Amsterdam in Montgomery County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Guy Park, 1766
Erected by New York State Education Department.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Patriots & Patriotism • Settlements & Settlers • War, US Revolutionary. A significant historical year for this entry is 1766.
Location. 42° 56.859′ N, 74° 12.553′ W. Marker is in Amsterdam, New York, in Montgomery County. Marker is at the intersection of West Main Street (New York State Route 5) and Evelyn Street, on the right when traveling east on West Main Street. Marker is located between Route 5 and the very busy railroad tracks in front of Guy Park Manor. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Amsterdam NY 12010, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Center of Operations (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Pvt. Frank J. Sirchia Memorial (approx. 0.3 miles away); Amsterdam World War Memorial (approx. 0.7 miles away); Claus Mansion (approx. ¾ mile away); Sweet Canal Store (approx. 1.1 miles away); Chuctanunda Terrace Site (approx. 1.1 miles away); Donato (Dan) Persico, Chief T/M (approx. 1.1 miles away); 5th Ward War Memorial (approx. 1.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Amsterdam.
Regarding Guy Park, 1766. Guy Johnson (c.1740 – 5 March 1788)
Guy Johnson came from Ireland in 1756 to work for his uncle, Sir William Johnson. Guy became Deputy of Indian Affairs and took over as Superintendent upon Sir Williams death in 1774.
During the French & Indian Wars, Guy was a colonel in the local militia. He later served as a judge in Tryon County Court. He married his cousin Mary, Sir William's daughter, in 1763 and they settled on family lands near her brother and sister.
When the American Revolution began, Guy Johnson represented the British government, bringing him threats of imprisonment from local patriots who also feared his influence with the Six Nations. In July 1775 Guy Johnson, his family, loyal supporters and Mohawk allies fled to Canada. On the way, his wife died in child birth at Oswego.
Colonel Guy Johnson and several Mohawks traveled to England in 1776 to lobby for the Loyalist interest. While there, he and Karonghyontye (Capt. David Hill) posed for a portrait by Benjamin West.
By 1779 Guy Johnson had established headquarters in Niagara and was directing British raids on the Mohawk Valley. He moved to England after the war.
After Col. Johnson's flight to Canada in 1775, Guy Park was confiscated by the Tryon County Committee of Safety, and was leased to Henry Kennedy, who occupied it with his family. The Kennedy family reported seeing the ghost of Mary Johnson, revisiting her old home much to their discomfort.
Guy Johnson's manor house, Guy Park, was built where it is because boats on the Mohawk River offered the best way to move goods and people during the 1700s. This site provided river access for the Johnson family's vast Mohawk Valley holdings and controlled the flow of goods between colonial traders and American Indians. Successive waves of transportation improvements - the Mohawk Turnpike, Erie Canal, railroads, and the Barge Canal - all reshaped Guy Park and its surroundings. After the American Revolution, river improvements and turnpikes reinforced Guy Park's key location. The stone house became a popular inn along the Mohawk Turnpike. The role faded after the Erie Canal was built on the opposite (south) side of the Mohawk River. The house was originally built facing the river, but the back door became the front when the turnpike and railroad passed by the opposite side. The Utica and Schenectady railroad trains first steamed past here in 1836. By 1853 that railroad line merged with others creating the New York Central; a railroad reaching from New York City to Buffalo, and later Chicago. In the 1840s James Stewart, a prosperous canal and railroad contractor bought Guy Park and later added the east and west wings and porches to the building. Ironically, Stewart was killed by an express train while crossing the tracks in front of the house.
This building now houses the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce.
Also see . . .
1. New York State begins rehabilitation of Guy Park Manor along Erie Canal. (Submitted on October 26, 2022, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York.)
2. Guy Park - National Archives. National Register of Historic Places documentation (Submitted on March 24, 2024, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York.)
Credits. This page was last revised on March 26, 2024. It was originally submitted on January 2, 2011, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York. This page has been viewed 1,633 times since then and 34 times this year. Last updated on November 30, 2011, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on January 2, 2011, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York. 5. submitted on November 8, 2021, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York. 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11. submitted on January 2, 2011, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York. 12, 13, 14, 15. submitted on September 6, 2011, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York. 16. submitted on November 29, 2011, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York. 17. submitted on January 2, 2011, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.