USA > Vermont > Grand Isle County > History of Franklin and Grand Isle counties, Vermont : With illustrations and biographical sketches of some of the prominent men and pioneers. > Part 9
USA > Vermont > Franklin County > History of Franklin and Grand Isle counties, Vermont : With illustrations and biographical sketches of some of the prominent men and pioneers. > Part 9
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On evacuating the lake region, St. Clair at once marched to Hubbard- ton. leaving Seth Warner and his Green Mountain regiment and Colo- nel Eben Francis with a regiment of New Hampshire troops to guard the retreat in the rear. Under orders from Burgoyne, Colonel Fraser with twenty companies of English grenadiers, and Colonel Riedesel's infantry and reserve corps, started in pursuit of the retreating Ameri- cans. The latter were overtaken near Hubbardton, but instead of flee- ing in confusion the rear guard suddenly turned and made a vicious at- tack upon the pursuers. Francis charged the British three times in rapid succession, and only desisted when he fell from a serious wound. Colonel Warner's men fought steadily and with vigor but Colonel Ried- esel's reserve coming up, compelled them to break and flee to the woods. Warner, however, before his command became scattered, told them to re- pair at once to Manchester. While this battle was in progress St. Clair with the main force of 2,000 men marched to Fort Edward. The British did not continue the pursuit farther, but made their way back to the main army at Ticonderoga and adjacent posts.
The defeated Americans as soon as possible made their way to Man- chester, where they went into camp for much needed rest and recuper- ation. Here their number was considerably increased by new recruits, so that the original strength of the regiment was soon restored. On the 15th of July the Vermont Committee of Safety met at Manchester, and determined to raise as great a force as possible in the hope of check- ing Burgoyne's advance on Fort Edward. At the same time the com-
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mittee called upon New Hampshire and Massachusetts for aid, with the result that General John Stark, a veteran of the French war and who had served with credit at Bunker Hill, was commissioned by New Hamp- shire to march to the relief of the distressed Vermonters, and serve un - der a Continental commander, or independently, as he himself should elect. Stark, accompanied with about 800 men, at once set out for Manchester, crossing the Connecticut at Charleston, and thence over the mountains by way of Peru to Manchester, where his command encamped for a few days. General Stark was here placed in command of War- ner's regiment, which amounted to nearly 600 men, making his total strength about 1,400 men. After three days of rest, Stark, accompanied by Warner and the New Hampshire troops, proceeded to Bennington and held conferences with the leading residents regarding the future de- fences of that locality and the probable designs of the British. War- ner's regiment remained at Manchester under command of Major Saf- ford.
While these events were occurring in Vermont, General Schuyler, commander of the main army of Americans in New York, had aban- doned Fort Edward before the gradual approach of Burgoyne and taken a position at Saratoga; and on the 14th again retreated to one of the islands at the mouth of the Mohawk River. Schuyler was a cowardly, inefficient officer; continually promising resistance, but ever retiring be- fore the enemy. No sooner did he learn that General Stark had a con- siderable force in Vermont than he demanded that it should be joined to his army; and when Stark declined to comply with the demand, Schuyler reported to Congress, with the result that Stark was censured by that body. But at that particular time Vermont was mindful solely of her own interests, and Stark was in full sympathy with the state in this effort.
At the same time Burgoyne was slowly progressing southward, and reached the carrying-place between Lake George and the first navigable waters of the Hudson, where he was obliged to camp while the army baggage, artillery and stores were being transported from the lake to the river. While this was being accomplished Burgoyne found himself short of provisions and therefore at once set about replenishing his stock. He was informed by tories, many of whom had sought the British pro-
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tection, some of them from Vermont, that at Bennington was a large store-house well filled with such supplies as were most needed by the British army. That these might be secured, Burgoyne detached about 500 regulars, German troops or Hessians, together with a number of Canadians and Indians and a number of tories, all under command of Colonel Baum, to proceed to Bennington. Burgoyne also sent two other detachments to protect and assist if necessary this expedition; the one taking position on the east bank of the Hudson opposite Sara- toga, and the other making a stand at Battenkill. Towards the objec- tive point Baum at once set out, arriving at Cambridge twelve miles northwest from Bennington on the night of August 12th. On the 13th, learning that a party of Indians had been seen at Cambridge, Stark sent Lieutenant-Colonel Gregg with 200 men to check their advance, but was soon informed that a large body of British were coming on in rear of
the savages. Stark at once prepared to march, and sent a messenger to Manchester ordering Warner's regiment to come to his aid. The next day he started for Cambridge, but had marched only about seven miles when he met Gregg's force retreating, with the British only a mile behind them. Stark at once prepared for action and was ready when Baum appeared; but the latter, perceiving the strength sent to oppose him, halted, and soon began to intrench himself on a commanding piece of ground. For a day or two nothing was done on either side on ac- count of stormy weather, but on the 16th, Stark having matured his plan of action, the British works were surrounded, much to Baum's sur- prise, and a simultaneous attack made on every side. The battle com- menced at three o'clock in the afternoon and raged fiercely for two hours, resulting in the complete defeat of the invaders. Baum, himself, was mortally wounded and made a prisoner, while the greater part of his force was also captured. The prisoners were marched under guard to Bennington, and the Americans then scattered in quest of plunder and rest. All of a sudden, Breymann's force of British, which had been stationed at Battenkill, came up and commenced an attack upon the Americans. Surprised and confused, the latter made some resistance, but gradually fell back, and just when the tide of victory seemed turning against the Americans, the timely arrival of the Green Mountain Boys from Manchester re-enforced the wavering troops and gave them new
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courage. After a sharp fight which lasted till dark the British were again defeated and many of them captured. During the day the Americans lost less than thirty killed and about forty wounded, while the British loss was twice as great. Of the 692 prisoners taken, 400 were Hessians and the balance Tories, Canadians and English. Baum, the British commander, was mortally wounded. By this achievement at Bennington, although the battle was in fact fought on New York soil, the British army received its first decisive check. Connected with it there followed a complete train of events that directly led to the sur- render of Burgoyne's army and the consequent success of the American arms in the country. General Stark commanded the entire militia force of the Americans, but he was ably assisted by the intrepid young War- ner. The troops engaged on the side of the victors represented the three states, Vermont, New Hampshire and Massachusetts.
Following the battle of Bennington, there came to the British army still other and greater disasters during the year 1777. The failure on the part of Colonel Baum not only prevented Burgoyne from obtaining much needed supplies, but had the effect of causing desertions from his ranks of many of his Indian followers, and of a number of his Provincials and Tory sympathizers. Instead of increasing his forces he found his strength rapidly decreasing. His army remained in camp opposite Sar- atoga for some time, awaiting the arrival of Colonel St. Leger with re- enforcements and supplies, but the latter officer was forced to abandon his relief expedition on account of great disaffection among the Six Na- tion Indians. Burgoyne was now reduced to a desperate condition and determined to effect a retirement to Canada by way of Lake Champlain. By this time, however, the inefficient Schuyler had been succeeded by General Gates in the command of the American army in New York, and he not only fortified and otherwise strengthened his position near Burgoyne, but had cut off the means of British retreat by taking the po- sitions at Lake George, Ticonderoga and elsewhere in the Champlain region. On the 13th and 14th of September Burgoyne marched out his whole army, designing to attack Gates, who had taken a position on Bemus Heights, crossed the Hudson at Schuylerville on a bridge of boats and advanced toward Gates' position, but soon found his further pro- gress checked unless the Americans could be effectually dislodged.
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Following this Burgoyne occupied some days in developing his plan of attack, but on the 19th the contending armies met in battle, which, be- coming general, waged fiercely for about three hours, and until evening, with varying results, the chief advantage being with the Americans from the fact that they held their position and succeeded in crippling the British force, from which condition they could not recover. This was what has ever been known as the first battle at Stillwater. From the 20th of September to the 7th of October the armies lay near each other and engaged in frequent skirmishes. On the 7th Burgoyne determined to make a grand reconnaissance, and, if he could not defeat the Ameri- cans, to at least make a successful retreat with his own army. By the actions and maneuvers of his officers Burgoyne evidently invited an at- tack, which Gates at once accepted. The result was another Stillwater engagement, which commenced at four in the afternoon and lasted until night, in which the British were utterly and totally defeated with seri- ous loss. As a last resort Burgoyne once more determined to effect a retreat, but without giving battle to the Americans. To his great dis- may, he soon learned that the possibility of escape had been cut off, upon which he asked for a suspension of hostilities with a view of nego- tiating terms of surrender. This being granted him by Gates, the terms of capitulation were agreed to, and received the British commander's signature on the 17th of October; and signed by Burgoyne notwith - standing the fact that intelligence had been brought to him on the 16th to the effect that a strong re-enforcement was marching up the Hudson to his relief. Burgoyne himself was for delaying the surrender, but his council decided against him. By this surrender the number of British, officers and all who fell into the American hands, was 5,791; there were, besides, 1,856 prisoners of war, including the sick and wounded, which Burgoyne had abandoned. The total loss to the British in this northern campaign was near 10,000.
With the defeat and final surrender of the British army under Bur- goyne, the campaign of the year 1777, so far as this region of the coun- try was concerned, was settled. In the successes of the year's campaign the Green Mountain Boys played a prominent and important part, and they shared the successes of the American army, with which they had voluntarily become connected. And so far as Vermont was concerned
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the campaign of 1777 practically ended the war, for her troops were not afterward led forth to battle against the British. Notwithstanding this, the governing authorities by no means abandoned their military organi- zations, but constantly added to their strength and established defences along the northern and western frontiers This became necessary for the purpose of protecting the settled towns against the Indians, who were con- stantly invading the territory, burning and plundering the settlements, and either murdering the inhabitants or carrying them in capitivity to Canada. And it was the constant fear of these depredations that so ma- terially retarded settlement in the fertile regions of northern Vermont. Although the war was virtually closed in this part of the country, the English were organizing another army in Canada, and it was partially through their instigations that the Indians so frequently invaded this state; and as late as the year 1780 they plundered and burned the town of Royalton, on the east side of the mountains. In this affair, as well as others of a similar character, the great thoroughfare of travel was down the western borders of what is now Franklin county, among the islands that now comprise Grand Isle county, to the Onion or Winooski River, and by that stream eastward across the mountains. It is not surprising, therefore, that this particular region of the state was not occupied or settled until after the war had closed by the treaty of peace with Great Britain, and until the Indians had withdrawn permanently from the re- gion.
In due course of time another army was collected in Canada by the English, to be used for both aggressive and defensive purposes, and once more the state of Vermont was threatened with invasion by a civ- ilized foe; but at this juncture the British commander became cognizant of the peculiar situation of Vermont with reference to the adjacent states of New Hampshire, Massachusetts and New York, and of her relation to the Congress of the United States concerning the oft repeated refus- als of that body to recognize the separate jurisdiction and independence of Vermont as a commonwealth. Knowing this singular situation, the British commander sought to form an alliance with this state through her leaders; and to that end opened correspondence with Ethan Allen (who by this time had been released from English imprisonment) and others, controlling state affairs. The latter were astute enough to
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see the advantages to be derived by such negotiations as the British proposed, and at once gave attention to the subject, soliciting further correspondence and subsequent personal interviews So earnest, indeed, was the English officer in hoping to bring about an alliance that he agreed to an exchange of prisoners with the negotiators on the part of Vermont, which was duly accomplished. The correspondence was car- ried on with the utmost secrecy, and was not known at all to the great mass of the people in the state or elsewhere. The negotiations, too, were continued throughout a period of many months, about two years, although the English frequently became impatient at the apparent un- necessary delay, but they were as frequently satisfied by the plausible excuses and explanations offered by Vermont. This proceeding has al- ways been known as the "Negotiations with Canada" or the "Haldi- mand Correspondence." And not only did Vermont profit by these ne- gotiations, in the release of her people from imprisonment, in protecting by diplomacy her borders and territory from hostile invasion, but a great benefit likewise accrued to the United States in that during the period of their continuance an English army of 10,000 men was kept in a state of inactivity, and never left Canada to invade the territory of the United States. The war at length closed, peace was again restored, but Congress, on account of the persistent opposition of New York, would not recognize Vermont's great service to America by granting her a separate existence; nor was that end attained until nearly a half score of years afterward. Thus proves again the saying that nations are un- grateful.
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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN AND GRAND ISLE COUNTIES.
CHAPTER VIII.
County Erections under New York-Those East and West of the Green Mountains Cumberland County-Albany County Erected-Charlotte County Set Off-The County Seats-Counties Formed by Vermont-Bennington and Cumberland-Washington County Erected-Changed to Rutland-Addison County Formed-Chittenden County Created-Organization of Franklin County-Of Grand Isle County-Towns of Frank- lin and Grand Isle Counties-How They Were Granted-Their Organization.
A PRECEDING chapter of this volume has already mentioned the fact of the division of the territory of Vermont into counties under the authority of New York. This action was first taken soon after the king's order of July 20, 1764, had decreed the territory of this state to be a part of the province of New York, although the right of jurisdiction had been previously claimed and contended for. But, as there were then no settlements in this northern part of the state, there were no contentions nor controversies regarding the lands hereabouts, except as the grantees of the French seigniories sought to have their titles con - firmed by New York, which was scarcely ever done, as the English gov- ernment had no affection for the French, and when the New York repre - sentatives were disposed to resist the French claims, which they invaria- bly did, the mother country had no option other than deny the applica- tions for confirmations. Therefore, in the present chapter it will not be necessary to refer again, except incidentally perhaps, to the French pos- sessions in this region, as under them it is understood that no settlements were made and continued after the extinction of the French dominion in America by the treaty of 1763.
At the time in which the king's order decree was made, and even be- fore that, the jurisdiction of Albany county included all that now com- prises Vermont, but when that decree was promulgated, that there might be no doubt on the subject, the jurisdiction was formally ex- tended over this territory by New York's governor. The county seat was at Albany. In 1766, on the 3d of July, the district of the so-called New Hampshire grants was erected by New York into one county, by the name of Cumberland and its county seat was fixed at Chester, now
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in Windsor county, Vermont, in which locality there was less resistance to the authority of New York than in the towns west of the mountains; but even there the opposition was such as induced the removal of the county seat to Westminster, the latter being the stronghold of New York in the district. But this plan seems not to have operated to the entire satisfaction of the Yorkers, and was continued in existence only until 1772. And in 1770, by a proceeding had March 7th, New York erected Gloucester county, comprising all the district east of the mount- ains and north of the south line of the towns of Tunbridge, Strafford and Thetford. In 1772 New York made a change in the county organiza- tions west of the mountains for the purpose, as the act recited "that of- fenders may be brought to justice, and creditors may recover their just dues." By this act, which was adopted March 12th, the county of Char- lotte was created, comprising the district of the state west of the mount- ains and north of the north lines of Sunderland and Arlington. Within the jurisdiction of this county was of course included all the territory that now comprises Franklin and Grand Isle counties. The county seat was fixed at Skeenesborough, now Whitehall, a place concededly within the province of New York, and so fixed that "justice," as under- stood by New York, might be administered with less interruption than would have characterized the proceedings of the court had the shire town been located east of the twenty-mile line. The remaining portion of the district of the grants, west of the mountains, was at the same time annexed to Albany county, with Albany as the county seat, and for the same reasons that moved the authorities to designate Skeenesborough as the shire town of Charlotte county. As thus created, these four county erections were continued without material alteration so long as New York exercised or attempted to maintain jurisdiction over the dis- trict of the grants; and they passed out of existence when that state ceased to oppose the separate statehood of Vermont, just before the in- dependence of the latter was recognized by Congress, in 1791.
In 1777 the convention of delegates representing the several towns of this district declared the independence of Vermont; and in pursuance of the plan of government soon afterward adopted by her authorities, the territory was divided into two counties-Bennington, west of the mountains, and Unity, afterward changed to Cumberland, on the east.
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This division into counties was made in March, 1778, although the act establishing the dividing lines or boundaries of the counties was not passed until February, 1779. Each county was granted shire towns, those of Bennington being fixed at Bennington and Rutland, respect- ively, while the shires of Cumberland were located at Westminster and Newbury, respectively. The first division of Bennington county was made on the 8th of November, 1780, by the passage of an act, but not recorded, which created the county of Washington, but which act was re-passed on February 13, 1781, and the name Rutland given the county. Rutland county embraced all the lands of the state that lay north of the present north line of Bennington county, and of course in- cluded what is now Franklin and Grand Isle counties.
During the years immediately following this division of Bennington county, the war was ended, the independence of America was estab- lished, and the hostile Indians had generally withdrawn to a more con- genial locality than was offered by longer inhabiting northern Vermont. And during the same time, too, the government of the state had made extensive grants of unchartered lands in this region, for the purpose of replenishing the state exchequer, which had become exhausted on ac- count of the events of the war and the controversy with New York. These grants by the state were generally made on condition that the land should be occupied and settled within a certain time after settle- ment could be made with safety. The ending of the war and with- drawal of the Indians made settlement possible, and, as a result, the lands in the northern region of the state were rapidly taken up and oc- cupied. To such an extent had the population increased that by 1785 the organization of a new county west of the mountains became neces- sary; therefore, by an act of Assembly, passed October 18th of that year, Addison county was created, taking all the territory west of the mountains and north of the present north line of Rutland county. (It may be stated, however, that a slight change was afterwards made in the southern boundary of Addison county.) The towns of Addison and Colchester were designated half shires of the county.
Only two years later, by an act of Assemby passed the 22d of Oc- tober, 1787, Addison county was, in turn, divided and its northern por- tion erected into Chittenden county. This last creation embraced all
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the territory between the north lines of Ferrisburgh, Monkton, Bristol, Lincoln and Warren, and the Canada line; was bounded on the west by the west line of the state, which line followed the deepest channel of the lake, passing east of the Four Brothers and west of Grand Isle and Isle La Motte.
On the 5th day of November, 1792, the General Assembly passed an act by which Chittenden county was divided, and out of its territory Franklin county was created. The descriptive part of that act was as follows: "Beginning at the northwest corner of Chittenden county, (meaning the contemplated northwest corner,) thence easterly on the northerly line of Chittenden county to the southeast corner of Sterling; from thence northerly on the easterly line of the towns Sterling, John- son, Belvidere, Avery's Gore, Montgomery and Richford, to the north line of the state; from thence westerly on the line of the state, to the west line thereof; from thence southerly on the west line of the state, to the place of beginning." The above description, although purporting to be according to the original act, is taken from the act that was passed by the Assembly in 1797, at which time the bounds of the several coun - ties were particularly defined.
According to the foregoing description, and as a matter of fact, the towns now known as South Hero and Grand Isle were not included within Franklin county as created by the act of 1792, nor did they or either of them ever form a part of that county, but remained integral parts of Chittenden county until the erection of Grand Isle county, in 1802.
In the course of events Franklin county has twice been called upon to surrender of its towns to new county formations; first, by an act passed November 9, 1802, that took the towns of Alburgh, Isle La Motte and North Hero, which, with South Hero and the present town of Grand Isle, they being taken from Chittenden county, were erected into Grand Isle county; and second, by an act passed October 26, 1835, which took the towns of Belvidere, Cambridge, Johnson and Sterling, and constituted them a part of Lamoille county.
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