Fort Dayton is named for Colonel Elias Dayton, who led the construction effort in 1776. It was one of several forts constructed in the
Mohawk Valley. When the
American Revolutionary War started, the fort was described as "little better than a dilapidated block-house". It was rebuilt under the supervision of
Colonel Elias Dayton of the
3rd New Jersey Regiment on the orders of
General Philip Schuyler in the autumn of 1776. It was a wooden and earthen fortress which enclosed the stone church and other buildings located on the highest ground in the village, once known as "Stone Ridge". There also was a blockhouse constructed on the hill overlooking Fort Dayton. On August 4, 1777, General
Nicholas Herkimer assembled about 900 troops of the
Tryon County militia at Fort Dayton for their march to support Colonel
Peter Gansevoort at
Fort Stanwix, which was under siege by
Barry St. Leger's
British and Indian forces. Herkimer's troops, consisting mainly of Palatine German settlers, followed the north shore of the Mohawk River, and camped the first night west of
Sterling (Staring) Creek. On August 6, Herkimer's troops were ambushed in a small ravine by St. Leger's British,
Tory, and Indian forces. General Herkimer himself was wounded, but continued to lead his men in what became known as the
Battle of Oriskany. General Herkimer died from his wounds on August 17, at his home near the present day Town of
Danube. On February 18, 1779 Henry William Dwight wrote to his brother that 'the people here are scandalously neglected, both with regard to troops and provisions.' He complained of 'no flour and little beef'. (Sedgwick Papers) Fort Dayton was attacked multiple times including the
Attack on German Flatts (1778). Fort Dayton was also a base for soldiers aiding
Johann Christian Schell after his stand at
Schell's Bush and for pursuing Tory leader
Walter Butler and his troops. After the destruction of
Fort Stanwix in 1781 it was the westernmost fort in the Mohawk valley, and was besieged by Mohawk leader
Joseph Brant in 1782. ==After the war==