USA > Vermont > Bennington County > Manchester > The early history of Manchester : an addess delivered in Music Hall, Manchester, Vt., on Monday evening, December 27, 1875 > Part 2
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Most of the friends of the New York interest residing on the Grants, now abandoned all active opposition to the New Hampshire party. One prominent exception was Benjamin Hough, who held lands under a New York title in Clarendon. The recent proceedings of the governor and assembly had been inaugurated on his petition, and he had passed the winter in New York urging the adoption of the most vigorous measures. In the spring he returned to the Grants with a New York commission as justice of the peace. Having acted under this commission, he was served with a copy of the resolution in relation to justices adopted at Manchester, and was warned that any further exercise of his authority would be followed by certain
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punishment. He neglected the timely caution, and paid the severest penalty ever exacted by the Green Mountain Boys. Late in January, 1775, his neighbors seized him, put him on a sled, and took him through Manchester to some point in Sunderland, where he was kept under guard until the leaders were assembled. He was tried by Allen and his associates, found guilty of violating the decrees of the people, and sentenced to receive two hundred lashes on the back. His judges saw their sentence faithfully exe- cuted, furnished him with a certificate that he had received punishment in full for his offenses against the Grants, and sent him on his way to New York.
This was on the 30th day of January, 1775; and the leaders who participated in the affair doubtless at once re- paired to Manchester to attend a convention called to meet there the following day, which proved to be one of the most important ever held by the people of the Grants.
At a special meeting of the inhabitants of Manchester on the 23d of January, 1775, it was voted to choose a com- mittee of three to act with the convention "appointed to meet at the house of Martin Powel" on the 31st. William Marsh, Ebenezer Bristol and Martin Powel, were chosen such committee, and were given discretionary power. On the day named, a convention of the towns on the west side of the mountain, twenty-five in number, convened at Man- chester, and remained in session several days. The committees thus assembled entered into a solemn covenant for mutual defense, and published a series of rules for the guidance of the people. They declared that the laws, judgments and decrees of New York growing out of the land title controversy were not binding upon them, and would be resisted at the hazard of blood and treasure.
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Those who had been proscribed for defending the posses- sions of the settlers were taken under the protection of the people, and New York officials were warned that any attempt to apprehend them would be at their peril. It was ordered that if certain prominent New York claimants or their agents should come within the district, they should be at once apprehended and taken before the " elders of the people and the principal officers of the Green Mountain Boys" to be dealt with as justice required. The company officers of the regiment of Green Mountain Boys were directed to forthwith muster their respective companies, and see that each soldier was provided with firelock, ammunition and tomahawk; and to hold themselves in readiness at a minute's warning to maintain the com- pact and resolutions of the convention. The committees might reasonably hope that these solemn declarations, en- forced by the experience of Justice Hough, then on his way to New York with the marks of the " beech seal" up- on his back, would be sufficient to satisfy their opponents of the earnestness of their intentions.
Thus determined was the attitude of the settlers towards New York when a greater contest came on, in the progress of which this local controversy was almost lost sight of. The military preparations and warlike spirit of the Green Mountain Boys were soon turned against another enemy, and those who had been proclaimed rioters and outlaws gained a speedy recognition as patriots and heroes. Before we enter upon the story of this new conflict, let us take a single glance at Manchester one hundred years ago.
The town has only just completed the tenth year of its history. The forest still exceeds the cleared lands, even in the most desirable parts of the valley. The summer
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roads are simply foot and bridle paths - wheeled vehicles are as yet unknown. The population of the town is pro- bably between five and six hundred. On the north line of the glebe, west of where the road to Noble J. Purdy's now leaves the road between the two villages, stands a school-house - the first appearance of a public building in the annals of the town. The place is without meeting- house or minister. There is no lawyer, or court of justice, or general government. The usual officers of a New England township manage its local affairs, and com- mittees of safety and correspondence have charge of its relations with the outside world. The inhabitants are very poor, and are sometimes in want of the necessaries of life. They have no luxuries except what they can raise among the stumps, or catch in the streams, or bring down with the rifle. There is a saw-mill and a grist-mill, but no village and no store. The art of feminine ornamentation is in a very low state. The necessities of their situation have inured the women to work, hardship and danger. The men, clad in buckskin or in coarsest homespun, are farmers, hunters, soldiers, as occasion may require.
Such was Manchester in May, 1775, when Allen's mes- sengers hurried northward through the valley, summon- ing the Green Mountain Boys to join an expedition for the capture of Ticonderoga. I think we would like to follow the men who bore that message through our town, and see at what houses they stopped, and who came forth armed and equipped in response to the call. But it is now too late to gratify our curiosity, and we must be content with the single fact that remains. We know that Christopher Roberts of Manchester took part in the ex- pedition, and was one of the first to enter the fort.
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The continental congress voted to pay the men who had taken and garrisoned Ticonderoga and Crown Point, and recommended the further employment of the Green Mountain Boys under their own officers. In consequence of this recommendation, measures were taken for raising a regiment. At a convention in Dorset, in July, 1775, Warner was appointed its commander and company offi- cers were elected. Nathan Smith, of Manchester, was chosen second lieutenant of the fourth company, and a part of that company was undoubtedly recruited in this town. This regiment went to Canada with Montgomery, repulsed Carleton at Longueil, and returned home in November, honorably discharged.
In the following January, tidings of a great disaster in Canada reached the Grants, accompanied by an urgent appeal for help. Warner at once gathered a regiment, and marched to Quebec. This hastily collected force was doubtless largely composed of the officers and men who had served in his previous regiment. They formed the rear guard of the army in its retreat to Ticonderoga, where they arrived in June and were discharged. This prompt and patriotic action of the Green Mountain Boys again attracted the attention of congress; and the day after in- dependence was declared that body resolved to raise a regular regiment on the New Hampshire Grants, of which Warner was appointed colonel. This was the organization afterwards known as Warner's continental regiment.
Although the Green Mountain Boys were among the first to engage in active hostilities, their unfortunate rela- tions with New York delayed somewhat a formal expres- sion of their sentiments. But on the 24th of July, 1776, a convention was held at Dorset, the members of which
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signed an association pledging their all in defense of the American states. William Marsh, Gideon Ormsby and Martin Powel, were the delegates from Manchester, and affixed their names to the document. The pledge thus given in behalf of our town met the hearty approval of the great body of its citizens. Some, however, who had been among the trusted leaders of the settlers in other emergen- cies, were already estranged from their old associates, and saw themselves shunned in the town which they had helped to found.
As the contest went on, ominous preparations were made for the disposal of inimical persons. In September, 1776, a convention at Dorset resolved to build a jail at some point on the west side of the mountain for securing tories. The matter was referred to a committee, who reported in favor of building the jail in Manchester, a few rods east of the dwelling-house of Martin Powel ; and recommended that it be made of logs and earth, with an inside dimension of twenty by thirty feet. Their report was accepted, and Martin Powel was chosen jail-keeper. There are indica- tions on the records that before the county jail was built in Manchester there was a log jail very near its site, which was probably the building thus provided for. If so, Martin Powel must have then kept the inn owned by William Marsh, which stood on the spot now covered by the south wing of the Taconic (late Vanderlip) House. This jail cannot have been extensively used for its original purpose ; for when there was the most need of securing tories, Manchester was in too exposed a situation to render its use advisable.
Meanwhile the British troops were following up their successes with unabated vigor. In October, 1776, Gates
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expected an attack on Ticonderoga, and called for rein- forcements of militia. Col. Brownson's regiment, in which were the Manchester men, marched the day after the dis- patches were received. But the enemy retired to Canada without venturing an attack, and the militia were dis- charged with the thanks of the American general for their zeal and promptness.
During the succeeding winter and spring, troops and material were collected in Canada for a much more for- midable invasion. In June, a magnificent army of eight thousand men under Gen. Burgoyne moved slowly up the lake, threatening Ticonderoga, then garrisoned by St. Clair. The safety of the people of this vicinity depended upon the successful defense of that fortress, and they awaited the British advance with no inconsiderable anxiety. As Burgoyne approached, St. Clair called for reinforce- ments, and the entire militia of the Grants hastened to his assistance.
The militiamen of Manchester had been gone but a short time when tidings of disaster and impending danger reached the anxious people at home. Ticonderoga had fallen. Warner's continental regiment, the pride of the New Hampshire Grants, had been cut to pieces at Hubbard- ton. The dreaded Burgoyne had commenced his march to the Hudson - the Indians were already let loose upon the settlements. The American troops followed close upon the news of their disaster. St. Clair arrived in Manchester, making desperate efforts to collect provisions for his retreating army. The garrison of Ticonderoga passed through the valley on its circuitous retreat to the Hudson. The remnant of Warner's regiment entered the town, and took post for the defense of the inhabitants.
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Meanwhile, the settlers of all the region north of Man- chester were passing southward through the town, carry- ing their household goods, and driving their flocks and herds before them.
In the midst of this confusion and terror there convened in Manchester a small body of men whose proceedings constitute the most important chapter in the history of our town. A convention of delegates had declared the territory known as the New Hampshire Grants a separate and independent state by the name of Vermont, and a more recent convention had established a constitution for its government. This constitution was adopted in conven- tion just after the disastrous news from Ticonderoga reached that body. It was evident that no officers under the constitution could be elected in such a crisis, and it was equally evident that some organization must continue in session to exercise the powers of government. The convention, therefore, before adjourning, appointed a council of safety, consisting of twelve members, which during the nine succeeding months wielded unlimited power in Vermont.
A majority of the council at once repaired to Manchester, and remained in session here several days before proceed- ing to Bennington. The journal of the council during this period has never been found, and a full list of the members who attended cannot be given. It is known that Thomas Chittenden, Nathan Clark and Ira Allen, were among the number. Moses Robinson, Heman Allen and Jonas Fay, were doubtless present. Jeremiah Clark of Shaftesbury, grandfather of the late Myron Clark, was a member of the council, and we may infer from the vicinity of his residence that he was in attendance. These men
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had borne a prominent part in the trying history of the New Hampshire Grants ; but, accustomed as they were to situations of difficulty and peril, they must have assembled here in a condition bordering on despair. In the track of a victorious army and in the midst of a fleeing community, they were expected to oppose the one and protect the other, without troops, without money and without credit.
The council held their sessions in the inn before re- ferred to, owned by William Marsh, and probably kept by Martin Powel. It was a plain wooden building, less than two full stories, standing with the side to the road, in size not far from fifty by forty-five feet. The ground floor consisted of two front rooms of about the same size, a kitchen in the rear of these rooms, extending from the south end of the building, and a pantry north of the kitchen. The main entrance was nearly in the center of the building, and opened into the south front room. From this room a door opened into the kitchen, and in the south end of the kitchen was the stairway leading to the upper story. On this floor were two small rooms in the rear, a large front chamber in the south end of the building, and a smaller one in the north end. These were the scanty accommodations of an inn which often numbered among its guests the leading men of Vermont, and in which were enacted some of the most interesting scenes of her carly history.
Warner established his camp on the hill south-west of the village, on the premises now generally known as the Swift farm. There his regiment was rejoined by the stragglers who had been separated from it in the confusion of retreat, and was supplied with ammunition and clothing from the depots of the northern department. A body of
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the enemy had been left in the vicinity of Castleton, and an advance from that quarter was daily expected. The foree under Warner's command was too weak for opposi- tion, and in case of an immediate movement his retreat was inevitable. The inhabitants were well aware of this, and it was feared that unless reinforcements were speedily obtained, the people of Manchester would follow the ex- ample of the settlers of more northerly towns, and take refuge in the lower country. Citizens of tory proclivities were jubilant and defiant, and despondeney and doubt were making dangerous progress in the whig ranks.
Having sent urgent requests for the support of neigh- boring states, the council of safety deliberated long and earnestly as to what Vermont could do for herself. To a community so weak and impoverished, the maintenance of a single company would have seemed a heavy burden. The council were disposed to tax the ability of the people to the utmost, and arm and equip two companies. Then Ira Allen, the youngest member of the council, proposed the enlistment of a full regiment. The older members ex- plained the utter impossibility of raising the funds necessary for such a force. Allen insisted that some method could be devised to provide the means, and his brethren gave him till the rising of the morrow's sun to perfect a plan. During the intervening hours the sanguine statesman, then only twenty-six years of age, considered his difficult problem. At the appointed time he met with the council, and was ready to submit his views. He proposed nothing less than the seizure and confiscation of all the tory estates. The measure he recommended proved acceptable to the council, and was at once sanctioned by its decree. This decree of confiscation, resolved upon within a stone's
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throw of where we are met to-night, was the first instance of the confiscation of tory property during the revolution, and the estates of the tory residents of Manchester were the first property seized for the public defense.
The weak and wavering who trembled at the progress of Burgoyne, and were disposed to take the benefit of his proclamations, now found that there were other dangers to be considered. The council of safety carried their decree into execution with a vigor which confounded their enemies. Commissioners of sequestration were appointed and given the amplest powers. Suspected persons were arrested and held for trial. The property of those who had fled to the British camp was seized without delay. Their goods and chattels were sold at publie vendue, and their farms rented for the benefit of the state. Money flowed into the treasury; soldiers were raised, equipped and paid ; and within thirty days after the confiscation was decreed the council of safety sent out an organized battalion to meet the enemy.
This new organization was called " The Rangers," and was commanded by Herrick. Recruits for the regiment were collected at Manchester as fast as enlisted. War- ner's encampment was further strengthened by the arri- val of a small body of militia from the east side of the mountain. On the 20th of July there were about five hundred troops in Manchester. On the 2d of August, Maj. Gen. Lincoln of the continental army arrived in town to take command of the New England militia, and operate upon Burgoyne's communications. Cushing's Worcester county regiment arrived two days later. Others were on their way, and Lincoln hoped in a few days to be in command of two thousand men.
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While these reinforcements were being hurried to Man- chester, Burgoyne was preparing for an expedition to the same point. Baume received written instructions to pro- ceed to Arlington, secure the pass to Manchester, and await the arrival of Sherwood's provincials from the south. He was then to proceed to Manchester, and secure the pass of the mountains on the road to Rockingham. From this place he was to send the Indians and light troops on an expedition northward, and on their return was to cross the mountains to the Connecticut. Burgoyne mentioned the fact that " Mr. Warner " was supposed to be at Man- chester, but considered it highly probable that he would retreat without resistance. These instructions were subse- quently countermanded, and Baume was ordered direct to Bennington.
In response to the urgent appeals of the council of safety, the government of New Hampshire raised a bri- gade of militia for service in Vermont, and placed it under command of Gen. Stark. It may be interesting to notice that Mesheck Weare, president of the New Hampshire council, who now ordered Stark to march to the assistance of the Vermonters, was one of the original proprietors of Manchester, and was once the owner of lot number forty in the first division, on the west end of which Music Hall now stands.
On the 6th of August, Stark was at Bromley (now Peru), and on the 7th he arrived in Manchester, where most of his troops were already encamped. Schuyler's orders awaited him here, but Stark claimed an independent con- mand by virtue of his instructions, and declined obedience. On the 8th he left Manchester for Bennington, where he arrived the following day. He was accompanied or fol-
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lowed by most of the Vermont militia. Warner's regi- ment was left behind, but was soon summoned by an express. The scouts were called in from the north, and in the heavy rains of the 15th of August, the regiment marched to Bennington, and arrived on the field in time to take part in the closing engagement of the following day.
Soon after the battle of Bennington Stark joined the forces in front of Burgoyne, while most of the Vermont troops returned to Manchester. Early in September Lin- coln advanced towards Ticonderoga, through Dorset and Pawlet, with Herrick's Rangers and a body of militia. After various successes in that quarter he was recalled by Gates, and returned to Manchester with most of his troops. Leaving a small force here under Gen. Bayley, he joined the main army at Saratoga. On the 17th of October, Bur- goyne surrendered his forces, and the New England militia returned to their homes.
Now that the great campaign of 1777 is over, let us trace its connection with the individual fortunes of some of our citizens.
Josiah Burton, who came to Manchester about 1773, en- listed in Warner's continental regiment January 1, 1777, for three years. He was in the engagement at Hubbardton, and left the field beside his commander when the day was lost. After the battle of Bennington, he asked and oh- tained leave to go home and send a son to serve in his stead. His son Elijah, then sixteen years of age, took his place, and was with the regiment at Burgoyne's surrender.
John Roberts, a veteran of the French and Indian war, who came to Manchester soon after its settlement, and
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located where Mrs. E. L. Way now lives, enlisted in Warner's regiment February 19, 1777, to serve during the war. He was in the battle of Bennington, and four of his five sons, Peter, John, William and Benjamin, also took part in that engagement. The remaining son, Christo- pher, was taking the women and children to a place of safety, and had got into Massachusetts when he heard of the victory and returned.
George Sexton, who lived near the bridge in the Bar- numville district, enlisted in Warner's regiment March 25, 1777. He was an ensign during the campaign of that year, and was afterwards promoted to a lieutenancy. Nathan Beaman, an unele of the late Rev. Dr. Beaman of Troy, enlisted in the regiment on the first of June. He had formerly lived in the vicinity of Ticonderoga, and had acted as Allen's guide at the time of its capture. Truman Mead enlisted the same day, and served as fifer. Penuel Stevens, Amos Allen, Prince Soper and Edward Soper, joined the regiment before the campaign commenced.
Nathan Smith was a captain of militia during the year 1777. Some time in August he was " sent by the council after tories," in which service he was employed three days with twenty-one men. He was in the battle of Bennington, in connection with which his name has come down to us with especial honor. You will remember that after two hours' incessant firing at musketry distance the enemy's entrenehments were carried by assault, with a gallantry which won the admiration of the veteran Stark, and excited the astonishment of officers trained in the wars of Europe. The raw militia rushed up the ascent in the face of a deadly volley, sprang upon the well defended parapet, and threw themselves upon the pikes and sabres of the German
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troops. It will do for us to cherish a little local pride in this matter, for Captain Nathan Smith and Benjamin Vaughan were in the front of that famous charge, and were the first men who mounted the enemy's works.
Gideon Ormsby was one of the military men of the town, and was evidently in active service during the campaign, but in what capacity or organization cannot be stated. His prominence and activity in the American cause had gained him the hearty hatred of some of his neighbors, and when the advance of Burgoyne raised the hopes and courage of the tories, his property and family were in no small danger. His young orchard was girdled, and one or two attempts were made to burn his buildings. Not- withstanding the threats of the tories and the departure of many of her whig neighbors, Mrs. Ormsby remained at home with her small children until the campaign was over.
Martin Powel was appointed a commissioner of seques- tration immediately after the decree of confiscation, and was one of the most trusted and active officers of the council. In the preserved records of that body we catch glimpses of him here and there; calling together the com- mittee of safety for action in the case of a suspected per- son ; journeying to a neighboring town to take charge of a yoke of oxen belonging to the state; disposing of se- questered property on appraisal ; or furnishing a cow from the confiscated drove for the needy wife of some absent tory. The duties of his difficult and responsible position were evidently performed with excellent judgment and perfect integrity. He must at times have found those duties anything but pleasant ; for he was more than once called upon to seize and dispose of the property of men
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with whom he had long been associated in town affairs, and at whose houses he had been a welcome guest.
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