;iji
YALE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY
(■WITH ILLUSTRATIONS)
H I STO RY
OF
BENNINGTON COUNTY, Vt.
WITH ILLUSTRATIONS AND BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES
OF SOME OF ITS PROMINENT MEN AND PIONEERS.
EDITED BY
LEWIS CASS ALDRICH.
SYRACUSE, N. Y.
D. MASON & CO., PUBLISHERS,
i 889.
INTRODUCTION.
IT is an unquestionable truth that among the civil divisions of the State of
Vermont none has made so varied and interesting a history as the county
of Bennington. Prior to the year 1781 the county embraced the larger part of
the State, and while narrating the events of the county's history previous to
that year of course the writer has been compelled to substantially state the
facts relating to the whole region of country originally embraced within the
boundaries of the county, and even go beyond them, that the succession and
relation of occuring events might be kept perfect.
Much, nearly all, of the historical events of the county have in some man¬
ner been published, but not in permanent form for future preservation. There¬
fore this volume is prepared that the whole subject of Bennington county's
history might be fully covered, and some other events not heretofore recorded
should find a place in its pages.
To a person unacquainted with the detail of compiling or editing such a
work the task seems not an arduous one, yet this is not the case. It is not
that the county is lacking in events worthy of record, or that the facts are diffi¬
cult to obtain, but rather that in the multitude of occurrences and the varied
opinions as to their character and value the writer is compelled to decide
which is the correct version, and what material shall be accepted as a part of
the record.
It is not for a moment asserted that this work is an entirely original one; on
the contrary, the editor has to acknowledge access to many standard authori¬
ties upon the history of the State and county, and from which he has borrowed
not only ideas and facts, but has not in every case been careful in the use of
quotation marks. The principal object of this work is to provide for the use
of future generations such a memorial history of the county as will correctly
inform the readers of the facts, and relieve them of the necessity of any further
similar publication. How well this end has been accomplished is for the peo¬
ple to judge. The work cannot be said to be entirely free from error; such
8
Introduction.
could hardly be expected, no matter how much care and research be employed
in its preparation and revision. Still, the editor has reason to believe that the
statements contained in the following pages are mainly correct, and to be re¬
lied upon. Nor is this volume the production of one person's labor, for a num¬
ber of writers, several being residents of the county, have contributed chapters
of interest and importance; and it is proper in this connection that mention
should be made of those who have generously devoted their time and energies
to the success of this enterprise. The chapter relating to the history of the
township of Bennington, with the villages of Bennington Center and North
Bennington, was prepared by Henry D. Hall, esq., of North Bennington ; the
chapter on Arlington was written and contributed by Orion M. Barber, esq.,
of Arlington ; the chapter on the town of Dorset, by George M. Viall, esq., of
East Dorset; on Peru and Landgrove, by Hon. George K. Davis of Peru; on
Pownal and Stamford, by Thomas E. Brownell, esq., of North Pownal; on
Readsboro, by Hon. Faxon L. Brown, of Readsboro; on Searsburg, by George
J. Bond, esq.; on Winhall, by Counselor Joseph G. Martin, of Manchester Cen¬
ter. To each of these persons the editor extends his sincere thanks. And to
the residents of the county generally, who, by their generous and hearty sup¬
port, have made this publication not only possible, but a success, are due the
heartfelt thanks of the publishers.
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I.
The Subject—Division of the State into Counties—Their Extent— Reduction of Ben¬
nington to its Present Area—The New Hampshire Grants—First Settlement by the Dutch
— Prior Occupancy of the American Indians—Their Traditions and History—The Iro¬
quois Confederacy—Their Conquest Over Other Indian Nations 17
CHAPTER II.
Discovery and Exploration of the Country—Settlements and Colonies—The French in
Canada—The English in Virginia and New England—The Dutch in New York—The
Puritans in New England—General'Advance of Settlement Towards the Region of Ver¬
mont 20
CHAPTER III.
Advance of Civilization and Settlement—Indians Aroused to Hostilities—Efforts to
Overcome Them—New Netherlands Conquered by the English—Struggles between the
French and English for Power—Their Respective Allied Indian Forces—Fruitless Cam¬
paigns Against Canada—Peace and War—Indians at War with the English—Erection of
Fort Dummer—FrenclvFortress at Addison 23
CHAPTER IV.
The French and English War of 1744-8—Peace Negotiations—War Again Declared
—The Engagements—Final Defeat of the French Arms, and Overthrow of the French
Power in America—Leading Incidents of the War 27
CHAPTER V.
A Brief Review of Leading Events —The Granting of Charters—The Several Kinds of
Grants or Charters—New Hampshire—New York—Disputes as to Boundaries Between
Provinces—Events that Led to the Controversy Between New Hampshire and New York
lor Possession of " Vermont"—Respective Claims of those Provinces—Granting Town¬
ships 34
IO
Contents.
CHAPTER VI.
From the Close of the French War to the Revolution—Charter of Townships—Con¬
flicting Claims to the Grants—Controversy between New York and New Hampshire—
Action of the Crown—Green Mountain Boys Defend the Inhabitants of the Grants in
their Possession of the Disputed Territory—Counties Organized by New York—Leading
Spirits During the Troublous Period—Adjudged Guilty of Felony and Sentenced to
Death —Events Preceding the Revolution 40
CHAPTER VII.
The War Between England and the Revolted Colonies — Events Immediately Preced¬
ing the War—The Massacre at Westminster—Allen Captures Ticonderoga—The English
Urge the Indians to Hostilities — Attitude of the Six Nations—The Dorset Convention—
Regiment of Green Mountain Boys —They Join Montgomery at St. Johns—Their Partici¬
pation in the Siege—Repulse of Carlton —Honorable Discharge of the Regiment—Ethan
Allen—His Capture, Confinement and Release 59
CHAPTER VIII.
Events of the War During the Year 1776—Wooster Succeeds to the Command of the
Army in the North —Wooster's Call for Aid from the Green Mountain Boys—His Letter
to Colonel Warner - The Response - Retreat from Quebec and Evacuation of Canada—
The Return Home —Troops Organized on the Grants for the Regular and Militia Service
-—The Tory Element—General Gates Calls for Troops—Three Regiments of Hampshire
Grants Men Respond—Crown Point Abandoned—Carlton Threatens Ticonderoga—With¬
draws into Canada without Making an Attack—Supplying Flour and Provisions 65
CHAPTER IX.
Events of the War for 1777—An Important Period—Vermont Declares Her Independ¬
ence—Burgoyne's Invasion—Preparation to Resist It—Defenses at and about Ticonde¬
roga—Its Evacuation by the Americans—Pursuit to Hubbardton—The Battle—Warner's
Defeat—Death of Colonel Francis—Warner's Regiment Reassemble at Manchester—Brit¬
ish Occupy Castleton—New Hampshire Responds to Vermont's Appeal for Aid—General
John Stark Sent to the Rescue —Burgoyne's Advance—Ira Allen's Plan for Raising Money
and Men for the Service—Commissioners of Sequestration—Council of Safety Moves from
Manchester to Bennington—Stark Reaches Bennington—Burgoyne's Plan for Obtaining
Supplies—Sends Colonel Baum to Bennington to Take Them—The Battle— Success
British Reinforced—Americans Fall Back—Colonel Seth Warner's Regiment Saves the
Day—Burgoyne's Career Checked—Defeated at Stillwater—His Final Surrender—Ticon¬
deroga Evacuated by the British - Their Withdrawal into Canada 6^
CHAPTER X.
Civil Policy Pursued by the People on the Grants During the Revolution—The Dorset
Convention in January, 1776—Petition Sent to Congress —Its Withdrawal—Second Dorset
Contents.
Convention in July, 1776—Towns Represented—Resolutions Looking to State Organization
—Articles of Association—September Convention at Dorset—Covenant Adopted —Con¬
vention at Westminster in October, 1776, and Januarv, 1777 —State Independence De¬
clared Named New Connecticut—Changed to Vermont —Adopting a Constitution —Re¬
port and Petition to Congress —Opposition made by New York—Petition Dismissed—
Subsequent Proceedings — Election of State Officers — Final Action of the Council of
Safety 84
CHAPTER XI.
The Civil Policy of the State Continued —Position of Vermont—New York Policy Modi¬
fied—Governor Clinton's Proclamation—The First Vermont Election—State Officers
Chosen—Organization of the Assembly—Bennington and Unity Counties Formed—Unity
Changed to Cumberland—Temporary Character of Laws of 1778—Shire Towns Estab¬
lished—Judges Appointed—Bennington County Divided into Military Districts—The
Northern Territory Invaded—Forts Built—The Land Controversy Resumed—Annexation
of Towns from off New Hampshire—The Union Dissolved—More of the New York
Troubles - Governor Clinton Appeals to Congress—Congressional Committee Appointed
—Their Proceedings- Disappointment of Vermonters —The Massachusetts Claim —Union
with New Hampshire and New York Towns — Progress of the State Government--Pro¬
ceedings of the Assembly —An Incident —The First Public Execution—Shire Judges Ap¬
pointed—State Officers for 1778—Superior Court Established—Military Organizations
Perfected—The Regimental and Company Officers- Justices of the Peace and Probate
Judges Appointed 99
CHAPTER XII.
Boundaries of Bennington County in 1778-79 —Superior Court Established — Laws
Passed by the Assembly—Tories of the Several Towns—Board of War Created — Military
Districts—Providing for a Draft—-Legislative Sessions —Proceedings of the Council of
Safety and Board of War—State Officers Elected in 1779—Judges of the Superior Court
—-Officers for 1780—Board of War for this Year -Frontier Towns Designated—Expenses
of the State Government—The Value of Continental Currency — Provision Tax Laid on
the Towns—The Issue of Bills of Credit Authorized—Revenues of the State Raised by
Sale of Confiscated Lands—Sale of Ungranted Lands—The Haklimand Correspondence
Opened—Exchange of Prisoners with the British —Vermont's Negotiations with the Enemy
—Effect of the Same—Close of the Revolution—Ver mont again Serks Admission to the
Union—Outline of that Proceeding —Vermont A Imitted into th ■ Union in 1791 111
CHAPTER XIII.
Division of Bennington County in 1781—Rutland County Set Off—County Elections
Ordered—Officers to be Chosen — Bennington County Records Destroyed Towns An¬
nexed to Bennington County from New York State —The Annexation Annulled—The
Towns that Comprise this County—Their Charter Org mization— Locating the County
Seat—A Controversy The County lias Two Shire Towns - Bennington and Manchester
—The County Buildings at Bennington —Three Times Destroyed by Fire - The Present
Court House and Jail at Bennington—Changed irom West Bennington -The Court
Contents.
House and Jail at Manchester—Establishing Post Routes—Legislative Act Concerning It
— Bennington a Distributing Office—End of the System—Merged Into the Federal Gov¬
ernment System Upon the Admission of Vermont to the Union 126
CHAPTER XIV.
Character of the Government of the Several Townships of the County—The Increase
in the County's Population by Decades—Present Estimated Population—Events Preceding
the War of 1812 15—An Era of Prosperity—Troubles with Great Britain—Measures
Adopted by Both Nations—Effort at an Amicable Settlement of Difficulties—Discussions
in Congress — Political Sentiment in the Country Divided—The Feeling in Bennington
County—Arguments of the Peace Party—Results of Elections—Press Comments—The
War—Peace Again Restored 133
CHAPTER XV.
BENNINGTON COUNTY IN THE REBELLION OF 1861-65.
Introductory Remarks—The County's Contribution of Men—Records of the Regi¬
ments—The Second Regiment -The Fourth Regiment—The Fifth Regiment—The First
Cavalry Regiment—The Tenth Regiment—The Fourteenth Regiment (Nine Month's
Men)—Other Regiments Having Bennington County Volunteers—The County's Organ¬
ized Militia—Militia Officers 137
CHAPTER XVI.
THE PRESS OF BENNINGTON COUNTY.
Genera] Observations on the Press—The Vermont Gazette—The Pioneer of Vermont
Journals—Extracts From its Columns—The Epitome of the World—The Green Mountain
Farmer—The Vermont Gazette Revived—The Plowman—The Bennington News-Letter
—Tai American Register—The Vermont Sentinel—The Journal of the Times—William
Lloyd Garrison's Paper—The Horn of the Green Mountains—The Vermonter—'The Ver¬
mont Express —The Bennington County Whig—The Battle Ground—The Bennington
Free Press—The Daily News—The Vermont Centennial—The Bennington Banner—The
Manchester Journal—The Bennington Reformer !g2
CHAPTER XVII.
The Bench and Bar of Bennington County jp2
CHAPTER XVIII.
The M.'dical Profession
203
Contexts.
13
CHAPTER XIX.
THE VERMONT CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY.
The Vermont Centennial Anniversary—Creation of the Bennington Battle Monument
Association—Its Officers Elected—The Centennial Commission—Preparations for a Mag¬
nificent Celebration During the Week of August 16, 1877—Committees and Arrange¬
ments —The Celebration—Vermont Day—Bennington Battle Day—Order of Exercises —
Close et the Celebration — History of the Battle Monument Association—Republication of
the Account Written by Rev. Isaac Jennings—Succession of Officers of the Association —
Laying of the Corner-Stone of the Monument —Ceremonies of the Occasion—The Ben¬
nington Historical Society—Its Organization—Its Constitution —Succession of Officers. . . 214
CHAPTER XX.
History of the Town of Bennington with the Villages of Bennington Center, Benning¬
ton, and North Bennington 2-M
CHAPTER XXI.
History of the Town of Manchester 34°
CHAPTER XXII.
History of the Town of Arlington 39^
CHAPTER XXIII.
History of the Town of Dorset 4°7
CHAPTER XXIV.
History of the Town of Pownal 429
CHAPTER XXV.
History of the Town of Shaftsbury 43^
CHAPTER XXVI.
History of the Town of Sandgate 447
14
Contents.
CHAPTER XXVII.
History of the Town of Rupert 452
CHAPTER XXVIII.
History of the Town of Peru 45&
CHAPTER XXIX
History of the Town of Sunderland 468
CHAPTER XXX.
History of the Town of Woodford 475
CHAPTER XXXI
History of the Town of Readsboro 481
CHAPTER XXXII.
History of the Town of Searsburg 489
CHAPTER XXXIII.
History of the Town of Winhall
CHAPTER XXXIV.
History of the Town of Landgrove
CHAPTER XXXV.
History of the Town of Glastenbury ^00
CHAPTER XXXVI.
History of the Town of Stamford
Contents. 15
CHAPTER XXXVII.
Biographical 505
CHAPTER XXXVIII.
Brief Personal Sketches 555
Contents.
ILLUSTRATIONS.
Abbott, L. F Facing 326
Bradford, H. E., Facing 512
Brown, S. H Facing 278
Burton, E. B., Facing 360
Burton, William B., Facing 372
Cooper, Charles Facing 328
Hall, Hiland Facing 506
Hawks, William E Facing 320
Isham, Pierrepont Facing 192
McCullough, J. G Facing 224
Orvis, F. H Facing 528
Park, Trenor W Facing 200
Roberts, Martin Facing 340
Roberts Edward, Facing 536
Roberts Homestead 536
Root, H. G., Facing 236
Scott, Olin, Facing 332
Taylor, Uvvight, Facing 456
Tiffany, Eli, Facing 330
Valentine, Joel Facing 298
Valentine, A. B., Facing 304
Welling, Charles E Facing 548
BIOGRAPHICAL.
Abbott, L. F., 512
Bradford, H. E., 513
Brown, Samuel H 515
Burton, E. B., 526
Burton, William B., 528
Cooper, Charles 525
Hall, Hiland, 5°5
Hawks, William E., 516
Isham, Pierrepont, 539
McCullough, John G., 522
Orvis, F. H.,
Park, Trenor W rjg
Roberts, Edward, C37
Roberts, Martin, 5,5
Root, H. G ^ j
Scott, Olin,
Taylor, Dwight ^4
Tiffany, Eli,
Valentine, A. B
Valentine, Joel,
Welling, Charles E
HISTORY
OF
BENNINGTON COUNTY.
CHAPTER I.
The Subject—Division of the State into Counties—Their Extent—Reduction of Benning¬
ton to its Present Area--The New Hampshire Grants—First Settlement by the Dutch—Prior
Occupancy of the American Indians—Their Traditions and History—The Iroquois Confed¬
eracy—Their Conquest Over Other Indian Nations.
HE county of Bennington was brought into existence by virtue of an act
of the General Assembly of the State of Vermont, passed on the 17th
of March, 1778. According to the provisions of that act the boundary lines
of the county were established substantially as follows: South by the north
line of the " Massachusets Bay" (meaning the State); north by the south line
of the province of Quebec ; east by the main range of the Green Mountain
chain, through the center of the State; west by township lines of the town¬
ships now forming the west boundary of the State from the Massachusetts
north line to Lake Champlain, and by the lake to the Canada line. By the
same act that portion of the State lying between the Green Mountains and the
Connecticut River, and between the north boundary of Massachusetts and the
south line of the province of Quebec, was formed into another county and
known by the name of Unity. By an act passed in February, 1779, the boun¬
dary lines were defined, and the name of Unity changed to Cumberland. This
seems to have been the first actual division of the State into counties under
recognized authority, although the General Assembly in session the year be¬
fore (1778) did also pass a resolution appointing a committee " to join a com¬
mittee from the council, to draw a bill to be laid before this Assembly for
dividing the State into four counties." But as to whether any such bill was
drawn there appears no record, either in the journal of the Assembly or in the
3
i8
History of Bennington County.
laws enacted at that period. In the month of February, 1781, the county of
Bennington was reduced to its present limits.
Prior to the passage of the resolution an act by which the independence
of the State, under the name of New Connecticut but subsequently changed to
Vermont, was asserted, all the territory, or nearly all, was known as and called
the New Hampshire Grants; and so named and styled from the fact that the
governor of the province of New Hampshire, holding and exercising au¬
thority over the same by virtue of the royal charter, had made numerous
grants of extensive tracts of land lying between the Connecticut River and a
line twenty miles east of the Hudson River, to divers persons as a reward for
political fealty, and for consideration not expressed. Each grant created a
township, which was generally named in the instrument that brought it into
existence.
The first grant so made by the governor of New Hampshire embraced a
tract of land six miles square, lying six miles north of the Massachusetts line,
and twenty miles east from the Hudson River, and was called "Bennington,"1
in allusion to the name of the grantor, Benning Wentworth. This grant was
dated January 3, 1749.
These grants were made generally to a number of persons whose names
were set forth, but there were instances in which the land was given to a single
individual. From the time of the chartering of Bennington in 1749, to the i ith
of August, 1764, the total number of grants made within the bounds of the
present State of Vermont amounted to one hundred and thirty-four. From
this fact, prior to the declaration of independence of the State, these lands were
called the New Hampshire Grants. The first permanent white settlement and
improvement within the State, or rather the territory that afterward became
the State, was made by the persons holding under these grants.
Some writers state, and upon reasonably good authority, that some parts of
this region were inhabited by the whites as early as 1724, more particularly in
the valley of the Hoosic and Battenkill Rivers, and that the latter stream at
least, received its name from the Dutch that lived for a time along its valley
This may be true, but it is also a fact that they were but squatters upon the
soil and held without color of title to the land.
But there was a race of people that occupied this region of country to a
greater or less extent, who traversed the country at will, and were its acknowl¬
edged rightful possessors. This people was the American Indian nation but
against them and their claim to the possession of the land the pioneers of Ver¬
mont never had to contend, except as the Indians may have been allied to the
1 Some later authorities are inclined to the belief that the name "Bennington " was o-iven
the township in allusion to the place called Bennington that then existed in Lincolnshire Eng
land, rather than in honor of the grantor. How true this may be we know not, and while it
is posssible, it is, at the same time, highly improbable.
The Aborigines.
19
French during the French and English war, and to the English during the war
for independence.
However scattered the Indians may have been over our vast domain, and
however much they may have been opposed to one another during the fre¬
quent outbreaks that occurred during the seventeenth and eighteenth centur¬
ies, all were, nevertheless, descended from two parent nations—the Lenni Len-
apes and the Mengwe. These, according to the ancient tradition and it is
universally conceded to be true, came from beyond the Mississippi River long
years before the first Spanish adventurers landed upon the shores of America.
The descendants of the Lenapes had their seat of government upon the Dela-
aware River, and from that fact they were known as the Delawares. The
country inhabited by them bordered upon the great rivers of New York, Penn¬
sylvania, Ohio, New Jersey, Delaware and throughout the Virginias and Car-
olinas. All, however, did not bear the name of the parent stock, but took a
name generally suited to the locality in which they lived. The Mengwe, who
also came from the far western country, occupied the region bordering upon
the great lakes throughout the northern country, and as far east as to the lo¬
cality of Lake Champlain. From the Mengwe were descended the tribes that
roamed throughout this section of the land, although there exists no knowledge
of the fact of their having a permanent abode, or lasting tribe home within the
limits of the State. That there were villages there is no doubt, for the evi¬
dences of such an occupancy have frequently been found. They came here to
fish and hunt, and as they departed left many articles and implements both of
warfare and of use in their home life, by which their prestnce has been made
known.
As to which tribes resorted to this section of the land there appears no posi¬
tive record, but the fact is well known that the Mohawks, the Oneidas and the
Onondagas occupied the territory of eastern New York, and that they were
three of the five tribes that composed the famous Iroquois Confederacy, or Five
Nations of Indians. It was, therefore, probably parts of these tribes that re¬
sorted to this region. After the year 17 12, however, they became the Six Na¬
tions, having their numbers increased by the acquisition of the Tuscaroras, who
had been driven from their country by the Southern Indians, aided by white
settlers, and coming to the land of the Iroquois were adopted by them. From
this time they were one of the Six Nations.
Between the Five Nation Indians and the Delawares there existed a feeling
of enmity that ended in a terrible warfare and the complete subjugation of the
latter. This occurred about the middle of the seventeenth century; and from
that time the men of the confederacy were the acknowledged Indian rulers
and owners of the whole country, and with whom the treaties for the extin¬
guishment of Indian titles were required to be made before such title could be
regarded as perfect. Prior, however, to the conquest of the Delaware country
20
History of Bennington County.
by the Iroquois, the latter had made war upon certain tribes that had made a
residence along Lake Erie and driven them to the cold northern regions, in
what is now known as the British possessions. These afterward scattered
throughout the northern country, and were found there by the French explor¬
ers who discovered and settled that section.
No sooner had the French become established in what is now Canada than
the Jesuit missionaries commenced their labor among the tribes, and from their
relations many of the tribes were named. It was the French that gave the
name "Iroquois" to the Five Nations, but its meaning is veiled in obscurity.
It should be borne in mind, too, that the name was never used by the
confederates themselves. They called themselves " Hedonosaunee," which
means literally, "they form a cabin," describing in this manner the close
union existing between them. The Indian name just above quoted is more
liberally and commonly rendered, " the People of the Long House," which is
more full in description, though not so accurate in translation. To the Dutch
settlers in New York the Indians were known as " Maquas," while to the
average Englishman they were always the " Mingoes."
This region of country was not the scene of any of the sanguinary Indian
conflicts, but in narrating the events of the early explorations and settlements
made in Canada, New York and New England by the French, Dutch and Eng¬
lish, occasional reference will be made to the Indians ; and it is for this reason
that the foregoing statements are made, and further, that the reader may have
an understanding as to who were the possessors of the country prior to the
advent of the white man.
CHAPTER II.
Discovery and Exploration of the Country— Settlements and Colonies—The French in
Canada—The English in Virginia and New England—The Dutch in New York—The Purit¬
ans in New England—General Advance of Settlement Towards the Region of Vermont
THE first discovery by European navigators of the American continent was
made by Christopher Columbus in the year 1492. His explorations were
confined to the southern region of the continent, and therefore have no im¬
portant relation to the explorations of the northern country, except as the act
may have stimulated a similiar spirit on the part of navigators representing
other governments than Spain.
In the year 1534, or nearly half a century after the Spanish discovery, the
French government fitted out a ship and placed the same under command of
Jacques Cartier for a voyage of discovery in the new country. This navigator
Discoveries by the French.
21
reached that section now known as Upper Canada, and pursued his explora¬
tions in the vicinity of the great gulf and river that he afterward called the St.
Lawrence. He returned to France and reported the result of his investiga¬
tions. This led to the fitting out of a fleet of three ships during the following
year, 1535. which, being commanded by Cartier, again visited America and
sailed up the St. Lawrence as far as the Indian town called Hochelaga, arriv¬
ing there on October 2. Here he founded the town of Mount Royal, or Mon¬
treal. His ships, however, had been left at the Island of Orleans, to which
point Cartier and his followers returned and passed the winter. Not being ac¬
customed to such severe weather the adventurous party suffered terribly, and
many died from disease and exposure. As soon as possible the next year the
party returned to France.
No further attempt at colonizing this region by the French was made until
the year 1540, when Cartier again prevailed upon the government to send
forth another fleet; but this effort was likewise unsuccessful, and the project
was abandoned. In the year 1603 Samuel Champlain, also a F re noli naviga¬
tor, sailed up the St. Lawrence on a voyage of discovery and investigation, vis¬
iting the points touched by Cartier, and then returned to France determined
upon founding a colony, provided the government could be prevailed upon to
furnish the proper means therefor. This, in 1608, he succeeded in accomplish¬
ing, upon which he again came to America and sailed up the river to the In¬
dian town of Quebec. Here preparations were at once made for founding a
town ; the forests were cleared, the land prepared for cultivation, and houses
were built.
Champlain used every means in his power to cultivate a friendly relation
with the Indians. He made them sundry presents of clothing and trinkets and
other articles attractive to the native savage eye. The priests that were of the
party also labored zealously among the people, using their every art to ad¬
vance the cause of France and the church.
Upon information furnished by the Indians early in the spring of 1609,
Champlain, with two Frenchman and a party of natives, left Quebec upon an
exploring expedition through the region to the South. They passed up the
St. Lawrence and the river afterward called the Richelieu, till he arrived at a
large lake, to which he gave his own name—Champlain. Still further south¬
ward he reached another and smaller body of water which he named Lake St.
Sacrament (now Lake George). The Indians of the party called this latter body
"Horicon," but to the Five Nations who inhabited the country hereabouts it
was known as " Canideri-oit," meaning, " the tail of the lake."
On arriving at Lake St. Sacrament the explorers came in contact with a
party of the Five Nation Indians, and from the fact that the latter regarded the
Canada Indians as enemies, a battle ensued. The Frenchmen of the party be¬
ing possessed of guns, of the use of which their adversaries knew nothing, the
22
History of Bennington County.
contest soon ended in favor of the visitors, while the enemy were utterly routed'
with a considerable loss. Champlain then returned to Quebec and afterward
established the colony of Canada, of which he was made governor.
From the foregoing narrative it will be seen that it was in the year 1609
that Lake Champlain and the western borders of the subsequent State of Ver¬
mont was first visited by white men. This is a part of the territory that was,
in 1778, formed into Bennington county.
While the French were thus establishing colonies throughout the St. Law¬
rence region, other nations were not wholly inactive, although their attempts
at settlement were not begun until after or about the commencement of the
seventeenth century. In the year 1607, after a number of earlier unsuccessful
attempts, the English succeeded in planting a colony on the James River in
Virginia, and soon after another in the present State of Maine. "In 1614
Captain John Smith explored the seacoast from Penobscot to Cape Cod, drew
a map of the same, and denominated the country New England. In 1609
Captain Henry Hudson, at the time in the service of Holland, discovered and
gave his own name to Hudson River, now in the State of New York, and in
1614, the Dutch began a settlement on the Island of Manhattan, where the
city of New York now stands. To the country they gave the name of New
Netherlands, and the town they settled New Amsterdam, in allusion to the
country and city they had left in Europe."1 About the same time they built
Fort Orange, on the site of the present city of Albany, and otherwise had
scattered settlements at Schenectady and along the valley of the Mohawk
River.
In the year 1620, a band of English subjects who had taken refuge in Hol¬
land twenty years before, that they might avoid religious persecution, and who,
from their scrupulous religious conduct were called "Puritans," embarked for
America with the intention of establishing a colony at the mouth of Hudson's
River. They had previously provided themselves with a patent for a con¬
siderable tract of land from the Virginia Company in England, but through
some error or fault they landed at the point known as Cape Cod, many miles
distant from the lands designated in their charter. However, they decided to
remain and establish a colony in the region in which they were. For that pur¬
pose they explored the surrounding country and finally decided upon making
a settlement at the point they called New Plymouth (now Plymouth). To
complete their plans they formed themselves into a body politic under the
crown of England, chose John Carver for their governor, and embarked for
their destined place of abode, at which they arrived 011 December 22 1620
Thus became established at Plymouth, Mass., the famous band of Puritans
For some months, and especially during the winter following their arrival they
suffered almost incredible hardships, so that the succeeding spring found their
1 From Thompson's Vermont.
Early Settlements.
23
number reduced nearly one-half, and but for the timely arrival of supplies from
England all must have perished.
Mention has already been made of the English settlements in Maine, in
1614. In less than ten years thereafter other settlements had been made at
Portsmouth and Dover, in what is now New Hampshire, and another decade
found a colony established at Windsor, in Connecticut. Two years later, or
in 1635, they had extended northward along the Connecticut River as far as
Springfield, now in Massachusetts, and soon thereafter at Deerfield. Thus
early was the tide of settlement setting toward the neighborhood of the present
State of Vermont; by the French from the north, the Dutch from the south
and west, and the English from the east. And from the fact that the Dutch
had already made settlements at Albany and elsewhere thereabouts, it is wholly
fair to assume that they may have extended a temporary settlement to this
locality, as they are credited by many historians with having done.
CHAPTER TIL
Advance of Civilization and Settlement—Indians Aroused to Hostilities—Efforts to Over-
-come Them—New Netherlands Conquered by the English—Struggles between the French
and English for Power—Their Respective Allied Indian Forces—Fruitless Campaigns against
Canada—Peace and War—Indians at War with the English—Erection of Fort Dummer—
French Fortress at Addison.
THE region of country in which the Puritans took up their abode was at
that time inhabited by a numerous tribe of Indians called the Narragan-
setts. Their numbers, however, had then recently been fearfully reduced by
some contagious disease prevailing among them. Some had fled to other tribes
for temporary refuge. The friendly disposition of the newly arrived whites
toward those that remained in the country, and the relief administered during
the period of their sufferings, had much to do with allaying any apprehension
or suspicion of unfair intent on the part of the colonists. But the settlements
continued to increase and the whites were not always fair in their transactions
with the natives, both of which facts contributed to arouse a feeling of ani¬
mosity among them, and which finally culminated in a conspiracy, formed by
the Narragansetts and other allied tribes, for the extermination of the settlers.
Fortunately, the English were informed of what the Indians were about to
do, and such measures were adopted as prevented any actual outbreak.
But the English soon became engaged in a war with the Pequots, a tribe
of Indians that inhabited the northwest part of Connecticut, in which war the
savages were terribly beaten, seven hundred being killed while others sought
24
History of Bennington County.
refuge among the Mohawks, one of the Five Nations, by whom they were
treacherously murdered. Those that remained were completely subdued, and
did not seek to again make war upon the settlements for nearly half a century.
During the years of advancing and increasing settlements on the part of
the several nations—the French, the English and the Dutch, there appears to
have grown up a strong rivalry, each endeavoring to outdo the other. This
led to unpleasant feelings and finally to open hostilities. The English watched
with a jealous interest the progress the Dutch were making in New Nether¬
lands, while the French, from their remote position, also hoped to effect a per¬
manent lodgment in the same region, but fearing the power of the Six Nations
they felt unequal to the task of subjugating them. In the meantime the Eng¬
lish made war upon the Dutch and wrested from them the control of the New
Netherlands, with its already enterprising seaport town, New Amsterdam.
This extinguishment, therefore, of Dutch power in America was effected in the
year 1664, and thereafter followed a series of conflicts between the French and
the English for possession of the country, that resulted in overthrowing the
French dominion on American soil.
But it was for the absolute control of the whole country that the English
and French governments began to contend after the Dutch possessions were
surrendered. To this end each sought to strengthen their cause by cultivating
friendships with the several Indian tribes. For that purpose the savages were
supplied with firearms and thoroughly instructed in their use, and this knowl¬
edge, combined with their characteristic cunning, made them formidable ad¬
versaries.
Each nation continued to advance their settlements and strengthen their
war forces until the year 1689, at which time the French devised a scheme by
which they hoped to obtain possession of New York. It was a part of their
plan to send a strong force of French soldiers and Indians by way of Lake
Champlain to Albany and adjacent settlements, which being conquered, to
press on down the Hudson River to New York and attack that place, receiving
co-operation from a French fleet of war sent out for the purpose. But while
preparations for this campaign were being made the Five Nations, at the insti¬
gation of the British, made a sudden descent upon Canada, plundered and
burned Montreal and destroyed the frontier settlements.
This calamity put an end to the proposed French campaign, but by no
means ended the war. To offset the disasters, Frontenac, the French com¬
mander in Canada, sent out two expeditions against the English settlements.
One of these, under command of M. Hertel, on the 18th of March, 1690, fell
upon the British posts at Salmon Falls, in New Hampshire, killed thirty and
captured and took to Canada fifty-four prisoners. The other command com¬
prising two hundred French and about fifty Indians, under D'Aillebout, pro¬
ceeding by way of Lake Champlain, directed- their march toward Schenectady
French and Indian Wars.
25
Spies were sent out and the settlement was found to be practically defenseless
and the inhabitants unconscious of danger. Near midnight, on the 8th of Feb¬
ruary, 1690, the attack was made and a terrible slaughter followed. The Can¬
adian Indians were promised full liberty to avenge the Montreal affair, and
most fully did they avail themselves of the opportunity, for no less than sixty
persons were massacred, while nearly thirty more were carried captives to
Canada. The settlement was wholly destroyed. News of this disaster reached
Albany, whereupon Colonel Schuyler collected a force and started in pursuit
of the enemy, but having heard greatly exaggerated accounts of the French
and Indian strength, he hesitated about making an attack upon them, and thus
were they given time to escape with all their plunder and prisoners.
These events were but the beginning of a long continued series of attacks
and campaigns of war between the English and French for supremacy in
America. As a retaliatory act to avenge the slaughter at Salmon Falls and
the massacre at Schenectady, Colonel Schuyler, in 1691, with a party of Eng¬
lish and Mohawk Indians, made a campaign against the French and Canadian
Indians inhabiting the valley and region of the River Richelieu. In the engage¬
ments that followed the aggressors were successful, having routed the enemy,
devastated their villages, and slain three hundred of their number.
The French, to avenge this slaughter, made a raid against the country of the
Mohawks, in January, 1695, but the news of the intended attack had reached
the Mohawks in advance, so that preparations were made to receive it. A
number of battles followed in which the French and their allies were beaten
and compelled to retreat from the country.
In 1697 England and France made a treaty of peace, upon which there
was a cessation of hostilities in the colonies; but it was of very short duration,
for, in 1702, Great Britain and France again had recourse to arms, and, as a
consequence, the colonies were again called upon to do battle in the interests
of their respective mother governments. In the winter of 1704 a strong party
of French and Indians, under DeRouville, passed up Lake Champlain to the
mouth of the Winooski River, (now in Chittenden county), thence up that
stream and across the territory of the state to the Connecticut River; thence
down the river on the ice to a point near Deerfield, (Mass)., where they con¬
cealed themselves until night. Deerfield at that time was a prosperous village
on the frontier. The inhabitants undoubtedly would have been able to suc¬
cessfully resist the assault that followed had they been apprised of the fact,
but being made in the dark, and a complete surprise, the village fell an easy
conquest to the French. The loss to the English in this disaster was forty4
seven killed and a large number made captives, besides the plundering and
burning of the town.
Depredations like those mentioned were committed on both sides, but no
substantial gain or advantage resulted to either except that the Indians were
4
2 6
History of Bennington County.
given frequent opportunities for revenging themselves against their savage
enemies.
England finally determined to conquer the Canadian province by sending
a large fleet of war vessels to Quebec and lay siege upon the town, and at the
same time march a large body of troops through the Champlain Valley to
Montreal and attack that village. But the plan was never carried out. The
fleet was not furnished, and the troops collected for the campaign against Mon¬
treal suffered from a prevailing sickness, and the whole project was abandoned.
The succeeding year another attempt was made. T he troops were collected-
and started upon the march. The war fleet left Boston in July, 1711, and ar¬
rived safely at the mouth of the St. Lawrence, but here a sudden and violent
storm arose, and eight of the ships and more than a thousand men were lost.
The land force, when they heard of this disaster, were completely disheartened
and returned to Albany. So ended the third attempt of the English to con¬
quer Canada. Peace was again restored between the contending nations, but
the natives were far from being pacified—not at the action of the French and
English governments in establishing a peace, but at the rapid growth of settle¬
ment and the encroachments made by the settlers on the Indian lands. The
Jesuit missionaries, too, made every effort to stir up the Canadian Indians
against their enemies on the south. During these hostilities the English made
a successful expedition against the Indian town of Norridgewok, where they
slew the Jesuit missionary, Rasles, and eighty Indians, and destroyed the town.
And it was during this war with the Indians that the English made the first
civilized settlement within the limits of the present State of Vermont, by the
erection of Fort Dummer, in the year 1724. Around this fort was soon made
some considerable attempt at cultivation ; the forests were cleared away and a
number of rude houses built. But all was under the protection of the garrison
of a score or so of men kept at the fort. This was a somewhat prominent mil¬
itary post during the later wars with the French and Indians.
Fort Dummer was built within the limits of the present township of Brat-
tleborough. The immediate locality is, or was recently, known by the name
of " Dummer Meadows." The result of the war with the Indians had a natu¬
ral tendency to check the growth of settlement, and more, the settlers on the
extreme frontier line were obliged to return to the larger towns for protection.
But the Indian hostilities were overcome by the year 1725, and from that time
until 1744, the advance of settlement was very great, gradually approaching
Vermont's territory in the region of Lake Champlain. The first settlement
made therein, on the western border, was in the building of a small fortress by
the French, in the year 173 1.
This valley of the lake region was debatable ground, about midway between
the larger settlements, for the possession of which each were striving. Al¬
though in a time of peace, both were preparing for war.
French and English War.
2 7
This fortress, erected by the French in 173 1, stood opposite to Crown Point,
upon the lake shore in the present town of Addison, in the county of the same
name. It is not thought that it was for the purpose of settlement and cultiva¬
tion that this fort was built by the French, but rather that they might have
absolute control of the lake, which at that point was quite narrow. The French
also built a fort at Crown Point, on the west side of the lake, and opposite the
fortress in question. To this they gave the name St. Frederick, but it was
afterward called Crown Point.
CHAPTER IV.
The French and English War of 1744-8 —Peace Negotiations—War again Declared —
The Engagements — Final Defeat of the French Arms, and Overthrow of the French Power
in America— Leading Incidents of the War.
WHILE recounting the events of the petty strifes and collisions between
the English and French, and their respective allied Indian forces, the
reader will be impressed with the fact that neither nation appeared to be deeply
earnest in their efforts to overthrow the power of the other in America ; and
with the fact, also, that there seems to have been no thorough military organ¬
ization on either side. This was unquestionably true. Neither the English
nor the French governments had, prior to the war declared in 1744, any ade¬
quate idea of the vastness or importance of America as a possession, and the
past wars waged here were but reverberations of the thunder of actual warfare
on the other side.
But at the time of the outbreak of 1744 the colonies had become sufficiently
strong in numbers to carry on extensive military operations, and the fact had
at last come to be realized that the succeeding war would terminate the power
in America of either England or France.
While the people of New England were not wholly exempted from attacks
during the French and English war, they were, nevertheless, greatly relieved
during that period from the fact that the French possessions had been extended
along the lakes Ontario and Erie, on both sides, and there they had settlements
and posts that must needs be protected. The English settlements were also
extended in the same direction, though more to the interior, and these, too,
must be guarded by military force.
The actual prominent scene of strife during the French and English war
was in the provinces of New York and Pennsylvania. But there were also
stirring scenes in the neighborhood of Vermont. The English had, up to this
28
History of Bennington County.
time, advanced their outposts in New England in several directions. They
had built a fort between the villages of Williamstown and North Adams, which
was known as Fort Hoosic. They had also extended a line of settlements
along the Connecticut River as far north as Charleston, in New Hampshire,,
and had built a number of small fortresses in the vicinity for the protection and
safety of the inhabitants. The aggressive operations on the part of the French,
in this region at least, seems to have been confined to the attack on Fort Hoosic
and on Fort Number Four on the Connecticut, only one of which attacks was.
successful.
The campaign against Fort Hoosic was led by M. de Vaudreuil, with a
force of about nine hundred French and Indians. The garrison consisted of
but thirty-three persons, a part of whom were women and children, and was
under the command of Colonel Hawkes. The attack was made on the 20th
of August, 1746, and after a vigorous defense of over a day, and after the sup
ply of ammunition was expended, the garrison was forced to surrender.
In April, 1747, a party of four hundred French and Indians, commanded
by M. Debeline, made an attack upon the Fort Number Four, then garrisoned
by only thirty men under Captain Phinehas Stevens. Not succeeding in car¬
rying the fort by direct attack the French commander resorted to every sub¬
terfuge known to his cunning allies, but all to no purpose. The French were
obliged to raise the siege and depart, having lost quite a number of their force,
while the English had none killed and but two wounded. For gallantry in the
defense of this post, although assailed by a vastly larger force than his own,
Captain Stevens was presented with an elegant sword, the gift of Sir Charles
Knowles, the British naval commander then at Boston.
These two attacks were the only direct assaults made upon New England
posts during the progress of this war prior to the treaty of peace made in 1 748,
at Aix La Chapelle, but the frontier was continually harassed by small parties
of Indians, and the settlers were kept constantly on guard to prevent a sudden
visitation of this dreaded foe.
During the war the Six Nations generally maintained a neutrality, though
the Mohawks occasionally gave some aid to the English. The Senecas were
inclined to favor the French, but not wishing to make war upon their own
brethren, the Mohawks, they refrained from any part in the struggle.
According to the provisions of the treaty between the recently warring
nations, the controversy regarding their respective claims in America was to
be referred to commissioners appointed by the sovereigns of the two nations.
This commission met in Paris in 1752, but after a long debate was unable to
come to an agreement. This resulted in another declaration of war. It did
not begin at once, however, for the reason that neither was sure of victory.
About two years was passed, each being engaged in strengthening its po¬
sition.
French and English War
29.
After two years of open hostilities the war again commenced between Eng¬
land and France, and this was the last contest between these nations for the
supremacy on American soil.
The plan of the campaign for the first year of this war was determined upon
at a convention of the provincial governors, held at Albany. It was there de¬
cided to start four expeditions—one under Braddock, against the French at
Fort Du Ouesne (now Pittsburgh, Pa ); one against Fort Niagara, under com¬
mand of General Shirley ; one against Crown Point, under Sir William John¬
son, and one against the French settlements in Nova Scotia, under Colonels
Moncton and Winslow.
At first the French were almost everywhere victorious. Braddock, almost
under the very gates of Fort Du Quesne. fell into an ambuscade, and his army
was almost annihilated by a force vastly inferior to his own. The command
under Shirley, intended for the capture of Fort Niagara, accomplished nothing
more than to strengthen the British post at Oswego, but this soon fell into the
hands of the French.
Sir William Johnson, to whom was entrusted the campaign against the
French at Crown Point, and along Lake Champlain, collected a force of about
five hundred troops and his ever faithful Iroquois at Albany, from which point
he sent forward a detachment to build the fort called Fort Edward, but John¬
son with his whole command remained at Albany until the 10th of August,
when he moved forward and established a camp near the south end of Lake
George. In the meantime Baron Dieskau, the French commander, had occu¬
pied Ticonderoga. Johnson made preparations to attack the place, but the
Frenchman, supposing he intended attacking Crown Point, moved forward to
that place. Not being attacked by the French he moved forward to engage in
battle, and hoped to press forward to Albany after having taken Fort Edward.
The two forces met at Lake George and a severe battle ensued, in which the
French were beaten and routed with considerable loss. Baron Dieskau was
severely wounded, from the effects of which he died two years later. The
French made a halt and rallied a force on the ground where the battle orig¬
inally commenced. Here they were attacked by the command under Captain
M'Ginness, a New Hampshire officer, who had been ordered from Fort Ed¬
ward to aid the main army under Johnson. In this last battle, which lasted
nearly two hours, the French were again routed with a heavy loss. The Eng¬
lish lost twelve men, among whom was the brave M'Ginness. The total loss to
the English in these several engagements amounted to one hundred and thirty
killed, and sixty wounded. The Indians that fought with the English lost about
forty in killed. The French lost in these battles about seven hundred men.
The campaign for the next year witnessed a greatly increased force on the
field on both sides, and commanders whose names were new to the field. The
French were under the brave and dashing Montcalm, while the English were
3°
History of Bennington County.
commanded by Lord Loudon, he having been ordered to America for that
purpose. He, in the spring of 1757, with six thousand men, sailed from New
York, intending to attack the French at Louisburg. At Halifax his force was
increased to twelve thousand, besides the addition of a large number of trans¬
ports under Admiral Holburne ; but intelligence was received that the French
forces were also greatly increased, both with men and war ships, whereupon the
expedition was abandoned
For the campaign on the land Montcalm early commenced operations.
He attempted to surprise and capture Fort William Henry, but was repulsed
with considerable loss. After this Colonel Parker was sent down the lake with
a strong force of English and provincial troops for the purpose of bringing on
a fight with the enemy's advance guard at Ticonderoga. But the French, ap¬
prised of their design, formed an ambuscade of French and Indians, into which
the unsuspecting English fell and suffered a fearful loss, only about seventy
escaping out of the four hundred that started. Encouraged by these successes
Montcalm determined to again attack Fort William Henry. For this purpose
he collected his forces, amounting to about ten thousand men, regulars, Cana¬
dians and Indians, at Crown Point and Ticonderoga.
General Webb, upon whom the command of the English forces devolved
on the departure of Lord Loudon, selected Major Putnam with a force of two
hundred picked men for an escort for himself (Webb) in making an examina¬
tion of the works at Lake George, and also in ascertaining the position and
strength of the French. On the latter business Putnam was sent out with a
small party, but being discovered by the enemy were pursued and barely
escaped capture. Webb then prepared to return to Fort Edward and ordered
Putnam to provide an escort. This was done the next day.
Colonel Monroe was then sent to reinforce the garrison at Lake George.
His arrival was timely, for the next day Montcalm's forces appeared upon the
lake, landed and laid siege to the fort. Monroe and his brave followers made
as stout resistance as was possible, and sent frequently to General Webb for
reinforcements, which at the very last moment that cowardly officer declined
to furnish, but advised that Monroe make the most favorable terms of surren¬
der possible and pass the post over into the hands of the enemy. This was
the only course now left the besieged garrison, and terms of capitulation and
surrender were agreed upon. The men were to march out with their arms
and baggage, should be escorted to Fort Edward by a detachment of French
troops, and should not take up arms against the French for a term of eighteen
months. How well the victors carried out and observed the terms of the sur¬
render on their part is shown by the fact that the garrison had no sooner than
passed outside the protection of the fort than the Canadian Indians fell upon
the defenseless soldiers with the greatest ferocity imaginable, and with toma¬
hawk and knife most inhumanly butchered and scalped them. The total loss
Campaign of 1758.
in this massacre amounted to not less than fifteen hundred persons. Mont¬
calm held the means of preventing it had he chosen to exercise his power.
But Webb could have relieved the post upon which the attack was made, and
thus prevented the possibility of the slaughter, but his cowardice and ineffi¬
ciency held him back.
The next day after the massacre Major Putnam's rangers were sent to watch
the motions of the enemy who were then expected to press on toward the set¬
tlements further south; but Montcalm, satisfied with his victory, retired to his
strongholds at Crown Point and Ticonderoga. This practically ended the
year's campaign in this quarter.
During the period of the war to this time the French had been generally
successful. They had maintained not only their own position, but had made
inroads and conquests in the country of the English and provincials. The
strength of their Indian force had been increased by the acquisition of the Sen-
ecas, the most fierce and bloodthirsty of any of the tribes of the Iroquois. But
they were not engaged in this region, the Indian force hereabouts being almost
entirely composed of Canadian savages, between whom and the Iroquois or Six
Nations, there was not the slightest friendship.
The campaign of the year 1758 was carried on by the English with more
determination than had previously been shown. It had been apparent to the
British government that if she intended to acquire America it must be accom¬
plished speedily. In this year William Pitt entered the councils of George II.
as actual, though not nominal chief of the ministry, and then England entered
earnestly into the contest. The western army passed under the command of
General John Forbes, and that year Fort Du Quesne was abandoned and de¬
stroyed before the steady and determined approach of the English, and other
prominent French outposts were deserted or burned.
The plan of the campaign in the east provided for a force of twelve thou¬
sand troops to be sent against Louisburg, in the island of Cape Breton, under
the chief command of General Amherst, assisted by Generals Wolfe, Whitmore
and Lawrence for the land force, while Admiral Boscawen commanded the co¬
operating fleet. Another army of sixteen thousand men under General Aber-
crombie was provided to make an aggressive campaign against the strong¬
holds of Montcalm at Ticonderoga and Crown Point.
Early in May the fleet under Boscawen came to anchor at a point about
seven miles west of Louisburg, and on the 8th of the month Wolfe's troops
effected a landing. The French force consisted of over three thousand troops,
regulars and Canadians, and ten available ships of the line and frigates, all un¬
der command of Chevalier Drucour. The engagement was carefully, but with
determination, carried out by General Amherst, while the besieged garrison
fought with no less determination, but being greatly outnumbered and their
few warships destroyed, the French surrendered the town on the 26th of July.
.32
History of Bennington County.
The arrangements for the campaign against Montcalm were no less perfect,
but by no means as successful. The whole force comprised seven thousand
regular and nine thousand provincial troops, the latter being mainly from New
York and New England. Among the New England soldiery were a number
who afterward became prominently associated with the affairs of Bennington
county.
Abercrombie's army was moved forward to Fort William Henry, where, on
the 5th of July, it embarked on batteaux and whale boats, and made a night
passage to the north end of the lake, arriving on the morning of the 6th. Here
the army was formed into three columns and the advance upon the enemy's
outposts commenced. The French retreated before the superior force to the
cover of their main works, and the English, after penetrating further and be¬
coming entangled in the dense undergrowth and their progress impeded by
the fallen timber, thought best to retire and encamp on the site of their landing
place and there pass the night. On the next morning, being desirous of mak¬
ing the battle before Montcalm could bring forward reinforcements, Aber-
crombie sent forward his engineer to ascertain the exact position of the enemy
and the probable strengh of their fortifications. The report being of a favor¬
able nature the advance was at once ordered. The ground between the Eng¬
lish and French was covered with fallen timber and a dense growth of brush
and vines, and it was through this that the attacking party were compelled to
work their way. All the time the French were strongly entrenched behind
their breastworks of logs, from which they poured into the thicket a steady and
deadly fire from the artillery and small arms. For nearly half a day the Eng¬
lish struggled in the thicket without being able to return the enemy's fire with
any effect, but further effort being worse than useless, a retreat was ordered to
their former encampment with no attempt at pursuit being made by the
French or Indians. The loss to the English and provincials in this disastrous
affair was eighteen hundred in killed and wounded, and twenty-five hundred
stand of arms. The French loss was very light.
Abercrombie was greatly mortified by this disaster, but he by no means
lost heart. He ordered the building of a fort at the " camping place," between
the Mohawk and Onondaga Rivers ; from thence he dispatched Colonel Brad-
street with a strong force to take Fort Frontenac, a post at the outlet of Lake
Ontario (now Oswego), where was a quantity of ammunition and stores. The
fort was but feebly garrisoned by two companies of French, and a few Indians,
who made no resistance to the demand for surrender.
The result of the several campaigns of 1758 was wholly satisfactory to the
English. The western posts had been taken or abandoned, and the French of
that region had concentrated at Fort Niagara. The misfortune of General Ab¬
ercrombie at Ticonderoga was the most serious disaster of the year
In 1759 still heavier blows were struck. General Amherst commanded the
Events of the War.
33
army intended to attack Ticonderoga and the other French posts in the Cham-
plain region. General Prideaux with two thousand British and provincials, and
Sir William Johnson with one thousand faithful Iroquois sailed up Ontario and
laid siege to Fort Niagara. General Wolfe was sent to take Quebec. These
were the three expeditions determined upon for this year, each of which was
successful. The last named was the most important, for Quebec was considered
the Gibraltar of the French. So it was too, and under command of the in¬
trepid Montcalm. In September Wolfe assailed the town and took possession
of the Heights of Abraham. Hearing of this the French commander deter¬
mined to force a battle outside his own camp. The contest was long and fierce,
but the cool determination of the British prevailed over the French impulsive¬
ness, and thus Quebec fell. Both Montcalm and Wolfe fell while leading their
respective forces. This famous stronghold of the French—Quebec—was sur¬
rendered up to the British September 18, 1759.
No less successful was the campaign against the French forts on the Cham-
plain. Amherst proceeded carefully through the valley, and about the mid¬
dle of July arrived before Ticonderoga, but the French, acting on the defen¬
sive, abandoned the place and concentrated their forces at Crown Point. The
English occupied the deserted post and prepared for an attack on Crown Point,
but this, too, was abandoned by the frightened Frenchmen who withdrew to
Isle Aux Noix, a strong position at the north end of the lake. For a time
General Amherst remained at Crown Point, whither he had gone after the
French withdrew. From here he dispatched Major Rogers, a New Hampshire
officer, with a strong force against the St. Francis Indians, whose village was
on the south of the St. Lawrence. These were the Indians who, at the insti¬
gation of the French, had committed the several acts of cruelty upon the in¬
habitants of the frontier towns. They could easily pass down the Champlain
Valley and across the wooded country both to the east and west and south, and
under cover of night, make an attack upon some small and defenseless village.
Their acts have already been narrated. They were a continual terror to the
frontier settlements, andjcnew not mercy.
In this expedition, the details of which are not necessary, Major Rogers
adopted the tactics of the Indians, without which his attempt would probably
have failed. It resulted in the surprise and destruction of the Indian town, and
the killing of its inhabitants. The St. Francis Indians never showed mercy,
and upon this occasion they received none.
Of the three hundred occupants of the village two hundred were slain and
twenty taken prisoners. The loss to Major Rogers's force was but one killed
and six slightly wounded. But 011 account of the fact that a relief force or¬
dered by Major Rogers to be sent to him on the Connecticut River failed in
its duty, he and his command suffered terribly on the return journey through
the Connecticut Valley.
5
34
History of Bennington County.
Returning to the scenes of the campaign conducted by General Amherst
against the French at Isle Aux Noix, it is found that the latter are strongly
posted and an effort to dislodge them with a naval fleet to co-operate with the
land force is useless. The season's campaign closes while these preparations
are making and the final victory over the French is reserved for another year.
Elsewhere we find General Prideaux and Sir William Johnson laying close
siege to Fort Niagara ; and the post must fall unless relief comes. D'Aubrey,
at Venango, answers a call and responds with his most zealous endeavors.
Gathering troops from far and near, stripping bare the little French posts of
the West and mustering every red man he could persuade to follow, he set
forth to relieve distressed Niagara with nearly a thousand Frenchmen and four
hundred dusky warriors of the West. The forces of Sir William Johnson met
those of D'Aubrey, and after a long and bloody fight the French were utterly
routed. On the news reaching the fort the garrison at once surrendered, and
the control of Niagara, which for more than one hundred years had been in the
possession of the French, passed into the hands of the English.
During the early part of the month of September, 1760, after perfect ar¬
rangements for the conduct of the campaign against the remaining French
stronghold had been completed, and the disposition of the several attacking
forces were being made, the French commander, Vaudreuil, governor-general
of the province of Canada, sent a flag of truce to General Amherst requesting
terms of surrender. These being arranged and agreed to, on the 8th of Sep¬
tember, 1760, the whole province of Canada surrendered to the British, to¬
gether with all other posts within the French jurisdiction. This surrender was
ratified by a treaty of peace between England and France, in February, 1763,
which ceded all French power in America to Great Britain.
CHAPTER V.
A Brief Review of Leading Events—The Granting of Charters—The Several Kinds of
Grants or Charters—New Hampshire—New York—Disputes as to Boundaries Between Prov¬
inces—Events that Led to the Controversy Between New Hampshire and New York for Pos¬
session of "Vermont"—Respective Claims of those Provinces—Granting Townships.
THE treaty of peace concluded between the English and French govern¬
ments at the close of the war left to the former the undisputed possession
and jurisdiction of the whole of North America. This vast territory England
had always claimed by right of discovery and possession from the time of the
expedition under the Cabots in 1497; a"d the subsequent wars in which the
Royal Grants.
35
British became engaged against other European governments was but for the
maintenance of what she considered her just and indisputable right. As will
be seen from the foregoing pages England first contended against Holland for
the possession of New Netherlands, and having made a successful conquest be¬
came the recognized lawful owner and possessor of all the territory claimed
by the Dutch. For like reasons was the recently mentioned contest carried
on against the government of France, but the French, unlike the Dutch, con¬
tended for the possession of the whole territory of America, claiming the same,
as did England, by priority of discovery and settlement.
During the progress of the war between France and England there ap¬
pears to have been but two settled localities within the limits of the present
State of Vermont, the one at Fort Dummer, in the southeast corner, and the
other in what is now Addison county, on the shore of Lake Champlain. The
former was erected as a military post by the New England colonists for the
purpose of protecting their frontier settlements on the south, and was supposed
to have been within the bounds of the province of Massachusetts. The fort
and settlement on Lake Champlain were built by the French, the fort as auxil-
liary to their stronger fortifications at Crown Point, and the settlement for the
general purpose of extending the French possessions. By the treaty, however,
these were abandoned, thus leaving the whole territory of what afterward be¬
came Bennington county, without an occupant.
In the exercise of what.England believed to be, and unquestionably was,
her right and duty for the proper administration of affairs in this country, the
king from time to time, as occasion or fancy suggested, made grants or char¬
ters of extensive tracts of land in America to divers persons, individually or
collectively.
"By the English constitution," says Governor Hall's history of Vermont,
" the title to all the lands belonging to the natives was vested in the king, who
might grant them at pleasure. The king also exercised the power of creating
corporations by charter, and prior to this grant of King Charles to the duke,
extensive portions of North America had been granted by the crown, either to
individuals or to corporations thus constituted. The charters to corporations
not only passed the title of the crown to the lands they described, but also con¬
ferred on the grantees certain powers of government over the people that
should thereafter inhabit them. Some of the king's charters to individuals also
conferred on them powers of government, while others only conveyed title to
the soil. . . . The grants of the king with corporate powers, constituted
what was denominated charter governments. To this class belonged those of
Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island, and also some of the more south¬
ern colonies. When the lands of a province with political authority were
granted to an individual, the government thus constituted was termed z. pro¬
prietary government. Of this character were the grants of Maryland to Lord
36
History of Bennington County.
Baltimore, of Pennsylvania, to Mr. Penn, and also the grant of New Nether¬
lands to the Duke of York."
" There was another class of English colonial governments," continues the
same writer, " which were styled royal governments. . . . Those were
governments in which the king, untramelled by charter grants of the soil or of
political privileges, retained over them all his original authority. They were
presided over by a governor, assisted by a council appointed by the crown, and
removable at his pleasure. The governor had a negative upon the proceed¬
ings of any assembly of the people which he might convene, with power to
prorogue or dissolve it, whenever he saw fit. To the governor was also com¬
mitted authority to grant, for and in the name of the king, any unchartered
lands in his province. The king retained full power over the boundaries and
extent of these royal colonies, and might enlarge on or contract them at pleas¬
ure. These changes in the limits and extent of royal provinces were not un-
frequently made, sometimes by creating new charter governments in portions
of the territory, sometimes by the adjudication of boundary disputes between
provinces, at others by descriptions of territory in commissions to governors,
and sometimes by mere informal recognition or usage. To this class of royal
provinces belonged both New York and New Hampshire at the time of the
territorial controversy between them in relation to Vermont; for although the
former province had originally been chartered to the Duke of York with polit¬
ical authority, yet, on his accession to the throne in 1685, his title merged in
the crown, and the colony was ever afterwards governed as a royal province."
We have extracted thus freely from Governor Hall's history of Vermont,
for the reason that there does not exist any work more full and comprehensive,
or one that furnishes a more intelligent explanation of the subject it purports
to discuss. It would be interesting and instructive to the reader of this volume
could ample space be devoted to a description of each of the numerous grants
and charters of tracts of land in America to the several corporations and per¬
sons to whom they were made ; but the scope of this work admits of no such
description beyond a brief recital of the events that led to the famous contro¬
versy between the provinces of New York on the west, and New Hampshire
on the east, for the possession of that tract of land now known as the State of
Vermont. And it is not proposed to devote much space to the claim set up
by Massachusetts to the tract mentioned, as that claim when compared with
the other was a mere circumstance, a side issue, believed to have been inter¬
posed by that province for the purpose of promoting the cause of the inhabi¬
tants of the then called New Hampshire Grants.
In the year 1629, John Mason, who had been prominently associated with
the council of Plymouth, in fact being its secretary, procured a patent for a
large tract of land situate near the eastern extremity of the main land in Amer¬
ica, to which was given the name of New Hampshire, and so named from the
Province of New Hampshire.
37
fact that Mason was a former resident of the county of Hampshire, in England.
But Mason had not the right of administering the governmental affairs of this
tract, the authority therefore granted being given through a commission from
the crown. Therefore New Hampshire was classed as a royal province.
A dispute finally arose between the provincial government of New Hamp¬
shire and the charter government of Massachusetts as to the boundary line be¬
tween the two provinces. After several attempts at an adjustment of these
differences, the king's council finally made a decree defining the boundaries,
that proved entirely favorable to New Hampshire by extending the western
boundary thereof " until it meets with his majesty's other governments," mean¬
ing the east boundary of the province of New York. This decision and order
also compelled Massachusetts to surrender a twelve mile strip from off her north
side to New Hampshire. This order of the council was made in 1740.
Prior to this time the governor of the province of Massachusetts had exer¬
cised governmental authority over the province of New Hampshire, but fol¬
lowing the settlement of the boundary question New Hampshire was given an
independent governor for her territory. Accordingly, on the 3d of June, 1741,
Benning Wentworth was commissioned to exercise the duties of that office.
By virtue of the authority conferred upon the governor, the province being
what was termed a royal province, that officer was empowered to make grants
or charters of lesser tracts of land within his jurisdiction, in the name of the
king, to such individuals as pleased the executive fancy, for consideration, or
as a reward for political fealty, which tracts of land were called townships.
But in many, if not in all of these grants, there was reserved to the governor a
parcel of land varying in extent to be for his own use and emolument. The
grants seldom, if ever, expressed a money consideration to be paid the gover¬
nor as a purchase price, but they frequently made provision for the payment
of an annual sum, generally one shilling, proclamation money, to be continued
for a certain number of years.
The first grant made by Governor Wentworth conveying lands within the
territory that subsequently became the State of Vermont, was executed on the
3d day of January, in the year 1749, but that that officer had made grants of
land lying east of the Connecticut River at an earlier period, is not to be
doubted. The grant of the town of Bennington was not made until after the
treaty of Aix la Chapelle, in 1748, as that for a time terminated the war be¬
tween England and France.
During the progress of this war, the character of the land in this section
became known to the colonists, who in the course of their numerous journeys
had an opportunity to become acquainted with it, but on account of the dis¬
turbed condition of the country at that time, and the fact that the territory
was overrun by the Indians hostile to the English arms, no measures were
taken for its chartering until settlement and improvement could be made with
safety.
38
History of Bennington County.
Between the time of granting the charter of Bennington and the breaking
out of the second conflict between England and France, Governor Wentworth
had made grants of fourteen townships west of the Connecticut River, none of
which, like Bennington, abutted against what was deemed to be the New York
east line.
It would seem from the correspondence that was exchanged between the
provincial governments of New Hampshire and New York that Governor
Wentworth assumed the west line of Massachusetts and Connecticut (being
continued northerly) to be also the west boundary of his own province, but as
to just what constituted the province of New York, he had no definite knowl¬
edge. However, that he might act understandingly, he, on the 17th of No¬
vember, 1749, addressed a letter to the governor of New York, the latter por¬
tion of which reads : " In consequence of his majesty's determination of the
boundaries between New Hampshire and Massachusetts, a surveyor and proper
chainman were appointed to run the western line from three miles north of
Patucket Falls; and the surveyor, upon oath, has declared that it strikes Hud¬
son's River about eighty poles north of where Mohawk's River comes into
Hudson's River, which I presume is north of the city of Albany ; for which
reason it will be necessary for me to be informed how far north of Albany the
government of New York extends by his majesty's commission to your excel¬
lency, and how many miles to the eastward of Hudson's River, to the north¬
ward of the Massachusetts line, that I may govern myself accordingly," etc.
This communication was duly received by the governor of New York, and laid
before the council in April, 1750, from which minutes the claim and position
of New York respecting the lands, not alone north of Albany, but to the east¬
ward of Hudson's River, is clearly defined and set forth, as follows : " And his
excellency having required the advice of the board thereupon, the council
humbly advised his excellency to acquaint Governor Wentworth, in answer to
his said letter, that this province is bounded eastward by the Connecticut River;
the letters patent from King Charles II. to the Duke of York, expressly grant¬
ing ' all the lands from the west side of the Connecticut River to the east side
of Delaware Bay;'" and notice of this proceeding and determination 011 the
part of the council of New York was transmitted to Governor Wentworth by
letter dated April 9th, 1750, by Governor Clinton, of New York.
It may be well enough to remark in this connection, parenthetically per¬
haps, that upon this correspondence regarding the right of possession of the
tract of land above referred to, the issue was substantially joined ; and the dis¬
pute and series of disputes that followed, carried on by the governor and coun¬
cil of New Hampshire, and after a royal decree against her, by the inhabitants
of the granted territory—the famous Green Mountain Boys—were not finally
settled until the admission of Vermont into the Federal Union of States in the-
year 1791.
Boundary Dispute.
39
As has already been stated the province of New York, through its gover¬
nor and council claimed to own all the land to the Connecticut River on the
east. The foundation of this claim rested on a charter granted by King
Charles II., to his brother James, the Duke of New York, and bearing date
March 12, 1664. But prior to this time the duke had become possessed of
certain lands on the coast by the purchase of a part of the charter right of Lord
Stirling. This latter tract embraced in part the lands occupied and claimed
by the Dutch, which was also granted by the king's charter. The Duke of
York, at the instigation and with the assistance of the king, made a campaign
against the Dutch possessions—the New Netherlands, by which the latter was
passed into the hands of the aggressor, the conquest being completed during
the month of September, 1664.
For something over nine years was the province of New York governed by
the deputies of the Duke of York, but in July, 1673, the Dutch reconquered
the province. Now the Dutch never claimed nor sought to exercise jurisdic¬
tion, either during their first nor present possessions, over the soil at a distance
farther than twenty miles east from the Hudson River, and for that matter the
governor and council of New York never attempted to exercise such jurisdic¬
tion until they found that the government of the province of New Hampshire
claimed the land as part of the latter.
But the Dutch after repossessing the province made a treaty with the Eng¬
lish, by which the latter again became possessor, and following this the duke
again had recourse to the throne, and procured a second charter, bearing date
June 20, 1674, describing the chartered lands in precisely the same language
as was expressed in the charter of 1664. In the year 1685 the Duke of York
succeeded to the throne, upon which his title was merged in the crown, where¬
upon the colony of New York was afterward governed as a royal province.
Such, then, was the condition of things when Governor Wentworth sent his
letter of request to the governor of New York, in 1749, and upon the reply
made by the council of the latter province the issue became joined. No ag¬
gressive steps were taken by either province for some years from the fact that
in 1754 war between England and France was again declared and local differ¬
ences and disagreements became for the time absorbed by the greater contest
between these foreign powers for supremacy in America. But notwithstand¬
ing this, and notwithstanding the claim to the land in question, now Vermont,
by the province of New York, Governor Wentworth did, between the years
1750 and 1754, both inclusive, make grants of fourteen townships west of the
Connecticut. The war for a time put an end to the controversy, but after peace
had been restored it was again taken up and carried forward with unremitting
vigor and earnestness on both sides, the events of which will be the subject of
discussion in the following chapters.
4o
History of Bennington County.
CHAPTER VI.
From the Close of the French War to the Revolution—Charters of Townships—Conflict¬
ing Claims to the Grants—Controversy between New York and New Hampshire—Action of
the Crown—Green Mountain Boys Defend the Inhabitants of the Grants in their Possession of
the Disputed Territory.—Counties Organized by New York—Leading Spirits During the
Troublous Period—Adjudged Guilty of Felony and Sentenced to Death— Events Preceding the
Revolution.
THE French surrendered Montreal, and all other of their possessions in
America, to the British government on the 8th of September, 1760, and
by that surrender peace was again restored in the colonies, although the treaty
at Paris was not finally concluded until February 10, 1763.
During the progress of the war the whole region of country, now Vermont,,
was constantly traversed by the militia men and soldiery of the provinces on
the south, and the residents of New Hampshire east of the Connecticut River.
In order to better facilitate the transportation of troops and baggage a road
was cut across the country from Charleston, New Hampshire, to Crown Point.
The general character of the soil and topography having thus been generally
known to residents of other localities, the applications for charter privileges be¬
came numerous; and in response to the many requests made upon him, Gov¬
ernor Wentworth, in 1761, issued no less than fifty-nine grants of townships
lying west of the Connecticut. In 1762 ten were issued; in 1763 thirty-eight
were granted, and in 1764 ten more, half of those last granted being to single
individuals. From the fact that so many of these townships were granted on
the territory west of the Connecticut River, the region embraced by them be¬
came to be known as the New Hampshire Grants ; and by this name was the
region called until the independence of Vermont as a State of the Union was
recognized by her admission as such by Congress.
The action taken by Governor Wentworth in the promiscuous chartering
of townships, so closely followed the war, and in the face of his letter to the
governor of New York, of November 17, 1749, in which he says: "It being
my intention to avoid, as much as I can, consistent with his majesty's instruc¬
tions, interfering with your government," seems somewhat strange to say
mildly. He knew full well that the province of New York claimed the land •
that it was granted in two several royal charters to the Duke of York. There¬
fore, if opinions are history, one has the right to assume that the fees received
by the grantor were something of a factor in guiding his action. At all events
he showed himself quite diligent in disposing of the territory, and while his de¬
fense of the inhabitants under the charters prior to the decision against him by
the royal tribunal was not entirely passive, it was not, however, characterized
by that zeal naturally to be expected from one whose estate was at hazard
Boundary Dispute.
41
The evident relief from responsibility shown by his action after the royal de¬
cree, would seem to confirm this theory. This opinion has been shared in by
a number of authors, but is not intended to be here advanced as representing
the whole truth of the motive that actuated Governor Wentworth. We are
inclined to the belief entertained by a majority of past writers, that it was due
mainly to the pressure brought upon him by anxious settlers, and many spec¬
ulators, and not wholly for his own aggrandizement that Governor Wentworth
was induced to so freely and promiscuously grant township charters.
As is elsewhere fully commented upon the township of Bennington was the
first that was chartered by Governor Wentworth, but its settlement and im¬
provement under that grant was deferred until the year 1761, on account of the
disturbed condition of the country, and the further fact that when chartered
(1749) the township was on the frontier, and wholly unprotected as against In¬
dian depredations.
When the knowledge of the unlimited chartering of townships by Governor
Wentworth was brought to the governor and council of New York, immediate
steps were taken to arrest such proceedings, in the form of a proclamation,
issued December 28, 1763, by Cadwallader Colden, lieutenant-governor of
New York, by which the sheriff of the county of Albany was directed to make
a return of the names of all persons who had taken possession of lands under
New Hampshire grants. This proclamation was met by the promulgation of a
similar document from the governor of New Hampshire, by its terms reassert¬
ing the validity of the New Hampshire claim to title, setting forth the incon¬
sistencies of New York's claim, giving ample and logical reasoning upon that
subject, and urging the inhabitants of the grants " to be industrious in clearing
and cultivating their lands, agreeable to their respective grants;" and further
commanding " all civil officers within this province, of what quality soever, to
continue and be diligent in exercising jurisdiction in their respective offices, as
far westward as grants of land have been made by this government; and to
deal with any person or persons that may presume to interrupt the inhabitants
or settlers on said lands, as.to law and justice do appertain ; the pretended right
of jurisdiction mentioned in the aforesaid proclamation notwithstanding."
The measure of retaliation and defiance of New York authority on the part
of New Hampshire caused the former no little uneasiness, whereupon, not
having the greatest confidence in her own charter and the rights it purported
to convey, New York sought royal relief in the presentation anew of her side
of the controversy, reinforced by what purported to be a petition signed by in¬
habitants of the grants, representing that they were desirous of being annexed
to New York, and praying that the western bank of the Connecticut River be
established as the eastern boundary of that province. Upon this ex parte pre¬
sentation the king, with the advice of council, made an order declaring " the
western banks of the River Connecticut, from where it enters the province of
6
42
History of Bennington County.
Massachusetts Bay, as far north as the forty-fifth degree of north latitude, to
be the boundary line between the said two provinces of New Hampshire and
New York." This order was made on July 20, 1764. This decision and de¬
termination had the effect of taking the territory of the grants out of the juris¬
diction of New Hampshire, and placing it under the control of the province of
New York; a condition that was in no wise prejudicial to the grants and its in¬
habitants, but was, nevertheless, embarrassing for the reason that the residents
were opposed to the policy of New York in endeavoring to possess itself of ter¬
ritory that they felt of right belonged to New Hampshire. Still, they were
willing to submit to the annexation ordered by the king, and did not feel any
apprehension concerning the title to lands already purchased, paid for and im¬
proved. The governor of New Hampshire made due protest and remon¬
strance against this procedure, but was at length induced to abandon the con¬
test, and issued a proclamation, "recommending to the proprietors and settlers
due obedience to the authority and laws of the colony of New York."
But a very different construction was put upon the royal determination in
New York. The government of that province construed it as a declaration not
only of what was to be, for time to come, but of what was, and always had been,
the eastern limit of New York; and as a consequence, that the grants which
had been made by the governor of New Hampshire were grants of what had
always belonged to New York. In conformity with this construction, the grants
of New Hampshire were considered by the government of New York as illegal,
and having no authority. In this state of things the government of New York
proceeded to extend its jurisdiction over the grants, and in so doing divided
the districts into four counties: the southwestern parts were annexed to the
county of Albany; the northwestern parts were formed into a county by the
name of Charlotte; the southeastern parts were formed into the county of
Cumberland, while the towns north of Cumberland county and east of the
mountains, were erected into Gloucester county.
The first county organization by the government of New York in the dis¬
puted territory was that of Cumberland, July 3, 1766 ; but the act that created
it was annulled by the crown in 1767, only to be re-enacted in February, 1768.
The county seat was fixed at Chester, and afterward changed to Westminster,
where a court-house and jail were built. The county of Gloucester was next
organized out of the territory east of the mountains, and north of the south
lines of the towns ofTunbridge, Strafford and Thetford. This act was passed
March 7, 1770, and the county seat was fixed at Newbury.
In 1772 another county was created on the west side of the mountains by
the name of Charlotte.. It was bounded south by the north line of Arlington
and Sunderland, and included the territory north of those towns, south of the
Canada line, west of the mountains, and east of the Hudson River. The county
seat was fixed at Skeenesborough, now Whitehall, and Philip Skeene was ap-
Boundary Dispute.
43
poin d one of the judges of the Common Pleas for said county. The remain¬
ing territory south of Charlotte county and west of the mountains, was an¬
nexed to and formed a part of Albany county. This organization of counties
under New York continued until Vermont declared her independence in 1777.
After the organization of these counties was commenced the inhabitants of
the several towns were called upon to surrender the charters which they had
received from the governor of New Hampshire, and to take out new grants
from New York, which proceeding was attended with great expense. Some
of the towns complied with this requisition and bought their lands a second
time, but by far the greater part refused to comply with the order, and where
it was not complied with on the part of the grantees, new grants were made of
their lands to such petitioners as would advance the extravagant fees de¬
manded. Actions of ejectment were commenced against many settlers who
refused to repurchase, the venue being laid in the county of Albany, and it was
no defense to show title under a grant from New Hampshire, and for that rea¬
son judgment was invariably rendered for the plaintiffs.
The New York claimants, while they found it an easy thing to obtain a
judgment, realized fully that it was not so easy a matter to carry out the exe¬
cution, for when the officers came to eject the inhabitants from their houses and
lands they generally met with a determined opposition from the possessors,
and were not suffered to exercise the power of their office. The minds of the
settlers, instead of being depressed into submission, seemed to derive new
powers from oppression, and the people soon began to associate to defend one
another in their opposition to the courts and officers of New York.
For the purpose of rendering this resistance the more effectual, various asso¬
ciations were formed, and at length a convention of representatives from the
several towns on the west side of the mountains was called. This convention,
after mature deliberation, appointed Samuel Robinson,1 of Bennington, their
agent, to represent to the court of Great Britain the grievances of the settlers,
and obtain, if possible, a confirmation of the grants made by the province of
New Hampshire.
In accordance with the authority vested in him, Mr. Robinson proceeded
to London and laid the matter before the king and council. How well he
succeeded in the object of his mission will be shown by the following extract:
" His Majesty taking the said report (a report of the board of trade) into con¬
sideration, was pleased with the advice of his private council, to approve thereof,
and do hereby strictly charge, require and command that the governor or com¬
mander-in-chief of his majesty's province of New York, for the time being, do
not, upon pain of his majesty's highest displeasure, presume to make any grant
1 Williams's History of Vermont (edition of 1794) states that a committee of three, consist¬
ing of Samuel Robinson, James Breakenridge and Jehial Hawlev were chosen to represent the
inhabitants of the grants before the king and council.
44
History of Bennington County.
whatsoever, of any part of the lands described in the said report, until his
majesty's further pleasure shall be known concerning the same."
This order of the king was made on the 26th of July 1767. Thus armed
Mr. Robinson was nearly prepared for his return to America, when he was so
unfortunate as to take the smallpox, from which disease he died in London, in
October following. The king's order, however, was subsequently transmitted
to the people on the grants. But little did the settlers appreciate the spirit
and motives that actuated the authorities, and the courts as well, of New York.
Actions continued to be brought, and when, on the trial, the royal order was
offered by the defendants, it was ruled by the court that it should not be read
or received in evidence. This made it impossible for the defendants to expect
any justice whatever in the courts, and they were therefore compelled to resort
to other and more heroic measures of defense. Another convention of the
inhabitants of the grants was assembled at Bennington, at which it was
" Resolved to support their rights and property under the New Hampshire
grants, against the usurpation and unjust claims of the governor and council
of New York, by force, as law and justice were denied them."
Having taken this somewhat unusual though determined position the men
on the grants possessed all the courage necessary to put the resolution into
practical operation. Several of the inhabitants had been indicted for riot, and
officers were sent to arrest them; but they "were siezed by the people, and
severely chastized with twigs of the wilderness." A military organization was
also effected to more effectually resist the unwarrantable attacks upon the
people, of which organization Ethan Allen was chosen colonel, and Seth
Warner, Remember Baker, Robert Cochran, Gideon Warner and some others
captains. This was the nucleus of a military organization that proved to be of
the most efficient service to the people of the grants during that period of its
civil, or perhaps semi-military history, when men of courage and determina¬
tion were needed; the period referred to being that of the events of which
this chapter narrates. Subsequent chapters will show that this same organi¬
zation was deeply engaged in actual warfare during the struggle for national
independence. During the earlier period of its existence this organization
became known as the " Green Mountain Boys," a name by which they were
afterward designated, and a name, too, that recalls to mind some of the most
substantial, honorable and courageous statesmen of the American colonies.
In addition to this military organization, committees of safety were likewise
chosen in a number of the towns west of the mountains. On the other hand
the sheriff of Albany county was directed to raise the posse comitatus to
assist in the execution of his office; and a proclamation was issued by the
governor of New York, offering a reward of one hundred and fifty pounds for
the apprehension of Ethan Allen, and fifty pounds each for Warner and five
others, all of whom were deemed to be ringleaders of the alleged mob oppo-
Boundary Dispute.
45
sition to the authority of New York. But far from being intimidated or sup¬
pressed by this proclamation, Colonel Allen and his associates issued their own
proclamation, offering a reward of five pounds for the arrest and delivery to
the Green Mountain Boys of the attorney-general of New York.
In discussing the condition of affairs during this period, Samuel Williams,
one of the earliest historians of Vermont, says: " In this scene of violence
and opposition to the proceedings of New York, Ethan Allen placed himself
at the head. Bold, enterprising, ambitious, with great confidence in his own
abilities, he undertook to direct the proceedings of the inhabitants. He wrote
and dispersed (circulated) several pamphlets to display the injustice and de¬
signs of the New York proceedings; and so oppressive were those measures,
that although Allen was a very indifferent writer, his pamphlets were much
read, and regarded, and had a great influence upon the minds and conduct of
the people. The uncultivated roughness of his own temper and manners
seems to have assisted him in giving a just description of the views and pro¬
ceedings of speculating land jobbers. And when all was a scene of violence
and abuse such a method of writing did not greatly differ from the feeling of
the settlers, or from the style of the pamphlets that came from New York.
But though he wrote with asperity, a degree of generosity attended his conduct;
and he carefully avoided bloodshed, and protested against everything that had
the appearance of meanness, injustice, cruelty, or abuse to those who fell into
his power."
"Next to him," continues the same writer, " Seth Warner seems to have
been the most distinguished in those times. Warner was cool, firm, steady,
resolute, and fully determined that the laws of New York respecting the set¬
tlers never should be carried into execution. When an officer came to take
him as a rioter, he considered it as an affair of open hostility; defended him¬
self, attacked, wounded and disarmed the officer, but, with the spirit of a sol¬
dier, spared his life."
On the 8th day of July, 1771, Sir William Tryon succeeded to the govern¬
orship of the province of New York. He was fully aware of the king's pro¬
hibitory order of 1767, yet, notwithstanding that, after he had become ac¬
quainted with the condition of affairs, he made grants of land on the disputed
tract almost as freely as had his predecessors. But finding that forcible meas¬
ures were not availing against the determined people 011 the grants he adopted
a more pacific policy, and sought to accomplish by this means that which
neither he nor his predecessors could do by force. In pursuing his pacific
policy, on the 19th of May 1772, Governor Tryon sent a letter to Rev. Will¬
iam Dewey, (meaning Rev. Jedediah Dewey,) and other inhabitants of Ben¬
nington and the adjoining country, which, after reciting the many illegal and
criminal acts that the people had committed, stated that he was fully disposed
to afford the people such as the nature and situation of their circumstances
4 6
History of Bennington County.
would justify; and invited the people to send to New York any persons whom
they might choose to select, to represent their cause and interests, "except
Robert Cochran, as also Allen, Baker and Sevil, and Seth Warner," the latter
especially being excepted as one " whose audacious behavior to a civil magis¬
trate has subjected him to the penalty of the laws of his country." To this
interesting letter Mr. Dewey and others made a reply, bearing date June 5th,
1772, representing their rights and claim to the lands concerning which the
dispute was had; representing the persecutions to which the people had been
frequently subjected, and ending after this manner : "We flatter ourselves from
the candor of your excellency's favorable letter, that you will be friendly dis¬
posed toward us; and we most earnestly pray and beseech your excellency
would assist to quiet us in our possessions, till his majesty, in his royal wis¬
dom, shall be graciously pleased to settle the controversy. Should your excel¬
lency grant this our humble request, our satisfaction would be inexpres¬
sible," etc.
The letter was accompanied by a special communication subscribed by Ethan
Allen, Seth Warner, Remember Baker, and Robert Cochran, setting forth at
much length the position of the subscribers as representing the great mass of
inhabitants on the grants ; and in particular the grievances of the people,
showing specific acts of oppression and persecution that cannot for want of
space be given here.
The duty of visiting the governor and council of New York, and bearing
the letter and other communication, was assigned to Captain Stephen Fay and
Jonas Fay. These persons at once proceeded to New York to lay the com¬
munications before Governor Tryon, which was done, and the same submitted
to the council for action. After proper consideration the council advised as
follows: "The committee are desirous your council should afford the inhabi¬
tants of those townships all the relief in your power, by suspending, till his
majesty's pleasure shall be known, all prosecutions.in behalf of the crown, on
account of the crimes with which they stand charged, by depositions before
us; and to recommend it to the owners of the contested lands, under grants
from this province, to put a stop, during the same period, to all civil suits
concerning the lands in question." This measure was approved by the gov¬
ernor, and then communicated to the inhabitants of Bennington and vicinity.
The news of this successful mission being brought home to the people of the
grants their joy was unbounded ; for they thought they saw an issue out of all
their afflictions. A large mass-meeting was held at the meeting-house in Ben¬
nington, at which the letters and all proceedings before the New York council
were read. The Messrs. Fay soon communicated to the governor of New
York a report, previously promised, relating to him the effect that the above
•declaration had on the people, which report was as follows : " We, as messen¬
gers, laid before them an extract of the minutes of his majesty's council of the
Boundary Troubles.
47
province of New York of the 2d instant, together with his excellency, Governor
Tryon's letter of the same date, directed to the inhabitants of Bennington, &c.,
and after reading the same, the above committee and a numerous concourse of
the inhabitants of the adjacent country and other spectators, gave a full and
unanimous vote in favor of the papers aforesaid; and the thanks of the people
were presented to us for our diligence in procuring these papers. Peace was
also recommended on the whole New Hampshire Grants, by all who were
present; when the whole artillery of Bennington, with the small arms, were
several times discharged in honor of the governor and council of New York—
Health to the king—Health to Governor Tryon—Health to the council of New
York—Universal peace and plenty, liberty and prosperity, by sundry respect¬
able gentlemen, some of whom were from neighboring provinces."
" Stephen Fay, Jonas Fay."
It would seem, under all ordinary circumstances, that the truce and friendly
relation thus agreed to between the contesting factions should be firm and en¬
during; yet almost immediately did this come to naught, and the gulf be¬
tween the New Yorkers and the people on the grants was deepened and wid¬
ened. It seems that while Stephen and Jonas Fay were absent on their mis¬
sion that information was brought to the people at Bennington and vicinity
that Surveyor Kockburn and his assistants were engaged in running lines on
the north part of the grants, in the interest of some land-grabbing New York¬
ers; and that a party of the Green Mountain Boys, under Ethan Allen, pro¬
ceeded to arrest them, which being done, and Kockburn and party being found
in the act of surveying in opposition to the interests of the people of the
grants, he was ordered to forever quit the territory, and warned that if again
caught thereon he should suffer death.
Allen and his party had brought the offending surveyor to Castleton, be¬
ing on their way with him toward New York, and while there the news of the
governor and council's favorable action and determination was first told them.
They immediately reconsidered their harsh sentence upon Kockburn and hon¬
orably discharged him. Nor was this all. On this same expedition Allen
and his followers dispossessed the tenants of a saw-mill situate at the point
where Vergennes now stands, on Otter Creek. This was claimed, under New
York authority, by Colonel Reed, and which, "by force, and without color, or
even pretense of recourse to law, he had taken from the original owners and
builders, more than three years before, and did, at the same time, extend his
force, terrors and threats into the town of New Haven ; who, by the haughty
aid of Mr. Benzell, the famed engineer, with a number of assistants under their
command, so terrified the inhabitants (which were about twelve in number),
that they left their possessions and farms to the conquerors, and escaped with
the skin of their teeth; although they had expended large sums of money in
cutting roads to, and settling in that new country. Colonel Reed, at the same
48
History of Bennington County.
time, and with the same force, did take possession of one hundred and thirty
saw-logs, and fourteen thousand feet of pine boards, which boards were made
in the same mill, all of which he converted to his own use. Not long after the
original proprietors of the said fnill did re-enter and take possession thereof,
but was, a second time, attacked by Colonel Reed's Stewart, with a number of
armed men, under his (supposed) instructions, and by their superior force and
threats, obliged to quit the premises again ; all of which tenements said Reed
occupied and enjoyed until dispossessed."
The foregoing extract is taken from the reply made by the inhabitants of
the grants to a letter of condemnation of their action sent by Governor Tryon
to them just after the favorable action of his council in extending lenity to the
settlers, which action, together with its ratification by the people on the grants,
he supposed to be in the nature of a mutual armistice. Governor Tryon by
his letter demanded that Colonel Reed be restored to possession of his mill
and lands.
The chief defense made by Allen and his associates regarding their action
in this matter was based upon the entire justice of their course, and the fact
that they were not aware of the favorable action taken by New York, else the
raid upon Surveyor Kockburn might not have been made ; but the demand
that Colonel Reed be repossessed of his (claimed) property met with a flat re¬
fusal.
The responsibility, howeyer, of this defiant action on the part of Allen
and his associates did not rest with them alone. At a general meeting held
at Manchester on the 27th of August, 1772, of the committees of safety of the
towns of Bennington, Sunderland, Manchester, Dorset, Rupert, Pawlet, Wells,
Poultney, Castleton, Pittsford and Rutland, the answer to his excellency's let¬
ter and demand was read to the committees, and the vote was called by Nathan
Clark, chairman, " whether the said answer should be approved of by the said
committees ? and it was voted in the affirmative." Although the letter sent
to Governor Tryon by the approval of the committees contained a request that
a reply be made concerning " the determination of government relative to the
particulars litigated in this paper," no record of any answer is to be found;
and it is believed that Governor Tryon was so highly incensed at the action
of the committees that he caused all negotiations to abruptly terminate. The
bone of contention, therefore, still remained; and the failure of an attempted
reconciliation only served to embitter the resentment of the contending parties,
and produce a state of hostility more decided and alarming.
Having thus summarized the leading events relative to the action taken by
New York, on the one side, and the general opposition movements of the peo¬
ple on the grants on the other side, without having detailed specific acts of
offense and opposition, it is appropriate in this place and before proceeding
farther to relate some of the incidents that occurred that called for prompt de-
Land Controversy.
49
fensive action on the part of the inhabitants of the contested territory. These
events are gleaned from Zadock Thompson's narrative.
In October, 1769, a party of New York surveyors was observed to be run¬
ning a line across the farm of James Breakenridge, in Bennington, and being
forbidden to proceed by Breakenridge and others, who had collected at the
place, they desisted and went home, whereupon Abraham Ten Broek, one of
the proprietors of the patent of Walloomscoik, petitioned the governor and
council of New York, setting forth that the commissioners and surveyors for
dividing that patent had been " riotously opposed by sundry persons, and pre¬
vented by their threats from executing the trust reposed in them." The gov¬
ernor issued his proclamation, " for apprehending the principals and ringlead¬
ers ; " and at the following term of the court at Albany, the Rev. Jedediah
Dewey, Joseph Robinson, Elijah Fay, Thomas Henderson, Ebenezer Robin¬
son and John Stewart were indicted as rioters, but none of them were arrested,
or brought to trial.
In October, 1769, the settlers made two petitions to the governor and
council of New Hampshire to the effect that they interpose in their behalf
with the crown. These petitions were dated, respectively the 18th and 24th
of October. The last was signed by Samuel Safford for Bennington, Benjamin
Gardner for Pownal, Jehial Ilawley for Arlington, Benjamin Purdy for Man¬
chester, Thomas Barney for Sunderland, and Benjamin Colvin for Shaftsbury.
But no relief came through this channel, and the grants of further patents, and
action of ejectment by New York, continued uninterruptedly.
About this time, in 1769, Ethan Allen came to reside at Bennington. He
afterward lived in Arlington and Sunderland, but finally removed to Burling¬
ton, where the suddenly died on February 12, 1789. In defending the actions
brought against the settlers, Ethan Allen took an active part; he went to New
Hampshire and secured the necessary papers and documents to use 011 the
defense; he engaged the service of an eminent attorney, Mr. Ingersoll, of
Connecticut, for the defense, and secured the attendance of such witnesses as
were needed 011 the trial. He also attended the trial of three cases, that of
Josiah Carpenter, of Shaftsbury, and two others, in each of which the New
Yorkers were successful. As Allen was about to leave Albany he was ap¬
proached by the attorney-general and urged to advise his Green Mountain
friends to make the best terms of settlement with the new landlords that was
possible, reinforcing his argument with the remark that might often prevails
against rig/it. To this Allen coolly replied that the gods of the valleys are
not the gods of the hills; and when Mr. Kemp, the attorney-general, asked for
an explanation he was told to accompany him (Allen) to Bennington, and the
sense of the remark would be made clear.
It was the unfortunate determination of these actions that led to the con¬
vention of the people of the grants at Bennington, which has heretofore been
5°
History of Bennington County.
noticed, at which it was resolved by the people to support their rights and
property by force, as law and justice were denied them.
John Munro was the proprietor of a patent, under New York authority, of
a tract of land lying on White Creek, and extending into Shaftsbury Hollow.
Munro was one of the justices of the peace of Albany county, and resided on
his land in the town of Shaftsbury. About him was a number of his tenants
who were a constant annoyance to the settlers under the New Hampshire
grant. By the assistance of Munro the sheriff of Albany county surprised and
arrested Silas Robinson, of Bennington, and succeeded in conveying him to
prison at Albany. At the term of court held in January of the succeeding
year, 1771, Robinson was indicted. He was kept in jail until October follow¬
ing, and then released on bail. Others indicted about the same time were
Simeon Hathaway, Moses Scott and Jonathan Fisk. After the Robinson af¬
fair, whenever the sheriff appeared for the purpose of arresting any of the al¬
leged rioters or ejecting any settlers he was sure to be met by a force of men
superior to his own, and determined he should not accomplish his purpose.
On one occasion, being charged with the service of a writ of ejectment on
James Breakenridge, he summoned a posse of seven hundred and fifty armed
New York militia for his assistance ; but the settlers being warned of his com¬
ing assembled to the number of about three hundred to oppose him. A few
were stationed inside the house, and the remainder were disposed of, in two
divisions, in concealed places, but within firing distance of the dwelling. The
sheriff, who was none other than the redoubtable Ten Eyck, appeared and de¬
manded admittance, and threatened to break the door in case of refusal, but
the answer was, "Attempt it and you are a dead man." The demand was then
repeated, only to he answered with groans. At this point the concealed di¬
visions exposed themselves in such manner as to make their force appear about
twice its actual size, seeing which the Yorkers beat a hasty retreat without
having succeeded in the object of their journey. By this and similar attempts
the New York authorities became convinced that the power of Albany county,
summoned to aid the sheriff, was unavailing as against the determined attitude
of the settlers on the grants. In fact they at length realized that their own
people were in sympathy with the persecuted settlers, and that outside the
circle of the avaricious and land-grabbing class they had no reliable following.
Another of the exploits of this same Munro, and the sheriff of Albany
county, was the attempt to obtain possession of the premises of Samuel Rose,
in the south part of Manchester. At the time of their visit Rose was absent
from home and the officers found no opposition to their entry ; but scarcely
had they got inside when a strong force of men from the neighborhood ap¬
peared and the intruders left somewhat speedily without having put a new
tenant in possession. They did, however, command that Mrs. Rose hold the
premises as their tenant, which demand was not complied with.
Land Controversy.
5i
Finding- the means employed had failed to accomplish the end sought the
claimants had recourse to other methoJs. Tliey adopted the plan of making
offers of titles to certain individuals, and to others they offered offices of profit
and honor, by which means they hoped to create dissentions in the ranks of
the settlers, thus making their conquest more easy. But this scheme failed to>
operate successfully. To thwart it the settlers perfected the military organ¬
ization, and provided for the appointment of committees of safety in each
town, which latter body in convention declared and resolved that no officer of
New York should be permitted, without the consentof the committee, to carry
any person outside the district of the New Hampshire grants ; and further,
that no person should take grants, or confirmation of grants, under the gov¬
ernment of New York; a Ls ) forbidding all inhabitants in the district of the
grants, to hold, take, or accept, any office of honor or profit under the colony
of New York; and all civil and military officers who had acted under the au¬
thority of the governor or legislature of New York, were required to suspend,
their functions on pain of being viewed.
These organizations were so complete and their determination to protect
the interests of the inhabitants so manifest that the New York people became
somewhat alarmed at the reports concerning them ; and even John Munro
seemed considerably alarmed regarding them, for he wrote Governor Tryon to
the effect that " the rioters have established a company at Bennington, com¬
manded by Captain Warner; and on New Year's Day his company was re¬
viewed, and continued all day in military exercise and firing at marks."
In the towns of Rupert and Pawlet, being near the line, some persons claim¬
ing to hold titles under New York, made a settlement and armed themselves
that they might resist an attempt to dispossess. In October, I 771, Ethan Al¬
len, Remember Baker and Robert Cochran, with six others, inhabitants of Ru¬
pert, all well armed, proceeded to warn off the intruders, who, finding opposi¬
tion vain, fled to New York, and the log-houses which they had erected "were
pulled down, laid in heaps, and burned with fire." For this alleged high
crime a warrant was issued against the rioters by Alexander McNaughton, a
New York justice, but the officer who had been sent to make the arrest, re¬
ported that no sheriff or constable could take them ; and recommended that a
reward be offered for their capture. Accordingly the governor again had re¬
course to " proclamation," by which a reward of twenty pounds each was of¬
fered for the apprehension of the offenders.
In February, 1772, the sheriff of Albany county came to Rupert to make
the arrest, but was obliged to return home empty-handed. Then the notori¬
ous John Munro, lured by his love for gold, devised a scheme for the arrest of
at least one of the principal offenders. He engaged the service of ten or
twelve servants and dependants, and proceeded before daylight, one Sunday
morning in March, 1772, to the home of Remember Baker, in Arlington, for
52
History of Bennington County.
the purpose of arresting him. The door was broken, and the party rushed in¬
side and attacked the family. Baker received a severe sword cut across the
head and on the arm ; his wife was likewise injured about the head and neck,
as was also a son, a small boy of twelve years. Baker was taken and bound
and thrown into a sleigh and started with great speed towards New York. But
the wily Munro was not quick enough, for word had been sent to Benning¬
ton, and the Green Mountain Boys overtook him and his party before they
reached the Hudson, and rescued the captain. Munro and his party, how¬
ever, escaped across the river. A little later Munro made an attempt to ar¬
rest Seth Warner, but the latter, after once requesting him to desist, struck him
on the head with a dull cutlass, after which he quietly rode off.
In the midst of this excited state of things the settlers on the grants were
considerably alarmed by the rumor that Governor Tryon, becoming exasper¬
ated by the rebellious spirit shown by them, was marching with a strong armed
force to conquer and punish the refractory Green Mountain Boys ; but far from
being frightened the committees and military were immediately assembled and
measures for defense taken. For this purpose two cannon and mortar, with
necessary ammunition were procured from Hoosic Fort, and the militia of the
country was gathered at Bennington and surrounding towns. When all the
necessary warlike preparations were completed a spy was sent to ascertain the
strength and probable intentions of the enemy ; but that messenger soon re¬
turned with the report that the Yorkers were wind-bound on the Hudson, and
that they were not intending to make a raid upon the grants, but were bound
for the military posts along Lake Champlain.
This warlike movement on the part of the residents of the grants, perfected
with such rapidity, caused the few inhabitants who favored the cause of New
York to leave the vicinity as being unsafe for them. They reported to Gov¬
ernor Tryon all that had been done, and that discreet officer then adopted the
more pacific policy of addressing a letter to Rev. Jedediah Dewey and the other
settlers, requesting negotiations looking to an amicable settlement of the con¬
troversy, which has already been mentioned.
The performances of the succeeding year, 1773, were less in number, but
the offenders were subjected to no less summary treatment than previously.
In July of this year Colonel Reed procured the services of a number of recently
arrived Scotchmen and conducted them to the point where his mill property
was formerly located, for the purpose of rebuilding the same and putting it in
operation, all of which was done. But news of this coming to the ears of the
Green Mountain Boys, they, under the leadership of Ethan Allen, Seth War¬
ner and Remember Baker, at once proceeded to the spot and again destroyed
the building, and.compelled the miller to break the stones with a sledge and
throw the fragments into the stream. The tenants were then forbidden to re¬
build the mill.
Punishment of Benjamin Hough.
53
Allen and his companions then decided to erect a block-house on the loca¬
tion of the old mill, which was done during the year 1774. A settlement was
soon commenced in the locality, under the protection afforded by the fort. In
1775 the fort was supplied with arms and ammunition, and furnished pro¬
tection to the settlers until 1776, when it was abandoned. But in the estima¬
tion of the authorities of New York, the crowning act of infamy and lawless¬
ness 011 the part of the Green Mountain Boys was perpetrated by the punish-
ishment inflicted upon Benjamin Hough, a resident of the neighborhood of
Clarendon, and a firm adherent to the cause of New York. In fact he lived in
a vicinity that was peopled by persons mainly from New York, but most of
whom were not violent in their expressions against the inhabitants elsewhere
on the grants. But Hough was so exceedingly violent in his denunciations of
the acts of the " rioters " that it became necessary that an example be made of
him. In fact, he had gone so far as to visit Albany for the purpose of obtain¬
ing aid from that government to assist in subduing the Green Mountain Boys.
Furthermore, he was a justice of the peace of Albany county, holding under a
New York appointment, against the express command of a resolution of the
committees of safety, thus being in the highest degree an " offensive partisan."
After frequent warnings, all of which were unheeded, Hough was arrested and
taken before a committee, consisting of Ethan Allen, Seth Warner, Robert
Cochran, Peleg Sunderland, James Mead, Gideon Warren and Jesse Sawyer,
at Sunderland, for trial. Being found guilty, sentence was passed upon him as
follows: "That the piisoner be taken from the bar of this committe of safety
and be tied to a tree, and then, on his naked back, receive two hundred stripes;
his back being dressed, he should depart out of the district, and 011 return,
without special leave of the convention, to suffer death."
After this sentence had been executed, and all accounts agree that the
"stripes" were well laid on, Hough asked for and received a certificate of his
punishment, which was as follows : " Sunderland, 30th of January, 1775. This
may certify the inhabitants of the New Hampshire grants, that Benjamin
Hough hath this day received a full punishment for his crimes committed here¬
tofore against this country; and our inhabitants are ordered to give him. the
said Hough, a free and unmolested passport toward the city of New York, or
to the westward of our grants, he behaving himself as becometh. Given under
our hands the day and date aforesaid. " ETHAN ALLEN.
" Seth Warner."
The punishment thus visited upon the unfortunate Hough was of that kind
usually termed the application of the " beech seal," in allusion to the great seal
of New Hampshire, affixed to the grants made by the governor of that pro¬
vince, of which the beech rod, well laid onto the backs of the " Yorkers," and
their adherents, was humorously considered a confirmation.
This method of punishment was not infrequently resorted to by the leaders
54
History of Bennington County.
of the settlers, but others less painful to the offender were sometimes used,,
among them the process of " viewing," as it was most commonly called. One
prominent instance of the latter means was upon the occasion so frequently
referred to as having taken place at the Green Mountain Tavern in Bennington.
The offender is said to have been a Dutchman,1 a resident of Arlington, and a
sympathizer with the New York interests, and loud in his denunciations of the
proceedings of the inhabitants of the grants.
This offending intruder was arrested and arraigned before a tribunal similar
to that which conducted the Hough case, although the present court was held at
Bennington. Being found guilty, the prisoner was ordered " to be tied in an
armed chair, and hoisted to the sign, and there to hang two hours in sight of
the people, as a punishment merited by his enmity to the rights and liberties
of the inhabitants of the New Hampshire grants."
This tavern is here described and designated as the Green Mountain Tavern,
but it was also known, either then or at a later day, as the Catamount Tavern,
so called from the fact that the enterprising landlord had a stuffed skin of a
catamount fastened on the top of his sign. The sign-post was some twenty-
five feet in height, and from a projecting beam at its top the offending party
was compelled to hang, exposed to the public view. As illustrative of the feel¬
ing on the part of the settlers on the grants toward the New Yorkers, it is said
that the catamount stood grinning toward that province. The old tavern and
its formidable sign stand no more. In the place where the latter is understood
to have been there stands a large granite die, which is said to have been erected
upon the promise of a sculptor, that if done he would furnish a statue of a
catamount, to stand as the original is represented as having stood. The die
stands, but the figure of the animal has failed to materialize. Benjamin Hough,
after his punishment had been inflicted and duly certified, repaired forthwith
to New York, where he gave a minute account of all that had happened him
to the governor, whereupon that officer sent a special message to his council,
setting forth the facts as stated by Hough and the further facts concerning the
disturbances that had then recently taken place in Cumberland county.
In the proceedings of the council relating to these subjects was a resolution
to the effect that Ethan Allen, Seth Warner, Remember Baker, Robert Coch¬
rane, Peleg Sunderland, Silvanus Brown, James Breakenridge, and John Smith
were the principal ringleaders of, and actors in, the riots and disturbances afore¬
said and that, in the opinion of the committee, his excellency should be
pleased to issue a proclamation offering a reward of fifty pounds for apprehend¬
ing and securing any or either of the persons above named in his majesty's
jail in Albany. The committee further resolved that, in their opinion, a bill
should be brought in more effectually to suppress the said riotous proceedings,
maintain the free course of justice, and for bringing the offenders to condign
punishment.
1 In Slade's State Papers this person is mentioned as Dr. A , of Arlington.
New York's Proclamation.
55
The knowledge of this action being brought to the settlers on the grants,
the committees of safety for the several townships were assembled at the house
of Eliakim Weller in Manchester, on March I, 1774, and was afterward ad¬
journed to the house of Captain Jehial Hawley in Arlington. At the several
meetings held by the committees the grievances of the people were again set
forth, perhaps more fully than before, their rights defined as understood, and
thereupon resolved, "That as a country we will stand by and defend our friends
and neighbors so indicted, at the expense of our lives and fortunes. And we
would recommend it to the general assembly of the province of New York, to
wait the determination of his majesty, relative to the title of those lands, and
desist from taking us as rioters, to prevent the unhappy consequences that may
result from such an attempt." And further resolved, "that for the future ev¬
ery necessary preparation be made, and that our inhabitants hold themselves
in readiness at a minute's warning to aid and defend such friends of our's, who
for their merit to the great and general cause, are falsely denominated rioters;
but that we will not act anything more or less but 011 the defensive, and always
encourage due execution of law in civil cases, and also in criminal prosecu¬
tions, that are so indeed ; and that we will assist, to the utmost of our power,
the officers appointed for that purpose." It was also provided by the advice
of the committee that the proceedings and resolutions "be forthwith exhibited
in the public papers, to the intent that all officers, magistrates, and persons
whatsoever, may know, that if they presume to take the rioters aforesaid, they
do it on their peril." These proceedings were signed by Nathan Clark, chair¬
man, and Jonas Fay, clerk. While the committees of safety were thus engaged
in preparing the resolutions referred to, the general assembly of New York was
no less occupied in framing and adopting an act for the suppressson of the
alleged rioters in their iniquitous proceedings against the New York claimants
and officers upon the grants. Their act was brought forth on the 9th of March,
1774. It is too long to be given here, but the preamble will show upon what
it was based. "Whereas, a spirit of riot and licentiousness has of late pre¬
vailed in some parts of the counties of Charlotte and Albany, and many acts
of outrage and cruelty have been perpetrated by a number of turbulent men,
who, assembling from time to time, in arms, have seized, insulted and menaced
several magistrates and other civil officers, so that they dare not execute their
functions; rescued prisoners for debt, assumed to themselves military com¬
mands and judicial powers, burned and demolished houses and property, and
beat and abused the persons of many of his majesty's subjects, expelled others
from their possessions, and, finally, have put a period to the administration of
justice within, and spread terror and destruction throughout that part of the
country which is exposed to their oppression. Therefore, for the preventing and
suppressing such riots and tumults, and for the more speedy and effectual pun¬
ishing of offenders therein, be it enacted," etc. The third section among other
56
History of Bennington County.
things, provides that any person who shall oppose, hinder or hurt any officer
acting under the New York authority, shall be adjudged felons, and shall suffer
death, as in cases of felony, " without benefit of clergy." The sixth section
provided, among other things, that Ethan Allen, Seth Warner, Remember
Baker, Robert Cochran, Peleg Sunderland, Silvanus Brown, James Breaken-
ridge and John Smith, who were the leaders in the riots and disturbances, and
any other persons who should similarly act were felons; and unless they sur¬
rendered themselves within seventy days from the time of the first publication
in the New York Gazette and the Weekly Mercury of a demand for their sur¬
render, they shall suffer death.
The full text of this remarkable enactment cannot be given here, but that
it had not the effect of frightening the accused persons into submission or sur¬
render the following extracts from their personal reply will clearly show.
" Therefore the case stands thus: If we oppose civil officers in taking posses¬
sion of our farms, we are by these laws denominated felons ; or if we defend
our neighbors who have been indicted rioters only for defending our (their)
property we are likewise adjudged felons. In fine, every opposition to their
monarchial government is deemed felony, and at the end of every such sen¬
tence there is the word Dcath\ The candid reader will, doubtless, observe that
the diabolical design of this law is to obtain possession of the New Hampshire
grants, or to make the people that defend them outlaws, and so kill them when¬
ever they can catch them."
"Those bloody lawgivers know we are necessitated to oppose their execu¬
tion of law where it points directly at our property, or give up the same; but
there is one thing that is a matter of consolation to us, viz., that printed sen¬
tences of death will not kill us when we are at a distance; and if the execution¬
ers approach us they will be as likely to fall victims to death as we; and that
person or country of persons, are cowards indeed, if they cannot as manfully
fight for their liberty, property and life, as villains can do to deprive them
thereof."
"The New York schemers accuse us with many things; part of which are
true, and part not. With respect to rescuing prisoners for debt, it is false. As
to assuming judicial powers, we have not, except a well regulated combination
of the people to defend their just rights may be called so. As to forming our¬
selves into military order and assuming military commands, the New York
posse, and military preparations, oppressions, etc., obliged us to it. Probably
Messieurs Duane, Kemp and Banyar of New York, will not discommend us
for so expedient a preparation; more especially since the decrees of the 9th of
March are yet to be put in execution. And we flatter ourselves, upon occa¬
sion, we can muster as good a regiment of marksmen and scalpers as America
can afford; and we now give the gentlemen above named, together with Mr.
Brush and Colonel Ten Broeck, and in fine, all the land-jobbers of New York,
The Settlers Reply.
57
an invitation to come and view the dexterity of our regiment; and we cannot
think of a better time for that purpose than when the executioners come to kill
us, by virtue of the authority their judges have lately received to award and
sentence us to death in our absence," etc.
In closing this part of their masterly defense the proclamation says: " Draco,
the Athenian lawgiver, caused a number of laws (in many respects analagous
to those we have been speaking of) to be zvrittcn in blood. But our modern
Dracos determine to have theirs verified in blood. They well know we shall
more than three, nay, more than three times three hundred, assemble together,
if need be, to maintain our common cause till his majesty determines who shall
be and remain the owners of the land in contest. ' Will not thou possess that
which Chemosh, thy God, giveth thee to possess ? ' So will we possess that
which the Lord our God (and king) giveth us to possess."
Following this these wonderful men addressed themselves to the people of
the counties of Albany and Charlotte, who were inhabitants of the New Hamp¬
shire grants, from which, for want of space, only the closing section is taken,
viz.: "From hence follows a necessary inference: That inasmuch as our prop¬
erty, nay, our lives, cannot be protected (but manifestly struck at) by the high¬
est authority in the province to which we, at. present, belong ; therefore, in the
interim, while his majesty is determining the controversy, and till he shall inter¬
pose his royal authority, and subject the authority aforesaid to their duty, or
re-annex the district of disputed lands to the province of New Hampshire, or
some way, in his great wisdom and fatherly clemency, put the distressed set¬
tlers under New Hampshire, on an equal footing with our brother subjects in
his realm ; we are under the necessity of resisting, even unto blood, every per¬
son who may attempt to take us as felons or rioters as aforesaid; for in this
case it is not resisting law, but only opposing force by force; therefore, inas¬
much as by the oppressions aforesaid, the New Hampshire settlers are reduced
to the disagreeable state of anarchy and confusion, in which state we hope for
wisdom, patience and fortitude, till the happy hour his majesty shall graciously
be pleased to restore to us the privileges of Englishmen.
" Signed by
" Ethan Allen, Seth Warner,
" Remember Baker, Robert Cochran,
"Peleg Sunderland, John Smith,
" Silvanus Brown.
"Bennington, April 26, 1774."
The reader will observe from the tenor of the above proclamations that
these men, as the leaders of and representing the feelings and sentiments of the
inhabitants living on the grants, entertained the greatest hope that the crown
would interpose in their behalf and confirm the charters made by Governor
Wentworth. The crown had some years before interfered in their interest
8
58
History of Bennington County.
by forbidding the governor of the province of New York from making any-
further grants within the disputed tract, but that injuction was entirely ignored
and violated. The king had also stated in his royal order that the New York
governor should make no grants whatever "until his majesty's further pleasure
shall be known."
This certainly justified the settlers in the belief that some further action on
the part of the crown would be taken, and in defense of their just rights, until
that pleasure of the king became known, the settlers were compelled to act as
they did. Again, in the year 1772, the inhabitants of the grants sent James
Breakenridge and Jehial Hawley to England, to petition the king for a confir¬
mation of the New Hampshire grants; but before the arrival of these agents
in the royal presence the subject upon which they desired to be heard had al¬
ready been discussed in the committee of the Lords of Trade, and that body
had made a report as favorable to the settlers as, under all the circumstances,
they could ask. This report was made on December 3, 1772, but was not
confirmed by the king in council until April, 1773, and then in such manner
as to simply amount to a recommendation to the governor of New York that
it be carried into execution ; but the governor made such an indignant protest
against the order that it was of no practical effect, and in fact was absolutely
valueless to the setters on the grants. The governor even went so far as to
propose a substitute for the order, confirming the New York grants and de¬
claring those of New Hampshire to be void. This latter, by the royal acqui¬
escence, grown from the fact that the crown did not refuse it, became the prac¬
tical result of the measure. Nevertheless the inhabitants of the grants contin¬
ued to look for royal interference in their behalf and a confirmation of their titles.
But it never came. At that time the relations of the British government to the
colonies were not particularly friendly. The storm clouds of revolution were
already above the political horizon. The colonies were oppressed by the taxes
imposed upon them by the mother country, and the spirit of rebellion was
abroad in the land. England realized this situation and so did not care to
further antagonize the colonists of so strong a province as New York.
Events Preceding the Revolution
59
CHAPTER VII.
The War Between England and the Revolted Colonies—-Events Immediately Preceding
the War — The Massacre at Westminster — Allen Captures Ticonderoga — The English Urge
the Indians to Hostilities — Attitude of the Six Nations — The Dorset Convention — Regiment
of Green Mountain Boys — They Join Montgomery at St. John's — Their Participation in the
Siege — Repulse of Carlton—Honorable Discharge of the Regiment—-Ethan Allen — His
Capture, Confinement and Release.
DURING the period in which the events narrated in the preceding chapter
occurred, that portion of the New Hampshire grants that lay to the east
of the Green Mountains, and known as Cumberland county, was peopled per¬
haps as thickly as the district on the west; but from its remote situation from
the province proper of New York, it w^s comparatively exempted from the
scenes and strifes that attended the settlement on district lands to the west¬
ward. The population, too, on the east was of a more mixed character; and
while the majority were probably in full sympathy with the active participants
in the controversy, yet from lack of direct interest the support the people here
gave their persecuted friends on the other side was at best but passive. A
large number of the residents here, rather than enter into a contest, had sur¬
rendered their grants from New Hampshire and taken new ones from New
York; and added to this was an element of population that had acquired and
possessed lands directly from New York. The county, too, was organized
under the authority of the latter province; courts were regularly held, the
officers were mainly in the New York interest, and should there have been any
outspoken sympathy for the settlers on the west, there could not have been
any well developed organization to render direct aid. The settlers here under
New Hampshire claims were, in fact, held in check by a superior force of in¬
fluence, if not by superior numbers. Nor did the New York adherents in this
locality make any considerable demonstration in favor of their own province
as against the alleged riotous mob on the west side of the mountains; for they
feared the vengeance of Ethan Allen and his courageous followers, and upon
one occasion they had learned that their wrath was something to be avoided.
More than this, New Hampshire was on the east, and Massachusetts on the
south, and the sympathies of their people were wholly with the other settlers
on the grants.
In consequence of the constantly increasing tyrannical, arbitrary and op¬
pressive policy on the part of England toward her colonies in America, it be¬
came necessary that the latter adopt some measures for their own relief. In
vain did they petition the mother country to reduce the measure of the burden
imposed upon them, and for that reason it became necessary that they relieve
6o
History of Bennington County.
themselves. Accordingly, through delegates and representatives chosen for
the purpose, the American colonies met in congress on the 5th of September,.
1774, and then resolved to maintain their liberties in such manner as should
most successfully accomplish that end.
In carrying out this plan it became necessary that all courts held under the
royal authority should be closed, or compelled to adjourn without transacting
any business. A term of court was appointed to be held in the county of
Cumberland on the 13th of March, 1775, but a number of persons faithful to
the cause of the colonists determined that no business should be transacted,
and to prevent the same took possession of the court-house at an hour earlier
than that at which the court should meet. The officers on arriving at the
place found the building thus occupied and then withdrew. During the fol¬
lowing night, however, the sheriff of the county, with an armed posse, stealthily
approached the building and gave the command to fire, accompanying the
order with fearful oaths. His men fired several times, after which they made
a charge, entered the building, and with guns, swords and clubs, struck right
and left among the occupants. By their fire one person, William French, was
mortally wounded and died the next day. A number of others were seriously
injured in the affray, and all, except a few that escaped, were crowded into
prison. Those that escaped at once gave the alarm to the people in the vicinity
and to the residents across the Connecticut, in New Hampshire, as well. At
noon on the next day a force of two hundred armed men came from the last
named place, and being assisted by recruited residents, recaptured the build¬
ing and conveyed the Tory occupants to prison. A number of the ringleaders-
were afterward indicted for the murder of William French, and some were
directed to be confined in the Northampton jail, while others were admitted
to bail until their trial could be had. Subsequently, however, at the request,
of the chief justice of New York, the imprisoned persons were released and
returned to their homes.
Highly incensed at the outrages committed by the officers representing the
New York interests, and at the demand of the chief justice of that State that
the felons be released from imprisonment, the committees of safety of the
towns east of the mountains held a meeting at Westminster, on the nth of
April, 1775, at which they voted, "That it is the duty of said inhabitants, as
predicated on the eternal and immutable law of self-preservation, to wholly re¬
nounce and resist the administration of the government of New York, till such
time as the lives and property of those inhabitants may be secured by itand
further voted that, " Colonel John Hazeltine, Charles Phelps, esq., and Colonel
Ethan Allen, be a committee to prepare a remonstrance and petition to lay
before his majesty, the king, asking to be taken out of so oppressive a juris¬
diction," etc.
Thus became identical and united the interests and cause of the people orn
Capture of Ticonderoga.
61
the grants, both east and west of the mountains ; and together did they act
and co-operate as near as circumstances permitted, as a common people until
the war was ended, and until Vermont was admitted to the union of States.
The excitement occasioned by the convention at Westminster had not fully
subsided, and the united people on the grants had not sufficient time to arrange
a plan of action for the future, before the length and breadth of the land was
aroused to a fearful state of excitement by the conflict between the royalists
and colonists at Lexington, on the 19th of April, 1775. For the time local
controversies were laid aside and all loyal colonists united in the common cause
against England.
Early in May the enterprising spirit of Ethan Allen and his companions
found a new object for its employment. The people upon the grants were
at this time in a somewhat peculiar position ; they claimed to and did re¬
nounce any and all allegiance to New York, and by the royal order they were
no part of New Hampshire. In this position they could take no part in the
affairs of the Continental Congress, yet the people were altogether in sympathy
with that body as against the mother country. To show their loyalty to the
cause a decisive action was agreed upon. The winter before, John Brown had
been sent through the northern country bordering upon Lake Champlain and
into Canada. On his journey he stopped at Bennington and met the grand
committee in session at this point. From here he was accompanied by the in¬
trepid Peleg Sunderland, upon whose head the New York government had be¬
fore set a price. The result of Brown's mission was that the colonists should
capture Ticonderoga, then in possession of the British troops. Ethan Allen
undertook this task, calling to his assistance his faithful followers, the Green
Mountain Boys. In May the preparations for the campaign were completed
at Bennington, where there had already arrived a considerable force of men
from Connecticut to assist in the undertaking. When all was in readiness Ben¬
edict Arnold appeared and exhibited a commission from Massachusetts direct¬
ing him to recruit a force, and command it for the expedition; but the men were
already raised and Colonel Allen chosen as their commander. Arnold was
thus obliged to yield, although he accompanied the party, holding the rank of
colonel, but having no command.
Passing over the events of the journey, Allen's command is found at Orwell,
nearly opposite Ticonderoga, on the night of May 9. During the night he,
with less than a hundred men, crossed the lake and appeared in front of the
fort. Striking down the sentry at the gate Allen demanded to be shown the
rooms of the commander of the place. This being done, and that officer
aroused from his bed, the surrender of the fort was demanded; and upon being
asked by what authority, Allen replied in the ever after memorable words : "In
the name of the great Jehovah and the Continental Congress." De La Plau,
the commander, offered slight resistance which was quickly overcome, and the-
<62
History of Bennington County.
stronghold of Ticonderoga passed into the hands of the Green Mountain Boys.
This was the first decisive blow struck for American independence, and that
blow was given by the men who had been previously called rioters and dis¬
turbers of the peace and welfare of the country. With the capture of the
fort the Americans also took one hundred and twenty cannon, fifty prisoners,
and a quantity of small arms, ammunition and stores.
Elated by this successful capture, the commanders at once determined upon
the capture of the other British posts upon Lake Champlain, for which pur¬
pose they armed and manned a schooner and procured several batteaux. Ar¬
nold commanded the schooner and Allen the batteaux, and set out upon the
expedition against a British sloop of war then lying at St. Johns. The schooner
sailed the faster and Arnold surprised and captured the sloop before Allen ar¬
rived. This gave control of the lake to the Americans as the small posts were
defenseless without a co-operating naval force.
While these events were transpiring the British in Canada were using every
effort to persuade the Indians to again take up arms and fall upon the frontier
settlements. And in New York, the home of the Six Nations, a similar effort
was making. Sir William Johnson had died in 1774, and his mantle seems
to have fallen upon his son, Sir John Johnson, and his nephew, Colonel Guy
Johnson, the latter having been made superintendent of Indian affairs.
Through his influence the powerful Iroquois confederacy was broken, and the
Six Nations, except the Oneidas and Tuscaroras, served under the banner of
the king; but it was nearly two years before they committed serious acts of
hostility. The Senecas held off for a while, but the prospect of blood and Brit-'
ish gold was too much for them to withstand, and in 1777 they, in common
with the Cayugas, Onondagas and Mohawks, made a treaty with the British at
Oswego, agreeing to serve the king throughout the war. The Oneidas main¬
tained a strict neutrality, while the Tuscaroras were friendly to the Americans.
But the hostile Indians of New York had but little part in the operations in
the east; their warfare being mainly carried on throughout central and west¬
ern New York, and in Pennsylvania. The Indian allies of the British in the
east were principally from the Canadas.
To overcome the endeavors of the British emissaries among the Indians,
and in the hope that the Canadian colonists might forin a friendly relation with
the Americans, Congress decided to raise a strong force of two thousand men
to garrison the po^ts at Ticonderoga, Crown Point, and other points along the
lake, and then treat with the people, a fair proportion of whom were French,
in the province of Canada. Generals Schuyler and Montgomery were placed
in command at the two points first named, where they built a large number of
boats and batteaux to transport their troops to Canada.
But during this same period the inhabitants of the grants were also making
the needed preparations to defend their own frontier against the British, whose
Preparations for Defense.
63
enmity they had incurred by the capture of Ticonderoga and the lake posts
elsewhere. On the 26th of July the committees of the several towns west of
the Green Mountains met at Dorset, at the inn kept by " Deacon " Cephas
Kent, for the purpose of organizing a regiment for military service. The ques¬
tion whether the convention should proceed in choosing field and other officers
according to the directions of Congress and General Schuyler, was put, and de¬
cided in the affirmative. Seth Warner was then chosen lieutenant-colonel, and
Samuel Safford, major, for the regiment of Green Mountain Boys. The con¬
vention then proceeded to select seven captains and fourteen lieutenants, as
follows : Captains, Wait Hopkins, Oliver Potter, John Grant, William Fitch,
Gideon Brownson, Micah Vail, Heman Allen. First lieutenants, John Fas-
sett, jr., Ebenezer Allen, Barnabas Barnum, David Galusha, Jellis Blakeley,
Ira Allen, Gideon Warren. Second lieutenants, John Noble, James Claghorn,.
John Chipman, Nathan Smith, Philo Hard, Jesse Sawyer, Joshua Stanton.
For the position of lieutenant-colonel of this regiment, Ethan Allen was a
self nominated candidate against Seth Warner, and was much chagrined at his
defeat, charging it to the old farmers who had no inclination for war. Warner
was the junior of Allen by seven years, he being then in his thirty-third, while
Allen was in his fortieth year.
Lieutenant-Colonel Warner and Major Safford were both citizens of Ben¬
nington, and were each promoted one grade in the Continental regiment of 1776.
Captain Wait Hopkins, and the other officers of his company, were also Ben¬
nington men. Hopkins afterward became major, and Lieutenant John Fassett
occupied a prominent position in State affairs. The second company was prob¬
ably from Poultney and Tinmouth ; the third from Addison, Moncton, Mid-
dlebury and that vicinity; the fourth from Pawlet and Shaftsbury; the fifth
from Sunderland and vicinity; the Sixth from Danby, Arlington and Colches¬
ter; and the seventh in part from the northern towns on the Onion River, and
in part from Sunderland. The above locations of the several companies are
supposed to be correct, but it is quite probable that other towns than those
named had representatives in the regiment. The authority1 upon which this
statement, concerning the locality from which each company came, is made,
says they probably came from the towns named. As soon as the organization
of the regiment was completed, the fact was reported by the convention to
General Schuyler. The commissions of the officers, however, were not con¬
firmed until several weeks later.
On account of the ill health of General Schuyler, he was not in active ser¬
vice on the frontier, therefore the command devolved upon General Montgom¬
ery. In September that officer with his army laid seige to St. Johns, and
while so engaged, on about the 20th of that month, the regiment of Green
Mountain Boys joined with his forces and went under his command. Here the
1 Governor and Council, vol. I.
-64
History of Bennington County.
regiment played an important part. General Montgomery was seriously em¬
barrassed for want of ammunition and provisions, but the fortunate capture of
Chambly relieved this distress. The British commander at St. John's made a
stout resistance against Montgomery's attacks and waited anxiously the com¬
ing of General Carlton to relieve him. The latter soon embarked for that pur¬
pose, but his movements were being watched by Colonel Warner's regiment,
which, when the proper moment arrived, opened on the English with such
steady fire of musketry and grape shot from a small cannon that Carlton's force
was thrown into utter confusion, and retreated in disorder. The news of this
disaster reaching the ears of the English commander at St. John's, he immedi¬
ately surrendered to Montgomery. This victory was achieved on November
3d. By it five hundred regular soldiers and more than one hundred Canadian
volunteers were made prisoners.
Warner's repulse of Carlton compelled McLean to retreat to Quebec, upon
which Warner occupied the evacuated position, at the mouth of Sorrel River,
and there erected a fortification. But General Warner's regiment of Green
Mountain Boys were but volunteers, and drew no clothing from the Continental
government. Such being the case, and the men being insufficiently clothed to
withstand the rigors of a Canadian winter, on the 20th of November the com¬
mand was honorably discharged and permitted to return to their homes.
Before concluding the narrative of the events of the war during the year
1775, a brief mention of the operations of Ethan Allen, after his defeat in his
endeavor to command the regiment of Green Mountain Boys, will not be con¬
sidered out of place. It should be stated that Allen's disappointment did not
abate one whit his zeal for his country. " He joined the army under Gen¬
eral Schuyler in the capacity of an officer, but without a commission, and suc¬
ceeded in raising a body of two hundred and fifty Canadians, which he com¬
manded. With only about one-half of this unreliable body he attacked
Montreal, fought bravely, but was deserted by most of his men and taken pris¬
oner."1 Allen, and the men who were captured with him, were immediately
heavily ironed, placed on board of a British war vessel and taken to England.
Here he was kept in prison for the space of more than two years when, by an
exchange of prisoners in May, 1778, he was set at liberty. On returning to
America he was greeted by a resolution of Congress that made him a brevet
lieutenant-colonel, as a reward for his "fortitude, firmness and zeal in the
cause of his country, manifested during his long and cruel captivity, as well as
on former occasions." He was afterward chosen and appointed brigadier-gen¬
eral of Vermont militia, as subsequent chapters will show.
The concluding events of the war for the year 1775 were the abandon¬
ment of Montreal by Carlton's forces, and the occupation of the place by Gen¬
eral Montgomery ; and later, the siege of Quebec by Montgomery, which was
1 Governor and Council. Vol. i.
Events of the War During 1776.
65
unsuccessful, and an attempt to carry the city bv assault, which also failed.
This charge upon the British works at Quebec was made on the 3 1st of Decem¬
ber. General Montgomery was killed, and a large number of his men were
taken prisoners.
CHAPTER VIII.
Events of Lhe War During the Year 1776—Wooster Succeeds to the Command of the Army
in the North—Wooster's Call for Aid from the Green Mountain Boys—His Letter to Colonel
Warner—The Response—Retreat from Quebec and Evacuation of Canada—The Return Home
—Troops Organized on the Grants for the Regular and Militia Service—The Tory Element—
General Gates Calls for Troops—Three Regiments of Hampshire Grants Men Respond—
Crown Point Abandoned—Carlton Threatens Ticonderoga—Withdraws into Canada without
making an Attack—Supplying Flour and Provisions.
THE unfortunate termination of the siege of Quebec cost Montgomery his
life and the united colonies a good force of available men. Upon the
death of the brave commander, Colonel Arnold, then being the ranking officer,
succeeded in command of the Americans, but was soon relieved by General
Wooster, who had been directed to the command of the northern army. Gen¬
eral Wooster found the men in an exceedingly miserable condition, and not of
sufficient force to cope with the enemy in case a sudden and determined attack
should be made. To strengthen his position Wooster at once wrote Colonel
Seth Warner, informing him of the condition of affairs at Quebec and asking
immediate assistance. The letter was in part as follows : 1 " I have not time to
give you ail the particulars, but this much will show you that in consequence
of this defeat our present prospect in this country is rendered very dubious,
and unless we can be quickly reinforced, perhaps they may be fatal, not only
to us who are stationed here, but also to the colonies in general ; as in my
opinion the safety of the colonies, especially on the frontiers, very greatly de-
pends'upon keeping possession of this country. I have sent an express to
General Schuyler, General Washington and the Congress, but you know how
very far they have to go, and that it is very uncertain how long it will be before
we can have relief from them. You, sir, and the valiant Green Mountain corps,
are in our neighborhood. You all have arms, and I am confident ever stand
ready to lend a helping hand to your brethren in distress, therefore let me beg
of you to raise as many men as you can, and somehow get into this country
and stay with tis until we can have relief from the colonies. You will see that
9
1 Hall's Early History of Vermont.
66
History of Bennington County.
the proper officers are appointed under you, and both officers and privates will
have the same pay as the Continental troops. It will be well for your men to
set out as soon as they can be collected. It is not so much matter whether
together or not, but let them be sent on by tens, twenties, thirties, forties or
fifties, as fast as they can be collected. It will have a good effect upon the
Canadians to see succor coming on. You will be good enough to send copies
of this letter or such parts of it as you think proper to the people below you.
I can but hope the people will make a push to get into this country, and I am
confident I shall see you here with your men in a very short time."
This appeal for help was not made in vain, for within a very short time
after the letter reached Colonel Warner, he and his men joined Wooster in
front of Quebec. So quick indeed was the response made as to merit the per¬
sonal approbation of both Generals Washington and Schuyler.
During the remainder of the winter the troops endured the greatest hard¬
ships and privations, and, added to their other misfortunes, the camp was
afflicted with smallpox from which many died, and of the three thousand
troops encamped before the city, at one time not less than two thousand were
sick with this disease. Therefore, at the time when an aggressive campaign
should have been opened, the whole command was unfit for duty. Then, in
May, there suddenly appeared at Quebec a strong reinforcing troop of British
regulars and three wrar ships. These troops were at once prepared for action
and marched out of the city to attack the Americans ; but the latter fled be¬
fore the attack was made. Colonel Warner, however, succeeded in safely re¬
moving all of his invalid soldiers, and after a long and tedious journey brought
his command to Ticonderoga during the latter part of June.
The withdrawal of the American forces upon this occasion left the Canadas
wholly in possession of the English. But the former were for a time free from
the danger of pursuit as the English, although they had a sufficient fleet upon
the St. Lawrence, they did not have a vessel upon Lake Champlain, nor could
they hope to successfully cope with the Americans until a naval fleet was con¬
structed for lake service. There being no present danger of British invasion of
the country bordering on the lake, the volunteer soldiery, among whom were
the Green Mountain Boys, were discharged and sent home.
Nor were the timely and efficient services of this sturdy and courageous
regiment of Green Mountain Boys overlooked by the Continental Congress, for
on the 5th of July, of this year, that body, upon the recommendation of the
board of war, resolved to organize a regiment of soldiers for the regular ser¬
vice, most of whom were from the grants, and which regiment, according to
the provisions made by the board of war, were to be commanded by the offi¬
cers who had served during the campaign in Canada. Therefore the colonelcy
of the regiment fell upon Seth Warner, and the position of lieutenant- colonel
upon Samuel Safford. The other regimental officers were mainly from the
grants.
The Tory Element.
67
The reader must not infer that Colonel Warner's was the only military-
organization formed upon the New Hampshire grants, for, at an adjourned ses¬
sion of the committees of safety held at Dorset, on the 25th of September, it
was voted that Simeon Hathaway, Dr. Jonas Fay, Nathan Clark, Captain
Joseph Bowker, Lieutenant Joseph Bradley, Lieutenant Martin Powel, Cephas
Kent, Captain Joseph Woodward and Nehemiah Howe "be a committee of
war." Provision was also made for the raising of men for six companies.
"This," says the governor and council, "is the first record of a board of
war in Western Vermont. Warner had raised one regiment in 1775, under
the approval of New York; in January, 1776, he raised another, which served
through the Canada campaign, and under the resolution of Congress of July
5, 1776, he raised what was known as 'Warner's Continental Regiment.'
This last named regiment was organized for the regular service, while the
others were volunteer militiamen ; but that the latter were organized for active
service if necessary, will be seen by an extract from the proceedings of the
Dorset convention to the effect that the committee of war were empowered to
issue warrants ' to the several field officers of the militia on the district of New
Hampshire grants, that on any sufficient notice received from the general or
commander-in-chief of the armies of the United States of America,1 the hon¬
orable Continental Congress, or on any sudden emergency that shall be judged
by said committee of war to be for the immediate safety of the grants, request¬
ing the assistance of the militia, and march immediately to the relief of such
part of the continent as they may be required to.' "
But at this time and during the succeeding years the inhabitants of the New
Hampshire grants, as well as the loyal colonists elsewhere, were greatly troubled
by a certain element of their population that were known as the " Tories " ; and
it was with these foes within, as well as others without their territory, that the
committee of war had to deal and make military provision against. The Tories,
as is well known, were wholly in sympathy with the British cause; and while
all had not the courage to take up arms in favor of England, yet they did an
equal injury to the cause of America by spying upon the actions of the pro¬
vincial authorities and conveying a knowledge thereof to the British com¬
manders. Subsequent accounts will show that some joined the British army
and rendered service therein, but the majority fought the Americans covertly,
secretly, and in an underhand manner.
There was more or less of this Tory element in every township, and their
punishment was generally left to the discretion of the committee of safety of
each ; but of the proceedings of the general committee concerning them, it is
found that the Dorset convention, in 1776, through a sub-committee, chosen
1 This is the first occasion upon which the phrase, " United States of America," has been
used in connection with the early history of Vermont. From and after the Declaration of In¬
dependence, on July 4, 1776, this country has ever been so designated.
68
History of Bennington County.
for the purpose, recommending that "a gaol" be built in the township of Man¬
chester, "twenty foot by thirty inside ; said gaol to be built with logs and earth;
said gaol to be erected a few rods east of the dwelling house of Lieutenant
Martin Powel, in said town, for the confinement of Tories and other offenders
that may be adjudged to be confined."
Returning again to the field of warlike operations in the valley of Lake
Champlain, it is found that immediately after the evacuation of Canada by the
Americans, General Carlton commenced the construction of vessels of war and
transportation for the campaign against the ports further up the lake in pos¬
session of the provincials, and after the expiration of a few months he had a
fleet far superior to that commanded by Colonel Arnold. But the latter de¬
termined to stand an attack from the British fleet, notwithstanding the greater
strength. The engagement took place on the 13th and 14th of October, and
resulted in Arnold's defeat, although he and nearly all his command succeeded
in avoiding capture, while their vessels were destroyed to prevent them falling
into the hands of the enemy.
While these events were transpiring upon the lake Colonel Warner was
making every preparation for an order to march his forces to oppose the
enemy; nor had he long to wait, as such an order was received on the even¬
ing of October 20th from General Gates, who was then in command at Ticon-
deroga, and the order was immediately complied with, and three regiments
—one under Warner, one under Colonel Brownson, and one under Colonel
Robinson—were started for the front. Other localities than the west side of
the mountains also sent troops to Ticonderoga. From the east side there were
three regiments of militia. John Trumbull wrote that in October, 1776, when
General Gates was at Ticonderoga, " the whole number of our troops under
arms that day (principally, however, militia) exceeded thirteen thousand." Of
these the New Hampshire grants contributed probably about three thousand.
After the naval engagement between the British, under Carlton, and the
Americans, under Arnold, had been decided in favor of the former, it was sup¬
posed that the victors would at once proceed upon a campaign against Crown
Point and Ticonderoga; and such was the intention of the British commander,
but unfortunately for him a strong south wind retarded his progress, thus giv¬
ing the Americans time to greatly strengthen their fortifications at Ticonderoga.
The works at Crown Point had been abandoned and destroyed before Carlton
arrived there. General Gates hourly expected and rather hoped for an attack
upon his position from the British, but Carlton did not see fit to hazard an as¬
sault ; and, after spending about a month in reconnoitering the American works,
he re-embarked his army at Crown Point and returned to Canada, and thus
terminated the military enterprises on Lake Champlain for the year 1776.
Early in November, and soon after the withdrawal of the British troops from
the valley, the several regiments of soldiers from the New Hampshire grants
were again discharged and returned to their homes for the winter.
Events During 1777.
69
During the time that the military operations were going on about Ticon¬
deroga, and while the Vermont soldiery were at that point, a message was sent
to the committee at Bennington urging that flour and provisions for the sub¬
sistence of the army be sent at once, to which the reply was sent that one thou¬
sand bushels of wheat had been collected and was being ground for the use of
the troops, but that the militia being all away on the frontier, it was very dif¬
ficult to convey to the army what was already prepared for them, and sug¬
gested that a part of the militia be sent to get the provisions.
Events of the War for 1777 — An Important Period—Vermont Declares Her Indepen¬
dence— Burgoyne's Invasion — Preparation to Resist it — Defenses at and about Ticonderoga
— Its Evacuation by the Americans — Pursuit to Hubbardton — The Battle — Warner's De¬
feat— Death of Colonel Francis — Warner's Regiment Reassemble at Manchester — British
Occupy Castleton — New Hampshire Responds to Vermont's Appeal for Aid — General John
Stark Sent to the Rescue — Burgoyne's Advance — Ira Allen's Plan for Raising Money and
Men for the Service — Commissioners of Sequestration — Council of Safety Moves from Man¬
chester to Bennington — Stark Reaches Bennington — Burgoyne's Plan for Obtaining Supplies
— Sends Colonel Baum to Bennington to Take Them —The Battle—- Success — British Re¬
inforced— Americans Fall Back — Colonel Seth Warner's Regiment Saves the Day — Bur¬
goyne's Career Checked — Defeated at Stillwater— His Final Surrender— Ticonderoga Evac¬
uated by the British —Their Withdrawal into Canada.
HE year 1777 was an important one for the people on the New Hamp¬
shire grants; more important, unquestionably, than any that had pre¬
ceded it, and only equaled by the year in which the independence of Vermont
was conceded by Congress. That independence was recognized in 1791, and
that was the crowning event of that year, and the result of nearly thirty years
of patient toil and energy and hardships for its accomplishment. That inde¬
pendence was declared at the convention at Westminster in January, 1777.
The decision was made, the die was cast, and there was no looking back, or
retracing these political steps. This matter is made the subject of chapters
further on in this volume.
But the year 1777 was also an eventful one for the people upon the grants,
from the fact that in that year the British made a threatening invasion of their
territory and carried their conquering arms across the western border, spread¬
ing terror and desolation throughout the region ; but when the war cloud hung
heaviest, and hope seemed lost, the determined stand of the New England
soldiery at the famous battle of Bennington dispelled the darkness and turned
the tide of disaster against the British.
CHAPTER IX.
7 o
History of Bennington County.
During the winter and early spring months of 1777 the British made every
preparation for an active, aggressive campaign against the Americans. The
troops were kept under constant discipline, supplies of provisions and ammu¬
nition were collected from every source, and large bodies of reinforcements
were brought from England and Germany, so that when spring was opened the
available British force amounted to over ten thousand men, besides a consider¬
able body of Canadians and Indian allies. The whole army was put under the
command of General Burgoyne, who arrived at Quebec early in May. From
that time until June this officer was constantly employed in arranging his plans
for the summer and adding to his strength.
In the meantime the Americans had made 110 substantial preparations to
meet an attack, not knowing, of course, the plans of the British commander.
General Schuyler, who had been appointed to the command of the American
army, arrived at Ticonderoga only a few days before Burgoyne reached the
river Boquet, and found the defenses to be wholly insufficient to meet a deter¬
mined assault; the militia, although summoned, had not arrived, and rein¬
forcements must be had to strengthen the place. Schuyler appointed General
St. Clair to command the post and then hastened to Fort Edward for more
troops and supplies.
On the 17th of June Burgoyne embarked his army at Cumberland Head,,
and on the next day commenced the voyage up the lake, arriving at the Bo¬
quet River before named on the 21st. Here he added several hundred Indi¬
ans to his already large army, and on the 30th of June advanced toward Ti¬
conderoga and encamped a few miles from the town. The next day the whole
army and fleet moved forward- to a point just beyond cannon shot from the fort.
On the 2d of July a strong detachment of British, under Captain Fraser, at¬
tacked the American picket force, compelled them to retire, and took a posi¬
tion along the front of the American works ; at the same time the British ad¬
vanced their right wing and occupied Mount Hope. General St. Clair, mistak¬
ing the intentions of the enemy, and supposing a general attack was at hand,,
ordered his men to conceal themselves and reserve their fire ; but as the Brit¬
ish advanced an American discharged his musket, which was understood as a
signal for battle, whereupon both musketry and artillery opened fire without
orders. So confused and irregular was this carried on that, save one, none of
the enemy were injured.
To oppose the British attack, Ticonderoga and its surroundings were garri¬
soned by a force of about thirty-five hundred, twenty-five hundred of which
was of Continental troops, and the remainder of militia. Nine hundred of this
militia force had been gathered by Colonel Warner and reached the fort on July
5. Opposite to Ticonderoga, on the Vermont side of the lake, was Mount
Independence, upon which the Americans had planted a battery, but on Mount
Defiance there was no force, the army of the Americans being too small to ad-
Battle of Hubbardton.
71
mit of a further division for the purpose of establishing defenses there ; more¬
over St. Clair did not think the British would occupy that position, but in this
he was in error, for on the morning of the 5th the enemy appeared upon the
mountain and commenced the construction of a battery. This commanded
the American position on both sides of the lake ; therefore to remain longer
at Ticonderoga meant sure and disastrous defeat to the American army, and
an immediate abandonment of both of their positions became imperative. Ac¬
cordingly, about two o'clock on the morning of the 6th of July, General St.
Clair, with the garrisons, left Ticonderoga, and one hour later the troops on
Mount Independence were put in motion. As far as possible the camp bag¬
gage, stores and ammunition were loaded on boats, and dispatched under an
armed guard to Skenesboro, while the main army retreated toward Hubbard¬
ton. After a halt of a couple of hours' duration, St. Clair, with the main army
moved on toward Castleton, leaving the regiments under Colonels Warner,
Francis and Hale, at Hubbardton, to guard the retreat. Warner was made
commander of the whole force. But no sooner had the Americans abandoned
their works at Ticonderoga and Mount Independence than, through the im¬
prudence of a Frenchman, the British discovered what was being done, and
immediately gave pursuit with a force of light troops under General Fraser,
while a still stronger body under General Riedesel followed shortly afterward.
While the rear guard commanded by Warner was at Hubbardton, on the morn¬
ing of July 7, they were overtaken by Fraser's command and a sharp battle
ensued. Warner attacked the enemy with such determination and impetuos¬
ity that they were obliged to fall back ; but they quickly recovered and re¬
sisted so fiercely that Warner's command in turn gave way, and fell back to a
new position, At this juncture the Germans under Riedesel came up in force
and charged the Americans, driving them from the field and compelling them
to seek refuge in the woods.
The loss of the Americans in this engagement was quite heavy. The brave
Francis was killed while leading his men. Hale was overtaken by a party of
British, and surrendered himself and a number of his men, prisoners of war.
The whole loss to the Americans in this battle was three hundred and twenty-
four, thirty of whom were killed. Warner, upon taking to the woods, had or¬
dered his men to meet him at Manchester, to which point he proceeded as soon
as possible, and where he was subsequently joined by the men. Here he went
into camp at a point southwest of the village, where his command was rested
and recruited for some time.
After leaving Castleton General St. Clair continued his retreat to Rutland,
Dorset, Manchester, Arlington, and thence across the country to Fort Edward
where he joined with the army under General Schuyler.
Some accounts have assumed to criticise the action of General St. Clair in
not sending relief to Warner while the latter was in battle at Hubbardton; but
72
History of Bennington County.
it seems to have been St Clair's plan to reach the Hudson River, where he
knew Burgoyne's main army was marching, and prevent, if possible, that offi¬
cer from laying waste the whole country. In this he divined correctly, for
Burgoyne was coming down the valley, while that branch that fought Warner
at Hubbardton was but a detachment from the main army. But St. Clair had
no thought of leaving Vermont open to the attacks of the enemy as he had
written to the Vermont convention, then in session at Windsor, and while he
was at Dorset, to the effect that General Schuyler had directed that " Colonel
Warner's regiment, with the militia of your State, should be left for the pro¬
tection of the people." This letter was written from the house of Colonel Will¬
iam Marsh,1 in the south part of Dorset township, east of " Dorset Mountain."
It was the intention of General St. Clair to make his way to New York
State by passing through Bennington, as his letter written from Rutland, July
7, states : " I am now on my march to Bennington, which place I am obliged
to make, on account of provisions, the enemy having last night possessed them¬
selves of Skeensburgh, of which I got intelligence this morning," etc. But it
is believed that St. Clair was provided with all necessary provisions at Man¬
chester, thus enabling his army to proceed directly to Fort Edward. In a
postcript to this same letter, however, St. Clair says: " I must beg that all the
flour that can be got may be sent forward." (to Bennington) Also, "I have
ivrote to the first commanding officer of the militia to take the shortest road to
Bennington with directions to send the same orders to such others as may be
already on this side No. 4." (Charleston, N. H.).
While these events (the evacuation of Ticonderoga, the retreat to and bat¬
tle at Hubbardton, the defeat of the Americans) were transpiring, the admin¬
istrative powers of the newly declared State of Vermont were in convention at
Windsor, engaged in the work of agreeing upon and adopting a State consti¬
tution ; but when the news of the successive disasters to the American arms
reached that body, all was confusion and disorder. The representatives from
the part of the State that had been invaded were specially anxious to reach
home, but an interfering thunder storm kept them back, gave them time to
reflect, and enabled them to complete the business then before them, though
in a somewhat hurried manner. It was ordered at this convention that Joseph
Marsh, Joseph Williams and Timothy Brownson be " a committee to procure
a supply of arms for the State, with instructions to draw them, if possible, from
grovernment arsenals, but with authority to pledge the credit of the State to
the amount of four thousand pounds, if it were found necessary to purchase."
1 At this time Colonel Marsh was altogether devoted to the cause of the Americans. He
was one of the richest men of Dorset, and owned large tracts of land in Manchester also.
During Burgoyne's invasion Mr. Marsh became convinced that the British would be success¬
ful, and thus hoping to save his property, he turned Tory. He was afterward permitted to
return to the State and lived and died in Dorset. (Judge Munson's address-)
Advance of General Burgoyne.
73
A council of safety was appointed to administer the affairs of the State until
some other provision in that regard should be made. No list of the members
of this council is to be found, but it is known that Thomas Chittenden, Ira
Allen, Moses Robinson, Jonas Fay, Joseph Fay, Paul Spooner, Nathan Clark
and Jacob Bayley were of the number.
On the adjournment of the convention at Windsor, July 8, i 777, the series
of disasters already narrated had occurred, and Burgoyne's army was advanc¬
ing into New York on the western border of Vermont with all possible speed.
The most energetic labors of the Council of Safety, therefore, were demanded
instantly, and the board proceeded direct to Manchester, where Warner had
fixed his headquarters with the remnant of his regiment. On the I ith of July
the council communicated with the similar body in New Hampshire, a part of
the communication being as follows: "You will learn the provision General
Schuyler has made for the protection of this State, and you will naturally un¬
derstand that when we cease to be a frontier your State must take it. Would
beg your advice and assistance for the good of the whole," etc.
About this same time, or just before, General Burgoyne has issued a
second proclamation to the people as follows: "To the inhabitants of Castle-
ton, Hubbardton, Rutland, Tinmouth, Pawlet, Wells, Granville, (N. Y.), with
the neighboring districts; also the district bordering on White Creek, Camden,
Cambridge, (N. Y.), etc. You are hereby directed to send from your several
townships deputations, consisting of ten persons or more from each township,
to meet Colonel Skeene at Castleton, on Wednesday, July 15th, at ten in the
morning, who will have instructions not only to give further encouragement to
those who complied with the terms of my late manifestos, but also to commu¬
nicate conditions upon which the persons and properties of the disobedient
may be spared."
Prior to this time, and on July 4th, just upon his arrival before Ticonde-
roga, the astute Burgoyne had thought to terrify the people into submission
by the promulgation of a proclamation, by which his gracious protection was
promised to all who should join his standard, or remain quietly at their homes;
but utter destruction was to be the lot of all who dared to oppose him. And
this proclamation was not without effect upon the people who thought at that
time, as well they might, that the British arms would be successful. But the
second manifesto from Burgoyne was intended as a further opportunity for
people to put themselves under British protection; and that it was accepted by
many will be seen by the following copy from a letter of the Vermont Council
of Safety to the New Hampshire council, and dated July 15, 1877. "Gentle¬
men, this State in particular, seems to be at present the object of destruction.
By the surrender of the fortress Ticonderoga a communication is opened to the
defenseless inhabitants on the frontier, who have little more in present store
than sufficient for the maintenance of their respective families, and not ability
10
74
History of Bennington County.
to immediately remove their effects, are therefore induced to accept such pro¬
tections as are offered them by the enemy. By this means those towns which
are most contiguous to them are under necessity of taking such protection, by
which the next town or towns become equally a frontier as the former towns
before such protection, and unless we can obtain the assistance of our friends,
so as to put it immediately in our power to make a sufficient stand against such
strength as they may send, it appears that it will soon be out of the power of
this State to maintain a frontier. This country, notwithstanding its infancy,
seems as well supplied with provisions for victualing an army as any country
on the continent, so that on that account we cannot see why a stand may not as
well be made in this State as in the State of New Hampshire, and more espe¬
cially as the inhabitants are heartily disposed to defend their liberties. You,,
gentlemen, will be at once sensible that every such town as accepts protection
is rendered at that instant forever incapable of affording us any further assist¬
ance; and what is infinitely worse, as some disaffected persons eternally lurk in
almost every town, such become doubly fortified to injure their country. Our
good disposition to defend ourselves and make a frontier for your State with
our own, cannot be carried into execution without your assistance. Should you
send immediate assistance we can help you, and should you neglect till we are
put to the necessity of taking protection, you readily know it is in a moment
out of our power to assist you. Laying these circumstances together will, I
hope, induce your honors to take the same into consideration, and immediately
send us your determination in the premises."
"Ira Allen, Sec'y."
"P. S. By express this moment received, we learn that between three and'
four thousand of the enemy are fortifying at the town of Castleton. Our case
calls for immediate assistance."
This letter from the council assembled at Manchester, explains the situation
of the people exactly ; and it seems to have reached a vulnerable part of the1
body assembled at Exeter, N. H., for on the 9th of July following, Meshech
Weare, the president of the last named State, sent a letter to Ira Allen stating
that "they have now determined that a quarter part of the militia of twelve
regiments shall be immediately drafted, formed into three battalions, under the
command of Brigadier-General John Stark, and forthwith sent into your State
to oppose the ravages and coming forward of the enemy." It was furthermore
stated that the troops would depend for provisions upon Vermont; and also
requested that proper persons be sent to No. 3, (Charleston, N. H.) to meet
General Stark, and advise with him relative to the route and disposition of his
troops. At the same time of writing to New Hampshire for assistance, the
council caused a general proclamation to be issued, which was as follows:
Alarm of the Colonists.
75
"In Council of Safety, State of Vermont, )
" Manchester, July 15, 1777. S
"To all the militia officers whom it may concern : This is the second and
perhaps the last express we may be able to send you from this post. Your
immediate assistance is absolutely necessary. A few hundred military troops
to be joined to our present strength would greatly add to our present encour¬
agement, as by late information we learn that a large scout of the enemy are
disposed to take a tour to this post; the inhabitants with their families cannot
be quieted without an assurance of the arrival of troops directly for their assist¬
ance. You will please let us know your determination without delay.
"The Continental stores at Bennington seem to be their present aim. You
will be supplied with provision here on your arrival. Pray send all the troops
you can possibly raise ; we can repulse them if we have assistance.
" I have the honor to be your most obed't., humb'l. serv't.,
" By order of Council. Ira Allen, Sec'y."
Through the same medium, and on the same day, the council communi¬
cated with General Schuyler, informing him of the presence of the enemy at
Castleton; but that officer seems, by his reply, to have been unable to send any
relief to the distressed and frightened community. Also at the direction of the
council while in session at Manchester, a letter was addressed to Samuel Her-
rick, constituting him lieutenant-colonel commandant of a regiment of rangers
raised within the State, and for the immediate defense thereof. Colonel Her-
rick's regiment of rangers rendered effective service at the battle of Benning¬
ton, as subsequent pages will show.
As an evidence of some of the cares and responsibilities that devolved upon
the council of safety during this period of continued trials and perplexities,
reference is had to the report or writing of Ira Allen, who was one of the coun¬
cil, its secretary, and a person of great influence among the people at that time.
Upon Ira Allen seems to have fallen his brother's mantle, though it may be
stated that Ira and Ethan were quite unlike in temperament and character.
Ira was more thoughtful and reasoning, and less impulsive and ambitious than
his brother, but not one whit less devoted to the cause of his country and State.
In summing up the leading events of the time of which we write, Ira Allen said:
"The council of safety then attended to the affairs of the government, but
their situation was very unpleasant, as the constitution had only declared the
district to be a free State; but the government was not organized, as the con¬
stitution was not fully completed, and near three-quarters of the people on the
west side of the Green Mountains were compelled to remove, and the rest were
in great danger. It was they who principally supported the title of the New
Hampshire grants against the unjust claims of New York, and their removal
would expose the settlers on the east side of the Green Mountains to an inva-
76
History of Bennington County.
sive war, both from the savages and the British ; besides, the late proceedings^
of Congress had been partial towards New York, and against Vermont; the
people of the new State had reason to expect no favor from the committee of
safety of New York, as its numbers were in fact composed of the old syco¬
phants of the late government, which they had prudently deserted. Gain and
dominion were objects of the first consequence to some of the committee of
New York, and the citizens of the new State were conscious that they would
take every sinister and possible step to divide the people, and would not be
dissatisfied with any misfortune that befel them, even by the common enemy."
" The council of safety had no money or revenue at their command, their
powers of credit were not extensive, and all expenses were supported at their
private expense; yet, in this situation it became necessary to raise men for the
defense of the frontiers, with bounties and wages ; ways and means were to be
found out, and the day was spent in debating upon the subject; Nathan Clark,
not convinced of the practicability of raising a regiment, moved in council that
Mr. Ira Allen, the youngest member of the council, and who insisted on rais¬
ing a regiment, while a majority of the council were for only two companies,
of sixty men each, might be requested to discover ways and means to raise
and support a regiment, and to make his report at sun-rising on the morrow.
The council acquiesed, and Mr. Allen took the matter into consideration.
Next morning, at sun-rising, the council met, and he reported the ways and
means to raise and support a regiment, viz. : That the council should appoint
commissioners of sequestration, with authority to sieze the goods and chattels
of all persons who had or should join the common enemy ; and that all prop¬
erty so seized should be sold at public vendue, and the proceeds paid to the
treasurer of the council of safety, for the purpose of paying the bounties and
wages of a regiment forthwith to be raised for the defense of the State. The
council adopted the measure, and appointed officers for the regiment. Samuel
Herrick, esq., was appointed the colonel, and the men enlisted and the boun¬
ties paid in fifteen days, out of the confiscated property of the enemies of the
new State. This was the first instance in America of seizing and selling the
property of the enemies of American independence." 1
Continuing further, Allen says: "The council adjourned to Bennington,,
and about the time this regiment was raising, a party of militia from Massachu¬
setts arrived in the new State. General Schuyler, a citizen of the State of
New York, and commander-in-chief of the northern army, no sooner heard of
it than he sent orders to the militia of Massachusetts, and to Colonel Herrick's.
regiment, to repair forthwith to Saratoga; the militia from Massachusetts were
obliged to obey, according to the regulations of the Continental Congress ;
1 On the 27th of November, 1777, Congress recommended that the other States pursue a
similar policy of confiscation and sale of property for the purpose of raising funds for the con¬
duct of the war.
Preparations for the Defense of Bennington.
77
but the council of safety superceded General Schuyler's orders, and gave spe¬
cial directions to Colonel Herrick to remain within the State of Vermont. This
occasioned irrascible letters between General Schuyler and the council of safety,
which were terminated by a peremptory order of the council to Colonel Her¬
rick not to put himself under the command of General Schuyler." Up to the
time of the adjournment of the council of safety from Manchester to Benning¬
ton, the former place had been the central point of operations; the regiment
of Colonel Warner was rendezvoused near the town, and all supplies of stores
and ammunition were collected here. At Castleton, not very far distant, the
British forces were assembled and threatened an invasion of the territory to the
south of that place. But the decisive action of the council in providing the
means, through confiscation, and the prompt assembling together of Colonel
Herrick's rangers, had the effect of quieting the apprehensions of the people
who feared a raid upon their country.
Many of the families upon the territory to the northward retired before the
approach of Burgoyne's army and the detachment sent in pursuit of Colonel
Warner, and took up their temporary abode either in the south part of the
State or else in Massachusetts, still further south ; and the council in session at
Bennington, on the 28th of July issued a proclamation earnestly requesting
such men to return to Vermont and assist in defending the State against the
ravages of the invaders. In response to this many did return, thus strength¬
ening the [defensive force.
Having thus raised a considerable force of men available for duty, it became
necessary to establish a headquarters for military stores and supplies, also pro¬
visions sufficient to sustain that force for a considerable length of time. These
therefore were purchased at once and stored at Bennington, where the council
was in continuous session. This fact became known to the British, and Bur-
goyne, their commander, decided upon a campaign against the town in order
that he might become possessed of the stores, and at the same time administer
to the rebellious people such salutary punishment as their action, in his estima¬
tion, seemed to warrant. Knowing his intentions, the council made due haste
to resist and defeat him. Early in August General John Stark, with a strong
force of New Hampshire militia, left Charleston and proceeded thence across
the mountains, by the way of Peru, (formerly Bromley) to Manchester, at
which place he arrived on August 7th.
General Stark's movement had the effect of causing the British troops at
Castleton to abandon their position, under the fear that they might be the
object of a raid, and their force, being now less in strength, was not deemed
sufficient to resist it successfully. They departed and joined the main branch
of the army. After a brief stay for rest and recuperation at Manchester, Gen¬
eral Stark and his army proceeded to Bennington, where, 011 August 8, they
went into camp. On this march Stark was accompanied by Colonel Warner,..
78
History of Bennington County.
the command of the latter, however, being left at Manchester for frontier duty.
These commanding officers, with the council of safety, were constantly in ses¬
sion, planning the defense of the place and watching the movements of the
enemy, who were gradually moving southward along the valley of the Hudson,
and toward the city of Albany.
Having now reviewed at some length the military preparations on the part
of the people of the new State, let us turn briefly to the valley of the Hudson
River and note what progress the British forces were making, and what were
their actions that called for all this warlike proceeding and assembling at Ben¬
nington.
When St. Clair left Arlington he proceeded at once to Fort Edward, where
he joined forces with General Schuyler. But with t is the combined strength
of both armies amounted to only 4,400 men, which, taking into consideration
the poor condition of the defenses at the place, Schuyler did not think suffi¬
cient to make a successful stand; therefore, 011 the 22d of July, he abandoned
the works and retired to Moses Creek, a point about four miles below Fort
Edward, where the hills come very close to the Hudson, thus rendering it an
easy position to defend. But the army was so much reduced by desertion,
defeat and discouragement, that General Schuyler felt obliged to retire to Sar¬
atoga, and soon afterwards to Stillwater, where he arrived 011 the 1st of August.
The British army, in the meantime, were gradually yet surely progressing
southward, finding but little opposition to their passage in the matter of re¬
sisting force, but very much in the way of obstructions in the channel through
which they were passing, so that it was not until the 30th of July that Bur-
goyne arrived at Fort Edward, at which place he fixed his headquarters.
Burgoyne had supposed, erroneously however, that the greater part of the
people living on the east side of Lake Champlain and the Hudson River, were
opposed to the war, and that it was only necessary for him to march an army
into their country, and supply them with arms in order to bring them into the
service under the royal standard ; and it was this understanding on his part
that induced him to issue the two proclamations heretofore referred to. In
support of what he believed to be true, this royal commander found that upon
his approach, and that of the several detachments sent into the eastern country,
that the inhabitants retired before them, and those that remained offered little
or no opposition, while some actually joined his army. But at that time General
Burgoyne had not reached the thickly populated section of the State ; and
when he did he found perhaps more opposition to his progress than from any
other quarter. So great, indeed, did he find his army opposed that, in a letter
written to Lord Germain, from Saratoga, after the defeat at Bennington, he
says: " The Hampshire grants, in particular, a country unpeopled and almost
unknown in the last war, now abounds in the most active and rebellious race
■ on the continent, and hangs like a gathering storm on my left."
Battle of Bennington.
79
'But notwithstanding the fact that Burgoyne made every effort to rapidly
transport his baggage, military supplies and stores from the head of Lake
George to the navigable waters of the Hudson, he could not carry on this
work fast enough to furnish subsistence for his large and constantly increasing
army. This state of things determined him upon foraging off the country ;
and the fact of a large deposit of stores and ammunition at Bennington becom¬
ing known to him, he decided to send an expedition against the place and effect
a capture of the coveted prize. For this purpose he detached a select body
of about five hundred regular German troops, some Canadians and Tories, and
over one hundred Indians, with two light pieces of artillery, and placed the
whole under command of Colonel Baum. To facilitate the operations of this
force a strong detachment of troops was stationed on the east bank of the
Hudson, opposite Saratoga, while still a third took a position at Battenkill.
On the morning of August 12th, Colonel Baum commenced his march, and
on the evening of the same day arrived at Cambridge, a distance of about
twelve miles northwest of Bennington. The next day Baum again advanced
to a point seven miles from Bennington, where he was informed that the town
was strongly guarded by a well organized force of militia, upon which he at once
occupied a commanding position on a hill and commenced constructing fortifi¬
cations. This was continued during the next day, and at the same time Baum
sent a courier back to the main army requesting reinforcements. On the 15th
a violent rain storm prevented any movement of the troops, but gave Colonel
Baum an opportunity to strengthen his position. On the 13th word was
brought to General Stark that a party of Indians had been seen at Cambridge,
and thereupon Lieutenant Gregg, with two hundred men, was sent to oppose
them, but was soon further advised that a large body of troops, with artillery,
were in the rear of the Indians. Stark at once prepared for action. He sum¬
moned the militia to arms, and requested the council of safety to call for aid
from other sections, all of which was done. On the 15th, notwithstanding the
storm, Stark appeared in front of the enemy's works, but the occasion being
unfavorable for an attack he ordered the troops to retire. A consultation was
then held, and it was decided to attack the enemy's works the next morning
before it was possible for reinforcements to come up. At the same time an
express was sent to Major SafFord, at Manchester, to start with all speed for
the place.
For the succeeding events of the battle that followed we quote from Zadock
Thompson's description: "On the morning of the 16th of August General
Stark was joined by Colonel Symonds with a small body of militia from Berk¬
shire county, Mass., and having reconnoitered the enemy's post, he proceeded
to carry into effect the previous arrangements for the attack. Colonel Nichols
was detailed with two hundred men to the rear of the left wing of the enemy,,
and Colonel Herrick with three hundred men to the rear of the right wing..
8o
History of Bennington County.
These were to join and then make the attack. Colonels Hubbard and Stick-
nev were also ordered to advance with two hundred men on their right and
one hundred in front to divert the enemy's attention from the real point of
attack. As the divisions of Nichols and Herrick approached each other in the
rear of the enemy, the Indians, apprehensive of being surrounded, made their
escape between two corps, excepting three killed and two wounded by the fire
of the Americans as they passed.
" Their positions being taken, at three o'clock in the afternoon the action
was commenced by Colonel Nichols, and his example was quickly followed by
the other divisions. General Stark advanced slowly in front, till the firing an¬
nounced the commencement of the attack in the rear. He then rushed for¬
ward and attacked the division of Tories, and in a few minutes the action be¬
came general. ' It lasted,' says Stark, in his official account, ' two hours, and
was the hottest I ever saw. It was like one continued clap of thunder.' The
German dragoons made a brave resistance, and after their ammunition was ex¬
pended they were led on by Colonel Baum, and attacked the Americans, sword
in hand. But their bravery was unavailing. They were finally overpowered,
their works carried on all points, and their two cannon taken. Colonel Baum
was mortally wounded and fell into the hands of the Americans, and all of his
men, with the exception of those who escaped to the woods, were either killed
or taken prisoners.
" The prisoners were collected together and sent off under a strong guard
to the meeting house in Bennington, and Stark, unsuspicious of danger, suf¬
fered his men to scatter in pursuit of refreshments and plunder. In this state
of things intelligence was received that the reinforcement of the enemy, under
Colonel Breyman, with two field-pieces, was rapidly approaching, and only
two miles distant. Stark endeavored to rally his exhausted force ; but before
he could put them in a condition to make an effectual resistance, the enemy
advanced upon them in regular order and commenced the attack. They
opened an incessant fire from their artillery and small arms, which was for
awhile returned by the Americans with much spirit; but exhausted by fatigue
and hunger, and overpowered by numbers, they at length began slowly, but
in good order, to retreat before the enemy, ' disputing the ground inch by
inch.' "
At this critical juncture, when defeat and disaster seemed inevitable, the
regiment commanded by Major Safford appeared upon the scene; and morti¬
fied that they had not arrived sooner to have participated in the first engage¬
ment, they made such a fierce attack upon the enemy as to stop their advance.
This second battle was carried on with great determination on both sides until
sunset, when the British gave way and fled in confusion from the field. The
Americans pursued them till dark, but with one hour more of daylight, says
Stark's report, he should have captured their whole force. With this victory
Success of the Americans.
3 i
there came into the possession of the Americans four brass cannon, four am¬
munition wagons, and about seven hundred prisoners with their arms and ac¬
coutrements. The loss to the Americans was thirty killed and about forty
wounded, while the British lost, in killed, two hundred and seven, who were
left upon the field. Two of the captured cannon are now in the State House
at the capital of Vermont, and engraved on them is this inscription: "Taken
from the Germans at Bennington, August 16, 1777."
"This victory," says Governor Hall, " was the first check given to the tri¬
umphant march of Burgoyne from Canada, and was an unexpected example
of a successful assault by undisciplined militia, armed with muskets without
bayonets, upon an entrenched camp of veteran troops, defended by cannon.
By its depressing effect on the spirits of the enemy, and the confidence in their
own powers with which it inspired the Americans, the current of success was
at once turned from the British to the American arms."
The reader will understand that when General Stark's coming to Vermont
became an assured fact, General Schuyler had directed that he place himself
under the authority of Continental army officers ; but this the sturdy Stark re¬
fused to do, as it was directly understood that he was to have a command inde¬
pendent of the regular Continental forces, as was stated by the letter of authority
sent him by President Weare, of the New Hampshire Council of Safety, in these
words: "And there act in conjunction with the troops of that State, or any
other of the States, or of the United States, or separately, as it shall appear
expedient for you for the protection of the people or the annoyance of the
enemy," etc. General Stark had refused to serve under the Continental officers,
and this action on his part was the occasion of much adverse criticism by Gen¬
eral Schuyler; as also the occasion of a resolution of Congress, passed August
19th, declaring Stark's instructions to be " destructive of military subordination
and highly prejudicial to the common cause," and urging the New Hampshire
council to at once revoke them, and " to instruct General Stark to conform
himself to the same rules, to which other general officers of the militia are sub¬
ject, whenever called out at the expense of the United States." During this
petty squabble General Stark wrote to General Schuyler that he was willing
to unite in any measures that would promote the public good—that he wished
to avoid whatever was inconsistent with his own honor, and that private re¬
sentment should not prevent his marching to his (Schuyler's) camp, if it were
deemed necessary. But Stark was only waiting an opportunity to manifest his
own patriotism, and to strike a telling blow for the American cause. He had
not long to wait; the battle of Bennington was fought, the world learned the
result, and the British army had by it received its first decisive defeat.
But with the success at Bennington the Vermont soldiery did not cease
their efforts in the cause of America. General Gates succeeded to the com¬
mand of the northern army formerly held by General Schuyler, and, unlike
ii
82
History of Bennington County
that officer at once proceeded to headquarters and took personal charge of
their operations. After his victory at Bennington, General Stark, with the Con¬
tinental forces under him, soon joined the army under Gates, and General Lin¬
coln was placed in command of that branch of the army that operated east of
the Hudson River.
On the 13th and 14th of September Burgoyne's army crossed the Hudson
and advanced toward the American headquarters at Stillwater, and upon near-
ing that place the latter were prepared to receive them. On the 19th the bat¬
tle occurred and was waged fiercely during the greater part of the day; and
although neither party could claim the victory, the American loss was only half
of that of the enemy, and the British were made to realize something of the
fighting qualities of the Americans. This engagement had the effect, too, of
alienating many of the Indians and Tories from the cause of the British, for
they soon came by hundreds, flocking under the American standard.
From the 20th of September to the 7th of October both armies lay en¬
camped not far apart. The Americans were constantly increasing in strength
while the British were proportionately diminishing. On the date last named
Burgoyne made a movement at the head of a strong force, toward the Hud¬
son, with a view of determining whether he could force a passage down that
stream; but Gates, hearing of this, at once gave him battle, and with such de¬
termination as to compel Burgoyne to retire to his camp entrenchments, and
even some of these were taken by the daring Americans in a hand to hand
conflict. The British loss in this engagement was severe, especially in officers
of rank, General Fraser and Colonel Breyman being killed outright, while Sir
James Clark arid Majors Williams and Ackland were wounded and captured.
The Americans captured nine cannon, a large quantity of ammunition, stores,
and two hundred prisoners, while their own loss was comparatively light.
These two battles have always been known as the First and Second Stillwater.
General Burgoyne's army being terribly cut to pieces and weakened by these
disasters, added to which was constant desertion from his ranks, he determined
to effect a return to Canada; but General Gates had provided against this
means of escape, so that when it was attempted the British found themselves
entirely surrounded. Annihilation or surrender were, therefore, the alterna¬
tives, and Burgoyne chose the latter. On the 14th of October Major Kingston
was sent to Gates to settle terms of surrender, which were agreed upon the
next day, but during the night of the 16th word was brought to the British
that reinforcements were advancing to their assistance from down the Hudson.
But it was too late, the pledge had been given; therefore, on the 17th of Oc¬
tober Burgoyne's whole army of nearly six thousand men, with all arms, am¬
munition, camp baggage and provisions, were surrendered to the Americans.
The regiment of General Stark was with the Continental army during this series
of engagements, and took an active part in all that occurred. About the time
B IT R(;O Y N E' S S U R R E NI >ER.
83
of the final surrender of Burgoyne General Lincoln's force, together with Col¬
onel Warner's Continental regiment, arrived at Gates's headquarters, and there
witnessed the closing scenes upon that eventful occasion. But, let us turn
briefly and follow the fortunes of the little army that, under General Lincoln,
had been entrusted with the duty of guarding the western Vermont frontier.
The army of General Lincoln included the Massachusetts militia, as well as those
of Vermont, and some few, perhaps, from other States.
About the middle of September General Lincoln planned and put into ex¬
ecution an expedition to get in the rear of Burgoyne's army and cut oft" his
source of supplies. To this end he marched rapidly north from Manchester to
Pawlet. From thence he dispatched a strong body of troops under Colonel
Brown to capture or destroy the enemy's stores at Lake George, and to effect
the release of the American prisoners confined at that point. At the same
time Colonel Johnson was directed to proceed toward Ticonderoga and occupy
the attention of the garrison at that fort. Also Colonel Woodbridge was sent
on an expedition against Skenesborough and Fort Ldward. These several
expeditions were undertaken with a reasonable degree of success, although Ti¬
conderoga was found to be too well guarded to warrant an attack. Colonel
Brown did, however, after surprising every post between Lake George and
Ticonderoga, make a demand of surrender upon the latter place, which was
refused, and not feeling strong enough to attack the works he returned to
Skenesborough. Captain Allen, with a company of rangers, effected a recap¬
ture of Mount Defiance. In all over one hundred prisoners were liberated, a
number of the enemy, with a considerable amount of ammunition and army
stores fell into the hands of the Americans.
When the fate of Burgoyne's army became known to General Carlton, that
officer immediately ordered the evacuation of Ticonderoga, and other British
posts south of the Canadian line. The garrison at Ticonderoga abandoned
that post about the 15th of November. Herrick's rangers were unquestion¬
ably waiting for the enemy to get away from the protection of the fortress, for
no sooner had the)' done so than the rangers fell upon their rearguard and
took fifty of them prisoners, besides capturing many horses, cattle, and other
of their supplies.
The withdrawal of the British forces from south of the Canada line ended
the campaign so far as the militia of Vermont was concerned; but that branch
of the combined civil and military organizations, and known as the council of
safety, found an open field for operations during the entire year. lliey con¬
tinued in session until late in December, and then resumed proceedings early in
January, 1778. With the success that attended the American arms the Tory
element 011 the soil of the State became less annoying to the council, and
therefore less difficult to control; and those, too, of this class that had joined the
enemy, or who had aided and abetted them in any manner, were now anxious
84
History of Bennington County.
to return and obtain forgiveness upon almost any terms. But the council stood
firm to their position, and administered such punishment, by way of fines, etc.,
as the enormity or seriousness of the offense seemed to demand. The record
of proceedings of the council from August 20th to the close of the year were
filled with interesting incidents, sufficient for an entire chapter ; and there is
found, in the records of that body, to have been numbered among the Tories
the names of some of the most highly respected and influential pioneers families
on the New Hampshire grants, whose descendants are living upon the soil to¬
day, and are as highly esteemed by the present generation of inhabitants as
were their erring ancestors of a century and more ago. For this reason we
make no record that mentions these names, preferring not to, in any manner,
recall any of the unpleasant recollections of the past by citing individual cases
of error.
Civil Policy Pursued by the People on the (irants During- the Revolution—The Dorset Con¬
vention in January, 1776,—Petition Sent to Congress—Its Withdrawal—Second Dorset Con¬
vention in July, 1776,—Towns Represented—Resolutions Looking to State Organization—
Articles of Association—September Convention at Dorset—Covenant Adopted—Convention
at Westminster in October, 1776, and January, 1777,—State Independence Declared—Named
New Connecticut—Changed to Vermont--Adopting a Constitution—Report and Petition to
Congress—Opposition m ule by New York--Petition Dismissed—Subsequent Proceedings—
Election of State Officers—Final Action of the Council of Safety.
URING the period of the war for American independence, that portion of
the country that, prior to 1777, was known as the New Hampshire Grants,
but after that year by the name of Vermont,1 occupied a somewhat peculiar
position in the civil and military history of this country ; in fact, during that
war period, the authorities of the grants were acting in a double capacity —
protecting their territory against the common enemy, Great Britain, and pro¬
tecting their territory against the usurping power and policy of the province
of New York. And all their efforts were directed to the accomplishment of
one object — the recognition of the disputed territory as an independent
province of America. For this the people argued, for this they labored, and
for this they fought, from the year 1761 until the year 1791, a period of thirty
long years, when the result sought was achieved.
The breaking out of the war in 1775, for a time put an end to the aggres-
1 Originally named New Connecticut, but soon changed to Vermont. See post.
CHAPTER X.
First Dorset Convention. 85
sive acts of the province of New York in endeavoring to possess the land of the
grants, and likewise terminated the acts of retaliation on the part of the inhab¬
itants of the land. After the dreadful massacre at Westminster, and after the
people on the east side of the mountains had declared that they would resist
the New York authority, and by so declaring became united with the people
011 the west side, the feeling of excitement and hatred between the contending
factions was so great as to border 011 open warfare ; but at this critical hour
the war came, and the public attention was, fortunately, for the time diverted
to other events, though during the years that followed the people of the grants
by no means relinquished their efforts for their cherished hope of final inde¬
pendence.
By the meeting of delegates representing twelve American colonies in the
city of Philadelphia, on the 5th day of September, 1774, the authority of the
country became vested in the Continental Congress. Therefore ignoring
further appeals to the crown, as had been their wont in former years, the peo¬
ple upon the grants directed their subsequent efforts to this newly created and
recognized power.
The first step in this direction was the warning of a meeting of the several
towns of the New Hampshire Grants, to be held at the house of Cephas Kent,
innholder of Dorset, on the 16th day of January, 1776. According to the tenor
of the warrant, which bore the date, " Arlington, 10th Deer., 1775," the follow¬
ing questions or subjects (among others) were to be presented for conside¬
ration : "4th. To see if the said conventions will come into some proper regu¬
lation, 01* take some method to suppress all schismatic mobs that have, or may
arise on said grants." " 5th. To see if they will chose an agent or agents, to
send to the Continental Congress ; " and " 6th. To see whether the convention
will consent to associate with New York, or by themselves, in the cause of
America." The warrant for this convention was signed by the following com¬
mittee: Moses Robinson, Samuel Robinson, Seth Warner, Jeremfah Clarke,
Martin Powel, Daniel Smith, Jonathan Willard.
According to the warrant the convention was assembled at Dorset on the
16th of January, 1776, and organized by the selection of Captain Joseph Wood¬
ward as chairman, and Dr. Jonas Fay as clerk.
A committee consisting of Dr. Jonas Fay, Captain William Marsh and Mr.
Thomas Rowley was appointed to prepare a remonstrance and petition to be
presented to Congress; and Lieutenant James Breckenridge, Captain Heman
Allen and Dr. Jonas Fay were made a committee to prefer (present) said pe-
tion.
Ihe petition that was prepared and adopted in pursuance of the foregoing
action was addressed as follows: "To the Honorable John 1 lancock, esq., Presi¬
dent of the Honorable Continental Congress, etc., etc., now assembled at Phil¬
adelphia."
86
History of Bennington County.
"The humble petition, address and remonstrance of that part of America,
being situated south of Canada line, west of Connecticut River, north of the
Massachusetts Bay, (State) and east of a twenty- mile line from Hudson's River,
commonly called and known by the name of the New Hampshire Grants, hum¬
bly sheweth." Then follows the text of the petition, which is far too long to
be reproduced here. It refers, however, to the present alarming situation of the
colonies, the designs of Great Britain against America, the nature of the New
Hampshire Grants made by Governor Wentworth, the hardships of the settlers*
the claims of New York and efforts to enforce them, the appeal by the settlers
to the crown, the royal decree of July 24, 1767, commanding the governor of
New York not to interfere with the people on the grants, and not to make fur¬
ther grants, and the refusal of New York to obey the decree; further the part
taken by Ethan Allen and his followers during the first outbreak of the war;
the capture of Ticonderoga and elsewhere, and closing in these words: "There¬
fore, we, your honours humble petitioners, most earnestly pray your honours to
take our case into your wise consideration, and order that for the future your
petitioners shall do duty in the Continental service, if required, as inhabitants
of said New Hampshire Grants, and not as inhabitants of the province of New
York, or subject to the limitations, restrictions or regulations of the militia of
said province; and that commissions, as your honours shall judge meet, to be
granted accordingly; and, as in duty bound, your honours petitioners shall ever
pray."
This document was duly presented to the Continental Congress in session
at Philadelphia, whereupon that body through its proper committee passed
this resolution : " Resolved, That it is the opinion of this committee that it be
recommended to the petitioners for the present to submit to the government
of New York, and contribute to their assistance, with their countrymen, in the
contest between Great Britain and the united colonies; but that such submis¬
sion ought not to prejudice the right of them or others to the lands in contro¬
versy, or any part of them ; nor be construed to affirm or admit the jurisdic¬
tion of New York in and over that country; and when the present troubles are
at an end, the final determination of their right may be mutually referred to
proper judges."
The above resolution, which was in fact the report of a committee, pro¬
voked considerable discussion in the house, and much opposition from the rep¬
resentatives of New York. The report was, however, intended to be as favor¬
able to the petitioners as the circumstances of the case and the awkward con¬
dition of the country would warrant: but Captain Allen, the representative of
the petitioners, at once saw that should the resolution be accepted, the people
of the grants would be, temporarily, at least, subject to the civil and military
authority of the province of New York, a position wholly antagonistic to their
wishes and express declaration, and one in which they could not under any
Second Dorset Convention.
87
conditions place themselves; therefore, the shrewd Allen rather than accept
any such compromission, requested, and was granted permission to withdraw
the petition, thus leaving the people in precisely the same situation as before
the presentation was made. This withdrawal was made by him in order to pre¬
vent Congress itself from taking any decisive action in the premises by which,
inferring from the tenor of the report of the committee, the people on the
grants might be bound, they having sought the action of that power. This
took place June 4, 1776. On the 4th day of July following the Continental
Congress published to the world the memorable declaration of American Inde¬
pendence.
The situation in which the inhabitants of the grants found themselves after
the Declaration of Independence necessitated the calling of another conven¬
tion of delegates from the several towns 011 the west side of the mountains, but
desiring delegates from 'he east also; which convention duly assembled, ac¬
cording to warrant, at the tavern of Cephas Kent, in the town of Dorset, on
July 24, 1776.
That the reader may know what towns were represented, and who the del¬
egates were, their names are reproduced here as follows :
Pownal captain Samuel Wright.
S Simeon Hathaway,
Jonas Fay,
John Burnam, jr.
Shaftsbury. .
Isaac Lawrence.
Hinesburgh and (
Monkton ^ 'saa'
Meshobee or Bran- (
don -Tohn Mott'
C Major Jeremiah Clark,
( John Burnam.
Sunderland . Joseph Bradley.
f Colonel William Marsh,
Manchester . / Lieutenant Martin Powell,
( Gideon Ormsbee.
Dorset S John Manle>'
) Abraham Underbill.
Reuben Harmon,
Amos Curtis.
Pawlet ^ Captain William Fitch,
) Major Roger Rose.
Wells { !:>''niel Culver'
^ Ogden Mallory.
( Nehemiah Hour,
) William Ward.
( Ephraim Buel,
) Jesse Belknap.
Hubbardton... , Benjamin Hitchcock.
Williston Colonel Thomas Chittenden.
Jericho Brown Chamberlain.
Colchester Ira Allen.
Captain Joseph Bowker, of Rutland, was chosen chairman, and Dr. Jonas
Fay, of Bennington, as clerk. It seems that Townsend was the only town
east of the mountains til ; a t this convention.
Aaron Parsons,
Rupert ....
Pittslord /Jonathan Rowley,
^ Jonathan Fassett.
Rutland S Asa I01™5""'
) Joseph Bowker.
Clarenden ^ Thomas Brayton.
, ( Mathew Lyon,
North Wallingford.
Tinmouth.
Dan by.
Poultney..
Castleton
Abraham Jackson.
Ebenezer Allen,
Stephen Royce.
Captain Michael Vail,
William Cage.
_ , ( Cant. Samuel Fletcher,
Townsend ) ' „. ,
^ Josiah fish.
Middleborough Captain Heman Allen.
Bridport Samuel Benton.
Sudbury John Gage.
Addison Colonel John Strong.
Cornwall James Bentlev.
Burlington Lemuel Bradley.
Stamford Thomas Morgan.
88
History of Bennington County.
The business that first occupied the attention of the convention was the
reading of the remonstrance and petition that had recently been laid before
the Continental Congress, after which Captain Heman Allen made a report of
his proceedings at Philadelphia.
On the 25th of July, the second day of the convention, the delegates took
the first step looking to the establishment of the New Hampshire grants as an
independent State by the adoption, with but one dissenting vote, of the fol¬
lowing resolution : " Resolved, That application be made to the inhabitants of
said Grants to form the same into a separate District (or State)," and further
" Resolved, To choose a committee to treat with the inhabitants of the New
Hampshire Grants on the east side of the range of Green Mountains, relative
to their associating with this body." The committee was chosen as follows:
Captain Heman Allen, Colonel William Marsh and Dr. Jonas Fay, "to act in
conjunction with Captain Samuel Fletcher and Joshua Fish to do the business
above."
This being concluded the convention next proceeded to discuss articles of
association, which were subsequently agreed to, and signed by the members
of the convention, with a single exception—Thomas Braten, of Clarendon,
being the "dissentient." By this association the delegates agreed to join in
the defense of the liberties of the country, but at the same time resolved that
they would not associate with, or submit to the provincial government of New
York; and further, the request was made that all inhabitants of the grants,
friends to the liberties of the United States of America, should subscribe the
association, and that all who should associate with or submit to the New York
authority should be regarded as enemies to the common cause.
The convention met again at Dorset, pursuant to adjournment, on the 25th
of September, 1776, at which time were present delegates from the towns east
of the mountains, as well as an increased representation from the west side.
It was here resolved and voted " that suitable application be made to form that
district of land, commonly called and known by the name of the New Hamp¬
shire Grants, into a separate district." To this proposition there was not one
dissenting vote.
On Friday, the 27th of September, a covenant or compact was adopted by
the convention, the operative and binding clause of which was as follows:
" We, the subscribers, inhabitants of that district of lands commonly called and
known by the name of the New Hampshire Grants, being legally delegated
and authorized to transact the public and political affairs of the aforesaid dis¬
trict of lands, for ourselves and constituents, do solemnly covenant and engage
that, for the time being, we will strictly and religiously adhere to the several
resolves of this or a future convention constituted on said district by the free
voice of the friends to American liberties, that shall not be repugnant to the
resolves of the honorable Continental Congress relative to the general cause
Preliminary Resolutions.
89
of America." After the transaction of other important business, the conven¬
tion, 011 Saturday, the 28th of September, voted to adjourn until the 30th of
October, and then meet at Windsor.
The convention appointed to be held at Westminster on the 30th of Octo¬
ber, 1776, was but poorly attended. It was held at a time when the towns on
the western frontier were threatened with invasion by the British. The Amer¬
ican fleet on Lake Champlain had been taken by the enemy, or else destroyed
to prevent the vessels from falling into their hands. Ticonderoga was threat¬
ened. This accounts for the small attendance by the delegates at this meet¬
ing, as the presence of the members at home was to each of them, and their
families, of greater importance. These things being as stated the convention
was adjourned to convene at the same place on the 15 th of January, 1777.
At the appointed time the delegates representing the several towns (there
being nineteen towns represented, either by delegates or letter voting for new
States) met at the Westminster court-house, and proceeded to organize for the
important business before them. Joseph Bowker occupied the chair, and Dr.
Reuben Jones was chosen clerk pro tcm. The committee previously appointed
to investigate the feelings of the inhabitants of the towns east of the mountain
made their report. " We find by examination that more than three-fourths
of the people in Cumberland and Gloucester counties that have acted are for a
new State; the rest we view as neuters." This was done on Tuesday, the
16th, the business of the previous day having been confined to organization
only, as appears by the record. After the report was read the convention
adjourned for an hour; but on reassembling the business was resumed as
follows :
" Voted, N. C. D., That the district of land commonly called and known
by the name of New Hampshire Grants, be a new and separate State ; and for
the future conduct of themselves as such.
"Voted, That Nathan Clark, esq., Mr. Ebenezer Hoisington, Captain John
Burnham, Mr. Jacob Burton and Colonel Thomas Chittenden be a committee
to prepare a draught for a declaration, for a new and separate State ; and re¬
port to this convention as soon as may be.
"Voted, That Captain Ira Allen, Colonel Thomas Chandler, Dr. Reuben
Jones, Mr. Stephen Tilden and Mr. Nathan Clark, jr., be a committee to
draw a plan for further proceedings ; and report to this convention as soon as
may be.
Friday morning (the 17th), convention opened according to adjournment.
The committee appointed to bring in a draft of a declaration, setting forth the
right the inhabitants of that district of land commonly called and known by
the New Hampshire Grants have, to form themselves into a State or indepen¬
dent government, do make the following report to the honorable convention
convened at Westminster, January 15th, A.D., 1777, '■
V2
9°
History of Bennington County.
" To the honorable convention of representatives from the several towns .on the
west and cast side of the range of Green Mountains, zvithin the New
Hampshire Grants, in convention assembled :
" Your committee, to whom was referred the form of a declaration setting
forth the rights of the inhabitants of said New Hampshire Grants have, to form
themselves into a separate and independent State or government, beg leave to
report, viz. :
" right i. That when protection is withheld, no allegiance is due, or can
of right be demanded.
" 2. That whenever the lives and properties of a part of a community have
been manifestly aimed at by either the legislative or executive authority of
such community, necessity requires a separation. Your committee are of the
opinion that the foregoing has, for many years past, been the conduct of the
monopolizing land traders of the colony of New York; and that they have
been not only countenanced, but encouraged by both the legislative and ex¬
ecutive authorities of the said State or colony. Many overt acts, in evidence
of this truth, are so fresh in the minds of the members that it would be need¬
less to name them.
"And whereas the Congress of the several States did, in said Congress, on
the 15th day of May, A. D., 1776, in a similar case, pass the following resolu¬
tion, viz. : ' Resolved, That it be recommended to the respective assemblies
and conventions of the United Colonies, where no government sufficient to the
exigencies of their affairs hath been hitherto established, to adopt such gov¬
ernment, as shall, in the opinion of the representatives of the people, best con¬
duce to the happiness and safety of their constituents in particular, and Amer¬
ica in general.' Your committee, having duly deliberated on the continued
conduct of the authority of New York, before recited, and on the equitable-
ness on which the aforesaid resolution of Congress was founded, and consider¬
ing that a just right exists in this people to adopt measures for their own secu¬
rity, not only to enable them to secure their rights against the usurpation of
Great Britain, but also against that of New York, and the several other gov¬
ernments claiming jurisdiction in this territory, do offer the following declara¬
tion, viz. :
"This convention, whose members are duly chosen by the free voice of
their constituents in the several towns, on the New Hampshire Grants, in pub¬
lic meeting assembled, in our own names, and in behalf of our constituents, do
hereby proclaim and publicly declare that the district of territory comprehending
and usually knozvn by the name and description of the Nezv Hampshire Grants,
of right ought to be, aud is hereby declared forever hereafter to be considered as
a separate, free and independent jurisdiction or state ; by the name, and forever
hereafter to be called, knozvn and distinguished by the name of
new connecticut,
and that the inhabitants that at present are, or that hereafter may become
Origin of the Name Vermont.
9i
residents either by procreation or emigration, within said territory, shall be
entitled to the same privileges, immunities and enfranchisements as are al¬
lowed ; and on such condition, and in the same manner, as the present inhab¬
itants in future shall or may enjoy; which are, and forever shall be considered
to be such privileges and immunities to the free citizens and denizens as are,
or, at any time hereafter, may be allowed to any such inhabitants of any of the
free and independent States of America. And that such privileges and immu¬
nities shall be regulated in a bill of rights, and by a form of government, to be
established at the next adjourned session of this convention.
" Voted, N. C. D., to accept the above declaration."
The above declaration is given as the same was adopted by the convention
at Westminister in January, 1777, although not as it appeared in the papers in
which it was published pursuant to the direction of the convention. The com¬
mittee appointed to prepare the declaration for the press was comprised of
Captain Heman Allen, Colonel Thomas Chandler, and Nathan Clark, esq.
It seems that the original declaration of State independence was prepared
hastily that it might become a fact, but it was somewhat informal, and it
remained for the committee to make such revision as was thought necessary,
and then to send it to the press, and thus to the world. The revised declara¬
tion, however, embodies substantially the statements of the original, except
that the causes for a separation from New York State were not set forth in
first declaration, and do appear in the revised statement.
Another point relating to the declaration is worthy of brief consideration.
With but one or two exceptions, all historians have quoted the latter part of
the declaration in these words : " to be forever hereafter called, known and dis¬
tinguished by the name of New Connecticut, alias vermont." The excep¬
tions referred to were Ira Allen and Governor Hall; the former was a mem¬
ber of the convention, representing the town of Colchester, and knew the facts,
while the latter argues upon reason so clearly as to satisfy the public mind
that the words — alias Vermont — formed 110 part of the original declaration.
"All accounts concur," says Governor Hall's work,1 " that the name of Ver¬
mont was given to the State by Dr. Thomas Young, of Philadelphia. Ira
Allen says in his history that ' the name Vermont was given to the district of
the New Hampshire Grants, as an emblematical one, from the hrench Vet'd
viont, Green Mountain, intended to perpetuate the name of the Green Moun¬
tain Boys, by Dr. Thomas Young,' etc. In a petition to the Vermont assem¬
bly in behalf of the widow of Dr. Young, signed by Thomas Chittenden, Ethan
Allen, and Joseph Fay, in 1785, they speak highly of Dr. Young's services in
establishing the independence of the State, and say that " to him we stand in¬
debted for the very name of Vermont."
The name, New Connecticut, therefore, was the authorized name of the
' Early History of Vermont, Appendix No. 9.
92
History of Bennington County.
newly created State from the time the declaration was made and accepted, until
the convention at Windsor, held on the 4th day of June, 1777, at which time
the name was changed to Vermont, as will appear from the following proceed¬
ings had at that time.
" State of Vermont,
"In General Convention, Windsor, June 4, 1777.
Whereas, this convention did at their session in Westminster, the 15th day
of January last, among other things, declare the said district of land commonly
called and known by the name of the New Hampshire Grants, to be " a free
and independent State capable of regulating their own internal police in all
and every respect whatsoever, and that it should thereafter be known by the
name of New Connecticut:
" And whereas, By mere accident, or through mistake, the said declara¬
tion alone was published in the Connecticut Courant, No. 634, dated March
17th, 1777, without assigning the reasons which impelled the inhabitants to
such separation:
"And whereas, This convention have been informed that a district of land
lying on the Susquehanna river, has been heretofore, and is now known by
the name of New Connecticut, which was unknown to them until some time
since the declaration at Westminster; and as it would be inconvenient in many
respects for two separate districts 011 this continent to bear the same name:
" Resolved, Therefore, unanimously, that the said district described in the
preamble to the declaration at Westminster, aforesaid, shall now hereafter be
called and known by the name of Vermont."
Mention has already been made of the fact that the convention at Westmin¬
ster, January, 1777, chose a committee to draw a plan for further proceedings.
They reported that proper information be given to the honorable Continental
Congress of the reasons why the New Hampshire Grants have been declared
a free State, and pray that the State have a representation in Congress ; that a
committee of war be appointed on the east side of the mountains t© be in con¬
junction with a similar committee on the west side; that suitable provisions be
made to govern the internal policy of the State, etc. This report was accept¬
ed. The committee chosen to present the action of the convention to Con¬
gress, and to petition that body that the State have a representation therein,,
was composed of Jonas Fay, Thomas Chittenden, Heman Allen and Reuben
Jones, and the duty assigned to them was performed in due season.
Had there been no opposition to the proceedings of Vermont, and no op¬
position to the petition of her committee asking to be allowed a representative
in Congress, the complete organization of the new State could have been ef¬
fected with but little trouble ; but there was opposition to every step taken,
and of the most determined and obstinate character, and that from the jealous
and vindictive government of New York. That the people on the New Hamp-
Opposition of New York.
93
shire Grants should presume to declare their district an independent State,
or that they should dare ask Congress for a representation in that body, was
too much of an insult to the New York authority, and showed too great a spirit
of rebellion to be tolerated by her; therefore the indignation of the authori¬
ties of that State was at boiling point. No sooner had the declaration been
made by the Westminster convention than the president of the New York con¬
vention addressed a letter to the president of Congress, dated January 20, 1777,
saying: " I am directed by the Committee of Safety of New York, to inform
Congress, that by the acts and influence of certain designing men, a part of
this State hath been prevailed on to revolt, and disavow the authority of its
Legislature," etc. This was followed by another letter from the same source,
dated March 1st, and addressed to President Hancock, informing the latter
that the convention (of Vermont) are establishing " a firm and permanent sys¬
tem of government," etc. But the Congress at that time docs not seem to have
taken much interest in these local controversies, being too deeply concerned
in the progress of the war, which then was raging disastrously to the Ameri¬
can arms. But the new district seems to have found a faithful advocate and
champion of her rights in Dr. Thomas Young, of Philadelphia, who, by his en¬
couraging letter of April I 1 th, and other friendly acts, did much to promote
the interests of the State, and likewise increased the discomfiture of the au¬
thorities of New York. The friendly advice offered by Dr. Young was care¬
fully considered and acted upon by the people of Vermont, while his interces¬
sions for the new State with the representatives in Congress were constantly
helping her cause in that quarter, although he had not succeeded in bringing
the majority to his view of the question.
Both New York and Congress were considerably annoyed by the use that
Dr. Young and the people of Vermont had made of the resolution of Con¬
gress, passed May 15, 1776, [see resolution in declaration] and which they had
applied to the case in which the people of the grants found themselves; which
resolution New York and Congress both believed had been misconstrued and
misapplied intentionally by the said people. Therefore, to force Congress to
a determination of the issue between the States, one of the New York repre¬
sentatives laid all the letters and proceedings before that body 011 the 23d of
June, and by a magnified representation of abuses and evils 011 the part of Ver¬
mont, brought from the committee of the whole a series of resolutions of which
the following formed a part:
"Resolved, That the petition of Jonas Fay, I homas Chittenden, Ileman
Allen and Reuben Jones, in the name and behalf of the people, styling them¬
selves as aforesaid, (inhabitants of the New Hampshire Grants,) praying that
'their declaration, that they would consider themselves as a free and indepen¬
dent State, may be received ; that the district in the said petition described,
may be ranked among the free and independent States ; and that delegates
94
History of Bennington County.
therefrom may be admitted to Congress,' be dismissedThis was a substan¬
tial victory for New York over the people of the new State, but it had no ad¬
verse influence of more than a temporary nature over the action of the people
it was intended to subdue, for the men who were then foremost in the political
affairs of the district were too much accustomed to hardships and adversity to
be easily brought into subjection by a mere resolution of Congress, however
much that resolution may have appeared to operate against them, or against
the people whom they at the time represented.
Even while Congress was taking this action the committee appointed for
the purpose were engaged in framing a constitution for the State of Vermont,
which being in due time prepared, its consideration came before the July con¬
vention at Windsor in 1777. But " the business being new, and of great con¬
sequence," says Ira Allen, "required serious deliberation." "The convention
had it under consideration " continues the same writer, "when the news of the
evacuation of Ticonderoga arrived, which alarmed them very much, as there¬
by the frontiers of the State were exposed to the inroads of an enemy. The
family of the president of the convention, as well as those of many other mem¬
bers, were exposed to the foe. In this awkward crisis the convention was for
leaving Windsor, but a severe thunder storm came on, and gave them time to
reflect, while other members, less alarmed at the news, called the attention of
whole to finish the constitution, which was then being read paragraph by para¬
graph for the last time. This was done, and the convention then appointed a
Council of Safety to act during the recess, and the convention adjourned."
If we were to take the above report from Ira Allen's history as being an
account of all the proceedings had at this convention, the question would as¬
suredly arise, was the constitution at this meeting adopted ? Upon this query
Mr. Allen is silent, and so far as his narrative is concerned no light is thrown
upon the matter. William Slade, in a note in his compilation says that "this
constitution was never submitted to the people for their approbation," which
is unquestionably true. And the same writer makes Ira Allen state "that the
credentials of the members of the convention authorized them to form a con¬
stitution, but were silent as to its ratification ; and that, owing to the unsettled
state of public opinion, it was thought hazardous to submit it, directly, to the
decision of the people." " It was, however, silently submitted to," says Slade.
But the compiler of the " Governor and Council," in the course of his nar¬
rative says, concerning the matter, "The constitution was read for the last
time and unanimously adopted." But this same writer also states that of this
important convention, " no official record, and no full and satisfactory unoffi¬
cial account even, has ever been published." The constitution being adopted,
the convention then ordered that an election, under the constitution, should be
held in December, 1777, when representatives should be elected to a General
Assembly, to meet in Bennington in January, 1778. This was done and the
convention, on July 8th, adjourned.
First Constitution Adopted.
95
That the reader may have a full and complete understanding concerning
the question of the first constitution, or the first attempt by the convention to
frame and establish one; as well as concerning other important events that led
to a revision of the first constitution, we copy, literally, from Governor Hall's
work, believing that the majority of readers of this volume have have no ready
access to that referred to.
"The constitution which had been framed by the convention of July, 1777,
provided for the holding of an election under it in the following Decem¬
ber, and for the meeting of the Assembly in January; but owing to 'the
troubles of the war and the encroachments of the enemy,' it was found im¬
practicable to have it printed and circulated in season for such an election.
The Council of Safety, in consequence, requested the president of the conven¬
tion to call the members together again on the 24th of December. This was
accordingly done, when the time for the first election was postponed until the
first Wednesday in March, and the Assembly was required to meet at Windsor,
on the second Thursday of the same month."
" The constitution, which was now finally completed, was preceded by a
preamble in which the reasons for separating from New York and forming a
new government were stated in some detail."
"The form of government was strongly democratic in its character. The
elective franchise was given to every man of the full age of twenty-one years
who had resided in the State for one year. Every such person was also eligible
to any office in the State. The legislative power was vested in a single assembly
of members chosen annually by ballot by the several towns in the State. Each
town was to have one representative, and those towns having more than eighty
taxable inhabitants were entitled to two. The executive authority was in a gov¬
ernor, lieutenant-governor and twelve councillors elected annually by bal¬
lot of the whole freemen of the State. The governor and council had no neg¬
ative power, but it was provided that 'all bills of a public nature' before they
were finally debated in the general assembly should be laid before the gov¬
ernor and council ' for their perusal and proposals of amendment; and also
' printed for the information of the people,' and that they should not be en¬
acted into laws until the succeeding session of the assembly. From this pro¬
vision was excepted ' temporary acts ' which in cases of ' sudden emergency'
might be passed without being delayed till the next session," This article
was stricken from the constitution in 1786, at which time a general revision
was made.
" Upon the earnest recommendation of Dr. Young this constitution of the
State of Vermont was modeled upon and taken from that of the State of Penn¬
sylvania ; but in some respects it is believed to have been better than that of
that State. In one particular, at least, it was wholly original, having the first
provision of any constitution that made slavery unlawful. That part of the
History of Bennington County.
section that so declares being as follows: 4 Therefore, no male person, born in
this country, or brought from over sea, ought to be holden by law, to serve
any person, as a servant, slave or apprentice, after he arrives at the age of
twenty-one years, no female, in like manner, after she arrives at the age of
eighteen years, unless they are bound by their own consent, after they arrive
at such age, or bound by law, for the payment of debts, damages, fines, costs,
or the like."'
The insertion of this clause in the constitution made Vermont the first free
State of America. In this connection we are constrained to reproduce here
the first deed of emancipation, so called, though unnecessary under the con¬
stitution, and recorded in any of the towns of the State. It may be found on
the record book number three, in the office of the clerk of the town of Benning¬
ton, and is as follows:
"Headquarters, Pollet, 28th November, 1777.
" To whom it may concern, knozv ye: Whereas Dinah Mattis, a negro
woman, with Nancy, her child of two months old, was taken prisoner on Lake
Champlain with the British troops somewhere near Colonel Gilliner's patten
(patent) the twelfth day of instant November by a scout under my command,
and according to a resolve passed by the honorable the Continental Congress
that all prizes belong to the captivators thereof—therefore she and her child
became the just property of the captivators thereof—I being conscientious that
it is not right in the sight of God to keep slaves—I therefore obtaining leave
of the detachment under my command to give her and her child their freedom
— I do therefore give the said Dinah Mattis and Nancy, her child, their free¬
dom to pass and repass anywhere through the United States of America with
her behaving as becometh, and to trade and traffic for herself and child as
though she was born free, without being molested by any person or persons.
In witness whereunto I have set my hand or subscribed my name.
" Ebenezer Allen, Capt."
By virtue of the authority conferred upon the Council of Safety, that body
was the civil and military power of the State, during the intermissions between
the meetings of the general convention. The convention at Windsor, in De¬
cember, 1777, revised the constitution in certain particulars, transacted such
other business as was presented for consideration, such as ordering the elec¬
tion to be held in March of the succeeding year, and then adjourned, leaving
the disposition of future business in the hands of the Council of Safety. This
body seems to have been occupied largely in disposing of the cases of tory-
ism that were brought before them. But as the time for the . first election
under the constitution drew near, the council caused to be known to the peo¬
ple the business about to be transacted by the following proclamation :
Council of Safety at Bennington.
97
" State of Vermont, In Council of Safety.
" Bennington, 6th Feby, 1778.
" To the Inhabitants of the State of Vermont:
"gentlemen,—The United and joint Representatives of this State in their
General Conventions held at Windsor, and 011 the Several Times afterward by
Adjournments, did on the 20 [8th] day of July last compose and agree unani¬
mously on a Constitution for the future Government and Mutual advantage of
its Inhabitants. It was then proposed by the joint agreement of the said
Representatives that such Constitution should be printed so as to have had
them circulated among the inhabitants, seasonably to have had the General
Election of Representatives to Compose the General Assembly in December
last, who (by agreement) was to have met at Bennington within this State
in the month of January last, but finding by repeated experience, that the
Troubles of the War and Encroachments of the Enemy would of Necessity
render it impossible, this Council did think fu to again call on the members
of the (general Convention to meet, who accordingly met at Windsor 011 the
24th day of December last, and did Unanimously agree to postpone the day
of Election until the first Tuesday of March next, and the Setting of the
Assembly to be at Windsor, 011 the 2d Thursday of March next. The con¬
stitution is now printed and will be distributed among the Inhabitants of the
several Towns in this State, so early that they may be perused before the day
of election, which this council hope will sufficiently recommend the most safe
method of choosing of representatives to compose the General Assembly.
Nothing but a real zeal for the future well being of the inhabitants of the
United States of America in general, and this in particular could have induced
this Council to have undertaken the arduous Task of Setting so many months
successively to provide for the Safety of its Inhabitants. They therefore Mat¬
ter themselves that their Services will meet the approbation of their employers.
The council are fully of the opinion that nothing but (the want of) a firm At¬
tachment and joint Connection of the Inhabitants of this State can frustrate or
prevent their being what they reasonably wish to be.
" 1 am Gentlemen (by order of Council)
" Your most Obedient Humble Servant,
"Thomas Chittenden, 1'rest."
The Council of Safety continued in session at Bennington until about the
iotli of Mcvixh, 1778, when it adjourned to meet at Windsor to transact more
readily such business as became necessary to be performed upon the assem¬
bling of the newly created and elected civil power of the State. According
to the journal of their proceedings it is found that at Windsor, 011 the 12th of
March, the council "do recommend to the Several Gentlemen appointed by
the freemen of the Several Towns within this State to represent them in Gen
eral Assembly, to Assemble at the Town house in this place immediately, and
13
98
History of Bennington County.
to form a house of Assembly by choosing a Speaker and Clerk, and make
Report of your proceedings known as soon as may be to this Council." Also,
on the same day a commission of authority was issued, of which the following
is a copy :
"state of Vermont. In Council, Windsor, 12 March, 1778.
" To JoJui Benjamin, Gentleman :
" Whereas a number of the Inhabitants of this State are now met Together
in this place, appointed by the freemen of the Several Towns within the same
in order to form a house of Assembly ; and Whereas it is found Necessary
that some person be appointed to act in the Capacity of a Sheriff, you are
therefore hereby appointed, authorized and empowered in the capacity of a
Sheriff during the Session of this present Assembly (unless sooner discharged),
and to Subject yourself to such rules and orders as you shall from time to Time
(receive) from this or a future Council of this State, for which this shall be your
Sufficient Warrant.
" By order of Council. "tlios. CHITTENDEN, Prest.
"Attest, Joseph Fay, Sec'y."
This was the last official act of this important council, a body that had
long and faithfully served the people of the State. livery member held that
private or personal interests were second to the general welfare, and every
emergency found the council in readiness for action, prompt and efficient.
The members themselves knew what their work had been, and how, in the
fulfillment of their duty they had created unpleasant feelings in many quarters,
yet it was their hope, shown by the proclamation to the people issued in Feb¬
ruary, that their services had met with the approbation of those whom they
sought to serve. There exists some difficulty in now determining correctly
who were all the members of the last Council of Safety, but from the best
obtainable authority (" Governor and Council") it is believed that they were
as follows: Thomas Chittenden, president; Jonas Fay, vice-president; Moses
Robinson, president pro tern. ; Ira Allen and Joseph Fay, secretaries; Paul
Spooner, deputy secretary ; Nathan Clark, secretary pro tem. ; Benjamin Car¬
penter, Heman Allen, Jacob Bayley, Jeremiah Clark, and Matthew Lyon.
Their services continued from July, 1777, until March, 1778.
New York Policy Modified.
99
CHAPTER XI.
The Civil Policy of the State Continued—Position of Vermont—New York Policy Modi-
lied Governor Clinton's Proclamation The First Vermont Election—State Officers Chosen
-Organization of the Assembly -Pennington and Unity Counties Formed—Unity Changed
to Cumberland Temporary Character of Laws of 1778—Shire Towns Established—Judges
Appointed -Pennington County Divided into Military Districts—The Northern Territory In¬
vaded Ports built—The Land Controversy Resumed—Annexation of Towns from off New
Hampshire -The Union Dissolved More of the New York Troubles—Governor Clinton Ap¬
peals to Congress—Congressional Committee Appointed--Their Proceedings—Disappoint¬
ment of Vermonters -The Massachusetts Claim- Union with New Hampshire and New York
Towns—Progress of the State Government—Proceedings of the Assembly—An Incident
The First Public Fxecution Shire Judges Appointed—State Officers for 1778--Superior
Court Established Military Organizations Perfected—The Regimental and Company Officers
Justices of the Peace and Probate Judges Appointed.
^IIROUGII the opposition made by the representatives in Congress from
the State of New York, the petition presented by the State of Vermont
was somewhat summarily dismissed. This was a temporary victory for New
York, and by it that State believed no further great effort would be made
toward a separate organization on the part of what her authorities were pleased
to term the rebellious people ; but that they would, as soon as the passion of
the period should be allayed by time, quietly submit to the inevitable. The
open war of course precluded the possibility of a further appeal to the crown ;
in fact, all allegiance to Great Britain had been positively and irrevocably re¬
nounced by the United Colonics, and too by the people on the grants, al¬
though the latter had no recognition by or representation in the Congress of
the continent. Added to this awkward position, the people of the grants were
further embarrassed by the fact that Congress had denied them a recognized
existence, therefore what could they do, and where could they turn for sup¬
port ? This position does not seem to have occasioned a feeling of great alarm
or apprehension or anxiety on the part of the Vermonters. Their progress
toward a complete separate existence was certainly gratifying ; their constitu¬
tion had been adopted and ratified to all intents and purposes, and the election
for State had been ordered.
But there does seem to have taken place among the New York authorities
a change of sentiment—a radical change, though brought about by influences
that were and are unknown. Hitherto the policy of that State had been tyran¬
nical and generally unyielding. There was no middle ground and 110 compro-
mission that would be acceptable to her government. But suddenly, without
negotiation, and without notice, that commonwealth, through its officers, makes
an instant change of front. No sooner had the Council of Safety of Vermont
promulgated the proclamation of February 6, 1778, and its contents became
ioo
History of Bennington County.
generally known to all whom it concerned, than his excellency, George Clin¬
ton, governor of New York, also appeared in the field with his formidable
manifesto, bearing date February 23, 1778. This was intended, or at least
purported to be, a compromission measure, and one which its originators hoped
would find a ready and cheerful compliance on the part of the people for whom
it was intended. It made concessions that no prior New York document had
shown. It offered to confirm to the people the grants made by New Hamp¬
shire and Massachusetts, notwithstanding the New York grants of the same
territory; an absolute and unconditional discharge, and remission of all pros¬
ecutions, penalties and forfeitures theretofore incurred, besides holding out in¬
ducements to encourage the settlement of lands not already occupied, on rea¬
sonable terms, and a number of other provisions deemed to be highly benefi¬
cial to the people. These overtures were made with the view, " not only to
induce the aforesaid discontented inhabitants of the colonies of Albany, Char¬
lotte, Cumberland and Gloucester, to return to a lawful and rightful obedience
to the authority and jurisdiction of this State (New York), but also in favor of
all others whom the same may concern ; and to be of no avail to any person or
persons whatsoever, who shall, after the first day of May next, yield or acknowl¬
edge any allegiance or subjection to the pretended State of Vermont, the pre¬
tended government thereof, or to any power or authority, pretended to be
held or exercised thereunder."
" I do therefore," continues this remarkable document, "hereby, in the
name of the people of the State of New York, publish and proclaim the afore¬
said declarations and resolutions ; and I do hereby strictly charge and com¬
mand all manner of persons within this State, at their peril, to take due notice
of this Proclamation, and of every article, clause, matter and thing therein re¬
cited and contained, and govern themselves accordingly." " God save the
people."
The last sentence of this proclamation embodied fully the daily and hourly
prayer of every right-minded Vermonter of that day ; and that they might
have all Divine assistance to that end, they were, at this very time, making a
righteous endeavor to " save themselves."
In August following, Ethan Allen, then having been released from his for¬
eign imprisonment, made one of his magnificent and characteristic responses to
Governor Clinton's proclamation. It was subsequently incorporated into his
"Vindication of Vermont," published, under the sanction of the governor and
council, in 1779.
But the proclamation of Governor Clintion had no material effect upon the
great mass of the people of Vermont, although a few may have felt like avail¬
ing themselves of its promises, and thus ending the unhappy controversy that
had continued so long. According to the plan fixed by the December con¬
vention the election for State officers was held on the first Wednesday of
The First Officers.
ioi
March, 1778. Each town elected a representative, or at least was permitted
so to do, while the State officers—the governor and council—were chosen at
large by the freemen. The State officers first elected for Vermont were as
follows: Governor—Thomas Chittenden, of Williston ; lieutenant governor—
Joseph Marsh, of Hartford. Councilors—Ira Allen, of Colchester; Jacob Bay-
ley, of Newbury; Joseph Bowker, of Rutland; Timothy Bronson, of Sunder¬
land; Benjamin Carpenter, of Guilford; Jeremiah Clark, of Shaftsbury; Ben¬
jamin Emmons, of Woodstock ; Jonas Fay, of Bennington; Thomas Murdoch,
of Norwich ; Peter Olcott, of Norwich ; Paul Spooner, of Ilartland ; and Moses
Robinson, of Bennington.
At this time the residence of Governor-elect Chittenden was in Arlington,
while his home was in Williston; also the home of Ira Allen was in Colches¬
ter, but he was residing then in Sunderland.
Thomas Chandler, jr., of Chester, was chosen secretary; Matthew Lyon,
of Arlington, was deputy secretary from April 9th to June 4th, and from July
17th to October 9th; Ira Allen was chosen treasurer.
On the 13th day of March, 1778, commenced the first proceedings of the
governor and council of the State of Vermont under the constitution. One
of the early subjects that engaged the time and attention of the General As
sembly, and the other executive body of the State, was the division of the ter¬
ritory into counties. On the 17th of March the Assembly voted to accept the
bill presented to the house by the governor and council describing the country
on the west side of the mountains all of which was erected into a county by
the name of " Bennington." Concerning the territory east of the mountains
the governor and council lihewise presented a bill describing tl 1 e same, and
fixing for its east boundary the State of New Hampshire. This the Assembly
amended, and in place of New Hampshire the east boundary was made to read
"the west banh of Connecticut River"; thus fixing the eastern boundary of
the State of Vermont on the west banh of the river, as aforesaid. The terri¬
tory east of the mountains w.is also formed into a county and named " Unity,"
which name was subsequently changed to "Cumberland" county.
The act of Assembly that brought these two counties into existence is
not to be found. It seems to b^ generally understood that the laws that were
enacted during the year 1778 were of a temporary character, being adopted
under the section of the constitution that provided for any "sudden emergency,"
and but a temporary proceeding, therefore not recorded. I his would seem to
be the case, for, during the next year, a similar act was passed creating two
counties out of the territory of the State, and named as above stated—Ben¬
nington and Cumberland, respectively. None of the acts of the Assembly for
1778 are to be found. At the same time upon which the counties were erected
it was voted by the Assembly that Colonel John Barrett, Thomas Rowley
Jacob Kent, Thomas Jewett and Elijah Alvord be a committee to appoint the
102
History of Bennington County.
several shire towns of the counties of the State. ' Accordingly four shire towns
were established—Bennington, Rutland, Newbury and Westminster. The line
between the shires of Bennington and Rutland was fixed at the north line of
Dorset and Tinniouth, while the line between the shires east of the mountains
was fixed as the "ancient county line." The "ancient county line " unques¬
tionably refers to the line between the counties of Cumberland and Glouces¬
ter, established by New York. The phrase, " north line of Dorset and Tin-
month," is believed to be an error, as these towns nowhere touch each other.
The same should have read, probably, the north line of Dorset and Rupert,
these being the only towns adjoining, east and west, on the west side of the
moil ntains.
Judges were appointed for the several shires as follows: For the Benning¬
ton shire, Jeremiah Clark, Samuel Robinson, Martin Powel, John Fasset, jr.,
Thomas Jewett; for the Rutland shire, Joseph Bowker, Hebar Allen, Charles
Brewster, John Starks, Jonathan Fassett; for the Newbury shire, Jacob Bailey,
Jacob Burton, William Heaton, Reuben Foster, John French; for the West¬
minster shire, John Shepardson, Stephen Tilden, Hubbel Wells, Hezekiah
Thompson, Nathaniel Robinson.
On the 26th of March the Assembly voted to empower the governor and
council to act as their judgment should dictate regarding Tory lands and prop¬
erty. In accordance with this the body thus empowered constituted them¬
selves arbiters in the premises and divided themselves into two courts, one for
each county, as follows : "Voted that his Excellency, the Governor, and coun¬
cil that live in the county of Bennington, be a court to confiscate the estate of
those persons that are enemies." This court was thus constituted: Governor
Thomas Chittenden, and Councillors Ira Allen, Timothy Brownson, Jeremiah
Clark, Jonas Fay, Moses Robinson, Joseph Bowker. The court on the east side
of the mountains comprised Lieutenant-Governor Joseph Marsh, and Council¬
lors Jacob Bayley, Thomas Murdoch, Peter Olcott, Benjamin Emmons, Paul
Spootier, and Benjamin Carpenter.
To the duty of ordering and directing the civil affairs of the State was im¬
posed upon its governmental authorities the additional burden of making the
necessary provisions for guarding the frontier against the depredations of the
enemy. So far as this immediate vicinity was concerned there was no regular war
in progress during the year 1778, as the defeat and surrender of Burgoyne had
substantially taken the British out of the neighborhood ; still the Province of
Canada, 011 the north, was held by the enemy, and small detachments of troops
and marauding parties of Indians were constantly annoying the frontier settle¬
ments, thus rendering necessary the maintenance of an armed force to guard
against and repel invasions and destruction of property.
On the 17th of March the Assembly considered the propriety of raising a
force for the military service, and voted to maintain two regiments, to be re-
Defenses on the Frontier.
cruited on the territory west of the mountains, one from the northern and the
other from the southern part of Bennington county. The north line of the
towns of Arlington and Sunderland was fixed upon as the division line for this
purpose. In April Colonel Warner's Continental Regiment, which had with
some difficulty been recruited, was ordered to Albany, thus leaving the fron¬
tier almost entirely at the mercy of the enemy. But as a means of at least
partial defense there was built at Rutland a strong stockade fort, covering a
considerable area, so that, should an attack be made, the place would afford a
safe refuge for all that might seek protection there. Notwithstanding this fact
the fort or its garrison could hardly be expected to furnish any protection to the
settlers living more than twenty-five miles to the north of it; and that it did
not was shown by the fact that during the month of November following a raid
was made in the region of Lake Champlain, as far south as Ticonderoga, by a
party of British and Indians, to oppose which there was no organized force. The
result of this invasion was the capture of a large number of men and women, and
even children, and the destruction of all the property within the reach of the
invaders. This raid covered the greater part of what is now Addison, Chitten¬
den and Franklin counties. This was the last disastrous attack upon the set¬
tlers of Vermont during the period of the Revolutionary War. Besides the
stockade at Rutland were other defensive forts on the northern frontier. At
New Haven was a block-house, and on Otter Creek was Fort William. In
the spring of 1778 Captain Thomas Sawyer and his company had a sharp fight
with the enemy, and although he was victorious a number of his men were
lost. He reported by express to the governor and council, and was directed
to retire his force to the block-house at New Haven.
Inasmuch as this narrative has now traced the events of the early history
of this region down to the time of the erection of the county of Bennington,
and inasmuch as the scope of this work does not contemplate the recital of
events that occurred beyond the limits of that county after its formation took
place, it would seem that subsequent pages and chapters should be devoted
solely to the events of the county proper. But to now separate Bennington
county from the surrounding districts or counties, would be impossible, unless
a sudden termination is made in the narrative of the events of the State, of
which this county now (1778) forms the major and by far the most important
and thickly populated part.
As the reader has already been informed, all that part of the State that lies
west of the main range of the Green Mountains was, at the date named, in¬
cluded by the county of Bennington, and so continued from the time the State
Legislature created the same until the month of February, 1781, when, by the
erection of Rutland county, west of the mountains, and others on the east, it
was reduced to its present environment.
But the reader, it is earnestly hoped, will pardon some further brief allu-
104
History of Bennington County.
sion to the general events of the State's territory subsequent to the formation
of this county ; and, by reason of the fact that a part of the State of New York
was, for a short time, annexed to this State, and adjoined Bennington county
on the west, and became a part of this county, it seems proper, if not impor¬
tant, that some reference be made to these things. Likewise, there was an¬
nexed to the State, on the east, a strip of land that came from New Hamp¬
shire ; but this, too, was only for a brief period of time.
No sooner had the several branches of the State government of Vermont
become organized for the transaction of businesss than they were waited on by
a committee representing a number of towns lying east of the Connecticut,
who asked that their territory be annexed to the State of Vermont. To meet
this committee a joint committee from the council and Assembly was chosen as
follows: From the council, Jonas Fay, Ira Allen and Peter Olcott; from the
Assembly, Colonel Barrett, John Fassett, Reuben Jones, and Captain Curtis.
After much consideration the whole matter of annexation of New Hampshire
towns was, on the 18th of March, referred to the people of the several towns of
Vermont to be decided by ballot. The election was held in June, and resulted
in favor of the union, thirty-seven towns voting in the affirmative, and twelve
in the negative. Thus, by the voice of the people sixteen townships of land
lying east of the Connecticut River were annexed to the State of Vermont, and
so became entitled to and had a representation in Vermont's house of Assembly.
But the authorities of the State of New Hampshire were by no means dis¬
posed to submit quietly to this reduction of their territory ; therefore the gov¬
ernor of that State, by the order of council and assembly, at once made an in¬
dignant protest against the action of Vermont in receiving the towns into union
with tlie latter State. This gave rise to considerable discussion which was
continued for some time, and has always been known in history as " The Con¬
troversy with Neiv HampshireThe contest was carried on for a consider¬
able time between the governments of the two States, but finally a feeling of
dissatisfaction was created in the Vermont Assembly that eventually led to the
withdrawal of deputy Governor Joseph Marsh and twenty-six other persons
representing various branches of the Vermont government. This and other
causes induced the authorities to retrace their steps. They again submitted
the matter to the determination of the people, who this time voted that the
union with a part of New Hampshire should be dissolved. Accordingly, on
the 12th of February, 1779, upon the report of a committee recommending
such action, the house passed a resolution declaring the union to be dissolved,
and made "totally void, null and extinct." The report of this proceeding was
conveyed to the authorities of New Hampshire by Ira Allen. Thus ended this
unfortunate controversy.
Although this matter — the controversy with New Hampshire — has been
given here an inconsiderable notice, a mere mention, it, nevertheless, placed
The Land Controversy Resumed.
Vermont in a very embarrassing-, if not alarming position, and between the
State of New Hampshire on the one side, and New York on the other, together
with the dissenting and almost revolutionary element of the people within her
own borders, the situation had become decidedly critical. The inhabitants of
Cumberland county had never yielded a hearty support to the measures of the
new State, but, situated as they were, in a locality remote from New York,
with whom they would rather affiliate, they were held in subjection by the
controlling masses of Vermont. But in r 779, while Vermont and New Hamp¬
shire were quarreling over the annexed territory, the people of Cumberland
county, or many of them at least, presented a petition to New York asking that
that State come to their relief and enforce the authority over Vermont to which
New York was entitled. This disaffected element even went so far as to or¬
ganize a military association to resist the Vermont authority. To suppress this
uprising Colonel Ethan Allen was ordered by the governor to raise a regiment
of militia and march them into the revolted county. Upon this Colonel Pat¬
terson, the head of the military organization of Cumberland county, addressed
the governor of New York, asking military aid from that quarter; but Gov¬
ernor Clinton, not feeling able to respond with substantial assistance, wrote the
people that they should not acknowledge the Vermont authority, neither should
they submit to it unless threatened with absolute ruin. Governor Clinton also
sought the intervention of the power of Congress, which body, on the first of
June, 1779, adopted a resolution appointing a committee to " repair to the in¬
habitants of a certain district, known by the name of New Hampshire Grants
(not recognizing any State government), and enquire into the reasons why they
refuse to continue citizens of the respective States, which, heretofore, exercised
jurisdiction over the said district; for that, as Congress are in duty bound, on
the one hand, to preserve inviolate the rights of the several States, so on the
other they will always be careful to provide that the justice due to the States
docs not interfere ivith the justice which may be due to individuals."
According to their instructions the committee proceeded to Bennington,
where they held several conferences with the friends of New York and Ver¬
mont, but failing to arrive at any amicable adjustment of the controversy they
returned to Philadelphia and reported their proceedings to Congress. The
main reason why no adjustment of the difficulty could be made was the fact
that but two of the Congressional committee attended the conference.
This matter was made the leading business of Congress, on Friday, the 24th
of September; and it was then resolved to determine the controversy, by Con¬
gress itself, on the 1st of February, 1780, at which time Congress will, says the
resolution of that body, "proceed to hear and examine into the disputes and
differences relative to jurisdiction aforesaid, between the said three States re¬
spectively, (Massachusetts had, in the meantime, interposed a claim to juris¬
diction over a part of Vermont, more, it is believed, to help the cause of the
14
io6
History of Bennington County.
latter, than otherwise), or such of them as shall pass the laws before mentioned,
(laws agreeing to refer the differences to Congress, to be passed by New York,
New Hampshire and Massachusetts), on the one part, and the people on the
district aforesaid, who claim to be a separate jurisdiction, on the other," etc.
But something seems to have occurred that induced Congress to modify
this resolution, for, on the 2d of October, a part of the same was rescinded, and
in its stead was adopted another, to the effect that "it is hereby recommended
to the States of New Hampshire, Massachusetts Bay, and New York, to au¬
thorize Congress to proceed to hear and determine all disputes subsisting be¬
tween the grantees of the several States aforesaid, with one another, or with
either of the said States, respecting title to lands, lying in the said district! to be
heard and determined by ' commissioners or judges,' to be appointed," etc.
The main feature of this substituted resolution, aside from the fact that the
investigation is to be heard before "commissioners or judges," is, that the State
of Vermont, the Nezv Hampshire Grants, or any residents, or any claim of any
residents, other than as grantees of the States named, is ivholly ignored. In
truth, by this resolution Congress absolutely repudiates the idea, apparently,
that there is any organization of any sort, worthy of recognition, in existence
on the disputed territory; but the resolution provides incidentally that the in¬
habitants of the New Hampshire Grants shall have notice of the intended pro¬
ceedings.
This state of things certainly did not present a very gratifying prospect to
the people most seriously to be affected by its ultimate determination; but they
do not seem to have been at all dismayed or even discouraged by the unfavor¬
able outlook. During the same month, a little later, however, the local legis¬
lature was assembled at Manchester, proceeding with their regular duties, pass¬
ing laws for the future government of the State, and disposing of the affairsin-
cident to the defense of the frontiers, as had previously been their custom. But
this matter, of course, received due attention, and earnest, serious considera¬
tion; and on the 22d of October a resolution was passed that there be chosen
by ballot, five persons to represent the State before the United States Con¬
gress, "on the first day of February next; and that they, or any of them, are
hereby, fully authorized and empowered, by the representatives of the freemen
aforesaid, to vindicate their right to independence, at that honorable board."
The agents thus chosen to represent the State were Ethan Allen, Jonas Fay,
Paul Spooner, Stephen R. Bradley, and Moses Robinson.
It would be impossible in continuing this narrative to recount in detail all
of the proceedings taken by the several interested bodies in an attempt to
arrive at a settlement of the controversy in question. The matter was brought
before Congress in March, 1780, but preceding that occasion there was pub¬
lished to the country the famous defense of the action of Vermont, prepared
by Stephen R. Bradley, and which has ever since been known in history as
Enlargement ok Territory.
" Vermont's appeal to the candid and impartial world." Should the reader
desire to peruse this remarkable address, at its full length, the same will be
found in volume II. appendix D, of the work entitled "Governor and Council,"
published in 1876, by the authority of the State.
The subject of the controversy was not called up in Congress on the day
set for that duty, and was not moved until the 21st of March, 1780, at which
time action was postponed. Its consideration was resumed 011 the 2d of June,
and also 011 the 9th, but was, on the latter day, again postponed until the sec¬
ond Tuesday of September, at which time Congress promised a final determi¬
nation of the whole matter; but, notwithstanding that, the subject was before
them on several succeeding days, and finally, on the 27th of September, Con¬
gress resolved, "That the farther consideration of the subject be postponed."
Says a contemporaneous writer: "The agents of Vermont were indignant at
this course of proceeding. They perceived that, in attempting to decide upon
the controversy between New York and New Hampshire, Congress was adjudi¬
cating upon the very existence of Vermont, without waiting for her consent, or
condescending to consider her as a party; thus in effect, assuming the ground
that she did not, in any sense, possess the attributes of sovereignty. They
therefore withdrew their attendance," etc.
But notwithstanding all the troubles and burdens that perplexed the peo¬
ple of the unfortunate State of Vermont, they were not wholly friendless; and
not only this, but there were towns then outside the State that were anxious to
be annexed to the territory of the State. On the 10th of February, 1781, an
application was made to the Legislature of Vermont, then in session at Wind¬
sor, from delegates representing forty-three townships of New Hampshire,
asking that the jurisdiction of the State of Vermont be extended over their
territory, and that they thus be received into that State. After the matter of
this petition had been fully investigated and considered, the Vermont Assem¬
bly did, on the 14th of February, 1781, extend her jurisdictional claim over the
territory seeking her protection, but it was not until the 5th of April following
that the union was perfected. On the next day, the 6th, thirty-five represent¬
atives of towns east of the Connecticut River took their seats in the General
Assembly of Vermont.
At about the same time the application was made by the New Hampshire
towns, there came a similar petition from towns in New York State, and this
matter next occupied the attention of the local legislature. To investigate the
premises, and ascertain whether satisfactory articles of union could be agreed
upon, the sub-committee of the whole put upon its passage a measure provid¬
ing for a committee to attend at Cambridge for the purpose specified, which
measure was adopted by a vote of forty-eight yeas, there being thirty-nine
nays. I he Legislature then adjourned to meet at Pennington on the second
Wednesday of June, 1781.
io8
History of Bennington County.
In June the Assembly, together with the governor and council, met at Ben¬
nington as provided, and proceeded to transact the business at hand. The
articles of union were exhibited, agreed to by the interested parties bearing the
signatures of John Rogers, chairman of the Cambridge convention, and Mose
Robinson, chairman of the committee of the Vermont Legislature. After some
debate upon the question it was put to a vote in the Assembly and carried,
fifty-three yeas, twenty-four nays.
By this union a number of towns were annexed to the western territory of
Vermont, and being so annexed were entitled to a representation in the Leg¬
islature. These towns, together with the several representatives from each,
were as follows:
Scorticook, Thomas Benedict and Benjamin Hicks; Hoosack, John Abbott,
and John Johnson; Greenfield, Gideon Warren; Little Hoosack, David Ran¬
dall and Dr. Abraham Burdick; Black Creek, John Shepherd; South Gran¬
ville, Joseph Craw; Granville, Asaph Cook; Skecnesborough, Aaron Fuller;
Saratoga, Thomas Smith and John Rogers; Cambridge, Phineas Whiteside and
Joseph Caldwell.
At this same session the Assembly passed a law whereby it was enacted
" that the townships of Little Hoosack, Hoosack, Cambridge, Scorticoke, and
Saratoga—east, be and are hereby annexed to the county of Bennington; and
all that remaining part of the aforesaid townships, be and are hereby annexed
to the county of Rutland. The same act also incorporated each as a separate
township.
Having now devoted considerable space to the events of the history of the
State that related more particularly to her affairs connected with the outside
world, and to her various endeavors to have her State independence recog¬
nized and established, we may properly return and review the events of the
internal policy of the State, and observe what steps are being taken to perfect
and advance her domestic organization. This subject has, perhaps, more to
do with the actual history of the county than that to which the foregoing pages
have been devoted, but at the same time may be found less interesting to the
reader.
On the 4th of June, 1778, the Assembly met in session at Bennington.
About the first business transacted after the organization was the measure de¬
fining the powers of the special courts theretofore created, by which the special
courts " are not deemed county courts," within the meaning of the act passed
at the March session.
On the 6th of June the Assembly was called upon to consider the petition
of David Redding. This will recall to some of the descendants of pioneers the
famous Redding case, the facts of which, as gleaned from " Slade's State Papers,"
were about as follows: Redding, according to the story, had been convicted
of " enemical conduct," and sentenced to be executed on the 4th of June. The
First Public Execution.
curiosity which has ever been manifested oil such occasions was, on this,
greatly heightened by the fact that a public execution had never been wit¬
nessed in Vermont. To this curiosity was added the strong feeling of indigna¬
tion which such a crime was calculated to excite at that period. Under the
influence of these feelings a vast multitude collected to witness the execution.
In the meantime, however, the council learned of an important defect in the
proceedings. Redding had been tried by a jury of six only, which was dis¬
covered to be contrary to the common law of England, that accorded every
accused felon a trial by a jury of twelve of his peers. Accordingly the matter
was presented to the governor and council, and the condemned was granted
a reprieve, on the very day upon which he was to be hanged, until the iith
of June, that a new trial according to law might be had.
With such a multitude, and on such an occasion, it was vain to reason, or
talk of the rights of Englishmen. They had all pronounced the culprit guilty,
and were not in a condition to understand upon what principle the verdict of
the whole community could be set aside with so little ceremony. While they
were agitated with mingled emotions of disappointment and indignation, Ethan
Allen suddenly pressed through the crowd, mounted a stump, and waiving his
hat exclaimed, "Attention the whole! " thus drawing them around him. He
then proceeded to announce the reasons for the reprieve, advised the multi¬
tude to depart peaceably to their homes, and return on the day fixed for the
execution, in the act of the governor and council, adding, with an oath, " you
shall see somebody hung, at all events, for if Redding is not then hung I will
be hung myself." The crowd then dispersed. Redding was again tried on
the 9th of June, and executed two days later.
On the 17th of June the Assembly voted to appoint judges for the special
court for the several shires of the counties For Bennington shire were, Sam¬
uel Robinson, Martin Powel, John Fassett, Thomas Jewett and Gideon Olin ;
for Rutland shire, Thomas Rowley, Hebar Allen, John Starks, Jonathan Fas-
sett and Theodus Curtiss. On the 19th it was voted that Benjamin Fassett
be clerk for the district of Bennington, and Moses Robinson for the district of
Manchester. This day the Assembly adjourned subject to the call of the
governor.
The Assembly was called together at Windsor 011 the 8th of October, fol¬
lowing the election held in that month. A canvass of the votes showed the
choice of the following persons to conduct the affairs of the State for the en¬
suing year: Governor, Thomas Chittenden; lieutenant governor, Joseph
Marsh; councilors, Joseph Bowker, Jacob Bayley, Peter Olcutt, Paul Spooner,
Timothy Brounson Jonas Fay, Benjamin Carpenter, Moses Robinson, Jere¬
miah Clark, Ira Allen, Thomas Moredock, Elisha Payne; treasurer, Ira Allen.
Representatives in Assembly were also chosen from sixty towns of the State.
Those from the towns that form a part of the present county of Bennington
110
History of Bennington County.
were: Pownal, Joseph Williams, Eli Noble; Bennington, John Fassett, Ebe-
nezer Walbridge ; Shaftsbury, Gideon Olin, John Millington ; Arlington, John
Fassett, jr., Ethan Allen; Sandgate, Reuben Thomas; Sunderland, Joseph
Bradley; Manchester, Gideon Ormsby, Martin Povvel; Dorset, Abraham Un-
derhill; Rupert, Moses Robinson.
On the afternoon of the 9th it was voted and resolved " that Thursday, the
26th of November next, be observed as a day of public and solemn Thansgiv-
ing to Almighty God for his manifold mercies."
A Superior Court for the State was established by the Assembly on the
23d of October, for which court Moses Robinson was appointed chief judge,
John Shepardson second, John Fassett, jr., third, Thomas Chandler fourth,
and John Throop fifth judge. And it was also provided that this court sit four
times each year—once at Bennington, in the meeting house, on the second
Thursday in December; at the court-house in Westminster on the second
Tuesday in March; at the house of Colonel James Mead in Rutland (no date
fixed); and at Newbury on the second Thursday of September. The Assembly
also provided that this court, " at one sitting," do not sit longer than one week.
During this same year, 1778, the governor and council were almost con¬
stantly in session, providing such measures and means as were necessary to
carry on the military operations of the State. Their sessions were held in
various places in the State, but three times were they convened at Arlington.
At this place, on the 28th of May, they organized the Second and Fifth regi¬
ments of militia by the selection of officers, both regimental and company.
For the Second Regiment the officers were as follows: Colonel, Samuel Her-
rick ; lieutenant-colonel, Ebenezer Walbridge ; major, Gideon Olin ; adjutant,
Joseph Fay; quartermaster, John Burnham.
First company in Bennington—Captain, Samuel Robinson; first lieuten¬
ant, Gideon Spencer; second lieutenant, ; ensign, Joseph Hinesdel.
Second company in Bennington—Captain, William Hutchins; first lieu¬
tenant, N. Fillmore ; second lieutenant, Joseph Ruder ; ensign, Lib Armstrong.
First company in Shaftsbury—Captain, Abiather Waldo ; ensign, John
Sunderland.
Second company in Shaftsbury—Captain, Jonas Galusha ; lieutenant, Gid¬
eon Lyon; ensign, Nathan Stone.
Arlington company—Captain, Ebenezer Wallace; lieutenant, Thomas
Butterfield ; ensign, James Hawley.
Sunderland company—Captain, Daniel Comstock; lieutenant, Eli Broun-
son.
Pownal also had two companies in this regiment, but the names of officers
are not given.
Names of officers for the Fifth Regiment—Colonel, Gideon Warren ; lieu¬
tenant-colonel, James Claghorn ; major, Nathan Smith; adjutant, Jonathan
Saxton ; quartermaster, George Foot.
Regimental and Company Officers.
Manchester company—Captain, Gideon Ormsby; lieutenant, Solomon
Soper; ensign, William Saxton.
Rupert company—Captain, Tappan Noble; lieutenant, Enoch Eastman;
ensign, Moses Robinson.
Dorset company—Captain, Abraham Underbill; lieutenant, Richard Dun¬
ning ; ensign, Ephraim Reynolds.
Other companies of the Fifth were also provided, but as they were from
beyond the present Bennington county their officers names arc not deemed
important here. This regiment also had a company from Sandgate, in this
county, but 110 officers names are given for it. It is safe to state, in connec¬
tion with the foregoing roster of officers, that not all of them served with the
respective companies to which they were appointed.
The following is a list of the justices of the peace chosen and authorized
by the governor and council, pursuant to an act of the Assembly, passed at
Bennington, June 17, 1778. Only the names of those who were appointed
from Bennington county, within its present bounds, are given: Pownal, Cap¬
tain Eli Noble; Bennington, Captain Samuel Robinson; Arlington, Captain
John Fassett, jr. ; Sunderland, Colonel Timothy Brounson ; Manchester, Mar¬
tin Powel; Dorset, Captain Abraham Underbill; Rupert, Reuben Harmon.
Judges of probate for the several districts of the State: Bennington dis¬
trict, Captain John Fassett; Manchester district, Martin Povvel; Rutland dis¬
tricts, Joseph Bowker; Newbury district, Jacob Bayley; Hartford district,
Paul Spooner; district, John Shepardson.
CHAPTER XII.
Boundaries of Bennington County in 1778-79—Superior Court Established—Laws Passed
by the Assembly—Tories of the several Towns—Board of War Created—Military Districts—
Providing for a Draft—Legislative Sessions—Proceedings of the Council of Safety and Board
ol War—State Officers Elected in 1779—Judges of the Superior Court—Officers for 1780 —
Board ot War for this Year—Frontier Towns Designated—Expenses of the Stale Government
' —The Value of Continental Currency—Provision Tax Laid on the Towns -The Issue ot Bills ot
Credit Authorized—Revenues of the State Raised by Sale of Confiscated Lands—Sale of Un-
granted Lands—The Haldimand Correspondence Opened—Exchange of Prisoners with the
British—Vermont's Negotiations with the Enemy- Effect of the Same—Close of the Revolution
- Vermont again Seeks Admission to the Union—Outline of that Proceeding—Vermont Ad¬
mitted into the Union in 1791.
TIIE chapter immediately preceding this made mention of the fact that by
an act of the Assembly, the territory of the State was, in 1778, divided into
two counties—Bennington on the west, and Cumberland on the east of the
Green Mountains. And it is further stated in the same connection that the
112
History of Bennington County.
laws of 1778 were believed to be but temporary in their nature, and for that
reason were not recorded, leaving to the Legislature of 1779 the duty of mak¬
ing permanent enactments for the future guidance of the people of the State.
The Legislature this year held their first session at Bennington, commenc¬
ing on the 11 th day of February. While here a number of permanent laws were
enacted, and among them was one defining the boundaries of the county of
Bennington, which boundaries, from the fact of their not having been particu¬
larly described by the law of the previous year, and from the fact that the reader
may desire to know the full extent of the county, at that time, will be shown by
the following extract taken from the act itself: " That the tract of land in the
hereafter described limits, as well the lands that are, as those that are not ap¬
propriated, shall be and remain one entire county, and known by the name of
the county of Bennington, viz.: Beginning at the southwest corner of the town
of Pownal, thence northerly in the west lines of the towns of Pownal, Benning¬
ton, Shaftsbury, Arlington, Sandgate, Rupert, Pawlet, and Wells, to the south¬
west corner of Poultney; thence northerly on the west line of said Poultney, to
the center of a small river, commonly called and known by the name of Poult¬
ney River; thence down the center of said river, into the head of East Bay;
thence down said bay, through the center of the deepest channel of the same,
into South Bay; thence down said bay, through the center of the deepest chan¬
nel of the same, into Lake Champlain; thence down said lake, through the cen¬
ter of the deepest channel of the same, to the south line of the Province of Que¬
bec, being the west line of this State; thence east in the south line of the Prov¬
ince of Quebec, fifty miles, being the north line of this State ; thence southerly
to the northeast corner of Worcester; thence southerly on the easterly lines of
the towns of Worcester, Middlesex, and Berlin, to the southeast corner thereof;
thence 011 a straight line to the northwest corner of Tunbridge; thence on the
westerly line of Tunbridge to the southwest corner thereof; thence in a
straight line to the northwesterly corner of Bradford; thence in the westerly
line of Bradford and Bridgewater to the southeasterly corner thereof; thence
southerly, in a straight line, to the northeast corner of Shrewsbury; thence on
the easterly line of Shrewsbury to the southeasterly corner thereof; thence
west to the northeast corner of Wallingford; thence southerly on the easterly
lines of Wallingford, Harwich, Bromley, (Peru) Winhall, and Stratton, to the
southeasterly corner of the latter; thence southerly on the westerly line of
Somerset, to the southwest corner thereof; thence southerly to the northwest
corner of Draper; thence southerly in the west lines of Draper and Cumber¬
land, to the north line of the Massachusetts Bay; (meaning the State) thence
westerly on the line of the Massachusetts Bay, to the southwest corner of Pow¬
nal aforesaid, being the south line of this State." By the same act the remain¬
ing lands of the State were erected into Cumberland county.
The territory of Bennington county was. subsequently extended by the
Legislative Enactments.
113
union formed with the towns that formerly belonged to New York State; but
that union was, at a later day, dissolved, atid Bennington county's west line was
as described in the act.
Another law, passed by the Assembly during the same month, created a Su¬
perior Court, consisting- of five judges; and providing, further, that the sessions
shall be held as follows: For Bennington count)', at Bennington, on the sec¬
ond Thursday of December; for Bennington county, at Rutland, on the sec¬
ond Thursday of June; for Cumberland county, at Westminister, on the second
Thursday of March; and for Cumberland county, at Newbury, on the second
Thursday of September.
Another law was also enacted "for regulating the election of governor, dep¬
uty governor, council and treasurer;" providing that the same shall be chosen
on the first Tuesday of September annually; also representatives to attend the
General Assembly. But the act specified that the representatives should be
chosen first, and the other State officers afterward.
Perhaps the most important law passed at the Bennington session during
this year, was that entitled "An act to prevent the return to this State, of cer¬
tain persons therein named, and others who have left this State or either of the
United States, and joined the enemies thereof." The title of this act is suffi¬
cient to inform the reader of its purpose without reciting its provisions in full.
To all who were arrested and convicted under it a penalty was attached—"from
twenty to fort)' stripes on the naked back, and banishment from the State."
And "if any (such) person shall continue in this State one month, or shall pre¬
sume to come again into this State, after such conviction, without liberty first
obtained therefor, from the Governor, Council and General Assembly, and he
be convicted thereof\ before the Superior Court of the State, he shall be put to
death." This law was repealed November 8, 1780.
We have thus far, as have other historians, avoided presenting to the reader
the names of those persons who were charged with being "enemical persons,"
or Tories, for the reason heretofore stated in that connection; and we may here
add a quotation from "Slade's State Papers" upon the subject, which says: "It
has appeared to the editor obviously improper to gratify the public curiosity,
at the expense of the feelings of individuals." But there can be no possible
unpleasant feelings engendered by furnishing the number of persons from each
town, who were named in the act; and for this information we are indebted to
the compiler quoted from above. In all there were one hundred and eight, dis¬
tributed among the towns as follows : Pownal, 12; Bennington, I; Shaftsbury,
3; Arlingtdn, 14; Manchester, 8; Dorset, 2; Rupert, 3; Pawlet, 5; Wells, 7;
Danby, 2; Wallingford, 1; Clarendon, 16; Rutland, 3; Castleton, 6; Pittsford,
1; Cornwall, 1; Bridport, 4; Panton, 1; New Haven, 2 ; Ferrisburg, 1 ; Shel-
burn, 2 ; Newfane, 3 ; Brattleboro, 4 ; Westminster, 1 ; Rockingham, 1; Ches¬
ter, 1; Kent, (now Londonderry) 1; Hertford (now Hartland) 2,
15
ii4
History of Bennington County.
The last act adopted by the Legislature while in session at Bennington de¬
clared that " each and every act of this State that have been passed into laws
by the General Assembly, at their session holden at Bennington, February,
1779, to be declared to be temporary acts or laws, and to remain in full force
until the rising of the General Assembly in October next."
But another important feature of the proceedings of the Assembly at their
February session, was the adoption of a resolution that constituted the gover¬
nor and council a board of war. In this same connection an act was passed
"for forming and regulating the militia, and for encouragement of military
skill, for the better defense of this State." By this act the governor was de¬
clared to be the captain-general and commander-in-chief, while the deputy
governor was likewise made the major-general of and over all the military
forces of the State.
For the purposes specified in the title of the act, the territory of the State
was divided into military districts, five in number, the second and fifth of which
embraced the State west of the mountains, while the others were on the east-
side. The preceding chapter contains the names of the officers of the Second
and Fifth Regiments, except such of them as lived north of the present north
line of Bennington county. The north line of Arlington continued easterly to
the county line, was the division between the regimental districts.
It is more than probable that an act similar to this was passed by the As¬
sembly of 1778, but from the fact that the laws of that year are not on record,
they being considered "temporary" law, it does not anywhere appear; there¬
fore the re-enactment of the present year was intended to continue the former
in force.
On the 24th of February, two days before the Assembly adjourned, that
body resolved to raise $15,000 by a lottery as a fund for the military defense;
and on the 26th the governor was requested to write General Washington, ap¬
prising him of the intention of the State to provide for the defense of the fron¬
tiers. He was also directed to issue a proclamation, directing all persons to
observe the laws, which was accordingly done.
The present business of the Assembly being completed on the 26th of Feb¬
ruary, an adjournment was agreed to, but to meet again on the first Wednes¬
day in June, at Windsor. The governor and council, however, continued in
session at Bennington until the 10th of March, when they adjourned to Arling¬
ton, and there transacted business as the board of war.
The board took immediate steps to defend the northern frontier, and de¬
clared the line to which defense would extend to be the north line of Castle-
ton, the west and north lines of Pittsford to the foot of the Green Mountains;
and they recommended the inhabitants living north of these lines to move with
their families to the south of them. Measures were also taken for the defense,
but volunteer recruits, notwithstanding the exertions of the officers, do not
Special Sessions.
seem to have been promptly forthcoming ; therefore on the 2d of April, a let¬
ter was sent to Colonel Gideon Warren, directing him to forthwith furnish by
draught, (draft) one captain, one second lieutenant, and "fifty able-bodied,
effective men," and to have each of them armed and equipped for the defense of
the northern frontier. Similar orders were also sent to Colonels Fletcher, Her-
rick and Marsh.
A special session of the governor and council was convened at Arlington,
011 the 29th of April of this year, at which time was considered the action of
this body, also of the Assembly, taken at the February session and relating to
the banishment of Tories and persons guilty of enemical conduct; and it was
here ordered, in specified cases, that punishment be suspended until a decree
of the council be obtained.
Of course much other important business relating to the public welfare and
defense was transacted, the events of which kept the board together at Arling¬
ton until the 14th of May, at which time an adjournment was had, to meet
with the Assembly at Windsor, at the session appointed to be held there in June.
The session at Windsor was quite brief, and there was no specially import¬
ant business transacted, except, perhaps, the fact that, upon the advice of the
of the council, the governor issued a proclamation of pardon to all of the politi¬
cal offenders under the previous act of Assembly; being persuaded to extend
this pardon by the fact as stated in the proclamation, as follows: "And whereas
the supreme authority of this State are ever willing to alleviate the miseries of
those unhappy subjects who transgress laws through mistaken notions, in re¬
mitting the penalties thereof. And inasmuch as equal punishments (in this
case) cannot be distributed without punishing the righteous with the wicked, I
have therefore thought fit," etc.
The Assembly adjourned without day on the 4th of June, but the council
continued in session until the 12th, sitting a portion of the time as board of
war. But the council was soon called together again, for on the 29th of July
they met in special session at Arlington, to take cognizance of certain matters
that related to the State's defense on the frontier, which was constantly in a
state of disquiet from the enemy's invasions. The council remained at Arling¬
ton until the fore part of August, and then adjourned.
Next comes the new legislature for the fiscal or current year, 1779-80.
The various branches were assembled at Manchester, on the 14th of October,
and upon a canvass of the returns the following State officers were found to be
elected: Thomas Chittenden, governor; Benjamin Carpenter, lieutenant-gov¬
ernor; Joseph Bowker, of Rutland, Moses Robinson, of Bennington, Jonas Fay,
of Bennington, Timothy Brownson, of Sunderland, Paul Spooner, of Hartland,
Jeremiah Clark, of Shaftsbury, Benjamin Emmons, of Woodstock, Ira Allen, of
Colchester, John Fassett, jr., of Arlington, John Throop, of Pomfret, Samuel
Fletcher, of Townsend, and Thomas Chandler, jr., of Chester, councillors; sec-
History of Bennington County.
retary, Joseph Fay. The session at Manchester, on part of the Assembly, at
least, was of brief duration, and but few laws were enacted; but still that body
was enabled to adopt a series of resolutions and other measures, part of which
were advisory in their nature, that brought about substantial results looking to
the public welfare. Early during the session it was "resolved that there be a
board of war chosen, to consist of nine persons, five of whom to be a quorum,
to conduct the political affairs of the present war in the northern department of
this State the ensuing year."
It was certainly suggestive of something unusual in the political history of
the State at that time, that a board of war should be chosen to conduct its po¬
litical affairs in the northern department. It would have been entirely proper
that the board of war be formed to look to the military operations in that quar¬
ter. But the reader will understand that this resolution was passed at a time
when every effort at independence made by Vermont was opposed by adjoin¬
ing States, and Congress also had thus far neglected or avoided any decisive
action relating to the question, and had even gone so far as to dismiss the sub¬
ject of Vermont's petition. But before that final dismissal there was published
to the world "Vermont's Appeal," to which allusion is made in the preceding
chapter. A reference to that proceeding and the address made at the time,
will serve to enlighten the reader concerning the precise meaning, or better,
perhaps, the true inwardness of the resolution quoted above. In one instance
the learned writer, in remarking upon the attitude and proceedings on the part
of New York, says : " When they think their State from many circumstances,
is become the great key ©f the continent and to affront them must be very det¬
rimental to the confederacy; but let Nczv York remember, that we have a north¬
ern as well as they a southern key, and are determined to maintain and sup¬
port our independence and freedom, or take refuge in that blessed State; where
the small arc great, and the servant is free from his master."
Another prominent writer concerning this same resolution says: "It may
be surmised that even the originator of the resolution contemplated the policy
which was adopted a year later, and successfully carried out in the Haldimand
correspondence. This phraseology is found in the writings of both Ethan and
Ira Allen, who were conspicuous in the subsequent correspondence." The Hal¬
dimand correspondence, as will be found in succeeding pages, embraced the ne¬
gotiations between the representatives of Vermont, on the one hand, and the
British authorities in Canada, on the other. By a possible union the British
emissaries believed they could acquire much strength and assistance in carry¬
ing forward the war against America; and believed, also, that on account of
the controversy existing between New York, New Hampshire, and Massachu¬
setts, all being apparently opposing the single State of Vermont, though not
unitedly, that the inducements England could hold forth to the distressed Ver-
monters would bring her readily under the British standard. But Vermont en-
Tiie Board of War
117
tered into these negotiations with the view only of keeping the enemy off her
territory during the period of her distress, and the more quickly to induce Con¬
gress to recognize her independence as a State of the Union. With those who
labored most earnestly to this end, and, in fact, with all faithful residents, the
end justified the means of its accomplishment. Therefore, at the time the res¬
olution above quoted was passed, it seems that this plan had been considered
by those high in authority, and in the secret councils of the leaders, and that
this was the first move in that direction.
The resolution that provided for the appointment by the board of war was
duly passed, and in accordance with it the names of eighteen persons were pre¬
sented, from whom the board was chosen as follows: His Excellency Thomas
Chittenden, Ira Allen, Joseph Bowker, Ebenezer Allen, Joseph Bradley, Sam¬
uel Fletcher, Benjamin Wait, Jonathan Fassett, and Timothy Brounson. How¬
ever, on his own request, Governor Chittenden was excused from serving on
the board, and Samuel Robinson was chosen in his place. Thus was consti¬
tuted the board of war for the year next ensuing.
On the 27th of October the members of the new created board met at Man¬
chester, and organized by the election of officers. Timothy Brounson was cho¬
sen president, and Ira Allen secretary.
Another somewhat important proceeding of the Assembly was the election,
by ballot, of the judges of the Supreme (Superior) Court for the next year. This
was done on the 21st of October. The judges elected were Moses Robinson,
John Shepherdson, John Fassett, jr , John Throop and Paul Spooner.
The power of military authority having been delegated to the board of war,
the governor and council thenceforth devoted their attention to the civil prog¬
ress of the State. They held an adjourned session at Bennington, commenc¬
ing November 8th, and continuing five days, after which an adjournment was
agreed to, to meet at Arlington on the 2 1 st of December; but important events
occurred that necessitated an earlier meeting, and the body therefore convened
at Arlington on the 8th of December. It was here resolved "that the manu¬
script entitled 'Vermont's Appeal to the Candid and Impartial World,' con¬
taining a fair stating, etc., exhibited by Stephen R. Bradley, be published and
promulgated to the States of America."
The session at Arlington, commenced 011 December 21st, continued but one
day, and the business then transacted was of no particular importance.
The year 1780 does not appear to have been marked by any distinguishing
features that are worthy of special mention in these pages, other than the events
relating to the controversy in which Congress should have acted, which have
already been sufficiently referred to in earlier chapters. The various branches
of the State government were duly attended to, the civil affairs by the gover¬
nor and council and the Assembly ; the adminstration of the law by the judi¬
ciary of the State, and the military affairs by the board of war. Of these bod-
118
History of Bennington County.
ies the governor and council and the board of war were the most pressed with
business, the former holding meetings at Manchester, January 26; at Arling¬
ton, February, 29; at Westminster, March 9; at Arlington, June 7, July 4, and
July 13 ; at Bennington July 24, August 18, and October 12, upon which lat¬
ter occasion the new State officers entered upon the duties of their offices.
At the same time the board of war was in almost constant session, hold¬
ing meetings, prior to the general election, at the following places. At Ar¬
lington in February, April, July, August and perhaps elsewhere, and other
times.
During this period the General Assembly met but,once, at Westminster, in
March. After the State election in October, 1780, the Legislature assembled at
Bennington, where the returns were received, and the following officers declared
to be elected for the succeeding year: For governor, Thomas Chittenden; lieu¬
tenant-governor, Benjamin Carpenter; councillors, Joseph Bowlcer, Moses RoS-
inson, Jonas Fay, Timothy Brownson, Paul Spooner, Jeremiah Clark, Benjamin
Emmons, Ira Allen, John Fassett, jr., John Throop, Samuel Fletcher and
Thomas Chandler, jr. Joseph Fay was chosen secretary, and after February
8, 1781, Thomas Tolman as deputy secretary.
On the 17th the board of war for the ensuing was appointed, viz.: Timothy
Brownson, Ira Allen, Samuel Robinson, Joseph Bowker, Stephen Pearl, John
Fassett, jr., Benjamin Wait, Samuel Fletcher and Thomas Murdock. To this
body was entrusted the duty of maintaining the frontier defenses for the year.
The frontier towns, in which it was necessary to station a guard of militia, were
designated by an act of the Assembly passed for the purpose, and were these:
Arlington, Sandgate, Rupert, Pawlett, Wells, Poultney, Castleton, Rutland,
Pittsford, Clarendon, Tinmouth, Wallingford, Danby, Shrewsbury, Newfane,
Townsend, Londonderry, Bromley, Andover, Cavendish, Pomfret, Woodstock,
Bernard, Royalton, Bethel, Newburg, Barnet, Ryegate, Maidston, Guildhall,
Lunenburg, Stratford, Manchester, Reading, Wethersfield, Athens, and Hert-
ferd.
This law was passed not so much for the establishment of an armed force
in each town to guard against the incursions of the common enemy, for, while
this may have been its purpose in some instances, the greater cause of its adop¬
tion was for the purpose of exercising a restraining influence over a class of
people whose acts, if not watched, might be injurious to the cause of Vermont.
The purpose of this military organization is aptly explained in the preamble of
the act: " Whereas, it is found that sundry persons, living in the frontier towns
of this State, who do not feel themselves in any danger from the common
enemy, and refuse their personal assistance in the defense of such frontier set¬
tlements ; and we have reason to fear, hold a secret and traitorous correspond¬
ence with, and as occasion offers, harbor and conceal the enemies of this and
the United States." At this period the welfare and prosperity and safety of the
Increase of Taxes.
i 19
State were more in danger from the secret foes within, than from the avowed
enemies without her territory ; therefore it became necessary to adopt heroic
or radical measures to enforce obedience to the law.
Although the authorities of the State had always done everything in their
power to lessen and keep down the burden of taxes upon the people, yet, do
what they might, the rate was gradually increasing with each succeeding year.
In March, 1778, when the State government was first organized, Ira Allen said:
" It was thought good policy not to lay any taxes on the people, but to raise a
sufficient revenue out of the property confiscated, and the ungranted lands.
Hence it was found that those who joined the British were benefactors of the
State, as they left their property to support a government they were striving to
destroy. While the States iti New England were severely taxed to carry 011
the war, Vermont had no taxes to pay. This circumstance greatly promoted
immigration into Vermont, and those who came with that view were staunch
friends to the new government, and added to its strength and consequence both
at home and abroad." And it was the knowledge of the fact that the inhab¬
itants of Vermont were not burdened with a Federal government tax that, in a
measure at least, it is believed, induced the Connecticut and New York towns
to seek an alliance or union with Vermont, and by so doing to relieve them¬
selves of the burden created by the war.
During the period of which we remark the expenses of the State govern¬
ment were by no means small in the matter of salary or compensation paid offi¬
cials. From the Assembly journal of October 22, 1779, it is seen that the com¬
mittee to propose a certain salary for the governor reported: ''It is our opin¬
ion that the governor ought to be paid seven hundred pounds in addition to the
three hundred pounds granted to him by the Assembly in October last for the
year past," etc. And on the 25th thereafter, the Assembly resolved, "that the
councillors and representatives be allowed fifteen dollars per day while in ser¬
vice, and one dollar per mile in coming from their respective places of abode to
this place." (Manchester.) Added to this was the expenses of the board of war,
for salary and travel fees, which, bv the "debenture" for August 21, i7<so, was
as follows: Colonel Timothy Brownson, one day's attendance, twelve pounds,
and four miles travel, three pounds, four shillings ; Joseph Bradley, one day's
attendance, twelve pounds, and four miles travel, three pounds, four shillings;
Benjamin Wait, two day's attendance, twenty-four pounds, and seventy-six
miles travel, sixty pounds, sixteen shillings, and so on—p lying their services at
the rate of twelve pounds per day, with traveling fees added. By an act of the
Assembly, passed in 1779, the judges of the Superior Court were to be paid
twelve dollars per day, with the mileage of assemblymen, (one dollar per mile).
And another act provided that jurymen, for attending at the Superior Court,
should have one pound, ten shillings for each case; and jurymen at Justices'
Courts, one pound for each cause tried. County surveyor's fees were fixed at
six pounds ten shillings per day.
120
History of Bennington County.
It would seem by the foregoing statements that the fees and salaries paid to
officials were something enormous; and so they were, so far as the payment was
concerned, but the reader must understand that at that period, Continental
currency (bills of credit) had but little value or purchasing power; therefore ten
pound notes were not of the value of ten pounds in standard coin, or other
equivalent. At that time Spanish milled dollars were standard, worth one hun¬
dred cents each ; but we fix the Continental currency worth about as fol¬
lows, taking one hundred Spanish dollars, and with them purchasing or ex¬
changing for Continental currency, on the 1st of September, 1778, they would
equal $295 ; September 1, 1779, $1,300; September 1, 1780, $7,200.
Of course, as is already understood, the greater portion of the revenue raised
for the maintenance of the several branches of State government—the legisla¬
tive judiciary and the military—were derived from the seizure and sale of con¬
fiscated property, and the grants of unsettled lands; and this practice was con¬
tinued on a larger scale as more funds were required. Congress, by the reso¬
lutions of September and October, 1779, had forbidden this being done, as such
acts, says the resolution, " are highly unwarrantable and subversive of the peace
and welfare of the United States." But the authorities of Vermont could not
do otherwise than to continue to confiscate and make grants, unless they wholly
renounced their claim to independence and accepted the authority of New
York, thus becoming subjects of that State, and liable to its proportion of op¬
pressive burdens, which they had no thought of doing.
The Legislature at its session in Bennington, in October, 1780, determined
to reorganize its military forces, and place the same upon a substantial war foot¬
ing, For this purpose the board ot war was authorized to call out the militia
for nine months' service, and this term was afterward increased to eleven
months. To maintain the same in the field on the frontier the Assembly laid
a provision tax on the several towns for the purpose of supplying the army with
this necessary article. Ten towns in what is now, and was in 1780, Benning¬
ton county were subject to this tax, they, with the contribution expected from
each, being as follows:
Towns.
i'ownal
Bennington
Stamford
Shaftsbury
Arlington
Sandgate
Sunderland
Manchester
Rupert
Dorset
Pounds of
Pounds of
Pounds of
Bushels of
Bushels of
Flour.
Beef.
Salt Pork.
Corn.
Rye.
IO'543a
3-5'4
1.757
294
147
16,025
5.34i^
2,670]
413
206A
750
250
125
24
12
12,559
4.186&
2,093]
354
177
5o56
1.7S5
892^
150
75
5H
180
90
18
9
1,7071
902^
45i]
78
39
6,867
2.2S9
I.'44 h
188
94
3,256
1,089
544b
90
45
3,000
i, 000
500
84
42
State Finances.
Many other, in fact all the organized townships of the State were called
upon to contribute to the gross amount of supplies needed for this campaign,
but as they form no part of Bennington county, as it is to-day, they arc omit
ted from this table, as a report of them would not be of interest to the local
readers. By this measure it was designed to raise for the arm)' stores the gross
amount of 72,781 pounds of good beef, 36,389 pounds of salted pork, 218,309
of wheat flour, 3,068 bushels of rye, 6,125 bushels of Indian corn, collected at
the cost of the respective towns, according to their quotas.
In addition to the above, it also became necessary to have a suitable cash
fund on hand, which was in part created by the sale of confiscated property,
and the sale of ungranted lands. Prior to this, 1780, there had been no money
raised by State tax, neither had the credit of the State been pledged. During
the next year, 1781, a law was passed by the Legislature in session at Wind¬
sor, entitled, "an act for the purpose of emitting a sum of money, and direct¬
ing the redemption of the same." This law provided for the issue of State bills
of credit to the amount of ,£25,155, and redeemable 011 or before the 1st of
June, 1782, in silver at the rate of six shillings for one Spanish milled dollar or
gold equivalent.
As a matter of interest to the reader, the following compilation of the
finances of the State from March, 1777, to October, 1786, both years inclusive,
as shown by the statements of Ira Allen, the treasurer during that period:
Continental money received of commissioners on sale of
confiscated property 190,433 pounds, 6 shillings, 4 pence.
Lawful money received from land committee for land
granted 66,81 5 pounds, 13 shillings, 8 pence.
State notes (bills of credit) issued 24,750 pounds, 8 shillings, 7 pence.
Cash received in lawful money from taxes 38,536 pounds, 17 shillings, 11 pence.
Cash received on hard money taxes 7,41 1 pounds, 2 shillings, 7 pence.
But while the authorities of the State of Vermont were making ample pre¬
parations for a defensive campaign against the British invasions from Canada
and the posts occupied by them on Lake Champlain, an incident occurred that
induced the Vermont authorities to withdraw their troops from the frontier
and likewise the British ceased hostilities against the frontier settlements of
the State. The incident referred to was the proposition made by the com¬
mander-in-chief of the Vermont military to the governor-general of Canada
for the settling of a cartel for an exchange of prisoners. To this the gov¬
ernor of Canada, General Haldimand, replied agreeably, on October 22, to
the effect that if the governor of Vermont would send a person to Crown Point,
01* St. Johns, such person could confer with Major Carleton upon this business.
About the same time, October 26th, Ethan Allen had correspondence with
Major Carleton, by which it was agreed that there should be a cessation of
hostilities. This was followed by the resolution of the Assembly, passed Octo-
10
122
History of Bennington County.
ber 31, 1780, that " the captain-general be and he is hereby requested to dis¬
charge the volunteers raised for the defense of the frontiers."
This correspondence was opened and carried on for a time, at least, for the
sole and only purpose of arranging an exchange of prisoners, and the armistice
was agreed to so that this exchange might be facilitated, and that while the
negotiations were pending that there might be no further acts of hostility on
either side. But at the same time this mutual correspondence relating to pris¬
oners was used as a cover for another purpose, that, had it been carried out
as the British emissaries desired, would have resulted in an alliance between
England and Vermont, and the latter would have fought against the other
States of the Union as their common enemy. This was the desire of the re¬
presentatives of Great Britain, and they were led to believe that such a union
could be brought about by reason of the peculiar and unpleasant relations ex¬
isting between Vermont on the one hand and the neighboring States and the
Congress of the United States on the other hand, and it was natural enough
that Great Britain should seek to strengthen her arms in this country by such
an alliance.
But Vermont was actuated by wholly different motives. She sought only
her independence as a State, free from New York and New Hampshire and
Massachusetts, and her representatives, it is sincerely believed, never once
dreamed of an alliance with England, and taking up arms against the other
States of America, but to better secure that independence, and to husband her
whole strength for such effort as was necessary to accomplish that end, her
astute leaders encouraged the British hope, by one subterfuge and another,
that the general armistice between them might be maintained, and there might
be no further British invasion of Vermont territory. For the reader will see
that whatever of defensive warfare was conducted by the State was made by it
alone, by its own people, and with its own means, without assistance from any
other State, or from the United States. Furthermore, Vermont had contrib¬
uted of her soldiery to the Continental army, and provided for St. Clair's troops
while on Vermont soil, but nothing had she received in return from the gen¬
eral government. To be sure the States of New Hampshire and Massachu¬
setts had come to her relief when Bennington was threatened, but the support
then given was contributed by those States without the authority of the gov¬
ernment, on their own motion through friendliness, and had General Stark car¬
ried out the wishes, in fact, the express direction of the commander of the
northern American army, and joined forces with him in New York, the re¬
sult of the battle of Bennington would have, in all human probability, been
quite different; Baum's raid would not have been defeated, and Burgoyne's ad¬
vance would not have been checked and turned into defeat, and, finally, into
surrender. Congress had dismissed Vermont's petition and appeal to be made
a separate State, and every act of the local authorities for the maintenance of
Negotiations with the British.
123
an armed defensive force, or for self-government, or for the welfare of the peo¬
ple, was declared to be wrong and forbidden by Congress. But in all their
distress the people of Vermont never lost hope, or relinquished a single effort
that would bring the unhappy controversy to an amicable and satisfactory ter¬
mination, and when her funds were likely to fail, and the State liable to be bur¬
dened with a heavy debt, (for bills of credit had already been issued) accident,
or whatever it was, destiny, perhaps, provided a way out of the difficulty, and
seeing it, the people and State accepted it and profited by it.
That which has always been known as the Haldimand correspondence, or
negotiation, was continued between the Vermont authorities and the British
representatives in Canada until near the close of the war, and from the time
that correspondence commenced until it was closed, there was no British in¬
vasion of Vermont territory, there was no loss to Vermont soldiery, and the
expense of State government was very materially reduced. The State was
given an opportunity to strengthen itself for the coming effort that resulted in
its independence. The Haldimand correspondence was opened in October,
1780, and was continued, upon a variety of subjects, until the latter part of the
summer of 1782, and after that, as late as March 25, 1783. While peace be¬
tween the countries was being negotiated, one of the British agents wrote to
the Vermont agents concerning their feelings regarding the situation, even
then urging an alliance with the British powers. Says a prominent writer:
" Thus terminated a nego iation by which Vermont, abandoned, and exposed
at every point, was protected, as if by magic, from the overwhelming power of
the enemy ; while, at the same time, and by the very same means, she added
to her importance in the estimation of Congress, and secured a more respect¬
ful hearing of her claim to independence." And it might also be stated that
these negotiations had the effect of keeping the powerful British army inactive
in Canada for three successive campaigns. The war of the Revolution was
practically terminated by the surrender of the army of Lord Cornwallis. The
great achievement of" Mad " Anthony Wayne at Stony Point had turned the
tide of the war in favor of the Americans. Their drooping hopes were revived,
while the British and Tories were correspondingly disheartened. From that
time forward the life of British supremacy in America hung upon a hair, and
that slender cord was broken by the surrender of Cornwallis in the month of
October, 1781. But it was not until some two years later that the treaty of
peace was formally declared between Great Britain and America; and by the
peace then declared this land was thenceforth to be acknowledged by all men
as the United States of America, a free and independent nation.
While the negotiations between the British and Vermont agents were car¬
ried on with all possible secrecy, they nevertheless became known to many
leading persons throughout the country, and the proceedings were watched
with great interest and anxiety by people outside the State, who had 110 right
124
History of Bennington County.
understanding of the true spirit that actuated the Vermont agents. Congress
also became cognizant of Vermont's course, and, being then powerless to inter¬
fere with her proceedings by sending an armed force to suppress the possible
insurrection that might occur, it was, nevertheless, somewhat inclined to give
the appeals of Vermont for independence a more respectful consideration.
Nor did Vermont relax one single effort to bring about the desired end, for
while treating with the British on the one side, the State also had representa¬
tives at Philadelphia to look after her interests in that quarter. At last, on
the 20tli of August, 1781, Congress passed a resolution, which, while it did not
give positive assurance of the recognition of Vermont as a State of the Union,
it did, however, impliedly agree to the recognition upon the State of Vermont
relinquishing all claim to the territory over which she had previously ex¬
tended her jurisdiction, that the lands east of the Connecticut River, taken
from New Hampshire, and the New York towns that adjoined Vermont on the
east.
But the people of Vermont, after long and serious consideration, determined
not to accept the terms offered by Congress and dissolve the eastern and west¬
ern unions. Therefore proceedings came to an abrupt termination, and the
matter relapsed into its former condition, except that the situation of the State
was, perhaps, less favorable than before.
However, men's minds do change; and as it is with an individual, so it is with
a State, or a Nation. According to this accepted truth the State of Vermont,
through its Legislature, on the 23d day of February, 1782, passed a resolution
declaring the eastern and western boundaries of the State to be as they had
been prior to the annexation, thus dissolving the union that had been formed
with parts of New Hampshire and New York.
Upon this being done the agents of Vermont at once proceeded to Phila¬
delphia and reported the action to Congress, and that body referred the mat¬
ter to a committee. The latter in due time reported back to the house, but
no immediate action was taken. In fact Congress treated the matter with the
greatest indifference, and postponed proceedings from day to day, until the
Vermont agents became discouraged and left Philadelphia; not however, until
they had prepared and sent to the president of Congress a letter setting forth
their views in the premises and expressing their disappointment at the extra¬
ordinary course taken by the house.
After this unhappy termination of affairs New York and Vermont became
involved again in the old controversy, in part growing out of the enforcement
of the draft in the latter State for the purpose of establishing the military or¬
ganization in her territory, which was carried to such an extent that Congress
interfered, and assumed a threatening attitude toward the Vermont authorities.
Governor Chittenden replied at length to the resolution of Congress, and made
a masterly defense of the Vermont position; and the argument made by the
Vermont Independent.
125
worthy executive of the distressed State had the effect of demonstrating con¬
clusively to the power of the land that Vermont could not be awed into sub¬
mission to New York authority, nor could they be induced to yield one whit
upon the matter of a separate State government. Matters were thus continued
with varying effect until there arose a controversy in Congress, growing out of
the attempt to reorganize the Federal union, and of the representation therein
from the eastern and southern States. Then, in 1789, New York passed a law
that had the effect of consenting to the recognition of Vermont as a State, upon
certain conditions. To consider this question the people of Vermont met in
mass convention at Bennington 011 the 6th of January, 1791. The subject was
debated for some three days, after which, by a large majority, it was decided to
accept the proposition
Nothing now remained to be done but to obtain the action of Congress,
ratifying these proceedings, which was accomplished on the 18th of February,
1791 ; and Vermont thereupon, by an act of Congress passed March 4, 1791,
became one of the United States of America, free and independent.
Thus was ended a controversy that covered a period of some forty years,
commencing with the occasion in 1750, when the governors of the province of
New York and New Hampshire disagreed upon the right of the latter to make
grants of land in the territory that lay between the Connecticut River 011 the
east, and the line twenty miles east of the Hudson River on the west. To be
sure the controversy was not engaged in seriously until settlement was com¬
menced in Bennington township in 1761, and in other neighboring localities
soon afterward. In all the interesting events that occurred before the final ad¬
justment in 1791, the inhabitants of that part of the disputed territory that was,
in 1778, erected into the county of Bennington, took an active, in fact, a lead¬
ing part. The county prior to 1781 embraced all the territory of the State
west of the mountains, and the history of that region consequently was the his¬
tory of Bennington county. The greater proportion of the important meet¬
ings of the people in convention, of the authorities of the State civil, military,
and judicial, were held within the county. Being located as it was adjoining
the province and State of New York, here was the scene of strifes, and col¬
lisions that were indulged in between the conflicting provinces; therefore, from
all these and other facts, it will be seen that no early history of Bennington
county could be at all complete without some reference to them.
126
History of Bennington County.
CHAPTER XIII.
Division of Bennington County in 1781—Rutland County Set Off—County Elections Ordered
Officers to be Chosen—Bennington County Records Destroyed—Towns Annexed to Benning¬
ton County from New York State—The Annexation Annulled—The Towns that Comprise
this County—Their Charter Organization—Locating the County Seat—A Controversy—The
County Has Two Shire Towns—Bennington and Manchester—The County Buildings at Ben¬
nington—Three Times Destroyed by Fire—The Present Court House and Jail at Bennington
— Changed from West Bennington—The Court House and Jail at Manchester—Establishing
Post Routes—Legislative Act Concerning IL—Bennington a Distributing Office—End of the
System—Merged Into the Federal Government System Upon the Admission of Vermont to
the Union.
IN the year 1781, on the 13th of February, the General Assembly of the
State, while in session at Windsor, passed an act for the division of Ben¬
nington county, and the erection of Rutland county. This division took from
the former all the towns that lay to the north of Rupert and Dorset, on the
west side of the mountains, and north of Peru (formerly Bromley), and the
gore of land known as the town of Landgrove, on the east side of the mountains.
Otherwise the county remained as established and bounded by the law passed
in 1779.
The Assembly also made provision for the first election to be held in the
counties after the division had been made ; in Bennington county as follows :
On the last Tuesday of March, 1781, the constables were directed to warn the
freemen to meet at the usual place of holding town meetings in their respective
towns, at nine o'clock in the morning; and, after being duly qualified for voting,
to proceed first to choose a moderator to govern the meeting. Second, the
freemen to give their ballots for him whom they would have for chief judge of
the county court in the county, which votes were to be sealed up by the mod¬
erator in the presence of the freemen. Then in like manner to vote for four
assistant judges, which were to be sorted and counted by the moderator and
town clerk. Third, the freemen to give in their votes for him whom they would
have for sheriff of the county, which votes were also to be sealed up. Fourth,
the freemen to give in their votes for one judge of probate for each probate dis¬
trict of the county, also to be sealed up as above mentioned. Fifth, the free¬
men to give their votes for two justices of the peace in each town wherein was
one hundred taxable inhabitants; and in like manner for one justice of the
peace in towns of twenty taxable inhabitants. Sixth, the freemen shall make
choice of some meet person to take charge of said votes who shall be sworn to
the faithful discharge of his duty, and the persons so chosen shall meet on the
first Tuesday of April next (1781) at the house of Thomas Butterfield, inn-
Rutland County Set Off.
12/
holder in Arlington, and being so met shall proceed to choose a moderator and
clerk. Then to proceed to sort and count the votes given for the persons above
named that were required to be sealed by the moderators of the respective
towns. It was further directed that after the votes had been sorted and counted
a return thereof should be forwarded to the governor that commissions mi ght
be isssued to the persons elected to the respective offices.
There does not appear to exist any reliable record of the officers chosen for
Bennington county at the March election of 1781. The records of the gov¬
ernor and council contain reports from the other counties of the State but none
from Bennington, except for the office of sheriff, for which Captain Jonas Gal-
usha was chosen and commissioned. As is probably a well known fact by the
burning of the Bennington county court-house all the old records were con¬
sumed, thus taking away much valuable information relating to the early civil
affairs of the county.
In the same year in which the county of Bennington was divided and Rut¬
land county set off, there was added to the territory of the former all the towns
lying to the westward thereof, even to the Hudson River. This was clone
upon the petition of residents of the towns, and the territory of each was
erected into a township, which, from the month of June, 1781, until the State
dissolved her eastern and western unions, became a part of this county, sub¬
ject to the laws thereof, and of the State, and entitled to the same privileges,
and immunities as other towns of the county and State. This, of course, was
but a temporary annexation, and was brought about by the State authorities,
in part for the purpose of increasing their area, for the purpose of adding to
their numerical strength, but mainly for the reason that the inhabitants of the
towns were desirous that the union should be made, and were anxious to free
themselves from the authority and jurisdiction of New York. The authorities
of Vermont believed they should lose nothing by the union, and also thought
that it might be productive of some substantial good. Whether this latter sup¬
position proved true or not, may be a matter of opinion, but, before Congress
would consent that Vermont become a State of the Federal Union, one of the
conditions precedent was that this union, as well as that on the east of the State
should be nullified.
The county of Bennington, as it exists at this present, embraces the same
territory as it had at the time of the erection of Rutland county.
The county of Bennington comprises seventeen townships, nearly all of
which were in existence before the county, as such, was created ; two of these
townships, however, and possibly a third, were chartered after the act that
formed the county was passed. The exceptions were Landgrove and Sears-
burg, and perhaps Readsboro, for there is 110 accurate or reliable record of its
chartering.
The several townships of Bennington county, with the date of their charter
12 8
History of Bennington County.
formation, as near as the same can be ascertained, are as follows: Benning¬
ton.—This was the oldest and first settled of the several that are embraced with¬
in the county, and, in fact, the State. It was chartered by Governor Benning
Wentwortb, of New Hampshire, on the 3d of January, 1749. New Stampford,
but now known as Stamford, 1753, rechartered, 1764. Pownal, chartered
January 8th, 1 760. Arlington, chartered July 28th, 1761. Sunderland, char¬
tered July 29th, 1761. Manchester, chartered August Iith, 1761. Sandgate,
chartered August I ith, 1761. Dorset, chartered August 20th, 1761. Rupert,
chartered August 20th, 1761. Shaftsbury, chartered August 20th, 1761.
Glastenbury, formerly known as Glassenburg, chartered August 20th, 1761.
Winhall, chartered September 15th, 1761. Peru, chartered as Bromley, Octo¬
ber 13th, 1761. Landgrove, chartered November 8th, 1780. Searsburg,
chartered February 23rd, 1781. Readsboro, the date of its charter being
unknown.
One of the first acts necessary to be done, upon the organization of the
county, was the designation of a town, or locality, for the county buildings,
which town by such designation was made the county seat, or the seat of jus¬
tice. There is a semi official statement on record to the effect that over the
question of the location of the county seat in Bennington county there was
something of a controversy, as a number of localities were anxious to be so
designated, that those most earnest in the matter were Bennington and Man¬
chester people, and the committee were unable to agree upon either, and give
any satisfaction whatever to the representatives of the other. And it is fur¬
ther said that as Shaftsbury was, perhaps, as centrally located as any of the
towns, and, withal, as accessible, it was proposed by the commissioners to
designate that town as the shire of the county, but the advocates of Manches¬
ter and Bennington would not consent to such a compromise ; therefore, to
gratify the people of both localities, the county was divided into half shires,
thus giving each town the benefits of county buildings. In accordance with
this determination, an act of the Assembly was passed in March, 1781, desig¬
nating Bennington and Manchester as half shire towns, and providing for the
erection of a court-house and jail in each.
In the historical sketch of the town of Manchester, written by Henry E.
Miner, it is stated that Shaftsbury was first selected as the site for the
county buildings, then Bennington, and afterward Manchester and Bennington.
Whichever of these accounts may have the greater foundation in fact would be
difficult to determine at this late day, but public opinion and belief are inclined
to accept the latter as being correct.
Thrice during the period of the existence of Bennington half shire has its
court-house been destroyed by fire. The original court-house occupied a com¬
manding site on the " summit," in the village of Bennington, now known as
Bennington Center, a few rods to the southeast of the monument. It was a
The Court House.
I 2 [)
plain frame structure, having strong rooms constructed for the confinement of
offenders, besides what was then considered ample accommodations for court
and other county purposes. This pioneer building answered the needs of the
half shire for nearly a score and a half of years, when, on the morning of May
17th, 1809, it was destroyed by fire.
The loss was at once repaired by the construction of a new frame building
for court-house and jail uses, on a site very near and just to the south of that
occupied by the former; but this, too, on the 28th of October, 1846, fell a vic¬
tim to a like devouring element.
By this time the village of East Bennington had assumed the proportions
of a small municipality ; and the enterprising residents of that locality saw at
once that the county buildings that must be erected to replace the old one,
would be an important factor in the growth of the place in the future. There¬
fore they used every effort to bring about a change in the location of the court¬
house from Bennington to East Bennington.
On the 2cl of November, 1846, the Legislature passed an act providing for
the raising of a fund by tax, for the purpose of new buildings, and at the same
time designated a commission consisting of Ebenezer N. Briggs, of Brandon,
Abishai Stoddard, of Grafton, and Caleb B. Harrington, of Middletown, to visit
the locality and select such site for the court-house as in their judgment should
best serve the interests and convenience of the people.
In January following the committee visited the town and made known their
errand t<> the people. Of course it was in order that the representatives fav¬
oring each locality should ingratiate themselves into the good favor of the visi¬
tors, and it is safe to state that the commissioners were as well entertained, and
the recipients of as much considerate attention as any representative body that
ever visited Bennington. Whether it was that the Bennington denizens outdid
their brethren of the east village in matters of hospitality, is not known, but
they certainly did succeed in persuading the committee that the greatest inter¬
ests would be promoted by not directing a change in the site.
Then the third court-house was erected at the old village, but on a site
some distance from where the others had stood. This was a substantial brick
structure, and contained rooms for county officers in addition to the court¬
room. For twenty-two years this building was occupied, but, in 1869, on the
26th of March, a fire occurred, by which this, the third court-house of the shire,
together with valuable records, was destroyed.
Then followed another period of agitation of the subject of removal to the
village of Bennington (which had been formerly known as East Bennington, but
by a change in the postal arrangements of the towns in July, 1849, had taken
the name of Bennington, and at the same time the village, or at least the post-
office 011 "the hill," was designated as West Bennington). And while the mat¬
ter was pending and the court-house being constructed courts were held in the
Free Library Ilall. n
130
History of Bennington County.
While there were many good reasons why the location of the county build¬
ings should have been changed after the fire of 1846, there were still stronger
arguments to be made in favor of a change in 1869. The village of Benning¬
ton, the east town, had a population several times larger than the west village,
the great bulk of business, manufacturing and mercantile, was transacted here ;
and, moreover, the clerk of the courts had for some time maintained an office
in the place for the accommodation of attorneys and others who, almost daily,
had business to transact with him. Therefore a change was not only desirable
for convenience, but absolutely necessary as a matter of business. The resi¬
dents of West Bennington saw that the change was necessary, and however
much they would have preferred that the court-house be rebuilt in their vil¬
lage, they made no effort in opposition to the removal.
In 1869 the Legislature passed another act authorizing the levying of a
county tax for the purpose of building the fourth court-house in the south half
shire, to be erected at Bennington, the east village. The tax was laid, and ihe
building erected immediately thereafter. It stands fronting on South street, a
substantial brick structure, two stories high, with court-room 011 the second
floor and offices for county officials on the ground floor. In connection with
the court-house is a strong jail and jailer's residence. The jail is arranged with
eight cells, seven of which are for male prisoners, and one for females. The
offices of the probate judge and county clerk are provided with fireproof vaults
for the safe keeping of valuable documents and records.
In the design of the building there appears to have been an effort at con¬
venience of arrangement rather than architectural display, but the latter has
not been by any means overlooked, as it presents to the observer a decidedly
attractive appearance in excellent taste and of good proportions. But how¬
ever much the designer or contractor endeavored to construct a convenient or
suitable court room, he fell far short of accomplishing that end. Over the
main entrance is a belfry and tower, the latter rising some distance above the
roof of the building proper. The cost of the whole building was about $30,000.
The act of the Legislature that provided for laying the tax on the county
under which the present court-house was built also made provision that the
question of consolidating the two shires of the county be submitted to a vote of
the qualified electors thereof. Upon this the freemen voted at the town meet¬
ings throughout the county in February, 1870, and the canvass of the returns
showed a decided majority in favor of continuing the county as it had been for
nearly ninety years—in two shires.
In the matter of preserving county buildings from destruction by fire, the
half shire town of Manchester has been far more fortunate than Bennington.
The only difficulty encountered in the first named place was that experienced
by the commissioners in finding a suitable place to make the erection. They
were desirous of obtaining land from one Timothy Mead, near where the Bap-
Manchester Court House.
tist church now stands in the village of Manchester Center; but the worthy
proprietor declined to part with any of his possessions for such purpose, and is
said to have in veil the commissioners pretty plainly to understand his opinion
of courts and attorneys, and utterly refused to consider any proposition they
had to make for the purchase of land for this purpose.
After casting about for some time a site was chosen at Manchester village,
and here, in 1787, the first court-house for the north half shire was built. The
building was a small, plain frame structure, one story high. The expense of
its building- was defrayed by private subscription. The jail was a part of the
court-house structure, and was built at the State's expense. The original jail
at Manchester, erected especially and primarily for the confinement of Tories
during the period of the Revolution and the controversy with New York, was
one of the first, if not the first of its kind in the State.
The old court-house remained standing and in use until the year 1822,
when a larger and more pretentious house of justice became desirable. The
new one, a brick structure, was built just north of the site of the old, the ex-
pease thereof being defrayed, like the first, by the subscription of individuals.
In 1849, however, the building was enlarged and repaired at the expense of the
county. The old court-house has never been removed, but has lost all semb¬
lance of its former self, being now converted into a part of the celebrated Equi¬
nox House. The site of the jail has never been changed, although the building
has been repaired and rebuilt as occasion required. The terms of court for
the county are held alternately between the two shires, Bennington and Man¬
chester.
Establishing Post Routes.—Prior to the latter part of the year 1783, there
seems to have been no regularly established means of communication between
the recognized leading seat of operations in Vermont—the village of Benning¬
ton—and the outside world, for the transmission of mail matter and such other
messages as were desired to be sent to various parts of the State, and elsewhere,
e\c< pt by special messenger called upon as occasion might require. The first
effort at an organized service of this kind, of which there appears a record, was
made at a meeting of the governor and council held at Bennington on the 26th
of November, 1783. Then it was resolved, "that Samuel Sherman be paid
nine shillings per week out of the public treasury, for riding post, carrying and
bringing the public intelligence to and from this to Albany, until the sitting
of the General Assembly in February next; he to be accountable for all the
money he shall receive as postage on letters, which is to be deducted from the
nine shillings per week, and to be accepted by him in part payment thereof,
and that orders be drawn 011 the treasurer therefor, to be paid out of the three
penny tax."
During the month of February of the following year, I7&4> the General As¬
sembly, at their adjourned session held at Bennington, passed an act establish-
132
History of Bennington County.
ing five post-offices within the State—one at each of the places, Bennington,
Rutland, Brattleborough, Windsor and Newbury. And the same act provided
that "until the further order of the Legislature, the post-riders from the several
offices shall be entitled to an exclusive right of carriage, and enjoy the advan¬
tages of the fees arising from the carriage of letters and packets of every kind,
and that the rate of postage be the same as in the United States."
This, the reader will understand, was an act of the Assembly of the State,
and not of the Federal government. It was not because Vermont was lacking
in population that the government had not then established a post service in
the State, but rather that there then existed a strained relation between this
State and the United States; and not to in any manner appear to recognize
the independence of Vermont, the government studiously refrained from exer¬
cising any acts of authority or right therein, even if thereby refusing to act
other States would be as seriously inconvenienced as Vermont. So the latter
was obliged to regulate her own internal service in all its branches, and so con¬
tinued to do until the year 1791.
This matter has no important relation to the history of Bennington county,
except that the act was the outgrowth of a proposition made by Bennington
people, and that the postmaster-general appointed under the act was a resident
of the county, and thus that branch of the temporary State government had a
seat of operations in this county. The persons that made the proposal in this
matter were Anthony Haswell and David Russell, the former of whom was 011
the 5th of March, 1784, commissioned postmaster-general of the State. Ben¬
nington thereupon became the distributing office from which was sent out all
mail matter from the western and southern localities ; and from here was like¬
wise sent to those localities all communications and packets, by the way of Al¬
bany. For the purpose of carrying between these points it was that Samuel
Sherman was appointed.
When, in 1791, Vemont was admitted to the union of States, this local sys¬
tem was dispensed with, and became merged in that branch of the United States
government that is now designated as the Post-office Department; but the sys¬
tem was not abolished, only transferred from State to Federal control.
The First Census.
i33
CHAPTER XIV.
Character of the Government of the Several Townships of the County -The Increase in the
County's Population by Decades—Present Estimated Population—Events Preceding the War
of 1812-15—An Era of Prosperity—Troubles with Great Britain- Measures Adopted by Both
Nations—Efforts at an Amicable Settlement of Difficulties—Discussions in Congress—Political
Sentiment in the Country Divided—The Feeling in Bennington County—Arguments of the
Peace Party—Results ol Elections—Press Comments—The War—Peace Again Restored.
BY virtue of the constitution of the State, as originally adopted and subse¬
quently revised, and the acts of Assembly in addition thereto, the several
towns of the county of Bennington, and, in fact, throughout the entire State,
were each vested with powers of government truly democratic in their nature;
and while the regulations of government were substantially similar in character
in each, they were such as to cause the history of the county to merge into that
of the separate towns that form the county. It is quite difficult, therefore, to
trace the outline history of the county separate from the towns which have con¬
tributed to make it. To be sure there are county officers that are elected each
year, to whom is entrusted the duty of representing and carrying out the
county interests; but still the character of the government of the towns is such,
that, independent from the contribution of each, the county can be said to have
made but little history since the close of the Revolution to the present time.
While the negotiations that preceded the admission of Vermont to the Union
wore pending and in progress, Congress made occasion to inquire into the
condition of the State relating to her proposed policy toward the general gov¬
ernment, her population, and resources, as well as other facts that were deemed
proper subjects of inquiry. Among other questions put to the commissioners
representing Vermont, was one asking for an estimate of the population of the
proposed State; to which the answer was made that, as near as the committee
could judge, the State contained some thirty thousand souls. This was in Au¬
gust, 1781, and there had never been taken a census of the State by which the
population could be determined other than by estimation.
The first census enumeration for the State, by towns, was made in the year
1791, after the admission to the Union. The aggregate population of the
county according to that census was twelve thousand two hundred and fifty-
four, or nearly two-fifths of the population the State was estimated to contain
ten years before. In 1800 it had increased to 14,617, and from that until the
last Federal census in 1880, the enumeration made at the close of each decade
has shown the following result: 1810, 15,892; 1820,16,125; 1830, 17.470;
1840,16,879; 1850,18,589; 1860,19,443; 1870,21,325; 1880,22,157. And
134
History of Bennington County.
allowing that the increase during the last eight years to have been in the same
ratio as the preceding ten years, the present population of the county cannot
fall much short of 23,500, and there are fair grounds for a belief that it will ex¬
ceed the last named number.
War of 1812—15.—Upon the admission of the State to the Union in 1791
the inhabitants entered upon an era of prosperity; no cloud darkened the po¬
litical horizon, and the arts of agriculture, manufacture and trade employed the
attention of the whole people. The authorities of the State were at liberty to
establish such measures for self government as were deemed for the best in¬
terests of the people, and there was 110 fear of a conflict with adjoining States,
110 controversy was on hand, and the possibilities of Federal interference were
removed. In fact the policy of the State became fixed and firmly established
upon a sound foundation, and all was peace and quiet, and harmony, good
order and prosperity everywhere prevailed.
But only a short score of years was thus to be enjoyed when the country
was again thrown into a state of tumult, and another war with Great Britain
became imminent. The United States had scrupulously observed the pro¬
visions of the treaty of peace made with Great Britain at the close of the Revo¬
lution. There had been maintained too, a strict neutrality during the progress
of the Napoleonic war with the British kingdom, when perhaps every consid¬
eration of gratitude should have induced a participation in it as against the
mother country. For several years the aggressive acts of the British had been
a subject of anxiety and regret, and feelings of animosity increased on this side
of the Atlantic. The embargo laid by Congress upon the shipping in Ameri¬
can ports was found so injurious to commercial interests that it was repealed,
and the non intercourse act passed in its stead. In April, 1809, the English
embassador in Washington opened negotiations for the amicable adjustment
of existing difficulties, and consented to the withdrawal of the obnoxious " or¬
ders in council," so far as they affected the United States, on condition that the
non intercourse act with Great Britain should be repealed. This was agreed
upon, and the president issued a proclamation announcing that, on the 10th
day of June, trade with Great Britain might be resumed. The English gov¬
ernment, however, refused to ratify the proceedings and the minister was re¬
called, whereupon the president revoked his proclamation, and the non-inter¬
course act again became operative.
Besides the odious acts of the British parliament, injurious and insulting in
their character, the English officers claimed the right to search American ves¬
sels, seize all who were suspected of being subjects of the king, and force them
into their service. Under cover of this claim the greatest outrages were per¬
petrated, and by it many true and loyal persons were pressed into the service
of Great Britain, both against their inclination and the well established proof of
their identity.
War Declared.
135
On the 12th of June, 1812, President James Madison sent a confidential com¬
munication to Congress, in which he recapitulated the long list of British ag¬
gressions, and declaretl it the duty of Congress to consider whether the Amer¬
ican people should longer passively submit to the accumulated wrongs and
insults perpetrated by the British, and at the same time he cautioned the house
to avoid entanglements in the contests and views of other powers.
War was formally declared on the 19th of June, 1812, but the measure was
not universally sustained in some parts of the Middle and New England States.
The opposing element was embraced in the Federal party, its chief ground of
opposition being the fact that the country was not prepared for war. The
Federalists constituted a large and influential minority of the political element
of Congress, and had a considerable following in the several States not active
in politics, Vermont among the number. They asked for further negotiations,
and met the denunciations made by the ruling party (that is, the Republican
and Democratic, for it went by both names), upon the English government,
with savage and bitter attacks on Napoleon, whom they accused the majority
with favoring.
A detail of the events of this war need not be recounted here, for none of
the sanguinary conflicts at arms were waged on Vermont soil. The county of
Bennington was represented by a full contingent of troops, part of which were
in the regular army service, while others were of the militia organizations for
defensive duty and prepared for any emergency that might arise.
Public sentiment concerning the war seems to have been about equally
divided, the peace party and the war party both struggling for the political
mastery. The mouthpiece of the former seems to have been the yVetcs
Letter, and the organ of the latter was the Green Mountain Farmer. The
News Letter advocated the cause of the Federalists, while the Green Moun¬
tain Farmer performed a like service in the interests of the Republicans and
Democrats.
During the period of the war the issue, and about tin; only issue that ap¬
peared to be involved between the followers of the respective parties, was
whether the war should be continued or whether peace should be immediately
restored without further recourse to arms. The war party were, of course, in
favor of prosecuting the war against Great Britain, while the Federalists were
advocates of peace at any sacrifice. At the election in 1812 the peace ticket
received in the count}' 1,035 votes, while the war ticket had 1,483.
According to the returns published in the Xews Letter of the election held
in the spring of 1813, in Bennington county, it is found that the several towns
voted 011 this question alone, being the dominant issue, whether the peace or
war party should have a majority of the council of censors of the State. The
result was as follows :
136
History of Bennington County.
Peace. War.
Bennington 229 209
Shaftsbury 83 153
Sunderland 17 maj.
Arlington 136 37
Sandgate 10 32
Manchester 73 87
Dorset 56 75
Peru 17 18
Readsboro 17 20
Stamford 2 maj.
Pownal 124 126
Woodford 27 11
Rupert 123 maj.
The same paper also made an estimate of the expenses, "which must be paid
yearly during the war by the industrious farmer and mechanic." The whole
annual amount by it estimated to be raised by tax upon the " farmers and
mechanics" of the county was $95,358, divided among the several towns as
follows: Bennington, $15,144 ; Arlington, $8,808 ; Dorset, $7,768 ; Glasten-
bury, $456; Landgrove, $1,794; Manchester, $9,012 ; Pownal, $9,930 ; Peru,
$1,434; Rupert, $9,780; Readsboro, $2,460; Shaftsbury, $11,838 ; Sunder¬
land, $3,450; Sandgate, $7,122; Stamford, $2,268 ; Winhall, $2,564; Wood¬
ford, $1,524.
The same paper commenting on the above estimate of expenses says : "The
foregoing statement of war taxes has been postponed to this late hour that no
screaming war hawk might have any occasion to say it was published for elec¬
tioneering purposes. But let the people from whose pockets these enormous
sums are to be drawn look well to their own interests; the facts are before
them, they must judge for themselves."
Again, the same paper, in the issue of March 12, 1813, says editorially:
" We have the satisfaction of announcing to our readers the very pleasing in¬
telligence that twelve on the Peace ticket for Council of Censors have prevailed
(in the State) by a majority of about 1,500." At the annual election of gov¬
ernor held in September of the same year, the vote in Bennington county re¬
sulted in 1,334 f°r the war ticket, and 1,129 for the peace ticket, a slight gain
for the latter over the result of the preceding year.
The village of Bennington was the rendezvous of the Thirtieth Regiment of
the United States army, and a recruiting office was also established at the same
place. The pay offered volunteers amounted to eight dollars per month, added
to which was a bounty of sixteen dollars. Although far removed from the
scene of actual strife, this was, nevertheless, a place of busy military operations
in recruiting troops and sending them to the frontier for active duty. The vol¬
unteers of the .county were scattered through the several regiments in service
from the State, but the greater number were probably joined with the Thir-
Close of War of 1812.
i37
tieth Regiment, from the fact of that command having made Bennington a gen¬
eral rendezvous.
The results of this struggle for right and justice over wrong and oppression
are written in the conflicts on Lake Erie, the repulse of the invaders on the
Delaware, the distressing scenes on the Chesapeake, the invasion of New York,
and the attempt to control the Hudson River and Lake Champlain, the de¬
monstration against Burlington, the British raid on Derby, the attack on Mac-
Donough at Otter Creek, the naval and land battles at Plattsburg, the capture
of Niagara and Oswego, the burning of Newark, the battle at Black Rock,
Lundy's Lane, and the occupation of the poorly defended posts on the south¬
ern and southeastern frontier, the battle at New Orleans, the withdrawal and
surrender of the British forces, and the final treaty of peace, which was ratified
February 17, 1815. The Americans had now fought their last battle with a
foreign foe.
In a number of the engagements mentioned, as well as others not named,
the Bennington county troops took part and acquitted themselves with credit.
It is impossible to single out any particular command, or to mention any sin¬
gle battle, except, perhaps, Plattsburg, in which the Vermont soldiery bore a
more than ordinarily prominent part; and while thus difficult to furnish the
record of the State soldiery, separately, it is still more difficult to particularize
concerning the performance of the Bennington county contingent.
CHAPTER XV.
BENNINGTON COUNTY in THE REBELLION OF 1861-5.
Introductory Remarks—The County's Contribution of Men—Records of the Regiments—
The Second Regiment—The Fourth Regiment—The Fifth Regiment—The First Cavalry
Regiment -The Tenth Regiment—The Fourteenth Regiment (Nine Month's Men)—Other
Regiments Having Bennington County Volunteers -The County's Organized Militia Militia
(Mlieers.
WHEN, on that eventful morning of April, 1861, the iron lips of Moultrie's
guns spelled upon the political sky of our country in letters red as blood,
the words "civil war," the loyal sons of Bennington county and of Vermont,
breathing a spirit of patriotism as pure as the air of the grand hills around
them, rushed to the nation's capital to uphold the honor of the flag, and pre¬
serve intact the republic. It was not with them a question what battles were
to be fought, what graves filled, or what altars shivered; but donning the blue,
18
138
History of Bennington County.
vowed, no matter what the cost, that the serpent of secession should find an
eternal grave, and gasp its last amid shrieking shell and hissing bullet.
The mystic chord of memory stretching from every battlefield and pa¬
triot grave brings before us, in meteoric brilliancy, the important part per¬
formed by Bennington county's soldiery in that great struggle. Loyal citi¬
zens only knew that they were needed, and they hastened to respond ; they
exchanged the rippling music of the mountain stream for the thunder of the
deep-mouthed cannon and the deafening musketry volley ; they went forth
from the roof-tree of home to camp 011 Southern soil, and to stand guard in the
pitiless night beneath the sorrowing stars ; they went out to be shot to death,
if need be ; to be fired at by a concealed and merciless foe; to struggle in de¬
lirium in hospital, or starve or shiver in loathsome pens, with stones for pil¬
lows and vermin for companions, that the flag might be preserved unsullied.
This was the spirit that animated the volunteers of Bennington as they sprang
into the arena where Titans struggled.
Remembering the beautiful sentiment expressed by Colonel Stuart Taylor,
it may well be asked : Fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters of Bennington
county, can you look up to see the morning furrow all the orient into gold
without thinking what sacred graves it gilds? Or, can you watch the slow de¬
clining day without wishing it could be always sunlight on the silent mounds
of Bennington's patriot dead ? Do you ever see the springtime daisy, or the
purple violet, but that you think of the darling dust which feeds the wild flow¬
ers of the Wilderness, of Antietam, of Gettysburg, of Spottsylvania, of Peters¬
burg, and other fields where loved and lost are sleeping?
But the martial spirit of Bennington county was not born with the out¬
break of the rebellion; it was in being in the days when the sturdy pioneer
woodsman first felled the forest that prosperous towns might spring up, agri¬
cultural interests be enlarged, and the mechanical arts add to the wealth of the
progressive inhabitants; it was in existence when the New York authorities
sought to disposess the struggling settlers from the lands they had purch ased,
and to which they were entitled under the New Hampshire charters; it existed
when Ethan Allen, Seth Warner, Remember Baker, Robert Cochran and other
brave patriots, and their followers, organized themselves into the famous band
of Green Mountain Boys for the protection of homes as well as rights ; it ex¬
isted when, during the darkest days of the Revolution, the inhabitants of the
county and State found themselves deserted by their sister States and were
compelled, almost single-handed, to combat the common enemy in a battle for
self-preservation; it certainly existed when, 011 the 16th of August, 1777, the
British arms received their first decisive defeat 011 the bloody battlefield of Ben¬
nington. That martial spirit certainly existed during the period of uncertainty
after the Revolution had passed, when Vermont was seeking admission to the
Union, and being practically denied by Congress, was compelled to substan-
Tiie War of the Rebellion.
i39
tially defy the power of the Federal government in order to achieve that much
desired independence and recognition for which her people were asking. Had
it not been for that determined martial spirit Vermont as a State, would not
have been known.
That same determined spirit was inherited by a later generation of sons of
Vermont, and became patent when, in 1812, and the years following, the gov¬
ernment of Great Britain again sought to wrest the control of America from the
people that held it ; for, despite the opposition of the Federalists, and their ob¬
structive measures, the loyal men of the county again rushed to the defense of
the country and performed well their part in driving the invaders from the
land, thus preserving intact our Federal institutions.
Following the second war with England that spirit slept, and the only man¬
ifestation of its presence was on the grand old days of " general training," when
the farmer, the mechanic, and the woodsman abandoned toil and hied away to
the " muster " for a season of jollification, to eat Yankee gingerbread and drink
new cider, and boast of the prowess of the American eagle.
The record made by the volunteers of Bennington county from the first
blaze of hostile cannon until secession was buried at Appomattox by the sur¬
render of General Lee's sword, forms one of the most brilliant of the many
grand chapters of its history. To faintly picture their services it will be nec¬
essary to refer to the records of the regiments to which they belonged, which
forms an unbroken chain of testimony to demonstrate the patriotism of the
county's soldiery.
It is not to keep alive sectional animosity that the historian recites the acts
of a victorious host. Would the Athenians meeting in the Angora listen to a
proposition that no man speak of Marathon? Would Romans teach nothing
but philosophy, and withhold from a rising generation all knowledge of the
victory of Scipio over Hannibal, or how Horatiusheld the bridge? It was not
Marathon, but the memory of Marathon which fixed the home of civilization
in Europe instead of in Asia It was not the surrender at Appomattox that
binds in iron bands the States of this Union, but it is the memory of its cost,
kept alive in the hearts of the people which gave to civilization its grandest
onward step, and which some future Guizot, in tracing the pathway of human
advancement, will declare secured to the world the fullest enlargement of hu¬
man liberty. And as other generations shall know the record of the services
of the sons of Bennington from 1861 to 1865, it will at least inspire them to
preserve sacred the patriotic sentiment of "country first, the citizen afterward."
But, to the record.
During the course of the war Bennington county, according to the most
authentic record obtainable, furnished for the service the gross number of fif¬
teen hundred and seventy-four men, divided among the several towns of the
county, as follows: Arlington, 129; Bennington, 358 ; Dorset, 121; Glasten-
140
History of Bennington County.
bury, 12; Landgrove, 34; Manchester, 156; Peru, 42 ; Povvnal, 113; Reads-
boro, 78; Rupert, 92 ; Sandgate, 60; Searsburg, 20; Shaftsbury, 147; Stam¬
ford, 53 ; Sunderland, 53 ; Winhall, 76 ; Woodford, 30.
The first command that held any considerable number of Bennington
county volunteers was the Second Regiment of infantry, recruited for the three
years' service. Bennington county was represented by Company A. Like¬
wise Company A, of the-Fourth Regiment, and Company E, of the Fifth, were
from the county.
In the fall of 1861, after the regiments above named had entered the field
for service, there was organized what was known as the First Vermont Brigade,
comprised of the Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Regiments, the lat¬
ter not, however, forming a part of the brigade until the latter part of October,
1861. The command of this brigade was given Major W. T. H. Brooks, him¬
self a native of Ohio, but born of native Vermont parents. He was also a
graduate from the United States Military Academy, and at the time of his
advancement to the brigade command was on General McClellan's staff.
The history of the Second, Fourth, and Fifth Regiments of Vermont in¬
fantry was, in general, the same as the history of the Vermont brigade, al¬
though separate mention is made of each in the succeeding pages. (For a
detailed account of the army life and experience of these regiments reference
is hereby made to the first volume of " Vermont in the Civil War," prepared
by Granville G. Benedict, and recently issued.)
The subsequently raised Vermont regiments in which were the county's
volunteers were the First Cavalry, the Seventh, Eighth, Tenth, Twelfth, and
Seventeenth Regiments infantry, the Second Regiment of Sharpshooters, the
First Battery of Light Artillery, and possibly other commands, the representa¬
tion in which from the county was so exceedingly small as to be hardly worthy
of mention.
Under President Lincoln's call for three hundred thousand more troops*
made in August, 1862, the Second Brigade of Vermont regiments was formed,
and in the same were that portion of the Bennington men that were enlisted
in the Twelfth and Sixteenth Regiments of infantry.
The Second Regiment.
This was, perhaps, the most notable command in many respects, from Ver¬
mont in the war, and it was the first regiment, moreover, raised in the State
for the three years' service. The ten companies that composed the regiment
were selected from about forty whose services were tendered at this time.
The towns of Bennington, Brattleboro, Burlington, Castleton, Fletcher, Lud¬
low, Montpelier, Tunbridge, Vergennes and Waterbury furnished the men that
made up the Second, and no less than nine counties were represented in the
composition,
The Second Regiment.
141
The Second Regiment was mustered into the United States service 011 the
20th of June, 1861, with the following field officers in command: Colonel,
Henry Whiting; lieutenant-colonel, George J. Stannard ; major, Charles II.
Joyce; quartermaster, Perley P. Pitkin; surgeon, N. H. Ballon ; assistant sur¬
geon, P. W. Carpenter; adjutant, Guilford S. Ladd ; chaplain, Claudius B
Smith.
For this regiment the county of Bennington contributed Company A, a
roster of which will be found in connection with this sketch, but there were
others in the regiment from the county who were not members of this com¬
pany.
On the 24th of June the regiment proceeded under orders upon the jour¬
ney to Washington, where it arrived on the 26th, and went into camp on Cap¬
itol Ilill. After remaining here some two weeks, it was ordered into Virginia,
the field of active military operations, and where, on the 21st of July, it partici¬
pated in the ever memorable battle of Bull Run.
Should there be made here an attempt to follow the detail of war experi¬
ences of the Second Vermont, from the time of entering the service until the
final muster-out, reciting at length the successes and reverses, joys and hard¬
ships of the regiment, a volume would be required to complete the narrative.
The record is written on no less than twenty-eight battlefields in the South,
scattered over which are the graves of no less than three hundred and eighty-
five of the regiment's dead. The whole number of men that, during its ser¬
vice, belonged to the Second, both original and recruits, was 1,858.
The battles and engagements in which the Second Regiment participated,
as officially recorded, were as follows: Bull Run, July 21, 1861 ; Lee's Mill,
April 16, 1862; Williamsburg, May 5, 1862 ; Golding's Farm, June 26, 1862;
Savage's Station, June 29, 1862 ; White Oak Swamp, June 30, 1862 ; Cramp-
ton's Gap, September 14, 1862; Antietam, September 17, 1862; Fredericks¬
burg, December 13, 1862; Marye's Heights, May 3, 1863; Salem Heights,
May 4, 1863; Fredericksburg, June 5, 1863; Gettysburg, July 3, 1863 ; Funks-
town, July 10, 1863 ; Rappahannock Station, November 7, 1863 ; Wilderness,
May 5-10, 1864; Spottsylvania, May 10-18, 1864; Cold Harbor, June 1 —12,
1864; Petersburg, June 18, 1864; Charlestown, August 21, 1864; Opequan,
September 13, 1864; Winchester, September 19, 1864; Fisher's Hill, Septem¬
ber 21, 1864; Mount Jackson, September 24, 1864; Cedar Creek, October 19,
1864; Petersburg, March 25, 1865 ; Petersburg, April 2, 1865 ; Sailor's Creek,
April 6, 1865.
The Second Regime ;t was mustered into service on the 20th of June, 1861.
The original members, not veterans were mustered out of service June 29, 1864.
Recruits for one year, . nd recruits whose term of service would expire pre¬
vious to October 1, 1865, were mustered out June 19, 1865. Remaining offi¬
cers and men were mustered out of service July 15, 1865.
142
History of Bennington County.
The following is a roster of the men of the Second Regiment who were cred¬
ited to the county of Bennington, as the same was compiled in the reports of
the adjutant-general.
Field and Staff.
James H. Walbridge, colonel; elected captain company A, May 14, 1861 ;
promoted major May 21, 1862 ; to lieutenant-colonel January 8, 1863 ; to col¬
onel February 9, 1863; resigned April 1, 1864.
Newton Stone, colonel; elected first lieutenant, company A, May 14, 1861 ;
captain, company I.January 22, 1862; promoted major January 8, 1863;
lieutenant colonel February 9, 1863 ; colonel April 2, 1864; killed at Wilder¬
ness, Va., May 5, 1864.
Guilford S. Ladd, adjutant; resigned July 17, 1862.
Roster—Company A.
James H. Walbridge, captain ; promoted major May 21, 1862.
William H. Cady, captain; elected second lieutenant May 14, 1861 ; pro¬
moted first lieutenant January 22, 1862 ; wounded at Wilderness May 5, 1864;
mustered out June 29, 1864.
Pratt Stone, enlisted as private ; promoted sergeant November 1, 1861 ;
first sergeant October 14, 1862; wounded May 3, 1863; discharged; re-en¬
listed December 1, 1863 ; first lieutenant company D, June 20, 1864; cap¬
tain December 24, 1864; resigned July 9, 1865.
Eugene O. Cole, first lieutenant ; appointed sergeant June 20, 1861 ; first
sergeant September 14, 1861 ; second lieutenant May 21, 1862; first lieuten¬
ant October 17, 1862; mustered out June 29, 1864.
Edward W. Appleton, first lieutenant; promoted first sergeant June 20.
1861 ; second lieutenant company H, September 12, 1861 ; first lieutenant
company B, January 25, 1862 ; discharged for disability September 25, 1862.
Otis V. Estes, second lieutenant; appointed sergeant May 7, 1861 ; first
sergeant May 21, 1862 ; second lieutenant October 17, 1862 ; wounded May
12, 1864; mustered out June 29, 1864.
Burr T. Cole, second lieutenant; wounded May 6, 1864; corporal Decem¬
ber 1, 1864; first sergeant February 7, 1865; mustered out of service July
21, 1865.
Charles M. Bliss, second lieutenant; enlisted as private; appointed ser¬
geant June 20, 1861 ; promoted second lieutenant September 2, 1861 ; honor¬
ably discharged October 4, 1862.
Russell Fisk, second lieutenant; appointed sergeant-major February 7,
1865 ; mustered out of service as sergeant-major July 15, 1865.
John P. Harwood, sergeant; transferred to Invalid Corps July 27, 1863.
Augustus J. Robbins, corporal ; promoted second lieutenant company D,
December 20, 1862.
The Second Regiment.
143
John W. Reay, corporal ; deserted August 29, 1862.
Giles J. Burges, corporal; mustered out of service June 29, 1864.
Warren M. Wyman, corporal ; mustered out of service June 29, 1864.
James N. Williams, corporal ; promoted sergeant ; mustered out June 29,
1864.
William Lecor, corporal; killed at Antietam September 16, 1862.
Edwin R. Welch, corporal ; discharged July 31, 1862.
William E. Murphy, corporal; mustered out of service June 29, 1864.
Horace Gates, musician; discharged March 31, 1863.
Lucius Norton, musician; mustered out of service June 29, 1864.
Alfred Ladd, wagoner; discharged March 31, 1864.
Privates.
Joseph Alsop, killed at Wilderness May 5, 1864.
Waldo E. Barrows, promoted corporal; killed at Wilderness May 5, 1864.
George W. Benjamin, deserted December 21, 1862.
Erederick H. Blake, discharged February 4, 1862.
William H. Bond, promoted sergeant; re-enlisted December 21, 1864;
promoted first lieutenant September 15, 1864; captain December 24, 1864;
mustered out July 15, 1865.
Nelson C. Bradford, discharged July 18, 1862.
Amos J. Brown, deserted January 31, 1864.
Burton E. Bryant, mustered out of service June 29, 1864.
Lucius Carpenter, died May 1, 1862.
Thomas Dempsey, promoted corporal; discharged April 16, 1864.
Andrew J. Downs, mustered out of service June 29, 1864.
Jerome Draper, discharged July 18, 1862.
Charles Dunn, mustered out of service June 29, 1864.
Myron Dunn, deserted September 30, 1863.
Abiather P. Edwards, mustered out of service June 29, 1864.
Myron S. Ferguson, transferred to Invalid Corps July 1, 1863.
John B. Fox, wagoner; re-enlisted January 15, 1864; mustered out of
service July 15,1865.
William C. Gage, transferred to Signal Corps December 15, 1863.
Joseph L. Gilmore, deserted August 28, 1862.
Alonzo Goodenough, promoted corporal; mustered out June 29, 1864.
Metcher B. Goldsmith, transferred to Invalid Corps September 1, 1863.
Orsamus B. Goldsmith, deserted October 17, 1862.
Edward Grace, killed at Wilderness May 5, 1864.
Edward Griffin, mustered out of service June 29, 1864.
Hiram H. Harrington, deserted June 18, 1862.
Charles C. Harris, on detached service June 29, 1864.
144
History of Bennington County.
Henry M. Harris, deserted August 31, 1862.
H. Martin Harwood, mustered out of service June 29, 1864.
Thomas S. Hathaway, discharged February 17, 1863.
James Hicks, discharged November 29, 1861.
Charles H. Hill, mustered out of service June 29, 1864.
Horace S. Hill, promoted corporal; killed at Wilderness May 5, 1864.
Selah H. Holbrook, dropped October 17, 1862.
Henry Holden, promoted sergeant; sick in hospital June 29, 1864.
Orrin A. Holden, transferred to Invalid Corps September 1, 1863.
Jeremiah Iiurlburt, discharged September 23, 1862.
Cornelius Hurley, deserted September 3, 1862.
Charles Kelley, mustered out of service June 29, 1864.
Alonzo Mattison, deserted September 3, 1862.
Ezra L. Mead, deserted September 18, 1862.
Thomas Morrisey, discharged March 26, 1863.
George Morrison, mustered out of service June 29, 1864.
Johnson W. Niles, died May 15, 1864, of wounds received in action May
12, 1864.
Henry D. Norton, sick in hospital June 29, 1864.
Andrew J. Noyce, discharged April 3, 1862.
Hiland A. Percy, mustered out of service June 29, 1864.
John Powers, killed at Wilderness May 5, 1864.
James L. Robinson, mustered out of service June 29, 1864.
Melvin W. Sanborn, mustered out of service June 29, 1864.
William H. Sears, promoted corporal; wounded and in hospital June 29,
1864.
James H. Shippee, discharged November 27, 1862.
Chandler T. Smith, transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps April 15, 1864.
Francis E. Smith, killed at Fredericksburg December 13, 1862.
Albert Stafford, died February 8, 1863.
Frank L. Taylor, discharged April 4, 1864.
Leander M. Towsley, deserted June 20, 1864.
Linus M. Towsley, died May I, 1862.
Nathan J. Tracy, discharged December 15, 1862.
George E. Tyler, discharged August 26, 1863.
Solomon H. Westcott, transferred to Invalid Corps.
Jabez F. Wilcox, mustered out of service June 29, 1864.
Lewis Wood, died May I, 1862.
Abel T. Wyman, re-enlisted March 31, 1864; sick in general hospital July
15, 1865.
Recruits.
John P. Abbott, drafted; mustered out of service May 24, 1865.
The Second Regiment.
i45
Daniel Abby, drafted; mustered out of service July 15, 1865.
Ira Allen, substitute ; died May 12, 1864, of wounds received in action May
5, 1864.
James Allen, substitute; deserted October 10, 1863.
Albert Amidon, promoted corporal; mustered out June 19, 1865.
Truman Amidon, died at Brattboro February 12, 1864.
John Anderson, substitute; deserted October 10, 1863.
Jacob B. Angier, substitute; mustered out of service July 15, 1865.
William H. Austin, substitute; deserted July 24, 1864.
James Bailey, substitute; died at Andersonville, Ga. July 11, 1864.
Eliphalet E. Baicli, killed at Fredericksburg December 13, 1862.
Harlow E. Batchelder, mustered out of service October 31, 1864.
William W. Beals, mustered out of service July 15, 1865.
Benjamin S. Bernard, discharged November 7, 1862.
Enos Blair, substitute; missing May 21, 1864; supposed prisoner.
William Blowers, deserted September 19, 1864.
George E. Blowers, courtmartialed and shot for desertion December 8,
1863.
Charles N. Brown, mustered out of service June 19, 1865.
Clark R. Bryant, mustered out of service October 31, 1864.
Cornelius Bryant, deserted October 10, 1863.
Warren S. Bryant, dishonorably discharged December 7, 1864.
James Burrett, mustered out of service June 19, 1865.
Henry H. Bushey, deserted September 13, 1864; substitute.
Jonathan Camp, killed at Charlestown, Va. August 21, 1864.
Alfred Card, discharged June 13, 1865.
Samuel Carpenter, killed at Petersburg March 25, 1865.
Ransom Chaffee, drafted; on detached service at muster out.
Charles E. Clough, died July 9, 1863.
John Clough, died December 9, 1861.
Marcus M. Clough, killed at Charlestown, Va. August 21, 1864.
Warren Clough, transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps; mustered out July
3, 1863.
Samuel G. Conant, discharged December 29, 1864.
Charles Cone, jr., mustered out of service May 25, 1865.
Hugh E. Cone, mustered out of service July 15, 1865.
Daniel F. Coolidge, discharged September 16, 1862.
George L. Crozier, mustered out July 15, 1865; veteran.
Clark Curtice, killed at Charlestown, Va., August 21, 1864.
Curtis Davis, mustered out of service July 15, 1865.
Eeroy G. Davis, mustered out of service June 9, 1865.
Henry W. Downs, mustered out of service May 22, 1865.
19
146
History of Bennington County.
Cyrus J. Ellsworth, mustered out of service July 15, 1865.
Josephus Ellsworth, mustered out of service June 19, 1865.
Chester B. Elmer, drafted; died December 31, 1864.
Russell Fisk, promoted sergeant-major, February 7, 1865.
Hiland A. Fuller, killed near Cold Harbor June 5, 1864.
Alonzo Goodenough, promoted corporal; mustered out July 15, 1865.
Azariah A. Grant, discharged May 29, 1865.
Antoine Gravlin, mustered out of service Jnne 19, 1865.
Seymour Green, deserted July 1, 1864.
John Griffin, mustered out of service July 15, 1865.
Sireuus Griffis, discharged July 2, 1863.
Foster Grousbeck, discharged May 20, 1865.
Charles M. Hapgood, mustered out of service October 31, 1864.
Calvin Hathaway, died November 23, 1862.
Henry Haskins, promoted corporal; mustered out of service June 19, 1865.
William Hill, substitute; mustered out of service July 15, 1865.
C. Eugene Horton, mustered out of service June 19, 1865.
George Horton, mustered out of service June 19, 1865.
Henry Horton, promoted corporal; mustered out of service June 19, 1865.
James G. Howard, re-enlisted December 21, 1863; promoted sergeant;
first lieutenant company A, December 24, 1864.
Lyman Hulett, transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps November 25, 1864.
Moses Hulett, mustered out of service June 19, 1865.
Charles V. Hupf, re-enlisted April 13, 1864; deserted August 15, 1864.
Albert C. Jackson, mustered out of service July 10, 1865.
John W. Jackson, mustered out of service June 19, 1865.
Lysander L. Jackson, promoted corporal; to sergeant; killed at Peters¬
burg April 2, 1865.
Sidney E. Jackson, promoted corporal; mustered out of service June 19,
1865.
William C. Jackson, killed at Wilderness May 5, 1864.
William J. Johnson, transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps November 25,
1864.
Joseph P. Kellogg, transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps March 15, 1864;
discharged May 8, 1865.
Henry C. Lanfair, transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps January 28, 1865;
' mustered out June 26, 1865.
Hollis S. Larrabee, mustered out July 15, 1865.
Lyman H. Larrabee, mustered out of service July 15, 1865.
Vetal Lassor, mustered out of service June 19, 1865.
Russell E. Lasure, mustered out of service June 19, 1865.
John Lavine, re-enlisted April 13, 1864; deserted May 19, 1864.
The Second Regiment.
i47
Thomas Leen, deserted September 23, 1864.
Henry Lord, substitute; deserted September 29, 1863.
Albert Lyon, died February 23, 1862.
Albert M. Matteson, deserted December 28, 1862.
Solomon Matteson, died May 12, 1864, of wounds received at battle of Wil¬
derness.
Charles R. Mooney, discharged April 5, 1863.
George M. Nelson, deserted July 1, 1863.
Josiah W. Norcross, killed at Fredericksburg May 3, 1863.
William E. Nichols, mustered out of service June 19, 1865.
Brownell Niles, mustered out of service June 19, 1865.
Elihu North, mustered out of service July 15, 1865.
William O'Brien, promoted corporal; sergeant; mustered out June 19, 1865.
Simeon M. Palmer, mustered out of service July 19, 1865.
Gideon Parents, died June 17, 1862.
George M. Perkins, mustered out of service, July 21, 1865.
George E. Plumb, mustered out of service June 19, 1865.
Benajah Potter, discharged April 13, 1862.
Daniel M. Priest, discharged October 15, 1862.
Willard Rice, jr., died December 19, 1862.
Henry A. Richardson, killed at Wilderness May 5, 1864.
Silas W. Richardson, transferred to Invalid Reserve Corps; mustered out
July I, 1865.
Charles D. Robbins, discharged February 14, 1863.
Daniel Ryan, killed at Wilderness May 5, 1864.
Norman H. Ryan, mustered out of service June 19, 1865.
Chauncey S. Sampson, died May 4, 1863, of wounds received at Fredericks¬
burg May 3, 1863.
George A. Schumaker, taken prisoner May 26, 1864.
Henry G. Seger, promoted corporal; sergeant; mustered out June 12, 1865.
Edward A. Seldon, died August 4, 1862.
Abraham Sherman, transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps December 20,
1864; mustered out of service July 1, 1865.
George C. Shippee, mustered out of service June 19, 1865.
Leander E. Shippee, sick in general hospital July 15, 1865.
William E. Shippee, mustered out of service July 12, 1865.
Frederick C. Squires, promoted corporal; mustered out July 10, 1865.
Emerson Stafford, mustered out of service June 19, 1865.
Fayette Stone, re-enlisted December 21, 1863; mustered out July 15, 1865;
veteran.
Henry Styles, promoted corporal; to sergeant; to sergeant-major May 7,
1864.
148
History of Bennington County.
Patrick Sumner, mustered out of service May 13, 1865.
Sylvester Sweet, discharged April 19, 1864.
Andrew J. Vorce, killed at Wilderness May 5, 1864.
William S. Weymouth, died December 14, 1861.
Henry Willard, substitute; deserted September 17, 1863.
Horatio K. Wilson, promoted sergeant; mustered out June 19, 1865.
Leroy Wyman, died October 14, 1864.
The band that accompanied the Second Regiment was that known as Cros-
sett's Band of Bennington. The members entered the service in June, 1861,
and were discharged December 19, 1861. The band comprised the following
persons: Franklin M. Crossett, leader, and musicians, Durrane O. Abell, Wil¬
lard S. Cotton, Daniel H. Cross, Barnard F. Childs, J. Dow Chapman, Gusta-
vus Foster, George W. Fisk, Rufus C. Holbrook, Thomas A. Hutchins, John
Ivehoe, Joseph H. Lottridge, Gordon Monroe, George M. Marsh, Richard Moon,
Chauncey R. Marsh, Edward Norton, Wales W. Puffer, William G. Phelps,
Martin V. Peters, William B. Shaw, Norman Puffer, Charles White, Charles
Warren.
The Fourth Regiment.
The Fourth Regiment of Vermont Volunteer Infantry was raised in re¬
sponse to a proclamation issued by Governor Fairbanks on the 30th of July,
1861, urging the necessity of further military organizations from the State for
national service ; and within thirty days from the time that proclamation was
published there were sufficient men in readiness, from all parts of the State, for
two full regiments. Thus was the Fourth Vermont Infantry brought into ex¬
istence.
For this organization the county of Bennington contributed Company A.
The regiment was mustered into the United States service on the 21st of Sep¬
tember, 1861, with the following field and staff officers: Edward W. Stough-
ton, of Rockingham, colonel; Henry N. Worthen, of Bradford, lieutenant-col¬
onel; John C. Tyler, of Brattleboro, major; Charles B. Stoughton, of Rock¬
ingham, adjutant; John H. Cushman, of Bennington, quartermaster; Samuel
J. Allen, of Hartford, surgeon; Willard A. Child, of Pittsford, assistant surgeon,
and Salem M. Plympton, of West Haven, Conn., chaplain.
The regiment rendezvoused at Brattleboro, their camp at that place being
christened "Camp Holbrook," in honor of Hon. Frederick Holbrook who had
recently been elected governor of the State. On the 14th of September the
regiment was ordered to proceed to Washington, but by reason of the fact that
their arms, clothing and equipments had not been distributed, the command
was allowed to remain in camp here for a few days longer. On the 21st of the
same-month the regiment left Brattleboro for Washington, at which place it
arrived on the evening of the 23d, and encamped on Capitol Hill. Later, on
the 9th of October, with General Smith's division the Fourth proceeded to
The Fourth Regiment.
149
Lewinsville, Va., where the vicissitudes of active army life commenced ; but
the regiment was not destined to meet the enemy in open engagement during
the year 1861, that event being postponed until the opening of the campaign
in 1862.
It must not be inferred, however, that their camp life in Virginia was a
pleasant one by any means, for, while the regiment was not called into action
against the rebels, the men were, nevei theless, stricken with the malarial fever
so prevalent in the South, and suffered greatly thereby. On the 13th of De¬
cember there were three hundred and sixty men of the Fourth in the hospital.
The final statement of the Fourth Regiment as compiled from the reports
on file in the adjutant-general's office shows as follows:
Original numbers—commissioned officers, 38 ; enlisted men, 1,010; total 1,048
Gain—recruits, 602 ; transfers from other regim nts, 203 ; total 805
Aggregate 1,853
Losses.
Killed in action—commissioned officers, 8; enlisted men, 66; total 74
Died of wounds—commissioned officers, 4 ; enlisted men, 83 ; total 87
Died of disease—enlisted men 195
Died (unwounded) in Confederate prisons, enlisted men 71
Died from accidents, enlisted men 2
Total of deaths 429
Promoted to other regiments—officers, 6 ; enlisted men, 8 ; total 14
Transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps, Navy, Regular Army, etc 93
Honorably discharged - commissioned officers resigned ,22 ; for wounds and disability, 7 ;
enlisted men, for wounds, 69 ; for disability, 373 ; total 471
Dishonorably discharged—commissioned officers, 1 ; enlisted men. 5 ; total 6
Total discharged 477
Deserted, 118 ; unaccounted for ,5 ; total 123
Mustered out—commissioned officers, 39; enlisted men, 678; total 717
Aggregate 1,853
Total wounded 414
Total re-enlisted 210
The following is the official list of battles of the Fourth Regiment: Lee's
Mills, April 16, 1862; Williamsburg, May 5. 1862; Golding's Farm, June 26,
1862; Savage's Station, June 29, 1862; White Oak Swamp. June 30, 1862;
Crampton's Gap, September 14, 1862; Antietam, September 17, 1862; Frede¬
ricksburg, December 13, 1862; Marye's Heights, May 3, 1863; Salem Heights,
May 4, 1863; Fredericksburg, June 5, 1863 ; Gettysburg, July 3, 1863 ; Funks-
town, July 10, 1873 ; Rappahannock Station, November 7, 1863 ; Wilderness,
May 5 to 10, 1864; Spottsylvania, May 10 to 18, 1864; Cold Harbor, June I to
2, 1864; Petersburg, June 18, 1864; Weldon Road, June 23, 1864; Charles-
town, August 21, 1864; Opequan, September 13, 1864; Winchester, Septem-
History of Bennington County.
ber 9, 1864; Fisher's Hill, September 21-22, 1864; Cedar Creek, October 19,
1864; Petersburg, March 25-27, 1865; Petersburg, April 2, 1865.
The following roster both of officers and men purports to contain the names
and several of those who were residents of Bennington county at the time the
regiment was raised; yet, from the fact that the adjutant-general's reports do
not mention the residence of privates in any of the companies, it is difficult to
learn whether or not all were Bennington county men; therefore it is not at all
improbable that many of the recruits that were added to the company from
Bennington county—Company A—were from other localities. It is generally
conceded, however, that Company A, of the Fourth Regiment, was Benning¬
ton county's contribution.
Roster Field and Staff Officers.
John E. Pratt, lieutenant-colonel; elected captain company A, August 16,
1861 ; promoted major April 30, 1864; lieutenant colonel March 14, 1865;
mustered out July 13, 1865.
John H. Cushman, quartermaster; resigned January 24, 1863.
Henry T. Cushman, quartermaster-sergeant; commissioned March 1, 1862;
mustered out September 30, 1864.
Roster Company A.
John E. Pratt, captain ; promoted to major April 30, 1864.
Howard C. Chapin, captain; enlisted as private; promoted corporal Sep¬
tember 21, 1861; sergeant; second lieutenant company B, August 1, 1862;
first lieutenant company F, April 1, 1863; mustered out of service July 13,
1865 ; veteran.
Abel K. Parsons, first lieutenant; killed in action at Cold Harbor, Va. June
3, 1864.
Gideon H. Burton, first lieutenant; second lieutenant August 27, 1861 ;
promoted first lieutenant company C July 17, 1862 ; resigned February 14,
1863.
Nathan A. Smith, second lieutenant; enlisted as private ; promoted corpo¬
ral July 3 1, 1863; re-enlisted December 1 5, 1863 ; wounded May 5, 1864; pro¬
moted sergeant September 21, 1864; regimental quartermaster-sergeant Feb¬
ruary 4, 1865; second lieutenant company F February 27, 1865; mustered out
of service July 13, 1865 ; veteran.
Fred A. Rogers, sergeant; transferred to Invalid Corps November 20, 1863.
William A. Comar, sergeant; died in Andersonville, Ga. August 20, 1864.
Fred Godfrey, sergeant; reduced to ranks; re enlisted February 9, 1864;
mustered out July 13, 1865.
Addison J. Grover, sergeant; reduced to ranks; died September 29, 1862.
William B. Barber, sergeant; discharged June 6, 1862.
The Fourth Regiment.
Adelbert W. Warren, corporal; reduced to ranks ; discharged October 31,
1862.
Charles G. Cole, corporal; discharged May 5, 1863.
Elias D. Adams, corporal; reduced to ranks ; transferred to naval service ;
discharged September 12, 1863.
David E. Downer, corporal; reduced to ranks; transferred to Invalid
Corps April 10, 1864.
William Cass, corporal; discharged November 12, 1862.
Jacob L. Cook, corporal; reduced to ranks; discharged.
William H. Lenver, corporal; discharged.
James E. Alden, corporal ; promoted sergeant; transferred from company
F, February 25, 1865.
Nelson 0. Wilcox, musician; re enlisted December 15, 1864; mustered out
July 13, 1865.
George W. Bickford, wagoner ; discharged June 24, 1862.
Privates.
William Ainley, discharged March 3, 1862.
Anson Aldrich, deserted September 10, 1863.
Martin S. Atwood, transferred to Invalid Corps May 15, 1864.
Byron C. Barber, mustered out of service September 30, 1864.
Clark Bartlett, re-enlisted December 15, 1863; promoted corporal ; mus¬
tered out of service July 13, 1865.
George Bartlett, discharged March 5, 1863.
John Bartlett, discharged March 7, 1863.
Josiah D. Belding, discharged February II, 1863.
Lewis Belknap, transferred from company B; re-enlisted December 15,
1863.
Phineas Bemis, re-enlisted December 15, 1863 ; transferred from company
F ; prisoner June 23, 1864.
Alonzo Bigelow, promoted corporal; to sergeant; re-enlisted February 19,
1864; mustered out July 13, 1865.
John Blake, re-enlisted December^, 1863; transferred from company F;
mustered out July 13, 1865.
Elliott A. Bourn, discharged October 31, 1862.
William Bourn, died February 10, 1862.
Lyman H. Bowles, died at Andersonville, Ga. August, 1864.
George Bracey, killed at Wilderness May, 5, 1864.
Alfred Bump, discharged May 3, 1862.
Henry G. Camp, discharged December 15, 1862.
William J. Camp, discharged December 15, 1862.
Benjamin Carey, died March 6, 1862.
I52
History of Bennington County.
Ira Cary, discharged March 17, 1863.
Luther Carey, died February 8, 1863.
Oliver Carey, died March 6, 1862.
Charles H. Carlton, promoted corporal; to sergeant; transferred from com¬
pany F ; promoted second lieutenant.
Nathan B. Carpenter, died December 4, 1861.
Charles C. Chapin, transferred from company F.
Marshall Clapp, mustered out September 30, 1864.
Felix G. Cole, prisoner June 23, 1864; paroled; mustered out April 30,
1865.
George Convats, prisoner of war; mustered out of service May 25, 1865.
Obadiah S. Comar, discharged June 2, 1862.
Cornelius W. Cutler, promoted corporal; re-enlisted December 15, 1863;
promoted sergeant; mustered out July 13, 1865.
Lewis A. Davis, killed at Fredericksburg December 13, 1862.
Lysander Davis, re-enlisted December 15, 1863; mustered out July 13,
1865.
Dennis Delaney, re-enlisted December 15, 1863; mustered out July 13,
1865 ; transferred from company F.
Barney Devine, discharged November 6, 1863.
John M. Digman, discharged July 29, 1862.
Bradford S. Downs, died August 23, 1863.
John H. Evans, promoted corporal; discharged January 30, 1863.
Perry B. Gage, discharged March 5, 1863.
Henry Gipson, deserted September 10, 1863.
George B. Godfrey, re-enlisted December 15, 1863 ; mustered out July 13,
1865.
John W. Graves, re-enlisted December 15, 1863; mustered out July 13,
1865.
Lyman R. Grimslett, wagoner; re-enlisted December 15, 1863 ; mustered
out July 13, 1865.
John A. Grout, re-enlisted December 15, 1863; mustered out July 13, 1865.
Oscar F. Guy, no record found.
Calvin H. Harrington, re-enlisted December 15, 1863 ; deserted Septem¬
ber 23, 1864.
Artemas B. Hill, re-enlisted December 15, 1863; sick in general hospital
July 13, 1865.
Elisha B. Hill, discharged September 29, 1862.
Joseph Hufnagle, re-enlisted December 15, 1863; died June 8, 1864, of
wounds received May 12, 1864.
Joel Jepson, discharged March 2, 1862.
James B. Johnson, discharged October 13, 1864.
The Fourth Regiment.
i53
William B. Jones, transferred from company F; discharged June 25, 1865.
Wallace W. Kendall, promoted corporal; prisoner June 23, 1X64; paroled ;
mustered out April 5, '865.
Adin II. Knapp, transferred from company F; mustered out Jul)- 13, 1865;
prisoner June 23, 1864.
Lewis Knapp, discharged May 10, 1863.
Horatio Knight, transferred from company F; mustered out Jul)' 13, 1865.
Philip Krang, promoted corporal ; mustered out February 8, 1865.
James Laden, discharged March 21, 1863.
Iliram D. Leonard, discharged December 10, 1862.
George II. Lillie, died February 4, 1862.
Sidney Lillie, discharged November 24, 1862.
Henry S. Loveland, discharged November 9, 1862.
Dennis Mahoney, transferred from company F ; sick in hospital at muster-
out.
Squire A. Mallory, promoted sergeant; mustered out March 15, 1865.
George D. Marsh, transferred from company F; mustered out July 13, 1865.
Michael Martin, discharged May 18, 1862.
Adoniram McClenithan, promoted corporal; mustered out September 30,
1864.
James Mehan, promoted corporal; re-enlisted December 15, 1863 ; dis¬
charged January 30, 1865.
John Mehan, mustered out of service September 30, 1864.
John II. Minott, killed at Fredericksburg December 13, 1862.
Joseph Minott, killed at Petersburg June 23, 1864.
Charles Moles, mustered out of service September 30, 1864.
Silas Newman, discharged September 25, 1862.
Patrick O'Connor, discharged December 17, 1862.
Alvin J. Parker, transferred from company F ; mustered out July 13, 1865.
George H. Parker, re-enlisted December 15, 1863; transferred to Veteran
Reserve Corps; mustered out July 20, 1865.
benjamin A. Patch, promoted corporal; re-enlisted December 15, 1863;
absent on furlough July 13, 1865.
William Paul, promoted corporal; re-enlisted December 15, 1863; mus¬
tered out with regiment.
Henry Perry, transferred from company F ; mustered out July 13, 1865.
Philander W. Rice, re-enlisted December 15, 1863 ; mustered out July 13,
1865.
Richard Richardson, re-enlisted April 3, 1864; deserted April, 1864, from
veteran furlough.
Charles Rising, discharged April 2, 1862.
William F. Robbins, promoted corporal; died December 12, 1862.
20
154
History of Bennington County.
Charles H. Russell, transferred to Invalid Reserve Corps, January 15, 1864.
Frank W. Saucy, transferred from company B ; re-enlisted; transferred to
company H.
Lanson B. Shaw, discharged September 27, 1862.
Moses Smith, re-enlisted December 15, 1863; prisoner June 23, 1864;
mustered out July 13, 1865.
Nathan A. Smith, promoted corporal; promoted quartermaster-sergeant.
William Smith, transferred from company F ; mustered out July 13, 1865.
Henry W. Spafford, promoted commissary sergeant May 4, 1862.
Benjamin Stafford, died February 2, 1862.
Charles Stay, transferred from company F ; mustered out July 13, 1865 ;
veteran.
Willard S. Sumner, discharged May 2, 1862.
Adelbert Tousley, discharged September 13, 1862.
George Turner, discharged March 6, 1863.
Herbert L. Veber, promoted corporal; re-enlisted December 15, 1863;
prisoner June 30, 1864.
James A. Walker, deserted July I, 1862.
John H. Watson, promoted sergeant; mustered out September 30, 1864.
Horace H. Wheeler, discharged December 29, 1862.
Increase B. Whitney, re-enlisted December 15, 1863; mustered out July
13, 1865.
Norman M. Wright, discharged February 16, 1863.
Recruits.
Henry J. Allard, discharged September 12, 1862.
Elisha Badger, substitute; taken prisoner June 23, 1864; mustered out of
service May 18, 1865.
Obadiah H. Barnes, drafted; missing in action May 5, 1864.
Alonzo H. Baker, substitute ; absent on detached service at muster-out.
James Barr, substitute; deserted July 24, 1864.
Charles Bates, substitute; wounded; in general hospital at muster-out.
George Baxter, substitute; died at Andersonville, Ga. January 6, 1865.
Emerson E. Belany, mustered out June 19, 1865.
John Blair, substitute; taken prisoner June 30, 1864.
Elisha Burbank, substitute; mustered out with regiment.
Charles Burnham, prisoner June 30, 1864.
Norman H. Bushley, transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps; mustered out
April 24, 1865.
Charles B. Buxton, died at Andersonville, Ga. October 6, 1865.
Edwin Briggs, died January 3, 1863.
Sylvester F. Briggs, died November 13, 1862.
The Fourth Regiment.
i55
Charles Camp, killed at Cedar Creek October 19, 1864.
Henry G. Camp, prisoner June 23, 1864 ; mustered out July 5, 1865.
Stephen A. Capron, killed at Wilderness May 5, 1864.
Norman D. Cole, prisoner of war; mustered out July 13, 1865.
Edward Chase, drafted ; absent on detached service at muster-out.
Israel J. Currin, transferred from company H ; mustered out July 21, 1865.
Wallace B. Cutting, transferred to Invalid Corps; discharged September
30, 1864.
Zimri R. Daily, drafted; deserted February 21, 1864.
Harry W. Downer, transferred from company F; mustered out July 13,
1865.
Joseph F. Drury, substitute; transferred from company F; died February
11, 1865.
Samuel I7. Dunbar, prisoner, June 23, 1864; died at Wilmington, N. C.,
March 18, 1865.
Harry Fales, drafted; killed at Wilderness May 5, 1864.
Clark A. Ferguson, substitute; died at Andersonville, Ga. October, 1864.
Irving E. Gipson, mustered out of service July 14, 1865.
Hiram J. Gorham, transferred from company I; mustered out May 23,
1865.
Edward L. Granger, mustered out June 19, 1865.
Joseph Greenyea, drafted; mustered out July 13, 1865.
John Hackett, discharged March 27, 1865.
Melvin M. Hale, mustered out June 19, 1865.
Benjamin C. Hathaway, mustered out July 13, 1865.
Don A. Howard, mustered out June 19, 1865.
Charles A. Kilburn, mustered out June 19, 1865.
Elijah Knapp, killed at Spottsylvania May 12, 1864; substitute.
Moses H. Knapp, substitute; deserted May 5, 1864.
Joseph Leyazer, substitute; killed at Wilderness May 5, 1864.
Sylvester Little, discharged January 12, 1865.
Otis Littlejohn, mustered out May 14, 1865,
Nathan Mann, prisoner May 23, 1864; died December 31, 1864.
Richard McCrea, substitute; deserted April 15, 1864.
David B. Merrill, transferred to Invalid Corps July 27, 1863.
Isaac N. Morton, promoted corporal ; mustered out with regiment.
Irvin Nye, discharged May 12, 1865.
John O,veils, transferred from company I7; mustered out with regiment.
George B. Paddleford, substitute ; on detached service at muster-out.
Elihu Parker, sick in general hospital from June 25, 1862.
Silas Parker, discharged January 5, 1863.
Charles Ouadc, substitute; discharged May 29, 1865.
156
History of Bennington County.
Thomas J. Quade, jr., mustered out May 16, 1865.
Antoine Ranney, substitute ; prisoner ; died at Andersonville October 24,
1864.
Elmer D. Rice, discharged February 23, 1865.
George W. Rice, dischargad February 23, 1865.
Lemuel B. Sargent, drafted; died July 11, 1864.
Henry G. Smith, drafted; discharged March 13, 1864.
John Smith, substitute ; prisoner since June 23, 1864.
Thomas B. Sexton, died in Andersonville, Ga. September 11, 1864.
James E. Stearns, transferred from company F; mustered out June 19, 1865.
Benjamin H. Teel, transferred from company F; mustered out June 19,
1865.
George P. Tole, transferred from company F; discharged March 27, 1865.
Warren S. Walbridge, discharged December 29, 1862.
Nathan L. Webster, died December 23, 1864.
William A. Webster, promoted sergeant; died in Andersonville, Ga. Oc¬
tober 9, 1864.
John Wheeler, transferred from company F ; deserter; substitute.
Samuel Wheeler, discharged March 16, 1863.
David Wood, deserted October 15, 1864.
Henry N. Woodworth, died July 4, 1864, of wounds received May 5, 1864.
William G. Woodworth, mustered out with the regiment.
Hiram York, drafted; died June 7, 1864, of wounds received at Wilderness.
Thomas Young, transferred from company F; taken prisoner June 23, 1864.
The Fifth Regiment.
The Fifth Regiment of Vermont troops was raised at about the same time
as was the Fourth, and under the call of Governor Fairbanks; and although
taking a later number in the line of Vermont regiments, the Fifth was mus¬
tered into the United States service some four or five days earlier than its im¬
mediate predecessor, the Fourth Regiment. To the Fifth the county of Ben¬
nington contributed Company E, the same having been recruited mainly in the
the town of Manchester, while not a few were from surrounding towns.
The Fifth rendezvoused at St. Albans, at which place the men were assem¬
bled and encamped on the 14th of September, 1861. On the 16th and 17th
the regiment was mustered into service. The personnel of the field and staff
at that time was as follows: Colonel, Henry A. Smalley, formerly lieutenant
of the Second United States Heavy Artillery, and a graduate of the United
States Military Academy. His commission as colonel of the Fifth was dated
July 30, 1861, and he assumed command of the regiment September 15, there¬
after. Captain Nathan Lord who had previously been in the service under
General McClellan, was made lieutenant-colonel, but, being called to command
The Fiftii Regiment.
i57
the Sixth Regiment, his place was taken by Louis A. Grant, who was advanced
from the position of major. Redfield Proctor was appointed major; Edward
M. Brown, adjutant; Aldis O. Brainerd, quartermaster; William P. Russell, sur¬
geon ; Henry C. Shaw, assistant surgeon; Rev. Volney M. Simons, chaplain.
On Monday, the 23d of September, the Fifth proceeded to Washington, at
which place it arrived on the 25th, and encamped on Capitol Mil! for the space
of two days, and then marched to Chain Ridge. On the 28th the regiment
crossed into Virginia and went into camp in the vicinity of the Second and
Third Vermont Regiments. Then on the 9th of October another change was
made and the Fifth occupied Camp Griffin at Smoot's Hill, where it remained
during the winter of 1861-2.
Battles of the Fifth Vermont.
Lee's Mill, April 16, 1862; Williamsburg, May 5, 1862; Golding's Farm,
June 26, 1862 ; Savage's Station, June 29, 1862 ; White Oak Swamp, June 30,
1862; Crampton's Gap, September 14, 1862 ; Antietam, September 17, 1862;
Fredericksburg, December 13, 1862; Marye's Heights, May 3, 1863; Salem
Heights, May 4, 1863; Fredericksburg, June5, 1863; Gettysburg, July 3, 1863;
Funkstown, July 10, 1863; Rappahannock Station, November 7, 1863; Wil¬
derness, May 5 to 10, 1864; Spottsylvania, May 10 to 18, 1864; Cold Har¬
bor, June 1 to 12, 1864; Petersburg, June 18, 1864; Charlestown, August 21,
1864; Opequaw, September 13, 1864; Winchester, September 19, 1864; Fish¬
er's Hill, September 21 to 22, 1864; Cedar Creek, October 19, 1864; Peters¬
burg, March 25 and 27, 1865 ; Petersburg, April 2, 1865.
Final Statemknt.1
Original members—commissioned officers, 38 ; enlisted men, 948 ; total 986
Gain -recruits, 588; transferred from other regiments, 43; total 631
Arebate 1,617
L< isses.
Killed in action—commissioned officers, 5 ; enlisted men. 128 ; total 133
Died of wounds—commissioned officers, 4 ; enlisted men, 68; total 72
Died of disease—commissioned officers, 1 ; enlisted men, 113; total 114
Died (umvounded) in Confederate prisons 11
Died from accidents—enlisted men, 4 ; executed, 1 5
Total of deaths 335
Honorably discharged—commissioned officers, resigned, 24; for wounds and disabilities,
12; men discharged for wounds, 99 ; for disabilities, 298 ; total 433
Dishonorably discharged — commissioned officers, 4 ; enlisted men, 9 ; total 13
Total discharged 44(1
Promoted to United States Army and to other regiments, officers, 8 ; men, 2 ; total.... 10
' From Benedict's Vermont in the Cii'il War,
158 History of Bennington Gounty.
Transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps, United States Navy and Army, etc.. officers, 2 ;
men, 90; total g2
Deserted, 109 ; unaccounted for, 6; total
Mustered out—commissioned officers, 53 ; enlisted men, 565 ; total 618
Aggregate
Total wounded..
Total re-enlisted
Roster—Field and Staff.
Charles P. Dudley, lieutenant-colonel; elected captain company E August
30, 1 861 ; promoted major October 6, 1862 ; lieutenant-colonel May 6, 1864;
died May 21, 1864, of wounds received at battle at Wilderness, May 10, 1864.
Eugene O. Cole, lieutenant-colonel; appointed major December 26, 1864;
promoted brevet lieutenant-colonel for gallantry in assault on Petersburg, Va.
April 2, 1865 ; promoted lieutenant-colonel June 9, 1865 ; mustered out of
service June 29, 1865.
Company E.—Roster.
Samuel C. Burnham, captain; second lieutenant company E August 30,
1861 ; first lieutenant July 24, 1862; captain October 6, 1862 ; resigned Feb¬
ruary 17, 1863.
George H. Sessions, captain ; enlisted in Veteran Reserve Corps Septem¬
ber 16, 1863 ; transferred to company May 7, 1864; promoted first lieuten¬
ant company I July 25, 1864; captain company E November 10, 1864; mus¬
tered out of service June 29, 1865.
Warren R. Dunton, first lieutenant; enlisted as private ; promoted first ser¬
geant, September 16,1861; second lieutenant company F June 21, 1862; trans¬
ferred to company C July 9, 1862 ; honorably discharged March 31, 1863, for
wounds received at Fredericksburg, Va. December 14, 1862.
Jerome Gleason, first lieutenant; enlisted as private; appointed corporal;
sergeant; first sergeant; re-enlisted December 15, 1863; wounded May 5, 1864;
promoted first lieutenant November 10, 1864; discharged for disability June
2, 1865.
Joshua A. Shattuck, second lieutenant; enlisted as private ; wounded June
3, 1864; appointed corporal October 24, 1864; sergeant December 16, 1864;
promoted second lieutenant June 4, 1865 ; mustered out of service June 29,
1865, as sergeant.
Willard K. Bennett, sergeant; promoted second lieutenant company F June
21, 1862.
Dyer Matteson, sergeant; discharged November 14, 1862.
Frank P. Aylesworth, sergeant; discharged March i, 1862.
Orlando J. Barton, corporal ; killed at Savage Station June 29, 1862.
Horace Morse, corporal; promoted sergeant; second lieutenant company
H September 20, 1862.
1,616
473
256
The Fifth Regiment.
i59
Noble C. Bostwick, corporal; promoted sergeant; re-enlisted December
15, 1863 ; died of wounds received at Spotsylvania May 12, 1864.
Solomon Buckley, corporal; discharged January 2, 1862.
Philo B. Farwell, corporal; discharged May 11, 1863.
Douglass H. Dyer, corporal; discharged August 5, 1862.
Mathew McGinness, corporal ; discharged November 4, 1862.
Charles M. Wyman, corporal; discharged February 4, 1863.
Charles D. Kelsey, musician; mustered out of service September 15, 1864.
Jonathan Remington, musician ; re-enlisted December 15, 1863 ; mustered
out June 29, 1865.
Norman Tier, wagoner; re-enlisted December 15, 1863; mustered out June
29, 1865.
Privates.
Otis J. Allen, discharged June 17, 1862.
Aaron H. Baker, re-enlisted December 15, 1863; mustered out June 29,
1865.
Albert A. Baker, died June 2, 1862.
Ebenezer L. Beebe, died January 21, 1862.
George E. Benson, discharged December 24, 1862.
Jared Bolster, killed at Savage Station June 29, 1862.
William G. Brown, died August 24, 1862.
William F. Bryant, mustered out of service September 15, 1864.
Nelson Burnham, killed at Savage Station June 29, 1862.
Isaac M. Burton, promoted sergeant; mustered out September 15, 1864.
Earl P. Carney, discharged January 15, 1863.
Lewis Campeau, killed at Savage Station June 29, 1862.
Eugene W. Clark, re-enlisted December 15, 1863 ; mustered out June 29,
1865.
Horace C. Clayton, killed at Savage Station June 29, 1862.
Charles B. Crowley, re-enlisted December 15, 1863 ; mustered out June 29,
1865.
Henry Cummings, discharged January 15, 1863.
Hiram B. Cummings, died July 7, 1862.
Silas A. Cummings, killed at Savage Station June 29, 1862.
Willia m Cummings, died July 2, 1862.
William H. H. Cummings, died August 2, 1862.
Joseph Demaes, promoted sergeant; re-enlisted December 15, 1863 I s'c^
in hospital at muster out.
Elbert J. Fisher, killed at Savage Station June 29, 1862.
George Fleming, killed at Savage Station June 29, 1862.
George H. Fowler, died November 29, 1861.
Egbert Gleason, deserted November 1, 1862.
i6o
History of Bennington County.
Frank D. Goldthwait, died July ir, 1862.
Selden A. Hall, died January 16, 1862.
Nathaniel Hazeltine, re-enlisted December 15, 1863; promoted corporal;
sergeant; mustered out June 29, 1865.
Henry J Heald, died July 2, 1862.
Edwin VV. Hill, promoted corporal; mustered out September 15, 1864.
George II. Hill, mustered out September 15, 1864.
Mandus W. Hill, deserted November 16, 1862; returned; mustered out
June 29, 1865.
Lorenzo T. Horton, discharged January 29, 1863.
Albert Howard, discharged March 4, 1862.
Cyrus M. Hurd, died May 13, 1862.
George W. King, discharged May 30, 1864.
James H. Lackey, re-enlisted December 15, 1863; mustered out June 29,
1865.
Joseph Lackey, deserted September 2, 1863.
Frankling G. Lackley, promoted corporal; sergeant; first sergeant; mus¬
tered out June 29, 1865.
Cornelius M. Lambert, discharged February 16, 1862.
Thaddeus B. Lambert, discharged November 20, 1862.
Abraham Lapard, transferred to Signal Corps August 31, 1861.
Joseph Lassard, killed at Savage Station June 29, 1862.
Joseph W. Leonard, killed at Funkstown July 10, 1863.
Duane F. Matteson, killed at Savage Station June 29, 1862.
Thomas A. Maynard, discharged January 17, 1863.
Albert McCoy, re-enlisted December 15, 1863; drummer; mustered out
June 29, 1865.
John Meervvorth, died July 31, 1862.
Samuel H. Moore, discharged July 29, 1862.
George B. Petty, discharged January 29, 1863.
John Reed, discharged September 10, 1862.
John Reynolds, discharged August 15, 1862.
James M. Sayles, promoted second lieutenant company E July 24, 1862.
George W. Sessions, jr., re enlisted December 15, 1863; mustered out June
29, 1865.
Charles G. Sheldon, discharged September 25, 1864.
Thomas E. Smith, discharged September 25, 1862.
Joseph Stowe, discharged October 31, 1862.
Abel B. Tarbell, died February 4, 1862.
Charles B. Tufts, died December 9, 1861.
Thomas M. Waite, killed at Savage Station June 29, 1862.
Alvin Waters, killed at Savage Station June 29, 1862.
William Whitman, killed at Savage Station June 29, 186^,
The Fifth Regiment.
161
John R. Wilkins, promoted corporal; re-enlisted December 15, 1863; mus¬
tered out June 29, 1865.
Henry E. Willey, killed at Savage Station June 29, 1862.
William Woodcock, transferred to Invalid Corps September 1, 1864..
Charles H. Woodward discharged May 31, 1862.
Augustus L. Wright, died November 5, 1861.
Merritt D. Wvman, discharged December 24, 1862.
Myron G. Wynnan, discharged August 15, 1862.
Recruits.
Justin V. Alber, mustered out of service June 29, 1865.
Nathan L. Andrew, mustered out of service June 19, 1865.
Cleveland D. Andrews, mustered out of service June 29, 1865.
Otis Bailey, mustered out of service June 19, 1865.
Anthony Barney, promoted corporal October 24, 1864; mustered out June
19, 1865.
James E. Batchelder, appointed cadet at West Point August 31, 1864.
Joseph Belair, killed at Winchester September 19, 1864.
Homer Belden, mustered out of service June 29, 1865.
Jedd Bell, mustered out of service June 29, 1865.
John O. Benson, killed at Wilderness May 5, 1864.
Edgar C. Bryant, mustered out of service June 19, 1865.
Cyrus Burlingame, mustered out of service June 29, 1865.
Amplius B. Clifford, substitute; transferred from company H, Ninth Regi¬
ment; mustered out June 28, 1865.
William J. Conkey, mustered out of service June 29, 1865.
William J. Coulter, mustered out of service July 14, 1865.
Edmund M. Cummings, died July 2, 1862.
William H. H. Cummings, transferred from company Iv, Ninth Regiment;
mustered out June 29, 1865.
Mil es H. Delong, transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps September 1, 1863 ;
discharged July 3, 1865.
Fabian DesRosiers, promoted corporal; killed at Spottsylvania May 12,
1864.
Homer A. Dudley, mustered out of service June 29, 1865.
Myron S. Dudley, promoted sergeant July I, 1864; first lieutenant com¬
pany E September 15, 1864.
Will iam Dusenberry, substitute; deserted September 12, 1864.
Joseph M. Farnum, killed at Cedar Creek October 19, 1864.
Otis R. Fish, substitute; mustered out June 29, 1865.
h rederick Folger, mustered out of service June 29, 1865.
Albert Wench, mustered out of service May 13, 1865.
21
162
History of Bennington County.
Philo F. Fuller, mustered out of service June 29, 1865.
Alson French, drafted; mustered out May 13, 1865.
Benjamin Greenwood, substitute; deserted April 25, 1865.
Joseph Grenier, promoted corporal December 16, 1864; mustered out June
29, 1865.
Lucius Grover, transferred from company C, Ninth Regiment; mustered
out June 19, 1865.
Julius Hart, transferred from company C, Ninth Regiment; absent June 19,
1865.
Merritt B. Haskins, mustered out of service June 19, 1865.
Vital Hibart, died June 9, 1862.
Ezekiel Hill, transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps January 10, 1865; mus¬
tered out of service July 20, 1865.
George A. Hoard, mustered out of service June 6, 1865.
William Jangle, substitute; wounded; in general hospital June 29, 1865.
Henry Jones, mustered out of service June 29, 1865.
Henry L. Kenyon, mustered out of service June 19, 1865.
Dana F. Kidder, missing May 5, 1864.
Ambrose A. Kingsbury, mustered out June 19, 1865.
Elliot O. Kingsbury, mustered out June 19, 1865.
Merritt W. Kingsbury, mustered out June 19, 1865.
James Lackey, mustered out June 19, 1865.
Noah P. Leach, deserted December 20, 1862.
Charles Lee, deserted February 11, 1864.
William Leonard, mustered out of service June 29, 1865.
Lucius Lincoln, died June 15, 1863.
William H. Lincoln, promoted corporal; mustered out June 19, 1865.
William R. Livermore, promoted corporal; mustered out June 29, 1865.
William M. Logan, mustered out of service June 19, 1865.
Moses Lomber, substitute; mustered out June 29, 1865.
George H. Lyon, killed at Wilderness May 6, 1864.
Lewis Martin, substitute ; transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps; mustered
out of service July 15, 1865.
Elijah McDonald, mustered out of service June 19, 1865.
Luther Morse, missing May 12, 1864; supposed to be dead.
Tiberius Morse, mustered out of service June 29, 1865.
Hiram D. Munroe, mustered out of service June 19, 1865.
Francis Murray, killed at Funkstown, Md. July 10, 1863.
William H. Newton, promoted sergeant-major; assigned to company D
December 14, 1864.
Calvin S. Nichols, discharged February 11, 1863.
Walter J. Nichols, died December 17, 1864.
Tiie Fifth Regiment.
163
George L. Niles, discharged June 6, 1865.
Samuel Norcross, discharged September 18, 1862.
Everett YV. Peirce, mustered out of service June 29, 1865.
Charles H. Rickard, discharged February 11, 1863.
John C. Reynolds, mustered out of service June 19, 1865.
Truman Reynolds, mustered out of service June 23, 1865.
Charles IT Rideout, killed at Savage Station June 29, 1862.
Edward P. Russell, promoted corporal; promoted second lieutenant com¬
pany E, March 21, 1863-
Charles IT Scott, mustered out June 19,1865.
John Scott, transferred to Invalid Corps.
Amyel B. Searles, mustered out June 19, 1865.
Oliver L. Searles, discharged August 26, 1863.
Charles F. Sheldon, mustered out of service June 19, 1865.
Henry Smith, killed at Wilderness May 5, 1864.
Horace G. Taft, killed at Wilderness May 5, 1864.
Gershon Taylor, transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps ; discharged March
1, 1865.
Gilman J. Thompson, mustered out June 19, 1865.
Hiram S. Utley, transferred from company C, Ninth Regiment; mustered
out June 9, 1865.
John Van Orman, mustered out of service June 29, 1865.
Edward W. Vine, substitute; mustered out of service June 29, 1865.
Charles H. Walker, wounded May 6, 1864; supposed dead or a prisoner.
Alexander Walsh, mustered out June 19, 1865.
William Walsh, substitute; missing in action September 19, 1864.
Ora O. Whitman, mustered out of service July 18, 1865.
Joseph B. Williams, mustered out of service June 29, 1865.
Ormando M. Williams, discharged November 27, 1864.
Merritt D. Wyman, transferred from Veteran Reserve Corps ; mustered
out of service June 29, 1865.
The First Vermont Cavalry.
I lie first effort at raising a cavalry regiment in Vermont was made during
the latter part of the summer and early fall months of the year 1861 ; nor was
any more trouble experienced in this undertaking than had attended the re¬
cruiting of men for any other branch of the service, and the regiment was
ready for muster-in early in November, 1861.
The Fir. t ( "avalry was composed of volunteers from almost every section
of the State. Bennington county's contribution was in company G, although
some of its members were from other localities. The regiment was mustered
into the United States service on November 19, 1861, but it was not until the
164
History of Bennington County.
16th of April, 1862, that the men entered their first engagement; and from
that time until the final surrender at Appomattox, in 1865, they were almost
constantly engaged, except during such months as both armies were compelled
to cease hostilities on account of the severity of the winter season. To the
credit of the First it may be stated that it was engaged in no less than seventy-
three battles, attacks or skirmishes between the iCth of April, 1862, at which
time they were engaged at Mount Jackson, and the 9th of April, 1865, at
Appomattox Court House.
Concerning the term of service of the First Cavalry, the reports of the
adjutant-general of the State, for the year 1866, state that the original mem¬
bers, not veterans, were mustered out of service November 18, 1864; recruits
for one year, and recruits whose term of service would expire previous to
October 1st, 1865, were mustered out June 21, 1865 ; and that the remaining
officers and men were consolidated into a battalion of six companies, which bat¬
talion was mustered out on the 9th day of August, 1865. The roster of com¬
pany G, in which were the volunteers from Bennington county, is as follows:
William D. Collins, major; resigned May 7, 1863.
Alvah R, Haswell, captain; enlisted as private; promoted sergeant Decem¬
ber 24, 1862; wounded September 13, 1863; re-enlisted December 30, 1863;
promoted first lieutenant November ic, 1864; captain May 9, 1865; trans¬
ferred to company E June 21, 1865, by reason of consolidation of regiment;
mustered out of service August g, 1865.
James A. Sheldon, captain; resigned March 12, 1862.
George H. Bean, captain ; elected first lieutenant October 18. 1861 ; pro¬
moted captain April 10, 1862; dismissed the service April 28, 1863.
Frank Ray, captain; enlisted as private; promoted first sergeant Novem¬
ber 19, 1861 ; first lieutenant October 4, 1862 ; wounded May 11, 1864; killed
in action at Mount Olive, Va., October 19, 1864.
Dennis M. Blackmer, first lieutenant; elected second lieutenant October
18, 1861 ; promoted first lieutenant April 10, 1862; resigned July 18, 1862.
Frederick W. Cook, first lieutenant; enlisted as private ; promoted com¬
missary sergeant July 19, 1863; re-enlisted December 30, 1863; promoted
second lieutenant November 19, 1864; first lieutenant May 9, 1865; mus¬
tered out June 21, 1865 ; veteran.
Waldo J. Clark, second lieutenant; enlisted as private; appointed ser¬
geant November 19, 1861 ; re-enlisted December 28, 1863; wounded May
30, 1863; mustered out November 18, 1864; veteran.
William F. Chaffin, sergeant; discharged May, 1862.
Avery B. Sibley, sergeant; discharged December 11, 1862.
John M. Vanderlip, sergeant; re-enlisted December 30, 1863; promoted
commissary quartermaster-sergeant; mustered out June 21, 1865.
Henry M. Bailey, quartermaster-sergeant; discharged November 23, 1861.
First Vermont Cavalry.
Irving W. Hurd, corporal; transferred to Invalid Corps September i,
1863.
Ira C. Hawks, corporal; discharged April, 1862.
James E. Hadaway, corporal ; promoted sergeant; mustered out Novem¬
ber 18, 1864.
Parker L. Hall, corporal; promoted sergeant; died November 13, 1864.
Leroy D. Perkins, corporal; discharged December 1, 1862.
Fayette Dyer, corporal ; mustered out of service November 18, 1864.
James C. Frazer, corporal; re-enlisted December 30, 1863; not accounted
for.
Tinkham Sorell, corporal; discharged December 11, 1862.
Charles A. Fleming, blacksmith; discharged January 6, 1863.
Ethiel Collins, blacksmith ; discharged March 8, 1862.
Joseph Waldron, wagoner; discharged January 6, 1863.
Privates.
Charles Abbott, deserted June 7, 1864.
Lorenzo D. Atherton, re-enlisted December 30, 1863 J mustered out June
21, 1865.
James Barrett, bugler; re enlisted December 30, 1863; promoted ser¬
geant; promoted second lieutenant May 9, 1865.
Sylvester P. Bartlett, discharged March 8, 1862.
Will iam H. Belding, re-enlisted December 30, 1863; promoted corporal;
promoted sergeant ; transferred to company E.
Eugene F. Bellows, prisoner July 6, 1863 ; died in Richmond, Va.
Homer Benson, mustered out of service November 18, 1864.
Oscar Bracy, re-enlisted Dec ember 30, 1863 ; transferred to company E
June 21, 1865.
Charles Brown, discharged May 8, 1863.
Christopher Caffrey, prisoner April 21, 1862 ; mustered out of service May
22, 1862.
Edward Carl, re-enlisted; promoted corporal; transferred from company E
June 21, 1865.
William Carl, discharged September, 1862.
Joseph Cartwright, promoted corporal; mustered out January 18, 1865.
Stephen Clapp, re-enlisted; promoted corporal; promoted sergeant; trans¬
ferred to company E June 21, 1864.
Winslow A. Colbv. taken prisoner March 1, 1864; died in Richmond, Va.
1864.
Sylvester F. Crumb, taken prisoner May 24, 1862; died October, 1862.
Cieorge W. Curtis, promoted corporal; sergeant; mustered out June 21,
1865.
History of Bennington County.
David Darling, discharged February 6, 1864.
Abram C. Day, discharged December 11, 1862.
Otis S. Derby, discharged April 27, 1863.
Francis Ducat, discharged.
Joseph C. Farnum, promoted corporal; mustered out November 18, 1864.
William J. Fuller, taken prisoner; died at Andersonville, Ga. August 24,
1864.
Parker Greeley, saddler; captured May 24, 1862.
Bishop C. Guilder, December 9, 1861.
Morgan D. Guilder, discharged December 11, 1862.
Iliram S. Hall, teamster; mustered out November 18, 1864.
William Harrington, discharged April, 1862.
Alvah R. Haswell, promoted sergeant; re-enlisted December 30, 1863;
promoted first lieutenant November 19, 1894.
John H. Hill, mustered out of service November 4, 1864.
Theron Howe, re-enlisted December 30, 1863 ; promoted corporal January
6, 1865 ; transferred to company E June 21, 1865.
Silas J. Hurd, mustered out of service November 18, 1864.
Morte Kearce, mustered out of service November 18, 1864.
Timothy K. Kendall, discharged March 8, 1862.
Henry Lamb, discharged May, 1862.
Horatio N. Leach, bugler; mustered out November 8, 1864.
John Lehan, deserted February 16, 1863.
Patrick Malone, discharged March 8, 1862.
George M. Mattison, discharged May, 1862.
James McMahon, re-enlisted December 29, 1863; promoted corporal;
transferred to company E June 21, 1865.
Richard Meehan, deserted June 7, 1862.
William T. Moncrief, re enlisted December 30, 1863; promoted corporal;
sergeant; transferred to company E June 21, 1865.
Ira Monroe, discharged July 27, 1862.
James Moore, prisoner, April 21, 1862; mustered out of service May 22,
1862.
John H. Moulton, re-enlisted December 30, 1863 ; promoted corporal;
transferred to company E June 21, 1865.
Henry O'Hayer, discharged January 6, 1863.
Daniel C. Pattison, discharged January 6, 1863.
Charles K. Potter, discharged November 23, 1861
Thomas Powers, deserted April 29, 1862.
William W. Reynolds, prisoner May 24, 1862; died August, 1862.
Burt Richmond, prisoner, May 24, 1862; died September, 1862.
Stephen D. Roberts, discharged April, 1862.
First Vermont Cavalry.
167
Nathan A. Robinson, died September 27, 1862.
Charles Ruel, deserted November 22, 1861.
Vital Ruleau, re-enlisted December 30, 1863; promoted corporal; trans¬
ferred to company E June 21, 1865.
Daniel M. Russell, prisoner of war; supposed to be dead.
Lyman L Russel, mustered out of service November 1864.
Augustus Sampson, discharged December 11, 1862.
Barnet Scully, discharged April 4, 1863.
Willard B. Sherman, discharged May, 1862.
Charles Sherwood, missing in action July 4, 1863; supposed to have died
in Richmond February29, 1864.
Hugh Short, discharged September, 1862.
Dexter Smith, mustered out of service November 18, 1864.
Gilbert Steward, promoted second lieutenant company G October 4, 1862.
Charles Stewart, mustered out of service November 18, 1864.
Richard Stone, discharged about June 15, 1862.
Henry Squires, taken prisoner May 24, 1862; died August, 1862.
Daniel \V. Taft, discharged about June 15, 1862.
Joseph Taylor, taken prisoner May 24, 1862 ; died August, 1862.
Philip Vaughn, promoted to corporal ; to sergeant; re-enlisted January 27,
1864; mustered out of service June 21, 1865.
William W. Warner, mustered out of service November 4, 1864.
Hiram W. Waters, promoted corporal; re-enlisted December 30, 1863;
promoted sergeant March 1, 1864; promoted commissary-sergeant; promoted
first sergeant; transferred to company E June 21, 1865.
David S. Whittaker, deserted May 15, 1862.
William W. Wickwire, taken prisoner May 24, 1862; died August, 1862.
Henry Wilson, re-enlisted December 30, 1863; deserted from hospital 1864.
Recruits.
Henry C. Allen, mustered out of service June 21, 1865.
Ethan A. Armstrong, mustered out of service June 21, 1865.
Henry M. Bailey, discharged March 18, 1863.
Thomas Barry, died May 13, 1864.
John C. Barrett, mustered out of service June 21, 1865.
Charles A. Bartlett, sick in hospital June 30, 1864; transferred to com¬
pany E.
Charles Barton, discharged September 4, 1863.
John Belford, transferred to company E June 2 1, 1865.
George W. Bickford, promoted corporal January 26, 1865 ; transferred to
company E.
Charles Bolles, transferred to company E June 21, 1865.
I'rank P. Bolles, mustered out June 21, 1865,
History of Bennington County.
James Brady, missing in action March i, 1864; mustered out May 23, 1865.
William H. H. Buck, transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps November 26,
1864.
Asa Burke, teamster; mustered out June 21, 1865.
George Burke, mustered out June 21, 1865.
John H. Burnett, wounded; died September 2, 1864.
Thomas Burroughs, mustered out January 7, 1865.
Thomas Caine, erroneously reported as deserter; transferred to company
E June 21, 1865.
George H. Calkins, taken prisoner March 1, 1864, and died in Richmond,
Va.
James Carney, transferred to company E June 21, 1865.
Michael Carrigan, transferred to company E June 21, 1865.
William Carroll, transferred to company E June 21, 1865.
George S. Caswell, died February 18, 1863.
Palmer Clapp, died in Richmond, Va. December 19, 1863.
Stephen B. Chillis, mustered out of service June 21, 1865.
William E. Colby, prisoner June 29, 1864; mustered out June 21, 1865.
Lewis Conger, missing July 3, 1863 ; died in Richmond, Va.
John C. Connelly, promoted sergeant; commissary quartermaster-sergeant;
transferred to company E June 21, 1865.
Willard Crandall, mustered out of service June 21, 1865.
John Delaney, missing inaction March 1, 1864; transferred to company E.
Medore Demerse, transferred to company E June 21, 1865.
John M. Dignean, promoted corporal January 26, 1865; mustered out June
21, 1865.
Nelson Dragoon, taken prisoner March 1, 1864; died in Richmond, Va.
1864.
Charlas C. Dunn, taken prisoner March I, 1864; died in Richmond, Va.
Charles H. Dunn, died October, 1864.
George E. Dunn, died at Andersonville October 18, 1864.
William N. Dunn, died at Andersonville October 6, 1864.
Daniel W. Eddy, mustered out of service June 21, 1865.
John Fish, transferred to company E June 21, 1865.
Philip H. Fitzgerald, mustered out of service June 21, 1865.
Jerome Gault, transferred to company E June 21, 1865.
John M. Gookins, died at Winchester, Va. October 9, 1864.
Noble W. Graves, mustered out of service June 21, 1865.
Joseph G. Green, deserted September 28, 1864.
Oliver Green, mustered out of service May 23, 1865.
Henry M. Guilder, sick in general hospital June 30, 1864; not acounted for.
James F. Guilder, discharged March 30, 1864.
Tiie First Cavalry.
169
Morgan D. Guilder, transferred to company June 21, 1865.
Henry H. Hadaway, mustered out of service May 22, 1865.
Thomas G. Hard, taken prisoner March I, 1864; mustered out June 1,
1865.
William Harrington, transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps ; mustered out
July 8, 1865.
Roger Mersey, transferred to company E June 21, 1865.
Francis H. Holister, transferred to company E June 21, 1865.
Marcus A. Hovey, died February 22, 1865.
Thomas C. Hoseley, transferred to company E June 21, 1865.
Harvey James, died March 18, 1864.
Henry Jones, transferred to company E June 21, 1865.
Luke Kelley, transferred to company E June 21, 1865.
Rollin D. Kent, transferred to company E June 21, 1865.
Thomas Ivierce, mustered out of service June 21, 1865.
Andrew J. Ivilbourn, discharged June 15, 1865.
Lewis Knapp, died at Andersonville, Ga. July 26, 1864.
Frank Ladam, transferred to company E June 21, 1865.
Michael Lynch, died February 12, 1864.
Michael J. Madden, jr., discharged October 6, 1864.
Rollin D. Mallory, prisoner of war ; died December 14, 1864.
Edward A. Marsh, transferred to company E June 21, 1865.
Albert N. Mattison, transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps December 3,
1864; mustered out August 2, 1865.
Charles Mattison, died April 7, 1865.
Peter McNerton, mustered out June 28, 1865.
Andrew McNuff, transferred to company E June 21, 1865.
William McQuillan, transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps August 10, 1864;
mustered out August 8, 1865.
Edmund Monroe, transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps August 21, 1864;
discharged September 30, 1864.
Clark Nelson, mustered out of service June 21, 1865.
Samuel L. Norcross, transferred to company E June 21, 1865.
John O'Connor, substitute; transferred to company E June 21, 1865.
Henry C. Phillips, mustered out of service June 12, 1865.
Thomas Plunkett, deserted September 21, 1862; returned under presi¬
dent's proclamation; dishonorably discharged June 12, 1865.
Charles H. Pond, transferred to company E June 21, 1865.
Edwin A. Porter, discharged February 17, 1865.
Samuel D. Preston, sadler; mustered out June 21, 1865.
Moses Reauls, mustered out of service June 21, 1865.
Calvin R. Reed, transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps December 3, 1864.
22
170
History of Bennington County.
John Reagon, transferred to company E June 21, 1865.
Willard A. Royce, discharged March 18, 1863.
Michael Ryan, mustered out of service June 21, 1865.
James Saunders, mustered out of service June 21, 1865.
Hugh Short, transferred to company E June 21, 1865.
Matthew Short, transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps July 15, 1864; dis¬
charged November 25, 1864.
Samuel Simmons, prisoner March 1, 1864; died at Andersonville, Ga. Au¬
gust 23, 1864.
Samuel S. Snell, prisoner July 6, 1863 ; mustered out June 21, 1865.
Alexis Snow, prisoner March 1, 1864; transferred to company E June 21,
1865.
Michael Sullivan, transferred to company E June 21, 1865.
Timothy Sweeney, substitute; mustered out of service June 21, 1865.
John Thomas, mustered out June 21, 1865.
Nathaniel Tousley, mustered out June 21, 1865.
Otis T. Townsend, died August 17, 1864.
Luke D. Walton, transferred to company E June 21, 1865-
William H. Ward, transferred to company E June 21, 1865.
Daniel E. Watrous, blacksmith, mustered out June 21, 1865.
Arnold R. Webb, mustered out of service June 21, 1865.
Charles H. West, mustered out of service May 22, 1865.
Leander White, mustered out of service June 21, 1865.
James L. Willarcl, mustered out of service June 21, 1865.
Alonzo R. Wilson, mustered out of service June 21, 1865.
Amos Woodin, transferred to company E June 21, 1865.
Myron G. Wyman, mustered out of service June 21, 1865.
Inasmuch as it is deemed impracticable to furnish a detail of the field ac¬
tions of the First Cavalry, justice would seem to demand that the official list of
engagements in which the regiment participated be recorded here. They were
as follows: Mount Jackson, April 16, 1862; Port Republic, April 27, 1862;
Middletown, May 24, 1862 ; Winchester, May 25, 1862 ; Luray Court House,
July 2, 1862 ; Culpepper, C. H., July 10, 1862; Orange, C. H., August 2, 1862;
Kelley's Ford, August 20, 1862; Waterloo Bridge, August 22,1862; Bull Run,
August 30, 1862; Ashby's Gap, September —, 1862; Broad Run, April 1,
1863 ; Greenwich, May 30, 1863 ; Hanover, Pa , June 30, 1863 ; Huntersville,
Pa., July 2, 1863; Gettysburg, July 3, 1863; Monterey, July 4, 1863; Light-
ersville, July 5, 1863 ; Hagarstown, July 6, 1863 ; Boonesboro, July 8, 1863;
Hagarstown, July 13, 1863 ; Falling Waters, July 14, 1863; Port Conway, Au¬
gust 25, 1863 ; Port Conway, September I, 1863 ; Culpepper, C. H., Septem¬
ber 13, 1863 ; Somerville Ford, September 14, 1863; Racoon Ford, September
26, 1863; Falmouth, October 4, 1863 ; James City, October 10, 1863 ; Brandy
The Tenth Regiment.
171
Station, October 11, 1863; Gainesville, October 18-19, 1863; Buckland Mills,
October 19, 1863; Morton's Ford, November 28, 1863; Mechanicsville, March
1, 1864; Piping Tree, March 2, 1864; Craig's Church, May 5, 1864; Spott-
sylvania, May 8, 1864; Yellow Tavern, May 11, 1864; Meadow Bridge, May 12,
1864; Hanover, C. II., May 31, 1864; Ashland, June 1, 1864; Haw's Shop,
June 3, 1864; Bottom Bridge, June 10, 1864; White Oak Swamp, June 13,
1864; Malvern Hill, June 15; 1864; Ream's Station, June 22, 1864; Notta-
way, C. II , June 23, 1864; Keysville, June 24, 1864; Roanoka Station, June 25,
1864; Stoney Creek, June 28-9, 1864; Ream's Station, June 29, 1864; Rid¬
ley's Shop, June 30, 1864; Winchester, August 17, 1864; Summit Port, August
21, 1864; Charlestown, August 22, 1864; Kearneysville, August 25, 1864;
Opequan, September 19, 1864; Front Royal, September 21, 1864; Mooney's
Grade, September 21, 1864; Milford, September 22, 1864; Waynesboro, Sep¬
tember 28, 1864 ; Columbia Furnace, October 7, 1864; Tom's Brook, October
9, 1864 ; Cedar Creek, October 13, 1864; Cedar Creek, October 19, 1864; Mid¬
dle Road, November 11, 1864; Middle and Back Road, November 12, 1864;
Lacy's Springs, December 20, 1864; Waynesboro, March 2, 1865; Five Forks,
April 1, 1865 ; Namozine Church, April 3, 1865 ; Appomattox Station, April 8,
1865; Appomattox Court House, April 9, 1865.
The Tenth Regiment.
The next regiment that had any considerable contingent of troops from the
county of Bennington, was the Tenth Vermont Infantry, which was raised dur¬
ing the summer of 1862, and mustered into service on the 1st of September of
that year. To this command the county is credited with having contributed
Company E, although there may have been a few of the members who were
residents elsewhere. Also in the regiment there was a few men who were not
members of E Company ; among these we find that Samuel Greer, of Dorset,
enlisted as private in Company C, and that by a series of promotions he was
advanced to the rank of captain of that company. And there may have been
others, too, whose names do not appear upon the roster of officers, prepared by
the adjutant-general's office, or upon the general roster, which, from the fact
that the latter does not show the residence of the enlisted men, nor recruits,
must be omitted from this work.
On the roster of field and staff officers of the Tenth is found the name of one
of Bennington's foremost business men and highly respected citizens, Alonzo
B. Valentine, who was made regimental quartermaster by commission dated
July 31, 1862; was promoted captain and commissary of subsistence of United
States Volunteers, March 2, 1864; and further, on June 28, 1865, to brevet-
major for meritorious services.
Upon the field and staff roster is also found the name of Merritt Barber, of
172
History of Bennington County.
Pownal, who was commissioned first lieutenant of Company E August/, 1862;
promoted captain of Company B, and commissioned June 17, 1864; brevet-
major October 19, 1864, for gallantry in every action since May 5th of that
year; appointed captain and assistant adjutant-general, United States Volun¬
teers, December 31, 1864.
The first colonel of the Tenth Regiment was Albert B. Jewell, of Swanton,
whose commission was dated August 26, 1862. He resigned April 25, 1864,
and was succeeded by Lieutenant-Colonel William W. Henry, of Waterbury.
Colonel Henry was commissioned as major August 26, 1862, and was pro¬
moted lieutenant-colonel October 17, 1862. The first lieutenant-colonel of
the regiment was John H. Edson, of Montpelier, whose commission bore date
August 27, 1862, and who resigned October 16, 1862.
The men of the Tenth Regiment had not the opportunity of becoming vet¬
erans ; their term of service began with muster-in, on September 1, 1862, and
before their three years had expired the war closed, and the regiment, or
original members, and recruits whose term would expire previous to October 1,
1865, were mustered out of service June 22, 1865, and the remainder of the
regiment on June 29, thereafter.
The official report of the adjutant-general places to the credit of the Tenth
Regiment a list of thirteen engagements, commencing November 27, 1863, and
ending April 6, 1865. They were as follows: Orange Grove, November 27,
1863; Wilderness, May 5 to 10,1864; Spottsylvania, May 10 to 18, 1864; Tolo-
potomy, May 31, 1864; Cold Harbor, June 1 to 12, 1864; Weldon Railroad,
June 22-3, 1864; Monocacy, July 9, 1864; Winchester, September 19, 1864;
Fisher's Hill, September 21-2, 1864; Cedar Creek, October 19, 1864; Peters¬
burg, March 25, 1865; Petersburg, April 2, 1865; Sailor's Creek, April 6,
1865.
Roster—Company E.
Madison E. Winslow, captain; resigned December 25, 1862.
Pearl D. Blodgett, captain ; discharged for disabilities November 22, 1864;
appointed captain in Veteran Reserve Corps.
John A. Hicks, jr., captain; discharged May 2, 1865.
Henry G. Stiles, captain ; mustered out of service June 29, 1865.
Lemuel A. Abbott, first lieutenant; promoted captain company G Decem¬
ber 19, 1864.
James M. Read, first lieutenant; promoted adjutant January 2, 1865.
Merritt Barber, first lieutenant; promoted captain company B June 17,
1864.
Ezekiel T. Johnson, first lieutenant; mustered out as first sergeant com¬
pany H June 22, 1865.
Edward P. Farr, second lieutenant; promoted first lieutenant company C
August 9, 1864.
173
B. Brooks Clark, second lieutenant; died November 2, 1864, of wounds re¬
ceived in action.
Walter Graham, second lieutenant; mustered out as first sergeant company
E June 22, 1865.
Charles D. Currie, sergeant; taken prisoner July 9, 1864; mustered out
June 22, 1865.
Thomas Reid, sergeant; reduced February 8, 1864; mustered out May 23,
1865.
Edward Bushnell, sergeant; promoted commissary sergeant July 1, 1864.
Lyman B. Pike, sergeant; reduced July 22, 1863 ; killed at Monocacy July
9, 1864.
William J. Graham, corporal; missing in action November 7, 1863.
John G. Wright, corporal ; killed at Monocacy July 9, 1864.
William Mahoney, corporal ; promoted sergeant; killed at Cedar Creek
October 19, 1864.
Judson W. Bentley, corporal ; discharged December 30, [862.
Squire J. Matteson, corporal; reduced to ranks; mustered out June 22,
1865.
Charles E. Morse, corporal; reduced to ranks; mustered out June 22, 1865.
Lewis Cary, corporal; reduced to ranks; mustered out June 22, 1865-
Thomas S. Bailey, corporal; discharged December 1, 1862.
Milton D. Stewart, musician ; mustered out J une 22, 1865.
Norman D. Puffer, musician ; transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps; mus¬
tered out June 29, 1865.
Conrad Appel, wagoner; mustered out June 22, 1865.
Privates.
Harvey II. Allen, mustered out of service June 22, 1865.
Loronzo D. Axtell, died June 10, 1864.
William II. Axtell, discharged September I, 1863.
James P. Babcock, mustered out of service June 22, 1865.
Royal P. Barber, discharged January 31, 1863.
George W. Bartlett, died January 19, 1863.
Robert Benjamin, mustered out of service May 22, 18(55-
George W. Bennett, mustered out of service June 22, 1865.
Philander Brownell, mustered out of service June 22, 1865.
Zimri Brownell, mustered out of service May 13, 1865.
Augustus A. Boutwel, died August 2, 1864.
Albee Buss, mustered out of service June 22, 1865.
George Camp, captured December 3, 1863, and supposed to have died in
in Richmond, Va.
174
History of Bennington County.
Allen S. Canady, discharged for disabilities June I, 1865.
Hugh Carr, died December 7, 1862.
George H. Coburn, mustered out of service June 22, 1865.
Selden H. Coburn, transferred to VeUran Reserve Corps April 15, 1864;
mustered out July 5, 1865.
Erskine E. Cole, deserted July 5, 1863.
Patrick Cone, mustered out June 22, 1865.
John Cressa, died December 14, 1862.
Orrick Cressa, discharged February 24, 1863.
Henry C. Dawson, mustered out June 22, 1865.
John J. Dunlap, mustered out June 22, 1865.
John B. Farnum, died December 7, 1862.
David O. Felt, mustered out of service June 22, 1865.
Charles P. Fitch, died June, 1864, of wounds received in action.
Lucien A. Foot, died of wounds received at Cedar Creek October 19, 1864.
Robert M. Forsyth, promoted corporal; to sergeant; died July 2, 1864.
James C. Foster, captured October 12, 1863 ; said to have died at Rich¬
mond, Va. January 24, 1864.
Frederick C. French, prisoner June 24, 1864; mustered out of service June
22, 1865.
George O. Germain, wounded ; in general hospital since August 31, 1864;
absent at muster-out.
Walter Graham, promoted to second lieutenant company E June 15, 1865•
Charles Green, mustered out of service June 22, 1865.
Bishop C. Guilder, discharged July 2 1, 1865.
Henry Haley, mustered out of service June 22, 1865.
John Hayden, mustered out of service June 22, 1865.
Parley Hill, mustered out of service May 13, 1865.
William H ughes, died December 27, 1862.
Edward Jaro, mustered out June 22, 1865.
James W. Jolly, deserted March 14, 1864.
Edward Kelley, promoted corporal; sergeant; mustered out June 22, 1865.
Edwin L. Keyes, promoted corporal; discharged May 21, 1865.
Myron Lillie, promoted corpor.il, killed at Cold Harbor July 9, 1864.
Andrew J. Mattison, mustered out of service May 13, 1865.
John McBride, died November 16, 1862.
John McDonald, mustered out of service May 13, 1865.
James McKay, promoted corporal; sergeant; mustered out of service June
22, 1865.
Orrin A. Montgomery, died at Andersonville, Ga. September, 1864.
William H. Montgomery, promoted corporal; mustered out June 30, 1865•
Richard Moon, promoted drum-major, and transferred to non-commis¬
sioned staff.
Tiie Tenth Regiment.
175
Irwin W. Niles, killed at Cold Marbor June 3, 1864.
Thomas Peer, fell out on march May 4, 1865.
John Rafferty, transferred to Invalid Corps September 1, 1863.
Dennis Rafter, discharged March 22, 1864.
Peter R. Randall, mustered out of service June 22, 1865.
Francis Reynolds, killed at Cold Harbor June 3, 1864.
Lucas Reynolds, discharged September I, 1863.
William E. Reynolds, died January 20, 1864.
Charles Rice, died September 3, 1864.
William Savage, died October 3, 1863.
Alfred Sears, mustered out June 22, 1865.
William H. Sears, died November 19, 1862.
Solon Shaw, died October 26, 1862.
Joseph J. Sherman, discharged January 5, 1864.
Henry A. Silver, mustered out June 26, 1865.
Philander E. Smith, deserted July 26, 1863.
Orlin B. Sprague, mustered out June 22, 1865.
Thomas D. Sprague, mustered out July 3, 1865.
Henry Stafford, promoted sergeant; mustered out July 3, 1865.
John A. Stafford, promoted corporal; mustered out June 22, 1865.
Joseph C. Strope, promoted corporal; mustered out June 22, 1865.
Andrew J. Torrence, discharged December 26, 1863.
Andrew V. Turner, mustered out of service June 15, 1865.
Joel Walker, promoted corporal ; mustered out of service June 22, 1865.
John L. Waters, promoted corporal; mustered out of service June 22, 1865.
Ira N. Warner, transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps; mustered out July
8, 1865.
George O. Warren, died at Andersonville, Ga. August 8, 1864.
Harvey Wheeler, died November 28, 1862.
James B. White, deserted July 10, 1863.
Stephen T. White, discharged June I I, 1863.
Stephen R. Wilkinson, died December 10, 1862.
Henry C. Youngs, mustered out of service June 22, 1865.
Recruits.
Royal H. Barber, died July 5, 1864.
Ililand L Bentley, mustered out of service June 29, 1865.
Joseph S. Blodgett, absent on furlough June 29, 1865.
Hosea B. Curtis, absent 011 furlough June 29, 1865.
Patrick Grogan, deserted February 23, 1865.
Richard Jordon, mustered out July 17, 1865.
176
History of Bennington County.
John J. Jordon, mustered out June 29, 1865.
Charles H. Lamson, mustered out May 13, 1865.
Crossman M. Lincoln, discharged March 20, 1865.
James E. Lockwood, died at Lynchburg, Va. August 8, 1864.
Marcellus Mattison, mustered out June 29, 1865.
Charles Mears, transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps November 26, 1864;
discharged May 1, 1865.
Luther Moffit, killed at Cedar Creek, October 19, 1864.
William H. Perkins, mustered out June 29, 1865.
Thomas Rafter, killed at Cold Harbor June 3, 1864.
William H. Stannard, mustered out of service June 29, 1865.
John R. Steward, mustered out of service July 17, 1865.
Michael Sullivan, mustered out of service June 29, 1865.
George H. Tomb, died.
Joseph T. Tomb, discharged April 11, 1865.
Ezra M. Torrance, mustered out June 29, 1865.
Henry E. Torrance, mustered out June 29, 1865.
Alonzo Walters, mustered out June 29, 1865.
Emory Wheeler, mustered out June 22, 1865.
George F. White, mustered out June 29, 1865.
James F. Wilcox, mustered out June 29, 1865.
Harmon Whitton, died June 6, 1864.
James H. Wilkey, transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps; discharged Au¬
gust 18, 1865.
Charles Woodward, absent, sick June 29, 1865.
Ammi N. Wyatt, mustered out of service June 29, 1865.
The Fourteenth Regiment.
In addition to the great mass of troops called into regular three years' ser¬
vice in the year 1862, it became necessary to further increase the number, par¬
ticularly for defensive operations, by the raising of regiments throughout the
several States of the Union, which were pledged to serve the country for a
period of nine months, and for that reason they were called " nine-months'
men." In Vermont this class of men was embraced in the Twelfth, Thirteenth,
Fourteenth, Fifteenth, and Sixteenth Regiments, all of which were mustered
into service during the month of October, 1862, and served until the succeed¬
ing year. Nearly all of these regiments were represented by Bennington
county volunteers, but the greater portion, by far, were enlisted in the Four¬
teenth, Company A, of which was recruited at Bennington, and Company C,
at Manchester.
The Fourteenth was mustered into service on the 21st of October, 1862,
The Fourteenth Regiment.
177
and was mustered out on the 30th of July, 1863, having served nine days be¬
yond their term of enlistment. The strong contingent of Bennington county
volunteers in this command, of course, entitled the county to a representation
among the field and staff officers. Rutland had the colonel, William T. Nich¬
ols; Middlebury the lieutenant-colonel, Charles W. Rose; Bennington the ma¬
jor, Nathaniel B. Hall; Manchester the adjutant, Harrison rrindle, and Dorset
the quartermaster, Charles Field. Likewise Company K had more or less of
Bennington county men, for the official roster shows that William H. Munn, of
Shaftsbury, on February 15, 1863, succeeded to the captaincy resigned by
Alonzo N. Colvin, and that Lewis P. Fuller, of Stamford, held for a time the
rank of second lieutenant of the same company.
The brigade that was composed of these regiments was stationed in Vir¬
ginia performing garrison and guard duty until General Lee made his famous
raid toward the North in the summer of 1863, whereupon it marched to Get¬
tysburg, Pa., and where the Thirteenth, Fourteenth, and Sixteenth Regiments
took part in the engagements of July 2d and 3d. The other regiments, the
Tvvelth and Fifteenth were at this time acting as rear and wagon train guard,
and took an active part in the battle.
Roster of Company A.
Ransom O. Gore, captain; Fdward N. Thayer, first lieutenant; Charles Al-
bro, second lieutenant.
Sergeants.—Horace C. Henry, Lorenzo 1). Jepson, jr., Leander D. Thomp¬
son, Richard M. Houghton, Martin V. B. Armstrong.
Corporals.—George Hicks, Barton W. Potter, William Burrington, Martin
F. Harney, Harlan Houghton, Edward P. Hathaway, Henry S. Burt, Samuel B.
Norton.
Musicians.—Joseph F. Blaco, George IT Field; wagoner, Charles H. Gates.
Privates.—Edwin Allen, Melvin J. Allen, Albert P. Atwood, James M. At-
wood, Reuben Benjamin, Edgar Bigsby, Merritt Blanchard, Charles A. Booth,
Michael Carrigan, Philip Casey, Freeman Collson, William Como, Obadiah S.
Comar, Isaac Crawford, Almon F. Day, John Digman, Fayette Doty, Henry
W. Downs, Albert Dunn, Frank Fairbrother, George W. Fretenburg, Peter
Fretenburg, Alonzo Gage, Eleazer F. Granger, James A. Grace, Patrick Griffin,
Josiah Haley, Nelson Haley, Zarali P. Haley, George II. Ilarwood, William
Ilaynes, Edward Jacobs, William Johnson, Frederick Keeley, Moses II. Knapp,
Albert M. Mallory, Edward S. Manley, Silas Moore, Frederick Moores, Will¬
iam Moores, Francis Morrison, Benjamin J. Moulton, Henry Neal, Elihu North,
James A. North, Albert A. Norton, Andrew O'Brien, John O'Connor, Edward
O'Neil, Zachariah Paddock, Albert G. Patchin, Praddock Peckham, Edward A.
Plumb, Austin M. Proud, Charles F. C., Ray, William Reay, Jacob Reinhard,
Lucius Richmond, William H. Robertson, Dwight II. Rudd, Ira W. Rudd,
23
178
History of Bennington County.
Merritt F. Rudd, George W. Russell, Joseph Russell, Charles H. Sibley, John
Smith, Albert T. Stockwell, Henry C. Stratton, Elisha Sweet, Jesse G.Taylor,
Benjamin Townshend, Alvin R. Tyler, Albert Wallin, John Walsh, William H.
Wells, Horace F. White, Roger O. Woodward.
Roster of Company C.
Josiah B. Munson, captain; Nathan L. Andrew, first lieutenant; Henry D.
Young, second lieutenant.
Sergeants.—Charles A. Pierce, George H. Phillips, William Campbell, John
C. Connelly, George W. Knights.
Corporals.—John Vaughn, killed at Gettysburg ; George Coulter, William
A. Black, Asaph K. Sykes, William C. Wilson, George Phillips, Warren J. Shel¬
don, George P. Utley.
Musicians.—Smith Jameson, Henry A. Wyman ; wagoner, Daniel L. Cran-
dall.
Privates.—Charles A. Bartlett, John H. Belding, Daniel W. Bennett, Tru¬
man Bentley, Henry Brown, William P. Buck, Charles A. Bundy, Thomas
Burnes (killed at Gettysburg), William H. Case, Charles H. Chapman, Brenton
M. Chillis, Joseph O. Clark, Frederick Conner, Edward R. Cook, George Da¬
mon (died March 14, 1863), Charles E. Dean, George Derby, jr., John Dunlap,
Andrew J. Dunton, Otis G. Eddy, Charles H. Edgarton, Dexter Farnum, Mark
Farnsworth, Jerome Gault, Myron Gleason, Charles Graham, Rollin C. Gray,
Michael Hanlon (died April 23, 1863), Herman Harwood, Wright Hazeltine,
Alva E. Hill, Daniel O. Hobert, William Horn, James Hughes, Myron Jame¬
son, Frank P. Janes, Henry L. Kenyon, Dana F. Kidder, Minor F. Kinne (died
February 7, 1863), William H. Kinne, Sidney A. Ladd, Wilson Ladd, John
Leonard, William Leonard, William H. Leonard, William Logan, Andrew J.
Mason, Elijah McDonald, William Moore, Ezra Nichols, Frank E. Niles,
George L. Niles, Corwis Parker, David Parker, Charles A. Phillips, Elijah Phil¬
lips, Carles H. Pond, Calvin Reed, Samuel E. Rideout, Simeon M. Rising,
Burus H. Roberts, Richard H. Roberts, Silas H. Seaver, Edgar T. Sexton (died
January 24, 1863), Albert P. Sheldon, Merritt A. Sheldon, Seth P. Sheldon,
Fayette Shepard, Thomas Sheriden, Frank A. Smith, George Stannard, Ed¬
ward Stone, Dwight Sykes, Horace Sykes, Gilman J. Thompson, Nathaniel
Tousley, Myron W. Utley, Elihu S. Warner, Seth C. Warner (missing in action
July 2, 1863), Barlow G. Westcott, Julius Whitman.
In Other Commands.
While the great majority of the soldiers of Bennington county were in the sev¬
eral companies, of which the rosters have been given, there were other compa¬
nies composed in part of Bennington volunteers, some mention of which should
In Other Regiments.
179
be made in this volume. It is impossible, however, to furnish a roster of the
individual members of any of these commands from the fact that their names
cannot be distinguished from non-residents, and to record all for the sake of a
few would make this chapter more voluminous than is desirable. The reader
must, therefore, content himself with a brief reference to the regiments that had
county residents without expecting company rosters.
The Seventh Regiment.—The Seventh was raised during the winter of
1861-2, and was mustered into service on the 12th of February, 1862. The
Bennington county contingent therein was quite small, amounting to not more
than a few men. The roster of commissioned officers shows that Arnold P.
Wait, of Dorset, enlisted as private in Company D, and was appointed corpo¬
ral upon the organization of the regiment, and was afterward promoted ser¬
geant and first sergeant; that he veteranized on February 6th, 1864, and was
promoted to first lieutenant, February 28, 1865; was honorably discharged for
disabilities on August 13, 1865. George "Brown, of Rupert, entered the serv¬
ice as sergeant-major of Company E, and was subsequently promoted to sec¬
ond lieutenant; he was discharged without honors from the service on the 23d
of December, 1864.
The Seventh was not a comparatively active regiment in the service so far
as battles and engagements were concerned, their first being at the siege of
Vicksburg in June and July, 1862, and ending at Whistler, April 13, 1865.
Five battles stand to their credit.
The Eighth Regiment.—We find a record of enlisted men, save very few,
from the county in this regiment. The town of Landgrove seems, however,
to have been represented by Hymenius A. Davis, who enlisted as private in
Company H, and by a series of promotions was advanced to the rank of second
lieutenant. Seven battles stand to the credit of the Eighth Regiment, com¬
mencing with the affair at Cotten, January 14, 1863, and ending with the bat¬
tle at Newtown, November 11, 1864.
The Second Regiment, U. S. Sharpshooter.—A portion of company H, of
the Second Sharpshooters, was recruited in the northern part of this county.
The contingent from the town of Dorset was recognized by the selection of
Captain Gilbert Hart to the command of the company, while William Newell,
of the same town, who enlisted as private, was advanced by a series of promo¬
tions until he became company commandant. He was discharged on account
of wounds received at Petersburg on June 21, 1864. The regiment partici¬
pated in twenty-four engagements, commencing with Orange Court-House,
August 4, 1862, and ending at Hatcher's Run, December 5, 1864.
The First Battery of Light Artillery.—In this command the county was
represented by the contribution of men made by the town of Shaftsbury, which
formed a fair proportion though not, perhaps, a majority of its numerical
strength. The first captain was George W. Duncan, who resigned February
i8o History of Bennington County.
s
II, 1863. The second lieutenant, Edward Rice, was also from Shaftsbury; he
was promoted to first lieutenant on February 13, 1863, to succeed George T.
Hebard who was promoted to the captaincy. Thomas Reade, also of Shafts-
bury, enlisted as private and was several times promoted, his last advancement
being to the first lieutenantcy, which he resigned on the 14th of December,
1863. The engagements in which the First Battery participated were siege of
Port Hudson, May 25 to July 9, 1863; Pleasant Hill, April 9, 1864; Cane River,
April 23, 1864, and Bayou de Glaze, May 18, 1864.
The Seventeenth Regiment.—This command was mustered into the United
States service during the early months of the year 1864, and took the field in
time to participate in the Battle of the Wilderness, from May 6 to 9, of that
year. After that it was in twelve engagements, the last being at Petersburg
on the 2d of April.
The county of Bennington was represented in the Seventeenth by volun¬
teers scattered through several companies, notably in E and F, in both of which
were commissioned officers. The regiment was mustered out of service on
July 14, 1865.
The Organized Militia.
During the latter part of the war measures were taken on the part of the
State for the organization of several regiments of militia; and although the
backbone of secession was practically broken at that time, it was deemed pru¬
dent to make this organization complete and thorough, and fully prepared for
any emergency that might arise. In the State of Vermont there were twelve
regiments of infantry having an average numerical strength of about four hun¬
dred and seventy-five men each, together with a regiment of cavalry and three
batteries of light artillery. The whole division contained an aggregate of six
thousand nine hundred and ninety men, and was commanded by Major-
general William Y. W. Ripley.
The county of Bennington was represented in this organization by the
Eleventh Regiment of infantry, which, with the Ninth, Tenth, and Twelfth Reg¬
iments, comprised the Third brigade.
Officers of the Third Brigade.—Major Ebenezer J. Ormsbee, assistant-
adjutant and inspector-general; Captain Perley Downer, assistant quartermas¬
ter-general; Lieutenant Hoyt H. Wheeler, judge advocate ; Lieutenant Rufus
B. Godfrey, aid-de-camp.
Officers of the Eleventh Regiment.—Mason S. Colburn, colonel; William
H. Cady, lieutenant-colonel; James B. Wood, major; Augustus H. Gray, ad¬
jutant; Henry S. Hard, quartermaster; Martin J. Love, surgeon; Lyman Rog¬
ers, assistant surgeon ; Edwin M. Haynes, chaplain.
Company A, Manchester and W7inhall.—Cyrus B. Munson, captain ; Rob¬
ert Ames, first lieutenant; Theodore Swift, second lieutenant; company
strength, 47.
State Militia.
i 8 I
Company B, Bennington and Woodford.—Ransom O. Gore, captain ;
Rogers O. Woodward, first lieutenant; Henry S. Burt, second lieutenant;
company strength, 44.
Company C, Wallingford and Tinmouth.—Joel C. Baker, captain ; John T.
Ballard, first lieutenant ; Andrew E. Mattison, second lieutenant; company
strength, 47.
Company D, Bennington.—Edward C. Houghton, captain ; Norman B.
Loomis, first lieutenant; John II. Watson, second lieutenant; company strength,
48.
Company E, Danby and Mount Tabor.—Milton H. Pember, captain ; Isaac
W. Ivelley, first lieutenant; Isaac A. Sweat, second lieutenant; company
strength, 48.
Company E, Pownal and Stamford.—Augustus H. Potter, captain ; Black-
man N. Poster, first lieutenant; Albert W. Downs, second lieutenant; com¬
pany strength, 46.
Company G, Arlington, Sunderland and Sandgate.—Roswell G. Tuttle,
captain; Hugh Shepherd, first lieutenant; Paul Sheffleton, second lieutenant;
company strength, 51.
Company II, Dorset, Peru and Landgrove.—Eli J. Hawley, captain ; Mark
B. Lyon, first lieutenant; Joseph W. Morse, second lieutenant; company
strength, 47.
Company I, Pawlet, Wells and Rupert.—Adams L. Bromley, captain ;
Phineas C. Paul, first lieutenant; Lucius M. Carpenter, second lieutenant; com¬
pany strength, 46.
Company Iv, Shaftsbury and Glastenbury.—Samuel C. Travel", captain;
Francis L. Child, first lieutenant; Milo Pierce, second lieutenant; company
strength, 51.
182 History of Bennington County.
CHAPTER XVI.
THE PRESS OF BENNINGTON COUNTY.
General Observations on the Press — The Vermont Gazette — The Pioneer of Vermont
Journals — Extracts from its Columns — The Epitome of the World — The Green Mountain
Farmer — The Vermont Gazette Revived —The Plowman — The Bennington News-Letter —
The American Register—The Vermont Sentinel — The Journal of the Times—William Lloyd
Garrison's Paper — The Horn of the Green Mountains — The Vermonter—The Vermont Ex¬
press—The Bennington County Whig—The Battle Ground — The Bennington Free Press —
The Daily News — The Vermont Centennial — The Bennington Banner—The Manchester
Journal — The Bennington Reformer.
EDUCATION is the great civilizer, and printing its greatest auxiliary-
Were it not for the aid furnished by the press the great mass of people
would still be groping in the darkness of the middle ages, and knowledge would
still remain confined within the limits of the cloister.
It is surprising, when searching our libraries, to discover how little has
been written of the " art preservative of all arts," and the educator of all edu¬
cators. While printing has been the chronicler of all arts, professions and
learning, it has recorded so little of its own history as to leave even the story
of its first invention and application wrapped in mystery and doubt. We only
know that from the old Ramage press which Faust and Franklin used, capable
of producing only a hundred impressions per hour, we have now the ponder¬
ous machine which turns out one thousand copies per minute.
In glancing over the pages of history we discover the gradual develop¬
ments in the arts and sciences. We notice that they go hand in hand, one
discovery points to another, one improvement in the arts leads to others con¬
tinually, and the results of the last few centuries show that observations of no
apparent use led to the most important discoveries and developments. The
falling of an apple led Newton to unfold the theory of gravitation and its rela¬
tion to the solar system ; the discovery of the polarity of the loadstone led to
the construction of the mariner's compass; the observation of the muscular
contraction of a frog led to the numerous applications of galvanic electricity;
the observation of the expansive force of steam led to the construction and
application of the steam engine; the observation of the influence of light on
the chloride of silver led to the art of photography; the observation of the com¬
munication of sound by the connected rails of a railroad led to the invention of
the telephone; the impressions cut in the smooth bark of the beech tree led
to the art of printing, the art which transmits to posterity a record of all that
is valuable to the world.
The Press.
183
Thus is progress discernible in every successive generation of man. Grad¬
ually has he advanced from a state of rude barbarism and total ignorance to a
degree of perfection which gives him almost absolute dominion over all ele¬
ments, and in the pride of glorious and enlightened manhood he can exclaim
with Cowper:
" I am monarch of all I survey,
My right there is none to dispute ;
From the center all 'round to the sea
I am lord of the fowl and the brute."
So long as mind shall occupy its seat, so long will progress be the watch¬
word of man, and onward and upward will be his march to an endless and
limitless ascent, where all the hidden and occult secrets of creation will unfold
their mysteries to his comprehension and crown him master of them all.
The printing office has well been called the "poor boy's college," and has
proven a better school to many ; has graduated more intellect and turned it
into useful, practical channels; awakened more active, devoted thought, than
any alma mater on the earth. Many a dunce has passed through the univer¬
sities with no tangible proof of fitness other than his insensible piece of parch¬
ment, himself more sheepish, if possible, than his " sheep-skin." There is
something in the very atmosphere of a printing office calculated to awaken the
mind to activity and inspire a thirst for knowledge. Franklin, Stanhope, Ber-
ranger, Thiers, Greeley, Taylor, and a host of other names, illustrious in the
world of letters and science, have been gems in the diadem of typography,
and owe their success to the influence of a printing office.
The newspaper has become one of the chief indexes of the intelligence, civi¬
lization and progress of the community in which it is published, and its files are
the footprints of the advancement and refinement of the period of its publica¬
tion ; and the printing office is now deemed as essential as the school-house or
church. It has taken the place of the rostrum and the professor's chair, and
become the great teacher. No party, organization, enterprise or calling is
considered perfect without its " organ "—the newspaper—as a mouthpiece.
Turning from this comment upon the art of journalism, let us see what Ben¬
nington county has done in the way of newspaper publications.
The Vermont Gazette.—The pioneer journal of Vermont, west of the Green
Mountains, was the Vermont Gazette, which was established at Bennington, on
"the hill," in the year 1783, by Anthony Haswell and David Russell. This
is conceded by all to have been the fiist newspaper published west of the
mountains, and there is evidence tending to show that the still more broad state¬
ment may be made to the effect that it was the first paper of the entire State.
Granting this to be the fact the distinction it confers is that to the county of
Bennington belongs the credit of having been the pioneer county of journalism
in Vermont.
History of Bennington County.
The first number of the Gazette was issued June 5, 1783. The files for the
first two years of its publication have not been preserved, but those of 1786,
and of several subsequent years are to be found in the Free Library at Benning¬
ton. This paper, was all that ought reasonably to be expected, considering
the fact that the first issue was made over one hundred and five years ago. It
gave to the readers the news from all parts of this county that were then peo¬
pled, and contained a sufficient amount of foreign intelligence as well. Being
the only paper in this region its columns were well filled with legal notices for
all that part of Vermont west of the mountains, regardless of county lines.
The enterprising editors and publishers gave to the world this " motto
" With generous freedom for our constant guide, we scorn to controul, and print
for every side. Yet, thus our liberal motto we explain—freedom's our life—
licentiousness our bane."
At the bottom of the page is also to be found the publishers' notice, as fol¬
lows: "Printed and published by Ilaswell & Russell at their office near the
court-house, where any demands in the printing and bookbinding business will
be carefully attended to and duly executed. And where all productions of
genius, political essays, articles of intelligence, etc., etc., are thankfully re¬
ceived. Advertisements of more length than breadth are inserted three weeks
for six shillings."
The Gazette seems, even at that early day, to have had some advertising
patronage, for, running with several numbers is found this: " Any person hav¬
ing King's Evil may be cured without fail by applying to George Gage, Pitts-
town." And the worthy publishers, too, evidently conducted a small mercan¬
tile business in connection with their leading occupation, as will be shown by
their notice as follows: "For sale, on reasonable terms, Brownson's collection
of music; also singing-master's elegant pitch-pipes." They also publish that
at their office " cash will be paid for clean cotton rags." In the issue of April
16,1787, the publishers announce thus: "Just published and now ready for sale
at the printing office in Bennington, and will be given in exchange for clean
rags, of any colour or quality, the following pamphlets, viz.: An Act Regulating
the Militia of the State of Vermont, Passed by the General Assembly at their
Session in Rutland, in October, 1786, price I shilling; Acts and Laws of the
State of Vermont, price 16 pence; Almanacs for 1787, price 4 pence, single;
The Deist Reclaimed, price 4 pence; Serious Thoughts on Sudden Death, price
4 coppers."
In 1788 Arthur Shephard seems to have been one of the liberal mer¬
chants and advertisers of the town, as his " space " in the columns of the Gaz¬
ette will show : "Arthur Shephard, at his store, a little south of the court-house
in Bennington, has just received a fresh supply of drugs and medicines, which
renders his assortment complete. All persons indebted to said Shepard, on
book account, are requested to settle the same by cash, produce or note, im-
The Tress.
185
mediately. Carolina Pink, by the hundred, pound, or ounce. Wanted—10
or 12 likely horses, in good order. Cash paid for fox skins until the 20th of
April."
There was, of course, an abundance of other advertising matter scattered
through the columns of the Gazette, year after year; and the above selections
have been made for the purpose not only of showing that a hundred and more
years ago newspaper advertising was popular, -md for the further object of
showing to the reader the unique style of advertising. In nearly every case
produce was as much a medium of exchange as money.
Anthony Haswell, besides being an editor and publisher, figured somewhat
in mercantile life and, moreover, held the office of postmaster of the town; like¬
wise, in 1784, Governor Chittenden issued to him a commission as postmaster-
general of the State. After the admission of Vermont to the Union, the office
was dispensed with. David Russell retired from the business in 1790, and Mr.
Haswell soon afterward received a Federal appointment, (all newspaper men
are likewise favored, even at this late day), upon which he sold his interest in
the Gazette to one of his brothers and Mr. Bushnell, by whom the paper was
published, under the firm name of Haswell & Bushnell.
Just what changes were made in the ownership and control of the Gazette
from the time it was owned by the firm last named until it was discontinued
cannot now be accurately determined, but an interest in it was owned, in whole
or in part, from its founding to its final issue in October, 1850.
In the year [806, the name Vermont Gazette was changed, and in its stead
there appeared the more comprehensive headline, The Epitome of the World ;
but after the expiration of about four years, the Epitome was taken from the
title page, and substituted therefor was the plain, unassuming line The Green
Mountain Fanner.
The Farmer, during the War of 1812—15 earnestly and ably advocated the
principles of Democracy and Republicanism (both being identical at that time),
and as such, favored fighting England to the bitter end; and it is possible that
the editorial zeal was somewhat heightened at this time from the fact that the
Federalists had a newspaper in the county, The Bennington News-Letter, edited
and published at that time by Benjamin Smead. In 1816 the name The Green
Mountain Farmer, was taken from the paper, and the Vermont Gazette, as of old,
substituted, by which it was ever afterward during its continuance published.
In 1847 there had sprung up between the villages of Bennington and East
Bennington a strong rivalry, the latter, to use ^a common expression, having
much the best of the contest. The office and paper of the Gazette then made
a change of base by removing to the lower village. This so displeased the res¬
idents on "the hill" that another paper was started at the upper village which,
also, was called The Vermont Gazette ; but the latter publication proved to be
shortlived and soon went out of existence.
24
186
History of Bennington County.
In October, 1850, the Vermont Gazette was discontinued, having had a life
of vicissitudes of about sixty-four years. Anthony Haswell, its founder, the
pioneer journalist of the State, was something of a hero, in his way, and pos¬
sibly a martyr, judging from the inscription on the tombstone that marks his
grave in the old cemetery at Bennington Center. It reads as follows:
''Anthony Haswell,
a patriot of the Revolution,
Printer and founder of the Vermont
Gazette, 1783. A sufferer in the cause of
freedom under the Sedition Act of 1790,
Died May 22, 1816, aged 60 years."
In the year 1874, Henry L. Stilson, the present editor of the Bennington
Banner, revived the name of the Vermont Gazette by changing the title of the
Bennington Free Press, which latter paper he acquired by purchase from
Charles M. Bliss. Mr. Stillson continued publishing the Gazette until the 1st
of February, 1874, at which time Asaph P. Childs purchased the plant, and
continued its issue, being associated with his brother, R. S. Childs. In June,
1876, the paper was sold to F. Sherman Briggs & Co., which firm, in Septem¬
ber following, disposed of it, A. S. Baker & Son, becoming publishers and pro¬
prietors. In the spring of 1880 the paper was discontinued.
TJie Plowman.—As its name would appear to indicate the Plowman was
designed by its founders to afford news especially interesting and valuable to
the agricultural people of the county and locality. The first issue appeared
some time during the first year of the present century, thus taking second
honors in journalism in Bennington county. Thomas Collier and William
Stockwell, both former residents of Litchfield, Conn., came to Bennington and
established the paper, not, however, for the purpose of opposing the principles
advocated by the Gazette, but for the reason that the worthy proprietors be¬
lieved that the region around about Bennington could support another publi¬
cation.
The Plowman struggled against fate for some two years, when, in 1802, it
was deemed prudent to discontinue its issue in Bennington. The plant was
then moved to Troy, N. Y., where Mr. Collier founded the Troy Gazette.
The Bennington Neius-Lcttcr.—During the period of agitation just prior to
the outbreak of the War of 1812, Benjamin Smead ventured to enter the jour¬
nalistic field with a newspaper publication, at the head of which appeared the
above name. From first to last Mr. Smead was an earnest advocate of the
doctrines taught by the Federalist party, and thus opposed the threatened war
with Great Britain; but whether the News-Letter was founded for the purpose
of presenting the Federalist side of the question is a matter of opinion, the
weight of which, perhaps, tends to establish the fact that the paper was started
with "intent aforethought" in the Federal interest.
The Press.
187
The News-Tetter was not long-lived, but as 10 the approximate duration of
its existence we are without reliable information. Mr. Smead was succeeded
in its control by the firm of Williams & Phinney, and it probably expired on
their hands.
The American Register.—However much of progressiveness the town of Ar¬
lington may have displayed in other matters, there appears, according to record
and tradition, to have been but one regular newspaper publication issued from
an office in that town. That was the American Register, the first number be¬
ing put out during the month of January, in the year 18 17. But its editor and
publisher, E. Gilman Storer, was otherwise interested in literary work, for he
published, in addition to the Register, The Union Magazine and Evangelical
Intelligencer, in pamphlet form, and continued it for something like two years.
The newspaper business, however, in Arlington, no matter how erudite its
editor may have been, or how economic his management, seems not to have
been sufficiently lucrative to induce him to stay and labor in that field ; for,
after giving the enterprise a fair trial for a few years Mr. Storer moved his
office and effects to New York State, at Sandy Hill, where he is said to have
become established with better results than Arlington offered.
The Vermont Sentinel.—While the people of Vermont and of Bennington
county have never failed to show their appreciation of the kind services offered
by New Hampshire during the Revolutionary period, they did not, however,
in the year 1822, sufficiently appreciate, or at least support, the efforts made
by a certain Mr. Adams, of New Hampshire, in his attempt to place the Ver¬
mont Sentinel upon a secure commercial basis. As a result of this lack of sub¬
stantial support the enterprise failed of success, and the Sentinel died almost
" a bornin."
The Journal of the Times.—On the 3d day of October, in the year 1828,
the first issue of the Journal made its appearance. This was during the presi¬
dential campaign in which John Ouincy Adams and Andrew Jackson con¬
tended for the political control of the United States, the former as a Republi¬
can candidate, and the latter as the nominee of the Democracy. At that time
the Vermont Gazette advocated the platform represented by "old Hickory,"
th l're fore nothing could be more natural than that a newly started newspaper
should champion the cause of a party that had 110 organ in the community.
But in the advocacy of the doctrines of Republicanism in that campaign, the
attitude of the Journal was not adopted as a matter of policy, or a desire for
personal popularity with the dominant party of the country, but rather a mat¬
ter wholly of principle.
With the introductory editorial article the paper announced its policy " to
be pursued through life, whether in this place or elsewhere, namely: The sup¬
pression of intemperance and its associate vices, the gradual emancipation of
every slave in the republic, and the perpetuity of national peace." This was
188
History of Bennington County.
from the pen of the able editor William Lloyd Garrison, one of the founders of
the Journal of the Times ; and those of the readers of this volume who have
watched the remarkable career of that man, can freely testify to the fact that his
subsequent life was wholly in accordance with the principles enunciated in the
salutatory contained in the first issue of his paper at Bennington.
Mr. Garrison came from Boston to Bennington with Henry S. Hull, the lat¬
ter being also interested in the paper in the capacity of publisher and business
manager.
But notwithstanding the ability with which the Journal was edited and
managed, it did not, and at that time could not, become popular with the great
mass of the people, and therefore was not a success from a financial point of
view; but for all that the situation of affairs in Vermont at this present shows
that, regardless of what fate may have overtaken the paper, that the standard
erected by Mr. Garrison was a grand one, and the present generation can real¬
ize the fact that the end sought has been measurably attained.
Mr. Garrison's connection with the Journal continued from October, 1828,
until March of the succeeding year, after which he left the State. The paper
issued only thirty-eight numbers and was then discontinued.
The Horn of the Green Mountains.—The year 1830 witnessed the publication
of the first newspaper in the town of Manchester. The name of the paper was
as above mentioned. The enterprise was established and owned by Edward
C. Purdy. It was never a financial success, but just how long its publication
was continued the writer hereof has not " knowledge or information sufficient
to form a belief." The life of the paper, however, is said to have lasted from
one to two years.
The Vermonter.—This was a Bennington publication, founded in the year
1835 by Andrew F. Lee, but supported and maintained, during its brief exist¬
ence, by the active Whig party men of the vicinity. The Vermonter was pub¬
lished only about one year.
The Vermont Express.—This was the second attempt at establishing a news¬
paper at Manchester. The Express was first issued during the presidential
campaign of 1836, when Martin Van Buren and the hero of "Tippecanoe"were
struggling for supremacy in the national government. While the paper was
edited at Manchester, under the control of A. L. Miner, esq., the press-work
was done at Salem, Washington county, N. Y. This also was a short-lived
journal.
The Bennington County Whig.—The attempt made by Mr. Miner at perma¬
nently founding a newspaper at Manchester seemed to have impressed the Sa¬
lem people with the belief that such an enterprise could be successfully carried
out, and B. C. Crandall possessed the temerity to undertake it. He therefore,
in the early part of 1837, issued the first number of the Bennington County
Whig. But after a few weeks Crandall left suddenly, much to the discomfiture
The Press.
of a number of citizens, who realized painfully that their loss was his gain.
After Mr. Crandall's departure the paper was for a time managed by Orlando
Squires, and he, in turn, was succeeded by John C. Osborn, a former employee
of the office. But being parentless the Whig could not long survive, and it
soon passed out of existence as had all its predecessors.
The Battle Ground.—This was a North Bennington paper, founded in 1853
by Daniel Cady, a New Yorker, and Hiram Atkins of Vermont. The first issue
was sent out in August of the year named; but owing to some misunderstand¬
ing or want of harmony in the firm, only a few numbers were published, after
which Mr. Atkins left the place and paper and entered a more inviting field.
Mr. Cady then came to North Bennington, took charge of the infant enter¬
prise, and assumed its support. But the paper was, at best, only a weakling,
and all the nourishing influences and tender care that its guardian could bring
to bear upon it failed to give substantial strength, and it went the way of num¬
berless similar enterprises. The subscription list, however, survived and passed
into the hands of Mr. Atkins, who had then become editor of the Bellows Falls
A rgns.
The Bennington Free Press.—The Free Press was started in Bennington as
a Republican campaign paper in August, 1870. After a short time it became
the property of Charles M. Bliss, who changed its character to that of a regular
newspaper. Mr. Bliss published and edited it until about the middle of De¬
cember, 1871, at which time Henry L. Stillson became proprietor, and contin¬
ued its publication until the close of the famous Grant-Greeley campaign, in
the fall of 1872, when the name was changed to the Vermont Gazette, of which
mention has already been made.
The Daily News.—The founding of the Daily News in Bennington, in May,
1875, was clearly an experiment to determine whether or not a daily paper
would prove a profitable undertaking. The proprietor, Frank P. Armstrong,
had the courage to make the attempt, but after a trial of about two months was
content to dispose of his plant to a company of persons of the town, who asso¬
ciated together for this purpose under the name and style of The Daily News
Association. But even under their fostering care the paper failed to meet with
any considerable degree of success, whereupon, during the latter part of Sep¬
tember of the year of its founding, the paper suspended publication.
The Vermont Centennial.—In the year following that in which Asaph P.
Childs, and his brother, R. S. Childs, disposed of their interest in the J'ermont
Gazette, they started another newspaper at Bennington, and christened it The
Vermont Centennial, taking its name thus from the fact that it was established in
the year of the Vermont centennial anniversary, and it was to the early events
of the history of Vermont, both civil and military, that the paper was especially
devoted; but, at the same time the enterprising proprietors omitted noth¬
ing of the current events of the present day that would interest and instruct
190
History of Bennington County.
the readers of the paper. During a portion of the time of the life of the Cen¬
tennial the same was issued daily. The paper held a good advertising patron¬
age, and was well patronized by subscription, nevertheless, during the latter
part of September, 1877, the same year of its founding, it was discontinued.
The Press of the Present Day.
The press of Bennington county at the present time is represented by the
three weekly journals—The Bennington Banner, The Bennington Reformer,
and The Manchester Journal, the seat of publication of each of which may be
readily determined by their respective names.
The Banner and the Journal are the organs of the Republican party of the
community, the former of the south, and the latter of the north shire of the
county; and while there is no agreement or understanding between the pro¬
prietors regarding the county circulation of these papers, each has refrained from
extending his circulation into the territory of the other by canvass for subscrip¬
tion therein. The Banner, of course, furnishes to the people of the south shire
the general news of the north, and the Journal, in the same manner, has its de¬
partment of south shire news. This is not saying, nor is it to be inferred, that
either paper does not at all circulate in the shire of the other, for such is not the
case; but it is intended to be understood that such circulation is not very gen¬
eral. But with the Reformer the case is different. Being the only Democratic
paper of the county it is entirely free to act, and has no limited field of opera¬
tions. It is, too, the organ of its party—able, earnest, fearless and aggressive.
The Bennington Banner.—This publication was the direct outgrowth of the
State Banner, which was established in Bennington on " the hill," in February,
1841, by Enoch Davis; but after having continued it for about one year, J. I.
C. Cook acquired an interest. At the expiration of about four years from the
time the paper was first issued Benjamin G. Cook purchased an interest in the
business, that, probably, of Mr. Davis, and the firm style thereupon became B.
G. & J. I. C. Cook. This firm continued the publication until October, 1856,
when Benjamin G. Cook died, then by the survivng partner of the late firm
until February of the next year, when Thomas J. Tiffany became sole propri¬
etor by purchase.
In 1858 Mr. Tiffany changed the name of the paper to The Bennington
Banner, which has ever since appeared on the title page. In June, 1859,
Mr. Tiffany disposed of the Banner and office to J. I. C. Cook & Son, by whom
it was conducted until the month of August, 1870, at which time Charles A.
Pierce, formerly and then owner of the Manchester Journal, became proprietor
and publisher, entrusting, however, its editorial columns to the management of
J. Halsey Cushman. About the time that Mr. Pierce purchased the Banner he
disposed of the Manchester paper, Orvis & Co. becoming proprietors.
Mr. Cushman retired from the editorial department of the Banner in 1877,
The Press.
and, after a brief time, Henry L. Stillson, formerly of the revived Vermont Ga¬
zette, was employed to succeed him, and has since so continued. Mr. Pierce,
however, directs the policy of the paper, and its attitude on all questions of
general or local interest. For a time Everett W. Pierce was associated with
the publication, but his interest terminated in 1882. Other than this Charles A.
Pierce has been owner and proprietor of the Banner since the summer of 1870.
The Manchester Journal.—The newspaper now owned and edited by Sena¬
tor David K. Simmonds, was founded by Charles A. Pierce in the month of
May, 1868, the first number being issued on the 28th. During the first year
of its life Henry E. Miner assisted in the editorial department. During the war
the publisher enlisted, and during his absence the Rev. James Anderson acted
in the capacity of editor and publisher; also during the latter part of Mr. Pierce's
ownership of the paper Loveland Munson gave material assistance in the edito¬
rial department. In 1865 Everett W. Pierce, a brother of the owner, purchased
a working interest in the Journal, and the firm of Charles A. Pierce & Co.
thus formed was continued until succeeded by Orvis & Co. in 1871. It was
during the ownership of Franklin H. Orvis, of the firm just named, and he sub¬
sequently became sole owner, that the Journal enjoyed the season of its great¬
est prosperity. He entered into the journalistic work with just the same energy
and determination that have characterized his other business undertakings, and
made it an enterprise not only self-sustaining, but decidedly profitable.
But Mr. Orvis laid 110 claim to editorial ability; he recognized the neces¬
sity of a newspaper publication at Manchester to represent all the interests of
the town and locality, and therefore consented, for a time at least, to assume its
management; but at the same time he continued his other extensive business
in the town and elsewhere. That the paper was completely successful under
his control is well evidenced by the fact that he more than doubled its adver¬
tizing receipts, swept from its pages all "plate 'ads,'" and made it distinctively
a Manchester paper. More than that, he increased the subscription list from
less than one thousand to more than three thousand.
Mr. Simmonds became connected with the editorial department of the Jour-
nal during Mr. Orvis's ownership, but, in September, 1871, he purchased the
entire business, and thereupon became sole editor and publisher.
The B ennington Reformer.—A lively independent Democratic newspaper
under the name of the Bennington County Reformer first commenced circulat¬
ing in this locality during the month of April, 1880. It was printed at Brat-
tleboro, Vt., by C. H. Davenport & Co., but had a Bennington editor in the per¬
son of Asaph P. Childs, who looked after the interests of the paper in this local¬
ity. In September, 1883, the Reformer was purchased by James H. Livingston,
the founder of the Hoosiek Talis Standard, who immediately equipped the office
with new materials, and enlarged the paper from a nine-column folio to a six-
column quarto.
i 92
History of Bennington County.
CHAPTER XVII.
the bench and bar of bennington county.
IT can hardly be considered essentially within the province of this chapter to
refer at any length to the organization of any courts other than that estab¬
lished under competent authority. An old proverb teaches us that " necessity
knows no law;" and it is well known that necessity—stern necessity, made
it indispensible to the safety of the inhabitants of the New Hampshire Grants
that some means should be devised by which the opponents to the policy of
the majority of the people could be held in check, and that the inimical con¬
duct of the Tory element might not become contagious; for, if allowed to be¬
come rampant, that element would certainly have endangered, even if not en¬
tirely overthrown, the institutions of the infant State, and passed its control
into the hands of the New Yorkers.
And it was stern necessity, too, that impelled Ethan Allen and his compa¬
triots to establish an informal court for the trial and punishment of the New
York officers who were sent here with warrants of arrest and dispossess ; but
the penalty of this court seldom went beyond a severe reprimand, and the
"impressive " effects of the " beech seal." Necessity, also, made it incumbent
upon the authorities of the " separate jurisdiction " to establish a court of con¬
fiscation, not alone that Toryism might be checked, but that the means might
be provided wherewith to defray the expense of the government in political
affairs, and, as well, to provide for the raising and maintaining of an armed
force for aggressive and defensive warfare, which, during that period, was waging
against Great Britain.
But after the independence of Vermont had been declared, and after the
constitution of the State had been adopted, assuming all this to have been ab¬
solutely right regardless of the fact that such proceedings were not then sanc¬
tioned or ratified by the general government, the authorities were in a proper
position to organize courts more " in due form of law."
The first court in Bennington county, of which there appears to be any rec¬
ord, after the adoption of the first constitution, was that assembled at the house
of Stephen Fay, 011 the 10th of December, 1778: and this term was held in
pursuance of an act of the General Assembly passed for the purpose of creating
the same.
Upon that occasion the Hon. Moses Robinson presided, while John Fas-
sett, jr., and Thomas Chandler, jr., served in the capacity of associate judges.
Each took the oath required by the constitution for the faithful discharge of
The Bench and Bar.
193
his duty, after which Joseph Fay was appointed and sworn as clerk of the
court. No further business was transacted on the first day. Moses Robinson
was, therefore, the first judge of the Supreme Court of Vermont that officiated
in that capacity west of the Green Mountains, or in Bennington county. He
was not " learned in the law," according to the present acceptation of that ex¬
pression, but he had a thorough understanding of " right " and " equity" be¬
tween men, and therefore was well qualified for the office he filled so long and
well. Mr. Robinson was a man of no minor importance in those early days,
for he was prominently associated with the political and military leaders, and
was, in fact, a counsellor and leader among them. He was neither lawyer nor
statesman, yet he possessed an abundant fund of good common sense ; and
that quality was much to be prized at that time rather than great learning.
His associates upon the bench, John Fassett, jr., and Thomas Chandler, jr.,
were likewise men of considerable note during the Revolutionary period, the
former an Arlington citizen, and one of the first justices of the peace appointed
for the county June 17, 1778, while the latter, Justice Chandler, filled for a
time, the office of secretary of State. He was chosen to the Supreme bench
in October, 1778, and became judge of the Windsor County Court in 1786.
Referring again to the records of the court it is found that on the 11th of
December, 1778, the first case to which the attention of the court was di¬
rected was that of William Griffin versus Jacob Galusha, and was that charac¬
ter that the average modern attorney would probably call a " hoss case;" for
the plaintiff charged the defendant with " fradulently taking and detaining from
him a certain white horse." The case was not tried upon this occasion, the
defendant asking for a " continuance" on account of the lack of " material evi¬
dence," which the court granted, "setting the case down" for the third Thurs¬
day of February, 1779. It may be of interest to the profession to learn that
this cause was afterward tried, and that the plaintiff " recovered," although
the record does not disclose the fact that any " opinion," or " memorandum "
was written by either of the judges.
On the 14th of December the court was in special session "for the trial of
, who stands charged with inimical conduct against this and the
United States of America, by going over and joining the enemies thereof. The
prisoner being called was accordingly arraigned at the bar, who pleaded guilty to
the crime alleged against him, and prayed the mercy of the court." The records
show that the judges present were Hon. Moses Robinson, chief judge ; John
Fassett, jr., Thomas Chandler, jr., John Throop and Jonas Fay, associates. The
judgment of the court was as follows : " Having taken the case of the prisoner
into consideration ; having heard the plea of the prisoner, the evidences, and
duly considered every attending circumstance relative thereto, do judge and
order that the prisoner be banished within the enemy's lines at Canada, and to
depart this State, on or before the 10th day of February next; and to proceed
25
194
History of Bennington County.
within the enemy's lines without delay, never more to return within this, or
the United States of America, on penalty of being, on conviction thereof, be¬
fore any court or authority proper to try him, whipped on the naked back,
thirty and nine lashes; and the same number of lashes to be repeated once
every week during his stay : paying cost, and to be held a prisoner in the cus¬
tody of John Benjamin, esq., sheriff, in and for the county of Cumberland,—
who is hereby strictly commanded to see this sentence duly performed.
" Attest. Joseph Fay, Clerk."
The record to which the writer of this chapter had access, made mention of
a portion of the business transacted by the Superior or the Supreme Court, at
its session from the early part of December, 1778, until the 19th of February,
1779, but nowhere does there appear to have been made mention of the fact
..that any person appeared to " attorn " in the interest of either of the contest¬
ing parties, and it is probable that the courts thus far at least were conducted
without the services of an attorney. The first mention of the presence of an
attorney in the courts of the State is made on the docket of the Superior Court,
at a term holden at'Westminster, in the county of Cumberland, on the 26th of
May, 1779. Moses Robinson presided, and the associates were those already
named, with the addition of John Shepardson. Stephen R. Bradley was ap¬
pointed clerk.
The early entries on the docket recorded the fact that Stephen R. Bradley
and Noah Smith, esqs., were appointed attorneys at-law, sworn and licensed to
plead at the bar within this State. And the next entry noted the fact that
Noah Smith, esq., was appointed State's attorney within and for the county of
Cumberland, pro tempore.
These, then, Stephen R. Bradley and Noah Smith, were the pioneer law¬
yers of the State. The former will be remembered as prominently associated
with those who were most active in the efforts to secure the recognition of Ver¬
mont's independence, and, perhaps, so far as education was a factor in bringing
about that end, was the ablest man among the many devoted to the cause.
The famous " Vermont's Appeal to the Candid and Impartial World" was the
production of his fertile brain. Mr. Bradley was a native of Connecticut and a
graduate from Yale College. Upon him was conferred the degrees of Master
of Arts and Doctor of Laws. He came to Vermont in May, 1779, and was
admitted to practice in the courts of the State immediately after his arrival.
On the admission of Vermont to the Union in 1791, Mr. Bradley was elected
the first United States Senator from the east side of the mountains, and be¬
came a leader in the upper house. He never resided in Bennington county, nor
have we any evidence that he ever practiced at the bar of the courts therein,
although he may have done so.
Noah Smith is believed to have been a native of Connecticut. He was a
brother of Governor Smith, and a graduate of Yale. When the counties of
The Bench and Bar.
i95
Bennington and Cumberland were created it was expected that the county seat
of the former would be fixed at Pawlet, and so being understood the legal
minds of the State, and others from other States, flocked to that place with the
expectation of "living off the law"; but the Pawlet people were disappointed,
for the shire town was elsewhere. Noah Smith was one of the lawyers who
went to reside there and afterward moved to Bennington.
In June, 1779, at a term of court held at Rutland, for the county of Ben¬
nington, Mr. Smith was appointed State's attorney, and he is said to have
been continued in that office for a period of about five years. About the year
1800 he moved to Chittenden county and died there a few years later.
At the same term at which Mr. Smith was appointed to the office of public
prosecutor, Nathaniel Chipman was admitted and sworn as an attorney within
the State, and in November of the same year Jonathan Brace likewise was
made a lawyer. He practiced at Manchester. This last statement may pos¬
sibly be an error. A record of the attorneys of the county, based in part on
recollection, states that Jonathan Brace was admitted to practice at Manches¬
ter in 1784. This seems quite likely, as Manchester was not made a half shire
town until 1781 ; so, " what on earth " would an attorney do up there, twenty-
five miles from the county seat, as early as 1779. Still Counsellor Brace
might have become an attorney in 1779, and not begun to practice until 1784.
Leaving for a moment the proceedings of the court created under the con¬
stitution, we may turn back and recall the events of the court of informal or¬
ganization that tried and sentenced to death, one, David Redding. This oc¬
curred, of course, subsequent to the adoption of the first constitution, but the
court, while acting under undoubted authority, was decidedly less complete in
its organization, and more in accordance with the "law of necessity."
The chief executive body of the State, the governor and council, appointed
Jeremiah Clark, a resident of Shaftsbury, to preside as judge at the trial of
Redding; and the same body, by a resolution passed June 9, 1778, directed
or authorized Colonel Ethan Allen " to act in the capacity and do the duty of
States's attorney in the cause depending between this the United States of
America and David Redding, a prisoner to be tried this day for inimical con¬
duct against this and the said United States."
It is nowhere stated of record, but it was nevertheless a fact, that the pris¬
oner then on trial was represented by counsel in the person of John Burnham,
who, although possessed of a better understanding of the English common law
than Prosecutor Allen, was still unfortunate enough to lose his case, and his
client his life—he being found guilty and hanged 011 the 11th of June, 1778,
two days after trial.
Allen, as public prosecutor, undoubtedly threw his whole energy into this
case, for he had promised the dissatisfied multitude of people (there having
been a former trial and Redding sentenced to be hanged, but, owing to some
196
History of Bennington County.
irregularity, was given another hearing at which the people complained) only
a few days before, that if they disperse and return to their homes, he would see
that somebody was " hung at all events, for if Redding is not then hung I will
be hung myself."
John Burnham came to Bennington in 1771, and engaged in the mercantile
business. He lived in Shaftsbury in 1775. He was one of the committee ap¬
pointed "to prepare a draught for a declaration for a new and separate State."
He acquired a knowledge of the law by reading Blackstone and an old copy of
a statute that he somewhere obtained. He also transacted law business for his
neighbors and fellow-townsmen—for a modest compensation—during the years
of his residence here. Mr. Burnham remained an embryo lawyer until the year
1780, when he was regularly admitted to practice in the courts of the State.
The power that created the court that tried and hanged David Redding
also brought into existence the court that conducted the trials and other pro¬
ceedings noted in the first portion of this chapter—the court presided over by
Moses Robinson, but the means of such creation in this case were somewhat
different. The first constitution declared that "courts of justice shall be estab¬
lished in every county in this State." In accordance with this provision, the
General Assembly, in session at Windsor, resolved "that there be a Superior
Court appointed in this State, consisting of five judges;" and "Resolved, that
the Hon. Moses Robinson, esq., be, and is hereby appointed chief judge of the
Superior Court, and Major John Shepardson, second, John Fassett, jr., third,
Major Thomas Chandler, fourth, and John Throop, esq., fifth, judges of said
court." A further resolution provided "that the Superior Court sit four times
in a year, viz.: At the meeting-house in Bennington, in the shire of Benning¬
ton, on the second Thursday of December next; at the court-house in West¬
minster, in the shire of Cumberland, the second Thursday of March next; at
the house of Colonel James Mead, in Rutland, in the shire of Rutland, on the
; and at Newbury, in the shire of Newbury, on the second Thursday of
September next." A still further resolution stated that the Superior Court
should not continue, 'at one sitting,' for more than one week."
In the earlier chapters of this volume mention has been made of the fact
that upon the division of the State into counties, Bennington and Cumberland
each was provided with two shire towns, Bennington and Rutland for Ben¬
nington county, and Westminster and Newbury for Cumberland county.
When the counties were first created it was thought that there would be but
one shire town for each, and as Pawlet lay about in the geographical center of
the inhabited part of Bennington county, as then constituted, the people were
led to the belief that that would be selected as the county seat; hence the in¬
flux of legal minds to that locality. But it was found that the convenience of
the people would be best served by establishing half shire towns, which was
accordingly done, Bennington and Rutland being the fortunate places selected.
The Bench and Bar.
197
In the month of February, of the year 1781, the county of Bennington was
divided, and all that part thereof that lay north of its present north line was
erected into Rutland county. This necessitated a change in the disposition of
the courts of Bennington county and the establishment of a shire town or
county seat. Of course the town of Bennington made a claim to the county
buildings, as also did Manchester and Shaftsbury, the last named more partic¬
ularly from the fact of its more central location in the county. Manchester and
Bennington at that time were the chief towns, as they are now, of the county,
and the securing to either of the county buildings was very much to be desired.
But what effort each made to secure the count)' seat is not known except by
tradition, for the journal of the Assembly seems to throw 110 light whatever on
the proceedings had upon that occasion; but that each made strenuous efforts
is confidently believed to be true, in fact cannot be doubted, for the body that
determined the claims of the localities seems to have been inclined to favor
both, and unwilling to decide adversely to either. Therefore, as a compromise,
the county was divided into half shires and each given county buildings—pro¬
vided the same were erected at private expense, which was accordingly done.
In this respect the county of Bennington differs from the others of the State.
An effort was made not many years ago to have the half shires dissolved and
one shire town selected for the whole county, but this attempt proved unsuc¬
cessful. This arrangement of the courts of the county causes, of course, some
inconvenience to the attorneys, but the conveniences of contesting parties and
their witnesses seems to be about the same as if there were but one county-
town. The terms of court alternate between the half shires. The situation and
description of the county buildings of Bennington county will be found in an
earlier chapter of this work.
The revised constitution, which was adopted upon the recommendation of
the council of censors, provided for other courts than those formed under the
original constitution; and the revisions and amendments that have been made
at various other times, no less than four in number, have provided for the courts
of the State and their disposition and powers, of all of which it can hardly be
considered within the province of this chapter to discuss. The changes that
have severally been made, and the courts that have been at different times
established or abolished, are within the understanding of every well-read law¬
yer, and any further comment upon them would seem to be superfluous.
Hut it will not be considered out of place to here make mention of the suc¬
cession of judges of the Supreme Court from the year 1778 to the year 1790,
both inclusive, which, according to "Slade's State Papers," was as follows:
1778.1—Moses Robinson, chief judge; John Shepardson, John Fassett, jr.,
Thomas Chandler, and John Throop, associates.
177 9.—Moses Robinson, chief judge; John Shepardson, John Fassett, jr.,
John Throop, and Paul Spooner, associates.
1 Elected or appointed in October.
198
History of Bennington County.
1780.—Moses Robinson, chief judge; Paul Spooner, John Fassett, jr., In¬
crease Moseley, and John Throop, associates.
1781.—Elisha Payne, chief judge; Moses Robinson, John Fassett, jr., Bez-
aleel Woodward, and Joseph Caldwell, associates.
1782.—Moses Robinson, chief judge; Paul Spooner, Jonas Fay, John Fass¬
ett, and Peter Olcutt, associates.
1783.—Moses Robinson, chief judge; Paul Spooner, John Fassett, Peter
Olcutt, and Thomas Porter, associates.
1784.—Paul Spooner, chief judge; John Fassett, Nathaniel Niles, Thomas
Porter, and Peter Olcutt, associates.
1785.—Moses Robinson, chief judge; Paul Spooner, Nathaniel Niles, John
Fassett, and Thomas Porter, associates.
1786.—Moses Robinson, chief judge; Paul Spooner, Nathaniel Niles, Na¬
thaniel Chipman, and Luke Knovvlton, associates.
1787.—Moses Robinson, chief judge ; Nathaniel Niles and Paul Spooner,
associates.1
1788.—Moses Robinson, chief judge ; Paul Spooner and Stephen R. Brad¬
ley, associates.
1789-90.—Nathaniel Chipman, chief judge; Noah Smith and Samuel
Knight, associates.
Early Bar.
In early days there was much more litigation than at present. There was
less money, but there were more disputes, as the machinery of business was less
perfectly organized, and land titles were partially unsettled. The character of
litigation, say thirty or more years ago, is thus described by an old practitioner:
"The business of an attorney of those earlier days was largely before just¬
ices of the peace, and was chiefly and in all the courts the collection of debts,
by employing the severe pressure upon debtors which the law then invited.
Money being scarce business was done mostly upon credit, and to a consider-
ble extent in barter. Older lawyers will, perhaps, remember the obligations
made payable in 'good merchantable hollow ware,' 'fulled cloth,' 'grain,' or
'neat cattle, bulls and stags excepted.' It was not an unusual device of the
country traders to make nominal changes in their partnerships from time to
time, or put forth other ostensible reasons for placing their books of account
into the hands of the village lawyer for collection. The temptation of fees and
income dependent upon the number of suits brought, which fees were expected
to come out of the debtor in the form of costs, and the credit of being reputed
a sharp collecting lawyer was a stimulus to him to push the law to its extremi¬
ties of coercion. At the same time the creditor might be ready with the in¬
structions, 'put him in jail. He will contrive some way to pay; or his friends
1 After the revised constitution only two associate judges were chosen.
The Bench and Bar.
199
won't suffer him to lie in jail ; or the town will see the debt paid rather than
support his family as paupers.' In the case of a debtor who had credit or means
of credit, but no present money, the grand economy was to pursue the case to
judgment, execution and commitment, when die debtor would give a jail bond,
and immediately break it. Then would follow a new sui,t upon the bond, with
judgment, execution, commitment, and a second bail bond, breach and suit,
and so on indefinitely, to the increasing profit of the attorney.
After a time the Legislature, envying his happy state, ruthlessly cut off this
source of his gain by prohibiting the taking of a second jail bond where the
judgment was upon a jail bond, a provision now found in section 1,500 of the
revised laws. Many a village lawyer in Vermont laid the foundation of a for¬
tune for himself and family in these early conditions of practice, when it was
not unusual for one to bring several hundred suits yearly, chiefly before jus¬
tices, and for small collections. The changes of fifty years in business, society,
and the law have left the attorney of the present day little of this class of busi¬
ness, a change not to be regretted."
Since the settlement of the cases arising under the national bankrupt act
of 1867, the dockets of the bar have been constantly growing smaller. From
a published report it is found that in 1877-78, throughout the State, there were
2,581 entries of civil causes, 181 jury trials, 755 decrees in Chancery, and 209
judgments in the Supreme Court. In 1882-83 the business had diminished
until there were only 1,391 entries of civii causes, 99 jury trials, 318 decrees in
Chancery, and 183 Supreme Court judgments. On the other hand, the suits
tried in recent years have sometimes involved large property interests; heavy
corporate litigation has increased, and lawyers of established reputation have
still enough to do.
It would indeed be the grossest injustice imaginable to attribute to the bar
of Rennington the qualities described by the quotation above from an old prac¬
titioner. That may have applied to some portion of the bar as a whole, but
the great majority have ever, early and late, been exempt from any such pro¬
ceedings for sordid purposes.
Of the practitioners at the bar of Bennington count)', past and present,
many have attained distinction, and some eminence. Among the leading
legal minds of this commonwealth, this county has furnished her full quota.
On the bench and at the bar of her courts have been found lawyers of strict
integrity and rare ability ; men of worth, men of character, men whose social
and mental qualities have made them famous, men whose marked attainments
have made for them a high standard in the legislative halls of the State and of
the nation; men whose influence has been so salutary and pervading that the
whole bar seems to have caught something of its spirit, and maintained a free¬
dom from all unworthy methods as can be found in very few communities.
Ihrough the fortunate discovery of a compilation made by a distinguished
2 00
History of Bennington County.
member of the bar of this county, the writer is enabled to give to the readers
of this chapter a comparatively accurate roll of the early legal men of the
county ; still it can hardly be claimed that the list is a perfect one, on account
of the fact that it shows those who were admitted at the courts of the county,
while there may have become resident practitioners who were admitted else¬
where than at a term held here. On the whole, however, it is believed that
the roll can be relied upon as reasonably correct. The record shows the name
of the attorney, with the month and year of his admission to practice. It
appears, too, from this record that there was a time in the history of legal prac¬
tice in this State when admission to the County Court did not mean admission
to the Supreme Court, and vice versa ; therefore the information is given re¬
lating to both the county and Supreme Court. It is as follows:
Admitted to the County Court—Enoch Woodbridge, September, 1781, prac¬
ticed at Manchester; Israel Smith. December, 1782, practiced at Rupert or
Manchester, probably; Daniel Buck, April, 1783; Jonathan Brace, appointed
State's attorney, April, 1784, Manchester; Samuel Hitchcock, June, 1784,
Manchester; Isaac Tichenor, April, 1785, Bennington; Seth Storrs, Septem¬
ber, 1786; Stephen Camp, December, 1791, Jena Robinson and Samuel Pres¬
ton, June, 1793; Jonathan Ware, December, 1793; David Fay, December,
1794; Joseph Wentworth, December, 1795 ; Eldad Dewey, William A. Gris-
wold, Elijah Brush, December, 1797; George Kingsbury, of Poultney, June,
1800; Edwin Hubbard, Richard Skinner, Andrew Selden, Jonathan E. Rob¬
inson, and David Robinson, jr., December, 1800; Elisha Bigelow, June, 1801 ;
Daniel Heald, jr., December, 1801 ; Benjamin Swift and Elijah B. Mervin,
June, 1802; Samuel Jackson, June, 1803 ; Samuel B. Young, December, 1803;
O. C. Merrill, June, 1804; Lyman Munson and Anson J. Sperry, the latter of
iManchester, December, 1805 ; James Hubbell and Timothy Merrill, Decem¬
ber, 1806; Israel P. Richardson, Nathan Burton, (Rupert), Joel Pratt, (Man¬
chester), and Milo Cook. June, 1807; Ira Loomis, June 1808; Calvin Shel¬
don, (Manchester), James S. Harris and Thomas J. Wright, June, 1812 ; John
C. Thompson, (Castleton) June, 1813; Milo L. Bennett, of Manchester, June,
1814; Leonard Sargeant, of Manchester, December 1815; Daniel Wellman,
of Manchester, June, 1816; Hilatid Hall, Samuel H. Blackmer, and Uel M.
Robinson, December, 1819; George Curtis, Isaac Sherman, and Pierrepont
Isham, December, 1822; Uriel Child and Cyrus D. Sheldon, June, 1823 ; John
Aiken, of Manchester, June, 1824; Joseph Sylvester, Daniel E. Spencer, and
Nathan Huntington, December, 1824; John S. Robinson, August, 1827;
Samuel Smith, September, 1829; Serenus Swift, of Manchester, September,
1830; William S. Southworth, Harmon Canfield (Arlington), Leman Oatman,
and Moses M. Strong, September, 1831 ; A. P. Lyman, and Governeur Morris,
(the latter of Springfield, Vt.), September, 1832; Charles Aiken and Calvin
Ward, September, 1833; Enoch Davis, December, 1839; Ansel Hayes Gale,
The Bench and Bar.
201
June, 1842; Trenor W. Park, A. M. Ruling, and Charles R. Millington, De¬
cember, 1845; Tarrant Sibley, December, 1846; James L. Stark, jr., May,
1848; Cyrus Farwell, Rollin C. Smith, and S. Seward Burton, June, 1848;
Alexander Bliss and Stephen D. Bingham, December, 1852; J. Halsey Cush-
man, June, 1854; James B. Meacham, December, 1857; Eugene Canfield,
Leonard Sargeant, jr., and Hemy E. Miner, (the last two of Manchester), De¬
cember, 1858; Merritt A. Barber, of Pownal, June 1859.
Admitted to the Supreme Court.—Cephas Smith and Amos Marsh, August,
1794; Jonathan Robinson and Stephen Camp, June, 1796; Andrew Seidell,
Richard Skinner, David Robinson, jr., and Jonathan E. Robinson, February,
1804; Nathaniel Hunt, February, 1805; O. C. Merrill, Robert Temple (of
Castleton), and Samuel B. Young, February, 1807 ; Anson J. Sperry, Febru¬
ary, 1809; Charles Wright, Nathan Burton, and James Hubbell, February,
181 o; Cyrus A. Lockwood, John C. Walker, and Calvin Sheldon, February,
1812; Nathan Robinson, Serenus Swift, February, 18—; Marshall Carter and
Daniel Wellman, January, 1820; Leonard Sargeant, January, 1819; Hiland
Hall, Samuel H. Blackmer, Phineas Smith, William White, and Henry Kellogg,
August, 1821; Pierpont Isham, Uel M. Robinson, January, 1826; John Aiken,
February, 1828; John S. Robinson, February, 1832; William S. Southworth,
Harmon Canfield, and A. P. Lyman, February 1835; A. L. Miner, February,
1836; Daniel Roberts, jr., February, 1837; Flias B. Burton, February, 1844;
Enoch Davis, February, 1845; Harvey K. Fowler, Alexander M. Huling, Feb¬
ruary, 1846; Abraham B. Gardner, February, 1847; Trenor W. Park, Feb¬
ruary, 1849; James L. Stark, jr., and Nathaniel B. Hall, February, 1851 ; Tru¬
man Huling, George W. Brizee, February, 1852 , S. Seward Burton, February,
1854; Robert Myers, February, 1855 ; J. Halsey Cushman, February, 1859;
John V. Hall, James B. Meacham, and A. W. Preston, of North Adams, Mass.,
February, i860.
Attorneys Admitted Since i860.—Newton Stone, June 4, 1861; William 11.
Shep.ird, December 4, 1861 ; Thomas E. Brownell, June 5, 1862; Harrison
Prindle, December 26, 1863 ; Levi A. Knight, December 20, 1864; Henry A.
Johnson, December 5, 1865 ; Andrew Potter, December 13, 1865; James K.
Batchelder, June 7, 1866; John Epsey, June 12, 1866; Loveland Munson, June
14, 1866; James L. Martin, June 23, 1869; Henry A. Harmon, December 5,
1871 ; John W. Beebe, December 7, 1871 ; William B. Sheldon, June 8, 1872;
Frank Graham, December 12, 1875 ; James M. Holmes, June 22, 1877; Jo¬
seph E. Fenn, June 5, 1878; E L. Sibley, December 13, 1878; Joseph W.
howler, June, 1879; Andrew S. Keyes, December 13, 1879; Frank T. Spring,
December 22, 1880; Edward L. Bates, June 8, 1882; Orion M. Barber, June
15, 1882; Alba G. Fay, June 5, 1883 ; Thomas H. Hall, February 6, 1884.
In this connection there should be mentioned the names of some who are,
or in the past have been, members of the Bennington bar, admitted elsewhere
2G
202
History of Bennington County.
and located in the county for practice. Of these Hon. George YV. Harman,
still residing in Bennington, and still in the profession, was admitted elsewhere,
and came to reside at Bennington in 1848, although it was not until 1859 that
he commenced practice here, being for some eleven years engaged in banking.
Truman Squire was one of the old lawyers of the State, but did not begin
the practice of law in this county until 1810.
Other lawyers not heretofore mentioned can also be named, noticeably Fred
B. Jennings, now of New York; Major Carpenter, of Readsboro, and II. N.
11ix, William H. Follett, and Mr. Waterman.
The Present Bar of the County.—The modest legal gentlemen that com¬
prise the bar of the county at the present time have, by a fair preponderance
of inclination, decided against a brief personal mention in connection with this
chapter, and would prefer that whatever of biographical sketches are herein
written should record the professional life and career of those of the former bar
of the county ; but this is impossible of performance from the fact that the nec¬
essary data upon which to base such sketches can be obtained in but compar¬
atively few cases, and equal justice would seem to demand that the few should
not be favored to the neglect of the great majority.
The bar of the county to-day is quite as strong, both numerically and men¬
tally, as it has been at any time. At best the life of the lawyer is one of con-
llict, but his battles are those of peace. It is often amusing to observe an in¬
tellectual contest between strong attorneys; and it is still more amusing to watch
the amazement depicted on the face of the average plebian, or rural client,
when he believes an open rupture between the contending counsel to be immi¬
nent. But however aggressive may be the conduct of an attorney in the cause
of his client, it is a rare thing that personal feeling or animosity goes outside of
the court room ; such is not characteristic of the profession, although there are
exceptional instances.
The members of Bennington county bar at this present time are nineteen
in number, the main seat of practice being, of course, at the shire towns, Ben¬
nington and Manchester, the former leading, while the outside towns of Arling¬
ton, Pownal and Readsboro complete the roll. The personnel of the present
bar is as follows:
At Bennington — George W. Harman, Tarrant Sibley, James B. Meacham,
W. B. Sheldon, Edward L. Sibley, Edward L. Bates, Charles II. Mason,
Charles IT Darling.
At Manchester—Elias B. Burton, Harvey K. Fowler, Loveland Munson, Jo¬
seph G. Martin, Frank C. Archibald, Joseph W. Fowler.
At Arlington—James K. Batchelder and Orion M. Barber.
At Pownal—Thomas E. Brownell and Thomas H. Hall.
At Readsboro—Faxon L. Bowen and Alba G. Fay.
Tiie Medical Profession.
203
CHATTER XVIII.
the medical profession.
WHEN we consider the importance and elevated character of the science of
medicine—its object, the preservation of the health and lives, and the
healing' of diseases,'and the amelioration of the physical and mental sufferings
of out fellow human beings—its extent embracing a knowledge of all science—
it is evident that medical education should engage the earnest attention of
the entire medical profession. The advances made in all the branches of knowl¬
edge, and especially in the science of medicine during the past century, have
exceeded in extent and value those of all past ages ; and it is no longer possi¬
ble to compress its vast domain within the narrow limits of " seven professor¬
ships." The present age owes its wonderful progress to experimental and
scientifice re sea re h.
Evolution and development are the talismanic watchwords of the nineteenth
century, and the doctrine is being accepted that things in the world do groiu,
and are not made ; it is 110 longer universally accepted as a matter of religious
faith that the world was created by supernatural power, for many of our
deepest thinkers, men of the most profound understanding, believe that it has
been gradually unfolded by the action of natural causes. But not wishing to
be accused of heresy it may be stated that, whether the theory be according to
Darwin, or Hackel, or Spencer, or some other philosopher, the law will be the
same in any case, and away back, behind " protoplasm," "germinal matter,"
and "cellular germ," there exists abundant proof of a " Eirst Great Cause," of
an " Infinite Wisdom," for the depth of which language has no expression. A
flood of light 011 this subject is now pouring forth 011 the world, but its accept¬
ation as a convincing truth rests in a great measure, wholly, with the indi¬
vidual.
"The world," says Goethe, "is not so framed that it can keep quiet." All the
natural energies are brought into full force by the spirit of enterprise, by the
spirit of progress. The telegraph wires wipe out all territorial boundaries, and
railways penetrate the utmost confines of the earth, and by them States and
Territories are bound fast together in one web.
" The Bible," says Gail Hamilton, " is full of excellent precepts, and the
world is full of bad examples. If a man smite us on the right check, we —
knock him down. If a man sues us at law, we stand suit, and if he would bor¬
row of us we promptly turn away, unless he can give ample security."
Science and enterprise have spanned the continent with electric wires, cabled
the Atlantic Ocean, given us the measurements of revolving planets, spread
204
History of Bennington CounTy.
forth the canvas to the gale, and made the trackless ocean a highway through
the world. By the use of scientific and cunningly devised instruments bleak
skies and rude winds are foreseen, and the navigator places himself in safety.
The electric light has displaced gas as effectually as the latter did the " tallow
dip," and is established upon a secure commercial basis. School houses,
churches, newspapers, and books open up to the poorest the lights and oppor¬
tunities of knowledge.
The wealth of nations increases and we see all the arts of life approaching
nearer and nearer perfection. In science, art and literature each succeeding
generation is wiser than its predecessor. The mistakes of past experience
serve as beacon lights to warn us oft"the rocks and shoals of error and guide us
to the port of truth.
The great and wide advancement in the different branches of medical science
within the last generation is as much a marvel as the progress made in any
other of the arts and sciences. The poorest laborer can now obtain advice and
medicine far superior to that which royalty could command one or two cen¬
turies ago.
" The advance in medical knowledge within one's memory," says Sir James
Paget, " is amazing, whether reckoned in the wonders of science not yet applied,
or in practical results, in the general lengthening of life, or, which is still better,
in the prevention and decrease of pain and misery, and in the increase of work¬
ing power."
The dawning of medical science, which now sheds its light through the
world, began with Hippocrates nearly twenty-three hundred years ago, and
he first treated of medicine with anythiug like sound or rational principles.
He wrote extensively, much of which has been translated and serves as a foun¬
dation for the succeeding literature of the profession. He relied chiefly on the
healing powers of nature, his remedies being exceedingly simple. He taught
that the people ought not to load themselves with excrements, or keep them
in too long, and for this reason he prescribed " meats proper for loosening the
belly, and if these failed he directed the use of the clysters."
Three hundred years before Christs Erasistratus invented and used the
catheter, introduced the tourniquit, and produced an instrument for lithotriptic
operations. Celsus flourished a. d. 50 to 120, as the greatest of Roman sur¬
geons.
Through all the centuries from the beginning of the Christian era down to
the time of the discovery of the circulation of the blood by Harvey, 1619,
medicine shed but a glimmering light in the midst of the darkness then en¬
shrouding the world, and the greatest strides in the advancement of the various
branches of medical science have been made in the last one hundred years, and
most of them may be placed to the credit of the last half century.
Physiologists no longer believe with Paracelsus in the sixteenth century,
The Medical Profession.
205
that the planets have a direct controlling action on the body, the sun upon the
heart, and the moon upon the brain ; nor do they now believe that the vital
spirits are prepared in the brain by distillation ; nor do they admit that the
chyle effervesces in the heart under the influence of salt and sulphur, which
take fire together and produce the vital flame. ()n the contrary, modern physi¬
ology teaches that the phenomena of the living body are the result of physical
and chemical changes; the temperature of the blood is ascertained by the ther¬
mometer, and the different fluids and gases of the body are analyzed by the
chemist, giving to each its own properties and function.
While the eighteenth century witnessed greater advancement in the de¬
partment of medical science than any or all its predecessors, the crowning
achievements seem to have been reserved for the nineteenth — the present cen¬
tury. Among the thousands of elements that comprise this century's advance
in medical science, mention will be made of but one. and that among the first
discoveries, i. i\, the use of anesthetics, which benumb the nerves of sensation,
and produce a profound, but transient state of insensibility, in which the most
formidable operation may be performed while the patient sleeps and dreams of
home and happy hours, and the physician is left to the pleasing reflection that
he is causing 110 pain or suffering.
But it appears that as rapid as lias been this advance during the last hun¬
dred years, so, correspondingly, have there developed new forms and phases
of disease to baffle the skill of the most eminent physicians and scientists in the
land ; and while diseases, malarious in their character, have for a time defied
the attempts to overcome them, they have, nevertheless, been subdued and
conquered. Medical skill has proven equal to every emergency.
There is, to-day, known to botanists over one hundred and forty thousand
plants, a large proportion of which are being constantly added to the already
appalling list of new remedies. Many of these new drugs possess little, if any
virtue, save as their sale adds to the exchequer of some enterprising pharma¬
cist. A drug housj in New England recently issued a circular, in which they
advertised 33 syrups, 42 elixirs, 93 solid extracts, 150 varieties of sugar-coated
pills, 236 tinctures, 245 roots, barks, herbs, seeds and flowers, 322 fluid ex¬
tracts, and 348 general drugs and chemicals.
The ancients were not so well supplied with drugs. It was the custom
among the Babylonians to expose the sick to the view of passengers, in order
to learn of them whether they had been afflicted with a like distemper, and by
what remedies they had been cured. It was also the custom of those days for
all persons who had been sick and were cured to put up a tablet in the tem¬
ple of Esculapius, wherein they gave an account of the remedies that had re¬
stored them to health. Prior to the time of Hippocrates all medicine was in
the hands of the priests, and was associated with numerous superstitions, such
as sympathetic ointments applied to the weapon with which a wound was
20 6
History of Bennington County.
made, incantations, charms, amulets, the royal touch for the cure of scrofula,
human or horse flesh for the cure of epilepsy, convulsions treated with human
brains.
While all this credulous superstition of early ages, born of ignorance, ex¬
isted to a vastly large extent, it has not been fully wiped out by the generally
advanced education of the present day. The latest appeal to the credulity of
the masses of the people is an invention to relieve the unfortunate sick, and is
known as " the faith cure " The persons seeking to popularize this means of
cure are either deceived themselves, or are deceiving others. Upon this point
a popular writer says : " If the disease be an incurable one, all the prayers in
the world will not cure it. Filth brings fever; prayer cannot interpose."
There is probably no department of medicine at the present time more
promising of good results than is sanitary science. While physiology and
pathology are making known to us the functions of the human body and the
nature and cause of disease, sanitary science is steadily teaching how the
causes of disease may be removed or avoided, and health thereby secured.
Progress during the coming one hundred years, if only equal to that of the
past, will more than have accomplished great works in the advancement of
sanitary science; but the accomplishment of this work calls, not only for the
labor of the physician, but for the intelligent co-operation of the people ; the
physician cannot do it alone. If anything really great is to be done in the way
of sanitary improvement, and of preventing disease and death, it must be done
largely by the people themselves. This implies that they must be instructed
in sanitary matters. They must be taught what unsanitary conditions favor
the origin of disease, how disease is spread, and the means of its prevention.
If it is true that that knowledge is of the greatest value to us which teaches
the means of self preservation, then the importance of a widespread knowledge
of how to prevent disease and premature death cannot be overestimated.
The village of Bennington is now assuming the proportions of a city, and
with its constantly increasing population, there comes an increased demand for
sanitary improvement. To be sure the character of the surface of the land is
such as to afford a natural drainage system, so far, at least, as surface water is
concerned ; but with the filthy accumulations of years, gaining gradually with
population, it behooves the town's authorities to look well to the matter of a
thorough system of sewerage, at least through the more densely populated dis¬
tricts; and what may be true of this locality will apply with equal force to
others. This will entail a considerable expense, as a matter of course, but that
should be a secondary consideration, unless we controvert the principle taught
by the well-known proverb that "self-preservation is the first law of nature."
But what can be recorded in these pages regarding the medical profession
in Bennington county, or who were its first representatives ? Upon this ques¬
tion there appears, unfortunately, no record or reliable tradition. The oldest
The Medical Profession.
207
resident practitioner in the county cannot recall the events of the experiences
of the physicians who practiced in the locality seventy-five, or even lift)' years
ago ; how, therefore, can anyone be expected to name all those prior to that
time. There were those, of course, who were prominently identified with not
only the profession at an earl)' day, but who also associated with the leaders
in the affairs regarding the civil and political history of the State and county,
and whose names have been mentioned in connection therewith, but the medi¬
cal profession of the county has recorded nothing of its own early history.
The First Medical Society.—As early as the year 1784 the practicing physi¬
cians of the the counties of Bennington and Rutland realized the importance
of forming a medical society for mutual welfare and benefit ; for this pur¬
pose they went to the General Assembly in the month of October, of the year
named, and procured to be enacted a law entitled : ' An act to establish a
society by the name of the First Medical Society in Vermont," the leading
clauses of which were as follows: "Whereas, it is a matter of the greatest im¬
portance to the inhabitants of this State, that the professors of the medical art
should receive all proper encouragement to excite them to improve and to
acquire a thorough acquaintance with a science so interesting to those who
maybe in distress through indisposition of body and limbs; and whereas, it ap¬
pears by a petition signed by Jonas Fay and Lewis Beebe, in behalf of them¬
selves and a number of gentlemen physicians and surgeons in the counties of
Benningtan and Rutland, and parts adjacent, to wit: Nathaniel Dickinson,
Seth Alden, Samuel Huntington, Flisha Baker, Lemuel Chipman William
Johnston, William Gould, Aaron Hastings, Zina Hitchcock, Silas Holbrook,
William VVoolcott, Fzra Baker, Fbenezer Tolman, Fzekiel Porter, and Jacob
Roeback, did, on the 19th day of August, 1784, form themselves into a medi¬
cal association and formed a constitution for the government thereof, prayed
the Legislature of this State to patronize and establish the same : Therefore,
''lie it enacted, etc, that the following physicians and surgeons, in the coun¬
ties of Bennington and Rutland, and parts adjacent, to wit: Jonas Fay, Lewis
Beebe, Nathaniel Dickinson, Seth Alden, Samuel Huntington, Flisha Baker,
Lemuel Chipman, William Johnston, William Gould, Aaron Hastings, Zina
Hitchcock, Silas Holbrook, William Woolcott, Fzra Baker, Fbenezer Tolman,
Fzekiel Porter, and Jacob Roeback, be, and they are hereby incorporated and
constituted a body corporate and politic in law, by the name of The First
Medical Society in Vermont, capable of suing and defending, by their agent or
attorney, in any court of law or equity, for the recovery and defense of their
common rights and interests; and they shall be capable of taking, by gift, grant,
or devise, for the purpose of proem ing and maintaining a library, and such
instruments and apparatus as shall by said society be thought best for making
experiments in their art, and for any other purposes that shall be found con¬
ducive to the encouragement and improvement of the healing art.
208
History of Bennington County.
" And be it further enacted, that the said society be and is hereby vested
with full power to elect annually (by ballot) a president, secretary, and two or
more censors; and the said society is hereby further authorized and empow¬
ered to call any of its members to account for any dishonorable conduct rela¬
tive to the medical profession, and punish the same, (if necessary), by suspen¬
sion, admonition, or expulsion ; and to make laws, rules, and regulations for
the governing the said society and its several members.
" And be it further enacted, that said society be, and is hereby vested with
power to judge and determine with regard to the qualifications of such per¬
son or persons who shall offer themselves for examination ; and any person or
persons who shall hereafter be admitted as members of said society shall be
entitled to all and singular the benefits and privileges that those enjoy whose
names are mentioned in this act.
"And be it further enacted, that said society be authorized and empowered
to appoint and determine the times and places of their stated or adjourned
meetings, as to them shall appear necessary, for the purposes mentioned in this
act."
By virtue of the act above quoted was brought into existence the first
medical society organized in the State of Vermont. That was done in the 1784,
and at that time the county of Rutland was less than four years old, having
been set off from Bennington county in February, 1781 ; therefore, the ma¬
jority of the physicians whose names are mentioned in the act, must, at some
time or other, if in the State at all, have been residents of Bennington county;
but it is also possible that some of those named did not become Vermonters
until after the county of Bennington was divided. Concerning the transaction
the first society, or concerning its final dissolution there appears 110 record, and
110 reliable tradition ; and it is a fact that, to-day, not more than one in ten of
the physicians of the State, old or young, ever heard of such an organization
or society as that of which the foregoing is a record. Of its officers, its career,
and its ending, nothing is now known. And it cannot be claimed that the
physicians whose names are mentioned in the foregoing act comprised all
members of the medical profession then in the two counties; for it is more
than possible that there were some who were indifferent to the project of
forming the society, and therefore took no part in the proceedings. But if
the authority of the society was fully carried out according to its original con¬
ception the names of all subsequent practitioners would be found on its rec¬
ord, if that record could be found; but as it cannot, all speculation as to who
were and who were not members of the society would seem idle in these pages.
The First County Societies.—On the 14th day of January, 1874, Dr. Luther
Moseley, of Arlington, delivered an address before the county society (he then
being about to retire from the office of president) in which was reviewed the
history of the societies that had existed in the county prior to that time, the
The Medical Profession.
209
records of which had been lost. At the request of a number of the leading
physicians of the county space is given here to that part of the address relat¬
ing to the early societies, which was follows :
"Gentlemen : You are aware that this is the first anniversary of the present
existing Bennington County Medical Society, and I am here nominally to fulfil
the last duty of its first retiring president. We have had similar organizations
in this county previous to this, and it is not many years since I did the same
thing in this very room at the last meeting of this society's immediate prede¬
cessor.
"This leads me to go back still further. Somewhere about the year 1840
the younger members of the profession in this county, myself among the num¬
ber, wishing to avail ourselves of the benefits of the association, held a meet¬
ing to see what should be done. The result was the revival of what we then
termed the old Bennington County Medical Society. That society had in its
day been necessary for purposes aside from mere mutual benefit, had a charter
as auxiliary to the State Medical Society, with authority to grant license to in¬
dividuals to practice medicine and surgery, according to the requirements of
the law as it then existed, and had their board of examiners and their seal.
That seal is now in my possession ; a piece of copper some larger in diameter
than a silver dollar—if my memory is correct—about the size of the coin, and
five-eights of an inch thick, with the proper engravings upon one side. . I have,
likewise, if not lost, and I think they can be found, a few of their blank forms
which, with the imprint of the aforesaid seal attached, enabled the possessor to
show his patrons and the public that he had entered his calling through the
right door and was legally entitled to his fees. That was mostly in advance of
medical colleges. But the times had changed; medical institutions had sprung
into existence, not only in- the large cities, but in different parts of the county,
with teachers more learned 'in their special departments. These absorbed the
duties of the examiners both of the State and county societies, leaving them
nothing to do.
"Finally the General Assembly abolished all legal restraints to the practice
of medicine and surgery ; and in this way matters stood when this attempt
was made to revive the old society. By this time (1840) either death or re¬
moval had reduced the number of its members; enough, however, were left to
make a beginning. There were the two Swifts of Bennington, Morgan of Pownal,
Johnson of Shaftsbury, Littlefield of Arlington, two Sargeants of Dorset, all men
in whom the county feels just pride. Others were admitted, and Dr. Little-
field, the oldest man present, was elected president.
"After this the society went along very well for a few years, but the mem¬
bers were too few and scattering, and their meetings too infrequent to keep up
an interest. Consequently, after having met only once or twice a year for six
or eight years the meetings became very poorly attended, and finally ceased
27
History of Bennington County.
entirely. Then, I think about the year i860, or a little previous, another Ben¬
nington County Medical Society was brought into existence.
" It would have undoubtedly been another revival of the old society but the
records could not be found, and we were under the necessity of starting anew,
independent of State authority. After organization it followed very much in
the footsteps of its predecessor. Its last annual meeting for the election of
officers was held, I think, in January, 1864 or 1865. I, the retiring president,
read a short paper that I had hurriedly written as an apology for an address
which the occasion required. I had one sole auditor, the late Dr. Ames of Fac¬
tory Point (Manchester Center).
"We proceeded to elect officers for the year ensuing. Dr. Ames became
president, Dr. Lyman Rogers, I think, secretary, and Dr. Moseley treasurer.
No funds, however, ever came into his hands. Notwithstanding this failure we
made a tolerably good showing in the next week's Manchester Journal, taking
care to say nothing about the number that had assembled at the meeting. We
were in hopes to ' rekindle the last spark of an expiring flame but the ' pa¬
tient' was too far gone — it was its last breath. 'Peace to its ashes.' Our
society never met again."
The Bennington County and Hoosick Medical Society.—The society that
now exists under the above name, is the outgrowth of a former organization of
similar character that was formed in January, 1873, in pursuance of the follow¬
ing letter addressed to the several physicians of the county of Bennington :
"Bennington, Vt„ January 13, 1873.
" Dear Sir: The physicians of Bennington county are respectfully invited to meet at the
hotel in Arlington, on Friday the 24th inst., at 10 o'clock a. m., for the purpose of taking
measures to advance the professional and social interests of the faculty.
*' Yours truly.
"E.N. S.Morgan, M.D.,
•' R. W. Bennett, M.D.,
" Lyman Rogers, M.D.,
" H. C. Day, M.D."
In accordance with this communication, there assembled at Arlington, upon
the day named, these physicians: R. W. Bennett, of Bennington, Luther
Mosely, of Arlington, Lyman Rogers, of South Shaftsbyry, (now of Benning¬
ton), W. S. Phillips, of Arlington, and L. B. Newton, of North Bennington.
The meeting was temporarily organized by the election of Dr. Luther Mosely,
as president; Lyman Rogers, treasurer, and L. B. Newton, secretary.
The next meeting of the society was held at the Colburn House, in Man¬
chester Center (formerly Factory Point), upon which occasion those who had
been chosen temporary officers were made permanent in their respective posi¬
tions for the year next ensuing. At the same time Dr. E. N. S. Morgan was
chosen vice-president. The members did not adopt a constitution and by-laws
The Medical Profession.
2 I I
until a subsequent meeting held at North Bennington, February 21, 1873.
The following physicians signed the constitution, and thereupon became mem¬
bers of the society : Luther Mosely, Arlington ; E. N. S. Morgan, Benning¬
ton ; S. Walter Scott, Pownal; Lyman Rogers, South Shaftsbury ; R. W. Ben¬
nett, Bennington; Louis II. Ilemenway, Manchester; F. W. Goodall, Ben¬
nington ; Charles J. Bacon, North Hoosick ; H. C. Day, Bennington; Lemuel
Sherwood, North Hoosick; E. J. Farwell, Dorset; W. H. Austin, Rupert;
Serfeca S. Clemons, Manchester Center; M. Goldsmith, Rutland; William C.
Stewart, East Dorset; George B. Haskin, Arlington; B. Merritt Bishop, Hoo¬
sick Falls; R. H. Greene, Hoosick Corners; John Millington, Dorset; Homer
Bushnell, Pownall; H. R. McLean, Hoosick Falls; W. Thornton Parker, Man¬
chester; G. J. Crowley, Manchester; E. F. Hoyt, Sandgate ; W. S. Phillips,
Arlington ; S. E. Ranney, North Bennington.
During the year 1873 meetings were held regularly, and at the annual
meeting at Arlington, in January, 1874, provision was made for the regular
monthly meetings for the year ensuing, as follows: The February meeting at
Factory Point, March at Bennington, April at South Shaftsbury, May at Hoo¬
sick Falls, June at North Bennington, July at Arlington, August at Factory
Point, September at Dorset, October at Bennington, November at North Ben¬
nington, and December at Hoosick Falls.
At this same meeting also an amendment to the constitution was adopted,
by which the name of the society was changed to " The Bennington County
and Hoosick Medical Society." The officers elected at the same time, for the
succeeding year, were as follows : President, Dr. L. Mosely; vice-president,
Dr. E. N. S. Morgan ; secretary, L. B. Newton ; treasurer, Lyman Rogers.
The same fate seems to have overtaken this society that befel the earlier ones.
The meetings were regularly held for a time, but gradually the interest seemed
to decline until none were held. Dr. Mosely, who had done so much for the
welfare of the society and medical profession in the county, died in March,
1877, and Dr. Morgan was chosen to succeed him ; but the latter, too, is now
dead, and 110 successor has been chosen in his stead. Although the society
has not been called together in some years, it is still in existence, and is offi¬
cered, except president, as follows: Vice-president, W. S. Phillips, of Arling¬
ton ; secretary, L. B. Newton, of North Bennington ; treasurer, R. W. Ben¬
nett, of Bennington ; censors, Drs. Ranney, Goodall, and Phillips.
The Union Medical Association.—On the 30th day of September, 1879 a
meeting was held at the office of Dr. James A. Blanchard, in Hoosick Falls,
Rensselaer county, N. Y., by a number of prominent physicians, to consider
the proposition of organizing a Union Medical Association in this region.
This was but a preliminary meeting, and the discussion that took place seemed
to be in favor of forming the association. Therefore a call was made upon the
regular physicians of the counties of Bennington, in Vermont, and Rensselaer
2 12
History of Bennington County.
and Washington, in New York State, to meet at the Irving House, in Cam¬
bridge, on the 15th of October, and there perfect the organization. The meet¬
ing was duly held, and the committee previously appointed for the purpose.
Drs. Ketchum and Wallace reported a form of constitution and by-laws for
the government of the society, which were adopted.
The name of the organization, according to the provisions of the constitu¬
tion, was The Union Medical Association, of Bennington, Rensselaer and
Washington counties. At that time a board of officers was elected as follows:
President, Lyman Rogers, of South Shaftsbury ; first vice-president, J. Lam¬
bert, of Salem ; second vice-president, E. N. S. Morgan, of Bennington ; third
vice-president, C. C. Schuyler, of Troy; recording secretary, L. B. Newton,
of North Bennington; corresponding secretary, John Millington, of East Green¬
wich ; treasurer, A. B. Willis, of Johnsonville; executive committee, B. F.
Ketchum, of Cambridge, J. A. Blanchard, of Hoosick Falls, E. N. S. Morgan,
of Bennington; censors, C. C. Schuyler, of Troy, W. S. Phillips, of Arling¬
ton, J. Lambert, of Salem.
The organization of the association being thus completed, and its member¬
ship being comparatively large, regular meetings were appointed to be held, at
which papers were read on various subjects having special interest to the med¬
ical profession. This practice has been kept up to the present time, but of
late there seems to have been felt a slight change in the condition of things in
the society, growing out of a general difference in opinion among medical men
throughout the country, relating to the professional conduct of the physician in
certain cases of consultation. While this question is being discussed through¬
out the land to considerable extent, and great and wide differences of opinion
exist, the society has been but slightly affected by it, and it certainly is to be
hoped that it will not; but, whatever may be the outcome of it, it is thought
the profession can care for itself, and asks nothing of sympathy.
At the annual meeting held on the second Wednesday of October, 1880,
the association extended its jurisdiction by the admission of Berkshire county,
Mass., to the rights of membership and participation in the proceedings of the
society. From this time the name of the organization has been "The Ben¬
nington, Berkshire, Rensselaer and Washington Union Medical Association."
Officers from October, 1880, to October, 1881.—President, Dr. John Lam¬
bert ; first vice-president, Homer Bushnell; second vice-president, S. A.
Skinner; third vice-president, Louis H. Hemenway; recording secretary,
L. B. Newton ; corresponding secretary, John Millington ; treasurer, A. B.
Willis; censors, C. C. Schuyler, W. S. Phillips, O. J. Brown, T. C. Wallace;
executive committee, J. A. Blanchard, E. N. S. Morgan, O. J. Brown, John
Millington.
From October, 1881 to October, 1882.—President, S. A. Skinner; first
vice-president, N. S. Babbitt; second vice-president, P. W, Goodall; third
The Medical Profession.
213
vice-president, T. C. Wallace; fourth vice-president, C. A.Winship; recording
secretary, L. B. Newton ; corresponding secretary, J. Millington ; treasurer, J.
E. Reed; censors, W. W. Seymour, W. S. Phillips, O. J. Brown, T. C. Wal¬
lace ; executive committee, J. Millington, O. J. Brown, F. W. Goodall, C. C.
Schuyler.
1882 to 1883.—President, A. M. Smith ; first vice-president, F. W. Good-
all ; second vice-president, J. Millington; third vice-president, C. A. Winship;
fourth vice-president, O. J. Brown ; recording secretary, L. B. Newton ; cor¬
responding secretary, J. Millington ; treasurer, L. B. Newton ; executive com¬
mittee, J.Millington, O. J. Brown, F. W. Goodall, C. C. Schuyler; censors, W.
W. Seymour, L. Rogers, O. J. Brown, T. C. Wallace.
1883 to 1884.—President, F. W. Goodall; first vice-president, B. F.
Ketchum ; second vice president, W. W. Seymour; third vice-president, H.
J. Millard; fourth vice-president, Lyman Rogers ; secretary and treasurer, L.
B. Newton; corresponding secretary, J. Millington; executive committee, E.
B. Daley, J. C. Hannan, J. Lambert, E. E. Mather; censors, G. II. Whitcomb,
L. Ashton, T. Riley, Lyman Rogers.
1884 to 1885. —President, B. F. Ketchum ; first vice-president, W. W. Sey¬
mour ; second vice-president, H.J. Millard; third vice-president, R. W. Ben¬
nett; fourth vice-president, G. II. Whitcomb; secretary and treasurer, L. B.
Newton; corresponding secretary, John Millington; executive committee, A.
Y. Myers, John Lambert, F. W. Goodall, O. J. Brown; censors, G. H.
Whitcomb, L. Ashton, T. Riley, E. B. Daley.
1885 to 1886.—President, W. W. Seymour; first vice-president, H. J.
Millard; second vice-preisdent, R. W. Bennett; third vice-president, G. H.
Whitcomb; fourth vice-president, S. A. Skinner; secretary and treasurer, L.
B. Newton; corresponding secretary, J. Millington; executive committee, C.
A. Winship, John Lambert, C. G. R. Jennings, O. J. Brown; censors, B.
F. Ketchum, J. C. Hannan, A. M. Smith, W. S. Phillips.
1886 to 1887.—President, L. B. Newton; first vice-president, O. J. Brown;
second vice-president, S. A. Skinner; third vice-president, G. II. Whitcomb;
fourth vice-president, C. G. R. Jennings; corresponding secretary, J. Milling¬
ton; secretary and treasurer, E. B. Daley; executive committee, F. S. Pratt,
A. Y. Myers, B. F. Ketchum, Homer Bushnell; censors, H. J. Millard, S. A.
Skinner, A. S. M. Chisholm, G. A. Whitcomb.
1887 to 1888.—The officers chosen for this year are not entered 011 the
record.
Present officers of the association.—President, S. A. Skinner; first vice-
president, J. C. Hannan; second vice-president, O. J. Brown; third vice-presi¬
dent, J. Millington; fourth vice-president, E. B. Daley; corresponding secre¬
tary, L. B. Newton; secretary and treasurer, G. G R. Jennings; executive
committee, A. Y. Myers, J. C. Hannan, E. B. Daley. W. W. Seymour; cen¬
sors, IT J. Millard S. A. Skinner, A. S. M. Chisholm, G. H. Whitcomb.
2 14
History of Bennington County.
Present membership of the association.—Lourie Ashton, R. W. Bennett,
J. A. Blanchard, O. J. Brown, H Bushnell, D. D. Bucklin, W. S. Carr, A. S.
M. Chisholm, E. B. Daley, YV. E. Fox, J. C. Hannan, C. Hewett, E. F. Hoyt,
C G. R. Jennings, B. F. Ketchum, C. J. Letcher, J. H. A. Matte, H. J. Mil¬
lard, J. Millington, A. Y. Myers, L. B. Newton, W. S. Phillips, F. S. Pratt,
John H. Riley, L. Rogers, YV. P. Seymour, W. W Seymour, G. H. Whitcomb,
C. A. Winship, S. A. Skinner; honorary members, M. C. Edmonds, J. E.
Metcalf; deceased members, A. N. Allen, G. C. Lawrence, E. N. S. Morgan,
F. B. Parmlee, J. A. Thompson, M. Goldsmith, B. F. Morgan.
CHAPTER XIX.
THE VERMONT CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY.
The Vermont Centennial Anniversary— Creation of the Bennington Battle Monument As¬
sociation—Its Officers Elected—The Centennial Commission—Preparations for a Magnificent
Celebration During the Week of August 16, 1877—Committees and Arrangements—The Cele¬
bration—Vermont Day—Bennington Battle D ty—Order of Exercises—Close of the Celebra¬
tion—History of the Battle Monument Association—Republication of the Account Written by
Rev. Isaac Jennings—Succession of Officers of the Association—Laying of the Corner Stone
of the Monument-—Ceremonies of the Occasion—The Bennington Historical Society--Its Or¬
ganization— Its Constitution—Succession of Officers.
IN the year 1777 the S'ate of Vermont, through its chosen representatives in
convention assembled, was declared to be a free and independent State.
During the same year, and on the 16th day of August, the hastily collected
forces from Vermont, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire, under the leader¬
ship of General John Stark, met and defeated the British invading force, under
Colonel Baum, in the battle of Bennington. Thus two great events in the his¬
tory of the State transpired during that year, and as the hundredth anniver¬
sary of that year drew near, the people of the State felt that the centennial
should be appropriately and fittingly celebrated.
So great an interest was taken in this matter by the people generally
throughout the whole State, that Governor Fairbanks in his annual message
to the General Assembly in 1876 referred to the approaching centennial year
as follows: "The completion of the hundredth year since the independence of
the State, since the adoption of the constitution, and since the battle of Ben¬
nington, mark the coming year emphatically as our centennial year. These
memorable events, in a large measure, determined the character of our politi¬
cal existence, territorially and nationally. The remembrance of them and of
The Vermont Centennial.
215
the principal actors in them should be sacredly cherished and perpetuated.
Is it not eminently fitting and proper that they be recognized by some suit¬
able observance?"
This section of the message was referred to a special joint committee of
both branches of the State Legislature, and in due season thereafter bore fruit
in the nature of an act entitled "an act to incorporate the Bennington Battle
Monument Association." The sixth section of that act provided that "this
association shall, at their first annual meeting, take measures to secure at Ben¬
nington, during the week of the 16th of August, 1877, an appropriate centen¬
nial celebration of the battle of Bennington, and also the recognition of the
year 1877 as the one hundredth year of the existence of this State, as an inde¬
pendent State " A further section provided for the appropriation of the sum
of two thousand dollars, for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of sec¬
tion six, but only upon condition that the association should also raise a like
sum for the same purpose.
On the iotli day of January, 1877, the corporators met at the court-house
in the village of Bennington, and made the organization complete by the elec¬
tion of the following officers: President, His Excellency Horace Fairbanks, of
St. Johnsbury; vice-president, lion Hiland Hall, of Bennington; secretary,
Charles M. Bliss, of Bennington; assistant secretary, John T. Shurtleff, of Ben¬
nington; treasurer, Milo C. Huling, of Bennington. Thus organized, the asso¬
ciation at once proceeded to the performance of the duty with which they
were charged; and for the purpose of more effectually carrying out the pro¬
ject in hand, brought into existence the Centennial Commission, to which was
delegated the authority of completing the preliminary arrangements and per¬
forming each and every act necessary to the success of the celebration.
The Centennial Commission comprised nearly six hundred persons chosen
from the several counties of the State. The first meeting was held at Benning¬
ton 011 the 4th of April, 1877, at which time was chosen the following officers:
President, Hon. Edward J. Phelps, of Burlington; vice presidents, Hon. Hiland
Hall, of Bennington, Hon. Ryland Fletcher, of Cavendish, lion. J. Gregory
Smith, of St. Albans, Hon. Paul Dillingham, of Waterbury, Hon. John B. Page,
of Rutland, Hon. George W. Hendee, of Morristown, Hon. John W. Stewart,
of Middlebury, Hon. Julius Converse, of Woodstock, Hon. Asahel Peck, of
Jericho, Hon. William H. H. Bingham, of Stowe, Hon. Burnam Martin, of
Chelsea, Hon. George N. Dale, of Island Pond, Hon. William W. Grout, of
Barton, and Hon. Jedd P. Ladd, of Alburg; secretary, Charles M. Bliss, of
Bennington; executive committee, Hon. Henry G. Root, Milo C. Huling, and
Major Alonzo B. Valentine, of Bennington, George A. Merrill, of Rutland, and
Carroll S. Page, of Hyde Park.
Says a published aceount of the proceedings of the commission and the
subsequent celebration: "From this time forward the affairs of the celebration
216
History of Bennington County.
and its management devolved on the executive committee, who met and or¬
ganized at Rutland, subsequently holding meetings at Burlington, and other
prominent towns in the State."
Following their election the members of the executive committee caused
to be printed and extensively circulated throughout the State, a letter in which
was fully set forth the objects in view, and requesting contributions from all
sources in order that the expenses of the celebration might not embarass the
commission. Says one paragraph of the letter: "It will be observed that two
distinct and separate events are to be commemorated during the week of the
16th of August next; one being an important battle, the other the birth of a
State, the connection between the two being simply a fortuitous and not a nec¬
essary one. Recognizing this fact, the association has set apart the 15th of
August as Vermont's day; a day in which the events of the first convention at
Westminister, the second and third at Windsor, all occurring in the year 1777,
will receive prominent notice ; and to this celebration the association has in¬
vited, through his excellency the govenor, president of the association, the
president and vice president of the United States, the members of the cabinet,
and the governors of the several States. As this is the first celebration of the
kind in the history of the government, the centennial of the birth of the State
never yet having been commemorated, the commission are extremely solicit¬
ous that the occasion shall in every respect be worthy of the great event the
celebration is intended to signalize"; and further, "on the 16th of August,
1877, the centennial anniversary of the battle of Bennington will occur. For
ninety and nine years the town of Bennington has observed the annual recur¬
rence of this day. General Stark, in sending some trophies of the battle to the
State of Massachusetts, speaks it of as ' a glorious victory' which 'ought to be
kept in memory and handed down to futurity as a lasting and laudable exam¬
ple for the sons and daughters of the victors.' This injunction has been faith¬
fully obeyed in Bennington, the scene of the hero's greatest achievements.
Thirty-nine years after the battle a Bennington committee wrote a letter to
Stark, informing him that every year since his victory his name had been re¬
membered by a public celebration in that town; and every year since some
public notice has been made of the day there; and now Vermont herself has
sent greeting to New Hampshire and Massachusetts, proposing to crown the
century by a celebration that shall worthily honor, not only the memory of the
hero who so thoughtfully enjoined it, but also the States and the people which
shall participate in it. "
The letter from which these quotations have been made was issued on the
14th of May, 1877. From that time until the celebration was ended every
detail of arrangement and programme were carried out almost to the letter.
They upon whom the burden of the work fell, and who were responsible for
failure, should any by accident occur, were the gentlemen of the executive
The Vermont Centennial.
217
committee: Henry G. Root, Milo C. Hiding, Alonzo B. Valentine, George A.
Merrill, and Carroll S. Page, the original members, and their associate mem¬
bers (the committee being enlarged in membership) Colonel Olin Scott, J. V.
Carney, William E. Hawkes, 2d, and Frank C. White. The labors of this com¬
mittee, however, were greatly lightened by the hearty assistance and co-oper¬
ation of A. B. Gardner, Charles E. Dewey, and A. P. Childs, of the board of
directors of the Battle Monument Association, and Charles M. Bliss, secretary
of the latter organization. The credit for raising the great fund necessary to
defray the expenses of the celebration belonged to Henry G. Root.
At length the momentous week of the 16th of August arrived, and found
every working organization in perfect order, and every Benningtonian well pre¬
pared for the hospitable entertainment of the thousands and thousands of dis¬
tinguished guests and strangers who were to be their visitors during the week.
The village, too, was robed in holiday attire, the residences, business blocks
and public streets showing most grandly in profuse decoration. According to
the arrangement of exercises for the celebration proper by the committee, the
same were to continue during the 15th and 16th days of the month ; but, not¬
withstanding that, the festivities (for festival week it was) in fact began with
the incoming of the week, and were continued until the evening of the 16th.
On Sunday, the 12th of August, at the banquet tent on the Centennial
grounds, services were conducted before the First Regiment National Guard,
of Vermont, by Chaplain D. C. Roberts. Likewise, at the several churches of
the three villages within the township, special exercises, befitting the impor¬
tant occasion, were conducted, a detail of which are not deemed advisable in
this connection. Each succeeding day, and until the eventful 15th arrived,
there was an almost continuous stream of arrivals of civil and military organi¬
zations and guests and visitors, each and all of which contributed to the great
enthusiasm that on every side prevailed.
Vermont Day.—The 15th of August was specially set apart for the appro¬
priate celebration of the hundredth anniversary of the independence of Ver¬
mont " as a separate jurisdiction or State." This day was ushered in by the
firing of a national salute at sunrise by Fuller's Battery. In the morning oc¬
curred the grand procession of all the civil and military organizations that were
in the town, and in which also participated the invited guests and orators of the
occasion.
At the oration tent on the Centennial grounds, the following order of exer¬
cises was observed: Prayer by Rev. Isaac Jennings ; address by Edward J.
1 helps, president of the association ; oration by Daniel Roberts, of Burlington ;
reading of a poem written for the occasion by Mrs. Julia C. R. Dorr, of Rut¬
land ; address of General Joseph R. Hawley, of Connecticut; address of ex-
governor Walter Harriman of New Hampshire ; address of General Nathaniel
I. Banks, of Massachusetts ; address of Governor Senden Connor, of Maine ;
address of Governor Charles C. Van Zandt, of Rhode Island. 2h
218
History of Bennington County.
One of the most important events of this day was the arrival in Benning¬
ton of President and Mrs. Rutherford B. Hayes and party, the announcement
of which was made by the firing of a national salute by Fuller's Battery, in
honor of this most distinguished guest and his most estimable wife. During
their stay in town the president and wife were entertained at the residence of
Rev. Mr. Tibbits, at Bennington Center. In the evening an informal recep¬
tion was held by the president at the Walloomsac House.
Bennington Battle Day.—This, perhaps, was the crowning event of the
entire celebration ; for while the preceding day was one of no mean impor¬
tance, it was, however, a local celebration for Vermont, although participated
in and greatly enjoyed by the vast concourse of people from beyond the State.
But the 16th of August, the anniversary of the famous battle of Bennington,
was a day to be celebrated in common by Vermont, Massachusetts, New
Hampshire, as well as all the other States who sent representatives upon that
occasion; it was, in truth, a national day, and was so considered and regarded
and celebrated.
Upon this day the entertaining capacity of the village was taxed to its
utmost, but it seems that every emergency was met, and every want supplied ;
and this notwithstanding the fact that the estimated attendance of visitors
reached the aggregate of something like twenty-five or thirty thousand.
At sunrise on the morning of the 16th, the First New Hampshire Artil¬
lery fired a salute from a battery of four guns — they being the same pieces of
cannon captured from the British at the battle of Bennington, one hundred
years before. The procession upon this occasion was similar to that of the
previous day, except that later arrivals made it somewhat larger. When the
column had reached the Centennial grounds it passed in review before Presi¬
dent Hayes, who also made a brief address of welcome. At the oration tent
the order of exercises was as follows : Prayer by Rev. John Wheelock Allen;
singing of national hymn, America; address of Governor Horace Fairbanks,
of Vermont ; oration of Rev. Samuel C. Bartlett, D.D., of Dartmouth College;
reading by Professor J. W. Churchill of an ode written for the occasion by
William Cullen Bryant; singing of hymn written by Mrs. Marie Mason;
addresses by President Hayes, Hon. William M. Evarts, Hon. David M. Key,
General Charles Devens, and Edwin W. Stoughton.
The Banquet.—After the conclusion of the exercises at the oration tent the
president led the way, and was followed by the other distinguished invited
guests and as many other visitors as had been so fortunate as to secure tickets
of admission, to the banquet tent, where was spread a sumptuous repast by
Dorling, the Boston caterer. The Hon. Edward J. Phelps, presided as toast-
master. Responses to calls for remarks were made by the president, Mr.
Hayes, the Hon. William M. Evarts, of New York, Governor Benjamin F.
Prescott, of New Hampshire, Edwin W, Stoughton, of New York, Governor
^The Vermont Centennial.
219
Horace Fairbanks, of Vermont, George F. Edmunds, of Vermont, David M.
Key, of Washington, Attorney-General Devens, of Washington, Justin S.
Morrill, of Vermont, Thomas Allen, of St. Louis, Lieutenant-Governor
Horatio G. Knight, of Massachusetts, and President Bartlett, of Dartmouth
College. In addition to these addresses letters were read from distinguished
persons throughout the country sending congratulations to the participants in
the celebration and expressing regrets at not being able to attend in person
The festivities of the occasion were fitly concluded by a torchlight proces¬
sion on the evening of the 16th, conducted by the veteran soldiers who were
in reunion at Bennington during the celebration. Twelve hundred strong,
they marched through the principal streets, each bearing a torch or a Chinese
lantern.
The Bennington Battle Monument.—"In the year 1853," says Charles M.
Bliss's 'Record History of the Monument,' the Legislature of Vermont char¬
tered the Bennington Battle Monument Association, and named among the in¬
corporators thereof the following well-known citizens of the State: John S. Rob¬
inson, A. P. Lyman, Samuel H. Brown, Benjamin F. Fay, E. D. Hubbell, Hee-
man Swift, Pierrepont, Isham, William Bigelow, Daniel Roberts, A. L. Miner.
Caleb B. Harrington, D. A. Smalley, Homer E. Royce, Asa O. Aldis, Oscar
L. Shafter, William C. Bradley, Charles K. Field, Frederick Holbroolc, Isaac F.
Redfield, Stephen Thomas, Henry Stevens, William Mattocks, Erastus Fair¬
banks, Portus Baxter, E. P. Walton, Charles G. Eastman, and Paul Dillingham.
The act that brought the association into existence appropriated three
thousand dollars, 011 condition that seven thousand dollars more were raised
by contribution, and the corner stone of the proposed monument was laid on
the following 16th of August. These conditions were not fulfilled, but the
fact of legislative action proved to be most helpful when a second attempt in
1876 was made to again incorporate the association. The chief promoter of
this first enterprise was George W. Robinson of Bennington.
The second monument was an outcome of the proposition to celebrate the
one hundredth anniversary of the battle with more than the usual, or even oc¬
casional notice, which every anniversary since the battle was fought had
received.1
The following history of the Battle Monument, and the Monument Associa¬
tion are copied from the manuscript prepared by Rev. Isaac Jennings, and
deposited in the corner stone receptacle. This account is published at the
earnest request of several of the persons who have been closely identified with
the progress of the work, and the association, for a number of years, and who
are desirous that the history prepared by Mr. Jennings shall be permanently
preserved in some substantial form for the use of future generations.
I lit- statements made above are taken, with slight variations, from the pamphlet compila¬
tion made by Charles M. Iiliss, who has been prominently connected with the Monument
Association, and also with the Bennington Historical Society, since they were organized.
220
History of Bennington County.
" By an act of the Vermont Legislature, approved November 28, 1876, Hi-
land Hall, Horace Fairbanks, W. H. H. Bingham, Justin S. Morrill, E. J.
Phelps, George F. Edmunds, Isaac Jennings, Trenor W. Park, John B. Page,
Jacob Esty, E. P. Walton, John Gregory Smith, Asahel Peck, John W.Stew¬
art, Abraham B. Gardner, Paul Dillingham, Harmon Canfield, Edward Sey¬
mour, Burnam Martin, Frederick Billings, Franklin Butler, Jed. P. Ladd Ma¬
son S. Colburn, Edward A. Sowles, Carroll S. Page, E. D. Mason, W. W.
Grout, E. P. Colton, George L. Dale, Duane L. Kent, Gilbert A. Davis, Ho¬
mer Goodhull, Milo C. Huling, J. Henry Guild, George W. Farwell, Oscar E.
Butterfield, Cyrus Jennings, E. D. Blodgett, Redfield Proctor, John Lovejoy,
Mason, Eben Graves, Hiram Barton, of Vermont; and Seth B. Hunt, H.
Henry Baxter, and William M. Evarts of the city of New York; Samuel B.
Sanford and David Robinson of Troy, New York, and Sidney Squires of Bos¬
ton, Massachusetts, with seven persons to be elected annually in January by
the Bennington Historical Society, were constituted, with their associates and
successors, a body politic and corporate, by the name of the Bennington Bat¬
tle Monument Association, for the purpose of erecting and maintaining a suit¬
able monument commemorative of the achievements of General John Stark,
and the patroit soldiers of Vermont, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts, at
the decisive battle of Bennington, fought on the 16th of August, 1777.
" Section seven of the above act reads thus, in part: ' The auditor of accounts
is hereby directed to draw his order on the treasurer of the State, in favor of
the treasurer of this association, for the sum of fifteen thousand dollars
($ 15,000), upon receiving satisfactory proof that said association has raised,
and is in actual possession of available funds to the amount of $5,000, to
be expended for the erection of a battle monument at Bennington.'
" This sum of $5,000, herein mentioned, was raised by private subscription,
and, in 1880, the Legislature created the Bennington Battle Monnment Fund,
received the $5,000 into the treasury of the State, and set apart the whole
$20,000 as the fund of the association in the keeping of the State.
"In the above named act of incorporation section four reads as follows:
'The governor is hereby directed to invite, in the name of this State, the
States of New Hampshire and Massachusetts, to unite with the State of Ver¬
mont, in erecting a battle monument at Bennington.'
" In the year 1877 the following resolution was passed by the State of Mas¬
sachusetts : 'Resolved, That a sum not exceeding seven thousand five hun¬
dred dollars be allowed and paid out of the treasury in aid of the erection of a
monument in commemoration of the battle of Bennington, to be paid to the
treasurer of the Bennington Battle Monument Association, a corporation
established under the laws of Vermont, at such time and in such sums as his
excellency the governor, may direct; provided, that no part of such sum shall
be paid until the plans of said monument shall be approved by the governor,
The Bennington Monument.
221
and until lie shall be satisfied that funds are provided from other sources, in¬
cluding the sum hereby appropriated, sufficient to complete the monument
according to plans approved by him.'
" This appropriation by Massachusetts was made in May, 1877. In July fol¬
lowing the Legislature of New Hampshire voted $5,000 on the same con¬
ditions. Their condition is also expressed in the law of Vermont of 1880,
creating the monument fund of $20,000.
"In February, 1881, Congress appropriated $40,000 on similar conditions.
The president of the United States, or a commission appointed by him, was
"required to approve the design, and a board of three army officers must re¬
port to him that the funds acquired by the association are sufficient to build
the monument according to the design adopted. "
" In accordance with the act of incorporation by the Vermont Legislature, the
first meeting of the Bennington Battle Monument Association, was held 011
the second Wednesday in January, 1877. This meeting made a preliminary
organization by the election of the Hon. W. H. H. Bingham, of Stowe, tem¬
porary chairman, and Carroll S. Page, of Hyde Park, temporary secretary.
On motion of lion. Hiland Hall, a committee of five, consisting of Hiland
Hall, Charles M. Bliss, J. II. Guild, Isaac Jennings and A. B. Gardner, was
elected to report to the association a board of officers, for the consideration of
the association. Adjourned until three o'clock p. m. Met according to ad¬
journment, Hon. W. H. H. Bingham in the chair. The committee on nom¬
ination reported, and the association thereupon elected, the following officers:
President, Hon. Horace Fairbanks, of St. Johnsbury; vice-president, Hon.
Hiland Hall, of Bennington; secretary, Charles M. Bliss, of Bennington; as¬
sistant secretary, John M. ShurtlefT, of Bennington; treasurer, Milo C. Huling,
of North Bennington. At subsequent adjourned meetings by-laws were
adopted and other important business transacted ; and, at an adjourned meet¬
ing held January, 23, the following board of directors was elected by ballot :
A. B. Gardner, Alonzo B. Valentine, Olin Scott, Charles E. Dewey, and A.
P. Childs.
"To go on with the history of the association—year after year annual elec-
tionsof officers havetaken place ; annual and special meetings have been held, and
much important business transacted ; but one subject of commanding interest
has held its place—that of securing a suitable design for the monument. The
board of directors met not only in Bennington, but in Boston, Burlington,
Concord, N. H., and New York City. Able and distingished gentlemen have
composed the committee of design. Leading sculptors and architects have
been consulted. Many have furnished designs for the consideration of the
committee of design and the board of directors. On December 2, 1884, at a
meeting of the directors, held in New York City, the design of Prof. Weir
was, by the committee of design, recommended to the board. It may as well,
222
History of Bennington County.
perhaps, be noted here that the Bennington Battle Monument Association
had secured the passage in the Legislature of Vermont in 1880 of an act
constituting the governors of Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont
members and directors of the association, cx-officio.
"The board ©f directors at the time of adopting the Weir design, consisted of
their excellencies Hon. George D. Robinson, governor of Massachusetts; Hon.
Samuel W. Hall, governor of New Hampshire; Hon. Samuel E. Filigree, gov¬
ernor of Vermont, ex-officio members of the board ; and Hon. Benjamin F.
Frescott, ex-governor of New Hampshire; Hon. Edward J. Phelps, L.L.D.,
and professor of law in Yale College ; General John G. McCullough, Hon.
Henry G. Root, Major Alonzo B. Valentine, Samuel B. Sanford, esq., and Rev.
Isaac Jennings. The committee of design at this time was composed as fol¬
lows: Hon. Edward J Phelps, Hon. Alexander H. Rice, L.L.D., ex-governor
of Massachusetts ; Hon. Benjamin F. Prescott. The author of the design
adopted, John F. Weir, professor of painting and design in Yale College, was
present at the above meeting.
"At this meeting in New York City, December 2, 1884, the report of the com¬
mittee of design was accepted, and a resolution was unanimously passed adopt¬
ing said design ; and also, in accordance with the resolution, every member of
the board, including the governors of Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Ver¬
mont, ex-officio members, gave their individual vote in writing and within the
time that the meeting was kept open for the purpose, for the Weir design. At
the ensuing annual meeting of the association, January 14, 1885, the records
of the above meeting of the directors in New York City and its proceedings
complete were read by Rev. Isaac Jennings, secretary of the directors; and this
reading of the said records was understood to be equivalent to the submission
on the part of the directors of their action in the premises to the association for
its approval and adoption or otherwise, as the members of the association
should decide. Owing to the lateness of the hour 110 vote and no decision on
the subject was had at this meeting. Public opinion, however, and the con¬
trolling feeling of the association appeared to be, and proved to be, in favor not
of a monument distinctly sculptural, which was the type of the Weir design, but
of an architectural monument of lofty and massive, yet simple proportions.
The strong and beautiful monograph of ex-Governor Hall, which was printed
and copies of it sent to all the members of the association, in June of this year
in favor of the grand, yet simple and lofty monument, deserves special mention
in this connection.
" Here comes in a very important meeting of the Bennington Historical So¬
ciety, and quite a full abstract of the minutes of this meeting seems to be in
place. The Bennington Historical Society held a meeting at the court-house
in Bennington, April 14, 1885. This meeting was, as the minutes state, very
largely attended. A preamble and resolutions were adopted appointing a com-
The Bennington Monument.
223
mittee of not less than forty members to obtain information, and bring the same
before the monument association at its meeting 011 August 12, 1885, respecting
' a massive structure of commanding height.' The chairman of this committee
was Hon. Hiland Hall. This general convention held a meeting the following
Friday, the chairman presiding, and appointed a "working committee " con¬
sisting of Charles M. Bliss, George W. Robinson, Milo C. Iluling, John V. Hall,
and John T. Shurtleff; also a finance committee: Luther R. Graves, Charles
Thatcher, and L. F. Abbott. Subsequently an advisory committee was ap¬
pointed to recommend to the society one or more designs. The members of
this committee were Hon. Hiland Hall, chairman; Professor Arthur L. Perry,
of Williams College, Mass.; Hon. Joseph B. Walker, of Concord, N. H., (a
great-grandson of Rev. Timothy Walker, of Revolutionary fame); Professor H.
A. P. Torrey, of the University of Vermont; Hon. Horace Fairbanks, of St.
Johnsbury, and lion. John W. Stewart, M.C., of Middlebury. This special
committee made their report under date of July 9, 1885, to the society,
'strongly and unanimously approving the design presented by J. Ph. Rinn, an
artist and architect of Boston;' also that the society 'take proper and needful
measures to insure a full attendance of the monumental association 011 the 12th
of August, in order that the question of design maybe definitely settled.'
"The following is a copy of the minutes of the meeting of the associations as
above recommended by the historical society, taken from the records ol the
association, with the notice that appeared in the newspapers: 'A regular meet¬
ing of the Bennington Battle Monument Association will be held at the court¬
house in Bennington, on Wednesday, August 12, 1885, at 9 o'clock, a. m., to
act upon the question of a design for the monument, with the erection of which
the association is charged. Bennington, Vt., July 21, 1885. Olin Scott, Rec.
Sec.'
" Pursuant to the foregoing notice a meeting of the Bennington Battle Mon¬
ument Association was held at the court-house in Bennington. A large number
of the members were present, including His Excellency Governor Samuel E.
l'ingree, and Lieutenant-Governor E. J. Ormsbee, of Vermont; ex-Governor
Hiland Hall, and Redfield Proctor, of Vermont; I Ion. Justin S. Morrill, senator
from \ermont; Hon. William M. Evarts, senator from New York; Hon. E. P.
W alton, Homer Goodhue and others of Vermont. The following were also pres¬
ent: Hon. Henry G. Root, Major Alonzo B. Valentine, General John G. McCul-
lough, Colonel Mason S. Colburn, Professor Arthur L. Perry, Asaph P. Childs,
Milo C. Iluling, George W. Farwell, Cyrus Jennings, John L. Mason, William
E. Hawks, 2d, Olin Scott, Alfred Robinson, John T. Shurtleff, Charles E.
Dewey, Charles A. Pierce, L. F. Abbott, James K. Batchelder, Luman P. Nor¬
ton, George W. Robinson, Charles M. Bliss. The meeting was called to order
b> Hon. Hiland Hall, vice-president of the association, who asked to be ex¬
cused fiom serving as chairman on account of the infirmities of age, and nomi-
224
History of Bennington County.
nated His Excellency, Governor Pingree, as president pro tem. Governor Pin-
gree was unanimously elected and took the chair. The minutes of the annual
meeting held in January, 1885, were read by the secretary, and by vote ap¬
proved.
"General John G. McCullough, on behalf of the board of directors, withdrew
from the consideration of the meeting the design of Professor Weir, to which
the meeting assented. Hon. E. P. Walton offered the following resolution, the
words in parenthesis being incorporated on motion of Hon. William M. Evarts,
of New York: 'Resolved, That the design for a structure three hundred feet
high, recommended by the advisory committee of the Bennington Historical
Society to this association be adopted, subject to such modification as the (com¬
mittee of the) association (now to be appointed) shall hereafter make ; and also
to such reduction in size (if need be) as will secure the payment of the appro¬
priation from Congress, and from the States of Massachusetts, New Hampshire
and Vermont, which have already been made.' The resolution was seconded
by A. P. Childs. The adoption of the resolution was advocated by Professor
Perry. Remarks were made by Hon. William M. Evarts, Hon. J. S. Morrill,
Hon. Hiland Hall, and others, after which the resolution was unanimously
adopted.
"Professor Perry offered the following resolution: 'Resolved, That Charles
M. Bliss, George W. Robinson, Milo C. Huling, John V. Hall, and John T. Shurt-
leff are hereby appointed a committee to ascertain what evidence of the plan of
the monument and its cost, built of the stone of the vicinity, will be required
by the president of the United States, and the governors of Massachusetts and
New Hampshire, to entitle the association to call for and receive the appropria¬
tions for the monument which have been made by Congress and the said
States; also to satisfy the governor of Vermont that the conditions of the act of
1884 are complied with, and to take such measures as they may find necessary
and proper to comply with such requirements, and that such committee make
report of their doings at the next annual meeting of the association. And in
case said committee shall find themselves prepared to make their report at an
earlier day, they are authorized to have a meeting of the association called at
any time prior to such annual meeting, by the recording secretary, who shall
cause notice theteof to be placed in both of the newspapers published in Ben¬
nington, and the corresponding secretary shall also cause notices thereof to be
mailed to each member of the association not less than ten days previous to
such meeting; and such meeting so notified to hear the report of said commit¬
tee, may transact any other business found necessary and proper.' The reso¬
lution was adopted by a unanimous vote.
"On the ensuing 13th of January, 1886, the regular annual meeting of the
association was held at the court-house in Bennington. In addition to the elec¬
tion of officers and the transaction of other important business it was moved
The Bennington Monument.
225
by Alfred Robinson that the committee appointed at the meeting held August
12, 1885, be continued with the same duties and powers, and the motion was
carried. Also the committee on plans and estimates reported that estimates
and bids had been offered by competent and responsible parties to erect the
masonry of a monument three hundred feet high, according to the plans of Mr.
Rinn, but not including the interior work for the moneys within reach of the
association, provided the State of Massachusetts renew its appropriation, the
same having lapsed. At this meeting the subject came up for consideration of
the lapse of the appropriation made by Massachusetts of $7,500011 account of
delay of the association to fulfill the conditions of payment to it of the said ap¬
propriation by force of a general statute of the Commonwealth of Massachu¬
setts. The message of Governor Robinson to the Legislature, so much of it as
pertained to this subject, in which the governor strongly recommended the re-
enactment of the appropriation, was read to the meeting.
" On motion of Charles M. Bliss, resolutions were adopted by the associa¬
tion, and the corresponding secretary, Mr. Bliss, was directed to send copies
of the same to Governor Robinson and other official members of the Massa¬
chusetts Legislature. Mr. Bliss also proceeded to Boston to attend personally
to this business. In March, following, the Massachusetts Legislature renewed
the appropriation, enlarging it to ten thousand dollars.
" Also the appropriation by Congress of $40,000 was delayed for a time by
the want of entire satisfaction that the conditions of it had been met, particu¬
larly as to the funds of the association being sufficient to build the monument
according to the design; but at length this difficulty was successfully over¬
come.
" From the minutes of a meeting held August 4, 1886, and adjourned to the
succeeding day, the following is taken : The association again assembled at the
court-house, and Professer A. L. Perry, of Williamstown, Mass., was called to
the chair; and on motion the meeting adjourned to the Putnam House parlor.
" Special meeting called to order at the Putnam Mouse, in Bennington,
pursuant to the foregoing adjournment; present, ex-Governor Horace Fair¬
banks, II. G. Root, Luther R. Graves, Milo C. Iluling, George W. Farwell, L.
l\ Abbott, John V. Hall, Mason S. Colburn, Olin Scott, Arthur L. Perry, Pro¬
fessor Rinn, Professor Olin L. Warner, Rev. Isaac Jennings, Dr. B. F. Mor¬
gan, James K. Batchelder, Altred Robinson, Samuel Sanford, Charles M. Bliss,
and John T. Shurtleff. On motion of Rev. Isaac Jennings, ex-Governor
Horace Fairbanks was elected to preside.
The following resolution was first offered by Professor Perry, but afterward
withdrawn, and then was renewed by John V. Hall. ' Resolved, That the
monument be located in the center of the highway, on the crest of the hill, as
nearly opposite the site of the old Continental storehouse as practicable.' The
resolution was unanimously adopted.
29
226
History of Bennington County.
" Professor Perry offered the following resolution : ' Resolved, That the
working committee raised in 1885, be empowered, in co-operation with the
board of directors, to proceed at once to lay the foundation of the monument,
of the design already adopted, with full power to make contracts, and cause the
erection and completion of the monument.' Resolution unanimously adopted.
"At the annual meeting regularly held at the court house in Bennington,
on January 12, 1887, the following persons were present: Arthur L. Perry,
Henry G. Root, Luther R. Graves, John V. Ilall, Milo C. Huling, Rev. Isaac
Jennings, Mason S. Colburn, Alonzo B. Valentine, John T. Shurtleff, Lyman
F. Abbott, Alfred Robinson, Charles E. Dewey, Charles A. Pierce, William E.
Hawkes, 2d, George W. Fanvell,Charles M. Bliss, Olin Scott. In addition to
other important business transacted, an amendment of the by-laws previously
proposed, was, on motion of Major Valentine, unanimously adopted, adding
three members to the board of directors.
"The following officers were duly elected by ballot for the ensuing year:
President, Hon. B. F. Prescott; vice-president, Rev. Isaac Jennings; corres¬
ponding secretary, Charles M. Bliss ; recording secretary, Olin Scott; treas¬
urer, Luther R. Graves; directors, B. F. Prescott, Henry G. Root, Horace
Fairbanks, John V. Hall, Milo C. Huling, John T. Shurtleff, Rev. Isaac Jen¬
nings, General John G. McCullough, Major Alonzo B. Valentine, and Charles
M. Bliss. The governors of the three States, Massachusetts, New Hampshire
and Vermont, respectively, being directors, ex-officio.
" Hon. John V. Hall offered the following resolution : ' Resolved, That the
committee of five appointed at the August meeting in 1885, be, at their own
request, discharged ; and that all the powers and functions heretofore granted
to said committee be granted to and reside in the board of directors; and the
association hereby confers upon said board full power and authority to make
contracts, build the monument, to be substantially after the design heretofore
approved by the association, and do all other things necessary to carry out the
spirit of the resolution, as well as in respect to the release of the funds for such
monument, and procuring and collecting funds for monumental and other pur¬
poses connected therewith.' The resolution was unanimously adopted.
" A meeting of the directors of the association was held at Bennington Cen¬
ter, April 12, 1887, at the residence of Rev. Isaac Jennings. Present, Messrs.
Root, Valentine, Hall, Shurtleff, Bliss, Huling and Jennings. Organized by the
election of John V. Hall, president pro tcni, and Rev. Isaac Jennings, secre¬
tary. Among the proceedings the following resolution was moved by Henry
G. Root, and unanimously adopted : ' Resolved, That a nominating committee
of three be appointed by the chair to nominate a building committee, also a
finance committee. The building committee to consist of three members, to
whom shall be referred all subjects relating to the building of the monument,
such as design, size of the monument, contracts for stone and labor, employ-
The Bennington Monument.
2 27
ment of engineers, and the collecting of all moneys now appropriated into the
treasury of the association. The finance committee to consist of three mem¬
bers, to whom all subjects shall be referred relating to the raising of further
money. Both committees to be subject to the direction and supervision of the
board of directors."
" [11 accordance with the above resolution, the president appointed the
nominating committee as follows: Henry G. Root, Alonzo B. Valentine, and
Charles M. Bliss. The committee retired, and after consultation reported the
following names for the aforesaid committees : For the building committee,
Henry G. Root, Alonzo B. Valentine, Milo C. Hilling. For the finance com¬
mittee, Charles M. Bliss, John V. Hall, John T. Shurtleff. The report of the
nominating committee was accepted, and the gentlemen named elected accord¬
ingly. Charles M. Bliss, esq., declined to serve, whereupon it was voted that
he be excused, and General John G. McCullough was substituted in his place.
" An adjourned meeting of the directors of the monument association was
held at the office of Hon. John V. Ilall, in Bennington, April 26, 1887, ten
o'clock a. m. Present, Governor Ebenezer J. Ormsbce, Henry G. Root,
Alonzo B. Valentine, John V. Hall, John T. Shurtleff, Charles M. Bliss, Milo
C. Muling, and Rev. Isaac Jennings. On motion of Mr. Hall, Governor Orms-
bee was elected president pro tern.
" Among other proceedings, Alonzo B. Valentine, 011 behalf of the building
committee, presented a form of contract and proposals, and a bid for building
the monument, received by the committee from William H. Ward, of Lowell,
Mass. The same was read at length to the meeting by Mr. Hall. A list of
references given to the building committee by Contractor Ward was read by
Major Valentine; also L. A. Roby, of Nassau, Mass., and Samuel Sweet, of
Lowell, Mass, were stated by Mr. Valentine to be the bondsmen furnished by
Mr. Ward for the faithful performance of the contract. The subject of the said
contract and bid by Mr. Ward, were discussed by the president, Governor
Ormsbee, and by Messrs. Hall, Root, Valentine, and others. A resolution on
the subject, afterwards amended, was offered by Major Valentine. After dis¬
cussion and informal amendments, the resolution was made to read thus: ' Re¬
solved, That the building committee be authorized to close a contract with W.
II. Ward for the building of the Bennington battle monument, at the price bid
by him; and in case of failure by said Ward to furnish suitable bondsmen for
the faithful performance of the work, or if for any cause there should be a fail¬
ure to consummate the contract, the committee are hereby empowered to make
a contract with any other suitable party for the building of the monument;
provided, however, that it shall be the duty of the committee to report to the
board of directors for further instructions unless the contract for the monument
can be made at a figure not exceeding $76,000, and for a height not less than
three hundred feet, and substantially in accordance with the Rinn plan. The
2 28
History of Bennington County.
contract price to include the quarries, stone, and all other material, which are
to be furnished by the contractor, and not by the association. The contract
to be conditional upon the release of the funds by the United States, and the
States of Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont.'
"It was moved by Mr. Bliss that this resolution be laid upon the table until
theie can be a full meeting of the board, perhaps at Boston. After remarks it
was moved by John V. Hall that the motion of Mr. Bliss be tabled, which mo¬
tion was adopted. The resolution offered by Alonzo 15. Valentine, as amended
aforesaid, was then adopted.
" Farly in the year i88f> the working committee secured the approval of the
design by the president of the United States; and subsequently the payment
of the appropriation of $40,000 by Congress was effected. The moneys of the
three States was released on the basis of the contract with Mr. Ward, for a
monument three hundred feet high. These appropriations and the $5,000
obtained by subscription for the twenty thousand dollar fund, were materially
increased by other private contributions obtained through the labors of George
\V. Robinson and others. The gross fund was also considerably enlarged by
the profitable investment thereof in different localities.
"By an act approved November 23,1886, the General Assembly of Vermont
appointed John L. Barstow, Levi K. Fuller, Aldace F. Walker, L. H. Thomp¬
son, and the president of the monumental association, commissioners to deter¬
mine what lands and buildings adjoining the site selected by the association for
the erection of the monument were required in order to secure to the structure
freedom Inm objectionable surroundings; also, in section two, the last four
named persons, with Milo C. Huling, to agree, if possible, with the owners ot
said property as to the price ; and if unable to agree, to apply to any judge of
the Supreme Court for the appointment of commissioners of appraisal. Also
section six authorized the auditor of accounts to pay for the property not to
exceed, in the aggregate, $ 10,000, on condition that the association furnish a
guarantee to the commissioners named in section two that the monument shall
be commenced within six months after the site contemplated in section one is
secured to their use, and will be completed within five years thereafter. These
provisions and conditions have been complied with.
" Pursuant to a notice sent by the secretary to all the members of the board,
a meeting of the directors of the association was held at the Putnam House in
Bennington, June 4, 1887, at nine o'clock a. m., at which there were present
Henry G. Root, Alonzo B. Valentine, John V. Hall, John T. Shurtleff, Charles
M. Bliss, Milo C. Huling, John G. McCullough, and Rev. Isaac Jennings. John
V. Hall was elected president pro ton. Mr. Valentine moved that a commit¬
tee be appointed by the chair to nominate a committee to invest the funds of
the association. The president appointed Major Valentine, General McCul¬
lough and Mr. Bliss, and they nominated as the investing committee, Henry
The Bennington Monument.
229
G. Root, John T. Shurtleff, and Milo C. Ruling, who were elected accordingly.
The committee, on motion of Major Valentine, were instructed to invest the
funds of the association in such manner as they should deem best for the in¬
terests of the association.
"Among other proceedings it was moved by Mr. Bliss that the board of di¬
rectors invite the citizens of Bennington to meet them at Library Hall and join
in perfecting arrangements for the celebration of the laying of the corner stone
of the monument on the i6thof August, 1887. The motion was adopted.
"On motion of Major Valentine it was 'Resolved, That the board of directors
extend an invitation to the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Ver¬
mont to participate in the laying of the corner stone of the monument." The
said resolution and invitation of the directors were in due form forwarded to
the grand secretary of the Grand Lodge, as aforesaid, and by him presented to
the Grand Lodge at a subsequent session held at Burlington, and on motion
referred to a committee consisting of four of the leading officers of the Grand
Lodge, viz.: Marshal O. Perkins, Alfred A. Hall, George W. Irving, and Delos
W. Bacon, who reported the following resolution, which, on motion of the grand
secretary, was unanimously adopted, viz.: ' Resolved, That the Grand Lodge of
Vermont feels honored by the invitation, and will gladly accept it, and partici¬
pate in the exercises under the rules and usages of the fraternity ; and the
grand secretary is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution, and the
action of the Grand Lodge thereon to the secretary of the board of directors.'
The official report of the proceedings and resolution of the Grand Lodge were
duly forwarded by the grand secretary, Lavent M.Read, to the secretary of the
board of directors, and placed on file.
" At a meeting of the board of directors ot the association, held at the Put¬
nam House, June 15, 1887, at eleven o'clock a. m., Governor Ormsbee was
chosen president pro tern. Among other proceedings 011 motion of Major Val¬
entine, and seconded by Rev. Isaac Jennings, it was unanimously ' Resolved,
That the Hon. Benjamin F. Prescott, ex-governor of New Hampshire, and presi¬
dent of the Bennington Battle Monument Association, be invited to act as
president of the day on the occasion of laying the corner stone of the mon¬
ument.'"
This ends the narrative of the events of the history of the Bennington Bat¬
tle Monument, and the Monument Association, as well, as prepared by Rev.
Isaac Jennings, the original manuscript of which was deposited in the corner
stone receptacle on the 16th day of August, 1887.
" Laying the Corner Stone.—The ceremony of laying the corner stone of the
Bennington Battle Monument on the 16th day of August, 1887, the one hun¬
dred and tenth anniversary of the day on which that battle was fought, caused
another season of rejoicing and enthusiasm on the part of the usually quiet
citizens of the town. Contractor Ward had faithfully fulfilled his promise to
230
History of Bennington County.
have everything in readiness for the occasion ; therefore all that the people
could ask for in order to complete their happiness was that the weather should
be fair, and in this too they were accommodated.
An additional interest was created on the day named from the fact that the
Soldiers' Home was to be dedicated to its new use at that time. Moreover, the
State National Guard were in attendance and encamped on the home grounds.
The Masonic and Odd Fellows societies were largely represented upon the oc¬
casion, and the knowledge that the corner stone was to be laid with Masonic rites
served to impress all with the beauty, solemnity and grandeur of the ceremony.
The local committee charged with the duty of preparing for the event had
everything in readiness, and the day passed without any embarrassing accident
either to the association or to the visiting multitude. The programme was car¬
ried out as it had been arranged.
The day's celebration was begun with the ringing of bells and firing a salute
by Fuller's Battery, who were in camp here. At ten o'clock in the morning
Governor Ormsbee reviewed the troops of the State, after which followed the
inspection by General Greenleaf. " At eleven o'clock the formalties attending
the dedication of the Vermont Soldiers' Home took place. The governors of
Vermont, Massachusetts and New Hampshire," says a cotemporaneous report,
"and most of the prominent military guests, together with the militia officers
and many old soldiers, assembled at t e Soldiers' Home where, after music,
General William Wells, chairman of the board of trustees, called the assemblage
to order and introduced Colonel Z. M. Mansur of Island Pond, who, in behalf
of the board, addressed Governor Ormsbee and formally delivered the prop¬
erty to the State of Vermont."
Governor Ormsbee responded to the presentation address, accepting the
institution as the property of the State, and thanking the generous donors, the
heirs of the late Trenor W. Park. Addresses were also made by Senator George
F. Edmunds and ex-Governor Pingree. Soon after the hour of twelve, at noon,
the preparations for the afternoon's exercises were commenced. The first in
order was the almost indispensible procession of societies, orders and organiza¬
tions, both civil and military, under the direction of Colonel George W. Hooker,
chief marshal. At one o'clock, precisely at the time designated, the column
moved, the various organizations falling in at their appointed places. The line
of march lay from Bennington village to the Center, thence up the hill to the
place where the ceremonies were to be conducted on the monument foundation.
The exercises commenced by a brief introductory address by ex-Governor
Prescott of New Hampshire, who then introduced Alfred A. Hall, grand mast¬
er of the Grand Lodge of Vermont Masons, under whose direction the stone
was laid in place, the following being an abstract of the proceedings: Prayer
by the grand chaplain ; directions to the grand senior warden, and by the lat¬
ter communicated to the grand junior warden, and thence to the craftsmen;
Tiie Bennington Monument.
231
sin<Mii<r, "What Shines so Bright?" by double male quartette ; reading the list
of contents of the box placed in the corner stone; contents, Holy Bible, Ililand
Hall's " Early History of Vermont Rev. Isaac Jennings's " Memorials of a
Century;" Rev. Isaac Jennings's historical account relating to the Battle Mon¬
ument; manuscript copy of the contract for the erection of the monument ;
"Biographical Encyclopedia Nineteenth Century, Vermont;" copies Benning¬
ton Banner, newspaper; copies P>ennington Reformer, newspaper; other Ver¬
mont newspapers; Troy and New York newspapers; printed laws relating to
monument; Battle of Bennington and Vermont Centennial; Forbes's Vermont
Centennial; history of Odd Fellowship; report of Masonic Grand Eodge of Ver¬
mont, 1887; official programme of laying corner stone, August 16, 1887 ; Ma¬
sonic ceremonies of laying corner stone; Bennington Centennial Memorial
Medal; bank notes of banks in Bennington; copper coins; brigade order and
roster; regimental order from adjutant general's office for muster of 1887.
The box was then placed in its proper receptacle, after which the double
quartette sang the national hymn, "America." Then, under the direction of
the grand officers, the craftsmen lowered the corner stone to its place, after
which the deputy grand master applied the jewel of his office—the " square;"
the grand senior warden the jewel of his office—the "level ;" the grand junior
warden the jewel of his office—the "plumb," and each reported that "the crafts¬
men had performed their duty." Then, having the assent to the report from
the grand masters of New Hampshire and Massachusetts, the grand master of
Vermont declared the stone " well formed, true and trusty, and correctly laid
according to our ancient craft."
Then followed the pouring 011 of corn, and wine, and oil, by the officiating
grand officers, after which the stone was dedicated to virtue, loyalty and pa¬
triotism, and the blessing of Heaven invoked upon the noble work here begun.
Addresses were then made by Grand Master 11 a 11, Governor Ormsbee of Ver¬
mont, ex-Governor Prescott of New Hampshire, president of the day, Hon.
John W. Stewart, and the benediction by the Rev. Isaac Jennings.
1 hus ended the public ceremony of this eventful day. The work thus au¬
spiciously begun has continued without interruption until the present time,
and no serious accident has interfered with its progress thus far. In its up¬
ward construction the monument has now reached well on toward one hun¬
dred and fifty feet, the entire height contemplated being three hundred feet.
Just when it will be completed no person can accurately determine, but, not¬
withstanding this, the gentlemen of the association, the board of directors, and
the people are anticipating that event, and propose, at the proper time, to cele¬
brate the occasion of completion and dedication with such a display as the
State of Vermont has not yet witnessed.
A description of the monument is unecessary in these pages, as there are
but few, if any, of the people of Bennington county who have not an under-
232
History of Bennington County.
standing of its character and contemplated dimensions. The site upon which
it stands is certainly a most historic one, for while not within some miles of the
scene of the battle of Bennington, it marks the spot of the old military store¬
house with its goodly contents—military supplies, ammunition, arms, and pro¬
visions, the latter being eagerly hoped for by Burgoyne's half-famished army;
and it was the knowledge of this supply, conveyed to him by the treacherous
Tory, that induced the British commander to send the detachment under Col¬
onel Baum to drive the Americans from the village and possess himself of the
contents of the building But the astute Briton reckoned too lightly upon the
defense that could and would be made, and the brave Baum found himself op¬
posed by the sturdy militiamen of Massachusetts and New Hampshire, as well
as of Vermont, and all under the command of the gallant Stark, a taste of whose
metal they had had before at Bunker Hill.
At that time the little hamlet on the hill—the village of Bennington—was
the virtual seat of government of the newly created State, and should that fall
to the common enemy what future hope could the authorities entertain for the
safety or maintenance of their institutions. Bennington must be defended
—must be held. This spirit animated General Stark when he marched his
forces out on the " road toward Cambridge," and when he saw the enemy he
determined upon attacking them, and, in order to instill something of his own
determined spirit into the minds of his men, he gave utterance to that historic
sentence, "There arc the redcoats,, and they are ours, or this nig Jit Molly Stark
sleeps a widoiv
To the work of erecting the Bennington Battle Monument the people of
the county have been devoted until the same became assured. But there have
been some, on whose part extraordinary exertions have been made, and with¬
out whose efforts it is probable the work would not have been accomplished.
These were the members of the board of directors of the association, and the
various committees created by the board, and their efforts were materially
seconded and aided by the Bennington Historical Society and its committees.
Of the members of the society seven were annually elected as members of the
monument association, mention of whom will also be made.
As was naturally to be expected, and as is almost always the case when
great enterprises have been under consideration, there have been differences of
opinion concerning various matters pertaining to the monument and the de¬
sign of the same; but this was an honest, fair difference ; both sides were ably
represented and fully advocated, and the right, the majority, prevailed ; all fac¬
tions had the same end in view—the building of a grand structure; and the
main difference appeared to be in the selection of a suitable design, and that
alone.
The incorporation of the monument association has been sufficiently referred
to heretofore in this chapter, but there has not been made mention of the sue-
The Bennington Monument.
233
cession of officers of the association and the boards of directors as they were
elected from year to year. The organization meeting of the association, at
which officers were elected, was held at Bennington on the second Wednesday
of January, 1877, but the first board of directors was not created until the 23d
of that month, and at an adjourned meeting of the association. From the year
1877 until the year 1888, both inclusive, the following named persons have
constituted the officers of the association and the board of directors of the Ben¬
nington Battle Monument Association:
o
1877.—President, Horace Fairbanks, governor of the State; vice president,
Hiland Hall; secretary, Charles M. Bliss; assistant secretary, John T. Shurt-
lcff; treasurer, Milo C. Huling; board of directors, Abraham B. Gardner, Al-
onzo B. Valentine, Olin Scott, Charles E. Dewey, Asaph P. Childs.
1878.—President, Horace Fairbanks; vice-president, Hiland Hall; record¬
ing secrecary, Olin Scott; corresponding secretary, Charles M. Bliss ; treas¬
urer, Milo C. Huling; board of directors, Horace Fairbanks, Benjamin F. Pres-
cott, Alexander H. Rice, Abraham B. Gardner, Edward J. Phelps, Henry G.
Root, Rev. Isaac Jennings.
1879.—President, Governor Benjamin F. Prescott, of New Hampshire; vice-
president, Hiland Hall; recording secretary, Olin Scott; corresponding secre¬
tary, Charles M. Bliss; treasurer, Luther R. Graves; board of directors, Gov¬
ernor Redfiekl Proctor of Vermont, Governor Thomas Talbot of Massachusetts,
Governor Benjamin F. Prescott of New Hampshire, Edward J. Phelps, Abra¬
ham B. Gardner, Henry G. Root, Isaac Jennings, Trenor W. Park, Alonzo B.
Valentine.
1880.—The annual meeting of the association for this year was provided to
be held on the 14th of January; but at the time not sufficient members were
present to constitute a quorum, whereupon an adjournment was had until the
27 th of the same month. On that day, " in consequence of a severe snow
storm," the meeting could not be held, and there was no further attempt at a
meeting by the association for the election of officers during that year. The
officers, therefore, who were elected in January, 1879, held over until January,
1881.
1881.—President, Benjamin F. Prescott; vice-president, Hiland Hall; re¬
cording secretary, Olin Scott; corresponding secretary, Charles M. Bliss ;
treasurer, Luther R. Graves; board of directors, Benjamin F. Prescott, Ed¬
ward J. Phelps, Abraham B. Gardner, Henry G. Root, Isaac Jennings, Trenor
W. Park, Alonzo B. Valentine, and, ex-officio, the governors of the three States,
John 1). Long, of Massachusetts; Natt Head, of New Hampshire; and Roswell
Farnham, of Vermont.
1882.—President, Benjamin F. Prescott; vice-president, Hiland Hall; re¬
cording secretary, Olin Scott; corresponding secretary, Charles M. Bliss;
treasurer, Luther R. Graves; board of directors, Benjamin F. Prescott, Ed-
30
234
History of Bennington County.
ward J. Phelps, Henry G. Root, Isaac Jennings, Trenor W. Park, Alonzo B.
Valentine, and, ex officio, John D. Long, of Massachusetts; Charles H. Bell, of
New Hampshire, and Roswell Farnham, of Vermont.
1883.—President, Benjamin F. Prescott; vice-president, Hiland Hall; re¬
cording secretary, Olin Scott; corresponding secretary, Charles M. Bliss;
treasurer, Luther R. Graves; board of directors, Benjamin F. Prescott, Ed-
J. Phelps, Isaac Jennings, Henry G. Root, Alonzo B. Valentine, John G. Mc-
Cullough, Samuel B. Sanford, and, ex-officio, Benjamin F. Butler, of Massachu¬
setts; Charles H. Bell, of New Hampshire, and John L. Barstow, of Vermont.
1884.—President, Benjamin F. Prescott; vice-president, Hiland Hall; re¬
cording secretary, Olin Scott; corresponding secretary, Charles M. Bliss;
treasurer, Luther R. Graves; board of directors, Benjamin F. Prescott, Ed¬
ward J. Phelps, Isaac Jennings, Henry G. Root, Alonzo B. Valentine, John G.
McCullough, Samuel B. Sanford, and, ex-officio, George D. Robinson, of Mas¬
sachusetts; Samuel W. Hale, of New Hampshire, and Samuel E. Pingree, of
Vermont.
1885.—President, Benjamin F. Prescott; vice president, Hiland Hall; re¬
cording secretary, Olin Scott; corresponding secretary, Charles M. Bliss;
treasurer, Luther R. Graves; board of directors, Benjamin F. Prescott, Ed¬
ward J. Phelps, Isaac Jennings, Henry G. Root, Alonzo B. Valentine, John G.
McCullough, Samuel B. Sanford, and, ex-officio, Governor Robinson, of Massa¬
chusetts; Governor Hale, of New Hampshire, and Governor Pingree, of Ver¬
mont.
1886.—President, Benjamin F. Prescott; vice-president, Rev. Isaac Jen¬
nings; recording secretary, Olin Scott; corresponding secretary, Charles M.
Bliss; treasurer, Luther R. Graves; board of directors, Benjamin F. Prescott,
Isaac Jennings, Henry G. Root, Alonzo B. Valentine, John G McCullough,
Horace Fairbanks, Charles M. Bliss, and, ex-officio, Governor Robinson, of
Massachusetts; Governor Hale, of New Hampshire, and Governor Pingree, of
Vermont.
1887.—President, Benjamin F. Prescott; vice-president, Isaac Jennings;
recording secretary, Olin Scott; corresponding secretary, Charles M. Bliss;
treasurer, Luther R. Graves; board of directors, Benjamin F. Prescott, Isaac
Jennings, Henry G. Root, Alonzo B. Valentine, John G. McCullough, Horace
Fairbanks, Charles M. Bliss, John V. Hall, Milo C. Huling, John T. Shurtleff,
and, ex-officio, Governor Oliver Ames, of Massachusetts; Governor Moody
Currier, of New Hampshire, and Governor Ebenezer J. Ormsbee, of Vermont.
1888.—President, Benjamin F. Prescott; vice-president, Henry G. Root;
recording secretary, Olin Scott; corresponding secretary, John V. Hall; treas¬
urer, Luther R. Graves ; board of directors, Benjamin F. Prescott, Henry G.
Root, Alonzo B. Valentine, Horace Fairbanks,1 John G. McCullough, John V.
' Deceased ; Olin Scott elected to fill the vacancy.
The Bennington Historical Society.
235
Hall,1 Milo C. Huling John T. Shurtleff, James K. Batchelder, Charles E.
Dewey, and, ex-officio, Governor Ames, of Massachusetts; Currier, of New
Hampshire, and Ormsbee, of Vermont.
The Bennington Historical Society.—To the earnest and untiring efforts of
the members of this society is largely due the success of the monument pro¬
ject ; in fact, it has been said, and with much reason, that without the co-oper¬
ation of this society it is more than probable that the monument would not have
been built. As has already been stated in the early part of this chapter, the
first attempt to secure the erection of the Bennington battle monument was
made during the year 1853, and while the efforts then made were undoubtedly
well directed, the plan, nevertheless, proved futile; and further than some leg¬
islative action, conditional in its nature, and considerable agitation on the part
of a few patriotic citizens of Bennington, nothing was done in the matter, and
the subject was soon afterwards dropped. But with the gradual approach of
the centennial year, and the earnest attention which that event was receiving
on all sides, some of the people of the town felt that the organization of a so¬
ciety of some sort was necessary, that the matter of a centennial celebration
and other important historic subjects should receive the right kind of consid¬
eration, and that whatever action might be taken should be systematic and
regular. More than this, the organization of an historical society was neces¬
sary for the collection and preservation of such of the valuable historical ma¬
terial of the locality as would unquestionably be lost if much longer neglected ;
and it was thought desirable, too, that the scenes of the many historic events
and buildings should be properly marked in some substantial manner, and that
in after years and ages these monuments to the events of the eighteenth cen¬
tury should survive material decay and the treacherous memory of man.
Ihese and other considerations which were the subjects of discussion at that
time led to the organization of the Bennington Historical Society.
The first movement in the direction of the society organization was made
during the fall of 1875, when, on the 28th day of October, a call for a meeting
was published, signed by " many citizens," to the effect that all persons inter¬
ested in the matter of the organization of a''Town Historical Society" should
meet at the office of John V. Hall on the succeeding Tuesday evening at 7:30
o clock, " for consultation concerning the proposed organization." In accor¬
dance with the notice a goodly number of citizens met at the time and place
mentioned. A temporary organization was effected by the election of Rev.
Chauncey H. Hubbard, as chairman, and Colonel John E. Pratt, secretary.
After a full discussion of the subject of the meeting it was decided to complete
the organization of the society; and Thomas White, Charles E. Welling, Al¬
fred Robinson, J. Seymour Merrill, and J. Halsey Cushman were appointed a
committee to prepare and report a plan of permanent organization, after which
1 Deceased ; vacancy not filled,
History of Bennington County.
the meeting was adjourned subject to the call of the persons comprising the
committee just named. At a subsequent meeting held November 16, 1875,
the committee made their report of a constitution, which was adopted. Arti¬
cle 1 provided that "this society shall be known as the Bennington Historical
Society." From the second article the following extracts are taken: "The
object of this society shall be, first, to assist in the proper observance of the
centennial anniversary of the battle of Bennington. Second, to revive and
bring to a successful consummation the long cherished project of erecting an ap¬
propriate monument at Bennington Center, to commemorate the deeds of the
heroes of the battle of Bennington. Third, to mark by stone pillars and other
suitable tokens, with appropriate inscriptions, the many historic localities of the
town and vicinity, such as the battlefield itself with its two engagements ;
the site of Landlord Fay's tavern, where the Council of Safety met; the camp¬
ing ground of General Stark's brigade previous to the battle, and a score of
others ; also to incite our local authorities to the performance of their duties in
keeping in repair the cemeteries where our heroes are buried. Fourth, to col¬
lect documents, books, pamphlets, records, journals, and papers relating to the
history of our town, both early and late ; also relics and mementoes of all our
wars, and to provide a suitable room or building for their preservation. Fifth,
to procure a genealogical record of the older families of the town. Sixth, to
publish a volume of the transactions of the society, embracing a complete town
history with suitable geneological tables in readiness, 011 or before August 16,
1877. Seventh, to provide in the future for the erection of a soldiers' monu¬
ment, commemorative of Bennington men who fell in the late war of the rebel¬
lion.
For the faithful carrying out of all these enterprises the society, by the
provisions of its constitution, became pledged. The first, and perhaps the most
important of these, was the pledge to assist in the "proper observance of the
celebration of the centennial anniversary of the battle of Bennington; " and
second to that, even if it could be termed a secondary measure, was the pledge
by which the society was to revive the subject of the erection of a battle mon¬
ument, and, if possible, make its construction a fact. This the society has done,
and during the period of agitation and discussion of the subject every person
knows full well the important part borne by the society, even though the mon¬
ument association was directly charged by the State with that duty. The
Legislature of the State seems to have recognized not only the existence
of the society in the act incorporating the association, but also realized the
importance of having the assistance and co-operation of its members in bring¬
ing the monument project to a successful consummation. To this end the act
provided that there should annually be chosen, by the society, seven persons
who should be members of the monument association. The names of those
who were annually elected in accordance with this provision will be found re¬
corded in this chapter.
The Bennington Historical Society.
237
From the time of the close of the centennial celebration to this present, the
attention of the society has been wholly absorbed in the erection of the monu¬
ment, so that the other matters to which the members are pledged have, fox
the time, been suspended, but in due season they will be taken up and com¬
pleted according to the promise.
In the year 1882 it was deemed advisable to amend the constitution of the
society, and for this purpose a committee consisting of Alonzo B, Valentine,
Henry A. Harmon, and Henry G. Root was appointed to prepare the proposed
amendments. The report of the committee was in due season presented to the
society, and 011 the 21st of February was adopted. But instead of being an
amendment to the original constitution the society found that such changes had
been made that the new was more of a substitution for the old, and it was so
accepted, thus was the society practically reorganized. A brief reference to
some of the leading clauses of the new constitution will serve to show what
modifications or changes were made from the old. Section two of article two
reads: "To revive and bring to the attention of their successors the memor¬
able deeds, the public services, and the private virtues of the heroes of the
battle of Bennington, and of the pioneers in the settlement of this State."
Section three of the same article says: "To assist in bringing to a success¬
ful consummation the long cherished project of erecting an appropriate monu¬
ment at Bennington Center to commemorate the deeds of the heroes of the
battle of Bennington."
As has already been stated in this chapter the Bennington Historical So¬
ciety was authorized by the Legislature in the act incorporating the Benning¬
ton Battle Monument Association, to annually elect seven of its members to
membership in the association. This has been done regularly from the time of
the incorporation of the association.
It would be impossible as well as impracticable to refer to the detail of
operations of the society in connection with the monument project, or to the
many actions of the society in connection with the objects for which it was
organized; but this sketch would not be complete without some reference to
those persons who have been its working officers through all these years and
important events; therefore, the appended record is arranged to show who
have been the officers of the society, the persons annually elected to the mon¬
ument association, and, also, some of the most important committees of the
society. It may be well to state, however, that under the constitution adopted
upon the organization of the society in 1875, it was provided that " the offi¬
cers of the society shall be a president, as many vice-presidents as the board
of directors may determine, a corresponding secretary, a treasurer, a recording
secretary, three auditors, a board of directors, a genealogical board." And
further, that the board of directors shall consist of twenty-five members annu¬
ally elected, together with the president and past-president, the secretaries and
238
History of Bennington County.
the chairmen of the several boards and standing committees. The standing
committees were a committee on solicitation, a committee on printing and pub¬
lishing, and such others as the board of directors might determine.
It must be understood that the society was, and now is, a somewhat large,
and unwieldy body; and therefore it became necessary that the power of the
society should be vested in some committee of such number as could conven¬
iently be assembled to transact the business that might become urgent with¬
out assembling the whole society for such purpose. Therefore the board of
directors was created.
Under the old constitution any person, a resident of the town of Benning¬
ton, and any person not a citizen of the town " who shall have been elected to
any office in the society or appointed a member of any committee in it may
become a resident member by signifying his wish in writing," etc. The new
constitution, however, confined the regular membership to residents of the
town, while all others were honorary members, the latter having no vote.
The new constitution also provided that the officers should be a president,
three vice presidents, a recording secretary, a corresponding secretary, a treas¬
urer, and an executive committee of five. The latter replaced the board of
directors provided by the old constitution. The officers of the Bennington His¬
torical Society have been as follows:
1875.—President, Hiland Hall; vice-presidents, Rev. Isaac Jennings, Seth
B. Hunt, Rev. Chauncey H. Hubbard, Dr. B. F. Morgan, T. W. Park, A. B.
Gardner, S. H. Brown, C. E. Houghton, B. R. Sears, M. G. Selden, Z. L.
Taft, Thomas White, J. S. Merrill, H. G. Root, Charles Thatcher, jr., Tarrant
Sibley, William E. Hawks, H. H Harwood, Hiram Bingham, Frank Blackmer,
Edward Norton, H. W. Putnam, P. L. Robinson, A. P. Lyman, H. E. Brad¬
ford, S. B. McEowen, David F. Squires, E. D. Fillmore, C. G. Lincoln, Bar¬
ber Chase, linos Adams, John H. Flagg ; corresponding secretary, Charles M.
Bliss; recording secretary, M. B. Morgan ; treasurer, Daniel McEowen ; di¬
rectors, A. B. Valentine, Alfred Robinson, James H. Walbridge, C. E. Dewey,
Edward Kinsley, A. J. Mattison, J. V. D. S. Merrill, C. R. Sanford, H. T.
Cushman, Asaph P. Childs, George A. Wood, Olin Scott, J. Halsey Cushman,
George W. Robinson, Milo C. Huling, L. P. Norton, A. C. Hubbel, E. O.
Cole, L. S. Chandler, L. F. Abbott, William E. Hawks, 2d, O. D. Adams.
The above named officers were chosen in the latter part of 1875, and were
to serve in their respective offices until the January meeting in 1877; they
were, therefore, officers for 1875-6. There seems, too, to have been a break
in the records, the minutes of the meetings at which officers for the years 1877-
1878 and 1879 being omitted; therefore it is impossible to compile them for
the missing years.
1880.—President, Hiland Hall ; vice presidents, Isaac Jennings, Seth B.
Hunt, B. F. Morgan, T. W. Park, A. B. Gardner, S. H. Brown, C. E, Hough-
The Bennington Historical Society.
239
ton, B. R. Sears, M. G. Seidell, Z. L. Taft, Thomas White, H. G. Root, Charles
Thatcher, Tarrant Sibley, William E. Hawks, H. H. Harwood, Frank Black-
mer, Edward Norton, H. W. Putnam, P. L. Robinson, A. P. Lyman, S. B.
McEovven, David F. Squires, E. D. Fillmore, C. G. Lincoln, Enos Adams,
John H. Flagg; corresponding secretary, Charles M. Bliss; recording secre¬
tary, Henry A. Ilarman ; treasurer, Daniel McEovven ; directors, A. B. Val¬
entine, H. G. Root, J. T. Shurtleff, Milo C. Huling, A. J. Mattison, E. (). Cole,
H. T. Cushman, William E. Hawks, Olin Scott, J. H. Walbridge, George W.
Robinson, Edward Kinsley, A. C. Hubbel, C. R. Sanford, L. F. Abbott, George
A. Wood, Alfred Robinson, John V. Hall, C. E. Dewey, L. P. Norton, J. V.
D. S. Merrill, Edward Chandler, A. P. Childs, O. D. Adams. No new officers
were chosen at the annual meeting in 1881, but those elected for ] 880 were
continued in office for another year.
In February, 1882 the society was reorganized, a new constitution adopted,
and officers under it elected as follows: 1882.—President, Hiland Hall; vice-
presidents, Isaac Jennings, Thomas White and Alonzo B. Valentine ; record¬
ing secretary, Henry A. Harman ; corresponding secretary, Charles M. Bliss;
treasurer, Ellis A. Cobb ; executive committee, Olin Scott (chairman), Charles
Thatcher, Asaph P. Childs, Lyman F. Abbott, Arthur J. Dewey.
In September, 1882 an election was held for the officers for the year next
ensuing as follows: President, Hiland Hall; vice-presidents, Isaac Jennings,
Thomas White, Alonzo B. Valentine; recording secretary, Edward L. Bates;
corresponding secretary, Charles M. Bliss ; treasurer, Ellis A. Cobb ; execu¬
tive committee, Olin Scott, Charles Thatcher, Asaph P. Childs, Lyman F.
Abbott, Arthur J. Dewey.
In 1883, at a meeting held 011 August 17, the officers chosen at the last
election were continued for another year.
1884.—President, Hiland Hall; vice-presidents, Isaac Jennings, Thomas
White, Alonzo B. Valentine; recording secretary, Edward L. Bates; corre¬
sponding secretary, Charles M. Bliss; treasurer, Ellis A. Cobb; executive
committee, Olin Scott, Charles Thatcher, Lyman F. Abbott, Alfred Robinson,
Arthur J. Dewey.
In August, 1885 the officers chosen for the previous year were re-elected
for that ensuing.
1886.—President, Rev. Isaac Jennings ; vice presidents, Thomas White,
Alonzo B. Valentine, and George A. Wood ; recording secretary, Edward L.
Bates; corresponding secretary, Charles M. Bliss; treasurer, Charles Thatcher;
executive committee, Olin Scott, Lyman F. Abbott, Alfred Robinson, Henry
I). Hall, Arthur J. Dewey.
1887.—President, George W. Robi nson; vice-presidents, Thomas White,
Alonzo B. Valentine, George A. Wood; recording secretary, Edward L. Bates;
corresponding secretary, Charles M. Bliss, treasurer; Charles Thatcher; exec-
History of Bennington County.
utive committee, Olin Scott, Lyman F. Abbott, Alfred Robinson, Henry D.
Hall, Arthur J. Dewey.
Officers elected November 5, 1888.—President, Thomas White ; vice-presi¬
dents, Alfred Robinson, Alonzo B. Valentine, John T. Shurtleff; recording sec¬
retary, Edward L. Bates; corresponding secretary, Henry C. Day; treasurer,
Charles Thatcher; executive committee, Olin Scott, Lyman F. Abbott, C. H.
Darling, Henry D. Hall, Arthur J. Dewey,
The following are the names of the persons who have been annually elected
to membership in the Bennington Battle Monument Association from the his¬
torical society.
1877.—John T. Shurtleff, Alonzo B. Valentine, Charles M. Bliss, Olin Scott,
Charles E. Dewey, Henry G. Root, and George W. Robinson.
1878.—John T. Shurtleff, Alonzo B. Valentine, Charles M. Bliss, Olin Scott,
Charles E. Dewey, Henry G. Root, and George W. Robinson.
1879.—John T. Shurtleff, Alonzo B. Valentine, Charles M. Bliss, Olin Scott,
Charles E. Dewey, Henry G. Root, and George W. Robinson.
1880.—JohnT. Shurtleff, Alonzo B. Valentine, Charles M. Bliss, Olin Scott,
Charles E. Dewey, Henry G. Root, and George W. Robinson.
1881.—Charles E. Dewey, Charles M. Bliss, John T. Shurtleff, George W.
Robinson, Luman P. Norton, Lyman F. Abbott, and Henry A. Harman.
1882.—Charles E. Dewey, Charles M. Bliss, John T. Shurtleff, George W.
Robinson, Luman P. Norton, Lyman F. Abbott, and Henry A. Harman.
1883.—Charles E. Dewey, Edward L. Bates, John T. Shurtleff, Lyman F.
Abbott, Luman P. Norton, George W. Robinson, and Charles M. Bliss.
1884.—Charles E. Dewey, George W. Robinson, Charles M. Bliss, Edward
L. Bates, John T. Shurtleff, Lyman F. Abbott, and Luman P. Norton.
1885.—Charles E. Dewey, George W. Robinson, Charles M. Bliss, JohnT.
Shurtleff, Lyman F. Abbott, Luman P. Norton, and Charles A. Pierce.
1886.—Truman H. Bartlett, John V. Hall, John T. Shurtleff, Charles E.
Dewey, Lyman F. Abbott. Luman P. Norton, and Charles A. Pierce.
1887.—John V. Hall, Lyman F. Abbott, Luman P. Norton, Charles A.
Pierce, William R. Morgan, E. D. Bennett, and James K. Batchelder.
1888.—Lyman F. Abbott, Charles A. Pierce, L. P. Norton, William R.
Morgan, E. D. Bennett, and James K. Batchelder.
The following shows the several " historic spots" which have been marked
by the "committee on sites " on behalf of the society: The site of the old Con¬
tinental storehouse, the site of the old Vermont Gazette office, the site of the
first court-house west- of the Green Mountains, the site of the whipping-post,
the site of the pillory, the site of the first log cabin of the first settler in town,
the site of the sign-post of the Catamount Tavern, the site of the hospital used
after the battle of Bennington, the geographical center of the town, the site
of the house in which Colonel Seth Warner lived, the place of burial of those
Town of Bennington.
241
Hessians who died in the hospital after the battle, the site of the old " First
Church," the site of "Clio Hall," a flourishing seat of learning in early times,
the site of William Lloyd Garrison's printing-house, the site of the first school-
house in town, the site where the first town-meeting was held, the place where
David Redding, a traitor and spy, was hanged in 1778, the redoubt of Colonel
Baum on the hill where were his headquarters, the Tory breastworks, each side
of the road at Barnet Bridge, the place of Stark's encampment on the 14th oi
August, 1777, the site of the Catamount Tavern.
CHAPTER XX.1
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF BENNINGTON WITH THE VILLAGES OF BEN¬
NINGTON CENTER, BENNINGTON, AND NORTH BENNINGTON.1
PERHAPS the inhabitants of no town in the State of Vermont have wielded
so great an influence in molding its fair character, religiously and politi¬
cally, as that of Bennington. Certainly its occupancy by a band of settlers,
firm in their convictions, and loyal to their ideas of establishing "a faith's pure
shrine," as well as the love of home and country exhibited in their early strug¬
gles for their political rights, went far to give tone and quality to its institutions;
and the peculiar and interesting development and consummation of their early
trials and efforts has worthily drawn out the admiration and respect of all.
The territory of which this town was a part belonged to the crown of Eng¬
land, and it was the first township chartered by Benning Wentworth, then his
Majesty's governor of New Hampshire, and bears date January 3, 1749, and
was called Bennington from his own baptismal name.
The unsettled state of things attending the prosecution of the French War
begun about 1752, and which terminated in the ceding of the Province of Can¬
ada to the British Crown in September, 1760, had acted as an embargo on the
peopleing of this New England frontier, and although two other townships now
1 I his chapter, exclusive of that portion that relates to the village of Bennington, was pre¬
pared for this volume by Henry D. Hall, esq., of North Bennington.
I he story ot the early times of Bennington is familiar to many, yet to the masses it will be
mostly new. I he writer, though aware it has been so often and so well told, has concluded
the best way to meet the present demand is to condense as much of it as possible within the
prescribed limits of this article, leaving space for other things which should receive attention,
In its compilation and arrangement frequent reference has been made to and extracts taken
tiom "Hall s Early History of Vermont," "Jenning's Memoirs of a Century," "Vermont Ilis-
toiical Magazine," " Williams's History of Vermont," and "Butler's and Houghton's Ad¬
dresses before the Vermont Legislature."
31
242
History of Bennington County.
included in Bennington county had been chartered, emigration had not com¬
menced, and only began soon after the close of the war. At this time the
township and the county contiguous was an unbroken wilderness, and had been
traversed only by the Indians belonging to tribes inhabiting the State of New
York on the west, in their hunting excursions and warlike expeditions to the
settlements in the adjourning provinces of New Hampshire and Massachusetts.
The courses taken by the Indians were generally along the rivers and smaller
streams, and one of the routes at an early day was up the Hoosick River into
Massachusetts and across the mountain to Deerfield and hamlets below there,
and it may not be improbable that this country of which we are speaking was
many times hunted and fished over by the " red men of the forest."
For the better protection of the frontier towns of Massachusetts, Fort Dum-
mer had been built and located where now is Brattleboro, which fort was found
on the settlement of the boundary between Massachusetts and New Hamp¬
shire, to be located within the limits of the latter State ; and there had also been
two forts built called East and West Hoosick; the one situated near the village
of North Adams and the other near that of Williamstown, about half a mile
west of the present college buildings.
Bennington is situated near the southwest corner of the State, about
thirty miles from the city of Troy, with which it is connected by the Fitch-
burg, and Bennington and Rutland Railroads, formerly the Troy and Boston,
and Vermont Western. It is rich in its agricultural, mineral, manufacturing
and mechanical productions, and was for many years the largest and most
wealthy town in the State. Its taxable property in 1781 was more than
double that of any other town, excepting Pownal and Shaftsbury, and it con¬
tinued to exceed that of any other until after the year 1820, when Rutland,
Windsor and Burlington began to compete with it. The charter though dated
January 3, 1749, was not issued till March, 1750. It was of a township six
miles square, lying six miles north of the Massachusetts province line, and
twenty miles east of Hudson's River, divided into sixty four equal shares. In
conformity to the governor's order it was surveyed in November, I749> by
Mathew Clesson, surveyor, and as the grant had been previously made, the
charter when issued bore the date of the grant, with the following careful de¬
scription from actual survey, viz.: "Beginning at a crotched hemlock tree marked
W. W., six miles due north, or at a right angle from said province line, said
angle commencing at a white oak tree in said province line marked M. |. J. O.
J. T., which tree is twenty-four miles east from Hudson's River, allowing one
chain in thirty for swag, (which allowance is made through the whole follow¬
ing survey) and from said hemlock tree west ten degrees north, four miles to a
stake and stones, and from said stake and stones north ten degrees east six
miles to a stake and stones; and from thence east ten degrees south six miles
to a stake and stones, and from thence south ten degrees west six miles to a
Town of Bennington.
24 3
stake and stones, and from thence west ten degrees north two miles to the
hemlock before mentioned. "
The statement, made under the direction of the New York authorities giv¬
ing an account of the proceedings of the settlers under New Hampshire, pub¬
lished in 1773, and since copied into a newpaper in this State, was erroneous
and without foundation, in which it is stated that the charter was of a town-
shin twenty-four miles east of Hudson River and that the inhabitants, finding
it upon a mountain, "by 110 better authority than a vote of their town meet¬
ing presumed to extend it westward within seventeen instead of twenty-four
miles from that river."
Of the sixty-four shares into which the town was divided, only two were
set apart for public purposes, viz.: one for schools and one for the first settled
minister. Governor Wentworth was named as the grantee of two shares and
the remaining sixty were to such a number of different persons, most or all of
whom resided in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and who probably obtained
the grant as a matter of speculation, as none of them are believed to have
located here.1
George II. was now king of England, and the charter was issued in the
name of the sovereign, he being the party purporting to make the grant, and
there was reserved to him " all the white and other pine trees fit for masting
our royal navy;" and also a yearly rent for the first ten years of one ear of
corn, if demanded, and after the expiration of that time a rent of one shilling
proclamation money for every one hundred acres, payable at the council
chamber at Portsmouth on the 23d of December annually.
The charter also conferred on the future inhabitants of the township the
powers and authority belonging to New Hampshire corporation towns, and
designated the last Wednesday of March in each year as the day for forever
holding their meetings for the choice of town officers. This demand of the
charter was faithfully and regularly carried out for nearly a century, but it
being found more convenient to hold their meetings at an earlier day in the
month, and as there is no power but the State government to complain of the
violation of the charter, it does not appear probable that the town is in any
danger of being deprived of its corporate privilege by such change. As be¬
fore intimated, emigration into this town began after the close of the French
war, and the settlement was commenced in the spring of 1761. The men of
the New England provinces who had participated largely in that war had fre¬
quently passed over it in their expeditions against the French and Indians,
and becoming well acquainted with its soil, and being impressed by the at¬
tractiveness of the country, had imbibed a strong desire to settle upon it.
'In accordance with the provisions of the charter, the purchasers divided off acre home¬
steads near the center ot the town, to the number of sixty-four for a village: plot, and then
divided the remainder into sixty-four equal parts, casting lots for the same. Under this di¬
vision and distribution the different rights were conveyed and have since been held.
244
History of Bennington County.
The territory being now opened for safe occupation the tide of emigration set
strongly towards it from the New England provinces.
It has been handed down, as worthy of credence, that the selection of Ben¬
nington for the first settlement on the west side of the mountain was as fol¬
lows: Captain Samuel Robinson of Hardwick, Mass., had served during several
campaigns in his official capacity, in the army in the French war. His re¬
turning route from Lake George was up the Hoosick River to Williamstown,
thence across the mountain to the Connecticut. But on one occasion mis¬
taking one of the branches of the Hoosick for the main stream, he and a few
companions found they were approaching the mountain without passing the
Hoosick Forts. They had in fact ascended the Walloomsac instead of the
Hoosick, and were within the limits of Bennington, where they encamped over
night, and the next morning pursued their way southerly to Williamstown.
Captain Robinson being much pleased with the land he had accidentally
passed over, returned home with a determination to begin a settlement upon
it. He repaired to New Hampshire and made purchases of a considerable
portion of the township rights, and arranged among his friends and acquaint¬
ances for associate emigrants to accompany him to the new country.
The first emigration to the town consisted of the families of Peter Har-
wood, Eleazer Harwood, Samuel Pratt and Timothy Pratt, from Amherst,
Mass.; Leonard Robinson and Samuel Robinson, jr., from Hardwick, Mass.
The party, including women and children, numbered twenty-two. They came
on horseback across the mountain by the Hoosic Forts and through Pownal,
bringing their household goods on their horses, and arrived in town June 18,
1761. During the year other families, to the number of twenty orthirty, came
into town, among whom were those of Samuel Robinson, sen., and John
Fassett, from Hardwick, Mass.; Joseph Safford, John Smith, John Burnham,
and Benjah Rood, from Newint, Conn.; Elisha Field, and Samuel Montague,
from Sunderland, Mass.; James Breckenridge, Ebenezer Wood, Samuel and
Oliver Scott, Joseph Wickwire, and Samuel Atwood. During the winter
(January 12) occurred the birth of the first child born in town, Benjamin, son
of Peter Harwood, who died January 22, 1851, at an advanced age, and is
remembered as a worthy and intelligent citizen.
This, the first year of the settlement, was one of great privation and hard¬
ship, as shelter must be provided from the weather in a country where boards
for building could not be obtained, and nothing used but what could be fash¬
ioned with the ax from the trees of the forest. Huts, with logs for walls, poles
and brush or bark for roof, with the earth for floors, were speedily constructed.
The clearing of land was immediately commenced, and as much as could be
prepared was sown to fall grain, the seed for which was brought upon horses
for many miles, as also provisions for sustenance until crops could be raised.
As early as April 9, 1761, there appears, in a tavern bill of Samuel Robinson,
Town of Bennington.
245
esq., at a tavern in Charlemont, Mass., which is about half-way on the
route from Hardwick, a charge for wheat, from which it seems not improbable
he was 011 his way to this place in advance of his associates, to make arrange¬
ments, so far as he might, for their comfort atid convenience. During the fall
and winter preparations were going on for more extensive planting and sow¬
ing the coming spring, and their efforts seemed providentially aided, as the
season was unusually mild, and winter's cold held off to an uncommonly late
period.
Those who had purchased the rights of the original grantees were termed
proprietors, and they held meetings before the township was organized, and for
years afterwards they located and built roads, taxing themselves heavily for
this purpose. Some of the proprietors who were not suited with their original
selection settled boundary lines between one proprietor and another, as well
as lines outside of the whole and bounding the town grant. Some who found
their land situated on the east side of the township desired to be located 011 the
west side, and such changes were made at the proprietors' meetings. Sam¬
uel Robinson, esq. was moderator of the first proprietors' meeting of which
there is a record, and John Fassett was clerk of the propriety which was held
011 February 11, 1762. At this meeting the minutes read : " Chose Deacon Jo¬
seph Safiford, esq., Samuel Robinson, John Fassett, Ebenezer Wood, Elisha
Field, John Burnham, and Abraham Newton a committee to look out a place
to set the meeting-house," and at an adjourned meeting, the 26th of the same
month, the location of the meeting house was agreed upon and determined by
the following vote, viz.: "The northeast corner of the right of land, number
27, as near the corner as may be thought convenient." The proprietors at this
meeting also " voted to give Esquire Samuel Robinson and Deacon Joseph
Safiford five acres of land, with the privilege within the said five acres to build a
corn-mill on, and forty dollars in case it be built by the first clay of August
next," and further "voted to give forty dollars to any on the east side of the
town that should build a saw-mill by the first day of September next." Thus
we see inducements were being offered early, and preparations made for the
grinding of grain they hoped to raise from a more extensive sowing and planting
during the coming season, and to secure the means of working up their logs
into lumber, so much needed for their comfort and convenience in the con¬
struction of habitable tenements. The same records inform us that these two
enterprising men had completed the saw-mill by the 16th of June following,
and 011 that day the proprietors voted forty dollars to Esquire Samuel Robin¬
son and Deacon Joseph Safiford "to build a grist-mill where they have built a
saw-mill and they are to have it done by the first of September next," thus ex¬
tending the time for building the grist mill one month from that limited in the
first vote. The grist-mill was completed in the required time, and was located
where the south knitting-mill of the Cooper Mfg. Co. now stands, the saw-mill
246
History of Bennington County.
having been built on the west side of the stream. This grist-mill had the ex¬
traordinary privilege of taking as toll three quarts to the bushel, being one
pint more than was allowed to other mills. . Though built by the two men
named, they became known as the Samuel Safiford Mills by the settlers, in
referring to them as the eastern terminus of the road from Bennington Center,
and for a century was thus termed, and until the mills were abandoned for
such purposes. This portion of the town remained, with few additions, for
years, the several incoming families selecting homesteads somewhat remote
from each other, while other parts were being settled and comparatively
much greater improvements were being made. A vote was also taken at
the same time, to give the like sum of forty dollars to anyone who would
build a saw-mill on the west side of the town by the first day of next Sep¬
tember. It is understood that James Breckenridge and Thomas Henderson
erected a saw-mill, within the time named, on the stream west of the Island,
at the place now called Bennington Falls, formerly Paper Mill village, it being
a portion of the Walloomsac River which divides a little above for the west
part of the town. Interesting minutes, in a meager way, were kept of these
meetings, some of which have been preserved. A small collection of eight-inch
square leaves in the form of a home-made writing book, now nearly a century
and a half old, can be seen and read, as it is bound in the first part of the
first volume of the town records.
The first town meeting was held March 31, 1762, at the house of John
Fassett, at which the following officers were chosen, viz.: Samuel Montague,
moderator; Moses Robinson, town clerk; Samuel Montague, Samuel Scott,
James Breckenridge, Benajah Rood, and Joseph Wickwire, selectmen; Dea¬
con Joseph Safford, town treasurer ; Samuel Robinson, jr., and John Smith, jr.,
constables; Deacon Safford, and Elisha Field, tithingmen ; Peter Harwood,
and John Smith, jr., haywards; Samuel Atwood, and Samuel Pratt, fence
viewers; TimothyPratt, and Oliver Scott, deer-rifts. These officers were then
required to be appointed by the laws of New Hampshire. The duty of tith¬
ing men was to preserve good order in the church during divine service; of
haywards to impound cattle and swine found running at large contrary to
law; and of deer-rifts to look to the preservation of deer during the season in
which the killing of them was prohibited. Thus the settlement was organized
into a little republic, acknowledging fealty to New Hampshire, by which its ex¬
istence as a portion of the province had been recognized, not merely by grant¬
ing its land, but in officially permitting it to exercise political and municipal
rights, by the appointment of Captain Samuel Robinson as a justice of the peace,
his commission bearing date February 8, 1762. Among the acts of municipal
legislation executed at this first meeting of the town was that of offering a
bounty for the destruction of venomous serpents, recorded in the following
words, viz.: "Voted that any rattlesnake that is killed in Bennington shall be
Town of Bennington.
247
paid two coppers, the persons bringing in the tail. " From the language of
this vote it would seem that the rattlesnake was to have the coppers, though
it may, perhaps, be reasonably presumed that they were intended for the per¬
son who should kill it. This is rather a rare specimen of inaccuracy of language
in the town records, they having in general, from the beginning, been kept not
only in a fair hand, but in plain intelligible style, and without very frequent vio¬
lations of grammatical propriety.
The affairs of the town were now managed with much skill and wisdom,
and though both branches of its government, the one under the control of the
proprietors, and the other under the management of officers elected at town
meetings, were maintained in their different spheres, there was little or 110 con¬
flict of interest. The clearing of land, the preparing of the soil and raising of
crops, and the providing of better accommodations for shelter and living went
rapidly forward, and the succeeding years of 1762, '63 and '64 were those of
success and prosperity with the settlers.
As has been said " a place to set the meeting-house," had been already
selected in accordance with a vote at a proprietors' meeting, and at another,
May 9, 1863, it was " voted to raise six dollars on each right of land in Ben¬
nington for building a meeting-house and school-house." This would raise a
tax of three hundred and eighty-four dollars on the sixty four rights of land in
the township ; and the same year the town voted to raise twelve pounds to¬
wards supporting a school " to be kept in three parts of the town. It is not
known just when the first meeting house was built, but it was occupied during
or before the year 1766, and stood a little south of midway between the site of
the present one and the Walloomsac House in Bennington Center, the east
and west and north and south roads running each side of it. As late as Octo¬
ber 22, 1768, this minute is upon the town records: "This may notify all per¬
sons who have signed a subscription for building a meeting-house in this place
to meet at said meeting-house, to see if they will do anything further toward
the finishing of the said meeting-house. To see if they will lay out the pew
ground, and dispose of the same by public vendue." A subscription list, still
later, in 1774, for the further finishing of the meeting-house was circulated, with
the agreement that any extra amount necessary for the repairing should be
paid proportionally by the subscribers, and if more was raised than was re¬
quired it should be deducted from the subscription. The size was fifty by
forty feet, with no steeple, standing lengthwise north and south, with an addi¬
tion on the east side of a porch twenty feet square. On three sides were gal¬
leries, the pews being the old style square ones, and over the pulpit was sus¬
pended a sounding-board, then considered a necessary appendage in a meet¬
ing-house. This, the first church in the State, had been organized December
3, 1762, from members of churches who had previously to emigrating here
been connected with churches at their former homes. From the minutes of
248
History of Bennington County.
the record of organization is the following : "The Church of Christ from Hard-
wick, and the Church of Christ from Sunderland met together, and after prayer
agreed upon and voted : " That said church from Hardwick and said church
from Sunderland join together and become one body, or Church of Christ in
Bennington. At the same time others united with the church who had come
from other towns of Massachusetts and Connecticut. So far as the names
have been preserved there was a total of fifty-seven members at its organiza¬
tion, showing there had been a large immigration up to this time.
A call was given Rev. Jedediah Dewey of Westfield, Mass., " to the work
of the ministry among us," by the church and society, at a meeting May 24,
1763, and in the fall he removed here and became the pastor. In the mean¬
time the church in Westfield joined with the church at Bennington by action
of its delegates, on August 14, 1763, in council at Westfield, by solemn vote,
signifying their consent to become one church under the pastoral charge of
Rev. Jedediah Dewey. This action greatly strengthened the church, and in
successive entries at short intervals, the records show frequent and oftimes
large additions to it. Rev. Dewey was respected and beloved by the people of
the town, and is believed to have exerted a large influence in their secular as
well as spiritual affairs.
As early as in October, 1764, a military company was formed in town,
of which an authentic roll was found among the papers of the late Captain
Elijah Dewey, as follows, viz. : "Muster roll of the first company of militia in
the town of Bennington, organized October 24, 1764. Officers.—John Fas-
sett, captain; James Breckenridge, lieutenant; Elisha Field, ensign. War¬
rant officers.— Leonard Robinson, first sergeant; Samuel Safford, second ser¬
geant ; Ebenezer Wood, third sergeant; Henry Wallbridge, fourth sergeant.
Rank and file.—Benjamin Whipple, first corporal; John Wood, second cor¬
poral; Samuel Pratt, third corporal; Peter Harwod, fourth corporal. Music.—
Benjamin Story, drummer. Military company, 1764.—Timothy Abbott, John
Armstrong, Libbeus Armstrong, Samuel Atwood, John Burnham, W. N.
Burnham, John Burnham, jr., David Barnard, Levi Castle, Nathan Clark, Na¬
than Clark, jr., Asa Clark, Nathan Clark, third, Isaac Clark, Cornelius Cady
Johnson Cleveland, Robert Cochran, Samuel Cutler, Isaac Davis, Elijah Dewey,
Enoch Eastman, David Fassett, John Fassett, second, Jonathan Fassett, Josiah
Fuller, Thomas Henderson, Zachariah Harwood, Abraham Newton, George
Pengry, Timothy Pratt, Silas Robinson, Moses Robinson, Joseph Richardson,
Daniel Rood, Benajah Rood, David Safford, Joseph Safford, Johathan Scott,
Matthew Scott, Moses Scott, Oliver Scott, Phineas Scott, Samuel Scott, John
Smith, Daniel Scott, John Smith, jr., Joseph Smith, Thomas Smith, Elijah
Story, Thomas Story, Samuel Stubbs, Joseph Wickwire, Samuel Wright.
"(Signed) samuel robinson, Clerk."
The above list is supposed to embrace all the able-bodied men then in town
between the ages of eighteen and sixty.
Town of Bennington.
249
In the fourth volume of the " Documentary History of New York," at page
588, is a list of the persons settled in Bennington prior to June I, 1765, pre¬
pared by recollection by Samuel Robinson, esq., in New York City, in De¬
cember of that year, and furnished the governor of that province, Mr. Robin¬
son being in New York as the agent of the settlers. This list contains the fol¬
lowing names not found on the foregoing military roll, viz.: George Abbott,
I lezekiah Armstrong, Elkanah Ashley, Benjamin Atwell, Benjamin Brown-
son, Eliphalet Collins, Rev. Jedediah Dewey, Jonathan Eastman, Barnabas
I Iarman, Simeon Harman, Eleazer Harwood, Jacob Hyde, John Holmes, John
Holmes, jr.,Samuel Montague, Jedediah Merrill, John Pratt, Silas Pratt, Samuel
Robinson, esq., Ebenezer Robinson, Joseph Rudd, Stephen Story, Gideon
Spencer, Samuel Sweet, Benjamin Warner, Daniel Warner, Seth Warner, Ben¬
jamin Whipple. Of these Samuel Robinson, esq., Samuel Montague, and per¬
haps two or three others, were among the earliest settlers, but who from age
or for other reasons had not been enrolled in the military company. The resi¬
due were doubtless new comers.
On a petition of the settlers to the king, dated November, 1766, are found
the following names not on either of the previous lists, viz.: "Joseph Barber,
Robert Cochran, jr., Jonathan Carpenter, Nathaniel Dickenson, M.D., Stephen
Fay, Nathaniel Holmes, Nathaniel Holmes, jr., Samuel Hunt, Elnathan Hub-
bell, Israel Hurd, Weight Hopkins, Stephen Hopkins, Daniel Mills, Joseph
Robinson, Nathaniel Spencer, Henry Wallbridge, jr, Joseph Willoughby."
On a petition to the governor of New Hampshire, dated October, 1769, the
following new names are found among the Bennington petitioners, viz.: " Eb¬
enezer Allen, Cornelius Cady, jr., Reuben Colvin, Brotherton Daggett, Elijah
Fay, Benjamin Fay, Joseph Fay, Nathaniel Fillmore, Jesse Graves, Simeon
Harman, jr., Jacob Hyde, jr., Daniel Harman, Simeon Hathaway, Thomas
Jewett, Ebenezer Lyman, Josiah Noble, Seth Porter, Joshua Reynolds, Jona¬
than Scott, jr., John Stewart, Azel Warren, Reuben Warner, Isaac Warren,
Elijah Wood."
There were other inhabitants of the town whose names are not found on
either of the foregoing petitions. The following are 011 the town records, viz.:
"In 1768 Jonas Fay, Robert Cochran, second; in 1769 Samuel Herrick; in
1770 Ebenezer Walbridge; in 1771 Charles Cashman ; in 1772 Elnathan Hub-
bell, jrf David Haynes, Moses Hurd, Roswell Mosely, and in 1774 Jesse Tin-
ney, Zepheniah Branch, Benjamin Webb and Eleazer Hawks."
Many others were here prior to the commencement of the Revolution in
'775- among whom were the following: "Thomas Abel, Nathaniel Brush,
Samuel Blackmer, Jeremiah and Calvin Bingham, John Brackett, Eleazer Ed-
gerton, William Henry, Joseph Hinsdill, John Kinsley, and John Weeks.
Besides these several of the sons of the early immigrants to the town had
grown from childhood to manhood, and become active members of society,
32
250
History of Bennington County.
viz.: The Robinsons, Staffords, Dcweys, Harwoods, Hubbells, Harmans, Wal-
bridges, and many others."
It will be necessary in order to understand the bearing of much that will
follow in the part taken by the settlers in the difficulties with reference to their
land titles, to give the situation somewhat at length. "The lands of the settlers
had been granted by charters issued in the name of the king of Great Britain,
purporting to be by his authority, and evidenced by the signature and seal of the
governor of New Hampshire, one of his majesty's royal provinces, and the farms
which they occupied had been fairly purchased and paid for. It was the doc¬
trine of that day that the ungranted lands of the country belonged to the Crown,
and as the lands in question were universally believed to be within the province
of New Hampshire, it had not occurred to the purchasers that any question
could arise in regard to their titles. Such question was, however, made, and the
controversy which it produced was of a novel and interesting character.
The first public intimation given to the settlers that their claim under New
Hampshire might be called into question was from a proclamation issued by
Mr. Colden, lieutenant-governor of New York, on the 28th of December, 1763,
in which he claimed jurisdiction, by virtue of an old grant to the Duke of York,
of the territory to the north of Massachusetts, as far east as Connecticutt River,
and "commanding the sheriff of the county of Albany to return to him the
names of all persons who had taken possession of lands under New Hampshire
Grants."
To quiet the settlers and give encouragement to other emigrants, Benning
Wentworth, governor of New Hampshire, issued a proclamation setting forth
the right of New Hampshire to the lands, and recommending "to the several
grantees and claimants under that government to be industrious in clearing and
cultivating their lands agreeable to their respective grants," and commanding
"all civil officers under that government to be diligent in exercising jurisdic¬
tion in their respective offices as far westward as grants of land had been made
by the government of that province, and to deal with any person or persons
that might presume to interrupt the inhabitants or settlers on said lands, as to
law and justice appertained." This counter proclamation had its intended effect,
and the settlements on the grants progressed with new vigor, that of Benning¬
ton not behind the others.
But the government of New York not choosing to rely upon the doubtful
title which it had set up to those lands under the grant to the Duke of York,
made application to the Crown for a confirmation of their claim. This appli¬
cation was said to have been supported by a petition purporting to be signed
by a large number of the settlers on the New Hampshire Grants, (at this time
there had been settlements in Arlington, Manchester, Pownal, and other towns
in the vicinity, as also on the east side of the mountains) representing that it
would be for their advantage to be annexed to the colony of New York; and
Town of Bennington.
on the 20th of July, 1764, an order was obtained from the king in council, by
which the " western bank of the River Connecticut from where it enters the
province of the Massachusetts Bay," was declared "to be the boundary line be¬
tween the two provinces of New Hampshire and New York."
The people on the "New Hampshire Grants (by which name the territory
now Vermont began to be called), regarded this order in council as merely ex¬
tending the jurisdiction of New York in future over their territory, and had no
apprehension that it could in any way affect the title to their lands. But the
governor of New York gave another construction to the order, contending that
it had a retroactive operation, and decided not only what should thereafter
be, but what had always been the eastern boundary of New York, and that con¬
sequently all the grants made by the governor of New Hampshire were void.
The governor of New Hampshire at first remonstrated against the change of
jurisdiction, but finally acquiesced in it, and left the settlers to make such terms
as they might with the new government under which they had been thus invol¬
untarily placed."
The settlers were not disposed to have any serious difficulty with regard to
the jurisdiction of New York over what was now termed the "Hampshire
Grants," which had been fixed by order of the Crown, though they would much
prefer the institutions of New Hampshire, with which they were acquainted, to
those of New York. They had hitherto been allowed to meet annually and
elect their own local officers, and make their own municipal regulations. Most
of these matters in New York were under the control of provincial legislation,
superintendence of the governor and council, and officers appointed by them.
The division of the old province of New York into large tracts called man¬
ors, patents, etc., owned by landlords or patrons, with all cultivating the soil as
their tenants, subject to the payment of quit rents, alienation fees, etc., did not
at nil accord with their ideas of independence and personal equality. These
grants contained a large quantity of fertile lands, much of which had been
highly improved, and the desire of the governor of New York to derive a pe¬
cuniary profit from them, was a temptation he could not resist.
1 he order was made on the settlers by proclamation to give up their char¬
ters and repurchase their farms and lands from the province. A few of the
towns near Connecticut River complied, but most of them, including Benning¬
ton and the other towns in the county of Bennington, refused. The governor
now made new grants of the towns to his friends, among whom were members
of his council, judges of the court, nnny of the members of the bar and of the
Colonial Assembly. The relation this favored class of grantees held to the
government gives a well founded reason why the claim of New York to the
lands was afterward prosecuted with so much zeal. Measures were now taken
to have the lands surveyed, with a view of disposing of them as the property of
the new grantees. Such proceedings were very distasteful to the settlers, and
252
History of Bennington County.
the surveyors were in different ways hindered in their business and compelled
to leave the grants. It is said that one of the surveyors when attempting to
run a line across the farm of Samuel Robinson was attacked by him with a hoe
and driven off. For this Robinson was apprehended and after being confined
two months in Albany jail, was released on payment of a fine. The efforts
of the sheriff of Albany county, whose jurisdiction extended to the Connecticut
river, as it was claimed, in his attempts to arrest those who were indicted, were
generally unsuccessful, and the settlers, who had full confidence in the justice
of their cause, were led to remonstrate with the Crown, as they were continu¬
ally being annoyed by the New York authorities.
Samuel Robinson was appointed at a convention of several towns with Ben¬
nington, the agent to present the remonstrance to the king. He reached Eng¬
land in the winter of 1766-7, and on presenting his case to the Crown the fa¬
vorable light in which it was received augured a fair prospect of success. On
the 20th of July, 1767, he obtained an order of the king, forbidding the gover¬
nor of New York, "upon pain of his majesty's highest displeasure, to presume
to make any grant whatever of any part of the lands in controversy until his
majesty's further pleasure should be known concerning the same." The sick¬
ness of Mr. Robinson and his death from smallpox in October of the same year
ended for the time being further negotiations on this matter.
At this time and previously the warnings of town meetings in Bennington,
as recorded on the town records, were signed by the selectmen, and directed to
the constable, who gave notice to the people, and were all headed " Province
of New Hampshire, ss.," etc., showing that the inhabitants still claimed to be
under that province. From 1770 until the establishment of the constitution of
Vermont in 1778, the warnings were simply dated at Bennington, indicating
that they held themselves independent of all authority but their own.
Among those who had come into the town before this was Seth Warner, a
young man of good judgment and character, who was to develop and become
an advisor and champion of the settlers, holding their confidence through their
long grievances, and eventually to be the acknowledged and honored leader in
the military affairs of the State. He entered actively into the struggles of the
settlers, and with such a balanced mind and clear head, never rash but always
ready, that he made himself seemingly indispensable in the long continued
contest.
Enough has been told to give even the stranger an insight into the merits
of this great controversy, and to enlist the strongest sympathies with those who
were defending their families, their homes, and their firesides against the un¬
scrupulous efforts of the New York colonial officeholders. With their con¬
tinued exertions in protecting their property the settlers made great progress
in clearing the land and cultivating their fields, and in education and religious
advancement.
Town of Bennington.
253
Petitions bad been from time to time sent to the governor of New Hamp¬
shire, asking for his interposition in their behalf, and stating that writs of eject¬
ment had been issued to obtain possession of their farms, and that the grantees
under New York were running out their lands by order of that government.
In the fall of 1769, when a number of the people were assisting James
Breckcnridge, near what is noAV called "Irish Corners," in harvesting his corn,
a party of surveyors came upon the farm and appeared to be running a line
across it. Mr. Breckenridge with Samuel Robinson entered into conversation
with them, who stated they were acting under the authority of New York to
divide among the proprietors the patent of " Wallumshaik." 'They forbid
further surveying, stating that they protested against it to preserve their legal
rights. Force was not used, but doubtless would have been, had not the
party retired. One of the proprietors of the patent petitioned the governor
and council of New York, saying that the officers for dividing the patent had
been "riotously opposed by sundry persons, and prevented by their threats
from executing the trusts reposed in them." Upon this a proclamation was
issued by the governor " for apprehending and securing the principals and
ringleaders;" and at the next January term of the Albany courts, among
those indicted as rioters were the Rev. Jedediah Dewey, Joseph Robinson,
Elijah Fay, Thomas Henderson, Ebenezer Robinson and John Stewart, none
of whom, however, were arrested or brought to trial.
In October, 1770, a proclamation was issued "for apprehending Simeon
Hathaway, Moses Scott, Jonathan Fislc and Silas Robinson, as authors and
actors in the late riot, and to insist that the governor had orders from the
king to protect the New York claimants with his whole power and authority."
One of these, Silas Robinson, who lived about two miles north of Bennington
Center, was arrested 011 the 29th of November, by a party headed by the
sheriff of Albany county and one John Munro, a friend of the "Yorkers"
then residing in Shaftsbury Hollow near White Creek. The party came upon
him unexpectedly when alone, and returning with great rapidity, before any
notice to his neighbors could be given, they succeeded in taking him to Al¬
bany where he was confined about a year, when lie was released upon bail.
A crisis seemed now to be approaching. The result of the actions of
ejectment which had been brought and were expected soon to come to trial
in Albany, was not anticipated with pleasure, though they were determined
to appear and make the best defense they should be able to. Ethan Allen
appeared about this time, coming to this town from Salisbury, Conn. He was
about thirty-two years of age, an athletic man, of strong intellect, and, though
1 Upon this " patent, " much the greater portion of which was within the acknowledged
bounds ol New York, and had been granted long before that of the township of Bennington,
was located the farm of Mr. Breckenridge. The provisions of the grant had not been fulfilled,
and for other reasons it did not carry with it a valid title to the land.
254
History of Bennington County.
without much early education, of considerable general information. He was
bold, with great confidence in his own abilities, and possessing a better ac¬
quaintance in New England and New York than most of the people his aid
was welcomed, and he was employed as an agent in defending the suits against
the settlers. These suits were against persons in other towns of the grants, be¬
sides those residing in Bennington. He made preparations, going to New
Hampshire for copies of papers, employed an eminent counselor from Con¬
necticut, Mr. Ingersol, and in June, 1770, appeared before the court at Albany
with the defendants. The documents presented by the settlers to substantiate
their titles, including the charter and deeds from the original proprietors, were
rejected by the court as of no validity, as they presupposed that the boundary
of New Hampshire might extend westward of the Connecticut River, which
would not be allowed by a New York court or jury. As all the suits of ejectment
were based upon the same construction of the grants, these decisions which
were adverse to the defendants, were taken as a precedent for the balance, the
settlers abandoning further defense, though other cases were called and de¬
cided against without opposition.
After Allen left the court it is said some of the officials interested in the
New York grants, one of whom was the king's attorney-general for the
colony, made it convenient to see him, and while endeavoring to convince him
that his cause was desperate and could not be maintained, reminded him of
the proverb, that "might often prevails against right." To this, Allen in one
of his characteristic speeches, replied, " the gods of the valleys are not the
gods of the hills " Carrying the interview still further, Kempe, the king's at¬
torney, in asking an explanation of his language, was told that the meaning
would be made plain if he would accompany him to Bennington.
On the return of Allen and his friends, after the unfavorable results in the
Albany courts, the finding was spread through the grants, creating great un¬
easiness, but the inhabitants of Bennington immediately assembled and form¬
ally determined to defend their rights, if necessary by force, and together
resist all encroachments upon the lands held under titles from the governor of
New Hampshire. This was a bold step, and was entered upon with a settled
purpose, and in this determination they were seconded by the settlers of other
towns of the grants. Suits which were now brought were not defended in the
Albany courts, but when the sheriff and magistrates came to execute writs of
possession and remove the occupants from their lands they exhibited that
tact and courage which proved more forcible and effective in establishing their
rights than any arguments, however well put, they could present in Albany.
A town-meeting was called in Bennington, to consider the grave situation
and see what should be done. It was determined that until a final decision
of the controversy by the king the lands of the defendants should not be
surrendered; that the execution of writs of possession should, if necessary, be
Town of Bennington.
255
resisted with force; and that the farms of James Breckenridge, in the west
part of the town, and Josiah Fuller, in the southeast, against whom judgments
had been obtained, should be taken under the special protection of the town,
a committee being appointed to see that they were effectually defended.
The importance of still another attempt to get possession of and divide
the lands of James Breckenridge, made 011 the 19th of July, 1771, which
proved unsuccessful, is the excuse for giving a somewhat lengthy account of
it. Whenever the sheriff went to execute his writs, Munro says, he was "op¬
posed by a number of armed men who had shut themselves up in the defend¬
ants' houses, and threatened to blow his brains out if he proceeded." Accord¬
ingly it was resoived that the posse comitatus, the militia of the county, should
be called to the aid of the attending officer. "Sheriff Ten Eyck, left Albany
the 18th, in command of about three hundred variously armed men of dif¬
ferent callings, among whom was the mayor, several alderman, and four
eminent counselors-at-law. They remained over night at Sancoick, a little
west of North Hoosick, having had some additions on the way, and took up
their line of march the next morning for the residence of Mr. Breckenridge,
some six or seven miles away." The settlers had been informed of the com¬
ing of the sheriff and his posse, and were prepared to receive them. The farm¬
house was situated about a mile from the New York line, at the foot of a
slight ridge of land running east and west, then covered with woods; along
the southerly side of which ridge ran the road, by which the posse would
naturally come. In the woods, so far behind the ridge as to allow their heads
and the points of their muskets to be obscurely seen among the trees from the
road, were posted nearly one hundred well armed men. Across a cleared
field to the southeast of the house, in sight and within gunshot of it was an¬
other somewhat smaller body of armed men. The house itself had been pre¬
pared against an assault by strong barricades for the door and loopholes in
the walls from which to fire upon the assailants, and within it were eighteen
resolute men, well supplied with the proper means of defense, and provided
with a red flag, to be hoisted from the chimney to notify their friends without
whenever their assistance should be needed. The family of Mr. Breckenridge
had taken up their temporary abode at a neighbor's, and in this condition the
settlers calmly waited the approach of their adversaries.
When the advance of the sheriff's party reached the bridge across the
Walloomsack half a mile to the northwest of Breckenridge's, they found it
guarded by " six or seven men in arms who said they had orders to stop
them. However, after some conversation, it was agreed that a few of the
party might pass for the purpose of seeing Mr. Breckenridge, upon condition
that no man should cross until their return. These, headed by Mayor Cuyler,
were then conducted near Mr. Breckenridge's house, where they found some
twenty or thirty others. On being inquired of why so many men were
256
History of Bennington County.
assembled with the apparent design of opposing the sheriff, Mr. Breckenridge
gave them for answer that he had no further concern with the farm, "and
that the township had resolved to take the same under their protection and
that they intended to keep it." This, the mayor told him, was a mere evasion,
which would not excuse him from the consequences that might ensue, " but
that whatever blood should be spilled in opposing the king's writ would be
required from his hands." After more discourse it was agreed that Mr.
Breckenridge should have some further communication with his friends, that
the mayor and his party should return to the bridge, where they should be in¬
formed in half an hour of the result of his conference.
At the end of half an hour the sheriff, who had now reached the bridge
with his whole party, was notified by a message from the settlers that the
possession would not be given up, " but would be kept at all events." Where¬
upon the sheriff gave orders for the posse to march forward to the house. But
only a small portion of them could be persuaded to move, and most of those
with much apparent reluctance. The men comprising the sheriff's party had
by this time obtained an inkling of the kind of reception they were likely to
meet, and were unwilling to expose their lives in a cause in which they had no
interest, and of the justice of which they were not well assured. In fact a
majority of them disapproved of the conduct of the speculators and sympa¬
thized with the settlers in their defense of their possessions.
The sheriff and those who accompanied him on approaching the house
held a parley with the leaders of the settlers in which Counselor Robert Yates
endeavored to persuade them to desist from any opposition to the execution
of the writ. He told them in substance that the jurisdiction of the govern¬
ment of New York over them was undoubted, and that although the king
had power "to allow, establish or change the jurisdiction as often as he pleased,
yet that when once his majesty had divested himself of the right of soil, any
dispute that should arise between subject and subject about the right could
only be determined by the courts of justice when such controversies arose."
Mr. Yates says: "They readily acknowledged that they were under the pres¬
ent jurisdiction of New York, and that they were the king's loyal subjects, but
insisted that they had been very ill used in the trials for their lands, by reason
that the proofs they offered were rejected by the court," and declared that
" they had lately received from their agent in England the strongest assurance
that their differences would soon be determined in their favor, and that he
had advised them in the meanwhile to hold their possessions until such deci¬
sion, which they were resolved to do." It appearing evident that the New
York arguments, however plausible, were not to be accepted by the Benning¬
ton tribunal, the sheriff seized an ax and going towards the door of the house
threatened to break it open. Immediately the party in the field percieving his
movement, presented their pieces towards him, upon which he came at once
Town of Bennington.
257
to the conclusion that in his position " discretion was the better part of valor,"
and retired.
On returning to the bridge the sheriff, doubtless to save himself from blame,
made a formal demand of the posse to accompany him five miles further into
the township of Bennington, to aid him in taking possession of the farm of Mr.
Josiah Fuller, but as no one seemed inclined to venture farther in that direc¬
tion it was concluded to omit that part of the programme of the expedition
from Albany. " The power of the county " was allowed to evaporate, and the
men composing it dispersed with all commendable speed to their several homes,
thus leaving the settlers in the quiet occupation of their property, and illus¬
trating the truth of the quaint apothegm of Allen, after the trials at Albany,
" that the gods of the valleys were not the gods of the hills."
It is scarcely possible to overestimate the importance in the New York con¬
troversy of this discomfiture of the sheriff and his posse. It not only gave con¬
fidence to the New Hampshire claimants in their ability to defend their pos¬
sessions, but seemed to convince their opponents that the feelings of the body
of their own people were in unison with those of the settlers, and that any at¬
tempt to gain possession of the disputed lands by calling into public action the
civil power of the province would necessarily prove unavailing. This defeat
of the New York claimants was the entering wedge that eventually severed the
New Hampshire Grants from a province to which they had been, without their
knowledge, annexed to the arbitrary will of the Crown. Here, in fact, on the
farm of James Breckenridge, was born the future State of Vermont, which,
struggling through the perils of infancy, had, by the commencement of the gen¬
eral revolution, acquired the activity and strength of adventurous youth ; had
by its close reached the full stature of manhood, and which not long afterwards
became the acknowledged equal of its associate American republics."
From the Connecticut Courant, published in April, 1772, in referring to the
above, we quote : " Providence has hitherto mightily protected Bennington and
the northern settlements from the policy and ravages of New York, when the
invisible posse made their appearance at that town last summer. God over¬
ruled it for good; for the sheriff's party, when they saw the industry of the
people, and were informed how they firstly purchased the lands and paid their
money for the same to one of his majesty's governors, the generality of the
sheriff s party declared that they would rather be accessory to oppose the
sheriff than to disposses the people."
Among the first military companies raised in the grants to oppose the New
York government was one in Bennington, and they soon assumed the name of
Green Mountain Boys," in derision of a threat of the governor of New York
that he would drive them into the Green Mountains." At the head of this
company was placed Seth Warner as captain, and it is stated with authority
that on the first day of January, 1772, a number of men were under arms at
33
Hisiory of Bennington County.
the house of Seth Warner of Bennington, when the men honored the said War¬
ner as their captain, Tubbs as their lieutenant, and Nathaniel Holmes as en¬
sign, by firing about his house, etc." Another account by John Munro, in a
letter to the New York governor, Tryon, states that " the rioters had estab¬
lished a company at Bennington, commanded by Captain Warner, and that on
New Year's day his company was reviewed and continued all day in military
exercise and firing at marks." The companies raised in the towns were formed
into a military association of which Ethan Allen was made colonel, and he and
Warner did efficient service for years in the different parts of the grants with
squads of picked men from the ranks in protecting the settlers, and warning
those who would get a foothold to abstain from disloyal acts, and with threats
or with force drive the most offensive meddlers in the interest of the Yorkers
beyond the disputed territory. These squads or bodies of men were variously
called by their opponents, " rioters," "the mob," "the Bennington mob," etc.
With such men as Seth Warner and Ethan Allen at the head of the mili¬
tary organizations, and their co operation and advice in the deliberations
which were going on at the "Catamount Tavern," with the Robinsons, the Wal-
bridges, the Saffords, the Jays, the Scotts, the Deweys, the Fassets, and many
others, the interests of the settlers were in no danger of being neglected, as
there was resolution and courage behind to carry out any measures which, with
the caution and foresight evinced by Warner and others, should be adopted.
The Committee of Safety held meetings in this tavern, which was situated in
front of the dwelling of J. V. Merrill in Bennington Center; the block of gran¬
ite in the road, standing in line of the old front door, a little south of which, and
near the walk, "stood the sign-post, twenty-five feet high, surmounted with the
sign, upon which was a catamount's skin stuffed, and grinning towards New
York." Here Dr. Samuel Adams, of Arlington, for offensive language and
deserting the cause of the settlers was sentenced "to be tied in an arm-chair,
and hoisted up to the sign, and there to hang two hours as a punishment
merited by his enmity to the rights and liberty of the inhabitants of the New
Hampshire Grants." The sentence was duly executed amid the merriment
and applause of a large concourse of people, and the doctor dismissed with the
admonition "to sin no more." The disgrace attending such an exposure "had
a salutary effect on the subject and upon many others."
Stephen Fay, or "Landlord Fay," as he was familiarly called, it is supposed
built this tavern before the year 1770, as his name appears upon the town rec¬
ords as a citizen as early as August 20, 1766, he being "added to the commit¬
tee to take care of the prudentials," etc. The headquarters of the opponents
of New York continued for a long period to be in Bennington, and this Green
Mountain tavern, kept by Mr. Fay, was the place where the leaders met and
their plans were devised and matured. Upon the marble mantle over the fire¬
place in one of the rooms was cut the words "Counsel Room, designating it as
Town of Bennington.
259
the room where matters of importance to the settlers and the future State were
discussed and acted upon. Since the burning of the building this mantel has
fallen into the possession of George W. Robinson, and is a rich Revolutionary
relic.
The New York claimants henceforth proved to be no match for the settlers
under New Hampshire, who flocked into the territory and occupied the lands
and while the leaders which the town furnished, often accompanied by some of
its best men, were operating in the more northern localities even to its northern
limit, expelling the invaders, the inhabitants here besides being ever watchful
of, and frequently called upon to defend their rights, were clearing and cultivat¬
ing their farms, building roads and bridges, and attending to their educational
and religious interests. The population of the town continued to increase,
and at the commencement of the Revolutionary War the leaders here were pre¬
pared in their minds and with men to resist the arbitrary measures of the Brit¬
ish Crown and parliament. They kept themselves informed of the operations
going 011 upon the lakes and the northern frontier, and held themselves in read¬
iness to co-operate with others, if need be, in the capture of Fort Ticonderoga,
an important post, when the momentous time should present.
By previous arrangement they were speedily organized, when an agent from
" Samnel Adams and Joseph Warner, of the Boston committee," arrived in
Bennington to muster a force for the enterprise. They were soon on their way,
accompanied by fifty men who had joined from Connecticut and Massachusets.
Colonel Allen as commander, and Captains Warner and Herrick were from
Bennington, and on the morning of May 10, 1775, Delaplace, the commander,
gave up the garrison, it being demanded by Allen " in the name of the Great
Jehovah and the Continental Congress." Captain Warner who had been sent
with a company to capture Crown Point was also successful, and there fell into
his hands a large number of cannon and smaller arms. On the 23d of June of
the same year Colonel Ethan Allen and Captain Seth Warner, having been ap¬
pointed for the purpose at a meeting of officers at Crown Point, were intro¬
duced to the Continental Congress, sitting in Philadelphia, where they stated
their views of the military situation, and with reference to the raising of men for
the army; whereupon it was "Resolved, That it be recommended to the con¬
vention of New York that they, consulting with General Schuyler, employ in
the army to be raised for the defense of America, those called Green Mountain
Boys, under such officers as the said Green Mountain Boys shall choose." They
laid the matter before the "convention of New York," which after deliberation,
somewhat disturbed by their acquaintance with these men as members of the
Bennington mob," etc., ordered a body of troops not exceeding five hundred
men, officers included, be forthwith raised; that they elect all their own officers
except field officers; that General Schuyler be requested to advise what per¬
sons it will be most proper to be appointed as field officers, and that their corps
History of Bennington County.
of officers consist of one lieutenant-colonel, one major, seven captains and four¬
teen lieutenants." Though men with such spirit and daring as was possessed
by Ethan Allen were needed in those days, and we are unable to see how his
bold, independent, and sometimes adventurous conduct could be dispensed
with, and are led to feel it could not be; still the calm judgment of the " com¬
mittees of the several townships assembled at Dorset," who of all others knew
best the relative fitness of these grand men for the position, resulted in the
choice of Scth Warner for lieutenant colonel by a vote of forty-one to five.
Samuel Safford was selected as major, and these nominations were confirmed
by the New York Congress. Among others from this town in different capaci¬
ties were Wait Hopkins, as captain, and John Fassett, jr., lieutenant.
The policy of invading Canada had been urged by Allen, and now, being
left out as an officer in the regiment, he offered his services to General Schuy¬
ler as a volunteer, to be employed in a way, as he says, "that he should be
considered as an officer the same as though he had a commission, and should
as occasion might require, command certain detachments of the army." He
was sent by General Schuyler into Canada to promote the friendship of the in¬
habitants, and impress upon them "that the design of the army was against the
English garrisons, and not the country, their liberties, or religion." Being suc¬
cessful in his undertaking, he was afterwards employed by General Montgom¬
ery to make another tour for the same object. While on his way to St. Johns
with a volunteer force of about eighty men on the morning of the 25th of Sep¬
tember, he arranged with Major John Brown, who headed a party of about two
hundred Americans and Canadians, to make an attack upon Montreal, which
he thought might be easily taken by surprise. Brown with his men was to cross
the St. Lawrence above the city, and Allen, having added about thirty to his
force, was to cross early the next morning, then from a signal to be given by
Brown, they were to make the attack. Had Brown succeeded in carrying out
his part of the plans agreed upon, the result might have been different, but as it
was, a force of " forty regular troops, several hundred English settlers and Ca¬
nadians, and some Indians, then in Montreal, came out against Allen," and he
was taken prisoner with thirty-eight of his men, after a brave fight which lasted
about two hours, several being killed and wounded on both sides, and until
most of the Canadians had deserted him. He with the other prisoners were
placed in irons and sent on board a man-of-war to England. "This attempt of
Allen was censured by both Montgomery and Schuyler as rash and impru¬
dent, and complained of it as having an unfavorable effect upon the cause of
the colonies among the Canadians and Indians."
We next hear of Colonel Seth Warner, at Longuiel on the St. Lawrence,
effectually resisting General Carlton's landing with about a thousand troops
with which he had embarked with the hope of raising the seige of St. Johns,
in conjunction with Colonel McLean. At the head of "about three hundred
Town of Bennington.
261
Green Mountain Boys and some New York troops he opened upon them sucli
an incessant fire of musketry and grape shot from one cannon under his com¬
mand, they were thrown into great confusion and soon retreated and gave up
the attempt," This discomfiture and repulse of General Carlton, and by it Mc¬
Lean being obliged to retire to Quebec, Colonel Warner proceeded to erect
a battery at the mouth of the Sorel, to command the St Lawrence, and thus
block up Carlton at Montreal, but he very soon abandoned the city, going
down the river to Quebec, and General Montgomery took possession of it 011
the 13th of November. Warner's men having served as volunteers, and being
too poorly clothed to endure a winter campaign in so cold a climate, were
honorably discharged 011 the 20th of November, 1775, and returned to their
homes.
A good thermometer of the fortunes of the colonies as against the British
forces at this time and during the war is the correspondence of the command¬
ers of their armies with Seth Warner, with reference to his raising men and
bringing them with promptness at various times to different points for service
anywhere on the line of military operations from Albany to Quebec. "On
the 5th of July, the day after the ' Declaration of Independence,' on the report
of the board of war, Congress resolved to organize, under its own authority, a
regiment of regular troops for permanent service, of which regiment Seth
Warner was appointed colonel, and Samuel SafTord lieutenant-colonel." The
career of Colonel Seth Warner has been thus dwelt upon to give in some
measure an idea of the vast importance his services were to the town, the
grants, and the colonies. It has been well said, " he possessed a vigorous in¬
tellect, and was gifted with an uncommon share of self possession, qualities
which enabled him to gain and retain the confidence of all persons within the
pale of his influence. He never wrote anything for the public eye. He was
modest and unassuming. He was always cool and deliberate, and in his sound
judgment as well as in his energy, resolution and firmness all classes had the
most unlimited confidence."
While the events which have been recorded were being enacted, others
had been transpiring in which many of the inhabitants of the town of Benning¬
ton had taken an active and important part, either as leaders, advisers or
agents, or in the more humble though not the less momentous duties pertain¬
ing to the common citizen, of the soldier, bearing the heat and burden of the
day; all answering to their country's call, either in the field, the council room
or the assemblies of the people. James Breckenridge had, in 1772, been ap¬
pointed with Jehial Ilawley of Arlington to go to London to induce the king
to confirm the New Hampshire charters. On the 1 ith of August, 1773, Allen
and Warner with Remember Baker of Arlington, having over one hundred
armed men with them, came upon the farm of one Colonel Reid, a Yorker, in
the vicinity of Middlebury, and ordered some Scotchmen who had settled as
262
History of Bennington County.
his tenants to depart, as Reid was not the rightful owner of the land. A short
time only was given them to leave, and then their huts were burned to the
ground. When Allen was asked his name that it might be reported to Col¬
onel Reid, he replied, "it was Ethan Allen, captain of the mob." In Novem¬
ber, 1773, Ethan Allen, Seth Warner, Remember Baker, and Robert Cochran
took their places upon "a judgment seat," as it was designated, erected by
some of the " mob," in Durham, now Clarendon, and Benjamin Spencer, a New
York magistrate was ordered to stand before them and to remove his hat.
The judges found him guilty of the several offenses charged, and ordered the
roof of his house to be removed, " provided Spencer would declare that it was
put on again under the New Hampshire title, and should purchase a right un¬
der a charter of that promise." The roof was removed " with great shouting
and much noise and tumult," and Spencer "discharged on his further promise
not to act as magistrate." About this time Samuel Tubbs with Nathan Spen¬
cer and Phillips Perry acted as judges when Jacob Marsh esq. of Arlington
was accused by Seth Warner and Remember Baker, the latter insisting that
the punishment should be the infliction of the " beech seal." This advice was
not followed, but the sentence was given that he should encourage settlements
of lands under the New Hampshire charters, and should not act as a justice un¬
der a New York commission, "upon pain of having his house burned and re¬
duced to ashes, and his person punished at their pleasure."
On the 9th of March, 1774, Governor Tryon issued a proclamation, offer¬
ing a reward of one hundred pounds for the apprehension of Ethan Allen, and
fifty pounds for that of Seth Warner and James Breckenridge with others.
The governor and council were then empowered to make an order that if the
offenders did not within seventy days after the publication of said order in the
Neiv York Gazette and Weekly Mercury, surrender themselves, they were " to
be adjudged, deemed, and if indicted for a capital offense hereafter to be per¬
petrated, to be convicted and attainted of felony, and shall suffer death as in
cases of persons convicted and attainted of felony, by verdict and judgment,
without benefit of clergy," and the courts were authorized and directed "to
award execution against such offender so indicted for a capital offense in the
same manner as if he had been convicted or attainted " in said courts respec¬
tively. Jonas Fay, clerk of a convention held in Manchester the 12th and 13th
of April, 1774, certified to a resolution that whoever should presume to take a
commission of justice of the peace from the New York government, should "be
deemed an enemy to their country and the common cause." Benjamin Hough
of Socialbourgh, now Rutland or Pittsford, paying no heed to the resolution,
he was sentenced by Ethan Allen, Seth Warner, and others as his judges, "to
be tied to a tree and receive two hundred lashes on the naked back, and then
as soon as he should be able, should depart the New Hampshire Grants and
not return again till his majesty's pleasure should be known in the premises,
Town of Bennington.
263
on pain of receiving five hundred lashes." The sentence was immediately ex¬
ecuted, and a passport signed by Allen and Warner given him for the inhab¬
itants to let the said Huff move "free and unmolested towards the city of New
York, he behaving asbecometh."
It was during this year, 1774, that Ethan Allen published a lengthy review
of a paper given to the public under the authority of the New York Assembly,
attempting to justify the course taken by the colony of New York, in relation
to its eastern boundary on Connecticut river. The facts he presented as to
New York's early claim of jurisdiction, " and of the strength of the title of
New Hampshire during the period in which its charters were granted, together
with its exposure of the avaricious and inequitable conduct of the New York
City speculators, was such as to produce a very favorable impression on the
public, especially in New England." The injustice clone the settlers was made
to appear so plainly, and the fear of those who ventured to assist in the at¬
tempts to get possession of their lands, lest they should be made examples in
the peculiar modes of punishment resorted to, that it was with great difficulty
men could be found to prosecute their incursions ; and in September General
Gage, their military commander-in-chief, was applied to by advice of the New
York council for the aid of the regular troops. He declined to furnish any, as
the British ministry had done before upon a similar application. When Lieu¬
tenant-Governor Colden appealed from this decision to the English ministry
Lord Dartmouth informed him that he did not " at present see sufficient ground
for the adoption of such a measure." This was the third and last effort of the
New York claimants to obtain the aid of the king's regular troops to enforce
their titles. The settlers were much pleased with the result, but there was
enough of those sympathizing with the New York speculators who had ob¬
tained a foothold in different localities to keep the inhabitants on the alert, de¬
vising ways and means to keep them under subjection or to compel them to
leave the contested lands.
Early in the spring of 1775 the Assembly of New York, on motion of the
speaker, "voted an additional reward of fifty pounds each for the apprehension
of and confining in any jail in the colony Ethan Allen and Setli Warner, being
rioters named in the act of the last session."
By arrangement of a council of the committee of war at Castleton, Cap¬
tain Samuel Ilerrick with a party of thirty men, 011 the 9th of May 1775, was to
take into custody Major Skene and his party at Skenesborough, now White¬
hall, to aid in the capture of Ticonderoga, which was accomplished the next
day.
On the 20th of July, 1775 Nathan Clark as chairman of a convention in
Dorset, "certified to the list of officers named for the battalion," to be raised
upon the recommendation of the Continental Congress.
An extended notice for a convention of the settlers to be held the first
264
History of Bennington County.
Wednesday of January, 1776, had been given, but on account of the absence
of Colonel Warner and some others the meeting was postponed, and a warrant
for one to be held at Dorset on the 16th of the same month was issued and
signed "by order of Moses Robinson, Samuel Robinson, Seth Warner, and four
others." The convention voted "to represent the particular case of the inhab¬
itants of the New Hampshire Grants to the honorable Continental Congress by
remonstrance and petition." Doctor Jonas Fay was one of the committee to
prepare the petition, and Lieutenant James Breckenridge and Doctor Jonas
Fay with Captain Heman Allen were selected to present it to Congress; and it
was voted that Simeon Hathaway, Elijah Dewey, and James Breckenridge be
a committee" to warn a general meeting of the committees on, the grants when
they shall judge necessary from southern intelligence," and others north were
appointed with like power "when they should judge necessary from northern
intelligence." The petition stated, "we are called on this day by the Commit¬
tee of Safety of the county of Albany to suppress a dangerous insurrection in
Tryon county. Upwards of ninety soldiers were on their march within twelve
hours after receiving the news, all inhabitants of one town inhabited by your
petitioners, and all furnished with arms, ammunition, accouterments, and pro¬
visions." " The ninety men were from Bennington and they joined General
Schuyler at Albany, who marched for Johnstown, where the insurrection oc¬
curred."
It seemed necessary that another convention be called at Dorset to hear
the report of the proceedings of Congress on the last petition, which was ac¬
cordingly notified by a warrant signed by Simeon Hathaway, Elijah Dewey,
and James Breckenridge, the committee appointed previously " to act upon
southern intelligence," and of which Jonas Fay was clerk. A resolution was
adopted advising the field officers already nominated, one of whom was Colonel
Moses Robinson " to see that their men be forthwith furnished with suitable
arms, ammunition and accouterments, etc., agreeably to a resolve of the Con¬
tinental Congress."
Jonas Fay was clerk at the adjourned meeting on the 25th of September,
1776, at Dorset, and " measures were taken to have the association entered
into at the previous meeting, to resist by force of arms the fleets and armies of
Great Britain, presented for signatures to all the inhabitants of the grants and
the association; this signed was to be returned to Dr. Jonas Fay, clerk of the
convention, before its next sitting." It was also voted to build a jail "for
securing Tories," and a committee was appointed to locate and superintend
its construction. At this meeting Dr. Jonas Fay, with others, was appointed
" a committee to draw a petition to send to the honorable Continental Con¬
gress," to be reported to a committee to examine the same; and "Nathan Clark,
esq. and Colonel Seth Warner, with one more, were selected to make the ex¬
amination," and Dr. Jonas Fay was made one of the delegation to present the
petition to Congress.
Town of Bennington.
265
In the fall of 1776 the regiment, under the command of Colonel Moses Rob¬
inson, was honorably discharged, the campaign in the vicinity of Ticonderoga
for the year being ended, one company from Bennington having previously
been ordered to return and assist in forwarding a supply of flour for the use of
the army. Nathan Clark, chairman of the committee at Bennington, had an¬
swered the request of the commissary, saying " that one thousand bushels of
wheat had been collected and was being ground at the mills, and would be for¬
warded as fast as possible, adding " that the militia having left us almost to a
man renders it very difficult to furnish assistance to convey what we have al¬
ready on hand," and suggesting the feasibility of discharging some of the
militia for such service. Commissary Yancy gave as a reason why he had
made application to the Bennington committee " that there was danger of too
long a delay from the number of disaffected persons in and about Albany to ob¬
tain provisions from that place," where it would naturally be most convenient
to obtain them, other conditions being equal.
A roll of one of the companies from Bennington which was in service on
this occasion has been found among the papers of Captain Elijah Dewey who
commanded it. The following is a copy: "Pay roll of Captain Elijah Dewey's
company in Colonel Moses Robinson's regiment of the militia in the service of
the United States of America, Mount Independence, 1776, Elijah Dewey, cap¬
tain ; Ebenezer Walbridge, first lieutenant; Thomas Jewett, second lieutenant;
Nathaniel Fillmore, ensign; Joseph Rudd, Daniel Harman, John Fay, ser¬
geants; John Smith, Jedediah Merrill, Thomas Story, corporals ; privates, Sam¬
uel Cutler, Ezekiel Harman, Joseph Wickwire, Daniel Kinsley, Jonathan Par¬
sons, Andrew Weaver, Abner Marble, Phineas Scott, Aaron Haynes, Silas
Harman, Joseph Robinson, Ezekiel Smith, Seth Porter, David Powers, Hope-
still Armstrong, Joseph Willoughby, Samuel Hunt, Joshua Carpenter, Othneil
Green, Philip Matteson, Roswell Moseley."
In January, 1777, a committee of the New York convention made a report,
alleging "that countenance and encouragement was given to the disaffected (on
the grants) by false representations that persons of much influence and author¬
ity in the neighboring States were favorable to them, and that it was the in¬
tention of the Continental Congress to aid and assist them in obtaining their
independence." It charged that these false statements had " received great
weight and authority from the appointment of Seth Warner to be colonel of a
regiment to be raised in that part of the State, and to appoint his own officers
independent of the State of New York, the said Warner being well known to
have been " principally concerned in divers riots, outrages and cruelties com¬
mitted in direct opposition to the former government, and recommended the
disbanding of " the said regiment directed to be raised by Mr. Warner."
Although Congress did not accede to the desire in the petition of Jonas Fay
and others, that this territory should be recognized as a free and independent
34
266
History of Bennington County.
State, and that delegates should be admitted to seats in Congress, still it did
not, as was urged by the New York friends, " express any opinion on the merits
of the controversy, evidently intending to leave it, at least for the present, to
be determined by the parties themselves, without the intervention of Congress."
Neither did it recommend the " recall of the commissions to Colonel Warner
and the officers under him, or the disbanding of the obnoxious regiment."
The inhabitants of Bennington were not behind others at this time in de¬
claring by representation at Westminster, " that they would at all times there¬
after consider themselves as a free and independent State by the name of New
Connecticut, and that the people had the sole right of governing themselves in
such manner and form as they in their wisdom should chose not repugnant to
any resolve of the honorable, the Continental Congress." Soon afterwards at
Windsor " in general convention, June 4, 1777," an additional declaration was
made and officially signed by Jonas Fay, secretary, among other important
matters changing the name to " Vermont." Another act of this convention
was the appointment on the 7th day of June of the 18th of the then month "to
be observed as a day of public fasting and prayer throughout the State," and
this first proclamation for a fast in Vermont, signed by Jonas Fay as secretary,
was issued, and the day was observed in Bennington, and through the State
very generally.
The facts which have been alluded to out of the very many prominent ones
which might be cited, will give an idea of the prominence of many of the men
of this town, and impress upon the mind in some degree the continual strain
for thirteen long years endured by its inhabitants in resisting the enchoach-
ments of New York, and latterly in aiding by unexampled promptness and
zeal the colonies in their opposition to the mother country, in her endeavor to
tax and oppress them with her unjust laws.
It seems very remarkable that during the long controversy of the settlers
with the province of New York, in which there were so many altercations, so
many skirmishes, so many hand to hand collisions and encounters, in which
firearms were commonly used as weapons both of offense and defense, there
was not the loss of a single life. But many a Yorker was handled in such a
manner as to make him wary of being again caught within the lines of the
" grants," while the forbearance exhibited by the inhabitants towards those
endeavoring to deprive them of their homes, and the firmness shown at all
times for protecting their justly acquired possessions, without going to ex¬
treme measures, is the only way to account for the strange though not deadly
experiences of the times.
The history of Bennington can no more be written without telling the story
of the battle of the 16th of August, 1777, than "the play of ' Hamlet' can be
acted with Hamlet left out," which is the ground upon which justification is
claimed in giving it a place here The tale of the earlier settlers must be told
Town of Bennington.
267
to show of what stuff the pioneers of the town, both men and women, were
made of, and the part taken in this and other scenes by the people of Benning¬
ton clearly belongs to the town.
In the spring of 1777 Ticonderoga was in possession of our forces under
General St. Clair. General Burgoynehad succeeded General Carlton in Cana¬
da, and the campaign of 1776 had ended disastrously for our cause, leaving
Lake Champlain by the destruction of our shipping under the full command
of the enemy. The advancing army under Burgoyne numbered about nine
thousand men, well armed and equipped, and was made up mostly of veterans
from England and Germany, with great numbers of Canadians and Tories,
and a large body of Indians. The plan which it was expected would be car¬
ried out was for Burgoyne to sweep down to Albany, driving before him all
opposition and spreading devastation upon his right and left wings, expecting
large numbers of Tories would seek his protection, and with an increased army
rejoicing in a victorious campaign, he would meet one that with like military
glory should come up the Hudson River from New York, thus separating New
England from the other States.
With anxiety to muster the regiment of Colonel Warner for the Continen¬
tal army, the " the town had at a meeting held the 14th of April, voted to raise
£240 lawful money ($800) to be paid in bounties of $40 to each man from
the town that should enlist in such regiment."
The State Council of Safety " had adjourned to Bennington in July, where
it continued in permanent session until after the surrender of Burgoyne in Oc¬
tober, in the room before mentioned, in the tavern of Landlord Eay." Of the
original thirteen members, five, viz.: Stephen and Jonas Fay, Samuel and
Moses Robinson and Nathan Clark were from Bennington. "Of the six most
active members of the council, as shown by such minutes of its proceedings
as have been preserved, were Jonas Fay, Nathan Clark and Moses Robinson,"
of Bennington.
The regiment of militia under Colonel Moses Robinson composed among
others of two companies from Bennington, the roll of one of which has already
been given, was called into service in June, and " was at Mount Independence,
when that fort, together with Ticonderoga, was evacuated by St. Clair July 6,
1777- He had made the best preparation he could with the means and men
at his disposal for the defense of Ticonderoga and the head of the lake, but on
the approach of Burgoyne with so formidable an army he felt compelled to
abandon them. On his retreat the rearguard of the army, " under the com¬
mand of Colonel Setli Warner, was overtaken the next day, July 7, at Hub-
bardton, by a large body of the enemy, and often a brave resistance was over¬
powered by numbers and obliged to give way." The place designated as the
rallying point for Warner's scattered regiment was Manchester, where soon
after some one hundred and forty were gathered. The main army under St,
268
History of Bennington County.
Clair had taken a circuitous march to join General Schuyler at Fort Edward,
via Rutland, Dorset and Arlington, arriving there the 12th.
Now all was consternation through the State, many of the inhabitants 011
the east side of the mountain leaving their homes and crossing the Connecticut
River into New Hampshire and Massachusetts, and great numbers on the west
side, especially of towns north of Bennington, were thrown into a quandary as
to what course to take, from fear begotten of the proclamation of Burgoyne,
" of destruction to the lives and property of all who should oppose him, but
promising protection and security to those who should give him their adhesion,
and offering payment ' in solid coin ' for all provisions that should be brought
to his camp." To very many the large and well equipped army of Burgoyne
seemed irresistible. Great numbers repaired to Colonel Skene, " who was at
Castleton, and took the oath of allegiance to the king, many of whom, joining
the invading army, took up arms against their country." The more patriotic
disclaiming obedience to the enemy's demands, abandoned their homes, and,
taking what they could carry with them, fled to the south, some stopping in Ben¬
nington, but most going through to friends in Berkshire county and so on to
Connecticut. Thus the territory lying between Bennington and the Hudson,
being in the course " of Burgoyne towards Albany, was made, in effect, an
enemy's country, and Bennington became a frontier town."
Messages were sent out from the Council of Safety to New Hampshire and
Massachusetts asking for immediate aid. An attack being expected at Man¬
chester, the force there under Colonel Warner was incrased by all of the militia
that could be collected; and to sustain a patrol for protection against the To¬
ries in their midst, and to guard the frontiers from unexpected attacks, "the
council ordered the property of those of their inhabitants that had joined the
enemy to be sequestered and sold." Thus a fund was secured to help in or¬
ganizing a regiment of rangers under the command of Colonel Samuel Herrick
of Bennington, which was of great service to the country.
The Assembly of New Hampshire instantly responded to the message of
the Vermont council, and ordered a brigade of their militia to be placed under
the command of General John Stark, who had served in the first French war,
as colonel at Bunker Hill, in Canada, and under Washington at Trenton and
Princeton. He had resigned his commission and retired from the Continental
service, as Congress had promoted junior officers over him, and, as he felt, un¬
worthily.
Now, by instructions from the president of New Hampshire, he "was to
repair to Charlestown, No. 4," and when the troops were collected there " to
take command of them and march into the State of Vermont, and there act in
conjunction with the troops of that State, or any other of the States, or of the
United States, or separately, as it should appear expedient to him, for the
protection of the people or the annoyance of the enemy." Stark with his
Town of Bennington.
269
men arrived at Manchester August 7th, when he declined to march his troops
to the Hudson to join those of General Schuyler on the ground of the defense¬
less condition in which it would leave the inhabitants, and that he could do
more to perplex the advance of Burgoyne and harass him upon his flanks than
by joining the main army under him. With Colonel Warner, the remnant of
"whose Continental regiment was left at Manchester under the command of
Lieutenant Colonel Samuel Safford, he and his men passed on to Bennington,
arriving on the 9th, having learned that a large body of the enemy which for
some time had been at Castleton, threatening Manchester, and to cross over
to Connecticut River, had marched to the Hudson.
General Stark encamped for a few days about two miles west of Benning¬
ton Center, near the then residence of Colonel Herrick, collecting information
with regard to the designs of the enemy by scouts sent into their lines, advis¬
ing with the Council of Safety and with Colonel Warner, who was better ac¬
quainted with the arts and situation of the foe, perhaps, than any other man,
and aiding by every means at his or his associate's command to hurry towards
Bennington the troops from Massachusetts and Connecticut for the coming
conflict, which now seemed imminent.
The advance of Burgoyne towards Albany, on account of the natural dif¬
ficulties of the way and the opposition he encountered, was tardy, and when
he reached the Hudson River he was " so deficient in provisions and also in
cattle and carriages for transportation that he was much embarrassed about
the means for advancing further." For the purpose of supplying himself with
these things, which he learned had been collected in considerable quantities at
Bennington for the supply of the American forces, he resolved to seize them
for his own army." The command was given to Lieutenant-Colonel Baum, a
veteran German officer, whose forces numbered some seven hundred, consist¬
ing of " dismounted dragoons," " Frazer's marksmen," " Canadian volunteers,"
"Provincials or Tories," with one hundred Indians, and two light pieces of
cannon. He left Burgoyne's camp, near Saratoga, arriving at Cambridge on
the 13th of August. On the morning of the 14th he had reached Sancoick,
about half a mile below North Hoosick, where he routed a party of Americans
who were in possession of a mill. It was here upon the head of a barrel he
wrote back to Burgoyne "by five prisoners taken here they agree that 1,500
to 1,800 men are at Bennington, but are supposed to leave on our approach."
They did leave on his approach, but not in the direction he had anticipated.
I he old mill is still standing, and is about eight miles from Bennington.
Stark having received information by scouts on the 13th that a party of
Indians was at Cambridge, had sent Colonel Gregg with two hundred men to
oppose them, and hearing still later that a still larger body of troops with artil¬
lery was advancing on Bennington he had " sent to Manchester for Colonel
Wainers regiment and the neighboring militia to rally to his support." He
2yo
History of Bennington County.
started with his brigade to meet the foe, accompanied by Colonels Warner,
Williams, Herrick and Brush, on the morning of the 14th, and had gone about
five miles when he met Gregg retreating from Saucoick, closely followed by
the enemy. Stark's men were formed in order of battle, but no engagement
took place, as he considered his position unfavorable for a general encounter.
He fell back about a mile and encamped on the farm now owned by Lewis
Northouse, on the hill near the dwelling recently erected by him. Baum halted
his forces on the west side of the Walloomsac River, and stationed the greater
part of his German veterans, under his own command, on the top of a thickly
wooded hill, northwest of Stark's encampment, where the shore rises abruptly
three or four hundred feet, his position overlooking the country around. Here
he constructed intrenchments of earth and logs to protect himself from attack
on the west and his flanks, the bank of the river on the east securing him from
annoyance in that direction.
The road runs westerly across the river at the south end of this high bank,
and the bridge was an important pass. For its defense Baum threw up a
breastwork on the high bank of the river above it, upon which was placed one
of the cannon, and on both sides of the road smaller breastworks were erected
near the west end of the bridge, which were manned by Frazer's marksmen,
and other preparations were made for strengthening the position. Quite a
number of Tories had joined Baum on his march and were under Colonel Fran¬
cis Pfister, a British officer of wealth and influence, living near what is now
known as Hoosick Corners. "These with most of Peters's corps of loyalists,
were posted on a hill east of the stream, forty or fifty rods to the southeast of
the bridge." Strong works of defense known as the "Tory breastworks," were
erected here, and the position would have the protection of ball and grape from
the cannon at the bridge. The other cannon in charge of German grenadiers,
supported by some Tories, appears to have been placed further to the west in
a cleared field near the road 011 the hillside which commanded the approaches
to the bridge and the Tory encampment, and also to the south flank of Baum's
encampment." "The positions of the two hostile bodies though but about two
miles apart, were entirely hidden from each other by a heavily wooded inter¬
vening hill."
"The force under General Stark was composed of the greater part of his brig¬
ade of New Hampshire militia, a small number of Vermont militia from the east
side of the mountain under Colonel William Williams, who had been stationed
at Manchester, Colonel Ilerrick's corps of rangers then forming, the State mi¬
litia from Bennington and its vicinity under Colonel Nathaniel Brush, of which
there were two companies from Bennington, one commanded by Captain Sam¬
uel Robinson and the other by Captain Elijah Dewey; and on the morning of
the 16th Stark was joined by Colonel Simonds and some militia from Berk¬
shire county. On the night of the 14th, after ascertaining the position of the
Town of Bennington.
271
enemy, Stark called a council consisting of the leading members of the Council
of Safety, as well as Colonels Warner and Herrick and other military officers,
in which a plan for attacking the enemy was discussed and adopted, and it was
agreed that the attack should be made the next morning. But the 15th was
so excessively rainy as to prevent any attempt at a general action. Scouts were,
however, sent out, some of which were engaged in successful skirmishes."
The plan arranged for the 16th was for Colonel Nichols with two hundred
men, afterwards increased to three hundred, to make a wide northern circuit
and come upon the rear of Baum's left, and Colonel Herrick with three hun¬
dred men made up of Colonel Brush's militia and his rangers, taking a wide
southern circuit to get upon the rear of his right, both as speedily and stealth¬
ily as possible. "Colonels Hubbard and Stickney with three hundred of Stark's
brigade, were ordered to the enemy's extreme right." The attention of the
enemy was taken up during the time occupied by the three parties in gaining
their different positions by menacing assaults 011 his front, or, as Thomas Mel-
len, a New Hampshire veteran said, " we were marched round and round a cir¬
cular hill till we were tired, and Stark said it was to amuse the Germans." It
was about three o'clock when firing was commenced by Nichols's men, which
was the signal for a general attack. The firing was immediately followed by
the troops under Herrick and the third detachment of Hubbard and Stickney's,
while General Stark " with his reserve of New Hampshire men and the Berk¬
shire and some Vermont militia, in the face of the enemy's cannon assailed the
Tory breastwork and the pass of the bridge in front. The engagement thus
became general and "lasted," says Stark in his report to Gates, "two hours, and
was the hottest I ever saw; it represented one continued clap of thunder." The
Indians, alarmed at the prospect of being inclosed between the parties of Nich¬
ols and Herrick, fled at the beginning of the fight, but Baum, with his Germans
and. all others under his command, having the advantage of their position be¬
hind the intrenchments which the rain of the 15th had given them ample time
to erect and make strong, fought with great resolution and bravery, but they
were overpowered by their militia assailants, and either fled or surrendered
prisoners of war.
The prisoners having been sent away to Bennington, the militia naturally
scattered in collecting the spoils, and viewing the work which had been accom¬
plished. Soon it was learned that reinforcements were within a distance of two
miles. They had been sent forward under the command of Colonel Breyman
numbering six hundred and forty-two, all Germans, " with two pieces of can¬
non which Burgoyne, on hearing that the force at Bennington was greater than
had been expected, had dispatched to the assistance of Baum." It was no easy
matter to check the progress of these veteran soldiers, as Stark's men were in
great confusion, but "happily at this juncture Warner's regiment of about one
hundred and forty men came up fresh under Lieutenant-Colonel Safford, and
took its position in front, serving as a rallying point for the scattered militia."
272
History of Bennington County.
Breyman advanced with his two pieces of artillery with infantry on either
side until he was met hy a body of the militia which had been collected and a
stand made forty or fifty rods east of the present Walloomsac Depot. "Here
he was attacked in front and flank, a most deadly fire being poured into his
ranks from a wooded hill on his left. The action was very severe and contin¬
ued till after sunset, when many of Breyman's men being killed or wounded
and his artillery horses shot down he abandoned his cannon and fled. Gen¬
eral Stark pursued his flying forces till the approaching darkness rendered it
necessary to draw off his men to prevent their firing upon each other. "With
one hour more of daylight," says Stark in his official report, " we should have
captured the whole body." He further says, " we recovered four pieces of brass
cannon, seven hundred stand of arms and brass banded drums, several Hes¬
sian swords, about seven hundred prisoners, two hundred and seven dead on
the spot, the number of wounded is yet unknown. That part of the enemy
that made their escape marched all night and were returned to our camp. Our
loss was inconsiderable, about forty wounded and thirty killed."
The report of musketry and cannon was distinctly heard in the center of the
town, and the old village was filled with women and children whose husbands
and fathers were on the battlefield in deadly conflict with the enemy. The
anxiety and dreadful suspense of that long day cannot be realized, and much
less described ; but a flood of gratitude and joy burst forth as the news came
that the foe had been defeated and a glorious victory won. Bennington, in¬
deed, was called to deeply mourn, for among the killed were four of its most
respected citizens, viz.: "John Fay, a son of Stephen, Henry Walbridge, brother
of Ebenezer, Daniel Warner, cousin of the colonel, and Nathan Clarke, son of
Nathan, and brother of Isaac. They were all in the prime of life, and all heads
of families, leaving widows and children to mourn their sudden bereavement.
The grief for their loss was not confined to their immediate relatives, but was
general and sincere." Colonel Baum was mortally wounded as was also Colo¬
nel Pfister and both were taken prisoners to a house about a mile distant in
Shaftsbury, opposite the present paper-mill of C. E. Welling. They both died
in this house within a day or two, which was taken down in 1861, and were bur¬
ied on the bank of the river near by, though the particular spot is not known.
The victory is justly pronounced by Bancroft as "one of most brilliant and
eventful of the war; " another says, "the current of success was at once turned
from the British to the American arms;" another, "the fate of Burgoyne and
his army was, in effect, sealed at Bennington, and his final capture well assured."
" General Washington, 011 being informed of the event, considered it as decid¬
ing the fate of Burgoyne, and dismissed all anxiety about his invasion." Its
effect upon the enemy was most depressing. "Four days after the battle Bur¬
goyne wrote to the British minister a letter marked 'private,'" in which he says
of it, that "had I succeeded, I should have formed a junction with St. Leger
and been now in Albany."
Town of Bennington.
273
Next to General Stark Colonel Warner should receive the highest credit for
the result of the day, though Colonel Herrick and all the officers and men de¬
served high praise for the adroitness and valor they exhibited in the various
attacks and repulses. Warner's experience in the Continental army, and his
acquaintance with the country and positions occupied by the enemy, well pre¬
pared him for "Stark's chief adviser in planning the attack on the enemy." On
the 17th of October following, Burgoyne, from the crippled condition of his
forces and the scanty means of supply for his men, mainly brought about by
this battle, was obliged to surrender with his army as prisoners of war to the
American forces at Saratoga.
"Copy of Captain Samuel Robinson's roll, August 16, 1777.—Were in bat¬
tle Robert Cochran, Gideon Spencer, William Henry, Henry Walbridge, Rufus
Branch, John Larned, Thomas Abel, Nathan Lawrence, Josiah Brush, David
Fay (Fifer), Leonard Robinson, Daniel Biddlecome, Levi Hatheway, Abram
Hatheway, Reuben Colvin, Eliphalet Stickney, Daniel Rude, Benjamin Holmes,
James Marivater, Mr. Alger, Annice Fuller, Jonah Brewster, George Dale, John
Marble, Ephraim Marble, Aaron Hubbell, Samuel Safford, jr., Aaron Smith,
Ephraim Smith, Samuel Henry, Edward Henderson, Jonathan Haynes, Arch-
elaus Tapper, Daniel Warner, Lieutenant Simon Hatheway, Aaron Miller, John
Fay, Elijah Fay, Joseph Fay, John Clark, Jehosephat Holmes, Moses Rice, Ben¬
jamin Whipple, jr., Silas Robinson, John Weeks, Moses Scott, Alpheus Hath¬
away, Solomon Walbridge, Ebenezer Brocket, Jehiel Smith, Asa Branch, Phin-
ehas Wright, John Smith, Jesse Belknap, Silvanus Brown, John Forbes, Ste¬
phen Williams, William Post, David Safford, Jared Post, Jeremiah Bingham,
Samuel Slocum, Josiah Hurd, Elijah Brewster, Solomon Leason, Thomas Sei¬
dell, John Rigney, Elisha Smith, Solomon Safford, Joseph Roe, William Terrill,
Noah Beach, Simeon Sears, David Robinson, Joseph Safford, Isaac Webster."
There were still more than five years of war with England to be endured, a
period longer than the war of the late rebellion, and with the enemy in posses¬
sion of Lake Champlain; with the jealousy and rapacity of the New York gov¬
ernment, which still envied and claimed our possessions, together with the Tory
element to contend with, which ever and anon showed its "hydra head," "the
inhabitants of Bennington and its vicinity were kept in a state of almost con¬
tinual apprehension and alarm."
The Legislature of the State as already organized, was to meet at Ben¬
nington 011 the 4th of June, 1778- A few days before the time Colonel Ethan
Allen who had been a prisoner in England over two years returned to Ben¬
nington. He was received with much rejoicing; among other demonstrations
cannon was fired amid shouting by the large numbers who had gathered to
greet him. Just at this time there was great excitement over the conviction
of David Redding, a Tory, who had been tried for giving comfort to the enemy
on the lake, and for secretly appropriating " for the use of the Tories a number
35
274
Town of Bennington.
of guns from the house of David Robinson, where they had been lodged for
safe keeping." He had been sentenced to be hung on the 4th of June, but it
was shown to the governor and council, then met, that he had been tried by
six jurors only, and the council granted a reprieve until the next Thursday at
two o'clock in the afternoon. A large number had gathered to witness the
execution, and were anxious to see it consummated. They were afraid some¬
thing might occur to hinder the carrying out of the sentence, and there were
indications that the people, perhaps, would take the case into their own hands;
"whereupon Ethan Allen, suddenly pressing through the crowd, mounted a
stump and waving his hat, exclaiming 'attention, the whole' proceeded to an¬
nounce the reason for the reprieve, advised the multitude to depart peacebly
to their homes and return the day fixed for the execution in the act of the
governor and council, adding with an oath, 'you shall see somebody hung at all
events, for if Redding is not hung I will be hung myself.' Upon this assurance
the uproar ceased and the crowd dispersed." Redding was tried and convicted
on the 9th by a jury of twelve, and his execution took place on the 11th of
June, the time to which the reprieve extended. "The place of execution was
in a field west of the road and opposite the tavern-house of 'Landlord Fay,'"
a little north of the " Governor Tichenor" place, now occupied by Mrs. George
Lyman.
There has been but one other public execution in Bennington. Archibald
C. Bates of Shaftsbury, was hung on the 8th of February, 1839 f°r the mur¬
der of his brother's wife in the preceding month of October. He shot and in¬
stantly killed her while she was holding a babe in her arms, of which crime he
was convicted and afterwards confessed it. The nurse, with the little child of
the murdered woman, was early upon the ground that she might witness the
whole proceedings. The gallows stood in the lot on the west side of the road
in Bennington Center, a little north of where the battle monument stands.
That order and decorum in the fulfillment of the law should be maintained in
every respect the militia were called out, commanded by Colonel John M. Pot¬
ter of Pownal, Captain William E. Hawks of North Bennington taking charge
of the procession. The gallows was erected by or under the direction of Ben¬
jamin R. Sears, and the fatal drop was in charge of the county sheriff, Gurdon
H. Smith of Manchester, who discharged his duty with singular conscientious¬
ness as a punishment necessary to be inflicted rather than an official act which
would bring notoriety. There was no flaw or interruption in the arrange¬
ments, and at the appointed hour, with little or no sign to give warning to the
multitude, the execution was effected, many witnessing it who had made up
their minds to close their eyes at the moment and others were disappointed
that they were looking at the time in another direction. Rev. E. VV. Hooker,
D. D. had often visited the prisoner in his cell for prayer and to impart spirit¬
ual advice. The prayer upon the gallows was made by the Rev. Mr. Hubbard
Town of Bennington.
275
of the Methodist Church, whose voice could be heard, it is said, the distance
of more than a mile. Public sentiment has so changed with reference to exe¬
cutions of this kind that they are now witnessed only by the proper officials,
and enough of those particularly interested to render it sure the law has been
duly enforced.
Bennington Center as it was Sixty Years Ago.
Sixty years ago the present village of Bennington, then contemptuously
called "Algiers," and just beginning to be designated as the East Village, had
increased in population during the previous fifty years very slowly. There
may have been in 1829 two hundred or three hundred inhabitants, within the
present limits of the village. Bennington Center, or "the hill," as it was
termed, at this time was at the height, or had seen its days of greatest pros¬
perity and renown, if, in comparison with other parts of the town, business and
numerical strength only are taken into consideration. It was here that the
important secular business of the town and much of that of the State from its
infancy had been transacted; that the first and only church for public worship
was located, and where for sixty-five years the inhabitants from all parts of
the town had gone up weekly for spiritual food and nourishment; that the
court-house building for the business of the county was established, with a jail
within its walls for the incarceration of criminals, and for years after this time
where debtors were often confined for inability to meet their pecuniary obliga¬
tions; that the more prominent lawyers of the county resided, constituting
with members from other towns, a legal bar second to none in the State; that
schools were supported, bringing honor to the town, and giving educational
ambition to the youth of both sexes ; that a printing office, so rare an acqui¬
sition in a town at the time, was established, and where from the year 1783 the
Vermont Gazette had been published; that nearly all the stores and places for
traffic, including wagonmaking and blacksmithing, were located ; that the
stages, on the great mail route between Albany and Boston, across the moun¬
tain, carrying the United States mail, with coaches drawn by four horses, called
for a relay, and passengers or guest accommodations at the State Arms House
then kept by George Brannock, and at Hicks Hotel in the lower part of the
village; and that it was necessary for the convenience and comfort of nearly
the whole population of the town that frequent visits should be made to the
only post-office and to other places, for business or the interchange of thought
and feeling upon matters intimately connected with the interests of the town,
both moral and social.
The court-house on the upper hill, in which Chief Justice Williams pre¬
sided with such aptitude for the speedy transaction of business, with General
Henry Robinson as clerk, was located a few feet south of the residence of the
late A. M. Huling, then the Cushman Tavern, and was destroyed by fire in Oc-
276
Town of Bennington.
tober, 1846. Here the town meetings were held, and at this time party politics
often ran high, and with the efforts made, when parties were nearly equally di¬
vided, to carry an election, frequently the excitement was great. The street
between the court-house and the State Arms House opposite was the arena for
much electioneering and the scene of fist fights, and sometimes of the throw¬
ing of stones by some who would let their passions run away with their better
judgment, or were under the influence of drink.
By the laws of the State every able-bodied male citizen between the ages
of eighteen and forty-five years were liable to perform military duty, and was
required to meet, duly armed and equipped, on certain days during the year,
or at the call of the proper military official on special occasions. A certain
day in June was one of the stated periods, fixed by law, when the militia of the
county would meet in front of the State Arms House, under the regularly ap¬
pointed regimental, field, staff, commissioned and non-commissioned officers,
for drill, discipline, inspection and review. It was a high time, and one in
which the people turned out almost en masse making it a holiday occasion,
usually bringing their dinners and lunches for men, women and children. The
streets were generally lined with peddlers selling fruits, watermelons, and large
supplies of baker's gingerbread, in the shape of large cards, the thought of
which would sharpen the appetite and make the mouths of the youth " to
water." How many of both men and children could be seen wending their
way homeward after the pleasures and fatigue of the day with a large melon
or card of the gingerbread under their arm. These trainings were invariably
accompanied by several wagons, in which were borne barrels of cider on
draught, to warm up or cool off the customers, as they might happen to be in
condition.
There was, in addition to the regular militia who carried muskets, a com¬
pany of artillery, dressed in showy uniforms, carrying swords, and who during
a portion of their drill would draw the '"old brass" cannon through the village
with drag ropes, firing often and sometimes making a rattling of window-panes
from the concussion produced.
There was also a cavalry company, under the command of Henry Scott
for years, which wore a uniform cap and a sword, and had pistols or short
firearms, which were carried in a "holster" attached to the saddle in front.
The "bugle" was blown for years by Seth Dunn, whose soul-stirring notes
would thrill the whole community as he would lead the company in their rid¬
ing practice, through the streets or distant parts of the town. There was no
music but martial for the foot companies, which was of the best and soul inspir¬
ing, and which aided the multitude in keeping up the spirit which had been
instrumental in gaining the nation's independence. Eleazer Sibley was a re¬
markably good snare drummer, and was often accompanied upon the base
drum by his cousin John. These with Uncle Jim Wittum, who had the repu-
Town of Bennington.
2 77
tation of having split a fife while blowing it at the battle of " Lundy's Lane,"
in the War of 1812, would furnish such music as it seemed could hardly be im¬
proved. Companies from other towns brought their selected corps of music,
vieing with each other in their skill and proficiency. Here too, yearly, when
the 4th of July came round, the boys and youth would always be prepared with
cannon anJ cartridges, to parade the streets as soon as the clock would strike
twelve at midnight, after watching through the evening of the 3rd. One or
both of the cannons, "Dread" and "Trainor," would be in use, accompanied
by the ringing of the village bells, and the noise would often bring to the
doors or windows night-caps or white dresses, with the request that the firing
must or should be stopped, or the cannon be moved farther on. Sometimes
the request would be made in such a spirit that it would be thought best to
give one or two more salutes, and in other cases it would be in such a kind
and persuasive tone that the patriotic band would pass along without firing.
And so of the 16th of August, which was also made a day of great rejoicing,
though it was usually set apart and appropriated by the citizens for celebra¬
tions, when addresses and orations would be delivered and toasts given, to¬
gether with a display of martial music, and the firing of cannon.
North and a little west of the Cushman Tavern, and as it would seem ex¬
tending into the street, was a block of buildings fronting both south and west,
a portion of which was used as the Vermont Gazette printing office, and a book¬
store and bindery kept by Solomon Clark. In this block.also was the hat
and cap store of Cushman and Corey, who manufactured their own goods,
as was generally the case by dealers at this period, and whose trade extended
into the towns in this vicinity, where nothing of the kind was done. There is
not a vestige of these buildings left to mark the spot where they stood. North
of here lived B. R. Sears, a carpenter by trade, who, with Elisha and Hiram
Waters, in the south part of the village, each with their shops well manned and
equipped were ready for anything in their line that might be wanted. In the
construction of the residence of the late B. R. Sears were used some of the
timber and lumber from the first building erected for a church, which were
taken from the forest over one hundred and twenty-five years ago. North of
here was where Bisbee and Farwell carried 011 the butchering business, the only
establishment of the kind in town, most of the animal food being slaughtered
by farmers, and served out to their neighbors from their farm homes. Nearly
opposite lived Henry Fassett, in the rear of whose house was the site of the
old " Convinental storehouse."
The " State Arms House," which still stands as in those days, outwardly,
kept by George Brannock, has been charged within, and the outbuildings en¬
tirely removed or materially altered. The old "tavern shed" on the north,
facing the road toward the east, where there were gatherings on June training
days, of the active and athletic who were wont to try their skill at wrestling,
278
Town of Bennington.
and where the amateur "Barnum's" exhibited their shows and wonders, has
long since been removed. At this time a caravan, which had been advertised
as " the largest traveling one in America," was exhibited. The shed had per¬
haps thirty feet of open space in front, and poles were set up and canvass
drawn around them, making the grounds, with the shed, thirty by fifty feet
more or less. People came from all directions, and the show consisted of a
horned horse, black bear, zebra, babboon, camel, an ostrich, a snake,some monk¬
eys and a Shetland pony upon which rode a monkey with a cap on its head,
while the pony was led about the inclosure.
On the site now occupied by Tarrant Sibley lived William Haswell, so long
the town clerk of Bennington, but whose good wife did much of the writing
and business of the office. A little north lived Anthony Haswell, who is re¬
membered by some as the carrier of the Vermont Gazette at this time, going
weekly on horseback, with his saddle bags, through the county, and delivering
it to subscribers in many of the towns. South of the State Arms House, on
the road running west, was located the boot and shoe shop where Childs and
Forbes made work for nearly the whole village, though at this time men were
employed by some families to make shoes at their homes, whose occupation was
designated as " whipping the cat." There was also shoemaking done in the
lower part of the village. Just west was C. S. Pool a harnessmaker, one of
three or four in this business, the famous drummer, who on "June training
days" would amuse the multitudes by the dexterity with which he could han¬
dle and throw about and catch his drum-sticks, still keeping perfect time with
the music of the fife. Captain David Robinson occupied the house on the cor¬
ner above, where when in practice he also had his law office, and which home
he gave to the first church for a parsonage, which is now the residence of Rev.
M. L. Severance.
The Lyman Patchin store was next south of the court-house, where a large
mercantile business was done, and in which business he became a wealthy man
for the times. Both the store and his residence were burned to the ground
several years since and there is nothing left to obstruct the wind from sweep¬
ing over the now cultivated grounds. The location of the old "pillory" had
been by the side of the road, about half way between the old store and the north
line of the Patchin lot which reached to the court-house. The " whipping
post" stood a little north of opposite of where the pillory had been located, in
front of Judge Jonathan Robinson's house, but had at this time been re¬
moved. Martin S. and Elijah Norton occupied near here a stone blacksmith
shop, where a larye business was done, and opposite to which was the Pickett
store then kept by Brown & Fay for general mercantile trade, including drugs.
The law office of Governor John S. Robinson was just north as was also his
residence. On the brow of the hill, looking upon the lower part of the village,
stood the grand old house of General David Robinson, built in 1795, which is
Town of Bennington.
279
now in good condition, and owned and occupied by his grandson, George YV.
Robinson, whose information with reference to incidents and localities in the
history of the town is, perhaps, not equaled bv any living person. The build¬
ing carries us back nearly a century, and suggests that there was culture and
an appreciation of art and convenience in those far off days when there were
means to make them available. At this time General David, who was in
the battle of Bennington and over seventy years old, was often seen upon
horseback, riding at a fast rate, and frequently upon an animal considered un¬
safe for many younger persons, with his long cue streaming in the air. On
the opposite side of the street there had recently been built the brick bank and
dwelling house for the occupation of S. C. Raymond, who came from Man¬
chester to manage the old first bank in Bennington and which proved a fail¬
ure, though it made money for business purposes more plenty for a time.
Some of the old bills of the bank, which should have been destroyed, were
found as late as during the rebellion, and being filled out at convenience by
the soldiers, were circulated and used as money in the army at the South. The
ruse did not Jong succeed as the Yankees were not asleep long at a time.
One of the buildings still standing in connection with which there are so many
fond memories and associations is the old "brick academy," then in a flourish¬
ing condition. James Ballard, a principal of the academy, had about this time,
on account of some difficulty with the school committee, rallied a party of
friends and erected the seminary buildings lower down in the village and was
carrying 011 an opposition school, which increased the number of students at¬
tending each. The cabinet business was carried on in the building lately oc¬
cupied by A. 13. Gardner for a law office by Mr. Kendrick or F. VV. Coffin,
sending their wares through this and the adjoining towns. Sanford & Brown
were successfully prosecuting the mercantile business in the store now kept
by Charles R. Sanford ; Gay R. Sanford of the firm, was connected with the
manufacture and sale of clocks in Connecticut, and also was manufacturing tin¬
ware quite extensively in a shop opposite the present residence of his son,
Charles R. His peculiar genius for trade and traffic, with stories told the boys
who were hanging about the shop, led them to imagine the assortment taken
out by the peddlers was not really complete without a fair proportion of
"wooden nutmegs and pumpkin seeds." Diagonally opposite, on the corner
south of the church, was the store of Franklin Blackmer, who was prosecuting
a good mercantile business. It was a place of resort in the evening for the
"sitters" of the village to talk over the occurrences of the day. Among the
half dozen or more of those usually present were Major Aaron Robinson, Cap¬
tain Plinny Dewey, Asahel Hyde, and Jonathan Hunt from " Algiers," famil¬
iarly known as Jack Hunt, who was as regular, perhaps, with his lantern in
hand, as any other of the members.
On the opposite side of the street was the printing office where was pub¬
lished in 1828-9 The Journal of the Times, with William Tloyd Garrison,
28o
Town of Bennington.
editor, afterwards the eminent American abolitionist. It was about this time,
perhaps a year or two later, that a speaker who had been advertised to deliver
an address in the church upon the slavery question was hissed out of the house
by some of the first men of the town, when it was learned that the audience
would not quitely listen to him. Thus we are able to note the change in sen¬
timent and progress which had been made in relation to this institution in the
thirty years to the time of the rebellion. It was a few rods south of here that
the first school-house in town was located. Farther down was the tailor shop
of Isaiah Hendryx, who, with Richard Carpenter in his shop at the north end
of the village, was able to do the necessary cutting and making of clothing for
the town and vicinity. There was no ready-made clothing sold in those days,
people having their garments either cut and made by a tailor, or which was
much the more common, cut by a tailor and made in their homes by a tail-
oress with wnat help they could give one. We pass the large carpenter shop
of Hiram Waters, an esteemed citizen and now the oldest male resident in town,
whose business has been commented upon, before reaching the blacksmith
shop of Samuel Chandler, who was assisted by his aged father and others in
the work of the shop, quite an item of which was the shoeing of oxen of which,
at the present time, there is probably not a half dozen yoke in the whole town.
Just east of here, on the north side of the small stream that ran under the
shop, was the cider-mill of Pliny Dewey, where large quantities of apples
were brought from different parts of the town and laid waiting to be ground in
turn in the mill, which was operated by a horse attached to a long sweep.
The cider was taken to the homes of the farmers, where a good deal was drank,
or to the distillery, which was situated lower down the bank, and made into
cider brandy of which also much was used.
Nathaniel Dexter, the watchmaker or jeweler, did the work in this line
necessary for the accommodation of the inhabitants. The manufacture of
wagons, sleighs and coaches by Joseph Ogden, a little west of the Hicks Ho¬
tel, was carried on more extensively than at any other time in Bennington,
requiring quite a number of employees, as there was a large paint shop besides
the wagon and blacksmith shop, required for the business done here. There
was a shop about a mile west carried on by Samuel Scott where work of this
kind was done, and which at the time was considered as belonging to the vil¬
lage. The pottery which was then located south of the village, was operated
by the older Nortons, and was soon afterwards removed to the east village.
The clay which was used in the manufacture of stoneware as well as that for
earthen pans, which were extensively in use for holding milk, but which have
been superseded by tin, was now ground by horse-power, and it was princi¬
pally to get the advantage of water power that the change was made. Nor¬
man Norton here made and repaired guns and rifles, which at this time were
discharged by the old " flint-lock" attachment, the sight of which would now
be a great curiosity to the young.
Town of Bennington.
In the valley through which a small rivulet flows, on the west side of the
road north of the " blue hill," was a tannery where was manufactured for a
long time much of the leather consumed in town, in close proximity to which
Jonathan Rogers plied his hand at the trade of shoemaking. The road has
since been changed and carried around to the west, so that the steep hills each
way from the tannery have been avoided, the new one coming out south of
and beyond where Dr. Jonas Fay had his residence in early times.
The law offices have not been mentioned, but are worthy of note, being
often frequented as places of business, for with the eagerness with which many
rushed into the law, and the difficulty with which they could get extricated
when once in, made much activity in this direction. Of those who had
retired from the active duties of the law were Colonel O. C. Merrill, Captain
David Robinson, James Hubbell, Truman Squier, and Governor Isaac Tiche-
nor, who is remembered as wearing a long cue, and dressing in Continental
style with knee breeches and buckles. The others who occupied offices for
court or collecting business were John S. Robinson, Uel M. Robinson, Samuel
H. Blackmer, Henry Kellogg, Hiland Hall, Pierpont Isham, and William S.
Southworth.
The physicians were Drs. Noadiah Swift and Heman Swift in the lower
part of the village, and William Bigelow and George O. Gilbert in the
upper. The most of their ride was upon horseback with the old fashioned
saddle-bags thrown over the saddle or in the two-wheeled sulky. When they
entered the house on their professional calls, and threw the bags apon their
knee to get at the contents for a prescription, the odor would remind one of a
drug store where quantities of medicine were compounded and prepared.
There has been quite a change in the opinion and practice of the medical fra¬
ternity as to the quantity of medicine necessary to be used since these hon¬
ored physicians were in the performance of their professional duties.
There was now a large amount of driving and teaming between here and
1 roy, for bringing goods and groceries for the different stores and shops, for
the transportation of iron from the furnaces in the east part of the town, and
the carrying of flour and other commodities across the mountain into towns be¬
yond, and for sending the produce of the farms to the city market. All this,
with the great importance of the stage business, as frequently fifty passengers
and sometimes many more, through and local, were transported daily each
way, led capitalists to construct a macadamized road to Troy, grading down the
hills, and thus making it a noted thoroughfare of the day. The principal
stockholders were from the city and the project proved a poor investment.
Thus the village with its industries and the advantages heretofore enjoyed
for trade was considered one of the most prosperous in the State, and the pop¬
ulation of the town was exceeded by only one, that of Burlington.
I here has been an endeavor to give something of an idea of what was be-
36
282
History of Bennington County.
ing done here when attention was called more particularly to manufacturing,
and those industries which have done so much to build up and give importance
to many of our New England towns and villages. Though many of the dwell¬
ings have been destroyed by fire and others gone to decay or been torn down
or otherwise removed, many of the old residences yet remain, and have been
kept in good repair, or have been remodeled, while others have been erected.
It is a beautiful village in which to reside, and with the additional improve¬
ments which may be expected in years to come, an earnest of which is the pro¬
gress made in the last few years, it will continue to be one of the pleasantest
in all New England.
The Bennington Battle Monument, standing proudly on the summit of this
historic ground, and so near the objective point to which the army was aiming
when the decisive blow was struck, will ever be the admiration of the world,
and will fix for all time the place where untold thousands will delight to go
up to catch the inspiration which the towering pile will give in a degree to the
merely curious, but in a higher and holier sense to the poetic and the patriotic.
All arrangements having been consummated necessary to release the funds
appropriated by Congress and the States of Massachusetts, New Hampshire
and Vermont for the building of the monument, at a meeting of the Monument
Association January 12, 1887 " full powers were given the board of directors
to make contracts and build the monument after the design approved by the
association." The location had been fixed "in the center of the highway on
the crest of the hill, as nearly opposite the site of the Continental 'storehouse
as practicable." A contract was made with W. H. Ward, of Lowell, Mass., for
building " a monument not less than three hundred feet high and substantially
in accordance with the ' Rinn plan,' at a cost of $75,000." This contemplates
an inside staircase of wood, which will undoubtedly be superseded by one of
iron, so as to render the structure perfectly fireproof.
The 16th of August, 1887, one hundred and ten years from the day of the
battle, was fixed upon for the " laying of the corner stone," and all preliminary
arrangements were made to carry out the plan proposed. The earth had been
removed and a satisfactory rock bottom reached; the foundation had been laid
to the surface from a depth of about fifteen feet in solid masonry, and with
much care. Ex-Governor B. F. Prescott of New Hampshire was president of
the day. The governors of the States of Massachusetts, New Hampshire and
Vermont were present with other eminent men, adding interest by their pres¬
ence. The procession composed of the military companies of the States; of
companies from Massachusetts and New Hampshire with one from the State of
New York, and of thousands who had gathered to witness the ceremonies, with
Colonel George W. Hooker as marshal, came from Bennington village, accom¬
panied by a number of " brass bands " and " drum corps," and occupied the
seats, platforms and stands which had been erected for its accommodation.
Town of Bennington.
283
Rut a small proportion could find seating or standing room within hearing of
the speakers, and the multitude were obliged to make themselves as comfort¬
able as possible during the exercises, which were intensely interesting to those
within certain limits. The corner stone was laid by the Masonic Grand
Lodge of Vermont, inclosing " the Bible," •' Governor Hall's Early History of
Vermont," " Rev. Isaac Jenning's Memorials of a Century," historical account
relating to the battle monument, manuscript copy of the contract for the erec¬
tion of the monument, "Biographical Encyclopedia of the Nineteenth Century,
Vermont."copies Bennington Banner, newspaper; copies Bennington Reformer,
newspaper; other Vermont newspapers, Troy and New York newspapers, print¬
ed laws relating to monument, battle of Bennington and Vermont centennial,
"History of Odd Fellowship," report of Masonic Grand Lodge of Vermont,
1887, official programme of laying of corner stone, August 16, 1887, memorial
medal, bank notes of the banks in Bennington, copper coins, brigade order and
roster, and regimental order from adjutant-general's office for muster of 1887.
Addresses of much interest and merit were made during the exercises by Grand
Master Alfred A. Hall, Governor Ebenezer J. Ormsbee, ex-Governor Ben¬
jamin F. Prescott of New Hampshire, and the orator of the day, ex-Governor
John W. Stewart. The ceremonies being concluded the benediction was pro¬
nounced by Rev. Isaac Jennings, pastor of the first church, when the proces¬
sion returned to Bennington village, where the military companies were in
camp. Gratifying progress has been made in the erection of the monument,
and it has now reached the height of one hundred and twenty-five feet. It is
forty feet square at the base, is built of a very durable dark bluish limestone
from a quarry near Sandy Hill, N. Y., and is expected to be completed this
year, liftingits apex three hundred and one feet from the base.
Ecclesiastical.—Rev. Jedediah Dewey was pastor of the Congregational
Church first organized in the town of Bennington. He was from Westfield,
Mass., coming in 1763, and took an active part in the early difficulties of the
settlers, bearing many secular burdens which providentially seemed to fall upon
him and ever proving himself" a man of God, thoroughly furnished unto all
good works." He died December 24, 1778, universally lamented. He left a
large family of children and his descendants are among the most respectable
inhabitants of the town.
Rev. David Avery resigned as chaplain in the army, and became the settled
pastor of this church May 3, 1780. His relations with the church and people
were not altogether pleasant, as he insisted on his right to hold a colored
woman as a slave whom he had brought to live in his family, and the pastoral
was dissolved at the end of three years.
Rev. Job Swift, D.D., was the next pastor, being settled February 27, 1786.
He remained with the church over sixteen years, proving himself a worthy min¬
ister of Christ; but party politics running high and dissensions arising he felt it
History of Bennington County.
his duty to ask for a dissolution of the pastorate, and which was concluded June
7, 1801. He removed to Addison, Vt., where he was settled in the ministry,
and died in 1804, aged sixty-one.
Rev. Daniel Marsh was first "hired for one year," March 27, 1805, and at
a meeting May 12, 1806 a vote was taken " to unite with Mr. Marsh in call¬
ing a council for his installation." He preached the dedication sermon of the
present church on New Year's Day, 1806. It had been occupied, though not
completed, for some time previous to this. This sermon was published, as also
were sermons afterwards preached, one before the State Legislature, and one
on the 16th of August, 1809. He was regularly dismissed April 25, 1820.
Rev. Absalom Peters succeeded Mr. Marsh, being installed July 5, 1820.
His pastorate was one of great satisfaction to the people, which he left Decem¬
ber 14, 1825, to accept the secretaryship of the United Domestic Missionary
Society, in which capacity he aided in forming the American Home Missionary
Society, of which he was the secretary. One quite competent to judge says
of him, " with a graceful style in sermonizing, and great ardor in his work, he
attracted large audiences, and was blessed with numerous additions to the
church."
Rev. Daniel A. Clark was installed as pastor June 14, 1826, coming from
Amherst, Mass., to Bennington. He was a powerful preacher, and his plainness
of speech in attacking vice and immorality of every form, with his outspoken
opinion upon any subjects being discussed in the community made him un¬
popular, and he closed his connection with the church October 12, 1830.
There have been two volumes of his sermons published, which have had quite
an extensive reading, and many of them have been pronounced of superior
merit, and of great beauty of style." One of his sons, Rev. Frederick G. Clark,
was pastor of churches in New York and Brooklyn for several years. He lived
a number of years in the pleasant residence he erected on the site of Governor
Moses Robinson's old mansion, and which he occupied for a summer residence
during his last pastorate over the Second Presbyterian Church in Troy, N. Y.,
until decease in 1887. He was a man of marked ability, and was greatly be¬
loved as a friend and pastor.
Rev. Edward W. Hooker, D.D. became pastor February 21, 1832. He
was a descendant of the elder President Jonathan Edwards. He was a faithful
preacher of the Gospel, and spent what time he could without neglecting other
duties in visiting his people, and in calling upon the sick. His parishioners
were much attached to him, and during one of the years of his stay here ninety
were added to the church. His dismissal occurred May 14, 1844, and he im¬
mediately entered upon the duties of professor of sacred rhetoric and ecclesias¬
tical history in the Theological Institute, at East Windsor, Conn.
Rev. J. J. Abbott followed Dr. Hooker, being installed April 26, 1845, and
remained a little over two years.
Town of Bennington.
285
Rev. Richard C. Hand became pastor of the church January 20, 1848.
During his ministry, which closed November 26, 1852, forty-one united with
the church.
Rev. Isaac Jennings was installed pastor of this church June 1, 1853. lie
was born at Trumbull, Conn., July 24, 1815, spending his youth in Derby, that
State. He was a graduate of Yale College, of the class of 1837, >n which
were included Hon. William M. Evarts, United States Chief Justice Morrison
R. Waite, Hon. Edwards Pierpoint, and Hon. Samuel J. Tilden. For a few
years he taught successfully in Washington and New Haven, Conn., when he
left that vocation and pursued a theological course at New Haven and An-
dover, graduating at the latter institution in 1842. His first pastorate was in
Akron, O., which he entered upon June 14, 1843, and which he left to serve
an important church in Stamford, Conn., his native State, in 1847. Before
leaving Akron he had married Miss Sophia Day, of Mansfield, O., with whom
in the most affectionate and tender relations he lived until his decease, and to
whom were born nine children, eight sons and one daughter. Mrs. Jennings
and six sons survive him. Isaac, to whom was given his father's name, is pas¬
tor of the First Presbyterian Church in Elmira, N. Y. Frederick B. is a law¬
yer in New York City, and Charles G. R. is a physician in Bennington.
Mr. Jennings was the author of the " Memorials of a Century," a volume
of over four hundred pages published in 1869, and of great value, containing
a very large collection of facts and memoranda connected with the history of
the town. The work is indispensable to any one interested in its affairs in by¬
gone days, whether of a religious, political, military, social or biographical
nature. It was suggested by his preparation of a centennial discourse to be
delivered on January 4, 1863, in his church, much of which is embodied in its
pages. The occasion was ot great interest, and the church was filled to its
utmost capacity. The delivery occupied more than two hours, but was listened
to with unabated attention to the end.
The "Battle Monument" enterprise was one in which he took much inter¬
est, and in which he occupied a prominent position, being a member of the
association and secretary of the board of directors. His last public act was
pronouncing the benediction at the close of the ceremonies of laying the cor¬
ner stone of the monument on the 16th of August, 1887.
He was a model minister, ever exhibiting in his intercourse with others that
Christian courtesy which won the respect and love of all His ministerial la¬
bors were greatly blessed in bringing among others many of the young to con¬
fess Christ, and his quiet and unobtrusive ways in living and proclaiming the
word, have gained for him a name more to be prized than any honor or fame
that merely wealth or official station could give. The sentiment conveyed by
the anecdote which he relates in his sketch of Rev. Absalom Peters, would
apply with equal pertinency to his own standing, where he says a " woe" was
286
History of Bennington County.
pronounced upon him by an entire stranger from a distant part of the State,
saying: " Brother Peters, I have come to warn you, to pronounce a woe upon
you. ' Woe unto yon when all men shall speak well of yon.'" Undoubtedly,
as in Mr. Peters's case, all was not sunshine in his relations with the world, but
there was such a consistency in his walk that few ragged edges protruded to
wound or irritate.
His pastorate ceased at the time of his decease, August 25, 1887, after a
brief illness, casting a deep gloom over the entire community, and finishing a
successful ministry of over thirty four years. There were added to the church
during the first nine years of his pastorate one hundred and forty-two mem¬
bers. It was said by one of the church soon after his death in a personal
notice of him, " he had lived a life of singular honesty, purity and Christian
fidelity, and became a great factor in the life of the people, possessing the love
and confidence of all without regard to age, race or sect." The funeral was
from the church, which had been tenderly and tastefully draped by loving
hands of his parishioners, prayer having been offered at the parsonage previous
to gathering here. Rev. P. S. Pratt, of Dorset, Officiated, assisted by Rev. A.
B. Lambert, D.D., of Rupert, Rev. J. L. Harrington, of Sandlake, N. Y., and
Rev. Z. Martin, of Bennington. The sermon by Rev. Pratt was based on
Psalms, lxvii, 6; and five sons with three deacons of the church bore the cas¬
ket to the grave. In the one hundred twenty-five years since the organiza¬
tion of the church, Mr. Jennings was the second pastor to be buried here, the
first, Rev. Jedediah Dewey, having died nearly one hundred and nine years
before.
The Rev. M. L. Severence was given a call, and began to supply the
church in April, 1888. He was installed as pastor September 27 of that year,
and is the present member. The parsonage was a gift made by Captain David
Robinson, who before his decease, in March, 1858, had executed a deed of his
residence to the church and society.
North Bennington.
It has been handed down as true, and is generally believed, that Captain
Samuel Robinson, one of the first settlers of Bennington, a prominent man in
both religious and secular affairs, was often asked by new comers with reference
to where to locate, and that having learned their religious belief 01* proclivities
would advise them if Congregationalists to settle in Bennington, if Baptists to
go to Shaftsbury, if Episcopalians to Arlington, and if of no particular per¬
suasion to settle in Pownal Whether this is wholly true or only partially, the
history of these towns show that such advice might have been given, and also
heeded, for the different denominations spoken of flourished in the first three
mentioned towns, as might have been expected had it in fact been given and
adopted. The polity of these different sects was fostered and built up, and for
Town of Bennington.
287
a long time each was the prevailing denomination in these towns.1 As has been
elsewhere said there was none but the First Congregational Church at Ben¬
nington Center in town for sixty-five years, and no church in North Benning¬
ton for seventy-three years, when a Universalist Church was erected, which
was purchased in 1849 for an academy, and which is now the Roman Catholic
Church, having been considerably enlarged. Sixty years ago the inhabitants
generally went to Bennington Center, though there was the First Baptist
Church of Shaftsbury situated about half a mile north of the village A large
majority of the influential families in the northwest part of the town were con¬
nected with the Center church as members of it, or as regular attendants. It
should be taken into consideration that it was not considered so great a hard¬
ship in those times to drive a little distance to meeting as it is now, for the
world was not moving so fast, nor did it so often seem necessary to use the
time of Sunday to get ready to start on Monday morning in season to get spe¬
cial advantages in the way of business.
Commencing on the county road going north of the old court-house hill the
Robinson and Harwood families were ever found loyal to the faith of their
fathers, and went up weekly to the house of worship. From the foot of the hill
by Safford Robinson's, now the residence of James Lith, we have the names of
Samuel Robinson, James Nichols, Charles Hicks, Deacon Jonathan French, now
the Northrup place. Uriah Edgerton, and Deacon Calvin Bingham, now the
residence of F. B. Jennings. Following the river down from the Hathaway
Corner should be mentioned many of the YValbridge family, the Hendersons,
the Hinsdells, the Breckenridges, and Henrys. William Henry, sen., resided
where his grandson, Deacon E. B. Henry now lives, a part of the dwelling hav¬
ing been built in 1769. He had four sons, William, jr., who also lived here,
James, who resided where George Hinsdell now lives, David, the father of Paul
M., who lived in the old house on the Northouse farm, and John who lived on
the farm now owned by Lewis J. Lillie. The last named was the father of
Richard W, who resided on the homestead ; Hiram who located where John
Biggart now resides, and John, who resided near where Charles Knapp now
lives. These, not to mention others, were all attendants of the First Church
in Bennington Center, and but few, comparatively, went anywhere else. The
Presbyterian Church organized in Hinsdellville in 1834 was made up largely
of the families of the above mentioned, and when it disorganized the members
returned to the Center Church.
When the hirst Baptist Church in Shaftsbury, which was organized in 1768,
"disbanded by a vote of its members to reorganize in a thriving village half a
mile south in Bennington," in 1844, there was no church in North Bennington
but the Universalist, and that in not a very flourishing condition. There were
jA "Protestant Episcopal Church" was organized at Arlington as early as 1784, and a
church was built soon after.
288
History of Bennington County.
but a few families in the village that went into the enterprise, but the strength
came from the neighborhood around Shaftsbury, White Creek and Hoosick.
The result has been all that could reasonably be expected. The church has
been prospered, and by the earnest work of faithful disciples very many have
been reached, and like other New England churches, it has sent abroad those
who have gone into distant parts of the country, and especially the West, car¬
rying that leaven the influence of which can only be known in eternity.
In 1865 the Methodist denomination had established a society and purchased
the property before used for a Presbyterian Church, and continued meeting
there until about three years since. In 1868 the village of North Bennington
having increased in population, and there appearing to be a demand for another
society, as one could not bring in the different elements of which the village was
composed, there was a Congregationalist Church organized which held meet¬
ings in Bank Hall for a few years and then erected a house of worship. There
has seemed to be room for both societies to grow, and the congregations in each
have been usually as large as attended church when there was but one place
for worship, the number of course increasing or diminishing as the business and
population of the village has varied.
The present pastor of the Baptist Church is Rev. A. S. Gilbert, who suc¬
ceeded Rev. George Shepard a little more than a year since. He came from the
northern part of the State, bringing with him the experience necessary for mak¬
ing a pastorate the most successful. Rev. Charles H. Peck, of Griswold, Conn.,
accepted a call to the pastorate of the Congregational Church, and entered
upon his duties April 21, 1889. He came from his first settlement of seven
years to fill the place vacated by Rev. G. R. Hewitt the preceding December.
With railroad facilities unequaled by any village in this part of the State,
there has seemed to be a fatality attending some of the business enterprises
here which has in a measure crippled the prosperity of the place. The manu¬
facture of print cloths which was formerly carried on here in both mills, has
been for the last decade prosecuted by the larger mills, both north and south, to
such an extent that competition has rendered it unprofitable generally to make
them. The Vermont mills have for two or three years been making yarns of
different kinds as affording a better margin, which is being sent into different
sections of the country. With the wheel running at the Stone Mill, which by
a vote of the town this spring the capital invested in any business which might
be started there would be exempted from taxation for five years, the village
would again be on the highway of progress and prosperity. The filling this mill
with knitting and other paying machinery would make, with the other enter¬
prises already here, the large paper interest, the manufacture of stereoscopes,
with which the three factories nearly supply the world, and the manufacture of
erasive rubber goods, and of hat, coat, and towel racks, would give an outlook
that would encourage others to invest their capital.
Town of Bennington.
289
The large reservoir made by the railroad embankment, and which has taken
the name of Lake Parva, has become quite a place of resort for boating, and
its shores are often used by families or gatherings for promenade or tea parties.
It may not be generally known that about the year 1783 a grist-mill was built
on the north side of the stream near where the water ceases to set back, which
was known for years as the Allen Mill, it having been erected by Zebulon and
Abial Allen. Gideon Olin of Shaftsbury purchased a half interest in the mill
and retained it till April 12, 1791. It continued to be operated until after 1800,
when it was abandoned. About the year 1832 a flax-mill was built here which
was used for a year or two when it was given up.
Bennington Falls has received quite a business impulse within a few years.
Charles VV. Roberts has erected an extensive pulp-mill here, having first nearly
doubled the water-power by blasting out the wheel-pit and raceway, and turn¬
ing the water from the tail-race some ways down the stream. His residence
is fitted up so as to be attractive, and the mill property is in such condition as to
suggest thrift and prosperity. Mr. Roberts is engaged with Olin Scott, of Ben¬
nington, in manufacturing his improved machinery for grinding wood into pulp,
which machines are sold into many of the States of the Union.
This town furnished, in answer to calls for troops by the government dur¬
ing the war for the Union, from April, 1861, to the close of the war, three
hundred and fifty-eight men, which is a surplus above its quota of fourteen.
The response shows that the patriotism of her sons had not died out in the Rev¬
olutionary struggle or in the War of 1812, for if the free States and Terri¬
tories had raised an equal proportion, according to their population, it would
have made an army of over one million and a half of men. The following is a
roster of the field, staff, and company officers, from the town of Bennington,
their age at the time of entering the service, and the date of their last commis¬
sions: Colonel, James H. Walbridge, age 34, com. February, 9, 1863; New¬
ton Stone, age 23, com. April 2, 1864; lieutenant-colonel John E. Pratt, age
26, com. March 14, 1865 i major, Eugene O. Cole, age 27, brevet lieutenant-
colonel, April 2, 1865 ; William D. Collins, age 37, com. November 19, 1861;
Nathanial B. Hall, age 36.com. September 25, 1862; adjutant, Guilford S.
Ladd, age 30, com. June 11, 1861 ; captain, William H. Cady, age 24, com.
May 21, 1862; Alvah R. Haswell, age 19, com. May 9, 1865; Frank Ray,
aSe 23> com. April 28, 1863; Ronsom O. Gore, age 28, com. August 27,
1862 ; Madison E. Winslow, age — com. September 1862 ; lieutenant, Abel K.
Parsons, age 32, com. August 27, 1861 ; Dennis M. Blackmer, age 22, com.
April 10, 1862; Edward N. Thayer, age 28, com. August 27, 1862; Edward
W. Appleton, age 23, com. January 25, 1862; Gideon H. Burton, age 23,
com. July 17, 1862; second-lieutenant, Otis V. Estes, age 25, com. October
17, 1862; Charles Albro, age 22, com. August 27, 1862; George Hicks, age
23, com. April 9, 1864; brevet-captain, July 6, 1864; sergeant-major, Rus-
37
History of Bennington County.
sell Fisk, age 36, com. June 7, 1865; quartermaster Fourth Regiment, J. Hal-
sey Cushman, age 32, com. September 21, 1861; Henry T. Cushman, age 18,
com. January 29, 1863, enlisted as regular quartermaster-sergeant March,
1862; captain commissary of subsistance, Alonzo B. Valentine, age 32, com.
March 2, 1864, enlisted as quartermaster July 31, 1862, brevet-major, June
28, 1865 ; colonel com. of subsistance, George D. Harrington, age—stationed
most of the time at Camp Chase, Columbus, Ohio, enlisted May 3, 1862,
com. July 24, 1865; captain of regimental band, in service at Washington,
July I, 1861, Frank M. Crossett. The names of privates and non-commis¬
sioned officers are no less deserving of mention, but the space alloted will not
allow of their being enumerated here.
William S. Southworth, esq., was born in Dorset, Vt., July 14, 1807, and
was the second in a family of four sons, all of whom he survived. His father,
Gordon B. Southworth, was for many years a justice of the peace, and for
eight years an assistant judge of the County Court. The influence of the in¬
telligent father, who was a friend of education, good morals and religion, and
that of the mother, a daughter of the Rev. Daniel Kent, of Benson, a woman,
of eminent piety and strength of character, was not lost upon the children
and they became, though self taught, with the help of the common schools,
well-read and able men. Being the son of a farmer he pursued the occupation
of farming until he began the study of law in this town, with the exception of
teaching in a district school. After being admitted to the bar he entered into
partnership with Highland Hall, under the firm name of Hall & Southworth.
Soon after, Mr. Hall being elected to Congress, the firm was dissolved, and he
continued in practice for a number of years in Bennington Center. Of studious
habits he became posseesed of high legal attainments, and was soon acknowl¬
edged to be one of the first lawyers in southern Vermont.
When the march of events foreshadowed that East Bennington was the
future ground for the largest practice in his profession he removed his office
and home here, and, as it seemed, was located permanently. But he was called
to become managing agent of the Lawrence Manufacturing Company, in
Lowell, Mass., in 1849, t° succeed Hon. John Aiken, formerly of Manchester.
The situation was a lucrative one, and could be satisfactorily filled only by a
man of good legal ability and sterling integrity. He had been selected, and
the invitation came to him unsolicited, and to his great surprise. He accepted
it, leaving his large law business, and fulfilled the duties of the responsible
trust for the period of seventeen years. He had united on profession of faith,
with the First Church at Bennington Center about the year 1835, and thence¬
forward had been an active Christian, his example and influence as such being
felt in all his work, municipal, educational, humane and religious. He was a
member of the prudential committee of the American Board of Commis¬
sioners for Foreign Missions from i860 to 1865, and his services as such
Town of Bennington.
291
were highly valued. He resigned his position in Lowell in 1866 and returned
to Bennington, where he again built up a good practice in his profession.
The following to his memory is taken from a more lengthy sketch by ex-
Governor Hiland Hall: " His thorough knowledge of the principles of law, his
readiness in applying them, as well as his ability in presenting them to the
consideration of the court and jury, enabled him to take a leading position at
the bar, while his courteous demeanor towards the court and opposing counsel
secured him universal attention and respect." We also quote a sentence from
the resolutions of respect by the Bennington county bar, adopted September
3d, soon after his decease: "As a lawyer, studious and learned; as a coun¬
selor, faithful and always trustful; as an advocate, earnest, eloquent and digni¬
fied; and as a citizen one against whom no word of calumny was ever justly
spoken. In his death we recognize a great public and private loss. He was
married May 10, 1840, at Westmoreland, Oneida county, N. Y., to Miss Jen-
nette Miller, who survives him. To them were born three daughters — the
widow of the late William T. Horribin of Cohoes, N. Y., Mrs. Henry Hopkins,
wife of Rev. Henry Hopkins, D.D. of Kansas City, Mo., and one who died in
early youth. Mr. Southworth went to Cohoes, to reside with his son-in-law in
April 1874, and to assist him, who was then in poor health, in his extensive
business. His health, however, began to fail the next spring, and his death
occurred August 31, 1875. His remains were brought to Bennington, and the
funeral services were conducted by Rev. Calvin B. Hulbert, pastor of the Sec¬
ond Congregational Church, of which Mr. Southworth and wife were members,
assisted by Revs. C. H. Hubbard and Isaac Jennings. The interment was in
Bennington Center Cemetery.
Hon. Abraham B. Gardner, a prominent lawyer of Bennington, and ex-
lieutenant governor of the State, was born in Pownal, September 2, 1819.
His father, David Gardner, was a respectable farmer, and his mother, Eunice
Wright, was of the best blood of the town. He was a good student, and ob¬
tained his preparatory education in Bennington, entering Union College,
Schenectady, where he graduated in 1841. He studied law with his uncle
Isaac T. Wright in Castleton, Vt., and was admitted to the bar in 1844. After
entering upon the practice of his profession he resided in Bennington Center,
having his office there until during the later years of his life, when he was asso¬
ciated with Henry A. Harman with an office also in Bennington village. He
was register of probate nine years from December 1, 1857, state's attorney two
years from December 1, 1855. and bank commissioner twelve years from
*855' He represented the town five years, from October i860, and was the
last two years speaker of the House of Representatives. He was elected lieu¬
tenant governor in 1865-66, and in 1870 was made county senator for the
term of two years. He was a lawyer of much ability and of high character,
ever demonstrating a deep interest in the prosperity and welfare of the town.
2Q2
History of Bennington County.
Both as an advocate and legal adviser Mr. Gardner held a high rank, and his
name attached to many of the cases upon the court docket always showed the
confidence those who had business in the courts had in his ability and reputa¬
tion. The endorsement of the nomination of Horace Greeley by the Demo¬
cratic party in 1872 drew over Mr. Gardner to its support, and he afterwards
affiliated with that party, though President Hayes's candidacy received his
cordial support. He was connected with the business of the Eagle Square
Manufacturing Company of Shaftsbury, and for years its president, and also a
vice-president of the Bennington Battle Monument Association. He was presi¬
dent of the Bennington and Rutland Railroad at one time and counsel for it,
and also attorney for the Troy and Boston Railroad. He was a firm sup¬
porter of the old First Church, and habitually attended worship there. His
death occurred November 23, 1881, and the funeral services were conducted
by his old pastor, Rev. Isaac Jennings. A large number assembled to pay
the last tribute of respect to his excellence, the bar of the county being
present in a body. He was thrice" married, one of his daughters being the
accomplished wife of Dr. Charles G. R. Jennings.
Dr. William Bigelow was born in Middletown, Vt., November 7, 1791.
He studied medicine, and removed to Fairhaven in this State, and entered
upon the practice of his profession. He had married Miss Dorinda Brewster
of Middletown, October 9, 1815. She was a lady of rare worth, abounding in
the Christian graces, and as a mother while willing to gratify her children and
delighting in all that should give them pleasure, she was firm and inflexible in
her opinions, and in their prosecution of what she considered right and proper.
She was a lineal descendant of Elder William Brewster, one of the pilgrims who
landed at Plymouth, having left home and friends for the privilege of worship¬
ing God according to the dictates of their own consciences. The family tree
shows hers to have been the generation from this renowned " Elder of
Plymouth," who was born at Scrooby, England, in 1566, and died at Ply¬
mouth April 16, 1644. At Scrooby was the starting point of the Pilgrim
Fathers, and in his father's residence the "Protestant Nonconformists" gath¬
ered as a church, with Brewster as ruling elder, and John Robinson as teacher.
In 1607, after repeated persecutions, he with the little band emigrated to
Amsterdam, where they stayed a year and then went to Leyden. He became
quite poor from the charities he dispensed and his aid to his struggling breth¬
ren, and was compelled to give lessons in English, adopting a grammar of his
own composition for the use of his pupils. In 1620 a part of the congregation
sailed for the "wild New England shore," with Elder Brewster as their spirit¬
ual head. Not having been ordained he did not administer the sacraments,
but preached regularly on the Lord's Day
Dr. Bigelow came to Bennington in 1829, and entered at once upon an
extensive practice, immediately taking a high position among the eminent phy-
Town of Bennington.
293
sicians who were already located here. He possessed uncommon social quali¬
fications, and with his native affability he was a most genial gentleman to meet,
and if the conference continued there would be ideas imparted that would in¬
struct as well as interest. He was a graceful speaker, and being gifted with an
easy flow of language he was sometimes called upon for an impromptu speech,
as it was expected he would be ready for any extreme occasion. It is said of
him, " he was an impressive speaker. Gracefulness of mind and person con¬
tributed to this. His manner was dignified, and his feeling, genuine. This
talent he frequently exercised in gatherings of his fellow-citizens, but more
constantly in the prayer and conference meeting. He regarded the duty as
sacred. In no place was his influence more happy than in business meetings
of the church." His pleasant, cheerful bearing, with the Christian spirit ac¬
companying it, ever gave a moral atmosphere to the sick room, and he is re¬
membered not only as the physician of the body, but as often giving hope and
comfort to the wavering, questioning soul. He was elected to represent the
county for one term in the Senate of the State, which position he filled with
credit to himself and satisfaction to his constituents. Owing to failing health
he was obliged to give up his professional practice, and in [858 he went to
Springfield, Mass., where his son Edmund lived, and with whom he afterwards
resided. He died at Springfield April 13, 1863, and by his request the inter¬
ment was in Bennington. Mrs. Bigelow lived a widow twenty years after his
decease, most of the time with her daughter Sophia, Mrs S. B. Sanford, in
Bennington, where she died July 16, 1883, at the advanced age of 88. They
rest side by side in the cemetery of the old village where they had lived so long
together.
Benjamin F. Morgan, M.D., was born in Pownal, Vt., September 30, 1799.
His early education was in the common schools of his town, and with what he
could obtain by his own exertions he entered Williams College. He was obliged
to battle against pecuniary difficulties, and left college in his senior year to
earn the means, by teaching, to pursue his chosen profession, that of medicine,
ile began his medical study with Dr. Noadiah Swift, of Bennington, with whom
he remained some time, supplementing it with a course at the Medical School
in Castleton, Vt. He graduated with the highest honors of the class, and pur¬
sued a further course of instruction at a celebrated Philadelphia institute.
Having completed so thorough a preparation he settled into the practice of his
life work in his native town. Though not forward in pressing his opinions in
regard to town aftairs, his good judgment went far in the quiet way in which
he gave any advice that was asked, so that his influence was felt more than
that of many of more stirring ways. His practice was extensive, he being for a
long time almost the only physician in town, as any other must be called from
Bennington or Williamstown. Thus the people became much attached to him,
and, in addition to their honoring him with various town offices, he was elected
294
History of Bennington County.
to represent them in the State Legislature, and also by the county as its sen¬
ator. In 1856 he removed from Pownal to Bennington Center, leaving his
practice there to be prosecuted by his son, Dr. E. N. S. Morgan, who after¬
wards removed to Bennington, and who died before his father. His ac¬
quaintance with a large number of the inhabitants, and having been so often
called as physician or counsel by many, he at once had all the calls he could
well attend to. He became a member of the Mount Anthony Lodge of Ma¬
sons in 1857, and was faithful in his obligations to the society, as he was in all
other duties which he assumed. In 1862 he received the appointment from the
government of surgeon inspector-general for this department, with his head¬
quarters at Rutland. The office he held until the close of the war when he was
regularly discharged, receiving the approbation and thanks of " the proper
officials for the most complete and perfect reports and suggestions rendered to
them during the war." He was a constant and thorough student in medical
science of the best and latest authors, and in the most advanced thought of the
profession.
In 1880 when it was doubtful as to the success of the Republican party he
was selected as the standard bearer, and his personal popularity made it an
easy victory to elect him to represent the town in the General Assembly. In
his younger days he had an office temporarily with William Lloyd Garrison,
near the residence of Charles W. Swift, in which they, with some others, it is
said, organized the first anti-slavery society, long before such a party was known,
or the subject had become a matter of national politics. Dr. Morgan made a
public profession of religion late in life, and united with the old First Church
at the Center. He was married to Miss Harriett Jewett of Pownal in 1825, who
still survives him, and with whom he shared over sixty years of happy conju¬
gal life. His death'occurred February 4, 1886, and at the funeral services Rev.
Isaac Jennings said: "He professed religion late in life, but those who knew
him, saw him at the couch of suffering, cannot doubt but that years before he
had taken the course of practical Christianity, which needed only the public
profession for the crown to his character."
Seth B. Hunt was born in Bennington in February, 1811. He was the son
of Jonathan Hunt who came here about 1795, and was permanently located as a
jeweller. At an early age he went to New York as a clerk in the store of
Arthur Tappan & Co., then the largest dry goods house in the city. Al¬
though a youth he made rapid progress, taking a high position for his commer¬
cial ability. He drank in the spirit of earnestness and benevolence of the
senior member of the firm, and was through life a friend of the slave or the
needy under all circumstances. Soon after he became of age, he, with his
brother Jonathan, the sixth of the same Christian name in direct succession,
went into business at No. 18 Exchange Place. They were successful mer¬
chants, and being popular with country dealers who then visited the city at
Town of Bennington.
295
least twice a year, they received the patronage of most of the merchants from
this section of the State. He went to Manchester, England in 1849, and was
a member then of the firm of Stavert. Hunt & Zigomala, whose business rela¬
tions were extensive, reaching over much of the continent. He returned in
1854, but did not enter again into business until i860, when he organized the
firm of Hunt, Tillinghast & Co., of which he was the senior member. They
were manufacturing woolen shawls at Leeds, N. Y., and the business being
very profitable he was led to erect the large mills in Bennington village, cost¬
ing nearly a half million of dollars. He also erected on the old homestead a
fine summer residence in connection with which there is a fountain throwing
water hardly second only to any in the world. The residence is now used as
the Vermont Soldier's Home.
Mr. Hunt was an energetic business man, and with good judgment and
executive ability his well laid enterprises generally succeeded. His strong ab¬
olition views gave offense to many of his Southern customers before the war,
so that his business suffered considerably, but his wealth enabled him to stem
the tide and continue master of the situation. He aided largely the Free Soil
party in Kansas in its early struggles, and did much, financially, to bring that
territory into the Union as a free State. A firm supporter of the war, he was
liberal in his gifts and means towards raising and fitting out regiments for ser¬
vice. In church matters he was particularly helpful He contributed gen¬
erously to Oberlin College, Ohio, and assisted in founding several churches in
New York and Brooklyn, as well as giving liberally to churches in his native
town. He was a long tried friend of Rev. George B. Cheeani, D.D., in New
York and an attendant at the Broadway Tabernacle Church. With T. W. Park
lie presented the village of Bennington with the Free Library building, and
the library which has done so much for the education and reputation of the
village.
His first wife was Frances Raymond, of Bennington Center, who died in
i>S66, leaving a daughter, Mrs. Julius Catlin, whose husband was at one time
his partner in the importing and commission business. He was married the
second time to a daughter of the late Rev. J. P. Thompson, D.D., of the
Broadway Tabernacle Church, New York. Mr. Hunt died April 20, 1880, at
his winter residence, No. 35 West Nineteenth Street, New York, leaving a
widow and four children as the fruit of the second marriage. The funeral ser¬
vices were conducted by Rev. William M. Taylor, D.D., of the Tabernacle
Church, and the interment was in Greenwood Cemetery.
History of tiie Incorporated Village of Bennington.
It was not that the people of the pretty little hamlet of Bennington "on the
hill, seriously opposed the project of building up a town on the site of what
they were pleased to term " Algiers," that created the strong feeling of unpleas-
History of Bennington County.
antness between the citizens of the two places. The residents of the upper vil¬
lage realized full well the fact that the lower village possessed natural advanta¬
ges of situation along the Walloomsac with its abundant water power that
made it certain that a village would sooner or later grow upon the lands bor¬
dering on that stream ; but it was when the lower village had attempted to take
from the older town the county buildings, the post-office, and other of her
loved institutions, that an unpleasant feeling began to manifest itself. But
the lower or east village soon threw off its "Algerian " condition and took the
name of East Bennington by the establishment of a post-office there January
14, 1844, with General Henry Robinson as postmaster. At this time the pop¬
ulation of the village numbered several hundred, and was considerably larger
than the older town on the hill. It had also no less than four established and
prosperous church societies—the Methodist, Episcopal, Congregationalist, and
Baptist.
In May, 1846 the authorities at Washington caused the East Bennington
post-office to be discontinued, from the fact that it was nearer the upper village
office than the regulations of the department then permitted But during the
next year the accommodating incumbent of the Bennington post-office being
actuated by a desire to serve the majority of his people, caused the office build¬
ing to be drawn on timbers, using several teams of oxen as a motive power, to
the lower village and placed on the lot at the corner of Main and South streets
opposite the Putnam House site. This was an occasion of great rejoicing in
East Bennington. Bells were rung, and the whole people turned out and cele¬
brated the event as a jubilee. The Bennington people, however, felt deeply
offended at this usurpation of authority and most unwarranted action on the
part of their postmaster, J. C. Haswell, and at once sent a committee, David
Robinson, John S. Robinson and Benjamin F. Fay, to Washington, to lay their
grievances before the proper authorities. That visit resulted in the removal of
the office back to the old town, and the vindication of the rights of its people.
Then they rejoiced, and the citizens of East Bennington were correspondingly
depressed in spirits.
J. C. Haswell, the village postmaster, as is well known, was the editor and
publisher of the Vermont Gazette, and with the removal of the post-office also
came the removal of the newspaper office as well. The former he was com¬
pelled to restore to its proper town, but the authorities had no control over the
paper, which thereafter became one of the institutions of the east village. But
the upper town's people suffered not this indignity to pass unnoticed ; they at
once established another printing office in their town and christened its issue
the " Vermont Gazette," being the same name the other paper carried at its
head. But this led to confusion; Mr. Haswell still remained postmaster, and
as such had the first handling ot all mail matter; how then could he distinguish
whether matter addressed to the Gazette was intended for his or his oppo-
Village of Bennington.
297
nent's perusal ? This latter complication of affairs led to the appointment of a
new postmaster for Bennington in the person of Henry Kellogg. Mr. Haswell
was not charged with improperly handling the mails, but the good of the serv¬
ice demanded his removal from the position. When a permanent post office
was established at the east village he was appointed postmaster. That was in
January, 1848. The Gazette that issued from the office "on the hill" proved an
unprofitable investment for its proprietors, Messrs. Aiken and Lull, who, in
order to save themselves, purchased the opposing paper and published that,
letting the other drop.
The struggle for supremacy between the two villages continued for some
time. The removal of the post-office was but the "beginning of sorrows" for
the upper place. On the 28th of October, 1846 the court-house was burned,
and following that disaster the East Bennington people made a strenuous effort
to obtain the new building for their town; but the upper townsmen were rather
too sharp in the proceedings that followed, and retained the county buildings
in their locality for a score of years longer. But when the court-house was
again destroyed by fire in March, 1869, the laws of necessity and convenience
demanded that the building be erected at the east village, which was accord¬
ingly done, and without opposition from the people 011 the hill.
But another thing. A noted writer has said: "He who steals my purse
steals trash; but he who robs me of my good name takes from me that which
cannot enrich him, and only impoverishes me." This old saying is brought
again to mind by knowledge of the changes that have taken place in the names
of these rival towns. The name Bennington was given the little hamlet on the
hill more than a hundred years ago, and long before the idea was conceived of
building up a village such as now enjoys that name; and the old village, that
was entitled to the name by every consideration of reason and propriety, has
been compelled to yield that also along with its institutions and industries, in
favor of the new-comer. Bennington 011 the hill was continued to be so called
until the authorities at Washington, in answer to a general demand, changed
the name of the post-office to West Bennington, in 1849; and 011 the same day,
July 12th of the same year the post name, Bennington, was re-established at
the lower village, and Horace T. White was made postmaster. Thus has time
witnessed the downfall of the one, and the uprising of the other. Then, again,
West Bennington was subsequently dropped, and in its place we now have the
present name of "Bennington Center." But for all this the town has lost none of
its historic interest or value. The loss of its court-house and name has been par¬
tially compensated for in the erection of a magnificent monument commcmo-
lative of the famous battle of Bennington; and in front of where once stood
the famous old Catamount Tavern there stands another substantial stone mon¬
ument to mark the spot. And these shall be as enduring as time. Benning¬
ton Center is a delightfully situated village around which clusters a wealth of
as
298
History of Bennington County.
historic memories that can never be forgotten while the monuments stand; and
Bennington village, as the name is now applied, is a busy little municipality,
noted for its large industries and the general progressiveness of its people.
Such, in brief, was the situation of affairs at Bennington at and immediately
prior to the time of its incorporation. But the village, whether under the name
of Algiers, or East Bennington, or Tigertown, or Pollywogs, or such other appel¬
lations as were applied to it, was in existence long years before the act of incor¬
poration was passed, and was a thriving little hamlet with a number of indus¬
tries of what was then considered much importance. In truth, if well verified
tradition is to be relied upon, and in this case it certainly is, within the limits of
the present village of Bennington there was built and in operation the first flour
or grist-mill in the State, and it stood upon or very near the site of the present
extensive works of the Cooper Manufacturing Company. A grist-mill was in
operation here until about the year 1853, when Benton and Jones bought the
water privilege, and converted the grist-mill into a paper-mill.
The old mill was known as the Safford Mill from the fact that it and the
lands adjoining were the property of Samuel Safford. Opposite to the old Saf¬
ford grist-mill stood at an early day a saw-mill, and this, too, was of ancient
origin, its erection dating back quite as far as the old grist-mill; in fact, it is
believed that the lumber used in building the grist-mill was sawed here. The
old saw-mill went out of existence many years ago, probably about the begin¬
ning of the present century. At a later day there was built on the site now
of the Cooper Company's east building, near the corner, the blacksmith and
wagon shops owned and conducted by Deacon Enoch Winslow. Here was,
it is thought, the first smith's shop in the village, if not in the town. All evi¬
dence of its existence is now destroyed. It is possible that some person still
lives who remembers the old chair shop that stood on the site of Charles Coop¬
er's machine works, and was operated by Dewey and Woodworth. When it
was built we know not, but it was run here for a time, and until succeeded by
the tannery business of Buckley Squires. The latter business was discontinued
between the years 1843 an^ 1846, after which the water privilege remained un¬
used until about 1865, when Charles I. Cromack built and operated a planing-
mill there. Some time after his death Milo G. Remington became proprietor,
and converted the mill into a wagon shop, but it finally passed into the hands
of Henry W. Putnam who rebuilt it for its present use.
Another tannery building used to stand on the east side of North street,
north of the main stream, and for many years was run by Newell Squire. It
was not a particularly successful enterprise, and was unoccupied for a number of
years before its destruction by fire, and the latter event must have occurred
over forty years ago. The building stood about where Elbert Putnam's resi¬
dence is now located. On the west side of North street, several rods north of
Main street, there stood another tannery that was built about 1838, and owned
Village of Bennington.
299
and operated by Daniel Conkling. After his death the building remained idle,
but Enos Adams finally bought the plant, run it as a tannery for a time, and
then converted it into a pottery. In this same building also was another in¬
dustry, the grinding of quartz and feldspar for the manufacture of porcelain
ware. The pottery machinery was put in about the year 1859. About 1865
Mr. Adams commenced the manufacture of steel governors here, which he still
makes in connection with his other extensive manufactures.
At a very early day there stood a little tannery building on Main street,
about opposite the present Free Library Hall. Its use as a tannery was dis¬
continued prior to the year 1830. On the same site and in the building Messrs.
Godfrey & Adkins afterward operated a wadding-mill, but the latter was
burned down about 1838 or 1840. On the site of the ruins was erected the
first planing-mill of the village, built by Lyman Harrington, A. P. Lyman and
others. This firm also had a cooperage works in connection with their other
business, and manufactured powder-mill kegs. The old building still stands,
although frequent repairs and enlargements have destroyed its original appear¬
ance. The property at length passed into the hands of A. D. Stewart, who
run the planing-mill department and leased the upper part to Sylvester Peelor
for the manufacture of sash, blinds and doors. About two years ago Mr. Stew¬
art sold to James Lindley, the present owner. This is now a well-known and
prominent building on Main street, and is occupied for several uses.
In mentioning these of the early industries of the village some mention
must also be made of the woolen cloth manufacture conducted by Joel Valen¬
tine 011 the site of the present large and substantial building occupied by the
Valentine Knitting Company. Joel Valentine established business here in
1824, although the privilege was in use some ten or a dozen years earlier than
that time. The business commenced by Mr. Valentine, or his predecessor in
occupancy, led to the founding of the extensive business now in operation here.
I lie old building was destroyed by fire in 1836, but was at once rebuilt and
continued nine years longer, when again the factory was burned. It was then
rebuilt by Alonzo B. Valentine, son of the founder of the business, and by him
continued and enlarged upon to its present vast proportions.
1 hen there is to be mentioned among the old industries of the village, all
of which contributed so largely to its growth and prosperity, the old pottery
that was established in 1793 by Captain John Norton, in the south part of the
township, on the road leading from Bennington Center to Pownal. In the year
•833 the works were moved to Bennington village, then generally known as
Algiers, when the business was enlarged and continued to the present time,
although its management has been changed several times, as will be seen bv
reference to the pages devoted to the present manufacturing interests of the
village.
rhese were but a part, although perhaps a major part of the manufacturing
3°°
History of Bennington County.
industries of the infant days of Bennington, and in existence before its act of
incorporation was passed, and before the village became separated from the
township of which it formed a part. And as the proportion of population and
manufacture then stood, so, also, was the proportion of mercantile and other
business interests, as well as institutions for the spiritual and educational wel¬
fare of the townspeople. There was the Methodist Church, the society of
which was organized in 1827 ; the Baptist society, organized during the same
year ; St. Peter's Episcopal Church, formed in 1834, while the Second Congre¬
gational, an offshoot of the old society at the upper village, was formed in 1836.
Fifty or sixty years ago, and perhaps longer, the village had two hotels, one
kept by Isaac Weeks on the site of the present Putnam House, and another
further up Main street, presided over by Jacob Lyon. The school house, a
plain frame structure, stood on Union street.
There may be living within the township or village a number of persons
whose memory can carry them back to the time when the greater part of the
tract now covered by the buildings in the village was used mainly for farm
and garden purposes ; and if memory will thus serve them, they may recall to
mind the old trotting course that must have been a mile in circumference, and
was situated between the soldiers' home and what is now Pleasant street.
And they may remember, too, how certain Sabbath-breaking persons were
wont to assemble here on the first day of the week and engage in trotting and
speeding their horses, to the great annoyance and disgust of the respectable
element of society. And it was customary too for persons from New York
State to meet here on Sunday and trot their horses for money and other prizes.
Public sentiment strongly opposed these numerous acts of desecration, but still
they were continued week after week, and until the Rev. Dr. Peters announced
from the pulpit of the old First Church that on the following Sunday he would
make this indulgence the subject of special mention in his discourse. The
sermon!was duly delivered and the public sentiment was aroused to such a
pitch of excitement that the law abiding citizens of the community put an
effectual stop to such ruthless proceedings in the future.
Incorporation of the Village.—Long before the year 1840 the majority, if
not all, of the water privileges along the Walloomsac were taken up with man¬
ufacturing enterprises. These brought a good population to the town, and its
growth became rapid and permanent, necessitating the extensive building of
houses and mercantile buildings; still, in 1848, the hundreds of population in
the village proper could be counted on one's fingers. But even with this com¬
paratively small number of inhabitants it was found not only desirable, but
necessary, that the village should be incorporated that its internal affairs might
be administered by the residents separate and distinct from the township of
which it had hitherto formed a part. It is a well-known fact that the average
rural resident has but little interest in measures that should be taken for the
Village of Bennington.
301
improvement of a hamlet or village, all of which call for an expenditure of
money, and from which he could derive no return or probable comfort, and,
therefore he naturally opposes any project for the improvement of a locality
from which he can have 110 direct benefit, but for which he is called upon to
pay an additional tax. Therefore, if the inhabitants of any unincorporated vil¬
lage desire to materially improve their locality or condition at the public ex¬
pense, they must have recourse to municipal organization ; and, as this condi¬
tion practically confronted the people of the village of Bennington they availed
themselves of the statutes of the State and separated the village from the town¬
ship by means of an act of incorporation.
Of the provisions of this act it is not essential that a detailed mention
should be made other than to describe the lands taken for village purposes, as
follows :
" Beginning at the southwest corner of Jedediah Dewey's farm, and running
thence north, nine degrees east on said Dewey's west line, one hundred and
thirty rods, to A. P. Lyman's land ; thence northwardly to the center between
the dwelling house of said A. P. Lyman and the dwelling house of Lyman
Harrington, in a straight line to the north side of the highway, and on the
south line of said Dewey's land ; thence westwardly on the north line of said
highway, to the north corner of said Dewey's land ; thence northwardly on the
west line of said Dewey's land, to the lands owned by Lyman Patchin ; thence
eastwardly on said Patchin's south line to the west bank of the river ; thence
down the said river upon the west bank thereof, to its confluence with the Roar¬
ing Branch; thence up the said branch, upon its south bank, to the west bank
of Colvin's canal ; thence south on the west bank of said canal; and onward
thirty-two and a half rods, to a small cherry tree; thence south sixty-nine de¬
grees west to the road, and onward on the south line of S. L. Godfrey's land,
and across the mill pond to the highway leading to the Weeks farm ; thence
south, four degrees east, on the east line of said highway, seventy-nine rods, to
the southwest corner of M. C. Morgan's land; thence north, seventy-nine de¬
grees west, on the south line of original lots, three hundred and one rods, to
the place of beginning, shall hereafter be known by the name of the village of
Bennington; and the inhabitants of said village are hereby constituted a body
politic and corporate, with the usual powers incident to public corporations, to
be known by the name of the village of Bennington."
It was, therefore, by this act of the Legislature of Vermont that the corpo¬
rate village of Bennington was brought into existence. The act was approved
and became a law on the 3d day of November, 1849. Among other things it
was provided that "an annual meeting of the said corporation shall be held on
the first Monday of January," (1850), and that at this and every annual meet¬
ing held thereafter the freemen shall proceed to elect a moderator, who shall
pieside at all meetings; a clerk, who shall keep a record of all the proceedings
302
History of Bennington County.
of the corporation, seven trustees, who shall have the management of the affairs
of the corporation, and the necessary power for that purpose; a treasurer and
collector. A subsequent provision of the same act authorized the election of
seven fire wardens whose duty it was to suppress all tumults and riots, to di¬
vide the labor of all persons present, and to look to the protection of goods
and property in cases of fire.
As provided by the act the first meeting for the election of village officers,
and others authorized by the act of incorporation, was held at the town house
on the 16th of January, 1850. A temporary organization was effected by
choosing J. P. Godfrey, moderator, and David F. Squires, as clerk, pro tem¬
pore. But it appears that the officers for the year were not elected at this
meeting, a motion having been made by Calvin Gilson that the meeting stand
adjourned until the 30th of January following. On that day the freemen again
met, chose Joel Valentine moderator, and then proceeded to select village offi¬
cers. On motion of A. P. Lyman a committee of ten was appointed to nomi¬
nate suitable persons for officers of the corporation for the ensuing year ; which
motion being carried, the committee was as follows: Samuel Rockwood, Moses
Harrington, Samuel H. Brown, Abel H. Wills, Paul Boynton, Jedediah Dewey,
Luther R. Graves, George W. Harman, James H. Bennett and Christopher W.
Fenton. This committee reported the nomination of the village officers who
were duly elected by the meeting, as follows: A. P. Lyman, moderator;
David F. Squires, clerk; Charles S. Colvin, George W. Harman, Peter H.
Story, Abel II. Wills, Zadock L. Taft, Albert Walker, and Samuel H. Brown,
trustees; Asahel Booth, Lemuel Grover, Buckley Squires, Madison E. Wins-
low, lames H. Bennett, Calvin Gilson. and Moses Harrington, fire wardens;
Henry F. Dewey, collector, and Luman Norton, treasurer. The meeting also
appointed a committee consisting of George W. Harman, A. P. Lyman and
David F. Squires, to prepare by-laws for the corporation.
The act by which the village of Bennington was incorporated has been sev¬
eral times amended, and upon some occasions the corporate limits have been
extended. As at first laid out the lands taken were parts of what have always
been known as the Dewey, Pratt, and Safford tracts, so called from their pio¬
neer owners.
The annual meeting for the election of officers was continued to be held in
January until the year 1874, at which time a change was made, and the elec¬
tions were thereafter, and until 1881, held in April; but in 1 881 the corporate
laws of the village were radically revised, and a reorganization practically ef¬
fected. Under this revision the village had a president, and the affairs of the
corporation were conducted with more formality than had been the previous
custom.
Prior to the early part of the year 1856 it was the practice of the freemen
to choose their trustees from the village generally, and without especial refer-
3°3
cnce to locality, as there was no subdivision of the village into wards or dis¬
tricts before to that time. But at a meeting held on the 6th day of February,
1856, a by-law or ordinance was adopted by which the village was divided
into seven wards, constituted as follows:
Ward No. 1 shall include that portion of the village lying west of the east
line of South street, and west of the east line of North street, and south of the
south bank of the river running from the Safford pond to Booth's pond and
onward.
Ward No. 2 shall include that portion of the village lying west of the east
line of North street, and north of the south bank of said river.
Ward No. 3 shall include that portion of the village lying east of the east
line of North street, west of the east line of Pottery street, and north of the
south bank of said river.
Ward No. 4 shall include that portion of the village lying east of the east
line of North street, south of the south bank of said river, and north of the
north line of Main street.
Hard No. 5 shall include that portion of the village lying east of the east
line of South street, west of the west line of Morgan street, and south of the
north line of Main street.
Ward No. 6 shall include that part of the village lying east of the west line
of Morgan street, and west of the west side of the Safford bridge, and south of
the north line of Main street.
Ward No. 7 shall include that part of the village lying east of the east line
of Pottery street, north of the north bank of the river to the Safford bridge,
and thence by the north line of Main street.
The section of the by law, by which this division was made, also provided
that " until the next election of trustees," James L. Stark, jr., shall have spe¬
cial jurisdiction over ward number one, S. M. Robinson, jr., over ward number
two, Hiram Bingham over ward number three, Joel Valentine over ward num¬
ber four, George W. Harman over ward number five, George Benton over
ward number six, and M. C. Morgan over ward number seven. The second
section provided that when future trustees were elected one should be taken
from each ward of the village.
This custom was continued in force until the annual meeting held in Janu¬
ary, 1867, at which time a preamble and resolution were adopted that returned
to the old practice of choosing trustees generally, and without regard to ward
residence. The resolution was as follows : " Whereas, the increasing popula¬
tion of the village of Bennington, with the many streets and highways which
have been added within the limits of its charter since its organization have
rendered the different wards disproportionate and unequal, it is therefore re¬
solved, that the by-laws of this corporation are so far amended that the trus¬
tees for 1867 be chosen without regard to the particular ward in which they
History of Bennington County.
may respectively reside; and that said trustees shall so divide the moneys to
be expended, and the services to be performed, among their number in such
manner as may, in their opinion, be for the best interests of the village."
The same resolution also requested the trustees to examine the boundaries
of each ward in the village and after making such alterations as the interests
of the village suggested, to report the same to the next annual meeting for the
consideration of the freemen there assembled. Another resolution passed at
this same meeting authorized the election of two auditors, whose duty it should
be to examine the accounts of all officers of the village and settle with them
according to their services.
But the re-arrangement of the wards of the village was not brought up for
consideration until the annual meeting of January, 1869, at which time the by¬
laws were amended, and the village territory again divided into the following
wards:
First zvard.—All that portion of the village lying west of the west line of
South street, and south of the north line of Main street.
Second ward.—All that portion of the village lying west of the east line of
North street, and north of the north line of Main street.
Third ward.—All that portion of the village lying east of the east line of
North street, and west of the east line of Safford street, and north of the south
line of Gage street.
Fourth zvard.—All that portion of the village lying east of the east line of
North street, and west of the east line of Safford street, and north of the north
line of Main street, and south of the south line of Gage street.
Fifth zvard.—All that portion of the village east of the west line of South
street, and west of the east line of Silver street, and south of the north line of
Main street.
Sixth zvard.—All that part of the village lying east of the east line of Sil¬
ver street, and west of the east line of Morgan street, and south of the north
line of Main street.
Seventh zvard.—All that part of the village lying east of the east line of
Morgan street and Safford street.
On the 25th day of November, 1884, the Legislature of the State passed
an act that amended and consolidated all previous enactments relating to the
corporation of Bennington, and established its institutions on a more firm and
definite basis than it had heretofore enjoyed. The second section of the act of
1884 defined the boundaries of the village corporation, which ordinarily, would
not be of importance in this chapter, except for the fact that the original
boundaries are already given, and to show the changes that have been
made, and the growth of the town it may not be enlarging too much on this
subject to give the limits of the village as they at present exist, as follows:
"Beginning at the northwest corner of lands owned by Charles E. and Elijah
Dewey, situate on the north side of Main street; thence easterly along the north
Village of Bennington.
305
side of said Dewey's land to the west bank of the Walloomsac River; thence
down the said river upon the west bank thereof to its confluence with the Roar-
jn<r Branch; thence up the said Branch upon its south bank to the west bank
of kockwood's canal; thence south on the west bank of said canal, and cross-
in^ Main street, thirty and one-half rods to a point about eight feet westerly
from the southwest corner of Isaac Moon's wagon shop; thence south, seventy
decrees west, to the highway, or Beech street, so called ; thence onward, on
the south line of S. L. Godfrey's land and across the mill pond to the highway
called Morgan street; thence south, four degrees west, on the east line of said
street, seventy-nine rods; thence southerly along the west side of said high¬
way the following courses and distances : South, six and one-fourth degrees
west, twenty-six rods ; south, seven and one-half degrees west, thirty-two rods;
south, fifteen degrees west, twelve rods; south, forty-two and one-half degrees
west, twenty-nine rods; south, twenty and one-half degrees west, forty rods,
to the southeast corner of lands owned by Isaac T. Pratt; thence west, twelve
degrees north, one hundred and forty rods in line of lands owned by said
Pratt, to South street; thence same course (west, twelve north,) about one
hundred an 1 fifty rods; thence north, twelve degrees east, two hundred and
fifty rods to the Lebanon Springs Railroad ; thence northwesterly along said
railroad, about twenty rods to the southwest corner of Mrs. P. L. Robinson's
house lot; thence north, twelve degrees east, on the west line of said Robin¬
son's house lotto the north line of Main street; thence westerly along the
north line of Main street to the southwest corner of said Dewey's land ; thence
northerly along the west line of said Dewey's land to the place of beginning,"
etc. Section 3 of the act provides that the annual election of village officers
shall be held on the third Tuesday of March. Section 4 provides that there
shall be elected annually, by ballot, the following officers: A president of the
village, seven trustees, a clerk, treasurer, collector, and three auditors. The
trustees shall be elected one by each ward, and the trustee elected by a ward
shall be president of that ward. The other officers are elected by the vil¬
lage at large. The appointive officers to be chosen annually by the board
of trustees are one street commissioner, seven fire wardens, one from each
ward ; and not to exceed more than seven police officers, one of whom they
shall designate as chief!
1 his is a brief outline of the history of this branch of the municipal govern¬
ment of the village of Bennington ; and in closing this department of the chap¬
ter it is not out of place to mention the names of those who have from year
to year been called upon by the votes of the people of the village to repre¬
sent them in the various offices established by the acts of the Legislature, from
the time the village was first incorporated, in 1849, to this present. The suc¬
cession of village officers, except those connected with the fire and police de-
pal tments, of which mention is made hereafter, has been as follows;
:w
3°6
History of Bennington County.
1850.—Moderator, A. P. Lyman; clerk, D. F. Squires; collector, Henry
I\ Dewey; treasurer, Lumati Norton; trustees, Charles Colvin, George W.
Ilarman, Peter H. Story, Abel II. Wills, Zadock L. Taft, Albert Walker,
Samuel H. Brown.
1851.—Moderator, A. P. Lyman; clerk, D. F. Squires; collector, Henry
F. Dewey; treasurer, Luman Norton; trustees, Joel Valentine, Enos Adams,
Julius Norton, George W. Harman, Peter H. Story, Jedediah Dewey, Charles
S. Colvin.
1852.—Moderator, A. P. Lyman; clerk, D. F. Squires ; collector, Henry
F. Dewey; treasurer, Luman Norton; trustees, Charles S. Colvin, George W.
Harman, Zadock L. Taft, Joel Valentine, Julius Norton, Luther R. Graves,
Moses Harrington.
1853.—Moderator, George W. Harman; clerk, David F. Squires; col¬
lector, Henry F. Dewey ; treasurer, George W. Harman ; trustees, Mason C.
Morgan, Enoch Davis, Zadock L. Taft, Joel Valentine, S. Mason Robinson,
Charles E. Dewey, Bernard Golden.
1854.—Moderator, Joel Valentine; clerk, David F. Squires; collector,
Henry F. Dewey; treasurer, George W. Harman; trustees, Mason C. Mor¬
gan, Henry G. Root, Charles S. Colvin, S. Mason Robinson, Nathaniel 13.
Hall, Henry Norton, Robert H. Coventry.
1855.—Moderator, Decius W. Clark; clerk, David F. Squires; collector,
Henry F. Dewey; treasurer, Sirrene P. Peck; trustees, John D. Fisk, Lafay
ette D. Hamlin, Henry S. Norton, S. Mason Robinson, Calvin Norton, James
L. Stark, jr., Edward Norton.
1856.—Moderator, Joel Valentine; clerk, David F. Squires; collector,
Henry F. Dewey; treasurer, Sirrene P. Peck; trustees, James L. Stark, jr., S.
Mason Robinson, Mason C. Morgan, Joel Valentine, George W. Harman,
George Benton, Hiram Bingham.
1857.—Moderator, Joel Valentine; clerk, David F." Squires; collector,
Henry F. Dewey; treasurer, Sirrene P. Peck; trustees, Luther R. Graves 1st
ward; Peter H. Story, 2d ward; Isaac Weeks, 3d ward; Joel Valentine, 4th
ward; Lafayette D. Hamlin, 5th ward; Asahel Harwood, 6th ward; Charles
S. Colvin, 7th ward.
1858.—Moderator, Joel Valentine; clerk, David F. Squires; collector,
Henry F. Dewey; treasurer, Thomas J. Tiffany; trustees, Norman B. Har¬
wood, Lemuel Grover, Loan J. Marsh, Edward Norton, Lafayette D. Hamlin,
Asahel Harwood, George Rockwood.
1S59.—Moderator, Hymen Tuttle ; clerk, David F. Squires; collector,
Henry F. Dewey; treasurer, Thomas J. Tiffany; trustees, Henry D. Hull,
Lemuel Grover, Resolvy Gage, Alonzo B. Valentine, John R. Gates, James H.
Bennett, George Rockwood.
i860.—Moderator, S. M. Robinson, jr.; clerk, Thomas J. Tiffany; col-
Village of Bennington.
lector, John E. Pratt; treasurer, (none chosen); trustees, Hymen Tuttle, S. M.
Robinson, jr., Resolvy Gage, Henry A. Norton, Frank Purely, Henry E.
Bradford, Z. L. Taft.
!86i.— Moderator, George W. Harman; clerk and treasurer, Thomas J.
Tiffany; collector, John E. Pratt; trustees, Henry E. Bradford, A. M. Day.
II. G. Root, S. M. Robinson, jr., Z. L. Taft, A. B. Valentine, Resolvy Gage.
,8(32.—Moderator, Z. L. Taft; clerk and treasurer, Thomas J. Tiffany;
collector, H. G. Root; trustees, H. E. Bradford, A. M. Day, H. G. Root, S.
M. Robinson, jr., Z. L. Taft, A. B. Valentine, Resolvy Gage.
jS63.—Moderator, Joel Valentine ; clerk and treasurer, Thomas J. Tiffany ;
collector, Buel Rockwood ; corporation attorney, George W. Harman ; trus¬
tees, Buel Rockwood, John G. Harwood, L. D. Hamlin, Charles E. Dewey,
Albert Walker, Resolvy Gage, S. M. Robinson, jr.
1864.—Moderator, Thomas White; clerk and treasurer, Thomas J. Tiffany;
collector, Henry F. Dewey; trustees, Isaac Weeks, J. H. Loring, William
Bates, Z. L. Taft, Buel Rockwood, Henry F. Dewey, S. M. Robinson, jr.
1865.—Moderator, Joel Valentine; clerk and treasurer, Thomas J. Tiffany;
collector, Henry F. Dewey; corporation attorney, George W. Harman; trus¬
tees, S. M. Robinson, jr., J. H. Loring, Joel Valentine, Henry E. Bradford.
Henry F. Dewey, Isaac Weeks, R. B. Godfrey.
1866.—Moderator, Isaac Weeks; clerk and treasurer, Thomas J. Tiffany;
collector, Leander Powers; trustees, S. M. Robinson, J. II. Loring, Luman P.
Norton, Henry E. Bradford, Henry W. Putnam, Isaac Weeks, R. B. Godfrey.
1867.—Moderator, Hiram Bingham; clerk, Thomas J. Tiffany; treasurer,
George W. Harman ; collector, Leander Powers; auditors, G. W. Harman,
Will iam S. Southworth ; trustees, Henry E. Bradford, Charles E. Dewey, E.
S. Pratt, II. W. Putnam, H. W. Booth, George Benton, Isaac Weeks.
1868.—Moderator, James B. Meacham ; clerk, Thomas J. Tiffany; treas¬
urer, George W. Harman; collector, David Love; auditors, George W. Har-
man, and William S. Southworth ; trustees, Isaac Weeks, Henry W. Putnam,
II. W. Booth, George A. Wood, L. D. Hamlin, Buel Rockwood, and J. II.
Woodman.
1869.—Moderator, George W. Harman; clerk, Thomas J. Tiffany; treas¬
urer, George W. Harman ; collector, David Love; auditors, William S. South-
worth, and George W. Harman; trustees, Henry W. Putnam, Henry G. Root,
Sylvester Peelor, Albert Walker, G. A. Wood, L. D. Hamlin, and Buel Rock¬
wood.
1870.—Moderator, William S. Southworth ; clerk, Thomas J. Tiffany; treas¬
urer, Luther R. Graves; collector, David Love; auditors, George W. Harman
and William S. Southworth; trustees, Henry G. Root, Henry W. Putnam, Hi¬
ram Bingham, L. D. Hamlin, R. B. Godfrey, Sylvester Peelor, and J. A.
Hotchkins.
3oS
History of Bennington County.
1871. Moderator, John R. Gates; clerk, Thomas J. Tiffany; treasurer,
Luther R. Graves; collector, James B. Meacham ; auditors, William S. South-
worth and George W. Harman ; trustees, Milo Remington, Henry W. Put¬
nam, Sylvester Peelor, Olin Scott, Hiram Bingham, L. 13. Hamlin, and R. B.
Godfrey.
1872.—Moderator, John R. Gates; clerk, John R. Burton; treasurer, Lu¬
ther R. Graves; collector, James B. Meacham; auditors, William S. South-
worth, George W. Harman; trustees, Milo G. Remington, Peter H. Story,
Andrew M. Johnson, Olin Scott, Daniel Iluling, L. D. Hamlin, and R. B.
Godfrey.
1873.—Moderator, George W. Harman; clerk, John R. Burton: treasurer,
Luther R. Graves; collector, James B. Meacham; auditors, Hiram Bingham,
Thomas J. Tiffany; trustees, John L. Quackenbush, Joseph H. Loring, Lucius
M. Holton, Lyman F. Abbott, George A. Wood, John V. Carney, and Charles
W. Benton.
1874.—(Annual meeting held in April, instead of January, as heretofore).
Moderator, Henry J. Potter; clerk, John R. Burton; treasurer, Ellis A. Cobb;
collector, C. F. Sears; auditors, Thomas J. Tiffany and Daniel McEowen;
trustees, Milo G. Remington, Joseph H. Loring, Thomas P. Burton, Thomas
A. Hutchins, George W. Harman, John V. Carney, and Charles Colvin.
1875.—Moderator, Henry J. Potter; clerk, John R. Burton; treasurer, El¬
lis A. Cobb; collector, James B. Meacham; auditors, George A. Wood and
Thomas J. Tiffany; trustees, Henry G. Root, George W. Harman, J. P. Bur¬
ton, J. H. Loring, T. A. Hutchins, John T. Shurtleff, Charles S. Colvin.
1876.—Moderator, Henry J. Potter; clerk, John R. Burton; treasurer, El¬
lis A. Cobb; collector, James B. Meacham; auditors, George W. Harman and
Thomas J. Tiffany; trustees, Samuel Keyes, Joseph H. Loring, L. M. Holton,
T. A. Hutchins, George A. Wood, Randall J. Crawford, M. B. Morgan.
1877.—Moderator, Henry J. Potter; clerk, M. B. Morgan ; treasurer, Dan¬
iel McEowen; collector, James Meacham; auditors, George W. Harman.
Thomas J. Tiffany; trustees, Samuel Keyes, Joseph H. Loring, D. W. Hyde,
C. F. Sears, George A. Wood, R. J. Crawford, and Buel Rockwood.
1878.—Moderator, John Sibley; clerk, M. B. Morgan ; treasurer, George
F. Graves; collector, James B. Meacham; auditors, Dwight P. Gates, Levi L.
Lewis; trustees, John Sibley, Daniel Guiltinane, G. K. Morse, Dwight Riddle,
David Bushnell J. F. Clark, M. B. Morgan.
1S79.—Moderator, S. F. Harris; clerk, M. B. Morgan; treasurer, George
F. Graves; collector, James B. Meacham; auditors, Levi L. Lewis and Dwight
P. Gates; trustees, R. W. Bennett, Daniel Guiltinane, A. M. Johnson, Frank
Cromack, C. A. Hawks, David F. Squires, M. B. Morgan.
1880.—Moderator, John T. Shurtleff; clerk, Henry A. Harman; treasurer,
George F. Graves; collector, Charles F. Sears; auditors, Olin Scott and Dwight
Village of Bennington.
309
1'. Gates; trustees, Ed. N. S. Morgan, Charles S. Clapp, Levi Bradbury, Henry
M. Tuttle, Joseph V. Hupf, Franklin L Blake, Rufus B. Godfrey.
ItS8l.—(Annual meeting changed to be held in March). Moderator, John
T. Shurtleff; clerk, James Carroll; treasurer, George F. Graves; collector, James
B. Meacham; auditors, John R. Pilling, Asaph P. Childs; trustees, O. D.
Adams, Francis Guillinam, Frank Tiffany, R. Goldsmith, G. B. Sibley, J. W.
Scranton, Buel Rockvvood.
1882.—Moderator, John T. Sluirtleff; clerk, Edward L. Bates; treasurer,
George F. Graves; collector, James B. Meacham; auditors, George YV Har-
man, George A. Wood; trustees, L. M. Mclntire, J. R. Pilling, A. M. John¬
son, C. E. Graves, David Carpenter, R. J. Crawford, and Rufus B. Godfrey.
1883.—Moderator, Thomas J. Tiffany; clerk, Edward L Bates; treasurer,
George F. Graves; collector, James B. Meacham; auditors, Henry M. Tuttle,
Oliu Scott; trustees, Orrin D. Adams, William O'Donnell, Frank Tiffany, D.
P. Gates, II. M. Harris, C. A. Hawks. C. W. Benton.
1884.—Moderator, John T. Sluirtleff; clerk, Charles E. Graves; treasurer,
George F. Graves ; collector, James B. Meacham ; auditors, William B. Shel¬
don, Olin Scott, Charles E. Graves; trustees, Orrin D. Davis, William O'Don¬
nell, James Lindley, M. W. Stewart, Dwight Riddle, F. L. Blake, C. W. Benton.
1885.—President, Luman P. Norton: clerk, Buel Sibley ; treasurer, George
F. Graves; collector, James B. Meacham; auditors, William B. Sheldon, Charles
E. Graves, Orrin I). Adams; trustees, Orrin D. Adams, Daniel O'Donnell,
M. Cullerton, Melvin W. Stewart, Dwight Riddle, Irving E. Gibson, Rufus B.
Godfrey. Buel Sibley resigned his clerkship, and the board of trustees elected
Charles E. Graves to the office. James B. Meacham was elected, by the board,
to the office of village attorney. Samuel Keyes was elected trustee of ward 1,
in place of Orrin Adams, resigned. Samuel Keyes was also, on April 27th,
appointed street commissioner.
1886.—President, John V. Carney; clerk, John H. Kelso; treasurer, George
I'. Graves; collector, James B. Meacham; auditors, Luman P. Norton, Orrin
D. Adams, John R. Pilling; trustees, Samuel Keyes, Daniel O'Donnell, M. Cul¬
lerton, Melvin W. Stewart, Dwight Riddle, Irving E. Gibson, William H. Brad¬
ford. Appointed officers: Health officer, E. B. Daly; village attorney, James
B. Meacham; street commissioner, Arthur C. Sweet.
1887.—President, John V. Carney; clerk, John IT. Kelso; treasurer, George
I\ Graves; collector, James B. Meacham; auditors, Charles H. Mason, John
R. Pilling, Dr. II. C. Day; trustees, Samuel Keyes, (resigned, and William
Martin elected to fill the vacancy), Daniel Guiltinane, Dr. E. B. Daly, M. W.
Stewart, John V. Carney, I. E. Gibson, Edward D. Moore; appointed officers,
village attorney, James B. Meacham.
1888. President, John V. Carney; clerk, John H. Kelso; treasurer, George
I'. Graves; collector, James B. Meacham; auditors, Charles H. Mason, C.
3io
History of Bennington County.
Darling, Dr. H. C. Day; trustees, W. G. T. Wright, Thomas McGrath, F. M.
Crawford, Eli Tiffany, George A. Wood, George N. Phillips, John Coleman;
appointed officers, village attorney,- James B. Meacham; chief of police,
James E. Hurley; fire wardens, Charles A. Pierce, Arthur J. Dewey, Michael
McKeon, Charles H. Wakefield, Andrew J. Downs, Edward L. Bates, George
M. Sibley; street commissioner, Henry M. Tuttle ; health officers, Emmett
B. Daley and Henry J. Potter.
The Bennington Fire Department.—There is no department of municipal
government organized for a more laudable purpose than that for the prevention
and extinguishing of fires; and in a village like Bennington a double credit is
due to the members of its fire department from the fact that their services must
necessarily be gratuitous. The village of Bennington seems to possess the nec¬
essary means for fighting fire far beyond that found in villages of the same or
even greater population. This is a wise precaution, for the extensive manu¬
facturing interests here demand protection, and any outlay of means for the
maintenance of the efficiency of the department is certainly well expended.
While the village of Bennington has not suffered from destruction by fire to
any greater extent than other places similarly situated and conditioned, there
have been during and even before its corporate existence, a number of disas¬
trous fires with consequent heavy losses, and the older inhabitants will remem¬
ber the period of years between 1856 and i860, when it seemed that the place
was especially afflicted with fire losses of an incendiary origin, and which called
for an offer of a reward of five hundred dollars for the discovery of the guilty
parties.
The history of the fire department of the village of Bennington, at least so
far as its early organization, continuance and prosperity is concerned, has been
much the same as that of its other institutions. The days of the old "bucket
brigade" have long since passed away, and in its place there came the old hand
engine, either light or heavy, according to the period of its use, and when this
machine became in general use it was thought that the art of inventing imple¬
ments for extinguishing fires had reached its greatest height, but in the present
age the hand engine is to the modern steam apparatus about as the pail and
bucket were to the hand engines. In Bennington the use of the steamer is
unnecessary in many instances for the reason that the water pressure on the
mains is so great as to afford all the power the firemen may need in ordinary
cases; still, Bennington could hardly afford to entirely discard the use of the
steamer, as there are districts in which the water mains do not extend, and over
which the protection of the fire department must be extended.
The act of the Legislature that was passed in November, 1849, by which
the village was incorporated, also provided for the annual election of seven fire
wardens, and defined their duties and powers. Those elected to serve in this
capacity during the first year were: Asahel Booth, Lemuel Grover, Buckley
Village of Bennington.
Squires, Madison E. Winslow, James H. Bennett, Calvin Gilson and Moses Har¬
rington. The freemen ot the village, at this same meeting, also voted that
a committee, consisting of George W. Harman, A, P. Lyman, and David F.
Squires should draft suitable by-laws for municipal use and control. As ap¬
pears by the old records in the village clerk's office about the first work of this
committee was to prepare an ordinance for the regulation of the fire depart¬
ment, the first section of the first article of which reads as follows: "There is
hereby constituted and established within the village of Bennington, an asso¬
ciation to be called 'Bennington Fire Department,' to consist of such persons
and officers, and such number of engine companies and hook and ladder com¬
panies, as shall from time to time be ordered and directed by said village."
Section two of the same article adopted at the same time, but amended in
185 I, reads: " There shall be formed by the fire wardens two engine compan¬
ies, the members of which shall reside within the limits of said village, which
companies shall be regulated and controlled by such by-laws as the several
companies shall establish for the government of themselves," etc.
Proceedings were at once instituted for the complete organization of the
department. Asahel Booth and Lemuel Grover were appointed to purchase
two engines and other necessary fire apparatus at an expense not beyond fif¬
teen hundred dollars, and contracts were made for the erection of two engine
houses on lots purchased for that purpose. In due time all the purchases were
made, the buildings erected, and the companies organized—the latter in No¬
vember, 185 1. The two companies were organized with twenty members each,
and these were "the boys who ran with the machine."
First Company.—Archibald Robertson, Lucius G. Welch, Henry G. Root,
James B. Chandler, Hiram Bingham, Henry D. Hall, George Cady, George C.
McLowen, Charles Dewey, William B. Booth, Hudson Smith, Leonard Barney,
Sidney Squires, Horace T. White, Calvin Norton, Andrew M. Johnson, S. Ma¬
son Robinson, Oran S. Newton, Merritt Allen, James L. Stark, jr.
Second Company.—Asahel Plarwood, Sirrene P. Peck, Alonzo B. Valentine,
Russell B. Judd, William Emerson Olds, J. Halsey Cushman, Lafayette D.
Hamlin, Charles If. Rockvvood, John F. Hale, Warren Sibley, Anson Peelor,
John Collord, Thomas Riddle, Franklin B. Norton, George W. Hall, Gordon
N. Squires, David C. Harwood, William Morgan, Newton Gould, Daniel Mc-
Eowen.
These were the original members of the two companies. Of course addi¬
tions were made to their number, and the names of some were dropped from
the 1 oils. The names adopted to designate the companies were "Spartan
Engine Company, No. 1." and "Protection Engine Company, No. 2."
In pursuance of a by-law passed at a meeting of freemen held on the 31st
day of March, 1852, the members of the fire companies met 011 the 7th day of
Ap'il thereafter, and elected the following officers of the fire department: Chief
312
History of Bennington County.
engineer, David C. Harwood ; first assistant engineer, Anson Peelor ; second
assistant engineer, Lemuel Grover ; clerk of the department, Merritt Allen,
This by law was subsequently repealed, but the resolution by which the repeal
was effected was itself rescinded, and the law stood until amended in January,
1858, by which amendment there was provided to be elected annually a chief
and first and second assistant engineers of the department, subject, however,
to approval by the fire wardens of the village; in fact the fire wardens were
vested with control over the several companies of the department. On the
28th of January, 1858, the department elected its officers as follows: Chief en¬
gineer, Daniel McEowen ; first assistant, F. A. Rouse ; second assistant, Jo¬
seph H. Loring.
This was about the period when fires were occurring with alarming fre¬
quency, and the greatest efforts of the department and the other residents of
the village were required to subdue them. They were of incendiary origin,
and so disastrous that the village trustees offered a reward of five hundred dol¬
lars for evidence to convict the criminals. About this time too, a movement
was set on foot for the organization of a hook and ladder company as a part of
the fire department of the village. In the year 1858 the necessary apparatus,
trucks, hooks and ladders were purchased at a very moderate cost, and ready
for use, but of the formation of a new company for the purpose of using these
implements in particular the records disclose no knowledge. Nor in these
records is there to be found a succession of the fire department officers as they
were, or should have been, annually elected ; such only as appear are given.
At the annual meeting of the fire department in 1868 the following officers
were chosen: Chief, George W. Hall; first assistant, JohnV. Carney; second
assistant, Rufus B. Godfrey.
In this same year also, there was much discussion of the subject of purchas¬
ing one or more steam fire engines for the use and increased protection of vil¬
lage property against fire; and this matter came up in due form at a meeting
of the freemen held on the 30th day of November, at which time Henry W.
Putnam, G. S. Bradford, David Love, Olin Scott and George W. Hall were
chosen a committee to ascertain and report to the freemen the cost of such en¬
gine or engines, with other apparatus required to place the fire department in
first class condition.
At a freeman's meeting held on the 21st day of December thereafter the
committee made their report, and recommended the purchase of two third class
engines, but the estimated expense of the purchase seems to have staggered the
voters present, therefore, when S. L. Godfrey moved that the whole subject
be dismissed, and that the meeting adjourn sine die, the motion was carried
promptly.
The department officers for 1869 are chief, John V. Carney; first assistant,
Rufus B. Godfrey ; second assistant, John Kehoe ; clerk, John R. Burton.
Village of Bennington.
3i3
Department officers for 1870.—Chief, William H. Cady; first assistant, James
P. Sibley; second assistant, Frank Blake; secretary, J. R. Burton.
Officers for 1871—Chief engineer, Henry W. Putnam; first assistant, George
S. Bradford ; second assistant, Frank Blake.
At a meeting of the electors of the village held July 17, 1871, Judge Har-
man moved that the village purchase two steam fire engines, but J. Halsey
Cushman moved an amendment that but one engine be purchased with hose
sufficient to supply the same. Judge Harman accepted the amendment and
the proposition was carried.
Officers for 1872.—Chief engineer, John V. Carney; first assistant, C. G.
Cole; second assistant, C. W. Benton.
The purchase of the steamer was followed by the organization of a com¬
pany for it, which became known as the Stark Steamer Company. Jackson
I lose Company came into existence about the same time.
Officers for 1877. —Chief engineer, Olney Fuller; first assistant, C. W. Ben¬
ton ; second assistant, C. C. Kimball.
Officers for 1879—Chief, Olney Fuller ; first assistant, William Moore ; sec¬
ond assistant, J. A. N. Williams.
Officers for 1880.—Chief, Olney Fuller; first assistant, Edward D. Morse;
second assistant, James A. N. Williams.
Officers for 1882.—Chief, W. H. Robertson; first assistant, J. P. Sibley;
second assistant, M. W. Stewart.
Officers for 1883.—Chief, Rufus B. Godfrey; first assistant, H. Mortimer
Harris; second assistant, Mortimer Hamlin.
Under the act of the Legislature passed in November, 1884, it was pro¬
vided that the firewardens of the village be appointed by the board of trustees,
and not elected by the freemen, as had been the custom theretofore. Inas¬
much as the foregoing portion of this chapter has, so far as the village rec¬
ords permitted, given the succession of officers of the village, and occasionally
the officers of the fire department, it is proper that there should also follow the
succession of village firewardens, and that before describing the fire depart¬
ment companies, apparatus, etc., as they exist to-day, the several persons who
have served in the capacity of firewardens of Bennington from the time the
village was incorporated, or from the time of the first annual election in 1850,
with the years of their service, may be mentioned as follows:
'850.—Asahel Booth, Lemuel Grover, Buckley Squires, Madison E. Wins-
low, James II. Bennett, Calvin Gilson, Moses Harrington.
—Asahel Booth, Samuel L. Godfrey, jr., Resolvy Gage, Decius W.
Clark, Mason C. Morgan, James H. Bennett, Luther R. Graves.
!^52-—Asahel Booth, Mason C. Morgan, Samuel L. Godfrey, jr., James II.
Bennett, Albert Walker, James Boardman, William E. Olds,
40
3i4
History of Bennington County.
1853.—Asahel Booth, James H. Bennett, Samuel L. Godfrey, jr., Peter H.
Story, Hymen Tuttle, James Boardman, Alonzo B. Valentine.
1854.—Asahel Booth, James H. Bennett, Samuel L. Godfrey, jr., Peter H.
Story, Hyman Tuttle, James Boardman, Russell B. Judd.
1855.—George Benton, George W. Hall, Henry W. Booth, Asa U. Stew¬
art, William B. Booth, Joel T. Shippey, Resolvy Gage.
1856.—George Benton, George W. Hall, Henry W. Booth, Asa D. Stew¬
art, William B. Booth, Charles S. Colvin, Resolvy Gage.
1857.—W. Barker Wright, George W. Hall, Andrew M. Johnson, Asa D.
Stewart, David C. Harwood, Zadoch L. Taft, Henry E. Bradford.
1858.—Henry G. Root, Decius W. Clark, Enos. Adams, Asa D. Stewart,
David C. Harwood, Zadoch L. Taft, Henry E. Bradford.
1859.—Madison E. Winslow, S. Mason, Robinson, jr., John Boynton,
George Benton, Luther D. Hamlin, Chauncey L. Shaw, Henry E. Bradford.
1860.—John R. Gates, S. L. Godfrey, jr., Luther D. Hamlin, Joseph H.
Loritig, Samuel H. Brown, Peter H. Story, James H. Bennett.
1861.—Silas Buss, George Benton, George S. Bradford, George W. Har-
man, Thomas P. Burton, Hudson P. Smith, Hymen Tuttle.
1862.—Silas Buss, George Benton, George S. Bradford, George W. Har-
man, Thomas P. Burton, H. P. Smith, Hymen Tuttle.
1863.—George S. Bradford, Rufus B. Godfrey, George Benton, L. M. Hol-
ton, Joseph H. Loring, Luman P. Norton, Peter H. Story.
1864.—George S. Bradford, Rufus B. Godfrey, George Benton, L. M. Hol-
ton, Joseph H. Loring, Luman P. Norton, Peter H. Story.
1865.—George S. Bradford, Rufus B. Godfrey, George Benton, L. M. Hol-
ton, Joseph H. Loring, Luman P. Norton, Peter H. Story.
1866.—George S. Bradford, Rufus B. Godfrey, George Benton, L. M. IIol-
ton, Joseph H. Loring, Luman P. Norton, Peter H. Story.
1867.—George S. Bradford, Charles S. Colvin, Daniel McEowen, Joseph H.
Loring, Rufus B. Godfrey, Hiram Bingham, Albert Walker.
1868.—Daniel McEowen, Lymati F. Abbott, George A. Packer, John E
Pratt, Clark Rice, William H. Cady, George Rockwood.
1869.—Joseph H. Loring, Milo Remington, George Albro, Daniel Mc¬
Eowen, John E. Pratt, Hiram Bingham, Lyman F. Abbott.
1870.—D. W. Hyde, Levi Bradbury, George A.Wood, Lucius Holton, Al¬
bert Walker, H. W. Booth, Buel Rockwood.
1871.—D. W. Hyde, Levi Bradbury, George A. Wood, Lucius M. Holton,
Alonzo B. Valentine, William H. Grover, Buel Rockwood.
1872.—George A. Packer, J. H. Woodman, Sylvester Peelor, Alonzo B. Val¬
entine, George A. Wood, John V. Carman, Buel Rockwood.
1873.—Milo G. Remington, Daniel O'Donnell, J. H. Woodman, T. A.
Hutchins, John E. Pratt, W. H. Grover, Martin Stickney.
Village of Bennington.
315
!874.—William Martin, C. G. Cole, Daniel Cronin, R. M. Luther, II. M.
Harris, C. C. Kimball, J. 1'. Sibley.
,$7$—Levi Bradbury, C. G. Cole, Daniel Cronin, R. M. Luther, II. M.
Harris, C. W. Benton, C. C. Kimball.
1876.—Milo G. Remington, C. G. Cole, Levi Bradbury, R. M. Luther, II.
M. Harris, C. C. Kimball, C. W. Benton.
1877.—Milo G. Remington, C. G. Cole, Levi Bradbury, R. M. Luther, II.
M. Harris, C. C. Kimball, Charles W. Benton.
! 878.—Milo G. Remington, C. G. Cole, Levi Bradbury, Rev. R. M. Luther,
II. M. Harris, C. C. Kimball, Charles W. Benton.
j879.—Samuel Keyes, Thomas Barron, Nelson Molds, Charles B. Riddle,
Echvard Gilson, S. B. Pike, Rufus B. Godfrey.
! 880.—Orin D. Adams, Joseph H. Loring, Norman M. Puffer, Frederick
Godfrey, George B. Sibley, George A. Smith, William H. Bradford.
1881.—Frank Remington, Alexander Dougherty, Frank Dwyer, M. W.
Stewart, J. W. Williams, G. A. Smith, C. W. Benton.
1882.—Milo G. Remington, Joseph H. Loring, Levi Bradbury, N. M. Puffer,
H. M. Harris, L. D. Hamlin, Charles W. Benton.
1883.—John Purcell, Robert Drysdale, E. R. Buss, M. W. Stewart, W. G. I7.
Wright, II. M. Hamlin, E. W. Bradford.
1884.—John P. Purcell, M. J. Guiltinam, E. R. Buss, Charles Galusha,
Charles B. Riddle, M. F. Hamlin, E. W. Bradford.
1885.—Elected by village trustees: R. W. Bennett, Robert Drysdale, Eu¬
gene Brown, Frank Cromack, W. D. Newton, George Phillips. Vacancy in
Seventh ward.
1886.—Orin D Adams, Robert Drysdale, Elmer Peelor, W. N. Hyde, W.
D. Newton, G. N. Phillips, E. D. Moore.
1887.—Charles A. Pierce, Robert Drysdale, Michael McKeon, C. H. Wake¬
field, F. S. Pratt, George N. Phillips, George Sibley.
1888.—Charles A. Pierce, ward 1; Arthur J. Dewey, ward 2; Michael Mc¬
Keon, ward 3; Charles H. Wakefield, ward 4; Andrew J. Downs, ward 5; Ed¬
ward L. Bates, ward 6; George M. Sibley, ward 7.
The Present Village Fire Department.—As will be seen from the foregoing
pages, the fire department of Bennington since its first organization in 1850 has
undergone many changes and reorganizations, making it exceedingly difficult
to trace the existence of the several companies that have, from time to time,
constituted the village department. It is not an unusual occurrence among
fire companies that dissatisfaction and dissensions arise, and that companies
disband and reorganize under a different name; and while this has occasionally
occurred in the Bennington department, such acts are not exceptional, but are
to be found in every community throughout the land. The old companies,
Spartan No. 1, and Protection No. 2, of course, have passed out of existence, as
316
History of Bennington County.
well as the old hand engines that they managed so well and efficiently, and it is
believed that not one of the old original members of either of these companies
is connected with the present department. The General Stark Steamer Com¬
pany has also disbanded as an organization, though the engine itself remains
and is ready for use in any emergency. The excellent system of village water¬
works has rendered the use of the steamer unnecessary, and the only companies
or apparatus required for protection against fire are the hose and hook and lad¬
der organizations, with which the village is now very well supplied.
The fire department of Bennington at the present time consists of the W.
H. Bradford Hook and Ladder Company No. i, the Stark Hose Company No.
i, the F. M. Tiffany Hose Company No. 2, and Putnam's Hose Company No.
3. The quarters of the several companies are as follows: The Hook and Lad¬
der Company on Main street above the factories; the Stark Hose Company on
Pleasant street near North street, on the location formerly of old Spartan en¬
gine company; the F. M. Tiffany Hose Company on Main street, and Putnam
Hose Company, the junior of the fire organizations of the village, on River
street.
The Bennington Fire Department has its own organization and elects its
own officers; so also is constituted each of the companies that form the depart¬
ment, but it can hardly be within the province of this chapter to record the
names of the various officers chosen by the companies or the department for
self or social government. The department at the present time is under charge
of Rufus 13. Godfrey, chief engineer; Robert Drysdale, first assistant engineer,
and Frank M. Tiffany, second assistant engineer. The department is in better
condition for efficient service at the present time than it has been at any other
time during its existence.
The Police Department.—This branch of the municipal government of Ben¬
nington is perhaps of the least importance, so far as this chapter is concerned,
of any of its various departments, and demands but little mention in these
pages. The existence of the police regulations and protection began with the
incorporation of the village, and has kept even step with the growth of the
place to the present day. Even before the village became separated from the
township the constables saw that order and peace were maintained, but the
office of constable was then, and still is, more of a process server than of a peace
officer, and it was only when the acts of incorporation became operative that a
police department can be said to have been organized, and as the act passed in
1849 contained no provision for the establishing of a police force, or adopting
police regulatious, the local constabulary and the sheriff of the county per¬
formed police duty, but, fortunately, their labors were not particularly burden¬
some. But under an act of the Legislature passed in November, 1855, the
trustees of the village were authorized to appoint police officers to the num¬
ber of seven; and in pursuance of this power so vested in them they appoint-
Village of Bennington.
ed on January 30, 1856 George W. Hall, John V. Carney, William E. Olds,
Henry F. Dewey, Lafayette 1). Hamlin, Chauncey J. Olds, and Benjamin
Gregg police officers for the corporation of Bennington These appointments
were made for the year next ensuing, but the appointees were to serve until
their successors were appointed, whether the time be more or less than one
year. If the old village records are to be relied upon there were 110 further
police appointments until the year 1859, when on July 15th Henry F. Dewey,
Madison E. Winslow, Enoch Moore, Joseph H. Loring, Alonzo H. Bennett,
Clark Rice, and John E. Pratt were chosen by the trustees as the conservators
of the peace within the village. The act of 1884 made no radical changes in
the police regulations of the village, but it did provide that of the seven police¬
men authorized to be appointed annually one of the number should be desig¬
nated as chief. Under this act the subsequent appointments have been made,
but it has not been the custom of the board of trustees to make the same reg¬
ularly; still a sufficient force has been regularly maintained, under whose watch¬
fulness general good order is assured to the people of the village.
Educational Institutions.—For a period of more than twenty years after the
village of Bennington was incorporated and became an independent jurisdic¬
tion, it still remained attached to the township so far as its educational institu¬
tions were concerned; and it was not until the latter part of the year 1870 that
the people of the village were enabled to free themselves from the township
and establish a graded school system, such as would not only be an honor to
the place, but would give the youth of the locality the benefits of a modern
school in which they could receive instruction in the higher branches.
Prior to the passage of the act by which the village was incorporated into a
graded school district the territory embraced within the village limits was di¬
vided into no less than five school districts of the township, and these even were
subject to any change desired to be made by the freemen of the town at any
regular meeting; and being thus divided it was utterly impossible that the chil¬
dren of the village should have the advantages of a higher education than could
be had at any country school. Therefore it was not unnatural that a feeling of
dissatisfaction should be created among the progressive people of the corpora¬
tion, and that their desire for better educational advantages, together with their
united efforts, should lead to the separation from the district school system of
the township, and the establishment of the magnificent institution that now
adorns the village. Of the town or district schools that have been erected 011
the village plat the first was probably that built soon after the incorporation of
Union Academy, October 30, 1817, which some few of the older residents will
call to mind. Another stood about on the site of the Stewart property, not far
from the site of that just named. Another town district for a time had a school
in the basement of the Methodist Church on Main street. Another was built
on what is now known as Depot street. But perhaps the most pretentious of
318
History of Bennington County.
the old school buildings was that on South street, which was built about 1845
or 1846, and was considered the leading school of the locality. But since the
completion of the graded school these old buildings have lost their usefulness
as educational institutions, and are either removed altogether or occupied for
other purposes than schools.
" 'On the 14th day of April, 1870, at the instance of George W. Harmon,
Eugene O. Cole, Alonzo B. Valentine, Henry E. Bradford, Olin Scott, and oth¬
ers, a town meeting was called to see if the legal voters of the town would con¬
solidate the five districts in the village, viz.: 4th, 15th, 17th, 18th and 23d, thus
forming one district. The assembled voters of the town took action upon the
proposition and decided to consolidate the districts. The following persons
were appointed to act as the prudential committee of the graded school dis¬
tricts thus organized: Henry E. Bradford, Olin Scott, and Eugene O. Cole.
Some time in June of the same year the opponents of the graded school enter¬
prise called a town meeting to see if the town would reconsider its vote of ti*e
April meeting consolidating the districts. This the town did and divided the
one district into the original number. Thereupon the friends of the system not
to be foiled in this way in their endeavors to establish a graded school in the
village, circulated a petition among the legal voters thereof, of which the fol¬
lowing is a copy: 'To the Honorable General Assembly of the State of Ver¬
mont, session of 1870. Your petitioners, legal voters of the village of Ben¬
nington, would respectfully pray your honorable body to incorporate a graded
school under the name of Bennington Graded School, comprising the territory
within the corporate limits of said village. Bennington, Vt., September 24,
1870.' The names of two-thirds of the legal voters of the village representing
three-quarters of the grand list were on this petition. The Legislature granted
the request of the petitioners and passed an act of incorporation. Thus was
established the graded school system in the village by the official act of the
General Assembly of Vermont."
In accordance with the provisions of the act above named a call for a meet¬
ing for the purpose of electing officers of the district was issued on the 26th day
of October, 1870, and the meeting was ordered to be held at Free Library Hall
on the 9th day of November thereafter. The meeting was organized by the
election of George W. Harman, moderator, and Thomas J. Tiffany, clerk. On
motion of J. Halsey Cushman a committee of seven, one from each ward, was
appointed to nominate district officers; and upon the presentation of this com¬
mittee the following officers were elected: Trustees, Luther R. Graves, Charles
E. Dewey, Sylvester Peelor, Daniel McEowen, David Carpenter, John V. Car¬
ney, and Buel Rockwood; treasurer, George W. Harman ; collector, Rudolph
Goldsmith. At a subsequent meeting held December 19, 1870, William S.
Southworth, Hiram Bingham, and Henry E. Bradford were chosen district audi-
1 From the sketch prepared by C. H. Hubbard, and deposited in the corner stone receptacle.
Village of Bennington.
The early meetings of the school trustees were devoted mainly to the
mization work necessary to be done, the employment of proper teachers,
ie vast amount of preliminary discussion in contemplation of the purchase
3t and the erection of an appropriate school building thereon. Of course
indertaking was not to be accomplished at once, and it was in fact some
-ears, or in 1874, before the new building was ready for occupancy ; in the
time the old schools were used, but after the completion of the new build-
e others were sold, and the avails of the sales were turned into the school
June, 1873, the trustees were directed to purchase from Henry E. Brad-
nd Lyman F. Abbott the lot of land on School street, on which the build-
erected, at a cost of three thousand five hundred dollars ; but this lot was
quently enlarged by a further purchase from Henry W. Putnam, costing
hundred dollars ; but of this latter sum the district only paid six hundred
s, the balance having been contributed by Major Alonzo B. Valentine,
meeting held on the 27th day of October, 1873, the trustees reported the
and specifications for a school building, the estimated cost of which was
■ exceed twenty-five thousand dollars. After hearing the report this res-
n was offered and adopted: " Resolved, That it is hereby ordered that a
1 building be erected in the district, for the accommodation of the school
en of the district according to their several grades; such building to be
intially in accordance with the plans before this meeting, the same being
I by Mr. M. F. Cummings, of Troy, N. Y., and recommended by the school
es." A further resolution passed at the same meeting authorized the trust-
contract for the building of a school-house upon the lot above named.
.it about this time there seems to have been rampant a strong sentiment
>osition to the graded school enterprise, brought about largely, undoubt-
by the dread of the heavy burden of taxes that must fall generally upon
:opleof the district, and partially by reason of the fact that there were per-
■vho had opposed the project from the very beginning, they being satis-
ith the old district school system, however insufficient or unpopular that
II might be. But, after a fair and impartial discussion of the whole subject,
ting of the district was held, and the propositions of the warning—to see
district would reconsider the previous vote to build a school-house—to
e land purchased from Henry E. Bradford and others, and to indefinitely
)ne the collection of the necessary tax for building purposes, voted at the
»us meeting, were dismissed by a very large and emphatic majority.
j further serious obstacle was encountered by the committee to impede
ogress of their work ; the contract was let and the building at last com-
Its location, situation and attractive appearance are familiar to every
it of the township, and to a great number of the people of the county,
leiefore needs no minute description in these pages. Notwithstanding
320
History of Bennington County.
the best efforts of the trustees it was found impossible to keep the expense of
erecting the building within the estimated sum of twenty-five thousand dollars,
and the school structure cost, in fact, twenty-nine thousand dollars, to which
must be added the further sum of three thousand dollars for furnishing, and still
another like sum for heating apparatus, making a total cost of the whole prop¬
erty complete of something like forty thousand dollars.
General School Rules}—The schools under the care of the trustees of the
Bennington Graded School District shall be classified as follows: Primary, In¬
termediate, Grammar and High. The Primary Schools shall consist of three
classes: Seventh, sixth, and fifth; the Intermediate of one, the fourth, and the
Grammar of three, the third, second, and first. The High School shall be
divided into classes according to the course of study pursued. The time speci¬
fied for each class in the course of study is designed to be one year of thirty-nine
weeks. For convenience of study and recitations each class may be divided
into sections. No teacher shall have more than two classes under her charge
unless the school is so small it cannot be otherwise arranged.
Branches of Instruction.—Instruction shall be given in the Primary, Inter¬
mediate, and Grammar Departments in Temperance, Physiology, Reading,
Spelling, Writing, Arithmetic, Language, History, Grammar, Composition,
Declamation, and Vocal Music. The courses of study for the High School,
which are four in number, viz.: I, a commercial or business course of two years;
2, a general course of three years; 3, a full English course of four years; 4, a
classical course preparatory for college of four years. The instruction in the
High School is in six departments, embracing the following studies: 1, Classics
—Latin, and Greek; 2, Modern Languages—French, and German; 3, Com¬
mercial—Book-keeping, Phonography, Type-writing, Mechanical Drawing,
Commercial Arithmetic, Business Forms and Commercial Law; 4, Mathematics
—Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry and Surveying; 5, Belles-
lettres, History, etc.—Critical study of English Language, Theme-Writing, and
Declamation, Rhetoric, English Literature, American Literature, Ancient Me¬
diaeval and Modern History, Civil Government, International Law, and Logic,
Vocal Culture, Music; 6, Natural Sciences—Physical Geography, Temperance,
Physiology, Natural Philosophy, Natural History, Botany, Astronomy, Geol-
ogy, Chemistry, Meteorology.
The honor, and certainly an honor it is, of having built up and maintained
the most excellent reputation of the Bennington Graded School belongs alike
to faculty and trustees, for both have been zealous in their efforts to establish
in Bennington an educational institution second to none in the State, and the
present condition of the school shows that those efforts have been crowned with
abundant success.
In the preceding portions or divisions of this chapter some mention has
1 From the Bennington Graded School Catalogue of 1887.
Village of Bennington.
321
been made of the officers connected with the various branches of the munici¬
pal government of the village ; therefore this subdivision would hardly be com¬
plete without some allusion to the persons who have comprised the board of
trustees of the district, as well as other officers connected therewith; but it is
deemed inexpedient to here furnish a complete roll of the teachers of the school
from the time of incorporation to this present.
Assuming to be correct the compilation of district officers published in the
school catalogue of 1887, the same is herein copied literally, except that the
names of such officers as have been elected subsequent to that publication are
here added. The following list is designed to show the names of such persons
as have been officers of the school district from the time the same was organ¬
ized.
Moderators.—George W. Harman, 1870 to 1880; John T. Shurtleff, 1880
to 1884; John V. Carney, 1884 to 1888.
Clerks.—Thomas J. Tiffany, i870to 1880; Charles E. Graves, 1880 to 1885;
Henry D. Fillmore, 1885 to 1888; Dr. Henry C. Day, 1888.
Treasurers.—George W. Harman, i870-'7i to i88o-'8i ; Ellis A. Cobb,
1871 to 1880, 1881 to 1884; Luther R. Graves, 1884 to 1885; George F.
Graves, 1885 to 1888.
Collectors.—Rudolph Goldsmith, 1870 to 1872; James B. Meacham, 1872
to 1882, 1883 to 1888; David Carpenter, 1882 to 1883.
Auditors.—Hiram Bingham, 1870-'77; Henry E. Bradford, i870-'74; Wil¬
liam S. Southworth, i870-'74; Daniel McEowen, i874-'77; John T. Shurtleff,
i874-'8i; Orrin D. Adams, i877-'8o; A. P. Chiids, i877-'82; Olin Scott,
1880-'82; L. P. Norton, 1880-'81 ; Charles E. Dewey, i882-'84; John V.
Hall, 18 8 2 -' 8 4; Thomas White, 1882-'84 ; John V. Carney, i884-'88; Irving
E.Gibson, i884-'88; George W. Harman, i884-'87; John T. Shurtleff, 1887-
'88.
Trustees.—Bradford, Henry E., 1874 '77; Bradbury, Levi, r 881 -'84; Ben¬
nett, E. D., i886-'89 ; Carney, John V., i870-'7i; Carpenter, David, 1870-'71 ;
Chiids, A. P., 1882-'85 ; Cole, Charles G, 1884-'86 ; Cooper, Charles, 1884-
86; Day, Henry C., i884-'9o; Dewey, Charles E., i870-'7i, i874-'82; Drys-
dale, William, 1871 -'74; Graves, Luther R., i870-'7i : Hall, John V., 1874-
78; Hawks, William E., 1875-'81, i883-'84; Hamlin, Lafayette D., 1871-75;
Harman, George W., 1874 '80; Hubbard, Chauncey H., 187 I-'74; Hurlburt,
H. 11 , 1877 '83 ; McEowen, Daniel, i870-'73; Morgan, E. N. S., 1878-'83 ;
I eelor, Sylvester, 1870-'75 ; Pierce, Charles A., 1887- 9° J Potter, Andrew,
1884-87; Potter, Henry J., 1875 -'81; Rockwood, Buel, 1870- '74; Scott,
Olin, 1882-'88 ; Scranton, J. N., i884-'87; Squire, F. N., i886-'88; Tiffany,
Eli, 1883-89; Tiffany, Thomas J., i88o-'84; Valentine, A1 onzo B., 1873-'82;
Walbridge, J. Ed., 1887-90; White, Francis C., 1881 -'84 ; Wood, George A.,
1871-'74. The present officers of the district are as follows: Moderator, John
41
322
History of Bennington County.
V. Carney; treasurer, George F. Graves; collector, James B. Meacham ; clerk,
Henry J. Fillmore; auditors, Irving E. Gibson, John T. Shurtleff and J. Ed.
Walbridge; trustees, Charles A. Pierce, 1st ward; F. N. Squire, 2d ward;
Henry C. Day, 3d ward; Lyman F. Abbott, 4th ward; E. D. Bennett, 5th
ward ; J. Ed. Walbridge, 6th ward, and Eli Tiffany, 7th ward. Lyman F. Ab¬
bott is the present president and Dr. H. C. Day, secretary of the board of
trustees.
Churches of Bennington.—It has been said by some one that the village
of Bennington is not at all noted for its churches. What spirit may have an¬
imated the utterer of this assertion is quite uncertain, but it is positively a fact
that the church edifices of the village are equal to those to be found in any-
other place similar to this, and the congregations are as large at every service,
whether on Sunday or any other occasion, as is the case in any like commu¬
nity. At all events, he who says that the spiritual welfare of the people of the
village is not as carefully looked to by the several pastors and their co-workers
in the societies, is most assuredly laboring under a misapprehension of fact, to
use the mildest contradiction. It may be true that there are villages in Ver¬
mont whose church edifices are more pretentious in appearance, but it is ex¬
ceedingly doubtful if any village no larger than Bennington can show much
better churches than the Second Congregational or the First Baptist, and the
new Catholic Church when completed will probably compare favorably in
architectural design and construction with any in New England. And the
other church buildings, while not erected with reference to elegance, are sub¬
stantial and convenient for their intended use.
The First Baptist Church.—This is the oldest established religious society
of the village, having been organized in April, 1827, although it was not until
1830 that a church home was erected. The early meetings were held at vari¬
ous places about the village until the society was sufficiently strong in num¬
bers and means to build an edifice for church worship. The old building stood
on the site of the present one and was taken down that the latter might be built
in its stead. The first church was used by the society for forty-eight years,
and at the time of its reduction was too small to accommodate the growing
society. The present edifice of the Baptist Society is one of the most at¬
tractive, and, withal, one of the best arranged and most desirable churches of
Vermont. Its interior is arranged according to the most modern idea of church
architecture, the seats being in the form of circles, and the rear part of the au¬
ditorium some three feet higher than the front, thus affording equally desirable
sittings in the back part of the room. The building is of brick with appropriate
trimmings about corners, doors and windows. The cost of the edifice was less
than twenty-five thousand dollars, but the value of the entire church property is
considerably in excess of that sum. The first pastor of the Baptist Society was
Rev. F. Baldwin, who officiated from 1828 to 1830, when he was succeeded by
Village of Bennington.
323
Rev. Thomas Teasdale who also remained in charge for two years. The third
pastor was Rev. Jeremiah Hall, who stayed until 1835, when Rev. Samuel B.
Willis succeeded for one year only. In 1836 Rev. Stephen Hutchins was called
to the church, remaining until 1841. Rev. William W. Moore succeeded Rev.
Hutchins, and in the fall of 1843 was himself succeeded by Rev. Cyrus W.
Hodges, whose pastoral relation continued until the latter part of 1848, and he,
in turn, was succeeded by Rev. Edward Conover. Following the retirement
of Mr. Conover, in 1852, the succession of pastors has been as follows: Revs.
A. J. Chaplin, Warren Lincoln, W. S. Apsey, S. K. Dexter, R. M. Luther, (from
1871 to 1880), C. G. Baldwin, jr., L. Martin, the latter being the present in¬
cumbent.
The Methodist Episcopal Church.—The organization of the Methodist So¬
ciety of Bennington village took place in the year 1827, but one month later
than the time of organizing the Baptist Society. The society, like that last
above mentioned, also held its early meetings at convenient places, and did not
acquire a regular church edifice until the year 1833, when the stone church on
Main street, between North and School streets, was built. This is a small, plain
stone building and will comfortably seat about four hundred and seventy-five
persons. The church has undergone occasional repairs and enlargements, but
retains much of its original appearance and form. It is not what might be
styled a modern building, but, notwithstanding that, its old appearance, to¬
gether with the fact of its being the oldest structure of its kind in the village,
lend a charm to the place that is hardly desirable to remove. Some of the first
families of the village have been connected with this society. The custom of
the Methodist Church is to have the records kept at the seat of the conference
of the district; therefore it is difficult to obtain a succession of pastors from
local sources. The Methodist pastor is not generally stationed long in a single
society, but changes frequently, according to the laws governing the church.
Hut among the earlier ministers in charge of the society the names of some
can be recalled, as follows: Revs. Cyrus Prindle, John M. Weaver, Wright Ha-
zen, Henry Burton, Henry Smith, — Hubbard, C. R. Wilkins, Jesse Craig, J.
W. Belknap, H. B. Knight, R. Wescott, Merritt Bates, H. R. Smith, Ensign
Stover, J. E. Bonner, C. R. Morris, and others. All of the above, except,
perhaps, the last named, were here prior to the year i860. The present mem¬
bership of the church numbers about three hundred persons, and the society is
is under the present pastoral charge of Rev. Frederick Widmer. In 1883 the
society erected a comfortable pastor's residence at the corner of School and
Pleasant streets.
St. Peters Church, (Episcopal.)—The society of St. Peter's was organized
in Bennington on the 24th of July, 1834, but not until two years later was the
church edifice built. Among the persons and families prominently connected
with this society during the early period of its existence there can be recalled
324
History of Bennington County.
the names of Norton, Squires, Doolittle, Leavenworth, Safford, Canfield, Ev¬
erett, Thatcher, Rouse, Lyman and others, leading families of the community.
In 1836 the church edifice was built. It stands at the northeast corner
of Pleasant and School streets, a small though substantial brick building, de¬
signed for a comfortable and modest church home rather than a display of
architectural skill. The church was consecrated with appropriate services on
the 22d of July, 1839.
The first rector appointed to the parish was Rev. Nathaniel O. Preston,
whose pastorate continued until 1844, when he was succeeded by Rev. C. I.
Todd, the latter remaining but one year. The third rector was Rev. C. Ben¬
nington, who remained but a few months. Rev. Dr. George B. Manser came
to the rectorship of the parish in 1850, and continued many years. Under his
charge the church grew largely in influence and membership, increasing be¬
tween the years 1850 and 1863 from fifty to one hundred and twenty commu¬
nicants. Subsequent to Dr. Manser's retirement the rectors have been Revs.
Phillips, Bliss, Jones, Graves, Barrow and Walker, the latter, the Rev. Wil¬
liam Bogert Walker, having assumed pastoral charge of the parish in February,
1888, succeeding Rev. A. J. Barrow. The present number of communicating
members in St. Peter's is about one hundred and fifty.
The Second Congregatiotuil Church.—This society was organized in April,
1836, by residents of the town of Bennington, who had theretofore been con¬
nected with the old Congregational Society of Bennington Center, but who,
desiring a church of their denomination at the East village, more convenient
for their people living in that part of the town, separated themselves from the
old organization and formed the new, taking the name of " Second Congrega¬
tional Church of Bennington," under the pastoral charge of Rev. Aretas G.
Loomis. In 1838 the society built a church edifice. This was a plain wood
structure of sufficient size at the time of its erection, but the society rapidly
increased in members, necessitating the building of a large addition; but on
August nth, 1864 the edifice was destroyed by fire, leaving the society with¬
out a church home, in which situation it remained until the erection of the
large and elegant structure that now adorns the northeast corner of Main and
School streets. • This was built in 1873 at a total cost of from $45,000 to
$50,000.
The church proper fronts on Main street, and in the rear, and connected
with the main edifice is the chapel or lecture-room. Beyond this, and occu¬
pying the corner of School and Pleasant streets, is the pastor's residence, a
convenient and attractive brick dwelling. Thus the church property of this
society extends from Main to Pleasant street, and has a frontage the entire dis¬
tance between these on School street, a most desirable and valuable location.
The main edifice is of brick and stone, tastefully trimmed, and the architecture
of the whole property is appropriate and beautiful, although not extravagant,
Village of Bennington.
325
leaving to the observer the impression that comfort, convenience and dura¬
bility were the aim of its designers rather than unnecessary display.
The society of this church is unquestionably the largest and most affluent
of Bennington, if not of the entire county. The present membership is two
hundred and fifty-two. As is elsewhere stated, the first pastor was Rev. Aretas
G. Loornis, whose connection with the society continued until the early part
of November, 1850, when he was succeeded by Rev. C. M. Beverage, the son-
in-law of the former pastor. Since that time the succession of pastors has
been as follows: Revs. C. H. Hubbard, C. B. Hurlbert, E. G. Reed, F. J.
Mundy, Dr. C. C. Kimball, and Charles R. Seymour, the latter coming to the
church October 1st, 1888.
Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, (French Catholic.)—Prior to the year
1880 there was no Catholic Church whatever within the corporate limits of this
village, and all the people of this faith were obliged to travel to the west vil¬
lage in attending church service. Among the Catholic population of the place
were a number of French families, who believed themselves sufficiently strong
to organize a French Catholic Society. Accordingly application was made to
the bishop of the diocese, and by that officer the church was established in
1880, although it was two years later that a church edifice was built. It
stands on School street, about a block north from the Graded School building.
The society is not large, and is composed almost exclusively of the French
people of the village and township. Prior to the erection of the church build¬
ing the services of the society were held in Noyes' Block, on Main street. The
Rev. Father Joseph Audet is priest of the parish.
The Neic Catholic Church.—On a large and elevated tract of land, situate
just west of the Dewey homestead, is already laid the foundation for an elegant
Catholic Church edifice, to be occupied when completed by the society of St.
brands De Sales' Church, who are now compelled to attend the service near
Bennington Center, nearly a mile west of the large village of Bennington,
while the majority of the congregation reside at the village last named. If
this structure is built according to the present design, it will unquestionably be
the most elaborate and costly building of its kind in southern Vermont. The
priest in charge of the work is Rev. Father Michaud, who also is pastor of
St. brands De Sales' Church on the hill. The latter was established in 1855
by Father Druon.
Banks of Bennington.—The first banking institution established at the vil¬
lage of Bennington was the old Stark Bank, which was brought into existence
in 1848, with William S. Southworth, president, and George W. Harman,
cashier. Its capital stock was $100,000, in shares of $50 each. The bank
building was on the site now occupied by Counselor Meacham as a law office,
on Main street west.
The career of the old Stark Bank, while not particularly brief, was at least
326
History of Bennington County.
eventful. It did not "live out" its charter, but liquidated under the State law
on account of a ten per cent, tax, the payment of which the business of the in¬
stitution would hardly warrant. Mr. Harman remained cashier throughout
the existence of the bank, but Mr. Southworth was succeeded in the presi¬
dency by David Love, and the latter, in turn, by Isaac Weeks. When the
affairs of the bank were closed it was found that four thousand dollars of its
currency was not returned for redemption, and it never came. The Stark Bank
succeeded the still older Bank of Bennington, an institution of the " village on
the hill."
The First National Bank.—Had it not been for a slight defect in the orig¬
inal application for the charter for the First National Bank of Bennington that
institution would have been the first organized in Vermont under the National
Banking Act; but on account of the delay occasioned by the error this bank
had to take a place " further down the line." However, it was incorporated in
1863, anc* took the number one hundred and thirty in the country's banks.
The capital stock was $110,000. The bank opened its doors for business dur¬
ing the fall of 1863, with officers as follows: President, Luther R. Graves;
vice-president, Henry E. Bradford; cashier, Henry G. Root; board of direct¬
ors, Luther R. Graves, Henry E. Bradford, Henry G. Root, William R. Graves,
and Willard Gay of Troy. The original charter expired in 1883 and was then
renewed.
Luther R. Graves has continued president since incorporation; Mr. Root,
after the first year, was elected vice-president, Ellis A. Cobb succeeding to the
cashiership. The institution now shows a surplus of about $55,000, and is in
all respects a successful concern. For five years the bank did business in the
building next west of its present location, but in 1868 it was moved to the sub¬
stantial brick building now occupied, the cost of which was some $11,000, with
$5,000 additional for vault and safe.
The present officers of the First National Bank are : President, Luther R.
Graves; first vice-president, Henry G. Root; second vice-president, Lyman F.
Abbott; cashier, George F. Graves; directors, Luther R. Graves, Henry G.
Root, Lyman F. Abbott, William R. Graves, and Willard Gay.
The Bennington Coiinty National Bank.—This corporation was chartered
in August, 1878, having a capital stock of $100,000, and organized with the
following officers: President, Charles Thatcher ; vice-president, S. M. Sibley;
cashier, Ellis A. Cobb ; directors, Charles Thatcher, S. M. Sibley, J. T. Shurt-
lefif, William E. Hawks, Charles E. Houghton, George A. Wood, Luman P.
Norton, David Carpenter, Noble Phillips.
No material change has been made in the board of executive officers, ex¬
cept that upon the death of Cashier Cobb, Clement H. Cone was appointed to
that position. The bank does a business in the Park Building, on South street.
Its surplus is over $16,000. The present board of directors is Charles That-
Village of Bennington.
cher, S. M. Sibley, John T. Shurtleff, William E. Hawks, I. F. Paddock, George
A. Wood, since deceased, David F. Squires, E. D. Fillmore, Charles E. Hough¬
ton.
Bennington County Savings Bank, chartered October 27, 1876, organized
January 12, 1878. First officers : President, Henry E. Bradford; vice-presi¬
dent, Luman P. Norton ; treasurer, Ellis A. Cobb; trustees, Henry E. Brad¬
ford, Luman P. Norton, George W. Harman, Alonzo B. Valentine, David Car¬
penter, William E. Hawks, George A. Wood.
In 1879 Luman P. Norton succeeded Mr. Bradford as president, and Major
Valentine was elected vice-president in the place vacated by Mr. Norton ; also,
January 8, 1879, Judge Harman was made treasurer. On April 21, 1883 Ma¬
jor Valentine was chosen president, William E. Hawks becoming vice-presi¬
dent at the same time, in each of which positions they have since respectively
remained. In February, 1886, Judge Harman resigned his office as treasurer
and John T. Shurtleff was appointed in his stead ; at the same time Judge Har¬
man was chosen secretary of the corporation, and keeper of the records. The
deposits of the savings bank now amount to about a quarter of a million dol¬
lars. The funds are placed with the Bennington County National Bank by
whom the business of the savings bank is done, a peculiar but not objection¬
able manner of operating savings funds.
Bennington's Manufacturing Interests.—In the early part of this chapter,
relating to the village of Bennington, mention was made of some, a few of its
pioneer manufacturing interests, but not all of its early business enterprises of
this character were noted, nor is it possible that all can be noticed in this
branch or division of the subject. But there were some not heretofore named
that will be mentioned incidentally as having formerly stood on the site oJf
some prominent industry of the present time, while there were probably oth¬
ers that may now be entirely forgotten. The question is often asked : "How
is it that the comparatively small village of Bennington possesses so many knit-
goods factories ?" The answer is simple enough. When the Bradfords, Gen¬
eral George and Henry E., started the business in the village (for these persons
are conceded to have been the pioneers of this industry in the place) their en¬
terprise was in a measure experimental, but before long it became known that
the experiment was decidedly successful. This induced others to engage i*
the like manufacture, which also being being a success, firm after firm was or¬
ganized, and the final result came that gave Bennington its present enviable
reputation as an important manufacturing village.
The Bradford Mills.— The name just used is coined for convenience, and is
not used by the proprietors as a distinguishing term. In 1853 Henry E. Brad-
foid built a little frame building just back of the present factory, and in the
following year commenced the manufacture of woolen cloths, and so continued
for about three years, when he changed the machinery and commenced the
328
History of Bennington County.
manufacture of knit underwear, shirts and drawers. The building he occupied
was twice destroyed by fire, but as frequently rebuilt. After a short time
George Bradford became interested with his brother, and so continued until
1863, but at the latter date withdrew and took what was known as the Upper
Works. When George Bradford went into the concern the firm style of H. E.
Bradford & Co. was adopted, and has ever since been used, and that notwith¬
standing the tact that Henry E. Bradford has been dead for more than ten
years.
Upon the withdrawal of General Bradford from the business Lyman F. Ab¬
bott, who had been for some years an employee in the mills, became one of the
firm, and one year later, in 1864, John Kelso also acquired an interest in the
concern, and thereafter the mills were conducted with excellent results to the
interested partners. In April, 1878, Mr. Bradford, the senior member of the
firm, and founder of the business, died. At that time the remaining members
were Lyman F. Abbott, John Kelso and William H. Bradford, the latter a son
of Henry E. Bradford. Upon Mr. Bradford's death Edward W. Bradford, an¬
other son, took an interest in the business, which was thenceforth conducted
until 1884, at which time Mr. Kelso withdrew. From that until the present
time the firm styled H. E. Bradford & Co. has been composed of Lyman F.
Abbott, William H. and Edward W. Bradford. The extensive factory build¬
ing was erected in 1874, but during the same year an accidental gas explosion
resulted in the burning of the west wing, but that was at once rebuilt. The
present firm are using six sets of machinery and employ about one hundred
and twenty-five persons.
The site upon which General George Bradford first started in business in
the village was that formerly operated by R. S. Macumber as a wood shop,
and was sold by him to Lincoln Raymond and turned into a clothes-pin factory.
By the latter it was sold to the Bradfords. General Bradford built just west of
Rockwood's factory, and had a knitting-mill there for some time. The build¬
ing was burned in 1884. General Bradford died in 1876.
The Valentine Knitting Company (incorporated).— On the smooth sur¬
face of a large stone cap over the main entrance to this extensive establish¬
ment are engraved these words: "Business established by Joel Valentine, a.
D., 1824, Building destroyed by fire 1836. Rebuilt 1845. Enlarged by A.
B. Valentine 1865-1882. Destroyed by fire in 1883. Rebuilt by A. B. Val¬
entine in 1885."
This is a reasonably concise history of the building, but something else in
the same connection is worthy of notice. In 1824 Joel Valentine commenced
the manufacture of woolen cloths in the little old frame building that then stood
on the site, but before that, and even as far back as 1812, so it is said, there
stood on this " privilege " a little fulling-mill.
Joel Valentine engaged in business here until the year 1865, at which time
Village of Bennington.
329
his son, Major A. 15. Valentine, took the plant, fitted it for and commenced the
manufacture of knit goods, whieh has ever since continued, and is now one of
the most extensive concerns of the village. After Major Valentine rebuilt the
factory, subsequent to its destruction in 1883, an incorporated company was
formed which is now known as the Valentine Knitting Company, the officers
of which are as follows : President, II. C. LindofT; vice-president, Alonzo B.
Valentine ; secretary, A. B. Perkins ; treasurer, Wells Valentine. The capital
stock of the company is $60,000. The capacity of the mill is eight sets of ma¬
chinery and employment is given to one hundred and fifty persons.
Rockivood's Mills.—In 1861 George Rockwood started a hosiery knitting-
mill and conducted it about six months as such, but at the end of that time
commenced the manufacture of shirts and drawers. The firm name of Rock-
wood & Co. is derived from the partnership of Mr. Rockwood and Mrs. Mar¬
tha E. Pratt, the latter representing the interest her father had in the business.
The Rockwood mill is situate in the eastern part of the village, on Main street,
runs five sets of machinery and employs about one hundred persons.
The Cooper Manufacturing Company (incorporated 1886).—In 1869 Charles
Cooper started in business on the site of the east building of the company's
present works, in the manufacture of needles for knitting-machines ; but the
place was formerly occupied by George Benton and sons as a paper-mill, and
after them was leased to the Globe Button Works Company, but the latter was
not particularly remunerative and only lasted about one year or so. Then Mr.
Cooper took it as above stated. The building was burned in 1869, but soon
afterward rebuilt, and Mr. Cooper again resumed here his needle manufacture,
continuing until 1883, when he started on knit goods in connection with his
other industry. About 1884 Mr. Putnam built the mill on the west side of the
stream, and this the Cooper Company use for the manufacture of yarns. In
1886 the Cooper Manufacturing Company became incorporated, the following
being the present officers: President, Charles Cooper; vice-president and treas¬
urer, Alexander J. Cooper; secretary, Benjamin F. Ball. The capital stock of
the company is $100,000.
In 1886, in order to increase his facilities for manufacturing knit goods and
yarns, Mr. Cooper built a large factory on the old Buckley Squires tannery
site, in rear of Mr. Cooper's present residence, and called it " Factory No. 2."
I his business with the company's works on Main street, run eight regular sets
of machinery, and other sets that are used in manufacturing Balbriggan goods,
and altogether furnish work for about two hundred employees.
I lie needle manufacturing industry which Mr. Cooper started in Benning¬
ton in 1869 was formerly carried 011 by him at Thompsonville, Conn., but in
that year was moved to this place. In connection with it the proprietor also
commenced here the manufacture of rib frames to supply the trade. I11 1870
di Tiffany acquired an interest in the business, upon which the firm name be-
42
33°
History of Bennington County.
came Tiffany & Cooper. This firm leased room sufficient for temporary use,
and until Colonel Olin Scott bnilt for them the large factory now used and
owned by E. Tiffany & Son. This building Tiffany & Cooper occupied until
1886, when Eli Tiffany purchased the whole firm interest, and Mr. Cooper re¬
tired. The latter then erected his extensive machine and needle works near
Eactory No. 2. In addition to the manufacture of knitting machines and
needles Mr. Cooper also makes anklets for jean drawe rs, or, as they are other¬
wise known, drawer " bottoms and tops." This special industry employs about
fifty hands.
Tiffany Brothers.—The present members of this enterprising firm are Eli,
Erank, Amos, and Eli J. Tiffany. This business was started in 1879 in the
building now occupied by the firm on Scott street. Eli J. Tiffany is manager
of the business. The goods manufactured by Tiffany Brothers are of the qual¬
ity commonly known as full fashioned Balbriggans, the yarn for which is pur¬
chased in other markets, and the knitting only is done here. The firm is en¬
tirely successful, and employ about fifty hands.
Eli Tiffany c" Son.—The factory of this firm is adjoining that of the in¬
dustry last described. Their business is that of constructing knitting machin¬
ery for the manufacture of ribbed shirt cuffs, drawer bottoms and shirt borders;
also machines for making full-fashioned shirts and drawers. In 1886 this firm
succeeded Tiffany & Cooper, and occupy the building formerly used by the
latter. In the machine department are employed about fifty persons. The
firm is composed of Eli Tiffany and Frank M. Tiffany, father and son. They
have also a branch shop at Amsterdam, New York State.
Monument Knitting Mills.—This industry was established in the year 1886
by John F. Maxwell and John Wylie, their factory being situated on the cor¬
ner of Dewey avenue and Putnam street. Their product is that known as
Balbriggan undershirts and drawers, in the manufacture of which there are used
five sets of knitting machines, the yarn being purchased. In 1887 Mr. Max¬
well retired from the firm and was succeeded by Benjamin G. Myers, the firm
style changing to Myers & Wylie. About fifty persons are employed in this
mill.
Stark Knitting Company.—This is the youngest of Bennington's knitting
industries, and was established in July, 1887, in a building erected for its use
on lands of Major Valentine, on Park street. The company consists of D. E.
Moore and N. M. Puffer, both of whom were formerly connected with what is
now the Valentine Knitting Company. The Stark Company runs two full sets
of machinery, forty-eight inch cards, and employs about forty-five hands.
H. IV. Putnam's Works.—The buildings in which are carried on the various
manufacturing enterprises in Bennington are situate on North street, south of
the Walloomsac River, from which power is taken. On the east side of the
street is the grist and feed-mill, a substantial stone building erected by Major
Village of Bennington.
33i
Samuel II. Brown soon after 1842. This is also the site of the old furnace in
which Major Brown was at one time interested. Mr. Putnam purchased this
property in 1867.
About the year 1850, or not far from that time, Mr. Grover established the
Ka^le Iron Works, a foundry and machine shop, the latter 011 the west side
of the street and south of the river, 'where were made stoves, plows, and other
iron wares. This property also came by purchase to Mr. Putnam, who con¬
tinued business on both sides of the street, at one time being associated with
Colonel Olin Scott, but becoming sole proprietor in 1864, Colonel Scott re¬
tiring and taking the machinery, except that in the grist-mill, to his present
location on Pleasant street. Mr. Putnam still continues the grist-mill in the
use for which it was built, but has a variety of manufactures in the building
opposite, among them bottle stoppers, double pointed tacks, fruit jar tops,
clothes wringers, and other light hardware and wire goods, many of which are
patented articles about which no person appears to know much, except the
employees of the concern, and these are not particularly communicative. The
works are in charge of Elbert Putnam, brother of the owner.
Adams Machine Shops.—About the year 1850 Enos Adams bought the
old Colliding tannery property on North street, and continued its business
some two or three years, in connection with a pottery ware factory that he
started there; but after the two or three years he converted the property into
a machine shop, making a specialty of water-wheel governors. This business
has been conducted by Mr. Adams to the present day, and gives employment
to about twenty-five men. Mr. Adams also has ochre works, but not in the
village.
Bennington Machine IVorks.—The lands upon which the extensive foun¬
dry and machine shops of Colonel Olin Scott now stands has a history, at
least so far as manufacture is concerned ; and much of this history has been
brought out before the Court of Equity of the State, though it can hardly be
within die province of this sketch to narrate the events of that long litigation.
As near as can be learned the water privilege where the machine shop
stands was first utilized about the year 1800 by one Babbitt, a wagonmaker.
He was succeeded by Captain Abell, a carpenter and builder, and the latter
by Abel II. Wills, of like occupation. Then for a time A. P. Lyman and
others had a wadding-mill on the privilege, and still later, or about 1853, fire
brick were made here by the proprietors of the old pottery. After this occu¬
pancy ceased nothing seems to have been done here until 1864, at which time
Colonel Scott bought the land and built his machine shop.
The upper or foundery building stands on a site that was granted in 1811,
and after that was used as a chair shop. There was also in operation here,
but subsequently, the old Allen Safford woolen mill that burned in 1827. It
was rebuilt, but burned again in 1837. After the second burning Mr. Crossett
332
History of Bennington County.
built a cooper shop on the privilege, but when this proprietor vacated, the priv¬
ilege remained unused until Colonel Scott made his purchase in 1864, and
erected the foundry building.
I he center building, or that now used as the office, has also been put to
use as a manufactory at various times. Here H. T. Cushman had a cork fac¬
tory on the upper floor, and after his retirement George Millard carried on the
same business, but eventually moved to New York State.
The business conducted by Colonel Scott at his extensive works is that
usually done in well appointed founderies and machine shops, making general
castings and machines, but his speciality is the manufacture of gunpowder
machinery, also paper and marble mill machines. In the special production
of powder mill machinery Colonel Scott's works stand alone in this country.
This forms a busy little community on Pleasant street, and gives steady em¬
ployment to about sixty men.
The Old Booth Mill.—About a quarter of a mile west from the central
part of the village, on the road leading to Bennington Center, is a large and
dilapidated brick building, an eyesore to the community, that has been idle
for a number of years ; but there is hardly a building in the village that has
experienced the vicissitudes of this old structure. The sorry appearance of this
mill is not due so much to the ravages of time as to the persistent efforts of
the average small boy of the town, each one apparently striving to outdo his
mates in the destruction of windows, with the result of not leaving an unbro¬
ken pane in the whole building.
The use to which this mill was originally put by Asahel Booth, the builder
and owner, was the manufacture of wadding, but the precise time of its erec¬
tion, or how long Mr. Booth made wadding here is not definitely known to
present residents, but it was about 1835 or 1840. In 1846 the building was
supplied with machinery for the production of " chintz," which business was
carried on by Harrington, Robinson and others, but the policy of President
Polk relating to the tariff worked disastrously to the proprietors, who were
obliged to suspend operations. The machinery was taken out and stored in
a building on the west side of the street, near the twin houses on the hill,
where it remained for a long time, but was finally sold to Colonel Scott and
by him melted and run into castings, and now probably forms a part of some
powder-mill machinery.
After the decline of the " chintz" industry the building was put in opera¬
tion by Asahel Booth as a grist-mill, and was managed, so it is said, by Will¬
iam B. and Henry Booth. This occupancy gave it the name of Booth's grist¬
mill. About 1854 or '55 the grist mill machinery was purchased by Major
Brown and transferred to his stone-mill on North street. There, after a term
of idleness and a brief use as a cork factory, the property passed, by purchase,
to Seth B. Hunt. Among the early tenants under Mr. Hunt were Rockwood
Village of Bennington.
333
& Co., and George S. Bradford and Sons, each of whom made knit goods here,
but only for a short time.
Mr. Hunt died, and in closing his estate this mill and other property was
bought by S. S. and M. Fisher, who put it to use as a shoddy-mill in connec¬
tion with their other business in the larger factory further north ; but using
water to run this mill lessened the power of the larger factory, so they took
the machinery out and used the building for storing rags. Since that time the
building has had no regular tenants except vermin.
The Benningten Woolen Mills.—In 1865 the firm of Hunt & Tillinghast
erected a mammoth building in the northwest part of the village, and named
it the Bennington Woolen Mills. Here the firm commenced the manufacture
of Paisley shawls. This undertaking would have been abundantly successful
but for the fact that when this mill had got in full operation the supply of this
grade of ladies wear was largely in excess of the demand, in fact the manufac¬
ture had already begun to decline. In 1872 Mr. Hunt became sole owner of
the property, but died not long afterward. Then the Fishers, above men¬
tioned, became owners of the whole property, and commenced the manufac¬
ture of overcoatings, made principally of shoddy, and made specially for the
purpose of making money. These proprietors enlarged both building and
machinery, expending for this purpose some $200,000. But these partners
both died, and the property was sold to Haines & Co., who afterwards failed.
Since this failure the building has had 110 tenant. It was sold at forced sale
and "bid in" by Troy parties."
Considerable money has been invested in this property in one way and an¬
other; the structure built by Mr. Hunt is understood to have cost about $575,-
000. The Fishers bought it for about $ioo,ooo, and expended in additions
some $200,000. After their death Haines & Co. paid about $50,000 for the
property, and after their failure it was sold for some $43,000.
Bennington Pottery Works.—This important industry of Bennington was first
established in the south part of the township on the road leading from Ben¬
nington Center to Pownal, on the farm of Captain Jonathan Norton, in the year
'793! and after Captain Norton, his sons, Luman and John, succeeded and
continued the business. Up to about 1825 native clay only was used in the
manufacture of earthenware, but at that time the proprietors commenced using
clays from South Amboy and Long Island, continuing, however, the partial use
of the native material for some time. In 1833, John Norton having before with¬
drawn from the firm, Luman Norton and his son, Julius, the latter having then
acquired an interest, moved the business and machinery to this village," and
built new works on Pottery street, then so called, but now Park street, where the
piesent owners are still established. After a time the firm name changed to
"\T
Morton & Penton, and under their proprietorship, in 1845, the works were de¬
stroyed by fire, but were at once rebuilt of brick, the first being a frame build-
334
History of Bennington County.
ing. In 1851 Edward Norton became a partner, and the firm style then
changed to J. & E. Norton, but in 1858 Luman P. Norton acquired an inter¬
est in the business, and the name of J. Norton & Co. was adopted. In 1861
Julius Norton died and E. & L. P. Norton succeeded. In 1882 Luman P. re¬
tired, and in 1884 Welling Thatcher purchased an interest, the firm then becom¬
ing and to this time remaining Edward Norton & Co. The business of this firm
is the manufacture of stoneware of all descriptions, and in connection therewith
they also deal extensively in glassware and crockery.
Fifty years ago, or in 1839, Luther R. Graves and Henry G. Root formed a
copartnership for the conduct of a general tinsmithing and manufacture of tin¬
ware business at the old village of Bennington; but after a few years their plant
was moved to the east village. This firm has been continued in this manufac¬
ture to the present day. Mr. Root formerly had charge of the mechanical branch
of the business, while Mr. Graves drove the wagon and sold goods on the road ;
but this business grew at length to large proportions, and the firm established
branch shops in other States as well as in Vermont, and supplied them with
stock from their Bennington factory. Neither of the partners is now actively
engaged in the tinware trade, though the works are still carried on and they are
its proprietors. The firm name of Graves & Root is probably the oldest in this
region of the country.
Postmasters at Bennington.—The early pages of this chapter have already
mentioned the old controversy between the people of the old and new villages
of Bennington, and the removal of the old post-office building down the hill to
the corner of Main and North streets, and its subsequent compulsory return to
the hill. After this discouraging turn in affairs the East Bennington people
had not long to wait before they were accommodated not only with a post-
office but with the name formerly held by the west village; for on the 12th of
April, 1849, the post name of Bennington was discontinued, and in its place was
given the name of West Bennington. Almost simultaneously with this action
a new office called Bennington was established at the east village, and Horace
T. White was commissioned postmaster on the very same day. East Ben¬
nington was made a post-station on August 17, 1848, but this was discontin¬
ued upon the change of name and the appointment of Mr. White. The latter
kept the office in the store building of Wills & Fairbanks. The second post¬
master of the village was Truman Huling, whose appointment bore the date of
April 30, 1853. Under Mr. Huling the post-office was kept in the Adam's
block, corner of Main and South streets. John R. Gates next succeeded to the
office, his commission bearing date April 7, 1857. He moved the office to a
building nearly opposite the Methodist Church on Main street. The fourth
incumbent was James I. C. Cook, whose appointment was made April 9, 1861,
and who was twice reappointed—March 2, 1867, and February 18, 1871. Mr.
Cook kept the office near the present Adams block, as did his successors in
Village of Bennington.
office until 1882, at which time it was moved to the library building on Main
street. Hut at a later day the business men around the intersection of Main
with North and South streets made a united effort (aided by a united fund), and
induced a removal to their vicinity. Mr. Cook was succeeded by Thomas J.
Tiffany, whose first appointment was made April 22, 1872, and who was reap¬
pointed January 17, 1876, and February 2, 1S80. On March 26, 1884, Thomas
A. 11 utchins, superseded Mr. Tiffany and held the office one term, or until Jan¬
uary 16, 1886, when, under the new administration, the present incumbent, Her¬
bert II. Martin, was appointed to the position.
Prominent Institutions.— The Soldiers Home}—The question of a Soldiers'
Home in Vermont was agitated for some years, but did not take practical direc¬
tion until 1884, when numerous petitions were sent to the Legislature at Mont-
pelier, for the establishment of a home for Vermont's veterans, and the result was
the passage of a bill incorporating a board of trustees. A splendid estate situ¬
ated in Bennington, which was given by the late Hon. T. W. Park for the pur¬
pose of an Old Ladies' Home, but which, on account of the sudden death of
Mr. Park, was not sufficiently endowed, was offered by the trustees of the Old
Ladies' Home to the trustees of the Soldiers' Home for the purposes set forth
by the act above referred to. The offer was gladly and thankfully accepted,
and the Legislatures of 1884 and 1886 made ample appropriations for the en¬
largement of the buildings and the support of Vermont's disabled veterans.
The grounds of the home consist of two hundred acres, meadow and pas¬
ture, with several beautiful groves, all surrounded by mountain scenery rarely
equaled. Pure spring water in abundance is brought from the adjacent hills
to supply the wants of the home and to make one of the finest fountains in the
world, the waters of which are thrown in a steady stream one hundred and
eighty feet high. With comparatively small expenditure the old buildings have
been enlarged so as to accommodate all the veterans of the State needing such
a refuge. The extensive grounds, homelike buildings, beautiful surroundings,
and kind care, make this a home in fact as well as in name. Comrade R. J. Cof¬
fee, a veteran of First and Fourth Vermont Regiments, is now the superintend¬
ent, and his wife the matron of the institution. General William Wells, of Bur¬
lington, is president of the board of trustees. The general supervision of the
home and its financial management are in charge of a special committee of
trustees, of which Comrade A. B. Valentine is the resident member.
The Bennington Free Library.1—In 1865 a free library was established in
Bennington by the joint action of Seth B. Hunt and Trenor W. Park. The do¬
nors purchased an unfinished commodious brick building situated in a central
place in the village, and fitted it up for the use of the library. The building is
two stories in height, the upper story containing a library-room and a reading-
1 Contributed.
5 taken from sketch written by Governor Hiland Hall.
336
History of Bennington County.
room, a large hall for lectures and public meetings with an entrance-room at¬
tached ; all well provided with tables, shelves and other suitable furniture.
The lower story is divided into rooms for offices and stores. The original cost
of the whole building to ths donors was about ten thousand dollars, of which
each shared equally.
The terms and conditions on which the library was given are specified in
the deed of trust from the donors to Hiland Hall, Benjamin R. Sears, Daniel
McEowen, Thomas J. Tiffany, and John V. Hall, which terms and conditions
are as follows: In order to perpetuate the trust it is provided that in case of the
death, resignation, or removal from the town of Bennington of any one of the
trustees, the fifth part of the premises conveyed shall revert in the residue of
them, which fifth part they are required to convey to such person as they shall
name as their associate trustee. The trustees, their survivors and successors
are to permit the premises to be occupied and kept for a library for the free use
without compensation of the inhabitants of the town of Bennington and its
immediate vicinity, and to which a reading-room may be attached, and under
such regulations for the safe keeping of the books and papers, and the proper
care and return of such books as may be taken from such library for reading,
as may from time to time be approved by said trustees. The third section of
the deed provides that the large room on the second floor shall " forever be set
apart for a public hall, and may from time to time be rented by the trustees for
public meetings, lectures, and other assemblies of the people," etc.; also that
the rent receipts shall be used as a maintenance and improvement fund. The
fourth section permits the trustees to delegate the care and management of the
institution to " the association already formed for the taking charge thereof, or
to any other association hereafter to be formed, or to individuals in their discre¬
tion," etc. Subsequent sections of the deed made provisions for other contin¬
gencies —that the library should not be allowed to become a sectarian institu¬
tion, that the use intended by the donors should not be in any manner diverted,
upon penalty of a reversion to the grantees, besides other provisions of import¬
ance in the premises.
The society known as the Young Men's Association was organized for the
express purpose of assuming the care and management of the property do¬
nated. The ceremony of investing this association with such care occurred on
the 23d day of June, 1865, at the hall in the library building, and since that
time the charge of the gift has been in the society.
The Young Men's Association is a somewhat informally constituted body,
to which any person c:.n become a member upon payment of one dollar; and
this payment grants membership for one year, but at the end of that time
members can renew their connection by the payment again of a like sum. The
citizens of Bennington, especially the young men, take much interest and pride
in the organization, therefore the membership is numerous. The officers of
Village of Bennington.
337
the association, chosen at the annual meeting last held, March, 1888, are as
follows: President, Frank M. Tiffany ; vice-president, James E. Weld; record¬
ing secretary, Charles II. Darling; corresponding secretary, Dr. H. J. Potter;
treasurer, Wells Valentine; managers, E. W. Bradford, E. 1). Bennett, H. S.
Bingham, I. E. Gibson, Dr. E. S. Pratt, E. S. Harris. The librarians have been,
in succession: Charles W. Swift, John Kehoe, Helen Breakenridge, ElizaBreak-
enridge (filling vacancy caused by death of her successor), Lidia Dixon, and Miss
Ida May Sharpe, the last named being the present librarian. The library at
present contains about four thousand five hundred volumes of all kinds, his¬
torical, scientific, religious and miscellaneous, together with valuable files of old
newspapers and periodicals.
Societies and Orders.—Mt. Anthony Lodge No. 13, F. and A. M.—This lodge
vvas the successor of an older organization of the same character, but of which
we have no record. Mount Anthony No. 13, was chartered October 13,
1824, the following being the charter members: Isaac Tichenor, David Henry,
Samuel Scott, Nathan Bowen, Robert Gillespie, Rodney C. Royce, Asa Hyde,
Charles Cushman, Anthony J. Haswell, Francis Breakenridge, Miles H. An¬
drews, Luman Norton and Oliver Abell. The lodge was organized as one of
the institutions of the old village of Bennington, on the hill, but when the east
village became the leading center of the town the society was transferred to
the place. Regular communication is held Tuesday evening on or before full
moon, at the Masonic Hall in Park building. The present officers of Mount
Anthony are as follows : John T. Shurtleff, W. M.; E. D. Bennett, S. W.; A.
S. M. Chisholm, J. W.; G. B. Sibley, treasurer; C. M. Lambert, secretary ; Fred
Godfrey, S. D.; Fred L. Bowen, J. D.; J. E. Walbridge, S. S.; E. S. Chandler,
J. S.; Alfred Robinson, chaplain ; J. N. A. Williams, tyler.
Temple Chapter No. 8, R. A. M'., was organized January 3, 1810, being the
year of Masonry 5810. The first or charter officers were : William S. Cardall,
II. P.; Paul Hawes, king, and Charles Cushman, scribe. The regular convo¬
cation of Temple Chapter is held the first Monday after full moon. The offi¬
cers are C. D. Phillips, IT P.; J. T. Shurtleff, K.; C. L. Shaw, scribe; G. B. Sib-
Icy, treasurer; C. M. Lambert, secretary; A. S. M. Chisholm, C. of H.; J. L.
I'11111, P. S.; II. S. Bingham, R. A. C.; F. IT Mattison, M. 3d V.; E. S. Chan¬
dler, M. 2d V.; George A. Bruce, M. 1st V.; Albert Parsons, marshal; J. N.
A. Williams, sentinel.
bennington Council No. 3, R. and S. M., was organized by charter bearing
date August 10, 1855, the first officers being Nathan Brown, T. I. G. M.-
brands Breakenridge, I. D. G. M.; Anthony J. Haswell, P. C. of C. Regular
assemblies are held 011 the first Monday after full moon. Officers for 1889 :
J. S. Miles, T. I. M.; J. L. Finn, D. I. M.; E. C. Houghton, P. C. of W.; G.
B. Sibley, treasurer ; C. M. Lambert, secretary ; J. T. Shurtleff, C. of G.; A.
43
338
History of Bennington County.
G. Patchin, C. of C; H. S. Bingham, steward ; C. L. Shaw, chaplain ; Thomas
Wilson, marshal; J. N. A. Williams, sentinel.
Taft Commandry No 8, K. T., chartered June n, 1872. Instituted at
North Bennington and removed to Bennington. Regular conclave first Friday
of each month. Officers: J. N. A. Williams, K. C.; C. E. Graves, generalissimo;
G. Byron Sibley, C. G.; C. D. Phillips, prelate ; E. C. Houghton, S. W.; J. H.
Norton, J. W.; J. T. Shurtleff, treasurer ; C. M. Lambert, recorder; H. S.
Bingham, S. B.; D. T. Bates, sword bearer; F. H. Mattison, warder; A. G.
Patchin, 1st G.; C. E. Wentworth, 2d G.; C. L. Shaw, 3d G.; J. E. Walbridge,
sentinel.
Mt. Anthony Chapter No. I, O. E. S., chartered June 2, 1875, being the
re-issue of the charter of an older chapter that was organized in 1868. Offi¬
cers : E. D. Bennett, W. P.; Mrs. J. H. Loring, W. M.; Mrs. W. E. Murphey,
A. M.; Mrs. F. C. White, treasurer; Mrs. Frank Bradford, secretary; Mrs. J.
N. A. Williams, con.; Mrs. William H. Cady, A. con.; Mrs. J. L. Finn, warder.
Sisters of the Star : Ada, Mrs. H. L. Stillson ; Ruth, Mrs J. H. Norton ; Es¬
ther, Mrs. C. C. Kimball ; Martha, Miss Edna Clark; Electa, Mrs. D. H. Smith.
Bennington Lodge of Perfection, A. A. S. R., chartered September 20,1883.
Its officers are as follows : G. B. Sibley, T. P. G. M.; J. R. Pilling, H. of T. D.
G. M.; C. E. Graves, V. S. G. W.; J. H. Norton, V. J. G. W.; E. L Bates, G.
orator ; W. H. Bradford, G. treasurer, G. S. K. of S.; A. C. Hubbell, G. M. of
C.; E. C. Houghton, G. C. of G.; J. S. Miles, G. hospitaler; F. P. Gaines, G.
tyler. Regular meetings are iield the second Friday of each month.
Masonic Hall, in which the several organizations of Masons hold their meet¬
ings, occupies the entire upper floor of the Park building on South street, which
floor for their special accommodation is divided into five compartments, each
well arranged for its intended use. The meeting room, of course, is the best
furnished, but none show evidence of neglect in their furnishings or appoint¬
ments. Next to the lodge room is the commandry drill room, and this and
the lodge room too opens into a large reception room, while in rear of this is
a kitchen supplied with every necessary utensil for such an apartment. I he
tyler's room completes the five, and connects with the reception room.
Of the Odd Fellows organization in Bennington there are four representa¬
tives, which, with the dates of their eharters, respectively, are as follows: Stark
Lodge No. 9, chartered February 11, 1847; Mansur Encampment No. 9, char¬
tered April 9, 1886; Canton Bennington, Patriarchs Militant, chartered Au¬
gust 13, 1887 ; Miriam Daughters of Rebecca Lodge No. 8, chartered Decem¬
ber 13, 1882. And in this connection there may also be named other orders or
societies than those above mentioned, among which are Post Custer No. 42,
Grand Army of the Republic and the Ladies Relief Corps connected there¬
with, Walloomsac Lodge No. 2084, Knights of Honor, Bennington Lodge of
Good Templars, Bennington Branch National Temperance; Young Ladies
Village of Bennington.
Shakspearian Club of Bennington; The Ladies' Dickens Club of Bennington,
Father Matthew's Total Abstinance and Benevolent Association, YValloomsac
Tent No. 4, I. O of R., and others, all of which now have, or have had, an ex¬
istence within the village.
The latest organized society of the village, although its object is quite unlike
that of any heretofore named, is the Bennington Village Improvement Society,
which was incorporated at the last session of the Legislature. As the name
suggests, the purpose of this society is the improvement of the village in the
matter of cleanliness and adornment. The society has already done effective
work in the laying out and beautifying of the small park on Main street, at the
entrance of the cemetery grounds, but other improvements are contemplated
that will greatly add to the natural beauties of the place.
In addition to all that has thus far been said descriptive of Bennington and
various institutions that contribute to its municipal being, there exists its mer¬
cantile and regular interest that are themselves important factors in the com¬
position of any village ; and yet they are of such a character as to make no
history that can be fairly recorded, except as the names of the merchants of
the town might be mentioned. There are in Bennington, men engaged in mer¬
cantile pursuits who have been here for years, and there are others of more
recent coming. This branch of business is established and conducted with less
formality than manufacturing, trade requiring only storeroom, stock and en¬
ergy on the part of the proprietor, while manufacture demands a special build¬
ing, special stock and machinery, and the same and even greater energy on
the part of its owners. By judicious advertising the average merchant calls
customers to his place of business, but the manufacturer must send his repre¬
sentatives to the jobbers and dealers in order to dispose of his wares.
But the mercantile business in this village is great in the same proportion
as its other business interests, neither overdone or lacking in representatives.
When the former condition occurs the weak ones " go to the wall," but the
latter condition never occurs, as there is no community in this region in which
the number of stores is not sufficient for its population and needs.
The business blocks of Bennington are about on an average with the ma¬
jority of similarly situated villages; there are some that are pretentious and
others that are not so. Necessity regulates building as much as any other
business, and capital is unwarranted in investing in buildings that will produce
no fair revenue by rentals, and it a plain and inexpensive frame structure will
produce the same revenue as a more elaborate and costly one the prudent man
will choose the former.
For the accommodation of the traveling public and that portion of the
people who make their homes at public houses the village is reasonably well
provided, there being no less than four hotels in operation at this time, the Put¬
nam \louse, the Stark House, the Elm Tree House, and the Centennial Hotel,
340
History of Bennington County.
The village has two local improvement companies, both of recent form¬
ation ; the one the Bennington Water Company, and the other the Benning¬
ton Electric Light and Power Company.
The water company was incorporated in October, 1886, by Moses Joy, jr.,
Henry W. Putnam, Henry W. Putnam, jr., Elbert H. Putnam and Frank J.
Dutcher. Its original capital was $60,000, but this was afterward increased to
$75,000. The object of this company is to supply the village of Bennington
with pure and wholesome water. The reservoir is located on the hill about
two miles east of the village, and has a capacity for storing 13,000,000 gallons.
It is one hundred feet square at the top, seventy-five feet square at the bot¬
tom and fifteen feet deep. From the reservoir a large iron pipe carries the
water to the village; and throughout the village streets are laid iron mains, none
being less than four inches in diameter. At convenient places, designated by
the trustees of the village, are hydrants from which water is taken in case of
fire, for which use of course the village has to pay.
The officers of the water company are as follows : President, Henry W.
Putnam ; secretary, John T. Shurtleff; treasurer, and superintendent, Elbert H.
Putnam. The company has between two hundred and fifty and three hundred
water takers in the village, and about three miles of water mains.
The managers of the Bennington Electric Light and Power Company prom¬
ised to light the village with electricity on the evening preceding the day on
which the monument corner stone was laid, August 16, 1887. This was done,
and by the act the people first enjoyed the benefits of this modern system of
artificial lighting. But the company did not perform this service for the sole
purpose of furnishing light on the single occasion named, but for the purpose
of permanently lighting the streets and buildings of the village, which it has
since continued to do, taking power from the stream near the old " Novelty
Works," which building the company occupies.
CHAPTER XXI.
history of the town of manchester.
WITH the possible exception of the town of Bennington, there is no local¬
ity within the whole county that is more rich with historic events, or
that has borne a more prominent part in the county's affairs than the township
of Manchester. But before entering upon a narrative of the events of this
^<toeniC°SvrvctiseM*
Town of Manchester.
341
town a brief description of its geographical situation and of its natural physi¬
cal characteristics will be proper.
The town of Manchester is in latitude 430 io', and longitude 40 and 1'.
In Bennington county it occupies a central location in the northern part; and
for this reason is the half shire town in the north part, or one of the two seats
of justice for the county.
The town is bounded on the north by the town of Dorset, on the east by
Winhall, south by Sunderland, and west by Sandgate. In both length and
breadth it measures six miles, therefore it has an area of thirty-six square
miles.
Physical Features.—On the east and west boundaries extend the ranges of
mountains, the Green and Taconic mountains, as they are respectively known,
although the latter is a parallel auxiliary chain, a part of the former range.
That portion of the Taconic chain that separates the towns of Manchester and
Sandgate is known as Mount Equinox, and towers hundreds of feet above its
fellows in this part of the State. At the highest point Equinox attains an
elevation of more than three thousand feet above the porch of the Colburn
House, at Manchester Center, and more than thirty eight hundred feet above
tide water.
From the summit of Mount Equinox the visitor obtains a view of the sur¬
rounding country as remarkable as it is attractive; and from a given position
there can be discerned 110 less than a score and a half of villages in the States
of New York and Vermont. The famous " Rocking Stone" and the " Devil's
Wagon Road" and "Table Rock" are among the striking natural character¬
istics of Equinox. The first named is a massive bowlder, seventeen feet long,
eight feet wide, and five feet in thickness, and is so nicely poised upon its foun¬
dation as to rock or sway under the pressure of the hand. The estimated
weight of this huge stone is about thirty-five tons.
I he general range of the Green Mountains, although of less altitude, pre¬
sents to the eye a view no less attractive ; and while the woodman's ax has
stripped the high hills of many of the taller and more valuable forest trees, still
an abundance remains, and the wild, rural beauty is undisturbed.
On the north of the town and in Dorset there stands boldly in view the
tall peak called "Mount /Eolus," but by the townsfolk usually designated as
"Dorset Hill." From the southern slope of this hill, and it extends into Man¬
chester, is presented a most beautiful panorama of nature ; the whole valley
of the Battenkill River in the town is unfolded to sight. And here, in this fer¬
tile valley, and between the high mountain ranges on the east and west sides,
is situated the improved portion of the town of Manchester with its three vil-
lages Manchester, Manchester Centre, and Manchester Depot.
The Battenkill River, the largest waterway of the town, flows a generally
southwest course along the base and on the west side of the Green Moun-
342
History of Bennington County.
tains, across the town, passes into Sunderland on the south, crosses Ar¬
lington, thence into Washington county, New York State, and discharges
its water into the Hudson in the county last named. The chief tributaries of
the Battenkill in Manchester are Stony Brook, Bourne Brook, Lye Brook, Mill
Brook, and the West Branch, with other and smaller streams.
The town of Manchester, the events of which it is the purpose of this chap¬
ter to narrate, was brought into existence by a charter granted by his excel¬
lency, Benning Wentworth, governor of the province of New Hampshire, in
the year 1761 ; and inasmuch as this document has never appeared in any of
the historical works heretofore published, it is thought advisable to present the
same in these pages. And as that charter made provision for the govern¬
ment of the town its reproduction may be of value in explaining the perform¬
ance of subsequent acts on the part of the proprietors and their successors.
The charter is as follows :
" Province of New Hampshire.
" George the Third, By the Grace of God, Great Britain, France and Ire¬
land, King, Defender of the Faith.
" To all to whom these presents shall come : Greeting. Know ye that we,
of our special grace, certain knowledge, and mere motion, for the due encour¬
agement of settling a new plantation within our said province, by and with the
advice of our trusty and well-beloved Benning Wentworth, esq., our governor
and commander-in-chief of our said province of New Hampshire, in New Eng¬
land, and of our council of our said province : Have, upon the conditions and
reservations hereinafter made, given and granted, and by these presents our
heirs and successors do give and grant, in equal shares, unto our loving sub¬
jects, inhabitants of our said province of New Hampshire, and our other gov¬
ernments, and to their heirs and assigns forever, whose names are entered on
this grant,1 to be divided to and amongst them into seventy equal shares: All
that tract or parcel of land situate, lying and being within our said province of
New Hampshire, containing by admeasurement twenty-three thousand and
forty acres; which tract is to contain six miles square and 110 more; out of
which an allowance is to be made for highways and unimprovable lands by
rocks, ponds, mountains and rivers, one thousand and forty acres free, accord¬
ing to a plan and survey thereof made by our said governor's order, and re¬
turned into the secretary's office and hereunto (to the grant) annexed ; butted
and bounded as follows, viz.: At the northeast corner of Arlington, from thence
due north by Sandgate, six miles to the northeast corner thereof; from thence
due east six miles; from thence due south six miles to the northeast corner of
Sunderland; from thence due west by Sunderland aforesaid; being the bounds
began at ; and that the same be, and hereby is, incorporated into a town-
1 Inasmuch as the original grantees under this charter did not become residents of the
township granted them, their names are omitted from this record.
Town of Manchester.
343
ship by the name of Manchester. And the inhabitants that do and shall here¬
after inhabit the said township, are hereby declared to be enfranchised with and
entitled to all and every the privileges and immunities that other townships in
our province by law exercise and enjoy.
" And further, that the said town, as soon is there shall be fifteen families
resident and settled thereon, shall have the liberty of holding two fairs, one of
which shall be held on the , and the other on the , annually; which
fairs are not to continue longer than the respective , following the said ;
and that as soon as the said town shall consist of fifty families a market may
be opened, and kept one or more days in each week, as may be thought most
advantageous to the inhabitants. Also, that the first meeting for the choice of
town officers, agreeable to the laws of our said province, shall be held on the
first Tuesday of October next; which said meeting shall be notified by Eph-
raim Cowen, who is hereby also appointed the moderator of the said first meet¬
ing, which he is to notify and govern agreeable to the laws and customs of our
said province. And that the annual meeting forever hereafter for the choice
of such officers for said town shall be on the second Tuesday of March, annu¬
ally.
"To have and to hold the said tract of land as above expressed, together
with all privileges and appurtenances to them and to their respective heirs and
assigns forever, upon the following conditions, viz.:
" I. That every grantee, his heirs and assigns, shall plant and cultivate five
acres of land, within the term of five years, for every fifty acres contained in
his or their share or proportion of land in said township, and continue to im¬
prove and settle the same by additional cultivation 011 penalty of the forfeiture
of his grant or share in the said township, and of its reverting to us, our heirs
and successors to be by us or them regranted to such of our subjects as shall
eltectually settle and cultivate the same.
"II. That all white and other pine trees within said township fit for making
our royal navy be carefully preserved for that use, and that none be cut or
felled without our special license for so doing first had and obtained, upon the
penalty of the forfiture of the right of such grantee, his heirs and assigns, to us,
our heirs and successors, as well as being subject to the penalty of any act or
acts of Parliament that now are or shall hereafter be enacted.
"HI. That before any division of the land be made to and among the gran¬
tees, a tract of land as near the center of the township as the land will admit
of, shall be reserved and marked out for town lots, one of which shall be allot¬
ted to each grantee of the contents of one acre.
" IV. Yielding and paying to us, our heiis and successors, for the space of
ten years, to be computed from the date hereof, the rent of one ear of Indian
coin only, on the twenty fifth day of December, annually, if lazvly demanded;
the first payment to be made on the twenty-fifth day of December, 1762.
344
History of Bennington County.
"V. Every proprietor, settler or inhabitant shall yield and pay unto us, our
heirs and successors, yearly, and every year forever from and after the expira¬
tion of ten years from the above said twenty-fifth day of December, namely:
On the twenty-fifth day of December, which will be in the year of our Lord
1772, one shilling, proclamation money for every hundred acres he so owns,
settles or possesses, and so in proportion for a greater or less tract of the said
land ; which money shall be paid by the respective persons above said, their
heirs or assigns, in our eouncil chamber, in Portsmouth, or to such officer or
officers as shall be appointed to receive the same; and this shall be in lieu of
all other rents and services whatsosever.
" In testimony whereof we have caused the seal of our said province to be
hereunto affixed. Witness, Benning Wentworth, esq., our governor and com¬
mander in-chief of our said province, the I 1 th day of August, in the year of
our Lord, 1761, and in the first year of our reign.
"By his excellency's command, B. wentworth.
with advice of council,
"Theodore Atkinson, Sec'y."
The grant of the township tract also contains the names of the grantees,
some sixty-four in number; and is followed by certain reservations of land:
" His Excellency, Benning Wentworth, esq., one tract of land to contain five
hundred acres, as marked 'B. W.' on the plan ; which to be accounted two of
the within shares, one whole for the incorporated society for propagating the
Gospel in foreign parts; one share for a glebe for the Church of England as
by law established ; one share for the first settled minister of the Gospel; one
share for the benefit of a school in said town."
This, then, was the formidable document, with all conditions, penalties, res¬
ervations and restrictions, by which the town of Manchester was brought into
existence. The grant assumes or infers that there might have been at that
time residents or settlers already on the land; but if such had been the case
no record or tradition exists as to who they were, and had there been, suppos¬
ing the grant to have been wholly lawful and authorized, such settlers held no
valid title to the soil they occupied.
The tract set apart and reserved by his excellency, the governor, was loca¬
ted in the extreme northwest corner of the township, at the point where the
latter touches Sandgate, Rupert and Dorset. This locality is unimproved to
this day, and its selection by the worthy governor shows him to have been
wholly fair in the matter of choice or altogether unacquainted with the topogra¬
phy of the region.
The grant of the town to the beneficiaries therein named was made, it is
believed, as a reward for political fealty, but it is not thought the same was made
with the expectation that the grantees would themselves become actual settlers
and occupants. This lot fell to a party of sturdy inhabitants of Duchess county,
Town of Manchester.
345
New York State, who, upon a pilgrimage in search for a future location, saw from
the vicinity of Salem, in Washington county, the high mountains to the east,
and slowly traveling from hill to hill at last reached the peaks of the ranges
that run at either side of the beautiful valley of the Battenkill. They were
satisfied with the locality, and ascertaining that the same had recently been
granted by the governor of New Hampshire, and designated as Manchester,
set about purchasing the proprietors' rights and acquiring title to themselves.
Other persons also made purchases, so that within the brief space of less than
four years more than three-fourths of the original proprietors' rights were dis¬
posed of to other parties. But whether the conditions of the charter or grant
of the townships were ever enforced as against these purchasers of the propri¬
etors' lands there stands no record. The fact, however, of subsequent conflict¬
ing claims of title to the soil between the governments of New York and New
Hampshire, and the independent attitude maintained by the settlers, released
them from obedience to or the satisfaction of the conditions imposed by the
original grant.
Early Proprietors Meeting.—The first meeting of the proprietors of which
there exists a record, was held at the house of Michael Hopkins, in Amenia,
Duchess county, on the 14th of February, 1764, at which time Samuel Rose
was chosen moderator, and Jonathan Ormsby, clerk. It was then decided to
have the township surveyed and laid out in lots of one hundred acres each. In
May following, the survey being completed sufficiently for the purpose of the
first allotment, the proprietors' committee visited the town and made the divis¬
ion in accordance with the survey, assigning, by lot, sixty-eight parcels of one
hundred acres each. The land embraced by this division included the portion
most easily to be improved between the mountains, and extending almost the
entire distance between the north and south bounds of the township. The sec¬
ond division was agreed upon in 1766, the third in 1771, the fourth in 1773 but
not finally carried out until 1784, the fifth in 1783, the sixth in 1786, and the
seventh and final division in the year 1802.
At a meeting of the proprietors held in December, 1764, it was decided that
a road should be laid out through the town, under the direction of Jeremiah
French and Gideon Ormsby. This was a north and south thoroughfare, and
afterward became known as the "main road." It was constructed in part, at
least, during the year 1765.
Tozvnship Organization and Settlement.—The town of Manchester was or¬
ganized on the second Tuesday of March, 1766. Benjamin Johns was chosen
moderator, Stephen Mead, clerk, Benjamin Purdy, treasurer, and Samuel So-
per, constable. The records of the early officers of the town have become so
much worn and mutilated as to be unreliable, and it is questionable whether the
mention for the first few years prior to 1771 can be fully relied upon; never¬
theless, in order that the names of those who were pioneers in the town may be
44
346
History of Bennington County.
provided, it is thought best that the officers be recorded, although the year of
their incumbency may not be given.
At another election at which' Benjamin Johns was moderator, and Jeremiah
French clerk, Thomas Soper was voted treasurer, Moses Soper and Gideon
Ormsby, assessors, Benjamin Purdy, constable, Benjamin Johns, Gideon Orms-
by and Thomas Soper, road commissioners. Again, William Marsh was mode¬
rator, Jeremiah French clerk, Martin Powell treasurer, Benjamin Purdy, Elia-
kim Weller and Bulless selectmen, and Stephen Mead, constable. In
1768 Benjamin Johns was moderator, and Jeremiah French town clerk and
treasurer; selectmen, Timothy Mead and Benjamin Purdy; constable, Jacob
Odell. A saw-mill was in operation in the town in this year. In i769William
Emes was chosen moderator, Jeremiah French, town clerk, Martin Powell, treas¬
urer, Eliakim Weller, Benjamin Purdy and Daniel Johns, selectmen; Jeremiah
Whelpley constable, John Roberts and Jeremiah French, pathmasters for the
main road, and Moses Soper and Daniel Johns for the east road; James Mead
and Benjamin Purdy committee on roads.
" xThe first settlement in Manchester was made in the summer or fall of 1764,
in that part of the town now known as the Purdy District. The first house was
built by Samuel Rose, on the premises now occupied by John S. Pettebone,
(now by John J. Pettebone). It is believed the houses built in 17642 were per¬
manently occupied the same year, but possibly the settlers, after completing
their buildings, returned to Amenia for the winter, and first brought their fam¬
ilies to the township in the spring of 1765." Further the address aptly and
truthfully continues : " Of the precise time of their arrrival, of the number of
families that came together, of the circumstances which attended their journey
and settlement, there is no record or tradition."
Town Officers from 1771 to 1778.3—Moderator, William Marsh; town clerk,
Jeremiah French ; treasurer, Martin Powel; selectmen, Thomas French, Mar¬
tin Powel, and Eliakim Weller ; constable, Stephen Mead ; pathmasters (both
districts), Martin Powell, Samuel Rose, Nathan Whelpley, and Moses Soper;
committee on roads, William Marsh and John Roberts; fence viewers, Benja¬
min Purdy and Daniel Beckwith; pound-keeper, Jeremiah French. At a meet¬
ing, held in April, 1781, Thomas French, William Roberts and Pelatiah Soper
were chosen a committee "to consult on some method to secure our land under
the grant from New Hampshire."
1772—Moderator, William Roberts; town clerk, Jeremiah French; treasu¬
rer, Martin Powel; selectmen, Pelatiah Soper and Martin Powel; constable,
1 From the historical address of Hon. Loveland Munson, delivered in Manchester, Decem¬
ber 27, 1875.
2Another authority says that the first frame house was built in 1769,
8 This record does not give the names of all township officers for each year ; only those that
held the leading positions.
Town of Manchester.
347
Nathan Whelpley; road commissioners, John Roberts, William Marsh and
Samuel Rose, jr.; pathmasters, Benjamin Purdy, Martin Powel, John Soper and
Samuel Sutherland; fence viewers, Samuel Rose, Benjamin Purdy, John Rob¬
erts and Daniel Beckwith. At this meeting it was "voted that hogs shall run
free upon the common with good sufficient yokes;" also "that there shall be a
pound built, and William Marsh be pound-keeper."
1773.—Meeting held at William Marsh's house. Moderator, Samuel Rose;
clerk, Martin Powel; selectment, Jeremiah French, Nathan Whelpley and Ben¬
jamin Purdy; treasurer, William Marsh; constable, Stephen Smith; road com¬
missioners, William Marsh, Jeremiah French and John Roberts; pathmasters,
William Marsh, John Roberts, Samuel Rose, jr., Benjamin Mclntyre and Mo¬
ses Soper. In September the freemen voted "that we will not pursue the get¬
ting the jurisdiction back to New Hampshire at the present."
1774.—Freemen's meeting at Eliakim Weller's house. Moderator, Sam¬
uel Rose; clerk, Martin Powell; selectmen, Timothy Mead, Gideon Warren
and Eliakim Weller; treasurer, William Marsh; constable, Jeremiah French;
road committee, William Marsh, Jeremiah French and John Roberts; path-
masters, south district, Gideon Warren ; middle district, John Roberts ; north
district, Thomas Bull ; northeast district, Timothy Mead ; southeast district,
John Soper. At this meeting it was voted "that we lay a petition before the
General Assembly at New York to have our charter privileges confirmed ac¬
cording to our grant; and that William Marsh, Ebenezer Bristol, Martin Powel
and Samuel Rose, jr., make the petition."
1775.—At Martin Powel's house, moderator, Samuel Rose; clerk, Martin
Powel; selectmen, Timothy Mead, Gideon Warren and Eliakim Weller; treas¬
urer, William Marsh; constable, Jeremiah French; road committee, William
Marsh, Jeremiah French and John Roberts; pathmasters, Benjamin Purdy,
south; John Roberts, middle; Benjamin Hammond, north ; Jeremiah Whelp¬
ley, northeast; Stephen Soper, southeast; Daniel Johns, on road from his house
to Dorset line, and Daniel Allen from his house to Winhall line. "Voted, that
we do not think proper to pay a certain note given to James Breckenridge by
William Roberts and Martin Powel, at Arlington, to enable him to hire money
at Portsmouth; said Roberts and Powel being a committee at that time for said
Manchester; and said Breckenridge never hired said money as proposed."
l77&-—Moderator, Joseph Lockwood; clerk, Martin Powel; selectmen, Na¬
than Whelpley, Benjamin Purdy, sr., and Stephen Soper; treasurer, John Rob¬
erts; constable, Setli Keyler; road committee, John Roberts, Martin Powel and
Samuel Rose, jr.; pathmasters, Joseph Eockwood, John Roberts, Ebenzer Bris¬
tol, Philip Mead, Timothy Mead, sr., Daniel Johns and Seth Allen. "Voted,
that Joseph Lockwood, Gideon Ormsby, Daniel Beardsley, and Martin Powel
be a committee to act with the other committees upon the New Hampshire
Giants with regard to the title of our land." "Voted, that Samuel Rose, sr.,
348
History of Bennington County.
William Marsh and Eliakim Weller be continued a committee of correspond¬
ence with the other committees of Charlotte county1 for the ensuing year." At
a freemen's meeting held February 17, 1777, at the house of Christopher Rob-
erts, it was voted, "That William Marsh and Martin Powel be chosen delegates
to the convention at Dorset. Also voted that it is not best at present to raise
a sum of money for a bounty for soldiers on the New Hampshire Grants."
1777.—Moderator, Nathan Smith; clerk, Martin Powel; selectmen, Joseph
Baker, Gideon Barber and Timothy Mead; treasurer, Gideon Ormsby; consta¬
ble, Seth Keeler; road commissioners, John Smith, Captain Nathan Smith and
Thomas Barney ; committee of safety, Martin Powel, Gideon Ormsby, Thomas
Bull, Stephen Washburn and Elisha Tracy. To this committee of safety were
added in November, 1777, the names of Thomas Barney, Felix Powel and Jere¬
miah Whelpley.
1778.—At the annual meeting officers were chosen as follows: Moderator,
Nathan Whelpley; clerk, Martin Powel; selectmen, John Smith, Nathan
Whelpley, Timothy Mead ; treasurer, Gideon Ormsby; constable, Jonathan
Sexton; road commissioners, John Smith, Thomas Barney, Nathan Smith;
committee of safety, Martin Powel, Stephen Washburne, Gideon Ormsby,
Thomas Barney, Jeremiah Whelpley, Thomas Bull, Robert Loggan.
On the 9th of April, 1778, was held a meeting of the freemen, agreeable to
a resolution of the General Assembly of the State, at which time the officers
chosen at the last preceding election were continued in office for the remainder
of their term. This action was necessitated from the fact that during the year
1777 Vermont, through her Assembly, had declared her independence as a
State, although it was several years afterward that the National Congress rati¬
fied that action and received Vermont into the Union of States. The acts of
Assembly made provision for other town officers beside those formerly chosen,
and at this meeting they were selected as follows: Listers, Martin Powel, Gid¬
eon Ormsby; grand jury, Thomas Barney, Thomas Bull, Timothy Mead; tith-
ingmen, Jeremiah Whelpley, Gideon Ormsby, John Smith ; additional select¬
men, Benjamin Purdy and Nathaniel Boorn. " Voted to offer a bounty for nine
men to guard the frontier to the northward; and that 'Lieut.' Gideon Ormsby
and Martin Powel be assessors to make a rate to raise $1,450; and that Chris¬
topher Roberts and Robert Loggan be collectors to gather said rate."
At a meeting held at the house of Anna Weller, in 1778, the following
officers were chosen : Moderator, Captain Nathan Smith; clerk, Thaddeus Har¬
ris; representatives to General Assembly, Captain Gideon Ormsby and Stephen
1 By reference to an earlier chapter tn this work the reader will observe that while the gov¬
ernment of New York was claiming ownership and jurisdiction over the soil of Vermont the
territory was divided into counties ; and all that part thereof north ot the north line of Arling¬
ton and Sunderland townships, and between the Green Mountains and the Hudson River was
designated as Charlotte county. It was organized in the year 1772.
Town of Manchester.
349
Washburne. At another meeting held in August, 1778, Martin Powel was
chosen justice of the peace. Captain Jesse Sawyer was moderator of the
meeting.
On the 8th of December following a meeting was held at which Major Jere¬
miah Clark of Shaftsbury, Captain Daniel Smith and Moses Robinson of Ru¬
pert, were appointed a committee to select a place for a meeting-house; said
house to be thirty feet square. At this meeting it was voted that Thomas Bar¬
ney, John Smith and Nathaniel Boorn be a committee to build the meeting¬
house.
1779-—Meeting held at Anna Weller's. Moderator, Nathan Whelpley ;
clerk, Martin Powel; selectmen, Benjamin Purdy, John Smith, Thomas Bar¬
ney, Jeremiah Whelpley, Nathaniel Boorn; treasurer, Captain Gideon Orms¬
by ; surveyors of highways, Daniel Purdy, Christopher Roberts, Benjamin
Hammond, Arthur Bostwick, Samuel Beman, Stephen Smith, Philip Mead,
Benjamin Huling; listers, Martin Powel, Captain Gideon Ormsby, Arthur Bost¬
wick; leather sealers, Martin Powel and Nathan Collins; collector and con¬
stable, Jonathan Saxton ; grand jury, Dr. John Page, Gideon Barber, Captain
Thomas Bull.
At a meeting held June 14 it was voted to build a meeting-house forty by
thirty-six feet and two stories high, as near Christopher Robert's houses "as
the ground and circumstances will admit." The building committee were Na¬
thaniel Boorn, Lieutenant Thaddeus Munson, Captain Zadoc Everest, Captain
Stephen Pearl and Captain Thomas Bull. In September, 1779, Martin Powel
and Captain Gideon Ormsby were chosen representatives to the General As¬
sembly.
In January, 1780, the freemen voted to raise one thousand pounds to sup¬
ply the town treasury; and the selectmen were authorized to draw upon the
fund thus created for the purpose of sustaining the militia upon the "northern
frontier."
1780.—Annual spring election. Moderator, William Hine; clerk, Martin
Powel; selectmen, Thomas Barney, John Smith, Nathan Boorn, Arthur Bost¬
wick, Samuel Pettebone ; treasurer, Captain Gideon Ormsby; constables, Jere¬
miah Whelpley, Thaddeus Munson; listers, Captain Gideon Ormsby, Martin
Powel, Lieutenant Arthur Bostwick, Jonathan Saxton, Captain Thomas Bull,
Nathaniel Collins; grand juror, William Iline. At the fall election Gideon
Ormsby and Martin Powel were chosen representatives to the General As¬
sembly.
On the 14thof September, 1780, Captain Silas Goodrich, Captain David Lee,
Dr. Lewis Beebe, Captain Thomas Barney and William Hine were chosen a com¬
mittee to prepare a remonstrance to lay before the General Assembly relative
to the shire towns in the county. The committee was directed to send a cir¬
cular letter to the northern towns of the county to instruct their representa-
35°
History of Bennington County.
tives relative to a certain grant made to the town of Bennington for building a
court-house and jail. (This latter part of the resolution was subsequently re¬
scinded).
At a meeting held February 19, 1781, Captain Silas Goodrich and Dr. Lewis
Beebe were appointed a committee to prepare a vote (resolution) relative to pay¬
ing militiamen that had turned out on alarms. It was as follows :
" Resolved, That each soldier who turned out in the last three alarms be en¬
titled to receive three shillings per day during the time they were in actual ser¬
vice ; and officers in the same proportion ; and for horse service at two pence
per mile," etc.
1781.—Meeting at Martin Bowel's. Moderator, Major Gideon Ormsby;
clerk, Martin Bowel ; selectmen, Arthur Bostwick, Nathaniel Boorn, William
Hine, Timothy Bliss, Captain Silas Goodrich; treasurer, Major Gideon Orms¬
by; listers, Captain Thomas Barney, Martin Powel, Captain Thomas Bull, Jon¬
athan Saxton, Nathaniel Boorn ; grand juror, Major Gideon Ormsby.
Fall election, 1781.—Representatives, Martin Powel and Dr. Lewis Beebe.
1782.—Town election: Moderator, William Hine; clerk, Martin Powel;
selectmen, William Hine, Arthur Bostwick, Jared Munson, Captain Thomas
Bull, Timothy Mead; treasurer, Gideon Ormsby ; first constable, David Staun¬
ton ; second constable, Robert Loggan ; listers, Israel Bostwick, Enoch Wood-
bridge, Timothy Pearl, John White, Andrew Richardson; grand jurors, Na¬
than Richardson and Timothy Bliss; Christopher Roberts was chosen brander
of horses ; also to keep the key of the pound. In this year it was voted to raise
two hundred and fifty pounds " in hard money and produce " for the purpose
of raising ten men for service. At the fall election Gideon Ormsby and Thomas
Bull were chosen representatives.
In the spring election of 1783 Jonathan Brace was chosen moderator; Mar¬
tin Powel, clerk ; Timothy Bliss, Thomas Bull and George Sexton, selectmen;
Major Gideon Ormsby, treasurer ; listers, Andrew Richardson, John White,
John Smith, Barnabas Hatch and Martin Powel; grand jurors, Joseph Dixon
and Jeremiah Wait. During the fall of this same year Major Gideon Ormsby
and Timothy Bliss were chosen representatives to the General Assembly. The
town this year was divided into five school districts.
1784.—Moderator, George Sexton ; clerk, Robert Loggan ; selectmen, Ar¬
thur Bostwick, George Sexton, Joel Ross ; treasurer, Jared Munson; constable,
Robert Loggan ; listers, Timothy Mead, jr., John Aiken, Reuben Purdy, Sam¬
uel French, jr., Nathaniel Boorn; grand juror, Daniel Jones.
1785.—Moderator, Jonathan Brace; clerk, Martin Powel; selectmen, John
White, John Smith, Timothy Mead, jr.; treasurer, Jared Munson; constable,
Robert Loggan ; listers, Captain Thomas Bull, Jonathan Aikin, Dr. William
Gould, Captain Thomas Barney and Joseph Dixon ; representative, Major Gid¬
eon Ormsby.
Town of Manchester.
35i
! 786—Moderator, Timothy Bliss; clerk, Martin Powel; selectmen, Gideon
Ormsby, Timothy Mead, jr., Major Nathan Smith; treasurer, Jared Munson ;
constable, Thaddeus Munson ; listers, Timothy Bliss, John Smith, Daniel Purely,
Truman Powel, George Sexton; grand jurors, Josiah Sheldon, Robert Ander¬
son; representative elected in the fall, Silas Goodrich.
1787.—Moderator, Silas Goodrich; clerk, Martin Powel; selectmen, Gid¬
eon Ormsby, Timothy Mead, jr., and Job Giddings; treasurer, Jared Munson;
1st constable, Thaddeus Munson; 2d constable, Andrew Anderson; listers, Jo¬
seph Dixon, Daniel Ormsby, Silas Goodrich, Jonathan Aikin, David Lee, jr.;
grand juror, Samuel Hitchcock.
1788.—Moderator, Enoch Woodbridge; clerk, Martin Powel; selectmen,
Gideon Ormsby, Timothy Mead, jr., Job Giddings; treasurer, Gideon Orms¬
by; constables, Thaddeus Munson and Samuel Sutherland; listers, Shadrock
Danks, David Lee, Captain Jonathan Aikin, Joseph Dixon, Daniel Ormsby;
grand juror, John Smith.
The names of the above persons have been provided for this chapter, not
solely for the purpose of making a record of the town office holders, but for the
additional reason that the names of many of the pioneers of Manchester may
be recalled which otherwise might be forgotten. And there were others, un¬
doubtedly, who were among the early settlers, and whose names are not men¬
tioned in the foregoing record ; persons who were as fully and thoroughly iden¬
tified with the early history of the town as those mentioned, but who took no
part in the affairs of town government. It will not be out of place in this con¬
nection to furnish the names of freemen found in one of the ancient records of
the town ; but as to why the names were placed there there appears no satis¬
factory explanation. The roll purports to contain the names of qualified free¬
men with such additions as were made from year to year, as new settlers be¬
came qualified or young men became of full age. It is thought, however, that
this roll is but partial, or at least that it has imperfections. The entry com¬
mences with the year 1778 and continues to the year 1800. The additions for
each year are indicated as the list will show. This may be of value in deter¬
mining the names of some of the pioneers of the town, and for that purpose it
is used here, although the names of many have already been given.
1778—Ihomas Barney, William Sexton, Daniel Allen, Martin Allen, Tim¬
othy Soper, Allen, Nathan Smith, -Hammond, Gideon Barber, Na¬
than Whelpley, Daniel Beckwith, Jeremiah Whelpley, Timothy Mead, jr., Gid¬
eon Ormsby, William Drew, Pelatiah Soper, Solomon Soper, Thaddeus Harris,
John Selleck, Samuel Beeman, Philip Reynolds, Benjamin Purdy, Christopher
Roberts, Benjamin Vaughn, Eleakim Demming, Eleazer Albee, Stephen Wash¬
burn, Timothy Page, Charles Collins, Daniel Purdy, Christopher Collins, James
Vaughn, Robert Loggan, Elijah Mclntyre, William Bedell, Stephen Smith,
Benjamin Purdy, jr., Jonathan Sexton, Samuel Sutherland, Arthur Bostwick,
352
History of Bennington County.
Lorain Larkin, John Smith, Thomas Bull, Joseph Baker, Nathaniel Bourn, Ben¬
jamin Bean, Captain Zadoch Everest, Captain Jesse Sawyer, Moses Sperry, Jesse
Graves, Bernard Bourn.
March 29th 1779.—Jared Munson, George Smith, Thaddeus Munson, Ste¬
phen Pearl, William Hine.
March 2d 1780.—Samuel Pettebone, Timothy Bliss, Aaron Mason, Samuel
Hull, Seth Pettebone, Simeon Hine, David Lee, jr., Daniel Shaw, Timothy
Pearl, Nathan Richardson, Andrew Richardson, jr., Nehemiah Hine, John White,
Abel Pettebone, Jonathan Ormsby, Truman Powel, Israel Bostwick, Enoch
Woodbridge, Peter Pixley, Jeremiah Wait, Captain Giles Wolcott, Captain Si¬
las Goodard, Daniel Arnold, Asa Farrand.
March, 1781.—Truman Mead, Robert Nichols, John Dagget, Amos Rich¬
ardson, Richard Hemenway, Isaac Burton, Elias Giles.
January, 1782.—William Woodbridge, Daniel Ormsby, Billy Hatch, Tim¬
othy Crittenden, Reuben Smith, Prentice Storer, Solomon Collins, David Purdy.
March, 1783.—Abel Phelps, James Hotchkiss, John Langdon, DanielCham-
pion, Cornelius Havens, William Bennett, Isaac March, Barnabas Hatch, Jo-
siah Sheldon, Jonah Danks.
September, 1783.—Samuel French, jr., Jacob Ormsby, Dorman Dunn, Abel
Bristoll, Asa Weller, Jabez Washburn, Caleb Sheldon, Job Giddings, Thomas
Bull, jr., Josiah Terry, Joseph French, John Roberts, Charles Bulless, Benjamin
Roberts.
September 5, 1786.—Joseph Prindle, Richard Mclntyre, Eli Freeman,
Obediah Vaughn, Aaron Sexton, Jeremiah French, James Hennessey, Ed¬
mund Wood, John Jones, John Hopkins, Wallace Sutherland, Elijah Burton,
Isaac Bull, Ebenezer Weller, Nicholas Wood, Henry Bulless, Samuel Benedict,
Joseph Raymond, Isaac Tafift, Parker, Squires, Noah Smith, Stephen
Smith.
September, 1787.—John Drew, Ezra Benedict, Nathaniel Bourn, jr., Samuel
Powel, Ezra Blakeslee, John Loggan, John Palmater, Amos Bourn, John Hoga-
boom, Perez Walton, William Gates, Benjamin Hicks, Duncan Dunn, Moses
Soper, Ephraim Koile, Joseph Edmunds, Simeon Eells, Caleb Smith, Jonathan
Benedict, John Slocum, James Holt, Daniel Sperry, Isaac Squires.
September, 1788.—Henry Hewitt, John Roberts, jr., Barney, Joseph
Jones, Nathan Richardson, Samuel Hitchcock, Josiah Lockwood.
September, 1792.—Timothy Brown, jr., Jedediah Smith, John Vanderlip,
Edward Holmes, Thomas Patterson, Richard Jones, Israel Wood, Warren Mun¬
son, Munson.
March 4, 1793.—Walter Horenden, John Sidway, Ebenezer Hitchcock,
Stephen Stoddard, Jacob Odel, jr., Samuel Elwell, Samuel Purdy, Abel Har¬
ris, Robert Loggan, jr., Roswell Jones, Stephen Soper, David Brooks, Samuel
Strait, Isaac Whelpley, Daniel Sutherland, Roger Sutherland.
Town of Manchester.
353.
Last Monday of June, 1793.—Captain Jesse Hollister, Zadoc Bates, Will¬
iam Jameson, 2d.
September, 1793.—George Britnall, Richard Hennessey, jr., Solomon So-
pcr, John Roberts, 3d, Nicholas Houghter, Charles Thomas, Lazarus Beard-
ley, John Pierce, John Allen, Nathan Andrews, Thomas Soper, Joseph Dunn,
George Tankard, William Bedel, James Nevens.
September, 1794.—Oliver Jewell, Ephraim Munson, Asa Loveland.
December, 1796.—Robert Pierpont, Robbins Buqueth, Erastus Abbott.
September, 1797.—Benjamin Bowers. Patrick O'Hara, Richardson,
Daniel Vaughn, Charles D. Ilurd, William Gould, jr., Dudley Mason, Benja¬
min Purdy, 3d, Stephen Bourn, Lyreus Giddings, Eli Mallett, Andrus Collins.
September, 1798. Hoar, Purdy, Bullers, 2d, Howe,
Doughty, Nathaniel Backus, Samuel Sutherland, Josiah Burton, Elijah
French, Abel Rose, Daniel Cumber, Napthala Glazier, Charles Southwick,
Matthew Loggan, Frederick Dedrick, Timothy Harris, Benjamin Sutherland,
James Underbill, Josiah Pierce, James Cook, Ralph Buckley, Ezra Darby,
David Truman, John Britnall, Oliver Buckley, Asel Hawley, Abraham Hoga-
boom, Abraham Smith, Pelatiah Soper, Isaac Rose.
December 4, 1798.—Jesse Southwick, Josiah Reynolds, Elias Richardson,
Thomas Farr, John Buck, Stephen Washburn, Simeon Kimpton, Jabez Haw¬
ley, Smith Purdy, Timothy O'Brien, Daniel Hammond, Wells Richardson,
Samuel Burton, David Purdy, Seth Curtis, Alexander McCollum, John Fay,
Levi Colley, Jacob Mead, George Wightman, John Austin, Noah Palmer,
Samuel Dewey, William Chapman, Joshua French.
March 27, 1799.—Martin Roberts, Seth Smith, William Fuller, Russell
Colvin.
September, 1800.—Moses Giddings, Benjamin Bulless, Truman Purdy,
Thomas Richardson, Charles Bulkley, Silas Hubbel, John Wheaton, Seth
Spencer, Benjamin Conkling, Joseph Bulkley, Leonard Foster, David Vaughn,
Samuel Pettebone, jr., Converse Gilbert, Alexander Joslin.
It is believed that the foregoing record of early town officials and the roll
of fre< men includes the names of a great majority of the residents of the town
of Manchester prior to the year 1800. They were the pioneers upon whom fell
the burden of the work of clearing the land and cultivating the soil. They had
not to contend against the American Indian for possession of the country here¬
abouts, as that form of pioneer hardship was endured by the settlers of New
\ ork and other provinces to the south and west. But the owners of the land
in this region, those who held title under the grants of Benning Wentworth,
as governor of New Hampshire, were compelled to suffer trials and persecu¬
tions from an enemy less murderously inclined than the Indians, though 110
less determined and obstinate in action.
Scarcely had the settlers under the New Hampshire Grants become fully
4.j
354
History of Bennington County.
possessed of their lands than conflicting and adverse claims of title were inter¬
posed that were not finally settled until after the War of the Revolution had
closed, and until after Vermont had declared her independence as a State, and
that independence had been ratified and confirmed by the Congress of the
United States. And instead of passing through an "era of unexampled pros¬
perity " the sturdy pioneer was compelled to leave farm and shop, and repel
the adventurous invaders who sought to deprive him of all his possessions; and
from the year 1766 until after the close of the war all was uncertainty and
doubt, and constant turmoil and strife. But notwithstanding all these hinder-
ances the town, from the very first, enjoyed a steady, continuous growth in pop¬
ulation and improvement, so that in the year 1791 it contained residents to
the number of 1,296, and in 1800 of 1,397.
The reader will remember that the town of Manchester was granted by the
governor of the province of New Hampshire by the advice and consent of
council, to grantees therein named for the purpose of encouraging settlement
and improvement on the lands granted; and it will be remembered also that
none of these grantees, according to the best knowledge upon the subject, ever
became actual residents upon the soil, but sold their rights mainly to persons
from New York province, and later to pioneers of Connecticut, Massachusetts,
and Rhode Island. Under the royal charter from the king of Great Britain
the governor and provincial council of New Hampshire believed their territory
to extend over and include this region, while by virtue of a similar charter
from Charles the Second to the Duke of York, in 1664, the governor of New
York claimed as that province, "all the land from the west side of the Con¬
necticut River to the east side of Delaware Bav; and it was on account of these
conflicting claims that the inhabitants of this town and elsewhere upon the
grants were subjected to annoyances, hardships, and attacks from those who
sought to deprive them of their title and possession.1
"In May, 1765 Lieutenant-Governor Colden issued the patent of Princeton,
which was the first grant made by New York in conflict with the previous char¬
ters of New Hampshire. It extended along the valley of the Battenkill from
Arlington to Dorset, embracing all the land of any value in the township of
Manchester. Under this patent Attorney-General Kempe of New York,
James Duane, a distinguished lawyer of New York City, and Walter Ruthe-
ford, a merchant of the same place, claimed to own the lands which the settlers
of Manchester had bought, paid for and improved." "Other settlers were
placed in the same unfortunate situation by this and similar patents, and the
towns united in various efforts to avert the impending danger. In December,
1765 the settlers sent a committee to New York to present their case to the
governor and seek relief. One of the committee was Jeremiah French, a large
owner of rights in Manchester, and then or soon after a settler in the town.
1 Upon this subject we quote freely from Judge Munson's address.
Town of Manchester.
355
In November, 1766 the inhabitants of Manchester, together with their breth¬
ren of other to vns, petitioned the king for a confirmation of their titles. Three
years later a committee of settlers, of which Benjamin Purely was a member,
petitioned the governor of New Hampshire to interpose with the Crown in
their behalf." These several appeals for protection and relief were productive
of no favorable results to the settlers upon the grants. New York took the ag¬
gressive and organized courts, the jurisdiction of which was made to extend
over the disputed territory, but each and every attempt to execute any legal
process was not met with force sufficient to successfully thwart the efforts of
the officers and retain possession to the settlers. It was in the winter of 1770
that the sheriff of Albany county with a party of men from New York, and
one or two others from the grants, undertook to take possession of the prem¬
ises of Samuel Rose, in the southern part of Manchester, and did in fact enter
the house during the owner's absence; but upon the approach of the neigh¬
bors in superior numbers quietly left the locality.
The committees of safety for the several towns met in Manchester in 1772,
at which time the acts of the "Green Mountain Boys" were commended for
their service, and a firm but respectful letter sent to the governor of New York
reasserting the rights contended for, and the belief that those rights would be
maintained. Again, on October 21, 1772, a meeting was held in the town, at
which it was resolved "that no person on the grants should accept or hold
any office under the civil authority of New York; " and further, that "all civil
and military officers who accepted under the authority of New York were re¬
quired to suspend their functions 011 the pain of being viewed-," 1 "and that no
person should take grants or confirmation of grants under the government of
New York." In explanation of the above quoted resolutions it should be
stated that the government of New York sought to gain favor among the set¬
tlers by appointing several of them to civil offices in the county of Charlotte;
also by offering to confirm their titles in the hope of gaining their assistance in
dispossessing others less easily conciliated.
I he inhabitants about this period had an inclination to become attached
to New Hampshire, but the latter province seems to have offered but little re¬
lief to the settlements in their extremity. This enforced a spirit of independ¬
ence which was made manifest at a meeting of the freemen of Manchester, at
which it was resolved "that we will not pursue the getting the jurisdiction
back to New Hampshire." The resolution was adopted in September, 1773.
On March 1st, 1774 a general meeting of the committees of the several towns
was held, at which it was voted to " lay a petition before the Assembly at New
York to have our charter privileges confirmed according to our grant;" and
for the purpose of preparing such petition William Marsh, Ebenezer Bristol,
Martin Powel, and Samuel Rose were appointed a committee. This meeting,
I lie process of " viewing " mentioned above will be found described in an earlier chapter,
356
History of Bennington County.
so far as it related to a discussion of the events uppermost in the minds of the
settlers, was adjourned to meet at Arlington, where a joint discussion was held
and a determined resistance against the New York usurpers agreed upon.
The defensive proceedings for the year 1776 appear to have been confined
to the resolutions adopted at the meeting held at M irtin Powel's, heretofore
referred to, at which it was voted, "that Joseph Lock wood, Gideon Ormsby,
Daniel Beardsley, and Martin Powel be a committee to act with the other
committees upon the New Hampshire Grants with regard to the title of our
lands;" also voted "that Samuel Rose, sen., William Marsh, and Eliakim
Weller be continued a committee of correspondence with other committees of
Charlotte county for the year ensuing." While not recognizing the correct¬
ness of the authority by which the province of New York claimed jurisdiction
over the territory of Manchester the freemen fully recognized the fact that
such claim was made and an attempt made to exercise such jurisdiction, hence
the reference in the resolution to the county of Charlotte.
The events of ten years preceding the year 1776 were indeed troublesome
and unfortunate for the pioneers of Manchester, but the animosities of the
period were now laid aside and all factions united in the common cause against
Great Britain that in after years resulted in the independence of America and
the termination of British rule in the provinces. For the time being the au¬
thorities of New York ceased their prosecutions and persecutions, and the
Green Mount un Boys and the New York provincial troops fought side by side
on the battlefields of the Revolution.
This subject is so fully commented upon in the earlier chapters of this
work that nothing beyond a mere record of the part taken by the town of
Manchester will be necessary at this time. The great majority of the inhabi¬
tants of the town remained faithful to the cause of the American colonists, and
took an active part in the scenes in the county, while a considerable number
entered the service and shared the vicissitudes of the war in other localities.
There were a few, however, who felt greater friendship for the mother country
than for the independence of the provinces; and while all such did not, per¬
haps, actively engage with the British, they nevertheless lent such assistance,
by sympathy, unfair information, and other contributions to the enemy's cause
as to be regarded by the Americans as dangerous foes, and were by them
called Tories. The names of several who hitherto had been prominent in all
local affairs were found to favor British rule, among them Marsh, Rose, Log-
gan, Bullis, and French. Their lands were confiscated, and in nearly all cases
sold, but there are instances—one at least—in which the land was afterward
conveyed to the wife of the unfaithful servant, she having proved entirely true
to the patriots'cause. Referring again to Judge Munson's address: "As the
contest went on ominous preparations were made for the disposal of inimical
persons. In September, 1776, a convention at Dorset resolved to build a jail
Town of Manchester.
357
at some point on the west side of the mountain for securing Tories. The mat¬
ter was referred to a committee, who reported in favor of building the jail in
Manchester, a few rods east of the dwelling-house of Martin Powel; and rec¬
ommended that it be made of logs and earth, with an inside dimension of twen¬
ty by thirty feet. Their report was accepted, and Martin Powel chosen jail-
keeper."
The first action on the part of this town during the war was taken on the
17th of February, 1777, at a freemen's meeting held at the house of Christo¬
pher Roberts, at which it was voted "that it is not best at present to raise a
sum of money for a bounty for soldiers on the New Hampshire Grants." Also
voted "that William Marsh and Martin Powel be chosen delegates to the con¬
vention at Dorset." And at the freemen's regular meeting of the same year
Martin Powell, Gideon Ormsby, Thomas Bull, Stephen Washburn, and Elisha
Tracy were chosen the town committee of safety. In November following
Thomas Barney, Felix Powel, and Jeremiah Whelpley were added to the com¬
mittee. On the 15th of July, 1777 was held at the tavern of William Marsh>
in Manchester, a meeting of the Council of Safety. This meeting had previ¬
ously been arranged to be held at Windsor, but 011 account of Burgoyne's
threatened invasion of the region it was prematurely dissolved. The record
of the proceedings of this council have been lost, but it is known, however, that
it was there agreed " to raise all the men they could to oppose the enemy who
were then advancing toward Fort Edward. They at the same time wrote in
the most urgent terms to New Hampshire and Massachusetts to send on a body
of troops to their assistance." 1
This year, 1777, was the most exciting for the people of Manchester of
any during the Revolutionary period. The militiamen of the town were with
various armies engaged in active service, and, after the fall of Ticonderoga
there seemed to be no effectual means of staying the approach of Burgoyne's
army of Britons with what appeared to be still worse, his Indian allies Soon
after the news of the disastrous conflict reached the vicinity came St. Clair's
retreating force. The commander himself came to Manchester in quest of pro¬
visions and reinforcements, and passed on down the valley. Setli Warner's
command, or what was left of it after the battle at Hubbardton, made a stand
here, determined upon the defense of the town, but the British troops kept to
the valley of the Hudson 011 their conquering tour, and 110 enemy's troops
came in force to this locality.
"Warner," says Judge Munson's address, "established his camp 011 the
hill southwest of the village, on the premises now generally known as the Swift
farm. There his regiment was rejoined by the stragglers who had been sep¬
arated from it in the confusion of retreat, and was supplied with ammunition
and clothing from the depots of the northern department.
1 ''Thompson's Vermont,'
358
History of Bennington County.
During this period of suspense the Council of Safety were in almost con¬
stant session, in the hope that some plan for raising and maintaining troops
might be devised, but nothing was accomplished until the intrepid young
statesman and patriot, Ira Allen, one of the youngest members of the council,
proposed the plan of confiscating the estates of the Tory inhabitants, selling
them, and using the proceeds for military equipments. This was done, and
the lands and chattels of the Tory residents of Manchester were the first seized
for the proposed purpose. Within thirty days from the time of the decree of
confiscation and sale of property there were organized, armed and equipped,
ready for active duty, two full companies of effective men. They were called
the " Rangers." Subsequent recruits from the locality, and a considerable body
of men from east of the mountains, added to the force, so that on the 20th of
July there were about five hundred troops in the town. Soon after the 1st of
August General Lincoln assumed command. Two days later Colonel Cushing's
Worcester county regiment reached the town.
It was the original intention of Burgoyne to make a campaign against Man¬
chester, where Colonel Seth Warner's force was known to have come and sup¬
posed to remain, and, after having overcome such opposition as should be
shown, to push on toward Bennington and the much coveted military stores
supposed to be at that place; but the British commander afterward counter¬
manded this order and directed his course toward Bennington by way of the
Hudson and not through this valley.
On the 7th of August General Stark reached Manchester, and on the next
day left for Bennington, to which place he was followed by the militia. The
battle of Bennington was fought on the 16th of August, the enemy was de¬
feated, and the Vermont troops again went into camp at Manchester.
In September the Rangers made a successful raid north toward 'liconderoga
after which they returned to Manchester. General Lincoln was soon called
to another field of opeiations, but left a small force in town under command of
General Bayley. On the 17th of October Burgoyne surrendered, active oper¬
ations in this locality for a time ceased, and the Vermont soldiery returned to
their homes.
The township of Manchester furnished to the campaigns of this and later
years a considerable number of men of whom there appears no reliable record
or tradition ; still, the names of some can be rec died. They were Josiah Bur¬
ton and Elijah, his son, John Roberts and four sons, Peter, John, William and
Benjamin, George Sexton, Nathan Beaman, Truman Mead, Penuel Stevens,
Amos Allen, Prince Soper, Edward Soper, Nathan Smith, Benjamin Vaughn,
Gideon Ormsby. There were others, undoubtedly, of whose service nothing
can now be recalled. The old town records furnish titles for a number who
were residents during the Revolutionary period, among them Captain Jesse
Sawyer, Captain Thomas Bull, Captain Zadoc Everest, Captain Stephen Pearl,
Town ok Manchester
359
Lieutenant Thaddeus Munson, Lieutenant Arthur Bostwick, Captain Silas
Goodrich, Captain David Lee, Captain Thomas Barney, and possibly others
whose names and titles have been overlooked; but whether all of these were
actually in the service from the town, and in fact held the rank their title would
seem to indicate, is a matter concerning which there is room for doubt, but
that there was a number whose names are not mentioned, there can be no
doubt.
After the important events of the year 1777 were passed there were no active
defensive or aggressive milit.iry operations in the town of Manchester, but,
nevertheless, local organiz itions were maintained and the town authorities were
alert to the necessities of the front'er. Lor the year of 1778 the Committee of
Safety was as follows: Martin Powel, Stephen Washburn, Gideon Ormsby,
Thomas Barney, Jeremiah Whelpley, Thom is Bull and Robert Loggan ; and
on the 9th of April the freemen voted " that we make a rate of $4,50 for a
bounty for nine men to guard our frontier to the northward." Again, in 1780
the gross sum of one thousand four hundred and thirty one pounds was raised
for defensive operations on the frontier. In 1781 provision was made for the
payment of the militiamen who had turned out on the last three alarms. In
1782 the sum of two hundred and fifty pounds was voted for the purpose of
raising ten men for the service.
With the close of the Revolution and the extinguishment of British rule in
America — the result of the war — the inhabitants 011 the grants were at lib¬
erty to resume their accustomed labors; and there seems to have been not so
much determination 011 the part of the New York authorities to obtain abso¬
lute control over the Green Mountain region. The public mind at this period
seems to have been absorbed in the proceedings looking to the recognition by
Congress of the independence of Vermont as a State, and of her admission to
the Union of States.
Legislative Meetings.—As has in previous chapters been extensively men¬
tioned the independence of Vermont was declared during the year 1777, (Jan¬
uary 15th), although the legislative body of the State had no fixed habitation
for a number of years subsequent to that event, but it was customary for the
.Legislature to meet at such pi.ice as was most convenient or appropriate, which
was determined somewhat by the character of the business likely to be pre¬
sented for consideration. Upon three occasions was the town of Manchester
selected as the place for the meeting of the Legislature, the first being con¬
vened on the 14th of October, 1779, at the tavern of Eliakim Weller. The
pioneers, Martin Powel and Gideon O rmsby, were at that time the town repre¬
sentatives. I he second meeting of the Legislature at Manchester was held on
the 101I1 day of October, 1782, Gideon Ormsby and Thomas Bull being the
local representatives. The third and last meeting at Manchester was held on
the 9th of October, 1788, and continued in session seventeen days.
360
History of Bennington County.
The Comity Buildings. — In the year 1781 the county of Bennington was
organized, and, for the proper administration of the affairs of the county, two
shire towns were selected, Bennington and Manchester. But prior to this time
provision had been made for the location of the county buildings at Shaftsbury,
that place being considered the most central and withal the most suitable in
the county for the purpose. This led to serious discussion and agitation and
resulted in a change of location to Bennington. This change proved far less
satisfactory to the people residing in the northern townships, and in order to
allay the feelings of dissatisfaction Bennington and Manchester were each
^made half-shire towns of the county, and provision made for the erection of
county buildings and the holding of courts alternately in each place. It was
some time, however, before a suitable court-house was erected in Manchester
from the fact that a considerable feeling was shown in the matter of selecting a
site. The committee was desirous of erecting the buildings on the site of
Factory Point (now Manchester Centre), but the worthy owner of the lands
thereabouts refused to sell a tract for the purpose. Then through the efforts
of Martin Powel and Noble J. Purdy it was thought advisable to build at a
point just east of the Centre, on the elevated ground ; but this latter endeavor
was defeated by interested persons, residents of the southern half of the town¬
ship, and a permanent location was secured on the common at Manchester
village, on the land now occupied by the Manchester Journal office and other
adjoining buildings. Here the first court-house and jail were built. The
former was a substantial frame building, unpretentious in architecture, and of
dimensions only sufficient for actual needs of the town. The old building was
used until the year 1822, when a more commodious and substantial house of
justice was built; but after a lapse of twenty-seven years (in 1849) the latter
was considerably enlarged. Concerning the year in which the old court-house
was built, Judge Munson in his address fixes the date as 1794-5, while Coun¬
selor Miner, in his contribution to the Vermont Historical Magazine, says it
was erected in 1787. All authorities agree, however, upon the fact that the
old building, and the new as well, was erected upon funds raised by the sub¬
scription of private citizens. Prior to the erection of the first building terms
of court were held at the tavern or the meeting house.
The year 1800 found the township with a population of nearly fourteen
hundred souls; all engaged in the peaceful arts of agriculture, manufacture,
and trade. The spiritual welfare of the residents was guarded by the influence
of three substantial church organizations, the Episcopalian, the Congregational,
and the Baptist, each then having been in existence a number of years. Each
of these is elsewhere made the subject of special mention.
The names of many of the pioneers of the township have already been re¬
corded in this chapter; but there were others that came at a later date whose
names, perhaps, it is well enough to recall; and in order to do this a selection
/■''/J / ''.■/>
/
Town of Manchester.
361
has been made from the "lists" 011 file with the town clerk, taking the oldest
one to be found — that of the fiscal year 1805. From this it will be found that
at that time the taxable inhabitants of the town of Manchester were as follows :
Robert Anderson, David and Andrew Anderson, Erastus Abbott, Setli Al¬
len, jr., James Anderson, James Arnold, William Bedel, jr., J. Boom and G.
Burritt, James Borland, Thomas and Smith Bull, David Brooks, Amos Boorn,
Charles Bulkley, Stephen Blanchard, Joseph Burr, Elijah Burton, Josiah Brown,
Eli Brownson, Nathaniel Bostwick, Nathaniel Boorn, Jonathan Benedict, Sam¬
uel Benedict, John Bulliss, Henry Bulliss, Nathaniel Backus, Timothy Balch.
Stephen Boorn, David Bulliss, Ezra Blakeslee, Samuel Beech, Barney Boorn,
Lazarus Beardslee, Isaac Burton, Timothy Brown, Allen Briggs, John Collins,
Russel Colvin, Nathaniel Collins, Mason Chase, John Chapman, Silas Canfield,
Elijah Collins, Nathaniel Cheesebrough, Benjamin Clark, Simmons Curtis,
Dorastus Cole, Amos Chipman, Elisha Clark, Gad Cooley, Eliakim Demming,
Joseph Dudley, Nathan Eaton, Leonard Foster, Jonathan Farwell, Samuel
French, Joseph French, Joshua French, John French, Elijah French, Truman
Fields, Peter Ferguson, Francis Fields, George Fields, David Glazier, jr., Jon¬
athan Gilbert, Napthali Glazier, Reuben Giddings, Job Giddings, Eli Gilbert,
Converse Gilbert, William Gould, jr., Daniel Hammond, Eben Hitchcock,
James Hickox, Edward Harrison, Jabez ITawley, Truman Hurd, Perry Hard¬
en, John Ilogaboom, A. and J. Hogaboom, Asahel Hawley, Benjamin Hicks,
Daniel Hicks, Daniel Hicks, jr., Sliubel Handy, Clark Hyde, E. S. Hollister,
James Hickox, jr., Beriah Howard, Eli Howard, Silas Hubbell, Lyman Ilotch-
kiss, Ezra Isham, William and James Jameson, Oliver Jewell, Daniel Jones,
William Jones, Samuel Jacobs, Thomas Johnson, Daniel Jacobs, Simeon Kimp-
ton, Ilubbel Lathrop, Asa Loveland, Thomas Low, John Logan, Joseph Logan,
Josiah Lockwood, Samuel Lawrence, Robert and Matthew Logan, B. Munson
and J. Burton, Jared Munson, Jonathan Martin, P. and W. Mead, Samuel Mat-
tison, Aaron Mason, Ephraim Munson, William S. Marsh, Robert Montgom¬
ery, James B. Mosier, Ambrose More, Jacob Mead, Lyman Munson, Amos
Mead, Thaddeus Munson, Hugh Montgomery, Eli Malett, Timothy Mead, Jo¬
seph Montgomery, Constant Nickerson, Jacob Odel, Jonathan O'Brian, Daniel
Ormsby, Jacob Ormsby, Mercy Ormsby, Daniel Olds, Gideon Ormsby, Jere¬
miah Odel, Seth Pettebone, Benjamin Purdy, John Purdy, Abel Pettebone,
Reuben Purdy, jr., Reuben Purdy, David Purdy, Daniel Purdy, Alexander
Prindle. Samuel Purdy, Samuel Pettebone, Robert Pierpont, Joel Pratt, Tru¬
man Purdy, John Pratt, Isaac Purdy, P21i Purdy, Eli Pettebone, Ira Pettebone,
Benjamin Purdy, Archibald Prichard, Andrew Richardson, Chris. Roberts,
John Roberts, Timothy Robinson, Joshua Raymond, Elias Richardson, John P.
Roberts, Israel Roach, John C. Richardson, Joel Rose, Isaac Rose, Amos Rich¬
ardson, Andrew Richardson jr., Martin Roberts, Philip Reynolds, Jonah Suth¬
erland, Lnos Smith, Samuel Sturdevant, Serenus Swift, Peletiah Soper, John
46
362
History of Bennington County.
i\t ' 'james Sturdevant, Fiederick Smith, Jere. Stratton, Truman Squire,
oses Pcrjy, B. and S. Strait, George Strait, Stephen Stoddard, William Smith,
Benjamin Sutherland, Samuel Sutherland, John E. Sperry, Roger Sutherland,
hilo Sperry, John Swan, Moses J. Sperry, Daniel Sperry, Benjamin Swift,
Richard Skinner, Jesse Southwick, Seth Sutherland, Seth Spencer, George
Sexton, Charles Sexton, Joseph Simmons, John Smith (deaf), Seth Smith, jr.,
David Stoddard, Jonathan laylor, Charles Thomas, John Vanderlip, Jonas
Vaughn, David Vaughn, William Underhill, Nicholas Wood, Jeremiah Wait,
Samuel P. Whedon, Gilbert Wilson, W. and E. Wells, Samuel Wilcox, Will¬
iam Wyman, Frederick W. Wack, John Wheaton, Philip Whelpley, Joseph
Whelpley, Jonah Wetherby, Lyman Way, James Wheaton, Constant Webb,
John Ward.
At that time militia polls were exempt from State taxes. They were as fol¬
lows : Erastus Abbott, James Arnold, Lazarus Beardsley, William Bedel, jr.,
David Bullis, Timothy Balch, Nathaniel Backus, Charles Bulkley, Stephen
Boorn, Russel Colvin, John Collins, Silas Canfield, Simon Curtis, Gad Cooley,
Leonard Foster, Truman Hind, James Hickox, jr., Abraham Hogaboom, Silas
Ilubbell, William Jones, Thomas Johnson, Daniel Jacobs, Matthew Logan,
Joseph Logan, Thomas Low, William Mead, William S. Marsh, James B. Mosher,
Eli Mallet, Jonathan Martin, Daniel Olds, Jere. Odel, Isaac Purdy, Eli Purdy,
Benjamin Purdy, third, Isaac Rose, John P. Roberts, Andrew Richardson, jr.,
Benjamin, Jonah and James Sutherland, Stephen Stoddard, Seth Spencer,
Samuel Sturdevant, Enos and Seth Smith, David Vaughn, F. W. Wait, James
Wheaton, Samuel P. Wheddon, Philip Whelpley, William Wyman, Seth Suth¬
erland, Seth Allen, jr., Stephen Blanchard, John Bulliss, Samuel Burch, John
Chapman, Nathaniel Cheesbrough, Nap. Glazier, Reuben Giddings, Beriah
Howard, Ira Pettebone.
Names of polls belonging to cavalry who also had an exemption: Elijah
Collins, Eli Gilbert, William Jameson, Amos Mead, Joseph Montgomery,
Reuben Purdy, jr., Elias Richardson, Burton Strait, John E. Spring, George
Strait, Moses J. Sperry, Walter Wells, Joseph Whelpley, Samuel Wilcox, Hub-
bel Lathrop.
A summary of the polls and listed property of the township for the year
1805 showed as follows : Number of polls, 174; acres of improved land, 6,050;
other property listed, $10,891-505 houses assessed, $394-^0 ; other property
assessed, $1,290. The total assessment for the year 1805 was $31,941.04.
The listers for the year were Eli Pettebone, David Vaughn, Richard Skinner,
Joshua French and Daniel Ormsby.
The succeeding year, 1806, according to the report of the listers, showed
a slight increase, there being 187 polls; 6,182^ acres of improved land (as¬
sessed at $1.75 per acre); houses assessed at $506 ; other property, $12,053 ;
two folds added, $6,138; exemptions, 85 militiamen at $20 each, $1700; 10
Town of Manchester.
3^3
horses of cavalry at $13.50, $I35» a total of $1,835, which being deducted
from the gross assessment left a balance of $31,421.37^-.
An examination of the list made in 1816, the year next succeeding the
close of the war of 1812-15, showed a total of but 99 polls, 6,737 acres of im¬
proved land, 100 houses (estimated); 120 oxen, 670 cows, 229 two-year olds,
246 horses and mules of three years old, 23 horses and mules of three years
old, 29 horses and mules of two years old, 29 horses and mules one year old,
four stallions of four years old, pleasure carriages assessed in the whole at $95 ;
6 house clocks, 2 gold watches, 14 silver watches, money on hand and at in¬
terest, $960; attorneys assessed for their profession, $60; physicians assessed
at $40 ; merchants and traders assessed in the whole at $150, and owners of
mills assessed in the whole at $113.
At this time pleasure carriages were assessed against Eli Brownson,
Martin, Calvin Sheldon, Frederick Smith, Richard Skinner, Anson J. Sperry,
Hliphalet Wells, executor, Robert Pierpont, B. Raymond, S. C. Raymond,
Israel Roach, and Martin Roberts. The possessors of gold watches were
Richard Skinner and Martin Roberts. The attorneys of the town were Calvin
Sheldon and Anson J. Sperry, each of whom was assessed at $30. The physi¬
cians who were listed at $20 each were Dr. Ezra Isham and Elijah LittlefieJcl.
The merchants and traders were Peter Black, S. C. Raymond, Benjamin Rob¬
erts, Martin Roberts, and E. and J. Wells. The mill and machine owners
were Samuel Adams, James Borland, Baker & Jennings, Nathaniel Collins,
Hiram Cornell, and Horatio Walker.
No unusual event occurred to disturb the peace, harmony and progress of
the people of Manchester from the time of the recognition of Vermont's inde¬
pendence until the outbreak of the memorable war of 1812-15, by which the
freedom of American institutions was again threatened. To this service the
town contributed thirty-four men, a few of whom laid down their lives in that
struggle, but the majority, after a service of from six months to two years,
returned unharmed to the town.
I he names of the persons from this town that were actively engaged in the
service during this war, although no accurate roster of the same is now to be
found, are believed to be substantially as follows : John S. Pettebone, Benja¬
min Munson, Alvah Bishop, Leonard Sargeant, Truman Kimpton, David
Reynolds, James Whelpley, John Black, Truman Hill, Silas Smith, Jabez Haw-
ley, Benjamin Dibble, Elijah Burton, Matthew Logan, Nathan Thompson,
John Harris, Lemuel Collins, John C. Walker, Dr. Elijah Littlefield, Joseph
Burton, Samuel R. Whedden, Daniel Olds, Eliphalet Wells, Jeremiah Odel,
Serenus Kilburn, John R. Pettebone, Robert Anderson, Burton Straight, Apol-
los Harvey, Gurdon Eaton, Thomas Wait, Abram C. Fowler.
Of these whose names are recorded, some recollections are gleaned from
the files of the Manchester Journal. James Whelpley will be remembered as a
364
History of Bennington County.
substantial merchant of the town, whose store building stood about on the site
now occupied by Burton & Co.
John Black was a sergeant in Captain Weed's Company. He afterward
kept a hotel in Rupert, of which town the captain was a resident.
Truman Hill was a corporal while in the service; he afterward went to
Allegheny county, N. Y., where he died.
Silas Smith was a private ; he subsequently lived in Dorset.
Jabez Hawley was an ensign, but was promoted to lieutenant. After the
war he moved to Dorset, and still later to New York State, where he died.
Benjamin Dibble went into the service as a substitute for Colonel Brown-
son, but after the war he emigrated west.
Elijah Burton was an orderly in the regular army, and, after his service
expired, moved to Euclid, O., where he became a physician. He died at the
last named place.
Nathan Thompson was orderly sergeant in the Eleventh regulars ; he was
afterward promoted to lieutenant. He, too, emigrated west to Indiana, and
there ended his days.
Samuel Thompson, a brother of Nathan's, was shot in the neck during the
battle of Lundy's Lane. He afterward became a recruiting officer at Man¬
chester until he was able to rejoin his command. After the war he moved to
Lower Sandusky, O.
John Harris was killed in the battle at Lundy's Lane.
John C. Walker at the time the war broke out was a practicing lawyer of
Manchester, and lived where Judge E. B. Burton now resides, and had a small
office on the north side of the same lot. Mr. Walker entered the regular army
and was made lieutenant.
Dr. Elijah Littlefield left his practice for the service and became a surgeon
in the regular army. After the war he returned to the town and resumed his
practice.
Joseph Burton was a non-commissioned officer in the cavalry service.
Daniel Olds was a grandson of Major Gideon Ormsbee, and was killed at
the skirmish at Chateaugay.
Eliphalet Wells was a militia lieutenant. He died in town.
Jeremiah Odel was the only soldier of this town who, during this war,
proved false to his allegiance. He deserted from the army and returned home;
he was found concealed not far from the old Roberts homestead, and was cap¬
tured by John R. Pettebone but managed to escape. He was afterward re¬
captured, but we have no knowledge as to whether his offense was punished.
John R. Pettebone was a soldier of the regular army, and held the rank of
sergeant. After the war he moved to Michigan, where he came to his death
from drowning while fording a river.
John S. Pettebone was also in the service from the town, He was after-
Town of Manchester.
ward prominently known as "Judge" Pettebone, from the fact of his having
held the offices of probate judge, and also as associate judge of the County
Courts. He was born in Manchester and died there, a highly respected and
worthy citizen.
John Black, mentioned above as one of those who entered the service from
the town, was a brother of Captain Peter Black, and engaged with the militia
branch of the army. Both before and after the war John Black was connected
with the hotel at Manchester, of which business Peter Black was the head.
The latter was not engaged in the war, but received his title of " captain," by
reason of his connection with the local militia organizations.
The Colvin Murder Case.—There was not among the early events of the
town one that caused half as much discussion, excitement and widespread com¬
ment as that known in the history and in the courts of the county as the Col¬
vin murder case ; and although this event has been written and re-written and
published time and again, some mention of the main facts relating to this sup¬
posed tragedy will not be out of place in these pages.
The families named respectively Boorn and Colvin were among the early
residents of the town, both living in the vicinity of the Battenkill River. Bar-
net, or as he was more commonly known, Barney Boorn, was the father of
three children, Stephen, Jesse and Sally. The latter was the wife of Russell
Colvin, a man of weak intellect, and at times believed to be insane. It was
not unusual for him to absent himself from the home of his father-in-law, Boorn,
and remain away for a considerable time, but nothing was thought of such
proceeding as it was known to be one of Colvin's peculiarities. Some time
during the month of May, 1812 Colvin again disappeared; and as nothing
was heard from him for some years rumors that he had met a tragic death,
and at the hands of his brothers-in-law, became current. These young men,
by somewhat strange actions and still more strange remarks, confirmed the
growing suspicion that Colvin had been foully dealt with. The missing man's
hat was found in a secluded place, and about the same time Amos Boorn, a
man highly respected, an uncle of the suspected parties, "dreamed a dream "
to the effect that Colvin had appeared to him and said to him that he had
been murdered. Added to the excitement occasioned by Amos Boom's dream,
came the unearthing of what was pronounced to be human bones, through the
kindly offices of somebody's dog; and upon the evidence thus adduced, 011 the
27th of April, 1819, nearly seven years after the supposed tragedy occurred,
Jesse Boorn was taken into custody and arraigned before " squire" Joel Pratt
for examination. At this time Stephen Boorn had become a resident of New
^ork State, but he was afterward arrested upon the statement of his brother
and brought to this county.
Nearly the whole townspeople attended the preliminary trial or examina¬
tion of Jesse Boorn. All evidence possible, direct, circumstantial, and even the-
366
History of Bennington County.
oietica , was brought to bear against the unhappy and unfortunate Jesse; but
upon t e examination the local gossips received a terrible shock from the fact
t lat the physicians pronounced the exhumed bones to be those of a deceased
sheep and not of a human being. But Jesse, at about the time when he would
have been released from custody, made a statement that he believed that Ste¬
phen had killed Colvin in the field known as the "Glazier lot" ; that they were
hoeing, and while Colvin was about to run away Stephen had struck him on
the head with a club and killed him. All this, he said, Stephen had told him
the winter before.
Upon this statement a warrant was procured and an officer dispatched to
New York State, and the luckless Stephen taken into custody and returned to
jail in this county. Another examination was held which resulted in the in¬
dictment of both Stephen and Jesse Boorn.
The case was brought on for trial in November, 1819, Chief Justice Chase
presiding, and associates Joel Doolittle and Willam Brayton. Calvin Sheldon,
then state's attorney, appeared for the people, and Richard Skinner, Leonard
Sargeant and Counselor Wellman for the prisoners. Upon the evidence, which
was mainly circumstantial, except the confessions of guilt made by both pris¬
oners, they were found guilty and sentenced to be hanged on the 28th of Janu¬
ary, 1820. Subsequently, however, the sentence against Jesse Boorn was com¬
muted to imprisonment for life.
Notwithstanding the confessions made by the Boorns, and the other evi¬
dences of guilt proved on the trial, they were not the murderers of Russel Col¬
vin. It is true there was a quarrel, and Colvin was struck upon the head, but
the blow was not a fatal one. The supposed victim recovered his sense and
left the place, and it was not until a very few days before the time set for exe¬
cuting Stephen Boorn that he reappeared. A new trial was petitioned for and
granted, and the case subsequently dismissed. Descendants of both families,
the Boorns and Colvins, still live in Manchester, and are among the most re¬
spected people in the township.
From the time of the close of the War of 1812—15 to the present, it
would be an idle and useless task to attempt to trace the growth and de¬
velopment of the township of Manchester, or to attempt to record each
individual change or industry established. In 1791 the population of this
town was 1,276, and from that time until the year 1880, a period of eighty-
nine years, there has been a total increase as shown by the census reports
of 653, making according to the census of 1880 a total population of 1,929-
This last was the greatest number up to that time attained, although it is
confidently believed that since the year last named there has been a health¬
ful increase beyond the maximum then reached. This belief seems to be
borne out and confimed by the present increased voting population. To
show the comparative increase or decrease in population by decades from
Village of Manchester.
367
1791 to 1880, reference is made to the census reports from which is ex¬
tracted the following summary : Population from 1791 to 1880, inclusive —
1791, 1,276; 1800, 1,397; l8l°. MO2; 1820,1,508; 1830,1,525; 1840,
1,590; 1850, 1,782; i860, 1,688; 1870, 1,897; l88o> 1 -929-
Villages.—Within the township ot Manchester are three well-established
and well-settled villages—Manchester, Manchester Centre and Manchester De¬
pot. The post-station of Barnumville should, perhaps, be mentioned as one of
the villages of the township, although it never attained any considerable popu¬
lation, or held more than a single important industry, and that during later
years has gone into comparative disuse. Through the efforts of Mr. James E.
McNaughton a post-office was established at the place, and whatever of life
and progression the hamlet has shown has been, in the main, due to the labors
of Mr. McNaughton. For some years he was extensively engaged in the
manufacture of charcoal at Barnumville, but this industry has declined seri¬
ously of late and only the old brick kilns remain of what was once a prosper
ous business. As has been said concerning Barnumville may with equal truth
be mentioned of that locality which many years ago was known as Marbleville,
although the latter is altogether a thing of the past, while the former does yet
retain evidences of recent and present prosperity.
Marbleville was so named from the mills erected there for the purpose of
sawing and otherwise preparing that valuable product for the market. The
town, or what there was of such, was situate 011 the road leading from the main
road to the west road, almost opposite the residence of Judge Munson, and
about half way between Manchester and Manchester Centre. But the indus¬
tries of Marbleville are now gone, and all that remains to mark the locality are
the old tumble-down mills with large water-wheels, more substantial than the
buildings, and rising above the debris. This was never a trading point nor
had it a post-station, but the gathering of houses in the vicinity attest the fact
that here was once a busy community.
Tiie Village of Manchester.
Although the village of Manchester has no corporate existence independ¬
ent of the township of which it forms a part, and although it lacks the popula¬
tion, industries and business appearance of its sister village situate about a mile
to the northward, it is unquestionably to be reckoned as the leading village of
the township ; leading because it is the point at which the county buildings are
situate; because of its prominent educational institution, the Burr and Burton
Seminary; because of its fame as a summer resort and its commodious and
well-ordered Equinox House, a place of rest and resort for the wealthiest and
most aristocratic of the country's people. The village of Manchester contains
something like sixty residences and has a population of about three hundred
368
History of Bennington County.
persons. Its limits cannot be well defined. The main thoroughfare of travel
passes through the town in a generally north and south course; a wide, well-
kept avenue, with elegant grass-plats on either side, and what is still more at¬
tractive an abundance of magnificent maple and elm shade trees that protect
the traveler from the sun's intense heat. The street leading west up the hill
to the seminary while less imposing in appearance, is no less an attraction.
Throughout the village are good, level marble walks for pedestrians. To the
north of the town the main road forks, one branch leading to the high lands on
the west, while the other traverses the rich bottom lands of the valley. The
history of this village is almost identical with that of the whole township. The
fact of its being the seat of the county buildings for the north shire of the county
has made it the most prominent center of the township, while the other features
above mentioned have tended to confirm this truth.
From Judge Munson's historical address are gleaned these facts concerning
the early occupancy of the village: "As early as 1796 Robert Pierpont became
a resident of Manchester. He kept an inn where Rev. Dr. Wickham now lives.
Dr. Ezra Isham came here from Litchfield, Conn., about 1798, and soon be¬
came the leading physician of the vicinity. In 1795 Joseph Burr, the founder
of the seminary, was trading in a building which stood about where William B.
Burton now lives. Before 1800 he removed to the lot now (1875) occupied
by the residence of E. J. Hawley, where he passed the remainder of his
business life and accumulated the greater part of his property. In 1800 Rich¬
ard Skinner moved into town and soon became prominent as a lawyer and
citizen.
"The 4th of March, 1801, the day of the first inauguration of Thomas Jef¬
ferson, was celebrated in Manchester by the raising of Thaddeus Munson's new
inn (the building that in more recent years was the north part of the Taconic
House.) The whipping-post stood on the west side of the street, nearly in front
of the north side of the Equinox House, while the pillory was located 011 the
east side of the street, a little south of the present court-house.
" In 1812," continues Judge Munson, " Manchester village had about one-
third as many buildings as now. The most northerly house was the Munson
homestead, then occupied by the widow and children ot Rufus Munson.
Where the Congregational Church lifts its tall spire stood the first meeting¬
house, unpainted, and without steeple or ornament. At the southeast corner
of the old burying-ground was the district school house, and nearly in its rear
stood a blacksmith shop. Anson Munson kept tavern in the lower part of the
court-house building, and in the court room in the upper story Rev. Mr.
Brownson, an Episcopal clergyman of Arlington, held services every other
Sabbath. Nathan Brownson, who had formerly been a merchant in the place,
lived a little south of the court-house. Anson J. Sperry lived on the premises
recently occupied by L. C. Orvis, and had a law-office just south of his resi-
Village of Manchester.
369
dence. Joshua Raymond kept tavern at the Allis stand, and the old lodge-
room was occupied by the select school of Miss Harris, an institution extensively
patronized by the young ladies of Manchester and vicinity. Samuel Raymond
traded in a store where Mrs. Lawrence now (1875) lives, and Joel Rose lived on
the premises occupied by the residence of Deacon Black. Mrs. Wood's place was
then occupied by Elijah Hollister and his son, Marinus, who drove the stages
between Bennington and Rutland. Dr. Elijah Littlefield had recently built,
and taken possession of the house now occupied by George Stone. Deacon
Asa Loveland lived where Noah P. Perkins now does, and the Hoyt place was
then the tavern stand of Israel Roach. Serenus Swift lived and had an office
at the Elms Mouse Place, and just north of it was the law office of Cyrus A.
Lockwood. Joseph Wells was then trading at the Burr stand, but Mr. Burr
retained an office in the building for his general business.
"John C. Walker, a young lawyer, occupied the E. B. Burton place, and had
an office 011 the north side of his lot. Calvin Sheldon lived in the house llow
owned by Rev. James Anderson, and his law office is still standing south of
that building. Captain Peter Black kept an inn where Rev. Dr. Wickham re¬
sides, and also traded in a store which stood on the south side of his lot. Where
Major Hawley now lives was the residence and law office of Richard Skinner,
among whose students at that time were Leonard Sargent and Robert Pier-
pont.
"Nathan Burton, who had been appointed postmaster in 1808, lived where
Mr. Miner does, and kept the post-office in a little building 011 the north side
of the lot. Joel Pratt, the county clerk, lived on the premises now occupied
Mr. Cone, and had an office adjoining his house on the north. The old Marsh
Tavern was still standing tenantless and soon to be demolished. Thaddeus
Munson lived in the new tavern by its side, but kept it open only in court time.
Ephraim Munson lived on the premises now occupied by Mr. Shattuck."1
Such was the village of Manchester seventy-five years ago. Since then its
population and dwellings have increased some three fold. It had not then, nor
has it now any manufacturing industry of any considerable magnitude. The
inclination of the people has been opposed to such, and any effort tending to
establish manufacture here has been discouraged. The mercantile business has,
however, been sufficiently maintained to supply the demands of the townspeo¬
ple and the residents of the surrounding country as well. In room of the old
hotels, where the traveler was wont to stop for a time, there now stands the cele¬
brated Equinox House, the summer abode of hundreds of people from the
1 I he reader must bear carefully in mind that the above recollections are taken, almost liter¬
ally, fiom Loveland Munson's historical address, and that address was delivered in Decem¬
ber. 1S75 The localities indicated as being occupied in 1875 may be differently occupied at
the present time. That whoever peruses the pages may not be misled nor confused by the
above statements this explanation is made.
47
370
History of Bennington County.
large cities of the land, while the average transient has transferred his patron¬
age to the hotels at Manchester Centre.
While each of the residents and property owners has done his full share to¬
ward the beautifying of the village, and making the same a delightful place of
abode, the greatest work and the greatest success is shown by the efforts of
Franklin H. Orvis, a native of the town, and proprietor of the famous Equinox
House; as a result of which effort Manchester has each summer a boarding
population of from three to four hundred persons in excess of its permanent
dwellers. This enterprise was established by Mr. Orvis over thirty-five years
ago, and upon a scale that was then thought sufficient for future wants; but
the desirability of the location, and the popularity of the resort have compelled
enlargements, so that the capacity of the house has been increased several fold,
and the old hotel buildings have been embraced within the management of the
Equinox, and connected with it are a number of cottages. The Equinox Ho¬
tel with its several attachments will accommodate in the neighborhood of three
hundred guests, and the remainder of transient population is distributed among
private residences. The Munson House is also a summer boarding establish¬
ment of Manchester, though of comparatively modest capacity. It is under
the proprietorship of John Moffat.
The Burr and Burton Seminary.—This institution, designed for the higher
education of the youth of the county and elsewhere, was founded in the year
1833, a°d named the "Burr Seminary " in honor of the man through whose
magnificent contribution its erection became possible—Joseph Burr of Man¬
chester, one of the leading business citizens of the community. For this in¬
stitution Mr. Burr's contribution amounted to the sum of $10,000. Accord¬
ing to the original intention the seminary was designed for male students only,
but in the year 1849 a young ladies' department was added, which character
has been maintained to the present day. In the year i860 Josiah Burton gave
to the trustees of the seminary the sum of $15,000, and in honor of that dona¬
tion, upon the application of the trustees to the State Legislature, the corpor¬
ate name of the institution was changed to the " Burr and Burton Seminary,"
by which it has ever since been known. The earliest instructors of the sem¬
inary were Rev. Lyman Coleman and John Aiken. About the year 1837 Rev.
Joseph D. Wickham became principal of the seminary, and so continued until
1853, when he resigned to accept a professorship at Middlebury College; but
in 1856 he returned to Manchester and resumed his position, remaining until
1862, at which time he retired. Dr. Wickham still remains in the village and
enjoys the distinction of being the oldest living graduate of Yale College, hav¬
ing finished his course in that celebrated institution in 1815- Dr. Wickham
was born at Thompson, Conn., April 4, 1797. For a number of years Will¬
iam A. Burnham, esq. was an instructor at Burr Seminary, being associated
therein with Dr. Wickham; and it may be said, with much truth too, that the
Village of Manchester.
days of the greatest success of the institution were during the professorship of
these last named persons, although it is not to be inferred that the seminary is
in anything like a declining condition ; on the contrary its course was never
higher than at the present, and the faculty is fully competent to maintain the
high standing and reputation acquired for the school in earlier years.
The Congregational Church.—The first meetings of the people of this de¬
nomination for divine worship were held during the first years of the town's
settlement and at such place as best suited the convenience of the few resi¬
dents of the locality, and it was not until the year 1782 that the society be¬
came regularly organized, and not until two years later that a church home
for the society was erected. Among the earliest workers for the welfare of
the society was the Rev. Job Swift, and it was largely through his efforts that
the church edifice was built. In this building the society meetings were held
until the year 1829, at which time the congregation had grown too large for
the small church and a better and more commodious one was erected. Again,
ia 1870, a still larger and more attractive building was erected 011 the site of
the former. For its construction generous contributions were made by inter¬
ested persons not permanent residents of the town, and added to this the pro¬
vision made by the society proper enabled the trustees to erect the present
lar<;e and well furnished Congregational Church edifice that now adorns the
town. The bell, the weight of which is nearly two tons, was donated by Hon.
Mark Skinner of Chicago; the clock by H. A. Hurlburt of New York. For
the organ, which cost about two thousand dollars, Pierpont Isham of New
York, and Edward S. Isham of Chicago, contributed five hundred dollars.
Others gave liberally of their means for the work, to all of whom the building
stands a monument of generosity. Its entire cost was about twenty-six thou¬
sand dollars, and the aggregate value of the church property amounts to about
thirty-five thousand dollars. The edifice has a seating capacity sufficient for
five hundred persons. From the time of its first organization the growth in
church membership in the society has been gradual, yet healthful, so that at
the present time the number of members in regular standing reaches about
two hundred.
St. John's Church (Episcopal.)—This society is practically an offshoot of
the mother church at Manchester Centre, although the original church was
founded in this village, and was organized to meet the desire of the church's
people living in that locality, and for the further purpose of providing for the
visitors of that faith that annually seek rest and quiet at the village of Man¬
chester, and who may not feel inclined to travel to the older church at the Cen¬
tre. I he parish, however, is wholly independent of that of Manchester Cen¬
tre. I lie edifice occupies a pleasant location on Seminary avenue not far
from the main street. Its cost was about five thousand dollars. The society
at 110 time has been numerically strong, and its organization dates back only
to about the year 1867.
372
History of Bennington County.
Music Hall.— This building, the purpose of which is to provide a suitable
place for public gatherings for amusement and entertainment, was built at the
direction and expense of Franklin H. Orvis in the year 1868. Its interior is
arranged and equipped with a sufficient stage, and all necessary paraphernalia
incident to a well ordered opera house and theater.
Banks.—Among the institutions and business interests formerly having a
seat of operations in Manchester there should be made some mention of its
banks, although at the present time the town cannot lay claim to the possession
of one. The old Bank of Manchester was incorporated November 7, 1832,
with a capital stock of $100,000. The bank did a successful business for a
number of years. In 1838 William P. Black was made cashier, and upon him
devolved the burden of the work, care and responsibility connected with its
management. He outlived the institution, and subsequently occupied the
same position in connection with the Battenkill Bank and the Battenkill Na¬
tional Bank both of which are now numbered with the things of the past.
The Press.—The first attempt, of which we have a record, looking to the
founding of a newspaper at Manchester, was made during the year 1830, by
Edward C. Purdy, who brought into existence The Horn of the Green Moun¬
tains ; but after a feeble existence of about a year the Horn failed to blow good
returns to its worthy and enterprising founder and thereupon its publication
was discontinued.
Next in the succession of evanescent journalism at Manchester appeared
The Vermont Express, under the editorial control of A. L. Miner, esq. Al¬
though purporting to be a newspaper of this town, and being issued as such,
the Express was printed at Salem, N. Y. It was not a long lived paper and
soon discontinued publication.
Some months later, in the early part of the year 1837, an<^ while the doc¬
trines taught by the Whig party were being watched and pretty generally ac¬
cepted by the majority of the people, there appeared in Manchester the first
issue of The Bennington County Whig, which, as its headline indicated, espoused
the cause of the Whig party. The editor, B. C. Crandall, a former resident of
Salem, N. Y., acted as editor for a few weeks and then suddenly left the town
and his embryo publication. Orlando Squires then conducted the paper for a
short time, but was succeeded by John C. Osborn, a practical printer, who had
been in the office, but he having no extensive understanding of editorial work
discontinued the paper sometime during the year 1838.
The Manchester Journal.—Of the four newspaper publications that ~ve
from time to time been started the Journal is the only one that has a present
existence in Manchester; and from its founding to this present the paper has
enjoyed a paying subscription list. More than that it is recognized as one of
the leading papers of the county, and as such finds a place in a very large
number of families in the whole county, and especially in the northern section.
Village of Manchester.
373
The Journal is a firm and thorough exponent of the doctrines of Republicanism,
yet its circulation is by no means confined to Republican patrons. The paper
was founded in 1861, its first edition being; published on May 28th of that year.
C. A. Pierce was the founder, and II. E. Miner the editor during the first year.
In 1865 E. W. Pierce became a part owner, and the firm style changed to C.
A. Pierce & Co. In 1871, this firm having purchased the Bennington Banner,
the Journal was sold to Orvis & Co., F. II. Orvis being the chief owner. Dur¬
ing his control of the paper Loveland Munson, esq. filled for a time its edi¬
torial chair. D. K. Simonds also was associated with the editorial department,
but in September, 1871, the latter became owner and proprietor, and under
his management the paper has ever since been successfully conducted.
Dellwood Cemetery}—"When the old churchyard in the village became filled
with graves, a beautiful spot was selected at the south end of the village for a
new graveyard, and this too in time became overcrowded. The Hon. Mark
Skinner of Chicago, and Hon. Helmus Wells of New York, former residents
of the village, seeing the necessity of enlarging the grounds, purchased adjoin¬
ing land and presented it to an association that would improve and ornament
it. In 1865 Dellwood Cemetery Association was incorporated, by an act of
the Legislature, and the land, about thirteen acres, was conveyed to the asso¬
ciation by Messrs. Skinner and Wells. About six thousand dollars was sub¬
scribed for the embellishment of the grounds, and the work was accomplished
under the supervision of Burton A. Thomas, a skillful rural architect. The
avenues and walks wind about artistically over the more elevated ground and
into the valleys beneath, and along the beautiful creek, by the damming of which
a pond is formed at either end of the cemetery, and along the course of which
are one or more waterfalls. The stream is spanned by several rustic bridges.
Under the bluff, with a broad carriage way in front, is situated the receiving
vault, surmounted by bronze griffins. Hedges of cedar, hemlock, and arbor
vit;e in various parts of the grounds add beauty and picturesqueness to the
view. In summer the margins of the walks are lined with beautiful flowers
and foliage plants from the greenhouse of the association. Many handsome
monuments and vases adorn the grounds. The highly ornamental gateway
at the main entrance was the gift of Judge Skinner. Just outside the gate, 011
the left, stands a marble pedestal surmounted by a statue of "Mourning" de¬
positing flowers. On the right, on a similar pedestal, a statue of "Gabriel"
with trumpet in hand, personates the "Resurrection." On the large gate-posts
are ornamental bronze vases, from which in summer time flowers and vines grow
in harmonious profusion. In keeping with the other appointments of Dellwood
is the beautiful residence occupied by the superintendent. This is a substantial
'I'or the above well written sketch of Dellwood, the silent city of the dead, we are indebted to
the " County Gazetteer, published during the years i88o-'8i, extracting therefrom such re¬
marks as sufficiently describe this beautiful spot.
374
History of Bennington County.
stone structure standing near the north end of the grounds. It is occupied by
Mr. George Smith, under whose care and attention the cemetery increases in
beauty with each succeeding year."
The general statement has heretofore been made that the village of Man¬
chester contains 110 manufacturing industries ; and while this may be regarded
as substantially correct, yet a possible exception must be made on account of the
industry established many years ago and still carried on by Charles F. Orvis, in
the manufacture of fine fishing rods and other supplies commonly used by the
followers of the sport supposed to have been introduced by Isaak Walton.
Something like thirty years ago Mr. Orvis commenced in a small way the
manufacture of a superior quality of jointed fishing rods, and without an orig¬
inal intention of conducting the business to any considerable extent; but as the
worth and quality of his production became known a general demand was cre¬
ated, to supply which the proprietor found himself busily occupied, and from
that to the present time he has actively engaged in this special manufacture.
Succession of Postmasters at Manchester.—From information derived from
the post-office department at Washington, the fact appears that a post-office was
established at Manchester in 1793, or two years after the admission of Vermont
into the Federal Union. The following list will show who have been the post¬
masters from that until the present time, with their respective dates of appoint¬
ment : Abel Allis, March 20, 1793 ; Joel Pratt, jr., July 1, 1803 ; Nathan Bur¬
ton, January 1, 1809; Calvin Sheldon, January 1, 1815; Leonard Sargeant,
January 1, 1819; Walter I. Shepard, January 16, 1826; Henry Robinson, Jan¬
uary 10, 1833; Levi C. Orvis, November 19, 1833; Darwin Andrews, July 1,
1841 ; Levi C. Orvis, July 13, 1843 ; William Henry Andrews, May 23, 1849;
Fowler W. Iloyt, May 10, 1853 ; William B. Burton, February II, 1863; Da¬
vid K. Simonds, June 16, 1875 ; Charles F. Orvis, June 18, 1885.
Tiie Village of Manchester Centre.
While unquestionably less celebrated as a resort, and possibly less calcu¬
lated for such purpose, the village now known as Manchester Centre comes to
view as the most prominent business center of the busy township of Manches¬
ter; and while the enterprising residents of the village have made no special
effort at the adornment thereof, nature has provided them with a situation which
for health, attractiveness and desirability is unsurpassed in the township. Dur¬
ing late years there seems to have been developed, on the part of some of the
residents here at least, an inclination to make this point a resort; and this
tendency would seem to be confirmed by the fact that within a few years past
the name of the village has been changed from that given it many years ago
—Factory Point.
It is a well established fact that the average summer visitor, whose chief aim
is to find rest and quiet away from the busy scenes of city life has no desire to
Village of Manchester Centre.
375
visit a place at which manufacturing is carried on to any considerable extent,
and as the name " Factory Point " would seem to indicate a manufacturing lo¬
cality it could not, under such circumstances, become at all popular as a resort.
To remove this objection a number of the influential men of the village (for
the place is not lacking of such) quietly, but effectually, besought the powers
at Washington to change the name of the post-office from Factory Point to
Manchester Centre, all of which was speedily accomplished. The name of the
office having been changed by competent authority, common consent changed
the name of the village, and having no corporate existence no power was re¬
quired to effect the latter change. All this has been done within the last few
years.
The village of Manchester Centre occupies a position in the township a lit¬
tle to the northeast of its geographical center, and about one and one-fourth
miles from the village of Manchester. The West Branch Creek passes through
the town, which stream by damming, and the natural fall of its waters, afforded
an excellent power for the numerous factories that have from time to time lined
its banks. This power still exists, but it is not utilized to the tenth part of
the extent of twenty or thirty years ago. The village contains a population
of about five hundred persons, a number never before reached, although the
mills and factories have not been in active operation for a number of years.
The lands on which the village stands were settled and improved at about
the same period as were the other parts of the township. Timothy Mead was
the pioneer, and his possessions embraced the greater part of the village tract.
Although a progressive person Mr. Mead was greatly opposed to selling his
lands, thus retarding the early growth of the village. His house was located
on the site now occupied by the Colburn House. Using the excellent water-
power afforded by the West Branch Mr. Mead built a saw-mill and soon after¬
wards a grist-mill, the latter being the first of its kind in the township. It was
built on the same side of the stream that the present mill occupies, but further
down, while the saw-mill was above it. When the present grist-mill was
erected in 1840, so far as could be the material of the old mill was used. Mr.
Mead also built a fulling-mill on the site now covered by the large and unoccu¬
pied factory building ; he built a store in the town at which Joel Pratt carried
011 business for a number of years.
At that time the road from Manchester turned to the right immediately
after crossing the stream, and passed along in front of where the present mill
stands. This old road is still used in getting to the rear of the several business
houses along Main street, and in reaching the shops standing on the bank of
the creek, although, as is well known, the present main thoroughfare passes a
few rods farther north.
W hen the commissioners appointed for the purpose of selecting a site for the
court-house and jail, were casting about for a suitable location they determined
376
History of Bennington County.
upon locating them 011 Mr. Mead's land, at a point near where the Baptist
Church now stands, but the worthy proprietor refused to part with the land
for that purpose, and thus to this village was lost an opportunity that would
have greatly enhanced its early growth. Mr. Mead did, however, convey lands
to the Baptist Society on which a church edifice was built, while Isaac and
Jeremiah YVhelpley and Timothy Soper gave lands for the purpose of a buryin«
ground. "The site of the old meeting-house," says Judge Munson's address,
" can readily be located on the westerly side of the present cemetery grounds.
The road on which it stood was then the main highway; the street past the
Episcopal Church not being in existence until long after."
" Mr. Mead died in 1802. His real estate was divided among his children,
and soon passed into other hands. But the early growth of the place was slow,
and in 1812 it could hardly be called a village. The old grist-mill and the full¬
ing-mill were still in operation. The original saw-mill had done its work, and
been succeeded by another on the opposite side of the stream, about where the
west end of the tannery stands. The store building was no longer occupied as
such, and had been used as a school-room while the first school-house of the
district was being erected. Where the wagon shop is located stood a distillery,
and adjoining it was the carding-mill of Chester Clark. Benjamin Mattison,
the owner of the saw-mill and fulling-mill, lived in the Timothy Mead house.
James Borland, who carried on business at the grist-mill and leased the dis¬
tillery to other parties, lived in a house which stood just east of the old store
building. The dwelling-house nearest the mills, on the road leading to the
village (Manchester), stood on the top of the hill south of the present residence
of Deacon Burritt. On the road toward Dorset the first dwelling was that of
William Smith, where the Lester house now (1875) stands. A few rods east
of the residence of A. G. Clark, was a good sized house, usually occupied by
two families; and a little further on was a house of smaller size. The Jacob
Mead house was then occupied by David Brooks, who was about building a
tavern on the lot now owned by Mr. Adams. The next building was the Bap¬
tist meeting-house, an edifice of moderate size, divided into great square pews,
and embellished with a sounding-board. The society was then in charge of
Elder Calvin Chamberlain, a Revolutionary pensioner, and a man of great in¬
fluence among the Baptist Churches of the State. Just beyond the meeting¬
house, at the northeast corner of the burying ground, stood the district school-
house. About on the spot where Joseph Lugene, jr., has recently erected a
house lived Beletiah Soper, one of the old settlers. Near the site of Deacon
Ames's house stood a small store in which James Whelpley traded, and just
north of it was a dwelling. Imagine these few scattered buildings partially
surrounded by a dense forest at no great distance, and you have the Factoiy
Point of 1812."
During this period a great improvement was being carried out in the con-
Village of Manchester Centre.
377
struction of a highway directly connecting the two villages. This project was
the more remarkable from the fact that the proposed route of the road lay
across the low and swampy glebe lands, and the building of a road across this
tract was by many thought to be impracticable, if not hazardous. Prior to its
construction travelers between these villages used the old west road as far
Noble J. l'urdy's place; thence east through Marbleville to the center road
near where Judge Munson now resides, and thence north to Factory Point.
These lands, or as they have been called, the glebe lands, through which
the road passed, now comprise some of the richest farming tracts in the town¬
ship. The author of the pamphlet history of Manchester, to whom we are in¬
debted for many of the facts herein stated, owns a considerable tract of land
in this vicinity, and John Battis, whose residence stands near the central part
of the " glebe," is also the owner of an excellent farm, made from what was
formerly thought to be unavailable lands.
Hut however much the early settlement and growth of Factory Point may
have been retarded by the peculiar actions of Timothy Mead, the place has
long since been the most populous of any of the three villages of Manchester;
and to no single family is due the credit of having built up and increased the
value of property in the village more than Myron Clark, and those who have
managed the estate since his decease. Mr. Clark came to Factory Point from
the town of Rupert some time prior to the year 1840. He purchased the old
mills, distillery and power. He rebuilt the grist-mill in 1840, as is indicated
on the marble cap over the entrance. His son, Augustus G. Clark, about this
time became associated with the business, and so continued until Judge Clark's
death about 1869, and then succeeded to the proprietorship thereof. Ten
years later, 1879, Augustus G. Clark died, and since that event Colonel Mason
S. Colburn and John PI. Whipple, sons-in-law of Augustus G. Clark, have man¬
aged the business and estate. The tannery building standing on the south
bank of the West Branch was built by A. G. Clark and by him operated. Of
late years, however, the tanning business has not been regularly carried on at
this place, the scarcity of material and unsatisfactory condition of the markets
both contributing to the necessity of discontinuing the business for a time at
least. Also on the south side of the stream and west of the road stands an¬
other large idle factory. This was built originally by Harris and Jennings, and
designed for an extensive fulling-mill and carding-mill. About the time of the
close of the late war other machinery was added and a knitting department
started. Since these manufactures were discontinued the building has been
used occasionally, but not to any great extent.
Opposite the carding-mill, on the north bank of the stream, and about
where the ice-house now stands, once stood a small tannery building; but all
evidences of its occupancy arc now destroyed, and its location is hidden from
view by the large Colburn House barns.
48
373
History of Bennington County.
On the spot where Timothy Mead's dwelling-house stood, is now the hotel
called the Colburn House, the property of Lorenzo Shaffner. This worthy
host is a comparatively new resident in Manchester, but notwithstanding that
he has the faculty of making himself agreeably known, and his house one of
the most popular hostleries of the county. Connected with this hotel is a
livery owned and managed by James A. Thayer. Farther up Main street,
and occupying a prominent site, is Thayer's Hotel, with a livery attached.
This is by many years the older house, and has long been conducted by Land¬
lord Stephen E. Thayer.
The Baptist Church.—The society of the Baptists of Manchester Centre is
the senior of the religious societies of the township, having been organized
June 22, 1781, under the direction of Rev. Nathan Mason. He was not, how¬
ever, the first resident pastor, that distinction having been accorded to Rev.
Joseph Cornell, and in consequence thereof he became entitled to the lands set
apart for the first settled minister of the Gospel, as provided by the charter
granted by Governor Wentworth. During the first four years of the existence
of this society the members held service in the upper part of a building on
Glebe Brook, near the falls; but in 1785 a small meeting-house was built on
the westerly side of the cemetery grounds. This was regularly used by the
society until the year 1833, at which time the brick edifice was erected at the
corner of the main street and the road leading to Dorset. At the time of
organization the society had something like sixty or sixty-five regular mem¬
bers, and from that to the present the membership has increased to about one
hundred and sixty.
Zion Protestant Episcopal Church.—The foundation for the organization
of Zion Church was laid by the following proceeding, dated at Manchester,
October 4, 1782 : " These may certify that we, whose names are underwritten,
inhabitants of the town of Manchester, in the county of Bennington, are pro¬
fessors of the Church of England, and do put ourselves under the pastoral care
of the Rev. Gideon Bostwick. In testimony whereof we have hereunto sub¬
scribed our names. Eleazer Baldwin, Arthur Bostwick, John Hitchcock, Wil¬
liam Drew, Jabez Hawley, Charles W. Bostwick, Charles Bulless, Peter French,
Jeremiah French, Moses Sperry, Job Giddings, Henry Bulless, Abel Bristol],
Daniel Jones, Nathaniel Bostwick, Josiah Lockwood, Joseph French, Samuel
French, jr., Nehemiah Lo , (blotted), Reuben French, Charles French,
Elijah French, Samuel French, Benjamin Purdy, jr." Following this appears
the certificate of the Rev. Gideon Bostwick, rector of the new society, dated at
Manchester, October 4, 1782 : "These may certify that Eleazer Baldwin, Ar¬
thur Bostwick, John Hitchcock, William Drew, Jabez Hawley, Job Giddings,
Henry Bulless, Abel Bristoll, Daniel Jones, Nathaniel Bostwick, Josiah Lock-
wood, John W. Bostwick, Charles Bulless, Peter French, Jeremiah French,
Moses Sperry, Samuel French, jr., are professors of the Church of England,
and have put themselves under my care. gldeon bostwick.
Village of Manchester Centre.
379
As will be seen this society was organized at a period when Factory Point
had no population worth mentioning, and then no immediate prospect of any.
The church was organized as one of the institutions of Manchester, and de¬
signed to have an edifice at that village, although the parish embraced mem¬
bers from the whole township. The early meetings were held in the old court¬
house and elsewhere at private residences, and it was not until the year 1819
that a church home was provided, and then erected on the main street at Fac¬
tory Point. In 1863 the building was remodeled and its capacity enlarged.
The rectory is adjoining the church.
Zion Church has a membership of ninety communicants, and is under the
pastoral charge of Rev. J. C. Flanders.
For many years there have been residents of the town who were devoted
to the teachings of Methodism, but they were so few in number that the per¬
fect organization of a society, or the ownership of a church home was by them
deemed inexpedient until within a few years, when some of the prominent
methodists of the township, headed by James F. McNaughton of Barnum-
ville, determined to complete a society organization and erect a house of wor¬
ship. The necessary funds were soon subscribed, and the building erected
during the year 1884. It is located in the upper part of the village of Man¬
chester Centre, opposite the park, and is a model of neatness and convenience.
From the time of its erection regular church services have been held and the
society is in a reasonably prosperous condition.
Succession of Postmasters at Factory Point and Manchester Centre.—Benja¬
min Roberts, January 23, 1828; reappointed May 2, 1837; Lyman Harring¬
ton, November 2, 1837; Moses Harrington, August 31, 1840; Augustus G.
Clark, May 10, 1841; Lyman Harrington, July 13, 1843; Cyrus A. Roberts,
June 7, 1845 I John C. Roberts, May 4, 1849; Cyrus A. Roberts, May 7, 1853 ;
Augustus G. Clark, August 2, 1861; Robert Ames, September 8, 1870;
Charles K. Young, July 17, 1885 ; office changed to Manchester Centre, No¬
vember 15, 1886; Charles Iv. Young, reappointed November 15, 1886.
The Factory Poi)it National Bank.—This is the one institution of the town
the changing of the name of which was not necessitated by the change in name
of the village and post-office. The bank was incorporated and commenced
business on the 1st of January 1884. Its capital stock was $75,000, divided
into seven hundred and fifty shares. The first officers were as follows : Pres¬
ident, Robert Ames; vice-president, Allen L. Graves; cashier, James P. Black;
directors, Robert Ames, Allen L. Graves, George W. Farwell, D. S. Wilson,
William Root, and Ira S. Weed. Since the organization of the bank there
has been no change in officers, and the only change in the board of directors
that has occurred was in the succession of John Curtis to the place of Ira S.
Weed. That this bank is firmly established on a substantial basis, and doing
a successful business; is evidenced by the fact that it shows a present surplus of
$29,000.
380
History of Bennington County.
Battenkill Valley Industrial Society.—Although the corporate existence of
this society extends back but about two years, the " Manchester Fair," as it is
generally called, has been an annual occurrence for some twelve years past,
and it has come to be an acknowledged fact that the annual meetings of this
society, as were those of its predecessors as well, are the most successful in every
respect of any held in southern Vermont. The average visitor can only view
in wonder the vast crowd of people that assemble upon the association's
grounds, but an inquiry discloses the fact that not only the towns of Benning¬
ton county contribute to the mass, but the surrounding counties of Vermont
and State of New York are also represented by a strong contingent of their
population. Taking the estimated attendance at the meeting held in Septem¬
ber, 1888, as a basis, and the attendance this year was not unusually great, at
which fully ten thousand persons visited the grounds during the session, and
it will at once be seen that the results cannot well be otherwise than success¬
ful. At this annual meeting the receipts from all sources were about three
thousand dollars, while the total expenses were less than two thousand dollars,
leaving a net balance in the treasury of the society of more than one thousand
dollars with which to improve their grounds and buildings, and pay dividends.
The Battenkill Valley Industrial Society, as successor to the Farmers' and Me¬
chanics' Fair, was incorporated in the year 1887, having a capital stock of five
thousand dollars in shares of ten dollars each. Prior to the incorporation the
society leased the land on which the annual meeting was held, but after the
organization was perfected the land, thirty acres in extent, was purchased by
the association. The grounds are located just north of Manchester Centre,
and about equally distant from Main street and the road leading to Dorset,
from either of which highways an entrance leads to the grounds. Here can be
found ample accommodation for man and beast, with a special effort made to¬
ward providing for the display of all exhibits and stock of all kinds. Excel¬
lent quarters are also found for trotting horses. Floral Hall is a new and well
arranged building having four entrances. It was built during the summer of
1888. The officers of the society are as follows : President, Egbert B. Smith,
of Manchester Centre; vice-president, Frederick W. Cook, of Manchester
Centre; secretary, D. K. Simonds, Manchester; treasurer, Malcom Canfield,
Manchester; directors, Dwight Taylor, of Rupert; Moses Sheldon, of Dorset;
C. M. Russell, of Peru ; E. B. Smith, F. W. Cook, J. F. Page, and J. H. Whip¬
ple, of Manchester Centre; Caleb Andrew, and D. G. Barney, of Arlington;
H. M. Bottum, of Shaftsbury; W. H. Beebe, and G. M. Viall, of East Dorset;
J. M. Kendall, of Winhall; M. Canfield, and J. J. Pettibone, of Manchester; E.
A. Graves, of Sunderland, and C. E. Dewey, of Bennington. Article first of the
constitution of the society reads as follows: " This association shall be called
the Battenkill Valley Industrial Society, and shall be located at Manchester
Centre, Vt., but for fair purposes it shall comprise the territory embraced in
Village of Manchester Dei-ot.
381
the following towns: Rupert, Dorset, Peru, Landgrove, Winhall, Manchester,
Sunderland, Arlington, Sandgate, Shaftsbury, and Bennington."
Adoniram Lodge No. 42, F and A. M., was chartered January 14, 1858,
but prior to that had an existence and worked under a dispensation. There
were twenty-four charter members, from whom officers were chosen as follows:
W. M., Leonard Sargeant; S. W., Fowler W. Hoyt; J. W., Harvey K. Fow¬
ler. Adoniram Lodge has a present membership of about one hundred and
ten persons, and meets in rooms over the Factory Point National Bank. The
present officers are: W. M., I. H. Bench; S. W., A. B. Conner; J. W., O.
G. Felt; secretary, James Black; treasurer, John II. Whipple.
Adoniram Chapter No. 18, was chartered October 2, 1867, and E. G. Tut-
tle was chosen high priest; J. E. McNaughton, king, and G. W. Bennett, scribe.
The present membership of the lodge is forty-nine ; the present officers are:
James P. Black, PI. P.; Lorenzo Shaffner, K.; P. D. Sischo, scribe. Chapter
meetings are held in Adoniram lodge rooms.
The Village of Manchester Depot.
The village known by the name of Manchester Depot is a small burg,
brought into existence mainly through the construction of the Western Ver¬
mont Railroad, but now known as the Bennington and Rutland Railway. This
road was built during the years 1850 and 1851, therefore the village at this
point is the youngest of the three that are made the subjects of special mention
in this chapter. As is generally the case whenever a railroad is built through
any locality, and a station established, a number of houses and a few stores
will be constructed ; and in this manner was this town created. The business
of the town has never been large, the majority of traders preferring to transact
their business at the larger town of Manchester Centre, which is but half a mile
distant. A number of years ago there were in existence in this vicinity sev¬
eral manufacturing industries, but they have successively disappeared except
the extensive marble and granite works of W. H. Fullerton. Mr. Fullerton
was born in Washington county, N. Y., and first engaged in the marble quar¬
ry and manufacturing business in this county about 1861 or 1862 in connec¬
tion with W. A. Terrill at South Dorset, which relation continued about three
years. I hen after about three months Mr. Fullerton became the sole proprie¬
tor. 1 lie shops at the Depot were built about twenty-one years ago, and at
that time there was but one or two dwellings in the village.
I he manufacture of marble for all purposes for which that commodity was
used was the business engaged in by Mr. Fullerton, but when granite com¬
menced to replace marble and a general demand was created therefor, that
branch of business was added, and both are extensively worked at these shops.
I lie mercantile business of Manchester Depot is confined to three or four
stores, the most extensive being owned and conducted by John C. Blackmer.
382
History of Bennington County.
The town has no churches, and but one society or order—Skinner Post No
24, G. A. R. This organization must be treated as an institution of Man¬
chester Depot, having its place of meeting at that point, although the mem¬
bership of the post embraces residents of various parts of the township and
perhaps elsewhere.
Skinner Post was organized by charter dated May 9, 1873, and the follow¬
ing charter members: George H. Sessions, John T. Beach, George Bradford, 0.
M. Howe, Wayland Adams, John C. Blackmer, Smith W. Jameson, T. B. Eaton,
Edward Brockway, George P. Utley, William H. Smith, Isaac Wade, Fred¬
erick W. Cook, Charles H. Pond, P2. W. Hill, Richard Roberts, George W. Ses¬
sions, I). Iv. Simonds, W. A. Black, R. E. Baldwin. The post has a present
membership of about fifty, and is officered as follows : Commander, J. C.
Blackmer; senior vice-commander, William H. Smith; junior vice-commander,
Almon F. Day ; adjutant, R. H. Lindsley ; officer of the day, O. O. Whitman;
officer of the guard, Charles H, Scott; quartermaster, F. W. Cook; surgeon,
Dr. L. H. Hemenway; chaplain, Rev. E. E. Brown; sergeant-major, George
H. Swift; quartermaster sergeant, M. D. Marsh. Connected with the post is
a regularly organized and effective order known as the Ladies' Relief Society.
About midway between Manchester Centre and the depot is situated a
cheese factory, which, in its way, is a rather important industry. Every morn¬
ing, except during the winter season, the farmers of the township bring here
their milk from which the cheese is manufactured. Each month the product
is shipped to market, and the revenue derived therefrom is divided among the
patrons according to the proportion of milk furnished by each. E. A. Jameson
acts in the capacity of sales commissioner, and Thomas Lee as cheesemaker.
Just above the cheese factory, and between that building and the tannery
is the feed and cider-mill of Reuben Colvin. The location was formerly used
at the Peter Wyman Marble Mill, power being procured from the West Branch
stream twenty or thirty rods distant. This property came into Mr. Colvin's
hands in 1882.
The Battenkill River, which crosses the township in a generally southwest
course, is now and always has been the chief source of water-power in the
township. To enumerate the great number of factories of all kinds that have
from time to time been erected along its banks would be a most difficult if not
impossible task. In the early part of this chapter reference has been made to
a number of mills that were in existence as early as 1805 and 1826, and any ad¬
ditional mention concerning them or succeeding like industries is unnecessary.
In the north part of the town, on the upper waters of the Branch, still stand the
ruins of a number of water-power marble-mills. The same is true of the
vicinity of " Marbleville," as it was formerly known, but none of these are now
in operation.
On the Battenkill River, about a mile above the depot, stands the saw and
Town of Manchester.
383
lumber-mill of Judge Dean, a prominent resident of the town. Judge Dean
commenced operations at this point in 1868, and has since continued the same
to the present time. The mill is under the direction of H. C. Reynolds, a man
well known in the locality as a recent candidate for political preferment, but
on account of the fact that the average majority of the Republican party in
the town is about as four against one, and Mr. Reynolds being the Democratic
nominee, his election was by 110 means expected. The Dean Mill is now about
the only one in operation on the " Kill " in this town.
On Bourn Brook, a tributary to the Battenkill, there have been a number of
mills, among them that known as the old Bourn saw-mill. Joseph H. Ilicks,
is now the owner of the only operating saw mill on that stream. On this same
brook farther down is a planing-mill, the property of John V. Colvin, that was
started in 1874. The proprietor formerly owned a grist and planing-mill at
North Bennington.
On Lye Brook, an exceeding winding stream, there had been for many
years a number of mills, noticably those known as Burritt Brothers and Petti-
bone Brothers. The former name <*f Burritt recalls one of the early families
of the Lye Brook neighborhood. Some of the members of the Burritt
family have been celebrated bear hunters, and the number of this species of
animal creation that they have trapped and shot is simply astonishing. The
Burritts are among the highly respected and prosperous families of the
town. The Burritt mill is 011 the site of the first saw-mill built in the town of
Manchester. The Pettibone Brothers, who also have for many years had a
mill on Lye Brook, are descended from one of the old families of the town.
There were two distinct family names of Pettibone in the town, and that just
mentioned is in no manner related to the descendants of Samuel Pettibone, the
pioneer. On the Battenkill, in the south part have also been mills, noticeable
among which has been the Hawley & Fielding lumber and marble-mill, but
now gone into disuse.
Personal History.
It is the design of the following branch of the present chapter to devote
some space to a personal record of families and persons, many of them pio¬
neers, and some whose residence has not been of long duration but who have
in some manner been identified with the growth or interests of the locality, and
thus entitling them to some mention in these pages.
It would be interesting, indeed, could there be recalled the names of each of
the resident medical practitioners of Manchester from the time of its first set¬
tlement to the present; but this it is impossible to do. Unlike many States
of the Union, no register of the practicing physicians is obligatory under the
law in Vermont, therefore no record exists from which the names of each can
be taken. Tradition says (we have no positive information, however, as to its
3§4
History of Bennington County.
accuracy) that John Sage was the first physician of Manchester, and that he
came here about the year 1777. Dr. Lewis Beebe, as has heretofore been
stated, became a resident of the town in 1780, and aside from his practice took
an active part in the early events of the town's history. He served with the
militia during the Revolution. Dr. Ezra Isham came to the town in 1798, and
became the leading physician of the town. A further mention of him will be
found further on in this chapter. Dr. Elijah Littlefield will be remembered
among the citizens of the town that took part in the second war with Great
Britain, he holding a surgeon's commission in the regular army. He practiced
here both before and after the war. These were among the pioneer physicians
of the town. There may have been, probably was, others who are equally en¬
titled to mention, but whose names cannot now be recalled. At the present
time there are in active practice in the town of Manchester four physicians each
of whom bears, and is entitled to bear, the symbolic initial letters " M. D."
Lewis H. Hemenway was born in Siam (his father being a missionary
clergyman at the time in that land) on the 30th of November, 1841. In 1856
he entered Burr Seminary, but left for Middlebury College in 1859, from which
he was graduated in 1864. During this time, however, and in 1862, he en¬
listed in the Twelfth Vermont Volunteer Infantry for the nine months' service.
He took a medical course at the University of Vermont, finishing and taking
his " M. D." in 1866. Then for about two years he was further educating him¬
self at the Kings County (New York) Hospital, both in the general hospital and
the insane department. In October, 1868, Dr. Hemenway came to practice in
the village of Manchester, where ever since, except for a term of some two
years spent in Minnesota for the benefit of his health, he has resided. Dr.
Hemenway is a regular and general physician.
Seneca Sherman Clemons was born in Wallingford, Vt., January 23, 1842.
He was graduated from the Medical Department of the University of Vermont
June 1, 1865, and immediately came to practice in this town, taking up his
abode at Factory Point, and succeeding to the practice of Dr. Stone. Prior to
the passage of the act establishing medical boards of examination Dr. Clemons
held the appointment of medical examiner for invalid pensions. Dr. Clemons
is a member of the Bennington County Medical Society, and also of the Ver¬
mont State Medical Association.
Edmond L. Wyman is the only physician of the town that practices under
the theory of similia similibus curantur, or as it is more commonly understood,
Homeopathy. Dr. Wyman was born in Manchester, his father having come to
the town during the thirties to engage in the marble quarries, and here he mar¬
ried Lucina Way, the daughter of Lyman Way, the latter being a pioneer in
the marble business. In their family were two children, Henry A. and Ed¬
mond L. Henry A. was a soldier in the Fourteenth Vermont Infantry. He
died in 1866 from disease contracted while in the army. Edmond was brought
Town of Manchester.
385
up to learn the marble business, but desiring an education he entered college,
from which he was compelled to retire at the end of his Freshman year on ac¬
count of failing eyesight. About 1872 he commenced a course of medical
reading under the instruction of Dr. Hemenway, and afterward entered the
New York Homeopathic Medical College, from which he was graduated in the
spring of 1875. He then came to Factory Point where he has acquired an ex¬
tensive practice.
Edgar V. Trull, the youngest of the medical practitioners of the town, was
born in New York State on August 26th, 1854. He read medicine with Dr.
George H. Billings, of Cohoes, N. Y., after which he entered the Medical
Department of Union University, and from that institution was graduated
in 1877. After practicing about three years in New Scotland and Cohoes
he came to Manchester, where he has since resided, and engaged in profes¬
sional work.
James W. Marsh has for a number of years been a resident of Manchester
Center, practicing as an eclectic physician and making a specialty of the treat¬
ment of cancerous diseases.
In connection with the medical fraternity of the town this chapter would
be incomplete without some allusion to the practice built up by Dr. John F.
Page, veterinary surgeon. Dr. Page is not a native of this county, but was born
in Windham county in the year 1850. In 1875 he entered the Veterinary
Department of the University of Vermont for a course of medical lectures, after
which he commenced practice in this town. He afterwards attended the New
York Veterinary College, from which he was graduated. This is the only thor¬
ough institution of its character in the United States. Dr. Page has spent a great
deal of time and money in perfecting himself in veterinary practice at which he is
regarded wholly proficient. He is the owner of some of the best horses in the
county.
The Roberts Family.—About the middle of the eighteenth century John
Roberts left Dartmouth, Rhode Island, and went with a party of acquaintances
to Duchess county, N. Y., where he lived some years, and then went to Sa¬
lem. From the latter place he came to Manchester. While in Rhode Island
he was one of the "minute men," always ready, at a minute's notice, for de¬
fensive warfare against the French and Indians. When John Roberts came to
Manchester, in 1764, or about that time, he was already married, his wife be¬
ing Samantha, the descendent of Admiral Mayhew's family, for whom the three
islands, Martha's Vineyard, Elizabeth Island, and Nantucket (Nancy took it),
was named. John Roberts was a man of commanding height and powerful
frame. He was one of the original Green Mountain Boys, and a soldier in Seth
Warner s regiment. He fought at the battle of Bennington, as did also four
of his sons—Peter, John, William, and Benjamin — while the fifth boy, Chris¬
topher, was then conducting the remainder of the family back to Duchess
49
386
History of Bennington County.
county for safety. J ohn Roberts, with some of his sons, was also with Ethan
Allen when Ticonderoga was captured from the British. One of these sons
Christopher, was with Allen when he entered and surprised the garrison at the
fort. Christopher seems to have been the only son of John Roberts that be¬
came a permanent resident of Manchester, and he likewise became a man prom-
inently identified with the political history of the town. He rose through all
the grades of promotion and became general of the militia, and faithfully served
the State through all the troubles of the period during which Vermont was
seeking independence, and during the war of 1812. The male children of
Christopher Roberts were, Martin, Jonathan, John Peter, Benjamin and Serenus,
of whom Jonathan and Serenus died in Manchester, leaving no children. The
children of Benjamin did not continue in Manchester after his death, but moved
to Clarendon, the native place of their mother, her maiden name being Sophia
Hodges. Of the daughters of Benjamin, Mary married General Henry M. Bax¬
ter, of Rutland, and Cornelia married Mr. Kingsley, a leading merchant of the
same place. The male descendants of John P. Roberts remained in Manchester.
George was one of these; he married Lydia Brounson, daughter of Rev. Olin
Brounson, of Zion's Episcopal Church. George was a merchant of the town.
John C., the second son, was a merchant at Factory Point, but shortly before his
death he moved to Burlington. Cyrus A. Roberts, another son, still lives in the
towm, having no family. William, the youngest son, while a young man went to
Alabama to live. Martin Roberts, the oldest son of Christopher Roberts, was
born January 8, 1788, and became a prominent, influential man, well known
and respected throughout the State. He was the father of seventeen children,
fourteen of whom, seven boys and seven girls, grew up, married, and became
themselves the progenitors of large families, now scattered through different
States. There were present at one time at the Roberts homestead, on which
Benjamin lived most of the eighty-six years of his life, at a family gathering,
more than one hundred and thirty of his children and grandchildren, includ¬
ing sons-in-law and daughters-in-law. His first wife was Sophia Buckley, by
whom he had four children, only two of whom, Marcius and Mary, grew up.
The second wife of Martin Roberts was Betsey Stone, of Arlington, whom he
married January I ith, 1806, and by whom he had thirteen children, of whom
all, save one, grew to man's and woman's estate. They were Lucy, Dexter,
Charles, Benjamin, Edward, Mira, Betsey Ann, and Julia Ann, (twins), Rich¬
ard, Belvediere, Elizabeth, and Henry Eckford. Of all these children, Dexter
alone remained permantly at Manchester, and now lives on the homestead farm.
Charles moved at an early day to New York City. Benjamin entered the mil¬
itary service and became a distinguished officer; he served through the Mex¬
ican war and the late rebellion, and died about 1872. Edward was born in
1812. In 1827 he went to Rutland and, with his cousin, E. C. Purdy, pub¬
lished the Rutland Herald. Two years later he went to Fishkill-on-the-Hud-
Town of Manchester.
3^7
son, where his preparatory education was received, after which, in the fall of
1831, he entered Williams College, but 011 account of illness was obliged to
relinquish his studies before completing his college course. In 1840 Edward
Roberts married Lucy Maria Benjamin, and in 1841 took up his residence in
New York City where he engaged in business, and is still a member of the old
firm of Roberts, Cushman & Co., importers of hatter's materials. He now
owns, and during the summer season occupies, the old Roberts homestead
although his principal dwelling place is in New York City. For beauty and
desirability of situation the old homestead is unsurpassed in this State. From
the elevated position it occupies there is presented to the eye of the beholder
a view at once delightful and magnificent, comprehending the beautiful valley
between the Green Mountains and Taconic ranges, while back to the north,
within a very short distance, rears the sublime heights of Mount /Eolus, com¬
monly called Dorset Mountain. Lucy, the oldest child of Martin Roberts,
married Rev. Brainerd Kent of Dorset; Mira Roberts married John F. Sinclair
of New York ; Betsey Ann married Amos Reynolds, and settled in Council
Bluffs, Iowa; Richard S. Roberts married Caroline Eastman of Brooklyn ; Bel-
vediere Roberts went West with her sister, Mrs. Curtis, to Madison, Indiana,
where she united in marriage with S. F. Smith, a successful merchant of the
place, and who subsequently moved his family to Indianapolis ; Elizabeth mar¬
ried Franklin Sanford of Castleton, this State; Henry Eckford Roberts, the
youngest child of the family, is in New York, connected with the firm of Rob¬
erts, Cushman & Co. ; he is married, but has no children. Martin Roberts
acquired his knowledge of the mercantile business in the store of Joseph
Burr, at Manchester, but about the beginning of the present century he
embarked for himself in business near the old homestead, and built up quite a
hamlet at that place, which was called " Robertsville" for a longtime; and
he run a line of stages between Boston and Saratoga, and kept postoffice
at the store. lie was quite successful in his business ventures, so that when
the War of 1812 broke out he was estimated to be worth some $30,000;
but towards the close of the war the stage line grew unprofitable, and this, to¬
gether with the failure to repay on the part of persons to whom he made loans,
seriously impaired his fortune; but not one whit did these reverses detract from
his personal popularity or influence in the community. He held, until the time
of 1)is death, the high rank of general of militia of the State ; also in the Ma¬
sonic fraternity he was for a number of years the chief officer in the State.
Martin Roberts died in 1863, aged nearly eighty-six years. Elsewhere in this
work will be found a page view of the old Roberts homestead. A portion of
the building has now been standing since the beginning of the present century.
On the left front will be noticed the magnificent elm tree that extends its pro¬
tecting branches far out on every side.
Hie Munson Family.—In September, 1778, Jared Munson, of Lanesbor-
388
History of Bennington County.
ough, Mass., bought two one-hundred acre lots in Manchester, lying on oppo¬
site sides of the main highway, and near the geographical center of the town.
One had been the property of Jeremiah French, and the other of William
Marsh, both of whom had been prominent citizens of Manchester, but had joined
the British army at the time of Burgoyne's invasion. Their property having
been siezed by the State, these lots were now conveyed by John Fassett, com-
missioner for the sale of confiscated lands. The meeting-house was soon after
located immediately south of these lots, and the village grew up around it.
Jared Munson's purchase, with the exception of parcels sold for building lots,
remained in the possession of his male descendants for one hundred and five
years. The homestead is now the Munson House, kept by John Moffat.
Thaddeus Munson, a brother of Jared, also came to Manchester in 1778. In
the following year he appears on the military roll as lieutenant. In 1780
he purchased the State's eighty acres formerly owned by William Marsh, on
which was located the inn where the Council of Safety held its sessions previous
to the battle of Bennington. Here he kept an inn several years. He moved
to Hinesburg about 1791, represented that town in 1793, and returned to Man¬
chester a year or two later. In 1801 he built, just north of his old inn, a
larger building in which his business was afterward carried on. This building
has been known in recent years as the north part of the Taconic Hotel, and is
now a part of the Equinox House. Thaddeus Munson removed again to
Hinesburgh in 1814, and died there soon after. His son, Anson, was keeping
a public house in Manchester village in 1812, but moved north soon after that
time. None of Thaddeus Munson's family remained in town much after this
date. Anson Munson had several sons who became active business men ; one
of them, Norman C., being prominent in connection with his contract for filling
the Boston back bay. Jared Munson had several children who attained matu¬
rity. His youngest son, Henry U., remained in Manchester, was a captain in
the militia, and died in his twenty-ninth year. Warren, one of the elder sons,
went to Franklin county at an early age, married there, and afterwards re¬
moved to Canada. Another son, Joseph H., left Manchester during his min¬
ority, married in St. Albans, and became the father of a large family. One
of his descendants, Mary Nye, became the second wife of Augustus G. Clark,
and lived in Manchester several years.- Anne, a daughter of Jared Munson,
born in Lanesboro the year before the removal to Manchester, married Paoli
Wells, and was the mother of Helmus M. Wells, who was associated with Judge
Skinner in the purchase of lands for the Dellwood Cemetery. Two of Jared
Munson's sons, Ephraim and Rufus, spent their days in Manchester, and have
descendants still living in the town. Ephraim was constable and deputy sheriff
several years. Charles D. Munson, station agent at Manchester for many years,
was his son. Ephraim's daughter, Jane Maria married Augustus G. Clark, and
was the mother of Mrs. Colonel Colburn and Mrs. John H. Whipple. Rufus
Town of Manchester.
389
Munson, who was sixteen years of age when the family came to Manchester,
was a farmer, and afterward had the land purchased by his father. lie mar¬
ried Bethia Burton and had four children, Cyrus, Benjamin, Jesse, and Polly.
He died in his thirty-fifth year, when his eldest child was but seven. Polly
Munson married Alvah Hollister, and lived and died in Manchester. Jesse
went to Western New York early in the century. Edgar Munson, of VVil-
liamsport, Pa., is a son, and Commander Merriman of the navy, a grandson of
Jesse. Benjamin Munson lived on the original purchase of his grandfather,
and died in 1876. lie served on the frontier in the War of 1812, and was af¬
terward a captain of the militia, and was familiarly known by that title until
his death. His eldest son, Cyrus B., was a captain in the Eleventh regiment
of militia in 1864. He lived 011 the old place after his father's death, and died
in 1882. A daughter of Cyrus B., is the wife of Wells Valentine, of Benning¬
ton. Josiah B. Munson, the second son of Benjamin, was a captain in the Four¬
teenth Vermont Volunteers, and was with the regiment at Gettysburg. He is
now living at Millett's, near Lansing, Mich. The third son of Benjamin, Joel
A. Munson, removed from Manchester to Lisbon, 111., a few years ago and is
now living there. Mary Ann, daughter of Benjamin, was the wife of Hon. S.
Seward Burton, of La Crosse, Wis., and has recently died. Cyrus Munson, the
eldest son of Rufus, purchased the farm lying north of the homestead property,
and lived there until his death in 1857. In early life he was for a few years
constable and collector of the town. His services were often required in the
settlement of estates, and in the care of trust property. He was one of the
original corporators of Burr Seminary, and an active trustee of the institution
until his death. He had one child, Loveland Munson, who was admitted to
the bar in 1866; was married in 1882, and has always lived on the farm pur¬
chased by his father. Harry B. Munson, a son of Cyrus B., is the only other
person bearing the family name now living in Manchester.
I he Burton Family.—A mention of this family name at once suggests an
element not alone of pioneership, but of entire respectability as well. Josiah
Burton, the pioneer of the family in Manchester, came from Stratford in Con¬
necticut, about the year 1772, and settled in the town, having then a dwell¬
ing in the field in rear of where Judge Munson's barn now stands. Josiah Bur¬
ton had a large family of children as follows: Sarah, who was born in 1757, and
never resided in Manchester; Jerusha, born in 1758, married Samuel Straight;
Elijah, born in 1760, married first, Rachel Smith of Manchester, and second,
Hannah Taylor; Betsey, born in 1761, married Albert Canfield of Arlington ;
Nathaniel, born in 1763; Isaac, more familiarly known as the "Deacon," born
in 1765; Samuel, born in 1767; Curtis, born in 1769; Benjamin and Bethiah
(twins) born in 177at New Milford, Conn.; Hannah, born in Manchester, in
I774» married Smith; Josiah, born in Manchester, in 1777; John H., born
in 1778. Josiah Burton, the youngest but one of the children of Josiah the pio-
390
History of Bennington County.
neer, it will be remembered was the person who made the magnificent bequest
to the Burr Seminary trustees, in appreciation of which the corporate name of
the institution was changed to and afterward known as the Burr and Burton
Seminary. Of other of the descendants of Josiah Burton, the pioneer, mention
will be found in the biographical department of this work.
The Purdy Family.—There has been, perhaps, in the town of Manchester,
no family more prolific than the Purdy's. In glancing over the old town rec¬
ords it will be seen that there was no family more frequently mentioned in con¬
nection with the civil affairs of the locality than this; then again, the records
of early births, deaths and marriages in the town, as shown by the clerk's
book's, placed the family strongly in the lead. The pioneer of this family was
Benjamin Purdy, who came here as one of the first settlers of 1775 or 1776. It
is said that there were two pioneer families named Purdy in Manchester. Daniel
E. Purdy's was one of these families. He had ten children—George, William,
Levi, Albert, Walter, Eli, Rhoda, Eliza, Sally, and Mary. Eli Purdy married
Nancy Thatcher, and had five children: Mary, Ralph T., Martha, Frank, and
Edmund I. George Purdy married Phebe Thatcher. Their children were Dan¬
iel E., Benjamin O., John D., Frances and Ellen. The descendants of the pio¬
neer Purdy are still numerous in the town.
The Pettebone family.—Nearly every one of the older residents now in
Manchester remember John S., otherwise and deservedly known as Judge Pet¬
tebone, who was at one time the Probate judge of the district, and a man highly
respected in the community. Judge Pettebone was born in the town on the
farm his father, Samuel Pettebone, had purchased. This was somewhat of an
historic locality, being the old Samuel Rose property, which (Rose being a Tory)
was confiscated and sold, Samuel Pettebone becoming the owner. Samuel Pet¬
tebone came here from Connecticut, but the year of his settlement cannot now
be ascertained. His children were Samuel, John S., Hettie, Anna, Rhoda, and
perhaps others whose names cannot now be recalled. John S. Pettebone was
born in Manchester, married Laura Graves, and had seven children: Charlotte,
Ann, Mehitabel, Samuel, Electa, John J., Mary, and Albert.
The Collins family.—About a mile north from Manchester Center stands a
comfortable brick house, the old Collins homestead, which was built something
over a hundred years ago, the material for which was taken from near or 011
meeting-house hill at the Center. This is now the property of Hon. Egbert B.
Smith. Nathaniel Collins came, it is believed, from Connecticut, and settled
here during the pioneer period; at all events he seems to have been promi¬
nently connected with the affairs of the town at a very early day. His children
were Elijah, Anson, Lemuel, who was a soldier in the War of 1812; Lavina,
who married David Morse; Irene, who married Calvin Ward; Ann, who mar¬
ried Joseph Morse; and another child, a daughter, who became the wife of Silas
Smith, of Dorset.
Town of Manchester.
391
William Smith's Family.—It is understood in and about Manchester Center
that it was William Smith that gave the name "Factory Point" to the place.
This was supposed to have occurred at the raising of the old sign-post in front
of the original hotel building. Mr. Smith was a very popular man in those
days, and what he said was considered good law. The exact date of his settle¬
ment in the town probably cannot now be fixed, but he figured in the affairs of
the town at a very early day. He married Mahala Hollister: their children
were Clara, who married Wood; Gurdon, Calvin P., Samantha, who mar¬
ried Elijah Bundy; Mahala, who married Burr Smith, and George, who died in
California.
The Bourne Family.—About the year 1788 four brothers, Nathaniel, Amos,
Jerard, and Barnet Bourne, came from Swanzy, Mass., to Manchester, and en¬
tered the life of pioneership in the town, and all died here. Nathaniel was a me¬
chanic, Amos and Jerard were farmers, and Barnet was a farmer and butcher.
All married and raised families, but their descendants are now scattered, but
few being left in the town. Amos Bourne had a son likewise named Amos,
and the four sons of the latter now represent the family name in Manchester.
Amos, the younger, served in the War of 1812 ; he also lived on the same farm
continuously for nearly eighty-two years. His wife was Almira Wyman, by
whom he had eleven children, seven of whom are now living. Sewell W.
Rourne was one of these children. He still owns the old farm property, though
now living at Manchester Depot.
The Hicks Family.—Daniel Hicks and Ruth, his wife, came to Manchester
about 1787 or 1788, and took up their abode on a farm in what is now District
12, not far from the depot location. Their children were Benjamin, Daniel,
Hannah and Mary, all of whom, except Benjamin, lived their lives in the town
The son Daniel, married Olive Glazier, and had ten children: Joseph, James
M., Lois (now Mrs. Samuel Dean), still live in the town. Of the other children
Olive married Joel Wright, and Rhoda became the wife of Michael Johnson.
I he Benedict Family.—Jonathan Benedict, the pioneer of this family, came
to Manchester from Connecticut in 1785, and settled 011 the farm now occupied
by William H. Benedict. His children were Joseph, Samuel, Ezra, Jonathan,
Alary, Martha, Lucy, Sarah, Sylvia, Esther and Clara. Jonathan, one of the
sons, married Sarah Ames, and had seven children: Clarissa, Marilla, Hannah,
Ezra, Sarah, Laura, and Esther. Samuel Benedict married Anna Seward, and
had these children : Graham, William, Laura, Solomon, Truman, Anna, Sam¬
uel, Sylvia, and Jonathan. William, of the children last above named, married
first, Esther Mead, by whom he had no children ; his second wife was Mary
Benedict, and by her he had two children, William H., and Samuel S., the
former now owning the old home farm, and the latter living in Kansas.
The Hollister Family.—Elijah S. Hollister was one of the pioneers of Man¬
chester, and was also one of the early sheriffs of the county; he served too as
392
History of Bennington County.
a soldier during the War of 1812. His settlement in this town antedated the
year 1800. His children were Marinus, Polly, Jesse, Lucy, Ora, Abbie, Alvah
Diantha and one other that died in early infancy. Diantha married James
Hovt, and Abbie became the wife of Dr. Elijah Burton of Cuyahoga county, 0.
Marinus, the eldest child, was born in Massachusetts, and died in Manchester
aged ninety-nine years, six months, and six days. He married Hannah Bur¬
ton, and had three children, John C., a lawyer of New Haven, Conn.; Martha
B., who married John M. Hall, and Edgar, who married Frances Hoyt, and now
lives in this town just above the Robert's place.
The Cook Family.—Elisha Cook came to Manchester and took up his resi¬
dence with his son, Elisha M. Cook, in the east part of the town near Barnum-
ville, but before the hamlet was so named. The children of Elisha M. were Mary
Jane and Nancy; both born before the family came to the town, and Elisha,
Thomas, Frederick W., Elvira, Almeda, Alice and Millard F., who were born
since the family settlement in this locality. Of these children Mary, Thomas,
and Almeda are dead, but the remainder are living and have families. Frede¬
rick W. Cook, one of these children, now lives in Manchester Center. He was
a soldier in the late war, enlisted in 1861 in Company G, First Vermont Cav¬
alry, veteranized, and was mustered out in June 1865, after four years of serv¬
ice, and having participated in seventy-three engagements. He enlisted as a
private and was mustered out with the rank of first lieutenant.
The Dean Family.—Job Dean was a Revolutionary patriot, having served
with the army five and one-half years during the war. He was with General
Washington at Valley Forge, but when the Bennington battle was fought he
was with a body of troops on one of the islands in the Hudson River near Troy.
He came to Manchester in 1816, and lived here during the rest of his life, his
death occurring some forty years ago. While a resident of Massachusetts he
married a daughter of Elder Peter Worden, and had seven children. They
were Abigail, who married Samuel Mead, and died in Michigan; Sally, who
married Stephen Eddy; Russell, who died in Massachusetts ; Vesta, who mar¬
ried Ambrose Mosely; Alvira, who married Martin Slocum; Loring, who mar¬
ried Marilla Benedict, and Peter W. who married Philinda Willey. Russell Dean
had four sons and one daughter, Horace, Job, Loring, Robinson and Lucy A.,
of whom all but Loring are dead. Loring Dean had seven children, four sons
and three daughters. The children of Loring and Marilla (Benedict) Dean were
Samuel B., Walter R., Richard W., Mary Esther, Laura A., Henry C., and Es¬
ther M. Richard W. Dean was born in Manchester in 1824. His occupation
is thai of a civil engineer and carpenter. He married Fanny, the daughter of
Russell Hickok, of Fort Edward N. Y., and has one son, James C. Dean. Wal¬
ter Russell Dean was born in Manchester in 1822. His business has always
been that of general farming, but in 1868 he engaged in the manufacture of
lumber, which business he has since conducted to a considerable extent. He is
Town of Manchester.
393
one of the present associate judges of the courts of Bennington county. Judge
Dean married, first, Mary L. Mclntyre, by whom he had three children; sec¬
ond, Minerva J. Baker, by whom lie had one child. (Since the above sketch
was prepared Judge Dean has taken unto himself a third wife).
The Isham Family.—Dr. Ezra Isham was born in Colchester, Conn., on
March 15, 1773, and came to Manchester in 1800. He was the youngest son
of John Isham, 2d, of Colchester. Soon after locating at Manchester he be¬
came a leading physician of the town and county. He married at Litchfield,
Conn., Nancy Anna, the daughter of Robert Pierpont, of Litchfield, but after¬
ward a resident of Manchester. The children born to Ezra and Nancy A.
Isham were Pierpont, born Augusts, 1802; Caroline, born December 28, 1803;
Mary, born March 23, 1806, died August 22, 1828 ; Jane, born July 27, 1810,
died September 10, 1810; Edwin, born June 27, 1812; John, born January 3 1,
1817. The eldest son, Pierpont, became a lawyer, having studied law with
his uncle, Governor Richard Skinner, of Manchester, and was admitted to
the bar in 1823. He married Samantha, daughter of Noadiah Swift, a distin¬
guished physician of Bennington, on October 2, 1831. He lived at Benning¬
ton until i860, when he moved to New York City, and died there May 8, 1872.
In the fall of 185 1 he was elected one of the justices of the Supreme Court of
the State, and had as his associates upon the bench such men as Stephen
Royce, Isaac F. Redfield and Milo L. Bennett. He was re-elected for success¬
ive terms until 1857, when he peremptorily declined another election. His
children were Edward S., Henry P., and Mary Adeline; the latter became the
wife of Major Sartell Prentice, U.S. A., and now resides in Chicago. Edward
S. Isham, the older son, prepared for college at the Lawrenceville Academy,
at Groton, Mass,, and was graduated from Williams College a few years later,
lie is now a lawyer at Chicago. Henry P. Isham, the younger son, is also a
resident of Chicago, and is associated with Major Prentice in the care and man¬
agement of real estate. Edwin Isham, the second son of Dr. Ezra Isham, located
at Dunkirk, N. Y., where he became a successful business man ; he still resides
there. John Isham, the youngest son, fitted for college at the Burr and Bur¬
ton Seminary at Manchester, and subsequently graduated at Williams. He
then went to the South and engaged in teaching, at which he acquired an envi¬
able reputation. He is now and for a number of years has been located at At¬
lanta, Ga. He has within a few years been appointed one of the State super¬
intendents of schools of Georgia.
Richard Skinner.— The subject of this brief sketch was born in Litchfield,
Conn., in the year 1778. His residence in Manchester began with the present
century, and his profession was that of attorney-at-law. In 1800 he was ap
pointed state's attorney for the county, and served in that capacity until 1812 ;
was also, from 1806 to 1812, probate judge for the district of Manchester. In
1813 he was elected to Congress; he twice represented the town in the Legis-
50
394
History of Bennington County.
lature, and was speaker of the house in 1818 ; was elected judge of the Su¬
preme Court in 1815, and chief judge in 1816. In 1820 he was elected gov¬
ernor of the State, and re elected in 1821 and 1822; in 1823 he was chosen
chief justice of the Supreme Court, and served in that capacity until 1829
when he retired from public life and service. While crossing the Green Moun¬
tains in a carriage in the spring of 1833 he was thrown by accident to the
ground, and sustained injuries that resulted in his death May 23, 1833.
Joseph Burr.—Mr. Burr was born in Hempstead, Long Island, August 11
1772. He came to Manchester before he had attained his majority, and at
once engaged in trade. His business in life was that of merchant, broker, and
speculator, yet he possessed certain traits of character that stamped him as a
philanthropist. He conceived the idea, and carried it into practical effect, of
building an elegant educational institution at Manchester, the celebrated Burr
Seminary was the result. By his will he bequeathed to various institutions
nearly $100,000. He died April 14, 1828. He had no family.
Levi D. Coy.—Daniel and Lucy Coy, husband and wife, were pioneers of
Sunderland. Levi D. Coy, the merchant, and for many years justice of the
peace at Manchester, was their grandson. Daniel and Lucy Coy had children
as follows: Eli, Lucy, Amy, Hannah, Clarissa, Charlotte, Levi, and Hester.
Levi, the father of Levi D., married Nancy Millett, and had these children:
Levi D., Marshall C., Abram R., and Oscar F. Levi was born in Sunderland
on May 12, 1823. He first engaged in business in Manchester in 1841, and
has ever since so continued. On July 2, 1844, he married Louise, daughter of
Daniel Roberts. One child was born of this marriage.
The Eddy Family.—Stephen Eddy, his wife, and two children, Jeremiah
and James, came to Manchester many years ago, and located on what is now
the Jameson place. Other children were born after their settlement in the
town as follows: Daniel D., Orson, Stephen, Lamira, Diana, Philenda, and
Charles. Of these children but four are now living, and Daniel, one of them,
lives in Manchester. He was born in 181 I, and at the age of twenty-seven
married Lucy A. Taylor of Manchester, by whom he had five children, only
one of whom, Mrs Joseph H. Hicks, is now living. Daniel Eddy learned the
trade of a currier, tanner, and shoemaker, and used to work many years ago
in the little tannery building that stood where the Colburn House ice storage
building now stands. He worked there nearly eight years.
Samuel B. Young,—Since 1836 Samuel B Young has carried on the busi¬
ness of manufacturing and selling tin and other wares at Factory Point. Mr.
Young was born in Danby, in Rutland county, in 1812, and was the oldest
of five children born to David and Charlama Young. In the same year in
which he came to Manchester Mr. Young married Elizabeth, daughter of Ly¬
man Way, of which marriage two children, Charles K. and Henry D. Young,
have been born. The older of these is the present postmaster at Manchester
Center, and the younger resides at Erie, Pa.
Town of Manchester.
395
William P. Black,1 or as he was more familiarly known, Deacon Black,
was a son of Captain Peter Black, and was born in the city of New York, June
2 18oI In 1812 he came to Manchester with his father's family, who took up
their residence at the place now occupied by Rev. Dr. Wickham, where an inn
had been formerly kept by Robert Pierpoint. Here Captain Black engaged
in the hotel and mercantile business. The store stood on the south side of the
lot, and here as a clerk William P. Black commenced his business career at an
early age. A few years later Captain Black transferred his business to the
Vanderlip House. Before reaching the years of manhood William P. went to
Natchez, Miss., where he obtained a clerkship, but the death of his father, in
1820, necesitated his return at once to Manchester. This journey was per¬
formed on horseback, and required sixty days time. The business of Captain
Black was afterward conducted by his widow and children until 1832, when the
mother died. On the 20th of October, 1829 William P. Black married Sarah
Aiken. In 1833 they moved to the house now occupied by his widow and
family. In 1831 Mr. Black united with the Congregational Church, and ten
years later was made deacon. In 1841 he was chosen treasurer of the Burr
Seminary, and so continued until 1866. In 1854 he was elected one of the
trustees of that institution. He was town clerk of Manchester from 1837 to
1843, and at later periods was town treasurer. In 1836 Mr. Black became
teller of the old Manchester Bank, and two years later was advanced to the po¬
sition of cashier. He remained in that connection with the succeeding Bat-
tenkill and Battenkill National Banks until 1882, when he retired; still, how¬
ever, continuing a business relation with the bank, and visiting the same nearly
everyday for two or three years longer; and it was not until about 1885 that
he was wholly out of business. His death occurred on the 3d of September,
1887, in the eighty-seventh year of his age.
Rev. Joseph D. Wickham.— This chapter could not in any wise be consid¬
ered complete without at least a brief reference to the life of this most venera¬
ble and honored resident of the village of Manchester. Joseph Dresser Wick¬
ham was born in Thompson, Conn., on April 4, 1797, and was the second child
born to Daniel H. and Mary (Dresser) Wickham. At the age of less than four¬
teen years young Wickham entered Yale College, and was graduated in 1815;
and he is, to-day, the oldest living graduate of that celebrated institution.
Without a detail of the events of the life of Dr. Wickham let it suffice to say
that he came to Manchester in the year 1837, and became connected with the
Burr Seminary, with which he remained until 1853, when he resigned to ac¬
cept a professorship in Middlebury College. After an absence of about three
years Dr. Wickham returned to Manchester and his former position in the sem¬
inary, with which he was thereafter associated for six years, retiring in 1862,
' From the Ma>ichester Journal.
396
History of Bennington County.
but still continuing his residence in the town, which is situate on the site
formerly occupied by Captain Peter Black's tavern.
Dr. George Tuttle was born on Pond Hill, Rutland county, December 31
1798. He read medicine with Dr. Thomas Woodward, and was licensed to
practice in 1823. The next year he came to practice at Manchester, taking
up a residence at Factory Point. On the 26th of August, 1824 Dr. Tuttle
married Mary B. Roberts, a descendant of the pioneer, John Roberts, of the
town. The children were Emmett G., Ellen, Julia, and Charles C., the latter,
however, being a child by the second wife of Dr. Tuttle, who was before this
marriage Mrs. Jerusha T. Toby. Dr. George Tuttle died July 23, 1866.
Malcom Canfield.—The subject ot this sketch is a descendant of one of the
pioneer families of Arlington, of which Israel Canfield was the head. Malcom
was the son of Nathaniel, and the grandson of Israel Canfield ; he was born in
Arlington on the 31st of July, 1822, and until he attained the age of twenty
years lived at home, but at that age he went to New York City, where he re¬
mained about twenty-three years, returning to this county in 1855 or '56. For
a number of years he lived in Sunderland, but in 1872 came to Manchester and
located in the south part of the township. In 1855 Mr. Canfield married Au¬
gusta, the daughter of James A. Graves, of which marriage three children have
been born. Mr. Canfield is a decidedly progressive citizen of this town, and
has been identified with all measures looking to the benefit of its people. He
has held many of the important town offices.
The Bentley Family.—In the southwest part of Manchester and the south¬
east part of Sandgate, now live several families whose surname is Bentley, and
who are the descendants of Solomon Bentley, who settled, it is understood,
in Shaftsbury at an early day. The children of Solomon Bentley were Daniel,
Whitman, Solomon, Merritt, William, Elijali, Elias, Sybil, Lydia, and Harriet.
Of these children Solomon married Diana Mattison, of Shaftsbury, and had
eleven children, as follows: Jane, Henrietta, Eveline, Augusta, Ralph, Mark,
Jay, Marcia, Addie, Eugene and Marietta. The old home farm of Solomon
Bently is now occupied by Jay Bentley, his son.
John C. Blackmer.—Dr. Jonathan Blackmer came to Vermont during the
latter part of the last century ; he took part in the War of 1812, as surgeon it
is believed, and practiced in Dorset, where he died. His children were Har-
man, Hiram and Betsey, all of whom were born in Dorset. Hiram came to
Manchester while a young man and went into business. He married Tannie
Collins, who bore him five children. Of these John C. Blackmer was the
youngest. Being in Indiana during the early years of the late war, he en¬
listed in the Sixteenth Volunteer Infantry. He was wounded at Richmond,
Ky., and discharged for disabilities in 1864. His rank at the time was first
lieutenant of Company K. He came to Manchester and commenced business
as a merchant in 1869, and is now one of the leading business men of the
town; his store is located at Manchester Depot.
Town of Manchester.
397
James E. McNaughton.—The subject of this sketch was born in Hebron,
N. V., and was the youngest of the thirteen children of Daniel McNaughton.
The father, Daniel, lived in Rupert in 1790, and in Sandgate in 1800 and 1802;
he died in Ohio in 1830. About 1839 James E. McNaughton married Sarah
F. Hogeboom, of Manchester, and came soon after that event to live in the
town at the place he so much improved and built up, which was named Bar-
numville, and so called for the senior member of the firm of Barnum, Richard¬
son & Co., they being extensive charcoal manufacturers in that locality. Mr.
McNaughton was their chief managing officer at the place. He procured the
establishment of a post-office here in 1869; also a railroad station.
Harrison Hubbard.—On what is known as the " west road," in the town of
Manchester, stands an attractive looking and large dwelling house; and to the
west of that, extending some distance back toward the mountain, is a fine farm
of two hundred acres, the property of Harrison Hubbard. This splendid loca¬
tion has become somewhat prominent during late years as a resort for sum¬
mer visitors. Harrison Hubbard was born in Winhall, and of that town his
father, Cyrus Hubbard, was a pioneer, having settled there prior to 1810.
Cvrus had nine children : Silas, Eli, Lucinda, Mary, P.imelia, Phidela, Han¬
nah, William, and Harrison, the last three only being natives of Winhall. Har¬
rison came to Manchester about fifteen years ago, and purchased the farm on
which he now lives in 1879. The boarding capacity of the house is sufficient
for sixteen persons. About 1845 Mr. Hubbard married Ann Eaton, of which
marriage five children have been born.
The Jameson Family.—William Jameson came to Manchester from Lon¬
donderry, N. II., during the early years of the present century, and located
on what, to this day, is known as the " Jameson Flats." William had four
children, Aiken, William, James, and Polly, all of whom are now dead. Aiken
was born in Manchester in 1 806. He married Hannah Hicks, who bore him
six children: Olive, who married Milton Warner; Frances, who married Wil¬
liam C. Bowen ; Laura who married Horace Haskins ; Edward A., of Man¬
chester, and Smith, of East Dorset ; there was one other child that died in
infancy. Edward A. Jameson, who now lives in the east part of the town, is
known as one of the most successful business men of the community, and one
of the most progressive, thrifty farmers of the shire. He married Melvina
Johnson, of Winhall.
Horace S. Sykes was a son of Milton Sykes, and a grandson of Ashbel
Sykes, the latter a pioneer of the town of Rupert. Milton, the father of Horace
S., was born in East Rupert in March, 1796, and married Henrietta Gurnsey
in 1831. 1 heir children were Augustus K, Horace S., Henry C., Byron H.,
and Lucy A., all of whom were born in Rupert, Horace on November 7th,
1836. In 1862 he enlisted in Company C, Fourteenth Vermont Infantry, and
served one year, when he was discharged on account of severe sickness. On
39$
History of Bennington County.
the 13th of October, 1865 he married Delia E. Underbill, of East Rupert, by
whom he has had five children, two only of whom are now living. In 1879
Mr. Sykes and his family moved to Manchester on a farm, but in 1885 he oc¬
cupied a very desirable dwelling in the upper portion of the village of Factory
Point, now Manchester Center. Mr. Sykes is a farmer by occupation, but in
connection therewith has an extensive " milk route" in the town.
Elias P. Thompson.—The subject of this sketch was born in Rutland county,
and is now sixty-two years of age. He married Betsey Dawson, by whom lie
had three children: Pht.be Taylor, Belle Gillis, and Herbert E Mr. Thomp¬
son moved to the north part of Manchester town some thirty-five or forty
years ago. Herbert E. Thompson was born in Manchester in 1856. He is a
farmer by leading occupation, but when not busy on the farm his time is de¬
voted to the sale of musical instruments, in which he is quite an extensive
dealer.
Gilman Wilson.—This son of Samuel and Margaret Wilson, was born
August 28, 1806; Gilman. in 1828, married Cythia Curtis, by whom he had
seven children: Martha Ann, Isaac B., Matilda, Eliza Jane, William C, Samuel
D., and Sarah E. From 1828 until 1838 Mr. Wilson lived in Dorset, and
was connected with the marble industry theie, but, in the last named year he
became a resident of Manchester, where he continued the same line of business.
He died July 19, 1881.
XTENDING from the western border of the State eastward to the foot of
the Green Mountains lies the town of Arlington. In the northeastern part
the summit of Red Mountain towers aloft to the height of 3,017 feet above sea
level. Adjacent rises West Mountain and further south Spruce Peak. These
three extending north and south constitute a section of a short range of moun¬
tains of which Equinox in Manchester is the loftiest peak, and form an almost
impassable barrier, save where the Battenkill breaks through between the Red
and the West. Extending westward from this range and gradually decreasing
in height are three ranges of hills, amongst which, opening towards the west,
are as many valleys, of which the largest and most northern is the Battenkill.
At the State line this valley has a minimum elevation above sea level of about
CHAPTER XXII.
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF ARLINGTON.1
1 By O. M. Barber, esq., of Arlington.
Town of Arlington.
399
five hundred feet, being perhaps the lowest altitude of the surrounding towns
in the county. Arlington is located in latitude 43°, 4', and longitude 30 and
50', and is bounded 011 the north by Sandgate ; cast by Sunderland ; south by
Shaftsbury, and west by the State of New York, and contains thirty-six square
miles. The Battenkill River enters the town from the northeast; thence flows
about two miles in a southwesterly direction, then turning nearly west passes
across the line into the State of New York. Among other tributaries it re¬
ceives within the town the waters of the RoaringBranch from Sunderland, Peter's
Branch from Glastenbury, Warm Brook from Shaftsbury, and Green River
from Sandgate, and forms the outlet for the waters of substantially all that por¬
tion of the county lying north of the middle portion of the town of Shaftsbury.
Arlington was chartered July 28, 1761, by Benning Wentworth, governor
of New Hampshire, to sixty-two original proprietors, the most of whom lived
in Litchfield, Conn. The township is six miles square, beginning, as the
charter has it, at a point six miles due north from the northwest corner of Ben¬
nington. It was to be divided into sixty eight equal shares, one to each of
the original proprietors, two to Governor Wentworth, one to the society for
the propagation of the Gospel in foreign parts, one for a glebe for the Church
of England, one for the first settled minister, and one for the benefit of schools.
Among the privileges given by the charter was the right, when fifty families
should have settled in the town, to hold two fairs annually, also the right to
hold a market day each week. The charter was conditioned that there should
be paid annually for the first ten years as rental for said township, one ear of
Indian corn, and after the expiration of the decade each proprietor should pay
annually forever at the rate of one shilling for each one hundred acres. It
was finally provided that the first meeting of the proprietors of the township
for the choice of town officers should be holden in the town of Pownal on the
first Wednesday of October, 1761. The first meeting of which there is any
record was held at the house of Isaac Van Arnum in Pownal on the 22d day
of October, 1762. John Searl was chosen moderator, and Simon Burton, pro¬
prietors' clerk. The meeting adjourned to the next day, when Isaac Searl,
John Searl, Simon Burton and others were appointed a committee to lay out
part of the new township. A collector and treasurer were elected, and a tax
voted to defray the charges of laying out the town and clearing roads. The
committee was instructed to lay out a road through North Shaftsbury at the
expense of the proprietors of Arlington The meeting adjourned to convene
at the house of William Searl in Arlington on the first day of June, 1763.
I he proprietors met at Searl's pursuant to the adjournment, and among other
things voted " to give Mr. Van Arnum of Pownal nine shillings L. M. Y. for
troubling his house for sundry meetings holden there."
The first settlement in Arlington was pr >bably made in 1762, but the ex¬
act date is not known. William and John Searl, Simon Burton and Ebenezer
400
History of Bennington County.
Wallace were the first settlers. Jehial Hawley and Josiah Hawley, Remem¬
ber Baker and Thomas Peck were among the settlers who came to town the
next year. To encourage immigration the proprietors voted at a town meeting
holden June i, 1763 a bounty to the first ten persons settling in town within
one year.
The seventh meeting was held at the house of Simon Burton May 16,1764,
and Jehial Hawley, who from that time until the breaking out of the Revolu¬
tion was one of the most influential men of the section, was chosen to fill several
offices. Remember Baker who afterwards bore a conspicuous part in the his¬
tory of the locality was also elected to office. The proprietors at this time
voted to " give fifty acres of land to any man that will set up a grist-mill on a
stream about east from Simon Burton (who then lived where Mrs. Sally Mc¬
Laughlin now resides), if said mill be up and fit to grind by the first day of
November next." This bounty was voted to Remember Baker July 22, 1766,
he having built the grist-mill and a saw-mill near by. The site of these mills
was substantially the same as that of A. R. Brown's grist-mill in East Arling¬
ton at the present time.
December 3, 1767, Captain Hawley was chosen proprietors' agent to go to
Stockbridge to treat with the Indians concerning the lands. There is no
knowledge of the nature of this Indian claim. Tradition says there were Indi¬
ans then residing in the town who possibly were related to those in Stockbridge.
However, the matter was probably satisfactorily arranged as the record makes
no future mention of it.
In 1770, pursuant to a vote of the town, the burying ground now near the
Episcopal Church was laid out. By the report of the committee who did the
work it contained one acre, and was about the middle of the town green, which
contained three acres surrounding it.
Tradition, if not history, has it that in 1777 the records of the town were
lost or destroyed by Isaac Bisco, the then town clerk, who is said to have
turned Tory and fled to Canada. It is said that after the Revolution he was
written to and visited by persons interested in recovering the records and that
he claimed they were buried in a kettle. Tradition says also that with the
records he buried gold and silver coin. It is possible that the records of some
of the earliest conveyances of real estate or the deeds themselves, as there may
be doubt if there was any record made of many of them, were lost or destroyed.
The charter certainly is missing. The fact is, however, that with hardly a
break, the records of town meetings from the first, though some are so worn
as to be hardly legible, remain in the town clerk's office; likewise a record of
a large number of the earliest surveys and deeds. It may therefore be prop¬
erly a matter of doubt if any substantial portion of the records ever were de¬
stroyed. The'first town meeting to be held in any but a private house was
held in the Episcopal Church in 1787.
Town of Arlington.
401
During the troublous times before the breaking out of the Revolution
while the contest between the settlers of the New Hampshire Grants and the
inhabitants of New York was being carried on, and contemporaneous with the
period when the " beech-seal " was at divers times impressed upon the backs
of the Yorkers, Arlington was the scene of some stirring events.
In the extreme eastern part of the town, near his grist-mill, lived Remem¬
ber Baker, for whose capture, as well as that of others of the leaders of the
Green Mountain Boys, Governor Tryon of New York had offered a reward.
About daylight March 22, 1772, a band of men led by John Munroe, of Shafts-
bury, surrounded and broke into his house, wounded Baker and his wife, and
finally made off towards New York with him a prisoner. An alarm was at
once given. Baker's friends rallied, pursued Munroe and his party some miles
across the border, overtook them, and after dispersing his captors, returned
with Baker. Historians differ as to whether the rescuing party was composed
of men from the vicinity or of residents of Bennington. Without attempting
to decide who were entitled to the credit of being his rescuers it would seem
us probable that the Arlington party composed ol Joseph and Lemuel Brad¬
ley, Curtis Hawley, Ebenezer Walls, and others equally energetic, all of whom
were his neighbors, would as likely be his rescuers as the residents of Benning¬
ton, some fifteen miles away. At the opening of the Revolution Baker joined
the Provincial forces and was with Montgomery's command in the operations
against St. Johns, Canada. In August, 1775, while reconnoitering the position
of the enemy he was snot by an Indian. After Allen and Warner there was
110 man who rendered better service to the settlers, or who bore a more dis¬
tinguished part in the contest over the New Hampshire Grants than Remem¬
ber Baker. At the time of his death he was only thirty-five years of age.
During the latter part of 1772 Captain Jehial Hawley was one of the agents
sent to England to solicit the interposition of royal authority to settle the titles
of the grants.
November 25, 1773 one Jacob Marsh was arrested by Seth Warner and Re¬
member Baker, and tried at a tavern kept by Abel Hawley. He seems to have
been charged with having accepted a commission as justice of the peace under
the authority of the State of New York, and of having acquired or claimed
title to lands under the jurisdiction of the same colony. After hearing he was
admonished to desist from any acts acknowledging or extending the authority
of New York under " pains of having his house burned and reduced to ashes,
and his person punished at their pleasure," and dismissed with a certificate of
his trial signed by the judges, Samuel Tubs, Nathaniel Spencer and Phillip
Perry, attested by Seth Warner. In 1774 Dr. Samuel Adams was so active in
his advocacy of the New York side that he was arrested and carried to Ben¬
nington. After a hearing lie was convicted as an enemy, and punished by be¬
ing hoisted to the catamount sign and there suspended for two hours.
51
History of Bennington County.
During a portion of this period, and perhaps later, Ethan Allen was resid¬
ing in the town near the site of the present railroad station, and the well now
in use just south of it tradition says was dug by him.
The beginning of the Revolution found a large portion of the citizens of
Arlington sympathizers of the Tory cause. Sooner or later many of the prin¬
cipal landholders and influential men of the town either voluntarily left or
were driven out, and their estates confiscated by the Provincial government.
In the early part of the struggle an event occurred in Arlington, which
can perhaps be best given in the language of Rev. F. A. Wadleigh : "After the
battle of Hubbardton, Colonel Warner and his men came south to Manchester,
where they stopped for a time. It was probably during this progress that
another tragedy occurred worthy of record. Men were sent out as usual for
provisions. Colonel Lyon with a company, of whom David Mallory was one,
started for the purpose of taking cattle from the Tories. Samuel Adams col¬
lected a company for resistance. As Mallory had been a member of his fam¬
ily (having studied medicine with him) he warned him of the probable conse¬
quences. Hard words passed, and they separated to execute their respective
intentions. Colonel Lyon's company collected quite a drove of cattle and
were driving them up from " down river," or West Arlington. Opposite the
present residence of Solomon Goewey is an island on which Adams and his
men were concealed. As soon as Mallory appeared Adams showed himself
and ordered him to stop. A threat was the only reply. Adams coolly said
that in case himself was shot there were men ready who would instantly rid¬
dle him. Upon this Mallory raised his piece, but not being quick enough was
instantly shot down by Adams. Just then a horn was heard calling laborers
to dinner. This was taken as a signal for the gathering of the Tories. Lyon's
men fled, the cattle returned to their owners, and the wounded man, aban¬
doned by friends and foes, with difficulty got to the roadside. He was taken
up by one passing by and carried to the house of Ebenezer Leonard, where
after a few hours he died." Adams fled to Canada, and in 1778 his prop¬
erty was confiscated and his family sent within the British lines. At the bat¬
tle of Bennington it is said that men from Arlington were fighting on each
side, and when Burgoyne surrendered five or six of the inhabitants of this town
were among those serving in his army and made prisoners.
About 1777 Governor Thomas Chittenden, Matthew Lyon and John Fas-
set moved to Arlington. Governor Chittenden took possession of Captain
Hawley's house, which is the one north of the old "West store," as it is called.
Hawley before this had sought the protection of Burgoyne, and his large estates
had been confiscated. Lyon took possession of a house a short distance away
from Governor Chittenden's, and very near the site of the present railroad
station. Between these two houses a vault was dug and walled up, which was
used as a place of confinement for such persons as fell under the displeasure of
Town of Arlington.
403
the council. April 7, 1778 the governor and council met at the house of El-
nathan Murwin, and after that many meetings of this body were held in Arling¬
ton. Fasset for several years was commissioner for the sale of confiscated land.
The owners of several farms as well as some other real estate in Arlington
to-day derive title to their lands from the Council of Safety. At the freemen's
meeting of 1778 Ethan Allen was elected to represent the town. He refused
to serve, and Matthew Lyon was chosen in his stead. Soon after the close
of the war Governor Chittenden and his associates removed from Arlington.
Though much might be said of these men, their lives are so much a matter of
general history that no further mention need here be made. With peace came
a renewal of prosperity. Some who had left the town during the war came
back; new settlers came in ; a committee was appointed to revise, correct and
complete many half-finished surveys; the records were carefully written up ;
new roads were laid out and new enterprises undertaken.
On November 25, 1782 the town was divided into five school districts.
While there is no record evidence of the fact there is no doubt but the first
school was held in what is now called District No. 2, several years anterior to
the time of this first districting of the town. In 1823 the town was divided
into substantially the same school districts as at present—nine in number —
save that subsequently Nos. 4 and 8 were consolidated, leaving eight districts
at present. There have been none but common schools in town, except that
the Episcopal Society has at intervals maintained a parochial school.
In 1859 the town house, containing a commodious hall on the second floor
for town meetings and rooms underneath used by the Young Men's Association
for library and reading rooms, was built.
The first recorded action of the town in regard to the town highways was
made on June 20, 1764, when it was voted that the main road north and south
be four rods wide. This formed subsequently a section of the stage-route from
Rutland to Troy, N. Y. It passed through the village of Arlington, where
stood the first post-office and probably the first tavern in the town. The for¬
mer was kept in the house now owned by Jesse Burdette. The first postmaster,
Norman Hinsdale, was appointed April 1, 1805. He was succeeded in 1816
by Martin C. Deming, and this office for many years was the only one in town.
I his building was also for many years used as a store. The Bennington and
Rutland Railroad passes through the town, having its station at the "street."
In 1812 a mill for sawing marble was erected near the present site of E. M.
Lathrop's. This was perhaps the first in the State, save the one at Middle-
bury. Several extensive quarries of marble were soon opened, other mills
erected, and the output of manufactured marble soon reached an annual value
of thousands of dollars. To-day none is quarried, but large deposits of this
valuable product still lie underneath the surface awaiting only the judicious
application of captial to yield rich returns. The publication of the American
4°4
History of Bennington County.
Register, a weekly newspaper, was begun in 1817 by E. Gilman Storer. This
paper was probably published two years or more. Three copies of different
issues are now possessed by Mr. Z. H. Canfield. The printing office was in the
house now owned by Michael Morissey ; and it may be remarked in passing
that it was built as a residence by Daniel Church, the first lawyer who lived in
town.
October 12, 1799 a Masonic body was chartered, under the name of New¬
ton- Lodge. In the time of anti-Masonic excitement, in common with many
other lodges, it disbanded. Red Mountain Lodge, 63, F. and A. M. was char¬
tered January 10, 1863, and is a prosperous body.
Dudley Post G. A. R., No. 28, was chartered November 28, 1870, with
eleven charter members. The rooms of the Young Men's Library Association
are used for their meetings.
Arlington contains but a small proportion of tillable land. The soil is fer¬
tile, and if properly cultivated yields large returns. Sheep raising is an impor¬
tant industry. The mountains and hills are covered with quite a variety of
timber, consisting principally of chestnut, oak, beech, birch, maple and elm.
There is also considerable pine and some walnut in the town. On the Batten-
kill are located, near the west line, the woodworking shop and saw-mill of Will¬
iam's & Teft, and at the "street," the shop and mills of E. M. Lathrop. Near
the railroad station are the woodworking shops and saw-mill of D. G. Barney,
and the old car shop works and machine shop of G W. Miltimore, each driven
by steam power. At East Arlington are located the extensive chair shops of
H. A. Hale, the saw frame factory of Judson & Deming, the machine shop of
Ira Canfield, the grist mill of A. R. Brown, and the woodworking shop of B.
W. Safford.
A. S. Canfield and Warren Cole also own and operate a saw-mill in town.
Arlington has for many years produced a large amount of manufactured wooden
goods of different varieties, and furnishes a profitable market for the wood and
timber of the surrounding towns. It is also the shipping point for a large
amount of lumber from Sunderland and Sandgate. The mercantile interest
is represented by Judson & Deming, and N. G. Hard, at East Arlington;
Woodworth & Canfield, O. E. Adams, and C. B. Viault, at the "street; and
H. T. Eaton, at West Arlington. The hotel is located at the "street, and is
conducted by W. C. Bartlett. In beauty and magnificence the scenery of Ar¬
lington is unrivaled. Nowhere can be found more picturesque drives than
among her hills and valleys, and a clear sunset in June, when old "Sol goes
to rest in the notch where the "Kill" breaks through between the mountains,
is a sight when once seen is never to be forgotten. From near the house where
dwelt Governor Chittenden, gazing westward, one beholds the landscape rep¬
resented on the State seal. The legend is that an English officer who had
secret business with the governor w^is so impressed with the beauty of the view
Town of Arlington.
405
from the west window of the house that he engraved the same upon one of the
governor's drinking cups. This cup was made of the horn of an ox, and had a
wooden bottom. The engraved cup afterwards came to the attention of Ira
Allen, and with a slight alteration was adopted for the State seal.
Churches.—The exact date of the organization of the Episcopal Church is
unknown. Its records open at August 16, 1784. Meetings for public religious
worship were held, and the church society undoubtedly had an organization
long before the Revolution. Jehial Hawley was for several years lay-reader.
James Nichols, the first settled minister, was hired in 1784, at an annual salary
of twenty-five pounds, and to increase as the grand list of the members increased
but not to exceed thirty pounds per annum. The services for public worship
prior to 1784, and probably most of the time prior to 1804, were held in pri¬
vate houses. The records of the society show that 011 the 6th day of Novem¬
ber, 1784 a committee was appointed to confer with Governor Chittenden con¬
cerning the location of the church. At a meeting of the society held on the
15th day of the same month it was voted to build a church in the east part of
the town, and a committee appointed to superintend the work. In 1788 Mr
Nichols was dismissed, and from that time until 1803, when it was voted to
complete the church, there were, so far as the records show, but three or four
business meetings of the society. From this, and the fact that the town sup
ported religious worship in the interim, it is safe to say that the church society
did not. November 7, 1791 the town voted to and subsequently did hire Rev.
Russell Catlin for four years on the following terms: seventy pounds for a set
tlement and an annual salary of fifty pounds, to increase as the grand list in¬
creased, but not to exceed sixty pounds yearly. The settlement was payable
in cattle and grain, and the salary in grain. A tax was voted on the grand
list of the town to defray this, and a collector appointed to collect the same.
Mr. Catlin preached under this contract until November 7, 1796, when by
a vote of the town he was dismissed at his own request. During his incum¬
bency the records of the town meetings show that it was voted to finish the
church, but nothing appears to show that the vote was carried out. With the
expiration of Mr. Catlin's service the support of preaching by the town as such
seems to have ended, and so far as appears from the records of either town or
church 110 settled minister preached in town after Mr. Catlin until February 1,
1803 when the Rev. Abram Brownson was hired. The church was finished by
the society about this time, and preaching has been maintained by it ever since.
I he building was known as the "Yellow Church," and occupied the site of the
present stone church. At this time a goodly portion of the members of the
hpiscopal Society resided at the west part of the town, some four or five miles
distan-t. And in the latter part of the year 1802 those persons met and voted
to build a church. It was finished in 1804, and is the same church now stand¬
ing 011 what is known as the "Green," in West Arlington.
4O6
History of Bennington County.
The "Yellow" church was for a long time known as " Bethel," and the
one on the "Green " as " Bethesda." " Bethel" has now for many years been
called " St. James." In 1823 the society at the " street," in compliance with the
general act of the Legislature, was formally organized under the name of the
Protestant Episcopal Church of Arlington. In 1829-30 the old "Yellow"
church was torn down and the present stone edifice erected. This society al¬
ways has, and does now hold and collect the rent of what is known as the
" glebe," vested in it by virtue of the town's charter. In course of time the
control of "Bethesda" church seems to have passed, by tacit consent, from the
Episcopal Society, and h now used for public worship by a Union society.
As a curious circumstance connected with the hiring of the minister by the
town it is recorded that the question of hiring a candidate to preach was sev¬
eral times that year brought up in the town meetings. At one of these the
committee appointed for that purpose reported that there was no prospect of
finding any. At another it was voted to hire none. And the evident fight
culminuted in a motion " to have the town divided into two separate and dis¬
tinct societies so far as appertains to religious worship, supporting a minister
of the Gospel, building houses of public worship, etc." On this motion the
vote was sixteen ayes and sixteen nays. At the next meeting harmony seemed
to prevail, and the town voted to hire its preacher without a dissenting voice.
November 2, 1843 the Congregational Church Society of Sunderland and
East Arlington was organized with nine members. The present Congrega¬
tional Church in East Arlington was completed and dedicated July 20, 1848.
Rev Mr. Kitchel and Rev. A. W. Nott supplied the pulpit for the first six
years. Preaching has been maintained most of the time in the church. The
Rev. Joshua Collins who was ordained and installed March 27, i860 being the
only regular pastor.
In 1856 a Methodist Society was organized in East Arlington, and a church
was completed and dedicated February 22, 1857* Rev. S. W. Clemens being
the first appointed minister. At the present time the pastor has charge ot
this church and also the one at Sandgate.
The St Columbia Roman Catholic Church, located at the "street," was
dedicated in 1878, Rev. T. J. Gaffany filling the pulpit for the first ten years.
Town of Dorset.
CHAPTER XXIII.
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF DORSET, i
DORSET is situated immediately north of Manchester, and borders on Rut¬
land county on the north. It is midway between Bennington and Rut¬
land, and is located on the Bennington and Rutland Railroad, which passes
through the eastern portion of the township. The general aspect of the town
is mountainous; the extreme eastern part being bordered its entire length by
the Green Mountain range, while through the center of the town, running
northerly, extends a branch of the Taconic Mountains, of which Mount yEolus,
or Dorset Mountain is the highest, with the exception of Mount Equinox, be¬
ing 3,148 feet above tide water. On this mountain are several valuable
marble quarries some of which are about 1,400 feet above the railroad in the
valley, less than two miles to the east. Above the south quarry is Dorset
Cave, its elevation being nearly 1,800 feet above the village of East Dorset.
It opens into the mountain 011 the almost perpendicular wall, and slopes down¬
ward towards the west, the entrance being from twelve to fifteen feet in diame¬
ter, and extending with uniform size 100 feet or more, when several narrow
passages are found, leading into rooms of considerable size. Beyond these the
passages continue farther than have been explored. Geologists claim this cave
to have been the bed of a river, and on account of currents of air coming from
the narrow passages, suppose openings to exist on the western slope of the
mountain.
A peculiarity of the climate of this township is the light fall of snow in win¬
ter, as compared with towns on the corresponding eastern slope, which are
covered with a great depth of snow.
It may be proper to add in this connection that in i860 the senior class of
Amherst College, in company with the able geologist, Dr. C. H. Hitchcock,
visited this neighborhood and Dorset Mountain in particular, christening the
latter, with appropriate ceremonies, Mount /Eolus. The solution furnished by
this scientific body for the somewhat singular phenomenon above referred to
is as follows: /Eolus, God of the winds, fled from fallen Greece, and took up his
abode in the caves and marbled halls of this mountain. When this God, so
kroes the myth, calls home Boreas, driving before him snow and hail, then
1 By George M. Viall, esq., of East Dorset.
408
History of Bennington County.
comes Auster (the south wind) too, with warm breath and weeping showers,
and volute frost work and scroll soon disappear.1
" We'll tell again that old, old tale,
Of /Eolus of yore,
Who from his cave hard by the vale,
So loudly used to roar.
Chorus.— "Blow, blow, blow, blow, blow, blow, blow,
North, South, and East and West,
Blow, blow, blow, blow, blow, blow, blow,
With ne'er a place to rest.
"He left that home long years ago,
That home of Auld Lang Syne,
Many a land he's wandered through,
And o'er the ocean's brine.
We've brought him here with us to-day,
We'll leave him here to rest,
While wind and storm shall come alway
And go, at his behest.
Chorus.—" Blow, blow, etc.
"This mountain grand, henceforth all men,
Mount /Eolus shall call,
Till earth shall sink, and loose again
The giant's mighty thrall.
Then blow ye winds, ye breezes all,
Obey your king's command,
He sits in this grand marble hall,
Ye are his servant band.
Chorus.—" Blow, blow, etc."
A portion of Equinox Mountain lies in the southwestern part of the town,
with West Mountain farther to the north.
Thus it will be seen that the town is divided into two parellel valleys, in
one of which is located the village of West Dorset, or Dorset proper, while
1 "Saturday morning, October 13, i860, about thirty members of the class, in company
with Mr. Charles H. Hitchcock, visited the quarries and cave, and on the natural platform just
below its entrance performed the christening ceremonies. Mr. Hitchcock spoke briefly of the
geological structure of the mountain, especially remarkable for the horizontal position of its
strata. The existence of a cave, evidently an old river bed, at such an elevation showed how
wonderful had been the transformation in this section of the country. He poured a bottle of
pure water upon the mountain and christened it Mount yEolus, a name well corresponding to
Mount Equinox, near by, and appropriate because this is a region of winds, and because this
lofty mountain so much affects their direction and power in the neighboring valleys. Suitable,
moreover, because /Eolus dwelt in a cave—very likelv in this, for no one could prove that he
lived anywhere else, and this mountain is higher and better adapted for his residence than
Stromboli, where he was fabled to dwell. Mr. Frederick Field, who accompanied the party up
the mountain, in the name of the citizens of Dorset expressed to the class their gratification at
this visit, and their acceptance of the name bestowed upon the hoary mountain, to which they
all looked up with so much love and reverence. An appropriate poem was then read, and the
song, of which the following is an extract, was sung : "
Town of Dorset.
409
three miles to the south is the village of South Dorset. In the eastern valley
two villages are found, East Dorset and North Dorset, three miles apart,
through which passes the Bennington and Rutland Railroad. In this valley
are found the sources of Otter Creek and Battenkill River, the former wind¬
ing its way to the north and emptying into Lake Champlain, the latter flow¬
ing southerly and westerly to the Hudson. In the western valley are also two
rivers; one, the Mettawee or Pawlet River, flowing to the north, the other
flowing south and joining the Battenkill in Manchester. These apparently
deep valleys are thus shown to be a watershed. It may be well to mention a
peculiarity in regard to the mountain springs and streams, all waters from the
Green Mountains on the east being very soft, while those from the west are
hard, being impregnated with lime.
The soil is mostly gravelly 011 the hills; all along the rivers it is loam, free
from stones, quite fertile, and good grazing land. The scenery from the moun¬
tain roads, and especially from Mount yEolus, is magnificent. The thriving
villages of Manchester and those beyond, with fruitful fields in the broad val¬
ley of the Battenkill, are plainly to be seen to the south, while on either side,
the hills and mountains rise in pleasing succession as far as the eye can reach,
and give a sublime beauty to the background of the picture. As one passes
from this point northward on the east side of Mount yEolus is seen almost at
our feet the villages of East and North Dorset, with the Green Mountains ris¬
ing abruptly on the cast, forming a narrow valley, which seems to lose itself
in the mountains to the north. Northwesterly from Mount yEolus stands Owl's
Head, with a chain of other lesser peaks, until the last member of the arm,
called the Pinnacle, " is laid in the lap of the valley" just back of Dorset vil¬
lage. The western slope of Mount yEolus is much less abrupt than its eastern,
and the valley between it and the Equinox range 011 the west is much broader
and more fertile than the valley on the east. The village of South Dorset,
devoted exclusively to the marble interest, is nestled to the southwest, while
the village of Dorset, well to the north, occupies quite an area of fertile land,
and is the oldest and most attractive village in town. This model village,
cradled between hills, with a tiny lake set like a gem in its midst, with its
shaded and well kept streets beautified by handsome residences, and neat cot-
tages, has many objects suggestive of memories of early days.
This town was chartered by Benning YVentworth, the governor of New
Hampshire, August 20, 1761, to about sixty proprietors. It may be interest-
ing to give the original charter of Dorset, as found in the town records.
"Province of New Hampshire.
"George the third, by the grace of God, of Grate Britan, France and Ire¬
land King, defender of the Faith, etc.
" lo all persons to whom these presents shall come, greeting: Know ye that
512
4io
History of Bennington County.
we of our special grace, certain knowledge and mere motion for the due en¬
couragement of settling a new plantation within our said province, by and with
the advice of our truly and well beloved Benning Wentworth, esquire, our gov¬
ernor and commander-in-chief of our said Province of New Hampshire, in New
England and of our council of the said province, have upon the conditions and
reservations hereinafter made, given and granted, and by these presents for us
our heirs and successors, do give and grant in equal shares unto our loving
subjects, inhabitants of our said Province of New Hampshire and our other
governments, and to their heirs and assigns forever, whose names are entered
on this grant, to be divided to and amongst them into seventy equal shares, all
that tract or parcel of land situate lying and being within our said Province of
New Hampshire, containing by admeasurement twenty-three thousand and
forty acres, which tract is to contain six miles square and no more, out of which
an allowance is to be made for highways and unimprovable lands by rocks,
ponds, mountains and rivers, one thousand and forty acres free according to a
plan and survey thereof made by our said governor's order, and returned into
the secretary's office and hereunto annexed, butted and bounded as follows:
viz., at the northwest corner of Manchester from thence due north six miles,
from thence due east six miles, from thence due south six miles to the north¬
east corner of Manchester aforesaid, thence due west by Manchester aforesaid
to the northwest corner thereof, being the bound first began at—and that the
same be and hereby is incorporated into a township by the name of Dorset.
And the inhabitants that do or shall hereafter inhabit the said township are
hereby declared to be enfranchised with and entitled to all and every the privi¬
leges, immunities that other towns within our province by law exercise and
enjoy, and further that the said town as soon as there shall be fifty families
resident and settled thereon shall have the liberty of holding two fairs, and
that as soon as the said town shall consist of fifty families a market may be
opened and kept one or more days in each week as may be thought most ad-
vantagious to the inhabitants. Also that the first meeting for the choice of
town officers agreeable to the laws of our said province shall be held on the
fourth Tuesday in November next, which said meeting shall be notified by
Gideon Lyman, esq., who is hereby also appointed the moderator of the said
first meeting, which he is to notify and govern agreeable to the laws and cus¬
toms of our said province, and that the annual meeting forever hereafter for
the choice of such officers for the said town shall be on the second Tuesday of
March annually. To have and to hold the said tract of land as above expressed,
together with all privileges and appurtenances, to them and their respective
heirs and assigns forever, upon the following conditions, viz.:
" First, that every grantee, his heirs, or assigns shall plant and cultivate five
acres of land within the term of five years for every fifty acres contained in his
or their share or proportion of land in said township, and continue to improve
Town of Dorset.
411
and settle the same by additional cultivation on penalty of the- forfeiture of his
grant or share in the said township and of its reverting to us our heirs and suc¬
cessors to be by us or them regranted to such of our subjects as shall effectu¬
ally settle and cultivate the same.
"Second, that all white and other pine trees within the said township fit for
masting our royal navy be carefully preserved for that use, and none to be cut
or felled without our special license for so doing first had and obtained upon
the penalty of the forfeiture of the right of such grantee, his heirs and assigns
to us our heirs and successors, as well as being subject to the penalty of any act
or acts of Parliament that now are or hereafter shall be enacted.
" Third, that before division of the land be made to and among the gran¬
tees, a tract of land as near the center of the said township as the land will
admit of shall be reserved and marked out for town lots, one of which shall be
allotted to each grantee of the contents of one acre.
"Fourth, yielding and paying therefor to us, our heirs and successors for the
space of ten years, to be computed from the date hereof, the rent of one ear of
Indian corn only on the twenty-fifth day of December annually, if lawfully de¬
manded, the first payment to be made on the 25th day of December, 1762.
" Fifth, every proprietor, settler or inhabitant shall yield and pay unto us, our
heirs and succesors yearly and every year, forever, from and after the expira¬
tion of ten years from the above said 25th day of December, which will be in
the year of our Lord 1772, one shilling proclamation money for every hundred
acres lie so owns, settles or possesses, and so in proportion for a greater or lesser
tract of the said land, which money shall be paid by the respective persons
above said, their heirs or assigns. In our council chamber in Portsmouth, or
to such officer or officers as shall be appointed to receive the same, and this to
be in lieu of all rents and services whatsoever. In testimony whereof we have
caused the seal of our said province to be hereunto affixed. Witness Benning
Wentworth, esq., our governor and commander in-chief of our said province,
the 20th day of August, in the year of our Lord Christ one thousand seven hun¬
dred and sixty-one, and in the first year of our reign. By his Excellency's
command. B. wentworth.
" With advice of Council.
"Theodore Atkinson, Sec'y.
"Province of New Hampshire, August 20, 1761. Recorded according to
the original under the province seal, pages 137, 138.
"Per Theodore Atkinson, Sec'y.
" Copy of Record
" Examined by George King, D. Sec'y."
In the list of original grantees of Dorset we find the following:
" His Excellency Benning Wentworth, esq. A tract of land to contain five
412
History of Bennington County.
hundred acres which is to be accounted two shares, one whole share for the in¬
corporated society for the propagation of the Gospel in foreign parts; one share
for a glebe for the Church of England as by law established ; one share for the
first settled minister, and one shase for the benefit of a school in town."
The first settlement was made in 1768 by Felix Powell, from Massachusetts;
Isaac Lacey, from Connecticut; and Benjamin Baldwin, Abraham Underhill
John Manley and George Gage, from New York. The first record to be found
in regard to the organization of the town is a warning of a proprietors' meet¬
ing to be held at the house of Isaac Lacey, on Tuesday, May 23, 1769, which
meeting was holden agreeably to said warning, and Ebenezer Lacey was chosen
moderator; Isaac Lacey, proprietors' clerk; Abraham Underhill and Ebe¬
nezer Lacey were chosen committee to lay out lands and highways. At this
meeting Felix Powell was voted fifty acres of land gratis, on account of his be¬
ing the first settler, said land to be chosen where he saw fit. The first record
of proprietors, treasurer and collector was in January, 1782, when Benjamin
Baldwin was chosen treasurer and Abijah Dunning collector; and a little far¬
ther on we find it was voted to raise a tax of five shillings on each proprietors'
right of land in Dorset, to be paid in wheat. Thus it appears that the land
proprietors levied and collected taxes for the purpose of defraying expenses
incurred in the division and laying out of lands, and the building of highways
independently of the ordinary town expenditures, and their meetings related
exclusively to this business.
The first warning for a town meeting as recorded is as follows:
" Warning.—These are to notify and warn the freeholders and inhabitants
of the township of Dorset to meet at the house of Mr. Abraham Underhill, inn-
holder in said Dorset, on Tuesday the eighth day of March next at two of the
clock in the afternoon for the following purpose: First to choose a moderator
to govern the meeting. Second to choose town officers agreeable to the char¬
ter of the said Dorset. Given under our hands this 26th day of February, a.
d. 1774, at Dorset. " Asa Baldwin,
"A true copy test, " Ab'r. underhill.
"Asa Baldwin, Town Clerk."
At a meeting held in accordance with above warning Cephas Kent was
chosen moderator; Asa Baldwin, town clerk; Cephas Kent, John Manley and
Asa Baldwin selectmen, and George Gage, constable. This is believed to be
the first town meeting held in Dorset. The first committee of safety was
chosen in March, 1778, and consisted of Cephas Kent, John Manley, Asahel
Hermon, Ebenezer Moise and Ephraim Reynolds. The first town treasurer,
Cephas Kent, was chosen in 1778. First tax voted fourpence on the pound,
1780. According to Deming Cephas Kent was the first representative chosen
in March, 1778, while both Deming and the " Vermont Historical Magazine
say that Abraham Underhill represented the town in the General Assembly in
Town of Dorset.
4' 3
October, 1778, '80, '81 and '84. but we find 110 record of either in Dorset. The
Congregational Church of Dorset was organized September 22, 1784 by Rev.
Elijah Sill, from New Fairfield, Conn.
"From the first settlement and organization of the towns in the New
Hampshire Grants, each had by its charter the right of self-government in
March meeting, by the election of town officers and ordering town affairs.
This power was vested in "the inhabitants' by the New Hampshire charters.
When in June, I770 the New York court repudiated these charters, and the
towns west of the Green Mountains had resolved " to support their rights and
property under the New Hampshire Grants against their usurpation and unjust
claims of the governor and council by force, as law and justice were denied
them,' these towns appointed town committees of safety 'whose business it was
to attend to their defense and security against the New York claimants.' These
committees afterwards met from time to time as occasion seemed to demand,
in general convention to consult upon and adopt measures for their common
protection," and when met together in each county constituted the county com¬
mittee of safety. The first meeting of these committees convened at Dorset,
July 26, 1775, and is reported in "Vermont Historical Society Collections,"
vol. 1, as follows: " At a meeting of the committees of the several townships
on the New Hampshire Grants west of the range of the Green Mountains, con¬
vened at the house of Mr. Cephas Kent innholder in the township of Dorset, J uly
26, 1775, voted as follows, viz : 1st. Chose Mr Nathan Clarke chairman. 2d.
Chose John Fassett clerk. 3d. The motion being made and seconded whether
the convention shall prosecute (proceed) in choosing field and other officers
according to the Provincial Congress and General Schuyler's directions, passed
in the affirmative. Then proceeded as follows: 4th. Chose Mr. Seth Warner
lieutenant-colonel for the regiment of Green Mountain Boys by a majority of
forty one to five. 5th. Chose Mr. Samuel Safford major for said regiment by a
majority of twenty-eight to seventeen. Then proceeded and chose seven cap¬
tains and fourteen lieutenants by a great majority."
But it can hardly be considered essentially within the scope of this chapter
to review the proceedings of the various assemblages within the town of Dor¬
set that had no special relation to the town's individual history. The proceed¬
ings of the several conventions will be found sufficiently stated in the earlier
p i^es of this volume, and need no repetition here.
Personal History—Of the first six settlers of Dorset we find an account ot
the descendants of only three families. The "Vermont Historical Magazine"
gives in part these sketches in regard to them :
The Baldwins became established in Dorset by the immigration to the town
of four brothers, Benjamin, Asa, Eleazer, and Elisha, with two other relatives,
Silas and 1 liomas Baldwin. Benjamin came first into town in 1768, and es^
tablished himself about a mile east of the village. Being a man of almost her-
414
History of Bennington County.
culean strength, of great business talent and enterprise, he soon surrounded
himself with the principal necessaries and many of the comforts of life. On
his farm were grown the first apples raised in town. He was a warm-hearted
and generous man. His house became the resort not only of the social, who
loved Uncle Ben's spicy stories and good cheer, but also of the poor and
needy, who were never sent "empty away." In all his purposes and desires
looking in a benevolent direction he was earnestly seconded by his wife the
kindly tempered, patient, and loving Aunt Ruth, the mother, not only of a
dozen children of her own, but the foster-mother of every poor child in the
neighborhood. He at one time was a man of the most substance of any in
town. His children mostly emigrated to the West. He died in 1830, aged
eighty-six years. The children of Benjamin Baldwin were as follows: Guy,
Edward, Benjamin, (the latter of whom died in 1772, and was the first person
buried in Maple Hill Cemetery,) Asa, Benjamin, 2d, William, Deborah, Rachel,
Sarah, Ruth, Thomas K., Lorena, and Mary.
John Manly, jr. was one of the first that settled in town, and was soon fol¬
lowed by his father, Deacon John Manly, whose wife was a half-sister of Ben¬
edict Arnold. Deacon Manly settled at Dorset village on the place still owned
by his descendants. He died in 1803, aged 90 years. • John Manly, jr. settled
on the farm still owned by his great grandson, John B. Manly.
Captain Abraham Underhill was among the earliest settlers of South Dor¬
set. At his house in I774was held the first town meeting. Captain Under¬
hill commanded the volunteer company which was raised for the defense of the
country. Being a man of very humane feelings he did much to mitigate the
asperities of feeling existing between different parties, and by using his influ¬
ence with the Council of Safety was instrumental in restoring to the families of
the disaffected many a cow and horse of which they had been officially plun¬
dered. He represented the town at Windsor in 1788, and died in 1796. a£e^
66 years.
Eli Deming, one of the early settlers, located near Deming's Pond, he first
lived in a log house near the present residence of James H. Waite, and in 1786
built the house now known as the M. B. Roberts place. His son, Benjamin
Deming, lived and died there, and Mrs. M. B. Roberts, now in her 84th year,
a daughter of Benjamin Deming, has spent her entire life at the old homestead
which has been the home of six successive generations. Eli Deming, with his
brother Eliakin, and Colonel William Marsh, owned nearly all the lands lying
in the valley south of East Dorset through the town, and also many hundred
acres in Manchester.
Colonel William Marsh came into town just previous to the Revolutionary
War. He was one of the most able and active men in the early history of the
town, w<is very prominent in the General Convention of July 24, 1776, a mem-
ber of the association to defend by arms the United American States against
Town of Dorset.
4i5
the British, but notwithstanding all this he went over to the enemy and fled to
Canada, leaving his family in Dorset. His wife remained here, and in order to
secure her most valuable goods filled her brass kettle with her pewter ware and
silver spoons, and sunk them in a pond near her dwelling—so perfectly safe
that she never recovered them. The pond referred to is just north of the pres¬
ent residence of Robison Andrus.
In the "Vermont Historical Magazine" we find notices of other early set¬
tlers as follows:
William Ames, the progenitor of the Ames family, was born in Wethers-
field, Conn., and settled in Dorset in 1780. The original farm is still occupied
by his descendants.
Zachariah Curtis, the great grandfather of John Curtis of North Dorset,
was born in England, immigrated to Connecticut at the age of eighteen and
came to Dorset in 1769. He purchased nearly all the lands lying along the
valley through which now runs the Bennington and Rutland Railroad, a tract
running from East Dorset village northward some five miles in extent. He
was, however, no non resident proprietor, for he lived and died on his property,
raising up a family of twenty-five children, most of whom lived to maturity.
His house, standing at the outlet of Dorset Pond, was once burned by the
Indians.
Noah Morse came into Dorset from Massachusetts in 1778, and settled on
the place recently owned by the Hon. Ileman Morse. Not a descendant of
the family is at present in town.
Reuben Bloomer cam..- into town in 1774, and settled on the farm until re¬
cently owned by his descendants. He married Susannah Paddock, and raised
a family consisting of nine sons and eight daughters. He went with the army
to Hubbardton as teamster. In the summer of 1777, when nearly all the peo¬
ple, panic stricken at the threatened invasion of Burgoync, had fled, he still
remained on his farm. At this time a son of his, nine years old, died, and he
w.is reduced to the hard necessity of setting out for the place of burial alone.
Providentially a stranger came along and assisted the stricken father in bury¬
ing his dead. He himself died in 1824, aged eighty-eight years.
Deacon Cephas Kent was among the first settlers, and kept a tavern in
troublous times. This house of Deacon Kent's and the conventions held there
richly deserve conspicuous historic recognition. The house stood near the
present dwelling of Charles B. Kent 011 the west road through the town. Dea¬
con Kent was a sternly religious man, positive in all his opinions, frequently ex¬
pressing himself: "Verily, I will have it so." He had six sons, three if not
four of whom were in the battle of Bennington. He died in 1809, aged eighty-
four years. Cephas Kent was married in 1747 to Hannah Spencer, and came
to reside in Dorset in 1776. His children were Mary, John, Hannah Cephas,
Moses, Daniel, Mary, 2d., Alexander, Deborah, and Martin. A majority of
4i 6
History of Bennington County.
these children lived and died in Dorset, and all of them were born before
Deacon Kent became a resident of the town.
Titus Kellogg came into town soon after the Revolution, having served
five years during the war. Himself and two sons went to Plattsburg in the last
war with Great Britain. He was for many years the principal carpenter and
joiner in town.
Titus Sykes came into town before the Revolution, and was soon followed
by his father and brothers, Asbut, Jacob, Sylvanus, Victory and Israel. From
these have descended a large class of most respectable citizens, there being
at present many families of that name in town. Colonel Israel Newton Sykes
was born in Dorset October 20, 1805 ; was the son of Israel Sykes, and now
lives on the farm 011 which he was born. In 1831 he married Diana Gilbert,
who bore him seven children. Israel Sykes, father of Colonel Sykes, was born
in 1764 and died in 1846. His wife was Anna Sheldon, and was born Septem¬
ber 1, 1764, and died in 1838. Their children were Betsey, who died an infant;
Betsey, 2d, Aurelia, Harvey, Lucretia, Asaph and Israel. The last named
only of these is now living, and he, Colonel Israel N. Sykes, is nearly eighty-
four years of age.
Jonathan Armstrong was born in Norwich, Ct. At the age of sixteen he
went with the troops smt out by that colony to assist in taking the island of
Cuba; and so fatal was that disastrous expedition, that only a small number
of the one thousand Provincial troops ever survived to return. He was one of
only four of his company permitted to see again their native land. At the
Bennington battle he was a volunteer, and, assisted by another man, after the
first action was fought, took seven prisoners, one of whom was the notorious
Colonel Pfister While these two soldiers were marching their seven prisoners
toward Bennington they met Colonel Warner with whom Armstrong was ac¬
quainted, and communicated to him the fact of the coming reinforcement under
Baum, which information he had drawn from their prisoners. Warner ordered
them to take said prisoners to their meeting-house. Colonel Pfister was car¬
ried part of the way on the back of Armstrong. The latter moved into Dorset
in the autumn succeeding the battle of Bennington, and settled in that part of
the town known as the " Hollow." He married Abigail Haynes. Five broth¬
ers of his wife were likewise in the engagement at Bennington. Mr. Arm¬
strong died, aged eighty-three years.
The settlement made in Dorset by the pioneer, Jonathan Armstrong, was
more the result of accident than of design. His intention was to locate 111
Washington county, N. Y., but a person indebted to him offered lands in Dor¬
set in payment, and this the pioneer accepted, and then moved to the town
with his family. The children were Cyrus, Nathan, Claudis, Lois, Abagail, and
perhaps others whose names are lost. Of these Cyrus Armstrong was mar¬
ried twice; first to Laura Booth, who bore him one son, Laurel His second
Town of Dorset.
4i7
wife was Samantha Baldwin, and by her he had five children : Theodosia,
Laura, Augustin, Henrietta, and one other.
The Williams Family.—Oliver Williams, the pioneer of this fa mil}-, came
from Connecticut and settled in Dorset a number of years prior to the close of
the eighteenth century. Ilis first wife died in 1798, after which he married
Abigail Kent. The children ot these two marriages were : Horatio, Jerusha,
Norman, who was killed by a falling tree in 1819; Eliza, who married Na¬
thaniel Kingsley; William, Homer A., Caroline, and Mary. William Williams
married Julia Sheldon, and had four children : Edward, George H., Charles N.,
and Mary. George II. and Charles N. Williams, two of these sons, comprise
the firm of William Williams' Sons, manufacturers of harnesses and saddlery
at Dorset, in which business they succeeded to that formerly carried on by
their father.
Asa Baldwin, a brother of Benjamin Baldwin, settled 011 a farm adjoining.
He was a strict churchman, and embraced the royal cause in the Revolution,
and being an outspoken man was soon arrested and committed to Bennington
jail by order of the Council of Safety. His wife, taking one child in her arms,
and another behind her on horseback, with a few such articles as she could
carry, abandoned her home in pursuit of her husband. After a ride of thirty
miles she was reunited to him, only, however, to be soon torn from his em¬
brace and subjected to the dire necessity of journeying alone from Bennington
to the residence of her parents somewhere in Dutchess county, N. Y. The
strong man, who had unflinchingly met the contumely and reproach which was
heaped upon him in consequence of his attachment to the royal cause, melted
and wept like a child to see his defenseless wife and babes thus depart. His
farm, now abandoned, was taken possession of by the family of General Strong,
recently driven from their home in Addison. December 12, 1777, the Coun¬
cil of Safety discharged Asa Baldwin and others " from whatever they may
have said or acted relative to the disputes between Great Britain and this coun¬
try." He was duly restored to his family and his property.
Prince Paddock came into town about 1769, and settled in Dorset Hollow.
I hree brothers, John, Isaac, and Asa came from Mansfield, Ct. in 1780, set¬
tled, and spent the remainder of their lives in this town. Isaac served in the
I'rench and Indian war, was several times " on duty," as he used to call it, in the
War of the Revolution, participating as a commissioned officer in the battle
of Bunker Hill. Asa Far well also served with the army in Rhode Island at
White Plains, while the British held possession of New York.
lhe Holley hamily.—Justus Ilollcy, the pioneer of this family, was born in
Connecticut hebruary 5, 1765. Elizabeth Field, his wife, was born in the same
State October 29, 1773. Their children were Laura, Almeda, Electa, Harvey,
Hiram, Martha, Justus, Spafford E, George B., Harriet, and Rhoda. Justus
Ilollcy, the pioneer died April 29, 1849, and his wife in November, 1858. Jus-
53
418
History of Bennington County.
tus Holley enrolled himself as fifer in Captain Robinson's company at Ben¬
nington ; when ready to go into battle young Holley asked his captain for a
gun, thinking it a more effective instrument to serve his country with than a
fife. But Captain Robinson preferred the powerful effect of the young man's
fife.
Colonel Stephen Martindale settled in Dorset in 1783; came from Stock-
bridge, Mass.; was a volunteer at the Bennington battle at the age of sixteen,
weighing at that time just sixty-six pounds. He joined Colonel Warner's regi¬
ment. The colonel on seeing such a stripling in the ranks ordered him to
take care of some horses, greatly to the mortification of Martindale. Though
thus prevented from participating in the first action he was gratified with a
chance of engaging in the second. After the enemy had fled a fellow soldier
called to him for help to secure several prisoners, some eight in number, of
whom two were inclined to be obstinate. All, however, were finally success¬
fully " surrounded " and secured by one or two sturdy and gallant yeomen.
During the War of 1812 he was colonel of the regiment composed of drafted
men and volunteers, and marched them to the lines for the defense of the State.
Having received orders not to cross the lines he did not participate in the ac¬
tion at Plattsburg. In person he was very tall and spare, courteous and gen¬
tlemanly in address, and very energetic and active in all his movements. He
several times represented the town in the Legislature, and died in 1825, aged
eighty-five years.
Captain John Shumway came to Dorset soon after the close of the Revolu¬
tion from Mansfield, Ct. He enlisted in the army in his native town in 1775,
and served during the war. He was town clerk and justice of the peace for
many years, representative of the town and judge of Probate. He drew a cap¬
tain's pension for several years before his death, and his sword is still in the
possession of one of his descendants. He died in 1825, aged ninety-three years.
Horace G. Harwood, the prosperous and progressive farmer and lumberman
of Dorset, is a descendant from the family of Joseph Harwood, a pioneer of Ru¬
pert and Bennington. The children of Joseph were Joseph, Harriet, Abagail,
Zachariah, Franklin, Oliver, Ruby, and Seymour. Oliver married Ruhamah
Farrar and had five children, only two of whom, Vesta A. and Horace G.,are
now living.
John Cochran was a pioneer of Londonderry, " over the mountain, and
came to Dorset in 1820, bringing his family, in which there were six children.
Two more children were born in Dorset. Mr. Cochran located on the site now
occupied by Ira Cochran. John's children were Hannah, Ira, John R., Mary,
Betsey, Luther (better known as Dr. Cochran, a physician of much ability, now
deceased), Alvira, Almira. Ira Cochran was born in 1810, and for many years
was one of the most prominent men of Fast Dorset. He built the first hotel
in the village in 1852, and about the same time he built a steam marble saw¬
mill.
Town of Dorset.
419
Jonathan Crandall was a pioneer settler in Rhode Island, and was in the
Revolutionary service. He afterwards became a resident of Dorset and died
there. His children were Russell, Worthy, Jonathan, Lyman, Jefferson, and
Cynthia. Of these Russell only is now living. Lyman Crandall married Sarah
Lake, of Dorset, and had eleven children. William, his eldest son, served in
the Mexican War, and died of yellow fever while on his way home. Albert
and Willett, also sons of Lyman", served during the War of the Rebellion in
Company H of the First Cavalry.
In that part of the town of Dorset that is known as the " Hollow " are a
number of fine farms, and among them none is better than that owned and oc¬
cupied by Moses Sheldon. This young and energetic farmer was the second
child of Calvin and Eunice Sheldon. The farm comprises three hundred acres
and is as well cultivated and stocked as any in the township. In 1884 Moses
Sheldon was elected town representative ; also he was, during the same year,
appointed deputy sheriff. In 1882-3 he was town constable.
James Lewis Robinson was born in Rutland county in the year 1839, an<^
was the sixth of eight children born to Willmarth and Phebe Robinson. The
family moved to Dorset during the youth of James, and located where Ezra
Nichols now lives. In May, 1861 James enlisted in Company A, Second Ver¬
mont Infantry, for the three months' service, but re-enlisted for three years.
He was in the prominent battles at First Bull Run, Frederick City, Wilderness,
Antietam, Gettysburg, and other places. He was mustered out in 1864.
Thomas M. Collins, the local marble dealer and monument builder of Dor¬
set village, was born in Rutland county in 1827, and came to Dorset when a
young man. He learned the business of marble working with Sykes & Under¬
bill, and engaged for himself in 1865. In 1853 he married Sarah Hawks, by
whom he had two children.
About the year 1847 or 1848 Welcome Allen came to North Dorset and
bought the old iron foundry property and conducted the business thereafter
until about 1869, when Florez Allen, his son, became interested in it. In 1877
Welcome Allen moved to Factory Point, where he died in 1884. Florez Al¬
len continued the foundry business as long as it was profitable and then en¬
gaged in other pursuits. In 1872 he was chosen station agent at North Dorset.
The Farwell Family. John Farwell and his wife Esther and two children,
Rhoda and John, came to Dorset in 1768 from Mansfield, Conn., and located
011 lands near the Rupert town line. Their home was in a log cabin that three
brothers, John, Isaac and Asa Farwell had built the year before. John Far-
well lived on the farm now occupied by Harwood. John's children were Rho¬
da, John, Jeduthan, Eliphalet, Dolly, Olive, Isaac, Esther, and Nabby.
George Washington Farwell, a generous and public-spirited citizen of Dor¬
set, is a son of Eliphalet Farwell, by the marriage of the latter with Clarinda
Rent. I he other children of this union were Electa, Philo and Eliphalet, jr.
420
History of Bennington County.
George W. Farwell married Maria Noble and had these children : John, Ed¬
gar, J., (the latter of which died at Raleigh, N. C., in 1876) Agnes, and Mar¬
tha C. None of these children are now living.
The Curtis Family. A few of the older residents of Dorset and Manches¬
ter will remember the familiar form of Daniel Curtis, or, as he was better known
Uncle Daniel, the once famous landlord of the hotel at North Dorset. Uncle
Daniel succeeded to the business of his father, Elias Curtis, upon the death of
the latter. Elias was a pioneer of Manchester, and lived in "Skinner Hollow"
in that town prior to his moving to North Dorset in 1794. He had a numer¬
ous family of children, and of these Daniel was the youngest. Daniel married
Betsey Bowen, and was the father of three children, only two of whom, Lewis
and John, grew to maturity. John also succeeded his father in the hotel at
North Dorset; but when the days of stage travel ended the business declined,
so that at present the old " tavern " receives only an occasional visitor.
General John Strong, although a resident of this town only a few years,
deserves mention here, on account of his prominence in public affairs during
that time. His family were driven from their home in Addison by the Indians,
in 1777, and found refuge in Dorset. It may not be inappropriate to give the
following sketch from the "Vermont Historical Magazine:" "The morning
previous to the taking of Crown Point by Burgoyne, Mrs. Strong was sitting
at the breakfast table. Her two oldest sons, Asa and Samuel, had started at
daylight to hunt for young cattle that had strayed in the woods. Her husband
had gone to Rutland to procure supplies of beef for the American forces at
Ticonderoga and Crown Point, when a daughter of Kellogg (afterwards Mrs.
Markham), came rushing in with, 'The Indians are coming, and we are all fly¬
ing. There are bateaux at the Point to take us off, and you must hurry!' and
back she ran to help her own folks, her father then being a prisioner in Que¬
bec. Mrs. Strong was in feeble health, totally unable to encounter hardship
or fatigue; her husband away, her two oldest sons in the woods, and no one
to warn or seek them. There was no way but to try and save the children
that were with her. She took her youngest, a babe of six months, (Cyrus) and
putting him in a sack, with his head and shoulders out, fastened him on the
back of the eldest daughter, and making up a bundle for each of the other chil¬
dren of the most necessary clothing, started them for the Point, charging them
not to loiter or wait for her, and she would overtake them. After putting out the
fire she closed the house, leaving the breakfast table standing as it was when
they first heard the news. She traveled on as fast as she was able until she
came to the north bank of Hospital Creek. Here, entirely exhausted, she sat
down, when Spaulding of Panton, who had waited to see all off, and also the
approach of the foe, came riding at full gallop up the road, and seeing her sit¬
ting where she was, said, 'Are you crazy? The Indians are in sight, the lake is
covered, and the woods are full of them!' She told him she could go no farther.
Town of Dorset.
421
He dism Minted, and placing her 011 the pillion, remounted, and putting his
horse to his speed, arrived just as the last bateaux containing her children was
was putting off, it having remained as long as they dared 011 her account. She
was put on board, Spaulding going on with his horse. That night they arrived
aj Whitehall Here the settlers scattered in many directions, some returning
to Connecticut, others going east. Zadock Everest and family, with other
neighbors, went east, and she went with them. Asa and Samuel, as they re¬
turned towards night, saw, by the columns of smoke coming up from every
house, that the Indians must have been there. They hid themselves until dark,
and then cautiously approaching, found their house a blazing ruin. Believing
that the family had escaped, they retraced their steps, and made the best of
their way east towards Otter Creek. At daylight they found themselves near
Snake Mountain. Fortunately, when they left home the morning previous,
they took a gun and ammunition. They shot a partridge and roasted it, sav¬
ing a par for their dinner, and pushed on, and in about a week found their
mother and the rest of the children. They then hired a log-house, the older
boys working out, and each doing what they could for their support. Strong,
hearing that Burgoyne had taken Crown Point, left his cattle at Brandon, and
hastened for his home. On coming within sight of the forts he secreted him¬
self until night. He then moved on cautiously for fear of the Indians. On
reaching the center of a narrow ridge of land, just south of Foard's Creek, with
a marsh 011 either side, covered with a dense growth of alders and willow, a
yell, as demoniac as though the gates of the infernal regions had opened upon
him, burst forth, and instantly he was surrounded by more than two hundred
savages, whooping and swinging their tomahawks over his head. Instant death
seemed inevitable. A Tory was in command. Having heard that he was ex¬
pected in with cattle, he had got the assistance of this band of Indians, to in¬
tercept him. After a few moments he partially stilled the Indians, and address¬
ing Strong, asked, ' Where are your cattle ?' Strong answered, ' Safe.' This short
and disappointing answer fairly drove him mad with rage, and 110 doubt he
would h ave been sacrificed him on the spot, if an old chief, who knew Strong,
had not interposed. Strong then told them to take him to the fort, and what
ever was proper for him to answer, he would cheerfully do. He was then
bound and taken to the other side, and placed in the guard-house until morn¬
ing, when he was brought before the commanding officer, who was Colonel
I'rasier (afterwards killed at Stillwater) Strong explained who he was, the un¬
certain fate of his family, and his anxiety 011 their account. Frasier generously
let him go 011 parole until the middle of November, when he was to be at
Crown Point to go with the army and prisoners to Canada. After thanking
him, and just as he was leaving, he said, 'Colonel, suppose the army never re¬
turn, how then ? I" rasier smiling incredulously, said 'Then you are released from
all obligation,' and ordering him a supply of provisions for his journey, dis-
422
History of Bennington County.
missed him. He now procured a boat and went to his house, which he found
in ashes. After searching for any remains that might be left, in case his wife
and children had been burned in the house, he returned to the fort, where he
procured a passage up the lake to Whitehall. He was here completely at fault
as to which way his family had gone but was induced to believe they were in
Connecticut, where he went, but found they had not been there. He returned
and went in another direction, and, after weeks of fruitless search, had almost
despaired of finding them, when one evening, weary and footsore, he called
at a log-house in Dorset, Vt., for entertainment for the night. It was quite
dark. A flickering light from the dying embers only rendered things more
indistinguishable. He had just taken a seat when a smart little woman, with
a pail of milk, came in, and said, 'Moses can't you take the gentleman's hat?'
That voice! He sprang towards her. 'Agnes!' and she, with outstretched
arms, 'John, O, John!' How quick the voice of loved ones strikes upon the ear,
and vibrates through the heart. That was a happy night in the little log-house.
The children came rushing in, and each in turn received their father's caress.
Smiles of happiness and tears of joy mingled freely, for a father and husband
was restored as from the dead. They had received no tidings of him after he
left his cattle and went to look for them, and they mourned him as dead. The
next year he hired a farm. He represented Dorset in the Legislature from
1 779 to '782, in '81 was elected assistant judge for Bennington county and
also in '82. In 1783 he returned to Addison."
The principal industry of the town is the production of marble, and the
quarries that are now in operation, with one exception, are located upon the
different slopes of Mount /Eolus. The marble usually lies in horizontal strata
or layers, and varies in thickness from a few inches to five or six feet, each
layer generally retaining its own peculiar characteristics, such as color, degree
of hardness and thickness, and is likely to improve in quality as it is followed
back into the mountain. The celebrated geologist, Professor Edward Hitch¬
cock, sen., has said of Mount yEolus: "It furnishes the beautiful white marble,
equal to the finest Italian, known all over our country as a product of this
State. Such a rock, and such marble certainly deserves a name as beautiful
and euphonical as the epithet zEolian. But its origin needs explanation. The
fine mountain in East Dorset, known generally as Dorset Mountain, and some¬
times as Green Peak, contains the most remarkable display of white and gray
limestone in New England—perhaps in the United States. The strata here
are piled upon one another to the height of nearly eighteen hundred feet, in a
nearly horizontal position, and capped by a few hundred feet of talcose schist.
Near the top of the limestone is a large cave descending westerly from the
eastern precipitious face of the mountain. In a report on the geology of
Massachusetts, we gave the name Berkshire limestone to this rock because it
is well developed in Berkshire county of that State. Professor Emmons called
Town of Dorset.
423
it Stockbridge limestone, because large quarries of it exist in that town. On the
same principle Rutland ought to be the prefix instead of Stockbridge, because
the Rutland quarries are much the largest. But since the largest develop¬
ment we know of this rock is seen in Dorset Mountain, we had resolved in
this report to call it Dorset limestone. In the autumn of i860, however, the
geological (senior) class in Amherst College, having gone to Vermont to assist in
measuring a section across the Green Mountains, found themselves in the vi¬
cinity of Dorset Mountain, and could not resist the temptation to ascend it and
propose a name for it. They called it Mount /Eolus, in honor of the god of
the winds, which are confined by him in a cave; and there is quite as much
reason for supposing the cave on this mountain to have been the place where
they were imprisoned as to locate it in the far inferior mountain of Stromboli.
We too cannot resist the temptation to apply a name euphonical and appro¬
priate to this elegant rock, so like the Carrara marble, which probably skirts
the western base of some of the Appalachian ridges from Canada to Alabama.
If the proprietors of the marble quarries on this mountain should yield to a
similar temptation/Eolian marble may become as famous in the future history
of this country as the Carrara marble has been in that of Italy. We do not
know wherein the former is inferior to the latter." The oldest quarry of
which we have any account was opened in 1785 by Isaac Underbill, and was
located in South Dorset. The production of the quarry was fire-jams, chim¬
ney backs, hearths etc., used in the construction of fire-places. A considerable
trade was soon established, which led others to engage in the quarrying busi¬
ness, until now there are fifteen or more quarries that have been opened and
worked, some of which have been abandoned. The firm of J. K. Freedley's
Sons owns one of the principal quarries, which is the most northerly of those
011 the eastern side of Mount /Eolus. It was opened in 1808, and has been in
operation continously. The marble is the strongest of any in town, and is used
almost entirely for building purposes. On this quarry is to be seen the only
tunneling done in town, where the marble has been removed for several hun¬
dred feet, leaving large chambers back in the mountain. The mill is located
in the valley below, to which the marble is brought on cars over a railroad
about a mile in length, built up the steep side of the mountain, and worked
by means of cable. Located in the village of East Dorset is the marble-111 ill
of D. L. Kent & Co., which firm is at present doing the largest business of
any in town. The principal quarry owned by them is a part interest in the
I'olsom Led<^e, which produces monumental marble of high a grade, being al¬
most identical with the Vermont Italian marble. In addition to the supply
from their own quarries this firm works a great variety of marble from differ¬
ent parts of the State, as they are finishers not only of building marble but
also monuments, mantles, hearths, tiling, etc. The Dorset Marble Company
(not now in active business), have a large mill and marble yard, also located in
424
History of Bennington County.
the village of East Dorset. They own the Vermont Italian marble quarry
which is the highest quarry in town, and produces monumental marble of the
finest quality, very hard and susceptible of the highest polish. This firm also
have an interest in the Folsom Quarry, of which mention has been made.
On the western slope of Mount /Eolus is the Edmund Manley Quarry, now
owned by S. F. Prince & Co. This quarry produces mostly building marble,
and is said by good judges to be the best of its kind in the State. The
quarry presents a perpendicular face of about one hundred feet, the marble is
quite perfect, and blocks have been taken out weighing fourteen tons each.
The mill belonging to this firm is situated about a mile from the quarry, but
only a small portion of the marble is sawed here, being shipped in the block.
At South Dorset is located the mill and one of the quarries of the National
Marble Company, successors to Kent & Root. This quarry is peculiar in that
its strata are irregular and curved, instead of horizontal as in the other quar¬
ries, and presents a remarkable diversity of marble, not only in color, but in
texture. This firm also owns a share in the Folsom Ledge.
Although marble is the principal production of this town, and provides
employment for many men, lumbering is quite extenstvely carried on, there
being seven lumber mills of more or less importance.
The farming interest is devoted almost exclusively to dairying, several
cheese factories being in operation seven or eight months of the year, making
into cheese the milk of about one thousand cows.
Church History.—In regard to the history of the Congregational Church ot
Dorset we find the following in the " Vermont Historical Magazine "The
Congregational Church of Dorset was organized September 22, 1784, by Rev.
Elijah Sill, from New Fairfield, Conn. In its infancy, though struggling with
the usual embarrassments of a young church in a new country, it had the pecul¬
iar elements of strength and increase in the decidedly Christian character and
earnest devotion of some of its earliest members. Among these were Deacons
John Manly and Cephas Kent, who, with their families established that regular
Sabbath worship in Dorset which has now been maintained almost uninter¬
ruptedly for more than one hundred years. Not long after its organization
the church numbered about 40 members; in 1796, about 80; in 1842, 168; in
i860, 102; and in 1889, 157."
Ministers.—The first pastor was Rev. Elijah Sill, who graduated at Yale in
1748, settled in Dorset in 1784, continued about five years, dismissed in 1791 •
From the town records we learn that " in 1793 the town voted to give Rev. Eli¬
jah Sill a call to settle in this town as a minister of the Gospel, Captain Abra¬
ham Underbill, Mr. Cephas Kent and Mr. John Manley be committee to treat
with Mr. Sill in relation to settlement." - Rev. Seth Williston, D.D.,for many
years pastor of a church in Durham, N. Y , spent several months of his eailier
ministry in successful labor with this church in 1795—9^- K-ev- William Jack-
Town of Dorset.
4-5
son, D.D. commenced preaching here in 1793, During his later years in con¬
sequence of failing health, he was assisted first by Rev. Mr. Gordon and Rev.
James Meacham as stated supplies, and afterwards by Rev. Ezra Jones as col¬
league pastor. Rev. Ezra Jones, born in Waitsfield, Vt., graduated at Middle-
bury in 1831, at Andover, Mass., in 1834, was installed at Dorset December 12,
1838, and dismissed October 28, 1841. For several years there was no settled
pastor. Among the acceptable supplies of this period were Rev. J. D. Wick-
ham, of Manchester, and Rev. M. C. Searle, formerly pastor in New Hartford,
N.Y. Rev. Cyrus Hudson, a native of Dorset, graduated at Middlebury in 1824,
at Auburn in about 1828, and was installed pastor October 27, 1847. He re¬
signed his office on account of infirm health, and closed his useful services here
in the spring of 1853. For two and a half years the church was without a resi¬
dent pastor, the pulpit being supplied for longer or shorter periods by Rev. J.
Steele, Professor G. A. Boardman and others. Since January, 1856, the acting
pastor has been Rev. P. S. Pratt, graduated at Hamilton College in 1842, and
at Auburn in 1846.
The first meeting-house must have been built not long after the organiza¬
tion of the church, and was located near the burial ground. It was afterward
removed to the west end of the village nearly opposite the present site, and
repaired in 1816, and burned during a storm in January, 1832. The present
edifice was dedicated in P"ebruary, 1833. It has since been enlarged and re¬
modeled, and is neatly and comfortably furnished. There is a flourishing Sab¬
bath-school connected with the church. The parsonage was erected shortly
after the accession of Rev. Mr. Jones, about the year 1839.
A Baptist Church existed and flourished in Dorset for several years, espe¬
cially under the ministry of Rev. Cyrenus M. Fuller, settled in 1818, but this
church is now extinct.
There is a Union church edifice at East Dorset, erected in 1838 or 1839;
various denominations are represented, of which the Congregational and Meth¬
odist are the principal The present membership is about forty, and there is a
Sabbath-school connected with the church. There is also a Roman Catholic
Church, organized in 1856 in East Dorset, which is the largest church in town,
having a membership of four hundred and fifty.
Schools.—The charter of the town provided a share, (two hundred and fifty
acres of land) for the for the benefit of a school in town. In 1787 the town voted
to lay out the school lot in the best manner for obtaining an income for the
support of schools, and in 1797 the town was divided into six school districts,
which number has since been increased to twelve full districts and one frac¬
tional. Hie old district system has been and is still in use, and with so many
school-houses scattered through the town a good opportunity has at all times
been afforded to all the children within its limits for obtaining instruction in
ordinary branches. The school-houses are in good repair, the largest of which
'A
History of Bennington County.
quite recently built at an expense of more than $5,000, is located at the village
of East Dorset. The schools are supported in part by the income derived from
school lands, United States deposit money, and the Huntington fund, and the
remaining expense is borne by the districts with the exception of a town tax
averaging ten cents on the dollar. The yearly cost of schools in town is about
$3,500. The number of diffeent scholars in attendance is about four hundred
and twenty-five. Although our schools are of fair standing, they do not afford
sufficient advantages to enable our advanced scholars to remain at home.
Population.—The population of Dorset in 1791 was 958; in 1800, 1,286;
in 1810, 1,294; in 1820, 1,359; in 1830, 1,507; in 1840, 1,432;. in 1850, 1,700;
in i860, 2,090; in 1870,2,195; in 1S80, 2,005. The population of this town
has not varied materially for the past thirty years, it being about the same at
the present time as when the last census was taken.
The following is a civil list of town representatives: 1778, Cephas Kent,
Abram Underbill; 1779, 1780, 1781, Abram Underbill, John Strong; 1782,
Benjamin Baldwin, John Strong; 1783, John Shumway, Timothy Brown; 1784,
Benjamin Baldwin, Abram Underbill; 1785, John Shumway; 1786, Silas
Goodrich; 1787, John Shumway ; 1788, William Dunton ; 1789, John Shum¬
way; 1790, William Dunton; 1791, 1792, John Shumway; 1793, Jona. Arm¬
strong; 1794, Stephen Martindale ; 1795, John Shumway; 1796, Jona. Arm¬
strong ; 1797, 1798. 1799, John Shumway; 1800, Jona. Armstrong; 1801,
1802, Stephen Martindale; 1803, 1804, John Shumway; 1805, 1806, Samuel
Collins; 1807, John Shumway; 1808, 1809, 1810, 1811, Samuel Collins; 1812,
1813, 1814, Benjamin Deming; 1815, 1816, 1817, 1818,1819, 1820,1821,1822,
John Underbill; 1823, 1824, Reuben H. Blackmer ; 1825, Johnson Marsh;
1826, Reuben H. Blackmer; 1827, John Cochran; 1828, S. Martindale; 1829,
John Cochran; 1830, 1831, Azel Moore; 1832, 1833, Sylvanus Sykes; 1834,
1835, Paddock Gray; 1836, 1837, Robert Bloomer; 1838, Abial Blanchard;
1839, Chauncey Green; 1840, Heman Morse; 1841, 1842, 1843, 1844, 1845,
1846, W. Martindale; 1847, 1848, James Curtis; 1849, Jarvis Andrus; 1850,
185 1, Daniel G. Williams; 1852, 1853, Marcius B. Roberts; 1854, 1855, George
W. Far well; 1856, George B. Holley; 1857, 1858, Ira Cochran; 1859, Charles
Field; i860, 1861, John W. Batchelder; 1862, 1863, Henry B. Kent; 1864,
1865, Welcome Allen; 1866, A. B. Armstrong; 1867, 1868, G. M. Sykes;
1869, W. H. Bebee; 1870, 1871, William A. Tyrel; 1872, 1873, W. H. Bebee;
1874, 1875, Duane L. Kent; 1876, 1877, George W. Farwell; 1878, 1879, Isaac
Barrows; 1880, 1881, O. E. Whitney; 1882, 1883, Dwight Sykes; 1884, 1885,
Moses Sheldon; 1886, 1887, George M. Viall; 1888, 1889, J. L Cochran.
State senators from Dorset since 1836.—1846, 1847, Heman Morse, 1859*
i860, Laurel B. Armstrong; 1865, 1866, Ira Cochran; 1880,1881, G. m. Sykes,
1882, 1883, George M. Viall; 1884, 1885, John Curtis. ^
In the following lists of town clerks and treasurers, we give the number^of
elections for each, and the last year of each period of service :
42 7
Town Clerks.—Asa Baldwin, 4, 1777; Nathan Manly, 7, 1784; John
Shumwav, 12, 1796; William Dunton, I, 1797; John Shumway, 17, 1814;
fohn Underbill, 12, 1826; Azel Morse, 8, 1834; Heman Morse, 23, 1857;
Byron Sargeant, I, 1858; Heman Morse, 3, 1861 ; John VV. Batchelder, 3,
1864; S. F. Holley, 1, 1865; I. G. Vial 1, 7, 1872; George \Y. Farwell, 6,
1878; George M. Viall, n, 1889.
Tozvn Treasurers.—Cephas Kent, 5, 1782; Isaac Farwell, 10, 1798; Sam¬
uel Collins, II, 1809; Peleg Smith, I, 1826; Robert Bloomer, 1, 1827; Azel
Morse, 7, 1834; Heman Morse, 23, 1857; Byron Sargeant, 1, 1858; Heman
Morse, 3, 1861 ; John W. Batchelder, 3, 1864; S. F. Holley, 1, 1865 ; J. G.
Viall, 7, 1872; G. M. Sykes, 1, 1873; George W. Farwell, 5, 1878; George
M. Viall, 11. 1889.
Members of the Constitutional Convention.—1791, John Shumway; 1793,
William Dunton ; 1814, Benjamin Deming ; 1822, Sylvanus Sykes, jr.; 1828,
Stephen Martindale ; 1836, Cyrus Armstrong ; 1843, Chauncey Green; 1850,
George B. Holley; 1870, F. W. Olmstead.
Selectmen of Dorset.—1774, Cephas Kent, John Manley, Asa Baldwin;
1775, Cephas Kent, Abram Underbill, Asa Baldwin; 1776, Augustin Under¬
bill, Cephas Kent, Abram Underbill; 1777, Abram Underbill, Ephraim Rey¬
nolds, John Manley, jr. ; 1778, Asahel Harmon, Abram Underhill, John Man-
ley, jr. ; 1779, Abram Underhill, John Manly, Ebenezer Morse; 1780, Zach-
ariah Curtis, Augustin Underhill, Richard Dunning, Asahel Harmon, John
Gray; 1781, Augustin Underhill, Asahel Harmon, Isaac Farwell; 1782, Ce¬
phas Kent, Asahel Harmon, Benjamin Baldwin; 1783, Asahel Harmon, Ce¬
phas Kent, Benjamin Baldwin ; 1784, Benjamin Baldwin, Eli Deming, Augus¬
tin Underhill; 1785, Benjamin Baldwin, Eli Deming, Asahel Harmon; 1786,
Benjamin Baldwin, Asahel Harmon, John Matteson ; 1787, Benjamin Baldwin,
Asahel Harmon, John French; 1788, Asahel Harmon, John French, Jona.
Armstrong; 1789, Jona. Armstrong, Eleazer Baldwin, William Underhill;
1790, Stephen Martindale, Richard Dunning, Seth Smith; 1793, Stephen Mar¬
tindale; 1794, Jona. Armstrong, John Shumway; 1796, Jona. Armstrong,
Samuel Collins, Price Beardsley; 1797, Jona. Armstrong, Price Beardsley,
Samuel Collins; 1798, the same; 1799, Jona. Armstrong, John Shumway,
Iitus Sykes, Benjamin Matteson, Noah Morse; 1800, Jona. Armstrong, Price
Beardsley, Benjamin Baldwin; 1801, the same; 1802, the same; 1803, the
same; 1804, the same; 1805, the same; 1806, the same; 1807, Jona. Arm¬
strong, Benjamin Deming, John Vail; 1808, Jona. Armstrong, Benjamin Dem¬
ing, Iitus Sykes; 1809, Stephen Martindale, Benjamin Deming, John Vail;
1825, Sylvanus Sykes, Joseph Morse, Horatio Sykes; 1826, Sylvanus Sykes,
Joseph Leach, Horatio Sykes; 1827, Sylvanus Sykes, John Chapman, Pad¬
dock Gray ; 1828, Sylvanus Sykes, John Chapman, Samuel Merick ; 1829,
Sylvanus Sykes, John Chapman, Paddock Gray; 1830, John Chapman, Juba
428
History of Bennington County.
Kent, Benjamin Ames; 1831, the same; 1832, John Chapman, Experience
Barrows, Benjamin Ames; 1833, Experience Barrows, Benjamin Ames, Al-
vin Gray; 1834, Alvin Gray, Heman Morse, Lyman Sykes; 1835 Alvin
Gray, William Bebee, Lyman Sykes; 1836, the same; 1837, Experience Bar¬
rows, Daniel G. Williams, Cyrus Armstrong; 1838, Alvin Gray, Daniel G.
Williams, Zalmon Barnum ; 1839, Alvin Gray, James Curtis, Zalmon Barnum;
1840, the same; 1841, James Curtis, David Baldwin, James T. Wilson; 1842,
James Curtis, James T. Wilson, Anson Gray; 1843, Josiah Dayton, James T.
Wilson, Anson Gray; 1844, Jarvis Andrews, Experience Barrows, John T.
Griffith; 1845, Jarvis Andrews, William J. Soper. Norton Sykes; 1846, Nor¬
ton Sykes, Benjamin Ames, Harvey Holley ; 1847, Benjamin Ames, Cliaun-
cey G. Borland, William S. Martindale ; 1848, the same; 1849, James Cur¬
tis, James A. Hodge, Harvey Holley; 1850, Harvey Holley, Daniel G. Wil¬
liams, I. N. Sykes; 1851, the same; 1852, Harvey Holley, Hiram A. Sowle,
D. G. Williams; 1853, I. N. Sykes, James T. Wilson, John Curtis; 1854, N.
J. Sanford, James T. Wilson, John Petty; 1855, James T. Wilson, Harvey
Holley, Heman Morse; 1856, the same; 1857, the same; 1858, George W.
Farwell, W. A. Martindale, W. H. Bebee; 1859, George W. Farwell, W. A.
Martindale, James T. Wilson; i860, A. B. Armstrong, John W. Batchelder,
Norton Sykes; 1861, the same; 1862, George W. Farwell, John W. Batchel¬
der, Harvey Holley; 1863, John W. Batchelder, Harvey Holley, W. H. Bebee;
1864, John W. Batchelder, W. A. Martindale, Norton Sykes; 1865, George
W. Farwell, W. H. Bebee, Charles Baldwin; 1866, the same; 1867, William
D. Clemons, James B. Wood, Azariah Hilliard ; 1868, the same; 1869, Aza-
riah Hilliard, F. G. Harwood, O. C. Gilbert; 1870, O. C. Gilbert, F. G. Har-
wood, H. A. Williams; 1871, W. H. Bebee, H. A. Williams, N. J. Sanford;
1872, W. H. Bebee, N. J. Sanford, J. L. Cochran; 1873, H. A. Williams, J. L.
Cochran, George W. Farwell; 1874, H. A. Williams, J. M. Griffith, George
W. Farwell; 1875, H. A. Williams, W. H. Bebee, E. J. Sanford; 1876, H. A.
Williams, John Curtis, H. G. Harwood; 1877, W. H. Bebee, H. G Harwood,
Charles Baldwin; 1878, W. H. Bebee, Dwight Sykes, Nathaniel McWayne;
1879, William D. Ames, James Codey, Martin Sheridan; 1880, William D.
Ames, Martin Sheridan, G. M. Sykes; 1881, Isaac Barrows, Martin Sheridan,
J. E. Buffum; 1882, Isaac Barrows, Martin Sheridan, J. E. Buffum ; 1883,
J. E. Buffum, Martin Sheridan, Isaac Barrows; 1884, J. E. Buffum, Martin
Sheridan, George H. Williams; 1885, the same; 1886, B. A. Rogers, G. M.
Sykes, Edward Young; 1887, B. A. Rogers, W. C. Landon, Michael Connell,
1888, J. E. Buffum, John H. Sheldon, Robert Carney; 1889, J. E. Buffum,
Martin Sheridan, Robert Carney.
429
CHAPTER XXIV.
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF POWNAL.1
THE original limits of this town are thus expressed in the charter in 1760:
South on the Massachusetts line, west by New York line, north on Ben¬
nington, and east on Stamford by the name of Pownal. Pownal was the name
of one of the proprietors, but he never resided in the town. Thompson, in his
"Tory's Daughter," gives this name to one of a party who were traveling in
1775 from Bennington to Windsor. He may have been a man of some in¬
fluence in those early days. The first settlers came from two directions. The
lands along the Hoosick River were occupied by the Dutch from New York.
At a town meeting held June 28, 1760, it was voted to give a man by the
name of Kreiger a single "right" 011 account of improvements which he had
already made at a place near the present residence of Mr. Silas Paddock. The
rocky bluffs east and south of the village of North Pownal are called after the
name of this first settler, "Kreiger rocks." He has no descendants in town.
The rocks only perpetuate his name. Another settler occupied what was af¬
terwards known as the "Deal" farm. His name was Hogle. He was killed
by the Indians who passed this way from the Mohawk to Massachusetts
and Connecticut. His widow returned to Albany, married a man by the
name of John Vondeal, and returned to the place where her former husband
was killed, and repossessed the lands she had before vacated. Here they re¬
mained and died, and their son, Peter Vondeal, succeeded them. The other
direction from whence came our first settlers was Connecticut and Rhode Is¬
land. Those from Rhode Island settled upon the side hills along the east side
of the Hoosick Valley. Those from Connecticut selected the Pine ridges east
and north of the center of the town. They did this 011 account of the large
pine trees which grew in this locality, because they thought that the soil
which produced such excellent lumber must necessarily be very rich. The
Green Mountains are 011 the east border of the town. Petersburg or West
Mountain on the west side. Between these two ranges the topography of the
country is that of an inclined plane from the river to the Green Mountains,
its level surface broken by frequent hills and rocky ledges, so that to a bird's
eye it would have the appearance of a great basin, with the river at its lowest
point. The word "Hoosick," a perversion of Hoosac, an Indian name, means
"Great Basin." The Walloomsac River, rising in the southeast part of Pow-
1 By T. E. Brownell, esq.
43°
History of Bennington County.
nal, flows northerly along the foot of the Green Mountains until it reaches Ben¬
nington, where it turns its course to the west and unites with the Hoosick at
Eagle Bridge, N. Y. The Hoosick River furnishes one of the best water-
powers in the State. On this stream are now located a knitting-mill owned
by Solomon Wright at the village of Pownal, and a large cotton factory owned
by the North Pownal Manufacturing Company at North Pownal.
The experience of the first inhabitants of Pownal of course included a
great deal of deprivation and hardships. The Indians troubled them at first
and they had to flee to Fort Massachusetts for safety. Then New York
threatened those who held rights under the charter of New Hampshire. The
owners of a mill near the present site of the McComber Mills were obliged to
transport their machinery into Massachusetts to avoid its capture by the New
Yorkers. After the charter it was several years before any mill was built, so
that in November, 1763 the inhabitants in town meeting voted to pay any one
the sum of sixty dollars who would build by the 1st of May next following a
corn-mill or a saw-mill. They used to go to mill on horseback by a path
through the woods to Albany.
At the time of the Revolution Pownal had a well organized town govern¬
ment. When Bennington battle was fought a number from Pownal participa¬
ted in it. Some were Tories, but the most of them were patriots and fought
under Stark. Captain Angel was a Revolutionary soldier, and after the war
drew a pension. George Gardener held a commission under the Crown as
justice of the peace. Benjamin Grover preached the first sermon in town.
President Hopkins used to say that in the first settlement of Bennington county
applicants for lands were largely disposed of according to their religious views.
The Congregationalists were mostly settled in Bennington, the Baptists
were sent to Shaftsbury, the Episcopalians to Arlington, and all who had no
creed were sent to Pownal. This is no doubt an exaggeration, but otherwise
there is some truth in it, and Governor Hall in his "Gazetteer" history of Ben¬
nington writes of Samuel Robinson, the largest land proprietor among its early
settlers, when persons came to purchase lands if he found that their creed was
not like his he sent them to Shaftsbury, in which he was also a proprietor.
By this it would seem that Shaftsbury instead of Pownal, had a diversity of
religious belief, a character which that town did not long possess, for it soon
became to be a distinctive Baptist community, from which there went out an
influence that planted churches of that denomination in several of the adjoin¬
ing towns. Whatever was true of Pownal during its early Colonial days it may
be remarked that its people did not remain long without a creed, and a creed,
too, that could not be condemned for having no certain dogma. The first
church was a Baptist Church and was built of logs and stone in what is now
the garden of I. F. Paddock, esq. This must indeed have been quite early,
because the frame church at the Center was built in 17891 two years before Ver-
Town of Pownal.
43i
mont was admitted into the Union. This church at the Center was a large
square building standing in the middle of the "green," and in this respect re¬
sembled most of the churches of that day in all of the country towns of New
England. It had old fashioned pews and a gallery that extended around three
of its sides. Its pulpit was reached by a flight of stairs, and over the preacher's
head was suspended a sounding device which resembled a wooden bowl, and
was large enough for the bottom of a yacht, had its shape answered the pur¬
pose. In this church were held all the funerals, and though the average Sunday
congregation was small, on these occasions the house was filled to its utmost
capacity. Many were the local preachers who sprung up under the shadow of
this church. Here Elder Leland, the famous preacher of Cheshire, Mass., who
carried to Washington and presented to President Jefferson, "the big cheese,"
was wont to preach. Often did this strange eccentric man, who carried his
Bible in a little green bag, lead forth from this church his procession of con¬
verts to the middle of the river, and in presence of a crowd of spectators upon
its bank, fulfill the requirements of his church, by performing upon such be¬
lievers its initiatory right of immersion.
But it was hardly possible from the nature of the case that such a town as
Pownal could always be given over to one sect of religious doctrine, if, in any
degree, the saying of President Hopkins was true. Opinion, as soon as it begins
to form and take expression among such a people, is not apt to be uniform;
and so as soon as the Methodists began to spread in this county, after the
preachingand death of Whitfield, it was not long before that sect found a lodg¬
ment in Pownal. Poor at first, but lacking nothing in courage and enthusiasm,
these humble believers held their meetings in school-houses, and private dwell¬
ings whenever the former was denied them. Controversy ran high, of course,
because a territory which had been held exclusively so long by a denomination
so full of combative elements as the Baptists were in those days would not be
surrendered to such invaders without resistance. The war of words was bitter
in the extreme, and at that time the language of preachers of either sect was
not remarkable for elegance or politeness. One illustration will answer to show
the nature of these debators. The average itinerant Methodist preacher in the
early part of the present century was, to say the least, rather crude, and one
also with whom noise had to play an important part, to make up for many
deficiencies. I here had been several meetings in the southern part of the town,
held by the Methodists, and not a little was said in derogation of the Baptist.
I he challenge was readily accepted and a meeting appointed for Sunday even¬
ing in a school-house. Elder Bennett, a local Baptist preacher, was chosen
champion for the occasion. The house was packed, and the preacher did not
waste the time with a long introduction. "It is my custom," said he, "always
to lay in for the use of myself and friends a good supply of choice cider, yet it
432
History of Bennington County.
cannot be said of me that any stranger ever went away before renewing his
strength by a plentiful draught from the well filled pitcher. And this, my
friends, affords me an illustration fitted to the subject under consideration
Whenever I take my pitcher and g0 down cellar for the usual supply of cider
I find that those barrels which sound the loudest have the least cider. So it is
with these Methodists. There is too much noise and too little sense." Time
however, settled these disputes, and now two steeples from as many churches,
one Baptist and the other a Methodist, point upward to the same heaven, near
the scene of their former contest. But another and still more serious shock-
was awaiting our Baptist brethren, and this time the evil which was to disin¬
tegrate the church had its origin among its own members. In the autumn of
1840 Miller, the evangelist, visited Bennington, and from the pulpit of the Bap¬
tist Church in that place proclaimed the startling prophecy that in 1843 the
world was to come to an end and time be no more. Everybody was excited,
and while some ridiculed, many thought it possible, although this period of
1843, like the year 1000, which history tells was the occasion of a similar
prophecy, passed by without the world having experienced any extraordinary
convulsion. The effect of Miller's preaching was to disseminate among the
Pownal church such a heresy that the association of Baptist Churches of this
vicinity saw fit a few years afterwards to exclude it from their body. Not
many years ago it was restored to membership, but its orthodoxy is reduced
by the " Second Advent " tendencies of some of its members.
John Miller was a captain in the militia during the last war with Great
Britain, and was present at Plattsburg September 11th, 1814. Judge Danforth,
of Pownal, Vt., who was also captain of militia at the same time and place,
used to tell the following anecdote of Captain Miller. Sometime when in
camp a Southern officer apprehended that he had been insulted somehow, and
challenged Miller to fight a duel. There was no alternative than to accept the
challenge or be branded as a coward. Miller was no duelist, nor was he skill¬
ful in the use of the pistol. In his trouble he consulted with Judge Danforth,
who advised him to choose the broadsword instead of the pistol. "Choose that
and he will refuse to fight you. You are much larger than he, and will have
the advantage with that weapon." Miller chose the broadsword, and, as had
been anticipated, the Southern upstart declined to fight, and was drummed
out of camp a few days afterwards for cowardice. This Judge Danforth was
for many years town clerk of Pownal and was in many respects a remarkable
man. He lived at a time when a great deal of litigation was carried 011 in the
justice courts, and he did much business before those tribunals, where he was
allowed to enter as an attorney. In those days Kldred Spencer, - Royce,
who afterwards moved to Rutland, and Judge Pierrepont Isham commenced
the practice of law in Pownal. These men who afterwards became prominent
Town of Pownal.
433
lawyers frequently testified of Danforth's ability to manage a lawsuit. Dan-
forth was also a Democrat of the "Jackson" variety and was regarded as a
very <rood debator in political disputes. When Abolitionism first began its career
he defended slavery as a divine institution, but latterly, near the close of his life,
he confessed that he never believed in his own argument but resorted to it as
a device, in the absence of a better defense. In his old age, having lost his prop-
ertv and there being none of his relations willing to give him a home, he was
for a brief period a public charge. Then he was suddenly removed into a re¬
spectable family, where his every want was supplied and his every comfort
provided. Who the author of this timely aid could be was for a time a mystery.
Hut at last it was revealed that the secret friend who was causing all this to be
done for the old man was none other than one to whom many years ago, when
a friendless boy, Danforth had given shelter and support; but who now being
a man, was both able and willing to render needed assistance to one who had
helped him when he too was dependent upon charity.
When Judge Danforth was comparatively a young man and was living at
Pownal Center, a boy who had been unfortunate and had fallen into sin came
to his door and begged to be taken in. 1 le stayed with him through the win¬
ter, and during that time Danforth, by his discerning mind, discovered in the
youthful outcast properties which, if properly cultivated, promised a useful
manhood. In the spring, when the time had come for the stranger to take
leave of his benefactor, Judge Danforth gave him the parting advice of a friend,
and admonished him to repent of his sin and at once to begin to lay the foun¬
dations of a character which would be sure to secure him future confidence
and success. That counsel was heeded, and thus in his old age the bread
which he had cast upon the unsteady currents of a prodigal's life returned at
last to bless and support him when destitute and friendless himself.
We now come down in our history to 1850. At that date a new church
edifice, with an academy in its basement, was completed, and a flourishing
school was already in operation. A new religious organization had been
formed, but it yet had no name. On the 3rd of March a meeting of the pro¬
prietors was held where what had been undertaken as a Baptist adjunct was
voted to be a Congregational Society, and in May, 1851 a Congregational
Church was formed, President Hopkins preaching the dedicatory sermon. Of
course many of the details in these proceedings are necessarily omitted, and
imagination must supply its peculiar scenes or episodes, for it is not possible
that such an event as the forming of a new church, with a separate and differ¬
ent creed than the old, could have happened so quietly and without incident
as this brief statement of the affair would imply, for there is a natural law of
ideas to which sectarianism is also subject. Each great sect in its being and
history have had always its offshoots represented somewhere among the minor
sects, which were related to it as branches to the main trunk, and between them
5 7)
434
History of Bennington County.
there is a common dogma which is the substance of sympathy between them
and which determines the degree of their relationship. From so leading a sect
as the Baptist, if, in the course of events there is to be any breaking off from
the main body, that breaking off in its new and independent life will retain and
continue some characteristic which will indicate its source and origin. And so
there is no difficulty in tracing Campbellism and Millerism back to their first
parents. But when the divergence is so broad as that which exists between the
Baptists on the one hand and the Congregationalist, on the other, a divergence
so broad as to obliterate in the offspring a principal and characteristic dogma,
we must look for causes as radical and unusual as are the changes produced.
Now there are two causes by which so great a change in church creed a
change so contrary to the laws governing such movements—became even possi¬
ble. The first cause appears in the statement of President Hopkins already al¬
luded to in regard to the state of religion among the first settlers in the town.
This condition of "free thought" afforded more liberality, no doubt, in feeling
and disposition, which left the individual with fewer restraints of habit. Another
cause which explains these things was the influence of Williams College, which
has ever been, as it is now, a leading exponent of Congregational views such as
prevail in New England. The professors of Williams often preached in Pow-
nal, and her students taught its school, and although denominationalism was
not directlv promulgated, they left behind them a sentiment which remained in
many minds, and which, although latent for years, at last became sufficiently
strong to influence their choice. And so when the time arrived, taking offense
at the selfishness of those with whom they had been so long nominally associ¬
ated, it needed but a suggestion to persuade them to repudiate the old church
and to unite in a new church, standing upon a new creed. In this way it hap¬
pened that Congregational orders had their beginning in Pownal. Strange
ideas subsisting under strange circumstances, but ideas which have not failed to
produce their own appropriate and salutary results.
Two men appear in connection with this history whose public career have
made interesting what otherwise would have been of no account. I refer to
President Arthur and President Garfield. It seems that soon after the organ¬
ization of the church described, by virtue of a resolution extending the use of
their edifice to other denominations, when not occupied by themselves, the
Baptists, feeling grieved by the course of events, availed themselves of the cour¬
tesy, and securing the aid of Rev. Mr. Arthur, father of the president, who
was then preaching at Hoosick, they began to hold meetings at five o clock
Sunday afternoon. No sooner admitted within their house than the Baptists
commenced the discussion of baptism, seeking to show by Scripture and other¬
wise their own peculiar views, as they equally sought to ridicule and condemn
the practices of their opponents. Disputation waxed warmer, until argument
Town of Pownal.
435
and forbearance had degenerated into invective, and invective had still further
descended to blackguardism and abuse, when those who had been invited to
come quietly and in peace into their house of worship were forcibly ejected
and the doors closed against their further admittance. During this period ex¬
citement was wild. Everybody tried to be a theologian. Never were the
Scriptures searched so diligently before. " Peters on Baptism" was learned by
heart, and his Greek phrases quoted by those who had never studied that lan¬
guage. Groups of men stopped on the sidewalk and talked theology. The
laborer in the cornfield leaned on the hoe handle, and with his index finger in
his palm dissertated learnedly on the original meaning of baptism. But after
a while the excitement abated and the sound of disputation was heard no longer
upon our streets and highways. The author of the "Life of President Arthur"
tells us that his father, who was a principal preacher on these occasions, was
of Irish extraction. If true this will explain how he came by his native wit
and humor. Of ready utterance he excelled in those qualities which made his
sarcasm most effective, and being quick to discern where his adversary was
most vulnerable, he struck without pity, no matter how deep the wound his
blow produced.
President Arthur had then just graduated from Union College. One day
when his father came up to preach, he came with him, and then made arrange¬
ments for teaching the school in the academy. He taught school four or five
terms, and was teaching during the dispute between these two sects. He
proved to be one of the most successful of teachers. His pupils, from the
youngest, loved him with a warm affection, and the memory of those days still
lingers pleasantly in the minds of all those who are now living. His eye was
the most expressive of his features, and it was in this way he governed his
school. He attended church and heard his father preach, and although his
sympathies might have been with those whose cause his father espoused, yet
so proper was his demeanor and so discreet his speech that those who disliked
his father most respected the son none the less.
A few years afterward President Garfield, then a student in Williams Col¬
lege, taught writing school in the same room, and sometimes heard classes re¬
cite in Latin. He, too, had a peculiarly expressive eye, and one looking into
it would know that beneath was an honest, strong nature a nature incapable
of falsehood and duplicity, as his intellect was incapable of false reasoning.
Had these movements extended over the whole State instead of being confined
to one of its smaller towns they would have formed an important epoch in its
history, but notwithstanding the narrow field of their operations, they yet
truthfully illustrate in kind both the means and progress of human thought
during the past century. And almost contemporaneous with these changes
have occurred similar ones in the political thought and feelings of our people,
436
History of Bennington County.
which would be equally instructive, how men in communities have gradually
reached convictions which ultimately have led the whole people successfully
through national revolution up to national reform.
CHAPTER XXV.
history of the town of shaftsbury.
JN the county of Bennington the township of Shaftsbury occupies a central
position, so far as it is possible for any of the towns to be central. Of the
civil divisions of the county four occupy a similar situation : Shaftsbury, Ar¬
lington, Sunderland and Glastenbury ; and of this central block of four Shafts¬
bury is in the southwest corner. Its bounding towns are Arlington 011 the
north, Bennington on the south, Glastenbury 011 the east, and New York State
on the west.
Shaftsbury, like the major part of the county towns, is somewhat mountain¬
ous, but less so than many others, thus being more easily cultivated. There¬
fore the town ranks with the best agricultural and cattle growing districts. In
population it stands fifth in the county, being exceeded only by Bennington,
Dorset, Pownal and Manchester. One hundred years ago Shaftsbury was sec¬
ond in the count)' in point of population, being outnumbered by Bennington
only. More than this the town has always been considered one of the most
important divisions of the county; important at an early day because of its be¬
ing a large town in which were enacted many of the stirring events that gave
prominence to the county ; important because it was the place of residence of
some of the most active and determined patriots that led the opposition to
New York claimants, and important because here also were living some of the
most obnoxious Tories to be found upon the grants, and such that gave the
local leaders the greatest trouble in keeping them in subjection. Many were
punished, and more lost their lands by confiscation. During that period the
most prominent points in the locality were Bennington, Arlington and Man¬
chester. The central part of Shaftsbury lay about half way between Benning¬
ton and Arlington, and was 011 the direct route of travel between these points;
and while by far the greater part of the proceedings of the State, civil and mili¬
tary, were transacted at Bennington and Arlington, Shaftsbury seems to have
come for a full share of attention in the protection of her loyal, and the punish¬
ment of her inimical residents. In fact during that period Shaftsbury may be
said to have made two distinct historical records, the one general and the other
Town of Siiaftsbury.
437
local, to each of which it is proposed to devote some attention. But before so
doing we may turn briefly and see how the town came into existence.
The township of Shaftsbury was chartered by Benning Wentworth, gover¬
nor of the province of New Hampshire, on the 20th day of August, 1761, 011
the same day upon which the other towns of Dorset, Rupert and Glastenbury
were similarly granted. The grantees or proprietors under the charter num¬
bered sixty one persons, none of whom it is believed ever became permanent
residents of the town, but sold their right to other persons who were desirous
of making for themselves a home in the then new country ; but a sorry time
these adventurous pioneers had of it for many years, and not a soul of them but
wished himself and family back to the homes they had left. As chartered this
town contained thirty-six square miles of land or its equivalent in acres, twenty-
three thousand and forty. The provisions and conditions of the grant were not
materially different from those of the other towns, and needs 110 reproduction
here. The general form of the charters may be seen by reference to the his¬
tory of Manchester, in which the charter of that town is copied from the record.
As is already stated this town was chartered in 1 761, but its settlement did not
begin until two years later or in 1763. Among the first families to locate were
some whose surnames may be recalled: Spencer, Cole, Clark, Willoughby, Doo-
little, Waldo, Burlingame, Andrus, Downer, Beardsley, Mattisons and others
whose names will be incidentally mentioned as this narrative progresses.
The most interesting and by far the most exciting events of Shaftsbury's
history occurred during the first twenty-five years of its existence, and those
during the period of the controversy between the people holding under the
New Hampshire Grants and the claimants under the New York charters ; and
of the number of the town's residents who were prominently identified with
those events none were more notoriously conspicuous than John Munro, the
justice of the peace of Albany county, under the New York organization of the
territory. Munro was a rank Tory, sent, it is believed, by the New York au¬
thorities to reside in the disputed territory for the express purpose of sowing
seeds of dissension among the loyal people of the grants, and drawing them, if
possible, to favor the New York interests. Munro lived in the western part of
the town, close to the State line (a precautionary measure perhaps). He was
clothed with the power and authority of justice, the better to carry out his
schemes and give the color of lawful authority to such acts of aggression as he
was prompted to perpetrate. One of these acts, and probably the most promi¬
nent one, for most of the Tory work was done sneakingly, was Munro's cap¬
ture of Remember Baker of Arlington, his attempt at carrying the prisoner to
Albany, and the final rescue by the Bennington party before Hudson River
was crossed. After this Munro remained rather quietly at his home for some
tune until Burgoyne came down the Hudson, upon which he sought the Brit¬
ish protection, and his property was confiscated and sold to maintain the gov¬
ernment of Vermont.
438
History of Bennington County.
When the Dorset convention, held in July, 1775, voted to give Seth Warner
command of the regiment of Green Mountain Boys, that body also selected the
subordinate or company officers, and among these David Galusha, of Shafts-
bury, was chosen second lieutenant of the fourth company, a part of which was
from this town. There appears to be no reliable record or even tradition con¬
cerning this company other than the fact of its having been raised in the towns
of Pawlet and Shaftsbury, and that William Fitch of the former town was cap¬
tain, and David Galusha lieutenant.
One of the most prominent and loyal men of the times was Jeremiah Clark
of Shaftsbury. Jeremiah Clark was born in Connecticut in 1733, came to Ben¬
nington in 1767, and quickly made his pitch in the western part of Shaftsbury,
where he dwelt for half a century. He served as major, and took part in the
battle of Bennington with a son sixteen years of age; was one of the committee
which warned the Dorset convention of January 16, 1776; served on the Coun¬
cil of Safety in 1777-78; as councillor in 1778-79-80, and chief judge of Ben¬
nington county in 1778 In the last capacity he passed the death sentence on
David Redding, the first man executed in Vermont. Major Clark died in 1817,
aged eighty-four years. John Burnam was the associate representative of
Major Clark in the Dorset convention. He lived formerly at Bennington, but
subsequently at Shaftsbury; at the latter place engaged, it is believed, in mer¬
chandizing. He was something of a lawyer, the first in the county, and as such
he defended David Redding 011 his trial for inimical conduct. John Burnam
and Major Clark also represented Shaftsbury in the adjourned Dorset conven¬
tion held September 25, 1776.
In the convention at Windsor in January, 1777, this town seems not to have
been repiesented, but at the adjourned meeting at the same place in June fol¬
lowing Major Clark and Gideon Olin were the representatives of Shaftsbury.
Gideon Olin came to the town in 1776, his native place being Rhode Island,
where he was born in 1743. He too was a major in the militia service under
Colonel Herrick At a later period, 1793-94-95 and 1796, he was one of the
governor's council; he represented Shaftsbury in the General Assembly for
fifteen years, but not in consecutive sessions ; was seven times speaker of the
house; assistant judge of this county in 1781, and thenceforward for twenty
years, with the exception of the years 1798—99; in 1807—08-09-10 was judge
of the county court; was twice elected to Congress, serving from 1804 to 1807*
He died in Shaftsbury in 1823. Another of the old pioneers who made a good
record during the Revolution and subsequently was Captain Jonas Galusha who
had command of a company from 1777 t° 1780, both himself and men partici¬
pating in the Bennington battle. He represented the town in 1800; was coun¬
cilor during the years from 1793 to 1798, and again from 1801 to 1805; was
sheriff of the county from 1781 to 1786; judge of the courts from 1795 un^
1806, excepting two years; and finally was governor of the State from 1809 to
1812, and again from 1815 to 1819.
Town of Shaftsbury.
439
It would seem, too, from the record of proceedings of the old Council of
Safety that even at that early day Shaftsbury had at least one manufacturing
industry as the following order will show :
"To Captain Ebenezer Allen :
"Sir: This day received yours of 6th instant, dated at Manchester, re¬
questing this council to furnish you with shoes. We have taken the same into
consideration, and do hereby recommend to you to take some leather out of
Marshe's tan-yard at Shaftsbury, and make mogasons to answer the present
purpose until shoes can be procured. You are to make application to Captain
Fitch or the person who has care of the yard. The leather is to be appraised
and returns made to this board. TlIOS. chittenden, Pres't."
The above order was dated September, 1777, and the statement that a tan-
yard was operating in the town at that, and even an earlier time, would seem
to be confirmed by a further order dated October 3, 1777, in reply to a request
from Colonel Herrick for shoes for his men, the part of the order being as fol¬
lows : " Shoes can be had at Shaftsbury as we are informed that there is some
made there. Upwards of thirty pairs are ready, which you can send for at any
time."
That the ancestors of the present highly respected families bearing
the surname of Bottom were in the town at least as early as 1778 is demon¬
strated by President Chittenden's order dated January 22d of that year, which
order reads:
"To Mr. Bottom of Shaftsbury:
"Sir: You will please to deliver Christopher Roberts three sheep which
you have in your custody, supposed to be the property of this State, his paying
you reasonable charges for their keeping, etc."
Certain of the present generation of the Bottom family are quite promi¬
nently noted for the fine grade of sheep which they raise in Shaftsbury, there
being no better found in the county; and not only in the raising of sheep and
cattle are the representatives of this family prominent, for within the township
there are no citizens more public-spirited or progressive, whether in public or
private life than those now bearing the family name of Bottom.
Again in May, 1778, when the governor and council were organizing the
militia regiments west of the mountains, the town of Shaftsbury was represented
by a company of which Abiather Waldo was captain, and John Sunderland was
ensign. And the name of another old settler of the town is brought out by the
proceedings of the grovernor and council at their February session of 1779,
when it was "voted and resolved that Widow Wright be released from paying
the rent of the farm she lived on last year. The same entered on her petition
to this council and sent back to the said widow at Shaftsbury." At the fall
election of 1778 the representatives elected for the town of Shaftsbury were
Major Gideon Olin and John Millington.
440
History of Bennington County.
In 1780, when the board of war was making provision for the maintenance
and support of the army, each town was called upon to raise thirty pounds of
salt pork for each man furnished. From a list showing the number of men
raised in each town it is seen that Shaftsbury then had eighteen militia men in
the service (being outnumbered only by Bennington with her twenty-four men
and that according to this number Shaftsbury was required to provide the
board with five hundred and forty pounds of this article. This of course does
not represent the total number of men furnished by Shaftsbury for the militia
service, as it was not unusual for calls to be made at the beginning of each
year's campaign, or at any other time when their services were required. In
1781 the town was called upon, as were other towns, to provide thirty-one more
men for service in Colonel Herrick's regiment, and in response to this request
a meeting of the freemen was assembled at which Major Gideon Olin presided
in the capacity of moderator. Raising men and means at this period of the
war was quite difficult, and while the town was by no means lacking in patriot¬
ism or loyalty, it was found necessary to offer a bounty for recruits for the serv¬
ice. The proceedings of the meeting above referred to as shown by the rec¬
ords were as follows:
" 1st. Voted unanimously to raise a bounty and our quota of State troops
for the ensuing campaign on the list of the polls and the ratable estate of the
town.
"2d. Voted to repose, and do hereby repose the trust of enlisting our quota
of troops for this campaign in the hands of Captain William Dyer, Captain Jo¬
nas Galusha, Captain B. Lawrence and Lieutenant David Galusha, and to allow
one dollar in hard money for enlisting each man.
"3d. Voted to give Mr. John Olin and Peter Mattison twenty shillings each
for collecting said tax in the compass of Captain Galusha's company, and Da¬
vid Cutter thirty shillings for collecting in the bounds of Captain Lawrence's
company; and they are hereby appointed for said purpose.
"4th. Voted to give twenty dollars to each soldier and twelve shillings
more for bounty.
"5th. Voted a tax of seven hundred dollars in hard money or Continental
at the current exchange, to be raised forthwith for the above purpose.
The towns were required to raise other things than men and money for the
purposes of the campaign. By a law passed in October, 1780 the quota of
provision set for Shaftsbury was 12,559 pounds weight of flour, 4,186^- pounds
of beef, 2,0937 pounds of salted pork, 354 bushels of Indian corn, and 177
bushels of rye. This was a considerable drain upon the resources of the strug¬
gling inhabitants of the town, but as the like assessment was made upon all the
towns of the State then organized, and in proportion to population and paying
ability its severity was felt no more in this than any other locality. To raise
the provisions required another freemen's meeting was assembled, the sub
Town op Shaftsbury.
ject discussed, and a resolution voted as follows: "That each man be assessed
his equal proportion according to his list of the beef, pork, corn, flour, and rye.
The meat to be delivered at Captain Waldo's, the flour and grain at Captain
Galusha's, innkeeper." Further provision was made for the raising by the
town of eighty seven bushels of wheat, from the avails of the sale of which
barrels were to be purchased. And it was further provided that, " if any per¬
son or persons shall neglect to bring in his quota of provisions, the selectmen
shall issue their warrant against the estate of such person to the amount of a
sufficient sum of money to purchase said provisions together with the damages
for such neglect or neglects." There were of course some delinquents in the
payment of this extraordinary tax of money and provisions, but generally they
were promptly brought in. To facilitate their delivery three persons were ap¬
pointed a committee to receive the provisions from the inhabitants, each of
whom should store whatever he received at his own house except in one in¬
stance. These persons were Ichabod Cross, Bliss Willoughby, and Freegift
Cole, the latter to store whatever provisions he should receive at the house
of Parker Cole.
The events of the year 1782, so far as the town of Shaftsbury was con¬
cerned, were important only from the fact that the governor and council held
a meeting then at the house of Captain David Galusha, commencing on
March 7th and continuing but a few days. The most important event of this
meeting was the return of Jonas Fay and Ira Allen, the agents of Vermont,
who had been sent to represent the interests of the people of the State in their
proceedings relative to admission to the United States. These worthy per¬
sons made their report to the assembled council at the home of David Galu¬
sha on the 8th of March, 17S2. This was the only meeting of any of the
representative bodies of the State in this town of which there appears any au¬
thentic record except, possibly, the meeting of the land commissioners, of which
body Major Gideon Olin was chairman, and which meeting was held March
15. 1788. Turning again, and but briefly, to the proceedings of the freemen of
the town in 1782, it is found that at one of their meetings it was voted to
choose a committe of three, Gideon Olin, David Galusha, and Nathan Leon¬
ard, "to inform his excellency of the forwardness of this town in raising his
cota (quota) of provisions the last year and the disadvantages which we seem
to labor under in the present year of collecting our cota on account of the cur¬
rent report that so great a number of other towns which did the last year so
much neglect to collect their cota. And said commissioners make report to
the selectmen of this town."
No further events of particular importance occurred in Shaftsbury or the
adjoining towns during the continuance of the war, and when that was closed
by the final treaty of peace, and even before, the militia on the frontier were
permitted to return to their homes and turn their attention to the improve-
5G
442
History of Bennington CouNfv.
ment and cultivation of their farms and lands which had been neglected dur¬
ing the period of contention. In the negotiations that were then being carried
on looking to admission to the Union of States, the people of the town were
deeply interested, but their action was mainly through discussions of the ques¬
tions of the day with their fellow men.
It is possible that some of the older residents of the town have a traditional
remembrance of what is known in history as "Shay's Rebellion in Massachu
setts," and the prominence that was given to Shaftsbury in connection with
that insurrection. Without explaining the nature or cause of that disturbance,
for it did not affect the people of this region directly, mention only will be
made of the incident that occurred in Shaftsbury, and that as stated in the
Vermont Gazette of May 7, 1787:
"Messrs. Printers.—As many unfavorable allegations have been spread
abroad to injure the good people of Vermont, relative to their harboring the
insurgents from Massachusetts, the following transaction may serve to show
our disposition not to encourage factious and rebellious fugitives who have fled
from justice: On Monday se n niglit (April 30), about one hundred of the
rebels from Massachusetts, who fled from justice, met at Captain Galusha's in
Shaftsbury, in convention, to agree on measures for continuing their opposi¬
tion to that government. The authority of Shaftsbury, being alarmed at such
an illegal collection, immediately met and demanded of the insurgents the oc¬
casion of their meeting. A committee consisting of a Colonel Smith, (who
was appointed their president) and four others, were chosen to make answer to
this demand which was, 'that they were driven from their country, and had
convened with a view of concerting measures whereby they might return and
enjoy their properties;' and 011 being duly questioned they produced two let¬
ters, one from Shay and one from another of their principals, encouraging
them to hold out and be spirited in their opposition for a few weeks longer and
they might be assured of relief. Judge (Gideon) Olin, who acted as principal
on the part of the authority, conducted with a spirit truly patriot and noble.
He informed them that if they were met for the purpose of petitioning the le¬
gal authority of Massachusetts for pardon and leave to return that their pro-
ceedings would be deemed highly commendable, but if their views were hostile
and their business was to concert plans for committing depredations and con¬
tinuing their opposition to that government they must disperse immediately,
for no such unlawful assembly would be allowed in Vermont Colonel Smith
answered that the hope of any advantage by petitioning was at an end. The
sheriff of the county (Jonas Galusha) who had been previously notified, was
present for the purpose of dispersing them in case they refused to withdraw.
The rebels plead for leave to be by themselves for a few minutes which was
granted, after which they dispersed, and proceeded immediately to White
Creek, in the State of New York, where we have understood there was a con-
Town of Shaftsbury.
443
siderable body collected, who sat in convention from day to day without op¬
position."
This was the last connection in which the town of Shaftsbury was promi¬
nently mentioned. At that time and for many years thereafter it was second
in point of population in the county, and its farming classes, even to this day,
have been acknowledged to be as thrifty, progressive and rich as can be found
anywhere in the section. It is something remarkable that a township situated
in the county as this is should have acquired a population in 1791 of two thou¬
sand persons; and another singular coincidence is that from that to the pres¬
ent time the aggregate population has never varied more than one hundred and
sixty, either above or below the figures of 1791. The greatest population was
reached in 1870 as shown by the census of that year, while the least number
was found in 1840, there then being 1,835 inhabitants. And there has been dur¬
ing this hundred years or so but little floating or transient population, and this
in spite of the fact that Shaftsbury has had as many milling industries as almost
any town in the county. The older residents of the town will easily remember
when it was impossible to travel a mile along any of the water-ways of this
locality without finding a mill of some sort, generally a saw-mill, in full opera¬
tion; but these have nearly all gone, and scarcely any are to be found; and
with them has also gone the greater part of the workable timber with which the
town was formerly abundantly supplied. The milling industry is generally un¬
derstood to bring to any locality a large transient population, who, when the
timber is exhausted, go to other parts ; but in this town the majority of the
mills have^been owned and operated by residents, and that industry made aux¬
iliary to agriculture, or at least carried on in connection with it.
From the time that Vermont was admitted to the Union until the breaking
out of the War of 1812, the peaceful arts of the people of this town remained
undisturbed, and when that war came the people were in a prosperous condi¬
tion and well able to meet any demand that was made upon them for men and
means. The sentiment of the people during and prior to that struggle was, in
this community as in every other, divided, and the champions of "war" and the
advocates of "peace" were earnest in their respective causes. At the April
election in 1813 the main issue seemed to be confined to the contest over the
councilors of the State, the nominees on the one side being called the " peace
ticket," while opposed was the "war ticket." The result of that election in
Shaftsbury showed eighty-three for the former and one hundred and fifty-three
for the latter. Thus was the loyalty of the town shown during the second war
with Great Britain ; and that notwithstanding the fact that the Bennington
Nczvs-Letter, the Federalist's organ in the county, estimated that the expense
to the town for that year's campaign would amount to the gross sum of $1,838.
The loyalty of the town was again tried and proved during the disastrous
war of 1861 and 1865, commonly known as the War of the Rebellion. The
History of Bennington County.
roster of the town s soldiery in that war is unnecessary here, being found in the
regimental and company rosters in the military chapter, but it is not out of
place to state that Shaftsbury was required to furnish for the service one hun¬
dred and forty-two men, while in fact it did provide and send five more than
that number, or an aggregate of one hundred and forty-seven.
The principal business and trading point of Shaftsbury lies in the south part
of the township, and is known by the name ol South Shaftsbury. The village,
if such it may be termed, for it has no corporate existence, is a post station on
the line of the Bennington and Rutland Railroad, and has a population of per¬
haps two hundred and fifty persons. But this population is much scattered,
the houses reaching from the vicinity of the Eagle Square Company's works up
the hill to the high ground. The Square Company have their buildings some
rods below the railroad station and on a level with the tracks in order to facili¬
tate the shipment of their products, while the village proper occupies the high
ground further to the east, and at the latter place the mercantile business of the
village is transacted. But to take from South Shaftsbury the industry known
as the Eagle Square Manufacturing Company would reduce the place to the
standard of the average country cross-roads settlement.
The immense business that is now carried on under the name of the above
corporation had its inception in a little industry founded by Silas Hawes, who
soon after the close of the War of 1812 took the old and worn out steel saws
from the many mills of the town and vicinity and began forging them into join¬
ers' squares. Being quite successful from the outset Mr. Hawes procured a pat¬
ent to protect his product and process. Therefore it is to the credit of this
town that here lived and operated the first manufacturer of steel squares in the
United States if not in the world. Stephen Whipple was the blacksmith of the
village, and in his shop (now William H. Whipple's grist-mill) was a trip-hammer
operated by water-power. On the anvil and with Whipple s hammer these
squares were worked into proper forms. When finished they were supplied to
the numerous peddlers who traveled the country, and thus found their way to
ready markets, bringing a retail price of some six or seven dollars which would
now seem to be a fabulous sum for that commodity. Factories were soon built
in other localities but all of them for a time at least under the Hawes patent, as
that brand was found stamped on their manufactures.
Mr. Hawes went out of the business about 1828, after which Geoige Biiggs
and David Allen continued the manufacture. Others were connected with the
industry from time to time, and material improvements were made in the ma¬
chinery used in making and finishing the squares. Among those who had to
do with developing and perfecting the machinery was Judge D. J. George, and
it was he who founded the Eagle Square Company, and became its president
at the time of its incorporation in 1864. hor five years before the company
was incorporated the business was carried on under the name of the "Eagle
Town of Siiaftsp.ury.
445
Square Company," but as a partnership; and this partnership concern also
added to the manufactures that of bedsteads, and this latter is now the leading
product of the establishment. The department devoted to the manufacturing
of sash and doors was added permanently in 1877, although something had been
done in that line before.
The capital stock of the Eagle Square Company that formed in 1864 by
incorporation was $30,000, but when the name was changed and the Eagle
Square Manufacturing Company was brought into existence the stock was in¬
creased to $60,000. The company owns large tracts of timber land in various
sections, and on these they have mills for sawing into proper sizes for work. In
addition to this large quantities of timber and lumber are purchased from other
mill owners. The works of the company at South Shaftsbury include numer¬
ous buildings, brick, stone and frame, and these with their yards cover an area
of some five or six acres. Better than that steady employment is furnished to
about eighty men, while some twenty or twenty-five men are also employed by
the company in cutting and getting out materials at the saw-mills.
The manufacture of bedsteds is the chief occupation of the company at the
present time, there being more men employed in this department than any
other, and the annual production amounting to thirty or thirty-five thousand.
Only about twenty men are employed in the square department. The present
officers of the company are Edward C. Gale, president; William C. Mattison,
vice-president; Frederick L. Mattison secretary and treasurer. The company
is now doing a large and successful business.
Aside from the small village of South Shaftsbury the only other hamlet
worth mention as such is that known as Shaftsbury Center, which, as its name
indicates, occupies a position in the central part of the township. Its business
interests are exceedingly small, and but three public buildings are or have been
situated here—the old town hall, the Baptist Church and a school-house.
In the matter of church societies and edifices the township of Shaftsbury
has been as well supplied as any in the county similarly situated and condi¬
tioned, and in this connection the town has another prominent first event—the
founding of the first Baptist Church society between the Green Mountains and
the Hudson River; in fact the first Baptist Church in Vermont. The First
Shaftsbury, or as it was otherwise called the West Church, was constituted in
1768. The name West Church was given it from its location in the west part
of the town, but it was in fact in the southwest part, not more than a mile
from the Bennington town line, and near North Bennington. The Second or
Last Church of the Baptists was constituted in 1780; the third in 1781, and the
fourth in 1788. One of the first preachers of the Baptist Association in Shafts¬
bury was Rev. Caleb Blood, who removed from the town in 1807 and went to
Boston. Isaiah Mattison was a minister of the association, and officiated in the
town from 1804 until 1844. The only church that now remains to the Baptist
446
History of Bennington County.
people of the town is that at Shaftsbury Center, which has been used by the
society since 1844. In 1780 the Shaftsbury Baptist Association was formed in
the town. This was the first in the State, although others were formed soon
afterward. The Second Baptist Church lost its existence in 1839, and the third
received many of its members. This is the church of that denomination that
survived all the othi rs, and here it was that Rev. Caleb Blood officiated. Others
who preached there at an early day were Isaiah Mattison, Elim Galusha, Sam¬
uel Savory, Daniel Tinkham, Cyrus W. Hodges, Wareham Walker, Harmon
Ellis, J. W. Sawyer, Israel Keech, Lansing Bailey, and Arthur Day. The pres¬
ent pastor is Rev. G. R Wilkins.
In the village of South Shaftsbury, near the " four corners," stands a stone
building that was erected by the people of the vicinity who had accepted the
teachings of Universalism. The church was built in 1836. The society was
not very long-lived, and the building has not been used for Universalist ser¬
vices in many years, but is opened occasionally for election purposes or the
trial of some important law suit.
The best attended religious services of the township are those held at the
Methodist Episcopal church at South Shaftsbury, this society having been or¬
ganized in 1872, by Rev. S. W. Clemons. So far as membership is concerned,
the Baptists, perhaps, have the lead in the township, but the Methodist So¬
ciety is rapidly increasing. The present pastor is Rev. Hitchcock.
'The records of the earliest town meetings of the freemen of Shaftsbury
appear to have become lost, possibly were not preserved, but the other records
are as well kept and intelligible as can be found in any town in the county.
The first deed in the town is found to have been recorded in 1779> by Thomas
Mattison, and that officer's name thereaiter appears as clerk up to 1784. In
the latter year, by a warning dated March 4, Gideon Olin, Bliss Willoughby,
and Charles Spencer, selectmen of the town, a freeman's meeting was assem¬
bled and the following officers chosen: Moderator, Bliss Willoughby ; town
clerk, Jacob Galusha; selectmen, Bliss Willoughby, Major Gideon Olin, Thomas
Mattison, Captain Amos Huntington, and David Mattison; constables, Nathan
Wheeler and Lemuel Bottom ; listers, Ebenezer Willoughby, Samuel House,
Nathan Wheeler, and Lemuel Bottom ; listers, Ebenezer Willoughby, Samuel
House, Nathan Wheeler, and Jacob Galusha; town treasurer, Nathan Hunt¬
ington. The representative of the town in the General Assembly, elected in
the fall of this same year, was Major Gideon Olin.
For several years next succeeding this there appears to have been but very
little change in the officers of the town. But there is one circumstance in con¬
nection with one of the officers of the town, that of clerk, that is somewhat sin¬
gular, and that in the fact that in more than one hundred years of time there
1 Contributed by Myron Barton, esq., clerk of the town of Shaftsbury.
Town of Shaftsbury.
4\1
have been but four incumbents of the office, although it has been continuously
represented. As near as can be ascertained Thomas Mattison was the first
clerk, and held up to 1784, when Jacob Galusha was elected, and served in that
capacity until March, 1825, (over forty years), and was then succeeded by
Hiram Barton, who was clerk from March, 1825 until October 6, 1880, (about
fifty-five years). Myron Barton, son of Hiram, next succeeded, by appoint¬
ment first, and subsequently by election until the present time.
Among the old records there appear some strange resolutions, one of which
at least that was passed in 1787, to this effect: "That none of the public
money be applied to the maintenance or support of any school within the town
taught by a woman " From this it is safe to presume that the sentiment of the
"town meetings" has undergone a radical change during the last one hundred
years, for there is hardly a district school in the town, or county, for that mat¬
ter, that is not now taught by one or more of the gentler sex.
The town of Shaftsbury is now, or was in 1877, laboring under an incum¬
brance of about $53,000 of indebtedness, for the great part of which town
bonds are extant. In 1888 it was voted to raise $1.50 on the grand list to
meet the expenses of the ensuing year.
The present town officers, elected March 6, 1888, are as follows : Modera¬
tor, Solomon Howard; clerk, Myron Barton; selectmen, 1st, George P. Mont¬
gomery, 2d, Milo Pierce, 3d, S. Warner Munroe ; treasurer, Nathan Bottom ;
overseer of poor, Simeon Dean; first constable and collector, Frank H. Matti¬
son ; second constable, Charles C. Gordon ; listers, Myron Barton, George E.
Buck, Myron Clark; auditors, Byron F. Mattison, W. P. Montgomery, George
A. Bruce; trustee, George P. Montgomery; fence viewers, Milo Mattison, L.
J. Barton, Richard Mattison ; grand juror, Solomon Howard ; inspector of
leather, Paul Taft; pound keepers, Solomon Howard, Otis Howard, Russell
Stone; town agent, George P. Montgomery; superintendent of schools, George
P. Montgomery; representative to General Assembly, (elected in September,
1888), H. Merle Bottom.
CHAPTER XXVI.
history of the town of sandgate.
SANDGATE was the eighth town of those now forming Bennington county
that was chartered by Governor Wentworth, the grant bearing the date
of August 11, 1761, and by calling this the eighth chartered town of the county
the reader must assume that Manchester was granted first, although both char-
448
History of Bennington County.
ters were of the same date. But Sandgate has hardly achieved a prominence
in the history of the county equal to Manchester, or perhaps some other towns,
but still her people are progressive, and thrifty, and reliable. The geograph¬
ical position of the town in the county, and its physical features are such as to
preclude the probability of the town's ever playing an important part in the
county's affairs.
Sandgate occupies a position in the extreme western part and in the sec¬
ond tier of towns, counting from the north. Rupert lies to the north, Man¬
chester on the east, Arlington on the south, and New York State to the west.
Communication with the other towns of the county is difficult except by the
highway leading south into Arlington, which may be considered a reasonably
fair route of wagon travel. With Manchester the town connects by two roads,
the one in the extreme south part passing around the soutfi base of Mount
Equinox, and the other in the northern part through the "notch" as it is
called. Another road communicates with Rupert on the north, and still an¬
other with New York State on the west, the last named being probably the
most used of any, for it is in New York State that the bulk of the town's pro¬
ducts finds a market.
Sandgate is an exceedingly hilly and mountainous region, the greatest al¬
titude being reached on Mount Equinox, which is something like three thous¬
and feet higher than the level country to the west of it. Mount Equinox, on
the Taconic range, occupies a large proportion of the lands in the eastern part
of the town, while the other prominent peaks, Swearing Hill and Minister Hill,
likewise make their portion of the town practically useless for general agricul¬
ture. Generally throughout the whole north part of the town, as well as else¬
where, high hills prevail thus making farm labor expensive and unprofitable.
But Sandgate is not without excellent farming lands, for through the valley of
Green River there are as fertile tracts as can be found in the county, but the
flat lands are quite limited in extent. The latter are of course more easily
cultivated and produce better results, perhaps; but the rolling lands are more
easily drained and can be broken and tilled earlier in the season.
The town of Sandgate, as has been stated, was chartered August II, 1761
to John Park and sixty-five other grantees, but its settlement did not com¬
mence until some ten or more years afterward. The first settler is said to
have been Joseph Bristol, but of him there appears no record, in fact the old
record books that should contain the transactions of the early residents are in
such a deplorable condition as to be practically useless. The first deed for the
conveyance of land in the town appears to have been executed in 1778, and
recorded in [782. Abner Hurd was the first town clerk and justice of the
peace. George Peck was justice of the peace, town clerk, and surveyor fiom
1801 to 1828. Walter Randall was clerk of the town for twenty-five years.
Reuben Thomas and were likewise early justices of the peace, the
Town of Sandgate.
449
latter in 1786. Reuben Thomas was the first representative from tin town,
chosen in 1778.
Among the pioneer residents of this town was Captain Lewis Hurd, who
came here in the winter of 1783. He became at once one of the leading men
of the town and vicinity, enjoying the esteem and confidence of all who knew
him. An additional interest attaches to the life of Captain Hurd from the fact
of his having been a soldier in the American army during the Revolutionary
War, and as such, having served under the immediate command of General
Washington. "His first term of service continued about six months but this
period saw him with the army in New York City in July 1776. He was with
Washington in his memorable retreat from Long Island, but soon after was
taken sick with camp fever, and was carried across the North River into New
Jersey where he was left some six weeks. In May, 1777, he enlisted to serve
during the war, and was at the taking of Fort Montgomery, was at Valley
Forge in the winter of 1777—78, at the battle of Monmouth in 1778, with Mad
Anthony Wayne at the storming of Stony Point in 1779, and at Jamestown in
July, 1781. Captain Hurd was on General Wayne's staff for a time, and also
with Marquis de LaFayette during his journey through Virginia, and at the
famous battle of Yorktown." Captain Hurd lived in Sandgate from 1783 un¬
til the time of his death in December, 1848, he then being ninety years of age.
He was one of the Congregational Church at Sandgate and one of its most lib¬
eral and devoted members. The descendants of Lewis Hurd, and his kins¬
man, Abner Hurd, are still numerous in the town and among its leading citi¬
zens. Another of the old families of the town was that of Rev. Charles Nich¬
ols, who was a prominent minister here many years ago. But little is known
of his family, except that Charles, jr. was one of his children. The latter mar¬
ried into the old Bristol family of the town, and had several children, as fol¬
lows: Marshal, Burton, Gaylord, Harry, Chloe, Ann, and possibly others.
Sherman and Fzra Nichols, both now residents of Dorset, are sons of Gaylord
Nichols by his marriage with Polly Dayton, of Sandgate, she being also of an
old family of the town. Among the other old and respected families and per¬
sons of Sandgate the names of some can be remembered, such as Proban,
Hamilton, Woodward, Robinson, Randall, Covey, Hoyt, Wyman, Beebe, Ben¬
nett, Peck, Smith, Draper, and others equally prominent; and while all of
these may not be of pioneer descent, they nevertheless represent an element of
entire respectability and as worthy of mention as pioneers.
During the Revolutionary period and preceeding that time, while this
whole region of country was in dispute between the New Yorkers and those
holding under the New Hampshire charters, the township of Sandgate was un¬
inhabited save by a very few persons; and therefore this section was not dis¬
turbed, or at least there is no record of any disturbance on the part of the claim¬
ants from the west of Hudson's River. In the proceedings of the governor
57
450
History of Bennington County.
and council the first mention made of the town of Sandgate appears in con¬
nection with the organization of military companies for the Fifth Regiment, for
which the sixteenth company was to have been recruited in that town; but
the names of officers or men do not appear, from which it is fair to assume
that the town had not sufficient population to furnish a company, however
small. This theory would seem correct from the tenor of a subsequent order
issued to Colonel Gideon Warren of the Fifth Regiment by which he was di¬
rected to "draft twenty-seven good, effective men," "to be drafted" out of the
towns of Rupert, Dorset, Sandgate, and Manchester; a similar order was di¬
rected to Colonel Samuel Herricks also in 1778, by which that officer was
commanded to raise thirty men from the towns of Sandgate, Manchester, Dor¬
set, Rupert, and Danby. In the proceedings of the Board of War, that body,
by an order dated at Arlington, May 11, 1780, directed the selectmen of the
several towns in general and of Sandgate in particular "to collect thirty
pounds of salt pork for each man raised in your town, or ordered to be raised
for the defense of the frontier," etc.; and further, "you will use your utmost
discretion in collecting said pork, and as it is of absolute necessity you will
not fail to carry this order into execution, for which this shall be your sufficient
warrant. You will keep accounts of the pork you furnish and the expense of
transportation, for which your town will be paid by this State." Signed by
Thomas Chittenden, governor. It seems from subsequent records that the
town of Sandgate furnished two men for the service, consequently the quantity
of pork to be raised amounted to sixty pounds. This was collected, as will be
seen from the following communications:
"Sandgate, March 6, a. d., 1781."
"We raised our Cate of Pork according to orders, and sent it to headquar¬
ters, being sixty weight of Pork." Timothy Hurd, > Selectmen "
"This we attest. Reuben Thomas, )
"Pay table office, 2d of May, 1781. The treasurer is directed to pay to
the selectmen of Sandgate three pounds for the above pork, and eighteen shil¬
lings for transportation. Pr order.
"Thomas Chittenden, John Fassett, Committee."
"Recieved on the above twenty shillings and eight pence. Recieved more
twelve shillings. reuben thomas.
" 5 th of June, 1781 recieved two pounds twelve shillings, the remainder ol
the above order. Pr me. reuben thomas.
So far as the records show this was about the extent of the transactions
that the town took any part in during that period. It had at that time a pop¬
ulation of perhaps a hundred persons, or about fifteen or twenty families not
more. After the War of the Revolution had ceased, and the proceedings
which preceded Vermont's admission to the Union were terminated, the town
Town of Sandgate.
45i
grew rapidly, so that in 1791 the population amounted to 733. In 1S00 it
reached 1,020; in 1S10, 1,187; 1820, 1,185. Then begun a general decline
in numbers, the falling off between the last year named and 1830 being 252;
in 1840 it had fallen to 777; by 1850 it had increased to 850, and then drop¬
ped again ; in i860 reaching 805 ; in 1870, 705, and by the last census of 1880
the population was only 681.
The town of Sandgate is not exclusively devoted to agriculture, as it enjoys
a reputation for the production of lumber and other commodities made from
wood that is somewhat surprising, when we consider the fact that it has no
means of transportation other than by teams. Green River, as it courses rap¬
idly down through the town, furnishes an abundant water power, and this is
utilized to a large extent for various manufacturing purposes. Several mem¬
bers of the Hurd family have been engaged in milling industries for a long
time. Then there was Dr. Smith's oyster keg factory, Covey's brush-back
factory, Provan's grist-mill, Conkey's saw-mill, and others; but the largest,
perhaps, of the mills along the river is that now operated by Stickle Brothers,
who came up here not long ago from Shaftsbury, and are doing an extensive
business. But there was a time when Sandgate was an important town in the
sheep and wool growing industries, the rolling and mountainous country being
admirably adapted to this use; but, like many other things, this has declined,
not that the land is by any means exhausted, but rather owing to the decline
in the price of wool.
The town of Sandgate has a central or trading point that takes the form of
a hamlet, although its houses number not more than half a dozen. This is
Sandgate Center, the post-office being Sandgate. Some two or three miles
further west is another cluster of houses, less, perhaps, in number than the first
named, that is commonly known as West Sandgate. On driving from one to
the other the traveler is obliged to pass through what is called the "notch;"
a very narrow defile between almost perpendicular walls of rock, and some¬
thing like fifty rods in length. The walls on either side rise to a height of
thirty feet. This is Sandgate's greatest natural attraction, and a source of
wonder and admiration to all visitors. The most beautiful works of nature
abound throughout the township, but this is unquestionably the chief attrac¬
tion of all.
In matters pertaining to the spiritual welfare of the people the town of
Sandgate is as forward as any in the county in proportion to respective pop¬
ulation There are two organized church societies, the Congregational and
the Methodist Episcopal, the former formed in 1792, and the latter in 1830.
I he Congregational Society built their church edifice in 1827, and repaired it
in 1846. The M. E. Church now used was built in 1878. Neither of these
are structures of elaborate design, but plain, modest appearing buildings, de¬
signed for the use and occupation of humble worshipers, rather than for osten¬
tatious display.
452
History of Bennington County.
The schools, too, of the township are in keeping with all other appoint¬
ments, generally small but comfortable buildings, and the teachers are as good
as can be found in any other rural district of the county. In this selection the
trustees have acted for the best interests of the scholars, and have not sought
to employ instructors with sole reference to economy of expenditure.
HE town of Rupert occupies the northwest corner of the county of Ben¬
nington, having for its west boundary New York State line, and its north
the Rutland county line. Sandgate lies to the south, and Dorset to the east.
The character of the surface of the land, like that of many of the towns of this
county is generally rough, high mountains being frequent, and the general
range of the Taconic Mountains crossing the eastern part of the township from
south to north, gradually diminishing in height at the northern part. The most
mountainous region, perhaps, of the whole township is the southern and east¬
ern central parts, where stands Shatterack Mount, Masters Mount, Hay Stack
Mount and Mount Antone, but the country east of Shatterack and south of
Hay Stack is quite level and fertile.
It is a long, slow journey through the "notch " from East Rupert to the west
side of the Taconic range, but the beauty of scenery in a great measure com¬
pensates for the tedium of travel. The northeast corner of Rupert through the
valley of Pawlet River is a most delightful section in which to live; the scenery
is grand and the section abounds in large and productive farms. While prac¬
tically cut off from intercourse with the great bulk of the township and com¬
pelled to unite and trade with the Pawlet and Dorset residents, these people
of East and North Rupert have by no means alienated themselves from the
balance of their town's citizens, but enjoy the same reputation for thrift and
enterprise as do the others. In fact as a progressive agricultural town Rupert
is second to none in this or any other county in Vermont. The farms are in as
high state of cultivation, and are as productive, and the houses and other build¬
ings are in as good condition, and the farmers are as enterprising as those found
in any. similarly situated town in the East.
In the town are three small villages—East Rupert, Rupert and West Ru¬
pert—while North Rupert is hardly of sufficient size to be called such, never-
CHAPTER XXVII.
history of the town of rupert.
Town of Rupert.
453
theless a post-office is established tnere for the convenience of the people of that
vicinity. But the three first named have quite a number of houses and indus¬
tries as well as a post office each. Of these the hamlet of Rupert is, perhaps,
the largest and most important, and to it attaches an additional importance
from the fact of its being something of a resort for summer visitors, although
no special effort has ever been made to attract pleasure-seekers to the place.
Rupert is among the older towns of the county. It was chartered by Gov¬
ernor Benning Went worth on the 20th of August, 1761, under the same gen¬
eral form of grant as that by which other towns were brought into existencej
and which needs no reproduction here. During that unfortunate and unhappy
period in which the people of Vermont were struggling for existence as well as
independence, and were opposed by the New Yorkers and the British, by the
latter the least, however, there was not much attempt at settlement in this par¬
ticular locality from the fact of its close proximity to the New York line and
the defenseless condition of its people; but, fortunately for those that were here,
the New Yorkers were too closely occupied and hard put in attempting to
subdue and conquer Allen and his companions to give much attention to the
people in this then northern and remote locality; still the people here residing
were by no means exempted from outrages and persecutions from the contest¬
ants for the soil, as instances may be recalled in which New York's governor
made grants or warrants of dispossess against inhabitants hereabouts, but these
cases are not many.
The first mention of Rupert in the "old proceedings" seems to have been
made in January, 1776, when the representatives to the famous Dorset Con¬
vention were arranging for the future safety and protection of the inhabitants
of the grants, and the sub-committee of the convention allowed this town two
votes on the question then under consideration. At the Dorset Convention,
held on the 24th of July following, Reuben Harmon and Amos Curtis repre¬
sented the town of Rupert. Reuben Harmon afterward became quite a noted
personage, he having been granted authority to coin money for Vermont under
her separate independence. His mint was in the northeast part of the town,
not far off the road leading from Pawlet to Dorset. The act that gave Reu¬
ben Harmon authority to coin coppers for the State was passed in 1785, and
under it he did an extensive business for himself and the State. Of course all
this came to an end when Vermont came into the Union, or about that time.
At the adjourned session of the Windsor Convention, held June 4, 1777- the
town was represented by Dr. Gains Smith and Mr. Moses Robinson; and when
the declaration of Vermont's independence was ready for signing the names of
both of these worthies appear. There might have been, and unquestionably
was, a little element of Toryism in the town about this time, as will be seen
from the proceedings of the Council of Safety in session at Bennington on Au¬
gust 27, 1777, from which this extract is taken; " Whereas this council has re-
454
History of Bennington County.
ceived a letter from Captain Burrows, at Arlington, acquainting us that our
scouts had taken all the stock of eveiy kind from Anger Hawley's wife, of Ru¬
pert, and she had made application to him for a cow, as her children were in a
suffering condition. These are therefore to require you to let her have one cow
for the time being out of the first cows you take from any disaffected person."
During the days in which the acts of many persons were viewed with suspicion
and a special permit was about the only safeguard one could have, it was or¬
dered that "Jonathan Smith is permitted to pass from this to Rupert and return
with his family to this place;" this place meaning Bennington. A somewhat
similar document was issued thus: "Agur Hawley is permitted to pass from
this to Rupert."
By an order of the Council of Safety, dated January 23, 1778, Moses Rob¬
inson, of Rupert, was appointed a commissioner of sequestration of his town.
This Moses Robinson should not be confused with Judge Moses Robinson of
Bennington ; the latter was councilor in 1778, and the former was in the General
Assembly for the same and several succeeding years. When it became neces¬
sary in May, 1778 for the governor and council to have more perfect military
organizations in the State, for defensive and offensive operations, one company
of the Fifth Regiment was officered by Rupert men, and in fact a part of the
company, the third, was raised in the town. The officers were Tapan Noble,
captain ; Enoch Eastman, lieutenant, and Moses Robinson, ensign. Among
the justices of the peace chosen in pursuance of the acts of the Legislature at
the session held at Bennington June 17, 1778, Reuben Harmon was appointed
to that office for the town of Rupert.
During the latter years of the Revolutionary struggle the people of Vermont
were not seriously troubled by the British, owing to the celebrated "Haldimand
correspondence" and negotiations, but notwithstanding that it was necessary for
each town to maintain an armed defensive attitude, for which service men were
either volunteers or drafted. Rupert had a number of each class of soldiers. To
sustain them the authorities established storehouses in various quarters, and
one of these was in Rupert. At that time Captain Joseph Farnsworth was
commissary of purchases. It will be noticed from the foregoing extracts from
the State journal of proceedings that the town of Rupert or its people did not
play a very exciting part in the great theater of events that were transpiring in
rapid succession during the early history of Vermont; but, according to her
means, the town did all that could be done by any body politic. The popula¬
tion was small and exceedingly scattered, and of the few that lived west of the
mountains many were compelled to cross ovi r to the east side or go to other
places for safety. The unsettled condition of civil affairs that prevailed gener¬
ally throughout the State from 1765 or thereabouts until the close of the Revo-
tion had as much to do with retarding the growth and development of Rupert
as of any other town, and the exposed condition of her frontier, bordering as
Town of Rupert.
455
it did 011 New York State, rendered her position peculiarly embarrassing, and
made settlement absolutely unsafe
As has already been said the town was chartered in August, 1761, but its
settlement did not commence with that date. The first meeting of proprietors
was held in Bennington on the 16th day of April, 1765, nearly four years after
the grant was made; and at that meeting a proposition was carried to lay out
the first division of lots in fifty acre tracts, one tract for each proprietor. This
survey and division was made of that part of the town lands that lay in the
north part thereof and east of the mountains, that is in the vicinity of what is
now East and North Rupert. Settlement followed soon but not immediately
after the survey and division above mentioned, and in order to encourage im¬
provement in this locality the proprietors offered to donate one fifty-acre tract
to the person who would make the first settlement. Of course the offer was
accepted, but neither record nor tradition has preserved the name of the donee.
But the first settlers in this locality are believed to have been Reuben Harmon,
Amos Curtis, Isaac Blood, Jonathan Eastman, Barnabas Barnum, and perhaps
some others whose names are now lost. This locality the reader will under¬
stand is that that lies nearest Dorset, and the settlement of Dorset was com¬
menced at an earlier date than this; and to this day the inhabitants of North¬
eastern Rupert transact the greater part of their ordinary business at Dorset
011 the east, and Pawlet on the north, rather than to cross the mountain to the
main part of the township.
The second division of lots in the town of Rupert was made in 1768, and
included the fertile bottoms along the valley of White Creek, and over to the
west side of the town, near the New York State line. Settlements began here
soon after the division was made, and Oliver Scott built a grist-mill here as
early as 1773. But it was the pioneers of this region that were called upon to
defend their property and liberty from the New York claimants, and while the
intruders were generally repulsed in any proceeding against the settlers, and
their officers sent oft" under the smarting impression of the "beech seal," cases
were not wanting in which the inhabitants were dispossessed of their lands and
improvements. During the war for independence, and especially abc ut the
time of Burgoyne's conquering tour of the valley of the Hudson River, were
the inhabitants disturbed in their possession, not by any actual invasion by
the British, but through fear of such an event, and nearly all left for places of
greater safety, while a few, and only a few from Rupert, sought the protection
of the royal arms and became full-fledged Tories. After the departure of the
loyal people from the vicinity, the Tories, reinforced by others of like ilk, re¬
turned to the settlement, took possession and played sad havoc with all save
their own property; and emboldened by the nearness of the British army they
made an attempt to effect the capture of Major Gideon Ormsbee, of Manchester,
but not finding that person at home, they compelled his son to return with them
456
History of Bennington County.
to the White Creek country. A pursuing party was organized, and the young
man was rescued a few days later. But after Baum's defeat at Bennington
and the withdrawal of the British army from the vicinity it was rather unsafe
for any Tory to show his face, much less his presence, within reach or shooting
distance of the committee of safety of the town. After the close of the Revo¬
lutionary War, and after the proceedings were consummated by which Vermont
was admitted to the Union of States, the growth and settlement became very
rapid and healthful. All through its fertile valleys fine farms were cleared and
put under cultivation. Nothing occurred to disturb the settler in his posses¬
sion for many years; the arts of peace superseded the tumults of war and con¬
tention, and joy and plenty were seen on every hand. This was the period of
Rupert's greatest prosperity, in which she made rapid strides in the march of
advancement; and her maximum population of sixteen hundred and forty-
eight souls was reached in the year 1800.
Among the many who came during these years, and during the last cent¬
ury, the names of some can be recalled. David Sheldon, a veteran of the Rev¬
olution and a native of Connecticut, came to reside in the town in 1770. He
became a deseivedly prominent and influential man in the town and county,
and was chosen to a number of offices of trust and importance. He had a nu¬
merous family of children, the descendants of whom still reside in the town.
The name Sheldon has for more than one hundred years stood for a thrifty, in¬
dustrious, progressive and worthy class of residents. Also among the early set¬
tlers were two Smiths, Israel and Martin; the former a lawyer, one of the first
in the county, and the latter a farmer; but authorities do not assert any rela¬
tionship between them. Israel Smith began law practice in this county in 1783,
and after living in the town some years and representing it several times in the
Legislature, he moved to Rutland ; became chief judge of the Supreme Court
in 1797, and was elected to the United States Senate in 1803. The other
Smith, Martin, came to the Indian River Valley in 1773. and lived there until
his death. The pioneer physician of the town is generally believed to have
been Dr. Josiah Graves, whose settlement commenced in 1788. However this
may be cannot now be determined, but Dr. Gaius Smith and Moses Robinson
represented the town of Rupert in the convention at Windsor in 1777- The title
"doctor," implies that he was a physician; he lived in the town, but whether
he was an active practitioner or not is a query we cannot now attempt to an¬
swer. Robert Cochran, he of fame during the controversy with New York, was
also at one time a resident of Rupert. All that is necessary can be learned of
Robert Cochran's career during that period by reference to the early chapters
of this volume. Soon after the year 1790 Joel Taylor, a former resident of New
Hampshire, came to make for himself and family a home in Rupert, taking up
his first place of abode on Rupert Mountain. Further mention of this family
will be found among the biographical sketches.
Town of Rupert.
457
Although not an old resident of the town this chapter would be incomplete
without some mention of William Root, a resident of East Rupert, and withal
one of the most progressive and influential men of the township. William Root
was born in New York State in i 818, and came to Rupert about the year 1833,
taking up a home with the family of Philo Smith. At the age of thirty-one
years he married Caroline Eastman, of Rupert. Three children were the issue
of this marriage. Mr. Root has not been an active man in political life, but he
has been an energetic farmer and a straightforward business man, and that has
<riven him an enviable position and reputation among his townspeople that po¬
litical ambition could never accomplish. George A. Robinson of East Rupert
commenced to build cheese factories something over twenty-five years ago,
and it was that occupation that brought him to this locality, although his na¬
tive town was Pawlet, only a few miles from his present residence. When he
came to Rupert Mr. Robinson bought the Hiram Eastman farm on which he
now resides. His first wife was Ann Derby, of Rupert, w ho died in 1872. In
1878 Mr. Robinson married Sarah A. Guild of Pawlet.
While the township of Rupert is acknowledged to be one of the foremost
towns of the county so far as the social and business character of its people is
concerned, and while the people are progressive and enterprising in all that
pertains to their personal comfort and welfare, they have been none the less
interested in the spiritual and educational welfare of all that belongs to their
town. The first church society organized here was the Congregational, that
which leads in number of members in the State, which first took definite form
at a meeting held June 6, 1786, having then but seven members. The first pas¬
tor was Rev. Increase Graves. The church edifice is at Rupert " street." The
society at present numbers about seventy-five members, having made 110 sub¬
stantial increase during the last twenty five or thirty years.
The West Rupert Baptist Church society was organized under the direction
of a council in the year 1803, and the first settled pastor was Rev. Alvin Wales.
The members of this society number about forty persons.
The Church of the Disciples of Christ was the last organized of the socie¬
ties of this description in the township, and came into existence in 1839. The
edifice was built soon after the society was formed. This has, or has had, the
largest membership of any church society of the township.
The statement has already been made that the town of Rupert reached its
maximum population in 1800, as shown by the Federal census of that year, be¬
ing an increase over the population of 1791 of 615. In 1800 the town had a
population of 1,648. From that until the present time there has been an almost
continuous decrease, as will be shown by reference to the following facts taken
from the census reports from the time of the first enumeration in 1791 to that
of 1880, inclusive. In 1791 the population of the town was 1,033; 'n 1800,
1,648; in 1810, 1,630; in 1820, 1,332; in 1830, 1,318; 1111840,1,091; in 1850,
58
458
History of Bennington County.
I'lOi : in i860, 1,103; 111,1870, 1,017; in 1880,957. This decrease is not
single to Rupert; the same or a similar showing is to be found in a majority of
like towns throughout the State. This is explained by the fact that the younger
generations have gone to other States, but why should that be so ?
CHAPTER XXVIII.
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF PERU.1
PERU, lying at the northeast corner of Bennington county, was chartered by
Governor Wentworth 011 October 12, 1761, under the name of Bromley.
It was to have contained by admeasurement 23,400 acres, but considerable
more was allowed 011 account of the excess of mountains and unimproved
lands. It is bounded north by Mt. Tabor, east by Landgrove, south by Win-
hall, and west by Dorset. This tract was to be divided into seventy-two equal
shares, one to each proprietor, five hundred acres at the southeast corner to
Benning Wentworth ; one right for the society for propagation of the Gospel
in foreign parts, one for glebe, one for the first settled minister in town, and
one for schools. The eastern and southern parts of the town are thickly set¬
tled by thrifty though not extensive farmers. The soil consists of coarse loam
and gravel, with a slight mixture of clay, especially productive and well ad¬
apted to the cultivation of oats, barley, corn, and potatoes. The pastures, espe¬
cially those that slope to the south and east, afford sweet grazing for horses,
cattle, and sheep. The western portion is mountainous, though not so rugged
but that lumbermen can cut the timber upon every lot and find feasible routes
to the different mills on the mountain side. This portion of the Green Moun¬
tain range forms a watershed so that the different streams flow east, south and
north on their way to the ocean. There are two natural ponds in this town,
Buffain's Pond in the northwestern part, and Mud Pond in the eastern part.
The first is quite a curiosity on account of its elevation, and is noted for being
the home of large trout; the second is a natural curiosity, as the water is not
more than three feet deep, but the longest sounding line that has been used
has failed to reach the bottom.
The charter of the town required the grantor to cultivate five acres for
every fifty in a limited time; also when fifty families were in town they might
hold a fair, and have a market open two days in a week. Probably no white
man had stood on the land at this time. There is no evidence that any one of
1 By Hon. George K. Davis.
Town of Peru.
459
the original grantors were ever in the town. Most of the first settlers came:
from Princeton, Westminister, and adjacent towns in Massachusetts, and some
from the south part of New Hampshire. They were descendants of the immi¬
grants from the south of England who landed at Salem. In the year 1773
William Barlow, of Woodstock, made the first settlement. In 1778 the soldiers
crossing the mountain to Manchester, on their way to the battle of Benning¬
ton, cut the first roadway through this township. In 1797 the original propri¬
etors divided the town into lots of one hundred acres each In 1800 there
were but four families living in town, viz. : David Stratton's, Aaron Killam's,
Jonathan Butterfield's, and Reuben Bigelow's. It was in this year that the first
public road was surveyed through this town. In the years 1800, 1801 and
1802 the following named families moved into town : Benjamin Barnard,
Thomas Wyman, a Mr. Holt, Joel Adams, Josiah Hapgood, Isaac Hill, John
Curtis, E. Hurlbut, David White, and David Colson. In the autumn of 1802
there were fourteen families residing in town. The first town meeting was held
at the house of E. Hurlburt, who resided on the west side of the mountain. In
1803 the town was divided into two school districts, and for four years subse¬
quently all the schools were taught in private houses. It was in this year that
the first saw-mill was built. The first religious meetings were held in 1803 at
the house of Reuben Bigelow.
In February, 1803, the governor's council, agreeable to a petition from the
inhabitants of Bromley, changed the name of the town to Peru. It is said
that Bromley had a reputation abroad of being a poverty stricken place, and
that Peru was substituted on account of the reported mineral wealth of Peru
in South America; and it appears to be a fact that soon after the change new
settlers came into town quite rapidly In 1805 a militia company was formed
of which Peter Dudley was made captain.
In 1807 the first school-house was built. It was used for town meetings,
also for a church until 1816. In 1814 a turnpike road was built between Peru
and Manchester, being selected as the most feasible route for crossing the moun¬
tains in the southerly part of the State.
Du ring the year 1814 a Congregational meeting-house was raised near
where the Methodist Church now stands, in the middle of the town. It was
not completed until 1816. As was the custom of the day the church was
built after the old style of architecture, being a large two-story structure The
body of the house was divided into apartments or pews, being finished with
pine, and without paint. The pulpit was of gigantic proportions, being some
twelve or fifteen feet high. This church was occupied until 1846. In after
years the old church was sold to the town of Londonderry. Its framework-
was used for the building of a town house. In the meantime a small village
had sprung up in the south part of the town, at which place a new church was
erected after a more modern style of architecture.
460
History of Bennington County.
The Methodist Society commenced building a church in 1831, but it was
not finished until 1848. This church stands near the site of the old Congre¬
gational edifice. This society being of a limited number of members, the
church has not been occupied but a small part of the time, and at present its
members attend worship at Landgrove.
Church Statistics.—The Congregational Church was organized December
23, 1807, by Rev. Mr. Fairley, of Manchester, and his delegate, Captain Bur¬
ton, Benjamin Barnard, sr., and wife, Thomas Wyman and wife, Seth Lyon, sr.,
and wife, and William Green and wife joined the church at this time. There
was no settled minister until 1813, missionaries and neighboring ministers offi¬
ciating previous to that date. Thomas Wyman and Seth Lyon were elected
deacons, and from the organization of the church, regularly as the Sabbath
came, the people have congregated and held meetings, whether they had any
preacher or not. The first settled minister was Rev. Oliver Plimpton, who
commenced his labors the latter part ot 1812, and was ordained December 28,
1813. Soon after his ordination he went to Wardsboro, intending to be mar¬
ried, but was taken sick there and died. After this several missionaries visited
the place. Amos Bingham supplied the pulpit two different times. In 1826
Mr. Rosson supplied the pulpit. Then a Mr. Hurd preached for a time, and
during his ministration, by the assistance of Rev. Mr. Martingale, from Wal-
lingford, a large number united with the church. Mr. Boman Brown suc¬
ceeded Mr. Hurd for a short time. In 1835 Thomas Baldwin, of Plymouth,
was ordained and settled, and preached here ten years. The next pastor was
Rev. S. S. Swift, who preached over two years. In April, 1848 Rev. Asa I.
Clark commenced preaching here. His labors extended over a period of ten
years. He' married Mary, daughter of Asa Simonds. Mr. Clark was a classi¬
cal scholar, conscientiously devoted to his work both in the church and among
his people. Rev. R. D. Miller commenced his pastorate in 1859 an<^ was se^"
tied the same year. He remained for a period of four or five years, after which
the following named ministers have supplied the pulpit from one to four years
each: A. G. Gates, Asa F. Clark, Scott, S. Amsden, Charles Rockwell,
Charles Scott, S. L. Vincent, T. J. Clark, A. B. Pefters, and William R. Dugan,
the present pastor.
Schools.—In 1803 Reuben Bigelow taught the first public school in Seth
Lyon's log dwelling house. James Grant w as the next teacher, and taught sev¬
eral winter terms. The first school house was built in 1807. It was a good
sized, well finished house, convenient for schools and meetings. In 1821 three
schools were taught in town. The average price paid to male teachers was
eight dollars per month. The number of districts have increased so that at
the present time there are seven.
The first select school was taught in 1828. After that there was no select
school until 1849. Since that time select schools have been well supported.
Town of Peru.
461
The district schools compare favorably with those of surrounding towns.
Many of the young people of the town availed themselves of the privilege of
academic courses at Chester, Townshend, Ludlow and Manchester.
Succession of Physicians.—Horace Ballard, R. Miles Bigelow, Asa B. Brown,
William B. Lincoln, Hiram Howard, Asa Bigelow, R. B. Burton, Mahlon Priest,
James W. Marsh, Joseph Wright, and Charles W. Ray.
Industries.—A large portion of the town being mountainous and heavily
timbered by both hard and soft wood, the increasing demand for manufactured
lumber and charcoal induced capitalists to erect saw-mills and coal kilns until
at the present there are six steam and two water-mills in the town, and five of
the steam and the two water-mills are engaged in the manufacture of lumber,
and the other steam mill manufactures chair stock. There are ten brick coal
kilns, which for ten years manufactured coal for Barnum, Richardson & Co.,
and C. S. Maltby.
The first store in town was kept by Warren Wyman in 18 16, who carried
on business for a few months only. In the year 1830 J. J. Hapgood com¬
menced mercantile business, and for about thirty years conducted the same
personally. He then took into partnership his eldest son, and this firm con¬
tinued until 1870, when they sold their stock of goods to T. K. Snow & Co.,
of Troy N. Y.; who carried on the same one year. Soon afterwards David Ar¬
nold leased the store for a term of years. In 1874 J J. Hapgood formed a
partnership with his son M. J. Hapgood, doing business under the name of J. J.
Hapgood & Co. In 1875 J. J. Hapgood died. His son continued under the
same firm name until 1885, when he sold to Richardson & Leonard. About
i860 William E. Polly and Whitney & Russell engaged in mercantile business
for a short time but failed to make it a success. About the year 1875 J. P. &
C. H. Long opened a store in the north part of the town and continued in busi¬
ness for about six years.
The first hotel in town was built on the summit of the mountain, and was
kept by Jonathan Butterfield. It was afterwards known as the Leland Stand.
This house continued open to the public until 1850. The brick hotel in the
village (since 1870 known as the Bromley House) was built about the year
1822 by Russell Tuthill. It was kept by various parties up to 1870. It was
then purchased by George K. Davis, the present proprietor. During the sum¬
mer season it is well patronized by people crossing the mountains for business
or pleasure, and by parties from summer resorts in Manchester and Dorset.
Personal Sketches.—Reuben Bigelow was born in Westminster, Mass., in
1775 I married Abigail Brooks and came to Peru in 1800. He was college
bred; taught the first school, was the first representative to the State Legisla¬
ture and held all the of offices of the town within the gilt of the people. He
raised a family of twelve children, two boys and ten yirls, all of whom grew up.
Mr. Bigelow died in 1834, aged fifty-nine years. His widow lived in town un¬
til her death, September 1, 1857, aged eighty-one years.
462
History of Bennington County.
Deacon Thomas Wyrnan came to Peru in February, 1801. He resided
here until 1842, when he moved to Landgrove. He raised a family of eleven
children, ten boys and one girl. His eldest son, Thomas jr., was the first male
child born in town.
Peter Dudley was born in Littleton, Mass., November 4th, 1773; married
Lucy Barnard in March, 1800; moved to Peru in 1801. He was captain of the
first militia company formed in 1805, and was afterwards brigadier-general of
the State militia. He raised a family of thirteen children, five boys and eight
girls. Of these Peter and Stephen imbibed the military spirit of their father,
Peter being made an officer before he became of age, while Stephen, like his
father, became a brigadier-general.
Aaron Byard was born in Westminster, Mass., May 16, 1778 ; married Ann
Dunster and moved to Peru in September, 1802. They raised a family of ten
children, one boy and nine girls.
In 1810 Jesse Brown moved into the town. In i860 he died at the ad¬
vanced age of ninety three years. His son, Jesse, and his grandson, Asa, both
live on the old homestead.
In 1817 Moody Roby settled in town. He was a soldier in the War of
1812. He lived for sixty years on the farm on which he first settled.
Benjamin Barnard, jr., was born at Westminister, Mass., March 19, 1783;
came to Peru with his father, Benjamin Barnard, sr., in March, 1800; married
Rachel Philbrook in 1807. She lived but two years. In 1810 he married
Hepsabeth, sister of Rachel, and raised a family of three boys and four girls.
Stowell Barnard, son of Benjamin, sr., married Mary Burton, sister of Aaron
Burton and lived on the old homestead. They raised a large family, two boys
and six girls.
Joel Adams and wife came to town in 1804.
Deacon David Simonds was born in Gardner, Mass., in 1776, came to Peru
in 1803. He married Anna Byam of Jaffrey, N. H,, and raised a family of
eleven children. One, Deacon Oliver P. Simonds, has always resided in town
and held the offices of town clerk and postmaster in all more than forty years.
Asa Simonds, brother of Deacon David, was born in Gardner, Mass., in 1790;
married Sophia Lyon of Princeton, Mass. They raised a family of twelve
children.
About the year 1807 three brothers, John, Edmund, and Israel Batchelder,
came and settled in the north part of the town. They all raised large families.
Many of their sons became prominent residents of the town; among whom
were Ira K., Porter, Amos, Daniel and Charles, sons of Edmund; Edward
and Dexter, sons of Israel; Mark and Edmund, sons of John ; all of whom oc¬
cupied leading positions in society.
About the year 1808 Samuel, Josiah, and Joseph Stone came and settled
in the north part of the town. Samuel and Josiah with their families moved
Town of Peru.
4<j3
West about the year 1833. Joseph remained and his two sons, Harvey and
Hezekiah, and daughter, Leonor, now reside on the old homestead.
About the year 1800 Seth Lyon moved from Princeton. He was one of
eight who organized the Congregational Church, and was chosen one of its
deacons.
Among those who were early settlers or had lived in town many years, we
find by the records that fifty lived to be over eighty years old, quite a number
who lived to be over ninety, and one centenarian, Mrs. Sarah Killum Stiles,
who died in 1868, aged one hundred and two years.
In many parts of the town the scenery is delightful, especially so at the
summit of the mountain on the turnpike leading to Manchester. It is two
thousand feet above sea level. Looking south and east a grand panorama of
of nature is discernible. It is said by tourists that it excels in beauty and
grandeur any scenery in the State from the same altitude. Looking southerly,
Old Stratton, with her lofty dome, seems to stand as a sentinel over the vast
basin of hills, dales, mountains, and woodland.
Succession of Town Officers.—1802, town clerk, John Brock; selectmen,
David White, Aaron Killam, E. Hurlburt.
1803.—Town clerk, William Pollard; selectmen, Moses Hill, John Brock,
Thomas Wyman ; representative, Reuben Bigelow.
1804.—Town clerk, William Pollard; selectmen, Reuben Bigelow, Thomas
Wyman, John Brock ; representative, Ruben Bigelow.
1805.—Town clerk, William Pollard; selectmen, Reuben Bigelow, Samuel
Cooper, Elias Bebee ; representative, Ruben Bigelow.
1806.—Town clerk, William Pollard ; selectmen, Aaron Killam, Seth Lyon,
Elijah Simonds.
1807.—Town clerk, Joseph Eairbank; selectmen, Joseph Fairbank, Peter
Dudley, J. Bruce.
1808.—Town clerk, Joseph Fairbank; selectmen, Joseph Fairbank, Peter
Dudley, J. Bruce ; representative, Peter Dudley.
1809.—Town clerk, Joseph Fairbank; selectmen, Joseph Fairbank, Peter
Dudley, J. Bruce.
1810.—Town clerk, Joseph Fairbank; selectmen, Joseph Fairbank, Peter
Dudley, J. Bruce.
1811.—Town clerk, Joseph Fairbank; selectmen, Joseph Fairbank, Thomas
Wyman, John Batchelder.
1812.—Town clerk, Reuben Bigelow; selectmen, Reuben Bigelow, Thomas
Wyman, John Batchelder.
1813.—Town clerk, Reuben Bigelow; selectmen. John Batchelder, Elijah
Simonds, Israel Batchelder.
1814.—Town clerk, Reuben Bigelow; selectmen, John Batchelder, Elijah
Simonds, Israel Batchelder.
464
History of Bennington County.
1815.—Town clerk, Reuben Bigelow ; selectmen, Reuben Bigelow, John
Batchelder, Elijah Simonds.
1816—Town clerk, Reuben Bigelow; selectmen, Reuben Bigelow, John
Batchelder, Elijah Simonds.
1817.—Town clerk, Reuben Bigelow; selectmen, Reuben Bigelow, Elijah
Simonds, Samuel Stone.
1818.—Town clerk, Reuben Bigelow; selectmen, Reuben Bigelow, Samuel
Stone, Josiah Barnard.
1819.—Town clerk, Reuben Bigelow; selectmen, Reuben Bigelow, Samuel
Stone, Josiah Barnard.
1820.—Town clerk, Reuben Bigelow ; selectmen, Reuben Bigelow, Samuel
Stone, Seth Lyon.
1821.—Town clerk, Reuben Bigelow; selectmen, Peter Dudley, Samuel
Stone, Seth Lyon.
1822.—Town clerk, Reuben Bigelow; selectmen, Peter Dudley, Samuel
Stone, Josiah Barnard.
1823 —Town clerk, Reuben Bigelow ; selectmen, Josiah Barnard, Thomas
Wyman, Seth Lyon.
1824.—Town clerk, Reuben Bigelow ; selectmen, Josiah Stone, Seth Lyon,
Thomas Wyman.
1825.—Town clerk, Reuben Bigelow; selectmen, Seth Lyon, Israel Batch-
elder, Josiah Mapgood.
1826.—Town clerk, Reuben Bigelow; selectmen, Seth Lyon, Israel Batch-
elder, Josiah Hapgood.
1827.— Town clerk, Reuben Bigelow; selectmen, Daniel Tuthill, Peter Dud¬
ley, Edmund Batchelder.
1828.—Town clerk, Reuben Bigelow; selectmen, Peter Dudley, Edmund
Batchelder, B. Barnard, jr.
1829.—Town clerk, Reuben Bigelow; selectmen, Peter Dudley, Edmund
Batchelder, B. Barnard, jr.
1830.—Town clerk, Reuben Bigelow; selectmen, Benjamin Barnard, jr.,
Edmund Batchelder, jr., F. Bennett.
1831.—Town clerk, Reuben Bigelow; selectmen, Benjamin Barnard, jr.,
Edmund Batchelder, jr., Frank Bennett.
1832.—Town clerk, Reuben Bigelow; selectmen, Benjamin Barnard, jr.,
Reuben Bigelow, Peter Dudley.
1833.—Town clerk, Reuben Bigelow; selectmen, Benjamin Barnard, jr.,
Reuben Bigelow, Peter Dudley.
1834.—Town clerk, Reuben Bigelow; selectmen, Benjamin Barnard, jr.,
Peter Dudley, James Lincoln.
1835.—Town clerk, Russell Tuthill; selectmen, Benjamin Barnard, jr.,
Peter Dudley, James Lincoln ; Samuel Stone elected delegate to Constitutional
Convention,
Town of Peru.
—Town clerk, Russell Tuthill ; selectmen, Peter Dudley, Nathan
Whitney, Still mini Lincoln; constable, Mark Batchelder.
I <S37.—Town clerk, Israel Batchelder; selectmen, Israel Batchelder, Jonas
Bennett, Amherst Messenger ; constable, Mark Batchelder.
1838.— Town clerk, Israel Batchelder; selectmen, Jonas Bennett, Amherst
Messenger, J. R. Wyman ; constable, George Batchelder.
1839.—Town clerk, Thomas Baldwin, jr.; selectmen, Benjamin Barnard,
Francis Bennett, J. J. Ilapgood; constable, George Batchelder.
1840.—Town clerk, Thomas Baldwin, jr.; selectmen, Benjamin Barnard,
jr., Aaron Burton, Joel Lyon; constable, Stephen Dudley.
1841.—Town clerk, Thomas Baldwin, jr.; selectmen, Benjamin Barnard,
Joel Lyon, Freeman Lyon ; constable, Stephen Dudley.
1842.—Town clerk, Thomas Baldwin, jr.; selectmen, Benjamin Barnard,
Aaron Burton, Lzra Dodge; constable, Stephen Dudley.
1843.— Town clerk, Thomas Baldwin, jr.; selectmen, James Wait, Benja¬
min S. Ballard, Ezra Dodge ; constable, Freeman Lyon.
1844.—Town clerk, Thomas Baldwin, jr.; selectmen, James Wait, Benja¬
min S. Ballard, Ira K. Batchelder; constable, Freeman Lyon.
1845.—Town clerk, Ira Iv. Batchelder; selectmen, Ira K. Batchelder, Lzra
Dodge, George Batchelder; constable, Freeman Lyon.
1846.—Town clerk, Ira Iv. Batchelder; selectmen, George Batchelder,
Stephen Dudley, Cephas Bailey ; constable, George Batchelder.
1847.—Town clerk, Ira Iv. Batchelder; selectmen, George Batchelder,
Stephen Dudley, Cephas Bailey ; constable, Francis P. Batchelder.
1848.—Town clerk, Ira K. Batchelder; selectmen, Jesse Rider, Mark
Batchelder, G. F. Whitney; constable, F. P. Batchelder.
1849.—Town clerk, Ira K. Batchelder; selectmen, Jesse Rider, Aaron
Burton, G. F. Whitney; constable, F. P. Batchelder; representative, Ira K.
Batchelder ; delegate to Constitutional Convention, General Stephen Dudley.
1850.—Town clerk, Ira lv. Batchelder; selectmen, Jesse Rider, Edmund
Batchelder, Stephen Dudley; constable, F. P. Batchelder; representative, Ed¬
ward Batchelder.
1851 —Town clerk, Ira K. Batchelder; selectmen, Jesse Rider, Edward
Batchelder, Stephen Dudley.
1852.—Town clerk, O. P. Simonds;1 selectmen, Edward Batchelder, Aaron
Burton, Mark Batchelder; constable, F. P. Batchelder; representative, Mark
Batchelder.
!^53—Selectmen, Aaron Burton, Mark Batchelder, Stephen Dudley ; con¬
stable, F. P. Batchelder; representative, Mark Batchelder.
' O. 1'. Simonds was town clerk from 1852 until 1869, and again from 1873 until the present
time.
5! I
466
1Jistory of Bennington County.
1854.—Selectmen, Aaron Burton, Mark Batchelder, Stephen Dudley; con-
stab!'.', F. P. Batchelder; representative, F. P. Batchelder.
■ 5 •—S Meet men, Z. F. Whitney, J. G. Melendy, Cephas Bailey; constable,
F. 1'. Batchelder ; representative, F. P. Batchelder.
1856.—Selectmen, Ira K. Batchelder, J. P. Long, J. Hapgood; constable,
F. P. Batchelder; representative, A. T. Byard.
1857.—Selectmen, Ira K. Batchelder, J. P. Long, J. Hapgood ; constable,
F. P. Batchelder ; representative, A. T. Byard.
1858.—Selectmen, Ira K. Batchelder, D. Batchelder, J. G. Melendy; con¬
stable, F. P. Batchelder ; representative, Dexter Batchelder.
1859.—Selectmen, Ira K. Batchelder, D. Batchelder, J. Hapgood; consta¬
ble, F. P. Batchelder ; representative, Dexter Batchelder.
1860.—Selectmen, Ira K. Batchelder, IJ. Batchelder, J. Hapgood; consta¬
ble, Joseph Simonds ; representative, Joel Adams.
1861.—Selectmen, Ira K. Batchelder, H. Stone, S. D. Simonds; constable,
James Lincoln ; representative, Joel Adams.
1862.—Selectmen, Ira K. Batchelder, H. Stone, S. D. Simonds; constable,
James Lincoln ; representative, Edmund Batchelder.
1863.—Selectmen, Ira K. Batchelder, J. Hapgood, J. R. Walker; consta¬
ble, James Lincoln : representative, A. G. Bowker.
1864.—Selectmen, Ira K. Batchelder, J. Hapgood, Ira R. Walker; consta¬
ble, P. J. Walker ; representative, A. G. Bowker.
1S65.—Selectmen, Ira K. Batchelder, J. Hapgood, J. R. Walker; consta¬
ble, 1\ J. Walker; representative, Fdmund Batchelder.
1866.—Selectmen, Ira K. Batchelder, Jonathan Hapgood, Ira R. Walker;
constable, P. J. Walker ; representative, O. P. Simonds.
1867.—Selectmen, Jonathan Hapgood, Ira R. Walker, George K. Davis;
constable, P. G. Walker ; representative, O. P. Simonds.
1868.—Selectmen, Ira R. Walker, G. K. Davis, J. H. Simonds; constable,
M. B. Lyon; representative, J. P. Long.
1S69.—Town clerk, C. W. Whitney; selectmen, Jonathan Hapgood, H.
Stone, J. P. Long ; constable, Wesley Woodward ; representative, J. P. Long.
uS7o.—Town clerk, C. W. Whitney; selectmen, Jonathan Hapgood, II.
Stone, J. P. Long; constable, James Lincoln; representative, J. Hapgood.
1871.—Town clerk, C. W. Whitney; selectmen, J. Hapgood, H. Stone, J.
P. Long; constable, James Lincoln; representative, J. Hapgood.
1872.—Town clerk, C. W. Whitney; selectmen, H. Stone, A. C. Nourse,
J. G. Walker; constable, George Iv. Davis; representative, Hiram Griswold.
1873.—Selectmen, A. C. Nourse, J. G. Walker, Charles Batchelder, con¬
stable, George K. Davis.
1874.—Selectmen, A. C. Nourse, A. H. Williams, S. Stiles; constable,
George K. Davis; representative, Charles Batchelder.
Town of Peru.
4»>;
1875.—Selectmen, II. Stone, J. Hapgood, J. C. Lakin; 1 <mstal, (h mi
K. Davis.
1876.—Selectmen, II. Stone, J. I Iapgood, J. G. I .akin ; constal >1Geoi< 1
K. Davis; representative, W. B. Simonds.
1877.—Selectmen, J. G. Walker, M. B. Lyon, E. 1\. I farl ; e<instable, (inn
K. I )avis.
1878.—Selectmen, J. G. W;ilker, M. 15. Lyon, I'.. I\. I fart; constable, (iern^e
Davis; representative, George II. Davis.
1879.—Selectmen, K. R. Hart, S. Stiles, A. H. Williams; constable, Gi orge
K. Davis.
i88or—Selectmen, S. Stiles, A. II. Williams, George K. Davis; constable,
George K. Davis; representative, M. J. I Iapgood.
1881.—Selectmen, J. G. Walker, G. Iv. Davis, J. C. Lakin; constable, J. 15.
Simonds.
1882.—Selectmen, J. G. Walker, George K. Davis, W. IV Simonds; eon-
stable, J. I). Simonds; representative, J. G. Walker.
1883.—Selectmen, J. G. Walker, W. Ik Simonds, M. B. Lyon; constable,
M. G. Walker.
1884.—Selectmen, J. G. Walker, M. B. Lyon, J. G. Lakin; constable, M.
G. Walker ; representative, J. G. Walker.
1885.—Selectmen, J. G. Walker, M. B. Lyon, j. G. Lakin; constable, George
K. Davis.
1886.—Selectmen, J. G. Walker, M. Ik Lyon, J. C. Lakin; constable, George
K. Davis; representative, J. C. Lakin.
1887.—Selectmen, J. C. Lakin, R. I. Batchelder, W. J, Farnum ; constable,
George K. Davis.
1888.—Selectmen, R. I. Batchelder, W. J. Farnum, S. Stiles; constable,
George Iv. Davis; representative, M. B. Lyon.
Postmasters.—The first postmaster appointed by the government was Reu¬
ben Bigelow. He and his successors, Daniel and Russell Tuthill, held the office
up to 1836; from 1836 to 1839, Darius Smalley ; from 1839 to 1849, !'•
Simonds; from 1849 to 1851, Dr. Cyrus Hatch; from 1851 to 1856, 0. P.
Simonds; from 1856 to 1870, L. B. Hapgood; from 1870 to 1871, T. Iv. Snow;
from 1871 to 1873, C. W. Whitney; from 1873 to 1883, George I\ Davis;
from 1883 to 1887, 0. P. Simonds; from 1887 to the present time, George L.
Richardson.
Military Record.—Peter Gould was a Revolutionary pe ljoner. Moody
lvoby and Mrs. David Robbins were pensioners of the W ar of 1812.
In the late rebellion Peru furnished the following named volunteers for
three years, credited previous to call for 300,000 volunteers of October, 17th,
1863: Adams, Everett, E.; Barnard, Benjamin S.; Batchelder, TTarland L.;
Bennett, Schuyler; Bowker, Wilber F., killed at Port Hudson May 27th, 1803;
468
History of Bennington County.
Bryant, Clark R.; Bryant, Warren S.; Crocker, William H., killed at Port Hud¬
son June 15th, 1863; Hapgood, Charles M.; Long, Joseph M.; Odell, Charles
G.; Priest, Daniel M.; Robbins, Charles D.; Russell, Lysander W.; Simonds
Frank P. (The last two were taken prisoners at Winchester, Va , afterwards ex
changed, and were discharged at Fort Douglass, Chicago, 111). Stiles, Henry-
Weymouth, William S., died at Washington D C., December 14th, 1861. Cred¬
its under call of October 17th, 1863, for 300,000 volunteers, and subsequent calls;
volunteers for three years: Allen, Pardon W.; Benson, Allen J., taken prisoner
June 23d, 1864, died in prison; Collins, Levi W. ; Howard, John T., wounded
at the battle of Gettysburg; Lakin, Thomas J.; Lincoln, Clarence B. ; Ouack-
enbush, John P., died at City Point, Va., April 29th, 1865; Russell, Lauren
A., died in Washington, D. C., winter of 1864; Simonds, Albert J.; Wyman,
Leroy, wounded and died in hospital October 14th, 1864. Volunteers for one
year: Bryant, Calvin R.; Davis, Leroy G.; Green, Richard; Penfield, William
A.; Penfield, John W.; Russell, Obediah; Sheldon, Charles F.; Thompson,
Gilman, jr. Volunteers re-enlisted : Wyman, Abel T. Volunteers for nine
months: Farnum, Joseph M., died; French, Jefferson ; Lakin, Jerome B.; Ma¬
son, Joseph H.; Reed, Charles H.; Strong, William C.; Wyman, George B.
Furnished under draft, paid commutation: Batchelder, James K.; Simonds,
William B.; Walker, Seth L ; Whitney, Josiah PI.
One incident is worthy of note in connection with this soldier's record.
Royal Bryant, a blacksmith, of this place furnished four stalwart sons for the
Union army, three of whose names appear above. Leroy enlisted from Wards-
boro, this State; was killed in battle near Chapin's Farm, Va , September 291I1,
1864. His eldest son, George, was living in Texas at the time Fort Sumter
was fired upon, and although he tried to get North and join the Union army
he was captured, and forced to bear arms against his home and his four brothers.
After peace was declared his next younger brother, Warren, went Texas and
found his brother George.
CHAPTER XXIX.
history of the town of sunderland.
THIS township was chartered July 29, 1761, the grant bearing date one day
later than that by which Arlington was brought into existence. Sundei-
land is bounded on the north by Manchester, on the South by Glastenbuiy, on
the east by Stratton, Windham county, and on the west by Arlington. The
original grantees were sixty-four in number, Isaac Series being the first men-
Town of Sunderland.
469
tinned. The surface of the land in Sunderland is quite similar to that in Glas¬
tonbury and the other towns that lie almost wholly within the Green Moun¬
tain chain, but there is more tillable land in Sunderland than in Glastonbury,
and this is on the west side next to the Arlington line. The Battenkill River
crosses the northwest corner of the town, and in its course receives the waters
of the lesser streams, Mill Brook and Roaring Branch, and others of still less
note. There is probably no town in the county that possesses better water-
power facilities, if properly controlled, than does this, and it is equally true that
there is no town in the county in which this natural power is less utilized than
in Sunderland. However much this may seem as an uncomplimentary state¬
ment, it is nevertheless true. The town has abundant resources but they are
not properly developed. Industries have been here but are now gone, and the
old buildings are deserted. Sunderland can never become an extensive agricul¬
tural town as nature has not endowed it with the essential characteristics, but
a manufacturing community can be built up here with proper energy. Some¬
thing has already been done in this direction but it should not have been suf¬
fered to decline.
The most interesting of Sunderland's history is to be found in a narrative
of the events occuring within its boundaries during the years prior to 1800.
The town was chartered, as has been stated, in 1761, but its organization did
not take place until July 7, 1763, and that meeting was held in Pownal. Isaac
Series was chosen moderator, and George Gardner, clerk. At a subsequent
meeting, July nth, Samuel Robinson was elected treasurer, Isaac Series col¬
lector, and Samuel Robinson, George Gardner and Isaac Series a committee to
run the town lines. On May 1 5, 1764, the third proprietors' meeting was held,
at which Samuel Robinson was chosen moderator, and Jabez Warren, clerk.
The fourth and fifth meetings were held at Jabez Warren's house in Sunder¬
land, and the sixth also at the same place; and at this last meeting, which oc¬
curred November 28th, Jedidiah Hurd, Gideon Warren, and Timothy Brown-
son were chosen a committee to surperintend the survey and allotments of the
town and lay out the highways.
I he survey and division of town lots, one acre each in size, and sixty-six in
number, was made by Samuel Robinson of Bennington, his labor being com¬
pleted in August, 1765 ; but before this time lie had laid out the proprietors'
tracts in fifty-acre lots, one to each grantee, and this was finished in June, 1765.
I lien during the next year or in 1 766, settlement in the town commenced, the
pioneers in this work being Gideon and Timothy Brownson, Joseph Bradley,
Amos Chipman, Abner and Charles Everts, Abner Ilill, and Reuben Webb, all
or nearly all of whom were from Connecticut. Following these came others of
the Brownson family and the Averills, Bradleys, Davis, Cobins, Everts, Graves,
Hills, lloyts, Hicks, Comstocks, Taylors and others. The town is believed to
have been organized about this time, although no definite information on this
47°
History of Bennington County.
point is to be derived from the town records, which are in an exceedingly bad
condition. The first discoverable record of a regular freemen's meeting is of
that held in 1769, at which time Derrick Webb was chosen moderator; Gid¬
eon Brownson, town clerk; Isaac Hill, Zachcus Mallory, and Thomas Barring,
selectmen; Rozelle Hill, constable; and Ebenezer Barnes, Timothy Brownson
and Amos Chipman, overseers of highways. In 1770 Isaac Hill was elected
moderator; Gideon Brownson, town clerk; Joseph Bradley, Timothy Brown¬
son, and Gideon Series, selectmen. Other officers were chosen at the same
time, but the worthy town clerk, Gideon Brownson, was more of a statesman
and leader than penman, and from the records as they now appear, one can
only guess at his meaning, and guessing is too liable to lead to error.
Sunderland, from its close proximity to Arlington, became more or less in¬
volved in the exciting events that preceded the Revolution; and while the
more important events transpired in Arlington, the town of Sunderland was
not wholly free from the troublous element usually called Tories, and one in
particular of these was Benjamin Hough, concerning whose exploits and final
punishment much is said in the general history of this region, and to be found
in the earlier part of this work. Hough came to reside in the town sometime
about 1773 or 1774, and was clothed with all the power and authority that
could be derived from the office of justice of the peace under the jurisdiction of
New York, but this the doughty settlers in this vicinity failed to recognize, so
Hough naturally got into trouble. But Hough was as obstinate as the other
settlers wrere determiued, and used his greatest endeavors in sowing the seeds
of Toryism throughout the vicinity; indeed, so open and notorious did his in¬
imical conduct become that he at length fell into the custody of the Committee
of Safety, before whom he was tried, found guilty, and sentenced to "betaken
from the bar of this Committee of Safety, and be tied to a tree, and there on his
back receive two hundred stripes; his back being dressed he should depart out
of the district, and on return without special leave of the convention to suffer
death." On the 30th of May, 1675 this sentence was extended and the pris¬
oner given a safe passport beyond the Vermont line, to which he did not re¬
turn. This punishment inflicted on Hough had a most salutary influence upon
those in this region who were disposed to share his sentiments, and subsequent
cases of a similar character were few indeed.
The first mention made of the town of Sunderland in connection with the
general events of the region is found in the proceedings of the celebrated Dor¬
set Convention of July 26, 1775, when, upon the verge of the Revolution, the
local authorities were organizing the military forces of the State for future op¬
erations. Of the companies then organized fifty were raised in Sunderland
and its vicinity, and Captain Gideon Brownson was placed in command, while
Jellis Blakeley and Philo Hard were respectively chosen first and second lieu¬
tenants. At this time Gideon Brownson was unquetionably the foremost man
Town of Sunderland.
471
in the town or its vicinity. lie served through the war, having been promoted
to the rank of major in the Continental service, and afterward general in the
Vermont militia. J. A. Graham said: "General Brownson was a violent pol¬
itician in the late war ; and that as a proof of his valiant conduct, he now (1797)
carries in his body eighteen pieces of lead, which he received during that fatal
contest."
In the Dorset Convention of July 24, 1776 the town of Sunderland was rep¬
resented by Joseph Bradley, and he too was prominently connected with both
the civil and military affairs of the State, holding in the former many positions
of trust, and in the latter being an officer of rank. He and Colonel Timothy
lirownson were delegates from the town to the Dorset Convention held in Sep¬
tember, 1776; and at the famous Windsor Convention June 4, 1777, Lieuten¬
ant Bradley represented the town, his associate at that time being Eli Brown-
also of Sunderland.
"Colonel Timothy Brownson," says a contemporaneous writer, " was among
the first permanent settlers of Sunderland in 1766, but in 1764 lie had been one
of the committee appointed to settle with the collecter of the grantees, super¬
intend the allotments, and survey and lay out the roads in that town. lie was
from New Framingham, Conn. He was a prominent man in the civil affairs of
the State, one of the most trusted and confidential advisers of Governor Chit¬
tenden, a delegate in the conventions of January 16 and September 25, 1776,
and was one of the twelve advisers appointed to attend the next convention.
He was also a member of the convention which adopted the constitution, and
councilor for i778-84atid 1787-94. He was one of the eight persons named by
Governor Chittenden as having been cognizant of the Haldimand negotiation,
and a member of the convention of 179 r, which adopted the constitution of the
United States."
I11 this connection it will be proper to mention as among the prominent
early residents of Sunderland General Ethan Allen and his brother, Ira Allen,
although neither can be said be said to have been permanent residents of the
town. Ethan Allen was probably induced to take up his abode temporarily
in the town through the influence of his wife, whose maiden name was Mary
lirownson, and to whom he was married in 1762, at Roxbury. She died at Sun¬
derland early in the year 1783, and was buried in the north cemetery in Sun¬
derland, which had been deeded to the town by Ira Allen. The two brothers
Allen lived in the northwest part of the town near the banks of the Battenkill,
and here Ethan built a house in which he lived, and which remained standing
until about 1845, when it was taken down. Ira Allen also built a house, barn
and office building in the same section, and these too remained standing for
many years. But Ira Allen, at least, was but a temporary resident of the town,
his home being in Colchester, but his high civil and military offices calling him
so frequently to this region, he transferred his resdence for the time to Sunder¬
land, that being a central point from which he could operate easily.
47 2
History of Bennington County.
But loyal to the cause of the people on the grants as the great majority of
Sunderland's inhabitants were, there were some at least who had imbibed the
sentiments of tbe notorious Hough, and upon whom the official eye was fixed.
This is confirmed by the proceedings of the Council of Safety, who were in the
habit of watching suspected persons, and keeping them under restraint in cer¬
tain cases. The committees of safety in the several towns were no less vigilant
and arrested any unknown persons. For these reasons the council gave to sus¬
pected persons and to loyal citizens, abo, passports that they might be free to
go and come without molestation. This is evidenced by the following order
made by the council in September, 1777: "The fallowing persons are permit¬
ted to pass, viz.: Daniel Dorchy and Sylvenus Perry from this to Sunderland
and return within one month." Also, "Isaac Goodsel is permitted to pass to
Sunderland to take care of his children and return within six days." Here is
an old order to the commissioners of sequestration:
"Sir: We are informed that Mr. S. Payne, of Sunderland, has in his cus¬
tody one yoke of oxen the property of this State, which we desire you to take
into custody immediately. Mem."
November 18, 1777. "John Foot is permitted to pass from this (Benning¬
ton) to Sunderland." The following order of council was made January 22,
1778: "Permission is'hereby given to the bearer, xWad Ivril (Avrill), to trans¬
port five hundred weight of flour out of this State, agreeable to a former con¬
tract (certified under oath) made previous to the resolve of the council laying
an embargo on wheat, etc."
When in May, 1778, the governor and council were organizing the Second
Regiment of militia, one company was provided to be raised in Sunderland, of
which Daniel Comstock was appointed captain and Eli Brownson first lieuten¬
ant. And during the same year, when justices of the peace were being ap¬
pointed for the various towns, Colonel Timothy Brownson was selected to fill
that office for Sunderland. The town officers chosen by the freemen for this
year, 1778, were as follows: Moderator, Joseph Bradley; town clerk, Abner
Hill ; selectmen, Benjamin Lewis and Amos Chipman; constable, Samuel
Hoyt; committee of safety, Jonathan Hoyt and Joseph Bradley, (chairman);
tithingmen, Amos Brownson and Daniel Comstock.
On the 23d day of December, 1779 it appears that the Board of War held
a short session at Sunderland At that time Timothy Brownson was chairman
of this body, the otner members present being Major Benjamin Wait, Captain
Ebenezer Allen, Lieutenant Joseph Bradley, Captain Joseph Bowker, and
Captain Samuel Robinson. Another meeting of the same body was held in
the town 011 August 7, 1780, there being present Timothy Brownson, Joseph
Bowker, Joseph Bradley and Ira Ailen, three members "being then residents of
Sunderland. At this time was passed this resolution: " Resolved to raise by a
draft on the militia sixty able-bodied non-commissioned officers and soldiers,
Town of Sunderland.
473
every man equipped, to join Maj'r Eben'r Allen's detachment <>f rangers ; that
they be drafted from the several reg't in the following proportions, (viz.) Col.
Samuel Ilerrick's Regiment, 24 men ; Col. Ira Allen's Reg't., 21 men; Col.
Eben'r Allen's Reg't, 15 men."
The foregoing narrative contains all the events of importance that occurred
during the period of the town's history that was particularly interesting. But
during the time in which occurred what is known as "Shay's Rebellion," Ethan
Allen was a resident of the town, at least he was then there. There is no
record of any assembly of the Shay's insurrectionists in Sunderland, but in con¬
nection with the events occurring about that time General Allen wrote one ot
his characteristic letters, which having been produced in the town, is deemed
worthy of record in these pages, as follows:
"Sunderland, 3d of May, 1787.
"Sir:—I consider it my duty to inform the Government of the Common¬
wealth of Massachusetts Bay that the malcontents of your State appear to
be forming unlawful associations in this State, and that this government arc
taking the most effectual measures to prevent the mischievous consequences
which may be consequent thereon. Your people in the meantime may do well
to take care of private murders. You may depend that this government are
so alarmed at the present conduct of your insurgents that they will cordially
consult any measures with your government, which may be requisite for the
mutual peace of both. I desire you would present this Letter with my com¬
pliments to the commanding Officer of the troops of Massachusetts in Berk¬
shire County for their information. And I am with respect, Your Humble
Servant." " ETHAN ALLEN."
" N. B. Should it be policy for the Government of your State to publish the
foregoing letter at any time after the IOth instant, I have 110 objection. E. A."
This letter was addressed to Colonel Benjamin Simmons.
From the year 1791, and even before that time, the growth of the town of
Sunderland has been steady and healthful, so that at the present time its pop¬
ulation is probably greater than ever before, and this respect is an exception
to the condition of many other towns of the county that enjoy a more favora¬
ble situation. In 1791, the year of the first census enumeration of the towns,
Sunderland had a population of 414, a less number than shown by any subse¬
quent census. Ten years later, or in 1800, it had 557; in 1810, 576; in 1820,
496; in 1830,463; in 1840,437; in 1850, 479; in i860, 567; in 1870, 5153;
in 1880, 654. The increase shown between the years 1850 and i860 is un¬
doubtedly due in a great measure to the construction through the northwest
part of the town of the Bennington and Rutland Railroad, as it is now known,
but which formerly was called the "Western Vermont" road. The building
of this road opened to the townspeople a way of transporting their products
00
474
History of Bennington County.
of agriculture and manufacture to profitable markets. The admirable water¬
ways of the town furnished excellent power, and manufacture became one of
the leading industries of the locality ; but this seems to have had its best days,
at least judging from the idle factory buildings now standing in the town, espe¬
cially in the locality of Chiselville.
This little hamlet, the one that has for years rejoiced in the name of " Chis¬
elville," is situate in the central part of the inhabited portion of the town, and
derives its name from extensive manufacturing interests that once flourished
there, and was known as the Arlington Edge Tool Company; but this manu¬
facture has now practically ceased, therefore Chiselville is in a condition of des¬
uetude. The water-power here, on Roaring Branch, is not to be excelled in
the State.
Mount Pleasant is a small hamlet, still further south than Chiselville, and
contains a dozen houses, perhaps, and has, or had formerly, one or two indus
tries of no special importance. The people here are engaged in agriculture
and lumbering.
The principal trading and manufacturing point within the township is at
Sunderland, a small station on the Bennington and Rutland Railroad, a few
miles northeast from Arlington. This is a pleasantly situated little hamlet of
small population, on the Battenlcill River, having all necessary stores and other
interests to attract trade from the north part of this town, and some from the
south part of Manchester. The leading industry here is. the manufacture of
veneering, which was established in 1871 ; and in connection with this the
proprietor, Mr. Bacon, also has a lumber-mill and box factory. Other indus¬
tries of the place are Bacon's feed and grist-mill, and saw-mill. These comprise
the chief industries of the locality, while there may be some others of less note.
The township of Sunderland, like the majority, perhaps, of those that com¬
prise the county, has a bonded indebtedness, but not to so large an amount by
far as some others. The taxpayers of this town annually pay interest on the
sum of seventeen thousand dollars, besides raising the necessary funds for cur¬
rent expenses, such as payment of officers' fees, maintenance of the poor and
supporting the schools, of the last named, there being four in the town. The
greater part of the town's indebtedness was created by bonding for the railroad,
which crosses the extreme northwest corner, and is of no practical or substan¬
tial benefit to the people of the south part except as they reach the station at
Arlington, some two or three miles distant; but whether of benefit or not, the
indebtedness is there.
The officers of Sunderland, chosen at the town meeting in March, 1888,
are as follows: Moderator, Samuel H. Crum; town clerk and treasurer, Henry
S. Burt; selectmen, Edward G. Bacon, Samuel Crum and Arnold Webb; over¬
seer of the poor, E. A. Graves ; constable and collector, E. J. Brown; listers,
Abel Stillson, Albert P. Brown, and O. E. Dwinelle; auditors, James Graves,
475
II. N. Buck and J. W. Hulett; grand jurors, David Snyder and Reuben Webb;
inspectors of leather, A. R. Stillson and A. R. Webb; pound keepers, Julius
Hill and John Marble.
11 IS town was chartered by Governor Wentworth on the 6th of March,
1753; therefore with the exception of the towns of Bennington and Stam¬
ford it is the oldest of those that form the county, but Stamford was not
granted prior to Woodford but at the same time. It was the intention of the
worthy governor of the province to make no township of greater than thirty-
six square miles, but for some reason Woodford was made an exception, it con¬
taining 110 less than forty-two square miles of land, and being six miles in
north and south measurement and seven miles east and west.
Woodford ranks with the more mountainous towns of the county, being
situate almost wholly within the main range of the Green Mountain chain. Its
boundaries are as follows: North by Glastenbury, south by Stamford and Pow-
nal, east by Searsburg and Readsboro, and west by Bennington. The town,
from its very mountainous character, is possessed of an abundant water-power;
its hills are, or have been, covered with a heavy growth of excellent timber,
spruce, hemlock, and other kinds. Thus, while the town can lay no claim to
possessing remarkable agricultural advantages, it can, however, boast of its
lumber producing interests, and this has been the mainstay and support of her
population. But Woodford is not without good farming lands, some in the
"hollow" and others on the mountain, still the town is not particularly well
adapted to farming pursuits, and the people do not aim to make it such.
Although Woodford was chartered in 1753, settlement did not actually
commence until some twenty five years later, and the town organization was
not effected earlier than February, 1789. The first settlers were Caleb Moore,
Matthew and Zarah Scott, and Benjamin Reed. At a town meeting held
Marcli 10, 1792 there were present and took the freemen's oath, Joseph Wil¬
son, Caleb Moore, Obediah Eddy, Zadock Pierce, Eli Pierce, Hezekiah Pierce,
and Benjamin Orcutt. The oldest town records appear to be lost or worn out
and destroyed, but in the back part of one of the old deed books are to be
found the proceedings of the freemen's meetings as far back as 1797. In that
year at a meeting held in March, Elkhanah Danforth was chosen town clerk ;
William Danforth, Paul Phillips, and William Parks, selectmen ; Elijah Phelps,
CHAPTER XXX.
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF WOODFORD.
476
History of Bennington County.
collector: Jonathan Danforth, constable; Matthew Scott, treasurer; William
Park, Matthew Scott, and Obcdiah Eddy, listers. At this meeting also it was
voted to raise the sum of twelve dollars for town expenses. At a meeting
held at Robert Hill's house, in December, 1798, there were present, William
Park, Ebenezer Pease, Robert Hill, Obediah Eddy, Samuel Stacy, Benjamin
Reed, Paul Phillips, Isaac Cobbe, Elkhanah Danforth, Jonathan Danforth, and
Lemuel Martin. In 1799 the selectmen were Elkhanah Danforth, William
Park, and Paul Phillips; the treasurer, Obediah Eddy; listers, William Park,
Jonathan Danforth, and Eleazer Phillips; constable and collector, Jonathan
Danforth; surveyors of highways, Paul Phillips and William Park. At the
meeting for the election of State officers, held in 1800, these freemen were
present : Elkhanah Danforth, Jonathan Danforth, Isaac Kibbe, Samuel Orcutt,
T\ Hill, Lemuel Martin, Paul Phillips, Oliver Perry, William Danforth,
Obediah Eddy, Eli Pierce, John Oliver, Spencer Lyon, Jabez Knapp, John
Phelps, Samuel Stacy, Alhanan Perry, Hezakiah and Jonathan Ferguson.
During these early days, as well as at a later period, there was kept with the
clerk a record of marriages, births, and deaths in each town. The first child
born in Woodford is said to have been Benjamin Reed, jr., the son of Benjamin
and Huldah Reed, pioneers of the town. This first event occurred August 11,
1779. The record books of that period are now missing from the clerk's office,
and the first that is to be had is of a later period. It appears that on the 24th
of September, 1802, Obediah Eddy and Fanny Lyon were united in marriage';
and, on the 4th of February, 1803 that James Eddy and Sally Ferguson were
married; also, a further entry says that Jabez Knapp and Bethiah Knapp,
"having been lawfully published, were joined in marriage by mee, Elkhanah
Danforth, justice of the peace and town clerk "
The town of Woodford cannot be said to have made much of any history,
in fact none at all, during the period of the controversy with New York, the
War of the Revolution, and the subsequent proceedings which preceded the
admission of Vermont to the Union ; but its history really commenced with the
town organization, which event occurred in 1789, as has been already narrated.
At that time there were some ten or twelve families in the township and the
names of most of them have been given. The leaders seem to have been Will¬
iam Park and Elkhanah Danforth, while Robert Hill, Paul Phillips, and Obe¬
diah Eddy were lesser lights, yet quite prominent.
William Park, undoubtedly the then influential man of the town, seems to
have been a surveyor, as well as pioneer, farmer, and lumberman. He became
the owner of very large tracts of land in the town, and was considered a man of
excellent judgment and business abilities. He held nearly all the responsible
offices of the town, and was clerk for some thirty years. Elkhanah Danforth
was equally prominent with Mr. Park, likewise a continuous officeholder in
leading positions. As justice of the peace, an office the incumbency of which
Town of Woodford.
477
then implied a thorough knowledge of the law, he was quite a dignitary in the
community, and one whose counsel was much sought. His handwriting in
the old record books would seem to entitle it to be ranked with Horace
Greeley's, for it is almost impossible to decipher it. Obediah Eddy was the
first representative elected in the township, but Obediah obstinately refused to
have this honor thrust upon him and would not serve, whereupon the meeting
adjourned without voting for State officers. Such cases as this have been few,
and it is believed that the town has not been similarly embarrassed since that
time, at least not during late years. But Obediah Eddy was a prominent man in
the town, and one whose influence and counsel were of weight in town affairs.
The town of Woodford, from its situation and physical features, was quite
difficult of settlement, or if settlement was effected improvement and cultiva¬
tion were still more laborious. The exceedingly mountainous and rocky char¬
acter of the land obliged the residents to turn their attention to something else
than farming, and as the region had an abundance of fine growing timber this
became a lumber producing rather than an agricultural township ; and so it
has remained to this day, only enough farm products being raised to supply
the needs of the inhabitants, and this to a limited extent. Manufacturing com¬
menced in Woodford about the beginning of the present century, and in that
part of the town that has ever been known as the "Hollow," that being a ra¬
vine of some miles in length, through which courses the stream called Bolles
Brook. This pioneer industry was a forge for the manufacture of bar iron,
and soon after became a furnace for making anchors for vessels. At a consider¬
ably later day another bar iron forge was built, which outlived the others by
many years, but neither of these industries are now in operation. Another of
the prominent industries, though it may not have been an ancient one, was
the production of yellow ochre, a fine clay found in various places along the
hollow, much used in mechanical arts. There were two paint-mills in opera¬
tion here at one time, the ochre being a prominent factor in this manufacture,
but this too, is now at an end in this locality.
The chief products to day, that in fact has been for the last half century or
more, is the manufacture of lumber in various forms, and the production of
charcoal. Ihese have been carried on to a very great extent, but the supply
of raw material now shows visible signs of exhaustion. Eor fifty and more
years the incessant attacks of the woodman have told seriously upon the native
forests of Woodford, and if continued for a like time in the future their utter
devastation will be the result. It would be difficult, if not impossible, to name
each and every lumber and charcoal producer that has operated in this town.
Many are still here that have worked for years, and others have come and gone
of whom there is left no record.
That part of the town that has always been called the " Hollow," by people
generally, has an advantage over the southern portion by its proximity to the
History of Bennington County.
railroad that runs from Bennington to Glastenbury, for the manufactures of this
locality can be loaded on the cars with but little team work, and are therefore
sent to market at less expense than the products of Woodford City and the
region further south. The construction of this road gave to the denizens of
the "Hollow" a dignity not previously theirs, and resulted in a change of name
at least, among the residents there, of the locality from the "Hollow" to "Slab
City," by which it was known for some time. Then by a subsequent change,
brought about by the extensive industries operated by the Harbour Brothers,
the place became known as Harbourville. But the reader who is not acquainted
with this immediate locality must not for a moment imagine that Harbourville,
formerly Slab City, formerly Woodford Hollow, is a snug little hamlet on Bolles
Brook, for such is hardly the case. The " Hollow" begins as one enters the de¬
file between the mountains and ends where the ravine becomes lost in the
mountains, a distance of two or more miles. The place now called Harbour¬
ville, proper, consists of the mills operated by the firm of Harbour Brothers and
the few houses erected for the accommodation of proprietors and employees.
This is about all there is of the place, still there are some other industries in the
" Hollow."
The most extensive manufacturers in the north part of the town are the
members of the firm of Harbour Brothers, already frequently mentioned, who
have been operating in the vicinity for a number of years. They are large
land owmers and employ a number of men in their business. They have been
producers of lumber and charcoal, but the former, in various forms, now mainly
occupies their attention, their products including "bill stuff," lath and shingles.
Harbourville with Harbour Brothers left out would be hardly discernible.
Above the" Hollow" there was built and putin operation in 1864 a saw and
turning mill, the property of Lyman Patchin, but after some years this passed
to the firm of Aldrich & Mallory, who continued it. Of late, however, these
proprietors have changed the machinery and re arranged the building for use
as a chair factory. In the lower part of the "Hollow" is the lumber, box and
lath-mills of Lyman Evans and Irving E. Gibson, who do business here under
the firm name of Evans & Gibson. The principal charcoal industries in this
part of the town are those of J. J. Morehouse and E. C. White, (Morehouse &
White), both residents of New York, and Irving E. Gibson's, formerly James
Beckley's, who has some seven or eight kilns scattered about, and possibly other
producers of less note.
There was a time when Woodford Hollow, throughout its entire length, was
an exceeding busy community, but that time has long since passed. The old
hotels that were built for the accommodation of travelers and to boarders in this
vicinity, have long since lost their usefulness, and only during the fishing season
does the stranger venture to remain long within the confines of the old " Hollow.
The other and the principal manufacturing point of the township is the hamlet
Town of Woodford.
479
known for at least three score of years by the name of "Woodford City." It
is said that "a city set on a hill shall not be hid;" therefore here must be a
city, for it is on one of the highest elevations upon which a town could possibly
be built up in the township, unless, perhaps, the extreme heights of Mount Pros¬
pect were used for that purpose. In all the long years of its existence Wood¬
ford City has acquired a population varying from one to two hundred persons.
Like the proverbial Irishman's pig "it is little but old." But, notwithstanding
the isolated situation of Woodford City, and the difficulty with which its high
elevation is reached, the place abounds in beautiful scenes that attract many
visitors; in fact of late it has become quite a resort, and it only remains for
some enterprising person to build the proper style of summer hotel and adver¬
tise judiciously to make Woodford City the rival of the other resorts so nu¬
merous in the mountains of Vermont. Among the many natural attractions
here is the body of water called Big Pond, something like one hundred acres
in extent; to the southwest there rises high above the plateau lands Mount
Prospect. Here, too, is found excellent trout fishing in the waters of Stamford
stream, City stream and Rake branch. The whole locality abounds in delight¬
ful scenes and situations to attract the presence of summer boarders.
Woodford City, although never regularly laid out, and having no corporate
existence apart from the balance of the township, is a busy little hamlet, hav¬
ing a population of forty or fifty families, all of whom are in some manner con¬
nected with the lumber and other industries for which the place is noted. The
first settler on this site is said to have been Zurial Cutler, but prior to his com¬
ing a saw-mill was in operation at the place. Soon after Cutler's settlement
here William Park and his son and Henry Loveland moved to the locality and
and then the city got its start. These families were at the city prior to 1820.
The dense forest growth promised good returns of lumber and charcoal, and
in this these and subsequent comers engaged, until the business spread over
the entire central and southern portions of the township. The numerous
mountain streams afforded capital power, and soon mills lined their banks at
convenient points, while a multitude of charcoal kilns were scattered through
the forests.
These industries have used, perhaps, the greater part of the forests, but still
there remains a good quantity for the future. Where no longer than twenty
years ago there was nothing but woods, may now be seen good farming lands,
but this pursuit has never been considered profitable in this locality. Among
the scores of industries that have at one time or another been in operation at
the city but comparatively few remain, and as the decline has been here so
has it been generally throughout the township, owing in great measure to the
exhaustion of the supply of raw material. The present industries of the city
are about as follows : F. A. Gleason, manufacturer of lumber and boxes, the
latter for packing the knit goods made at Bennington ; George W. Knapp,
480
History of Bennington County.
manufacturer of lumber and chair stuff; Elmer Gleason, saw-mill; Stephen E.
Gleason and Charles F. Wood, (Gleason & Wood), saw-mill; John Bugbee,
saw-mill, built in 1866; Anthony W. Hager, manufacturer of charcoal, two
kilns.
At a point some four miles east of the city Enos Adams has a mill for the
manufacture of lumber and mop handles. At the foot of the mountain the old
" Foote" mill is starting up as a saw-mill. Also at Woodford City are two
good hotels — the Mt. Pleasant House, under the proprietorship of George W.
Knapp, and the Summit House, the proprietor of which is Cornelius Cutler.
The population of the township of Woodford, according to the census of
1880, numbered four hundred and eighty-eight souls. At the present time it
will number about the same, but slightly less if any material variation is shown.
The check list for the presidential and State election of 1888 had nearly eighty
voters, but there are many persons residing in the town who are not legal
voters, so as an index of what the present population may be the check list
is not entirely reliable. The present grand list of Woodford is $900. The
town, since 1872, has not sent a Republican representative to the State Leg¬
islature. John Rooney is the present representattve.
The town of Woodford has two churches, the one a Union church at Wood¬
ford City, at which all denominations are entitled to hold services, provided
each supplies itself with a pastor. The edifice was built in 1873, at a cost of
$1,200; the other church is located in the Hollow, and is of the denomina¬
tion known as the Advent Christian Church. The society was organized in
1871 by elders of that faith, with twelve members. The church building was
erected during the same year, and cost $1,800. No services have been held
here for two or three years. In the town are three schools, which are man¬
aged and supported according to the "town system," the freemen having voted
to adopt that form of school management in preference to the "district system,"
but this is not wholly satisfactory, and it is more than possible that the town
system will be abolished and the district system established. The school-
houses are located — one at the Hollow, one at Woodford City, and the third
in the extreme eastern part of the township. Fifty cents 011 the dollar is raised
annually for maintenance of the schools. The present school trustees are as
follows : George W. Knapp, chairman ; Myron H. Woodward, and Giles Har¬
bour.
The present town officers of Woodford are as follows: John Rooney, town
representative; Amos Aldrich, moderator; Amos Aldrich, Giles Harbour and
Elmer Gleason, selectmen ; Myron H. Woodward, John Harbour, and George
W. Bickford, listers ; George W. Bickford, town clerk and treasurer.
Town of Readskoro.
CHAPTER XXXI.
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF READSBORO.
FADSBORO is situated in the southeast corner of Bennington county,
and bounded on the north by Searsburg, 011 the east by Whittingham and
Wilmington, on the south by Massachusetts, and on the west by Stamford and
Woodford. The population in 1880 was seven hundred and forty-four. There
are at present three post-offices in town, to wit: Readsboro, Readsboro Falls
and Heartwellville. Eight schools are also maintained with an aggregate at¬
tendance of about two hundred pupils, and at a cost of about $1,000 per an¬
num. Three churches comprise the church buildings in Readsboro, in only
one of which are services regularly held, the Baptist society holding their
meetings in the town-hall.
The first white persons who traversed Readsboro are supposed to have
been seventy-four soldiers on their return from the expedition against Crown
Point, in December, 1759, who, intending to go to the fort then standing near
where North Adams, Mass. is now situated, got lost, and striking to the west
branch of the Deerfield River in the present town of Woodford, which they
followed to the town of Charlemont, Mass., before reaching any settlement,
striking the Deerfield River where the village of Readsboro now stands. At
this point their provisions becoming exhausted, they made a halt, killed,
roasted and ate a dog that accompanied them, and then continued their weary
journey. They all reached Charlemont alive, although one of their number,
Daniel Davidson, who had enlisted at the early age of fifteen years, and who
afterwards became a prominent citizen of Readsboro, was so exhausted and
benumbed with cold that he lay down to sleep, but being soon missed by his
companions they turned back and helped him along.
Readsboro does not appear to have been settled under any township char¬
ter rights. The first grant of any part of the town was by the governor of New
Hampshire in 1764, of 3,000 acres in the southeast part to Major Robert Rog¬
ers, an army officer. Not complying with the conditions of the charter, and
after the breaking out of the Revolutionary War joining the British and
moving to Canada, his charter was treated as void. About the time of the
grant to Rogers was another of 2,000 acres to General Phineas Lyman, by
the name of Wilmington. This grant now constitutes the northwest corner
of Readsboro. and the east part of Searsburg, being six miles long by one-half
mile wide. For many years this strip was claimed by Wilmington, and was
'Written by Hon. Faxon L. Bourn. Published by request.
hi
482
History of Bennington County.
finally settled partly by adjudication, and partly through a committee appointed
by the Legislature at its session in 1853, and composed of Isaac Wright of Cas-
tleton, Edward D. Barber of Middlebury, and John F. Dean of Cavendish, who,
after hearing the case, decided in favor of Readsboro and Searsburg as against
Wilmington.
Lieutenant-Governor Colden, of New York, issued a patent to John Read
and twenty-four others in the name of Readsboro, in the county of Cumber¬
land, April 4, 1770. This grant included the present town of Searsburg, and
was bounded and described as follows, to wit: Commencing at a black spruce
pine tree, marked by Phineas Mann with the letters S. E. for the southeast
corner of Stamford, and on the north line of Massachusetts Bay; thence 8o°
east, 320 chains to the west bounds of Cumberland (now Whitingham); thence
along the west bounds of Cumberland and Draper (now Wilmington), north
iO° east 960 chains to Somerset; thence along the south line of Somerset
north 8o° west 320 chains to the east bounds of Woodford; thence on the east
bounds of Woodford and Stamford south 8o° and 360 chains to the place of
beginning. From this the town of Searsburg has been taken off, and owing to
the encroachments of Stamford and Woodford and as now constituted the
present town is eight miles long, four miles wide at the south end, and a little
short of three and one-half miles wide at the north end, and contains about 20,-
480 acres. There are no existing evidences that the town was ever organized
under the New York charter, and it is supposed that the patentees, mostly
New Yorkers, fearing the troubles others had experienced in Vermont from
" viewing," "beech seals," etc., abandoned Readsboro as worthless.
When and by whom the first settlement was made is unknown, but by the
petition of John Hamilton and others, presented to the Legislature of Vermont
in 1779, it appears that two settlements had been made, one by William Bruce
where the village of Heartwellville is now located, and the other by one Whip¬
ple, who was then in the Continental army, from which he probably never re¬
turned, as no one has ever been able to learn anything more about him, or the
locality of his settlement.
In 1785 Throop Chapman and one Sloan from Conway, Mass., commenced
a settlement on a farm formerly owned by Nathan S. Bennett, about one mile
north of the village of Readsboro. The same fall Simon Miquer or Miquers,
a Hessian soldier, who had been taken prisoner with Burgoyne at Saratoga,
with his wife, and infant daughter, then a few months old, afterward- Mrs.
Betsey Bowen, the second wife of James Bowen, came and settled on North
Hill. He was soon after followed by one Root and others. It is related by
Miquers that when he first came to chop a little clearing for a house he saw no
man for six weeks, his only visitor being a huge bear, which upon looking up
from his work one morning he saw sitting up and calmly watching the move¬
ments so new to his bearship. Robert Valentine, an Irishman, also a prisoner
Town of Readsboro.
taken from the British, settled about the same time near the cemetery. Some
accounts claim these men were with Baum and taken prisoners at Bennington.
The first child born in town is supposed to have been Hannah, daughter of
Throop Chapman, born November 8, 1785. The first death in town was a
young child of one Cochran, in 1786. It was buried between two rocks, na¬
ture's monuments, which shall endure. The first adult that died in town was
Nabby, wife of Ebenezer Thompson, who died February 20, 1792, aged thirty-
one years. The store of Elijah Bailey was burned November 12, 1793, and
with it the town records. John Fairbanks was then town clerk.
The first town meeting is supposed to have been held in 1786, at which
time, in addition to the ordinary town officers, the inhabitants elected a board of
State officers, when Ichabod Stockwell, the smallest man in town, was elected
governor, and his salary fixed payable in vegetables, cabbage heads predomi¬
nating. Ever after during his life he was known as " Governor " Stockwell.
The records of 1794, the earliest now in existence, show that in that year a
town meeting was called by Joseph Hartwell and Throop Chapman, selectmen,
to be holden on the 17th day of March, 1794, at the house of Robert Valen¬
tine. Captain Joseph Heartwell was moderator; John Fairbanks, town clerk;
Simeon Thayer, first selectman, lister, treasurer, highway commissioner and
fence viewer ; Elijah Bailey, selectman, sealer of weights and measures; Ezra
Amidon, selectman; Henry Ii. Davidson, constable; Throop Chapman, grand
juror; Philip Bailey and Daniel Davidson, highway surveyors; Jerry David¬
son and Jedediah Amidon, haywards or hog constables; Lieutenant Samuel
Amidon, surveyor of lumber ; Elijah Sibley, fence viewer. The foregoing list
will afford further information as to who were the early settlers. At a town
meeting held May 1, 1794 it was voted to raise a tax of sixpence on the pound
to support a school, and to divide the town into two districts, the branch to be
the dividing line. Lois Ward was the first school teacher. She afterwards mar¬
ried one Cady, and died here in 1859, at the age of over one hundred years.
In 1794 the taxpayers in the town numbered thirty-six. In I796theyhad in¬
creased to fifty-one. At a town meeting held that year, September 6th, "to
see if the town will vote to build stocks," it was voted "there shall be no stocks
built." Up to 1800 the taxpayers numbered fifty-one. In 1810 the number
had increased to sixty-seven.
Daniel Henry Davidson, spoken of as one of the early settlers, was great¬
grandfather to Montraville Davidson, of Heartwellville. He located on lands
awarded him by the government. The house formerly occupied by Martin
Stafford, 011 North Hill, was built by his son, Henry H. Davidson, previous to
the year 1800.
Among other early settlers may be mentioned Deacon Joy Bishop, who
came from Fair Haven, Conn., and who settled where George Wallace now
lives about 1794. cleared land, built a house, and then brought on his wife.
484
History of Bennington County.
On one occasion, being out of meal, he walked to Bennington and returned the
same day, carrying one half bushel of rye for the support of his family. He
died at the age of eighty-two.
Joseph Parsons, from Conway, Mass., settled just north of the village, near
Robert Valentine's, about 1790. He soon removed to the north part of the
State. In 1805, at the age of twenty-one, his son, Joseph, came back, and
cleared up the farm where his son, Elijah A. Parsons, now lives, in South Reads-
boro, and there resided until 1850, when he removed to Wisconsin, where he
died.
Lemuel Blanchard, the great-grandfather of the writer on the maternal
side, originally from Stonington, Mass., but later from Guilford, settled in
Readsboro Hollow, and was among the first comers. He was a rigid Seventh-
day Baptist, and it is related of him, that he used to say, "his faith was so
strong that he would believe his minister sooner than his own eyes." He
cleared a farm, and died here about 1811, at the age of sixty-five, and was bur¬
ied in the cemetery on the river bank.
David Goodell came from Amherst, Mass., settled in South Readsboro, on
the farm where Henry Stafford now lives. He came by marked trees and at
first built a log-house.
There is a tradition that one Priest Brown, a Seventh-day Baptist, resided
in Lime Hollow about 1794. He told his followers that they ought to lay by
something each month for the needy widows and orphans that would soon peo¬
ple the hillsides round about. He advocated that the contributions be depos¬
ited in a storehouse, of which he was custodian. His suggestions were fol¬
lowed by many, and liberal supplies were furnished. At the end of the year
the contributors concluded to take an account of stock, and on opening the
storehouse to their amazement less than a dollar's worth could be found ; yes,
only a cake of maple sugar remained. It is needless to say further contribu¬
tions ceased.
James Bailey, and Caleb, his son, came from Douglass, Mass. about 1794
when he son was about fourteen years of age. They settled near the ceme¬
tery. James died December 14, 1814, aged eighty-eight years, and Caleb died
April 6, 1867, aged eighty-seven years.
Stephen Bishop from New Haven, Conn., settled in town about 1800, and
died in 1871, aged ninety-two years. Stephen and his son Daniel were noted
as being successful bear hunters.
George Stearns settled opposite Henry Davidson's about 1800. One night
when he was away from home his wife, who was alone with her baby, heard
the sow in the pen make an unusual noise. Upon peeping out she saw a huge
bear looking into the pen. Just then the old sow rushed out to protect her
pigs, when the bear seized her in his powerful embrace and made off with her
to the woods where the next morning the sow's partially eaten remains were
found by the owner.
Town of Readsuoro.
485
Christopher Shippee settled in South Readsboro in 1822,011 lands partially
cleared by Benjamin Trevitt, an early settler. He came from Charlemont,
Mass.
I11 the west part of the town the first settler beyond Readsboro Lake was
one Hall, who settled there about 1 800 upon the farm now owned by Seth D.
Care. Seth Care, father of Seth D., bought the farm in 1812.
The other early settlers in this part of the town were Amos Rice, Horace
Rice, and Captain William Sanford.
The first grist and saw-mill was erected by one Smith near the site where
the tannery of A. H. Tucker now stands. Prior to this the early settlers had
to go either to Charlemont or Bennington for their lumber or meal, frequently
suffering for want of suitable provisions, especially before securing their first
crop.
Richard Carpenter with his young wife came from Massachusetts in 1804,
and settled on the farm where their son Samuel now lives. He died in 1859,
aged seventy six years. His wife Annis lived to be nearly one hundred years
old. "Squire Richard," as he was called, represented his town in the General
Assembly many years, and was justice of the peace twenty-three years. James
Carpenter, a Baptist clergyman and brother of Richard, settled where Elias his
son now lives sometime previous to 1810. He died in 1845, aged seventy-six
years. Daniel Carpenter and Chloe, his wife, father and mother of Richard and
James, came with Richard and lived here until their death—Daniel in 1824,
aged seventy-seven, and Chloe in 1823, aged seventy nine years. At Daniel's
house Baptist meetings were held for many years, his son James conducting
the services. Mrs. Annis Carpenter told the writer that when she came in
1804 there were as many residents on North Hill as now. Her husband,
Richard, was a successful bear trapper. He caught in one fall seventeen bearS
and killed, with the help of his neighbors, one panther. At the time the town
was settled wild animals were quite numerous. In the fall of 1807 or 1 808 some
wild animal came on the premises of Richard Carpenter and killed a calf.
This was near night, but rallying a few of his neighbors, armed with guns and
axes and accompanied with dogs they went in pursuit of the intruder, which
they soon drove up a tree, a few rods south of the house where Elijah Carpen -
ter now lives; but though it was quite dark thev had no idea of loosing their
game. So, hitching their tin lanterns to a long pole, they raised them up into
the top of the tree, and having selected one of their best marksmen, the Rev.
Jonas Stearns, as executioner, and one other to fire an additional gun to throw
more light upon the subject, they proceeded to business. The powder was in
the pan, the elder had picked his flint, and grasping his old flint firelock and
bringing his old fusee to a ready, his keen clerical eye twinkled along the
length of the barrel, and sighting the "varmint" in the broad glare of a tallow
candle in a tin lantern, lie pulled the trigger. The powder in the pan hissed,
486
History of Bennington County.
and sizzed, and sizzled, the fire streamed in torrents from both ends of the old
queen's arm, the old field piece recoiled,— I supposed the elder would say
kicked his shoulder, and bruised his cheek. As a result the elder's fire
brought down a huge panther, which measured full nine feet from one extrem¬
ity to the other, but although he had a broken shoulder and was otherwise
badly wounded he was able to crawl under an old tree top, beyond their
reach, without the aid of daylight. After having satisfied themselves that he
could not escape they concluded to leave him until the next morning, when
they returned and finished him.
James Dalrymple settled in town across the pond in 1817. He lived with
his son, Shepard J. His daughter, Saloma, married our worthy townsman
Apollos Bailey. Job Stafford from Norwich, N. Y., settled on North Hill in
1820.
There was but little manufacturing done in this town previous to 1832, at
which time Sylvester and Luna Bishop erected on the west branch of the Deer-
field River, where the tannery of A. H. Tucker now stands, a satinet factory,
70x40 feet, three stories high, at a cost of $16,000, running fourteen looms,
employing twenty hands, and manufacturing about 1,500 yards of cloth per
week. On the night of January 2, 1842 this building took fire accidentally,
and together with the entire stock and machinery was consumed. It was
never rebuilt, but remained a type of desolation, the wall still standing until 1850,
when Cudworth & Howes built a tannery upon the old site, and this in its
turn was destroyed by fire. It was again rebuilt by A. H. Tucker, who now
employs about twenty-five men in the manufacturing of a very fine grade of
upper leather.
In addition to the business of farming, lumbering is carried on extensively.
The Hon. Silas Mason at Heartwellville turns out manufactured lumber and
chairs from his mill and chair factory, annually to the value of about $18,000.
Montraville Davidson, J. T. Carrier, J. B. Howe, E. B. Fuller, Titus Stowe, Dan¬
iel J. Hicks, and Lord Stafford turn out in the aggregate quite large quantities of
lumber, cot beds, chair stock, and "Boss" sap-spouts. Formerly large quanti¬
ties of charcoal were burned at Heartwellville, and one Lincoln Raymond figured
quite extensively in real estate and law suits.
Attention was early bestowed upon public schools and religion. The first
minister who ever resided in town was one Williams, a Seventh-day Baptist;
he made few converts. One Root, a Calvinistic Baptist, preached here for a
while and organized a church. Daniel Davidson, before mentioned, a very
zealous Methodist, invited the ministers of his denomination and a great revival
followed. Among their converts three, Elijah Bailey, Jonas Bailey, and Ezra
Amidon, became somewhat; noted in the religious world. After preaching for
several years they became dissatisfied with the church government of the
Methodist Episcopal Church, and on January 16, 1814 organized the Reformed
Town of Readsboro.
487
Methodist Church, which absorbed the mother church in this vicinity, and
spread over other parts of the country. The Union Church at South Reads¬
boro was erected in 1844-45. Rev. Joy Bishop, now of Delphos, Kansas, was
the first preacher. The Union Church, Heartwellville, was erected in 1876-
77, entirely by the efforts of the ladies of Heartwellville, at a cost of $2,000.
Such enterprise, it is believed, is nowhere surpassed in the State. The First
Baptist Church of Readsboro was organized March 26, 1879, with twenty six
members, and Rev. Edward A. Read as pastor. The Wesleyan Methodist
Church was organized in 1840, by Rev. A. Kelsey, with six members, during
which year the present church was built.
Readsboro furnished her full complement of soldiers during the War of the
Rebellion, and has placed to her credit three more soldiers than her quota
called for.
The early settlers of Readsboro were a hardy people, inured to toil and
hardships common to frontier life in a new and rugged country like Readsboro.
They cleared up the land, and in spite of the rocks and hills and uneven surface
of the town their farms were fertile and productive, and the people prosperous
and happy.
The writer well remembers the old families of the town, the Holbrooks, the
Hicks', Sheldons, Pikes, Puffers, Battles, Bowens, Houghtons, Canadys, Bish¬
ops, Blanchards, Dalrymples, Carpenters, Whitcombs, Wolcotts, Goodells,
Ballous, Burringtons, Bullocks, Spragues, Shippees, Croisers, Parsons', Little-
fields, Bryants, Stones, Smiths, Staffords, Fords, Browns, Stowes, Baileys, Ami-
dons, Rices, Rosses, Careys, and others, many of whom were prodigies ot
strength and endurance, who reared large families and depended upon the pro¬
duction of their farms for subsistence.
Within the recollection of the writer John Hicks, Rev. N. D. Sherman,
David Goodell and others used to collect large droves of cattle and sheep, and
large quantities of wool, butter and cheese from the farmers residing on the
hillsides round about here, and take them to market, bringing back the money,
and distributing it among the owners of the produce.
Nowhere could be found greener fields and sweeter feed than upon the
mountain slopes of Readsboro. But there came a change, and what were the
causes that wrought the change? I think they may be summed up in a few
words. Readsboro was an inland town, far from the great centers of active
business life, and in common with other towns in the vicinity was shut in by
rugged hills, and accessible only over mountain paths that passes for roads.
She could not compete with the more fortunate and better situated towns and
neighbors. Hence the decline came. The broad fields and blooming prairies
of the then far West opened up and threw their glittering light upon the en¬
raptured vision of our young men. The Western fever broke out and assumed
an epidemic form. Stories ot waving fields of grain upon the rich and fertile
488
History of Bennington County.
plains, which could almost be had for the asking, of fortunes made upon the
improvements, as they called them, were wafted back by friends that had gone
to try their success in the frontier life. "You can plough all day and not strike
a stone, and catch fish by the cartload from out of the lakes and rivers," was
written back to friends at home. The older men and women that read these
pages well remember those days and times. Our young men, middle aged
and old, caught the inspiration, and filled with the energy and enterprise,
transmitted them by their fathers, and developed by their rugged surroundings,
they sought these new fields of action. Let the deserted farms, the ruins of
old homesteads, the desolate hearthstones upon which the chirp of the cricket
is no longer heard, complete the mournful story.
It seems but meet that we give a short sketch, from the limited resources
at our command, of the parentage and business career of the projectors and
builders of the works that have rescued our town from obscurity and oblivion —
the Messrs. Newtons. It has been my pleasure, as it has been doubtless many
of the readers, to make the personal acquaintance of the brothers, D. H , J. C.,
and Moses Newton. These three gentlemen, with their three brothers, James
H., Joseph 1) , Solon, and one sister, comprise the family. Their parents,
Deacon James Neaton and Es.ther Hale, were married in Hubbardstown, Wor¬
cester county, Mass., February 10, 1824, where they resided until 1835, when
they removed to Greenfield, Mass., where they have lived for the past fifty
years and more. Mrs. Newton was maternally connected to the Boutwell
lamily, of which United States Senator Boutwell is a distinguished representa¬
tive. The Newton brothers resided in Greenfield until 1862, when some of
them went to Holyoke, Mass., and have been engaged in building and manu¬
facturing there since, notably in the manufacture of paper and screws, in the
purchase and sale of real estate, in the taking of contracts; in fact doing any¬
thing that requires skill, ingenuity and capital. I doubt if a family possessing
an equal amount of Yankee acuteness and enterprise can be found in New Eng¬
land, while industry, frugality, and integrity are added to other characteristics.
To their enterprise, sagacity and energy is the city of Holyoke largely in¬
debted for much of its manufacturing prosperity. Mrs. Esther Newton, the
mother, was a remarkable woman. To her executive ability, clear insight, and
business instincts is largely due the success of her sons' enterprises, and from
her they have received sound and discreet counsel as from time to time they laid
their plans before her. These brothers came to Readsboro during the year
1882. The first year they built the dam and pulp-mill. The dam is fifty-two
feet high from the bed of the river to the crest, built of logs, fastened together
with iron pins, the interstices ballasted with stones, and is said to be the highest
dam in the United States. The canal that conveys the water from the dam to
the pulp-mill is twelve feet wide upon the bottom, and was cut through a solid
ledge and huge boulders for the distance of one-fourth of a mile. At the pulp-
Town of Searshurg.
489
mill the fall of the water is about eighty feet, through the huge iron cylinder
which turns six turbine wheels, of about two hundred horse power each, and
manufactures from eighteen to twenty-four tons of wood-pulp in each twenty-
four hours. In the second year they fitted the river for driving logs by blast¬
ing down the huge rocks, building dykes and otherwise removing obstructions,
down which they annually float from one to two million feet of spruce logs, to
be manufactured into pulp and lumber; and during that year they also made
preparations for constructing a railroad. The third year they built the railroad
to Sherman Station. The fourth year they built a steam-mill and completed
the railroad to Readsboro.
HIS town is situated on the eastern boundary line of Bennington county,
and is in latitude 420 45', and longitude 420 6' east from Washington.
It was chartered February 23, 1781, by Thomas Chittenden, governor of Ver¬
mont, to William Williams and twenty-seven others, but was not surveyed or
allotted until about the year 1800, at which time the survey was made by John
Marks, and for many years afterward the town seems to have been an unbroken
wilderness. It was originally a part of a tract of land about twelve miles north
and south, and about four or four and a half miles east and west, extending
from the Massachusetts line on the south to Somerset on the north, and is
bounded east by Whitingham and Wilmington ; west by Stamford and Wood¬
ford. Readsboro was first chartered four miles by eight, leaving what was
supposed to be four miles square for Searsburg, but for some unknown reason
John Marks commenced his survey one-half mile too far north, leaving an un¬
claimed tract of land one-half mile in width and four miles in length between
Read>boro and Searsburg. Some years afterward one Chester Packard made
another survey covering this unclaimed tract and some of the south tiers of
lots in Mark's survey, and by virtue of this survey and sundry survey bills and
"colors of title" of later date, this unclaimed tract gravitated to Searsburg,
and has so remained ever since. There is 110 known record of this Packard
survey, and it is only mentioned in the Searsburg records to designate partic¬
ularly the southern tiers of lots.
From about the year 1800 to 1828 or 1830 Searsburg seems to have
CHAPTER XXXII.
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF SEARSBURG.1
(12
1 By George J. Bond, esq.
49°
History of Bennington County.
dropped out of existence. No titles of land seems to have passed from the
original proprietors except in two or three instances, and but one instance of
unbroken claim of title from original proprietors exists at present on the town
records. Occasionally during this period a man moved into town, but the in¬
clemency of the seasons and the uninviting nature of the land seems to have
induced an early removal therefrom. There is a tradition that in 1812 one
Samuel Hollman began a settlement in the extreme eastern part of the town,
but there can be found no definite proof of this fact. Soon after this, or be¬
fore 1822, Benoni Davis moved into town and cleared a farm in the eastern
portion, on what is now known as the " Vorce place," and there planted the
first orchard. Mr. Davis's mode of conveyance was of the most primitive kind,
consisting of a yoke of oxen, and his vehicle was two spruce poles, the ends
of which were inserted in the ring of the yoke, the other ends diverging in the
form of the letter V, with boards nailed across near the center to form a seat.
On this contrivance he brought his provisions and apple trees from Halifax.
About 1820 a Mr. Haskell and Stephen Martin moved into town, but not
to reside permanently. The first permanent settler in town was Joseph Cro¬
sier, who came in 1823 with two sons, Joseph jr. and David, and located on
one of the " Packard Survey" lots, near the south line of the town.
That portion of the town was then a dense forest. They cleared up a piece
of land, planted corn and potatoes, cut a road from their place to Heartwell-
ville, built a log-house and covered it with bark. They went through the for¬
est some three miles to some "meadows" in Woodford, cut and stacked a sup¬
ply of hay, and then ventured to Halifax, taking with him his family, a yoke of
cattle and a cow, but afterward returned to his forest home where he continued
to reside till his death in 1844, at the age of fifty-eight. He left six sons who
were for many years identified with every interest of the town. About this
time also William Eaton, known as the "Searsburg poet," came to town, and
located about a mile north of Mr. Crosier's place, on the farm now occupied by
D. B. Leroy. He moved away in 1826, and Mr. Crosier's. family were alone in
town till 1827, when Beniah Gallup came from Halifax and located on another
of the Packard survey lots, about a mile west of the Crosier place. The march of
civilization then moved north, and in 1828 Mason Pike located one mile north of
the William Eaton place; then came Nicholas Grousbeck and Joseph Eaines in
1830, and others soon following. The town was organized at a meeting called
on the 18th day of March, 1833, by Samuel H. Blackmer, a justice of the peace
from Bennington. At this the following officers were elected; Joseph Eames,
town clerk and moderator; Joseph Crosier, Hiram Wild and David Crosier,
selectmen ; Oliver Preston, treasurer; Luther Park, Hiram Wild, Joseph
Eames, listers; John Knapp, constable; Nicholas Grousbeck, grand juror; Ma¬
son Pike, highway surveyor; Solomon Rich, pound-keeper; Nicholas Grous¬
beck, tithingman. Other minor officers were also elected. Luther Park was
Town of Searsuurg.
491
the first representative to the Legislature in 1833. Hon. Trenor W. Park for
some time resided here in his youthful days near the place now occupied by
Allen E. Briggs, and but a short time before his death.he with a party of
friends crossed the mountains and took a lunch at the old spring which had
quenched his thirst so often in his boyhood.
The Searsburg turnpike, leading from Wilmington to Bennington, was be¬
gun in 1830, and for the next four years the population of the town seems to
have increased quite rapidly for a mountain town. A hotel was built by Fe¬
nian Lamb, on what is now the Robinson place, and for many years was a suc¬
cessful and reliable house. This hotel was burned in 1871 and has never been
rebuilt. The turnpike was also a successful venture. From its completion
until the opening of the Troy and Boston Railroad a large share of the freight
and passengers from Troy to Boston and intermediate places passed over this
road. The writer of this chapter in his young days has frequently seen forty
and fifty passengers with the necessary accompaniment of Concord coaches
and baggage-wagons pass over the route on a summer morning. But the glory
of the stage route and the halcyon days of the stage driver have departed, and
a single horse with buggy or sleigh, as the season demands, now conveys the
daily mail. A Mr. Bridge of Wilmington, at that time owned several freight
teams, and run from Wilmington to Troy, N. Y., and often through to Boston,
Mass. It used to be a custom with him to send a trn^'y teamsfer t<> Troy with
a load of lumber or country produce, with instructions to invest the proceeds in
Hour and grain, lie would then start for home peddling his flour and grain
to the inhabitants on the road, and if he sold out before reaching home he re¬
turned to Troy and bought more, and so continued his sales until the people
011 the route were fully supplied, and he finally reached home with a load. Old
men who were his teamsters in those days have told the writer that they were
frequently out two weeks at a time on the road.
The first saw-mill in town was built by James Crosier, at the head of "Dev¬
il's Stair Falls," and had quite a run of business for several years. From this
saw mill the inhabitants seem to have been mostly engaged in clearing up and
improving their lands till in 1842, when Squires & Swift built a tannery about
one mile west of the Wilmington line, 011 the Deerfield River. This enterprise
employed ten or twelve hands, and was very successful, manufacturing annu¬
ally upwards of one hundred tons of sole leather. It was sold by Squires &
Swift to Sayer & Bracket, and by them to Shaw & Metz, and continued in
operation until 1866. I11 1845 a destructive fire occurred, destroying several
acres of valuable woodlands in the central and eastern parts of the town. In
the same year the "Sloane Mill" was built at the foot of the mountain on the
Deerfield River by Solomon Rich, and was occupied as a saw-mill and wash¬
board and clothes-pin factory by S. and G. W, Doane and others, until about
1866, at which time the firm of Doane & Stanley began making grain meas-
492
History of Bennington County.
ures and butter boxes. The mill was burned in 1872, and was rebuilt by Si¬
mon Doane in 1877 and 1878. Simon and George W. Doane came here about
1845, and were for many years intimately identified with the best interests of
the town. At the death of Simon Doane in 1878 the "Doane Mill" passed to
Mason & Butterfield, and has since been used in manufacturing lumber and
cot bedsteads. In 1845 Aaron Pike built a saw-mill near the Somerset line
on the river, and later engaged in making bedsteads. In 1866 the mill was
burned, but was replaced by a larger one by Leonard Smith of Troy, N. Y.,
with Royal W. Irish as foreman. This mill continued to be occupied as a bed¬
stead and lumber-mill until the year 1887, when it was purchased by the Deer-
field River Company and torn down by the latter and removed to Readsboro.
In 1850 a saw-mill was built by Haynes & Livermore at the junction of the east
and west branches of Deerfield River, but never was very successful, therefore
it went to decay in about ten years thereafter.
For some years prior to 1850 there had been a disagreement between
Searsburg and Wilmington in regard to the boundary line between the towns,
and after "acting" on the matter several times in town meetings without any
definite result, a petition was sent to the Legislature in 1852 asking for the
appointment of a committee to settle and establish the line between Searsburg
and Readsboro on the west, and Wilmington on the east. The Legislature
appointed Isaac T. Wright, of Castleton; Edward D. Barber, of Middlebury;
and John F. Deane, of Cavendish; who, after a full hearing in the matter, de¬
cided in favor of Searsburg and Readsboro. The trouble seems to have orig¬
inated as follows: Wilmington was chartered under the name of Draper by
Benning Wentworth, governor of New Hampshire, June 17, 1763. In the
year following a grant was sent by Governor Wentworth to Robert Rogers of
three thousand acres along that tract of land which afterwards became Reads¬
boro ; and immediately afterwards he made another grant to General Phineas
Lyman of two thousand acres, under the name of Wilmington, extending
northward from the Rogers grant, and covering the northeast corner of what
was afterwards Readsboro, and the east part of what was afterwards Searsburg.
This grant was some two hundred rods wide and six miles long. The charter
of Draper became void for some reason, and Governor Wentworth made an¬
other under the name of Wilmington, and surveys under that name were made
in 1769 and 1777. In making these surveys they seem to have covered not
only the original Draper charter but also the Lyman grant. In the hearing
before the Legislative committee Searsburg claimed a certain white ash tree
as their true southeast corner. In their investigations the committee found
that this ash tree gave Wilmington their full charter distance and one hundred
and twenty-five rods more, while Searsburg was somewhat short. They also
found that the ash tree stood in the true northerly continuation of the west
lines of Whitingham, and rendered decision accordingly. But there has ever
Town of Searsburg.
493
since been some controversy concerning the title of lands along the Lyman
grant, some claiming under the Wilmington and others under the Searsburg
titles. Searsburg is still short of her charter distance east and west, and the re¬
cent discovery of a very ancient line extending from Stratton to the Massa¬
chusetts line makes it quite evident that she is entitled to another addition on
the west.
In 1856 George W. Doone built a saw-mill and washboard and clothes¬
pin factory at the foot of the Devil's Stair Falls. At the close of the war in
1865 he sold to George J. Bond. This mill was burned in 1869 and immedi¬
ately rebuilt by Mr. Bond, and is one of the two active mills in town at the
present time, the Medbury mill being the other. The latter mill was first
built by Clark Harris in 1851, was burned in 1871, and rebuilt by A. B. Med¬
bury, and changed to a bench screw factory. In 1887 it was again burned,
and rebuilt by the R. Bliss Manufacturing Company, by which concern it is
now operated.
In the war of 1861-65 Searsburg took a part as honorable as any of the
other towns of the State, furnishing twenty-one men under a quota of twenty
by enlistment, and six by draft in a quota of four. All the drafted men paid
commutation. Those who enlisted previous to the call of October 17, 1863
were: Feronda W. Fisher, Foster Grousbeck, William O'Brien, Andrew J.
Pike, George C. Shippee, William E. Shippee, William W Vorce, John A.
Whilcomb, and Horatio R. Wilson. Those credited under call of October 17,
1863 for three years were: George J. Bond, Silas M. Haskins, Nathan Mann.
Volunteers for one year: Francis Goodell, James R. Lerov, Almeron Grover.
Volunteers for nine months: Charles Bond, Allen E. Briggs Eli Briggs,
George Earrington, Dighton Jennings, and Benjamin E. Wilson. Of these
Foster Grousbeck, William O'Brien, A. J. Pike, George C. Shippee, William
Shippee, William W. Vorce, and II. K. Wilson were wounded in action.
None were killed, and but one, Nathan Mann, was taken prisoner. He was
taken prisoner June 23, 1864, experienced the full horrors of Andersonville
prison, was exchanged, and died from the effects of prison life a day or two
after reaching home. George C. Shippee, William O'Brien, and Benjamin F.
Wilson have since died, and Francis Goodell died in service.
Lumbering and the manufacture of merchandise from wood has for years
engaged the chief capital and labor of the town. The timber is beech, birch,
maple, spruce, fir, and hemlock. The soil is a gravelly loam. Along the
Deerfield River the soil is rich, and yields good returns for labor, but the town
is quite hilly and only a small part is susceptible of tillage. Corn, oats, pota¬
toes, and hay are grown successfully, and wheat of good quality and good
yield is also raised, but farming has declined very much since the war. The
town is well adapted to grazing. The Deerfield River and its tributaries fur¬
nishes a series of the best water-power in Southern Vermont, and cheap and
494
History of Bennington County.
unlimited supplies of hardwood lumber offers the best of inducements to the
manufacturer.
The name of the first child born in town is unknown; the first marriage
was David R. Heath of Corinth, to Elizabeth Morse of Searsburg, December
4, 1837, by John Knapp, justice of the peace.
CHAPTER XXXIII.
history of the town of winhall.
THIS town was chartered September 16, 1761, under Benning Wentworth,
governor of the province of New Hampshire, to Osee Webster and sixty-
one others, in sixty-eight shares, and derived its name from two proprietors, a
Mr. Winn and a Mr. Hall.
The town was laid out six miles square. It was the intention to commence
the survey at the southeast corner of Manchester, and measure east six miles;
but, by mistake, it was commenced at the northeast corner of Stratton, where
that town joins Jamaica, and measured six miles west, leaving a gore of land
between Winhall and Manchester, which was also joined to Winhall. The
town is bounded north by Peru, east by Jamaica and Londonderry, south by
Stratton, and west by Manchester, and lies twenty-five miles northeast from
Bennington, and southwest from Montpelier eighty-nine miles. Bondville, the
principal village, is located in the eastern part of the town, near the Jamaica
line, on Winhall River.
The township is east from the Manchester station of the Bennington and
Rutland Railroad station eleven miles, and four and one-half miles west from
the nearest station on the Brattleboro and Whitehall Railroad, with which it is
connected by daily stage. There is also a daily mail route from South Lon¬
donderry west through North Winhall to Peru, with post-office at North Win¬
hall The westerly part of the town is rather high, and not extensively inhab¬
ited. There are no very high peaks, however, and the general character of
the surface is fair for a mountain town. Stratton mountain on the south, Peru
on the north, and Windham or Glebe mountain on the east, provide an abun¬
dance of picturesque scenery.
Winhall River, which takes its rise in a pond in the southwest corner of
the town, passing through the southerly part, and emptying into West River,
in Jamaica, gives fertility to the pleasant plains and excellent mill privileges
for manufacturing industries.
Town ok Winhall.
495
The principal road leads from Brattleboro, through Jamaica to Manchester.
The roads are generally good.
The soil, best adapted to grazing, is on an average with other mountain
towns.
The two postoffices in town are Bondville and North Winhall.
There are six school districts. There are several saw mills, one grist mill,
and one chair factory. Large quantities of lumber are exported annually.
There is a Methodist Church at Bondville where regular meetings are held,
and other religious services are frequently held in the school-houses.
There is one hotel, kept by Mrs. Julietta Morgan.
Nathaniel Brown, from Massachusetts, commenced the settlement in 1780
in the northern part of Winhall. In June, 1786 he deeded his farm to Joshua
Barnard. The latter served in the French and Indian War, also in the Revo¬
lutionary War. Mr. Barnard also migrated from Massachusetts. The prem¬
ises mentioned are now occupied by his grandson, Joshua Barnard, esq., who
has served as captain of a company of State militia, and who has held the
usual town offices, including that of representative. He married Lydia Walker,
of Peru. They had five children, all of whom are deceased. His son, Lucius
(the late Dr. Barnard, of Jacksonville, Vt.), served in the Third Vermont Bat¬
tery in War of the Rebellion. His only surviving descendants are the children
of his daughter Mary, who married Counselor Joseph G. Martin, of Manchester.
General L. A. Grant, the last commander of the First Vermont Brigade in
the late civil war, son of James Grant, was born on the premises now occupied
by John and George Barnard.
Prominent among the descendants of the early settlers now in town are the
Williams', Bensons, Bolsters, Kendalls, Gales, Burbanks, Hewes', and Taylors.
The first military company was organized in 1796, Francis Skinner, cap¬
tain, for the War of 1812. Charles Bailey, Francis Burbank, Cephas Williams,
and Samuel Hunt were drafted.
The following is the list of soldiers furnished in the late war : Lucius M.
Barnard, Joshua A. Shattuck, Horace G. Tafit, Gersham Taylor, Joseph B.
Williams, Ormando M Williams, Elijah G. Winship, William T. Allen, Daniel
0. Kinsbury, Ezra B. Kingsbury, Martin H. Iv:ngsbury, Judson L. Rawson,
George F. Slade, Ora Slade, jr., Charles Dean, Otis G. Eddy, George H. Phil¬
lips, Charles H. Phillips, Warren J. Sheldon, Gilman J. Thompson, William
H. H. Burbee, George P. Burbee, Peter Burbee, James II. Crawford, Jonathan
V. Allen, Lorenzo I). Axtel, George E. Leson, Elbridge Brooks, Joseph E.
Butterfield, Franklin J. Gale, Edward W. Hill, George H. Hill, Elijah Hinck¬
ley, George W. Johnson, Franklin G. Lackey, James H. Lackey, John E.
Mason, Samuel L. Norcross, William J. Percy, Chauncey B. Bobbins, William
A. Shattuck, Montraville Witherell, John O. Benson, Charles T. Brown, Horace
A. Burbee, Dana F. Kidder, William Leonard, John Leonard, William R. Liv-
ermore, and George H. Lyon.
496
History of Bennington County.
The following are the names of those who were drafted and paid commuta¬
tion : Crawford Amidon, Myron Benson, Oscar Blodgett, John B. Cudvvorth
Jonas W. Hunting, Luther G. Perry, William A. Slade, Cephas Williams, and
Almon S. Witherell.
CHAPTER XXXIV.
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF LANDGROVE.1
LANDGROVE is situated in the northeast corner of Bennington county
and is bounded north by Weston, east by Weston and Londondery, south
by Londonderry, and west by Peru. It is six miles long from north to south,
and about two miles wide in the northern part, and half a mile wide in the
southern part. Captain William Utley with his son, Asa, were the first set¬
tlers. . They moved from Connecticut with their families in the spring of 1769,
and stopped in what was then the town of Andover, now Weston. They there
cleared a small piece of land and planted corn and potatoes, but soon went
about two miles farther west and made another stand on a branch of West River
now called the Utley Flats, supposing they were in the town of Bromley, now
Peru After remaining here a few years they discovered they were on a gore
of land between Andover and Bromley. They then with about twenty others
made application and obtained a charter from the government of Vermont in
November, 1780 of all the lands lying between Andover, now Weston, and Lon¬
donderry on the east, and Bromley, now Peru, on the west—7,220 acres. They
then proceeded to survey and allot the town, and establish the west boundary of
the town between this and Peru. After the town of Peru became considerably
settled the proprietors of that town became dissatisfied with the Utley line, as
they called it, and claimed further east some more than two lots to the Munn
line, which they claimed to be the original line. This was the occasion of con¬
siderable excitement and litigation between the proprietors of these towns.
The inhabitants living on this disputed territory, all but two, purchased under
Landgrove titles, voted and paid taxes in Landgrove. The two purchased
under, and voted and paid taxes in Peru, and remained in this situation many
years without any interpositon of the towns until 1834, when the town of Peru
by a vote caused all the inhabitants living on such disputed territory to be set
in the grand list of that town, and enforced the collection of taxes, which im¬
mediately caused suits at law to be commenced to be defended by the towns.
1 By Hon. George K. Davis.
Town of Landcrove.
497
These suits were, however, discontinued by compromise between the tow ns,
and in 1835 the Legislature of the State, by the request and joint petition of
the towns, established the jurisdictional line a little west of the center of said
disputed territory, which has ever since remained. The town was organized
March 15, 1800.
Clarksville, a small village in the middle of the town, contains one saw and
grist mill, blacksmith shop, post-office, and nine dwelling houses. The saw
and grist mill was built about the year 1850. It is now owned by the Abbott
Brothers. There is one of the best water privileges in this section, and has
always been used quite extensively in the manufacture of lumber and chair
stock. Landgrove Hollow is a small hamlet of dwelling houses in the south¬
ern part of the town on the old stage road from Chester to Manchester. About
the year 1820 Simeon Leland opened a store in this place, and in a few years
after a tavern known in old stage times as the '"Leland Coffee House." About
this time "Squire" Leland established a line of mail stages from Manchester
to Charlestown, N. H. This line was, without doubt, the most popular of any
across the Green Mountains. Simeon Leland was the father, and the old Cof¬
fee House the birthplace of the Leland brothers, who with their sons have
made a name as hotel keepers more widely known than any other family in this
county. The old Coffee House is still standing unoccupied, and has been kept
in repair by the Leland family until recently.
Schools.—The number of school districts in town is three. They were or¬
ganized 1st, April 1, 1820; 2d, June 30, 1821 ; 3d, September 26, 1827, and
none have been added since.
Churches.—The only religious denomination in town is the Methodist. The
people organized a society at an early date. Among the prominent members
and leaders were Elijah Woodward, Robert G. Clark, Robert Park, and Joseph
Farnum. The church is at present, and has been since its organization sup¬
plied by circuit preachers. The present church building was erected in 1857.
This church has always sustained a goodly number of members, and the soci¬
ety and Sabbath-school has always exerted a healthy influence in the commu¬
nity.
Landgrove is noted in this locality not only for the enterprise and industry
of its citizens, its well cultivated farms, its many tidy and pleasant homes, but
also in a social, moral and religious point of view as being second to none of
its neighboring towns.
West Branch Grange was organized October 8, 1874. It has ever been in
a healthy condition, having a goodly number of members who meet regularly
twice each month for social intercourse and discussion of topics relating to the
best methods or farming, etc. They have a library of about forty volumes of
choice literature which afford its members profitable reading.
The first postmaster appointed by the government was Selah Warner; he
o.'i
498
History of Bennington County.
held the office until about i860, when Henry L. Richardson was appointed,
who held until 1877. Warren W. Wiley held from 1877 to 1878, and from
1878 to the present time Mrs. R. R. Wiley has been the incumbent.
Biographical Sketches of Pioneers and, Prominent Residents.—Dr. Amori
Benson was born February 12, 1797. He was a resident of this town for many
years, and the only physician of this and the adjoining town of Peru for a num¬
ber of years. Being a man interested in all public affairs he was honored with
the more important town offices, and was a justice of the peace nearly forty
years, and one sought more generally than any other in town to decide differ¬
ences of opinion arising between parties who could not themselves agree, and
in the justices courts he was looked upon as a fair and impartial judge. He
raised a large family of children, among whom can be named Amori, jr. and
Darwin, who have each gained for themselves prominent positions in business
circles. Darwin has for many years been treasurer of the Fitchburg Railroad
system, and Amori occupying a prominent position under his brother. A
daughter, Abigail, married Captain William Robinson, of Putney, who is an ex¬
tensive paper manufacturer. Dr. Benson had one son killed in the late war,
and the pioneer himself died June 26, 1876, aged seventy-seven years.
John Martin, the first permanent settler in the south part of the township,
came from Warren, R. I. in 1801. He married Deborah Wilson of Bristol,
R. I. She went with him on horseback to Vermont. At that time there
were only footpaths across the mountains to Manchester and Chester. Provi¬
sions were carried on the backs of horses. Bears were so numerous that it
was not uncommon to see one crossing the bridle path. John Martin erected
the first frame house in town. He accumulated a large property, and died in
1843, leaving four children; William, who now resides in Chester; John, who
went to New York at an early age, entered into mercantile business and died
a millionaire in 1872; Nancy, who married Henry Godfrey and now resides in
the town of Will, 111.; James, who married Lucy Gray, of Weston, daughter of
the elder Dr. Henry Gray, and grand-daughter of David Carpenter, resided in
Landgrove many years, holding the usual town offices and representing the
the town in the General Assembly and his county in the State Senate. He
died in Londonderry June 24, 1887, leaving three sons; John H. Martin, a
farmer of Richmond, N. H.; James L. Martin, a lawyer of Brattleboro, Vt.;
and Joseph G. Martin, a lawyer of Manchester, Vt. James L. Martin removed
from Landgrove with his father in 1868 to Londonderry. He represented the
town several times, was speaker of the house from 1878 to 1884.
One of the most wealthy of the early settlers was Barchias Abbott, who
settled in town in 1797. He belonged to the Society of Priends, and was famil¬
iarly known as " Quaker" Abbott. He was several times elected to represent
the town in the State Legislature, but never attended it. He held many of
the important town offices, but never attended a town meeting. He died at
Town of Landgrove.
499
an advanced age upon the same place where lie had first settled. His son
James lived on the old homestead and died there some years ago. Another
son, Elias, settled in town near the old homestead, and following the example
of his father accumulated a large fortune, and was considered one of the
wealthiest men in town. Two sons of Elias still reside in town, James H. on
the old homestead, and Warren W. near by. Both are respected and influen¬
tial citizens.
Gideon Davis and his son Gideon, jr., were among the early settlers. Gid¬
eon, sr. died in 1834, at an advanced age. Gideon, jr. was one of the most
influential citizens of his time ; he was justice of the peace for forty years, and
represented the town many times. He died January 3, 1857, aged fifty-seven
years.
Daniel Tuthill was the first town clerk, and lived and kept a tavern on the
place now occupied by Leroy Woodward. He held the office of town clerk
and selectman nearly all the time up to the year 1816, when he moved to
Peru where, in company with his son Russell, he built the brick hotel now
known as the "Bromley House," after which he moved west where he died.
About the year 1807 Elijah Woodward moved to this town from Francis-
town, N. H. His son Ambrose, now at the age of seventy-eight years, has
always resided in town. He has been its representative, and has held all the
important town offices. A younger son, Charles, has always resided in town
until a recent date when he moved to Massachusetts.
David Wiley was born in Hillsboro, N. H., August 10, 1776, and moved
to this place in 1797. He was a man that the people chose as their represen¬
tative to the State Legislature fourteen different times, and was otherwise hon¬
ored with various town offices during his long residence here. His son War¬
ren W., following in the lead of his father, is prominent among his townspeo¬
ple, and has many times been elected to offices of trust and honor.
Among the early settlers was David Carpenter, who was born in Connecti¬
cut in the year 1759. He was in the Revolutionary War, was present and
one of the guards at the execution of Major Andre. Soon after the war he
settled in this town. His eldest child was the first recorded birth in this town.
David Carpenter never had the advantages of even a common school educa¬
tion, but although illiterate he was a man of such strong character and com¬
mon sense that he was elected to represent the town and held most of its other
important offices. He moved from this place to Keene, N. H., in 1807. Al¬
though he was a poor man when he came to this town, when he died, in 1845,
lie possessed a fortune of some forty thousand dollars.
Asa, eldest son of Captain William Utley, died in this town August 8,
'837, aged eighty-seven years. Mr. Utley held the offices of justice of the
peace, town clerk, selectman, and various others for many years. Oliver Ut¬
ley died in Manchester in 1856, aged ninety-one years. Peabody Utley,
5°°
History of Bennington County.
youngest son of William, served as colonel in the War of 1812. He was con¬
stable or selectman from 1801 to 1813. He went West and there he died.
Asa and Henry Utley, sons of Ralph, grandsons of Asa, and great-grandsons
of Captain William, the latter the first settler in town, reside on the old home¬
stead and are the only living male members of the Utley family now in town.
Soldiers' Record.—Volunteers for three years, credited previous to call for
300,000 volunteers of October 17, 1863: Benson. William II., died October
10, 1862; Blood, Oliver; Bolster, Daniel; Bolster, Jared, killed at Savage's
Station June 29, 1862; Childs, Samuel S.; Davis, Hymenius ; Davis, Otis;
Downing, Ezekiel; Harlow, Dexter I.; Hilliard, Gilbert G., died September
14, 1863; Jenkins, Amos L.; Lyon, Albert, died February 23, 1862; Patter¬
son, Abel H.; Thompson, John M.; Warner, Carmiilus T., killed near Cold
Harbor June 11, 1864; Wiley, Henry E., killed at Savage's Station June 29,
1862. Credits under call of October 17, 1863, for 300,000 volunteers and
subsequent calls; volunteers for three years : Allen, Hiram ; Jenkins, Amos
H.; Peck, Hiram H.; Shaw, George B. Volunteers re enlisted: Childs, Sam¬
uel S.; Davis, Otis A.; Warner, Carmiilus T. Volunteers for nine months:
Bolster, Alfred; Childs, Alfred; Davis, Hiram; Davis. Orgando; Snell, Amos
M. Furnished under draft; paid commutation: Barton, Joseph C.; Batch-
elder, John G.; Lincoln, Henry ; Moore, Frederick J.; Rowell, Austin A.;
Stevens, James H.; Woodward, Herbert C.
EARLY thirty years ago Governor Hiland Hall wrote a brief historical
sketch of the town of Glastenbury ; and in writing of its physical charac¬
teristics said: "It is one of the roughest and most mountainous towns in the
State, and until quite lately has been considered a pretty safe place of retreat
for bears and other wild animals. Although much the greater portion of the
town is wholly incapable of cultivation, yet it produces abundance of spruce
and hemlock timber, which has lately been worked into lumber in considerable
quantities, and sent to market. A portion of it goes west, to and through
Shaftsbury, and the residue south and westerly, through Woodford.
"A small notch of stony land that runs up a short distance among the
mountains from the east side of Shaftsbury, has been occupied by a few fami¬
lies for many years. Until the year 1834 they were considered for all practi-
CHAPTER XXXV.
history of the town of glastenbury.
Town of Glastenbury.
501
cal purposes as belonging to Shaftsbury. On the 31st of March of that year,
the proper legal steps having been taken, the town was duly organized, since
which it has been represented in the General Assembly."
Well, Addison county has its Goshen, and Ripton, and Hancock; Chitten¬
den county has its Bolton and Huntington ; and Bennington county must have
its Glastenbury, a fair equivalent of any of those named, and more mountain¬
ous than all of them. But the Glastenbury of fifty or even thirty years ago
and the Glastenbury of to-day are quite different, although the mountains re¬
main in all their wildness and grandeur. Even as early as 1791 the town had
a population of thirty-four, and in 1810 it had increased to seventy-six. From
that time to i860 it declined to forty-seven ; but after that improvements, in
dustry and development worked great changes in this wild region, and its
population again grew so that in 1870 the town numbered one hundred and
nineteen souls, and ten years later, or in 1880, the enumeration showed a pop¬
ulation of two hundred and forty-one. and the present number of inhabitants
will not vary much from that figure. But with all its disadvantages the town
of Glastenbury enjoys benefits such as are afforded to but one or two other
towns in this county ; it is the northern terminus of what is known as the Ben¬
nington and Glastenbury Railroad — not a "trunk line" by any means, but a
short road over which is carried every year a vast quantity of lumber, charcoal
and other manufactures, the great bulk of which comes from this town. This
it is that gives to Glastenbury whatever of prominence the town enjoys as one
of the civil divisions of the county. This railroad was built during the year
1872. Its length from Bennington to Glastenbury is eight miles. Its con¬
struction was considered entirely impracticable by experienced engineers on
account of the great elevation to be reached in so short a distance, and the ex¬
tremely heavy grade to be traveled in certain locatities ; but, notwithstanding
the opposing theories of railroad engineers, the road was built and has been in
full operation to the present day. The heaviest grade on the road is 250 feet
to the mile on a branch, while the strongest on the main line is some 230 feet.
Narrow guage roads are not infrequently built on as heavy grades as this, but
with the standard guage and traction power this is something remarkable.
Better than all, the Bennington and Glastenbury road has been operated with
a surprising exemption from accidents.
The manufacturing industry of Glastenbury is confined to the business
transacted by the Bennington and Glastenbury Railroad Mining and Manu¬
facturing Company, an incorporated body, the lands of which embrace some¬
thing like eighteen thousand acres, situate mainly in Glastenbury and Wood¬
ford, and some in Somerset township on the east. In the first named these
lands extend north nearly to the Sunderland line. The company lias in oper¬
ation two saw-mills, the annual product of which is about two million feet of
lumber, all of which is carried over the company's road to Bennington, and
502
History of Bennington County.
thence to Troy and other large markets in New York State. For the manu¬
facture of charcoal the company operates twelve kilns, situate in the most con¬
venient localities for their work. Altogether about fifty men are employed.
The officers of the company are as follows: R. C. Root, president; Amos Aid-
rich, vice-president and superintendent; Thomas A. Hutchins, bookkeeper
and accountant. It may be stated that whatever of business is transacted at
Glastenbury, at the point where the road terminates, is done by the company,
that corporation owning the lands in the region, but there are some residents
there not in the company's employ.
The "small notch of stony land that runs up a short distance among the
mountains," mentioned in Governor Hall's sketch, embraces whatever there is
of Glastenbury's agricultural district, and this is quite limited. The outlet for
that people is by the way of Shaftsbury, at which place their trading and
marketing is done. There is no post-office in either section of the town, but
formerly, in 1873, one was established in the south part and subsequently dis¬
continued. The people of the northern section receive their mail at Shaftsbury,
while those in the south part are now obliged to go to South Shaftsbury.
The educational welfare of the town is reasonably well guarded, but as for
churches it has none. It is not to be inferred from this statement that the in¬
habitants of Glastenbury are less religiously inclined than elsewhere in the
county, for such cannot be truthfully said concerning them. The population
of the town is so scattered or separated, and the circumstances of the people are
such that they are not warranted in the erection of a church edifice for any
society or denomination, but Shaftsbury on the north and South Shaftsbury
below provide accommodations for all who desire to attend at church services.
HE town of Stamford is the middle one of the three towns which consti¬
tute the extreme southern limit of Bennington county. It was chartered
by the name of New Stamford, but after the Revolution it dropped the New,
and became simply Stamford. It existed at different times under two char¬
ters by New Hampshire. The first was given in 1753- This was surrendered
and a new one issued in 1764. It appears that few if any settlements were
CHAPTER XXXVI.
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF STAMFORD.1
1 By T. E. Brownell, esq.
Town of Stamford.
503
made under the first charter. The original proprietors were somewhat scat¬
tered, some lived in Massachusetts, others in New York State, and a number
in Connecticut. The first settlers took their deeds from owners living in these
different localities and may be presumed to have emigrated from these States.
Very few of the descendants of these pioneers are now living in town. An
outlet opened by way of Adams into Massachusetts, and thence to the west,
and some of the children of each generation until the present time have gone
from their parental homes to seek their fortunes in other fields, many becom¬
ing prominent men and women in the world.
Stamford is a mountain town, its only village being situate in a hollow
which opens into Clarksburg on the south, and through Clarksburg into North
Adams, Mass. A river which flows through this miniature valley joins the
Hoosick at North Adams, and furnishes several of the largest mills of that
place with valuable water power.
The only manufacturing business done in town at present is the production
of acid from wood for coloring purposes, and owned by Wilmarth & Hough¬
ton. The population in 1830 was 563, in 1840 it was 662, and at the last
census, 1880, it was 726. A few years ago the town adopted the town man¬
agement of its schools under the law providing for this change from the district
system as originally adopted by the State. The first settlers had originally to
clear their farms of the timber of which a dense growth covered the whole
town. In this way Stamford has always until recently afforded an ample sup¬
ply of lumber for building purposes far and near. So thick was this forest that
Raymond who built the first cabin lived afterwards two or three years without
knowing of the existence of the mountains on the east of his home.
Just how many served their country in the Revolution is not accurately
known. William Raymond was in the French and Indian war, and his son Eli -
sha served three years in the Revolutionary War. At that time there were no
public roads in Stamford, and the only way to Bennington was on horseback by a
path through the woods. The method of transmitting news was very imperfect,
but probably the people of Stamford were notified of the impending Bennington
battle in time to participate in it if they so wished, as messengers were sent to
Pownal and Williamstown for recruits, and as most of the legal papers between
its inhabitants prior to that period were executed before a Bennington justice;
the military authorities of that place would not have left so valuable a band of
stalwart yeomen as had then settled in Stamford, without an appeal to help
them, and it is probable that a number of its young men marched under Gen¬
eral Stark when he went forth to meet the Hessians. We know that Jacob
Brown, who came to Stamford in 1795, entered tne army in 1812. He also
was in the Florida war, and acted as Indian agent in removing certain tribes
from that place. He held the rank of major in the Mexican war and was killed
by a bombshell before Matamoras. General Taylor in a letter to the president
5 cm-
History of Bennington County.
said that "his loss is irreparable." General Grant in his " Reminiscences" makes
this statement: "Major Jacob Brown of the Seventh Infantry, the command¬
ing officer, had been killed, and in his honor the fort was named. Since then
a town of considerable importance has sprung up on the ground occupied by
the fort and troops, which has also taken his name."
Reference has already been made in this history of many who have gone
out from Stamford into other and broader fields, and who have therein gained
fame and riches. Although the annals of the past have more to do with the
dead than with the living, yet because many of these men, by their genius and
activity, have so identified themselves with the places which they now occupy
and honor that there is danger of there being lost to their native town, so that
the place of their birth shall know them no more, a brief mention of a few of
the most prominent will not be without interest and benefit to those who shall
read these pages.
George Millard went to North Adams, Mass., engaged in manufacturing
boots and shoes. He built up a large business and became quite wealthy.
Man)- now living will remember him on account of the interest he had in the
first project of the Hoosick Tunnel, and how much enthusiasm he exhibited
when the cars first arrived over the Troy and Boston Railroad, thus uniting
Massachusetts with Troy N. Y., in the winter of 1859. He afterwards removed
to Bennington where he died soon after.
C. T. Sampson succeeded him in the same business on Eagle street. This
man helped clear up a farm in Stamford near Clarksburg line. At first he
peddled shoes from a basket, but he gradually worked his way up into the
boot and shoe manufacturing business, and is now one of the wealthy and lead¬
ing men of that place.
E. R. Millard and N. O. Millard followed Sampson on Eagle street, he
moving his business to another portion of the town. One of them is still carry¬
ing 011 that business. They are the sons of S. C. Millard who was a justice of
the peace in Stamford for twenty years.
George R. Dickinson left Stamford when young. After awhile he began
to accumulate money, became interested in the paper-mills of Holyoke, and
died at Springfield Mass. He left a large fortune.
A. C. Houyhton commenced his career principally as a real estate opera¬
tor at North Adams. He at once proved himself to be a most thorough and
successful business man. He is now president of the Arnold Print Works, and
has a controlling interest in several other important enterprises.
These men all had courage and faith in themselves. No doubt circum¬
stance is an important factor in every human career, but thought and action
only can give to circumstances the force of events. These men might have
remained and lived among their native hills, and there even their genius could
have found an honorable if not so wide a field. Those men, who were content
Biographical.
505
with the rewards of a more quiet life, and passed their days within the rural
limits of their country home, and who now lie buried under the soil where they
toiled so faithfully in life, may have had in their souls all the possibilities, which
under given circumstances, would have made them men that the world calls
great.
" Oft did the harvest to their sickle yield ;
Their furrow oil the stubborn glebe has broke ;
How jocund did they drive their team afield ;
How bowed the woods beneath their sturdy stroke.
" Full many a gem of purest ray serene
The dark unfathomed caves of ocean bear;
Full many a flower is born to blush unseen,
And waste its sweetness on the desert air."
The religious belief of the early settlers of Stamford did not consist of a
uniform creed. There were the Baptists and Uuiversalists and in 1827, when the
first church edifice was erected, there were many Methodists also. This edifice
was a union house, all denominations joining in building it, but in 1853 the
Baptists built themselves a new church and relinquished their claims upon the
old. The Baptist Church was organized in 1799. The Methodist in 1851.
The Uuiversalists have no organized church, but are supplied with preaching
occasionally from North Adams. The people are a church-going people in
their habits, and the stated services of worship are well attended. Each de¬
nomination maintains its distinctive lines well marked, but cherish for each other
friendly regard and Christian sympathy, awarding to each the privilege of be¬
ing let alone within its own limits.
CHAPTER XXXVIr.
biographical.
HALE, HILAND Hon., L.L.D., ex-Governor, ex-Member of Congress and
ex-Controller of the United States Treasury, was born in Bennington July
2°, 1795. Nathaniel Hall, his father, was an industrious farmer, and his wife,
whom he married in Norfolk, Conn., October 12, 1794, Abigail (Hubbard) Hall,
a worthy companion. The ancestors of both, John Hall of the father and
George Hubbard of the mother, were from England, who after being over fifteen
years at Boston and Hartford became in 1650 large landholders, and the first
settlers of Middletown, Conn. Nathaniel Hall was a deacon of the Baptist
04
50 6
History of Bennington County.
Church in North Bennington. He and his wife were worthy communicants of
that church, and respected members of society. Of their seven children, two
sons and five daughters, all of whom lived to be married, Hiland, the subject of
this sketch, was the oldest. His education was obtained in the common schools
of the day when he could be spared from the labor upon the farm, with a fin¬
ishing term of three months at the academy in Granville, N. Y. He early ex¬
hibited a taste for reading, and any books he could borrow in the neighborhood
were read, and on many occasions by the use of the light from coals on the
hearth of an old fashioned fireplace, candles being at that time among the often
forbidden luxuries. History and biography were his choice, and as soon as
his age would allow he began teaching during the winters in the districts schools.
When eighteen he was interested in the formation of the "Sons of Liberty," a
society of the young men of Bennington for a vigorous prosecution of the War
of 1812 with England. He was admitted to the Bennington county bar in
1819, and always resided in Bennington, only as he was absent on official posi¬
tions of trust. He began his political life as a national Republican, voting for
John Quincy Adams for president in 1824 and 1828. The party afterwards
took the name of "Whig," with which he acted until it became merged in 1856
in the new Republican party, the name under which he began his political
career. He represented the town in the General Assembly of the State in 1827,
and was chiefly instrumental in obtaining a charter for the first bank located
in the county. In 1828 he was clerk of the Supreme and County Court for
Bennington county, and was elected State's attorney for the county, and re¬
elected the three succeeding years. Mr. Hall was naturally generous, and his
sympathies sometimes led him in answering the claims of the needy to be
more liberal than his income would allow, and he was for years in straitened
pecuniary circumstances. In later life, however, after his family had grown so
as to care for themselves, his income was ample for his mode of living and for
expressing in a tangible way many of his benevolent desires. In January, 1833
he was elected to Congress to fill the vacancy made by the death of Hon. Jona
Hunt, and at the same election was chosen a member of the Twenty-third Con¬
gress. He represented this district for ten successive years as a Republican and
Whig, when he declined longer to be a candidate, and closed his Congressional
course the 3d of March, 1843. I" Congress Mr. Hall served upon several im¬
portant committies, and being a working rather than a talking member his
services were often laborious and severe, especially on that of post-office and
post-roads, and afte ■ 1- . that ui Revolutionary claims, his printed reports
upon the latter cu.ui .,./.:i u volumes of public documents. In Ma)-, 1834,
he made a speech against uenci\d Jackson's removal of the government depos¬
its from the United States Bank, and another in May, 1836, in favor of the dis¬
tribution of the proceeds of the public lands among the States, by which \ er-
mont received nearly seven hundred thousand dollars as her portion, to be
Biographical.
added to the school fund of the towns. Both i ^ es> v. ere printed as
campaign documents, and extensively circulated by his political friends, and the
former was reprinted in New York prior to the succeeding election. In March,
1836, while a member of the post office committee, he presented a minority re¬
port on "incendiary publications," in opposition to the message of the president
and the advice of the postmaster-general and in answer to a report made in the
Senate by Mr. Calhoun of South Carolina ; but as the majority of the com¬
mittee failed to present theirs it did not become a public paper, but was pub¬
lished in the National Intelligencer at Washington, and other papers through
the country. He took an active part in procuring the act of July 2d, 1836, by
which in the reorganization of the post-office department a system for the set¬
tlement of accounts was established, which inaugurated an economical admin¬
istration of its affairs.
Mr. Hall was successful in putting a stop to the payment of claims which
had for years been made by Virginians, called commutation claims, half pay
and bounty land claims. These had been numerous, and had passed through
Congress with little opposition, as many influential Virginians, governors, and
members of Congress were and had been interested in them, and were founded
on alleged promises of the State of Virginia or of the Continental Congress
to Virginia officers of the Revolutionary army. There had been over three
millions of dollars paid by the United States on fictitious claims for supposed
services of deceased officers, and their numbers were continually increasing.
By patient examination of Revolutionary archives at Washington, and informa¬
tion gleaned from public records at Richmond, he prepared a report as chair¬
man of a select committee for the purpose of such investigation, which was ap¬
proved by the committee and presented to the house on the 27th of February,
1839. By dilatory motions and efforts in obstructing the action of the house,
participated in by Mr. Wise and others of the Virginia delegation, it being
near the close of the session, the designed object was effected of smothering
the report for that Congress. At the next session, on the 24th of April. 1840,
Mr. Hall made a report as a member of the committee on Revolutionary
claims, upon these claims of the Virginians, which showed by authentic evi¬
dence that every one was unfounded. The efforts of the Virginians to obtain
allowances being continued, Mr. Stanly, of North Carolina, 011 the ground that
the claimants could not otherwise have a fair hearing, on the 10th of June,
1842, offered a resolution that a select committee be appointed to examine and
report on their validity. On the 16th Mr. Hall spoke an hour, vindicating his
course and showing that the claims were, every one, either gotten up in fraud
or were clearly unfounded on any service to sustain them, and closed by giv¬
ing a list of sixty-four of the latest of such claims, amounting to over two
hundred thousand dollars, which were before the house, and had been recom¬
mended for payment by the executive of Virginia. He offered to withdraw
5°8
History of Bennington County.
his opposition to the claims if any member would satisfy the house that any
single claim was well founded. His speech was commented upon by many of
the Virginians, some of whom were personally interested in the payment of
them, among them Messrs Goggin, Goode, and Gilmer, the latter of whom
while governor of Virginia, had already received over twelve thousand dollars
by a law of Hie ^ him as agent of the half-pay claimants, to one
per cent, on all that should be paid by the United States on this class of claims.
The debate occupied the morning hours of several days, and having the large
delegation of Virginia on one side and a single member from another State on
the other, and beingin a great degree of a personal character, it attracted very
general attention. Members of both houses of Congress were present during
much of the debate, and the lobbies and galleries were filled with spectators.
Mr. Hall triumphantly sustained every position he had taken in debate, and
so discomfited his assailants that besides being highly complimented by many
senators and members of the house, among them ex President Adams, his
vindication was the subject of general newspaper notice through the country.
This thorough exposure of these claims, followed soon after by a report in de¬
tail of the select committee, prepared by Mr. Hall, operated as a final sup¬
pression of them. May it not be said this capturing of the Virginia delegation
was really the first taking of Richmond by evidence, much of which was taken
from the State archives and brought to bear with irresistable force upon the
fortified plans and schemes of its greedy speculators.
He was president of the large "Whig" Convention held in Bennington in
1840, and made the opening speech introductory to his presenting Hon. Dan¬
iel Webster at the famous "Stratton Whig Convention," held on the top of the
Green Mountain on the 16th of August of the same year.
He was bank commissioner of Vermont for four years, from 1843, judge of
the Supreme Court for the like period until 1850, when he was appointed Sec¬
ond Controller of the United States Treasury. While acting as controller, he
took the ground that he should, if satisfied of the illegality of an expenditure,
though ordered by the head of a department representing the president, re¬
ject it, although in opposition to a labored written argument and sanctioned by
the published opinion of three former Attorney-Generals. He showed con¬
clusively that judicial authority had been designedly conferred on the account¬
ing officers as a check upon lavish expenditures in the several departments,
and a second edition of his published opinion, which has since been followed in
the department, has recently been printed for government use.
In 1851 he was appointed by President Fillmore with General James Wil¬
son, of New Hampshire, and Judge H. I. Thronton, of Alabama, a land Com¬
missioner for California, resigning his position as controller, and recommend¬
ing for his successor Hon. E. J. Phelps, a prominent lawyer of Burlington, and
since United States minister to England. Mr. Hall was chairman of the com-
Biographical.
mission, and wrote the opinion in the famous Mariposa claim of General J. C.
Fremont, which included, almost without exception, all points that would be
liable to arise in the adjusting of land claims under the treaty with Mexico.
After the election of President Pierce he remained for a time in San Francisco
with the law firm of Halleck, Peach}', Hillings & Park as general adviser and to
assist in the preparation of important papers.
In the spring of 1854 he returned to Vermont, and, resuming his residence
011 the farm in North Bennington on which he was born, retired from the
further practice of his profession.
Mr. Hall was possessed of the qualities which go to make up a statesman ;
a good mind stored with good common sense, a retentive memory and a prac¬
tical mode of thinking. His flow of language as an extemporaneous speaker
was deficient, but at the desk he excelled, as formulated thoughts and correctly
molded ideas flowed as freely as could be readily written; and in whatever
position he was placed he was found equal to any exigency which arose, as his
fund of information extended to all branches of national, constitutional or in¬
ternational research.
Mr. Hall was a member of the convention which met in Philadelphia in
1856, and gave the Republican party a national character by nominating can¬
didates for the presidency and vice-presidency, and he presided at the Repub¬
lican convention held in North Bennington on the 16th of August of the same
year.
In 1858 he was elected by that party governor of the State, and re-elected
the next year by a like large majority. In his first message, after calling the
attention of the Legislature to the local affairs of the State and speaking in
condemnation of the attempt by a decision of the Supreme Court to legalize
slavery in the Territories, he pronounced the decision in the "Dred Scott" case
as "extrajudicial, and as contrary to the plain language of the constitution, to
the facts of history and to the dictates of common humanity;" and in his last
message in 1859 he announced his determination to retire from further pub¬
lic service. He, however, acted as chairman of the delegation from Vermont
to the fruitless "Peace Congress," which on the call of Virginia met in Wash¬
ington in February, 1861, on the eve of the rebellion. On the breaking out of
the rebellion in April, 1861, he felt it his duty to do all in his power to up
hold the unity and integrity of the government, and his time, energies, and
means to a large extent were devoted to aid in crushing it out His associa¬
tion and intimate relations with such men as Webster, Clay, Adams, Giddings,
Stevens, and others, when the doctrine of nullification or disunion was being-
advocated by Calhoun and his associates, that slavery and States rights might
be sustained and perpetuated, had prepared him for immediate action, and his
anxiety ceased only on the final surrender of Lee to Grant.
Mr. Hall always took a deep interest in the history connected with the ter-
510 History of Bennington County.
ritory and State of Vermont. He delivered the first annua] address that was
made before the Vermont Historical Society, and for six years, from 1859, was
its president, and was afterwards active in the preparation of the materials for a
number of the volumes of its collections, and otherwise promoting its success.
He read several papers at the meetings of the society, some of which were pub¬
lished ; among them one in 1869 in vindication of Colonel Ethan Allen as the
hero of Ticonderoga, in refutation of an attempt made in the "Galaxy Maga¬
zine" to rob him of that honor. He has contributed papers to the "New York
Historical Magazine," to the "Vermont Historical Gazetteer," to the " Philadel¬
phia Historical Record," and also to the "New England Historic Genealogical
Register." In i860 he read before the New York Historical Society a paper
showing "why the early inhabitants of Vermont disclaimed the jurisdiction of
New York, and established a separate government."
In i 868 his " Early 1 Iistory of Vermont," a work of over five hundred pages,
was published, in which is unanswerably shown the necessity of the separation
of the inhabitants from the government of New York; their justification in the
struggle they maintained in the establishment of their State independence,
and their valuable s rvices in the cause of American liberty during the Revo¬
lutionary War. In it the loyalty of all the important acts of the leaders is so
firmly established by documentary evidence, that he was'confident no asper¬
sion could be maintained reflecting upon the patriotism of any of the early
heroes.
Governor Hall was prominent in forwarding the centennial celebration ©f the
battle of Bennington during the week of the 16th of August, 1877; in secur¬
ing for it the aid of the State Legislature, and in advancing its successful ac¬
complishment. He had a little before prepared a full and concise description
of the battle, with an account of its far-reaching consequences, which was ex¬
tensively published, and has also a place in the official record of the celebration.
Being deeply interested in the erection of a suitable monument for com¬
memorating the battle of Bennington, he was sorrowfully surprised at the re¬
port of the committee on design, of which Hon. E. J. Phelps was chairman,
made in December, 1884, of an artistic structure about sixty feet high, and in
June, 1885, having reached the age of ninety, he addressed an open letter of
twelve printed pages to the Bennington Battle Monument Association, giving
his views of monuments and their form in relation to different historic events,
critically reviewing the design of the committee recommending the small, low
structure, and advised the erection of a tall, large, bold and commanding shaft.
The letter, written with the vigor of earlier years, was extensively circulated and
read, and as a result at the annual meeting of the association the same year at
Bennington, which was very largely attended, the "report of the committee on
design" was withdrawn, and it was unanimously voted to erect a monument of
magnitude and grandeur.
Biographical.
The honorary degree of L.L.D. was conferred on him by the University of
Vermont in 1859. He was a life member and vice-president for Vermont of the
New England Historic Genealogical Society, a nu mber of the; Long Island
Historical Society, an honorary member of the Buffalo and corresponding
member of the New York Historical Societies.
He married in 18 18 Dolly Tuttle Davis, of Rockingham, Vt , who, after over
sixty years of happy and useful married life, died January 8, 1879, having been
a consistent member of the Congregational Church in Bennington about fifty
years. Their golden wedding, with "no presents received," was celebrated Oc¬
tober 27, 1868. There were about three hundred present; of the gentlemen
forty-five were over sixty years old, and one, a former teacher of his, aged
eighty-five years. Mrs. Hall's parents, Henry Davis and Mary Tuttle, lived to¬
gether sixty years lacking three days. He was at the battle of Bunker Hill
under Colonel Stark at the line of rail fence, and also served at West Point at
the time of Arnold's treasonable attempt to surrender it to the enemy, being
in the Revolutionary service over three years. At a family reunion in North
Bennington July 20, IS85, in honor of Mr. Hall, at the residence of his grand¬
daughter, on which day he was ninety years of age, there were present fifty-
one of his descendants, there being five others who were detained from the in¬
teresting gathering. The difference in the ages of the oldest and youngest was
eighty-nine years and four months He had eight children, six sons and two
daughters. Of the sons there are now living, viz.: Henry D., of Bennington;
Nathaniel B., of Jackson, Mich.; and Charles, of Springfield, Mass. The de¬
ceased were, Eliza D., wife of Adin Thayer, who died in 1843 ; Hiland H., in
1851; Laura V., wife of Trenor VV. Park, in 1875; M. Carter, in 1881, and John
V. in 1888.
Governor Hall died in Springfield, Mass , at the house of his son, with whom
he was spending the winter, December 18, 1885. Retiring 011 the 17th in usual
health, he was heard in the morning to open the register for more warmth, as
was his custom, when a fall called the family to his room. He was unable to
rise, but gave directions for the care of himself, living about two hours, the ma¬
chinery of the body seemingly having worn out, he being in his ninety first
year. The funeral w.is in North Bennington, the services being largely attended
by the people of the vicinity, with the county bar; also friends from Manches¬
ter and Rutland, and other parts of the State were in attendance. Rev. Isaac
Jennings, the pastor of the First Church, officiated, and the casket was borne
and lowered into the grave by his remaining children, Henry D , Nathaniel B.,
John V., and Charles, who had a few years before in like manner, gently laid
away the loved form of the wife and mother. The interment was at Benning¬
ton Center in the family lot he had prepared years before, and where his be¬
loved wife and many of his descendants are buried.
512
History of Bennington County.
BBOTT, LYMAN FREDERICK was born at Holden, Worcester county,
Mass., on the 13th day of January, 1839, and was the youngest of eight
children born to Asa and Sarah (Morse) Abbott. The father was a farmer by oc¬
cupation at Holden. When Lyman was about nine years old the family moved
to Worcester, Mass., at which place at the age of fourteen years the young son
was put at work as a clerk, and was thus employed about two years, when the
family again changed place of residence, this time moving to Bennington. Here
Lyman entered the factory of his brother in-law, Henry E. Bradford, working
in various departments, and by diligent application becoming acquained with
the business in every detail.
The faithful services rendered by young Abbott were not left unrewarded
by his employer, for in 1863 he was taken into the firm, and upon the occasion
of the death of Mr. Bradford in April, 1878 Mr. Abbott became the senior part¬
ner in the business, while the sons of the deceased manufacturer represented
the interest of their father, but never disturbed the old firm name of H. E.
Bradford & Co., it being too well and favorably known in business circles to
be thrown aside by the successors in the factory.
Upon the death of Mr. Bradford our subject practically succeeded to the
management of the extensive business of the firm as it then existed ; this busi¬
ness was exceedingly large, but under the charge of Mr. Abbott and his asso¬
ciates it lost nothing of its magnitude, and the new firm is still one of the lead¬
ers in the vicinity in the manufacture of knit goods. While this manufacture
has received from Mr. Abbott close attention and care, he has not been so fully
engaged by it as to prevent him from taking part in the various enterprises
looking to the welfare and improvement of his town and its people, and once
do we find him in the political arena, though against his every inclination, and
only to gratify the wishes of his personal friends and party followers. In the
fall of 1880 he consented to become the Republican nominee for representa¬
tive in the State Legislature. He was elected by a large majority, although the
town is so equally divided as to require that each party put forth its strongest
candidate.
Mr. Abbott is a member of the Bennington Historical Society, and as such
has been elected by that body to membership in the Battle Monument Asso¬
ciation, the object of which is well known to every resident of the county. Also
he has been connected with the First National Bank of Bennington since 1879
as director and vice-president. On the 20th day of May, 1868 Lyman F. Ab¬
bott was married to Laura Tirza Hancock, the daughter of Frederick Hancock,
of Bennington Of this marriage two children have been born, both of whom
are now living. Mr. Abbott is to-day numbered among the substantial busi¬
ness men of the town of Bennington, having the companionship of a large cir¬
cle of friends, and enjoying the reputation of entire honesty in business trans¬
actions, generosity in all good causes, and a citizen whose moral character is
above suspicion.
-D-hfasonkC Syracuse^1
Biographical.
5i3
BRADFORD, HENRY E. In the portion of this volume that is devoted to
a description of the past and present manufacturing interests of Benning¬
ton the statement appears that Henry E. Bradford was the pioneer of the knit
goods industry in the village. His operations in founding this industry began
in 1853, when he became the owner of the Wills and Fairbanks property,
and soon afterward in the spring of 1854 put it in operation in the manufac¬
ture of woolen cloths. This was continued until 1857, at which time George S.
Bradford, a brother of our subject, became interested in the business, and the
firm of H. E. Bradford & Co. was established and has continued until the pres¬
ent time, although neither member of the original partnership is now living.
Henry Edwards Bradford, the senior partner of the firm above referred to,
and its principal member, was a native of Southbridge, Mass., born September
19, 1819. His parents were Elisha and Sally Bradford, and of their eight chil¬
dren Henry was the youngest. At the age of nine years the lad Henry was
put at work at wool sorting, that occupation being at that time a trade, and so
continued for several years until he became a practical and reliable sorter. In
the course of time he accumulated some little means, and then about 1847, ,n
partnership with John Tenney, he engaged in the manufacture of woolen cloths
at Millbury, Mass. ; but at the end of four years Mr. Bradford sold out to his
partner and went to North Amherst, where he again engaged in business, this
time in partnership with Thomas Jones, the latter furnishing the necessary
capital for the firm, while Mr. Bradford was the practical man in charge of the
manufacturing department. Their product was cloths, principally Kentucky
jeans, and their business was conducted with reasonable success for a period ot
about three years.
During the time of his business operations, both at Millbury and North
Amherst, Mr. Bradford had a desire to establish a business for himself, but he
lacked the requisite means, and therefore was obliged to work with others until
his own capital was sufficient to warrant an investment of it; and the latter
part of his three years partnership at North Amherst seems to have found him
sufficiently well possessed for his purpose, or at all events he then determined
to make the venture. Looking about for a desirable place to locate Mr. Brad¬
ford discovered an opening at Bennington, and he thereupon purchased the old
Wills and Fairbank property that had formerly been a cloth factory, but the
business had not been conducted with any great degree of profit. This prop¬
erty, as has been stated, Mr. Bradford purchased in 1853, and in the spring of
1854 took up his abode in Bennington. For the next three years the mill was
run as under the preceding firm, but at the end of that time its character was
changed and the first mill for the manufacture of knit goods was established in
Bennington. The business of the firm was soon made a successful and profit¬
able one, and enlargements were necessitated to meet the increasing demands
for their product. Other persons saw too that the Bradfords were on the road
65
5H
History of Bennington County.
to prosperity, and they in turn commenced similar manufactures until the vil¬
lage acquired the reputation of being an extensive knit-goods manufacturing
center.
In the year 1863 George S. Bradford and Henry E. Bradford dissolved part¬
nership and divided the property formerly held and operated in common ; but
the retirement of George S. Bradford did not affect the firm name, as Lyman
F. Abbott, whose sister Henry E. Bradford had married, at once succeeded to
the vacant place. John Kelso also became interested in the business, and con¬
tinued in the firm until about the year 1884. George S. Bradford took what
the former firm had always called their " upper mill," and there he conducted
business until the time of his death.
Henry E. Bradford was a stirring, energetic and thorough business man,
and while he was a practical workman he also had the capacity of managing the
entire business in the office as well as at the work-bench. Thus was Mr. Bradford
engaged at the time of his death, April 10, 1878. By his death the village of
Bennington lost not only one of its most prominent business men, but one who
had at heart the interests of the town as well as his personal affairs, and one
whose influence for good in the community was remarkable. While the tur¬
moil of politics had no charms for him he nevertheless was not backward when
his friends requested him to represent the people in local offices, but beyond
this he would not consent to go. Mr. Bradford, too, was a generous man, and
gave liberally of his means to the support of the church of which he was a mem¬
ber—the Methodist Episcopal—as well as to all other worthy objects. He was
an earnest advocate of the graded school for the village, and when that insti¬
tution was erected Mr. Bradford generously donated to the trustees some desi¬
rable apparatus for experiments in the scientific department.
After Mr. Bradford's death the business of the firm was continued without
changing its name, although several changes in partners have been made. As
now conducted the persons interested in the firm of H. E. Bradford & Co. are
Lyman F. Abbott, William H. and Edward W. Bradford, sons of Henry E.
Bradford.
Henry E. Bradford was twice married. He was first married on the 16th
day of August, 1843, to Lucy Ann Proctor, of Fitchburg, Mass., at which place
Dir. Bradford was then working at his trade as a wool sorter. Of that marriage
one child, Frances Ann, was born. She died during childhood. Lucy Ann
Bradford died May 9, 1847. Again on the 8th day of November, 1849, at Mill-
bury, Mr. Bradford was united in marriage with Eleanor Abbott, the daughter
of Asa and Sarah Abbott, then residing at Worcester. There have been born
of this marriage seven children, viz.: Herbert Waldo, who died September 8,
1857; Frederick, who died March 19, 1859; William Henry, of Bennington;
Carrie Frances, who died September 10, 1859; Edward Walling, of Benning¬
ton ; Lizzie May, the wife of Chester J. Reynolds, of Chicago; Emma Amelia,
wife of Charles Henry Dewey, of Bennington.
Biographical.
5i5
BROWN, SAMUEL H., Major. In the township of Bennington there
was probably no man longer engaged in business pursuits, or who had a
more extended and favorable acquaintance throughout the vicinity than Major
Brown ; for, during the better part of sixty years he was in a greater or less
degree directly interested in mercantile or manufacturing enterprises in the
town ; and during all his long and varied business life and intercourse with
his fellow men no man ever had just cause to doubt his honor and probity.
Although he began life with not limited means, his prudent habits, ex¬
cellent judgment, and firm adherence to the rule that " whatever is worth
doing at all is worth doing well," brought to him most gratifying success and
enabled him to accumulate a comfortable fortune Of quiet disposition, kind
of heart, and generous to all good causes, he won the respect and esteem ot
all to whom he was known. But in no way did the qualities of the man appear
so strongly as in the citizen, friend, and neighbor, in the more private walks in
life, and as the parent and husband within the sacred precincts of home. His
commanding personal appearance, agreeable manners, and scrupulous atten¬
tion to the common civilities of life, endeared him alike to old and young.
Such were the characteristics of Major Samuel II. Brown, who, after an
exemplary life of eighty-three years, changed the mortal for immortality, and
was laid at rest on the 1st day of June, in the year 1887.
Samuel Hinman Brown was born in the town of Bennington on the 2d day
of May, in the year 1804, and was the son of Samuel and Betsey Brown.
Very early in life was he deprived of a mother's tender love and care, for she
was stricken and died when Samuel was but seven years old ; and eight years
later he was left an orphan through the death of his father. But kind friends
interposed, and young Samuel, under the guardianship of Captain Jonathan
Norton, was placed in the family of Dr. Noadiah Swift, with whom he lived
most of the time till his majority was reached, lie then formed a partnership
with Benjamin Fay, and commenced mercantile business at Bennington Cen¬
ter, as successors to General Henry Robinson, but in 1829 the partner retired,
and the business was continued by Mr. Brown for some time longer, when, hav¬
ing acquired an interest in a tin business at East Bennington, he again took a
partner, Ray R. Sanford, a relative of the family.
It would indeed be difficult to follow the many and varied business enter¬
prises in which our subject was from time to time engaged after his first ven¬
ture in partnership with Mr. Fay and his successor, Mr. Sanford, until his final
retirement in 1870; but there may properly be made, as a part of this sketch,
some mention of the leading of these enterprises as they are noted in the obit¬
uary, written soon after Mr. Brown's death and published: " Major Brown was
interested in two cotton-mills here. The first stood upon the site of the Stew¬
art block, and the other on the site of the present novelty works and known
as the Doolittle factory. About 1838 he sold out his store at the Center, and
516
History of Bennington County.
entered the bank of Bennington as cashier, remaining there four years. After
leaving the bank he exchanged his farm for business property in Troy, and
came to East Bennington to reside in 1842. Pie engaged in the grocery trade
in Troy, but not liking it there returned to Bennington and built the stone
grist-mill on North street, which he furnished with fine machinery and con¬
ducted for about twenty-five years. A foundery was also run in connection
with the other business. This foundery was the Aaron Grover Works, and was
purchased about 1846.
From this time Major Brown became prominently identified with the iron
interests of the county. The iron mines east of the village were worked, and
this business was a leading industry of Western Vermont at the time. One of
his partners in this business was Resolvy Gage, now a resident of East Boston,
Mass. In i860 Olin Scott succeeded Mr. Gage.
In 1867 Mr. Brown sold his grist-mill and appurtenances to Henry W.
Putnam, and began work on his Troy property, which occupied his attention
for about two years. In 1870 he retired from active participation in business
pursuits, and devoted himself to the management of his investments.
In his daily meeting with friends and fellow townsmen Mr. Brown was
generally addressed as "Major." This title became his by virtue of his ap¬
pointment in 1829 as brigade major and inspector of the second division of
Vermont militia, and by it was he ever afterward designated. Besides this
Major Brown was variously honored with offices, the gift of the electors of the
town and county, but he was by no means an office-seeker; and whatever of
political holdings were his the duties of office were faithfully and honestly ad¬
ministered. In 1853 he was elected associate judge of the County Court of
Bennington county, and served in that capacity two terms.
An event that proved an important factor in Major Brown's success in life
was the faithful and devoted companionship of a most estimable wife, the
sharer of his fortunes and reverses in business, and who survived him at the
time of his death in 1887. Samuel Hinman Brown and Sarah Maria Brown,
the latter formerly of Southbury, Conn., were united in marriage on the 10th
day of October, 1826. Of this marriage five children were born, as follows:
Hinman Samuel, now of Bennington ; Sarah Maria, who died at the age of
twenty-five years; Francis Raymond, who died at the age of twenty-seven
years; Helen Elizabeth, who became the wife of William E. Hawks, and Cor¬
delia, who died an infant of one year and eleven months.
HAWKS, WILLIAM EDWARD, the son of Alvah and Julia Ann (Pratt)
Hawks, was born in Bennington, on the 27th day of January, 1832 ; there¬
fore he is now just past his fifty seventh anniversary of birth. His father and
mother were also natives of the town of Bennington, and on both sides his
ancestors have been pioneers of the county. The father of our subject was a
Biographical.
5i7
farmer by occupation, and on the farm William was brought up at work and
attending school in season, until he attained his eighteenth year, at which age
he went to New York City and took a clerkship in the house of Hunt Broth¬
ers, importers and jobbers of dry goods. With this firm young Hawks con¬
tinued about four years, when they suspended business, whereupon he entered
the dry goods house of Richards & McHarg, in the capacity of salesman, and
with whom he remained from 1854 until 1857, when this firm also was obliged
to suspend.
Having now been some years in the city of New York, and having ac¬
quired a pretty thorough knowledge of the business with which he had been
connected, and what was of equal value to him, having saved as much as pos¬
sible of his salary, Mr. Hawks joined his accrued capital with that of Charles C.
Hurd, and entered into active business life at 13 Park Place, as importers and
jobbers of hosiery and notions, under the firm name and style of Hurd &
Hawks, which business was continued with indifferent success until i860, when
the senior partner went out of the firm and our subject was left to close out the
stock as best he might.
In the year next preceeding this, or in 1859, 011 the 2d day of February,
William E. Hawks was married to Helen Elizabeth, daughter of Major Samuel
H. Brown, of Bennington. Of this marriage five children were born, all of
whom are still living.
Again, in 1864. our subject ventured into business in New York, this time
as a dealer in ladies' and gentlemen's furnishings. This proved far more profit¬
able than his previous undertaking at the metropolis, and his endeavors were
rewarded with abundant success. And during the same period, or from 1864
to 1870, Mr. Hawks was engaged in other business enterprises, and these, too,
were fortunate and brought satisfactory returns. But in 1870, or about that
time, the capitalists of the East were giving much attention to Western invest¬
ments, and our subject saw for himself that these promised better returns than
any Eastern enterprises offered at that time; he therefore closed out his mer¬
cantile business in New York, and " turned his face toward the setting sun,"
and there, in the main, has he been interested from 1870 until the present
time; but not to the prejudice or neglect of his native town — Bennington —
for here has been his acknowledged home notwithstanding the magnitude of
his interests in other localities. And he has been, and now is, largely inter¬
ested in investments in Bennington and elsewhere in its vicinity ; he is direc¬
tor and stockholder in the Bennington County National Bank, vice-president
of the Bennington County Savings Bank, the owner of a large amount of real
and personal property in the county; also, he was one of the chief advocates
of the graded school enterprise, and connected with the Monument Association
in their most laudable undertaking. Mr. Hawks, too, is known to possess much
public-spiritedness and generosity, and no worthy charity has ever appealed
to him in vain.
5i8
History of Bennington County.
But, turning for a moment to some of Mr. Hawks's Western investments, we
find him, in 1872, one of the organizers and directors of the First National
Bank of Marseilles, 111. ; later he becomes president of the Marseilles Water
Power Company, and the largest stockholder of the concern ; he was also at
one time vice-president of the Joliet Water Works Company; is president of
the Plymouth Rock Cattle Company, a corporation having a capital stock of
$250,000; also president of the Leadville Water Company, the capital of
which is $300,000; also president of the Soda Springs Land and Cattle Com¬
pany, capital stock $300,000. In each of these enterprises Mr. Hawks owns
a very large and controlling share of the stock.
Such, then is a brief resume of the principal business operations of Will¬
iam E. Hawks. If it indicates anything it is that he is a remarkable man in
his capacity to grasp and successfully direct great enterprises. In such under¬
takings, the detail of which would distract and paralyze the powers of men less
favorably constituted for such operations, Mr. Hawks has seemed to observe
the end from the beginning. He looks over his ground, forms his judgment
with rapidity and almost unerring accuracy, and then proceeds to the execu¬
tion of his plans with the serene confidence that all will end according to his
expectation. And he is, as must be seen, a very busy man ; but his manifold
interests never seem to worry him ; in all these his power has been found suf¬
ficient for any emergency, and his time adequate for all requirements. And
he has found time, too, for other duties than those confined to his business
operations ; indeed, to every improvement that has promised to add to the
welfare or beauty of his native place he has given the same care and efficient
attention that is bestowed upon his own affairs. His personal connection with
the Congregational Church covers a period of twenty years, and this, and other
religious institutions, have received his sympathy and material aid. In short,
he has not only succeeded in erecting a business and financial fabric of large
proportions, but is in all respects the useful citizen, to whom the confidence
and respect of his townsmen are not the least appreciated of his rewards.
ARK, TRENOR WILLIAM, the son of Luther and Cynthia (Pratt) Park,
and the grandson of William Park, was born in the town of Woodford, in
this county, on the 8th day of December, 1823.
When two or three years old Trenor W. Park moved with his parents to
Bennington. There his meager educational advantages were utilized in such
irregular manner as the poverty of the family would allow. Pluck, persever-
ence, and industry, however, enabled him to surmount all obstruction. From
1830 to 1836 he was known as the bright, precocious, keen witted boy, who
peddled molasses candy to supply the necessities of the household. He also
performed such acts of service as he was capable of doing. Among these he
carried letters to and from the post-office at Bennington, which was then lo-
Biographical.
5i9
cated in what is now called Bennington Center. This penny postal establish¬
ment between the present village of Bennington and that of Revolutionary fame
was among the earliest harbingers of cheap postal service.
When fifteen years of age Trenor W. Park had prospered so much as to be
the proprietor of a small candy store on North street. But his aspirations were
to much higher ends than any associated with so humble a branch of com¬
merce He resolved to become a lawyer. Entering at sixteen the law office
of A. P. Lyman, he there studied for admission to the bar, and with such suc¬
cess that he was received into the legal fraternity soon after the attainment of
his majority.
Beginning practice in the village of Bennington, he continued to prosecute
it with great success until the spring of 1852. He was also interested in the
lumber trade of that section of the State, and contributed largely to its subse¬
quent development. In controversy or argument his talents were strikingly
apparent. In the village lyceum he was one of the most conspicuous figures,
and judging from his success in later life, was doubtless one of its most able
and brilliant debaters.
The appointment of Hon. Hiland Hall by President Fillmore in 1851 to
the chairmanship of the United States Land Commission of California, brought
an entire change into the plans of Mr. Park, who was the son-in-law of Mr.
Hall. The commission was constituted to settle Mexican land titles in the new
acquisition to the territorial domain of the country. In the spring of 1852 Mr.
Park and his family migrated to the Pacific coast. Arrived in San Francisco
he commenced the practice of law, and displayed so much ability in the suc¬
cessful management of his first case that he attracted the attention of the law
firm of Halleck, Peachy & Billings, which firm he was soon thereafter in¬
vited to join, and did so, the style thereupon becoming Halleck, Peachy, Bil¬
lings & Park, the leading law firm of California.
Mr. Park's professional practice at San Francisco was not unattended by
personal danger. Pistols were favorite arguments with disputants. But he
scoffed at pistols, and relied on principles and precedents. He was counsel of
Alvin Adams, of Boston, president of the Adams Express Company, through¬
out the long and intricate litigation in which that company was involved in
California and Oregon. In the historic reform movement of 1855 he aided
"James King of William" in establishing the San Francisco Bulletin. When
that daring reformer was assassinated in the street for sternly upholding law
and order, the memorable " Vigilance committee " sprang at once into being,
and assumed the local government. Mr. Park was its attorney. Five of the
more prominent ruffians were hung. The worst of their companions were de¬
ported to Australia.
In 1858 Mr. Park visited Vermont. He was then the possessor of what
was justly regarded as a fortune. But this was unexpectedly diminished in
520
History of Bennington County.
his absence by a commercial panic at San Francisco. Real estate greatly de¬
preciated in value. Yet although his available resources were suddenly cir¬
cumscribed, the ability and zeal to make the most of oppurtunities remained
intact. Not only was he a brilliant and successful lawyer, but he was no less
distinguished for judgment and skill in real estate operations. Politics attracted
his energies. He failed of election as United States senator from California
by a few votes only. Next he became associated with Colonel John C. Fre¬
mont in the control of the celebrated Mariposa mine, and administered the af¬
fairs of the Mariposa estate. Prosperous himself in all his undertakings, he
also made the fortunes of those who were connected with him in business.
In 1864 Mr. Park retired from business and returned to Vermont. Inac
tion was too wearisome for one of his temperament, and he soon emerged into
active life, and established the First National Bank of North Bennington, built
a fine residence, and connected himself with various business enterprises.
He also embarked in State politics, was elected to the Legislature, and wielded
great power in that body. One of the original corporators of the Central Ver¬
mont Railroad Company at the reorganization of the Vermont Central under
that title, he furnished much of the capital required on that occasion. Not all
his railroad enterprises were as remunerative as he had expected. The Le¬
banon Springs Railroad was one of these. Commencing its construction in
1868, he hoped thereby to make Bennington an important railroad town, and
to place it on a through route from New York to Montreal, but almost ruined
his finances and also impaired his health in the undertaking. He wished to
supply the great want for transportation experienced by Southern Vermont,
but did not meet with fitting co-operation. Prior to this he had purchased
the Western Vermont Railroad. Works showed the sincerity which his oppo¬
nents have so freely and fully admitted.
In 1872 Mr. Park was united with General Baxter in the ownership of the
celebrated Emma Mine, and while he managed it the payment of dividends
was regular. Positive, energetic, and accustomed to operate on a large scale,
he did not escape criticism and litigation. In the legal controversy which
sprang out of the Emma Mine he was the victor. His sagacity and legal acu¬
men were marvelous. After a jury trial of five months he was fully vindicated.
Neither trials nor claims were impending at the time of his decease, nor did
any stain rest upon his character. His administration of the Pacific Mail Steam¬
ship Company, of which he was for years a director, was characterized by his
wonted shrewdness and force. He purchased a controlling interest in the
Panama Railroad, and was elected its president in 1874, and so continued un¬
til his decease. As manager in connection with General J. G. McCullough,
he, through favor of circumstances, saw the value of its stock rise from below
par to three hundred cents on the dollar ; at the rate it was sold to the De
Lesseps Canal Company. His was the dominant mind in the old Panama cor-
Biographical.
521
poration, and to him the felicitous close of its affairs were mainly due. The
transfer of its property and the accompanying negotiations were only com¬
pleted a few months before he sailed for Panama on the trip on which he died.
Trenor W. Park was warmly and deeply attached to the locality in which
the years of his youth and early manhood had been passed. He was, with E.
J. Phelps, of Burlington, ex-Governor Prescott, of New Hampshire, and ex-
G jvernor Rice, of Massachusetts, one of the committee on the design of the
Bennington Battle Monument, which is intended to perpetuate the memory
and preserve the spirit of Revolutionary patriotism. He was also a liberal
giver. When one of the trustees of the University of Vermont he conceived
the idea of donating the Gallery of Art which now bears his name. Benefac¬
tions whose good was apparent in the improved health of hundreds of poor
New Yorkers (beneficiaries of the Tribune Fresh Air Fund) he delighted in.
To these he gave some months of delightful rural experience at Bennington.
The Bennington Free Library is also a splendid monument of his munificence.
His last and largest contemplated gift was that for the ample endowment of
a "Home" at Bennington. The "Park Home" for destitute children and
women is one of the most impressive memorials of the man. It reveals his
heart. It was intended by him to be monumental of his sainted wife. The
Hunt property north of the village was purchased, and the Home incorporated
by act of the Legislature of 1882, but soon thereafter Mr Park died. Since
his death the heirs, knowing his intense interest in the welfare of Vermont's
soldiers, have donated the property to the State where is now established the
" Soldiers' Home."
Paralysis seized him on the 13th of December, 1882, while a passenger on
board the Pacific mail steamer San Bias. His remarkable career closed sud¬
denly. In itself it is not only an illustration of the possibilities of youth in this
country, but also of the intrinsic value of shrewdness, energy, and perseverance.
Nurtured in poverty, he died in affluence. Reared with scanty advantages,
he died an able and astute legist, a general of industry, a monarch of finance.
Of course he had enemies. Such men necessarily make opponents. But he
also made and kept hosts of warm and devoted friends. Short and slight of
figure, head bent forward as if in deep thought, eyes small and restless, man¬
ner nervous and restrained, chin and mouth strong and firm, quick and decided
in expression, a great reader and a powerful thinker — this modest and unob¬
trusive man was one whose memory neither Vermont nor the world will per¬
mit to perish. His funeral took place from the Collegiate Reformed Church,
Fifth avenue and Forty eighth street, New York, and was attended by many
political, financial, and railroad dignitaries. His remains repose in Greenwood
Cemetery, Brooklyn, N. Y.
Trenor W. Park was married 011 the 15th of December, 1846 to Laura V.
H., daughter of ex-Governor Hiland Hall. Lovely and beloved, a woman
gg
History of Bennington County.
who through life showered sunshine on all around her, she died in June, 1875.
Two daughters and one son survive their parents. One of the daughters is the
wife or General J. G. McCullough, and the other of Frederick B. Jennings, a
prominent young lawyer of New York City. The son, Trenor L. Park, is also
a resident of the city of New York. On the 30th of May, 1882 Mr. Park was
married to Ella F., daughter of A. C. Nichols, esq., of San Francisco, Cal, who
now survives him.
McCULLOUGH, General JOHN G. The subject of this sketch was
born in Welsh Tract near Newark, in the State of Delaware. His an¬
cestry is of Scottish blood on the paternal, and of Welsh extraction on the ma¬
ternal side of the house. His early educational advantages were of a meager
character, but such as they were he diligently utilized them with considerable
credit to himself. His father died when John G. was only three, and his mother
when he was only seven years of age; but friends and relatives extended kindly
and considerate care to the youth, whose pluck, persistence and unwearied in¬
dustry placed him in command of the resources of a good education before he
had attained his legal majority. His scholastic career ended in Delaware Col¬
lege, where he graduated with the first honors of his class before he had reached
his twentieth year.
Selecting the profession of law, Mr. McCullough began to prepare for its
practice immediately after his graduation. Repairing to Philadelphia he entered
the law office of St. George Tucker Campbell, who for many years was one of
the brightest and most successful jury lawyers at the Philadelphia bar. There
he zealonsly prosecuted the necessary studies for the next three years, and also
attended the law school of the University of Pennsylvania. From the latter
institution he received the diploma of L.L.B., and was also admitted to the
bar of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania in 1859. Thus thoroughly equipped
for the contests of the courts the young lawyer found himself apparently
doomed to exclusion from them by the declining condition of his health. Of
naturally weak constitution he was now seized by a grave pulmonary complaint,
and was obliged to turn aside from the pleasing local prospects before him.
The preservation of life itself demanded speedy change of climate and sur¬
roundings. Having tried and won by his maiden effort the first and only case
intrusted to his management in Philadelphia, he sailed for California. The
outlook was not promising. More dead than alive, the probabilities of the
health, fortune, and fame, of which he was in eager quest, were neither numer¬
ous nor flattering.
When Mr. McCullough landed in San Francisco he was unable to remain
there because of the severity of the winds. He at once went forward to Sacra¬
mento. There he was admitted to the bar of the Supreme Court of California.
But physical necessity was upon him, and he again moved onward to the foot-
Biographical.
523
hills of the Sierra Nevadas, in order to profit by the dry and exhilarating air of
the mountains. When the stage stopped at the end of its long route, in Mari¬
posa county, he disembarked, and stood face to face with all the new and untried
possibilities of the situation. This was in i860. Opening an office for the
transaction of business, he rapidly acquired a full share of legal practice. The
fame of a patriot rather than that of a legist was, however, what awaited him
in his new and unaccustomed home. Before he had established any close and
extended acquaintance with the people he was unwittingly swept into the
thickest of the forensic fight for the preservation of the national union. The
outer currents of the eddying war-storm that had gathered over the Cotton
States, and that threatened destruction and death to all who stood in its path¬
way, made themselves felt in the remote coasts of the Pacific. There in South¬
ern California the Secessionist from Alabama lived in close proximity to the
Unionist from Vermont. It was by no means certain that the State would not
become the theater of internecine war. The arrival of General Sumner on the
scene was remarkably opportune. By a coup d'etat he superseded Albert Sid¬
ney Johnston in command of Fort Alcatraz, and thus frustrated the scheme of
the Southern sympathizers to separate California from the Union. lie found
a ready and efficient supporter in the young McCullough, whose heart was too
hot, intellect too swift, and eloquence too effective to permit him to be an in¬
active spectator of passing occurrences. Stranger as he was, he ascended the
stump, and from that popular rostrum did splendid service for American na¬
tionality and freedom. Although barely qualified according to local law, he
received the nomination for the General Assembly. A coalition of the Repub¬
licans and Douglas Democrats triumphantly elected him, despite the efforts of
Secessionism, and sent him to Sacramento in 1861.
In the Legislature of California Mr. McCullough so manfully and success¬
fully advocated the cause of the Union that in 1862 his constituents returned
him to the Senate. The Senatorial district was large, and composed of many
counties, and had for many years previously been under the control of the
Democrats. Senator McCullough displayed such legal acumen and such judi¬
cious vigor in shaping Legislation, that, notwithstanding the fewness of his years
and the recency of his citizenship, he was nominated in the following year by
the Republican State Convention for the office of attorney-general, and was
elected at the polls by an overwhelming majority. This office he continued
to hold for the next four years, in which he resided at Sacramento. Much im¬
portant litigation, in which the commonwealth was interested, thus fell to his
management, and was so skillfully and satisfactorily conducted that he was
again nominated by his party in 1867. But popular sentiment had veered.
In the election his name stood at the head of his ticket in the reception of
general favor, but nevertheless both himself and co-aspirants failed of success.
After the close of his official career General McCullough settled in San Fran-
524
History of Bennington County.
cisco, and there established a law firm, of which he was the head. From the
commencement of its operations, and throughout the more than five years of his
residence in that city he was a prominent member of the bar, which included men
of the keenest and most cultured intellect from every State of the Union. His
practice was highly remunerative, and liis reputation with court, counsel, and
client that of a practitioner who is scrupulously precise in statement and in
action, and who is always governed by the nicest sense of professional honor.
In 1871 he visited the Eastern States and Europe, and returned in company
with a gifted and accomplished lady, whom he had espoused in Vermont.
The latter auspicious connection was the controlling cause, aided by the fact
that he had already acquired an ample fortune, of his permanent removal to
Vermont in 1873.
In the full prime of manhood, and endowed with a restless, energetic, and
self-controlled temperament, General McCullough could not content himself
with the enjoyment of what he had so nobly and honorably won. Although
he has not again taken up exclusively legal labors, he has distinguished him¬
self in commercial, banking, and railroad affairs. For the past twelve years
he has been vice-president and manager, in great measure, of the Panama Rail¬
road Company. He is now the president and directing genius of that corpor¬
ation, having consented to hold such relation at the urgent solicitation of M.
De Lesseps and its French owners. He is chairman of the board of directors
of the Erie Railway Company. He is also the president of the First National
Bank of North Bennington, president of the Bennington and Rutland Railway
Company, and a director of several banking and other institutions in Vermont
and New York. Belonging to the Bennington Battle Monument Association,
he was an active member of the committee charged with the selection of a de¬
sign for the fitting memorial of that celebrated engagement.
Politics, as an applied science, have never failed to enlist the warmest sym¬
pathies of General McCullough. Whether on the Pacific or the Atlantic slope
of the continent he has exhibited the liveliest interest in all the public ques¬
tions of the day. No political campaign since i860 has passed away without
having heard his voice, ringing out in no uncertain tones, in advocacy of the
principles and men that challenged his support. Under ordinary conditions
the better and more fruitful portion of life is still before him. His beautiful
home in Southern Vermont is the abode of elegant and cordial hospitality, and
the center whence radiate the manifold energies which class him w:th the ablest
and most influential citizens of the Green Mountain State.
John Griffith McCullough was married in 1871 to Eliza Hall, the oldest
daughter of Trenor W. Park, and grand-daughter of ex-Governor Hiland Hall.
Four children, named Hall Park, Elizabeth Laura, Ella Sarah, and Esther
Morgan, are the fruit of their union.
Biographical.
525
COOPER, CHARLES was born in Nottingham, England, in January, 1835.
Me was the fourth child, and one of the twelve children born to James
and Ann (Glover) Cooper. The father, James Cooper, was a very skillful me¬
chanic, and made the inside work of knitting machinery a specialty. He man¬
ufactured for the trade all kinds of knitting needles, and the various forms of
the sinkers for the knitting frames. Into this business Charles Cooper was very
early inducted, and before reaching his minority had acquired considerable
skill in many of the operations that constitute the process of this manufacture.
In 1847 James Cooper, the father of the subject of this sketch, came to America,
first to Germantown, Pa., at that time the seat of the greatest knitting indus¬
try in the United States. After a few months he went to Thompsonville, Conn.,
to enter the employ of the Enfield Manufacturing Company of that place, pur¬
suing the calling to which he had devoted his life, making needles and sink¬
ers, and the delicate inside work of knitting frames. In 1848 the family left
by him in the old English home came across the water to join the pioneer hus¬
band and father, and, being soon domiciled, began the working out of their sev¬
eral destinies in the new world. The Cooper family are a gifted race in the
line of mechanical design and invention. A sister of Mr. Cooper, Madam
Griswold, of New York City, has invented and manufactured some of the most
popular designs of corsets and other articles of ladies' underwear. She has
made for herself an enviable reputation and secured a competency George
Cooper is known as a most skillful and ingenious machinest, and his patents
are numerous, and have won for him great distinction as an inventor.
While living at Thompsonville Charles Cooper was married to Miss Annie
Sernple, daughter of Alexander Semple, whose brother is now the superin¬
tendent of the Broad Brook Woolen Company's Works. To Charles and
Annie Cooper have been born five children, three daughters and two sons, one
son and two daughters are now living; the younger son, a remarkable boy, died
at the age of twelve years. The middle daughter, Mrs. Mabel E. Graves, but
recently passed away. Charles Cooper, having previously purchased of his
brother George all his right in the flat rib knitting machine patent in 1868,
came to Bennington to put one of his machines to work in the mills of II. 1',.
Bradford & Co., bringing with him George Dakin, an expert knitter, to run.
In the fall of the same year Charles Cooper brought his whole needle plant
to Bennington, and began here his extensive business in that line. He
manufactures all kinds of knitting needles for all kinds of machines, a^so the
sinkers for the same. This was his father's business, and he has been trained
in it since his youth. In 1870 Mr. Cooper took his brother-in law, Mr. Eli
Tiffany, into partnership with him, and the year following they commenced
the manufacture of their patent flat rib knitting machine, and so great were
their sales that their output went as high as $75,000 per year. In 1886 the
firm was dissolved, and Charles Cooper began the manufacture of the same
526
History of Bennington County.
machine in a shop of his own, and the output of the new shop equals the num¬
ber of machines made by the old company. His machine works are supplied
with the most improved machinery and tools, and are under the superinten-
dency of Mr. Daniel Hurley. In 1883 he started the manufacture of knit goods
of a very fine quality and diversified patterns, and this branch of his business
has increased to such an extent that the Cooper Manufacturing Company ranks
as one of the leading industries of southern Vermont. Of this company the
capital stock is $100,000, Charles Cooper, president, and his son, A. J.
Cooper, is vice-president and treasurer, and Benjamin F. Ball secretary and
superintendent.
Mr. Cooper is essentially a self-made man, a good example of America's
opportunities and rewards of talent and energy. He began life with no capi¬
tal save a thorough knowledge of his trade, and this he has utilized to exceed-
ingly good purpose. Substantial returns are the reward of his energy, indus¬
try, and perseverance.
Devoted to his business, Mr. Cooper has not found time to enter into local
or general politics to any great extent than should every prudent and patriotic
citizen. He has, however, very decided political opinions, and is a thorough
protectionist from conviction of the imminent disaster that must come to Amer¬
ican industries if, by lowering the present tariff rates, American operatives and
manufacturers are brought into too sharp competition with the cheaper labor
and massed capital of Europe.
He knows the more favorable condition of the American operative and
mechanic as compared with the same employment in Europe. He knows this
from observation and experience on both sides of the Atlantic, and is there¬
fore the more pronounced in favor of the American system of protection.
In social and society matters Mr. Cooper takes great interest. But he finds
his greatest pleasure in the relaxation from business by devotion to church
work. He is an official member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is the
superintendent of the Sunday-school. He is an earnest and reliable helper in
all good enterprises.
BURTON, ELIAS BLACK, Hon., was born in the town of Rupert on
the 3d of May in the year 1816, and was the fourth of nine children born
to Nathan and Charlotte (Graves) Burton, both of whom were highly respected
residents of Rupert, the mother being a daughter of Dr. Graves of that town, a
leading physician of his time. Young Elias was given the advantages of a
good education in the district schools of the town at first, but afterward was
under the instruction of Judge Aiken, then of Manchester, afterward of Massa¬
chusetts, by the latter preparing for college. He also attended one term at
the Royalton Academy, and later at the Bennington Academy, and in 1833
entered the Middlebury College for a regular classical course of four years. In
Biographical.
527
1837 he was graduated from that institution. He then went South and passed
about a year, engaged in teaching at Carrolton, Ala., but at the expiration ot
that time returned to his home in Rupert.
The next year, 1839, our subject is found in Troy, in the office of Lawyer
Wilson as a student, determined to enter the legal profession, but after four
months he went to Salem, N. Y., and there entered the law office of Allen &
Blair, with whom he continued until his admission to the bar at the General
Term of the Supreme Court held in May, 1842. In 1843 the young lawyer
came to Manchester and formed a law partnership with Counselor A. L.
Miner of that place, with whom he was associated until the year 1851, Mr.
Miner then leaving off practice to enter upon the duties of the office of repre¬
sentative in Congress, to which he was in that year elected. From that time
until 1854 Mr. Burton practiced alone, but in the year last named he took a
partner in the person of Samuel Seward Burton, the cousin of our subject,
who afterward became prominent as one of the leading and most successful
lawyers and business men of LaCrosse, Wis., to which place he emigrated in
1857. Then, after a period of practice alone Mr. Burton formed a partnership
in 1866 for law practice with Loveland Munson who had then but recently
been admitted to the bar of the State, and who had prosecuted his legal stu¬
dies in the office of our subject. This latter copartnership relation continued
until the spring of 1888, when the senior partner felt justified in retiring from
the onerous and burdensome duties of active professional life.
As has already been stated it was in the year 1843 that Elias B. Burton
began his professional c areer in Manchester, the north half-shire town of Ben¬
nington county, but his subsequent practice was not by any means confined
to this locality alone. As a lawyer, whether young or old in the profession,
he always applied himself diligently to its labors, and at an early day assumed,
and to the time of his retirement maintained a leading position among the pro¬
fession's ablest members. In the conduct of his legal business he was method¬
ical and cautious, without being laborious. He discountenanced rather than
promoted litigation, and in his intercourse with his clients mature deliberation
always preceded council. He rarely indulged in rhetoric and never in osten¬
tatious display, but addressed himself to the understanding of his hearers in¬
stead of appealing to their passions, and approached whatever subject he had
in hand with dignity, self-possession, and in the light of principle and com¬
mon sense. Upon all the political issues of the times he has entertained clear
and well settled convictions and is perfectly frank and outspoken in the ex¬
pression of them. His sentiments have been and are emphatically conserva¬
tive— naturally inclined to adhere to the established order of things, and not
easily drawn into the advocacy of any of the isms of the day.
Naturally enough a man of his prominence could not well avoid being
drawn into the arena of politics, yet he has by 110 joaeans been an office-seeker.
528
History of Bennington County.
In 1849 he was elected State's attorney for Bennington county, and held that
office one year. In 1855 he represented the town of Manchester in the State
General Assembly, and in 1856 and 1857 in the S ate Senate. In 1865 lie
was elected to the office of Probate judge, and filled that position for twelve
consecutive years. In i860 John W. Stewart and Elias B. Burton were ap¬
pointed delegates to lepresent the first Vermont Congressional District at the
National Republican Convention held at Chicago, and at which Abraham Lin¬
coln was nominated for the presidency of the United States, and it is to this
last named event and his connection therewith that Judge Burton looks back
with feelings of the greatest pride and satisfaction.
On the 13th day of December, in the year 1842, the same year in which
he was admitted to the bar, Elias B. Burton was married to Adeline M. Ilar-
wood, of the village of Bennington. Of this marriage there have been born
six children, three of whom are now living, the other three having died in in¬
fancy.
BURTON, WILLIAM B. The subject of this sketch was born in the town
of Manchester, on the farm now owned and occupied by his brother,
George G. Burton, on the 3d day of July 1820. His father was Joseph, and
his mother Anna (Benedict) Burton, and of their six children William was the
eldest but one. The father, Joseph Burton, was a farmer, and on the farm
William was brought up at work, attending school in season, until he reached
the age of about twenty years, when, having been educated at the Burr and
Burton Seminary at Manchester, he began teaching school, which occupation
engaged his attention for several years.
About the year 1848, in copartnership with F. W. Hoyt, Mr. Burton em¬
barked in the mercantile business at Manchester village, but three years of ex¬
perience in trade brought the firm 110 gratifying results, and the establishment
was closed. But Mr. Burton settled the affairs of the unfortunate firm, and
accepted a clerkship or managing position in connection with a union store
gotten up and stocked by the fanners of the vicinity, and located at Factory
Point (now Manchester Center), which business Mr. Burton conducted for
about eight years.
In 1862 our subject formed a partnership with Samuel G. Cone of Man¬
chester, and succeeded by purchase to the mercantile business formerly con¬
ducted by Franklin H. Orvis ; and about five years later the firm added to
their interests another store at Factory Point, in both of which enterprises
they have been engaged to the present day. It is no flattering comment to
state that the business of this firm has been entirely successful, or that the
members of the firm are both counted among the most honorable and fair
dealing men in the community. From 1862 to 1875 Mr. Burton also held the
office as postmaster.
Biographical
529
William B. Burton has never been an aspirant for political honors in his
town or in the county, but has been content to busy himself with the affairs of
his own interests; still there is no man that has been more closely identified
with the various measures looking to the benefit and welfare of the town than
he. In matters pertaining to the church, with which he has for upwards of
thirty years been connected as a member, Mr. Burton has taken a deep in¬
terest, contributing both of his time and means for the advancement and pros¬
perity of the Congregational Society. The office of treasurer of that society
he held for many years, and insisted on being retired from the duties of the
same at the last annual meeting, but still he holds the office of deacon. For
more than forty years he was leader of the choir in the Congregational Church.
On the 16th day of August, 1S46 William B. Burton was married to An-
geline M., the daughter of Abraham B. Straight, of Manchester. Of this union
three children were born, only two of whom grew to maturity. His wife died
on the 13th day of December, 1877. On the 15th day of June, 1880 Mr.
Burton was married to Elizabeth T. Morgan, the daughter of a highly respected
and prominent pioneer resident, Colonel A. W. Morgan, of Glens Falls, War¬
ren county, N. Y.
OR VIS, FRANKLIN H. The people of the quiet little village of Man¬
chester hardly thought what fame was in store for their town when, in
[852, Franklin II Orvis to >k the residence of his father and converted it into
a summer resort; and Mr. Orvis himself was somewhat surprised at the results
of the first few years in this undertaking, for while he confidently believed from
the very first that the enterprise would be measurably successful, his most san¬
guine expectations were greatly surpassed in the growing success that crowned
his efforts at the outset. In 1853 Mr. Orvis enlarged the capacity of the house
by making his father's store-building a part of it, and the whole was then
christened the Equinox House; a name well known to summer pleasure
seekers throughout the country; not seekers after exciting sports, but rather
those who prefer the quiet enjoyment of a most healthful locality, where rest
and comfort are assured and nature's attractions are perfect. But as the name
and fame of the Equinox went abroad further enlargements were necessary,
but we cannot enumerate them in detail. In 1858 the building on the east side
of the street was arranged for the accommodation of guests and made a part
of the house, and in 1883 Mr. Orvis purchased the Taconic House, 011 the west
side of the street, and that too forms.a part of his extensive hotel. Other ad¬
ditions were made from time to time, and the Equinox property now occupies
an ample frontage on both sides of the thoroughfare, and the surroundings and
appointments of the whole enterprise are most inviting and delightful. Nature,
too, has done much to make Manchester a desirable place of abode during the
summer months ; on the east the visitor obtains a magnificent view of the main
67
53°
History of Bennington County.
chain of the Green Mountains ; on the west is presented to the eye the tower¬
ing heights of grand old Equinox; to north, and but a few miles distant, there
stands out clearly to the vision the lesser lights—Mount yEolus and Owl's
Head, while on the south the beautiful valley of the Battenkill is an attraction
no less charming and no less grand. But all this lovely panorama of nature
has been in constant display for hundreds and hundreds of years, and still it re¬
mained for the hand and energy of man to develop the place and make it
a profitable resort — profitable to the person who should undertake it, and an
honor to the town ; others might have accomplished the same thing but Frank¬
lin H. Orvis did it, and by the doing the whole townspeople owe him a debt
of gratitude. Some men would have devoted a lifetime to the work done by
our subject in thirty five years, others might have done it as quickly as he;
he claims no special credit for his success. He is a native Vermonter, proud
of his State and town, and his success is that of his town also. Let us see the
record of his life. Franklin Henry Orvis was born on the I2thday of July,
1824, and of the seven children born to Levi Church and Electa Sophia (Purdy)
Orvis he was the oldest. His father, Levi Church Orvis, and grandfather,
Waitstill Orvis, were likewise natives of Vermont, though born "over east of
the mountains." Electa Sophia Orvis, the mother of our subject, was descended
from Reuben Purdy, who will be remembered as the head of one of the oldest
and most highly respected pioneer families of the town of Manchester. Levi Or¬
vis came to Manchester about the year 1820, living for a time in the family of
Ephraim Munson, and attending Hill's School. Shortly afterward he married
Electa Sophia Purdy as above stated. He then engaged in the mercantile
and marble business at Manchester, and continued in such up to the time of
his death in 1849. It was >n father's store that Franklin H. Orvis obtained
his early business education, but he also attended the common schools of the
town, the Burr Seminary, and the Union Village Academy at Greenwich, N.
Y., finishing at the latter in 1842, then being eighteen years of age, The next
two years were passed in Wisconsin and Illinois in mercantile pursuits, but in
1844 he went to New York City as a clerk in the wholesale dry goods house
of Marsh & Willis, which position he held for about two years. In 1846 Mr.
Orvis, in association with Elijah M. Carrington, formerly of Poultney, under the
firm name of Carrington & Orvis engaged in the business of wholesale dealing
in dry goods, with which enterprise he was connected until about the year i860,
then retiring to give his entire attention to the hotel business he had estab¬
lished some eight years before. But the Equinox at Manchester, as is very
well known, has been conducted as a summer resort exclusively; therefore, with
Mr. Orvis's retirement from the mercantile business in New York City, the win¬
ter months became to him a season of comparative inactivity, except during
the brief period of his connection with the Manchester Journal, which paper
he took in 1871 and conducted with gratifying success for about one year, as
Biographical.
53i
will be seen by reference to the press chapter in an earlier part of this volume.
About this same time, or in 1872, Mr. Orvis became proprietor of the St.
James Hotel, at Jacksonville, Fla., which house he conducted as a winter re¬
sort one year. In 1875 he purchased the Putnam House, at Palatka, Fla., en¬
larged it, made it a winter resort, and continued its management until it was
destroyed by fire in November, 1884. In 1880 Mr. Orvis took the Windsor
at Jacksonville, conducting this and the Putnam at Palatka, until the latter was
burned, since which the Windsor has occupied his time during the winter, and
the Equinox at Manchester during the summer season. The successful con¬
duct of a large hotel calls for as much of tact and good judgment as the man¬
agement of any other extensive business enterprise; and it is an undeniable
fact that the successful landlord must possess peculiar characteristics such as are
not brought into active use in the transaction of ordinary business in other
channels. These necessary traits and qualifications are, it seems, possessed by
Mr. Orvis in an abundant degree; and while to him is due the credit of having
built up these large enterprises and made for them a reputation second to none
in the country, some acknowledgement should be here made to the efficient
assistance rendered by his sons, who are interested in the business of their
father, and seem to have inherited much of his business thrift and energy.
Six sons were born of the marriage of Franklin H. Orvis with Sarah M., the
daughter of Paul Whitin, of Whitinsville, Worcester count}', Mass. This mar¬
riage occurred on the 17th day of November, in the year 1852. As will be
seen from the foregoing brief resume, the life of Franklin H. Orvis has been
one of busy activity for nearly half a century, commencing with his eight¬
eenth year and continuing to the present time. And while he has been thus
engaged with his business affairs he has nevertheless found time to participate
in the various events and measures looking to the improvement and welfare
of his native town, for every cause that has tended to its advancement has
found in him an earnest advocate, and every worthy charity has received from
him substantial aid. In the fall of 1869 he was elected to the Vermont Senate
from Bennington county as the candidate of the Republican party, of which
party he has been an active member since 1861.
ROOT, HENRY G. It would seem that fifty years of participation in ac¬
tive business pursuits ought to entitle any person to permanent retirement
and rest for the remainder of his life; but some men are so constituted that the
absence of business connections seems like idleness, and the latter is irksome
and foreign to their nature. Such a thought is suggested by looking over the
past career of Henry G. Root, who, although now past his seventieth anniver¬
sary of birth, appears to be as actively engaged in business as at any time here¬
tofore, and with the same good judgment and results as at an earlier day; in
truth time has dealt leniently with our subject, and his years hang but lightly
532
History of Bennington County.
upon him. His life too, from a business point of view, has been entirely suc¬
cessful, and a substantial fortune is its result.
But it is not solely to this accumulation that Mr. Root has been' devoted
throughout these long years, for within the county of Bennington there lives
no man who has exhibited more public-spiritedness, or has gone deeper into
pocket in the interest of his town and its improvement in every respect than has
he; his early connection with the efforts made to obtain a railway outlet for the
town, and the bringing about of that consummation, shows that he possessed
something of an influence in the community as well as a desire to benefit the
town; and his connection with the Centennial Celebration, and the Battle Mon¬
ument Association, he having raised in the main the subscription fund for.the
former, and the five thousand dollars demanded by the State Legislature to be
raised by subscription among the people, as condition upon which the State
appropriation was made; and for all of this service he neither asked, received
or hoped for reward other than that enjoyed by the whole people of the county
—a fitting celebration of the Vermont Centennial Anniversary, and the build¬
ing of a magnificent monument commemorative of the battle of Benning¬
ton. The people of the county will remember the movement that was set on
foot relating to the removal of the court-house and county buildings from Ben¬
nington and Manchester and centering them in Arlington, and the work that
was required to be done, and the means necessary to be raised to prevent such
removal; and remembering this they will also recall the fact that of the prom¬
inent citizens who worked to retain the buildings in the village and raise the
funds to make the court-house inhabitable, none labored more zealously, or
with better results than Henry G. Root.
More than this Mr. Root has been honored by the freemen of the county
with public office, having been elected to the State General Assembly and
twice to the Senate. In i860 he was a presidential-elector at-large on the Re¬
publican ticket, and had the honor of casting a vote for Abraham Lincoln in
the electoral college. Mr. Root is the only surviving member of the college
now living in Vermont. In the local institutions of Bennington our subject has
been equally prominent, for besides his connection with the monument associ-
tion and the centennial commission, he is one of the trustees of the library asso¬
ciation, and of the Congregational Church Society, of the latter being the
president; his contributions to the fund with which the church edifice was
built, and subsequently to the fund that finally extinguished that society's in¬
debtedness, may be counted by the thousands of dollars. Mr. Root's member¬
ship in this church dates back to January, 1857* He was one of the first board
of directors of the Lebanon Springs Railroad, and one of the incorporators of
the First National Bank of Bennington; was elected vice-president of the bank
after the first year of its existence, and has continued in that office to this time,
lie has been connected with institutions and organizations of the State, as well
Biographical.
533
as those oflocal importance, having been a director of the Vermont State Ag¬
ricultural Society for the last twenty-five years, and president of that society
during the years 1871-72 and 1873. Besides this he has been prominently
associated with other societies of the State.
Henry Green Root was a native of Massachusetts, born in Greenfield on
the 1 8th day of September, 1818. Up to the time he was seventeen years of
age Henry lived at home on the farm of his father where he worked in season
and attended district school ; but on reaching the age above stated he was ap¬
prenticed to learn the trade of tinsmithing at Templeton, Mass. In the fall of
1838 Elisha Root, the father of our subject, came to reside at Bennington, and
this fact induced Henry to follow after he was released from his apprenticeship,
which release he purchased four months before his term had fully expired.
After coming to Bennington young Root borrowed a small sum of money from
his father, and in partnership with Luther R. Graves engaged in the business
of manufacturing and selling tinware, in a small way at the beginning, but grad¬
ually enlarging and increasing the same as the means of the proprietors would
permit. Under the arrangement between these partners Mr. Root had charge
of the mechanical department of the concern, while Mr. Graves was on the road.
This business grew to large proportions and proved an exceedingly profitable
enterprise for the firm. They established houses in various sections of the coun¬
try, and entrusted their management generally to young and competent men
whom they had educated in the business. Among the branch houses estab¬
lished by the firm of Graves & Root during their long business associations was
one at each of the following places: Red Hook, N. Y.; Troy, N. Y.; Easton,
Pa; VVatertown, N. Y., and Burlington, Vt.
When Luther R. Graves and Henry G. Root entered into their partnership
agreement it was verbally provided that the same should continue for a period
of six years, but when that time had elapsed the business of the concern was
continued without any further understanding, and has been so conducted to
the present day; and it is a truth that notwithstanding the fact the Messrs.
Graves & Root have now been associated together for a full half century, and
for forty-four years without any regular agreement; there has never been an
accounting between them, and the acts of either have never been questioned
or criticised by the other. Their business has always been successful, and their
firm relations entirely harmonious.
On the 23d day of December, in the year 1846, Henry G. Root was mar¬
ried to Catharine L., daughter of Hon. Samuel H. Blackmer, a highly respected
citizen of Bennington. Of this marriage four children have been born, only
two of whom are now living. Catharine L. Root, wife of Henry G. Root, died
on the 2d of September, 1887. Mr. Root on the 23d day of January, 1889,
was married to Mary A. Gale, daughter of the late Dr. Nathan Gale, one of
Orwell's most prominent physicians and respected citizens.
534
History of Bennington County.
AYLOR, DWIGHT. The township of Rupert occupies a position in the
extreme northwesterly corner of Bennington county. It was chartered
by Governor Wentworth on the 20th of August, in the year 1761, but its
early settlement did not commence until several years after that date. Some
of its pioneers were from New Hampshire, and among them was Joel Taylor,
a native of Merrimac, born March 4, 1764. While yet a young man he came
to the town above named, being at that time exceedingly poor in purse, and
carrying no baggage except that contained in an old knapsack, which was
strapped about his shoulders.
Joel Taylor took up his abode on Rupert mountain, on the old road lead¬
ing from Pawlet to Salem. At that time the low lands or valleys were swampy,
and by the settlers considered of little value, and exceedingly unhealthy; so
Joel Taylor began clearing his farm on the mountain. He married Hannah
Farrar, who was born in New Hampshire in 1762, their marriage taking place
in March, 1784. Their children were as follows: Hannah, born August 20,
1785, married Robert Wilson and lived in Rupert, and afterward in Salem,
and died January 20, 1858; Polly, born October 22, 1787, married Austin
Johnson, of Rupert, and died December 3, 1840 ; Joel, born in Rupert August
17, 1794, married Olive Field, of Dorset, and died April 8, 1859; Stephen,
born April 10, 1796, married Harriet Sheldon, of Rupert, and died July 29,
1884, and his wife, Harriet, died February 5, 1854; Elbridge, born August
24, 1799, died September 26, 1884. Joel Taylor, the pioneer, died January
16, 1846. His wife, Hannah (Farrar) Taylor, died September 25, 1825.
Stephen Taylor, the fourth child and second son of Joel, married first Har¬
riet Sheldon, the daughter and descendant of one of the most respected pioneer
families of the town of Rupert. The children of this marriage were : Dwight,
born September 10, 1825 ; Emmons, born July 26, 1828, died April 13, 1874;
Newton, born February 23, 1830, died March 21, 1841 ; Sheldon, born Au¬
gust 6, 1833, died April 2, 1874, and James B., born August 15, 1840, now
living at Portage City, Wis. The second wife of Stephen Taylor was Olive
W. Wakeley, who died December 2, 1877. Emmons Taylor and James B.
Taylor both lived in Portage City, Wis., and became prominent lawyers of that
place.
It will be seen from the foregoing genealogical sketch that of the children
of Stephen Taylor but two, Dwight and James B., are now living, and that the
former of these alone remains to represent the family name in the town. On
the 24th day of April, 1850, Dwight Taylor was united in marriage with
Aurora M. Eastman. To them has been born but one child, Hattie M., now
the wife of Orlin P. Black.
Dwight Taylor was brought up to the occupation of farming, and has fol¬
lowed that during the* majority of the years of his life. As such he has been
persistent, thrifty and enterprising, and the result has been shown in the steady
Biographical.
535
increase of his means until to-day he is counted as one of the most successful
and affluent and influential men of the town and county. As rapidly as the
revenues of his farm were received they were promptly invested, and by this
means he has enhanced the value of his estate. Farming with him was a pleas¬
ure rather than a burden, and he has given it the same close attention and care
that the most successful merchant bestows upon his business. In the affairs of
the town, too, has Mr. Taylor taken an active part; and in office his course
has been characterized by the same spirit of straightforward honesty and
economy that has made his business life a marked success ; but he has not
been, by any means, an office-seeking politician, for the offices he has held,
and the other various trusts that have been put upon him, have not been of
his asking, but rather against his inclination; and he has yielded to the en¬
treaties of his friends, feeling it a duty that he perform some service for his
town and people as well as for himself. Mr. Taylor is a leading member of
the Congregational Church of Rupert, and of his means liberally contributes
to the support and maintenance of that society, and the good work in which it
is engaged.
OBERTS, GENERAL MARTIN. Standing upon a beautiful elevation, at
the point where the road divides and leads to the east and west sides of
Mount /Eolus, overshadowed by magnificent elm trees, and commanding a
view of the charming valley of the Battenkill River, as that stream courses
along the base of the Green Mountains, is the place known to every dweller
of Manchester, Dorset and other towns as the "Roberts homestead," the prop¬
erty occupied during most of the years of his long life by Martin Roberts.
And the older residents of the town will recall in pleasant remembrance the
familiar form, the dignified, military, and ever courteous bearing of him of
whom we write. Should there be found one person whose memory could carry
him back three-quarters of a century, he would recall in mental picture the
thriving little hamlet, with its dozen or more of houses clustered around the
homestead place, and known as " Robertsville." But hamlet and proprietor
have long since gone; and it is therefore the purpose of this sketch to perpet¬
uate the memory of the latter to the use of generations to come, in the history
of the county in which he was born and lived and died.
Martin Roberts was the eldest son of Gen. Christopher Roberts, and was born
on the 8th day of January, in the year 1778. Of his early life and of his more
mature years we have no detailed record, but in the history of the tow 11 of
Manchester it is stated that the male children of Gen. Christopher Roberts were
Martin, Jonathan, John Peter, Benjamin, and Serenus. Martin, while quite
youug, became a clerk in the store owned by Joseph Burr, of Manchester, and
here he acquired a knowledge of the mercantile business. After a few years
he started in trade for himself, in a small way at first, but gradually enlarging
536
History of Bennington County.
the same until about the time of the breaking out of the War of 1812, he was
known as one of the most thrifty and successful merchants in the region, until
about the closing years of the war, when, on account of general stagnation in
trade circles, and the consequent depreciation of values, together with his in¬
ability to recover loans and advances made to friends, his possessions were
largely reduced, but not one whit was Martin Roberts lessened in the estima¬
tion of his fellow townsmen and acquaintances by reverses of foitune. After
liquidating the heavy losses thus incurred, still possessing means and resources
unexhausted, he entered into the bold enterprise of starting a new line of
stages for carrying passengers and mails between Boston and Saratoga The
line was arranged to run by a new route from Boston westward through Keene,
The Roberts Homestead.
Concord, Chester, Landgrove, Peru, and over the Green Mountains to Rob-
ertsville in Manchester, and thence over the Western or Taconic range through
Rupert and Salem to Saratoga. The charms of the scenery through the most
beautiful valleys and passes of the mountains was somewhat depended upon to
attract travel and make the new route remunerative, but the enterprise was
financially a failure, and brought heavy losses to the bold originator of the
scheme.
In military affairs in the State General Roberts was active and prominent,
and rapidly advanced from lesser rank to greater until he became Major-Gene-
ral of militia, the highest military office in the State, and this he held up to the
time of his death in 1863. No less prominent was the position occupied by
General Roberts in the Masonic fraternity of the State, as for a number of
years he filled the exalted office of Grand Master.
Biographical.
537
During the period of political agitation about the time of the War of i8i2)
General Roberts was on what was proved, by American success, to be the un¬
popular side of the controversy. He was the Federalist leader, and the ac¬
knowledged champion of the doctrines of that short-lived party in the north
part of the county, and as such was put forward by his followers and pitted in
the field of politics against the leader of the Democracy, a person no less prom¬
inent than Richard Skinner, then the leading lawyer of the town, and after¬
ward governor of the State
Martin Roberts was twice married. His first wife was Lucy Bulkley, by
whom he had four children, two only of whom grew up and raised families.
They were Marcius and Mary B , the former settling in East Dorset, while the
latter became the wife of Dr. George Tuttle, and lived in Manchester. His
wife Lucy having died, Martin Roberts, on the I ith of January, 1806, married
Betsey, the daughter of Luther Stone, esq., one of Arlington's most prominent
citizens. The issue of this marriage was thirteen children, all of whom, save
one which died in infancy, grew to man's and woman's estate, married, and
raised families that are now scattered through several States of the Union.
These children were Lucy, Dexter, Charles, Benjamin, Edward, Mira, Betsey
Ann and Julia Ann, (twins), Richard, Belvediere, Elizabeth, and Henry Eckford.
General Martin Roberts died in 1863, at the advanced age of nearly eighty-
six years. The old homestead still stands, but all evidences of the existence
of a small village around it are fully wiped out. The old home and farm, en¬
larged and improved, are now the property of Edward Roberts, who, from the
love he bears the place of his birth, out of his abundant means maintains the
homestead as much as possible in its original form, and makes it his dwelling
place throughout the warmer months of the year.
OBERTS, EDWARD. The subject of this brief sketch was born in Man¬
chester, at the Roberts homestead, on the 23d day of March, 1812, and
was the fifth child born to Martin and Betsey (Stone) Roberts. Burdened with a
large family of children, and not being largely possessed of this world's goods,
it was impossible for the parents to make advances of money to start their sons
in business, but what proved more to their welfare, each was given as good an
education as the means of the parents could afford. Edward was naturally
inclined to books, and started out in life with the determination to enter a pro¬
fession, but in this his expectation was balked, and he was then obliged to en¬
gage in mercantile pursuits; but with him professional life, while it may have
been more in accord with his taste, could not have been more successful than
that calling which circumstances compelled him to adopt.
In the spring of 1827, then being just past his fifteenth year, Edward Rob¬
erts left home and went to Rutland, where he engaged with his cousin, E. C.
Purdy, esq., in the printing office of the Rutland Herald. Here he remained
G8
533
History of Bennington County.
some two years, and until the fall of 1829, when he went to Fishkill-on-the-
Hudson and entered the Highland Grove Gymnasium, a classical preparatory
school, then under the charge of Rev. B. Kent, a brother-in-law of our subject.
Having applied himself diligently to his studies, and engaged in teaching when
not so occupied, young Roberts was prepared for a still higher education, and
in the latter part of the summer of 1831 he entered Williams College for the
regular classical course. Unfortunately, however, his college course was ab¬
ruptly terminated by a severe attack of inflamatory sore eyes and dyspepsia of
such a nature as to compel a cessation of study and retirement from the institu¬
tion, and to effect a radical change in the plans for the future therefore mapped
out. But he was quite unwilling at once to yield up all hope of completing his
education and entering professional life, and the succeeding ten years found
him engaged in travel and teaching, devoting such time to study as he could
bear, but without instructors other than the best text-books. Especially was
he devoted to Greek, Latin, Hebrew and some of the modern languages, the
knowledge of which he has kept up, a great solace to him, and refuge from the
cares and vexations of an unusually busy life.
But the ten years at length passed, and his old difficulty continuing in a
threatened chronic form, Mr. Roberts reluctantly abandoned his cherished
hopes of a professional life, and in 1841 went to New York City and settled
down to business life. Subsequently he became a silent, and finally a general
member of the firm of Roberts, Cushman & Co., for many years one of the
leading houses in that city engaged in importing hatter's material, supplies,
etc., and to-day Mr. Roberts' name is in the old firm established so many years
ago, and he still retains an extensive interest therein, although his time is
mostly devoted to the care and development of the large real estate interests
of which he is possessed. Still our subject finds time each summer to visit his
old home in Manchester, of which he is now, and has been since 1849 the
owner; and here, surrounded by family and friends, he passes the heated sea¬
son in quiet enjoyment under the protecting branches of the magnificent old
elms that gave him their shade in boyhood days.
In 1840, the year next preceding that in which he entered business life in
the great metropolis of our country, Edward Roberts was united in marriage
with Lucy Maria Benjamin, daughter of Hon. Nathan Benjamin, of South Eg-
remont, Mass. Of this marriage three children were born as follows: Nathan
B. Roberts, June 25, 1841 ; Edward A. Roberts, May 18, 1843 ; Gardner B.
Roberts, November 12, 1844, died March 7, 1845. Lucy Maria, his wife, hav¬
ing died January 26, 1845, on April 27, 1847, Mr. Roberts was married to Miss
Irene B. Robinson, daughter of Royal Robinson, M.D., of Braintrim, Pa. Of this
second marriage have been born eight children as follows: Genevieve Roberts,
May 15, 1848, died September 16, 1887; Jessie Roberts, January 3, 1850, died
December 6, 1887; Christopher H. Roberts, January 27, 1852; Irene Roberts,
Biographical.
539
May 17, 1854, died May 9, 1857; Lucy Roberts, June 1, 1856; Walter Rob¬
erts, April 3, 1858, died June 8, 1851); William R. Roberts, June 26, i.xoo;
Fanny, August 11, 1862, died March 13, 1864.
TS1IAM, PIERRRPONT Hon., the oldest child of Dr. Ezra and Nancy
[ (Pierrepont) Isham, was born in the town of Manchester on the 5th da}- of
August, in the year 1802. Of his early life the writer has no authentic infor¬
mation, but at the age of about nineteen years he commenced a course of law
study in the office of his uncle, Richard Skinner, of Manchester, one of the
first lawyers of the State, at one time chief justice of the Vermont Supreme
Court, and governor of the State. In the year 1823, then being twenty-one
years old, Mr, Isham was admitted to the bar, and at once began practice in
Bennington count)-, in the south half shire, a part of the time in Pownal but
the greater part in Bennington, where he continued to reside until the year
i860, at which time he left this State and moved to New York. In his chosen
profession of the law Pierrepont Isham had such early instruction, and applied
himself so diligently to the study of its maxims and principles that he soon ac¬
quired the reputation of being one of the ablest lawyers of Southern Vermont,
and it is said that he loved the practice of the law, not because he particularly
loved litigation itself, but because it was a profession in which men of erudi¬
tion, high legal attainments, and honorable feelings have full scope for all
their powers, and yet can aid in the honest and able administration of justice.
His clients knew that he was entitled to their implicit confidence, his profes¬
sional associates and the bench knew that candor and fairness were his charac¬
teristics. But it was as a professional man, and in that character that all mem¬
bers of the same fraternity could more full)7 appreciate him. His knowledge
of law was deep; his oratorical powers fine and persuasive; and his long pro¬
fessional course, at the bar and upon the bench, was a success. His forensic
efforts for nearly forty years bear testimony to his power and ability as a law¬
yer, an advocate, and as a judge.
The life of a lawyer devoted to his profession is inevitably uneventful. The
relation to friends and clients, and the issues of controversies at the bar, though
they may be absorbing and often dramatic, d<> not pass readily into biography.
Six years of the professional life of Pierrepont Isham were passed upon the
bench of the Supreme Court of Vermont. In the fall of 1851 the Legislature
of the State elected him to that position, which he held without intermission
until the fall of 1857, and then peremptorily declined a re-election that was
offered him. During that period the body of railroad law of this country was
in its early course of development and as the railroads constructed in Vermont
passed almost immediately into litigation man)- of the most important cases
of that time came under the cognizance of that court. Possessing as he did
those qualities that placed him high in the profession as a lawyer, Judge Isham
540
History of Bennington County.
was eminently fitted for the more exalted station on the bench of the Supreme
Court, and here he was ever self-possessed dignified, courteous, easy and grace¬
ful in bearing, firm in his rulings, logical in his reasonings, kind and forbearing,
especially toward the younger members of the profession, so that he earned
the reputation of being one of the ablest and most popular judges upon the
Supreme bench, where, during the term of his incumbency, he was associated
with jurists like Stephen Royce, Isaac F. Redfield, and Milo L. Bennett. Very
soon after Judge Isham's retirement from the bench he removed to New York,
where he lived until his death, on May 8th, 1872. He was always known as a
man of scholarly tastes and wide reading, a profound lawyer, a blameless citizen,
a faithful friend, a trusted counselor, adequate to every call of duty, though he
seldom appeared in court. Thus his was a complete life. It was, however, as a
citizen and neighbor, and especially during his latter years, that those who knew
Judge Isham best will remember him most fondly. His genial and kindly
presence, his liberal heart and free hand, his perfect truthfulness and single¬
ness of mind, his uprightness and purity of life, his thorough contempt for over-
subtle methods, his unhesitating assertion and support of his honest con¬
victions, in short his Christian faith and the Christian morals and Christian life by
which that faith was evinced, these form the memories of him which will long¬
est endure in the hearts of his friends. He was one to whom death could not
come untimely. Upon the occassion of the death of Judge Isham, the New
York Herald, commenting upon his life, said: "Judge Pierrepont Isham, an
American lawyer, jurist and judicial magistrate of brilliant reputation and the
most strict integrity of character, died yesterday. His removal from life sorrows
a wide circle of friends and terminates a professional career of great utility.
Judge Isham was for a long period of time an associate with Chief Justice Red-
field and Judge Bennett on the bench of the Supreme Court of Vermont in its
best period, but of late years a resident of New York and of Vermont. He
was rarely seen in court, although he was the counselor of some of our most
influential men in matters affecting their largest interests. His reputation was
known throughout New York, New England and some of the Western States.
He was accepted by the public and by his brethren at the bar as an excellent
representative of that class of men, 'old time judges,' who were raised to the
bench, as it were, of necessity, purely because of the weight of their profes¬
sional influence and character, whose decisions, founded strictly on principles
of equity and the common law, illumine the reports of the courts of the United
States, and are cited abroad with respect, and continue to be quoted long after
their authors have given place to younger men. His example in every day
life was a useful one, prominent as he necessarily was in society. He was
standard bearer and active member of his church, and one who zealously per¬
formed every duty of a good citizen."
On the 2d day of October, in the year 1831, Pierrepont Isham was married
Biographical.
54i
to Semanthe Swift, daughter of Dr. Noadiah Swift, a distinguished physician
of Bennington. Judge Isham raised to maturity a family of three children, viz.:
Edward Swift, Henry Pierrepont, and Mary Adeline, the latter the wife of Ma¬
jor Sartell Prentice, U. S. A., of all whom reside in the city of Chicago, III.
ALENTINE, JOEL, was born in Jackson, Washington county, N. Y., Jan¬
uary 22, 1791. lie was brought up a farmer, and had the usual limited
opportunities for education afforded in those days by the district school, which
opportunities he seemed to have improved. He was for a short time a soldier
in the War of 1812 and 1814. His father served in the Revolutionary War.
In early manhood he worked his full time as an apprentice in learning the
clothier's trade. He was married in 1821 to Miss Judith Wells, also of Jack¬
son, N. Y. He moved to Bennington in 1822, and hired what was known as
the Walbridge Fulling Mill, situated at Bennington Falls, and there did a small
business in manufacturing woolen cloths. In the year 1824 lie purchased lands
and a water privilege in Bennington village, then called in derision "Algiers."
His business was taking wool of the farmers and making it into cloth, and full¬
ing, coloring and finishing their home-woven flannels. He also carded wool
into what were called rolls, for the spinning-wheels of the thrifty dames of
those days. He was doing a thriving business, when in 1836 his factory, which
was insured for only a few hundred dollars, was destroyed by fire. He impro¬
vised a small manufactory in one of his outbuildings, where he worked for nine
years. At the end of that time he was able to build a substantial brick struc¬
ture, which became in later years a part of his son's knitting-mill, and was de¬
stroyed by fire in 1884.
Mr. Valentine was economical in his habits, and as a business man careful
and prudent, and for those days successful. He was honest to a fault, his word
being as good as his note, and there was never cause to question either. His
stern, unyielding integrity was proverbial, and no persuasion could induce him
to give or spend one cent beyond the warrant of his means and business pros¬
pects.
Few, if any, did more to shape the course of Bennington village in its early
history than did Joel Valentine. With a judgment unsually clear, and possess¬
ing decided opinions, he was active in promoting what he considered the best
good of the village. He was one of the promoters of the educational institu¬
tion so long and widely known as Union Academy. His private life was
above reproach.
In early years he was a strong Jackson Democrat, later 01 a Free Soiler,
then an Abolitionist, and at the breaking out of the rebellion he became an
ardent Republican He was town selectman for a number of years and held
many positions of public trust. He took an active and liberal part in the sup¬
port of the Baptist Church, of which he was a member. He was a strong tem-
542
History of Bennington County.
perance man, and believed in the prohibitory law and its enforcement. Such
a man would naturally make some enemies, and many friends. Four children
were born to him, two of whom died in infancy. A son, Samuel Wells, lived
to the age of nineteen, and his son, Alonzo B Valentine, was his only surviv¬
ing child at the time of his death, July 17, 1866.
\JALENTINE, Major ALONZO B. The subject of this sketch, the son
of Joel and Judith (Wells) Valentine, was born in Bennington on the 1st
day of April, in the year 1830, and at this day lives in the house in which he
first saw the light. Alonzo was the youngest of four children born of the pa¬
rents above named, and the only one that grew to man's estate. The youth
of our subject was spent in the schools of the town, the Union Academy, and
he also received further instruction at Townsend, Vt., and Suffield, Conn., tak¬
ing a course preparatory for college, but relinquished this purpose, having a
greater inclination for business rather than professional life. To this end he
engaged with his father in the custom woolen mill of the latter, and became a
partner on arriving at the age of twenty-one, under the style of Joel Valentine
& Son.
But about this time the wonderful stories in circulation concerning the rich
gold deposits of California were creating considerable excitement in the East,
and young Valentine was brought under its influence to an extent that in¬
duced him to journey to the other side of the continent during the year 1852.
Here he remained some two years, .in the gold fields a part of the time, and en¬
gaged in business for the other part, but decided to and did return to the East
in the early part of 1854, bringing with him several hundred dollars in gold
dust, the fruits of his labor and toil.
Having returned to Bennington our subject resumed business, but changed
its character somewhat by adding grain grinding machinery to the mill, the spe¬
cial charge of which was taken by the young man and Zadoc Taft. But in 1856
Alonzo sold his interest to his partner, Mr. Taft, and with his young wife, whom
he had married on the 28th day of June of that year, and whose maiden name
was Alma L. Park, (the sister of the late Trenor W. Park), he again went West,
this time to Wisconsin, where he acquired an interest in a timber tract, and en¬
gaged in the lumber business. This he sold after about two years, and in 1858
Mr. Valentine returned to Bennington, purchased Mr. Taft's interest in the
grist-mill, and carried on business here until 1862, when the war being in pro¬
gress he entered the service as regimental quartermaster with the rank of lieu¬
tenant, in the Tenth Vermont Volunteer Infantry. In this capacity Lieuten¬
ant Valentine served from the 31st of July, 1862 until the 2d day of March,
1864, and was then advanced by President Abraham Lincoln to the position
of commissary of subsistence, with the rank of captain, and assigned to duty
with the First Vermont Brigade. Again on the 28th of June, 1865, by a com-
Biographical.
543
mission bearing the signature of Andrew Johnson, (the former bore President
Lincoln's), Captain Valentine was further advanced to the rank of brevet-ma¬
jor, which promotion, a< the commission recites, was "for meritorious services."
Digressing briefly here from the narrative of the events of his life, it may be
stated that it was as commissary of subsistence that Major Valentine rendered
his most efficient service to the government during the war. The office was
highly important, and one connected with which were heavy responsibilities.
An officer so holding was compelled to furnish large bonds of fidelity, as there
were placed with him vast quantities of army stores and supplies for safe keeping
and disposal; and although Major Valentine was a new man to this branch of
service he performed its duties to the entire satisfaction of the department, the
suspicion of error or fault never being created, but every duty was done with
military and business dispatch and accuracy. Concerning Major Valentine's
incumbency of this office. Granville Benedict in his " Vermont in the Civil
War," says: "Alonzo B. Valentine was without previous experience, but pos¬
sessed genuine business capacity as well as high patriotism, and proved to be
an energetic and capable officer."
In June, 1866 Major Valentine was mustered out of the service and returned
to Bennington, and home and friends. He then purchased from his father the
mill and privilege the former had so long utilized, and changed it into a knit¬
ting factory, and has conducted it as such to the present day. While the busi¬
ness of manufacturing knit goods is perhaps the leading industry of Benning¬
ton, the factory now operated by the Valentine Knitting Company is known
not only as one of the largest, but also as one of the best managed and most
successful enterprises of the village or locality. Of this company Major Valen¬
tine is the vice-president and active manager, and to the building up of this
vast industry has he been devoted since his return from the South in 1866.
Besides this he is interested in various other enterprises of a business charac¬
ter, but that above mentioned is perhaps the most important and extensive.
Outside of his business Major Valentine has been 110 less conspicuous in
the town, county and State in all matters pertaining to the general welfare of
each. It cannot be said that any good work ever appealed to him in vain; at
the same time his best deeds have not been done in a manner to draw atten¬
tion to himself. He is not a self-seeker in any sense, his chief aim being to be
considered one of the staunch business men of the town, and to so order his
daily life as to secure the respect and esteem of his townsmen. His public-
spiritedness too is undoubted, for there has been 110 enterprise the object of
which was for the general welfare of the people, with which he has not been
prominently associated. In the matter of the celebration of the Vermont Cen¬
tennial Anniversary, the subsequent Battle Monument Association, and the
project for building the monument itself, he has been not only a leading spirit,
but a safe counselor in the multitude of questions that have arisen where ex-
544
History of Bennington County.
ceedingly good judgment and wise discrimination were of the utmost import¬
ance. He was not only an earnest advocate of the graded school for Benning¬
ton, but he stood manfully and fearlessly in the front when others wavered, and
it is due to him to say that without the effort made by Major A. B. Valentine
the village of Bennington would not have had the graded school built when it
was, and perhaps not even to this day. Major Valentine is not without ene¬
mies, but the leading men, the thoughtful business men, the men of integrity
of the town are entirely content with his course, and proud to call him their
friend. It was almost wholly through his efforts that the Soldiers' Home was
established at Bennington, and he is now the active local director and chair¬
man of the finance committee of the board of trustees of that institution. He
is the present president of the Bennington County Savings Bank. In "Grand
Army" circles Major Va'entine has been equally prominent. In 1882 he was
elected State Department Commander, and at that time the organizations of
the State numbered only about seven hundred members; but through the en¬
ergy brought into the Grand Army by his incumbency, the membership dur¬
ing his first year increased to fifteen hundred, and at the expiration of the sec¬
ond year (Major Valentine having been re elected in February, 1883), the lat¬
ter figure was itself doubled; more than that he greatly increased the number
of posts in the State.
Naturally enough a man of his extended and popular acquaintance could not
well avoid being drawn somewhat into the field of politics, both in minor and
higher offices, the indispensible public trusts required by every community. He
has never sought office, and often refused it. By it he could add nothing to his
name, character, or standing among his fellow-men. He never felt the "pride
of office;" to fawn or scheme for it he is incapable, and like the good citizen he
has been ever awake to the public weal, and a close observer of public men and
public acts, and has watched the interests of the country with the closest scru¬
tiny; and occasions are not wanting in which his sentiments have been ex¬
pressed upon the platform and through the medium of the public press. Still,
private life and his own affairs are more congenial to his tastes. Blessed with
a happy family and an abundance of this world's goods, his home is the seat of
comfort, generous hospitality, and social enjoyment, and yet he is a public man.
His influence in society is great and beneficial, and his liberality in every en¬
terprise for improvement, and in matters relating to charity and education is
munificent.
In 1886 and 1887 Major Valentine represented Bennington county in the
Senate of the State, and while there he was identified with some highly im¬
portant measures, among them the bill that brought the Soldiers' Home, into
existence; also the bills relating to the Normal Schools of the State, and the
permanent location of a camping ground for the use of the National Guard of
Vermont. He was especially active in securing the passage of the act entitled
Biographical.
545
"an act to provide for the study of scientific temperance in the public li<><>1 s
of Vermont," and the supplementary act making the books relating tlx-n to five
to the scholar. Under the provisions of these acts Senator Valentine was ap¬
pointed by Governor Ormsbee one of the committee of three to select the text¬
books to be used, and to contract for their purchase.
After retiring from the duties of his office in the Legislature Senator Valen¬
tine has devoted his time and energies to his personal business interests, and
the several institutions with which he is associated; and at this present holds
by appointment of Govenror William 1'. Dillingham, the position of commis¬
sioner of agricultural manufacturing and labor interest of the State, a position
of importance and responsibility. Concerning the appointment and Major
Valentine's qualifications for its duties the Turlington Free Tress says:
(Governor Dillingham's appointment of Major A. 7>. Valentine to he comniis ,ioiier, under
Act iio of the last Legislature, to investigate the agricultural and manulaeturing" int< r< a » f the
State, and devise means to develop them, is well received l>\ the press of tin State. It is the
dutv of the commissioner to collect authentic statistical information in regard to the tgiicultu-
ral interests and resources. The commissioner is to report, if advisable, i bill to the next Leg¬
islature, embodying any action that may be accessary. Major Valentine will employ a cl< ik to
assist him in the statistical duties of the office.
In 1876 Major Valentine made an extended tour through Eutope, and tool. 1 gteal inteirst
in the condition of mill operatives, especially in England, lie has also tra\t led e\t< n ml, m
this continent and with his habits of observation has laid up a la rge store of in lorn 1 it ion, w liich
will add to his qualifications for the duties of the office.
The growth of the Vermont Department of the Grand Arntv ot the liepublic \\a.> remark¬
able under Major Valentine's administration, as department commander in 1X82 and 1 SS.3, and
added to his reputation for executive abilitv. He was State senator in 1884, and wa-. the author
of some important bills which became laws.
His articles on the tariff and labor question during" the late campaign attracted much atten¬
tion, and were extensively copied by our State papers and prominent metropolitan journals.
The position of commissioner of agricultural and manulaeturing interests was reluctantly
accepted by him, but with his energy and executive ability there is no doubt but he will fill the
position ablv. and render valuable public service in it.
SCOTT, Colonel OLIN. This well-known and enegetic business man of
the village of Bennington is a life long resident of the town, and was born
on the 27th day of February, in the year 1832. He is therefore in the fifty-
eighth year of his life, although he might well be taken for a man at least ten
years younger, and that notwithstanding the fact that Colonel Scott's life has
been one of hard and incessant labor since he was about ten years of age. 11 is
work, too, has been of such a character as would ordinarily break the constitu¬
tion of an average person; but he, happily, has been an exception to the gen¬
eral rule, and the strength of mind and body are apparently as vigorous as can
be found in the great majority of men with a score less years upon them. I he
parents of Olin Scott were Martin B. and Mary A. (Olin) Scott, of whose chil¬
dren our subject was the eldest save one. The father was a carpenter and
joiner by trade, and lived, when Olin was born, in Bennington, about a mile
due north from the Putnam House corner, 011 a direct continuation of North
546
History of Bennington County.
street past the Soldiers' Home. In the spring of 1841 the family moved to
Shaftsbury, Vt., and in 1843 removed to the village of North Bennington, Vt.,
where the family have since remained. Up to the time that Olin reached his
eleventh year he attended the district school of the town, but on attaining that
age his father obtained for him a situation in a store at Troy, N. Y., where he
remained about one and a half years. He then returned home and resumed
his books during one winter, but went the next spring to Albany, and took a
position as cashier and collector's assistant in a dry goods establishment in that
city, remaining there several months, and then came back to North Benning¬
ton and school. In the spring of 1846 the young man came to Bennington
village (that now known as such), where he worked for his board, with the priv¬
ilege of attending school at the old Union Academy ; but during the spring of
1848 he became an apprentice to learn the trade of a millwright, working with
his mother's brother, Truman Olin, and was so employed during the next three
years, and at the end of that period he had so thoroughly mastered the trade
in all its departments that he was frequently sent out with gangs of men under
his charge to do millwright work in various places. But during these years,
as well as those that followed, it was an absolute rule with young Scott to
spend at least an hour each day in the study of mathematical and mechanical
books ; and after his term of apprenticeship had passed he attended the North
Bennington Academy and studied mathematics and surveying, the knowledge of
which served him an exceedingly good turn in after years. It may be stated
further, parenthetically, perhaps, that until within a very few years Colonel
Scott has devoted much of his leisure time to the study of mechanical engi¬
neering, drafting and kindred pursuits, which might be of assistance to him in
business life; and while so doing other studies have not been wholly neglected,
as he has a fair knowledge of law, and besides these he is an exceptionally well
informed man, and an agreeable, clear, and forcible conversationalist on all the
leading events of our civil and political history. From the time of completing
his apprenticeship until the year of 1855 young Scott worked for himself, job¬
bing in various localities and States, some in New Hampshire, New York, and
Massachusetts, but mainly in Vermont; but during the year last named or
early in the next year he became connected with the old firm of Grover &
Harrington, of Bennington in the capacity of foreman of their mill machinery
department. With this concern he was employed until their suspension in De¬
cember, 1857, after which he became for a time interested in a mill property
in Shaftsbury, which he sold in the spring of 1858. In May, 1858, Mr. Scott
became a partner of Major S. H. Brown in the Bennington Iron Foundry and
Machine Shops and engaged in the business of building general and paper-
mill and powder machinery, at the Bennington Iron Works on North street in
Bennington, which copartnership continued for a period of five years. At the
beginning of the war of the rebellion Colonel Scott was prompt to begin the
work of raising men to support the government, and largely assisted in raising
Biographical.
547
the first company of three years' volunteers put in the field by the State of
Vermont—Company A of the Second regiment (the first regiment being a
regiment of militia who went out as three months' men). He drilled with the
c )inpany two wejks, when he was called to th* work of reconstructing the
powder mills of the country to make the powder needed for the extensive mil¬
itary operations then in progress. Not being able to go into the field in per¬
son during the war, he hired a man to go in his stead as a volunteer, but with¬
out procuring exemption for himself. At that time Colonel Scott was
the only mechanical engineer in the United States who was an expert in the
construction of powder-mills, and also in the manufacture of gunpowder, he
having already made that business a specialty. A large part of the powder
machinery built during the war of the rebellion was built by him. During the
war Colonel Scott continued building powder-mill machinery, and the
urgent needs of the country for machinery, such as the firm put
up, gave them an abundance of busiuess and necessitated an enlargement of
their works. In 1863 Colonel Scott became sole proprietor of the works and
so remained until 1864, when he and H. W. Putnam purchased the Grover
& Harrington property and made a division of the same, Mr. Putnam
taking the realty and Colonel Scott the machinery and patterns, the latter be¬
ing soon afterward removed to the location on Pleasant street where the col¬
onel's extensive works are now operated. In 1865 the large brick building
was erected, but the works were not in full operation until the year 1866, up
to which time he continued to operate the works on North street. His chief
manufacture at that time and in fact up to within the last two years was the
production of powder-mill machinery, but incidental thereto he has always
carried on the business of general jobbing and machine work together with the
building of paper and marble-mill machinery at the same time. In his special
industry of so many years continuance—that of building powder-mill machin¬
ery—Colonel Scott has done a large business, and it is a fact that during the
period ab )ve stated he has built such to the extent and value of more than two
millions of dollars ; and his product has gone into all the principal powder-
mills of this country and many in Europe. One great advantage of his over
other powder-mill inventions lies in the fact that by their use the risk and
danger to life are very much lessened. So much, indeed, were his inventions
and improvements superior to others in use, and his mechanical genius esti¬
mated o^cr that of other like engineers, that he was in 1869 chosen as super¬
intendent of the Lake Superior Powder Company—a newly organized corpor¬
ation in which he was a stockholder, and stayed during the greater part of that
year on the Upper Peninsula in Michigan, the location of the company's works,
which were built by him. Again during the years 1873 and 1874 he was
engaged by the Laflin-Rand Powder Company in the capacity of mechanical
engineer, and as such had headquarters in New York City during his term of
engagement. In 1882 Colonel Scott assisted in organizing the Ohio Powder
548
History of Bennington County.
Company of Youngstown, O., and built that company's works, and for three
years was a director and Yice-president. In 1884 he organized the Pennsyl¬
vania Powder Company (Limited) at Scranton, Pa , and two years later lit be¬
came the owner of the entire enterprise, which he sold in March, 1887. On
the first of April following Colonel Scott made a contract with the firm of E.
I. Dupont de Nemours & Company, of Wilmington, Del., and the Laflin-Rand
Powder Company, of New York, by the terms of which Colonel Scott was en¬
gaged by each of them for a term of ten years in the capacity of consulting
engineer and superintendent. In July, 1887, Colonel Scott formed a partner¬
ship with C. W. Roberts, for the manufacture of wood pulp machinery. This
firm was organized into a stock company during the summer of 1888, and
Colonel Scott was made its president, an office which he still holds. Such is
a resume of the events of the early and business life of Olin Scott, and from it
the reader will discover no period of idleness or inactivity, and anyone that
thoroughly knows Colonel Scott also knows that his characteristics are those
of a persistent enterprising business man. But, however busied he may have
been with his multitude of business affairs, Colonel Scott has lacked nothing of
public-spiritedness or progressiveness in matters pertaining to the welfare of his
town and village, and every measure looking to that end has found in him an
earnest advocate and generous contributor. Political aspirations he has none,
still he has been called into some of the offices of the town and village because
he could not well avoid it. At one time he served in the capacity of auditor
for the village, town, school district, and savings bank, the first of which offices
he held for ten successive years. His connection with the Bennington Savings
Bank covers the entire period of that institution's existence, having been for
many years a trustee. He was one of the earnest advocates of the graded
school enterprise, and when that consummation was attained he generously
donated an elegant and costly piano for the use of the school. He was also
prominently connected with the committee chosen for the Centennial Celebration
in 1877 and the subsequent Battle Monument Association, being now the secretary
and first auditor as well as one of the present directors. Colonel Scott was
brought up in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and for many years was one of
the strongest supporting members of that society, but in 1875 he withdrew and
has since become a member of the Congregational Church of Bennington, of
which society he has for many years been a trustee. Olin Scott has no chil¬
dren to enjoy the prosperity he has earned and so richly deserved. He was
married on the 30th day of October. 1856 to Celeste E., the daughter of Dea¬
con Samuel Gilbert, of Salem, N. Y. Of that marriage three children were
born, two daughters and one son, but none of them are now living. This great
loss fell heavily upon our subject, and may with much truth be said to have
been the only burden that ever bore him down. In the foregoing sketch the
writer has designated the subject by the title by which he is generally ad¬
dressed—"Colonel." This came to him by virtue of his position on the staff
Biographical.
549
of Governor Farnham, to which he was appointed during the incumbency of
that official. For five years Colonel Scott served as captain of Company K,
First Regiment V. S. G., and was appointed to Governor Farnham's staff in
1880.
FLLING, CHARLES E. The father of the subject of this sketch, whose
name was Edward M. Welling, was born in Novia Scotia, and came
with his parents who settled in Pittstown, N. Y., in the early years of the pres¬
ent century. His ancestors were from Wales, England. He learned the car¬
penter trade, and followed that occupation for many years. In 1821, at Moo-
sick, N. Y, he was married to Amelia Russell. Three years later, in 1824, he
moved to North Bennington, then called "Sages City;" soon after he pur¬
chased the Paran Creek grist-mill, saw-mill and a small farm. Me built ex¬
tensively for himself and others in the vicinity, churches, school-houses, dwell¬
ings, and mercantile buildings, and in 1833 removed the old mill and built the
substantial stone mill and saw-mill which are standing monuments to his mem¬
ory. He continued the manufacture of lumber and milling, and did a success¬
ful business ; and is remembered as one of the most thrifty, energetic, and
straightforward men of the town. The fruit of the above marriage was two
children, Charles Edward Welling, the subject of this sketch, who was born on
October 16, 1823, at Hoosick, N. Y., and a daughter, Evaline A., who was
born in January, 1827, and who became the wife of Charles Thatcher, jr.
Charles E. Welling from early boyhood was brought up to such work as
his father was engaged in, on buildings, in the mills and shop and on the farm
when not in school. In 1844, with his father, he engaged in the manufacture
of potato starch, occupying part of the stone-mill until in 1849, when owing to
the almost entire failure of the potato crop by rot, it was abondoned. In 1850,
on the 9th day of April, he was married to Sarah D. Thomas, the daughter of
E. H. Thomas, then of North Bennington, but formerly of Brattleboro, Vt.
The same year in which he was married Mr. Welling engaged in the mercan¬
tile business at North Bennington, in partnership with Charles Thatcher, jr.,
who came to North Bennington at this time, and which continued in active
operation from this time until the year 1876, a period of some twenty-six
years. In 1853 the farmers started a union store which divided the trade and
discouraged the firm in that direction. The milling business was depressed
also, and Mr. Welling's love for mechanical work resulted in his proposal to
purchase and convert the mill into a paper-mill, and he to take that part of the
business. Machinery was purchased and started in 1854. Without previous
experience in the business, and the increasing depression from this time 011 in
all manufacturing, which culminated in 1857 in the well remembered general
crash, in which it was said morj than half the paper manufacturers failed,
they struggled on, and through resolute, determined and persistent effort the
crisis was passed, and success finally achieved. In 1867 additions and im-
550
History of Bennington County.
provements were mad: and entire new machinery throughout put in, largely
increasing the proJuction of the mill. It is a well-known fact that their busi¬
ness was quite extensive and successful, and that both members were men of
the strictest integrity of character and worth. About 1870 the firm disposed
of its stock of goods, and in the spring of 1875 Mr. Welling bought D. Hunter
& Co.'s paper-mill situated about two miles away, put in new machinery, and
with his son, Edward D., ran that independent of the firm. In 1876 Mr. Well¬
ing succeeded the firm, and in 1877 the Stark Paper Company was organized
and C E. Welling elected its president, and he has held the position to the
present time. This company operated both mills, and it may in truth be
called an enterprise of the Welling family, as Charles E. Welling and his son
are the owners of the greater part of the stock and direct its business manage¬
ment almost exclusively.
While Mr. Welling has always been a very busy man, occupied constantly
with the many cares and details of his manifold interests and enterprises, he
has, nevertheless, like the good citizen, found some time to devote to the gen¬
eral welfare of the town and county, although he has by no means been a
seeker after political honors, there is scarcely an office in the township that he
has not held, and in each of these he has exercised the same care and judg¬
ment that he gives his private concerns. For a period of eight or ten years he
held the office of postmaster at North Bennington, and in the fall of 1888 he
was elected to represent the town of Bennington in the General Assembly of
the State. In politics Mr. Welling was born a Democrat, but having lived to
see the predictions of the old Whig party fulfilled in 1839, the reduction
or removal of duties would flood the country with foreign goods and break
down our manufactures, and the ruin and scattering of a whole village near
him and the destruction of the home market, that these operations, made for
the farmers, convinced him that the policy of protection to our own manufac¬
tures was the true one for this country to pursue, and caused him to identify
himself with the Republican party, with which he has continued to act until the
present time. He holds that the theory of free trade would be all right were
the conditions of the world equal, but that is an impossibility, and consequently
this country should so legislate as to protect our own interests until such time
as we are able to compete with the world.
In the early part of this sketch it is stated that on the 9th day of April,
1850, Charles E Welling and Sarah D. Thomas were united in marriage. Of
this union there have been born five children, of whom three are now living,
Edward D , Ilattie S , and George B. Welling.
TIFFANY, EEI. The subject of this sketch was born in the little town of
Horbury, not many miles from the city of Leeds, in the West Riding of
Yorkshire, England, on the 9th day of November, 1830. His father was a
Biographical.
551
carder in a woolen fact >ry at that place, and, in accordance with the customs
of the country, placed his son at an earl)' aye in the mill to learn the art of
spinning. The opportunities of that period in that country for obtaining even
a limited education were very meager; but such as the}' were Eli made the
most of them, and by his energy in later life supplemented the deficiencies of
his early experience.
It may be interesting to briefly sketch the condition of the schools which
were then provided for the working people. No such thing as a free school
existed. Such facilities as were provided were maintained by private enter¬
prise. If parents were in circumstances to do so they sent their children to
the " infant school" where they were instructed from five to fourteen years of
age. But this course seldom embraced more than the rudiments of common
English. Many were put into the factories to earn their own livelihood at
eight or nine years of age. But the law as it then stood prohibited any em¬
ployer from working children between the ages of nine and twelve years in
any mill or factory, unless they allowed them half a day each day for school.
Hence, many mill owners, to beat the law, would maintain a school of their own,
to which their juvenile help could be sent if their parents saw fit to avail them¬
selves of the opportunity. The schools of this character were usually conducted
by some matron, frequently the wife of one of the mill hands, who could read
and write, and who carried on the school in addition to her household duties,
and thus aided to piece out the family income. The children of these " dummy1'
schools seldom advanced beyond learning to read. If they wished to learn
writing or arithmetic, they would have to pay for it. As the working time was
from twelve to fourteen hours per day, it can be judged what the mental con¬
dition of the children would be for study each day after their task was done.
At fourteen they usually graduated from the school to the mill, where they
then were expected to make "full time." Young Tiffany was employed in this
way until he was nineteen years old, when a circumstance occurred which gave
a turn to the tide in his affairs that ultimately ' lead on to fortune."
In the year 1851 Josiah Dews, then representing the Waterbury Knitting
Company, of Waterbury, Conn., went to England for the purpose of procur¬
ing certain machinery to be used in the work's of the company. This being
done he next sought to obtain the services of experienced operators to accom¬
pany him back to America. In doing this he fell in with Eh Tiffany, and a
friend, Edwin Carter, and both having an eye to the main chance, accompanied
Dews back to America. Tiffany by trade was a spinner, and knew nothing of
knitting, but relying on his native push and ingenuity, took his chances and
went into the employ of the company as an operator of knitting machines.
Here he became familiar with the knitting frames then in use for making flat
ribs for shirts and drawers, and soon discovered their defects, imperfect con¬
struction and general inaptitude for the work for which they were designed.
552
History of Bennington County.
He remained in the employ of the Waterbury company for some six years,
running the old "Powell" machines, and then went to Meriden, Conn., where
he operated rib machines for Powell & Parker, for two or three years.
Satisfied that the rib machines then in use could be greatly improved, he
then went to Glastenbury, Conn., and commenced to make drawings and ex¬
periments for an automatic power rib machine. After a year and a half of
study and experiment he succeeded in producing a successful machine which
would knit ribs with welts and slack courses, for which he filed a caveat in the
Patent Office on the 7th of October, 1858. Soon after this he became associ¬
ated with George Cooper, and assigned to him a half interest in his invention,
and accordingly the patent was issued to Eli Tiffany as sole inventor, and
George Cooper as assignee of an undivided half interest in the same. This
patent was dated May I, i860.
At this time all rib knitting frames were operated by hand, and the pro¬
duction of goods in this way was very expensive to the manufacturers. But
after the introduction of the new machine of Tiffany, which could be run by
power, the cost of production of ribbed cuffs was reduced from forty cents per
dozen to three and four cents per dozen. Here the inventor was confronted
with the usual difficulty which all poor inventors have to contend against, lack
of capital with which to build and introduce the machines. But at this stage
of affairs Mr. MeJlicott, of Windsor Locks, Conn., came to their assistance and
they effected an arrangement with him to advance them capital to manufac¬
ture and introduce the invention and take his pay in machines. At Mr. Med-
licott's request, Mr. Tiffany went to Windsor Locks to operate these machines,
and while so employed a knitting needle manufacturer from New Hampshire
accidentally became interested in their operation and was greatly pleased with
their practicability and efficiency. He advised Tiffany that he was hiding his
light under a bushel, and urged him to " get out of that place," and seek a wider
field of operations. Accordingly two or three years later Tiffany & Cooper
went to Cohoes, N. Y., and there sold the right to build the invention in that
State to Campbell & Clute, of Cohoes. A partnership was also formed about
the same time in which Eli Tiffany was a partner, under the name of William
Woods & Co., for the manufacture of flat ribs at Cohoes. After residing about
six years in Cohoes Mr. Tiffany became desirous of enlarging the business of
manufacturing the machines in his own interest, but on account of the objec¬
tion urged by Mr. Wood, that Mr. Tiffany could not under the existing
arrangements build machines in the State of New York, for sale outside of
New York, without infringing the rights of Campbell & Clute, he determined
to locate at Bennington, to which place his family accordingly moved in the
year 1870.
Here Charles Cooper purchased his brother George's interest in the patent,
and the partnership of Tiffany & Cooper was formed, which leased the south
Biographical
553
wing of Olin Scott's machine shop, and here in these contracted quarters, with
four or five hands, they commenced the building of the machines which have
now displaced in this country all other machines for the production of flat ribs
for shirt cuffs and drawer bottoms.
Unbroken success seemed to attend all their efforts; and the concern went
on enlarging the production of their goods until they were obliged to find
more room. They then took the second story of his office building, which
nearly doubled their accommodations. Their next enlargment consisted in
the building of the large two-story building which is now occupied with the
business, and which has been recently added to. Other material additions to
their facilities have from time to time been made to meet the steadily increas¬
ing demands of the business.
In the year 1874 Mr. Tiffany's health became seriously impaired so that a
surgical operation became necessary, and he went to the city of Troy for
treatment. As his patent on the machine was about to expire he applied for
an extension of the same, and it was while he was in the hands of the surgeon
that, in conjunction with his counsel, A. F. Park of Troy, he prepared the neces¬
sary proofs and arguments to obtain such extension. The proofs showed that
the use of Tiffany's invention had then effected a saving of about sixteen cents
a dozen in the knitting of ribbed cuffs, and that they had nearly superseded the
use of the old hand frames as well as the best known English power frames.
Accordingly the patent was extended for a further term of seven years from
the first day of May, 1874.
The additional protection thus obtained for his business afforded a warrant
for devoting a greater share of his time and attention to the improvement and
perfection of the rib machine, and to the development of an entirely new line
of inventions for making full fashioned goods of the higher grades. Accord¬
ingly in the years immediately following the extension, Mr. Tiffany took out
several patents for fashioning machines which have been extensively introduced,
and enjoy a reputation for making as perfect fashioned goods as any that are
made in the world. In 1880 the firm of Tiffany Brothers was formed, with
Eli Tiffany as the senior partner and general manager. New buildings were
erected for the new company which now employs about sixty hands, and is
turning out an extensive line of first-class hosiery, both cut and fashioned.
In 1886 the partnership of Tiffany & Cooper was dissolved, Mr. Tiffany
having purchased the interest of Mr. Cooper, and the present partnership of
E. Tiffany & Son was formed by the admission of Mr. Frank M. Tiffany as
the junior partner. Since the organization of the latter firm it has further ex¬
tended its business by leasing a shop at Amsterdam, N. Y., recently erected
by Tiffany Brothers, where it carries on the manufacture and repairing of knit¬
ting machinery for its western customers. In the two shops from forty to
fifty hands are employed in the manufacture of the various grades and kinds
of knitting machines made by this firm. 70
554
History of Bennington County.
During the past three years Mr. Tiffany has made a large number of im¬
provements on his various machines for which he has taken out recent patents.
These improvements are of great value as improving the quality of goods
made, and also increasing the product of the machines. Other inventions for
the improvement of the same are being constantly worked out.
Mr. Tiffany takes a lively interest in everything that relates to educational
matters and for the last six years has held the office of school trustees of the
Bennington graded school, one of the leading educational institutions in the
State.
The foregoing record contains a brief review of the leading events of the
life of Eli Tiffany, who came to this country about thirty-eight years ago;
possessing no means or capital of any sort, other than a thorough understand¬
ing of his trade as a spinner. This record certainly proves something, and that
is that Eli Tiffany is, in his special field of labor, a man of remarkable capacity,
and possesses all the rare qualifications that enable him to not only understand
the character in detail of all the various parts of the intricate and delicate ma¬
chines he manufactures, and how to successfully manipulate them so as to pro¬
duce the best results, but also the executive ability to supervise and control
large interests. Mr. Tiffany is a man of retiring nature, brief of speech, but
entirely capable of clearly impressing his ideas upon all those with whom he
comes in contact or competition. He readily wins friends and remains staunch
to those who earn his regard. He possesses a large store of sound common
sense and good judgment which seldom fail him in practical matters. He
and his son, Frank M. Tiffany, have done much for their adopted town, par¬
ticularly as employers, and both are counted among the solid men of the
village. It is no flattery to say that in the whole town of Bennington there
is not another family which exemplifies so much versatility of brilliant talent
as that of Eli Tiffany. His wife, Mrs. Phebe E. Tiffany, is highly esteemed
for her unbounded benevolence, her active interest in church and village affairs,
and for her natural musical talent. His son Frank ranks as one of the leading
young men in the town, and one of most promising rising young business men.
He is a pianist of no mean pretensions. The second son, Louis L., possesses
rare ability as an inventor, musician and artist. The youngest son, William,
although quite young, gives promise at no distant period of attaining eminence
in musical composition. With an honest heart and open hand, with nothing
but brains and pluck to fall back upon, no citizen of the town has done more
to promote its prosperity than Eli Tiffany.
Brief Personal Sketches.
555
CHAPTER XXX.
Brief Personal Sketches.
DAMS, O. E., Arlington, was born in Plymouth, Windsor county, Vt., Jan¬
uary 26, 1845. On January 28, 1862, he enlisted in Company D, Seventh
Vermont Volunteers ; was discharged August 30, 1864, and came to Arlington
in April, 1870. He commenced business as a general merchant, being a mem¬
ber of the firm of A. S. Adams & Sons, and in 1880 bought the interest of A.
S., and the firm is now O. E. Adams. He has served as selectman, and was
appointed postmaster July 20, 1885. His parents were A. S. and Lovina
(Wheeler) Adams, of Plymouth, Vt. He was married February 26, 1867, to
Jennie A. Kent. They have two children : Charles A. and Jennie Maud. Mrs.
Adams was a daughter of Ashley and Mary (Cook) Kent, of Mt. Holly, Vt.
Aldrich, Amos, Woodford, (Bennington p. o.), was born in Clarksburg,
Mass., June 23, 1 829, and came to Woodford in September, 1849. He was en¬
gaged in the manufacture of lumber for himself until about ten years ago, when
he became superintendent of the Glastenbury Railroad and Manufacturing
Company. He has been selectman for about thirty years, and has also served
the township as lister, overseer of the poor, justice of the peace, was town rep¬
resentative five years, and was a delegate to the Chicago convention that nom¬
inated Cleveland in 1884. He was married July 4, 1850, to Martha J. Hitch¬
cock. They have had five children : Janet, married Trainer Harber; Annie,
wife of E. W. Town ; Eannie, wife of George Mathers ; George, merchant at
Woodford ; Harriet, wife of Giles Harbour.
Amadon, C. M., Pownal, (Bennington p. o.), was born in Pownal, Septem¬
ber 15, 1846, and is now engaged in farming, owning a farm of two hundred
acres. He was a son of Henry and Nancy (Mason) Amadon. Mr. Amadon
was a native of Goshen, Mass., and Mrs. Amadon of Pownal. C. M. Amadon
was married February 24, 1869, to Abbie Morgan. They have had a family of
four children: Ella, who died November 15, 1877; Egbert H., Bennie F., and
Henry. Abbie was a daughter of Abram and Armida (Barber) Morgan, who
were natives of Pownal.
Armstrong, Martin V., Bennington, was born where he now resides, in the
west part of Bennington, January I 1, 1840, and was a son of Reuben and Sa-
linda (Brown) Armstrong, who were natives of Bennington, Vt. Martin V. en¬
listed in June, 1862, in Company A, Fourteenth Vermont, on the call for nine
months' men, and served over a year, being discharged in the latter part of July,
1863 His company participated in the battle of Gettysburg. He was mar¬
ried December 26, 1859, to Adelaide Paddock. They have had a family of five
children : Alice, who became the wife of Frank Paddock, of Bennington, both
of whom died leaving two children : Lynn P., Cora, Lee F., and Ray. Mr.
556
History of Bennington County.
Armstrong is now lister of his town. He is engaged in farming, owning a farm
of ninety-six acres. His wife was a daughter of Daniel and Fannie (Fillmore)
Paddock.
Arnold, W. D., Pownal, was born in Pownal, November 28, 1827. He is
engaged in farming, owning three hundred acres, on which he has resided since
1858. He represented his town in the Legislature in 1864, and was State sen¬
ator in 1878. His parents were John and Susannah (Sherman) Arnold, who
were natives of Hoosick, N. Y. Mrs. Arnold's people were among the early
settlers of Pownal. W. B. Arnold was married November 30, 185 1, to Rebecca
McDonald, of Glastenbury. They have had one child, Charles J , of North Ad¬
ams. Mass. Rebecca was a daughter of Jeremiah and Lydia (Woodward) Mc¬
Donald.
Bailey, Apollos, R ^adsboro, was born in Readsboro, September 23,1813, and
is engaged in farming, having a fine farm of four hundred acres. He has served
his township as overseer of the poor for thirteen years; has been selectman for
ten years, lister and representative of his town in 1863, 1864 and 1872. His
parents were Caleb and Mercy (Stearns) Bailey. Mr. Bailey was born in Doug¬
las, Mass., in 1780, and came to this township in 1794. His wife was also a na¬
tive of Massachusetts. Apollos Bailey was married twice. His first wife was
Belinda Dalrymple, who died in 1842. He was married again in 1845 to Sa-
loma Dalrymple. They had one child, Norman A., who married Julia Whit¬
ney, a daughter of Jonathan E. and Maria Fairbanks Whitney of Halifax. Mrs.
Bailey was a daughter of James and Belinda (Davis) Dalrymple, of Readsboro,
formerly of Whitingham.
Baker, William F., Bennington, was born in Williamstown, Mass., March
10, 1832, and was a son of Henry and Marcia (Talmadge) Baker. Mrs. Baker
was a daughter of Major Samuel Talmadge of Williamstown. They came to
Bennington in 1835. William F. was married October 11, 1859, to Catharine
Armstrong, of Hoosick, N. Y. They have one child, Fred H. Mrs. Baker was
a daughter of William and Mercy (Keach) Armstrong. Mr. Baker is engaged
in farming, having a farm of one hundred and seventy six acres.
Barber, Charles H., Pownal, was born in Pownal township April 14, 1830,
and is now engaged in farming, and owns seven hundred acres. He is also
largely interested in the sale of stock and wool. He has served the town as
selectman, and in 1863 was elected town representative, and in 1882 county
senator. His parents were Electa and Elijah (Bushnell) Barber, natives of this
township. The Barbers being among the first settlers in the town. Charles
was married November 13, i860, to Julia Jewett. They have had a family of
four children : Edward C., of McMillan, editor and proprietor of the Hoosick
Valley Ncivs, North Adams, Mass.; Harry E., Elijah, and Paul J. Julia was a
daughter of Erastus and Clarissa (Carpenter) Jewett, of Pownal.
Brief Personal Sketches.
557
Barton, Myron, Shaftsbury, (South Shaftsbury p. o.), was born where he
now resides April 17, 1821, and is engaged in farming, having about two hun¬
dred and twenty five acres. He lias served his town as justice of the peace
and town clerk; has been a member of the Legislature three times; was sheriff
two terms, and has also been lister and town collector. His parents were Hi¬
ram and Lucy (Howlett) Barton, natives of this township. Gardner Barton,
his grandfather, came from Rhode Island, and settled here about 1785. My¬
ron Barton was married September 1, 1846, to Adaline Galusha, who died June
i, 1849, leaving one child, Arthur S. Mr. Barton married his second wife, Abia
E. Fisk, September 6, 1852. They have had two children : Alice M., wife of
Harlow A. Bottum, and May P.
Bates, Daniel F., Pownal, was born in the town of Pownal, August 3, 1827,
and came to where he now resides when about a week old. His grandfather,
Daniel, came here from Rhode Island about 1776, and in 1827 purchased the
farm where Daniel F. now resides. He also purchased several other farms and
died in 1842, at the age of seventy-five years. Daniel F. has been lister of his
township for twelve or thirteen years; selectman several terms, also justice of
the peace, and has acted as administrator and commissioner for several terms.
He is engaged in farming, owning a farm of three hundred acres. He was a
son of Daniel, jr., and Catharine (VVestinghouse) Bates; his mother being an
aunt of George Westinghouse, who patented the well-known air-brake. Mr.
Bates was married June 2, 1852, to Harriet E. Stillman. They had five chil¬
dren: Harriet Matilda, who married Everett Potter, and died December 3,
1878; Fannie E., wife of Everett Potter; Audria M., wife of A. B. Gardner;
Daniel J., died January 22, 1880; and Orrin C., died January 11, 1877. Harriet
was a daughter of Joseph C. and Almira (Gardner) Stillman.
Bates, Orrin, Pownal, was born on the farm now owned by D. F. Bates
December 9, 1808 His grandfather, Francis B., cime from Rhode Island in
1776, and settled on the River Road where Samuel J. Gardner now lives. He
died in 1808, at the age of s^e lty-six years. Orrin was a so 1 of Daniel and
Margaret (Baker) Bates. Mr. Bates died in 1842, and his wife June 27, 1811,
aged forty years. Orrin has served his township as selectman, lister, justice of
the peace and State senator. His first wife was Tryphosia Bannister, a daughter
of Dr. Cramer and Tryphosia (Mann) Bannister. She died November 22, 1840,
leaving one son. His second wife was Betsey Brownell. They have two chil¬
dren: Daniel T., of Pownal, and Margaret A , now Mrs. Fred L. Barber of Ben¬
nington. Betsey was a daughter of Colonel Thomas and Abigail (Eldridge)
Brownell.
Bennett, Josiah C., Pownal, (Pownal Center p. o ), was born in Pownal
August 12, 1834, and is now engaged in farming, owning one hundred and
ninety acres. His parents were Josiah and Syrena (Estes) Bennett, who were
natives of this township. Mr. Bennett served in a cavalry company during
553
History of Bennington County.
the War of 1812. Francis Bennett, grandfather of Josiah C., came from Rhode
Island and is said to have been the first Baptist minister in Pownal. Josiah
C. was married July 4. 1854, to Ann C. Barber. They have had one child,
Marshia A., now the wife of Marcus Dunn of Pownal. Ann C. was a daugh¬
ter of Noel and Olive (Thompson) Barber of Pownal.
Blanchard, William R., Pownal, (North Pownal p. o.), was born in New
London county, Conn., June 20, 1802, and came with his parents, Honeyman
and Hannah (YVhitford) Blanchard, who were natives of East Greenwich, R.
I., to Pownal in November, 1815. William R. was a member of the Consti¬
tutional Convention of 1850 ; represented his town in 1843, and was first ap¬
pointed justice of the peace in 1836, and has held the office at different times
making in all about thirty-eight years. He is now serving as justice of the
peace. He was married February 28, 1828, to Mary Mather, who died in
1875. They had a family of four children: Julia, wife of Nathan Bullock;
Jane, wife of B. F. Pitt, died in 1868; Sarah A, married W. H. Gore, of
Blackinton, Mass.; Hattie A., wife of Justin A. Patrell, of North Pownal.
Mary was a daughter of Elias and Abigail (Swan) Mathers, who were natives
of Connecticut.
Blanchard, William T., (Readsboro,) was born in that township November
29, 1823, and is engaged in farming, having a farm of 200 acres. He has
been selectman and justice of the peace. His parents were Isaac and Beulah
Wilcox) Blanchard. He was married March 7, 1866, to Lucy S. Dalrymple
Brown, widow of Philo H. Brown, of Whitingham, Vt. They had one child,
.William F., born November 20, 1866. Mrs. Blanchard had two children by
her first marriage—Nellie M., born December 19, 1854, wife of Herbert A.
Phelps, of Monroe, Mass.; and Philo H., born January 17, 1857, died Novem¬
ber 11, 1878. Mrs. Blanchard was a daughter of John S. and Lucy (Walker)
Dalrymple, of Readsboro.
Bottum, Nathan, Shaftsbury, (South Shaftsbury p. o.), was born opposite
where he now resides, March 6, 1827. He is engaged in farming, owning one
hundred and thirty acres. He has served his township as justice of the peace
for about eighteen years, and is now treasurer and has been for the past ten
years. His parents were Nathan H. and Peace (Huntington) Bottum who
natives of this township. Elijah Bottum and his family came to this township
from Norwich, Conn., in 1767. Simon Bottum, Nathan's grandfather, was
then seven years old. Nathan was married December 19, 1855. to Prances
S. Ranny. They had one son George H., now a practicing physician in New
York City. Mrs. Bottum was a daughter of W. R. and Phoebe (Atwood)
Ranny. Mr. Ranny was senator for three terms and a noted physician of
Windham county. Mr. Bottum married his second wife, Philena (Stratton)
Barrett, widow of Alonzo Barrett and daughter of Freeman and Thankful
(Harrington) Stratton, on October 23, 1883. Mr. Bottum was county judge,
and has held almost all the offices in the gift of his town.
Brief Personal Sketches.
559
Bowen, Faxon L , Readsboro, was born in Whitingham, Vt., December
19, 1836, and came to Readsboro with his parents, Lorenzo and Beulah D.
(Blancbard) Bowen, in 1838. Mr. Bovven is an attorney and counselor-at-law,
and master in chancer}', and has been assistant judge since 1S86. He has also
served his town as justice of the peace, selectman, town agent, overseer of the
poor, grand juror, etc. He was married November 28, 1861, to Armeda C.
Sherman. They have had five children: Addie A., Marion G. E., wife of
Roscoe A. Leavitt, of Readsboro; Faxon L., born October 11, 1869, died in
Febuary, 1870; Alta B. C., and Faxon L. Mrs. Bovven was a daughter of
Rev. N. D. and Salina B. (Parsons) Sherman.
Briggs, Allen E., Searsburg, was born in Stamford, July 27, 1836, and
came to Searsburg in 185 I. He is engaged in farming and the manufacture
of lumber, owning a tract of two hundred and fifty acres. He has served his
township as lister, and is now selectman and justice of the peace, represented
his town twice and was elected to represent the same at the Constitutional
Convention of 1870. He was married in November, 1867, to Sarah Gleason.
She died in 1870, leaving two children. Amos A. and Effie. Mrs. Briggs was
a daughter of Stephen Gleason, of Woodford. Mr. Briggs married his second
wife, Lucena F. Briggs, in March, 1873. They have five children: Eugene,
Fred E., Mary, George, and Allen. Mrs. Briggs was a daughter of Jared
Briggs, of Whitingham, Vt.
Brimmer, Green, Pownal, (North Pownal p. o.), was born in Petersburg,
Rensselaer county, N. Y., March 9, 1812, and came to Pownal in 1846,
where he became engaged in farming and now owns a farm of six; hundred
acres. He has bjen lister, selectman, justice of the peace, and represented
his town in 1849, and has also served as town agent. He was married in Feb¬
ruary, 1834, to Emeline Wilcox, of Petersburg. They have had a family of
four children: Harriet, died in 1857 ; Sarah, wife of T. E. Brownell, of Pow¬
nal; Mary, wife of Solomon Wright, of Pownal; and Edwin, deceased.
Brown, Martin V., Pownal, (Pownal Center p. o.), was born in Leyden,
Mass , May 13, 1838. He engaged in the manufacture of lumber, having a
small saw and grist-mill at this place. He came to this township about 1876.
His parents were Jabez C. and Lucretia (Kenyon) Brown. Martin V. Brown
was married October 15, 1865, to Lura Titus. They have a family of three
children: Edgar M., Frederick C., and Franklin R. Lura was a daughter of
Charles and Josephine (Burt) Titus, of North Adams, Mass.
Brown, Porter E., Pownal, (North Pownal p. o.), was born in North Pow¬
nal May 11, 1842, and is a geneial merchant. His grandfather, Richard
Brown, came here from Rhode Island about 1780. His parents were Ethan
and Mary (McMaster) Brown, who were natives of Pownal. Porter E., was
married November 26, 1866, to Jennie Leonard.' They had one child, Mary
S6o
History of Bennington County.
Frances. Jennie was a daughter of William and Mary (Everett) Leonard, of
Massachusetts.
Brownell, Blackman E., Pownal, (North Povvnal p. o.), was born in Pow-
nal November 11, 1811. He is engaged in farming, and owns two hundred
acres. He has served his town as justice of the peace, selectman, judge of
probate, town representative, and was State senator for two terms. His par¬
ents were Thomas and Abigail (Eldred) Brownell. Mr. Brownell was married
October 8, 1833. to Marietta Spencer. They have had a family of six chil¬
dren: Thomas E., lawyer at North Pownal; Julia, wife of Daniel H. Barber,
of North Adams, Mass ; Harriett, wife of E. M. Thompson, of Chicago ; Au-
dria, wife of Peter Grell, of St. Albans, Vt.; Adelia, wife of A. C. Hoag, of
Pownal ; and Inez M. Marietta was a daughter of Benjamin and Eunice (El¬
dred) Spencer, of Pownal.
Brownell, Thomas H., Pownal, (North Pownal p. o ), was born where he
now resides January 8, 1832, and is engaged in farming. His parents were
born in this township ; his father on the old homestead where Thomas II. now
resides. The Brownells were among the first settlers in the township. Thomas
H. was a son of Richman and Polly (Gardner) Brownell, who had a family of
ten children, four of whom are now living. Mr. Brownell served his township
as justice of the peace and selectman. He died in May, 1864, and his wife in
August, 1865.
Bugbee, John, Woodford, was born in Whitingham, Vt., January 31, 1820,
and came to this township in 1835. He is engaged in farming, owning a farm
of seven hundred acres, and is also engaged in the manufacture of lumber.
He has served his township as lister, justice of the peace, selectmen, and town
representative. His parents were Joseph and Betsey (Nelson) Bugbee, of Whit¬
ingham, Vt. Mr. Bugbee was married January 1, 1852, to Sally Bickford.
They have a family of four children : Eliza, wife of William W. Bowles, of
Woodford; Jesse N , married Flora Bowles, daughter of Lyman Bowles, of
Woodford ; Herman J. married Mina Wood, daughter of Charles F. Wood, of
Woodford; and Ellen L. Mrs. Bugbee was a daughter of Joseph and Amy
(Cutler) Bickford, of Woodford.
Bullock, E. J., Readsboro, was born in Whitingham, Vt., July 21, 1849,
and is engaged in the general mercantile business, and is secretary and treas¬
urer of the Readsboro Chair Manufacturing Company. He was a son of James
and Cynthia L. (Baker) Bullock. Mr. Bullock died December 19, 1885. For
twelve years he was engaged in the mercantile business as a member of the
firm of James Bullock & Son, and has been closely identified with the growth
and prosperity of the town.
Burrington, H. S., Pownal, (Pownal Center p. o.), was born in Stamford,
October 23, 1837, and is engaged in farming, owning about one hundred acres.
Brief Personal Sketches.
561
He lias been lister and is now justice of the peace. His parents were Joseph
and Joanna (Whitney) Burrington. Mr. Burrington came from Colerain, Mass.,
to Stamford, about 1830, and in 1864 came to Pownal. H. S. Burrington was
married July 5, 1869, to Addie Blanchard. They have had three children:
Mary A., Maud L, and Minnie A. His wife was a daughter of Elisha and
Mary (Witt) Blanchard. She died and he was married the second time in
November, 1885, to Mary Davis, a daughter of Loren and Diana (Underwood)
Davis.
Burrington, Marcus J., Pownal, (Pownal Center p. o.), was born where he
now resides May 8, 1856. He is engaged in farming, owning a farm of two
hundred and fifty acres. His parents were Joel S. and Charlotte (Bennett)
Burrington. The Burringtons originally came from Colerain, Mass. Marcus
J. was married April 6, 1880, to Ella J. Towslie. They have had a family of
three children: Charlotte E., Bessie J., and Marcus J., jr. Ella J. was a daugh
ter of William and Ellen (Merchant) Towslee.
Burgess, William, Pownal, was born in Pownal in February, 1824, and died
in April, 1882, leaving a wife and three children. He was engaged in farm¬
ing, and at the time of his death owned a farm of two hundred and fifty acres.
His parents were Thomas and Dorcas (Brownell) Burgess, of Pownal. William
Burgess was married in March, 1852, to Polly Brownell. They had a family
of three children: Hattie married Daniel P. Thompson, of Williamstown, Mass.;
Emma A. married Oscar Card, of Pownal ; and William E. Mrs. Burgess was
a daughter of Richmond and Polly (Gardner) Brownell, of Pownal.
Bushnell, David, Pownal, (Bennington p. o.), was born where he now re¬
sides June 11, 1826. He is engaged in farming, owning a fine farm of one
hundred and seventy-five acres. He was representative of his town in 1868.
He was a son of Moses and Sarah (Harvey) Bushnell, who w ere natives of the
town of Bennington. David Bushnell was married March 4, 1858, to Lenora
A. Barber. They have had a family of four children : James, deceased ; Julia
T., now Mrs. Nelson A. Burritt, of Fort Edward, N. Y. ; George W., and
David E., of Pownal. Lenora was a daughter of Noel and Olive (Thompson)
Barber, of Pownal.
Bushnell, Potter, Pownall, (Pownal Center p. o.), was bom in Pownal, June
27, 173 1, and is engaged in farming, owning a farm of one hundred and sev¬
enty acres. He has served his town as selectmen and justice of the peace.
He was a son of David and Betsey (Andrew) Bushnell, who were natives of
this county. Potter Bushnell was married October 7, 1856, to Caroline P.
Gilmore, who died in 1882. They had a family of six children: Mary A.,
wife of C. J. Arnold, of Pownal ; Francis E., David C., Clara B., Ida E., and
Paul. Mrs. Bushnell was a daughter of Lyman and Clarissa (Evans) Gilmore,
of Pownal.
71
562
History of Bennington County.
Carpenter, Daniel P., jr., Readsboro, was born in this town October 12,
1831. He owns a farm of fifty acres. He has served his township as over¬
seer of the poor, and is now grand juror and justice. His parents were Daniel
P. and Lucy (Whitcomb) Carpenter. Mr. Carpenter came to Vermont from
Massachusetts about 1802. He was married March 20, 1852, to Lestina
Baker. They have one child, Mattie L., who married Henry S. Ward, a physi¬
cian and surgeon of Readsboro. Mrs. Carpenter was a daughter of Calvin W.
and Cynthia (Walker) Baker, of Readsboro.
Carpenter, Elias K., Readsboro, was born where he now resides June 6,1820,
and is engaged in farming, having four hundred acres. He lias served his
township as selectman for two years. His parents were Rev. James and Olive
(Perry) Carpenter. Mr. Carpenter was a native of Munson, Mass., and his
wife of Connecticut. They came to Readsboro about 1800. Elias K. Car¬
penter was married December 7, 1843, to Rosina Wheeler, of Whitingham, Vt.
They have had a family of seven children : Olive P., wife of Edward Tyler, of
Whitingham; Whitman J., Zachariah, deceased; Oscar A., Willie A., Stella,
wife of Henry Keith ; and Cyrus R.
Chase, Barber F., Bennington, was born in Whitingham, Vt., in July, 1824,
and died in February, 1879. His wife was Susan C. Stratton, a daughter of
Freeman and Thankful (Herrington) Stratton. The Strattons are said to have
come to Bennington the day of the battle of Bennington.
Clark, Myron, Shaftsbury, (North Bennington p. o.), was born in the town
of Alexander, N. Y., August 17, 1838, and is engaged in farming, having a
farm of four hundred acres. He came to this township in 1840, and has served
his town as justice of the peace and lister. He was a son of Elon and Vesta
(Harwood) Clark. Mr. Clark was a native of this township, and his wife was a
member of the Harwood family who first settled in Bennington. Mr. Clark was
married March 12, 1862, to Eliza R. Sweet, of Hoosick, N. Y. She died De¬
cember 26, 1870, leaving two children: Bertha E., wife of Leland M. Loomis,
of Shaftsbury, and Vesta S. Mr. Clark married his second'wife, Ella S. Cross,
of Shaftsbury, September 15, 1871.
Cole, Bennett S., Readsboro, (Stamford p. o.), was born in the town of
Hoosick, N. Y., March 17, 1835, and came to the town of PovvnaL with his par¬
ents, Daniel and Jane (Bennett) Cole, when a boy. He settled in Stamford in
1870, where he became engaged in farming, and now has a farm of seventy-five
acres. He has been justice of the peace and selectman. He was married
January 1, i860, to Jane Burrington, a daughter of Joseph and Joanna (Whit¬
ney) Burrington, of Pownal.
Cole, Mrs. Eveline A., Arlington, was born in Arlington, and was a daugh¬
ter of Dr. Abel and Sally (Leet) Aylesworth. Dr. Aylesworth was a native
of this township, and his wife of Wrolcott, Conn. Mrs. Cole has been married
Brief Personal Sketches.
563
twice. Her first husband was Levi Babcock, of Shaftsbury, to whom she w as
married January 19, 1837. They had one child, Abel, who joined the army in
1864, and served until the close of the war, when he was discharged, lie con¬
tracted disease while in service, and died from the effects of the same in Febru¬
ary, 1866. Mrs. Cole's second husband was Henry Austin Cole, to whom she
was married February 17, 1859. He was born in Shaftsbury May 22, 1808,
and died December 29, 1885.
Cole, Hiram, Bennington, (North Bennington p. o.), was born November 23,
1812, in the town of Shaftsbury. He is a retired farmer and resides in North
Bennington. He has been married three times. His first wife was Julia Ann
Galusha, to whom he was married February 22, 1838. He was married the
second time March 24, 1846, to Parnissia Hutchins, and the third time, July 24,
1878, to Nellie C. Burgess. They have had two children: Charles H. and
Parker U. Mr. Cole has been selectman of Shaftsbury several terms, and was
judge for two years. His great-grandfather, Ebenezer Cole, came to Shafts¬
bury from Rhode Island with his family about 1762.
Corle, Henry H., Bennington (Bennington p. o.), was born in Shaftsbury,
December 9, 1818, and came to this township in 1827. He is now engaged in
farming, owning one hundred acres. His parents were Isaac and Rhuama
(Harwood) Cole. Mr. Cole was born in Shaftsbury. The Coles came from
Rhode Island and settled there in 1762. Henry H. Cole was married in March,
1840, to Mary Jane Brees. They have had three children: Atlanta, wife of
Sidney Walrath, of Watertown, N. Y.; Sedgwick B. of Saratoga, and Romanza
W. Mary Jane was a daughter of James and Pattie (Hollenbeck) Brees of
Hoosick, N. Y.
Cross, Ichabod N., Shaftsbury, (White Creek, N. Y., p. o.), was born where
he now resides February 28, 1827, and is living on the farm of two hundred
acres on which his great-grandfather settled, and where his grandfather, Sam¬
uel, and his father, Nathan L. Cross, were born. The Cross family was orig¬
inally from Connecticut. Nathan L. married Lovina Galusha, a daughter of
Jacob and Betsey (Niles) Galusha, who were also among the early settlers of
this township. Ichabod N. was married October 9, 1850, to Samalva Sweet,
a daughter ot Arunah H. and Sophronia (Sherwood) Sweet of Hoosick, N. Y.
They have had a family of four children : Ella, wife of Myron Clark, of this
township; Hyde H., of Hoosick Falls, N. Y., Jennie, and Elsie S.
Dean, Daniel A., Pownal, (Pownal Center p. o.), was born in Adams, Mass.,
February 23, 1835, and came to Pownal in 1857, anc^ 1839 settled on the
farm where he now resides. He is engaged in farming, having one hundred and
fifty acres, and is also interested in the fire and life insurance business. He has
been constable and collector for eight years, and grand juror and justice of the
peace for a number of years. His parents were David and Rachel (Barber)
Dean. Mr. Dean died in 1874, in the eightieth year of his age, and his wife in
564
History of Bennington County.
1840. Mr. Dean has been married twice. His first wife was Salina B. Babcock,
to whom he was married November 21, 1854. She died leaving four children :
Albert, Frank, Elida, wife of A. J. Merchant, and Marcus. Mrs. Dean was a
daughter of Harry and Samantha Babcock. Mr. Dean married his second wife,
Ruth Barber, February 10, 1874. They have had one child, Irene. Mrs. Dean
was a daughter of George and Francina (Thompson) Baber, of Pownal.
Denio, Aaron F., Bennington, (Bennington p. o.), was born May 14, 1823,
in the town of Rupert. He is a farmer and owns two hundred and fifty acres.
He has served as justice of the peace six years, and lister two years. His par¬
ents were Arial and Lovina (Harwood) Denio. Aaron F. was married to Eu¬
nice Stratton, a daughter of Elhanan and Eunice (Wellman) Stratton, who
were early settlers. She died leaving two children: Hiram E., who was acci¬
dentally killed in 1882 by the discharge of a gun, and Jennie, wife of Francis
S. Carrier, of Bennington. Mr. Denio was married the second time 011 Sep¬
tember 16, 1882, to Emeline Cutler, a daughter of Allen Cutler.
Denio, Hiram, Bennington, was born in Rupert, Vt., February 20, 1826,
and is engaged in farming, having two hundred and fifty acres. He has served
his town as justice of the peace. His parents were Ariel and Lovina (Har¬
wood) Denio. He was married March 28, 1854, to Martha V. Stratton. They
have had a family of six children : Martha E., Rhoda A., widow of Fred Hol-
lister ; Milan IT, Milo S., Martin L., and Eddie A. Mrs. Denio was a daugh¬
ter of Alhanan and Eunice (Wellman) Stratton.
Dunn, William H., Pownal, was born December 27, 1838, and is engaged
in farming, owning two hundred acres. He has served his town as lister and
justice of the peace. He was married March 5, 1863, to Augusta E. Barber.
They have had two children : George 11 , now residing on the old homestead,
and Genevieve, who died March 14, 1872. Augusta was a daughter of Noel
and Olive (Thompson) Barber, of Pownal. William H. was a son of Benjamin
and Mary A. (Talmadge) Dunn. Mrs. Dunn was a native of Williamstown,
Mass.
Fay, Hiland, Bennington, was born in this township February 11, 1847, and
is engaged in farming, having a farm of two hundred and thirty acres. He was
a son of Calvin and Eliza M. (Wilcox) Fay. Mr. Fay was born in this town¬
ship, and his wife in Whitingham, Vt. The Fays were among the early set¬
tlers of this township. Hiland Fay was married December 19, 1871, to Delia
A. Nichols, who died November 9, 1877, leaving two children: Flora M., and
John N , who was married March 24, 1878, to Addie L. Lewis, ofHoosick.
Fuller, Lemuel, Bennington, was born in Pittsfield, Mass., February 14,
1807, and came to his present place of residence in 1825. He was engaged in
the manufacture of paper for thirty years. He served as grand juror for a
number of years. He was married in December, 1829, to Lucy Putnam, of
Brief Personal Sketches.
565
Dalton, Mass. They had a family of four children: Caroline, deceased ; Em¬
ily, wife of Dwight Rouse, of Philadelphia; Lucy, wife of Ely Hicks, of Adams,
Mass. Mr. Fuller's second wife was Sophronia Lyon, of Bennington. She
died September 16, i860, leaving one child, Linas E.. proprietor of the Buck¬
ingham Hotel, New York. Mr. Fuller was married the third time April 25,
1863, to Anna E. Potter, of Bennington.
Galusha, Augustus, Shaftsbury, (South Shaftsbury p. o.), was born where he
now resides February 20, 1823, and is engaged in farming, having two hundred
acres of finely cultivated land. His parents were George and Lucy (Burnham)
Galusha, natives of this township. Mr. Galusha was married in October, 1847,
to Jane Cranston. They have had two children : Edgar E., married Sarah J.
Chase, and now resides in Comstock, Kalamazoo county, Mich.; and Jane, wife
of George T. Barber, of Minneapolis, Minn. Mrs. Gilusha was a daughter of
Samuel and Glorianna (Folsom) Cranston. Mr. Galusha married his second
wife, Polly A. Chandler, January 25, 1854. They have had seven children:
Herbert A., Adah PI, Clarence C., Nellie J., wife of James S. Vosburgh, and
George, and two who died in infancy. Mrs. Galusha was a daughter of Galen
and Polly (Curtis) Chandler, of Shaftsbury.
Galusha, R. F., Shaftsbury, (South Shaftsbury p. o ), was born in this town¬
ship February 5, 1830, and is engaged in farming, owning one hundred and
twenty seven acres, and having the management of about two hundred. His
parents were Jonas and Elizabeth (Fisk) Galusha, natives of this township. R.
F. Galusha was married September 2, 1852, to Mary Wheelock. They had a
family of five children: Marcus E., Martha, wife of H. C. Simmons, of North
Bennington; K 11a; Nellie, wife of Adelbert Shaw, of Arlington; and Daniel R.
Mrs. Galusha was a daughter of Naham and Mary (Sly) Wheelock.
Gardner, Abram, deceased, Pownal, (North Pownal p. o.), was born in
Bennington, March 28, 1804, and came to Pownal about 1853, where he died
December 26, 1887. He was engaged in farming, and at the time of his death
owned seven hundred and thirty acres. His wife was Julia Ann Brimmer, and
they had a family of four children: Catharine married Hiram Wilson, and now
has one child, Frank A. Wilson, w ho is postmaster at Pownal; Merritt, Dewey
C., and Frank B. Mrs. Gardner was a daughter of Abram and P^velyn (Pratt)
Brimmer, of Hoosick, N. Y.
Gardner, Samuel J., Pownal, was born where A. B. Gardner now resides, and
where his grandfather, George Gardner, settled in 1765, coming from Rhode Isl¬
and. His grandfather, Abraham, and his father, David, were born here. David
married Eunice Wright, a daughter of Solomon and Eunice (Jewett) Wright, of
Bennington, l^our generations have been born on the old homestead. Samuel
is engaged in farming, and now owns three hundred acres. He has been select¬
man, lister, town representative, and side judge. He was married in Septem¬
ber, 1857, to Jeanette L. Merchant. They have had a family of three children:
566
History of Bennington County.
Marcus M , of Illinois; John W., and Abraham B., who married Audria M.
Bates, a daughter of D. F. and Harriet E. (Stillman) Bates, of Pownal. They
have had two children, Florence A. and Daniel F. Abraham represented his
town in 1881. He now resides on the old homestead.
Gardner, Sylvester J. N., Bennington, (North Pownal p. o.), was born in
Bennington, Vt , April 3, 1841, and was a son of Niles Gardner, of Bennington.
Sylvester was married September 8, 1859, to Olive Varian, a daughter ot Frank
and Mary (Brown) Varian. They have one daughter, Lena, now Mrs. Lem.
Morgan, of Pownal. Sylvester Gardner is engaged in farming, and owns a
farm of one hundred and sixty acres.
Gardner, Sylvester N., Bennington, (North Pownal p. o.), was born in the
town of Bennington, June 16, 1811, and is engaged in farming, owning a farm
of two hundred acres. His parents were Sylvester and Elizabeth (Brimmer)
Gardner. Mr. Gardner was a native of Pownal, and his wife of Petersburg,
N. Y. Sylvester N. Gardner was married the first time to Kezie Bovee. They
had a family of three children: Sylvester J. N., Delilah, wife of Norman Maxon,
of Petersburg, N. Y.; Mandy, deceased. Kezie was a daughter of John and
Tabitha (Parker) Bovee, of Hoosick. Mr. Gardner married for his second wife
Mrs. Mary D. Varian nee Brown. They have two children, Frank D., and Rob¬
ert B.
Gleason, Francis A., Woodford, (Bennington p. o.), was born in Woodford,
September 7, 1843, an<^ 's engaged in the manufacture of lumber, chair stock,
bed springs, frames, boxes and cases. He has steam and water power, and
capacity for manufacturing 2,000,000 teet of lumber per year. He is also en¬
gaged in the grocery business, and farming, owning a farm of one hunrded and
twenty acre-;. He has served his township as selectman and lister. His pa¬
rents were Stephen and Betsey (Corbett) Gleason, who came from Massachu¬
setts to Woodford in 1827. Mr. Gleason died in 1872, but his wife is now liv¬
ing at the advanced age of eighty-seven years. Francis A. Gleason has been
married twice. His first wife was Alice Hager. to whom he was married Jan¬
uary 1, 1869. They had two children, Claire E., and Albert E. Alice was a
daughter of Joshua W. Hager, formerly of Poughkeepsie, N. Y. Mr. Gleason
married his second wife, Jennie M. Harris, August 11, 1883. They have had
two children: Florence and Mildred. Jennie M. was a daughter of L. P. Har¬
ris, of Wilmington, Vt.
Gore, Captain Ransom O., Bennington, was born in Guilford, Vt., March
24, 1834, and is engaged in farming, owning fourteen hundred acres. He
came to Bennington with his parents in the fall of 1838. He is a son of Eze-
kiel and Saloma (Stoddard) Gore. Mr. Gore enlisted in Company A, Four¬
teenth Vermont, August 15, 1862, as a private, and was unanimously elected
captain of his company August 27, 1862. lie participated in the battle at Get¬
tysburg, and was discharged August 30, 1863, serving one year.
Brief Personal Sketches.
567
Grady, Stephen J , Pownal, was born in the town of Pownal, May, 3, 1865.
He is engaged in farming, and owns one hundred acres. Ilis parents were
Michael O. and Bridget (Cronin) Grady, who were natives of Ireland, and came
to Pownal at an early date. Mr. Grady was married December 31, 1885, to
Mary Morin, a daughter of Lewis and Mary (Pelky) Morin, of Pittsford, Vt.
They have had one child, Arthur S., born October 13, 1886.
Green, Charles, Pownal, (Bennington p. o.), was born in Bennington, April
6, 1S30, but has resided in Pownal since 1837. He is now engaged in farming,
owning about seventy-five acres. He served during the late war, enlisting in
Company E, Tenth Vermont Volunteers, in July, 1862, and served with this
company until July, 1865. company participated in twenty-one different
engagements. He was a son of Peter and Samantha (Granger) Green, of Ben¬
nington. He was married in October, 1853, to Sarah Lockwood, of Worces¬
ter, Otsego county, N. Y. They have had a family of four children : Charles
A., Alta Z., wife of Plina Blanchard, of South Povvnal; William Henry N , and
Martin.
Greenslet, Charles, Pownal, (Bennington p. o ), was born in Bennington,
June 9, 1817, and came to Pownal about 1858, and is now engaged in farming,
having a farm of ninety acres. He has served as justice of the peace. His pa
rents were Benjamin and Penthena (Davis) Greenslet. Charles was married
April 24, 1837, to Sybil Darling. They have had a family of three children:
Harriet M., of Readsboro, Vt.; George W., who was killed by the running away
of a pair of colts, on the 3d of November, 1866 ; Mary E., wife of E. D. Hicks,
and now residing on the old homestead. Sybil was a daughter of Reuben and
Hannah (Scripture) Darling, of Rupert, Vt.
Hall, Obed, Readsboro, (Stamford p. o.), was born in Halifax, Windham
county, Vt., August 12, 1821, and came to this township in April, 1845.
is engaged in the manufacture and dealing in lumber and packing boxes. He
owns two hundred and fifty acres of fine farming land. He served as town clerk
from 1846 to 1857, anc' from 1873 to 1884; was lister for twenty-five years,
and a delegate to the State convention in 1849; justice of the peace a number
of terms, and assistant county judge for two years. His parents were Loton
and Rhoda (Nichols) Hall, natives of Halifax. Mr. Hall was married May 4,
1843, to Susan Everett. They have had two children: Almon E., a merchant
at Williamstown, Mass., and Mary A. Mrs. Hall was a daughter of Jacob and
Mary (Fish) Everett, of Halifax, Vt.
Harbour Brothers, Woodford, (Bennington p. o.), are engaged in the manu¬
facture of lumber, and farming. They have about seventy-five acres oi farm¬
ing land, and three thousand acres of timber land Their p irents were Jacob
and Rosette (Hotchkiss) Harbour. Mark Harbour was born June 3, 1850, and
was married August 28, 1870, to Abbie B nvles, a daughter of Lyman Bowles.
Mr. Harbour has been overseer of the poor and selectman of his town. John
568
History of Bennington County.
L., was born March 15, 1858, and was married August 15, 1881, to Nettie Edy,
a daughter of Frederick Edy, of Woodford. They have had two children:
Lura M., and Guy C.
Hard, Norman G., Arlington, (East Arlington p. o ), was born in Arlington,
June 4, 1824, and is engaged in the general mercantile business at Arlington.
He was a son of Sylvanus and Lucy (Benn) Hard. The Hards were among the
first settlers in Arlington. Norman G. was married July 4, 1848, to Lydia
Hanson, a daughter of Noah and Martin (Hanson) Hanson, of Summers-
worth, N. H.
Harris, Emory S., Bennington, was born in the town of Hoosick, N. Y.,
March 24, 1858, and came to the town of Bennington, in 1876. He is justice
of the peace and first selectman. He was a son of E Stearns and Elizabeth
B. (Rudd) Harris. Mr. Harris was a native of New York and died in 1880.
Mrs. Harris was a native of Bennington and now resides in New York State.
Emory S. was married March 22, 1881, to Addie M. Warren, a daughter of
Otis and Sarah (Rudd) Warren, of Bennington.
Harwood, John P., Bennington, was born in Bennington, January 18, 1834,
and is eng igei in farming, owning seventy acres. His family were among the
first settlers in this township. He was a son of Perez and Philura (Purmost)
HarwooJ. Perez was prominent in town and county affairs, serving the same
as town representative, senator, and county judge. He was also a general in
the army. John P. Harwood enlisted in June, 1861, for three years in Com¬
pany A, Second Vermont Regiment, and was discharged in June, 1864. He
was married June 13, 1871, to Nellie Bruce, of Iowa. They have had a family
of three children : Perez, Frederick C., deceased, and John R.
Hicks, Daniel J., Readsb >ro, was born in Monroe, Mass, adjoining where
he now lives. July 23, 1822, and cam.' here about 1844. He is engaged in
farming, having about two hundred acres under cultivation. He is also inter¬
ested in the manufacture of lumber. His parents were Rev. Jonathan and
Abigail (Holbrook) Hicks of Monroe, M iss. He was married in March, 1842,
to Beda B. Bishop; they have a family of six children: Cordelia B., wife of P.
W. Rice of Kansas ; Erous D., of Pownal; Francelia A., deceased ; Emma L.,
wife of A. P. Goldthrait, of Readsboro ; Alma V., deceased; and Murray 0.,
ofReadsboro. Mrs. Hicks w is a daughter of Deacon Jay and Abigail (Blakes-
ley) Bishop, of Readsboro.
Houghton, Merritt M, Rea Isb :>ro, was born in Readsboro, Vt., April 15,
1832, and is eng igei in business as a general merchant. He has been post¬
master since 1857, atl(l has serve 1 his township as first selectman for five years,
and town clerk and treasurer for twenty years. He represented his town in
1874, 1876, and 1878. His parents were Jonathan and Lydia(Hick) Hough¬
ton. Merritt M. was married in May, 1880, to Ada M. Hicks a daughter of
Brief Personal Sketches.
569
Alonzo and Ph(iebe (Bishop) Hicks, of Readsboro. Merritt M. has one child,
Mortimer M.
Howard, Solomon, Shaftsbury, (South Shaftsbury p. o.), was born in
Shaftsbury April 21, 1832. He is engaged in farming, owning a farm of three
hundred and ten acres. He has served his township as selectman most of the
time for the past twenty-five years, has also been justice of the peace, lister,
and was town representative for two terms. He was a son of Jared and Mary
Ann (Mattison) Howard, natives of this township. Solomon was married Jan¬
uary 27, 1856, to Ruba Stratton. They have had a family of four children :
Ruth, wife of J. M. Mattison ; Freeman S; Murilla A., wife of W. J. Hicks, of
Toronto, Canada; and Rollin Mrs. Howard was a daughter of Freeman and
Thankful (Harrington) Stratton, of Bennington.
Hubbell, Colonel Albert Conklin, Bennington, was born March 10, 1839,
where he now resides and where his father was also born. His grandfather
settled on this farm, and the present Hubbell residence was built for him by
his father-in-law, Rev. Jedediah Demey, in 1769. Colonel Albert was son of
Aaron L and Lucretia (Hinsdill) Hubbell. Mr. Hubbell was a recruiting of¬
ficer for this district during the war, and was on the staff of Governor Fair¬
banks, being appointed in 1876. Colonel Hubbell was married September 4,
1861, to Julia S Montague, a daughter of Smith and Julia A. (Thompson)
Montague, of Bennington. They have had two children ; Katie J. and Robert
L. Colonel Hubbell's grandfather participated in the battle of Bennington,
being second lieutenant of his regiment.
Hubbell, Philip T., Bennington, (Bennington Center p. o.), was born where
he now resides December 5, 1832, and is engaged in farming, owning three
hundred acres. He was a son of Elijah D. and Laura (Squire) Hubbell. Mr.
Hubbell was a native of Bennington and his wife of Manchester. Their two
children, Philip T. and Gertrude C., now resides on the old homestead which
was built by their parents in 1818.
Huling, M. C., Bennington, was born in Shaftsbury January 24, 1834, and
was a son of Daniel and Henrietta (Vaughn) Muling, natives of Shaftsbury
Mr. Huling came to Bennington with his parents in 1838. In 1861 he became
engaged in the mercantile business being a member of the firm of Huling &
Houghton. He sold his interest in this firm in 1864, but in 1867 again be¬
came engaged in the mercantile business. He was selectman for thirteen con¬
secutive years, was town representative in 1876, and appointed postmaster
April 20, 1885. He was married November 12, 1855, to Amelia E. Phillips.
They have four children : Nellie R., Agnes A., Clarence Floyd, and Carrie
May. Amelia was a daughter of A. B. and Caroline (Ball) Phillips, of North
Bennington.
Jewett, Frank H., Bennington, (Bennington Center p. o.), was born where
72
57°
History of Bennington County.
lie now resides on the old homestead of one hundred and eighty acres, and
where his grandfather, Loan Jewett, settled about 1800, and died in 1850.
His son Giles was born here September 12, 1801, and became the owner. He
was married to Jane Ann Powers, of Chester, N. Y., she died October 19, 1885,
and Giles on June 25, 1878. Frank H., who was their only child, was born
March 30, 1S61.
Jewett, Thomas, Bennington, (Bennington p. o.), was born in Bennington
December 9, 1820, and died September 2, 1884. The Jewetts came to this
township in 1800. Thomas was a son of Levi and Laura (Perry) Jewett. Mr.
Jewett was engaged in farming, owning one hundred and eighty acres. He
was married January 30, 1862, to Harriet Morgan. They have had three
children: Thomas F., of Illinois; Charles L., and Laura F., wife of John L.
Brown, of Cheshire, Mass.
Judson, J. R., Arlington, a member of the firm of Judson & Deming, mer¬
chants and manufacturers of woodenware, was born in Sunderland March 30,
1834, and came to East Arlington as a clerk for Billings & Co. in 1849, and
purchased an interest in the company in 1856. The firm of Billings & Judson
continued until 1866, when it became Judson & Deming which it has remained
up to the present time. Mr. Judson has been selectman for the past ten years,
represented his town in 1872, was postmaster from 1866 to 1885, an^ was
elected senator in 1886. His parents were Michael and Julia (Knights) Jud¬
son natives of Sunderland. Mr. Judson was married in September, 1858, to
Virginia P. Billings, a daughter of Hon. William and Abbie (Hard) Billings, of
Arlington. They have two children ; Antoinette B., wife ofE. C. Woodworth;
and Percy Ogden.
Lawrence, John, Bennington, was born in Bennington June 14, 1823, and
is engaged in farming, owning three hundred and twenty-five acres. He was
a son of Solomon and Mary (Wales) Lawrence. Mr. Lawrence was born in
Massachusetts and came here when a boy. He was born in 1778. John Law¬
rence was married June 4, 1846, to Harriet Barber, of Bennington. They had
three children: Mary E., married Walter Berry and died in 1881 ; John, de¬
ceased; and George B., at home. Mr. Lawrence married his second wife
Polly P. Hull, of Berlin, N. Y., April 28, 1864. They have had one child,
Minnie B., who married Edward W. Bradford, of Bennington.
Lillie, Daniel, Pownal, (Bennington p. o.), was born in Pownal December
8, 1826, and is now engaged in farming, owning four hundred acres. His
grandfather, Ebenezer Lillie, came from Ireland, and served in the army under
Washington four years and six months, and after peace was declared settled
here, where Daniel's father was born. Daniel was a son of Caleb and Bede
(Bassett) Lillie. Daniel was married in April, 1852, to Martha Amadon.
They have had a family of two children : Frank A., and Effa, wife of William
Rogers, of Pownal. Mr. Liilie at the age of sixteen went to work by the
Brief Personal Sketches.
5/i
month for himself, saving- his money until he could purchase eight}" acre-,, and
in addition to this has purchased three hundred and twenty acres, and may
well be termed a self-made farmer.
Loomis, Leland M., Shaftsbury, (North Bennington p. o.), was born in
Shaftsbury September 11, 1863, and is engaged in farming, having a farm of
eighty acres. He was a son of Warren L. and Julia D. (Mattison) Loomis,
both natives of this county. Leland was married-March 4, 1 S85, to Bertha
E. Clark. They have had one child, Myron Clark Loomis. Mrs. Loomis was
a daughter of Myron and Eliza R. (Sweet) Clark, of Shaftsbury.
McLaughlin, Ira A., Arlington, (East Arlington p. o.), was born in Sun¬
derland July 9, 1807, and died October 23, 1887, aged eighty years. lie was
an inventor and machinist, and was representative for the town of Sunderland
for some time. He was a son of Thomas and Polly (Fuller) McLaughlin, of
Sunderland. Ira A. was married May 21, 1846, to Sally M. Galusha, a daugh¬
ter of Henry and Sally (Barber) Galusha, of Sunderland. Sally M. was born
May 11, 1818, and is now living.
Mason, Anson A., Pownal, was born where he now resides February 5,
1841. He resides on Mason Hill, which has one of the finest views in Ben¬
nington county up and down the valley. His father was born here, the home¬
stead having been in the family since 1799, when Allen Mason settled there,
coming from Swansea, Mass. Anson A. was a son of John L. and Rhoda
(Chamberlin) Mason. He was married December 14, 1866, to Laura A. Ford,
a daughter of Franklin A. and Nancy (Moffett) Ford, of Williamstown, Mass.
They have had a family of six children : Hattie N., Mary E., Rhoda, Frank¬
lin F., John L., and Willie Anson.
Mattison, James T., Shaftsbury, (North Bennington p. o.), was born in
Shaftsbury, February 9, 1817, and died June 26, 1885. He was engaged in
farming, and at the time of his death owned one hundred acres. His parents
were Asa and Rachel (Slye) Mattison. Mr. Mattison was married twice. His
first wife was Eliza A. Loomis, to whom he was married May 19, 1840. They
had a family of three children: Jerome W., Casper L. and Ellen S., wife of
Charles E. Galusha, of Bennington. Mrs. Mattison was a daughter of Asa
and Clarissa (Cross) Loomis, of Shaftsbury. His second wife was Ann Tink-
ham, to whom he was married November 25, 1862. They had one child,
Eliza A. Mrs. Mattison was a daughter of Daniel and Cliloe (Draper) Tink-
ham, who were'among the early settlers of Shaftsbury.
Millard, John W., Stamford, was born in Stamford, January 27, 1825, and
is engaged in farming, having a farm of two hundred and twenty-five acres.
He enlisted September 18, 1862, in Company K, Fourteenth Vermont Volun¬
teers, on the call for nine months' men, and served until July, 1863, when
he was discharged. He participated in the battle of Gettysburg. He has
served as town treasurer, selectman, lister, justice of the peace, and town rep-
572
History of Bennington County.
resentative. His parents were Squire and Rachel (Ward) Millard, natives of
Massachusetts. Mr. Millard was married May 27, 1847,to Emeline J. Chapin,
a daughter of Rectus and Betsey (Dickens) Chapin, of Wilmington, Vt.
Morgan, William B., Povvnal, (Pownal Center p. o.), was born in Pownal
November 18, 1825, and died April 14, 1872. At the time of his death he
was engaged in farming, owning a,farm of fifty acres. His parents were
Abram and Armida (Barber) Morgan, old settlers in this township. Mr. Mor¬
gan was married February 10, 1855, to Amelia Bushnell. They had a family
of four children ; Lucy J., deceased ; Herbert W.; Abram B., deceased ; and
William B. Mrs. Morgan was a daughter of Moses and Sarah (Harvey) Bush¬
nell, of Pownal.
Myers. H. W., Pownal, (Pownal Center p. o ), was born in the town of Pow¬
nal January 10, 1848. He is engaged in farming, and now owns about two
hundred acres. He has been selectman since 1885. His parents were Henry
and Malinda (Millard) Myers. Mr. Myers was born in Pownal and his wife in
Stamford. H. W. Myers was married September 14, 1870, to Jennie M. Tows-
lee. They had a family of three children : Margie E,, William H , and Fred¬
erick M. Jennie M. was a daughter of William and Ellen C. (Merchant)
Towslee, of Pownal.
Myers, Joseph B , Pownal, (Pownal Center p. o.), was born where he now re¬
sides December, 22, 1825, and is now engaged in farming, owning one hun¬
dred acres. He has served as lister for two terms, and has been elected justice
several times, but has only qualified three. His father, Simeon, was born in this
township July 31, 1799, and is now living at the age of eighty-nine years.
His mother was Sophia Barber, a daughter of Samuel Barber. She died in
1831. Joseph B. Myers was married twice, his first wife was Lucy Mallory, to
whomJ he was married August 26, 1847. They had one son, Kirk E. J., of
Pownal. Lucy was a daughter of Ely and Lydia (White) Mallory. His sec¬
ond wife was Mary E. Thompson, to whom he was married September 1, 1862.
They have had two children: George N., and Albert P. Mary E. was a
daughter of Levi and Freelove (Arnold) Thompson, of Pownal.
Nichols, Levi H., Stamford, was born in Halifax, Windham county, Vt.,
August 29, 1843, and came to Stamford with his parents Deacon Green
and Kezia (Fairbanks) Nichols. Levi H. is a practicing physician. He at¬
tended lectures at the Albany Medical College and has now been practicing
for the past ten years. He was married December 31, 1868, to Cynthia M.
Jillson. They have had one child, Hattie M., wife of Minor E. Wright, of
New Preston, Conn. Mrs. Nichols was a daughter of William and Sarah
Whitney) Jillson, of Stamford, Vt.
Niles, Slocum J., Pownal, (Bennington p. o.), was born in Shaftsbury Sep¬
tember 2, 1837, and came to Pownal in 1875. He is a farmer, and now owns
two hundred and four acres. His parents were Jonathan and Mary (Slocum
Brief Personal Sketches.
573
Niles, of Shaftsbury. Mr. Niles was married February 16, 1870, to Ruth Jew-
ett, who died May 17, 1877. leaving one child, Clara M. Ruth was a daugh¬
ter of Erastus and Clarissa (Carpenter) Jewett, of Povvnal. Mr. Niles married
his second wife, Mary Jane Moses, February 12, 1880. They have had two
children: Walter J., and Lois B., born July 27, 1888. Mary Jane was born
April 26, 1853, and was a daughter of Thomas S. and Mary (Whitehead)
Moses, of Hoosick, N. Y.
Niles, W. E., Pownal, (Pownal Center p. o ), was born in the township of
Pownal August 30, 1845, and is now engaged in the general mercantile busi
ness at Pownal Center. He was appointed postmaster June 1, 1876, and con¬
tinued in office until July, 1887. He was elected lister in 1876, and served five
or six terms, and has been poormaster since 1878, and is now selectman. His
parents were Benedict C. and Laura A. (Raymond) Niles. Mr Niles was born
in this township February 10, 181 1, and Mrs. Niles was a native of the town
of Stamford. Spencer Niles came from Rhode Island in 1790, and his son, Rus¬
sell, was then ten years old. He died March 29, 1852, at the age of seventy-
two years. W. E. Niles was married September 27, 1866, to Sarah McGray,
of Scotch descent. They have had two children : Benedict W., and Minnie
B. Benedict W. graduated from the Drury Academy at North Adams, Mass.
in 1888, and from the Albany Law School June 23, 1889. Minnie B. gradua¬
ted from the Drury Academy at North Adams in 1889.
Paddock, Charles Anthony Haswell, Pownal, (North Pownal p. o.), was
born in Bennington February 14, 1820, and came to Pownal in 1845. He has
served as justice of the peace, lister and selectman several times. He is now
a retired farmer. He represented his town two terms in succession, 1861-62.
He is a Democrat, but was elected without opposition in a Republican town.
He was a son of Thomas and Betsey (Morton) Paddock. Charles was married
March 27, 1876, to Marietta Parker Brownell, a daughter of Parker and Julia
Ann (Pitt) Brownell, of Pownal.
Paddock, Daniel, Bennington, was born in Bennington August I, 181 I.
He was a son of Daniel and Elizabeth (Miller) Paddock. Mr. Paddock was a
native of Rhode Island and his wife of Bennington, Vt. Daniel is engaged in
farming and owns one hundred and ninety acres. He was married February
25, 1835, to Fannie Fillmore. They have had a family of eight children four
of whom are now living: Caroline, now widow of Lucius Richmond; Zacha-
riah, Margaret, now Mrs. Josiah Russell, of North Bennington ; Adelaide, now
Mrs. N. V. Armstrong; Jeanette, deceased; Mary, who married Joseph Rus¬
sell, deceased ; Charity, deceased ; Sophia, wife of Garrett Paddock, of Ben¬
nington. Mrs. Paddock was a daughter of Elijah and Sarah (Armstrong) Fill¬
more. Her father was an uncle of President Fillmore's.
Paddock, I. F., Pownal, (North Pownal p. o.), was born in the town of Ben¬
nington February 18, 1824, and came to Pownal in 1842 or 1843 He is en-
574
History of Bennington County.
gaged in farming, and owns a farm of eight hundred acres. He has been se¬
lectman and lister a number of times, and has been appointed road commis¬
sioner several times, he also served as county commissioner for five years.
He was appointed commissioner by the court to appraise the damage done to
property by the Boston and Hoosick Tunnel Railroad in Pownal, and has
often been called upon to act as administrator of some large estates. He was
elected representative in 1874, and again in 1878. His parents were Thomas
and Betsey (Horton) Paddock, of Bennington. Mr. Paddock was married Jan¬
uary 12, 1854, to Emeline Carpenter. They have had three children : An¬
drew, Emma, and Frank C. Emeline was a daughter of Reynolds and Han¬
nah (Niles) Carpenter, who were among the first settlers of Pownal.
Potter, Major W., Pownal, was born March 4, 1814, in the town of Pow¬
nal, and is engaged in farming. He has served his town as selectman, over¬
seer of the poor, town agent, town representative, and assistant county judge
for four years with Judge Wheeler, now of United States Circuit Court. In
addition to this he has been town and county grand juror, assignee in bank¬
ruptcy of the estate of R. Carpenter, jr. & Co, and assignee of the estate of
Solomon Wright & Co., also a bankrupt; and later was appointed assignee of
the estate of Solomon Wright, at present in bankruptcy. His parents were
Zorababel and Louise E. (Knight) Potter, who came from Rhode Island about
1780. Major Potter was married in 1839 to Jane C. Mallory, a daughter of
Eli and Lydia (White) Mallory. The major had a family of nine children ;
four sons are now living: Charles K., Edgar, of North Hoosick, N. Y.; Ev¬
erett E., and Milton, of Blackinton, Mass.
Rice, Edward, Bennington, was born in Bennington February 19, 1821,
and is engaged in farming, having a farm of two hundred acres. He has been
surveyor for forty-five years, lister for nearly twenty, selectman three years,
and was postmaster at Bennington Center from 1843 to 1847. He was a son
of Alvah and Haynes (Temmy) Rice, who were old settlers in this township.
Edward Rice was married October 20, 1847, t° Charlotte James, a daughter of
Colonel Randall and Sarah (Eddy) James, of Hoosick, N. Y. They have
had a family of five children : Sarah F., Elizabeth, wife of J. W. Quacken-
bush, of Greenwood. Neb.; E. Alvah, C . Archie, and Frederick H.
Rice, Warren, Bennington, (Bennington p. o.), was born where he now re¬
sides December 2, 1829, and is a carpenter, owning four acres. He was a son
of Stephen and Polly (White) Rice. Mr. Rice was born where his son now
resides in 1784, and died in June, 1879, aged ninety-five years and six months.
Both his father's and mother's families were natives of Hardwick, Mass. War¬
ren Rice was married December 2, 1857, to Ellen Smith, a daughter of Ora
and Esther (Farr) Smith, of Chesterfield, N. H.
Rockwood, Charles IT, Bennington, was born in the town of Newfane,
Windham county, Vt., August 10, 1821, and came to Bennington with his par-
Brief Personal Sketches.
575
ents, David and Joanna (Knowlton) Rockwood, in 1823. Air. Rockwood is en¬
gaged in farming, and dealing in agricultural tools and blacksmith supplies.
His wife was Sylva E. Bigelow, a daughter of Pomeroy aud Hannah (Cham-
berlin) Bigelow, formerly of Glenham, Schoharie county, N. Y. Mr. and Mrs.
Rockwood had a family of three children: Helen, wife of Payson Hathaway,
of Bennington ; Mary, wife of Spencer Hathaway, of Bennington and Laura,
wife of Joseph Heminway. His second wife was Pamelia Mallery, to whom he
was married October 18, 1886 She was a daughter of Chester and Lucinda
(Beebe) Mallery, of Shaftsbury, formerly of Northfield, N. H.
Rudd, Elijah F., Bennington, was born in Bennington April 8, 1816, and
was a son of Daniel and Betsey (Wood) Rudd, who were natives of Bennington
county. Elijah F. is engaged in farming, and owns a farm of forty acres. He
was married November 29, 1841, to Jane A., a daughter of Joseph and Salo-
ma (Benedict) Maynard. Mr. Maynard was a native of Concord, N. II., and
Mrs. Maynard, of Pittstown, Rensselaer county, N. Y. They have a family of
three children : La Fayette, Frank D., of De Leon Springs, Fla.; and E. J.,
wife of M. F. Rudd, of this town.
Rudd, Elmer II., Bennington, was born in Shaftsbury, August 2, 1838. He
is engaged in farming, and owns one hundred and two acres. He was a son
of Enos W. and Maria (Fillmore) Rudd, natives of Bennington. Mr. Rudd
was married March 4, 1863, to Susan R. Peckham, of Pownal. They have had
a family of five children: Ida F., wife of Frank 0. Rudd, of De Leon Springs,
Fla.; Homer E., Lillie J., Hope E , and Belle.
Rudd, Merritt F., Bennington, was born in the town of Bennington Febru¬
ary i8> 1843. He is engaged in farming, owning a farm of one hundred and
fifteen acres. On August 9, 1862, he enlisted on the call for nine months'
men in Company A, Fourteenth Vermont Volunteers, and served until July,
1863. He was at the battle of Gettysburg. His parents were Enos W. and
Morial (Fillmore) Rudd, natives of Bennington. lie was married March 7,
1873, to Ella J. Rudd. They have had a family of four children: Agnes J.,
Edith L., Daisy P., and Ruby E. Mrs. Rudd was a daughter of Elijah and
Jane (Maynard) Rudd, of Bennington. Mr. M. F. Rudd has served his town
as collector.
Safford, Benjamin W., Arlington, was born in Cambridge, Vt., June 25,
1821, and came to Arlington in 1855. He is engaged in the manufacture of
turned work, making a specialty of curry-comb handles, of which he manufac¬
tures about a million and a half yearly. He has been justice of the peace six¬
teen years, and represented his town in 1886. Plis parents were Samuel G.
and Mary (Webb) Safford. Benjamin W. was married in September, 1846, to
Marion W. Squires, who died January, 5, 1853, leaving one child, George S.,
born August 31, 1851, now a resident of East Arlington. Mrs. Safford was a
daughter of Alson and Cylinda (Webb) Squires, of Bennington. Mr. Safford
576
History of Bennington County.
married his second wife, Pamelia E. Galusha, January 12, 1855. She was a
daughter of Henry and Sally (Barbour) Galusha, of Arlington, Vt.
Saunders, Paul M.. Bennington, (Bennington Center p. o.), was born in
Petersburg, N. Y., October 18, 1812, and was a son of Jared and Rhoda (Clear)
Saunders. Mr. Saunders is engaged in farming, having a fine farm of three hun¬
dred and fifty acres. He has served as justice of the peace and selectman for
some time, and was lister a number of terms. He married Nancy Jones, and
they had a family of five children, three of whom are now living : Albert A.,
married January 29, 1873, to Lydia Stickles, a daughter of Robert and Mary
(Buck) Stickles, of Shaftsbury, Vt. They have had two children : Mary J. and
Sophia D.; Sophia D., who married Herbert Harmon, of Bennington; and Har¬
mon, who married Eleanor Ellwell, a daughter of H. N. Ellwell, of Bennington.
They were married February 20, 1879, and have had three children : Paul M.,
Nellie L. and Charlie H.
Sears, William H., Bennington, (Bennington p. o.), was born in North
Adams, Mass., October 18, 1840, and came to Bennington in 1854. He en¬
listed in Company A, Second Regiment Vermont Volunteers March 14, 1861,
and participated in the first battle of Bull Run on July 21, 1861 ; also at the
battles of Fredericksburg, Antietam, Gettysburg, Rappahannock Station, and
the battle of the Wilderness, where he lost his left arm, the ball passing into
his side and lodging against his backbone where it was taken out. He was
married June 10, 1875, to Mrs. Jane Clark, nee Moulton.
Service, John W., Pownal, was born at Mechanicsville, N. Y., August 12,
1820, and came to Pownal in 1858, and to where he now resides in 1864. He
is engaged in farming, and owns twenty acres. He enlisted December 14,
1863, in Company A, Ninth Vermont Volunteers, and the next March was
transferred to the navy, and served to the close of the war. He was a son of
Joseph and Nancy (Fisher) Service. John W. was married in April, 1851, to
Sarah Nash. They have had three children : Jeanette, who died when a child;
Harriet, who died at an early age ; and Willie F., born August 3, 1873, and
now residing at home. Sarah was a daughter of Martin and Annie (Smith)
Nash, of Bennington.
Smith, J. B., Bennington, was born in Bennington March 11, 1825, and is
engaged in farming, having a fine farm of two hundred acres. His parents
were William and Ruth (Bushnell) Smith, both natives of Bennington The
Smiths being among the earliest settlers of the township. Mr. Smith has a
brother, William S., who lives in Wisconsin, and a sister, Mrs. John Hillard, a
resident of Danby, Vt. One brother, Franklin, who was a sea captain, and a
sister, Martha, are deceased.
Smith, S. L., Pownal, (North Pownal p. o.), was born in North Adams,
Mass., March 19, 1843, and came to Stamford, Vt., when about a month old,
Brief Personal Sketches.
577
where he resided until he was twenty-one years old, when he returned to North
Adams, and where he remained until he came to North Pownal in 1881. He
is a general merchant; was appointed postmaster in 1882, and served until
1885, when Edmund Lillie was appointed by President Cleveland; re-appointed
postmaster July 1, 1889. Mr. Smith is still postmaster, the post-office being
in his store. He was married November 7, 1867, to Cora A. Church of North
Adams. They have had two children : Eugene L. and Alfred N.
Stone, E. D., Arlington, (East Arlington, p. o.), was born in Arlington July
23, 1859, and is engaged in the tobacco and cigar business. He was a son of
Perry and Mary (Andrew) Stone, natives of Shaftsbury. Mr. Stone was mar¬
ried February 13, 1878, to Nellie L. Graves. They have had two children:
Guy Merrill and Leon Delbert. Mrs. Stone was a daughter ol L. B. and Lucy
(McCauley) Graves, of North Adams, Mass.
Stowe, Titus, Readsboro, was born in Halifax, Vt., September 8, 1839, and
came to Readsboro in 1868. He enlisted in Company I, Fourth Vermont in
1861, and served until 1862, when he was discharged. He is now president of
the Readsboro Chair Manufacturing Company. His parents were Israel and
Lovina (Woodard) Stowe. He was married September 22, 1863, to Frances
J. Boyd. They have had two children : Nellie F., who died in 1875, aged six
years and two months, and Stella J. died March I, 1889, aged eighteen years.
Mrs. Stowe was a daughter of Stephen and Susan (Haynes) Boyd, of Will-
mington.
Sumner, Willard, Searsburg, was born in Gilsum, N. H., December 5, 1829,
and came to Searsburg in 1852. He owns about nine hundred acres of tim¬
ber land. He has served the township as selectman, lister, collector, and was
town representative in 1866. His parents were Charles and Abigail (Hill)
Sumner. The Sumners were of English descent. Willard Sumner was mar¬
ried in March, 185 1, to Susan Wells. They have had a family of three chil¬
dren : Hubbard, Emma, wife of Arden Spencer, of Readsboro; Estella, who
married David Spencer, and died in 1881, leaving one child, Gertie.
Thompson, Timothy, Pownal, (Pownal Center, p. o.), was born in Cam¬
bridge, Vt., April 29, 1829, and is engaged in farming, now owning a farm of
two hundred and six acres. He came to Pownal in 1862, and was a son of
Timothy and Tryphena (Barber) Thompson, of Cambridge. Tryphenawasa
member of one of the oldest families of Pownal. Mr. Thompson was married
December 2, 1850, to Ruth Bushnell, a daughter of David and Betsey (Andrews)
Bushnell. They have had a family of three children: Elijah B., at home; An¬
drew B., of Heath, Mass.; and Adele, who married Frank D. Gardner, of Ben¬
nington, Vt., and died February 9, 1887.
Tinkham, Elmer C., Shaftsbury, (North Bennington p. o.), was born where
he now resides February 4, 1838, and was a son of Daniel and Chloe (Draper)
73
578
History of Bennington County.
Tinkham. The Tinkhams were natives of Clarendon, and came to this town¬
ship about 1815. Elmer C. was married October 16, 1867, to Fannie L. Percey.
They have had two children: Russell Elmer, and Etta Minerva. Mrs. Tink¬
ham was a daughter of Alanson and Minerva (Center) Percey, of White Creek,
N. Y.
Towslee, Othnial, Pownal, (Pownal Center p. o.), was born in Pownal May
3, 1821, and died at his residence at Pownal Center July 12, 1889, aged sixty-
eight years, two months, and nine days. In early life he was engaged in farm¬
ing, owning a farm of five hundred acres; about eight years ago retired from
active business life, and now owns a homestead at Pownal Center, and a house
and a few acres in East Pownal. He was a son of Solomon and Melissa (Bar¬
ber) Towslee. Mr. Towslee died in 1858, but his wife is still living at the ad¬
vanced age of ninety-one years. Othnial Towsley was married in November,
1845, to Ann M. Bushnell. They have had three children : Mary F., who is
now town clerk, and has been for twenty years, and also post-mistress at Pow¬
nal Center at present; Adaresta, wife of Amasa Thompson, of Pownal; Julia
1., wife of Perry Thompson, of Pownal. Mrs. Towsley was a daughter of
Moses and Sarah (Harvey) Bushnell, who were natives of this county.
Towsley, William, Pownal, (Bennington p. o.), was born in Pownal Febru¬
ary 27, 1829, and died April 11, 1881. He was engaged in farming, and at
the time of his death owned three hundred acres. He has been lister and jus¬
tice of the peace. His parents were Solomon and Melissa (Barber) Towsley,
of Pownal. Mr. Towsley was married December 21, 1851, to Ellen C. Mer¬
chant. They had four children : Jennie M., wife of Henry Myers, of Pownal;
Frederick M., died May 11, 1877 ; Ella J., wife of Marcus Burrington, of Pow¬
nal, and Frank M. Mrs. Towsley was born March 11, 1836, and was a daugh¬
ter of Homer O. and Phoebe (Thompson) Merchant, of Pownal.
Vieult, Clement B., Arlington, was born in Contrecoeur, Canada East, Oc¬
tober 12, 1837, and came to Arlington in June, 1855. He is engaged in the
manufacture and selling of shoes. His parents were Felix and Melanie Duples-
sis Vieult. Mr. Vieult was married September 2, 1865, to Sanie Hunt. They
have two children living: Walter C. and Ethel A. Mrs. Vieult was a daugh¬
ter of Amos and Emily (Harrington) Hunt, of Dorset.
Walbridge, E., Bennington, (North Bennington p. o.), was born in Ben¬
nington August 13, 1831. He is engaged in the mercantile business, and also
in farming, owning one hundred acres at Bennington Falls, (formerly Wal-
bridgeville). He has served as justice of the peace for three terms, and is now
lister. His parents were Stebbins D. and Harriet (Hicks) Walbridge. E. Wal¬
bridge was married January 28, 1862, to Mary Sears. They have one daugh¬
ter, Harriet H. Mrs. Walbridge was a daughter of B. R. and Mary Ann
(Waters) Sears, of Bennington.
Brief Personal Sketches.
579
Walter, Adam, Arlington, was born in Kingston, N. Y., September 5, 1849,
and came to Arlington in 1867. He is engaged in the manufacture of harness,
being a member of the firm of Webb & Walter, engaged in the livery business
at East Arlington. He was appointed postmaster May 22, 1885. His parents
were Jacob F. and Margaret (Kline) Walter. Adam was married September
1, 1875, to Mattie Sheldon. They have one child, Maud L. Mrs. Walter was
an adopted daughter of Dwight and Eliza (Bristol) Sheldon, of Arlington, her
parents' names being Ezra and Martha (Peabody) Goodenough, of Arlington.
Webster, Silas W., Readsboro, (Stamford p. o.), was born in Townsend,
Windham county, Vt., September 26, 1824, and came here with his parents,
Robert and Lydia (Pettee) Webster, in 1826. Mr. Webster was a native of
Massachusetts, but his wife was born in Wilmington, Vt. Silas W. is engaged
in farming and land surveying. He has been town clerk, selectman, and lister
about fifteen years; and justice for thirty years; and represented his town two
terms. He was married February 28, 1848, to Rhoda E. Cutler, of Woodford.
Rhoda was a daughter of Josiah and Caroline (Field) Cutler.
Wheelock, David C., Shaftsbury, (South Shaftsbury p. o.), was born where
he now resides May 15, 1818. He is engaged in farming, having a farm of two
hundred and fifty acres. He has been selectman of his township for a number
of terms. He was a son of Nahum and Mary (Corey) Wheelock. Mr. Whee¬
lock came from Worcester, Mass. David C. was married October 2, 1844, to
Henrietta M. Fisk, a daughter of Jeremiah and Sarah (Mattison) Fisk, both
natives of this county.
Whitney, Monroe L., Readsboro, (Stamford p. o.), was born in Readsboro,
May 1, 1848, and came to Stamford in 1853, where he became engaged in the
general mercantile business. He was appointed postmaster in 1888. His pa¬
rents were Lorenzo B. and Lucy (Jackson) Whitney. He was married Decem¬
ber 9, 1869, to Ella Potter, a daughter of Almon H. and Cynthia (Gould) Pot¬
ter, of North Adams, Mass.
Wilson, Charles, Bennington, (Bennington Center p. o.), was born in Hoo-
sick, N. Y., March 9, 1828. He is engaged in farming, and now has a farm of
one hundred and sixty-five acres. His parents were Solomon and Wessie
(Prestler) Wilson. Mr. Wilson served during the War of 1812. Charles Wil¬
son was the seventh son of a family of eleven children; the youngest is now
aged sixty-seven years and the oldest eighty-one years. He was married Au¬
gust 15, 1845, to Mary Wilcox, a daughter of Steven and Pathayer Wilcox, of
Petersburg, N. Y. They have seven children now living: Pathayer, wife of
Levi Hathaway, of South Adams, Mass.; Charles H., Stephen A., Newman, of
South Adams; Thomas, Burt H., and Chester A.
Wood, Hollis R., Pownal, (Bennington p. o.), was born in the town of Ben¬
nington, January 14, 1819, and came to Pownal, where he now reui ' - '
58O
History of Bennington County.
1853. He is engaged in farming, owning a farm of eight hundred acres. He
has served his township as lister several times, and has also been selectman
and justice of the peace. His parents were Barnabas and Clarinda (Thayer)
Wood, of Bennington. Mr. Wood was married November 19, 1845, to Laura
Oviat. They have had two children : Ira P., of Pownal; Ella H., wife of John
Rockwood, of Bennington, Vt. Laura was a daughter of Almond and Sally
(Fay) Oviat of Pownal.
Wood, Ira P., Pownal, (Bennington p. o.), was born in the town of Ben¬
nington Vt., May 24, 1847, and was a son of H. R. and Laura (Oviat) Wood.
Ira P. is now engaged in farming, owning one hundred and forty acres. He
was married March 4, 1873, to Johanna Rockwood. They have one child,
Carrie A. Johanna was a daughter of David and Ruth (Burt) Rockwood, of
Bennington, Vt.
Wright, J. W., Pownal, (Pownal Center p. o.), is descended from Charles
Wright, and grandson of Solomon Wright, and son of Pliny and Phinett (Wads-
worth) Wright. Mr. Wright has been selectman of his town, and a peculiar
circumstance of the election was that three brothers were elected to fill the offi¬
ces of first, second and third selectmen of the town. Mr. Wright represented
his town in 1867. He was appointed justice of the peace to fill a vacancy, and
was elected in 1886, and has been town juror. He is engaged in farming hav¬
ing, a fine farm of eighty acres.
I N DEX.
ALBANY, county of formed by New
York, 42.
Ethan Allen sent to, 49.
Mollis, mountain, 407.
Allen, Ethan, 45.
captured by the British, 64
Ebenezer, 439.
Ira, letters ot, 73-5.
Welcome, 419.
Ames, William, 415.
Arlington, town of, 398.
Arnold, Col., succeeds Montgomery, 65.
Attorneys, succession of, 200.
Armstrong, Jonathan, 416.
BAKER, Remember, attack upon, 51.
Baldwin, Asa, 417.
Baldwin, family of, 413.
Bar, early members of, 198.
Batchelder, family of, 462.
Baum, Col., sent to attack Bennington, 79.
Black, William P., 395.
Blackmer, John C., 396.
Bradley, Stephen R., 194.
Beech Seal, the, 53.
Bench and Bar, chapter, 192.
Benedict, family of, 391.
Bennington, county of, original bound¬
aries, 17.
county of, particular boundaries de¬
scribed, 112.
division of county, 126.
battle of, 79.
mass-meeting at, 46.
Battle Monument Association, crea¬
tion of, 215.
battle day, 218.
Center, sixty years ago, 275.
town of, 241.
village of, 295.
early struggles for existence, 296.
some early industries, 298.
incorporation of, 300.
boundaries, 301.
Bennington, first officers of, 302.
ward divisions, 303.
village officers. 306.
fire department, 310.
department officers, 313.
police department, 316.
educational institutions, 317.
school officers. 321.
churches of village, 322.
banks of village, 325.
manufacturing interests, 327.
postmasters of the village, 334.
the Free Library, 335.
Soldiers' Home, 335.
societies and orders, 337.
water company, 340.
Bentley, family of, 396.
Bernard, Benjamin, 462.
British, negotiations with, 123.
Bigelow, Reuben, 461.
Dr. William, 292.
Bottum, family of, 439.
Bourne, family of, 391.
Boundaries, controversy concerning, 40.
Bloomer, Reuben, 415.
Burgoyne, Gen., takes command of Brit¬
ish, 70.
surrender of, 83.
Burr, Joseph, 394.
Burton, family of, 389.
CANADA, surrendered to British, 34.
Canfield, Malcolm, 396.
Castleton, British at, 77.
Charlotte, county formed by New York, 42.
Charters, kinds of, 35.
Chittenden, Thomas, proclamation of, 97.
Churches of Dorset, 424.
of Peru, 460.
Clark, Jeremiah, 438.
demons, Seneca S., 384-
Cochran, John, 418.
Collins, Thomas M., 419.
family of, 390.
582
History of Bennington County.
Committee of Safety, meeting of at Man¬
chester, 4S.
Congress, address to, 85.
committee of sent to Vermont, 105.
Constitution, adoption of for State, 95.
Cook, family of, 392.
Coy, Levi 1)., 394.
Council of Safety, proceedings of, 97.
County, the division of, 126
Courtdiouses, the destruction of, 12S.
Court, superior established, 110.
the first, 192.
Crandall, Jonathan, 419.
Crown Point, expedition against, 29.
Cumberland, county of formed, 42.
disaffection in, 105.
Curtis, family of, 420.
Zachariah, 415.
DANFORTH, Judge, 433.
Dean, family of, 392.
Deming, Eli, 4T4.
Dewey, Rev. Jedediah, 45.
Discoveries, by navigators, 20.
Dorset, conventions at, 63, 85, 87.
town of, 407.
marble interests of, 422.
population of, 426.
officers of, 426.
Dudley, Peter, 462.
Dummer, fort built, 26.
Dutch, settlement by, 23.
EAGLE Square Company, 444.
Eddy, family of, 394.
Edmund Manley Quarry, 424.
FAR WELL, George W., 419.
Fay, Stephen and Joseph, report of,
^ 46.
Federal Union, Vermont admitted to 125.
Francis, Col., death of, 71.
French and English wars, 27.
and Indian wars, *24.
Frontier, defense of, 103.
GARDNER, Abraham B., 291.
Glastenbury, town of, 500.
Gloucester, county of formed by New York.
, 42-
Grants, by the Crown, 34.
by Gov. Wentworth, 40.
Green Mountain Boys, organization of, 44.
tavern at Bennington, 54.
HALDIMAND, Gen., correspondence
with, 121.
Harmon, Reuben, 453.
Harbourville, 478.
Hawes, Silas, 444.
Hemenway, Lewis H., 384.
Herrick, Col., of rangers, 75.
Hicks, family of, 391.
Holley, family of, 417.
Hollister, family of, 391.
Hough, Benjamin, punishment of, 53.
Hubbard, Harrison, 397.
Hubbardton, battle at, 71.
Hudson River, discovery of, 22.
Hunt, Seth B., 294.
Hurd, Capt. Lewis, 449.
INDIANS, nations of, 18.
Saint Francis, destruction of, 33.
attitude of during Revolution, 62.
Indictments, for riot, 50.
Invasion, by Burgoyne, 73.
Isham, family of, 393.
JAIL, built at Manchester, 68.
Jameson, family of, 397.
Johnson, Sir William, 29.
Judges, succession of, 197.
Kellogg, Titus, 416.
Kent, Deacon Cephas, 415.
Kent, D. L. & Co., 423.
Kockburn, Surveyor, arrest of, 47.
LANDGROVE, town of, 496.
Laws passed by Assembly, 113.
Lottery established, object of, 114.
M ANCHESTER, county buildings at,
town history of, 340.
charter of, 342.
early proprietors' meeting, 345.
town organization and settlement,
345-.
succession of early officers, 346.
legislative meetings at, 359.
county buildings at, 360.
list of taxables, 361.
Colvin murder case, 365.
village history of, 367.
Burr and Burton, seminary, 370.
postmasters, 374.
Center, 374.
depot, 381.
personal history, 383.
Index.
583
Manley, John, jr., 414.
Marble, interests in Dorset, 422.
Marsh, James W., 385.
William, 414,
Martindale, Col., Stephen, 418.
Mason, John, grant to, 36.
Massachusetts, claims of, 105.
Mattis, Dinah, capture and emancipation
of, 96.
McNaughton, James E., 397.
Medical profession, chapter, 203.
Militia, organization of, 110-180.
Montcalm, campaigns of, 30.
Montgomery, Gen., death of, 65.
Montreal, surrender of to English, 40.
Morgan, Dr. Benj. F., 293.
Morse, Noah, 415.
Munro, John, exploits of, 50.
Munson, family of, 387,
NEW Connecticut, 90.
New Hampshire grants, the first
of, 18.
New Hampshire, controversy concerning,
104.
New Netherlands, conquest of, 39.
New York, claims of, 41.
controversy with, 105.
towns of annexed to Vermont, 108.
Nichols, Rev. Charles, 449.
North Bennington, village of, 286.
Number Four, fort, attack upon, 2S.
OLIN Gideon, 438.
Officers, chosen at Dorset conven¬
tion, 63.
Officers, elected for State, 101-15.
PADDOCK, Prince, 417.
Page, John F., 385.
Peace, treaty of between France and Eng¬
land, 25.
Peru, town of, 458.
physicians of, 461.
industries of, 461.
officers of, 463.
Petitions to New Hampshire, 49.
Pettibone, family of, 390.
Plymouth, establishment of, 22.
Post routes established, 131.
Pownal, town of, 429.
Press, the, chapter, 182.
American Register, 187.
Battle Ground, 189.
Bennington Banner, 190.
" County Whig, 188.
Press, Bennington Free Press, 189.
" News Letter, 186.
" Reformer, i^o.
Daily News, 189.
Horn of the Green Mountains, 1S8.
Journal of the Times, 187.
Manchester Journal, 190.
Plowman, 186.
Vermont Gazette. 183.
" Centennial, 189.
" Express, 1S8.
" Sentinel, 1S7.
Vermonter, 1S8.
Prince, S. F. & Co., 424.
Proclamation, by Burgoyne, 73.
by Gov. Try on, 49, 55.
Provinces, disputes concerning boundaries,
39-
Purdy, family of, 390.
Puritans, colonies established by, 22.
^~~^UEBEC, surrender of, 33.
READSBORO, town of, 481.
Rebellion, Bennington county dur¬
ing. T37-
Rebellion, the Second Regiment, 140.
the Fourth Regiment, 148.
the Fifth Regiment, 156.
the First Cavalry, 163.
the Tenth Regiment, 171.
the Fourteenth Regiment, 176.
Redding, David, the trial and execution of,
108.
Reed, Col., mill destroyed, 47.
Regiment, Warner's Continental, formed,
^7-
Revolution, beginning of, 59.
Roberts, family of, 385.
Robinson, James L., 419.
Samuel, agent to England, 43.
Samuel, death of, 44.
Silas, taken prisoner to Albany, 50.
Root, William, 457.
Rose, Samuel, attack upon, 50.
Rupert, town of, 452.
SAFETY, Council of, meet at Manches¬
ter, 75-
Sandgate, town of, 447.
industries of, 451.
Searsburg, town of, 489.
Shaftsbury, town of, 436.
chartering of, 437.
first settlers of, 437.
584
History of Bennington County.
Shay's rebellious subjects meet in,
442.
South, 445.
town records lost, 446.
Sheldon, David, 456.
Moses, 419.
Shumway, Capt. John, 418.
Simonds, David, 462.
Skinner, Richard, 393.
Slavery declared unlawful, 95.
Smith, Israel, 456.
John, explorations by, 22.
Martin, 456.
Noah, 194
William, 391.
Stark, Gen. John, sent to Vermont, 74.
St. Clair, Gen., retreat of, 71.
Strong, Gen. John, 420.
Stamford, town of, 502.
Sunderland, town of, 468.
Sykes, Horace S., 397.
Titus, 416.
TAX, levied for defensive service, 120.
Taylor. Joel, 456.
Thanksgiving, a day of ordered, 110.
The Bench and Bar, chapter, 192.
Bennington Battle Monument Asso¬
ciation, 219.
Bennington Historical Society, 235.
Centennial Commission, officers of,
215.
Ticonderoga, capture of by Ethan Allen, 61
evacuated by Americans, 70.
Tories, proceedings relating to, 67.
number of in county, 113.
Towns, when chartered, 128.
character of government of, 133.
Arlington, history of, 398.
Bennington, 241.
Dorset, 407.
Glastenbury, 500.
Landgrove, 496.
Manchester, 340.
Towns, Peru, 458.
Pownal, 429.
Readsboro, 481.
Rupert, 452.
Sanagate, 447.
Searsburg, 489.
Shaftsbury, 436.
Stamford, 502.
Sunderland, 468.
Winhall, 494,
Woodford, 475.
Trull, Edgar V., 385.
Tryon, Sir William, 45.
Tuttle, George, 396.
UNITY, county of changed to Cum¬
berland, 17.
Underbill, Capt. Abraham, 414.
VERMONT, appeal of, 107.
State of created, 89.
independence declared, 69.
Centennial anniversary, 214.
WAR, board of appointed, 117.
second with England (r8i2), 134.
of the Rebellion, 137.
Warner, Seth, chosen lieutentant-colonel,
63-
Wars, early, 24.
Westminster, convention at, 69.
Whipple, Stephen, 444.
Wickham, Rev. J. D., 395.
Williams, Oliver, 417.
Wilson, Oilman, 398.
Windsor, convention at, 92.
Winhall, town of, 494.
Woodford, town of, 475.
Wooster, Gen., letter to Col. Warner, 65.
Wyman, Edmond L., 384.
Deacon Thomas, 462.
YORK, Duke of, grant to, 36.
Young, Samuel B., 394.
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