Ancestor #: A054119

• Research needs to be done on his lineage & service.

Brig. Gen. Nicholas Herkimer

• BIRTH 1728 Herkimer County, New York, USA
• DEATH 16 Aug 1777 (aged 48–49) Danube, Herkimer County, New York, USA
• BURIAL Herkimer Home Burial Ground, Little Falls, Herkimer County, New York, USA
• MEMORIAL ID 9165 Photos by Ken Hutton & Steve Dunn bio by Geoff Bronner

Nicholas was the oldest son of Johan Jost and Katherine. His first military command was at Fort Herkimer in 1757. By 1775 he was Colonel of the first battalion, Tryon County Militia. He was commissioned Brigadier General of the Tryon County Militia on September 6, 1775 by the New York State Provincial Congress during the Revolutionary War. He subsequently led troops against a combined forces of Native Americans, loyalists and British soldiers at the August 6, 1777 Battle of Oriskany in Oneida County, New York. In this battle he was mortally wounded losing a leg, which ultimately caused his death. This battle horrific casualties and both sides claiming victory.

His brother Johan Jost was among the loyalists fighting with the British forces at Oriskany and the siege of Fort Stanwix. After the Battle of Oriskany, the wounded General Herkimer was taken back to his home near Little Falls. Because of the heavy casualties suffered by his militia, Herkimer felt he had failed as a leader. Just before his death, he opened his Bible and expressed his feelings through the 38th Psalm:

“…There is no soundness in my flesh because of thine anger: neither is their any rest in my bones because of my sin. For mine iniquities are gone over mine head: as a heavy burden they are too heavy for me. My wounds stink and are corrupt because of my foolishness…For I am ready to halt, and my sorrow is continually before me. For I will declare my iniquity: I will be sorry for my sin…” However, unknown to General Herkimer, the Battle of Oriskany would become an important part of the British defeat in 1777. Not only did it help raise the siege of Fort Stanwix and prevent St. Leger from joining Burgoyne’s army, but Herkimer’s heroic stand also encouraged New Yorkers to take up arms against the crown. In a letter dated August 26, 1777, Pierre Van Cortlandt, President of the New York Committee of safety, writes to John Hancock, President of Congress,

“SIR: I have the honor of transmitting to you the letters of General Schuyler and Governor Clinton, giving us the agreeable intelligence of the raising of the siege of Fort Schuyler (Stanwix). The gallantry of the commander of the garrison of that Fort and the distinguished bravery of General Herkimer and his militia, have already been productive of the most desirable consequences. The brave and more fortunate General Stark with his spirited countrymen hath, as you know, given the enemy a signal coup at Bennington. The joint result of these providential instances of success hath revived the drooping hopes of the desponding, and given new vigor to the firm and determined. We have therefore the pleasing expectation of compelling General Burgoyne to re-tire.”

In the evening of August 16, 1777, from wounds received at the Battle of Oriskany, General Nicholas Herkimer took his last breath and died a martyr, unaware of the significant contribution he had made toward American independence. THE GENERAL"S GAZETTE Summer 2009 Herkimer Home

Parents
Johan Jost Herkimer 1700–1775
Anna Catherine Petrie Herkimer 1699–1775

Spouse
Maria Madeline Hale Herkimer 1730–1775

Siblings
Magdalina Herkimer Dygert 1723–1813
Elizabeth Herkimer Frey 1726–1825
Cordelia Herkimer Bellinger 1728–1804
Hendrick Herkimer 1730–1779
Johan Jost Herchmer Herkimer 1732–1795
Anna Herkimer Ten Broeck 1739–1839
George Herkimer 1744–1788

References

[1a] https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/9165/nicholas-herkimer

[1b] https://images.findagrave.com/photos/2016/228/9165_1471350843.jpg

[1c] https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/9165/nicholas-herkimer Find A Grave Memorial] - SmartCopy: Sep 20 2023, 4:39:40 UTC