USA > Vermont > History of eastern Vermont, from its earliest settlement to the close of the eighteeth century with a biographical chapter and appendixes > Part 40
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alarm when Royalton was destroyed in October, 1780, he served as a sergeant in the company of militia under the command of Capt. Sam. McClure, in pursuit of the enemy, and being detached with a reconnoitering party fell in with, and was fired on by the enemy's guard, by which he was wounded, by receiving a poisoned ball through his arm, by which he was rendered unable to do any kind of business for two months ; that he was the only person wounded in the party who pursued the enemy on this occasion," &c.
391
RETREAT OF THE MARAUDERS.
1780.]
Continuing their course down Dog river, the party struck Onion river, along which they passed until they reached Lake Champlain on the 20th. Here the Indians found the batteaux in which they had come on their march to Royalton. Em- barking in these, they with their captives commenced their journey down the Lake, and after stopping at Grand Isle and the Isle aux Noix, reached St. John's on the 22d, having been nearly seven days on the route. On the following day the captives were taken to Caughnawaga, where many of them were temporarily adopted by the Indian families resident at that place. After remaining in this condition for a few weeks, they were taken to Montreal in the latter part of November, and were there sold to the British as prisoners of war "for a half Joe" each. Of the twenty-five who were carried away, one, Adam Durkee, died while in captivity. Twenty-three were exchanged or redeemed, and returned to their friends during the ensuing summer. The remaining prisoner, Zadock Steele, after enduring a long confinement and being subjected to many hardships, finally effected his escape, and reached the home of his parents in Ellington, Connecticut, on the 17th of October, 1782, just two years from the day on which he was taken by the Indians at Randolph.
After receiving the message from the Indians in which they declared that they would destroy their captives should an attack be attempted ; House and his men determined to abide where they were until morning. It was then discovered that the enemy had left their encampment. Notwithstanding this discovery, the company marched about five miles further to Brookfield. Finding all things quiet at this place, and judging that pursuit would be useless, they retraced their steps and returned to their homes. In commenting upon the conduct of House and his men, Williams observes, they " lost the opportu- nity of attacking the enemy to advantage, by their caution and delay." In his account of the "Burning of Royalton," Steele remarks of House, "had he possessed courage and skill ade- quate to the duties of his station, he might have defeated the enemy, it is thought, without the least difficulty, and made them all prisoners." To one acquainted with the facts as they have been transmitted by those who have written on the subject, these conclusions appear to be far from just. Con- versant with the Indian character; aware, that to a savage the name of foe is a warrant for any deed of cruelty ; satisfied that
392
HISTORY OF EASTERN VERMONT.
[1780.
in the present instance, nothing would be spared by the enemy to prevent a defeat in case an attack should be made ; and unwilling that the captives should be sacrificed through any vain desire of his own for a victory, which to say the least, he was not sure of gaining, House refused to lead his men in a contest, whose result would have been the certain murder of twenty-five persons, and, without doubt, the slaughter of many of his own men. We are told that
" The better part of valor is-discretion."
Judged by this maxim, Col. House at once assumes the character of the prudent soldier. Viewed in the light of a noble humanity, his conduct appears in the highest degree praiseworthy and magnanimous.
Upon a review of the losses of the day, it was found that the Indians had burned one house in Tunbridge, two houses in Sharon, twenty-one in Royalton, several in Randolph, and six- teen new barns variously located, which were filled with hay and grain ; that they had slaughtered about one hundred and fifty head of neat cattle, and all the sheep and swine they could find; and had destroyed all the household furniture which they could not take with them. As on other occasions, so now, their attachment to devastation and plunder was unabated. The packs with which they laded their captives on their retreat from Royalton, were filled with plunder of every kind. Axes, hoes, pots, kettles, shovels, tongs, sickles, scythes, and chains were mingled in almost inextricable confusion; and the backs of many of the party supported old side-saddles, bed-ticks, warming-pans, plates, looking-glasses, frying-pans, spiders, and many farming implements-as well as household utensils. In their conduct, the Indians in this inroad displayed less of the savage character than is usual on such occasions. As a general rule they were eager to take as captives the young men and those who were in middle life ; but they did not seem desirous either to carry off the women or female children, or to commit violence, except in extraordinary cases. After they had burned the house of John Hutchinson, they evinced a kind of savage satire, by giving his wife a hatchet and a flint, together with a quarter of mutton, and bidding hier "go and cook for her men." On reaching the dwelling of Elias Curtis, they broke into his wife's apartment, and having discovered Mrs.
393
ADVENTURES OF CAPTIVES.
1780.]
Curtis who had just arisen, for it was yet early morning, one of the Indians seized her by the throat, and brandishing a large knife was apparently intending to destroy her, when his atten- tion was arrested by a string of gold beads which she wore about her neck. More avaricious than cruel, his knife de- scended only to part the string on which they were collected, and Mrs. Curtis, although no Romanist, was actually saved by her beads.
During the destruction of Royalton, two women who had been aroused from sleep by the appearance of a number of the Indians, who entered their dwelling in the grey of morning, were so much terrified at the sight, that losing for a time their self-com- mand, they went out of doors, clad only in their night garments, and stood motionless by the side of their dwellings until the In- dians brought them their clothing. Aroused from their stupor of fear by this act of kindness, they put on their apparel, and, taking two or three small children and a young woman with them, fled to the woods. One woman residing in the western part of the same town, was sufficiently courageous to reproach the savages for their conduct in distressing females and children, and in a taunting manner, told them, that "if they had the spirits and souls of men," they would cross White river, and attack the fort at Bethel. They bore her remarks with patience, their only reply being, "Squaw should not say too much." After plundering one of the houses, the Indians had carried the pillage and piled it in a heap before the door. As they stood around it, selecting such articles as they liked best, a woman chanced to espy her gown amid the mass, and forthwith took it. Upon this an Indian, who claimed her as his captive, club- bed his gun and knocked her down. Recovering from the effects of the blow, she waited till her master had carried the gown to another heap, and had become engaged in adding to the plunder already collected. She then approached the pile which was surrounded by the savage crowd, and seizing her gown the second time, succeeded in bearing it away, holding at the same time, one child in her arms, and leading another by the hand.
But the exploits of Mrs. Hendee mark her as the heroine of the occasion. After the attack had been made upon her hus- band's house, she, by his advice, started for a neighboring dwelling with her little boy and girl. While on the road she was met by a party. of Indians who took her son, but left her
394
HISTORY OF EASTERN VERMONT.
[1780.
daughter with her. Possessing "uncommon resolution, and great presence of mind," she determined to rescue her son from the hands of his captors. Taking her little girl by the hand, she proceeded down the river on foot, until she discovered a large body of Indians stationed on the opposite shore. Wishing to find the officer in command, she set out to cross the river, and was preparing to ford the stream, when she was met by an Indian who by signs asked her whither she was going. Having made known to him her intentions, he in a fit of good humor or gallantry, or perhaps both, offered to take her over on his back. She refused his proposal, but allowed him to carry her child. The little girl protested against this proceeding, declar- ing that " she didn't want to ride the old Indian," but becoming reconciled to her steed, the three entered the water. They had gone nearly half across the stream, when the current be- coming more rapid, the polite Indian in order to reassure Mrs. Hendee, patted her on the shoulder, and signified to her his readiness to assist her to the other side when he had taken her child over, provided she would wait upon a rock near by, whose surface was above the water. This time she did not reject his offer. Clambering up on the rock, she there remain- ed until he returned. True to his word he then took her pick- back, and carrying her to the other side, landed her as he had her daughter, in safety.
Hastening to Horton, she implored him to restore her child. She was informed that he would not be hurt, but with others would be trained as a soldier. Ill satisfied with this reply, she continued her pious importunity, until the British lieutenant assured her that he would release him. On the arrival of the company in whose charge the boy had been placed, Horton pre- vailed on the Indians to give him up to his mother. Having been successful in this undertaking, she endeavored to procure the release of some of her neighbors' children. At this juncture, she was compelled by the cruel threats and actions of one of the savage party, again to relinquish her son. A second time did she appeal to Horton for aid, and again succeeded in libe- rating her offspring. She now set out on her return, having in her charge her own little girl, and eight boys, whose freedom she had obtained. On reaching the stream, Mrs. Hendee car- ried two of the children across it on her back, one at a time, as she a little while before had been borne by the Indian. The rest forded the river together, their arms being placed around
395
PRECAUTIONS.
1780.]
each other's necks, that they might the better withstand the force of the current. She was welcomed with great joy on her return, and for many years after lived to receive the oft-repeated thanks of those whose children she had been the instrument of releasing from a captivity whose terrors were akin to the terrors of death.
During the succeeding winter, the sufferers by this sad cala- mity, found a shelter in the homes of their more fortunate neighbors and friends, and experienced a sympathy which was peculiarly grateful to them, when compared with the treatment they had received from the savage foe .*
Warned by the destruction of Royalton, the inhabitants of Cumberland county assembled in their respective towns to take measures for the promotion of the common safety, and the more effectual protection of the settlements. The result of these meetings was an understanding that every able-bodied man should hold himself in readiness at a minute's warning, both for particular and general defence. In the midst of these proceedings the community were alarmed by reports of the presence of hostile bands of Indians within the state. An excellent opportunity was now afforded for the exercise of that activity which had been declared essential to the safety of life and property. Not confined to the locality at which it began, the alarm pervaded the southern part of the county, and was the most extensive panic experienced in Vermont during the war.
The last day of October was glorious in autumnal beauties, and the bright sun, as he pursued his way through the cloudless heavens, glanced at the dying leaves of the ended summer, and tinged their changing forms with the hues of the rainbow.t Favored by the weather, a party of gentlemen were engaged in
* In a little work entitled "The Indian Captive; or a Narrative of the Cap- tivity and Sufferings of Zadock Steele," printed at Montpelier, in 1818, the hard- ships of one of the prisoners taken at the burning of Royalton, during a con- finement of two years, are described by himself in a quaint and entertaining manner. From " An Account of the Burning of Royalton" prefixed to this "Narrative," many of the facts stated in the text, have been taken. Frequent reference has also been had to Williams's Hist. Vt., Ed. 2d, ii. 235-242.
t Thompson says, in one account, that this alarm occurred " a few days after the burning of Royalton;" in another, "on the 25th of November," and in a third, " on the eve of the last day of October," and in a note calls attention to a discrepancy in the dates. The date in the text rests on the authority of the researches of the Rev. Ephraim H. Newton, embodied in his MS. " History of the Town of Marlborough."
396
HISTORY OF EASTERN VERMONT.
[1780.
surveying the lands which border the margin of Grassy Brook, in the town of Brookline. While thus occupied, they were seen by some sportsmen who were hunting on Putney " West Hill." One of the latter, named Reed, who had often boasted of his ability to imitate the Indian war-whoop, took this occasion to display his peculiar vocal powers, and substantiated his vaunt by giving and repeating again and again the shriek of the savage, with an accuracy terrible as reality. Startled by the fearful sound, the surveyors collected their instruments, and made a precipitate retreat, announcing the approach of the Indians to all whom they met. Two men who were cutting wood in a remote part of the town of Athens, heard the shrill cries, and, imagining them to be the yells of Indians, quitted their work, and with true benevolence spread the alarm in all directions. The dread of the savage foe and the recollection of the fearful scenes which had been so lately witnessed gave rise to the most awful apprehensions. The idea of awaiting the appearance of the enemy was not for a moment entertained. To prepare for defence was deemed useless. Flight presented the only means of safety, and this means was instantly adopted by all who received the terrible tidings. The cattle were left in the stalls, dwellings were deserted, and the last look was taken at homes which, it was supposed, were never again to be recognised save in the ashes of their ruin. Women with their infant children mounted the few horses that were to be had, and rode off with desperate speed, leaving those who were more hardy to follow on foot. So frightful was the panic, that in some instances teams were left harnessed in the fields, ovens which were being heated were allowed to grow cool at leisure, and victuals which were being cooked were permitted to take their chances at the blazing hearthstones .* As the terrified inhabit- ants hastened their perilous flight, dangers seemed to thicken around them, and "to their bewildered imaginations every noise became the yell of the savage, and every rock and every tree of the forest a lurking place for the cruel foe."
During the pleasant day the "industrious inhabitants " of Newfane had been busily engaged in clearing land, and collecting in piles the brushwood and old logs, to be burned. As evening came on, lowering clouds began to gather, and soon the snow
* " Jonathan Perham and family decamped in such haste that they left their oven heating and their oxen tied to a tree." Thompson's Vt., Part III. p. 6.
397
A FALSE ALARM.
1780.]
commenced falling. The opportunity was favorable for com- pleting the day's work successfully. The huge heaps were fired, and the diligent farmers heard with satisfaction the crackling of the dry boughs, and watched with pleasure the brilliant masses of light which flamed upward amid the thick black smoke. The fugitives from the supposed enemy, as they turned for a mo- ment in their distressing flight, and gazed at the strange fires, which, seen through the falling snow, glared with unnatural and baleful splendor, were now convinced that the Indians had pillaged the deserted dwellings, and wrapped them in one common con- flagration. The report was spread through the neighboring towns that "every log house in the pleasant vales and upon the heights of Newfane" and Athens had been destroyed, and the fearful question followed as to where the next blow would fall. In the more distant towns watches were set, dwellings were guarded, firelocks were loaded, ammunition was prepared, and means of escape were provided in case defence should fail. Sleep was a stranger to every eye, and the whole night was spent in expectation of the approach of the merciless foe.
The alarm having reached Dummerston, Captain Myrick sent a letter by express to Colonel Sargeants of Brattleborough, with the information that the enemy had reached Newfane. The energetic Colonel gave immediate notice to Mr. Stockwell, who resided in the eastern part of Marlborough, to call out the town militia for the purpose of repulsing the Tories and Indians. On the 1st of November, general orders were issued for the soldiers to rendezvous, and for the families to avoid the enemy as best they could. Companies from Westminster, Brattleborough, and Marlborough, were soon en route for the place whence the alarm had proceeded. The snow which had fallen during the night now lay deep upon the ground, and the trees were so heavily laden as to bend in every direction. Having gone three miles on the road to Newfane, the soldiers became satisfied that neither Tories nor Indians could so far surmount the obstruc- tions which nature was so bountifully providing, as to extend their ravages, and forthwith returned home. Meanwhile com- panies from Halifax and from Colrain in Massachusetts, had assembled at Brattleborough, but, owing to the disbelief which began now to prevail in regard to the presence of the enemy, they proceeded no further. Others who had set out from points nearer to the supposed scene of terror, marched into a deserted town, and entered forsaken but unharmed houses, having found
398
HISTORY OF EASTERN VERMONT.
[1780.
nothing to hinder their advance save the deepening snows of a Vermont winter.
The alarm reached Marlborough in the afternoon of the day on which it began. Notwithstanding the severity of the storm, women and children left their houses, assembled near the centre of the town, and commenced their march south, headed by their pastor, the Rev. Gershom C. Lyman and his friend Col. Zadock Granger. Their progress was slow, and after advancing a few miles they were obliged to stop and obtain shelter for the night. Those from Athens who had fled east had received accessions to their number in their journey, and on reaching Putney, their party amounted to between two hundred and three hundred. Some of the sick and infirm had been brought a short distance, but the desire of personal safety had mastered the virtue of self-sacrifice, and they had been left at places which afforded shelter, and where they might, it was hoped, escape the notice of the foe. Having reached Westmoreland on the east bank of the Connecticut, the wearied and terror-stricken fugitives halted. On their way thither, they had paused for a moment at the dwelling of Noah Sabin Sen., in Putney, and had found him quietly engaged in his accustomed avocations. To him they re- lated their tale of terror, but he discredited the story which they told and refused to be frightened by what he deemed improbable. Ever since the time when, as judge by the authority of the King, Mr. Sabin at the fatal occurrence of the "Westminster Mas- sacre," had refused to act any other part than that which became a loyal subject of Great Britain, he had been considered an avowed adherent to the New York jurisdiction, and had been regarded by many as a supporter of the royal cause. His digni- fied calmness on an occasion like this, when fear gave wings to flight, aroused the suspicions of the fugitives. He was forthwith denounced as a friend of the national enemy, and the belief prevailed that a secret understanding existed between him and the Indians. Many were the curses which were heaped upon him as the angry multitude pressed onward to escape the dreaded foe and the man whom they now deemed no better than a Tory.
When the intelligence of the following day had dissipated their terrors, preparations were made for a return, but the snow of the night previous had blocked up the roads, which at the best were but poor, and had rendered them almost impassable. Overcome with toil and exposure, many of the sufferers were invited to enter the hospitable mansion of him who a few
399
GENEROSITY OF NOAH SABIN SEN.
1780.]
hours before had been the object of their bitterest invective and abuse. Here they were furnished with food and clothing, and in other ways received such assistance as their necessities re- quired. The effect of this kind treatment was to remove from the minds of all every idea of treachery on the part of Judge Sabin, and, though he might still favor the jurisdiction of New York upon the "Grants," he was never again accused of up- holding the cause of Great Britain. The "brave soldiery " of Marlborough, when the alarm was proved groundless, "with undaunted courage pursued their wives and children," as the reverend chronicler, Mr. Newton, quaintly observes, "and bringing them in triumph as the fairest achievements and no- blest trophies of victory, took possession of their dwellings, and exchanged the pursuits of war for the sweet enjoyments of do- mestic peace."*
* Thompson's Vt. Part II. pp. 70, 71 : Part III. pp. 6, 111, MS. Hist. Marlbo- rough.
CHAPTER XV.
ENEMIES WITHIN AND WITHOUT ..
Attempts to unite in one District the territory in New Hampshire and Vermont bordering the Connecticut-Convention at Charlestown- Eastern and Western Unions-Cumberland and Bennington Counties divided-Boundaries of Wind- ham, Windsor and Orange Counties-The County of Washington-Gen. Jacob Bailey-Col. Thomas Johnson-Johnson taken at Peacham-Sufferings of Jonathan Elkins-Treatment of Johnson-Alarm at Newbury-Elections in Windham County-Dissatisfaction of the Patriots of Rockingham with the Offi- cers clected-Their Petition-Remonstrance from Dummerston-Law against Defamation-Alarm at Bethel-The "Hazen Road"-The Canada Negotiations -Popular Surmises-Opinions delivered in Conversations-Gov. Clinton writes for information-Seth Smith indicted for Treason-Citizens of Guilford address Gov. Clinton-The " Representation " of the New York Party-Proceedings in Congress, and in the New York Legislature-Smith discharged from his Indict- ment-Attempts to effect a settlement of Difficulties-Remonstrance from three of the southern Towns in Windham County to the New York Legislature- Convention of the same Towns-Vermont Militia Law-The Republic of Guil- ford-The Constancy of its Citizens to the interests of New York-William Shattuck-The Triumph of the Yorkers.
FAILING in their efforts to obtain assistance either at home or on the floor of Congress in resisting the demands of Vermont, the inhabitants of Cumberland county who owed allegiance to New York were now ready to adopt other measures for ensuring their personal and political safety. By a resolution of Congress passed on the 27th of September, 1780, the further consideration of the question respecting the jurisdiction of the New Hamp- shire Grants had been postponed ; and the prospect of a settle- ment seemed, after the discussions of many months, to be no nearer than at the outset. At this juncture a majority of the inhabitants of the towns in the western portion of New Hamp- shire, expressed a wish to be received into union with Vermont. A proposition for the establishment of a jurisdiction of another character, was at the same time promulged by the New York adherents residing in Cumberland and Gloucester counties, and
401
CONVENTION AT CHARLESTOWN.
1780.]
a convention of town committees from the former county was called on the 31st of October. On this occasion Luke Knowlton, Hilkiah Grout, Oliver Lovell, Col. John Sargeants, Micah Town- send, Maj. Jonathan Hunt, Simon Stevens, Charles Phelps, Ben- jamin Henry, James Clay, Maj. Elkanah Day, Thomas Cutler and Barzillai Rice, were appointed a committee to take into consi- deration the feasibility of a new government, and to meet such persons as should be authorized to consult upon the same question by a convention or committee of the people of Gloucester county on the west, and Grafton county on the east side of Connecticut river. The design of Cumberland county in these proceedings, was "to devise and carry into execution such measures " as should be deemed best calculated "to unite in one political body all the inhabitants from Mason's grant on the east to the height of land on the west side the said river." The idea thus brought forward of establishing the western line of a new district at the ridge of the Green Mountains, manifested clearly the unwilling- ness of the New York adherents to acknowledge the jurisdiction of Vermont, provided they could ensure their own safety in any other way .*
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