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| link1=[[United States Genealogy|United States]] | | link1=[[United States Genealogy|United States]] | ||
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| link3=[[ | | link3=[[US_Migration_Trails_and_Roads|Migration Trails and Roads]] | ||
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Another part of the Great Trail system in New England was later followed by Massachusetts Route 2; it leads from Boston to upstate New York. The section now known as the Mohawk Trail (used by tribes such as the Mohawk and Pocomtuc) leads from the Connecticut River valley through the Berkshires and [[Mohawk or Iroquois Trail|Mohawk Trail]] State Forest into the area of present-day Albany, New York, the state capital. From here, the Great Trail system connected all parts of the territories where the Five Nations of the Iroquois Confederacy lived. | Another part of the Great Trail system in New England was later followed by Massachusetts Route 2; it leads from Boston to upstate New York. The section now known as the Mohawk Trail (used by tribes such as the Mohawk and Pocomtuc) leads from the Connecticut River valley through the Berkshires and [[Mohawk or Iroquois Trail|Mohawk Trail]] State Forest into the area of present-day Albany, New York, the state capital. From here, the Great Trail system connected all parts of the territories where the Five Nations of the Iroquois Confederacy lived. | ||
In northern New Jersey, the portion of the Great Trail much-used by the Lenape included choice places to cross the Passaic River and to pass through the valleys among the Watchung Mountains, notably at Hobart Gap. As the Dutch colonists advanced beyond the proximity of the Hudson River, the new settlers found these paths crucial to their movement. New Jersey Route 24 generally follows a branch of the trail in this area. | In northern New Jersey, the portion of the Great Trail much-used by the Lenape included choice places to cross the Passaic River and to pass through the valleys among the Watchung Mountains, notably at Hobart Gap. As the Dutch colonists advanced beyond the proximity of the Hudson River, the new settlers found these paths crucial to their movement. New Jersey Route 24 generally follows a branch of the trail in this area.<ref>Wikipedia contributors, "Great Trail" in ''Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia'' at [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Trail Great_Trail](accessed 6 March 2013).</ref><br> | ||
A more southern part of the Great Trail system went from Delaware across Pennsylvania to Oldtown, Maryland, and then to the Ohio River below present-day Pittsburgh. It crossed Columbia County to Bolivar and Sandusky, and continued west. The part of the Great Trail used by Colonial American troops during Pontiac's Rebellion has been improved as U.S. Route 23.<ref>[http://www.railsandtrails.com/Maps/OhioArch1914/trails.htm Indian Trails and Towns in Ohio].</ref> [[Image:Mohawk Trail map.png|right|420px|Mohawk Trail map.png]] | A more southern part of the Great Trail system went from Delaware across Pennsylvania to Oldtown, Maryland, and then to the Ohio River below present-day Pittsburgh. It crossed Columbia County to Bolivar and Sandusky, and continued west. The part of the Great Trail used by Colonial American troops during Pontiac's Rebellion has been improved as U.S. Route 23.<ref>[http://www.railsandtrails.com/Maps/OhioArch1914/trails.htm Indian Trails and Towns in Ohio].</ref> [[Image:Mohawk Trail map.png|right|420px|Mohawk Trail map.png]] | ||
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In 1759 British troops from Fort Oswego were shipped along Lake Ontario to Fort Niagara. The British [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Fort_Niagara besieged Fort Niagara] for 19 days and captured it.<ref>Wikipedia contributors, "Battle of Fort Niagara" in ''Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia'' at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Fort_Niagara (accessed 2 July 2011).</ref> This made the Mohawk Trail an important supply route from Albany to Fort Schuyler (Utica) to Fort Niagara. The '''''west fork''''' of the Mohawk Trail from Utica to Fort Niagara was about 212 miles (341 km) long. From Albany to Fort Niagara it was about 306 miles (492 km). | In 1759 British troops from Fort Oswego were shipped along Lake Ontario to Fort Niagara. The British [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Fort_Niagara besieged Fort Niagara] for 19 days and captured it.<ref>Wikipedia contributors, "Battle of Fort Niagara" in ''Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia'' at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Fort_Niagara (accessed 2 July 2011).</ref> This made the Mohawk Trail an important supply route from Albany to Fort Schuyler (Utica) to Fort Niagara. The '''''west fork''''' of the Mohawk Trail from Utica to Fort Niagara was about 212 miles (341 km) long. From Albany to Fort Niagara it was about 306 miles (492 km). | ||
During and shortly after the [[Revolutionary War, 1775 to 1783|American Revolutionary War]] 1775-1783, many [[American Loyalists]] sought refuge from angry American neighbors by leaving for Canada. Those Loyalists from New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania that made it to [[Ontario Genealogy|Ontario]] usually reached there by following the Mohawk or Iroquois Trail.<ref>William Dollarhide, ''Map guide to American migration routes, 1735-1815'' (Bountiful, Utah : AGLL, c1997), 14. [http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/38096564 WorldCat entry]. {{ | During and shortly after the [[Revolutionary War, 1775 to 1783|American Revolutionary War]] 1775-1783, many [[American Loyalists]] sought refuge from angry American neighbors by leaving for Canada. Those Loyalists from New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania that made it to [[Ontario Genealogy|Ontario]] usually reached there by following the Mohawk or Iroquois Trail.<ref>William Dollarhide, ''Map guide to American migration routes, 1735-1815'' (Bountiful, Utah : AGLL, c1997), 14. [http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/38096564 WorldCat entry]. {{FSC|660781|item|disp=FS Library Book 973 E3d}}.</ref> | ||
As American settlers moved west the two branches of the Mohawk Trail were used heavily. [[New York Genealogy|New York]] invested in road improvements from Albany to Utica in 1793.<ref>"The Mohawk Turnpike" in ''RootsWeb'' at http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~tqpeiffer/Documents/Ancestral%20Migration%20Archives/Migration%20Webpage%20Folder/%281%29%20NORTHEASTERN%20US%20ROUTES/Mohawk%20Turnpike.htm (accessed 2 July 2011).</ref> Further, in 1794 New York authorized work on the [[Great Genesee Road]] from Utica to Caledonia and after 1798 to Buffalo.<ref name="Rte5">Wikipedia contributors, "New York State Route 5" in ''Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia'' at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_State_Route_5 (accessed 2 July 2011).</ref> The Genesee Road partially overlapped the west Fork of the Mohawk Trail as far as [[Albany County, New York Genealogy|Oneida]] and [[Madison County, New York Genealogy|Madison]] counties on its way to Fort Niagara. However, near [[Syracuse, New York|Syracuse]] the original Mohawk Trail took a more northerly route. In 1797 a weekly [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stagecoach stagecoach] began service between Utica and Geneva on the Seneca/Ontario county line. Each leg of the round trip took three days.<ref>"The Way West Through Northern Seneca County," http://www.co.seneca.ny.us/history/The%20Way%20West%20Through%20Northern%20Seneca%20County.pdf (accessed 2 July 2011).</ref> In 1798 the [[Great Genesee Road|Great Genesee Road]] became a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toll_road turnpike], a high quality toll road under private control.<ref name="Rte5" /> | As American settlers moved west the two branches of the Mohawk Trail were used heavily. [[New York Genealogy|New York]] invested in road improvements from Albany to Utica in 1793.<ref>"The Mohawk Turnpike" in ''RootsWeb'' at http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~tqpeiffer/Documents/Ancestral%20Migration%20Archives/Migration%20Webpage%20Folder/%281%29%20NORTHEASTERN%20US%20ROUTES/Mohawk%20Turnpike.htm (accessed 2 July 2011).</ref> Further, in 1794 New York authorized work on the [[Great Genesee Road]] from Utica to Caledonia and after 1798 to Buffalo.<ref name="Rte5">Wikipedia contributors, "New York State Route 5" in ''Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia'' at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_State_Route_5 (accessed 2 July 2011).</ref> The Genesee Road partially overlapped the west Fork of the Mohawk Trail as far as [[Albany County, New York Genealogy|Oneida]] and [[Madison County, New York Genealogy|Madison]] counties on its way to Fort Niagara. However, near [[Syracuse, New York|Syracuse]] the original Mohawk Trail took a more northerly route. In 1797 a weekly [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stagecoach stagecoach] began service between Utica and Geneva on the Seneca/Ontario county line. Each leg of the round trip took three days.<ref>"The Way West Through Northern Seneca County," http://www.co.seneca.ny.us/history/The%20Way%20West%20Through%20Northern%20Seneca%20County.pdf (accessed 2 July 2011).</ref> In 1798 the [[Great Genesee Road|Great Genesee Road]] became a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toll_road turnpike], a high quality toll road under private control.<ref name="Rte5" /> | ||
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=== Settlers and Records === | === Settlers and Records === | ||
Early settlers in central New York most likely traveled there via [[Albany, New York|Albany]]. Albany was a hub of pathways from [[New York City, New York|New York City]], [[Vermont Genealogy|Vermont]], [[Connecticut, United States Genealogy|Connecticut]], [[Indiana Genealogy|Indiana]],[[Illinois]], [[Michigan Genealogy|Michigan]], [[Massachusetts Genealogy Guide|Massachusetts]], [[Pennsylvania Genealogy|Pennsylvania]], and [[Quebec Genealogy|Quebec]]. Probably the largest group to settle were New Englanders, many from Vermont. But people from almost every part of the eastern seaboard and Europe also were common in the area. | Early settlers in central New York most likely traveled there via [[Albany, New York|Albany]]. Albany was a hub of pathways from [[New York City, New York|New York City]], [[Vermont, United States Genealogy|Vermont]], [[Connecticut, United States Genealogy|Connecticut]], [[Indiana, United States Genealogy|Indiana]],[[Illinois]], [[Michigan, United States Genealogy|Michigan]], [[Massachusetts, United States Genealogy Guide|Massachusetts]], [[Pennsylvania, United States Genealogy|Pennsylvania]], and [[Quebec Genealogy|Quebec]]. Probably the largest group to settle were New Englanders, many from Vermont. But people from almost every part of the eastern seaboard and Europe also were common in the area. | ||
Many of the New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania [[American Loyalists|Loyalists]] who fled to [[Ontario Genealogy|Ontario]] during or shortly after the American Revolution followed the Great Trail. For a list of over 300 Loyalist families is the Niagara area of Ontario see: | Many of the New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania [[American Loyalists|Loyalists]] who fled to [[Ontario Genealogy|Ontario]] during or shortly after the American Revolution followed the Great Trail. For a list of over 300 Loyalist families is the Niagara area of Ontario see: | ||
*Norman K. Crowder, "1784-1785 Niagara Return" ''Early Ontario Settlers: A Source Book'' (Baltimore: Genealogical Publ., 1993), 132-42. [ | *Norman K. Crowder, "1784-1785 Niagara Return" ''Early Ontario Settlers: A Source Book'' (Baltimore: Genealogical Publ., 1993), 132-42. {{FSC|632644|item|disp=FS Library Book 971.3 H29c}}. Online at: [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/48451/ Ancestry] ($); {{WorldCat|28416689|disp=At various libraries (WorldCat)}}. | ||
No complete list of settlers in New York who used the '''Mohawk or Iroquois Trail''' is known to exist. Nevertheless, local and county histories along that trail may reveal pioneer settlers who arrived 1722 to 1850, and therefore who were the most likely candidates to have traveled the Great Genesee Road or Seneca Turnpike. | No complete list of settlers in New York who used the '''Mohawk or Iroquois Trail''' is known to exist. Nevertheless, local and county histories along that trail may reveal pioneer settlers who arrived 1722 to 1850, and therefore who were the most likely candidates to have traveled the Great Genesee Road or Seneca Turnpike. | ||
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'''''Oswego County''''' | '''''Oswego County''''' | ||
*Crisfield Johnson, ''History of Oswego County, New York, 1789-1877 | *Crisfield Johnson, ''History of Oswego County, New York, 1789-1877 : with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers'' (Philadelphia : L.H. Everts, 1877). [http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/1302975 WorldCat entry]. {{FSC|287027|item|disp=FS Library Film 874492}}. Indexed in ''Index to History of Oswego County, New York'' (Salt Lake City : FamilySearch Library, 1991). {{FSC|135331|item|disp=FS Library Fiche 6087924 (4 fiche); Book 974.767 H2j index}}. | ||
'''''Oneida County''''' | '''''Oneida County''''' | ||
*Samuel W. Durant, ''History of Oneida County, New York | *Samuel W. Durant, ''History of Oneida County, New York : with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers'' (Microreproduction of original published: Philadelphia : Everts & Fariss, 1878). [http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/15238689 WorldCat entry]. {{FSC|240000|item|disp=FS Library Film 823718}}. | ||
'''''Niagara County''''' | '''''Niagara County''''' | ||
*Samuel T. Wiley and W. Scott Garner, ''Biographical and portrait cyclopedia of Niagara County, New York'' (Microreproduction of original published: Philadelphia | *Samuel T. Wiley and W. Scott Garner, ''Biographical and portrait cyclopedia of Niagara County, New York'' (Microreproduction of original published: Philadelphia : Gresham Pub. Co., 1892). [http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/3009409 WorldCat entry]. {{FSC|317821|item|disp=FS Library Film 317821 Item 4}}. | ||
=== External Links === | === External Links === | ||
*[http://freepages | *[http://freepages.rootsweb.com/~tqpeiffer/genealogy/Documents/Ancestral%20Migration%20Archives/Migration%20Webpage%20Folder/(1)%20NORTHEASTERN%20US%20ROUTES/Iroquois%20Trail.htm Mohawk (Iroquois) Trail] RootsWeb description of the route and a brief history. | ||
*[http://www.schenectadyhistory.org/resources/mvgw/history/101.html History of the Mohawk Valley: Gateway to the West 1614-1925] focuses most on modern Mohawk Turnpike. | *[http://www.schenectadyhistory.org/resources/mvgw/history/101.html History of the Mohawk Valley: Gateway to the West 1614-1925] focuses most on modern Mohawk Turnpike. | ||
:The Great Genesee Road partially overlaps the Mohawk or Iroquois Trail. | :The Great Genesee Road partially overlaps the Mohawk or Iroquois Trail. | ||
:*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_State_Route_5 New York State Route 5] Wikipedia's excellent brief history of New York roads, especially the Great Genesee Road. | :*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_State_Route_5 New York State Route 5] Wikipedia's excellent brief history of New York roads, especially the Great Genesee Road. | ||
:*[http://freepages | :*[http://freepages.rootsweb.com/~tqpeiffer/genealogy/Documents/Ancestral%20Migration%20Archives/Migration%20Webpage%20Folder/%281%29%20NORTHEASTERN%20US%20ROUTES/Great%20Genesee%20Road.htm The Great Genesee Road] RootsWeb brief history and maps. | ||
:*[http://www.co.seneca.ny.us/history/The%20Way%20West%20Through%20Northern%20Seneca%20County.pdf The Way West Through Northern Seneca County] good history of roads, canals, and railroads in Seneca County. | :*[http://www.co.seneca.ny.us/history/The%20Way%20West%20Through%20Northern%20Seneca%20County.pdf The Way West Through Northern Seneca County] good history of roads, canals, and railroads in Seneca County. | ||
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