USA > Vermont > Records of the Council of Safety and Governor and Council of the State of Vermont, to which are prefixed the records of the General Conventions from July 1775 to December 1777, Vol. I > Part 25
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will be applied to on his return. Each Recruiting officer will be allowed one dollar for Each Volunteer ; Warrants are sent to the Captains on the East side the Mountains, with instructions for Recruiting. It is hoped the men will be ready to March by the first of next Month. You will please to Let the Council know immediately wheather you except.
I am Sir your most Obt hum. Servant, By order of Council, JOSEPH FAY, Sec'y.
Major Benja. Wait.
IN COUNCIL, Bennington 10th Feby 1778.
This Council having Taken under their Consideration the Complaint made to this Council by Captain Zadock Averis [ Everest] in behalf of the United States against John Gail for Enimical Conduct [against] the United States of America, having Examined the Evidence, & every at- tending Circumstance relative thereto, and after seriously deliberating thereon, do Judge and order that the said John Gail pay thirty pounds Lawful Money as a fine for the use of this State, and pay all reasonable Charges of suit & stand Committed until this Judgement be Complied with : Cost Taxed at £16 8 0.
By order of Council,
THOS. CHITTENDEN, Prest.
Attest, Jos. FAY, Sec'y.
Feb. 11th Reed the Cost of this above suit £16 8 0 & £21 14 0 on the above Judgt. pr J. FAY, Sec'y .
£8 6 0 Recd by me,
THOS. CHITTENDEN.
IN COUNCIL, Bennington 10 February 1778.
This Council having Taken into Consideretion the particular Circum- stances relative to the Estate of Ephraim Sealey Late of Danby Decd who was Confined for Enimical Conduct against the United States of America & after Examining the particular Circumstances relative thereto, do Judge and order that the said Estate be not Confiscated, the Heirs of the sd Sealey dispensing with what Loss the Estate met with before his Death. By order of Council, THOMAS CHITTENDEN, P.
Attest, JOSEPH FAY, Sec'y.
IN COUNCIL, 10th Feb. 1778.
The bearer John Gail is permitted to pass to his home in Addisson having Voluntarily Taken the Oath of Fidelity to the United States of America. By order of Council, Jos. FAY, Sec'y.
To whom it may Concern.
IN COUNCIL, Bennington 10th Feby. 1778.
Sir,-Inclosed you have a Warrent to Engage fifty able bodied and ef- fective men to Serve in an Expedition to Canada, Together with two Warrents for two Lieutenants & blanks left for their names. You are hereby directed to give your former Lieutenants the offer of them. Should any thing prevent their serving in this Campaign you will ap- point others & enter their names in the blanks. You will take particular care to appoint men of Honor & varasity, & such as be most Likely to raise their quoto of men. You will do all in your power to have your
Council of Safety-Aug. 15, 1777, to March 12, 1778. 221
Company raised with all Possible Expedition not to Exceed the first day of March next.
I am Sir your Humble Servant,
THOMAS CHITTENDEN, Pres". Capt. Ebenezer Wood.1
(10th.)
This Council having Taken under their Consideration the request made by Capt. Peleg Sunderland relative to the Guns found at Hughbar- ton. [Hubbardton, ] & Resolve that the Case be referred to the General Assembly at their next Term in March next.
By order of Council, THOS. CHITTENDEN, Pres't.
Attest, JOS. FAY, Sec'y.
IN COUNCIL, Bennington, 10th Feby. 1778. Copy.
Whereas application has been made to this Couneil by Colonel Moses Hazen, Commanding the Continental Troops at Albany in the Northern Department. to raise as many Volunteers as possible in the Power of this State, to serve in an Expedition to Canada. in consequence of which this Council have this day Resolved to raise three hundred Volunteers within this State, to be in a Regiment Commanded [by] Samuel Herrick Esqr. Lt. Colonel Commandant. to Continue in Service until the last day of April next : Further Resolved, that Major Benja Wait be & he is hereby appointed Major to said Regiment, & that Captains Ebenezer Al- len, Jesse Sawyer, Parmely Allen, Ebenezer Wood. - Boyden, & Ab- ner Sealey, be and they are hereby appointed to be Captains in Colonel Samuel Iferricks Regiment, & the Subalterns that Served under the before Mentioned Captains, in the last campaign. have the offer of Serv- ing again, & should any of them not Serve, the Captains hereby directed to appoint such others as will be most Likely to Recruit their quoto of men. Particular care is to be Taken to appoint men of honor & varacity. Further Resolved that a premium of one Dollar be Granted by this Council to the officers for every able bodied effective man they shall enlist for the before mentioned Expedition, & that a bounty of 10 Dollars be given to each non Commissioned officer & soldier that shall so engage, to be paid them before they March.
By order of Conneil. THOMAS CHITTENDEN, Pre't.
Attest, JOSEPH FAY, Sec'y.
BENNINGTON 12 Feby. 1778. STATE OF VERMONT. IN COUNCIL date above. S
Sir,-I understand you have given Isaac Ives encouragement of Liv- ing in your House or his family which is not agreeable to this Council. Capt. Putnam wants the same priviledge for his family. If you can oblige him with the same priviledge it may be as much for your benefit, and perhaps give better Satisfaction to your Neighbours.
By order of Council. THOMAS CHITTENDEN, Pre't.
To Mr. James Breakenridge.
1 EBENEZER WOOD was among the first settlers of Bennington, and 3d sergeant in the first military company there in 1764. In Feb. 1778 he was appointed one of the captains in the intended secret expedition un- der Stark. To him, as colonel, and his associates, the township of Wood- bury was granted, and it was named for him .- See Memorials of a Century, Bennington, p. 233 ; and Vt. Hist. Mag., vol. I, p. 143.
222 Council of Safety-Aug. 15, 1777, to March 12, 1778.
BENNINGTON 15 Feby. 1778.
Dear Sir,-This Council is informed your honor is about to undertake the Tedious journey from Albany to your Family ; I am directed to in- form you that they are extreamly happy to hear your honor has a favourable prospect of Recovering your Health after so long & Tedious a Confinement, & that your Broken Limb is so likely to be in perfect shape as well as Sound, from which it is sincearely hoped your future Service may be found useful to the public & meet with its former Satisfaction, which was universal by every friend & well wisher to the United States of America. You have the Good wishes of the Inhabitants of this Country for your safe arrival home to your Family in expectation that in due time you will be Enabled to return to this part of the Continent Commander in Chief, under whose wise direction they will think themselves in per- fect Security. May the blessings of Heaven rest on you & kind Provi- dence Guard you safe thro the long & Tedious Road to your family, & may you Live long a Blessing to them & your Country.
I am Dear Sir with the Councils best Compliments to your honor, your honor's
most Obt. & Humble Servant,
By order of Council,
THOS. CHITTENDEN, Pres'.
The Honble Majr Gent B. Lincoln.
(Feb. 16.)
John Potter is permitted to Transport Twenty bushels Wheat out of this State. By order of Council, JOSEPH FAY, Sec'y.
To all Concerned.
BENNINGTON 15 Feby. 1778.
Sir,-Inclosed you have a Copy of the Report of the Committee of Safety at Addison, by which you will note the little Scout sent down the Lake by order of Brigadier General Stark is Taken prisoners by the enemy. Sir I am directed to inform you that this Council is of opinion that it is of the utmost importance that a Guard be sent to take posses- sion of some proper post on Lake Champlain for the purpose of securing the Hay & Forage Provided there for the use of the Army which at pre- sent is in the power of the Enemy. Should it be distroyed it might prove very detrimental to the Northern Expedition. Nothing Material has Transpired except the above since Colo. Hay left this place. Every Ex- ertion possible in the power of this Council is making to forward the Northern Expedition. Should be glad to hear from you as Soon as pos- sible. I am Sir (by Order of Council.) your Obt. Humble Servant, THOMAS CHITTENDEN P.
Colo. Hazen or Officer Commanding at Albany.
IN COUNCIL, Bennington 17 Feby. 1778.
Sir,-Whereas Complaint is made to this Council, by Deacon John Burnap, that Moses Olmsted, Jabez Olmsted & - Owen of Pittsford did in December last Take from him about Twelve hundred weight of Iron which is detained from him, he therefore desires of this Council that they would direct him in what manner he may obtain his property again.
Therefore this Council Recommend to you to call together the mem- bers of the several Committees in Rutland & the Neighbouring Towns to
Council of Safety-Aug. 15, 1777, to March 12, 1778. 223
the number of five to Judge & Determine the case depending the above parties, according to Justice & Equity.
By order of Council, THOS. CHITTENDEN, Pre't. To Capt. Joseph Bowker.
STATE OF VERMONT. Bennington 17 Feby. 1778. IN COUNCIL OF SAFETY, date above.
Dear Sir .- I am directed by Council to inform you that the Core of ranging officers who served the last Campaign under the Command of Colo- Samt. Herrick have accepted the Encouragement offered by Coun- cil for Recruiting three hundred Volunteers within this State in an Ex- pedition intended to be made into Canada immediately, which is a bounty of Ten dollars to each such Volunteer besides the Encouragement by Wages. plunder &c .. as Allowed by the Honble the Continental Congress to the Volunteers of the free and Independent States of America, who are to act in conjunction with a respectable body of Continental Troops ordered by Congress for the said expedition. The men are to continue in service until the last day of April next unless sooner discharged. You will please to apply to the officers the East side the mountain who served in your core last campaign, & in case any Captain shall decline you are to appoint some Gentlemen of honor & Courage who did not serve in your core, that the Rank of the old Subalterns may be kept intire, as no officer of the core is to Rank otherwise than last Campaign, & Capt. Sealey will have a different appointment.
The Council most Earnestly desire you to Exert yourself to the utmost of your Abilities to raise the Troops on this important occasion, as it is reasonabley expected the Companies on this side the mountain will be filled immediately.
As a Warrent has been sent [by] Ira Allen Esqr., to Joseph Boyden to Serve as a Captain in Colo. Herrieks Regiment in Lieu of Capt. Good- nough (who declined,) & as it may happen that he may accept & be on the business of raising his Company, it will be Necessary that you have regard to his appointment in your proceedings. It is expected the offi- cers will be Commissioned when their Companies are filled agreeable to the Honble Gen. Starks Appointment.
This Council sends you by Ebenezer Green (who will diliver this Let- ter) Five hundred & Twenty dollars which you are to divide equally be- tween the three Captains on the east side of the mountain for the purpose of Recruiting their Comys.
I am &c., pr order,
THOMAS CHITTENDEN, Pres't.
Major Wait.
STATE OF VERMONT. IN COUNCIL, Bennington 17th Feby. 1778.
Dear Sir,-The absolute Necessity of raising the three hundred Troops ordered by this Council with the utmost dispatch renders it of impor- tance to Continue the junction of the several officers who served as Rangers within this State Last Campaign. They have accepted the En- couragement offered by Council for Raising the men. & that business is now going forward with alacrity. As only six companies are to be raised in Colo. Herrieks Regiment, that [and] it is found Necessary those Com- panies be officered by those who served with him last Campaign-there- fore it will be found inconvenient for you to Raise your Company agree- abe to the Requisition of this Council to serve in Colo. Herricks Regi- ment. Nevertheless the Council wd wish you to proceed as fast as possible to Compleat your Company for the Intended Expedition, & the Encouragements for raising them with the bounty to the men according
224 Council of Safety-Aug. 15, 1777, to March 12, 1778.
to your Instructions will be punctually paid you ; should you not be joined to some Regiment to your Satisfaction to do duty with them for the Expedition, as it is proposed to raise several other indepen- dent Companies within this State you can do duty with them. The Council Send you one hundred and Seventy Dollars to Enable you to Recruit your Company, which is equal to what has been given the Cap- tains of Colo. Herricks Regiment. Wishing you success & dispatch in Compleating your Company-
I am Dr. Sir your most Obedient Humble Servt. By order of Council,
THOMAS CHITTENDEN, P. Capt. Abner Sealey.
18 Februar
Resolved that Major Heber Allen be & he is hereby appointed a Commissioner of Sequestration for the Towns of Poultney & Wells in this State, & a Warrent sent him for that purpose. By order of Council, THOS. CHITTENDEN, Pre't.
Attest, JOSEPH FAY, Sec'y. (19.)
Stephen Herricks Permitted to Transport about Ten bushels wheat out of this State to Lansborough. By order of Council, TIIOS. CHITTENDEN, Pre't.
To whom it Concerns.
IN COUNCIL, Bennington 21t Feby 1778.
Resolved that Mr. Nathan Clark & Mr. Timothy Brownson be & they are hereby appointed a Committee to settle with Mr. Wm. Fitch Commis- sioner of Sequestration.
By order of Council, THOS. CHITTENDEN, Pr't.
(23d.)
Dilivered Mr. Gideon Olin a Commission of Sequestration. By order of Council, THOS. CHITTENDEN, Pres't.
Attested by JOSEPH FAY, Sec'y.
Bennington, 24 Feby 1778. 1 STATE OF VERMONT. IN COUNCIL, date above. S
Sir,-Your favour of yesterday's date pr Mr Doolittle came to hand last evening : this Council have taken the Contents into consideration and are of opinion that your Committee have full power to Judge & Try the Cause, and order the same to be caryed into Execution against Moses Y. Olmsted in favour of Lt. Southerland, [Peleg Sunderland,] in case Olmsted on Examination shall be found Guilty of the accusation Laid against him. If Olmsted has Right of Action against Lotham [or Latham] or any other person, it must be at his own risque. He has right of Trial before the Civil Authority for an offence Committed by any soldier in Service on proper application.
I am Sir your Humble Servant,
Major Clark.1
JOSEPHI FAY, Sec'y.
1 Probably Maj. JEREMIAII CLARK of Shaftsbury, though Sunderland, the prosecuting party, was not a resident of that town. Possibly there was another Major Clark, though it is supposed that in the records of the Council that title belongs to Jeremiah Clark.
Council of Safety-Aug. 15, 1777, to March 12, 1778. 225
[Feb.] (25.)
Sir,-Whereas this Council is informed that the Intended Expedition to Canada is dropt, or Like to Fall through, you are hereby requested to desist raising any more soldiers for the above purpose on the Encourage- ment of a bounty of Ten dollars heretofore Granted by Council, until further orders.
By order of Council, THOS. CHITTENDEN, Pres't. To Capt. Isaac Clark,1 & Lt. Bradley.
STATE OF VERMONT. IN COUNCIL, Bennington 25 Feby. 1778.
Sir,-We have had Verbel information that the Intended Expedition to Canada is Stoped, you are therefore desired to give immeadiate orders to the Several officers appointed on the East side the Mountains for that purpose to desist from engaging any more men until further orders. The men that are already Engaged are wanted to defend the frontiers of this State. You will please to inquire wheather those engaged are will- ing to Take a Short Tour for that purpose. They will be Entitled to Ten Dollars pr. Month as Wages. You will give the Earliest information of the number willing to Engage. You will not advance any more money till further orders.
I am Sir your Humble Servant, By order of Council, Majr Benja. Wait.
JOSEPH FAY, Sec'y.
February 25 1778.
Sir,-You are hereby required to Call the Committee of Safety for the Town of Manchester, & as soon as may be take Cognizance of the Case Depending between Lt. Peter Roberts and Arthur Bostwick relative to the Salt Roberts accuses Bostwick of Taking without his Licence there- for, & to make and Execute Judgment thereon as to Justice appertains -and to order the promise made by Bostwick to Roberts for Making Res- titution for the Salt by the 27 Inst. to be suspended until such Trial may be had. I am Sir your Humble Servt,
JOSEPH FAY, Sec'y.
Lt. Martin Powel.
IN COUNCIL, Bennington 26 Feby. 1778.
Comes Capt. Elijah Russell & informs the Council of the State of Ver- mont that he the said Russell is deprived of a Considerable part of his Live Stock & other Goods, &c. &e.,
These are therefore to impower him to take such of the above men- tioned articles, & convert the same to his own use, that he shall prove to be his his property before any Committee or Committees of Safety within this State, found within the same.
By order of Council, THOS. CHITTENDEN, President. The above order Written & Entered pr.
NATHAN CLARK, Esqr., Sec'y. P. T. Attest, Jos. FAY, Sec'y.
1 Gen. ISAAC CLARK, of Castleton, son of Hon. Nathan Clark, who was a member of the Council. Isaac was one of the rescuers of Remem- ber Baker, also one of the scouts sent out just before the battle of Ben- nington. He was in that battle ; was designated as one of the captains to serve in Gen. Stark's intended expedition in the winter of 1778, and on the failure of that was assigned, with Capt. Ebenezer Allen, to guard the Northern frontier. For further facts see ante, pp. 121, 122.
226 Council of Safety-Aug. 15, 1777, to March 12, 1778.
BENNINGTON 28 Feby. 1778.
(To the commanding officer at Albany: )
Sir,-I am directed by Council to Inclose a Letter from the Inhabit- ants of our Frontiers by which you will have opportunity to Observe their Complaints which I Judge are not Groundless. Those Inhabitants have been for time past supported by a Small Scout of about 24 men In- habitants of this State who are in an Unhappy Situation, on accl. of their Families and Stocks being left at home and almost destitute of Provis- ions for their Families or Fodder for their Cattle, occasioned by the Ravages of the Enemy Last Campaign, which has been so Universally the Case of the Inhabitants of this State, that it has put it out of our power to furnish a public Store of Provisions; I therefore desire your honor (if consistant) to furnish a sufficient Guard to protect the Fron- tiers, or give orders that provisions be Supplied out of the Continental Stores, for the Subsistance of one hundred men Exclusive of officers to be raised within this State for that purpose,-which this Council are of opinion will be Sufficient until the opening of the Spring.
I am Sir, &c. THOMAS CHITTENDEN, Pres't.
BENNINGTON 28 Feby. 1778.
Gentlemen,-This day Mr. [Mrs. ] Walker1 makes application to this Council for the use of the farm, the former property of her husband, in order to Enable her to support her Family. You will be pleased to Take her case into your Consideration, and if no better Method can be found by you for the Maintainance of her family it will be advizable to Lese her the improvements of said farm not Exceeding one year, her procuring a sufficient surety for the maintainance of such family.
I am Sir Your Humble Servant, By order of Council, THOS. CHITTENDEN, Pt.
To the Commissioner of Sequestration, Clarendon.
IN COUNCIL, Bennington March 1778.
The bearer Capt. Isaac Clark is permitted to Transport or convey Sun- dry Families out of this State to the Enemies Lines vizt. Samuel Adams, Isaac Brisco, Caleb Henderson, and Philo Hards Families.
By order of Council, THOMAS CHITTENDEN, P't.
Mrs. Adams is Permitted to Carry with her vizt . Two Feather beds & bedding suitable therefor, six Pewter Plates, two Platters, two Basons, one quart Pot, one Tea Kittle, Wearing Apparil for herself & Children, one Frying Pan, one Candle Stick, knives & torks. Mrs. Brisco is permitted to Carry with her two Feather beds & bedding for the Same, five Pewter Plates, Do two platters, 2 basons, one T. pot or Tea Kittle, one small Brass Kittle, one Brass Skillet, the Bedding to Consist of three Cover- lids, one bed-Quilt, four Blankets & Eight Sheets, one Chest her Wearing apparil & her Children, & knives & Forks.2
By order,
Thos. CHITTENDEN, President.
1 Probably wife of Daniel Walker of Clarendon, whose property was confiscated. Ile was proscribed by the act of Feb. 26, 1779.
2 Wives of Samuel Adams and of Isaac Brisco, tories of Arlington, whose property was confiscated, and both were proscribed by the act of Feb. 26, 1779.
Council of Safety-Aug. 15, 1777, to March 12, 1778. 227
BENNINGTON 4 March 1778.
Gentlemen,-The Bearers, Daniel Kinney and Jonathan Truesdel, have this day made application to this Council for (Each) the rent of a Farm within this State. They appear to be men that will make useful mem- bers of society, will deposit money in the Treasury office of this State sufficient at Least for the Rent of such farm or farms as they may agree for. This Council therefore desire that if you have any farms now in possession that you can dispose of by Virtue of your Commission of Se- questration, on the usual Rate of renting them, that you oblidge the bearers to the best of your abilities.
I am Gentlemen. yr. most Obedient Humble Servant, By order of Council. Jos. FAY, Sec'y. Messrs. Fitch & Roberts.
P. S. The Farm that Capt. Hodges Agreed for he will not Improve.
IN COUNCIL, March 5 1778.
Capt. Rufus Dodge is permitted to Transport six hundred weight of flour to Gageborough which he says (on oath) he purchased at St. Coik. By order of Council, THOS. CHITTENDEN, P.
To whom it may Concern.
Whereas application has been made to this Council by the Frontier Inhabitants of this State near Lake Champlain & Otter Creek, Request- ing a suitable number of men to guard them from the Incursions of the enemy, on which this Council laid the same before the Commander in chief at Albany, Requesting of him a number of Troops for the above purpose, or at Least Provisions for one hundred men exclusive of Com- missioned officers to be raised by this State, who was pleased to give his approbation for Raising sd men. & orders to the Commissary at Ben- nington to furnish them with provitions-Therefore Resolved to raise two companies Consisting of fitty able-bodied effective men in Each, Ex- clusive of Commissioned officers, to be Commanded by one Capt. & two Lts. Each, to give one Months pay to them to Enable them to Recruit their men & Ten dollars bounty to Each non-commissioned officer & soldier, Together with four Poun Is pr Month as Wages, to Continue in Service Two Months from this date unless sooner discharged.
By order of Council, THOS. CHITTENDEN, Pr't.
Attest, JOSEPH FAY, Sec'y.
Bennington 6 March 1778.
STATE OF VERMONT. IN COUNCIL date above. S
Gentlemen,-This Council have taken into consideration your request of the 15 January Last for their assistants in Compleating the Regiment (which you have the honor to Command) to their full number, & being fully willing to Grant Such request, have in Consequence Issued their orders some time Since to the Several Field officers of Militia within this State to make & return a true & perfect List of the number of Male Inhabitants included in Each company in Each such Regiment between the age of Sixteen and Sixty years, on or before the 12 day of March instant, which returns will be by this Council laid before the General Assembly of this State who are appointed to meet at Windsor on sd 12 day, as also your request. You will please to make Return of the Num- ber of officers & their Rank, Particularly, & the Number of Non-Com- missioned officers and Privates Necessary to Compleat your Regiment,
228 Council of Safety-Aug. 15, 1777, to March 12, 1778.
[that] the same may be Laid before the Assembly & such Recommenda- tions by this Council as to effectually answer your request.
I am Gentlemen your most Obt Humble Servant, By order of Council, THOS. CHITTENDEN, P. Colo. Seth Warner &' Lt. Colo. Safford.
STATE OF VERMONT. IN COUNCIL, Bennington 6th March 1778. [COPY.]
Instructions for Capt. Ebenezer Allen.
The object of ordering the Troops to be by you raised & Commanded is [to] protect the Northern Inhabitants of this State near Lake Cham- plain & Otter Creek. You will therefore Proceed & Raise your men with all Possible dispatch, & when you have enlisted a sufficient number you will March them to N. Haven Fort where you are to Take post. You are to keep out proper Scouts to reconoiter the Woods. to Watch the Movements of the Enemy, & Report them to this Council or officer Com- manding the Troops in the Northern Department as often as you shall find from Time to Time necessary. As there is some few Inhabitants north of the Fort, should you Judge them to be disaffected persons to the Interest of the United States of America, you will confine him or them & secure his or their Estate for the use of this State until Such per- son or persons may be tried by a Committee of Safety next adjacent to the offender or offenders, and if such Committe shall acquit them or Either of them, he or they so acquitted to be restored in their property. You are to be particularly cautious that none of the Inhabitants may Suffer by their effects being Taken on Suspicion of their being Tories. 1
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