This Cache is placed as part of the New York State Park Saratoga/Capital District Regional Geocache Challenge. There are 62 geocaches hidden within 18 state parks and historic sites in this parks region, and geocachers finding 40 or more will be eligible to enter their names in a drawing for valuable prizes. The first 75 people to find 40 or more caches will receive a special geocache challenge coin. If you are interested in trying the challenge, you can pick up a geocache passport at any of the participating parks and sites or download it at www.nysparks.com
This cache contains a unique stamp which must stay with the cache. Use this stamp to mark your passport. This stamp is NOT a trade item. Some of the items in the cache are park souvenirs and do not need to be replaced with a trade item.
The cache that you have uncovered sits close to the site of fortifications that were put up by Sir John Johnson in 1775. These fortifications were set up to protect Johnson Hall and as well as the Johnson family and their guests.
One of these guests was a man by the name of Alexander White. Mr. White was a sheriff in Tryon County who had arrested a popular rebel leader. When an angry mob of 100 people came for Mr. White, he fled to Johnson Hall for protection.
It was estimated by two men who went to meet with Sir John about Mr. White’s release that there were around 400 men protecting Johnson Hall. In a meeting of the Schenectady Committee of Correspondence they described Sir John as one “… who had fortified and put his house in a Posture of defense.” In preparation for an ensuing fight, the local Committee of Correspondence requested two cannons from Schenectady so that they could attack the fortifications. While the request was denied, Sir John did state that as long as Mr. White as a guest in his house he would be protected. Soon after this altercation, Mr. White would attempt to flee up to Canada. Following Mr. White’s departure, Sir John continued to leave up the fortifications to protect his house.