USA > Vermont > Windham County > Guilford > Official history of Guilford, Vermont, 1678-1961. With genealogies and biographical sketches > Part 10
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General Fletcher himself hurried from Boston and took command of the army at Brattleboro. On Sunday afternoon the sky was overcast and the gathering clouds thickened as the wind rose through the night until the storm broke early Monday morning with unusual ferocity. The accumulation of snowstorms of several weeks was already deep upon the ground, and all who could provided themselves with rac- quettes, or snowshoes. Samuel Shepardson, of Guilford, was present ready to act as guide, and the expedition started late in the forenoon, the darkness attendant upon the snowstorm having somewhat retarded their departure. The route taken was over the road now known as South Main Street, passing the Ells farm, afterward for many years owned by Wm. F. Richardson, thence over the hill to East Guilford village. On account of the deep snow, the order of march was in single file, and the length of the procession, in the dim light of the rapidly falling snow, seemed to augment its proportions to several times its actual numbers. The fierce northwest storm beat upon the right side of the faces of the troops, and filled their clothing with its fine frozen particles, and increased the unpleasant character of the undertaking.
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At the top of the hill, near the Guilford town line, and a short distance northerly from the then residence of David Joy, later the McConnell place where U.S. highway 91 crosses the Guilford-Brattleboro town line, a horseman was seen near the road, on the further side of the fence, who suddenly departed as the line of troops advanced. Others were discovered along the route, evidently scouts stationed to report the progress and numbers of the enemy, which they greatly overesti- mated, reporting to the waiting Yorkers that the troops were at least one thousand strong. Down the hill came the line of soldiers past the place now owned by Lewis L. Stark, taking the present road toward Guilford Center until it crossed Broad Brook at a short distance east- erly from the present bridge leading into the Hollow, passing the grist and sawmill near by, which was built by Noah Weld some years before, continuing up the hill past the place known as the Knox Bullock place, and the tavern of Hezekiah Stowell, to the White Meeting House.
A few prisoners had been captured on the route, who informed the troops that one hundred and sixty of the Yorkers had taken a solemn pledge to fight to the death. Daylight at that season, and especially upon the occasion of a heavy storm, was of but a few hours duration, and the troops, wearied with their march, had no desire for an engage- ment that night, and were quartered in the meeting house, and in such other houses, barns and sheds as afforded them shelter from the icy blasts of the relentless frozen tempest.
On the morning of the next day, Tuesday, January 20th, hostilities commenced. A party of the Yorkers numbering about forty had col- lected at the tavern of Hezekiah Stowell, about 100 rods northerly of the White Meeting House, where the troops were for the most part quartered. Some of the Yorkers were inside the tavern, some outside, and some were behind a pile of logs nearby. Being informed of their location, the Vermonters sent a detachment to disperse or engage them, but upon the approach of the armed troops the Yorkers im- mediately departed, with the exception of some eight or ten, who were taken prisoners. Those who escaped ran down the slope to the west- ward and proceeded to the dwelling house of Lucretia Houghton, who was the widow of Lieut. Edward Houghton, and lived in the Hough- ton Tavern, later known as Taft place, now owned by John S. and Jarvis G. Nichols of Syosset, N. Y., in a commodious residence, where town meetings were many times held. Here the Yorkers took another stand, and again swore to stay and fight it out. Captain Burk's West- minster company of 44 men, and two other companies, took possession of the Stowell tavern, while Capt. Benjamin Whitney's company of 100 men from the regiment of state troops, advanced to attack the Yorkers at the Houghton place. No resistance was offered, and at the approach of the Vermonters the Yorkers again retreated without order
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a short distance south, to the home of James Houghton. It being to- ward three o'clock in the afternoon, and only about one hour before nightfall, it was decided to quarter the troops in the Stowell and Houghton houses, where they could be much more comfortable than in the meeting house, where there was neither stove nor fireplace, al- though some remained at the meeting house until the following day.
Guards were stationed about the quarters, and spies sent out to learn as much as possible about the motions and plans of the Yorkers, and all were made as comfortable as conditions would permit. On the next day, Jan. 21st, the troops first assembled at the Stowell house.
Small parties were detailed to reconnoiter in Marlborough and Halifax, and the greater portion of the remaining troops were sent in pursuit of the Yorkers, who had thus far appeared to be without either organization or leaders. The snow had now accumulated to the depth of four feet on a level, and none of the soldiers, not even the officers, were mounted, and the latter found it difficult to perform their duties with satisfactory alacrity. Horses were procured, by what means we are not informed, for the use of Colonel Bradley, Adjutant Spooner, Dr. Elkanah Day, and some others, which greatly facilitated the supervision of operations. The Yorkers had gone southerly from the Houghton tavern, over the present R.F.D. #3 mail route, passing the dwellings now of Sam W. St. John, Jr. and Dr. Sweet, through school districts No. 5 and 10, over the Belden Hill road to Packers Corners, where the Yorkers were reported to have congregated at the tavern of James Packer, a prominent member of their faction and justice of the peace, whose house stood on the right, or westerly side of the road, giving the name of Packer's Corners to the little crossroads settlement. The place was for many years owned by Chester Randall, after occupied by Harry White and by Edwin F. Porter, now owned by Thomas E. and Allison S. Hannan of New York.
It was noon when the Vermont troops came within sight of the Packer place. The Yorkers, to the number of thirty or forty, were within and at dinner. As soon as they discovered the approach of the enemy they rushed out with their guns, and posted themselves for de- fence. On the right, the brush and undergrowth had been cleared away, but a number of large girdled hemlocks still remained standing, affording excellent protection from an advancing foe.
On the left, a growth of large sugar maples offered similar advan- tages. A large log, or tree trunk, had been placed across the road and behind this log, the maples and the girdled hemlocks, the Yorkers took the last stand which they were to take against the Vermonters in the long struggle during which they had attempted to defend themselves against the dictation of those who had never possessed any lawful right to exercise authority over them. Sergeant Silvanus Fisk, of Westmin- ster, was temporarily in command of the advance company. As they
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reached the Packer house, Squire Packer came to his door and begged of Sergeant Fisk not to proceed, telling him that as soon as he passed a blacksmith shop, which stood on the opposite side of the road a few rods further to the south, he and his men would certainly be fired upon by the Yorkers. Fisk was young, impetuous, and no doubt obeying orders, and was not inclined to heed the warning. He had previously remarked that he "would show the Yorkers how the pig ate the butter," and he had as yet seen nothing to cause him to hesitate or waver. The troops advanced, and as soon as they reached the point indicated by Squire Packer, a few shots were fired from the girdled hemlocks on the elevation at the right, resulting in no damage. Pressing forward they received another volley from the barricaded forces behind the log in front, by which Joel Knight, of Dummerston, was slightly wounded by a bullet in the arm. As the smoke lifted, a man wearing a coat of military blue was seen to step out from behind one of the maples at the left, take deliberate aim at Sergeant Fisk, and discharge his mus- ket; the ball took effect in the right side of the stomach, passing into the groin. Private Theophilus Crawford, who stood near him ex- claimed, "Are you badly hurt, Sergeant?" Fisk replied, "God bless you, don't ask any questions, but push on and kill some of the devils." The Yorkers then retreated in haste, the troops pursuing them over the south road to the Massachusetts line, a short half mile away, but hav- ing no instructions to proceed into the jurisdiction of another state, they then returned.
Fisk was seriously wounded, and unable to walk; he was placed upon a sled, taken to the house of Widow Lucretia Houghton, and treated with all the skill available, but he languished until the follow- ing September, when he died. Suits were brought by Fisk against several of the Guilford men supposed to have been members of the firing party. On March 4th, 1784, an attachment was levied upon eighty acres of land belonging to the farm of Nathaniel Carpenter, and on April 21st, following, Fisk caused to be attached all the real estate in Guilford belonging to Giles Roberts, Samuel Bixby, William White, James Davison, Daniel Ashcraft, Henry Evans, Joseph Peck, Adonijah Putnam, Joshua Nurse, David Goodenough, and Joseph Eliot.
In March the Assembly voted Fisk £ 35 on account of his illness. Colonel Bradley, in his report of the skirmish, reported that the York- ers fired about twenty five shots, and that "our troops never discharged a gun until they had received about fifteen shot from them." From this it is evident that the troops did some firing but how much is not known. It is certain that none of the Yorkers were injured.
On January 22nd, the day after the engagement, Ethan Allen ar- rived from Bennington with a supply of ammunition and three com- panies of state troops for the reinforcement of the troops in Guilford. These companies were commanded by Captain Joseph Stafford, Cap-
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tain Hezekiah Armstrong and Captain Joseph Wickwire, but the re- ports do not show the numbers of the rank and file. Not daring to pursue the Guilfordites into the state of Massachusetts, the officers in command, after a long consultation, decided that further resistance in Guilford to the authority of Vermont would not be attempted, and that the main body of the troops should return. Accordingly, on the same morning a company was dispatched to break out the road to Brattleborough, through the snow which was now four feet deep.
The remainder of the troops left the Stowell tavern about two o'clock in the afternoon, with about twenty prisoners, and reached the tavern of Josiah Arms, in Brattleborough, that night, when a portion of the troops were disbanded. On the next morning, the 23rd, the troops remaining proceeded to Westminster, where the Yorkers were lodged in jail to await trial at the following session of the Superior Court.
The Yorkers who had fled to Leyden, and other Massachusetts towns, were given food and shelter, and although their friends of the Bay state had much sympathy for them, yet they did not feel like en- gaging in hostilities in their behalf without express authority of Con- gress. The Guilford men sent a messenger to the Vermonters, promis- ing passive obedience until the rising of the Vermont Assembly provided they should be permitted to return to their homes in peace. No reply was made to their overtures, and the messenger was held as a prisoner by the Vermonters.
A strong guard of troops was stationed at Westminster, to insure the safe keeping of the Guilford prisoners until the session of court could dispose of their cases. Court was convened on February 3rd, Chief Justice Moses Robinson presiding.
For the abduction of Col. Benjamin Carpenter, upon the first of the preceding December, a few arrests were made. Charles Phelps, Abraham Avery and Henry Evans pleaded not guilty, and were dis- charged upon payment of costs of prosecution. Cyril Carpenter alone was found guilty of this offence, and was fined £ 20, and required to give bonds for his good behavior, and to stand committed until sen- tence was complied with.
Several of the Yorkers were indicted by grand jury for the wound- ing of Sergeant Fisk in January, and of these Joseph Wells, of Brattle- boro pleaded guilty, and was sentenced to pay a fine of £ 20 and costs, and to imprisonment for six months, and until judgment should be discharged. Elijah Curtis pleaded not guilty, and was fined £ 10 and costs. On another indictment Joseph Wells pleaded guilty, was fined £ 30 and costs, and sentenced to close confinement for six months. Amos Yaw, Jr., pleaded guilty to the charge of disobeying a Vermont officer, and was fined £ 5 and costs. Edward Carpenter, Asaph Car- penter, Shubael Bullock, Joseph Chamberlain, David Thurber, and
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several others were fined in various sums, for complicity in divers disturbances in contravention to Vermont authority.
The prosecutions having been disposed of court adjourned, and Westminster was evacuated by civil and military forces.
For the purpose of preventing the return of the Guilford Yorkers who had escaped to Massachusetts, and to discourage any attempt to re-open hostilities in Guilford, a portion of the state troops comprising sixty five men under Captain Benjamin Whitney and twenty men un- der Lieut. Elijah Knight, were returned and quartered in Guilford and vicinity until about March Ist the following year.
On Feb. 25, 1784, a committee reported in Assembley that "in their opinion twenty seven men, officers included, will be a guard sufficient to be stationed at Guilford for the time being, which guard to consist of one lieutenant, one ensign, two sergeants, two corporals and twenty one rank and file, and the remainder of the state troops raised to assist the Sheriff in the County of Windham in executing the laws of this State be discharged as soon as may be and that some person be appointed by this Assembly to proceed to Guilford with orders to direct what officers and soldiers shall remain in Guilford to complete the guard as above said, and to discharge the remainder of said troops."
This report was read and accepted, and it was thereupon "Re- solved, that Brigadier General Samuel Fletcher be, and is hereby ap- pointed and empowered to proceed to Guilford, and discharge the State troops raised for the assistance of the Sheriff of Windham County in execution the laws of this State, except 1 Lieutenant, 1 Ensign, 2 Sergeants, 2 Corporals and 21 rank and file, and that it be at his dis- cretion who to retain."
The Vermont troops stationed at Guilford found little to occupy their time, except to ravage and despoil the dwellings of those absent Yorkers whose habitations had been suddenly left unprotected. What- ever the soldiers fancied, or could utilize for their comfort, conven- ience, or to satisfy their curiosity or desire for vengeance, they pos- sessed themselves of. Finally, intent upon further excitement, a party of them set out upon the 20th of February for the purpose of captur- ing Daniel Shepardson, who was commissioned as a justice of the peace, under the authority of New York, and usually a resident of Guilford, but now, in the exercise of discretion, sojourning in Massa- chusetts.
Learning of his temporary abiding place, the troops proceeded to Northfield, Massachusetts, notwithstanding that they were committing a grave offense in so invading that commonwealth, and took Mr. Shepardson, conducting him hurriedly back to Vermont, where he was placed in confinement.
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On February 28, 1784, in the Assembly, it was "resolved that the State's Attorney for the County of Windham be, and he is hereby directed to suspend collecting the fines against the following persons until further order, viz ;- Cyril Carpenter, Edward Carpenter, Asaph Carpenter, Amos Yaw, Jr., Shubael Bullock, Elijah Curtis, Joseph Chamberlain, and Daniel Thurber." This disposed of these matters for the time being, and on the following October 26th, the Council remitted the fines against the three Carpenters.
The Shooting of Daniel Spicer: By virtue of the authority and di- rection of the Legislature, by its resolution passed on February 25th, General Fletcher went to Guilford, and on March 1 dismissed the militia, with the exception of Lieutenant Elijah Knight and twenty-six other officers and men.
This reduction of troops encouraged the Guilford sojourners in Massachusetts in the belief that they would not be resisted as vigor- ously as during the preceding two months, and they began making brief visits to Guilford during the night time, to make inquiries con- cerning the probable outcome of events. Lieutenant Knight and his diminished force, realizing the responsibility imposed upon them, redoubled their vigilance, and watched the operations of the uneasy Yorkers with zealous care.
Among the most prominent of the Guilford adherents to New York was David Goodenough, who was a Lieutenant under appoint- ment of that state, and had been imprisoned by the Vermont officers for accepting such a commission. He had been released under heavy bonds, and finally being ordered out of town had left his wife and children and was staying with friends in Massachusetts until circum- stances for his return should be more propitious. Having been away from home for some time, he wished to visit his family, and as his life had been threatened he thought best to go by night.
He invited Daniel Spicer, a young man residing in Bernardston, to accompany him to Guilford. Spicer had no interest in the Guilford troubles, and informed Goodenough to that effect, and that he should remain neutral so far as all matters pertaining to that controversy were concerned. On March 5th, these two men left Goodenough's tem- porary abiding place for Guilford, starting about nine o'clock at night. They went to Packer's Corners, and from thence north, over the Belden Hill road, putting on their snow shoes, in case it became necessary to leave the travelled road. Presently they were halted by a sentry sta- tioned by the roadside, who surprised them with a "Who comes there?" Lieutenant Knight appeared close by with twenty mén, and before the challenge could be answered, attempted to shoot the two wayfarers. Although the moon was full, yet a thick fog obscured the light, and Goodenough and Spicer jumped over the fence which bordered the
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easterly side of the road and undertook to gain the cover of the deep woods close by. Knight and his troops ran up to within four rods of Spicer and fired upon him. One bullet lodged in his hip, another passing entirely through his body, causing a wound which was soon to prove fatal. As he fell the troops rushed upon him, made no attempt to relieve him, commanded him to take his own knife and cut off his snowshoes, which they claimed as the spoils of war. They then robbed him of his arms, wallet and money, then dragged him through the snow some sixty rods to the dwelling house of Augustus Belden and left him on the floor, soaked in blood, then departed with angry oaths over the escape of Goodenough, who had succeeded in getting away into the forest. The scene of the shooting of Spicer was about sixty rods south of the site of the Belden house, the filled and grass- grown cellar of which is still clearly discernible on the easterly side of the Belden Hill Road. Spicer lingered through the night, in great agony, and during his last hours he related to William White and James Davidson, both Guilford men, the circumstances of the affair, who reduced the statements of the dying Spicer to writing and made oath to them before Judge Richard Morris of New York. A narrative of the event was also prepared by four of the refugees in Bernardston, and sent by them to Governor Clinton.
Spicer was a soldier of the revolution, having served as a sergeant of the Massachusetts militia, and had been honorably discharged in the month of June last previous to his death. In connection with this unfortunate affair, it is interesting to note that Daniel Spicer had a brother, Jabez, who lived in Leyden, Massachusetts. Jabez was involved in the historic Shay's Rebellion and was killed in the attack on the Arsenal at Springfield, Massachusetts on January 25, 1787 and it is said that on this occasion he wore the same coat worn by Daniel when the latter was shot by the Vermonters, and that the bullets which killed Daniel and Jabez both passed through the same hole in the coat.
After the death of Spicer, Lieutenant Knight, fearing an attack by the Massachusetts friends of the deceased, quickly increased his force by levies from Dummerston and other nearby towns. He strengthened his outposts and employed local aid, especially one John Noyes, as scouts and expresses, and in watching the motions of the insurgents, and in piloting the troops over the drifted roads to places seeming to require protection. Two days after the shooting, on March 5th, Knight despatched a messenger to the Legislature, then in session at Benning- ton, with a statement of events, and immediate action was taken. Gen- eral Fletcher was directed to repair at once to the scene of disturb- ances, and empowered to call out all the militia which he might need, and measures adopted for their subsistence and payment. Before the messenger could return from Bennington, it was currently reported that an army was coming from Massachusetts to avenge the death of
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Spicer and to reinstate the Yorkers in their possessions. Knight and his company, filled with terror over the prospect of speedy extermination, departed in great haste to Brattleborough, where he summoned the militia to his aid; this was promptly dismissed by General Fletcher, who quieted his apprehensions, and all the state troops which had been located in the southern part of Windham county, were dismissed from service before the 1st of April.
The annual town meeting, which had been called for the first week in March, was adjourned to March 18th, on account of the appre- hension and uncertainty caused by the shooting of Daniel Spicer. Upon the 18th however, the usual officers were chosen, chiefly from the Ver- mont partisans, but a few names are recognized as those of men who had been allied with the New York element. The existing record of the regular and adjourned meetings is as follows:
Guilford the 2nd day of March, 1784.
At a meeting of the inhabitance of Guilford being legally warned, Made choice of Lieutenant David Stoel moderator to guvern.
2 made choice of William Smalley, Town Clerk and then Ajound to the 18th day of said March.
Thursday the 18th day of March, 1784.
The town met acording to ajournment and proseded to choose town officers by a nomination.
1 mad choise of De Thomas Cutler and William Smalley and Jo- seph Dinsmore Selectmen.
2 mad choice of Lovwill Bullock Tresurrer for said town.
3 mad choice of Nicholas Pullen and Jonas Nicholes and Daniel Boyden Constables for the year insuing.
4 Jobe Whitney & Stephen Goold, Ruphus Fisk & Jedediah Well- man Listers.
5 David Stoel & Daniel Stoel, Selars of Lether.
6 Simeon Edwards and Eparam Nicholes Gran
7 Joseph Bullock, Caleb Carpenter, Ruphus Fisk tithingmen.
8 Samuel Reade, Stepan Shapardson Jr., Eparam Gail, William Marsh Jr. Haywards.
9 Benjamin Buckland, Brander of horses.
10 David Stoel, Seler of waits and measures.
11 John Noice, Samuel Macklewain, Jobe Whitney, Cap David Denarson, Jedediah Wellman, Paul Chase, Elihu Root, David Stoel, Daniel Knites, Stephen Goold, John Stafford, Jr., Survars of highwayes.
12 Voted that the constables should colect the Town Raits.
A true reckord, William Smalley, Town Clerk.
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Guilford the first day of Aprail 1784 then apeared Nicholas Pullen, Constable, and drew out the name of Matthew Pullen to sarve as a pety jurarman at Westminster in May next.
A true recorde, William Smalley, Town Clerk
The last town meeting held by the Guilford Yorkers as a separate faction was held on April 27, 1784, when they met at the house of Hezekiah Stowell, and
1. Made choice of Jotham Biglo, Moderator.
2. Made choice of Saml. Bixby, Town Clerk.
3. Adjourned this meeting to the 8th day of June, next, at the house of Capt. Hezekiah Stowell, at one o'clock in the afternoon.
No record appears of proceedings of the adjourned meeting, and it is to be presumed that no meeting was held.
Joel Bigelow of Guilford represented this town in the Westminster Convention which met on the 21st of January, 1784. William Shattuck of Halifax and Elijah Prouty of Brattleborough represented those towns at that time.
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