Doxstader in the Valley

Dachsteder's Loyalists of the British Indian Department

The British Indian Department in North America was formed in 1755 with the
appointment of Sir William Johnson as Superintendent of Indian Affairs for
the Northern Department. Throughout the history of the Indian Department,
many names have stood out for their supreme leadership and abilities to 
"hold fast to the Covenant Chain" of friendship between the British, 
colonists,and their Indian brethren.

One of these names was Lieutenant John Dachsteder of the Northern Indian
Department. The skills, abilities, and powers that Dachsteder held
among the Six Nations of the Iroquois Confederacy was a helping
factor in keeping a majority of them loyal to King George III, and
most importantly distant from the influential rebel side of the conflict.

John Dachsteder (Dockstader) was a farmer and a native of the Fort
Plain NY area. In June of 1776, he and other staunch loyalists were 
"judged inimical to the Liberties of America and dangerous to remain
in the country," and were subsequently jailed in Albany. Upon his
discharge or escape from prison, he and his brother Frederick
journeyed to Montreal, where John was recruited by Sir John Johnson
to join the Six Nations Indian Department, and Frederick joined 
Butler's Rangers.

After the siege of Fort Stanwix and the Battle of Oriskany (August 1777,)
Lt. Dachsteder resided among the Cayuga Indians by a request from
Daniel Claus, (John spoke many Indian dialects) for reason of
encouragement and loyalty of the Indians to the British cause. On 
June 7, 1778, after wintering in Cayuga country, John Dachsteder was
sworn into loyalty by Joseph Brant to be true to King George III.

During the campaign season of 1778, Dachsteder is also recorded as
serving with Major Butler, and being present at Niagara to receive
ten months pay. On May 15, 1779, Dachsteder with a force of a 
few rangers and 108 Inidians ambushed a strong detachment of
rebel riflemen at Fort Pitt. Again in June 1780, he and 54 
Senecas blockaded Fort Pitt and ravaged the Pennsylvania frontier.

Jerome P. Brubaker, Curator
August 15, 2001
Old Fort Niagara PO Box 169 Youngstown NY 14174-0169 USA (716)-745-7611