an early
historian, the Indians of the Six Nations "carried their
hospitality so far as to allow distinguished strangers the choice
of a young squaw from among the prettiest of the neighborhood, as
a companion during his sojourn with them."]

Amsterdam was settled about 1775 and was called Veedersburg until 1804
when its present name was adopted. It was for some time the home of
Elisha Arnold, father of Benedict Arnold, but the latter was born in
Norwich, Conn. (Jan. 14, 1741.) The so-called Guy Park Mansion built in
1763, by Guy Johnson, nephew of Sir William Johnson is still used as a
private residence. Today Amsterdam ranks as the first city in the United
States in the manufacture of carpets and second in the manufacturing of
hosiery and knit goods. It has one of the largest pearl button factories
in the country; other products are brushes, brooms, silk gloves, paper
boxes, electrical supplies, dyeing machines, cigars, wagon and
automobile springs; the total value of the output being about
$30,000,000 annually.

178 M. FORT JOHNSON, Pop. 680. (Train 51 passes 12:18p; No. 3, 1:15p;
No. 41, 5:23p; No. 25, 6:33p; No. 19, 9:56p. Eastbound: No. 6 passes
5:03a; No. 26, 5:36a; No. 16, 11:03a; No. 22, 12:59p.)

This village is named for the house* and fort erected here in 1742, by
Sir William Johnson, one of the most remarkable of the early pioneers.

Sir William Johnson (1715-1774) distinguished himself not only
for the prosperous settlements which he built up along the valley
of the Mohawk, but also for his military ability and his
remarkable influence with the Iroquois Indians. Born in Ireland,
he came to America in 1738 for the purpose of managing a tract of
land in this valley belonging to his uncle, Admiral Sir Peter
Warren. The fort which he built on the site of the present
village bearing his name soon became the center of trade with the
Indians, and likewise a strategic point for Johnson's military
ventures. The Mohawks adopted him and elected him a sachem. He
was at various times superintendent of the affairs of the Six
Nations, commissary of the province for Indian affairs, and
major-general in the British army. As a commanding officer he
directed the expedition against Crown Point (1755) and in
September of that year defeated the French and Indians, at the
battle of Lake George. For his success he received the thanks of
pa