LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 300th Anniversary of the Town
of Middleburgh, New York, to be celebrated August 3-5, 2012

WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to honor and commem-
orate the distinguished histories of the communities which comprise the
noble body of this great Empire State; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commem-
orate the 300th Anniversary of the Town of Middleburgh in Schoharie
County, New York; and
WHEREAS, Numerous events are planned to celebrate this most auspicious
occasion including fireworks, a parade, Old Thyme Baseball, musical
entertainment from Victorian times to today, a community picnic, tours
of the Dr. Christopher S. Best Home and Medical Exhibit, an ice cream
social, band concerts, art/antique/quilt show, architectural tour of
River Street, along with many other events; and
WHEREAS, In 1712, a group of German Palatines led by Johan Conrad
Weiser cut a road through the forests from Albany into the Schoharie
Valley; and
WHEREAS, When they reached the present Village of Middleburgh, 40 log
and earth huts were constructed; and
WHEREAS, Weisersdorf, as the settlement became known, was the first
permanent European presence in the Valley; and
WHEREAS, In 1713, more families followed including Adam Vroman and his
sons of Dutch descent who settled on "Vromansland" across the Schoharie
Creek at the base of Onistigrawa; and
WHEREAS, Wheat was grown in the surrounding valley around Middleburgh
and subsequently, the area would be known as the "Breadbasket of the
Revolution"; and
WHEREAS, The Middle Fort was constructed just north of the present
Village of Middleburgh along with the upper and lower forts to shield
the valley; and
WHEREAS, On October 17, 1780, the fort protected the people while
their lands were burned by British, Tory, and Indian forces led by Sir
John Johnson and Joseph Brant; Timothy Murphy drove Johnson's white flag
back three times and he, along with other local militia, would not allow
the fort to surrender; and
WHEREAS, A new settlement was built nearer to the Middle Fort to
replace Weyserstown which was burnt by Johnson and Brant in 1780; this
was Middletown, later Middleburgh when the town was formed in 1797; and
WHEREAS, During the Civil War, the Town of Middleburgh furnished the
second highest ratio of soldiers to population of any township in New
York State; and
WHEREAS, After the Civil War until prohibition, Middleburgh was a
major producer of hops on the flats along the Schoharie Creek; and
WHEREAS, Middleburgh was the home of several notable individuals
including former speaker of the assembly, Daniel D. Frisbie, the fronti-
erman, Timothy Murphy, and Governor William C. Bouck; and
WHEREAS, Remaining fruitful over the ebb and flow of decades of growth
and change, the Town of Middleburgh continues its commitment to enhanc-
ing the quality of life of its citizens, ensuring a positive business,
institutional and educational climate, and providing all essential
services; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 300th Anniversary of the Town of Middleburgh, New York,
to be celebrated August 3-5, 2012, recognizing the significance of the

role it continues to play in the life of the community of the State of
New York; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Middleburgh 300th Anniversary Committee.