East Camp and West Camp

By November 1710, the Palatines had been moved north from New York City to East Camp and West Camp along the Hudson River.  Each family was given a 40’ by 50’ plot of land upon which they built huts and cleared an area for spring planting.  Robert Livingston, from whom Governor Hunter had purchased the land, had been given a contract to supply the Palatines with bread and beer.  Each family was also to receive beef or pork three times a week, and fish, cheese, flour or peas on the other four days.   Governor Hunter acquired additional funds to provide them with one dairy cow per family, and collectively three hundred horses, six hundred pigs, farm implements, and six hundred guns.   All of this cost more than what the British government had agreed to pay, so Hunter took out personal loans to cover it.  He strongly believed that the tar and pitch project would be so profitable that the government would gladly reimburse him.  Meanwhile the Listmasters kept accounts of how much each family received.  As the tar and pitch project couldn’t begin until spring, the Palatines were growing deeper and deeper in debt.

The inactivity of the long winter of 1710 - 1711 bred discontent among the Palatines.  They were aware of the original plan to settle on fertile land in Schoharie, and felt betrayed.  Described in a letter to Governor Hunter, the following conversation which occurred around a fire one evening, gives indication as to their restlessness.

“We came to America to establish our families – to secure lands for our children, on which they will be able to support themselves after we die.  That we cannot do here.” said one man in disgust.

“What is to be done in that case, but to have patience?” replied one of his companions.

“Patience and Hope make fools of those who fill their bellies with them.”  responded the first man, quoting a familiar German saying.

 

Reference:  “Becoming German” by Phillip Otterness

Fertile Land

In the camps on Nutten Island, the Palatines began the process of reestablishing their families, as well as their churches.  They were grouped together by the ships they had arrived on, so that the Listmasters, who kept records of the provisions each family received during the voyage, could continue this work on land. 

Governor Hunter had been advised by the Board of Trade in England to look into land along the Schoharie River for the project.  This land belonged to the Mohawk Indians, but they had previously offered it to the Queen.  Her Majesty’s surveyor general was sent to assess the land, and he reported back to Governor Hunter that the land was too fertile.  The tar and pitch project required pine forests which grew on poor and rocky soil.  So instead, Hunter purchased 6,000 acres of land along the Hudson River from Robert Livingston, as well as another 6,300 acres across the river.

Land “too fertile” is an oxymoron to a farmer, and the Palatines were not pleased when they heard it.  Forgetting the need to pay back 18 months of support, they balked at the notion that their labors were better suited in pine forests. 

Today the Schoharie Valley remains an amazingly fertile land.  Nothing compares to this area in early summer when the crops are growing in the fields.  Farm stands overflow with abundance.  We eat vegetables until we can’t eat any more, and then we start canning.  The Palatines were absolutely right, fertile land is good land.  However, they had a debt to repay.

 

Reference:  “Becoming German” by Phillip Otterness