USA > Vermont > Windsor County > Royalton > History of Royalton, Vermont, with family genealogies, 1769-1911 > Part 12
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The pay roll of Capt. Woodward's company was accident- ally discovered by Dr. Cox. The original is in the Pension De- partment at Washington. The pay of the captain was £6 per month, of the lieutenant, £4, of the commissary, £3, of the ser- geants £2-4, and of the corporals £2-4 per month. The privates each received two pounds per month, and all except the com- missioned officers received a bounty of £1-10. They were mus- tered out October 4, 1776. The pay of the entire company
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HISTORY OF ROYALTON, VERMONT
amounted to £249-6-9, their "Billiting" or board bill to £99-15-1, and their doctor's bill to £2-7-5, making a total of £351-9-3. This, of course, does not represent the cost of the fort, as they were no doubt, during these three months, engaged in scouting much of the time. Capt. Woodward receipted for the sum total as follows :
"Exeter Oct. 24th 1776
Received of the Committee of Safety the above sum of Three hundred and fifty one pounds nine shillings, and three pence by order of the Treasr.
Copy exm J. Gillman.
David Woodward Capt."
The pay roll included the following names:
David Woodward, Capt., enlisted July 5; Abel Lyman, Lieut., July 5; Joshua Hazen, Commis., July 5; John Bacon, Sergeant, July 7; John Colburn, Sergt., July 8; Joel Brown, Sergt., July 7; Benjamin Davis, Corporal, July 7; Ashael Tucker, Corp., July 7; Elkanah Sprague, Corp., July 8; privates, Asa Hodge, July 7; Canet Sawyer, July 7; David Haze, July 7; Daniel Bliss, July 8; Eleazer Woodward, July 8; Gershom Dun- ham, July 8; Experience Trisket, July 7; Jeremiah Meacham, July 8; John Lyman, July 8; Isaac Bridgman, July 7; Luther Lincoln, July 7; Luther Wheatley, July 8; Nathan Chaffe, July 7; Samuel Baley, July 8; Silas Tinney, July 7; Thomas Hails, July 7; Walter Peck, July 8; David Wright, Aug. 16; Jonathan Wright, Aug. 16; Nathaniel Burbe, July 8. Of this number Benjamin Davis, David Haze (Hayes?), Gershom Dunham, Samuel Baley, and David Wright were pensioners, and possibly others.
This list gives twenty-nine names besides commissioned offi- cers, but money orders were drawn for thirty members. The name of Joseph Curtis is not in this list, but he may have been the thirtieth man, whose name was accidentally omitted. Why he should have been given the command in the absence of Capt. Woodward, as stated by Mr. Chase, is not clear. One would suppose that the next officer in rank would have filled the va- cancy.
Where was the Royalton fort located ? has been a question most difficult to answer. In the first recorded survey of roads, 1783, mention is made of the "old fort fordway," which was 82 rods below the mouth of the First Branch. This places the "fort fordway" where a fordway still exists on the farm of the late James Bingham, the fordway that connects with the Sharon road on the north side of the river fifty or more rods from the old Pierce hotel. In another survey made in 1793 the heading reads, "Survey of the road from ye fordway at ye old fort &c." "Beginning at ye usial place of fording the river thence N 32
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HISTORY OF ROYALTON, VERMONT
W 26 rd to the Great road going up & down ye river This line describes ye scentre of this road being three rods wide." This is plainly on the north side of the river, as the distance from the road to the river on the south side is 80 or more rods. At a meeting held March 20, 1781, it was voted to build a pound at the crotch of the road west of the old fort. In 1780 Elisha Kent had been chosen pound keeper. Mr. Kent lived on the south side of the river, and one of his descendants says that his first house was on the east side of the present road, now known as Windsor street. In 1781 Daniel Rix was chosen pound keeper. He also lived on the south side of the river in 1780. In Sharon records the place of holding Sabbath services as agreed upon between Sharon and Royalton in 1777 was, for Royalton, "in the crotch of the road near the fort."
Now, it would not be supposed that Mr. Kent or Mr. Rix would be expected to cross the river in their care of the pound, especially as their land was on the south side of the stream. The Sunday meetings must have been in some house or barn. In 1777 it is very probable that the river road on the south side did not extend much, if any, above the fort fordway. There would then be a "croch" where the road, which then ran nearer the river than now, turned almost at right angles toward the river. Mr. Kent's house might have been near the old fort, if the fort were on the south side of the river. What more prob- able than that meetings were held at his house? His father was a minister and preached the first sermon in town, and the Kent house was conveniently located to accommodate the major- ity of the inhabitants at that date. Henry Manchester, who came to Royalton when a young boy, says that with other boys he used to play on the Kent meadow, and there was then pointed out to him the location of the old fort, and at that time remains of some of the earthworks thrown up could be seen. He is not able to locate it definitely now, as the meadow has been greatly changed. A son of Mr. Kent diverted the water course on the hills southwest of the village, and washed much of the hill on to the meadow to fill in. Did he think to do this, because the stream had once been brought down to supply the fort? The meadow has also been changed by filling in at the time the race course was laid out. By the fordway on the south side runs a stream, now small, but at one time large enough to run a saw mill, the remains of which can still be seen.
It has been thought by some that the fort was located where the Gilbert-Pierce hotel was later. The record of 1781 relating to the pound locates the crotch of the road west of the fort. If the fort were on the site of the Pierce hotel, the road then ran on the opposite side of the house from what it does now. No
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HISTORY OF ROYALTON, VERMONT
evidence has as yet been found that it ever ran in that direction. That location would lay the fort open to the weapons of the In- dians and British on the surrounding hills, from which they could get plain views of the garrison, and besides it does not seem to tally with the other records which refer to the fort. The river would separate the fort from the steep hills on the north side, if it were located on the Kent meadow.
A reference to the fort was found in an index to the "Ste- vens Papers," but diligent search and inquiry brought out the fact, that neither at Albany, N. Y., Burlington, nor Montpelier could that particular volume be found. A marginal note in the office of the Secretary of State at Montpelier stated that certain volumes of the Stevens Papers, that one among them, were lost to the state, and at Albany it was claimed that the volume with others had been sent to the Vermont government officials some years before. It is doubtful if it will ever be known positively just where the old fort was located.
How long the fort was utilized for a garrison can only be conjectured. It was thus occupied during the three months that Capt. Woodward made it a center from which he sent out his scouts. It is likely that it never afterwards was thus used ex- cept for a brief time. The local militia may have made a camp of it on training days. There was such a training in May, 1780, when Jonathan Carpenter attended. Other troops may have also used it as a camping place. A part of Capt. Jesse Safford's Company was sent to "Camp" at Royalton in July, 1780. (Ver- mont Revolutionary Rolls, page 185.) In this company was Experience Trescott, who drew pay for fifteen miles' travel. One detachment was sent at the time of the Indian raid on Bar- nard, Aug. 9, 1780, when a band of twenty-one Indians and tories came up Lake Champlain and over to Stockbridge in search of Major Ben Whitcomb, who had killed Gen. Gordon near Three Rivers, Canada. Baffled in their object they went on to Bar- nard, where they captured David Stone, Timothy Newton, Thomas Martin Wright, and Prince Haskell. The news of the raid soon spread, and Capt. Elisha Burton's company from Nor- wich was sent to "Head Quarters" at Royalton. They drew pay for two days' service and eighteen miles of travel. The old fort may have sheltered these troops. In this company were Samuel Curtis, Roswell and Cyprian Morgan. The fort may have also done service for Capt. Joseph Parkhurst's company called out at the same time, and composed of Royalton and Shar- on men.
The Barnard Alarm resulted in an immediate gathering of selectmen and militia officers at Captain Marsh's in Hartford, as stated in the diary of Jonathan Carpenter, who was then in
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HISTORY OF ROYALTON, VERMONT
Pomfret. This impromptu body planned the two forts at Bar- nard and Bethel, later called Fort Defiance and Fort Fortitude. Their action was sanctioned by the Board of War sitting at Arlington after the fortifications were well under way. The fort at Barnard was begun in a few days after the raid, and no doubt the Bethel fort was begun about the same time. This fort is of especial interest to Royalton people from the fact, that Capt. Joseph Parkhurst's company was detailed to build it, which they did in six days. The record of the cost of this fort as given in the Vermont Revolutionary Rolls, page 704, follows:
"State of Vermont. Dr.
Names & Rank
Jo. Parkhurst, Capt .- To six days at 7/4 per day
£2. 5.0
Medad Benton
To six days at 5 per day
2.10.0
Carting boards 2 yoke of Oxen at 1/8 pr day S
Timo. Durkee To six days at 5/ pr day, 1 day Carting do do 2. 0.0
Daniel Havens
To six days at 5/ pr day 1 yoke Oxen
six days at 2/ do
2. 2.0
John Hebbard Jr.
To six days at 5/ pr day oxen 6 days Carting Boards
2.12.0
Robt Handy
66
1.10.0
Israel Wallow
66
66
1.10.0
Benjn Day
66 66
60
1.10.0
Ebenr Parkhurst
60
66
1.10.0
Saml Ladd
1.10.0
John Crara
66
66
1.10.0
Wm. Crara
66
1.10.0
Elisha Kent
66
66 66
1.10.0
Stephen Powel
66
66 66
1.10.0
John Billings
66 66 66
1 yoke oxen 6 days 12/
2. 2.0
Elias Curtis
66
66 66
1.10.6
Nathl Morse
66
66
1 yoke oxen 6 days 12/
2. 2.0
Robt. Havens
six hundred & fifty feet of Board at 3/ pr. hund.
0.16.6
Ebenr Bruster
" 1000 ft. Boards at 1/10 pr 1000
1.10.0
Zeb. Lyon
" 1500 ft.
66 3/ 100
2. 5.0
Timo. Durkee
1600 ft.
66
66
2. 8.0
Danl Rix
" Carting Baggage & Boards 2 days,
2 yoke oxen
1. 0.0
Nathan Morgan
66
66
Boards
1 day
2 yoke oxen
10.0
John Hebbard Jr
66
66
10.0
Benjn Parkhurst
66
10.0
Elias Stevens
66
66
66
66
66
10.0
Jer. Parkhurst
To Carting Boards 1 day 2 yoke oxen
10.0
Medad Benton
" six days work of oxen at 2/ pr. day
12.0
66
Jonathan Wow(Waugh ?)“ 66 66 66
1.10.0
Daniel Lovejoy
66
66
1.10.0
66
66
£44.14.6
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HISTORY OF ROYALTON, VERMONT
These may certify the within acct. is true.
Woodstock, Sep. 25th 1780.
Jesse Safford Capt.
State of Vt. Windsor Coy, Sharon Feb. 13th, A. D. 1783. Personally appeared Capt. Jo. Parkhurst, and made solemn oath, that the within is a just acct. errors excepted. Before me,
Joel Marsh, Jus. Peace.
Pay Table Office
Feb. 20th 1783 The within acct. examined & approved, the Treasurer is directed to pay the same to Capt. Jos. Parkhurst or bearer, it being forty-four pounds fourteen shillings & six pence.
£44.14.6 John Strong, Isaac Tichenor, Come
Treasurer's Office,
Windsor Feb. 24th 1783 Recd of Ira Allen, Esqr Treasr the con- tents of the above order, being forty-four pounds fourteen shillings & six pence, lawful money. Calvin Parkhurst."
From this table it is seen that nineteen men were employed in the actual construction of Fort Fortitude, and the same num- ber of yoke of oxen, and there were about forty-four days' work with the oxen all told, mostly two yoke. Boards were purchased to the amount of 4750 feet. Daniel Rix was one who carted "Baggage" and boards. He lived at this time near the Roy- alton fort, if it were located on the Kent meadow. The fact that Capt. Parkhurst's company was detailed to build the fort at Bethel, that so much carting was required, also that so few boards were bought, has led to the inference that Royalton fort was taken down and transported to Bethel to build Fort Forti- tude. All three forts must have been rather primitive affairs. At the time Royalton Fort was built, there was no saw mill in town, the certificate of the completion of the first saw mill being dated January, 1777. The lumber for the fort could not have been obtained nearer than Sharon. Joel Marsh had a mill there, but there was complaint in 1777 that it was not kept in repair for use, so that it is quite likely the lumber in part, at least, was brought from Hartford, and that hewn logs ready at hand fur- nished the greater part of the material used in the erection of the fort. Volume II of Governor and Council, page 38, contains the following Resolve of the Board of War sitting at Arlington, Aug. 21st.
"Resolved that Colo. J. Marsh, Colo. J. Safford, Maj. B. Wait, Capt. Sever, Capt. J. (probably Jesse) Safford, & Capt. (Benjamin) Cox be a Committee to station Capt. Safford's & Capt. Cox's Companies of Rangers. That they stake out the ground for fourts and give direc- tions how said fourts and covering shall be built. That said building shall be erected in the cheapest manner having refferance to the pres- ent campaign only, as the lands that the several surveyors are now surveying to the W. & North of you will be a settling next spring, which will make it necessary that a line of fourts should be erected further back."
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HISTORY OF ROYALTON, VERMONT
It was not expected that these forts would be used for any length of time, as the frontier was a moving line. The reference to the fort at Royalton in the Sharon church records indicates its existence in February, 1777. If it was removed to Bethel in August, 1780, it had an existence of about four years. Fort Fortitude is said to have been located just south of the old pas- senger depot, and some remains of it were dug up when the rail- road was built through Bethel. The first garrison was Jesse Safford's Company, composed of men who had volunteered from several towns, including Royalton, Pomfret, and Sharon. Among Capt. Safford's men were Lieut. Zebulon Lyon, Heman Dargy (Durkee), Experience Fassett (Trescott), Jona. Benton, John Kent, Cipporn (Cyprian) Morgan, Jabez Parkis (Parkhurst) and John Willcocks (Wilcox), who were either at that time or later residents of Royalton. They enlisted between the dates, July 27 and Aug. 20, and were discharged Dec. 1, 1780. The name of Josiah Goodrich does not appear in the Pay Roll of the Company, but is found in the Archives of New York. Capt. Safford gave Goodrich a certificate stating that his name was accidentally omitted, and that eighteen shillings and eight pence were due him. Goodrich addressed the following to the Com- mittee of the Pay Table, and the sum due was paid to Mr. Bur- ton. "Norwich, Feb. 5th 1781, Ira Allen, Sir, Please to pay to Elisha Burton, all my wages due to me, while I was with Capt. Safford at Royalton." Capt. John Benjamin's Company was stationed at Fort Fortitude a part of 1781. He was followed by Capt. Beriah Green of Barnard. At the time of the Royalton Alarm a number of companies were called to the Bethel Fort, but space forbids naming them. During its history about 400 men either visited or garrisoned the fort. In 1782 Corporal Ex- perience Trescott, Joseph and David Waller, militiamen from Royalton, joined Capt. Green's forces at Bethel, and three days later three men from Sharon, William Walbridge, Pardon Mosher, and Nathaniel Wheeler, all being discharged October 20, 1782.
Benjamin Cox brought in an account of 44 days' labor at 4/ per day, and oxen 10 days at 2/ per day, amounting to £9.16.0 for building Fort Defiance at Barnard in August and September, 1780. His account was paid June 25, 1781. The cost of Fort Defiance was only about one-fifth that of Fort For- titude. The Barnard fort was erected around Bicknell's house, and so considerable expense was saved. Amos Bicknell was Assistant Commissary of Issues for the troops of the State, which were stationed at Barnard from Sept. 3, 1780, to Nov. 15, 1780. Dr. Cox is.a descendant of Capt. Cox, and has in his possession the powder horn which the Captain carried during the Revolu-
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HISTORY OF ROYALTON, VERMONT
tionary War. On this horn is carved a picture of Barnard fort, a reproduction of which Dr. Cox very generously furnished for the History of Royalton. These forts were probably piquet forts, with bastions at the corners,-flankers they called them. Logs were sharpened at one end and set upright in the ground so that they worked on the same principle in keeping the enemy out, as picket fences do in keeping chickens in an enclosure. The flanker allowed a man to stand within it and protect the side where it was located.
While searching the manuscript records in the office of the Secretary of State at Montpelier I found the following bills. Huckens Storrs was owner of the saw mill later known as the Pierce mill.
"Royalton June 1781 State of Vermont Dr. by order of Capt. Benjamin Commandant £SD
"for Sawing of Timber 800 feet at 6 S pr Hundred 2.8.0
for Sawing of Slit work 100 feet 0.1.0
for Sawing of Bords 1050 feet at 1s and 6d pr Hundred 3.5.3"
This bill was due to Huckens Storrs and Daniel Gilbert receipted for him.
"Roialton June 1781
State of Vermont to John Hawkins Dr.
by agreement with John Benjamin Commanding officer at that post to Build a blockhouse for which I was to have four pound Lawfull money.
£4.0.0 atest John Benjamin Capt"
Oct. 27, 1785, at Windsor the account was examined and al- lowed, Timothy Brownson and Israel Smith being the Committee. The same day John Hawkins receipted. Capt. Benjamin's Com- pany was stationed at Fort Fortitude from March 3, 1781, until Nov. 25, 1781. (Vt. Rev. Rolls, page 790.) The first bill may have been for repair of the fort or for the building of the block- house. "That post" in the second bill makes the meaning am- biguous as to the location of the blockhouse. Was it in Bethel or Royalton ? Dr. Cox says there were three blockhouses in Barnard. None are known to have been in Royalton. No per- son by the name of Hawkins appears in the records of Royalton in the early years. The bills were probably made out about the time the debt was incurred, and Hawkins may have been staying temporarily in Royalton.
JONATHAN TRUMBULL
ESQUIRES
Captain-General, and Commander in Chief, of the State of CONNECTICUT, in AMERICA.
To Benjamin . Morgan Tu
Gent. GREETING.
YOU being by the General Affembly of this State accepted to be Gasignofthe & Company In Trainband in the Town of Preston, as by your former Commection dated 19 hop October A Dom 11/2. after
Repofing fpecial Truff and Confidence in your Fidelity, Courage, and good Conduct, I do, by Virtue of the Laws of this State, me thereunto enabling, appoint and impower you to take the faid Company into your Care and Charge as their Consegn carefully and diligently to difcharge that Truft ; exercifing your inferior Officers And Soldiers in the Ufe of their Arms, according to the Difcipline of War, ordained and eftablithed by the Laws of this State ; keeping them in good Order and Government, and commanding them to obey you as their And your are to obferve all fuch Orders and Di- ensign
rections, as from Time to Time you fhall receive, either from me. or other your fuperior Officer; purfuant to the Truft hereby repofed in you. 1
Given under my Hand, and the Seal of this State, in Hartford the Ah. Day of lovemb Anno Domini 1778
By His EXCELLENCY's Command, Garage ilys. SECRY.
COMMISSION OF BENJAMIN MORGAN, JR.
Fort DeFrance Which Was Chrisoned Nov. y. 2:1750 / The STATE OF VERMONT " (BERNARD)
1
Bicknell's 2.1. HOLLSE. (Ham nie nid's]
Indian raid Aug 9Th ; Fort Commenced Aug 14th Finishza before sept 24th: Built round Bicknell's House
Stars
House
FORT DEFIANCE AT BARNARD, 1780.
1
CHAPTER X.
REVOLUTIONARY AFFAIRS.
When the Revolutionary War broke out, when the signal for a general uprising spread from town to town in the Ameri- can Colonies, when the shot was fired "heard round the world," Royalton had few settlers, perhaps not more than half a dozen families, and lacked a town organization. The history of 1775 must deal largely with general conditions, and the action of towns then organized on the Connecticut river in the near neigh- borhood of the young settlement at Royalton.
The New Hampshire Grants which had been exposed to the depredations of French and Indians in previous years, now be- came an opposing frontier to the British and their savage allies. Ticonderoga and Crown Point were most important posts, hold- ing the key which unlocked the door for a free entrance into New York and the Grants, and through them to the New Eng- land colonies. Ethan Allen, called a Green Mountain boy, though born in Connecticut, with the energy and courage which ever characterized him, lost no time in an effort to get posses- sion of these coveted posts, and his success has passed into his- tory, and given lasting glory and honor to his name. In a cer- tain sense, then, Vermont took the lead in winning the first substantial victory of this great conflict.
Murmurings of rebellion had been heard long before the Lexington alarm. The colonists foresaw the certainty of a re- sort to arms, ere they could gain their rights. With their accus- tomed sagacity they made such preparations as their limited means and opportunities afforded. As early as March 4, 1775, Hanover, the wide-awake New Hampshire town, had appointed Israel Curtis, Capt. Edmund Freeman, and Lieut. Timothy Dur- kee to engage a man to come there and make guns. It would be interesting to know how long it took this man to make a gun, what facilities and materials for work he had, and the style and power of the weapon he manufactured.
New York was a claimant of the Grants in 1775, and took active steps to conciliate the disaffected ones. The Continental Congress also realized the service the men on the Grants might 7
1
98
HISTORY OF ROYALTON, VERMONT
render the American cause, and gave due credit to the achieve- ment of Ethan Allen in securing the two posts on Lake Cham- plain. June 23, 1775, it voted to pay the men engaged in capturing Ticonderoga and Crown Point, and recommended the employing of the Green Mountain men. John Hancock, Presi- dent of the Congress, wrote the next day to the Provincial Con- gress of New York, informing it of the measures proposed, stat- ing that it was the opinion of the Continental Congress "that the Employing the Green Mountain Boys in the American Army would be advantageous to the common Cause, as well on account of their scituation as of their disposition & alertness, they are desirous You should Embody them among the Troops you shall raise. As it is represented to the Congress, that they will not serve under any officers but such as they themselves Choose, You are desired to consult with General Schuyler, in whom the Congress are informed these People place a great Confidence, about the Field officers to be set over them."
The Provincial Congress voted to employ the Green Moun- tain Boys, and received Ethan Allen in consultation. In raising the proposed number of 500 men, they were to choose their own officers, except the field officers, and could express their prefer- ence in the selection of these. These troops were to be an inde- pendent body. Allen presented a list of officers, in which he nominated himself and Seth Warner as field officers, but com- mittees from towns west of the Green Mountains met at Dorset and chose Seth Warner, Lieut. Colonel, and Samuel Safford, Major. The Provincial Congress not wishing to decide the con- troversy over field officers, left the selection to General Schuyler, who politely declined the honor, saying it was too delicate a matter for him. This threw the responsibility back upon the Provincial Congress, which shouldered it, and made the appoint- ments for which the men had shown a preference. Allen did not sulk, but continued to serve. He joined Schuyler without a commission, and raised a body of 250 Canadians, with one-half of which he attacked Montreal, but owing to the superior force of the enemy he had to yield himself a prisoner.
The men in this independent regiment were to be provided with coats of coarse green cloth, faced with red, and 250 of the coats were of large size, a proof of the fine physique of the "Boys." The company was to be a part of the Seventh New York brigade.
Hartford had been dallying with New York in reference to procuring a new charter, as she had first been chartered by New Hampshire, but she never really acknowledged the authority of New York. At a town meeting held June 19, 1775, several days before the action taken by the Continental Congress in raising
99
HISTORY OF ROYALTON, VERMONT
a regiment of Green Mountain Boys, the town had elected Joel Marsh as Captain of a company of militia for Cumberland county. Probably this company was not wholly made up of Hart- ford men, but it looks like independent action on the part of this lively and patriotic town, which then was close to the fron- tier.
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