Indian Castle Area:

At different times in history, many large Indian Villages where located in this area. A village was documented as being located in the area of Airport Rd., Fort Plain in 1634. One was also located in the Indian Castle area in 1642.

Some of the most famous Mohawk Indians lived in this area. One local resident was Joseph Brant. During the Revolutionary War Brant, along with Walter Butler, were associated with such horrors as The Andrustown Massacre and The Cherry Valley Massacre. Brant also fought at the Battle of Oriskany.

Indian Castle Church:

This church was built in 1769 and dedicated as an Indian Mission a year later. (1) The church and Fort Hendrick were built at the same time.

The church is not in its original location. In 1855, it was turned and relocated during a renovation. In addition, the main entrance was changed from the left side to under the steeple. (2)
On November 30, 1979, vandals broke in to the church and set it on fire, destroying a great portion of the inside of the church.

The church is open daily and used for weddings and other special occasions.  One special occasion is the Redman Ceremony held each year around Fathers Day.

Indian Castle Cemetery:

West of the church is what appears to be an old part of the cemetery. There are no stones marking the sunken graves.

Located behind the church is the current cemetery. It is an active cemetery with burials dating from 1801 to present.

To the west of the cemetery is a old, overgrown cemetery. Early settlers and Indians are buried here. There are some headstones but most of the graves are unmarked. (3)

References:

(1) Fort Klock Historic Restoration
http://www.threerivershms.com/IC.htm

(2) Indian Castle Church  Collected Records
http://www.threerivershms.com/ICrecords.htm

(3) Indian Castle Church  Cemetery Records
http://threerivershms.com/ICcemetery.htm

Other Links:

EARLY EDUCATION IN THE MOHAWK VALLEY
http://www.threerivershms.com/educationvalley.htm

Three Rivers
Hudson~Mohawk~Schoharie
History From America's Most Famous Valleys
http://www.threerivershms.com/Contents.htm
Indian Castle
Herkimer County, New York
IMOVES
For more about Indian Castle check out the following IMOVES pages:

         Indian Castle report.

         Indian Castle photos taken by IMOVES.