Schenectady in Schenectady County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Ride of Symon Schermerhoorn

Photographed By Howard C. Ohlhous, September 30, 2006

1. Ride of Symon Schermerhoorn Marker

Inscription. On Night of Feb. 8, 1690.
Although Wounded He Rode
20 Miles To Albany
Warning Settlers

Erected 1932 by New York State Education Department.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Native Americans • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical date for this entry is February 8, 2007.

Location. 42° 49.061′ N, 73° 56.84′ W. Marker is in Schenectady, New York, in Schenectady County. Marker is on North Church Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 20 North Church Street, Schenectady NY 12305, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Commemorating Massacre (a few steps from this marker); Oldest House (within shouting distance of this marker); Cur Non? (within shouting distance of this marker); Joseph C. Yates (within shouting distance of this marker); Toll House (within shouting distance of this marker); 1703–1724 House of Capt. Phillip Schuyler (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); 1832-1838 (about 300 feet away); Second Site of Dutch Church (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Schenectady.

Regarding Ride of Symon Schermerhoorn. At the time

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of the Schenectady Massacre, in 1690, when that city was destroyed by a hostile French and Indian force, Symon Schermerhorn escaped and rode along the River Road and Old Niskayuna Road, warning the settlers; thence on to Albany with the news. Schermerhorn's descendants still live on the road named for him in the Mohawk area. Below is the description from "Forts and Fires the Mohawk Country, New York" by John J. Vrooman relating the dramatic tale:

Near midnight on February 8, 1690 Symon Schermerhorn was roused by his great dog Negar. When he opened the shutter he saw, almost in disbelief, a column of men in strange uniforms, followed by a file of Indians. Rousing his brother, he said, "Ryer, the French are in town - I will ride to Albany and give the alarm." He was able to saddle his horse and get to the north gate before he was fired upon, wounding his thigh and the horse. His route passed close to the river and through Niskayuna, where there was no doctor. He had to pull his mare down to walk because of the pain. It is logical that he turned down the Crooked Road (Old Niskayuna Road) and on down the hill to the stockade gate. Numbed by the cold and weak from loss of blood he could barely stammer "Schenectady - French - Indians - Fire - everything afire."

Additional keywords. Schenectady

Photographed By Howard C. Ohlhous, April 29, 2008

2. Ride of Symon Schermerhoorn Marker

Stockade Schenectady's Paul Revere

Photographed By Howard C. Ohlhous, April 29, 2008

3. Ride of Symon Schermerhoorn Marker

Photographed By Howard C. Ohlhous, May 12, 2008

4. Ride of Symon Schermerhoorn Marker

Photographed By Howard C. Ohlhous, April 29, 2008

5. Ride of Symon Schermerhoorn Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on October 4, 2014, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York. This page has been viewed 1,143 times since then and 215 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on October 4, 2014, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.