USA > Vermont > Bennington County > History of Bennington County, Vt. : with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 41
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"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.
' Upon this subject we quote freely from Judge Munson's address,
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TOWN OF MANCHESTER.
! . November, 1766 the inhabitants of Manchester, together with their bretli- "," of other to vns, petitioned the king for a confirmation of their titles. Three virs later a committee of settlers, of which Benjamin Purdy was a member, titi med the governor of New Hampshire to interpo-e 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- gresive 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- i,es of Samuel Ros ., in the so ithern 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 on the pain of being viewed;" 1"and that no person should take grants or confirmation of grants under the government of New York." In explination 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.
The 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 revolution 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,
' The process of " viewing " mentioned above will be found described in an earlier chapter,
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HISTORY OF BENNINGTON COUNTY.
so far as it related to a discussion of the events uppermost in the minds of the settlers, was adjourne I 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 1775 appear to have been confine ! to the resolutions adopted at the meeting held at Mirtin Powel's, heretofore referred to, at which it was voted, "that Joseph Lockwood, Gideon Orm by, Daniel Beardsley, and Martin Powel be a committee to act with the other committees upon the New Hampshire Grants with regar I to the title of our lands;" also voted " that Samuel Rose, sen., William Marsh, and Eliakim Weller be continued a committee of corresponde:ice 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 mule and an attempt mide 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 tin 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
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TOWN OF MANCHESTER.
..: some point on the west side of the mountain for securing Tories. The mat- :rt 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- phier 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 on 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. Seth 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 on their conquering tour, and no enemy's troops came in force to this locality.
"Warner," says Judge Munson's address, "established his camp on the hill southwest of the village, on the premises now generally known as the Swift farnı. 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.
' "Thompson's Vermont,"
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HISTORY OF BENNINGTON COUNTY.
During this period of suspense the Council of Safety were in alinost 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 Ist 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 Ticonderoga after which they returned to Manchester. General Lincoln was soon called to another field of operations, 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 recalled. 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,
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TOWN OF MANCHESTER.
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 military operations in the town of Manchester, but, nevertheless, local organizations were maintained and the town authorities were alert to the necessities of the frontier. For the year of 1778 the Committee of Safety was as follows: Martin Powel, Stephen Washburn, Gideon Ormsby, Thomas Barney, Jeremiah Whelpley, Thomas 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 on the grants were at lib- erty to resume their accustomed labors; and there seems to have been not so much determination on 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 place 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 Ormsby, were at that time the town repre- sentatives. The second meeting of the Legislature at Manchester was held on the 10th 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.
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HISTORY OF BENNINGTON COUNTY.
The County 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 cach 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 Magasine, 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, cach 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
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TOWN OF MANCHESTER.
1: Is been made from the "lists" on 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, Seth Al- len, jr., James Anderson, James Arnold, William Bedel, jr., J. Boorn 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 Hawley, Truman Hurd, Perry Hard- en, John Hogaboom, A. and J. Hogaboom, Asahel Hawley, Benjamin Hicks, Daniel Hicks, Daniel Hicks, jr., Shubel Handy, Clark Hyde, E. S. Hollister, James Hickox, jr., Beriah Howard, Eli Howard, Silas Hubbell, Lyman Hotch- kiss, Ezra Isham, William and James Jameson, Oliver Jewell, Daniel Jones, William Jones, Samuel Jacobs, Thonias Johnson, Daniel Jacobs, Simcon Kimp- ton, Hubbel 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, Eli 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 Sutlı- erland, Enos Smith, Samuel Sturdevant, Serenus Swift, Peletiah Soper. John
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HISTORY OF BENNINGTON COUNTY.
Smith, James Sturdevant, Frederick Smith, Jere. Stratton, Truman Squire. Moses Sperry, B. and S. Strait, George Strait, Stephen Stoddard, William Smith, Benjamin Sutherland, Samuel Sutherland, John E. Sperry, Roger Sutherland, Philo 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 Taylor, 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 Balclı, Nathaniel Backus, Charles Bulkley, Stephen Boorn, Russel Colvin, John Collins, Silas Canfield, Simon Curtis, Gad Cooley, Leonard Foster, Truman Ilind, James Hickox, jr., Abraham Hogaboom, Silas Hubbell, 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, Jolin 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.
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