More on the Schermerhorns

SCHERMERHORN MOVED FROM ALBANY TO
SCHENECTADY WITH HIS FATHER, JACOB JANSE SCHERMERHORN. HOWEVER, SYMON
AND HIS FAMILY WERE RESIDENTS OF SCHENECTADY VILLAGE AT THE TIME OF
THE SCHENECTADY MASSACRE ON FEBRUARY 9, 1690. SYMON WAS THE FIRST TO
REACH ALBANY WITH NEWS OF THE TERRIBLE ATTACK. THE FRENCH AND THE
INDIANS STRUCK IN THE NIGHT AND FEW VILLAGERS SURVIVED. ALTHOUGH SHOT
IN THE THIGH, SYMON ESCAPED ON A WOUNDED HORSE. HE RODE THROUGH THE
COLD NIGHT, WARNING THE OUTLYING SETTLEMENTS AND REACHED ALBANY ABOUT
5 A.M. SYMON'S SON, JOHANNES, AND THREE OF HIS NEGROES WERE KILLED
THAT NIGHT. HIS BROTHER CORNELIUS AND JANNETIE WERE LISTED AMONG THE
SURVIVORS. IT IS THOUGHT THAT THE REST OF THE FAMILY WAS LIVING AT
"SCHERMERHORN MILLS" WHICH WAS NOT NEAR WHERE THE MASSACRE OCURRED. AT
THE TIME OF THE MASSACRE IT IS THOUGHT THAT SIMON'S HOUSE WAS PROBABLY
ON THE WEST CORNER OF CHURCH AND UNION STREETS. THERE IS A TABLET IN
THE WALL OF THE RAILROAD STATION IN ALBANY TO COMMEMORATE "SYMON
SCHERMERHORN'S RIDE" AT WHAT IT IS THOUGHT TO BE THE SITE OF THE OLD
NORTH GATE OF THE VILLAGE.