USA > Vermont > Rutland County > The history of Rutland county, Vermont; civil, ecclesiastical, biographical and military, pt 2 > Part 46
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A farm house not far distant was seen, Stevens approached it alone, knocked for ad- mission, the inmates were asleep, he called, told his story, after much importunity and pleading of the mnan's wife, he was admitted at the muzzle of a gun, a fire was soon made and Stevens relieved of his sufferings. His companions soon joined him, and the next night they proceeded on their way. One day when about a day's journey from Vermont, they missed their way, and fell in with some British, were re-captured and taken back to their prison in Quebec, and there remained (their fate meanwhile being unknown in Pittsford) till exchanged June 1732. These three young men were of Capt. Thomas Sawyer's company, and received forty shillings per month for the time of their captivity.
The following is copied from a certificate in the office of Secretary of State.
State of Vermont, Clarendon Aug. 14, 1782.
To the Pay Table. This is to certify that Benjamin Stevens, and Ebenezer Hopkins were taken prisoners, while in the State ser- vice on the 12th day of May, 1779, and car- ried to Canada with Ephraim Stevens, at the same time lost their guns and accoutrements and were exchanged on the 9th of June last. THOS. SAWYER, Capt."
Ephraim Stevens was the third son of Roger Stevens, one of the first settlers in Pittsford, his mother was a sister of Col. Ephraim Doo- Little late of Shoreham, who obtained from New Hampshire, the charter of Pittsford. Ephraim Stevens was in the campaign against Canada 1775. Soon after the Revo- lution, he went to Leicester, Addison County, married, and soon after moved into some town west of Lake Champlain, and there died of small pox.
On Burgoyne's map of this part of the State in 1777, a Fort is represented as being west of Otter Creek about due east of Hub- bardton battle ground. As there are on this map no lines to mark the division of towns, it is not certain where the Fort intended was actually situated, but if correctly located on the map it would appear to have been within the present township of Pittsford. There is however, no traditionary or record evidence in the possession of the writer that there ever was any fort within this county pre- vious to the invasion of Burgoyne or at any time west of Otter Creek except the one at Castleton. The first fort erected in Pittsford is understood to have been made by the combined voluntary efforts of the neighboring inhabitants for their mutual security against the sudden attacks of roaming parties of Indians and British, piloted by the detestable renegade Tories familiar with every road, by path, log house and ambush in the settle- ments. It is supposed to have been built
* One of Col. Thomas Sawyers soldiers in the Battle of Shelburn. - Ed.
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soon after Burgoyne's invasion-was located on land lately owned by the late Col. Thomas Hammond on the east bank of Otter Creek, whose waters passing through one corner of the enclosure abundantly supplied the in- mates. It was built of hemlock logs, contained no block house-was often used in time of alarm as a lodging place for the families in the vicinity, and probably contained less than an acre of ground within its walls. It receiv- ed the name of Fort Mott from Mr. John Mott who often acted as commander of those collected within it, and whose sons married the sisters of a gentleman still residing in Pittsford. But Fort Mott was illy adapted to the defence of the people against the pro- tracted efforts of a regularly equipped and provisioned foe.
Aroused by the appalling massacres, confla- grations and captures of the great inroad into the northern part of this county, in the fall of 1779, the new State of Vermont deterinined to build a Fort in Pittsford which could be relied on to accommodate a garrison suitable for the defence of the frontier settlements.
The site selected for its location was on the upland abouta mile and a half north easterly from Fort Mott, and around the very spot then occupied by the dwelling house of Caleb Hendee, Sen., and directly west of the pres- ent stage road from Pittsford village to Brandon. Like all the Forts in Vermont, it was a picquet Fort-a trench was dug 5 or 6 feet deep-the trunks of trees mostly hard maple and beech, a foot or a foot and a half in diameter were sunk into the the trench as closely together as possible, extending 16 or 18 feet above the ground, and sharpened to a point at the top-between each log a stake was driven to fill the space left by the round unhewed logs-within the pickets a breast work was thrown up about 6 feet high and about 6 feet broad at the base, and composed entirely of dirt and logs-at a height convenient for the garrison were loop- holes between the logs large enough at the centre for the barrel of a musket to pass tliro' and radiating outside and inside, so that the soldiers within could move the muzzles of their guns in the loop-holes and command a wide range without, while the loop-holes were so far from the ground on the out side that the enemy's shots coming through them would pass over the heads of the garrison. The form of the Fort was square, enclosing
an acre or more of ground. On each corner jutting outside was a flanker, with two sto- ries, that is, a floor was laid across each about 8 feet from the ground answering for a ceil- ing to the space below. above this floor or ceiling was the sentinel's box with loop-holes above and below, from which the musketeers could rake the approach to the fort in every direction with a deadly fire. The travelled path north and south being then where the stage road is now ; on the east of the Fort was a large double gate of oak plank thickly studded with large headed nails or spikes so as to be completely bullet proof, while on the west side of the Fort was a wicket gate- within the Fort extending along the north side were the officers barracks, and on the south side the soldier's barracks. In the northwest corner was the magazine for the munitions of war, a framed building-in the northeast and southwest corners were wells but these were soon neglected and the garri- son supplied themselves with water from a spring 30 or 40 rods east of the Fort. The space between the officers' and soldiers' barracks, was the parade ground. The garri- son were supplied with one small iron cannon of 6 or 9 lbs. calibre. [The fate of this cannon is well remembered by our older citizens. Being brought to Rutland soon after the war it was used at the celebration, 4th July, 1803-many of the citizens of Putland had gone to attend the celebration at Castleton that day-some that remained got up - prat was long known as the jail-birds' celuration -Sam'l Walker, Master of ceremonies. The cannon in order to have it heard at Castleton had been heavily loaded and wadded with grass so that the gunners were afraid to dis- charge it. Wm. T. Hall, a merchant, then trading in company with Conklin, on the site of Hodges' store, volunteered to touch off the cannon. The cannon burst, blowing the head of Hall to pieces. A piece of the can- non was thrown through the roof of Issachar Reed's house.]
The fort was finished abont June, 1870.' William Cox and Joshua June with their families lived in the, Fort during the war .. The barracks were long used as dwelling. houses and one room of them is even now occupied by a family. Among those who served in this Fort, were Major Ebenezer Allen, of Tinmouth ; Lt. Elias Hall, and. Eli Coggswell, Commissary, both of Castle --
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ton ; Capt Isaac Comstock, of Sunderland ; Wm. Bromley then of Danby, late of Castle- ton ; James Eddy and Philip Sprague of Clarendon, and Captain Ephraimn White 150 men were necessary to properly garrison the Fort.
COPIES OF PROCEEDINGS OF THE BOARD OF WAR IN REFERENCE TO PITTSFORD.
Board of War, Arlington March 12, 1779.
Whereas this State is a frontier to the Northern enemy, it is therefore necessary some lines should be ascertained where this State will attempt to defend the inhabitants. Therefore Resolved, that the north line of Castleton, the west and north lines of Pitts- ford to the foot of the Green Mountains, be and is hereby established a line between the inhab . itants of this State and the enemy-and all the inhabitants of this State living to the north of said line are directed and ordered to move with their families and effects within said lines. This Board, on the petition of the in- habitants, do also recommend the inhabitants of Castleton and Pittsford to immediately erect a picket fort near the centre of the in- habitants of each town-and that the wo- men and children (excepting a few near the fort) move to some convenient place south and that the men with such parts of their stocks as may be necessary, remain on their farms and work in collective bodies with their arms.
Board of War, Arlington, April 6, 1780.
Resolved, that said Board accept of the report of their committee respecting building ."tat Pittsford, &c. Resolved said fort be built hear the north line of Pittsford where Major Ebenezer Allen shall judge proper. That said Fort shall be a picquet with proper Hankers with barracks for 150 men inclosed -that said fort be accomplished as soon as may be.
Resolved, to raise one company of 75 men exclusive of officers to join Major Ebenezer Allen for defence of frontiers-3 men from Col. Warner's regiment to be raised from Wells, Clarendon, Tinmouth and Walling- ford, Isaac Clark to be Captain, Benjamin Everst Ist Lieut., Rufus Branch 2nd Lieut. and Capt. Jonathan Fasset commissary of purchases.
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In Board of War, Arlington, July 14, 1780.
Whereas, It has been represented to this board that 20,000 brick are wanted to build chimnies in the barracks in the fort on the north line of Pittsford, Therefore, Resolved, that this board do recommendI to Major Ebene- zer Allen to furnish five fatigue men that are accustomed to the business, if any there be, to assist the barrack-master in making said | hereafter related.
brick, who shall be allowed one shilling each, in hard money or an equivalent for each day in addition to their pay. Resolved that the commandant of said fort be allowed to keep one horse and one cow in the State's pasture and the barrack master see that there be no other cattle of any kind kept on the State's cost. Resolved that" there be no more barracks built in said fort on the State's cost for the time being.
Nov. 29, 1780 .- Resolved to raise one captain, one lieutenant and forty men from Allen's regiment, to go to Fort Vengeance and join Captain Sawyer, to continue 14 days. Resolved to raise two lieutenants, and forty men for frontier defence for the ensu- ing winter of whoin one lieutenant, two ser- sergeants, two corporals and twenty privates be raised from Col. Fletcher's regiment and march to Fort Vengeance, Pittsford, the 1st of January and continue three months un- less sooner discharged .- Pay per month for lieutenants £5 88. for sergeants £2 &3. corpo- rals £2 4s. and privates $2 hard money or the equivalent, pay to commence 6 days be- fore march. Rations for officers and soldiers to and from camp, 10 pence each.
Bennington. 23d June, 1781 .- We the sub- scribers being desired by the Honorable Board of War, to visit the frontiers of the State of Vermont, where in our opinion the garrisons ought to be built for the best de- fence of the above said State,-beg leave to report. First, that the garrison at Pittsford ought to be removed back from the place where it now stands, nigh Sutherland's Mills on such particular spot as Col. Fletcher shall direct. (Second, item of report on another subject. ) l'aking into consideration the conveniency of water, that said fort ought to consist of a small picket and a small block house. &c.
All which is submitted to your Hons. Your very humble servants,
ROGER ENOS, SAMUEL FLETCHER, SAMUEL HERRICK, GIDEON ARMSBURY.
State of Vermont In General Assembly, June 23, 1781. The within was read and ordered that a committee of three be appointed to hold conference with the within namei per. sons respecting removing the garrison at Pittsford, &c., and make report. lbe mem- bers chosen Mr. E. Smith, Mr. B. Whipple and Mr. Post,
Attest Ros. HOPKINS, Clerk.
In General Assembly, June 26, 1751 .- The above named committee made a verbal report, whereupon, Resolved that it be rec- ommended to the board of war to order about 100 men to be stationed at tle ssil garrison at Pittsford, for the support of it.
Attest B. WOODWARD, Clerk, P. T.
Fort Vengeance was the name of the Fort last described in No. 11. The cause of which name and the mode of christening will be
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REVOLUTIONARY WAR DOCUMENTS CERNING RUTLAND.
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STATE OF VERMONT, In Council, Bennington, 17th June, 1778.
Sir :- You are hereby commanded to ap- point one Lieutenant and see him furnished with 15 men to join Capt. Warner, or the commander that may be hereafter appointed to command the party to guard the frontier settlements on Lake Champlain.
By order of the Council, JAMES FAY, Vice Pres.
of the Council.
To COL. JAMES MEAD.
Arlington, 23d April, 1778.
Resolved, That his Excellency the Governor write to Governor Marsh to acquaint him that it is the resolution of this Council that the whole of the troops that are to be raised to fill Col. Warner's regiment, to march forthwith to Rutland, which is the resolution of this Council, and Governor Marsh is re- quested and ordered to order the officers com. manding said troops to march them to be raised in Cumberland county to Rutland and the Governor is to order the comman- ding officer of the two regiments immediately to march.
Attest, M. LYON, D. Secretary.
STATE OF VERMONT, In Council, Arlington, 24th April, 1778.
Sir: Whereas Col. Warner's Regiment is ordered to Albany for present, and whereas there is absolute necessity of a number of men to be immediately sert to guard the frontier inhabitants of this State in as much as the time for which Capt. Allen and Capt. Clark's men have engaged expires the second day of May next, after which time, they cannot be prevailed with to remain there longer. Therefore you are hereby directed and ordered to raise 50 able bodied men which were ordered to be raised in the second regiment by the General Assembly of this State which you now have the honor to command, & cause them to be properly officered by some of the militia officers of your own regiment, and every way equipt for a campaign, and order them to march to Rutland as quick as possible when they will be joined by the other troops ordered to be raised by this State-the said militia officers to continue in service until the rising of the adjourned session of Assembly, which sits the 4th day of June next, unless sooner dis- charged.
By order of Governor and Council, M. LYON, D. Sec.
To COL. SAMUEL HERRICK.
State of Vermont, In Council, 1 Bonnington, 13th June, 1778. Sir : - You are hereby directed and com-
manded to cause to be immediately drafted in your regiment 70 effective men, agreeably to an act of General Assembly of this State holden at Windsor the 24th day of March last, without the least delay and to see them properly officered, and otherwise equipped, and march them to Rutland where they will receive further orders from the commanding officer at that post.
I am sir, your most obt. servant,
T. CHITTENDEN, Capt. Gen. COL. FLETCHER,
To Col. Gideon Warner, of the fifth Regt. in this State.
Sir :- In pursuance of advice of Council and General Assembly of this State you are hereby ordered to draft 27 good effective men out of your regiment to be drafted out of the towns of Dorset, Rupert, Sandgate and Manchester and one Captain to command them, who will be joined by 100 men from Col. Herrick's regiment, and commanded by Col. Herrick and his Lieut. Colonel, who will march them directly to Rutland for the defence of the frontier and remain on the ground 20 days unless sooner discharged. I am Sir, Yours.
T CHITTENDEN, Capt. Gen.
N. B. By computation the number of 27 men amounts to every sixth man. T CHITTENDEN.
State of Vermont, In Council, Bennington, 13th June, 1778.
To Col. Samuel Herrick, Esq .. Col. of the Second Regiment in this State. In pusuance of the advice of the council and the General Assembly of this State you are hereby order- od to draft 101 effective men out of your reg- iment, it being one sixth of the militia rop- erly officered, and either take the cou nand of them yourself or order your Lieutenant Colonel to do it, to be marched to Rutland with all speed and join Capt. Brownson's party for the immediate defence of the iron- tiers. You are to remain on the ground 20 days unless sooner discharged, you will take under your command a part of the militia of Col. Warner's regiment, amounting to 27 men.
I am sir, Yours, THOMAS CHITTENDEN, Capt. Gen.
P. S. The men drafted from this town and Pownal, half a pound of powder and two pounds of lead or ball will be drawn out of the store in this town.
State of Vermont, In Council, 17th June. 1778.
Sir :- You are hereby ordered and directed to draw out of the ammunition that is se :. t to the northward seven and a half pous is of powder and thirty pounds of bullets, it being for fifteen soldiers that are under your command, to guar i said stores to Rutlan i.
THOS. CHITTENDEN, Capt. Gen. To Capt. Samuel Robinson.
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Bennington, 18th June, 1773.
To Lieut. Col. Walbridge, Sir :- You are hereby ordered and dirceted to take the command of the men drafted from Col. Her- rick's regiment consisting of 101 men, officers included, and march them without delay to Rutland within this state and in conjunc- tion with the troops now at that place under the command of Capt. Brownson, to guard the frontiers in that quarter according to your best skill in war for and during the sum of twenty days from your arrival at the place unless sooner discharged. Wishing you a good march,
am yours, THOS. CHITTENDEN, Capt, Gen.
State of Vermont, Arlington, 30th Sept. '78 Sir :- You are hereby commanded to raise 70 able bodied effective men of your regiment including officers, and see that they are well armed and every way equipped, properly officered and to march to Head Quarters in Rutland without the least delav, where they will receive further orders. They will con- tinue in service until the first day of Decem- ber, inclusive, unless sooner discharged.
T. CHITTENDEN, Capt. Gen. To Colonel Samuel Herrick.
Orders of the same date and tenor were sent to Col. Warner to raise 30 men in the towns of Sandgate, Manchester, Dorset, Rupert and Danbee.
Letter from William Cockburn to James Duane.
Albany, 10th Sept. 1771.
Sir :- Your favor of the 16th August and the £6, 2, 9, of Mr. Robert Yates I received on my return here after being the second time stopped in Socialborugh by James Mead and Asa Johnson in behalf of the settlers in Rutland and Pittsford I have run out lots from the south bounds to within about two miles of the Great Falls. I found it in vain to persist any longer as they were re- solved at all events to stop us ; there have been many threats pronounced against me Gideon Cooley who lives by the Great Falls, headed the party who was to shoot me,-, a fellow of no residence, and one - -, of Tinmouth were the principal, and your ac- quaintance Nathan Allen, was in the woods with another party blacked and dressed like Indians as I was informed. Several of my men can prove Townsend and Train threat- ening my life, that I should never return home, &c, though they denied every thing to me. The inhabitants denied they knowed anything about these men, though the people of Durham assured me that those men threat- ened to murder us if we did not go from thence and advised me by all means to desist from running through some said they were sorry for it as it might hurt them all settling with the proprietors easily. After being stopped I found I would not be allowed to go to the northward, as they suspected I
would begin again, and therefor intended to convey ns to Danby, and so on to the south- ward, and by all accounts, we should not have been very kindly treated. I was ad- vised by no means to go that road-my pro- vision I was obliged to bring out by Major Skene's. On my assuring them I would sur- vey no more in those parts, we were permit- ted to proceed along the Crown Point road with the hearty prayers of the women as we passed never to return. We came off all safe, with the loss of one horse and two more in a bad condition. Spencer's return, I made out at Albany Court and sent to New York, I then informed you of the manner and- returned. You know well, Mr. Colden will not allow me to make return before they are lodged with him. I have not been able to fix Kier's location and Danby people have been continually on the watch all way -some I am told at and near their corner since I have been here, several have visited us ask- ing questions and no doubt to be able to. know us should we venture within their ter- ritories and at the same time warning us of ! the dangers should we be found there. Marsh's survey is likewise undone, as I did not. care to venture myself that way. I shall be able to inform you more particular at meet- ting and
I am Sir, your most ob't serv't, WILL. COCKBURN.
It is perhaps scarcely necessary to add that Socialborough was the name of a town- ship granted by the government of New York extending over the extreme northern part of Clarendon and the major part of Rutland- while the residue of Clarendon was embraced in the New York grant of Durham. The "Great Falls" above mentioned are Suther- land's Falls. Maj. Skene lived at the head of Lake Champlain and the present town of Whitehall was long known as Skenesboro. The reason of the opposition to Cockburn's proceedings will be readily understood when it is recollected that most of the settlers in this vicinity had purchased and improved their lands under the grants from New Hamp- shire, and that Cockburn was a surveyor em- ployed by the purchasers under the grants from New York, who were endeavoring to oust the actual settlers from their farms, without paying either for their lands or improvements .. In the summer of 1772, Cockburn was again employed surveying and locating lands for the Forkers, was pursued by a small band of Green Mountain Boys who overtook him and his party in the vicinity of Vergennes and brought him to Castleton-where having received news from Albany, which induced
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them to believe their difficulties with New York { would soon be amicably arranged-they dis- missed him. At a meeting of the proprietors of the town of Rutland, 1st Dec. 1773, it was voted to lay out a highway extending three rods each side of the Cockburn line from Joshua Reynolds' (who lived at the North or Merriam's Mills, )to the South line of the town and the highway now leading from the North Mills south to the Clarendon line was acordingly laid out on the line run out by the above nained Wm. Cockburn, In the early deeds of lands lying on the high- way constant reference is made to this line. Letter from Ethan Allen to Stephen R. Brad- ley.
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Sir :- The bearer, Mr. Wm. Stewart one of the old Green Mountain Core, having an ac- tion at Rutland Superior Court in June instant, respecting the title of his Gun, which I am very certain he has a right to, and as he is a poor man I desire you to plead his case and charge it to me. My Warriors must not be cheated out of their Fire-arins.
I am in haste your Friend and very
Humble Servant. ETHAN ALLEN. Stephen R. Bradley, 8th June, 1778.
Letter from Gov. Thomas Chittenden to Col. Fletcher.
Bennington, 13th June, 1778.
Sir :- Inclosed you have my particular order for drafting 73 from your regiment, I have received intelligence this morning by express from Head Quarters at Rutland, that a scout of 500 of the enemy are now at Crown Point, who have just returned from a scalping tour in- County who have brought with them a considerable number of provisions as it depended on that attempt an immediate attack on our post at Rutland. I flatter myself you will not lose one minute's time in executing such orders .- Pray sir, consider the distress of the poor frontier inhabitants who are hourly in jeop- ardy of their lives, and let humanity inspire you to exert every faculty to give them im- mediate relief.
I am sir, your humble serv't, THOMAS CHITTENDEN, Capt. Gen. Col. Fletcher.
REV. WM. EMERSON'S DEATH AT REV. BENAJAH ROOTS.
Rev. Wy. Emerson, a classmate at Har. vard College of Dr. Samuel Williams, the historian of Vermont, graduating in 1761, was settled over the Church at Concord, Mass., January 1, 1776. Partaking of the patriotic fervor of '76, he took leave of his church | providence so ordered it, that he took his
and family and entered the army as a chap. lain at Ticonderoga, under Gen. Gates, 16th Aug. 1776. Here he was soon attacked with the bilious fever, and his disease became so severe that he was advised by his physician to resigu and return home. On the 18th of Sept. 1776, he obtained a dis- charge from Gen. Gates, and commenced his journey homewards-but his sickness increas- sed he was unable to go on, and stopped with the Rev. Benajah Roots of Rutland, who then lived in a log dwelling house, situated near the site of the present brick dwelling house of Mr. Avery Billings. Mr. Emerson remained with Mr. Roots until his death. He died Sabbath morning, 20th Oct., 1776, in the 34th year of his age (he having been born the 21st of May, 1743.)-The next day the funeral service was performed by Mr. Roots at his own house and the funeral pro- cession was escorted to the grave by soldiers with muffled music. He was buried in the grave yard near the Methodist Chapel, the soldiers firing over the grave
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