Spring 1963  Schoharie County  Historical  Review  Page 13


Capture of Johannes H. Mattice

By the late Rex G. Mattice
JOHANNES H. MATTICE and his wife were living on a farm near Vrooman's Land at the outbreak of the Revolution. When hostilities commenced he took his wife and children to the Fort. (The Upper Fort was built in 1778.) His silverware and other valuables, he hid in the rocks on the banks of the Schoharie Creek and continued alone on the farm going to the fort at night. Sometime about October 24th 1781, when on his farm with his team of horses, he was suddenly surrounded by a small party of Indians. They took him prisoner and compelled him to go with his team to Canada. He owned a very valuable farm. His property was confiscated, being declared a Tory by those who wished to become owners of his property. However, after the war he regained his property after considerable expense and legal efforts.

When Mr. Mattice arrived in Canada, they wanted him to, swear allegiance to the King. This he refused to do. So instead of putting him in the ranks as a soldier, they compelIed him, as a prisoner, to team it for the army with his horses until peace was declared.

Just eight days after her husband was captured, a party of the enemy under Chief Joseph Brant and Capt. Adam Crysler, invaded the valley on November Ist 1781. Mrs. Mattice, that day, had thought it safe to go on the farm and gather some potatoes and corn, and while there she was surprised by indians, who took her and her children prisoners. (There were in the family six children, who if all were living at the time were:
Maria 11 yrs.;
Isaac 9 yrs.;
Elizabeth 7 yrs.;
David 6 yrs.;
Anotia 4 yrs. and
Henry 15 1/2 mos.
There is no record of Elizabeth, David or Anotia as having reached maturity.) It is not known if all the children were with her at the time. They were put on horses and started for Canada. While encamped for the night, the boy Isaac, being fatigued was soon asleep. An Indian coming in with a backload of wood threw it down where the boy was laying, breaking the boy's leg. The boy cried, the Indians flourished their tomahawks, threatening to kill him if he didn't cease. However, the Indians bound up the broken limb and put splints on it. Isaac was badly crip pled all his life. A grandnephew wrote years later that he was very bitter because of his crippled leg and people ostracizing the family by calling them Tories.

The next day the Indians told Mrs. Mattice, that they had killed her father (Isaac Peter (61) Vrooman) and burned down all his buildings, which proved to be true. After great suffering and hardships, every day fearing that she and her children would be killed and scalped. they at last arrived in Canada. Here she was given more liberty and after a long search, found her husband. They got a few household effects together and kept house for their children until the close of the war. Their daughter Margaret was born in Canada. May 6th 1782. When they felt it safe to travel, they stole away and started for home and arrived with the same team of horses, finding their log cabin still standing and their silverware all safe in the rocks where they had hidden it.

Rex G. Mattice

EMAIL<>INDEX