Schoharies Beginnings Shared with Historians

COBLESKILL — Local Author Jeff O’Connor offered highlights from his three-volume series “Skohere and the Birth of New York's Western Frontier, 1609-1731” for Cobleskill historians at the society’s March meeting.

“When the Palatines arrived in the Schoharie Valley in 1712, the world they stepped into was a century in the making,” O’Connor said.

He offered this synopsis of the “Skohere” trilogy: “This formative period of the valley's history has never been fully told, nor has the true impact these rebellious German refugees had on pushing New York's western frontier as far as they did, as fast as they did. Until now.

The three-volume series is about the Palatines that's not really about the Palatines. It is a biography of the Schoharie Valley and the people and events that helped shape its earliest colonial history.”

The talk and accompanying visual presentation followed the lives of a handful of historic figures who feature prominently in the O’Connor trilogy. These figures, according to the guest speaker, “connect the network of people who not only play significant roles in the foundational history of the Schoharie Valley region, but also in shaping of Provincial New York.”

Using key figures like Nicholas Bayard, Adam Vrooman, Robert Livingston, the Johannes Weiser family, Mohawk War Captain Kryn, and Mohawk protector of the Schoharie Valley, Hendrick, O’Connor’s program (and books) described for the historical society the broad scope of the three-volume “Skohere.”

O’Connor writes the trilogy challenges the accepted understands of the history of the period.

“By the end (of the series) the Schoharie Valley, once overshadowed by the better-known Hudson and Mohawk, takes its rightful place as a closely related equal in the early formative years of New York State.”

About 20 attended the March 3 meeting. It was second meeting for the rejuvenated Cobleskill Historical Society, following its hiatus during the COVID pandemic.

New members are welcome, and former members are strongly encouraged to re-join the group. Dues are $10 for the year. The society is a nonprofit, 501c (3) organization and membership donations are tax deductible. Checks may be sent to the Town of Cobleskill Historical Society, PO Box 423, Cobleskill, NY 12043.

The next meeting of the society will be Monday, April 7, at 6 p.m. at the Cooperative Extension Building on South Grand Street, Cobleskill.  The guest speaker will be announced.