A possible Schoharie Revolutionary War artifact comes home
— Photo from Mark Stolzenburg
The small trunk is crafted of wood and clad in now brittle black leather fastened with nails that form the initials “P V” on the cover.
To the Editor:
Those of us who value our local history owe a debt of gratitude to a Slingerlands couple for their generous donation of a “traveling trunk/document box,” possibly having belonged to Colonel Peter Vroman of Schoharie Revolutionary War fame. Their gift will become part of the historical collection at the Old Stone Fort Museum at Schoharie.
Bryan Braun and his wife, Karoline Harrington, noticed the rare find in an online auction of the Connecticut estate of a former Schoharie resident.
Given that Bryan is a member of the Schoharie Leatherstocking Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution and that he and Karoline have a keen interest in local history, they recognized the potential 250-year-old connection of the artifact to the Revolutionary War history of Schoharie. Bryan and Karoline bid successfully and purchased the box.
The item contained a yellowed paper label with a note bearing the following description: “18th C. traveling trunk poss belonging to Peter Vroman of Schoharie.”
The small trunk is crafted of wood and clad in now brittle black leather fastened with nails that form the initials “P V” on the cover.
For the duration of the Revolutionary War, from 1775 to 1783, Colonel Peter Vroman was the commander of the Schoharie District militia of volunteer Patriot soldiers, otherwise known as the Albany County Fifteenth Militia Regiment. The Schoharie District was part of Albany County during the Revolution until it became its own county in 1795.
Bryan and Karoline’s donation of this treasure to the Old Stone Fort Museum ensures that it will be preserved along with the rest of the extensive Revolutionary War collection at the fort.
The gift is fitting given the approaching 250th anniversary of the founding of our nation. Commenting on their donation, Bryan said, “We were honored to help it come home.”
Mark Stolzenburg
Wright
Editor’s note: Mark Stolzenburg is a trustee of the Schoharie County Historical Society and a member of the Schoharie Leatherstocking Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution.