USA > Vermont > History of eastern Vermont, from its earliest settlement to the close of the eighteeth century with a biographical chapter and appendixes > Part 73
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81
Being a staunch supporter of the cause of the colonies, he regarded with suspicion those who had rendered themselves liable to the charge of Toryism, and did not fail to express his views of them in the plainest terms. In the month of Septem- ber, 1779, Thomas Chandler Jr., of Chester, was chosen to represent that town in the General Assembly of Vermont, and
* MS. Hist. of Marlborough, by Rev. E. H. Newton. Journal N. Y. Prov. Cong., i. 800; ii. 61, 431.
731
AZARIAH WRIGHT.
in the following October was elected speaker of the House. Regarding Chandler as an unfit person for these positions, Wright determined to obtain his removal. To effect this end, he addressed two letters to the Governor and Council during the session of the Legislature, dated March 14th, 1780, in which, in uncouth language, he blindly expressed his views as to the character of Chandler. The first letter was in these words :-
"To his Excellency Governor in Chief, Left Governor and prudent Council of Freemen with Greeting, I send, not forgeting the Independent State of Vermont. Fortitude Good Manners Honisty resolution makes a Free people, being not thoughtless of the fountain from whence, &c. Now Gentlemen I beg assistance as one Mr. Pompee of Chester has Borrowed of me the value of Six or Eight Silver Dollars in horse tackling which when required to return the Chief Speaker his Agent Thomas Chandler Esqr answers for him in wrighting. Not Gentlemen that I should grieve myself for the loss of 6 or 8 Dollars, but with and, &c., that said Esqr Chandler should be Chief Speaker for the black Ethiopian not for Whites. if your Honours Can do any thing I should remain your most obedient
" Azariah Wright.
"put Law in force sift the House."
The offence charged in this letter seems to have been that Thomas Chandler Jr., while speaker, had appeared as an attor- ney in behalf of Pompey Brakkee, a negro .* The other note was as follows :
"Great is amarica, there terror starts all Yourope, Exolted be Varmount tho Little May be head, and ware the Crown of gustus, ferfull am I of that, while Deceit is att head, Not to condemn the whole, nor gustify any only by marit, it is amazing that People that have ben led to the Slaughter by Deceit Should trust the same man for there Counceller, thomas Chandler Esq I ment, who wrote to Incurrige the ferse Soons of Liberty to assembel att Westminster, Declaring he new his farthers mind, and by Deceit we lost two brave herooes these are to Remind Deceit and Shun Destruction To the Exclet Governers and Councle from your most obedent Azariah Wright. " Westminster March the-14-1780."
The contents of these notes soon became publicly known, and, singular as it may seem, Chandler was in consequence "brought
* See ante, p. 331, note.
732
HISTORY OF EASTERN VERMONT.
into great discredit" among the representatives, and lost his seat as speaker. He immediately commenced a suit against Wright for libel, and laid his damages at £10,000 lawful money. On the trial which occurred in the month of June following, Wright pleaded not guilty, and the case having gone before a jury, the plaintiff obtained judgment for £3 damages besides costs. Within twenty-four hours after the decision was rendered, the case was reviewed. At an adjourned session of the court, held in August, Chandler obtained judgment against the defendant for the sum of £6, lawful money, damages, and £216, lawful money, costs of suit. Execution having been granted upon the property of Wright, it was satisfied in October, by the payment of eight hundred and six continental dollars.
But the peculiarities of his disposition were not displayed in libellous publications alone. According to a complaint presented by his wife, Miriam, it appears that on the evening of the 6th of December, 1780, he did "violently assault and beat her;" and that on the 11th of the same month, he did put her "in fear of her life and safety," by "taking his sword and other weapons dangerous," and brandishing them over her in a threatening manner. On being brought before the justices he was declared guilty of " a high breach of the peace," and was recognized in the sum of £500 lawful money, to appear before the county court at their next session. Of the proceedings on this occasion there is no record, but it may be reasonably supposed, that influences were exerted to induce him to exercise his pugilistic propensities in a more praiseworthy manner.
Captain Wright, or as he was familiarly called "Uncle 'Riah," was an Ethan Allen on a smaller scale. He was bold, rough, independent and outspoken. The singular recklessness of his character was often manifested in acts as thoughtless as they were strange. When the Rev. Joseph Bullen was first settled at Westminster, Uncle 'Riah, who was a church member in good standing, adhered strongly to the cause of the Rev. Mr. Goodell whose evil conduct had induced him to depart secretly from the town .* His antipathy to Mr. Bullen was as great as his friendship to Mr. Goodell was strong. So far did he carry his dislike to the former, as to administer to him a tweak of the nose, a cuff on the cheek, and "many other enormities," for which he was prosecuted, fined, and put under bonds to keep
* See ante, p. 211, note.
733
EXCOMMUNICATION OF CAPTAIN WRIGHT.
the peace. Notwithstanding these punishments, he committed another assault upon Mr. Bullen, in consequence of which the church resolved to excommunicate their rebellious member. On the Sunday appointed for this purpose, Uncle 'Riah made his appearance at church, duly equipped with his trusty "Queen's Arms," with which he paced the aisle during the whole of the time of service. As the exercises were closing, Mr. Bullen drew forth the letter of excommunication, and as he did so Uncle 'Riah stopped in his military march and faced him. As the paper was being opened, Uncle 'Riah brought the gun to his shoulder. The minister began to read. "Make ready !" shouted the captain, suiting the action to the order. Mr. Bullen, though intimidated, proceeded with the reading, but had enunciated only a few words, when Uncle 'Riah said and did, "Take aim." Penetrated with a thrilling fear, that any further attempt on his part to publish the pro- scription, might put an untimely period not only to the present proceedings but to his own preaching, the minister passed the offensive order to John Sessions, his eldest deacon. Scarcely had the deacon commenced to read, when Captain Wright, with threatening look, brought his piece to bear upon him. "All things are lawful but some things are not expedient," remarked Deacon Sessions to Parson Bullen, in the language of St. Paul, and returned the paper to his reverence. A con- sultation was then held among the spiritual officers of the church, which resulted in a decision favorable to a stay of pro- ceedings. Thereupon the letter of excommunication was folded up, the benediction was pronounced, and Uncle 'Riah marched home in triumph .*
* This story is detailed in a different form and with numerous embellishments, by Dr. John Andrew Graham, in his "Descriptive Sketch of the present state of Vermont," published at London, in 1797. According to his account, which is in a measure apocryphal, Captain Wright was "a man more sinned against than sinning." The version given by the credulous doctor is as follows :-
"Before we take leave of Westminster, it may not be unworthy of remark, that the second Protestant church in the state was built at this place. I shall also add an anecdote of an honest farmer (one of the original settlers), which happened at Westminster, and which will serve to show the fanatical spirit which then pre- vailed-so contrary to that liberal toleration now prevalent over America, and which so happily unites every denomination of Christians in the bond of charity and love. But to my story.
" The farmer in question was a plain, pious man, regular in the discharge of his duty, both to God and his neighbor; but unluckily he happened to live near one with whom he was not inclined to cultivate either civil or friendly terms. This troublesome personage was no other than a monstrous over-grown he-bear, that
734
HISTORY OF EASTERN VERMONT.
Tradition has preserved the shadowy outline of other events, in which the wayward old captain bore a part. Enough, how- ever, has been said to set forth the character of the man. He was the representative of a class, whose services as pioneers in the settlement of a new country are always of the highest im- portance, and whose indomitable perseverance and courage, when rightly directed, are sure to lead to eminence in the more daring pursuits of life .*
descended from the mountains, trod down and destroyed the corn-fields, and carried off whatever he laid his paws upon. The plundered sufferer watched him in vain, the ferocious and cunning animal ever finding methods to elude his utmost vigilance. At last it had learned its cue so thoroughly, as only to com- mit its depredations on the Lord's day, when it knew, from experience, the coast was clear. Wearied out with these oft-repeated trespasses, the good man resolved on the next Sunday to stay in his fields, where with his gun he concealed himself. The bear came according to custom. He fired and shot it dead. The explosion threw the whole congregation (for it was about the hour of people's assembling to worship) into consternation. The cause was inquired into, and as soon as the pastor, deacon and elders became acquainted with it, they called a special meet- ing of the church, and cited their offending brother before them, to show cause, if any he had, why he should not be excommunicated out of Christ's church, for this daring and unexampled impiety. In vain did he urge from the Scriptures themselves that it was lawful to do good on the Sabbath day. He pleaded before judges determined to condemn him, and the righteous parson, elders and church, una voce, agreed to drive him out from amongst them as polluted and accursed. Accordingly he was enjoined (as is customary on such occasions) on the next Sunday to attend his excommunication, in the church. He did attend, but not entirely satisfied with the justice of the sentence, and too much of a soldier to be scandalized in so public a manner for any action which he conceived to be his duty, he resolved to have recourse to stratagem. He therefore went to the appointment with his gun loaded with a brace of balls, his sword and cartridge- box by his side, and his knapsack on his back with six days' provision in it. Service was about half over when he entered the sanctuary in this martial array. He marched leisurely into a corner and took his position. As soon as the bene- diction was ended, the holy parson began the excommunication, but scarcely had he pronounced the words, "Offending brother," when the honest old veteran cocked and levelled his weapon of destruction, at the same time crying out with a loud voice, " Proceed if you dare; proceed, and you are a dead man." At this unexpected attack, the astonished clergyman shrunk behind his desk, and his opponent with great deliberation recovered his arms. Some moments elapsed be- fore the parson had courage to peep from behind his ecelesiastical battery. On finding the old hero had come to a rest, he tremblingly reached the order to his eldest deacon, desiring him to read it. The deacon, with stammering accents and eyes staring wild affright, began as he was commanded; but no sooner had he done so, than the devoted victim again levelled his piece, and more vehemently than before exclaimed, "Desist and march. I will not live with shame. Desist and march, I say, or you are all dead men." Little need had he to repeat his threats. The man of God leaped from the desk and escaped. The deacon, elders, and congregation followed in equal trepidation. The greatest confusion prevailed. The women with shrieks and cries sought their homes, and the victor was left undisturbed master of the field, and of the church, too, the doors of which he calmly locked, put the keys in his pocket, and sent them, with his respects, to the pastor. He then marched home with all the honors of war, lived fourteen years afterwards, and died a brother in full communion." pp. 111-115.
* MS. Court Papers. Vermont Republican, Friday, February 9th, 1855.
735
APPENDIX A.
APPENDIXES.
APPENDIX A.
THE EQUIVALENT LANDS.
Referred to on p. 14.
"Boston, 28th December, 1713. Grants made by the Government of the Massa- chusetts Bay, for which Equivalents are to be granted, being so much that falls to the Southard of the Colony Line lately run.
"To his Excellency Joseph Dudley Esqr
1,500 acres.
To the Honble William Stoughton Esqr
818 66.
To Robert Thompson Esqr
2,000
To Col. William Whiting
1,000
To Mr Thomas Freak now Mr Woolcots
2,000 66
To Mr John Collins
500
To Mr John Collins Heirs
500
To Mr John Gore .
500
To Andrew Gardiner and Benjamin Gamling .
500
To Black James and company with their Assigns Lt Col William Dudley
2,228
The town of Woodstock
30,419
Sr Richard Saltonstall's Farm of 2000 acres, the one half .
1,000
The other half included in Enfield Tract lying south of the line
36,180
Springfield
640
79,785
"The within fourteen articles of Land belonging to the Towns and Persons set down severally on the aforegoing side, are Grants of the General Assembly of the Colony of the Massachusetts Bay and taken up and surveyed accordingly, and by the running of the South Line of the Massachusetts Province are now found to fall to the south- ward of the said Line, amounting to the number of 79,785 acres and the colony of Connecticut must have an equivalent granted them for the same.
"The number of acres 79,785 to be allowed to Connecticut are to be taken up on the East side of Connecticut River."
West of Connecticut river there was granted by Massachusetts of lands belonging
...
736
HISTORY OF EASTERN VERMONT.
to Connecticut, to Springfield, 287 acres; to Suffield, 22,172 acres; to Westfield, 5,549 acres; making in all 28,008 acres, which added to 79,785 acres, gives 107,793 acres-the quantity of the land belonging to Connecticut which had been granted by Massachusetts.
"Dec. 29, 1713. [Connecticut] agreed to take for 79,785 acres, the same from Mass., i. e. 40,000 in one place, 30,000 in another, 9,785 where it can be found, taking one side of the Great River."
The commissioners appointed to locate the equivalent lands, were Joseph Dudley, Governor of Massachusetts; Gurdon Saltonstall, Governor of Connecticut ; Elisha Hutchinson and Isaac Addington of Massachusetts; William Pitkin and William Whiting of Connecticut. On the 10th of November, 1715, these gentlemen reported that they had laid out "21,976 acres East of Hadly town (now Belchertown); 29,874 acres North of the first surveyed piece (Pelham, &c.); 43,943 acres, Within the Limits of the 2d Province on Connecticut River above the former settlements." The boundaries of the last portion are given in the text. It is uncertain where the other 11,992 acres, which make up the complement 107,793, were located .- Records in office Sec. State Conn., entitled " Colonial Boundaries. Vol. III. Massachusetts. 1670-1827."
The equivalent lands were sold at Hartford, on the 24th and 25th of April, 1716. The purchasers were :
" Gurdon Saltonstall New London Esqr
one share
Paul Dudley
Boston
Addington Davenport =
Thomas Fitch
66
Anthony Stoddard
66
66
William Brattle
Cambridge
Clerk
66
Ebenezer Pemberton Boston
William Dummer 66 Merchant one half share
Jeremiah Dummer
Esqr
66
Jonathan Belcher
66
Merchant one share
John White,
66
Gentleman
Merchant
one third share
Henry Newman
Esqr
66
John Caswell
Merchant
66
Mary Saltonstall
New London
Dame
one share
Nathan Gold
Fairfield
Esqr
one half share
Peter Burr
John Stoddard
Northampton "
66
Elisha Williams
Weathersfield Gentleman 66
John Read
Lone Town
one share."
-Records in office Sec. State Mass., ii. 278.
APPENDIX B.
RENEWAL OF THE TREATY.
Referred to on p. 24.
"Province of the Massachusetts Bay-Fort Dummer, 1737.
"Pursuant to an order from his Excellency the Governor to us the subscribers
William Clark John Wainwright
66 London
737
APPENDIX B.
directed, appointing us to confer with Ontaussoogoe and other delegates of the Cag- nawaga tribe of Indians, we came to Fort Dummer aforesaid, where we arrived on the 5th of October Anno Domini 1737.
" We acquainted the said delegates that his Excellency the Governor having been informed that they were come to Fort Dummer to treat about some publick affairs, he had thereupon ordered and appointed us on behalf of the Government of the said Province to confer with them of such matters as were given them in charge, and that we should be ready to hear what they had to say when they were prepared to speak. The usual ceremonies being over, they withdrew.
" October 6. Being met in the morning, Ontaussoogoe said to us as follows vizt. 'Brother the Broadway, two years past I was at Deerfield; the matter then delivered to us by you was, that the old covenant of peace and unity between our brother the Broadway and us might be continued.
"' We now return in answer for our three tribes, that our desire is that it might remain firm and unshaken, and do from our heart promise that the covenant shall not be broken on our part, but if ever there should be any breach, it shall begin on yours, and the God of Heaven who now sees us and knows what we are doing, be witness of our sincerity.' Then laid down a belt of Wampum.
" Ontaussoogoe then said again, 'We your brethren of the three tribes have learned by hear say, that our Brother the Broadway has lost his wife. Such losses ought to be made up. We did not know whether the Govr would be capable of a Treaty under his affliction, but find that he is, and are thankful for it.' Then gave a belt of Wampum to quiet the Govrs mind and remove lis grief for the loss of his wife, and added, 'I rowl myself in the dust for the loss of our great men.'
" Ontaussoogoe said again, 'We do in the name of our three tribes salute the Govr and all the Gentlemen belonging to him Tho' at a great distance and strangers, yet something acquainted. This was their desire and our design when we came from home thus to salute you with this belt, wishing you happiness. and prosperity ;' laid it down, and said they had done speaking.
" We then said to them, we would take what they had delivered into conside- ration, and return answer thereto in the afternoon. We then drank King George's health to them. They also drinked King George's health and the Governor's and to us.
" In the afternoon being met, We said to them, 'You have in strong terms assured us that the covenant of friendship renewed two years ago at Deerfield between this Government and the Cagnawaga tribe shall always remain firm and unshaken, and we do in the name and behalf of the Government, assure you that they will cultivate the friendship they have contracted with your tribe, and that nothing in our own hearts, nor the instigation of others, shall ever prevail upon us to break our solemn engagements to you, but we shall always hold ourselves under the strongest obliga- tions to a punctual observance of what we have promised.' We then gave a Belt of Wampum.
" ' You have in your speech to us this day condoled the death of the Governour's Lady. Her death was the cause of much grief to him. We doubt not but your sympathizing with him, will tend to abate and lighten his sorrow. We take this occasion to express our concern for the death of your friends and to comfort your hearts under your afflictions.' We then gave three black Blankets instead of a Belt.
" We kindly accept the salutation of your people, and esteem it a token of their respect and friendship to us, and we do in the name of the Government return the like salutation to your old men and young, both to your counsellors and to your men of war, to all of them we wish prosperity and happiness for ever.' Then we gave a Belt of Wampum.
" Ontaussoogoe said, 'Gentn, I return thanks, you have rehearsed all that has been
47
738
HISTORY OF EASTERN VERMONT.
said this day-are glad your hearts are disposed as we find they are to friendship and desire that they always may, and declare that ours ever will, and thank God for it- and wishes well to all.'
" We then drinked the Govrs health.
" The speeches being ended, we then in the name of the Govt Gave a present to them of the value of seventy pounds ten shillings.
"John Stoddard, Eleazr Porter, Thos Wallis, Joseph Kellogg, Isr. Williams, Comrs."
-Records in office Sec. State Mass., xxix. 333-335.
APPENDIX C.
TOWNSHIP NUMBER ONE.
Referred to on p. 58.
The names of those persons who were admitted grantees, or proprietors of town- ship No. 1, on the 19th of November, 1736, were:
Capt. Joseph Tisdale,
Deacon Samuel Sumner,
James Williams,
Ensign Seth Sumner,
Capt. James Leonard,
Lieut. Morgan Cobb 2d,
Edmond Andrews,
Lieut. John Harney,
James Leonard 3d,
Ensign Edward Blake,
Joseph Willis,
Eliakim Walker, Jonathan Paddleford, Jr.,
Josiah Lincoln,
Joseph Barney,
John Smith 2d,
Joseph Wilbore,
Jonathan Barney,
Ebenezer Dean,
James Walker,
Joseph Eddy,
James Leonard 2d,
Ezra Dean, Ebenezer Cobb,
Ephraim Dean, Israel Tisdale.
Capt. Joseph Tisdale on the rights of John Crossman, Benjamin Crossman, Samuel Darby, Joseph Jones, Jeremiah Wittnell, and Stephen Wilbore.
Deacon Samuel Sumner on the rights of Benjamin Willis and Stephen Macomber. Thomas Clapp on the rights of Nicholas Stephens and Samuel Pratt.
Lieut. Eliphalet Leonard on the rights of William Hodges 2d, Henry Hodges, Francis Liscomb, Stephen Wood, and William Hoskins.
Jonathan Paddleford, Jr. on the rights of Thomas Lincoln 3d, and Samuel Wil- liams 2d.
Joseph Tisdale, Jr. on the rights of John Tisdale, Robert Woodward, and Joseph Drake.
Joseph Eddy on the rights of Nathaniel Caswell and William Leonard.
Capt. James Leonard on the rights of David Cobb and Morgan Cobb.
Benjamin Ruggles on the right of Henry Richmond.
James Williams
Abraham Tisdale.
Seth Staples
John Andrews.
Ensign Seth Sumner 66 66 Isaac Merrick.
Lieut. John Harney
Stephen Gary.
Ebenezer Dean 66 Joseph Richmond.
739
APPENDIX D.
Ebenezer Smith on the right of Thomas Gilbert.
James Walker, Jr.
James Walker.
Lieut. Morgan Cobb 2d
Simeon Cobb.
William Ware
William Thayer.
In addition to the allotments made to these grantees, two rights were set apart for the first and second settled ministers, and one right was assigned for school purposes.
APPENDIX D.
PROPRIETORS OF WESTMINSTER.
Referred to on p. 61.
The names of the proprietors of Westminster, subsequent to the granting of the charter by Governor Benning Wentworth of New Hampshire, on the 9th of Novem- ber, 1752, are contained in the annexed list, taken from the "Records of West- minster," under the date of July 26th, 1753.
"Proprietors. Josiah Willard for and in behalf of
Samuel Greely,
John Pierce,
James Hills,
Nathaniel Mattoon,
John Hunt,
William Wilson,
Benjamin Farwell,
John Taylor,
Robert Usher,
Jonathan Hubbard,
Samuel Cummings,
Jeames Jewel,
Josiah Brown,
Joseph Ashley,
Peter Powers,
Samuel Ashley,
John Chamberlain,
Josiah Willard, Jur.,
Jonathan Cummings,
William Willard,
John Usher,
Robert Fletcher,
Billy Willard, Ephraim Dean,
Jonathan Cummings, Jur.,
Wilder Willard,
Jonathan Willard,
Jethro Wheeler,
Prentice Willard,
John Averill,
Solomon Willard,
Michael Gilson."
Ebenezer Field,
APPENDIX E.
THE FIGHT AT JOHN KILBURN'S FORT.
Referred to on p. 74.
No one who loves to commemorate and record the deeds of his ancestors, can withhold his tribute of approbation from those who were instrumental in consecrat- ing a monument to the memory of their worthy progenitor, Col. Benjamin Bellows,
740
HISTORY OF EASTERN VERMONT.
at Walpole, New Hampshire, on the 11th of October, 1854. From the valuable address made by the Rev. Henry W. Bellows, D.D., on this occasion, which has since been published with other information in a memorial monograph of 125 pages, the following minute account of the transactions referred to in the text is taken :-
"Colonel Bellows's fort .... was situated a little north of liis dwelling-house (built in 1762 and still standing), just on the brow of the terrace overlooking his magnificent meadows. It was shaped like an L, about a hundred feet long in the arms, and twenty feet broad, built of logs and earth, and surrounded by an outer palisade. Althoughi a private garrisoned house, it was yet of such importance as to be named among the fortresses maintained at the public expense, at Fort Dummer, Westmoreland, and Charlestown, being No. 3 in this chain of defences. The royal government supplied each of these forts with a heavy iron gun, for the public pro- tection."
Apprehensive of danger, Colonel Bellows and John Kilburn took every precaution which their limited resources could command, to insure the defence of their own and the neighbouring settlements. The necessity of this course was soon after made fully apparent.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.