06, with the David Nevins Fire Department for $6,361.94 and with the Schuylerville Public Library for $4,500.

On this day is a chronological timetable of events that occurred on this day in history around the Town of Saratoga. Discover what happened today in local history by subscribing to our blog at https://ift.tt/2czXtwq

(Thank you to Deputy Historian Patricia Peck and Town Supervisor Thomas Wood for compiling information for this timetable for compiling information for this timetable.)

December 9