USA > Vermont > Rutland County > The history of Rutland county, Vermont; civil, ecclesiastical, biographical and military, pt 2 > Part 59
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CEPHAS SMITH
was an industrious farmer. He had cleared a considerable part of his farm, when he rented it out and moved to Hanover, where he worked with his team and kept a few boarders until he had educated his sons at Dartmouth College, and, when they gradu- ated, went back into his log-house in Tin- mouth. These two sons were subsequently attorneys. Cephas lived and died in Rut- land, and Cyrus in Vergennes.
BETHUEL CHITTENDEN
was an Episcopal clergyman, and brother of the first governor of Vermont. He preached in Tinmouth a considerable part of the time for 15 or 20 years, but there was no church of that denomination organized here. He cleared a farm and, in company with Major
was a man of great physical and mental vigor and perseverance. In the army of the Revolution he was a distinguished officer ; first as adjutant in Herrick's regiment of Rangers, and subsequently as commissary. At the close of the war he returned to his farm in Tinmouth. In 1786, he was ap- pointed Judge of Probate for the district of Rutland, which office he held 19 years in succession, performing the duties to the satis- faction of the community. He had a nu- merous and respectable family, and lived to the age of 85. His youngest son ani two younger daughters are still living in Tin- mouth.
JONATHAN BELL
was a deputy sheriff soon after this County was organized, and, in 1786, was elected Sheriff. He continued in that office 16 years, and was eminently qualified for the discharge of its duties.
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OBADIAH NOBLE
was a graduate of New Jersey College, and a classmate with Judge Reeve, of Connecti- cut, and Judge Patterson, of New Jersey. He was a Congregational minister, in New Hampshire, before he came to Tinmouth. When the County of Rutland was organized, he was appointed Clerk of the Court, which office he held 10 years. He was the first jus- tice of the peace in Tinmouth after the or- gan zation of the County, and held that office 19 years. He had 3 sons and 3 daughters. His eldest son died in, Williamstown, a member of the first Sophomore class in Wil- liams College. Histwo other sons are still living in Tinmouth. His oldest daughter is dead, leaving a family in western New York. The two others are still living as heads of families, but not in Tinmouth. Mr. Noble and his wife both lived to reach the age of 90 years.
SAMUEL MATTOCKS
came from Westford, Ct. He was a captain in the army of the Revolution, and resigned his commission and came to Tinmouth. About the year 1779, he was a representa- tive from Tinmouth ; he was 4 years in the Legislature, was 2 years a Councilor, and was 7 year a Judge of Rutland County Court; he wat a member of the second Coun- cil of Censors in the State. In 1737, he was appointed Treasurer of the State, and was continued in that office 13 years; the old building in which he lived and kept that office, is still standing on his old farm. He had three sons and one daughter, but none of them are living now. His youngest son was the late Governor Mattocks of Vermont.
EBENEZER MARVIN
was a physician; he married the daughter of James Adams, above named; he was a representative from Tinmouth 5 years, and a member of the first Council of Censors elected in this State ; he was Judge of Rut- land County Court 6 years ; was Chief Judge when he removed to what was called Hunts- burgh,* where he was made Chief Judge of Chittenden County ; and, when Franklin County was organized, he was the first Chief Judge there also. He was a man of distin- guished talents, and eminent in his profession.
THOMAS PORTER
was from Farmington, Ct., and when he came to Tinmouth was called Captain Por-
ter. He represented Tinmouth in the Legis- lature 3 years, and was a member of the Council 11 years; he was Judge of the County 2 years, and was a Judge of the Su- preme Court 3 years ; he, as Speaker of the House of Representatives, signed that spirited remonstrance which Vermont sent to Con- gress against their interfering with the gov- ernment of this State before it was admitted into the Union. The Vermont Legislature had but little knowledge of parliamentary rules at that time, yet Judge Porter had good natural talents for a presiding officer ; he was tall, erect, well proportioned, had a clear emphatic voice and dignified deportment. He lived to be 99 years of age. Dr. Porter, who so long presided over the Theological Institution at Andover, was his son.
MAJOR ROYCE,
before mentioned, had a large family, the last surviving member of which, his daughter, Mrs. Ambler, died in Tininouth, January 27, 1855, in the 89th year of her age, with her mind clear and memory retentive to the last. Major Royce's second son, Stephen, married the daughter of Judge Marvin, and their oldest son born in Tinmouth is the present Governor of Vermont.
Tinmouth was one of the few towns in Rutland County which was entitled to two representatives in the first septenary, having 80 taxable inhabitants. But few of them are mentioned in this brief sketch. Taken as a whole, it has been supposed they would have favorably compared with the first set- tlers of almost any other town in the State.
The Congregational church was organized in this town in 1780; the two first deacons were Thomas Porter and Charles Brewster. The first minister was BENJAMIN OSBORN, ordained Sept. 27, 1780. He was a graduate of Dartmouth College, and married the daughter of Judge Porter. They had two daughters, but no son.
FIRST COUNTY COURT-HOUSE IN TINMOUTH.
Rutland County was organized in 1781. The first County officers were Increase Mose- Ily, of Clarendon, chief judge; Thomas Por- ter of Tinmouth, Joseph Bowker and Benj. Whipple of Rutland, side judges ; Obadiah Noble, of Tinmouth, clerk; Abraham Ives, of Wallingford, sheriff; Nathaniel Chipman, of Tinmouth, state's attorney, and Joseph Bowker, judge of probate.
* Now Berkshire.
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The County, thus organized, held their courts, for several years, at the dwelling- house of Solomon Bingham, inn-keeper in Tinmouth. Mr. Bingham lived in a large log-house, with two rooms in it, placed on the lower side of the road, where he kept his wood-pile for the avowed purpose, among others, of having a good place to get in large back-logs. The Court occupied one room in this house, while Mr. Bingham and his fam- ily kept their inn in the other. When the jury retired on the trial of a cause, they went to a log-barn about 8 or 10 rods from the house,-this house and barn being the only buildings on the farm. The County had a jail about a mile from this place, made of hewn logs, locked together at the corners, with floors below and overhead made of the same materials. Judge Mosely was quite an old man when he was first appointed in this County. He had been a judge in Connecti- cut, and was supposed to know all about it. He wore a large white wig in court, that with his age and a grave countenance made him appear quite venerable. When Dr. Marvin was appointed chief judge, in lieu of a wig, he substituted a military cocked hat, which he wore, sitting on the bench, and being a large, portly man, he made a very majestic appearance. Justice was adminis- tered with great rapidity at that day. The Court would try three or four jury causes in the time now occupied in the trial of one of the same nature and magnitude, and it is not certain but that the right parties pre- vailed as often as they do now, at this en- lightened day.
it is now to move one from Vermont to Kan- sas, and there were no emigrant aid societies at that day.
JOHN IRISH.
John Irish and his brother William lived on adjoining farms in the north part of Tin- mouth. Each lot was 210 rods long, east and west, and 57 rods wide, north and south. They commenced improving their respective farms at the same time. Each built a log house at equal distances from the north and south line. John's was within 6 rods of his east line; and William's, about 10 or 12 rods. They had cleared their land upon their east line almost the whole width of their lots; and west of their houses, some 30 rods. The line fence between them was made of fallen trees and brush. The road ran nearly parallel to this fence, until it came to their open fields, thence southeast, around the south side of William's house, leaving John's house about 60 rods to the north.
John had erected bars east of his house, opening into the woods, and from thence had a path southeast to the main road.
Thus were the two brothers situated, on the Ist of July, 1777, when Ticonderoga was surrendered to the British army. When the news of that event reached Tinmouth, a great part of the inhabitants moved off to the south, into Arlington, Shaftsbury, and Bennington, and to any place where they could find safety.
Most of those who staid on their farms sought protection under Gen. Burgoyne. He gave them a guarantee, that, in case they did not oppose his army, their families and prop- erty should be protected. The two brothers Irish, availed themselves of this protection.
People of this generation cannot have a very just idea of the situation of the country when Rutland County was organized. There was no way of going to court, or any where Some time after this, I think the latter part of July, the Council of Safety, then sit- ting, I think, at Arlington, sent a scouting party into Tinmouth and the adjoining towns, to see what was going on among the " Protectioners," and to reconnoitre a tory camp in East Clarendon, on the farm now owned by Caleb Hall. else, but to walk or ride on horseback. There were a few sleighs and sleds, which answered tolerably well when there was snow on the ground ; but there was not a wheel-carriage in Rutland County, except ox-carts or rough lumber wagons, and the roads were in that situation that a wheel-carriage could not be driven faster than a man could walk. Most This party consisted of Capt. Ebenezer Allen, Lieut. Isaac Clark, and John Trais and Phineas Clough, private soldiers. Allen Train, and Clough belonged in Tinmouth, and Clark, I think, lived then in what is of the way the trees were cut and moved out of the path, leaving all the roots, stones, knolls and hollows to be run over. It was a greater task to move a family from Con- necticut or Rhode Island to Vermont, than | now called Middletown. All of them were
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personally acquainted with the brothers Irish.
When this party arrived at the west part of Tinmouth, they were informed, that it was suspected, that the two brothers were about joining the Tories, and that the short- est route from where they then were to the Tory camp, was the road that passed the house of William Irish.
They took that road. And when they came near Irish's cleared land, Allen directed Clough to give his gun to Train and, then go to William Irish, and enquire the shortest road to the Tory camp, and say to Irish that he had concluded to join the Tories.
When Clough arrived at the house, he found there the two brothers, William and John. He spoke with them as directed. They stepped out of the door, and told Clough he must consider himself as their prisoner,- they would see about his going to the Tory camp .- William said to John-" take Clough home with you, I want to make some prepa- ration, and then I will go and help you take care of him."
John had an Indian tomahawk in his hand and told Clough to walk along with him. They walked near each other,-Irish with tomahawk uplifted,-towards John's house.
When Allen saw this, he said to Clark and Train,-" We must get as near as we can to John's house, without being discovered." He and Train went north, around the cleared land; and Clark went on his hands and knees, along the side of the brush fence, to the woods on the east. The three soon met at the bars before mentioned.
Allen then said to Clark and Train,-
" Whoever may appear here, or whatever may be done, you must not fire at any per- son until I do. When I fire, you may." He stationed himself about two rods north of the path,-Clark about the same distance south of it, and Train about fifteen or twen- ty rods further east. All were hid behind trees.
They had not been there long, before Clough . stepped from the door, looked round and ran for the woods. He had got over the bars when Irish came out after him,-partly dressed,-with a gun in one hand and a pow - der-horn in the other. He leaped over the bars, and called out to Clough to stop or he would shoot him. He was raising his gun,
apparently to execute his threat, when Al. len shot him through the left band, and knocked his gun from him. Irish then turn- ed round facing Clark who shot him through the heart .*
When Allen's gun was fired, Clongh was so overcome with fear, that he fell upon bis hands and knees; and when he recovered- being near Train-he handed him his gan. Train took Irish's gun which he called a is- see, and carried it to the Council of Safety.t
This party, after killing Irish, went to Clarendon ; and, after making what exami- nations they could about the Tory camp re- turned to Arlington.
There was a young woman at the house of Wm. Irish during these transactions, whose name was Potter, the daughter of a widow who lived in Clarendon about one mile and a half distant. The narrative she gave of what was done and said between Clough and these two brothers, was the same as that re- lated by Clough. She said further, that, as soon as John Irish and Clough left the house William proposed to follow them. He bad changed his clothes,-was putting on bis stockings and shoes, when the guns were fr- ed. When the first gun sounded, be said,- "John has shot Clough." When the second gun sounded, he said,-" I must go." Tax ing one shoe and stocking in his hand, ba ran to the nearest woods in the opposite di- rection from where the guns were fired.
It has always been said. and, I believe, never contradicted, that he went directly to Burgoyne's army, and never returned until after the peace of '83.
The property of these two brothers was confiscated.
The friends of these men gave a very dif- ferent account of this transaction. They said
* Mr. Congdon, of Wallingford, published in the Rutland Herald soon after this account by Judge Notie appeared, a very different statement of the same. and severely reflective on Isaac Clark, which the Jud_e answered to in the same paper, vindicating the old revolutionary hero and his statement so satisfactorily, we have thought with the Judge, who only seat in his first account. the same to be sufficient -and that & mun of over 80 years, born on the spot. living there all his life (and of Judge Noble's probity and inte ..!- genco), personally acquainted with the neighb rh .. and neighbors und most of the actors euti.ied b, as unquestioned belief .- ED.
+ Irish took Clough's gun away from him. Brother Jay had the story from John Train, and went with h.m to the ground where Irish was killed .- deo. M. Nuble.
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Allen went to Irish's house for the express purpose of killing him,-that Irish had no gun,-that he was called out of his house, unarmed, and that when they got him into the woods, they murdered him. I have heard the wife of John Irish state this in strong language more than once. But the most of those who had the best opportunity of learning the facts in the case, did not think Allen had any intention of killing Irish when he went there ; but that the kill. ing was the result of what occurred after the parties came together. Those best acquaint- ed with Allen, never believed that Allen in- tended to kill Irish when he shot him in the hand, for there was not a better marksman in all the American army, or one more cool and deliberate when in extreme danger.
-I will here relate an anecodote relating to his conduct in the battle of Bennington, which I think, clearly shows his character as a soldier. This I had of Col. Elisha Clark, a brother of Isaac Clark. Col. Clark told me that he commanded the advance guard of one division of the American army. When going into battle, he went forward to remove fences and other obstructions that might im- pede the march. The British had a field- piece placed upon an eminence which very much disturbed our militia. Gen. Stark or- dered Allen to take twenty sharp-shooters from his company, and go so near that can- non that they could shoot down the artillery men until they would stop firing it. Allen with his 20 men, moved on with great rap- idity, and overtook Clark as he and his men were removing a fence between a wood-lot and the open fields. Just as Allen entered the field, there came a grape-shot from the field-piece, which grazed his cheek, and cut away a portion of his whisker. He put up his hand, rubbed his face, and said- " them fellows shoot as careless as the dev . il" !- no more disconcerted than as if a snow- ball had been thrown. He rushed on, made the attack upon the artillery-men, and Col. Allen said that in a very short time, all that were not killed or wounded, run and left the gun.
Allen spiked it, and returned to the main body of the army. A man like this would not shoot one through the hand, extended full length from the body, if he intended to kill him while only two rods from him.
As to the facts, which I have here stated,
I learned most of them by hearing the trans- action often related by Gen. Clark,-as many times by Train,-and more than once by Clough. Allen the commander of the party. I never saw. I am well acquainted with the locality of these stirring scenes. for I was born in February, 1777,-Irish- was kitle1 the July following. My father bought the land which belonged to the two brothers, the next year; and in October, 1776, movel bis family on to it, and that has been my home ever since.
Respectfully yours.
O. NOBLE.
Tinmouth, 15th Nov., 1854.
COL. ISAAC CLARK.
"Colonel Clark served in the Revolution- ary war. He was a lieutenant in Captain Ebenezer Allen's company, and took part in the surprise of Mt. Defiance, in 1777."
July, 1813, Gen. Wilkinson assumed com- mand of the Northern D-partment Arm- strong, Secretary of War, repaired to Sackett's Harbor to supervise the operations on the Ontario frontier, contemplating a descens upon Kingston and movement down the St. Lawrence. A large force was collected at Burlington, on Lake Champlain, unier com- mand of Maj .- Gen. Hampton.
About the 1st of September, Hampton was directed to move toward the British posts on the Richelieu, to create a diversion in favor of the Western army, and co-operate, if rec- essary, with Wilkinson in an attack upon Montreal. About 4,000 American troops, concentrated at Cumberland Heal, were joined by a body of New- York militia On the 19th, the infantry and light troops moved from Cumberland Head in boats, flanked by Mc Donough's flotilla. The next morning after, at the foot of the Rapids of Big Chazy river, they were joined by a squadron of horse and two artillery companies. The next day the army reached Odletown, Can- ada; but, finding the streams dried up by an unusual drought, they remained in Casada but one day. Hampton determinei to change his route, and approach Montreal by way of the Chauteaugay. On the 2i -:. the army returned to Champlain ; the 21tb. reached Chauteaugay Four Corners, where they remained inactive for 23 days, wbea Hampton planned an expedition against a small body of British troops, about 6 miles
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below, which expedition resulted in failure, and loss of 35 men killed and wounded. He returned to Plattsburgh in a few days. The army was ordered into winter quarters.
While the army lay at Chauteaugay, Col. Isaac Clark, who commanded a detachment of troops stationed at Champlain village, was ordered to commence a petty war near Lake Champlain. "What I am aiming at," writes Hampton, "is tranquillity on the road, by kicking up a dust on the lines."
A better officer than Clark to accomplish this object could not have been selected. He had served with Herrick's Rangers in the Revolution, and was well skilled in border warfare.
"On the evening of the 11th of October, Clark crossed the Lake with 110 men, a part of whom belonged to the Rifle Corps, and early the next morning reached the village of Missisco Bay, where a small party of Brit- ish were stationed, under command of Major Powell. Clark placed himself at the head of the Rifles, and advanced at double quick time until he met the main body of the ene- my, who had been hastily drawn up near the guard-house. Directing his men to halt, he approached the British and ordered them to lay down their arms. Major Powell ad- vanced and attempted to speak, but Clark sternly ordered him to remain silent, and march to the rear of the American line." The boldness of the order, and the confident tone in which it was given, induced the Major to believe that the Rifles were sup- ported by a large force, and he instantly obeyed. Clark ordered his men to advance against the main body, who, under their captain, was preparing to charge. A volley from the Riflemen struck down the captain and several men, when the rest threw down their arms and surrendered themselves pris. oners of war. Captain Finch was now sent forward to watch a force of 200 British, who were advancing under Col. Lock. Finch proceeded with such promptness and secrecy as to surprise an advance guard of cavalry. except one man, who escaped and gave in- formation of he approach of the Americans, when Col. Lock immediately retreated with the rest of his command. The loss of the British in these attacks was 9 killed and 14 wounded. 101 prisoners were taken by Clark and sent to Burlington." Major Isaac Clark and Col. Ira Allen were appointed by Con-
gress, April 26, 1781, to go to Canada and treat for exchange of prisoners .- See Pal- mer's History of Lake Champlain .*- Ed.
FROM THE TOWN RECORDS AND OTHER SOURCES.
BY LEVI RICE, JR.
Tinmouth, chartered Sept. 15, 1761.
Grantees. - Joseph Hooker, Jared Lee, Elijah Cowles, Eleazer Root, Jehiel Parme- lee, Ebenezer Orvis, Joseph Porter, Samuel Whitman, John Porter, Capt. Eph. Tread- well, Lieut. John Hart, Daniel Curtis, Gideon Beldan, Stephen Dorchester, James Hitchcock, Abraham Crittinton, James Naughton, jr., Thomas Newell, Josiah Lewis, John Hors- ford, Elias Roberts, Amos Barns, Levi Porter, Abel Hawley, John Camp, Stephen Hart, jr., Samuel Pike, John Wiard, Ebene- zer Hawley, Samuel Cogswell, Isaac Newell, Jonathan Andrus, Thomas Bell, Abel Carter, David Smith, Ebenezer Fish, Ephraim Hough, Stephen Grannis, Capt. Isaac Hurl- burt, Admiah Parks, "Simeon Hart, Joel - Parks, Ephraim Tuttle, John Street, John Hart, of Wallingford, John Carter, Jacob Carter, jr., Asahel Cogswell, Isaiah Moss, Daniel Lankton, Jonathan Blacklee, Joseph Star, Capt. Edward Gaylord, Andrew Gridley, Reynald Beckwith, Ebenezer Hubbard, Aaron How, Joseph Bunnill, Richard Wi- band, Daniel Warner, Eliakim Hall, Zacha- riah Gillet, Timothy Hall, John Carrington. Town organized March 8, 1774.
Among the resolutions passed at the earli- est Town meetings, we find the following :
" March 12, 1776: Voted, That we will build a log-house to meet in on the Sab- bath.
Nov. 24, 1778 : Voted, That the inhabi- tants of this town will hire preaching 3 months, or until our annual meeting in March next.
Voted, That this town doth make choice of Rev. Obadiah Noble to preach for us the above 3 months.
April 6, 1779. Voted, That this town will hire preaching this year, and that we will get a candidate to preach, if we can.
Voted, That we choose Thomas Porter, Obadiah Noble and Solomon Bingham as a committee to provide preaching.
Voted, That Mr. Noble shail supply the pulpit till we can get a candidate.
June 16, 1779. Voted, That we will hire preaching four months.
Voted, That we make choice of Ensign
* Vol. II. Vt. Hist. Society's Collections, page 107, etc.
.
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Stephen Rice and Charles Brewster as a com- mittee, adding to the old committee, to hire preaching the 4 months for the town.
Votel, That we, the inhabitants of the Town of Tinmouth, direct our committee to Mr. Benjamin Osborn for to preach with us the 4 months above mentioned.
Vo ed, That we will raise £100 to build a meeting house.
April 11, 1780. Voted, To give Mr Ben- jamin Osborn a call to settle in the work of the ministry in this town.
Voted, That if Mr. Osborn shall settle in the work of the ministry in this town, that, in addition to the ministerial right of land in this town, we shall give him as a salary for the first year after his settlement, £35, for the second year £40, and so. in the same progression, until his salary shall amount to £70 per year, during the continuation of the said Mr. Osborn in the work of the ministry in this town; said salary to be paid, one- half in wheat, rye and Indian corn. Wheat at 5s. per bushel, rye at 3s. 6d. per bushel, corn at 2s. 6d. per bushel. The remaining one half part to be paid in lawful money, equivalent to the price of grain above men- tioned.
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