History of German Flatts, New York, USA

German Flatts was one of the original areas of the Burnetsfield Patent in the province of New York
In 1722–1723, Governor William Burnet granted Palatine German immigrants leases to purchase land from the Mohawk, the powerful eastern nation of the Iroquois Confederacy. It was the first land sold to Europeans west of Schenectady.

1757 - After the surrender of Fort William Henry, much of German Flats was burned and many people were massacred.

https://herkimer.nygenweb.net/gerflats/gflathis.html

On September 17, 1778, Mohawk chief and Loyalist leader Joseph Brant led a force of 150 Iroquois and 300 Loyalists under the command of Captain William Caldwell in a surprise attack on the area of German Flatts.
German Flatts, now known as Herkimer, was left virtually undefended by Patriot troops prior to the raid.

The Iroquois and Loyalist raiders captured hundreds of head of cattle and sheep before setting fire to every house, barn and mill in German Flatts. Despite the complete destruction of the town, including 63 houses, 57 barns, three gristmills and one sawmill, only three men were killed. The day before, four Patriot scouts had run into the Loyalists while on reconnaissance. Though only one, Adam Helmer, survived the encounter, he ran the 9 miles (14 km) back to the village of German Flatts to warn the residents.

As a result, the vast majority of the town's people were able to seek safety in the area's forts, Herkimer and Dayton, and survived the destruction of their town.
wikipedia.org

1788 - March 7 - German Flatts established as a town

1792 - Frankfort, Litchfield, and Warren were formed from parts of the Town of German Flatts.

https://herkimer.nygenweb.net/gerflats/gflathis.html

1824 - German Flatts
GERMAN FLATS, a Post-Township on the S. shore of the Mohawk, in Herkimer County, 5 miles SE of Herkimer, and 75 miles from Albany; bounded N. by the Mohawk, or by Herkimer, E. by Danube, S. by Warren and Columbia, W. by Frankfort. The extensive alluvial flats in this Town, as well as those in Herkimer, were settled at any early period by German families, and have now been known as the German Flats, about 100 years, from which the town has its name. The soil of these flats is remarkably rich, nor is its fertility hardly diminished by German husbandry, through such a long series of years. The uplands are rich and productive, and the whole is under cultivation. A canal has been cut around the Wolf Rift in the Mohawk, which is 5 miles above the Little Falls. This canal is 1 1/ 2 mile in length, and affords sites for water-works, and there are 2 small mill streams. There are 7 grain mills, 10 saw mills, 2 carding machines, 2 fulling mills, 1 oil mill, and 1 ashery. There is one... Read MORE...

1829 - Part of the Town of German Flatts became part of the newly formed Town of Little Falls.

https://herkimer.nygenweb.net/gerflats/gflathis.html

1834 - The sheriff of German Flatts and his family were provided living quarters when the new jail was built. The county taxes paid for food for the sheriff's family as well as the prisoners. The sheriff's wife was expected to cook for the prisoners.

https://herkimer.nygenweb.net/gerflats/gflathis.html

1854 - German Flats
German Flats, a township of Herkimer co., New York, on the Mohawk river and Erie canal, 15 miles S. E. from Utica. Pop., 3578.
A New and Complete Gazetteer of the United States: Giving a Full and Comprehensive Review of the Present Condition, Industry, and Resources of the American Confederacy ... Thomas Baldwin (of Philadelphia.) Joseph Thomas January 1, 1854 Philadelphia : Lippincott, Grambo & Company 1854.

1869 - From a report to the board of supervisors, these facts are gleaned about German Flatts:
OSGOOD'S Hotel, Ilion
Supervisor: E. A. BROOKS
Assessors: S. GETMAN, Nicholas VROOMAN, J. CRIM, Honorable Josiah SHULL, L. L. MERRY
Real estate is assessed at 33%
Personal Property is assessed at same rate (33%)
Bank stock is assessed at 33 1/ 3%
Cows are assessed at $30
About 2100 cows are milked in German Flatts.
There are several cheese factories.
The committee recommended that bank stock assessment be raised to 40% to be in line with the rest of the county.
Ilion population: 2800
Ilion real estate assessment: $212,969
Ilion is an extensive manufacturing village with 2 banks (National Mohawk Valley Bank and the Ilion National Bank), REMINGTON Agricultural Works and Mohawk Gas Light Company
The committee recommended that canal boats be assessed as a very large number were owned in German Flatts.
Mohawk population: 2300
Mohawk real estate assessment: $109,445
Farm land was equalized in 1868 as $14 per... Read MORE...

1895 - German Flatts
German Flats, a township of Herkimer co., N.Y. Pop. 7402. It contains Ilion and Mohawk.
Lippincott's Gazetteer of the World: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World Containing Notices of Over One Hundred and Twenty-five Thousand Places ... Joseph Thomas January 1, 1895 J.B. Lippincott

Here are some recommendations for places to visit and things to do in German Flatts and the surrounding area:
Fort Herkimer Church: Start your exploration of German Flatts with a visit to the historic Fort Herkimer Church. This beautiful stone church dates back to the 18th century and is one of the oldest churches in upstate New York. It's a serene and picturesque spot for a walk and some reflection on the area's history.

Herkimer Home State Historic Site: Just a short drive from German Flatts, you'll find the Herkimer Home State Historic Site. This was the home of General Nicholas Herkimer, a hero of the American Revolution. You can take guided tours of the house and learn about the life of this important figure in American history.

Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor: German Flatts is located along the Erie Canal, and you can explore this historic waterway by walking or biking along the Erie Canalway Trail. It's a great way to enjoy the scenic beauty of the canal and learn about its role in American transportation history.

Hiking and Outdoor Activities: If you're a nature... Read MORE...