Early colonial history The Irishman
William Johnson came to the
Province of New York from
Ireland in 1738. Johnson was a trader who learned
Indigenous languages and culture and formed close relationships with many Native American leaders, especially those of the
Mohawk and other members of the
Iroquois Confederacy. Johnson made use of his alliances and influence with the
Iroquois on behalf of the British during the
French and Indian War, in which he was a major general. He helped Great Britain defeat France and take over control of certain territories in North America. After the war, when control of all of Canada passed to Britain, Johnson was appointed Superintendent of Northern Indians, and took charge of all British government relations with the Native American nations bordering the Great Lakes and the colonies of New York and Pennsylvania. As a reward for his services, Johnson received large tracts of land in what are now
Hamilton and
Fulton counties in New York. Johnson established Johnstown and became one of New York's most prosperous and influential citizens. Johnson was the largest landowner in the
Mohawk Valley, with an estate of more than before his death. Having begun as an Indian trader, Johnson expanded his business interests to include a sawmill and lumber business and a flour mill that served the area. Johnson, the largest enslaver in the county and perhaps in the state of New York, enslaved some 60 Africans to labor for these businesses. He also recruited many
Scottish Highlander and
Irish tenant farmers to work his lands. Observing Johnson's successful business endeavors, the local Native American inhabitants dubbed him
Warragghivage, or "he who does much business." Johnson founded the village of Johnstown – originally "John's Town" – in 1762, naming it after his son John Johnson. Johnson built a school, which was free but not mandatory, to educate both Mohawk and white children. He was also instrumental in the organization of
St. John's Episcopal Church. Johnson, who had been living in what is now known as
Old Fort Johnson, also built a large manor house and estate for himself in 1763,
Johnson Hall, where he lived until his death. Johnson Hall was designated a
National Historic Landmark in 1960. New York State operates it as a historic site. As the area owned and settled by Johnson grew, he convinced the governor,
William Tryon, to establish a new county in upstate New York west of
Albany County. This new county was named
Tryon, after the governor, and Johnstown became the county seat. Sir William Johnson died in 1774 before the American colonies declared their
independence from
Britain.
Revolutionary War and aftermath After the onset of the
American Revolutionary War, many British
Loyalists, including Johnson's son John and his family, fled Johnstown and the surrounding area for
Canada. The state confiscated all of the Johnson property in 1779 because of the family's Loyalist sentiments and support for the British cause. Johnson Hall suffered vandalism at the hands of Continental soldiers quartered there. The house and estate were subsequently sold to
Silas Talbot, a naval officer and hero of the American Revolution. Although most of the fighting during the Revolution occurred elsewhere, Johnstown did see some fighting late in the war. With area residents not knowing of
Cornwallis' defeat and surrender at the
Battle of Yorktown in
Virginia, about 1,400 soldiers fought at the
Battle of Johnstown, one of the last battles of the Revolution, on October 25, 1781. The Continental forces, led by Col.
Marinus Willett of Fort Johnstown, ultimately put the British to flight after they had burned large tracts of land in the Mohawk Valley. After the war, Johnstown became part of
Montgomery County when Tryon County was renamed to honor the Continental General
Richard Montgomery, who died at the
Battle of Quebec.
19th century to the present In 1803, the community of Johnstown was incorporated as a
village. In 1838, Johnstown's county affiliation changed yet again when what by then remained of Montgomery County was divided into two separate counties: Montgomery and
Fulton. While the village of
Fonda became the new county seat of Montgomery County, Johnstown became the county seat of Fulton County. The village of Johnstown became a city in 1895, becoming separate from the surrounding town.
Elizabeth Cady Stanton, who became a prominent activist for women's rights, was born in Johnstown in 1815 and was educated at the Johnstown Academy. In 1889, Johnstown suffered a devastating flood. The Cayadutta Creek rampaged, Schreiber's Skin Mill was swept away, as was the State Street bridge, and over twenty people were drowned or missing when the flood carried away the Perry Street bridge. In 1906, the state of New York bought Johnson Hall from its private owners in order to renovate and preserve it.
Industrialization With plentiful forests of hemlock trees and the wood bark they produced, Johnstown became a center for
tanning of
leather during the late 19th century. By the early 20th century, Johnstown, along with neighboring
Gloversville, became known as the glove-making capital of the world, nicknamed the "Glove Cities". When Knox died in 1908, his wife
Rose Knox managed the business. She became one of the earliest successful American businesswomen. The Knox family and its philanthropic foundation were generous to the city, giving it the block of land known as Knox Field, where playgrounds, athletic fields, and bridle paths are located. The city named Knox Junior High School for the family. The Knox Gelatin plant, once a major employer in Johnstown, closed in 1975 following the sale of the company to the
Lipton Tea Company. ==Geography==