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Three Rivers
Hudson~Mohawk~Schoharie
History From America's Most Famous Valleys
The Book of Names
Especially Relating to The Early Palatines and the First Settlers in the
Mohawk Valley
Compiled and Arranged by Lou D. MacWethy
Published by The Enterprise and News
St. Johnsville, NY., 1933
Tryon County Militia, 4th Regiment
Col. Peter Bellinger
Reviewed and edited by L. F. Bellinger, Lt. Com. U. S. N., Retired, of Atlanta, Ga. Mr. Bellinger is the author of the Bellinger Family series and has spent many years in research pertaining to the Revolutionary period in the Mohawk Valley.
The Fourth Regiment known as Bellinger's was recruited from the man power of the German Flatts settlement and included the former Kingsland or Fairfield district. It was composed of many Seasoned veterans of the French wars of 1757 and all of the older people remembered vividly the destruction of their village in November of that year. Samuel L. Frey, in his notes in the back of his work, "Minute Book of the Committee of Safety," says: "Peter Bellinger, Colonel of the Fourth Regiment, Tryon County Militia, was born 1726. He married Delia Herkimer. He was a most efficient officer and a ardent patriot. He led his regiment at Oriskany. Lt. Colonel Frederick Bellinger, of the same regiment was taken prisoner, There were Thirty Bellingers in the service. At a meeting of Committee of Safety August 26, 1775 he appears as a Lt. Colonel for the German Flatts and Kingsland Regiment. The Colonel selected was Honyoost Herkimer who died. This advanced Peter Bellinger to the rank of colonel. At the same meeting col. Nicholas Herkimer was chosen as delegate from the four districts as Chief Colonel and Commander."
Col. Peter Bellinger HELD the frontier!
Fort Stanwix was an outpost, burned at midday two years before the end of the war by its own garrison no doubt.
With houses, barns, farm buildings and crops burned; with cattle, food, animals and horses driven off, there was no material object for the inhabitants of German Flatts to remain in that vicinity. They started to leave! Had they left German Flatts, Canajoharie would have become the frontier town. Col. Peter held the people in German Flatts by threatening to take their few remaining effects from them. With crops destroyed and with nothing to eat, how could any of them be held? In a cataclysm in San Francisco followed by fire, it required presidential authority backed by promises of congressional leaders of both parties to enact special legislation, before the army fed the destitute. Col. Peter could not await orders. The initiative was his, and his only. He ordered rations to be issued the sufferers from the supplies at Fort Herkimer, and reported his action through proper channels to the governor, who disclaimed in writing any responsibility for, and the consequences of this act. The governor's brothers, Gen. James Clinton criticized that use of rations, stating that some were not destitute enough to feed on government rations.
Nevertheless, both men and women mounted guard twice daily, walked post in Fort Herkimer and Fort Dayton and held the frontier through the perilous years to 1779 to 1783. What could the politicians do to Col. Peter in consequence of this prompt action? Evidently Col. Peter agreed in the though accompanying that query. The next move was up to the politicians and they forgot all about it so far as following up the breach of regulations was concerned.
ORISKANY
Col. Peter's action at Oriskany is alone sufficient to commend him to us forever! Quoted from Max Reid's "Mohawk Valley" is the following:
General Herkimer "ordered Col. Bellinger and the soldiers who had not yet crossed the causeway to retake the hill. Dashing through the hail of lead on both flanks the stalwart Palatine Germans stormed the hillside firing to kill as they went and then meeting their antagonists with the swinging blows of clubbed muskets. Regaining the hilltop, they formed themselves into circular squads, leaving the bottom of the fatal ravine to the dead and dying" * * * After three-quarters of an hour the enemy began to concentrate upon the Americans from all points. * * * "Noticing this movement the Americans on the plateau formed themselves into circles and their resistance from that moment became more effective." * * * Col. Peter's rush at the enemy had caused them to forsake their American prisoners temporarily and as Adam Miller relates, the Palatines who were prisoners from the rear guard, immediately joined Col. Peter's men and reentered the fight. * * * * The General withdrew the troops under Col. Bellinger and Capt. Jacob Gardinier from the east side of the ravine. "Formed into a circle, each man protected by a tree or log, they were ordered to adopt a new mode of bush fighting * * * two men to take each tree." Capt. Gardinier's men after being rescued by Col. Peter as related, fought the major part of the battle under Col. Peter.
Oriskany cannot compare with modern battles in numbers engaged, though "Many important battles" of the War of 1812 had less than 1000, and some less than 500 engaged. In per cent of casualties, (Committee of Safety reported 150 returned safely) and in the important consequences resultant from the battle, it ranks high in historical works entitled "Decisive Battles of America." Some New Englanders may not call Oriskany a "Battle", but it certainly was a FIGHT!
What won that fight?
In any surprise and ambush confusion reigns. Ordinary military tactics were useless in the swamp and woods. So far as is known, only two tactical orders were given, viz:
"Put two men behind each tree."
"Form the men in circles." (They were surrounded.)
St. Leger's success meant supplies and reinforcements for Burgoyne, with no necessity for the Battle of Bennington, fought ten days after Oriskany. The fight at Oriskany insured the surrender of Burgoyne. Burgoyne's surrender insured the French alliance. The French fleet insured the surrender of Yorktown. Oriskany made possible the birth of the new nation. Oriskany was made possible by the directive actions of two men, General Herkimer and his brother-in-law Col. Peter Bellinger, each giving one of the two orders mentioned above.
Their action is memorialized in the picture of Oriskany by Chaplin, described by the late Col. John W. Vrooman, as quoted:
"It has General Herkimer at the left talking with Colonel Bellinger. Both men are pointing. Mr. Petrie is bandaging General Herkimer's wounded leg."
This picture was rediscovered by Harry V. Bush of Canajoharie. From the Battle of Oriskany, August 1777 to the Battle of German Flatts, Col. Peter Bellinger carried on as The Frontiersman of New York!
References--Max Reid's, "The Mohawk Valley," pp. 423, 424
U. S. Pensions of Revolutionary War, numbered S 23644 and R17772.
Clinton's "Public Papers," Vol. IV, page 49.
Greene's "Old Fort Plain," Page 363.
New York Historical Association, "New York History," January, 1928, page 102; April, 1932, page 129.
Explanatory References
1. Killed at Oriskany
2. Died in Action.
3. Prisoner of war.
4. Missing
5. Engaged at Oriskany.
5. Wounded.
The letter after the name refers to a note in the next section.
Col. Peter Bellinger 5
Adjutant George Demuth
Quarter Master Peter Bellinger, Jr.
Tinus Clappsaddle 1
Captains
Helmer, Frederick 1
Dygert, Wm. 5
Demuth, Hans Mark 3-6-5
Frank, Frederick 5
Herder, Henrig 5
Huber, Henry
Ittig, Michael
Small, Jacob 2
Starring, Henrich
Lieutenants
Campbell, Patrick
Demuth, Hannes
Folts, Jacob 5
Petry, Detrick Marcus 1
Frank, Timothy
Helmer, George 6
Myer, Jacob
Smith, John
Weber, George A.
Weber, Peter
Walrath, Henry 3
Engisns
Bellinger, Hannes (A)
Mayer, John
Petry, Jacob
Starring, Adam A.
Bellinger, Johannes F. 2 (B)
Hiller, Jacob 1
Corporals
Iser, frederick 1
Additional Officers
Additional officers taken from original pay rolls before the Capitol in Albany was burned, and taken fromt he original U. S. Pension application papers.
Lieutenants
Basehorn, Jacob. He resigned the year after Oriskany. See U. S. Pension S23644
Fox, Frederick, member of committee of safety, assemblyman during Rev. War, numerous descendants around Mohawk, Groton, Olean, Wellsville. First supervisor German Flatts.
Roof, John, mentioned in U. S. Pension S23644.
Sergeants
Bellinger, Frederick. Called Hoffrich. Descendants numerous around Mohawk, Ilion, Michigan, Georgia.
Folts, Melchoir of Frankfort. Said to have commanded Henry Herter's Company after the captian moved to Columbia county. See pension W25951.
Frank, John. Orderly sergeant under Capt. Michael Ittig who was Mem. of Assembly 1777 and under his brother Frederick Frank who superseded Ittig after Oriskany. First Judge in Herkimer Co. Was in the "Last Battle of Rev. War 1783", U. S. Pension S23644.
Myer, Michael afterward became Major General of Militia. Married a daughter of Capt. Henry Herter.
Stale, George, now spelled Steele.
Smith, George, an expert penman who inscribed records in many family Bibles. From North Herkimer.
Corporals
Bellinger, John, possibly the same as Major John of Utica, died 1815.
Dockstader, John, son-in-law of Lt. Col. Frederick P. Bellinger, Descendants in Philps, N.Y.
Herter, Lorens, grandson of Patentee. Too many of this name for identification
Shoemaker, Domas, son-in-law of Patentee, Lorentz Herter. Descendants numberous in Mohawk and vicinity. Son of Patentee Thomas who was a Lieut. in 1733.
Drummers
Wohleber, Pitter. See notes under Pvt. Pitter Wohleber, later died 1829..
Weaver, John
Hilts, John. He was also a footracer. Carried message Fort Dayton to Fort Stanwix and return same day.
Fifer
Weaver, George M. He played at the gallows for Hon. Yost Schuyler who was released at the last moment for special service. Utica descendants
Enlisted Men
Ahrehforf, Frieterich
Ahrendorff, Piter
Ahrentarff, Peter
Ahrentorff, Gorg
Armstrong, Archibald
Armstrong, John
Ayer, Frederick 1
Badcock, John
Balthaser, Breih (C)
Bany, Ichabod
Bauman, Adam (E)
Bauman, Frederick (D)
Bauman, Georg A.
Bauman, Jacob
Bauman, Johannes
Bauman, Nicolas (D)
Bauman, Stophel
Becker, Henrich 5
Betrer, Jacob (I)
Bell, G. Henry 6
Bell, Jacob
Bell, Nicolaus 5-2 (E)
Bell, Thomas
Bellinger, John Frederick 1
Bellinger, John 3 (F)
Bellinger, Peter 2 (G)
Bellinger, Peter B.
Bellinger, Peter P.
Bellinger, Stoffel
Bendel, Catren
Bender, Jacob
Benrich, Frans
Bercki, Jacob (H)
Berckie, Peter (H)
Berdrick, Frantz
Bersh, Lutwig (I)
Bell, Frederick 2 (J)
Bell, Joseph 1 (E)
Bellinger, Wilhelm P. 5
Bellinger, John 5 (F)
Biddeman, Adam 5
Bargy, Peter 5 (H)
Bersh, Rudolph (I)
Beshar, Jacob (K)
Betrer, Jacob
Bonny, Ichabod (L)
Bouman, Adam (D)
Bouman, Nicholas (D)
Breidenbucher, Balthass (C)
Breidenbue, Baldes (C)
Brothack, Jacob
Brothak, Bartholomay
Brothock, John
Burcky, Peter, Senr. (H)
Burti, Jacob
Byrky, Jacob (H)
Byrky, Peter (H)
Campbell, John
Campbell, Ludwig
Camples, Patrick
Casler, Conrad
Casler, Jacob H. 5
Casler, Jacob J.
Casler, Jacob, Junr. Casler, John 5
Casler, John T.
Casler, Adam 5
Casler, Nicholas (M)
Casler, Peter
Casler, Malger (N)
Chitter, John
Chokin, Thomas
Christman, Frederick 3-5 (O)
Christman, Fritrich
Christman, Jacob ( P)
Christman, John
christman, Nicolaus
Clapsattel, Andrew
Clapsattle, William
Clements, Jacob 5
Clements, Philip
Clenicum, John (Q)
Cline, William
Cochen, Thomas
Coken, Dome
Colsh, John, Senr.
Colsh, John, Junr.
Connghem, Willem (Q)
Corroll, George
Cox, Fauet
Cox, Fesser
Cram, Jacob
Crantz, Hanry (S)
Cremm, Jacob
Cristman, Jacob (P)
Cunicum, Wiliem (Q)
Cunningham, John (Q)
Davis, Daniel 5
Dabush, Jacob (T)
Dachsteter, Georg 3
Dachsteter, John 5 (U)
Dachsteter, Piter
Davis
Davis, George
Davis, John
Davis, Peter
Dawie, John
Daygert, William A.
Deisellman, Chrisdian
Demote, Marx (V)
Demuth, Diterich
Demuth, John
Demuth, Marx (V)
Deavy, John 2
Dom, Meger
Dunuss, Jacob
Edie, Frederick
Eeisemann, Stephen 3 (W)
Etig, Gorge
Eyseman, Johannes
Eeiseman, Stephen 3 (W)
Eckler, Leonard 3
Feelis, Jacob
Finster, John 5
Flack, Pitter (X)
Flock, Peter (X)
Follick, Thomas
Folmer, Christian
Folmer, conrad
Folmer, Thomas
Folmer, William
Fols, Conrath C
Fols, Georg
Fols, Jacob
Fols, Melger (Y)
Fols, Peter 5
Folts, Conrad 5-6
Folts, Jost
Foltz, John Jost *5
Fox, Friederich
Fox, John (Z)
Frank, Henry
Frank, John 5
French, Henrich
Fux, Hannes (Z)
Gettman, Frederick, Junr.
Gettman, Petter
Gortner, Peter
Getman, Conrad
Getman, Frederick 3
Hiller, 1
Hawn, Conrad 1
Helmer, John Adam 5*
Harter, Henry 5
Harter, John A. 5
Hunt, Peter 1
Harlam, Adam (a)
Hartman, Adam 5-6 (a)
Hatz, Peter
Hayer, Georg
Hebrissen, Martin
Heller, John 3
Helmer, Frederick
Helmer, Frederick A.
Helmer, Philip 5
Hendert, John
Herchmer, Jost
Herckmer, Abraham
Herkemer, John
Herkimer, George 5
Herkimer, Nicholas
Herkimer, Joseph 5
Herkimer, Henrich 5
Herkimer, Henrich 5
Herder, John (b)
Herder, Lorens 3
Herder, Niklas
Herter, Frederick, Junr. (b)
Herter, Lawrence
Herter, Lorens
Herter, Lorens F.
Herter, Lorens N.
Herter, Lorens P. 3
Herter, Nicolas
Herter, Nicolas F.
Herter, Philip
Herter, Philip F.
Hes, Conrat (c)
Hesler, Morten
Hess, Augustinus 2
Hess, Christian
Hess, Conrad (c)
Hess, Fridrik
Hess, George
Hess, John 6
Heyer, George (e)
Heyer, George Frederick (e)
Heyer, Peter (e)
Hils, Georg (d)
Hils, Hannes
Hilt, George N.
Hilts, John
Hiltz, Georg (d)
Hiltz, George G.
Hiltz, George, Junr.
Hiltz, George N.
Hiltz, Gotfrid
Hiltz, Hannes
Hiltz, Laurence
Hiltz, Nicolas
Hochstrasser, Christian
Hoffstader, Christian
Hoyer, George (e)
Hoyer, Gorg Friederich (e)
Hoyer, Peter (e)
Huber, John
Hyser, Martin
Ittig, George (f)
Itig, Marck 2
Ittig, Christian 3
Ittig, Conrath
Ittig, Frieterich
Ittig, Jacob 5
Ittig, Jacob J.
Karle, George
Kast, Frederick
Keller, Nicolaus
Kessler, Adam 5
Keller, George Nicholas 3
Kelsch, John, Junr. (R)
Kelsch, John, Senr.
Kesler, Hannes
Keller, George 3
Kesler, Nicholas (M)
Kesslar, Conrat
Kessler, Jacob John
Kesslar, John 5
Kessler, Jacob J.
Kessler, John P.
Kessler, Johney
Kessler, Joseph
Kessler, Jelger (N)
Kiltz, Georg
Kiltz, Laurants (d)
Koch, Jost
Klapsaddle, Jacob 5
Krans, Michel (S)
Krantz, Heinrich (8)
Kreim, Jacob
Kuran, Michael (g)
Kyler, Nichlas (N)
Lantz
Leithal, Abraham (i)
Lentz, Jacob
Lentz, John 2
Lentz, John, Junr.
Lentz, Peter
Lighthall, George
Lighthall, Nicholas 5
Lithall, Abraham (i)
Moyer, Jacob 1
Myer, Jacob 5
Macnod, Jeams
Manderback, John
Mauyer, Nicklas
Mayel, Matthias
Mayer, Frederick
Mayer, Henry
Mayer, John
Mayer, Joseph
Mayer, Mates (j)
Mayer, Michel (j)
Mayer, Nicolas
Mayer, Piter
Moyer, John 2
Meller, John
Miller, Henrich
Miller, Johannis
Miller, John, Junr.
Miller, John, Senr.
Miller, Nicolaus
Miller, Fette
Miller, Valentine
Millor, Hanry
Molter, Jacob
Molter, Peter
Moyer, Frederick
Moyer, Hanry
Moyer, Joseph
Moyer, Margeris (j)
Moyer, Peter
Muller, John
Milter, Jacob
Multer, Piter
Munterba, Hannes
Myer, Josaph 5
Myer, Michel (j)
Myndnbach, Johanne
McNutt, James
Nash, James (k)
Nesch, Schims
Newkerk, Benjamin
Oxner, Nicholas 2
Ogt, George
Ohrendorph, Frederick, Junr.
Ohrahdorph, Frederick, Senr.
Ohrendorph, George
Ohrendorph, Peter
Osterhout, John
Osteroth, Johannes
Osterttout, John
Petrie, Hanjost, Sgt. 6d. Aug. 30, 1777
Pedery, Marx (1)
Petry, Diterich
Peifer, Jacob (m)
Pesausie, John (k)
Petrey, John Marx 5
Petri, Daniel 2
Petri, Jacob 3
Petri, Johannes
Petri, Joseph 6
Petry, Marx
Petry, Diterich
Petry, John 1
Petry, John M.
Petry, Jose
Phyfer, Andrew 5-3
Phyfer, Jacob 3 (m)
Piper, Antoore
Piper, Jost
Rabold, Georg
Rasbach, John
Regel, Godfray (pp)
Remah, George (n)
Rickel, Christian (pp)
Riema, Georg (n)
Riema, John (n)
Riema, John Senr.
Rigel, Frederick 3
Rima, John, Senr.
Rimer, Hannes (n)
Rosekrantz, Nicolaus (o)
Ryan, John
Rasback, Frederick 5
Rasbach, Mark 5
Renckel, Lawrence 1 (p)
Ritter, Jacob 1
Ritter, 1
Ritter, Henry 5
Roof, Johannes 5
Roof, John 5
Sharriar, Christian 1 (q)
Sharriar 1
Shaull, Henry 5
Shimel 5
Schuyler, Philip 1
Skinner, Isaac 2 (t)
Shiffen, George 2
Shall, Fredrick
Shell, John
Shoemaker, Christopher 3 (r)
Shoemaker, Frederick
Shoemaker, Hanjost (r)
Shoemaker, John 3
Shoemaker, Jost
Shoemaker, Thomas 3-5 (r)
Shute, Frederick
Shute, William (s)
Simer, Geson (t)
Smith, John (u)
Smith, Nicholas 2
Smith, William
Sneck, George
Spon, Nicklas
Spoon, Werner
Stahring, Attam, Senr.
Stahring, George
Stale, Gorge (v)
Staring, Adam 3
Staring, Adam J.
Staring, Conrat
Staring, Henrich 3-5
Staring Margred (w)
Staring, Nicklas
Staring, Peter
Starring, Nicholas, Senr.
Starring, Nicholas
State, George (v)
Steal, Ditrick
Steale, Adam
Stehl, Ditetrich
Stering, Adam
Stearing, Valentine 2 (w)
Schell, Christian 2-5
Schell, Johannes
Schenck, Georg
Schieff, Georg
Schmid, Friedrich
Schmit, Adam
Schmit, Frederick
Schmit, John (u)
Schmit, Jost
Schmit, Peter
Schumacher, John
Schumacher, Stiffel (r)
Schut, Wiliem (s)
Seimer, Isack, (t)
Stinway, Arnold Sgt. 1
Stowitts, Philip G. P. 5
Stevens, Fred 1
Straubel, Stoffel (x)
Strobel, Christoph (x)
Tinis, Jacob
Tinis, John
Usner, Peter Gorg
Van Slyck, Jacobus 5
Weaver, george
Weaver, Nicholas H.
Weaver, Nicholas, Junr.
Web, Nicolas G.
Weber, Frederick
Weber, Frederick G (y)
Weber, Frederick, Junr.
Weber, George
Weber, George, Junr.
Weber, George M. 5 (y)
Weber, Jacob 2
Weber, Jacob G.
Weber, Jacob J. 5
Weber, Jacob N.
Weber, Jacob, Senr.
Weber, Johannes
Weber, Michel
Weber, Nicolas
Weber, Nicolas G.
Weber, Nicolas H.
Weber, Peter
Wederstine, Henry
Wents, George
Widerstein, Henry
Widrig, Jacob 3
Widrig, Michael 5
Witerig, Georg
Witrigh, Conrat
Witterstein, Henrich
Wohleben, Abraham (z)
Wohleber, Abraham 5-6
Wohleber, Jacob
Wohleber, Pitter 5 (z)
Woleben, jacob
Wolff, Johannes
Wolleben, Peter
Wollerver, Abraham (z)
Wolleben, Niclas 5 (z)
Wohleber, John 1
Wohleber, Richard 1 (z)
Weaver, Peter James 5
Weaver, Jacob 5
Walrath, Henry 3
*John Adam F. Helmer, Hans Marcus Demuth and Johan Jost Folts, were the three scouts selected by Gen. Herkimer to penetrate the enemy lines and carry a message to Gen. Gansevoort of the beleaguered Fort Stanwix. The identity of the 3rd scout Johan Jost Folts was not discovered until 1930 when Lt. L. F. Bellinger rescued the information from pension papers of John Adam F. Helmer, later published in full in the Helmer Family book by Pascoe William and issued from the Enterprise press of St. Johnsville. John Adam F. Helmer appears as a private in Bellinger's regiment but he was a lieutenant in the Rangers (Scouts) under Captain John Bigbread. The exploit of these three scouts in reaching Fort Stanwix is classed among the outstanding examples of personal bravery in the Revolutionary war.
Capt. Hans Marcus Demuth was related tot eh other two scouts but just how is not known. Johan Jost Folts married a Bellinger girl and Helmer also. Capt. Peter Bellinger was father-in-law to the following patriots: Lt. Adam F. Helmer the scout; Lt. Timothy Frank, Sergt. George Smith, the expert penman; Christian Scherer, prisoner of war; Abraham Lighthall, pensioner; Abraham Wohleber, pensioner who was scalped and his feet frozen.
Bellinger, Hannes A. ? (I don't know why this is here!)
References from the list, 4th Regiment.
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