Schoharie in Schoharie County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
David Williams Memorial
Photographed by Howard C. Ohlhous, October 11, 2008
1. David Williams Memorial Marker
Facing Fort Road (Southeast Side):
David Williams,
One of
the Captors of
Major Andre.
Died
in Schoharie County
August 2nd, 1831
Aged 76 years
6 m's 8 days.
He with his compatriots, John Paulding and Iassic VanWart
on the 23d of September 1780, arrested Major John Andre
and found on his person treasonable papers in the hand
writing of Gen. Benedict Arnold who sought by treachery
to surrender the military post of West Point. into the
hands of the enemy. In resisting the great bribes of their
prisoner for his liberty they showed their incorruptible
patriotism; the American army was saved, and our
beloved Country became free.
Amor
Patriae Vincit
October, 1780 "The party that took Major Andre acted
in such a manner as does them the highest honor,
and proves them to men of great virtue."
Back side (facing the Fort):
Wife of
David Williams.
Died
Aug. 5, 1844.
aged 87 years
6 m's 8 days.
This monument was erected by the State of New York
From an appropriation made in the centennial year
of 1876 By a bill introduce by Senator W.C. Lamont.
Under the following State Commissioners:
Daniel Knower, Ralph Brewster, Charles Holmes.
[Carved by] H.R & Z.J. Brown.
Facing Southwest:
medal was voted to them and presented
to the captors by Gen. Washington at a
dinner to which he invited them while the
army was encamped near Ver Planks Point.
Erected 1876 by New York State.
Topics. This historical marker and memorial is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Patriots & Patriotism • War, US Revolutionary. A significant historical date for this entry is September 23, 1780.
Location. 42° 40.641′ N,
this page online
Regionally, this marker and memorial is in Upstate New York and in the Mohawk Valley. It is also in the American Northeast, in the Mid-Atlantic, in Appalachia, and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, New Netherland, and one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Colonel John Harper (a few steps from this
Photographed by Howard C. Ohlhous, October 11, 2008
2. David Williams Memorial Marker & Old Stone Fort
The Williams Memorial marker is a few feet away from the flag pole in front of the Old Stone Fort.
Regarding David Williams Memorial. Born in Tarrytown, New York, David Williams had been a farmer, but in 1775 he joined the Continental Army. Serving under Gen. Richard Montgomery, he took part in several campaigns but was forced to leave active service in 1779 after his feet were badly frozen, leaving him partially disabled for life. Despite his condition, Williams continued to lend his support to the volunteer forces in his native area: overnight on September 2223, 1780, he joined militiamen John Paulding and Isaac Van Wart as part of an armed patrol.
The three men seized British officer Major John Andrι at a site in Tarrytown now called Patriot's Park.
Photographed by Howard C. Ohlhous, February 5, 2012
3. David Williams Memorial Marker
The 4 sides of the marker are shown side by side here. Two of the low-relief ovals, the ones carved with Latin text, are depictions of the Fidelity Medallion awarded to Williams, Paulding and Van Wart.
With George Washington's personal recommendation, the United States Congress awarded Williams, Paulding and Van Wart the first military decoration of the United States, the silver medal known as the Fidelity Medallion. Each of the three also received federal pensions of $200 a year, and prestigious farms awarded by New York State. The face of the Fidelity Medallion was the inscription FIDELITY, and on the reverse was the motto AMOR PATRIA VINCI, which means: The love of country conquers. The two faces of the medallion are depicted on two opposite sides of the David Williams Memorial.
Related markers. Click
Press Kit: The Fidelity Medal | The New York State Museum
4. Andre Capture Medal
One of the medals given to each of the three honest militiamen in 1780 has been given to the New York State Museum, a gift of the Esate of Rae Faith Van Wart Robinson, in February 2023.
On one side it carried the Latin words Vincit Amor Patriae, or Love of Country Conquers.
Click for more information.
Click for more information.
Also see . . .
1. Fidelity Medallion. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on December 3, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
2. The treason of General Benedict Arnold. Public Bookshelf website entry (Submitted on February 11, 2012, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York.)
Photographed by Howard C. Ohlhous, October 11, 2008
5. David Williams Memorial Marker
The text at base of the four sides of the Williams Memorial.
Photographed by Howard C. Ohlhous, October 12, 2008
6. David Williams & His Wife, Nancy Benedict Williams
David Williams headstone is to the right. His wife, Nancy, is to the left.
Internet Archive
7. David Williams
1829 life mask bust of David Williams, age 75, by John H. I. Browere from Browere's Life Masks of Great Americans by Charles Henry Hart, 1899, Chapter IV, between pages 34 and 35.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 8, 2025. It was originally submitted on February 11, 2012, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York. This page has been viewed 1,620 times since then and 85 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 11, 2012, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York. 4. submitted on March 26, 2025, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York. 5, 6. submitted on February 11, 2012, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York. 7. submitted on July 10, 2024, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
