Originally from Germany, these families settled into the area and developed a successful farming community. They shared the same religious beliefs as Fort Herkimer. The Rev. Abraham Rosenkrans traveled between the two communities. Johan and Anna Bell who lives in Andrustown, had a son, Johannes, who married Elizabetha Pfeiffer ( see: WOMEN IN HERKIMER and MONTGOMERY COUNTIES) and resided at Fort Herkimer.
When word reached Andrustown of an impending Indian attack, the families left their homes and moved to the protection of Fort Herkimer and only returned home occasionally to tend to crops. In July of 1778 some family members returned home to work their fields. On July 18, 1778 while tending their crops, the small group of farmers were killed, scalped and their homes were burnt to the ground and livestock driven away by a band of Indians and Tories. Only one boy was taken prisoner.
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