Many communities in the 1760's in the Colonies found the need to unify and meet to discuss the concerns of the era.
A Committee of Safety usually involved every male adult member of the community and was the political arm of the community. From these groups representatives
were sent to attend meetings in larger groupings of communities to represent the interests of the respective communities. The militia, consisting of able bodied men, was subordinate to the Committee and would respond on demand.
New York State's first Committee met in New York City in May of 1774. By May of 1775 the New York Provincial Congress ordered all counties to name committees to execute the orders of the Continental Congress by 1776 every county in New York, except possibly Kings had its committees and subcommittees. (From The American Revolution in New York)
The Tryon County Committee of Safety met from August 27, 1774 through April 21, 1778. The settled areas of Tryon were divided into districts: Canajoharie, Germanflats, Kingsland, Mohawk and Palatine.
The minutes of the Tryon County Committee of Safety have been published, most recently in Mohawk Valley in the Revolution: Committee of Safety Papers & Genealogical Compendium by Maryly Penrose, published by the Liberty Bell Associates in Franklin Park, New Jersey.
The first declarative document is dated August 24, 1774. On May 19th 1775 Christopher Yates was appointed chairman of the Palatine Committee.
May 21, 1775 - Meeting of the Palatine Commitee at the house of Philip W. Fox
May 24, 1775 - United Committees meeting of Palatine, Conajohary (sic- hereafter spelled Canajoharie) King'sland and Germanflatts districts at the house of William Seeber in Canajoharie District
May 29, 1775* - Meeting of the Palatine Committee at at the house of William Seeber in Conajohary District. Adam Fonda, Volkert Veeder, Sampson Simmons, John Marlatt, Abraham Yates and Frederick Visgor were appointed to the Committee of the Mohawk District
On June 2, 1775* - the first meeting of the entire Tryon County Committee was held at the house of Warner Tygert of Canajoharie district.
Christopher P. Yates
Andrew Finck, Jr.
George Ecker, Jr.
Harmanus Van Slyck
Christopher W. Fox
Anthony Van Vechten
Abraham Van Horn
June 11, 1775* - Meeting at the house of Gose Van Alstyne in Canajoharie
this residence still stands - photograph by Nancy Knechtel
"This Committee having great Confidence in the Integrity and Abilities of Christopher P. Yates, and John Marlatt Do Resolve that the said Christopher P. Yates and John Marlatt be appointed and are accordingly appointed to be Deputies, to attend the Provincial Congress without Delay and to act in Conjunction with the Members of that Body upon the very alarming & calamitous Situation of British America ---"
June 15, 1775 - Meeting of the Canajoharie District at the house of William Seeber
Nicholas Herkimer as chairman
"This meeting was, to have a Review of the associated Freeholders and Inhabitants of this District who, after been formed into Companies of Militia, have chosen their officers, agreeable to Regulations of our Provincial Congress."
June 16, 1775 - Meeting of Palatine Committee at the house of Jacob Clock (this residence stands and is open as the historic site Fort Klock)
June 17, 1775 - Meeting of Germanflatts and King'sland Districts at the house of Frederick Fox
June 19, 1775 - Meeting at the house of Frederick Bellinger in Germanflatts
"Several speeches were mutually passed, and with agreeable assurances they said Nations renewed and confirmed Peace and true Friendship with as, as Brothers, and also promised their zealous Endeavor to unite their Brothers of the Six Nations in alike Manner --
July 3, 1775 - Meeting at the house of Gose Van Alstyne in Canajoharie
July 10, 1775 - Meeting at the house of Jacob Clock
July 13, 1775 - Meeting at the house of Gose Van Alstyne in Canajoharie
Scouts were sent to locate the Rout of the Indians and the major concern of insufficient ammunition and manpower against that force.
"This is the more alarming to us as we shall be obliged in a few days to begin with our harvest."
July 14, 1775 - Meeting at the house of William Seeber
July 15, 1775 - Meeting at the house of Werner Tygert
August 12, 1775 - Meeting of Palatine and Canajoharie Districts at the house of William Seeber
August 25-27, 1775 - Meeting at the house of Gose Van Alstyne in Canajoharie
The General Organization of the Tryon County Militia took place on August 26, 1775 Persons nominated as Field Officers
September 7-8, 1775 - Meeting at the house of Gose Van Alstyne in Canajoharie
Wednesday the 13th September 1775 at the house of Gose V. Alstyne
Upon express Request of our late Delegate John Marlatt*, Esqr.
"John Marlett, Esq, moved that Capt. Stevenson on his Journey to Canada shall be stopped, and sent back to Albany under a Guard ----
Resolved by the Majority of Votes, that said Stevenson shall be sent back to the Committee of Schenectady without a guard upon his word of honor, to return with his Boat ----
Ordered the Same, and willingly performed immediately by said Capt. Stevenson
The whole committee now present, being 36 members, was sworn, according to a Resolve passed in the Provincial Congress the 1st September.
*John Marlatt was a Deputy to the First Provincial Congress, May to November 1775
October 26, 1775* - Meeting at the house of Gose Van Alstyne in Canajoharie
Absent members are listed and fined.
"Moved and Resolved, unanimously, that three Members of our Committee shall be sent to Sr. John Johnson, to ask him, whether he will aloow, that his Inhabitants of John'stown & King'sborough shall form themselves into Companies according to the Regulations of our Continental Congress to the Defence of our Country's Cause ---- And Whether he would be ready himself to give his personal assistance to the same purpose. And whether he pretends a Prerogative to our County Courthouse and Goal, and would hinder or interrupt the Committee, to make use of the same publick houses to our Want and Service in the Common Cause --
By the Majority of Votes, Mefsrs. Ebenezer Cox, McMaster and John J. Clock are chosen and appointed to go on the purpose abovementd.
October 27, 1775 - - Meeting at the house of Gose Van Alstyne in Canajoharie
"The Deputies, Mefsrs. Ebenezer Cox, James McMaster and John Js. Clock, Returned from their Message to Sir John Johnson, and upon our Questions sent to him in a Letter, they brought by Word and Mouth the following answer back to the Committee --- Vizt.
1.) By perusing our Letter Sr. John replied that he thinks our Requests very unreasonable, as he never had denied the Use either if the Courthouse or Goal to any Body, nor would yet dent it, for the USe, where these houses have been built for, but he looks upon, that the Courthouse & Goal be his property, till he is paid L.700. --- which being out of his pocket for the Building of the same.
2.) In Regard of embodying his Tenents into Companies, ne never did forbid them, neither should do it as they may use their pleasure, but we might save ourselves the Trouble, he being sure that they would not ---
3.) Concerning himself, he said that before he would sign any Association, or would lift up his hand against the King, he would rather suffer, that his head shall be cut off. ---"
Continued meeting with some delegates at the House of William Seeber the same day
November 6, 1775* - Meeting at the house of Gose Van Alstyne in Canajoharie
"As the heads of the Mohawk's applied to John Marlatt, Esqr. in the Name of the Committee that we should discharge Peter Bown and Lewis Clement for their Misbehaviour." Message that Butler is returning home.
Tuesday the 7th of November 1775 - Meeting at the house of Gose Van Alstyne in Canajoharie
Col. Jacob Clock relates threatening behavior of Johnson
November 24, 1775* - Meeting at the house of Gose Van Alstyne in Canajoharie
Note on sources: Here the minutes end in Frey's book. Documents now from the New York Historical Society Collections
December 27, 1775 - Meeting at the house of Gose Van Alstyne in Canajoharie
February 17, 1776 - Meeting at the house of Gose Van Alstyne in Canajoharie