USA > Vermont > Rutland County > Pittsford > History of the town of Pittsford, Vt., with biographical sketches and family records > Part 9
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Thus, on the 10th day of May, 1775, was achieved by the
* Arnold had joined Allen at Castleton.
+ History of Shoreham.
103
REPULSE AT ST. JOHNS.
colonies the first important conquest of the Revolutionary war, a conquest in which the citizens of Pittsford felt a deep interest and, in the honors of which, they are entitled to an humble share, inasmuch as Capt. Cooley and his recruits were among the first to cross the lake, to enter the covered passage and to parade upon the square within the fort. A few days afterwards Allen and Arnold formed a plan to take the King's sloop that lay in the harbor of St. Johns, and to attack the garrison. The first part of the plan was easily accomplished, but their attack upon the garrison was repulsed, and the assailants were obliged to retire. The capture of the King's sloop which took place on the 17th of May, gave the captors the complete command of the lake, and thereby, for a time, protected the settlers upon the New Hampshire grants against the incursions of the enemy from the north. The colony of Connecticut, by the . request of Continental Congress, and also of the Congress of New York, sent a regiment of one thousand men to garrison and maintain the posts at Ticonderoga and Crown Point, and on its arrival there, early in June, Col. Allen delivered up his authority to Col. Benjamin Hinman, the commander of the Connecticut forces, when the men from the New Hampshire grants who had been collected for a brief period, and a tempo- rary purpose, were discharged and permitted to return to their homes.
At the time of this, the first call upon Pittsford for troops to serve in the war of the Revolution, there were within the limits of the township, thirty-eight families, and, including the children, about one hundred and ninety-five individuals, who were nearly all loyal to the cause of their country. But they shared the ill feeling subsisting between the people of the New Hampshire Grants and the governing authorities of New York, to which province they nominally belonged, and were unwilling to enter the military service unless they could do this inde- pendently of the government they so much detested. But the
104
HISTORY OF PITTSFORD.
Green Mountain Boys having established a reputation for patriotism and bravery, were urged to enter the field, and arrangements were made by which they could do this, as an independent corps, and under officers of their own selection. They were organized under the direction of Gen. Schuyler who had been appointed a Major General and assigned to the com- mand of the northern frontier. The General's head-quarters for a time were at Ticonderoga.
The officers of the Vermont battalion chosen at a conven- tion of town committees held at Dorset, were as follows :
Seth Warner, Lieut .- Colonel.
Samuel Safford, Major.
Captains - Wait Hopkins, Oliver Potter, John Grant, William Fitch, Gideon Brownson, Micah Vail, Heman Allen.
First Lieutenants-John Fassett, Ebenezer Allen, Barna- bus Barnum, Tille Blakely, Ira Allen, Gideon Warren, David Galusha.
Second Lieutenants-John Nobles, James Claghorn, John Chipman, Nathan Smith, Jesse Sawyer, Joshua Stanton, Philo Hard.
Early in June, Col. Allen urged upon the Continental Con- gress the policy of an immediate invasion of Canada, and after about three months delay, an expedition was fitted out for this purpose. But Gen. Schuyler's health not permitting him to continue in active command on the northern frontier, the American forces were led by Gen. Richard Montgomery, who, on the 17th of September, laid siege to St. Johns, a fortified post near the outlet of Lake Champlain. He was soon joined by the Green Mountain Boys under the command of Col. Warner. The Colonel, with a portion of his men, was sent to the St. Lawrence, in the vicinity of Montreal, to watch the movements of the enemy. Montgomery pushed the siege of St. Johns, which was defended by six or seven hundred men, who made a brave and protracted resistance in the hope of
105
INVASION OF CANADA.
being soon relieved by Gen. Carlton, the Governor of Canada. Carlton was exerting himself to the utmost for their relief, and collecting about eight hundred men, consisting of the militia of Montreal, some Canadians, a few regulars, and some Indians, he embarked them from Montreal to cross the St. Lawrence and land at Longuiel. Their movements were watched from the opposite shore by Col. Warner, who with about three hun- dred Green Mountain Boys and some troops from New York, prepared for their approach. As they came near the south shore, Warner and his men opened upon them a well directed and incessant fire of musketry and grape-shot, which threw them into great confusion, and they retired in disorder and gave up the attempt. This decided the fate of St. Johns, for the commander of that post, on hearing of the defeat of Carlton, well understood that he could receive no relief, and as he had little prospect of being able to defend the place much longer, he decided to surrender the garrison prisoners of war, and on the third day of November they marched out of the works and laid down their arms. Carlton, having been repulsed, retired to Montreal, and Warner, to confine him there, pro- ceeded to erect a battery at the mouth of the Sorel, which should command the passage of the St. Lawrence ; but Carlton escaped and marched for Quebec only the day preceding the arrival of Montgomery, who took possession of Montreal with- out opposition. Warner's regiment thus acted an important part in the reduction of St. Johns and Montreal, but having served as volunteers and being too miserably clothed to endure a winter campaign in that northern latitude, they were honora- bly discharged on the 20th of November and returned to their homes. Leaving a small garrison at Montreal, Montgomery hastened to Quebec to join Arnold who had reached that city by a march through the wilderness, which was memorably bold in conception and daring in execution. The Generals made a simultaneous assault upon the fortifications at different points
106
HISTORY OF PITTSFORD.
which, however, signally failed, and the troops, weakened by disaster, were compelled to retire in discouragement and gloom.
Upon the death of Montgomery the command in Canada devolved upon Gen. Wooster, then at Montreal. This officer made every effort to reinforce Arnold in the vicinity of Quebec, and to garrison strongly all the military posts in his possession within the province. To do this he was obliged to call upon the colonies for a generous supply of men and provisions. On the 6th of January, 1776, he wrote to Col. Warner for aid, and after mentioning the misfortunes at Quebec he says: "I have not time to give you all the particulars, but this much will show you that in consequence of this defeat our present pros- pect in this country is rendered very dubious, and unless we can be quickly reinforced perhaps they may be fatal, not only to us who are stationed here, but also to the colonies in general; as in my opinion the safety of the colonies, especially the fron- tiers, very greatly depends upon keeping possession of this country. You, sir, and the valiant Green Mountain corps are in our neighborhood. You all have arms, and I am confident ever stand ready to lend a helping hand to your brethren in distress, therefore let me beg of you to raise as many men as you can, and somehow get into this country, and stay with us till we can have relief from the colonies. You will see that proper officers are appointed under you, and both officers and privates will receive the same pay as the continental troops. It will be well for your men to set out as soon as they can be collected. * I can but hope that the people will make a push to get into this country, and I am confident I shall see you here with your men in a very short time."* Warner, in response to this request, issued a call for troops, and a regiment soon gathering around him he set out for Canada, and was among the first to join Arnold before Quebec.
* Early History of Vermont.
107
RETREAT FROM CANADA.
But the American soldiers were poorly prepared to endure a winter campaign in that northern climate. Not having com- fortable barracks, clothing or provisions, their sufferings were severe, and to add to their dismay, the small-pox* broke out among them and was carrying destruction through the camp. Among those who fell victims to this loathsome disease, was Isaac Buck, Sen., of Pittsford. The state of affairs being such, Arnold could do little more than maintain the blockade of the river and cut off the supplies of the city. By the 5th of May his forces were so much reduced, and their provisions so nearly exhausted that a council of war was called, and, in view of their weakened condition, and the daily expected arrival from England, of large reinforcements for the city, it was decided to make a hasty retreat. Early the next morning the expected British troops arrived at. Quebec, and about noon Carlton marched out of the city to give battle to the Americans, who, abandoning their artillery, stores, baggage, and every incum- brance, fled as fast as they could. Col. Warner's regiment covered the retreat, and by his prudence, vigilance and perse- verence, he brought off many who would otherwise have fallen into the hands of the enemy. The retreat was continued from post to post, with the British army in close pursuit ; and tow- ards the last of June the Americans reached Ticonderoga, a few days after the main army had taken possession of that fortress. As the continentals held the command of the lake they did not apprehend any immediate molestation from the enemy, and Warner's regiment, raised for a temporary purpose, was discharged.
Hitherto the rank of Warner had been that of Lieutenant- Colonel, and his corps had been employed only for temporary purposes, but his services and those of his men were so highly appreciated that on the 5th of July, the day after the declara-
* This disease was given to the soldiers by a girl, who came into the American camp from the hospital in Quebec.
108
HISTORY OF PITTSFORD.
tion of independence, Congress resolved to organize in Vermont a regiment of regular troops for permanent service, and this regiment was to be under command of officers who had served in Canada. Seth Warner was appointed Colonel, and Samuel Safford, Lieutenant-Colonel.
No sooner had the Americans evacuated Canada than Gen. Carlton commenced the construction of vessels at St. Johns, with the design of securing the command of Lake Champlain. And such were his facilities that in a few months he had a naval force greatly superior to that of the Americans. Engage- ments between these hostile fleets, on the 11th and 13th of October, resulted in favor of the British, and Arnold, who had command of the American flotilla, destroyed his vessels, and with the most of his men retired to Ticonderoga. General Gates, who was then in command at that post, supposing that Carlton would attempt to follow up his success by an attack upon the garrison, called earnestly for reinforcements. The three regiments which had been organized on the west side of the Green Mountains turned out en masse, and were soon with Gates at Mount Independence. Carlton landed his forces at Crown Point, where he remained about two weeks, but finding the Americans strongly intrenched and prepared for an obsti- nate defence, he retired into Canada for the winter.
The militia which had been hastily called to the assistance of Gates were discharged early in November, and the campaign for the year 1776, in the northern department, was thus brought to a close.
One pretty well authenticated incident, however, is related as having taken place in the fall of this year, which may be here appropriately noticed. The circumstances as we find them narrated were as follows :
"It appears that John Fassett of Bennington and Jonathan Fassett of Pittsford had received commissions as Captains to raise two companies of Green Mountain Boys for the defence
109
COMPANY SENT TO ROOD'S SETTLEMENT.
of the frontier settlements. The militia company of Rutland was called together for the purpose of ascertaining if any of them would volunteer to join the company of Jonathan Fassett. It was agreed that the man who could procure the most volun- teers should receive a commission as Lieutenant. Two persons offered themselves as candidates for that office; one was Thomas Lee, but the name of the second person is forgot- ten. The latter made an effort and succeeded in obtaining one volunteer. Lee tried and immediately recruited some fifteen or twenty, and was accordingly appointed Lieutenant.
There was at that time a small settlement on Onion River in the town of Jericho. Their remote and exposed situation caused considerable anxiety, and after consultation it was agreed that Lieut. Lee and his men should go and assist them in removing south, where they could be more conveniently pro- tected Accordingly, providing themselves with provisions sufficient for ten days, and with no change of clothing, Lee and his men left home for Jericho. Lee's Sergeants were Mott and Martin, (the former of whom afterwards settled in Brandon and became deacon of the Baptist church in that place,) his waiter was Joshua Pratt of Rutland, then quite young, and among his men were Wait Wright, Benjamin Johnson and Nathan Pratt of Rutland. Among the settlers at Jericho was a certain politic Deacon Rood, who, on the arrival of Lee- * fully appreciating the benefit of living at home, and being well , protected by soldiers, as contrasted with the disadvantages of removal to a land of strangers, however amicable - slyly departed for Ticonderoga, and there obtained from General Gates as Continental Commander of the Northern Department, orders not only for Lee to remain where he was, but also for the Fassetts to come there with their companies. In obedience to this order Lee remained at Rood's settlement about five weeks, his men meanwhile managing as best they could, with only one suit of clothes apiece. On the arrival of the Fassetts,
110
HISTORY OF PITTSFORD.
Lee and his men obtained a furlough and returned to refresh themselves and recruit their wardrobes. With the Fassetts was Matthew Lyon, as Lieutenant, then of Arlington, afterwards of Fairhaven. The pleasures of life at Jericho-with nothing but interminable woods around them, and no society except what was found in unseasonable calls from bears, wolves, Indians and Tories-soon began to be realized in all their captivation, by the Fassetts, Lyon and company. Their inactivity and expo- sure were naturally dissatisfying, and they imparted their dis- satisfaction to each other. Presently they resolved to leave the station, but this was a dangerous step. To desert his post would be, to the officer, public disgrace and the loss of his commission, and to the soldier it would be death. They finally arranged that the soldiers should appear to mutiny and compel the officers to leave ; and packing up, off they started for home. Meanwhile, Lee and his men-their furlough was about to expire-had started from Rutland and arrived at Brandon on their return to Jericho, when news of the desertion reached them. Lee, sending on his men, immediately crossed over to Ticonderoga to inform Gen. Gates of the affair. Gates had already heard of it and sent a Major with a corps of riflemen to intercept the fugitives and bring them to Ti. At Middle- bury the riflemen met Lee's men and a difficulty arose imme- diately. The Major's orders were to take the Fassetts and all their men. Lee's men replied through their Sergeants Mott and Martin, that they had done no wrong, and would not give up their arms, or surrender as prisoners, to any power on earth; they should encamp where they were, as they had intended, but. if the riflemen would go on that night they would follow them the next morning, and to this the Major-seeing there was no. other way without a fight-consented. The Fassetts, Lyon and their men were taken near New Haven and carried to Ti. Here their swords were taken from the officers, and all thrown into the guard-house. Lee obtained authority to release all he
111
NO FAVOR FROM THE N. Y. GOVERNMENT.
knew to be innocent, and the rest were court-martialed. The fact having been elicited by the investigation the sentence liberated all the soldiers and not only deprived the officers of their commissions but rendered them ineligible to a reappoint- ment in the continental service. The latter part of the sentence of the officers Gates took off, saying that if anybody was d-d fool enough to appoint such cowards they might. The next year Gen. St. Clair, as commander of the Northern Depart- ment, reversed the sentence of the officers. This transaction excited general execration throughout the army, the officers were hung in effigy, etc. The Fassetts never afterwards held any commission in the continental service, though Lyon was appointed Paymaster, and Lee received a commission as Cap- tain for three years and recruited a company of which Martin was a Lieutenant."
As has already been intimated, the excitement produced by the Revolutionary war caused a tempary suspension of the controversy with the New York land claimants. And it was hoped that the new government, which took the place of the old, colonial government of New York, would be more favora- bly disposed towards the inhabitants of the New Hampshire Grants, and recognize the justice of their claims. But it was soon found that the New York land jobbers had a controlling. influence in the new government, and that no more could be hoped from this than from the old government. The conven- tion of that State, by a unanimous vote, claimed all the quit rents formerly due to the King of Great Britain. It was obvi- ous that for the Green Mountain people "to submit to the claims of New York, was to give up the whole of their prop- erty, and to reduce themselves to a state of dependence and beggary. To oppose her claims and power, would probably bring on not only a contest with New York, but with Congress also ; and to continue without some form of government was impossible."
112
HISTORY OF PITTSFORD.
This was a difficult situation and gave rise to a variety of opinions. Some, preferring New Hampshire, advocated a return to that government ; others were inclined to submit to New York; but the more courageous were for establishing an independent government.
To ascertain the prevailing opinion, and determine what measures should be adopted for the defence of the district against the common enemy, a convention was called to meet at. Dorset, on Wednesday, the 24th of July, 1776. In response to this call thirty-two towns sent delegates to meet at the time and place appointed. Pittsford was represented in that con- vention by Jonathan Fassett, Jonathan Rowley and Aaron Parsons. The convention by an almost unanimous vote decided that they could not consort with New York or New Hamp- shire ; but "to convince the public of their readiness to join in the common defence of the liberties of America they pub- lished and subscribed the following association, viz .:
"We the subscribers, inhabitants of the district of land commonly called and known by the name of the New Hamp- shire Grants, do voluntarily and solemnly engage under all the ties held sacred amongst mankind, at the risk of our lives and fortunes, to defend by arms the United American States against the hostile attempts of the British fleets and armies, until the present unhappy controversy between the two countries shall be settled."
Such associations had been entered into by members of public bodies in the several colonies, and it had been recom- mended that they be also subscribed by their constituents. Such an association had been adopted and recommended by the committee of safety of New York, to be subscribed by the people of that colony. The inhabitants of the New Hamp- shire Grants would not subscribe the New York association, but they here adopted one of their own, and declared that
113
THE COVENANT.
"any persons within the district who should subscribe and return any other association than the above to the committees of safety for either of the counties in the province of New York, should be deemed enemies to the common cause of the New Hampshire Grants."
The convention then adjourned to meet at the same place on Wednesday the 25th of September following.
The convention assembled agreeably to adjournment and was attended by fifty-six delegates representing thirty-three towns. Various measures preliminary to the formation of the territory into a separate State were adopted, and such action was taken as would enable them to furnish aid in the general struggle against the common enemy. The contest with New York in relation to their land titles was duly considered, and it was unanimously voted "that no directions or laws of that State should be accepted or obeyed." A covenant or compact was subscribed by all the members and recommended for sig- nature by their constituents. This covenant-omitting the preamble-was as follows, viz .:
"We the subscribers, inhabitants of that district of land commonly called and known by the name of the New Hamp- shire Grants, being legally delegated and authorized to transact the public political affairs of the aforesaid district, for ourselves and constituents, do solemnly covenant and engage that, for the time being, we will strictly and regularly adhere to the several resolves of this or a future convention, constituted on said district by the free voice of the friends to American liberties, which shall not be repugnant to the resolves of the honorable the Continental Congress, relative to the cause of America."
The town committees were directed "to see to it that the association be forthwith signed by every individual male inhab- itant of each town from sixteen years old and upwards and that the association thus signed be returned to Dr. Jonas Fay, clerk of the convention, before its next sitting."
9
114
HISTORY OF PITTSFORD.
At this convention "a committee of war, consisting of nine members, was appointed, who were authorized to issue warrants or commissions in the name of the convention to the several field officers of the militia, and were invested with the general superintendence of the military affairs of the district."
"They were directed on sufficient notice of the Continental Congress, or from the commander of the armies of the United States, or on any sudden emergency, to order the militia to march immediately to such part of the continent as might be required."
After the transaction of some other business of minor importance the convention adjourned "to meet at the Court House in Westminster on Wednesday the 30th of October then next."
When the convention reassembled the inhabitants of the territory were in a state of great excitement and alarm in con- sequence of the destruction of the American naval force on Lake Champlain, and the threatened attack of Carlton upon Ticonderoga. A large proportion of the people having gone to the defence of that fortress, the convention was very thinly attended, and but little business was transacted. After a brief session . the convention adjourned to meet again at the same place on the third Wednesday of the ensuing January.
The convention assembled agreeably to adjournment on the 15th of January, 1777, and voted unanimously for a separate and independent State, to be known as New Connecticut, and a declaration to this effect was adopted and published.
The convention was then adjourned to meet at the meeting house in Windsor, on the first Wednesday of June then next.
The declaration was presented to Congress on the 8th of April, by a committee chosen for that purpose, together with a petition, praying that the district might be ranked among the free and independent American States, and delegates therefrom admitted to seats in the Continental Congress. All this had
115
PROCEEDINGS OF CONVENTIONS.
been done in direct opposition to the government of New York, and the influence of that State in Congress prevented a favora- ble consideration of it.
The convention of the New Hampshire Grants assembled on Wednesday, the 4th day of June, and was very fully attended, fifty townships being represented by seventy-two dele- gates. In the three preceding conventions Pittsford does not appear to have been represented, but in the present convention the delegate from this town was Jonathan Fassett. In the course of the proceedings a committee was appointed to draft a constitution, and a resolution was passed recommending that each town elect and send representatives to the convention which was to meet at Windsor in the July following. A com- ยท mittee was appointed to wait on the commander at Ticon- deroga and consult with him respecting the regulations and defence of the frontiers; and an act was passed appointing Wednesday, the 18th of June, as a day of public fasting and prayer, the first ever appointed in the State.
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