As the French and Indian war ended in 1763 with the surrendering of the French colonies, the English Parliament passed the first of a series of acts to consolidate control on the American Colonies and help pay the costs for the war which left the British Treasury reeling with debts.  These acts,  eventually became known as the "intolerable acts," because of the taxes levied on the colonists sent a wave of protest throughout all the American colonies.  

In 1765 the growing dissatisfaction with English rule was manifested at the Dutch Reformed Church (which at the time stood in the intersection of Church and Union Streets) as the first of several "Liberty" flags were raised in protest.   

(Flag is housed at the Schenectady County Historical Society, 32 Washington Avenue)

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