History at the Old Stone Fort - Skipple and Fortepiano

Skipple

18th century, pine and wrought iron

A skipple was a Dutch unit of dry measure equal to 3 pecks, or ¾ of an English bushel. This measure was commonly used in the Schoharie Valley, where Dutch traditions remained strong through the 18th century.

This particular skipple belonged to Johannes Ball, who served as Chairman of the Committee of Safety for the Schoharie District during the Revolutionary War. It stands as a reminder of Schoharie's wartime experience: fertile fields devoted to grain production, a community rooted in German and Dutch culture, farmers taking on political leadership, and families divided in their loyalties. Johannes himself supported the Patriot cause, while his brother remained loyal to Great Britain.

Fortepiano

Mfg. by Simpson Bros., London, c. 1790

This is an early version of the piano, its name fortepiano translates to "loud-soft". Imported by Commodore Silas Talbot, its action is of the Zumpe type, invented in 1762.

Donated by Jean Ritter, July 2015.