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THE LOCAL HISTORY 
 
 OF : 
 
 BiiNliOGTOK, 
 
 1860—1883. 
 
 The Militarg Histori] of the Coiintij, 
 
 BY HON. HI LAND HALL, GOV., M. C. 
 
 WITH PAPKRS ON BENNINGTON BATTLE, CATAMOUNT TAVER> 
 POST-OFFICE, VILLAGE STRIFES IN THE TOWN OF BENNINGTO 
 FROM 1784 TO 1^83, AND BEENNINGTON FREE LIBRARY. El 
 
 With the Biographij of Govenor^Hall 
 
 FROM THE Fji^HLY AND OTHERS: 
 
 AND FURTHER ACTION IX REGARD TO 
 
 The Bennington Monument 
 
 IN WHICH HE TOOK A PROMINENT PART. 
 
 BY HNERY^D. HALL, ESQ. 
 
 WITH 
 
 BENNINGTON VILLAGE! 
 
 BENNINGTON, NORTH BP:NNINGT0N. 
 ' ' ' REN>,T^'GTON CENTRE, 
 
 AND THEIR INDUSTRIES. 
 
 ABBY MARIA HE ME NW AY, Editor. 
 \\ 
 
 [ NO. 29 NEWBURY AVE. ] 
 CHICAGO : 
 
•^/f^6 
 
 •or 
 
 
THE MILITARY HISTORY 
 
 AND 
 
 CENSUS OF BENNINGTON COUNTY, 
 
 BY HON. HILAND HALL, LL.D. 
 
 THE COUNTY OF BENNINGTON 
 
 BY HON. HILAND HALL. 
 
 Notices of the County prior to 1860 
 are found in Volume I at pages 121 and 
 250-253. 
 
 POPULATION. 
 
 At page 251 is a table showing the 
 population of each of the towns in the 
 county, at the dates when the census 
 was taken up to and including the cen- 
 sus of 1860. Below is a like table 
 
 of the population of the same towns 
 by the census of 1860, 1870, 1880, 
 as follows: 
 
 Bennington Co.— 1860— 1870— 1880. 
 Arlington, —1146—1636—1532, 
 
 gain 386. 
 Bennington, —4302—5760—6333, 
 gain 2031. 
 
 Dorset, —2090—2195—2005, 
 
 loss 85. 
 Glastenbury, — 47 — 119— 241, 
 
 gain 194. 
 Landgrove, — 320 — 302 — 266, 
 
 loss 74. 
 Manchester, —1688—1897—1928, 
 
 gain 240. 
 Peru, — 556, 
 
 gain 13. 
 
 Pownal, —1733—1705—2015, 
 
 gain 282. 
 
 Eeadsborough, — 929— 828— 745, 
 loss 184. 
 
 Rupert, 
 
 —1103—1017— 957, 
 
 
 loss 146. 
 
 Sandgate, 
 
 — 805— 705— 681. 
 
 
 loss 124. 
 
 Searsbnrg 
 
 — 263— 235— i'.!2. 
 
 
 loss 31. 
 
 Shaftsbury, 
 
 —1937—2027—1887, 
 
 
 loss 50. 
 
 Stamford, 
 
 — 760— 633— 726, 
 
 
 loss 34. 
 
 Sunderland, 
 
 — 567 — 553 — 655, 
 
 
 gain 88. 
 
 Winhall, 
 
 — 741— 842— 721, 
 
 
 loss 20. 
 
 Woodford, 
 
 — 379— 371— 487, 
 
 
 gain 108. 
 
 
 —19443-21325-21947 
 
 B}' this table it will be seen that the 
 population of the county for the twen- 
 ty years from 1860 to 1880 has in- 
 creased from 19.443 to 21.947, being 
 a gain of 2.504 and that in general 
 there has been a slight decrease iii the 
 towns which are almost exclusively 
 devoted to agricultural pursuits : while 
 the gain in numbers has been in those 
 
VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 
 
 engaged in manufactures and lumber- at Lexington. The enthusiasm for sus-^ 
 ing, viz: in Arlington, Bennington, j taining the government of the Union 
 Glastenbury, Manchester, Pownal, was intense. 
 
 Sunderland and Woodford. The large 
 percentage of increase in Glasteubui'V 
 is attributed to the construction of the 
 Glastenbury railroad of about 9 miles 
 in length from Bennington up into the 
 mountain regions, from which lumber 
 and charcoal have been more cheaply 
 transported to the South and East than 
 formerly. 
 
 BENNINGTON COUNTY IN 
 
 THE WAR FOR THE UNION. 
 
 The patriotic ardor ^^ hich pervaded the 
 North on the fall of Fort Sumpter and 
 the consequent call of the President- of 
 April 15th 1861, for 75.000 volunteers 
 was as earnest and active in the town 
 and countj^ of Bentiington in its de- 
 termination to suppress the rebellion 
 and preserve the Union, as in any 
 part of the country. In Bennington, 
 the flag of the stars and stripes, the 
 symbol and representative of love of 
 Country and of the Union, was at 
 once suspended acrost the streets and 
 displayed on public buildings and pri- 
 vate dwellings. 
 
 THE FIRST WAK-MEETING. 
 
 A public meeting was held on the 
 evening of the 19th of April, filling 
 the largest hall in town, that was at- 
 tended and addressed by men of both 
 political parties. During the meeting- 
 news came of the massacre, on the 
 morning of that day, of Massachusetts 
 men on their way at the call of the 
 President for the defense of the Capitol, 
 
 The Star Spangled Banner was sung 
 and stirring resolutions were unani- 
 mously passed to take thef most ener- 
 getic measures to raise men for that 
 purpose. Similar patriotic action was 
 taken by other towns of the Count}\ 
 
 The Govenorof the State had prompt- 
 called an extra session of the Legisla- 
 ture which met on the 23d of April 
 and enacted laws for raising, organiz- 
 ing and equipping as volunteers, or by 
 drafting, if found necessary, such num- 
 ber of regiments as might be required 
 by the General Government ; and also 
 made provisions for paying the non- 
 commissioned officers and privates who 
 should enter the service, $7 per month 
 beyond the usual pay allowed by the 
 United States. To meet the immediate 
 call of the President, ten companies 
 of already organized militia in differ- 
 ent towns of the State were mustered 
 into the service of the United States on 
 the 2d. of Ma}' for three months, which 
 constituted the First Vermont Regiment 
 in the War for the Union. The com- 
 panies were from the following towns, 
 viz: 
 Compan}- A., S wanton, Franklin Co. 
 
 Co. B., Woodstock, Windsor Co. 
 
 Co. C, St. Albans, Franklin Co. 
 
 Co. D., Bradford, Orange Co. 
 
 Co. E.,' Cavendish, Windsor Co. 
 
 Co. F., Northfield, WashingtonCo. 
 
 Co. G., Brandon, Rutland Co. 
 
 Co. H., Burlington, Chittenden Co. 
 
 Co. L, Middlebur}', Addison Co, 
 
 Co, K,, Rutland, Rutland Co. 
 
 by a mob of Secessionists at Baltimore. 
 The day was recalled as the anniver- ; The regiment was under the command 
 sar}' of the murdering assault on the of Col. J. W, Phelps and consisted of 
 Revolutionary patriots by the Brittish ' .780 men. 
 
BENNINGTON, 
 
 THE SECOND REGIMENT 
 
 FOR THREE YEARS SERVICE. 
 
 A full company of volunteers for 
 permanent service was speedily recruit- 
 ed in Bennington, a list of the names 
 of which, both officers and men with the 
 towns from which they came will be 
 found in the first volume of this Gaz- 
 etteer at page 259. 
 
 This company of which the com- 
 missioned officers were: James H. 
 Walbridge, Captain and Newton Stone 
 and William H. Cady, lieutenants, was 
 the first company, raised in the State 
 for the three years service, and ac- 
 cordingly became Company A of the 
 Regiment. 
 
 The Regiment was mustered into 
 the U, S. service, June 20, 1861, and 
 continued in the service more than 
 four years, until July loth 1865 when 
 the regiment was mustered out. 
 
 The term of the men who had first 
 enlisted had expired before that time 
 and their places had been supplied by 
 second enlistments of the same men in 
 pai-t, but largely by new recruits, so 
 that the majority of the men, both offi- 
 cers and privates of which the regiment 
 had been originally composed was prob- 
 ably, from this cause in connection \yith 
 the various casualties incident to so 
 long a service, no longer members of 
 it. 
 
 This remark applies with slowly 
 decreasing effect to the subsequently 
 raised regiments for the three years 
 service. 
 
 All the troops hereafter mentioned 
 were for three years, except the loth 
 and 14th regiments which were for 9 
 months only. 
 
 The following is a Roster of the 
 Field, Staff and Company Officers 
 from the County of Bennington of the 
 
 SECOND VERMONT REGIMENT 
 
 of Volunteers, it being a list of their 
 names, the towns of their residence, 
 their age, the dates, ranks and compa- 
 nies in which they began service, with 
 those of their several promotions and 
 the dates and manner of the termina- 
 tion of their service ; compiled from 
 the Reports of the Adjutant General 
 of the State, A'ol. 3 for 1866. 
 
 JAMES H. WALBRIDGE 
 
 of Bennington, age 34, entered the ser- 
 vice as Captain, Co. A, May 14, 1861 ; 
 Major, May 21. 1862; Lieut. Col. 
 Jan. 8, 1863 ; Colonel Feb. 9, 1863 ; 
 resigned, Apr. 1, 1864. 
 
 NEWTON STONE 
 
 of Bennington, age 23, entered the ser- 
 vice as 1st Lieut., Co. A May 14, 1861 ; 
 Capt. Co. I, Jan. 22, 1862; Major, 
 Jan. 8, 1863; Lieut. Col. Feb. 9, 1863; 
 Colonel, Apr 2, 1864; killed at the 
 battle of the Wilderness, Va. Maj' 5, 
 1864. His remains were brought to 
 Bennington and interred in the old 
 Centre buiying-groand, where an ap- 
 propriate monument is erected to his 
 memory. 
 
 GUILFORD S. LADD 
 
 of Bennington, age 30, entered the ser- 
 vice, June 11, 1861, resigned, July 17, 
 1862. 
 
 WILLIA5I H. CADY 
 
 of Bennington, age 24, entered the 
 service as 2d Lieut., Co. A, May 14, 
 1861 ; Lst Lieut.. Co. A, Jan. 22, 1862; 
 Capt., May 21. 1862 ; wounded at the 
 Wilderness, Va., May 5, 1864; mus- 
 tered out of service, June 29, 1864. 
 He died at Bennington, February 24, 
 1879. 
 
VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 
 
 PRATT ST'^>NE 
 
 of Readsboro', age 26, entered the 
 service as private, Co. A, May 20, 
 1861 ; Serg't., Nov. 1, 1861 : Ist Sergt, 
 Oct. U, 1862 ; wounded, May 3, 1863, 
 rc-enlisted, Dec. 21, 1863; 1st Lieut., 
 Co. D, Jane 20, 1864; Capt., Dec. 24. 
 1864; resigned, June 9, 1865. 
 
 EUGENE O. COLE 
 
 of Shaftsbury. age 27, private, Co. A. 
 entered service, May 7, 1861 ; Serg't, 
 June 20, 1861 ; Isl Sergt., Sept. 14, 
 1861 ; 2d Lieut. Co. A, May 21, 1862 ; 
 1st Lieut., Oct. 17, 1862; mustered out 
 of service, June 29, 1864. ( See Fifth 
 Regiment.) 
 
 EDWARD W^. APPLET*' N 
 
 of Bennington, age 23, entered the ser- 
 vice as private, Co. A, JMay, 14, 1861 ; 
 1st Sergt. June 20, 1861; 2d Lieut., 
 Co. H, Sept 12, 1861 ; 1st Lieut., Co. 
 B, Jan. 25,1862; discharged for dis- 
 ability, Sept. 25, 1862. 
 
 OTIS V. ESTES 
 
 of Bennington, age 25, private, Co. A, 
 May 7, 1861: Sergt., June 20, 1861 ; 
 1st Sergt. May 21, 1862; 2d Lieut, 
 October 17, 1862; wounded, May 12, 
 1864; mustered out May 25, 1864. 
 
 BURR T. COLE 
 
 of Shaftsbury, age 19, private. Co. A, 
 September 15, 1862 ; wounded, May 6, 
 1864; Corporel, December 1, 1864; 1st 
 Sergt., Feb. 7, 1865; 2d Lieut , June 7, 
 1865: mustered out as 1st Sergt. July 
 21, 1865. 
 
 CHARLES M. BLISS 
 
 of Woodford, age 34, entered the ser- 
 vice as private, Co. A, May 7, 1861 ; 
 Sergt., June 20, 1861 ; 2d Lieut., Sept. 
 2, 1861. Honorably discharged, Octo- 
 ber 4. 1862. 
 
 RUSSELL FISK 
 
 of Bennington, age 36, private, Co. 
 A, Dec. 1, 1863 ; Sergt. Major, Feb. 7, 
 1865; 2d Lieut., June 7, 1865; mus- 
 tered out as Sergt. Major, July 15, 
 1865. 
 
 This Regiment was in 28 engage- 
 ments. 
 
 THE FOURTH REGIMENT. 
 
 The three years company A of the 4th 
 regiment was recruited at Bennington, 
 of which John E. Pratt was captain, 
 Abel K. Parsons and Gideon H. Bur- 
 ton lieutenants. A list of both the offi- 
 cers and men with the towns from 
 which they came will be found in Vol. 1 
 of this Gazetteer at page 260. This 
 company with the regiment was mus- 
 tered into service Sept. 26, 1861 and 
 mustered out, July 13, 1865. 
 
 Roster of the Field, Staff and 
 Company Officers, 
 john e. pratt 
 of Bennington age 26, entered the ser- 
 vice as Capt., Co. A. Aug. 27, 1861 ; 
 Major Apr. 30, 1864 ; Lieut. Col., Mar. 
 14, 1865; mustered out July 13, 1865. 
 He died, in Bennington, Oct. 7, 1882. 
 
 JOHN H. CUSHMAN 
 
 of Bennington, age 32, Quartei master, 
 Aug. 10, 1861 ; mustered into service, 
 Sept. 21, 1861 ; resigned, Jan'y. 24, 
 1863 ; died in Bennington, 187- 
 
 HENRY T. CUSHMAN 
 
 of Bennington, age 18, enlisted as Reg. 
 Qt. M. Sergt., Mar. 1862, commission- 
 ed, Jan. 29, 1863; mustered out, Sept. 
 30, 1864. 
 
 HOWARD C. CHAPIN 
 
 of Readsboro', age 20, private, Co. A, 
 Aug. 13, 1861, Corp. ; 
 
 Sept., 21, 1861, Sergt. ; 2d Lieut., Co. 
 B, Aug. 1, 1862; 1st Lieut., Co. F, 
 
BENNINGTON. 
 
 ^ 
 
 Apr. 1, 1863; Capt., May 5, 1864; 
 mustered out, July 13, 1865. 
 
 ABEL K. PARSONS 
 
 of Bennington, age 32, 1st Lieut., Aug. 
 27, 1861 ; mastered into service, Sept. 
 21, 1861; Killed in action at Cold 
 Harbor, Va., June 3, 1864. 
 
 GIDEON H. BURTOX 
 
 of Bennington, age 23, 2d Lieut., Co. 
 A, Aug. 27, 1861 ; 1st Lieut., July 17, 
 1862 ; resigned, Feb. 14, 1863. 
 
 NATHAN A. SMITH 
 
 of Shaftsbmy, age 19, private, Co. A., 
 Sept. 2, 1861 ; Corp., July 31, 1863 ; re- 
 enlisted, Dec. 15, 1863 ; wounded, May 
 5, 1864; Sergt., Sept. 21, 1864 ; Reg't. 
 Qt. M. Sergt., Feb. 4, 1865 ; 2d Lieut., 
 Feb. 27, 1865; mustered out July 13, 
 1865. 
 
 This Regiment was in twenty-six 
 engagements. 
 
 THE FIFTH REGIMENT. 
 
 The 3 years Company E of the Fifth 
 Regiment was recruited at Manchester 
 and with the regiment was mustered 
 into service, Sept. 16, 1861, and mus- 
 tered out, June 29, 1865. 
 Roster vf the Field, Staff and Com- 
 pany Officers from Bennington Co. 
 
 CHARLES p. DUDLEY 
 
 of Manchester, age 26, Capt., Co. E, 
 
 SAMUEL C. BURNHAM 
 
 of Manchester, age 22, 2d Lieut., Co. 
 E, Aug. 30,1861; 1st Lieut., Co. E, 
 July 24, 1862; Capt., Oct. 6, 1862; re- 
 signed, Feb. 17, 1863. 
 
 GEORGE H. SESSIONS 
 
 of Manchester, age 21, enlisted in the 
 Vet. Res. Corps. Sept. 16, 1863; trans- 
 ferred into Co. — May 7, 1864; 1st 
 Lieut., Co. L July 25, 1864; Capt., Co. 
 E., Nov. 10. 1864: mustered out, June 
 29. 1865. 
 
 WARREN R. DUNTON 
 
 of Dorset, age 22, private, Co. E, Aug. 
 14, 1861 ; 1st Sergt., Sep. 16, 1861 ; 2d 
 Lieut.. Co. F, June 21. 1862; transfer- 
 red to Co. C, July 9, 1862; 1st Lieut. 
 Co. B, Nov. 22, 1862. Honorably dis- 
 charged, Mar. 31, 1863, for wounds in 
 action at Fredricksburgh, Va., Dec. 
 14, 1862, 
 
 JEROME GLEASON 
 
 uf Manchester, age 28, private, Co. E, 
 Sept. 27; 1861 ; Corp. ; Sergt. ; 1st 
 Sergt.; — re-enhsted, Dec. 15, 1863; 
 1st Lieut., Nov. 10,1864; wounded 
 May 5, 1864. Honorably discharged 
 June 2, 1865, for disability. 
 
 J<^SHUA A. SHATTUCK 
 
 of Winhall, age 19, private Co. E., 
 Dec. 8, 1863; wounded June 3, 1864; 
 Corp. Oct. 24, 1864: Sergt., Dec. 16, 
 1864; 2d Lieut., June 4, 1865 ; mus- 
 
 Aug. 30, 1861; Major, Oct. 6, 1862 ; tered out of service as Sergt. June 29, 
 
 Lieut. Col., May 6, 1864 ; died, May 
 21, 1864, of wounds received at the 
 battle of the Wilderness, May 10, 1864. 
 
 EUGENE O. COLE 
 
 of Bennington, age 31, appointed Maj- 
 or, Dec. 26, 1864; Brevet Lieut. Col., 
 Apr. 2, 1865, for gallantry in the battle 
 of Petersburgh. Va., Apr. 2, 1865; 
 Lieut. Col.. June 9, 1864; mustered out 
 as Major, June 29, 1865 
 
 1865. 
 
 This Regiment was in twenty-five 
 engagements. 
 FIRST CAVELRY REGIMENT- 
 
 THREE YEARS. 
 
 The next Company that was enlist- 
 ed in the County of Bennington, was 
 Co. G. of the First Cavelry Regiment, 
 which was mainly recruited at Ben- 
 nington. The regiment was mustered 
 
10 
 
 THE VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 
 
 into the service, Nov. 19, 1861, and 
 mustered out Aug. 9, 1865. 
 
 Roster of Field, Staff and Company 
 Officers from Bennington County. 
 
 william d. collins. 
 of Beimingtoii, age 37, Major, Nov., 
 1, 1861; mustered, Nov. 19, 1861 ; re- 
 signed, May 7, 1863. 
 
 JAMES A. SHELDON. 
 
 of Rupert, age 39, Capt., Oct. 18, 1861 ; 
 resigned. Mar. 12, 1862. 
 
 ALVAH R. HASWELL 
 
 of Bennington, age 19, private, Co. G, 
 Oct. 2, 1861 ; Sergt., Dec. 24, 1862; 
 wovmded, Sept. 13, 1863 ; re-enlisted 
 Dec. 30, 1863 ; 1st Lieut., Co. G, Nov. 
 19, 1864; Capt., Co. G, May 9, 1865 ; 
 transferred to Co. E, June 21, 1865, 
 by reason of consolidation of the regi- 
 ment; mustered out of service, Aug. 9 ; 
 1865. 
 
 GEORGE H. BEjVN 
 
 of Pownal, age 34, 1st Lieut., Co. G, 
 Oct. 18, 1861; Capt., Apr. 10 1862; 
 dismissed the service, Apr. 28, 1863. 
 
 FRANK RAY 
 
 of Bennington, age 23, private, Co. 
 G, Sept. 26,1861; 1st Sergt., Nov., 
 19, 1861 ; 1st Lieut., Co. G, Oct. 4, 
 1862; Capt., Co. G, Apr. 28, 1863; 
 wounded. May 11, 1864; killed in ac- 
 tion at Mount Olive, Va., Oct. 9, 1864. 
 
 DENNIS M. BLACKMER 
 
 of Bennington, age 22, 2d Lieut. Co 
 G, Oct. 18, 1861; 1st Lieut., Apr. 10' 
 1862; resigned, July 18, 1862. 
 
 FREDERICK W. COOK 
 
 of Manchester, age 22, private, Co. G, 
 Sept. 28, 1861: Co. Com. Sergt., July 
 19, 1863; re-enlisted, Dec. 30. 1863; 
 2d Lieut., Co. G, Nov. 19,1864; 1st 
 Lieut., May 9, 1865; mustered out, 
 June 21, 18G5. 
 
 This Regiment was in seventy- three 
 engagements. 
 
 THE SEVENTH REGIMENT— 
 
 THREE YEARS. 
 
 Few men of the Seventh Regiment 
 were from Bennington. There is a re- 
 cord of only two officers which is as 
 follows : 
 
 ARNOLD P. W^AIT 
 
 of Dorset, age 26, private, Co. D Dec. 
 
 11, 1861 ; Corp., July 12, 1862; Sergt. 
 Oct. 1 1862 ; 1st Sergt., May 1. 1863 ; 
 re-enlisted, Feb. 16, 1864; 1st Lieut., 
 Feb. 28, 1865. Honorably discharged 
 Aug.- 13, 1865, for disability. 
 
 GEORGE BROWN 
 
 of Rupert, age 25. Sergt., Major, Feb. 
 
 12, 1862; 2d Lieut-, Co. E, Aug, 28, 
 1862 ; i.st Lieut., Dec. 9, 1862. Dis- 
 honorably dismissed the service, Dec. 
 23, 1864, for habitual intoxication and 
 being a worthless, inefficient officer. 
 
 This Regiment was in five engage- 
 ments. 
 
 THE EIGHTH REGIMENT ;— 
 
 THREE YEARS. 
 
 Of this Eighth Regiment there is a 
 record of only one officer from the 
 County, as follows : 
 
 IIYMENIUS A. DAVIS 
 
 of Landgrove, age 18, private, Co. H, 
 Dec, 23„ 1861; Corp, Feb. 18, 1862; 
 Sergt., re-enlisted, Jan. 5, 1864 ; 1st 
 Sergt. April 12, 1864 ; 2d Lieut., Mar. 
 3, 1865; mustered out of service, June 
 28, 1865. 
 
 This Regiment was in seven engage- 
 ments. 
 
 THE TENTH REGIMENT;— 
 
 THREE YEARS. 
 
 Company E of the Tenth Regiment 
 was recruited at Bennington, of which 
 Madison E. Winslow was the first cap- 
 tain. The regiment was musteied in. 
 
BENNINGTON. 
 
 11 
 
 service, Sept. 1, 1862 and mustered 
 ont Jane 29,1865. 
 
 Roster ok the Officeks fuom 
 Bennington County, 
 alonzo b. valentine 
 of Bennington, age 32, Qt. M., July 
 31, 1862; promoted Capt. and Com. 
 of subsistence U. S. Vols., March 2, 
 1 804; promoted to Brevet Major, Jane 
 28, 1865 for meritorious services; left 
 the army on account of the close of the 
 war. 
 
 MERRIT BARHEU 
 
 of Pownal, age 26, Co. E, 1st. Lieut. 
 Aug. 7, 1862, appointed Capt. and A 
 A. G. U.S. Vols., December 31, 1864; 
 Brevet Major, Oct. 19, 1804, for 
 gallantry in every action since Ma}' 5, 
 1864, and particularly at Cedar Creek, 
 Va., Oct. 19, 1864 ;— now, 1883, in 
 the regular army of the United States 
 with the rank of Major. 
 
 SAMUEL GREER 
 
 of Dorset, age 22, private, Co. C, 
 •Aug. 5, 1862, Corp., Sept. 25, 1863; 
 Sergt., July 23, 1864; Avounded, Oct. 
 19, 1864; 2d Lieut., Co. C, Dec. 19, 
 1864; 1st Lieut , Feb. 9, 1865; muster- 
 tere'd out of service, June 22, 1865. 
 
 WALTER GRAHAM 
 
 of Arlington, age 21, private, Co. E, 
 July 19, 1862; Corp., Nov. 29, 1802; 
 Sergt., Dec. 27, 1862; 1st Sergt., Dec. 
 31,1862; 2d Lieut., June 15, 1865; 
 mustered out as 1st Sergt., June 22, 
 1865. 
 
 This Regiment was in thirteen en- 
 agements. 
 
 THE SECOND REGIMENT 
 
 OF U. S.' SHARP SHOOTERS. 
 THREE YEARS. 
 
 Company H of this Regiment was 
 mustered into the service, Dec. 31, 
 
 1861, and mustered out, Dec. 31, 
 1864. A portion of this company was 
 from Bennington Count3^ The record 
 of the otRcers from the County is as 
 follows : 
 
 GILBERT HART 
 
 of Dorset, age 34, Capt., Co, H, .Dec. 
 24, 1861; resigned, Aug. 13, 1862. 
 
 WILLIAM NEWELL 
 
 of Dorset, age 35, private, Co. H, 
 Nov. 1, 1861; 1st Sergt, Dec. 31, 
 1861 ;2d Lieut., Dec. 1, 1862; Capt. 
 May 18, 1864. Homn-abl}' discharged, 
 as 2d Lieut., Oct. 17, 1864, for wound 
 received in action before Petersburgh, 
 Va., June 21, 1864. 
 This Regiment was in 24 engagements. 
 
 FIRST BATTERY OF LIGHT 
 ARTILLERY. — three years. 
 
 This Battery, or at least a portion 
 of it, was recruited at South Shaftsbu- 
 ry ; was mustered into service, Feb. 
 18, 1862, and mustered out, Aug. 10, 
 1864. The record of its officers is as 
 follows : 
 
 GEORGE W. DUNCAN 
 
 of Shaftsbury, age 45, Capt., Jan. 15, 
 1826 ; resigned, Feb. 11, 1863. 
 
 EDWARD RICE 
 
 of Shaftsbury, age 23, 2d Lieut., Jan. 
 15,1862; 1st Lieut., Feb. 13, 1863; 
 mustered out, Aug. 10, 1864. 
 
 THOMAS READE 
 
 of Shaftsbury, age 21, private, Dec. 1, 
 1861; Qt. M., Sergt., Feb. 18, 1862; 
 2d Lieut., July 14, 1862: 1st. Lieut., 
 Feb. 14, 1863; resigned, Dec. 14, 1863. 
 This Battery was in 4 engagements. 
 
 NINE MONTHS' MEN. 
 
 A Brigade of Volunteers for nine 
 months' service under the anthority of 
 the United States was raised in Ver- 
 mont in the fall of 1862, consisting of 
 
12 
 
 VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 
 
 Field Regiments, amounting in the 
 whole to 4840 men, the regiments be- 
 ing numbered the 12th, 13th, 14th, 
 15th and 16th. These troops served 
 in Virginia until Lee's invasion of 
 Pennsylvania, when they were all 
 marched to Gettysburgh where the 
 13th, 14th and 16th took part in the 
 battles of the 2d and 3d of July 1863. 
 The other two regiments having been 
 detached from Gen. Stannard's Brigade 
 by Gen. Reynolds "to guard the Corps 
 wagon-train in the rear." 
 
 The Twelth Regiment, - 
 
 nike months. 
 
 This Regiment was raised in other 
 
 parts of the State than in Bennington 
 
 County; mustered into the service, 
 
 Oct. 4, 1862, and out, July 14, 1863. 
 
 It had but one officer from Benning- 
 ton County, whose record is as follows : 
 
 BENJAMIN F. KETCHUM 
 
 of Manchester, age 28, Surgeon, Sept. 
 19, 1862; mustered in, Oct. 4, 1862; 
 mustered out, July 14, 1863. 
 
 Fourteenth Regiment. 
 nine months. 
 Company A of this Regiment was 
 recruited at Bennington, and Company 
 C at Manchester. The Regiment was 
 mustered into service, Oct 21, 1862, 
 and musteied out, July 30, 1863. 
 
 Roster of the Field, Staff and Com- 
 pany Officers from Bennington Co. 
 
 nathaniel b. hall 
 of Bennington, age 36, Major, Sept. 
 25, 1862; mustered out of service, 
 July 30, 1863. 
 
 HARRISON PRINDLE. 
 
 of Manchester, age 23, Adjutant, Oct. 
 8, 1862 ; mustered out, July 30, 1863. 
 
 CHARLES FIELD 
 
 of Dorset, age 36, Quartermaster, Oct. 
 8, 1862; mustered out, July 30, 1863. 
 
 ransom o. gore 
 
 of Bennington, age 28, Capt. Co, A, 
 Aug 27, 1862; mustered out, July 30, 
 1863. 
 
 JOSIAH B, MUNSON 
 
 of Manchester, age 26, Capt., Co. C, 
 Aug. 28, 1862; mustered out, July 30? 
 1863. 
 
 WILLIAM H. MUNN 
 
 of Shaftsbury, age 24, 1st Lieut., Co. 
 K, Sept. 18, 1862; Capt., Feb. 15, 
 1863; mustered out, Jnly 30, 1863. 
 
 EDWARD N. THAYER 
 
 of Bennington, age 28, 1st Lieut., Aug. 
 27, 1862; mustered out, July 30, 1863. 
 
 NATHAN L, ANDREW 
 
 of Arlington, age 33, 1st Lieut., Co. 
 C, Aug. 20, 1862; mustered out of 
 
 service, July 30, 1863. 
 
 CHARLES ALBRO 
 
 of Bennington, age 22, 2d Lieut., Co. 
 A, Aug. 27, 1862; mustered out, July 
 30, 1863. 
 
 HENRY D. YOUNG 
 
 of Manchester, age 25, 2d Lieut., Co. 
 C, Aug. 28. 1862; mustered out, July 
 30, 1863. 
 
 LEWIS P. FULLER 
 
 of Stamford, age 45, 2d Lieut., Co. K, 
 Sept. 18, 1862; resigned, March 9, 
 1863. 
 
 This Regiment was in the battle of 
 Gettysburgh, July 2d and 3d, 1863. 
 
 The Sixteenth Regiment,- 
 nine months. 
 
 No part of this Regiment was re- 
 cruited in Bennington County. It was 
 mustered into service, Oct. 23, 1862, 
 and out, Aug. 10, 1863. There was but 
 one officer frgm the Connty, whose 
 services were as follows : 
 
 J 
 
BENNINGTON. 
 
 13 
 
 IRA W. THOMAS 
 
 of Readsborough, age 22, 2d Lieut., 
 Co. T, Sept., 20, 1862 ; resigned, Jan, 
 13 1863. 
 
 This Regiment was in the battle of 
 Gettysburgh, July 2d and 3d, 1863. 
 
 SEVENTEENTH REGIMENT. 
 
 The 17th Regiment was the latest 
 corps of troops that was raised in the 
 State for the suppression of the rebel- 
 lion, the men being mustered by com- 
 panies during the first half of the year 
 1864. Many of the officers and some 
 of its men had served in the 9 months' 
 regiments. The Regiment was mus- 
 tered out, July 14, 1865. 
 
 The Roster of Officers from Ben- 
 iNNGTON County is as follows : 
 
 GEORGE HICKS 
 
 of Bennington, age 23, 2d Lieut., Co. 
 F, Apr. 9 1864; Brevet Capt., July 6, 
 1864, for gallant and meritorious ser- 
 vice in charge near Shand's house, Va. ; 
 killed in action, July 30, 1864. Cap- 
 tain's commission dated Nov. 1 1864. 
 
 CHARLES A. WATSON 
 
 of Dorset, age 19, private, Co. E, 
 Mar. 15, 1864;Sergt., Apr. 12, 1864; 
 wounded, June 26, 1864; 2d Lieut. 
 Jidy 10, 1865; mustered out as 1st 
 Sergt., Co. E, July 14, 1865. 
 
 This Regiment was in thirteen en- 
 gagements, i 
 
 Staff Officers at LrAge. 
 The two officers named below though 
 not reported by the Adjutant General, 
 are believed to have served as follows : 
 
 GEORGE D. HARRINGTON 
 
 of Bennington, age — , entered the 
 service as commissary of subsistence. 
 May 3, 1862; promoted to rank of 
 Major, Mar. 13, 1865, and on same 
 date to Lieut., Col., July 24 1865; 
 
 promoted to the rank of Colonel, - 
 stationed most of the time at Camp 
 Chase, Columbus, Ohio; discharged in 
 the autumn of 1865. He died in Wash- 
 ington City, Mar. 13, 1879. 
 
 ALBERT "WALKER 
 
 of Bennington, age 49, entered the 
 service as Commissaryof subsistence, 
 with rank of Captain, Nov. 18, 1862; 
 resigned after the close of the war 
 June 1865. 
 
 NUMBER OF MEN FROM BENNINGTON 
 0OUNTY. 
 
 The following is a statement of the 
 number of men furnished by each town 
 of the Coimty in answer to calls for 
 troops from April 1861 to Sept, 30, 
 1865, and the United States enrollment 
 of each town : 
 
 Arlington, 126 enrolled: furnished 129- 
 
 surplus 3. 
 Bennington, 344 enrol'd : f urnish'd 358- 
 
 surplus 14. 
 Dorset, 121 enrolled: furnished 121. 
 Glastenbuiy, enrolled 12 : furnished 12. 
 Landgrove, 34 enrolled : furnished 34. 
 Manchester, 150 enrol'd : furnish'd 156- 
 
 surplus 6. 
 Peru, 43 enrolled : furnished 42- 
 
 deficient 1. 
 Pownal, 109 enrolled : furnished 113- 
 
 surplus 4. 
 Readsboro, 75 enrolled: furnished 78- 
 
 surplus 3. 
 Rupert, 86 enrolled ; furnished 92- 
 surplus 6 ; 
 
 Saudgate, 57 enrolled : furnished 60 
 
 surplus 3. 
 Searsburg, 20 enrolled : furnished 20. 
 Shaftsbury, 142 enrol'd: furnish'd 147- 
 
 surplus 5. 
 Stamford, 53 enrolled : furnished 53. 
 
14 
 
 VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 
 
 Sunderlancl, 5 1 enrolled: furnished 53. 
 
 surplus 2 . 
 Winhall, 73 enrolled : furnished 76- 
 
 surplus 3. 
 Woodford, 29 enrolled: furnished 30- 
 
 surplus 1. 
 
 Total: enrolled 1525, surplus 50, defi- 
 cient 1, furnished 1574. 
 
 THE BATTLE OF BENNINGTON. 
 
 August 16, 1777. 
 
 BY EON NIL AND BALL. 
 
 INTRODUCTORY 
 
 In the following account of the 
 Battle of Bennington, only the leading 
 facts are attempted to be given, nu- 
 merous interesting and exciting inci- 
 dents being necessarily omitted. 
 
 In order to have a just appreciation 
 of the battle and its consequences, it 
 is necessary to call to mind the condi- 
 tion of country and of the State at 
 the time of its occurrence. 
 
 The campaign of 1776 inthe North 
 ern department had been disastrous to 
 the American arms. After sutFering 
 severe losses our forces had been driven 
 from Canada in great distress, and the 
 enemy by the destruction of the Amer- 
 ican flotilla had obtained full command 
 of the waters of Lake Champlain. 
 Great numbers of troops were arriv- 
 ing at Quebec from Europe, and a 
 fearful invasion was expected at the 
 opening of the lake in the spring. To 
 meet such an invasion extensive works 
 had been erected at Ticonderoga, on 
 which great reliance was placed. But 
 they were defective in arrangement, 
 and but partially manned, and on the 
 approach of Gen. Burgoyne with a 
 powerful army, Gen. St. Clair found 
 they would be wholly untenable, and 
 
 felt compelled to abandon them. The 
 rear guard of his retreating army, un- 
 der the command of Col. Seth Warner, 
 was overtaken the next day, July 7, 
 1777, at Hubbardtou, by alarge body 
 of the enemy, and after a brave resist- 
 ance, during which many were killed 
 and wounded on both sides, was over- 
 powered by numbers and obliged to 
 give way. The greater poi'tion of 
 St. Clair's force succeeded in forming 
 a junction with Gen. Schuyler at Fort 
 Edward, while the remnant of Colonel 
 Warner's regiment, about 140 strong, 
 took post at Manchester. 
 
 Burgoyne's army, numbering about 
 9,000 men was equipped and furnished 
 with every war-like material that 
 wealth and skill could supply, and con- 
 sisted mostl}' of British and German 
 veterans, with bodies of Canadians and 
 tories, and a formidable horde of Indi- 
 ans. Its commander expected to make 
 a triumphant march to Albany, there 
 to be met by an army from New York, 
 and thus by obtaining the control of the 
 Hudson River, and cutiiug off New 
 England from the other states, to com- 
 plete the conquest of the countr}' for 
 the King. He had already issued a 
 flaming proclamation, threatening de- - 
 struction to the lives and property of 
 all who slioald oppose him, but prom- 
 ising protection and security to those 
 who should give him their adhesion, 
 and offering payment "in solid coin" 
 for all provisions that should be brought 
 to his camp. On the 10th of July, 
 having reached Skenesbough, (White- 
 hall) he issued another proclamation in 
 which he directed "the inhabitants of 
 Castleton, Hubbardton, Rutland, Tin- 
 mouth, Pawlet, Wells and Granville, 
 with the neighboring districts ; also the 
 districts bordering on White Creek, 
 (Salem) Camden, Cambridge, &c.," to 
 
BENNINGTON. 
 
 15 
 
 send ten persons or more from each 
 township to meet Col. Skeene at Cas- 
 tleton on the 15th, who would commu- 
 uicate conditions upon which the per- 
 sons and properties of the disobedient 
 might 3^et be spared." The proclama- 
 tion concluded with the following bar- 
 barous threat : "This fail not under the 
 pain of military execution." 
 
 To a large portion of the frontier in- 
 habitants, Burgoyne's army appeared 
 irresistable. If he should let loose his 
 horde of savages upon them which in his 
 first proclamation he said amounted to 
 thousands, there would seem to be no 
 escape for them. Great numbers from 
 those towns, and some from towns still 
 further to the south, repaired to Col. 
 Skene and taking the oath of allegiance 
 to the Crown, some from choice and 
 some from supposed necessity, received 
 written protections for their security. 
 Of these many took up arms against 
 their country and joined the invading 
 army. But the more patriotic portion 
 of the inhabitants scorning submission 
 to the invaders, abandoned their homes 
 to the mercy of the enemy, and taking 
 with them such of their effects as they 
 were able to transport fled to the south, 
 some stopping in Bennington, but most 
 of them going on to their friends in 
 Berkhire Co. and Connecticut. Berk- 
 shire county in the language of a cou- 
 semporary, 'was burdened with these fu- 
 gitives.' Nearly all of the territory be- 
 tween Bennington and the route of 
 Burgoyne towards the Hudson and Al- 
 bany was thus made in effect an ene- 
 my's country, and Beunington became 
 a frontier town. 
 
 Prior to the Revolution the territory 
 of Vermont was known by the name 
 of The New Hampshire Grants, over 
 which the Sfovernment of New York 
 
 claimed jurisdiction and also the title 
 of its lands. This claim was disputed by 
 its inhabitants, who after a long and 
 severe controversy, had by a conven- 
 tion of the deligates held at "Westmin- 
 ster on the 17th of January, 1777, de- 
 clared the territory an independent 
 State. At the time of the evacuation 
 of Ticonderoga b}' St. Clair a subse- 
 quent convention of the new State was 
 in session at Windsor, engaged in the 
 work of framing its new constitution 
 of government ; and the abandonment 
 of that post left the families of many 
 of its members in immediate peril. At 
 the news of this alarming event the 
 constitution was somewhat hurriedlj' 
 adopted, and having appointed a Coun- 
 cil of Safety to manage the affairs of 
 the State until the regular government 
 could be put in operation, the cimven- 
 tion adjourned. 
 
 The Council of Safety thus constituted 
 met first at Mancheser, but soon ad- 
 journed to Bennington, where it con- 
 tinued in permanent session through- 
 out the year, adopting and carrying in- 
 to effect the most energetic measures 
 for protecting the State against its for- 
 eign, as well as its domestic enemies. 
 Pressing messages having been sent to 
 New Hampshire and Massachusetts for 
 aid, such of the militia as could be gath- 
 ered were called out to strengthen the 
 force of Col. Warner at Manchester, 
 where an attack was apprehended. A 
 permanent force to patrol the frontiers 
 and to guard against any covert out- 
 break of the tories in their midst, was 
 indispensable; and to provide means 
 for maintaining such a force and to meet 
 their other expenses in defending the 
 State, the Council ordered the property 
 of those of their inhabitants that had 
 joined the enemy to be sequestered 
 
16 
 
 VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 
 
 and sold. A proper fund being thus 
 secured, a regiment of Rangers was 
 organized under the command of Col. 
 Samuel Herrick, which did valuable 
 service to the State and country. 
 
 New Hampshire responded nobly to- 
 the call of the Vermont Council, The 
 Assembly at once ordered a large por- 
 tion of their militia to be organized 
 into a brigade and placed under the 
 command of General John Stark. He 
 had served with credit and honor in 
 the previous French war and as Colo- 
 nel at Bunker Hill, and in Canada, 
 and under "Washington at Trenton, 
 and Princeton, but Congress had pro- 
 moted junior officers over him, and he 
 had resigned his commission and re- 
 tired from the service, though he re- 
 tained the same patriotic ardor as be- 
 fore. He was reluctant to be placed un- 
 der officers he had < mtranked and there 
 was also at the time a very general dis- 
 trust in New England of Gen. Schuyler 
 who was in command of the Northern 
 department ; for which reasons General 
 Stark's written instructions were of a 
 discretionary character. He was di- 
 rected "to repair to Charleston, No. 4 
 and when the troops were collected 
 there "to take the command of them 
 and march into the State of Vermont, 
 and there act in conjunction Avith the 
 troops of that State, or any other 
 of the States, or of the United States, 
 or seperatly, as it should appear expe- 
 dient to him, for the protection of the 
 people or the annoyance of the enemy." 
 
 Crossing the Green Mountain from 
 Charleston with the greater part of his 
 command. Stark reached Manchester 
 on the 7th of August, where he met 
 Gen. Lincoln, who had been sent from 
 Stillwater by Gen. Schuyler to con- 
 duct his militia to the west bank of 
 
 the Hudson. Stark communicated his 
 instructions and declined obedience on 
 the ground of the dangerous condition 
 in Avhich it would leave the people of 
 Vermont, and because he believed Bur- 
 goyne would be more embarassed in his 
 opertions by his remaining on his left, 
 than by his joining the army in front. 
 But for this refusal of Stark, which 
 was founded on the sovujde.st military 
 view of the state of affairs, Bennington 
 would have been in a measure defence- 
 less, and would, doubtless, have fallen 
 a prey to the enemy. 
 
 At Manchester, Stark found that a 
 considerably large body of the enemy 
 which for some time had been at Cas- 
 tleton, threatening Manchester and to 
 cross over to Connecticut River, had 
 marched to the Hudson. He, with his 
 force, passed on to Bennington, where 
 he arrived on the 9th. He was accom- 
 panied by Col. "Warner, whose conti- 
 nental regiment was left at Manchester 
 under the command of Lieut. Colonel 
 Samuel Safford. At Bennington, Gen. 
 Stark encamped for a few days, col- 
 lecting information in regard to the 
 position and the designs of the enemy, 
 and consulting with the Council of 
 Safety, and with Col. "Warner relative 
 to future operations . 
 
 The progress of Burgoyne towards 
 Albany had been so retarded by the 
 natural dfficulties of the route, and the 
 obstructions thrown in his way by the 
 Americans, that it was nearly a month 
 after his departure from Ticonderoga 
 before he reached the Hudson River. 
 Here he found himself so deficient in 
 provisions, and also in cattle and car- 
 riages for transportation that he was 
 mnch embarrassed about the means for 
 advancing farther. Learning that the 
 articles he most needed had been col- 
 
BENNINGTON. 
 
 17 
 
 lected at Benuington as a convenient 
 depot to snpply the American forces, 
 he resolved to seize them for the use of 
 his own army. 
 
 For this service Lieut. Col. Baume 
 ■was selected. Bargoyne in his letter to 
 the English Ministry states the force 
 under his command to have consisted 
 of 200 dismounted dragoons, "Captain 
 Frazer's marksmen, (called, also, Ran- 
 gers) which were the only British, all 
 the Canadian vlounteers, a party of 
 Provincials, (Col. Peter's corps of to- 
 nes,) 100 Indians and two light pieces 
 of cannon, the whole detachment a- 
 mounting to about 500 men." There 
 is no doubt this number is too small by 
 several hundred. The German official 
 accounts give the number of the troops 
 of Baume at 374 instead of 200 ; and 
 of the British, Canadians and Tories, 
 the prisoners taken in the action, a- 
 mounted to 230, as will be seen here- 
 after, which would swell Baume's force 
 to over 600, without rckoning those 
 who were killed in battle and the man}' 
 who escaped b}' flight. There can be 
 little doubt that the number of men 
 brought into action by Baume exceed- 
 ed 700, besides his 100 Indians. Col. 
 Skene, at the request of Burgoyne, 
 had accompanied the expedition that 
 the German Commander might have 
 the benifit of his better knowlege of 
 the country and of his supposed in- 
 fluence with its people. 
 
 PREPARING FOR THE BATTLE. 
 
 Baume set off with his force on the 
 13th of August, and arrived the same 
 day at Cambridge, 16 miles from Ben- 
 nington. Early the next morning, he 
 reached Sancoick, a small settlement 
 near the mouth of the White Creek 
 branch of the Walloomsac river, about 
 half a mile below the present village of 
 
 North Hoosick. Here he found a party 
 of Americans in possession of a mill 
 which they abandond on his approach, 
 and in the mill, on the head of a barrel, 
 he wrote Burgoyne an account of his 
 progress, informing him that "by five 
 prisoners taken here they agree that 
 1500 to 1800 men are at Bennington, 
 hut are supposed to leave at our ap- 
 proach." 
 
 They did leave on his approach, but 
 not in the direction he had anticipated. 
 The old mill at ^ ancoick is still stand- 
 ing and in use by John Burke, the 
 present owner, and is about 8 miles 
 from Bennington. 
 
 Gen. Stark on the 13th had receiv- 
 ed information from scouts that a par- 
 ty of Indians were at Cambridge, and 
 he sent Lieut Col. Gregg of his brig- 
 ade with 200 men to stop their prog- 
 ress, but during the night, he was ad- 
 vised that a large body of troops with 
 artillery were in the rear of the Indi- 
 ans and that they were advancing to- 
 wards Bennington. He immediately 
 sent to Manchester for Col. Warner's 
 continental regiment, and also for the 
 neighboring militia to rally to his 
 support. 
 
 On the morning of the 1 4th he assem- 
 bled his brigade, and in company with 
 Cols. Warner, Williams, Herrick and 
 Brush went out to meet the enemy. He 
 had marched about five miles when he 
 met Gregg on his retreat from San- 
 coick and the enemy in close pursuit. 
 Stark drew up his men in order of 
 battle, but Baume halted in a com- 
 manding position, and the ground occu- 
 pied by Stark, being unfavorable for a 
 general attack, he fell back about a 
 mile and encamped. His encampment 
 was in the north-west part of Benn- 
 ington, on the farm formerly owned 
 
18 
 
 BENNINGTON. 
 
 by Paul M. Henry, on the Hill, upon 
 which a dwelling has lately been erected 
 by Lewis Northonse, the present pro- 
 prietor. 
 
 Tlie Walloomsac river is a branch of 
 the Hoosick, fordable in most places, 
 liaving in general a westerly course, 
 but which after passing Stark's en- 
 campment runs in a northern direction 
 for half a mile, then westerl}' for a mile 
 and a half, where it turns suddenly to 
 the south and pursues that course for 
 three-quarters of aiuile or more. Here 
 on the Avest side of the river, Baume 
 halted and made his arrangements for 
 defense. On tlie top of a thickly wood- 
 ed hill which rises abruptly three or 
 four hundred feet from the west bank 
 of the stream, he posted the greater 
 part of his Germans under liis own 
 immediate command. This position 
 was west of the sudden bend in the 
 stream, and Baume's front to the east 
 was well secured against an attack by 
 the precipitous ascent of the hill on 
 that side, which impracticable ascent 
 extended from his camp for half a mile 
 along the bank of the river to the bridge 
 at the southern foot of the hill, over 
 which the road from Bennington to 
 Sancoick, and Cambi idge passed. On 
 the top of this hill Baume prepared en- 
 trenchments of earth and logs to resist 
 attacks from the west and on his flanks. 
 
 For the defense of the important 
 pass at the bridge, Baume caused a 
 strong breast-work to be thrown up on 
 the high bank of the river, on which 
 was mounted one of his cannon, in 
 charge of a body of German Grena- 
 diers. Two small breast works were 
 also erected on opposite sides of the 
 road, near the west end of the bridge 
 which were manned by Frazer's marks- 
 men ; and the position was still further 
 
 strengthened by posting all the Cana- 
 dians in log huts which were standing 
 near the bridge on both sides of the 
 river. This point is where the river is 
 now crossed by the covered railroad 
 bridge, about three miles from North 
 Bennington on the route to Troy. 
 
 Baume on his way from the Hudson, 
 and at his encampment had been joined 
 b}" a considerable number of tories, 
 many of them under the lead of Col. 
 Francis Pfister, a half pay British officer 
 of wealth and extensive influence who 
 occupied an imposing residence erected 
 by him on the west bank of the Hoo- 
 sick, near what is now known as Hoo- 
 sick Corners. These with most of 
 Peter's corps of loyalists Avere posted 
 on a hill east of ihe stream 40 or 50 
 rods to the south-east of the bridge. 
 
 Here, strong works of defense were 
 erected, known as the "Tory Breast- 
 work," and of Avhich Col. Pfister is 
 understood to have been placed i[i 
 command. On its right was a sharp 
 ravine and both flanks would have the 
 protection of ball and grape from the 
 cannon at the bridge. The other 
 cannon in charge of Gei-man grena- 
 diers, supported by some tories, ap- 
 pears to have been placed further to 
 the Avest in a cleared field, near the 
 road. It was on a hillside which OA^er- 
 looked and commanded the approaches 
 to the bridge and to the tory encamp, 
 meat, and also to the south flank of 
 Baume's encampment. It may have 
 been moved nearer to Baume's position 
 during the engagement. (The several 
 positions of Baume's forces are shown 
 by the plan in Burgoj'ne's account of 
 his expedition, of Avhich a copy on a re- 
 duced scale isgiA'en in the "Memorials 
 of a Century by the Rev. Isaac Jen- 
 nings, and another still smaller is found 
 
BENNINGTON. 
 
 19 
 
 in Lossing's Field Book of the Revolu- 
 lution. The top of the map is west and 
 upon it the tories are designated as 
 '•American Vohuiteers," the British 
 marksmen as "Rangers," the Ameri- 
 cans as ,, Bodies of the enemy." All 
 others except the "Canadians," are 
 Germans, the ' 'Chasseures" being Ger- 
 man marksmen. On Burgoyne's map 
 the Walloomsac is called the Hoosick.) 
 The encampments of the two hostile 
 bodies, though little more than two 
 miles apart Avere entirely hidden from 
 the sight of each other by a heavily 
 wooded, intervening hill. 
 
 The force under General Stark was 
 composed of the greater part of his 
 brigade of New Hampshire militia, a 
 small number of Vermont militia from 
 the east side of the mountain, under 
 Col. William Williams, Avho had been 
 stationed at Manchester, Col. Herrick's 
 corps of Rangers then forming, the 
 State militia from Bennington and its 
 vicinity under Col. Nathaniel Brush, 
 and on the morning of the 16th Stark 
 was joined by Col. Simonds and some 
 militia from Berkshire County (Mass.) 
 His whole force might perhaps have 
 numbered about 1600. 
 
 On the night of the 14th after ascer- 
 taining the position of the enem}', 
 Staik called a council, consisting of 
 the leading members of the Council of 
 Safety as well as of Cols. Warner and 
 Herrick and other military officers, in 
 whifh a plan for attacking the enemy 
 was discussed and adopted, and it was 
 agreed that the attack should be made 
 the next morning. But the 15th was so 
 excessively rainy as to prevent any at- 
 tempt at a general action. Scouts were 
 however sent out some of which were 
 engaged in suf^cessful skirmishes. 
 
 THK BATTLE 
 
 The morning of the 16th was bright 
 and clear and Stark prepared for the at- 
 tack in accordance with the lAan pre- 
 viously agreed upon. Col. Nichols 
 with 200 of the New Hampshire 
 troops, to which a reinforcement of 
 100 was afterward added, was detach- 
 ed to make a wide circuit to the north 
 of Baume's post, and come round up- 
 on the rear of his left, and Col, Her- 
 rick with 300 men, composed of his 
 Rangers and Col. Brush's militia, was 
 to make a like wide southern circuit to 
 the rear of his right, the two parties 
 to meet and make a joint attack upon 
 his entrenchments. Cols. Hubbard and 
 Stickney with 300 men of Stark's brig- 
 ade, were ordered to the enemy's ex- 
 treme right. While these three detach- 
 ments were gaining their assigned posi- 
 tions, the enemy was amused by a 
 threatened attack on his front. 
 
 About thi'ee o'clock in the afternoon 
 firing was commenced by the party un- 
 der Nichol's which was the signal for 
 a general assault. It Avas immediately 
 followed by the detachment under 
 Herrick, and by that of Hubbard and 
 Stickney, while Stark, himself with 
 his reserve of New Hampshire men 
 and the Berkshire and some Vermont 
 miltia, in the face of the enemy's can- 
 non, assailed the Tory breast- work and 
 the pass at the bridge in front. The en- 
 gagement thus became general and "las- 
 ted" says Stark in his report t(> Gates, 
 "two hours, and was the hottest, I ev- 
 er saw — it represented one continued 
 clap of thunder." The Indians alarm- 
 ed at the prospect of being enclosed 
 between the parties of Nichols and Her- 
 rick, fled at the beginning of the fight, 
 but Baume with his Germans and all 
 others under his command, having the 
 
20 
 
 VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 
 
 advantage of their position behind en- 
 trenchments, which the rain of the 
 15th had given them ample time to e- 
 rect and make strong, fought with 
 gi'eat resolution and bravery, but they 
 were overpowered by their militia as- 
 sailants and either fled or surrendered 
 prisoners of war. 
 
 The battle being ended and the pris- 
 oners sent off to Bennington under a 
 proper guard, the militia dispersed to 
 look over the field and collect plunder, 
 but very soon intelligence was brought 
 that a large, additional force from the 
 British army was approaching, and 
 within the distance of two miles. This 
 body of men was under the command 
 of Col. Breyman and consisted, be- 
 sides 22 officers of 620 rank and file, 
 all Germans, with two pieces of can- 
 non, which Burgoyne on hearing that 
 the force " at Bennington was greater 
 than had been expected, had dispatch- 
 ed to reinforce Banme. The rain of the 
 preceding day and the heaviness of 
 the roads had delayed Breyman's arri- 
 val until the victory over the men he 
 had been sent to aid had been accom- 
 plished. The victors were however in 
 great confusion, and it appeared diffi- 
 cult to stop the progress of the new 
 enemy. Happily at this juncture, AVar- 
 ner's regiment of about 140 men which 
 had been delayed by the rain, in its 
 march from Manchester, came up 
 fresh under Lieut. Col. Saflfbrd and 
 took its position in front, serving as a 
 rallying point for the scattered militia. 
 Breyman advanced with his two brass 
 field pieces up the road with wings of 
 infantry on each side of it, occasionly 
 firing his cannon to clear the way, the 
 Americans slowly retiring before him. 
 When a considerable body of the mili- 
 tia had been collected a stand was made 
 
 (about 40 or 50 rods east of the pres- 
 ent Walloomsac depot) and Breyman's 
 force brought to a halt. Here he was 
 attacked in front and flanks, a most 
 deadly fire being poured into his ranks 
 from a wooded hill on his left. The 
 action was very severe and continued 
 till after sunset, when many of Brey- 
 man's men being killed and wounded 
 and his artillery horses shot down, he 
 abandoned his cannon and fled. Gen. 
 Stark pursued his flying forces till the 
 approaching darkness rendered it nec- 
 essary to draw oflT his men to prevent 
 their firing upon each other. "With 
 one hour more of daylight," says Stark 
 in his official report, "we should have 
 captured the whole body." 
 
 EFFECTS OF THE BATTLE. 
 
 Among the trophies of this day's 
 victories, were four brass field pieces, 
 twelve brass drums, 250 sabres, four 
 ammunition wagons, several hundred 
 stand of arms, and 658 prisoners, and 
 207 were left dead on the field. The 
 whole loss of the enemy could not have 
 been much less than 900 men. Some 
 of the contemporaneous accounts make 
 the number still larger. Of the prison- 
 ers, 30 of them were officers, 37 Brit- 
 ish soldiers, 398 Hessians, 38 Canadi- 
 ans, and 155tories. Col. Baume was 
 mortally wounded and taken prisoner 
 as was also Col. Pfister, the comman- 
 der of the tory entretichmeut. Both 
 were taken about a mile to a house in 
 the town of Shaftsbury, which a few 
 years ago was still standing opposite 
 the present paper-mill of Charles E. 
 Welling, known as 'the Baume house,' 
 in whicli they both died within a day 
 or two afterwards. 
 
 The loss of the Americans in both 
 engagements was about 30 killed and 
 40 wounded. 
 
BENNINGTON. 
 
 21 
 
 This victory, in Avhich undisciplined 
 husbandmen with their hunting guns 
 without bayonets, bravely stormed en- 
 ti'enchments manned by legular troops 
 and defended by cannon , is justly styl- 
 ed by Baiicroft as "one of the most bril- 
 iant and eventful of the war." The 
 loss of the enemy in men and material 
 was severely felt. But the consequences 
 were otherwise still more important. - 
 By inspiring confidence on the one side, 
 and depressing the spirits of the other, 
 the current of succeses was at once 
 turned from the British to the Amer- 
 ican arms. 
 
 The fate of Burgoyne and his army 
 was in effect sealed at Bennington, and 
 his final capture well assured. General 
 Washington, on being informed of the 
 event, considered it as deciding the fate 
 of Burgoyne, and dismissed all anxie- 
 ty about his invasion. Its effect upon 
 the enemy was most disheartening. — 
 Madame Riedesel, Avife of the com- 
 manding general of the German troops 
 who accompanied her husband through 
 the campaign, says in her memoirs, thai 
 by Baume's failure "the army was pre- 
 vented from advancing, while the ene- 
 my, recovering suddenly from deprss- 
 ion, increased their numbers daily. "'- 
 Burgoyne, himself, though he struggled 
 on for a few weeks longer, was ev- 
 idently disheartened. Four days after 
 Baume's defeat, after preparing a dis 
 spatch to the British minister for the 
 public ear, he wrote him another letter 
 marked Private, dated "Camp near Sar- 
 atoga, Aug. 20. 1777," in which he gave 
 quite a gloomy account of his affairs, 
 treating the failure of the expedition 
 to Bennington as his great misfortune, 
 in which he says of it, that, "Had I 
 succeeded, I should have formed a 
 junction with St. Leger and been now 
 before Albany." After speaking dis- 
 
 paragingly of the tories, he says : 
 "The great bulk of the country is uu- 
 doubtedl}^ with the Congress," and of 
 the Vermonters, he bitterly adds, "the 
 Hampshire Grants in particular, a coun- 
 try impeopled and almost luiknown in 
 the last war, now abounds in the most 
 active and most rebellious race on the 
 continent, and hangs like a gathering 
 storm on my left." 
 
 To General Stark should be assign- 
 ed the highest meed of praise for the 
 victory ; but he was nobly aided by the 
 skill and valor of both his officers and 
 men. and they are all with him entitled 
 to the lasting gratitude of their country. 
 Of his officers, Col. Warner is undoubt- 
 edly entitled to special credit. Warner 
 was a colonel in the Continental army, 
 had acquired a high reputation as a mil- 
 itary leader, by his services in Canada 
 and at Hubbardton, and he had long 
 been a resident of Bennington and was 
 familiarly acquainted with the ground 
 occupied by the posts of the enemy 
 and their approaches- He was Stark's 
 chief adviser in planning the attack on 
 the enemy, he went into the action by 
 his side and was his active associate in 
 the first engagement, as well as in repel- 
 ling the attack of Breyman's reinforce- 
 ment. Dr. Thachor in his contempo- 
 rary Military Journal says "Stark as- 
 sisted by Warner matured his plans 
 for the battle." and Stark, himself in 
 his letter to Gates after speaking in 
 the highest texjaxs of the daring brave- 
 ry of the officers and soldiers under his 
 command says, "Col. Warner's superi- 
 or skill in the action was of extraord- 
 inary service to me." Gordon also in 
 his history speaks highly of the services 
 of Col. Warner and those of Col. Her- 
 rick of the Verniont Rangers. Other 
 officers and men deserve notice for 
 their meritorious exertions in gaining 
 
VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 
 
 n 
 
 the victory, but the space allowed for 
 this article Avill not permit it. There 
 are also numerous interesting incidents 
 connected with the battle that must 
 for the like reason be omitted. It has 
 been only possable to give the leading 
 facts. 
 
 General Stark from his arrival at 
 Manchester acted in concert with the 
 Vermont Council of Safety and receiv- 
 ed their earnest countenance and sup- 
 port in all his movements which were- 
 duly appreciated by him as is shown by 
 a publication in the Connecticut "Cou- 
 rant'' over his own signature in which 
 he passed on the Council a high eulo- 
 gium for their patriotic exertions and 
 services. 
 
 When the Congress at Philadephia 
 was informed of Gen. Stark's declin- 
 ing to move his force from Manches- 
 ter to the west side of the Hudson, as 
 before mentioned, a resolve was passed 
 disapproving of it. But after the wis- 
 dom of his conduct in that respect had 
 been demonstrated by his victory and 
 its fortunate effect on the campaign, 
 they came tardily to the determination 
 to do him full justice by approving his 
 patriotic services and restoring him to 
 his merited rank in the arm}'. 
 
 On the 4th day of October, 1777, 
 Congress unanimously passed the fol- 
 lowing resolution: 
 
 "Resolved: That the thanks of 
 Congress be presented to Gen. Stark 
 of The New Hampshire Militia, and 
 the Officers and troops under his com- 
 mand, for their brave and successful 
 attack upon, and signal victory over 
 the Enemy in their lines at Bennington; 
 and that Brigadier Stark be appoint- 
 ed Brigadier General in the Army of 
 the United States 
 Two weeks after the passage of this 
 
 resolution by Congress, on the 17th 
 of October, the event, which Stark's 
 Victory at Bennington had clearly 
 foreshadowed, and made certain, — 
 was accomplished b}" the surrender of 
 Burgoyne and his army as prisoners 
 of war, to the Amei'ican forces at 
 Saratoga. 
 
 THE 
 OLD CATAMOUNT TAVERN 
 
 AT BENNINGTON, VT. 
 
 On the 30th of March 1871, the old 
 "Catamount Tavern" House,- which 
 had long been the most notable relic 
 of early times in the Centre Village of 
 Bennington, Vermont, was burnt to the 
 ground. It had been unoccupied for a 
 short time and the origin of the fire is 
 unknown. The house which was in a 
 tolerable state of preservation, had 
 been built over a hundred years ; hav- 
 ing been erected by Captain Stephen 
 Fay, a year or two prior to 1770. It 
 was a wooden building, about 44 feet by 
 34, two stories high, having two high 
 chimneys with high fire-places in each 
 story, besides which, there was a very 
 large fire-place in the cellar or base- 
 ment, part of which was used as a 
 wash-room, and cook-room as occasion 
 required. 
 
 The two chimne}' s are now standing, 
 (Autumn of 1871) exhibiting their spa- 
 cious fire-places with heavy, iron cranes 
 in those of the lower stoi-y and base- 
 ment. On the marble mantle of one 
 of the fire-places the words "council 
 KOOM," appear, cut there in early 
 times. 
 
 On the top of the high sign-post be- 
 fore the front door, was placed the 
 stuffed skin of a catamount, from which 
 came the name of the house, though 
 in early days, it was in accordance 
 with the custom of the time more gen- 
 
(CATAMOUNT TAVERN 
 
 AT BEXNINGTON, VT. 
 
 On the top of the high sign-post before the front door, 
 was pluced the stuffed skin of a catamount from which 
 came the name of the house, though in early days, it 
 was in accordance with the custom of the time, more 
 generally called Landlord Fay's. P'^ge 22. 
 
 The tall sign-post was 25 feet f j om the ground ; 
 the catamount on the top, stood "with large teeth 
 grinning towards New York. — page 25. 
 
BENNINGTON. 
 
 25 
 
 erally spoken of as "Landlord Fay's.' 
 During the period of the early set- 
 tlement of the State, the honse was a 
 great resort for travelers and emigrants, 
 and it was also widely known as the 
 Head Quarters of the settlers in their 
 contest with the New York land claim- 
 ants. It was the home of Ethan Allen 
 for several years from 1770, when he 
 first came to the "New Hampshire 
 Grants," as Vermont was then called. 
 
 The settlers held their lands under 
 grants from New Hampshire, to which 
 the territory was supposed to belong; 
 but in 1764, the King, by an order in 
 Council placed them under the juris- 
 diction of New York. Whereupon the 
 Govenor of that Province declared 
 their titles to be void, and regranted 
 their lands to speculators, who recov- 
 ered judgement in the New York 
 courts against the settlers, and sent 
 their sheriffs and posses to execute them, 
 who were resisted by the occupants and 
 forcibly prevented from obtaining pos- 
 session. This controversy raged for 
 years, and the settlers appointed com- 
 mittees of safety before whom offend- 
 ers against the integrity of their titles, 
 styled "Yorkers," were brought for 
 trial. On conviction they were vari- 
 ously punished, sometimes by banish- 
 ment from the territory, and sometimes 
 by whipping on the naked back, a mode 
 of punishment for crime then in com- 
 mon use throughout the country. The 
 latter punishmen in allusion to the great 
 seal of the Govenor of New Hampshire, 
 affixed to their charter titles, and to the 
 instnmient with which it was common- 
 ly inflicted, the settlers humorously 
 called ''the application of the beach 
 seal." 
 
 Another mode of punishmet was 
 devised for one offender, residing with- 
 
 in their own limits : One Dr. Samuel 
 Adams of Arlington, who had held his 
 lands under a New Hampshire charter, 
 suddenly became an open advocate of 
 the New York title, advising his neigh- 
 bors to purchase it. This tended to 
 weaken the opposition to New York by 
 producing division among the settlers, 
 and he was repeatedly an arned to de- 
 sist from such discourse, but he persist- 
 ed in his offensive language, and arm- 
 ing himself with pistols and other 
 weapons threatened death to any one 
 who should molest him. What follow- 
 ed is related in the language of a con- 
 temporary : The Doctor was soon ta- 
 ken by surprise and carried (15 miles) 
 to the Green Mountain (Landlord 
 Fay's ) tavern, tit Bennington, where 
 the committee heard his defense, and 
 then ordered him to be tied in an arm- 
 chair and hoisted up to the sign- 
 (a catamount skin stuffed, sitting upon 
 the sign-post, 25 feet from the ground, 
 with large teeth, looking and grinning 
 toward New York) and there to hang 
 two hours in sight of the people, as a 
 punishment merited by his enmity to 
 the rights and liberty of the inhabitants 
 of the New Hampshire Grants. The 
 judgement was executed to the no small 
 merriment of a large concourse of the 
 people. 
 
 The Doctor was let down and dis- 
 missed by the committee with an ad- 
 monition to go and sin no more. The 
 mild and exemplary disgrace had a sal- 
 utary effect on the Doctor and many 
 others." Dr. Adams, on Burgoyne's 
 invasion, became a violent tory and 
 fled to Canada, from which he never 
 returned. 
 
 When Sir Wm. Trj'on, Govenor of 
 New York in 1771, issued a procla- 
 mation offering a reward of £ 20 each 
 for the apprehension of Ethan Allen, 
 
26 
 
 VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 
 
 Remember Baker, and Robert Cochran 
 for their riotous opposition to the New 
 York government, they retaliated by 
 publishing over their names a counter 
 proclamation offering a reward of £15 
 for James Duane and <;^10 for John 
 Kemp, their two leading land-claiming 
 antagonists, styling them "those com- 
 mon disturbers of the public peace," 
 the rewards so made paj^able on their 
 being brought to "Landlord Fay's at 
 Bennington. 
 
 The following is a copy of the proc- 
 lamaiion: 
 
 ^^ £ 25 Reward ! 
 Whereas James Duane and John 
 Kemp of New York, have by their 
 menaces and threats greatly disturbed 
 the public peace and repose of the hon- 
 est peasants of Bennington, and the 
 settlements to the northward, which 
 peasants are now and ever have been 
 in the peace of God and the King, and 
 patriotic and liege subjects of George 
 III. Any person that will apprehend 
 those common disturbers, viz: James 
 Duane, and John Kemp, and bring 
 them to Landlord Fay's at Bennington, 
 shall have £15 reward for James 
 Duane and £ 10 for John Kemp, paid 
 by Ethan Allen, 
 
 Remember Baker, 
 Robert Cochran. 
 Dated Poultney, 
 Feb'y 5, 1772. 
 
 Colonel Ethan Allen was sojourning 
 at the "Catamount Tavern" in the 
 spring of 1775 and from the "Council 
 Room" of that house went forth his 
 order of May 3d, for mustering the 
 Green Mountain Boys for the capture 
 of Ticonderoga, which was effected 
 seven days afterwards "in the name of 
 the great Jehovah and the Continental 
 Congress." 
 
 In this noted tavern house, sat the 
 Vermont Council of Safery during the 
 trying campaign of 1777, guiding and 
 directing the patriotic exertioQS of the 
 Green Mountain Boys to stem the tor- 
 rent of Burgoyne's invasion ; and here " 
 also. Stark and Warner, with the aid 
 of the Council, planned the famous 
 attack on Baume's entrenchments, 
 where was won the brilliant victoiy of 
 Bennington, which turned the current 
 of success from the British to the 
 American arms and was followed in a 
 few weeks [ as told in the preceding 
 pages,] bj^ the capture of Burgoyne 
 and his arm}^ at Saratoga. 
 
 Captain Fay, the proprietor of the 
 house had five sous in the battle of 
 Bennington, one of Avhom was killed. 
 On being told that one of his sons had 
 fallen in the light, the venerable patri- 
 ot through his deep grirf "thanked God 
 that he had a son that was willing to 
 die for his country." 
 
 Here in 1778 was tried and condemn- 
 ed one David Redding, a traitor and 
 spy ; and in a field in front of the house 
 a gallows had been erected and a gi-eat 
 crowd had assembled to see him exe- 
 cuted. But on the morning fixed for 
 the execution, the Goveilor and Coun- 
 cil granted him a reprieve for one 
 week, for the reason that he had been 
 tried by a jury of six, while by the 
 common law there ought to have been 
 twelve. The multitude, who had as 
 well as the six jurors condemned the 
 traitor, were clamorous at their disa- 
 pointment, and violence was seriousl}' 
 apprehended, whereupon Col. Ethan 
 Allen, who had just returned from his 
 long English captivity mounted a stump 
 and waving his hat and exclaiming: 
 "•Attention, the whole ! — proceeded to 
 announce the reasons v/hich produced 
 the reprieve ; advised the multitude to 
 
THE COUNCIL KOOM HEARTH 
 
 OF THE 
 
 Old Catamount Tavern. 
 
 At this fireside, sat, Ethan Allen, the night before he 
 sent forth his summons for the Green Mountain Boys 
 to muster for the capture of Tieonderoga. page 26. 
 
BENNINGTON. 
 
 29 
 
 depart peaceably to their habitations, 
 and to return on the daj' fixed by the 
 Goveuor and Council, adding with an 
 oath, "You shall see somebody hung 
 at all events, for if Redding is not then 
 hung, I will be hung myself !" Upon 
 which the uproar ceased and the crowd 
 dispersed. Redding being again tried 
 and convicted by a jury of twelve was 
 hung on the day to which his reprieve 
 had been granted, in accordance with 
 Allen's prediction. 
 
 The children of Captain Fay were 
 numerous and respectable, and several 
 of them have been prominent in the 
 affairs of the State of Vermont. He 
 died in 1781, and the house, not many 
 years afterwards became a private dwel- 
 ling for two of his sons, in succession, 
 then for a grandson, and then finally for 
 a great- grandson, John Fay, Esq, 
 who died Feb. 25, 1856. 
 
 HILAND HALL. 
 
 BENNINGTON— HISTORICAL. 
 Annals of Post-Office, Court-House 
 AND Village Strifes in the Town of 
 Bennington from 1784 to 1884. 
 
 The old Village of Bennington, like 
 many others in New England was built 
 on high gi'ound. The north and south 
 road through the State passed over it, 
 which in few years became a thorough 
 fare for much travel between Connect- 
 icut and western Massachusetts and the 
 new lands to the northward. The sum- 
 mit of the hill at the north end of the 
 village was 100 feet higher than the 
 more level land at the other end. Its 
 two extremities were about three quar- 
 ters of a mUe apart and were hidden 
 from each other bj^ the southern brow 
 of the upper hill, from which there 
 was a steep descent to a slight valley 
 
 before reaching the other end of the 
 village. That this village had two ecds 
 should be b<.»rne in mind, as many of 
 the occurrences to be mentioned here- 
 after will be found to hinge in some de- 
 gi'ee on that fact. Tliese two ends or 
 parts were in common language dis- 
 tinguished from each other as the "Up- 
 hill" and "Down-hill." 
 
 The road from Albany, leading to 
 and acix)ss the Green Mountain ran 
 through the lower port of the village, 
 but wasveiy little used until sometime 
 in the present centur}' when it gi'adual- 
 ly became a through route from Albany 
 to Boston and other places east of the 
 mountains on which road, as well as 
 that to the northward, well patronized 
 stages were run. 
 
 the meeting-house 
 was built in the lower part of the vil- 
 lage, about 17G5, and in 1780, an 
 academy building, called 
 CLIO hall 
 was erected on the present site of the 
 meeting-house, in which a successful 
 high school was kept until it wa-s burnt 
 in 1803. 
 
 In 1781, when a building for 
 court-house and jail 
 was requu'ed, it had been erected on 
 the summit of the hill near the present 
 residence of A. M. Huling. 
 
 In 1783, Anthony Haswell came 
 from Massachusetts and began the pub- 
 lication of the 
 
 VERMONT gazette 
 
 on the Upper-hill, and for many years 
 it was the only newspaper printed in 
 the State on the west side of the mount- 
 ain. Its publication was continued 
 weekl}', with brief inteiTuptions, nearly 
 all the time b}' Mr. Haswell or some of 
 his descendants until about 1850 when 
 
30 
 
 THE VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 
 
 it was discontinued. For a few months 
 in 1797, the paper took the name of 
 the "Tablet of the Times," in 1806, 
 that of the "Epitome of the World," 
 and afterwards from 1808 to 1816, that 
 of the "Green Mountain Farmer," 
 when it resumed its first name, under 
 which it Avas continued until it ceased 
 to exist, as before stated. 
 
 From 1777 to 1791, Vermont exer 
 cised full authority in its civil aflairs 
 as an independent vState, being unac- 
 knowledged, both by the other states 
 and the Continental Congress, In 1784, 
 its Legislature passed an act establish- 
 ing 
 
 FIVE POST-OFFICES IN THE STATE, 
 
 viz : at Bennington, Rutland, Brattle- 
 boro, Windsor aad Newbury, allowing 
 post-riders three pence per mile for 
 travel between Bennington and Brattle- 
 boro and two pence on the other routes. 
 They were to account to the postmas- 
 ters and to be paid from postages and 
 their other receipts. They distributed 
 the Bennington and the Windsor news- 
 papers to their subscribers along the 
 routes they traveled. Under this act 
 
 ANTHONY HASWELL 
 
 was commissioned postmaster general 
 by Gov. Thomas Chittenden, Mar. 10, 
 1784, and it is probable that 
 
 DAVID RUSSELL, 
 
 who was partner of Mr. Haswell in the 
 publication of the Gazette, acted as the 
 Bennington postmaster. He was ap- 
 pointed to that office on the admission 
 of the State into the Union, and held it 
 from Aug. 25, 1791 till 1797, when 
 under the presidency of the elder Adams 
 he was appointed collector of customs 
 for the district of Vermont and he then 
 removed to Burlington. He was suc- 
 ceeded as postmaster by 
 
 MICAH J. LYMAN, 
 
 father of our late deacon, George Ly- 
 man, and held the office from October 
 1.. 1797 till 1808. The post-office was 
 kept in the printing office by Mr. Rus- 
 sell, and by Dr. Lyman in his drug- 
 store next south the residence of the 
 late John S. Robinson, on the upper 
 hill. 
 
 Each section of Bennington Village 
 had its hotels, aud merchants' stores, 
 and mechanics' shops ; the two sections 
 not unnalurall}' came in competition 
 with each other in business and for 
 public favor. Was there ever a village 
 whose two ends did not '' This rivalry 
 sometimes produced unpleasant feelings 
 and sharp controversies, and it became 
 not the less active when it was found . 
 during the presidenc}'' of John Adams, 
 that the men of the two sections were 
 in general of opposite parties in politics. 
 
 UP-HILL AND DOWN HILL POLITICS. 
 
 Nearly all of the Down-hill people, 
 among whom were the Dewey's the 
 Swifts and Tichenors, were Federalists, 
 while those of Upper-hill, comprising 
 the Robinsons, the Fays, Haswellsand 
 others, were ante-Federalists aud friends 
 of iVIr. Jefferson, who was soon to be- 
 come president. They took upon them- 
 selves the name of Republicans, dis- 
 claiming that of Democrats, which from 
 the excesses that had recently been com- 
 mitted under it during the French Rev- 
 olution, was unpopular, not to say 
 odious. 
 
 Tiie Federalists however dubbed the 
 Republicans with the name of Demo- 
 crats by way of reproach, aud the Re- 
 publicans retorted by calling them aris- 
 tocrats and monarchists. 
 
 In order to a proper understanding 
 of the various changes that have taken 
 place in our postmasters, and in their 
 
BENNINGTON, 
 
 31 
 
 movements from place to place, some 
 preliminary statement of the party re- 
 lations of the men of t)je town with 
 the different administrations of the gen- 
 ei".'d government, seems necessary. — 
 ^ Mr. Tichenor, a native of New Jersey, 
 whose conrtly manners and fascinating 
 conversation had acquired for him the' 
 familiar title of the "Jersey sleek," 
 and whose great personal popvdarity 
 had enabled him to obtain ten success- 
 ive elections of govern )r, up to the year 
 1808, Avhile the other State officers 
 were generally chosen by the Republi- 
 cans, and also a majority of the legis- 
 lature, was the acknowledged leader of 
 the Federalists ; while Jonathan Rob- 
 inson, who was chief judge of the su- 
 preme court from 1801 to 1808, and 
 was then chosen a senator in Congress 
 to fill a vacancy and held the office by 
 another election till 1815, occupied a 
 like leadership of the Repblicans. He 
 and Govenor Tichenor Avere both able 
 men and shi-ewd politicians, and each 
 of them exercised an important, and 
 frequently, a controlling influence 
 over their respective parties through- 
 out the State. Judge Robinson 
 being senator during President Mad- 
 ison's administration and having his 
 friendl}^ confidence, had the principal 
 control of his patronage throughout the 
 State, which was quite large during the 
 three years war with England that ter- 
 minated in 1815. 
 
 From 1808 to 1813, the Republi- 
 cans were generally in a majority in 
 the town, and Were able to choose mem- 
 bers of that party to the assembly 
 though the elections were often very 
 spirited and close. But during the war 
 with England when the times were hard 
 and taxes high, the Federal candidates 
 were chosen, and at theelectioi\ iii 1813 
 and 1814 the Federal Govenor andothr 
 
 er state officers were also elected. The 
 Legislature of 1814, also chose Gove- 
 nor Tichenor United States Senator to 
 succeed Judge Robinson. 
 
 On the return of peace with Eng- 
 land the Federalists, from the alledged 
 unpatriotic conduct of their prominent 
 leaders during the war, became very 
 unpopular. The Federalists, in fact ceas- 
 ed to exist as a national party after 
 1816, and the old party lin«s soon be- 
 came so obliterated in most, if not, 
 all the states, that the period of some 
 eiffht or ten years from that date has 
 not inappropriately been styled 'The era 
 of good feeling.' Mr. Monroe, who suc- 
 ceeded Mr. Madison, was the only can- 
 didate for the presidency for his sec- 
 ond term in 1820, and received all the 
 votes of the electors of all the 
 states, with the exception of one vote 
 out of the seven from New Hampshire, 
 which single vote was cast by a crotch- 
 ety elector for John Quincy Adams. — 
 At the next presidential election in 1824 
 there were four candidates, all Repub- 
 licans: John Quincy Adams, "VVm. H. 
 Crawford, Andrew Jackson and Henry 
 Claj', when their being no choice by 
 the electors. Mr. Adams was chosen 
 by the House of Representatives. Mr. 
 Adams had been supported bj^ the Re- 
 publicans of Vermont, including those 
 of Bennington. Prior to the next pres- 
 idential election most of the friends of 
 Crawford and Jackson united with oth- 
 ers in oposition to the administration of 
 Mr. Adams, claiming for themselves the 
 name of the Democratic party ;and the 
 the supporters of jNIr. Adams took for 
 themselves that of the National Re- 
 publican party, for which a few years 
 afterwards that of the Whig party Avas 
 substituted. The Democratic part}' thus 
 j formed has continued to the present 
 time. In 1828, Jackson, the candidate 
 
32 
 
 VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 
 
 of that party was elected president over 
 
 Adams, Vermont choosing electors, 
 
 who voted again for Adams. The 
 
 State, and also the town and countj^ 
 
 were almost unanimous for Adams : but 
 
 the Gazette, representing most of the 
 
 old Eopublicans of Bennington Hill 
 
 occupied a hesitating position in regard \ in the vicinity of the Court House. — 
 
 to the two candidates with an evident | During the latter portion of his term 
 
 leaning in favor of Jackson. After liis j ^f office the increase of other parts of 
 
 election it gave his administration its I the town had tended to weaken the Up- 
 
 his time in a room south of and adjoin- 
 ing the State Arms tavern, opposit ethe 
 Court House. 
 
 Mr. Haswell held the office over 20 
 years, from June 6, 1813, to Nov. 1, 
 1833, keeping it the greatest part of 
 the time at different places on the Hill 
 
 active support, and ever afterwards 
 its like support to the Democratic par- 
 ty. In 1832, Jackson was again elect- 
 ed president and in 1836, Martin Van 
 Buren, both bj^ the Democratic party, 
 but in 1840, Gen. Harrison, the Whig 
 candidate, was chosen over Mr. Van 
 Buren. 
 
 This statement of the names and po- 
 litical positions of the presidents seems 
 necessary to a proper understanding of 
 the questions arising in regard to the 
 • appointments of the several postmasters 
 in the town and the location of the 
 post-offices. From this it will be seen 
 that the old Republicans of the Upper 
 Hill, having been continually in politi- 
 cal accord with all the presidents from 
 Jefferson in 1801 to Harrison in 1841, 
 would naturally exercise the control 
 in the selection of postmasters and in 
 determining the places where the office 
 should be kept. 
 
 Micah J. Lyman, who was a Feder; 
 alist, had held the office of Bennington 
 postmaster from 1797 until Nov. 20. 
 1808, when he was succeeded by Oi'sa- 
 rans C. Merrill, a Republican. Mr. Mer- 
 rill was son-in-law of Senator Robin- 
 son and he held the office until he be- 
 came a Lieut. Colonel in the army in 
 1813, when William Haswell was ap- 
 
 per Hill as its convenient business cen- 
 tre and to favor the claims of the Low- 
 er Hill and of the people to the east- 
 ward of it. 
 
 BENNINGTON BANK 1828. 
 
 In 1828, these claims were par- 
 tially recognized by the erection of 
 the building for the then recently char- 
 tered bank about mid-waj' between the 
 two ends of the Old Village. The 
 building is still standing on the brow 
 of the Upper Hill over-looking the 
 Down Hill portion and is on the upper 
 corner of the side road that leads to- 
 wards the northeast part of the town, 
 opposite the house of Gen. David Rob- 
 inson, now that of his grandson, Geo 
 W. Robinson. 
 
 NORTH BENNINGTON POST-OFICE. 
 
 During the same year ( 1828, ) 
 a new post-office had been established 
 at North Bennington, which supplied a 
 portion of the north-west part of the 
 town with mail facilities and withdrew 
 some business from the main office. 
 
 There had also been growing up lor 
 several years a new village — 
 
 EAST BENNINGTON 
 
 in tbe valley, from one to two miles 
 east of the old Centre meeting-house, 
 and its people and others living further 
 
 pointed his successor. The nffi.-e had to the eastward were beginning to com- 
 been kept by Mr. Merrill for most of ] plain that they were required to go 
 
BENNINGTON, 
 
 33 
 
 up the steep meeting-honse hill aud half 
 a mile up another hard hill to obtain 
 their mail matter, when they insisted 
 that more than half the revenue of the 
 oflfice came from them. Mr. Haswell 
 doubtless felt the force of this claim, for 
 in 1 830, he had a small building erect- 
 ed on the lower corner of the before 
 mentioned side road, south of and op- 
 posite the bank, thus somewhat short- 
 ening the distance of travel for the low- 
 er hill and the eastern people. In this 
 building, Mr. Haswell kept the office 
 for the remainder of his term, having 
 a young man, Asahel Hyde, since a 
 successful business man at St. Albans, 
 for his intelligent and gentlemanly 
 clerk. 
 
 In November 1833, Henry Kellogg 
 succeeded Mr. Haswell as postmaster, 
 and he held the office until the spring 
 of 1841, for over seven years. He 
 continued to keep the office for several 
 years in the same building in which it 
 had been left by Mr. Haswell, where a 
 youth then pursuing his studies, Edwin 
 H. Chapiu, was his genial and scholarly 
 clerk, and who was afterwards the Rev. 
 Dr. Chapin, the distinguished pidpit 
 orator, Avho died in New York City, 
 Dec. 26, 1880, at the age of 66. 
 
 EAST BENNINGTON POST-OFFICE. 
 
 The efforts of the East Village people 
 to have the post-office brought nearer 
 to them continued to increase with their 
 population, and the mail contractors 
 on the Albany and Brattleboro route 
 complained of the unnecessary delay 
 and hardship of being compelled to 
 drive their stages away from their route 
 up a heavy hill in order to deliver and 
 receive their mails: and by the year 
 1839, the pressure became too strong 
 to be longer resisted, and the office was 
 removed down the hill to the Scott 
 
 store where it was kept for the residue 
 of Mr Kellogg's term. Whether this 
 removal was made by special order of 
 the department, or by leave asked by 
 Mr. Kellogg, has not been ascertained. 
 General Harrison having been elect- 
 ed president over Mr. Van Buren, was . 
 inaugurated Mar. 4, 1841, but died the 
 4th of April, following, being in office 
 but a single mouth, and was succeeded 
 by John Tyler, the Vice President, 
 though the Whigs had been accustom- 
 ed to declaim against ''the spoils sys- 
 tem of removing minor officers on 
 the change of administrations, which 
 had been first put in active operation 
 by the Democrats, on the accession of 
 President Jackson yet thej^ were gen- 
 erally quite willing when opportunity 
 offered to follow the example of their 
 opponents. In accordance with this 
 system, David Love became post-mas- 
 ter, May 8, 1841, and held the office 
 until the winter of 1843, when he was 
 succeeded by John C. Haswell. Mr. 
 Love kept the office during his term in 
 the Scott store. There was no objec- 
 tion to Mr. Love or Mr. Kellogg as 
 postmasters, other than that each of 
 them when removed was charged with 
 the offense of belonging to the wrong po- 
 litical party. The practice of changing 
 the minor officers of the government on 
 the access of a new administration, 
 though often condemned as fraught 
 with many great evils has been contin- 
 ued to the present time (Feb. 1883.) 
 An attempt has recently been made by 
 an act of Cougi-ess to correct the de- 
 moralizing effects of the scramble for 
 office under this "spoils system," and 
 to ensure appointments of the minor 
 officers in the departments at Wash- 
 ington and in other large public offices 
 of the country without reference to 
 their politics, but with sole regard to 
 
34 
 
 VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 
 
 fitness. Whether it will he successful 
 can best be determined by experiment. 
 
 Mr. Tyler had not been long in of- 
 fice before he became flattered with the 
 idea that if he should abandon the par- 
 ty that had elected him and oppose its 
 measures, he could by the use of his 
 government patronage, with the aid of 
 the Democrats, form for himself a per- 
 sonal party that would nominate and 
 elect him to the presidency for anoth- 
 er term. 
 
 The "State Banner," which was 
 founded as a Whig paper and was pub- 
 lished in Bennington. (East village) did 
 not follow Tyler in his revolt, but ad- 
 hered to the mass of the Whigs of 
 whom Henry Clay and others were the 
 prominent leaders. But John C. Has" 
 well, the publisher of the Gazette, in 
 common with other Democratic edi- 
 tors, readily gave him aid in his hostil- 
 ities to the Whig party, and Mr Has- 
 weU by his active efforts with his paper 
 in that direction, so ingratiated himself 
 into the favor of his administration, he 
 had little difficulty in obtaining the of- 
 fice of post-master in the place of Mr. 
 Love, whom he succeeded Feb. 3, 1843. 
 
 Soon after he became postmaster, 
 Mr. Haswell found he could obtain a 
 more lucrative position in the general 
 post-office at Washington and went to 
 that city, leaving the Bennington of- 
 fice in the care of Edward Rice, who 
 became post- master, July 12, 1844, 
 and served till Feb. 23, 1847, when he 
 resigned and was succeeded by Mr. 
 Haswell who again became postmaster. 
 
 When Mr. Haswell had been first 
 appointed post-master, he had pur- 
 chased the Hall and Southworth law of- 
 fice, which stood on the side hill just 
 above the residence of the late A. B. 
 Gardner and during his time kept the of- 
 
 fice there. In the fall of 1841, the 
 new road which entered the Centre 
 Village from the East Village, north of 
 the Truman Squire house, had been op- 
 ened which made it much easier for trav- 
 el than the steep, old road by the meet- 
 ing-honse, and rendered the side hill of- 
 fice quite as convenient for the East 
 Village people as the Scott store, and 
 it became still more convenient when 
 Mr. Rice caused the building to be 
 drawn down the hill to the corner of 
 the new road, opposite the Squire 
 house, which he did soon after his ap- 
 pointment. 
 
 A few months before Mr. Rice left 
 the post-office, the rivalry between the 
 East Village and the Old Village which 
 had continually been gi'owing warmer, 
 was suddenly brought to a high fever 
 heat. The first Court House which had 
 been built at an early day on the Up- 
 per Hill, had been destroyed by fire in 
 May 1809, and a second one that had 
 been erected near the site of the former 
 one was now, Oct. 28, 1846, also burn- 
 ed to the gi'ound. 
 
 The East Village had been on a steady 
 increase for quite a number of years, 
 while the Old Village, at the best, could 
 only be said to be at a stand-still. Ten 
 years prior to 1846, four new churches 
 had been organized in the East Village, 
 viz : a Baptist, an Episcopal, a Con- 
 gregationalist and Methodist, each of 
 which had erected substantial church 
 buildings. New streets were opened 
 and occupied by dwellings, stores, 
 shops, iron foundries and manufactu- 
 ring and mechanical works of various 
 kinds moved by water-power, until the 
 new village had become more than 
 double in population and business to 
 that of the old. There was also an 
 unmistakable tendencj'^ towards a con- 
 tinued»increase of the new village and 
 
BENNINGTON. 
 
 35 
 
 a decrease of the old. Under these Village by the name of East Benning- 
 circumstauces it was to be expected i ton of which Gen. Henry Robinson 
 
 that au earnest and persistent effort 
 would be made for the erection of the 
 Court House in the- New Village. In 
 order to determine the place where the 
 new county buildings should be erect- 
 ed, application was made to the Leg- 
 islature then in session, and by an act 
 of Nov. 2d, 184(i, after providing for 
 a tax for erecting the buildings, Eben- 
 ezerN. Briggs of Brandon, Abishai 
 Stoddard of Grafton and Caleb B. Har- 
 rington of Middietown were constitut- 
 ed a committee to designate the place 
 where it should be built. Tne commit- 
 tee met in the town the January follow- 
 ing and spent several days there, dur- 
 ing which time there was an abund- 
 ance of bntton-holing and feasting of 
 the committee and also a public hearing 
 of the claimants in the old Centre 
 meeting-house, which was crowded 
 with anxious listeners, the claims of 
 the East Village being advocated by 
 A. P. Lyman and Win. Southworth, 
 and that of the Upper, or in default of, 
 that of the Lower Hill bj^ John S. 
 Robinson and Pierpoint Isham. But 
 contrary to the hopes and expecta- 
 tions of the New Village, the majority 
 of the committee against the opinion 
 of Mr. Stoddard, decided in favor of 
 the Old Village and directed that the 
 buildings should be erected to the north 
 of the old meeting-house between the 
 north-west corner of the old bni'ying 
 ground and the house of the late Tru- 
 man Squire. Thus the Court House 
 
 was appointed postmaster, Jan. 13, 
 1844, but which was discontinued May 
 28, 1846, for the alleged reason that it 
 was nearer the main office than the reg- 
 ulations of the department allowed.- 
 He is said to have kept the office a 
 part of the time in a small building near 
 the stoi-e of Wills and Fairbanks and a 
 part of the time in that store, now 
 known as the Godfre}^ store When 
 Mr. Haswell left Bennington for Wash- 
 ington as above stated, he sold his 
 printing material to one of his brothers 
 and Mr. Bushnell, by whom under the 
 firm of Haswell and Bushnell the Ga- 
 zette was published until February, 
 1847, when he returned to Bennington 
 and became the owner again of the 
 printing establishment. On the 23d of 
 that month, he was appointed post- 
 master as Mr Rice's successor, and 
 yery soon after removed the press 
 and Gazette from the Hill to the East 
 Village. Mr. Haswell soon after, ei- 
 ther in March or April, supposing that 
 he had authority from Washington 
 through Mr. Brown, the assistant post- 
 master general, to change the location 
 of the office, caused it to be removed 
 to the East Village. He was the own- 
 er of the small building in which it 
 had been kept by Mr Rice on the 
 Squire corner, and had it moved about 
 a mile down the hill and placed on the 
 corner, of Main and South streets, op- 
 posite what is now the Putnam house. 
 To effect the removal, the building was 
 
 was anchored where if not then quite I placed on timbers, serving as runners 
 out of place, was sure to be so very and drawn by oxen. It went quite 
 soon j smoothly" down the hill about one-third 
 
 During the period in which J. C. ^of the way, btit when it came to the 
 Haswell under his first appointment and j level groimd it dragged hard, so that 
 Mr. Rice were postmasters, ancAVof- j the team had to be increased to eight 
 fice had been provided for the East or ten yoke of oxen. With these under 
 
36 
 
 VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 
 
 the direction of the famous teamster, 
 Dickerman A. Rider, and his skillful 
 handling of his ox-goad the removal 
 was finallj accomplished. The acces- 
 sion of the main post-office, which they 
 had long desired was the occasion of re- 
 joicing to the East Village people, who 
 looked upon it as some compensation 
 for the late denial of their just claim to 
 the site for the new court-house. Bells 
 were rung and hundreds of the inhab- 
 itantants turned out to witness and 
 cheer on the removal of the buildmg, 
 the dramatic appearance of which was 
 much heightened by the stopping of the 
 stages at the moving office to deliver 
 and receive their mails, and the receipt 
 and delivery of letters to and from it. 
 The rejoicing, however, was not of 
 long continuance. David Robinson, 
 John S. Robinson, and Benj. F. Fay, 
 representatives of the old Bennington 
 Hill Democracy, a few days after tlie 
 removal went to "Washington to protest 
 against the act, and demanded the re- 
 turn of the post-office to the Hill and 
 the removal of the post-mas^ter. On 
 their arrival at Washington, Cave 
 Johnson, the post-master general under 
 President Polk, sent Mr. HasweU a 
 despatch, who immediately repaired to 
 that city where the matter was discuss- 
 ed pro and con in the department with 
 the result that Mr, HasweU should re- 
 main as post-master, but that the office 
 should at once be returned from the 
 East to the Hill Village. 
 
 The removal of the Gazette bj^ Mr. 
 HasweU to the East VUlage caused 
 gi-eat commotion and strife in the De- 
 mocracy of tht town and county. A 
 new press and type were soon obtain- 
 ed and another paper started on the 
 HUl, which also assumed the name of 
 the Vermont Gazette, each of the two, 
 claiming to be the genuine continu- 
 
 ation of the original of the previous 
 century, and each the "Simon pure" 
 representative of the Democratic par- 
 ty. Bitter crimination and recrimina- 
 tion followed. But Mr. HasweU being 
 continued as post-master, aU mail mat- 
 ter for both newspapers passed through 
 his hands, and the papers bemg of the 
 same name, it is not surprising, that 
 controversies should arise in regard to 
 which newspaper some of the letters 
 and packages were intended to be sent. 
 Complaints were made and continued 
 by the publishers of the Hill Gazette 
 that matter designed for them was im- 
 properly retained by Mr. HasweU for 
 himself. The natural remedy for the 
 difficult}' was for the department to 
 appoint a new postmaster not interest- 
 ed in either paper, which was accord- 
 ingly done, Jan. 28, 1848, when Henry 
 KeUogg became Mr. HaswelFs success- 
 or. It seems that Mr. HasweU was not 
 found guilty of dishonest intentions, 
 for he was on the same day appointed 
 postmaster for East Bennington, and 
 he held the office for several months 
 afterwards. 
 
 The. strife between the two newspa- 
 pers continued until September 1849, 
 when Messrs. Aiken & Lull, the pro- 
 prietors, of the Hill paper purchased 
 the establishment of Mr. HasweU who 
 removed to San Francisco, Cal., where 
 he still resides The Hill Gazette, 
 however, was found to be jinprofitable 
 and was discontinued, after a year's 
 father struggle in October 1850. 
 
 During this term of Mr. Haswell's 
 postmastership, from May 1847 to Jan- 
 uary 1848, when Mr. Kellogg became 
 his successor, he occupied the building 
 which had been previously used by his 
 brother William for the post-office, on 
 the corner opposite the old bank. It 
 was now drawn down to the Squh'e 
 
BENNINGTON, 
 
 37 
 
 corner to the place from which the for- 
 mer building had been removed and 
 there again used for the purpose for 
 which it had originally been erected 
 This building was deeded to Sarah, 
 wife of Zeuas Jones, Aug. 14, 1849, 
 and by hhn removed south of the meet- 
 ing-house and occupied as a dwelling.- 
 Mr. Kellogg after his appointment in 
 Januarj^ 1848, was post-master until 
 July 1849. This was about a month 
 prior to the sale of the latter building 
 to Mrs. Jones, and it is believed it 
 was occupied by Mr. Kellogg until 
 he ceased to hold the main office and 
 became post-master for Bennington 
 Centre, after which this business was 
 kept in his law-office building. 
 
 A few months after the inaugura- 
 tion of General Taylor, who had been 
 elected president bj^ the Whigs in 
 1848, A. P. Lj'man in bshalf of the 
 people of the East Village went to 
 Washington, taking with him sworn 
 evidence of the great preponderance 
 in pouplation and business of the East 
 Village over the Old, and of the ad- 
 vantages to the town and vicinity of 
 having the post-office remove^ there 
 obtained an order making the East 
 Village the location for the Benning- 
 ton office, and appointing Horace L. 
 White, post-master. Judge Jacob Col, 
 lamer of Vermont was then post-mas- 
 ter general, butit was said he hesita- 
 ted about acting in the matter, and the 
 evidence was submitted to the pers- 
 onal examination of the President, who 
 promptly directed the change to be 
 made. 
 
 Mr. White's commission bore date, 
 July 12th 1849, and he was post- 
 master until after Mr. Pierce became 
 president, when he was succeeded by 
 Truman Huling. Mr. White kept the of- 
 fice in the small buildins on the cor- 
 
 ner, east of and opposite the Putnam 
 hou.se. 
 
 On the appointment of Mr White 
 and the removal of the main of- 
 fice, the East Village became and has 
 continued to be known as Bennington. 
 
 On the removal of the post-office 
 Mr Kellogg was retained as postmas- 
 ter at the Branch in the Old Vil- 
 lage designated as West Bennington, 
 but on application of its inhabitants 
 was two weeks afterwards changed to 
 Bennington Centre by which it has 
 continued to be known since July 27, 
 1849. He was post-master until suc- 
 ceeded by John Hicks, Dec 16, 1850, 
 and kept it where before stated. 
 
 During the period that Mr. Kellogg 
 held the main office at Bennington, 
 Geo. B. Praitice succeeded Mr. Has- 
 wellas post-master at East Bennington.* 
 His appointment was made. Aug. 17, 
 1848, and he was post-master until the 
 East Village became Bennington on the 
 appointment of Mr, White when the of- 
 fice was discontinued He kept the of- 
 fice in the store of Wills & Fairbanks, 
 now the Godfrey store. 
 
 Apr 30, 1853, soon after Mr. Pierce 
 became president, Truman Huling was 
 appointed pqjjt-master in place of Mr. 
 White, and continued until April 1857, 
 during which time he kept his post-of- 
 fice at the book-store of Almon Eddy, 
 in the Adams block, opposite the pres- 
 ent Court House. 
 
 Apr. 7, 1857, wheu Mr. Buchanan be- 
 came president, John R. Gates was 
 appointed post-master and continued 
 until April 18G1, keeping tlie business 
 in a building on Main street, nearly 
 opposite the Methodist church. 
 
 Apr. 9, 1861, J. I. C. Cook, who 
 had become publisher of the "Benning- 
 ton Banner, was appointed post-master 
 
38 
 
 VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 
 
 and held the appointment during the 
 administrations of Liucohi, Johnson 
 and Grant until Apr. 22, 1872, when 
 he was succeeded by Thomas J. Tiffa- 
 ny, still, post-master (1883.) The of- 
 fice was kept by Mr. Cook near the 
 corner of Main and North streets, and 
 also by Mr Tiffany until the spring of 
 1882, when it was removed to the Free 
 Library building. 
 
 » AT BENNIKGTON CENTRE. 
 
 Since the removal of the main post-of- 
 fice to the East Village, the following 
 have been post-masters, viz: Henry 
 Kellogg, as bofore stated ; John Hicks, 
 Dec. 16, 1850, under the administration 
 of President Taylor, keeping the of- 
 fice in his harness-shop near the Wal- 
 loomsac house ; Alfred Robinson, Dec. 
 28, 1853, and Geo. W. Robinson, Mar. 
 21, 1859, under the administrations of 
 Presidents Pierce and Buchanan, and 
 Charles R. Sanford under that of Pres- 
 ident Lincoln, April 9, 1861, who is 
 still postmaster (1883), and whose of- 
 fice has been kept in the Sanford store. 
 
 AT NORTH BENNINGTON. 
 
 The following is a list of the succes- 
 sive postmasters at Noith Bennington 
 with the dates of their appointments: 
 Daniel Loomis, Nov. 18, 1828 ; 
 Charles S. Wright, Oct. 11, 1833: 
 Wm. E. Hawks, Apr. 1, 1839: 
 Hiram R. Haswell, Apr. 20, 1855 : 
 Chas. E. Houghton, Mar. 28, 1856 : 
 Chas. E. Welling, Jan. 4, 1864 : 
 Milo C. Huling, Sept. 5, 1866 : 
 Chas. E. Welling, Sept. 17, 1866: 
 ^Chas. M. Colvin, Dec. 20, 1875 : — 
 who still remains postmaster — 1883. 
 
 THE BENNINGTON COURT HOUSE. 
 
 One other matter connected with the 
 County buildings remains to be stated. 
 The Court House which had been erect- 
 ed in the Old Village, in compliance 
 
 with the descision of the committee un- 
 der the act of 1846, and which had 
 been built of brick, had been destroyed 
 by fire on the morning of March 26, 
 1869. But now the population and 
 business of the new Village of Ben- 
 nington had increased to four or five 
 times that of the old. It had been con- 
 nected for years with the outside world 
 by railroad and was the place of the 
 main postotiice. It had become so decid- 
 edly the centre of the business of the 
 town and county, the county clerk had 
 found it necessary for the accommo- 
 dation of the bar and of the public to 
 keep an open office in that village with 
 the current books and papers of the 
 County and Supreme courts. This had 
 been done with the consent of the coun- 
 ty judges and it fortunately saved from 
 destruction the most important records 
 of both those courts, and in conse- 
 quence much less loss and inconven- 
 ience Avas occasioned by the fire than 
 would otherwise have happened. The 
 probate records were in the court-house 
 but were preserved from destruction in 
 its fire-proof safe. 
 
 No attempt was made to retain the 
 court-house in its former location, bnt 
 a portion of the people of the County 
 were desirous of having the County 
 buildings in one cential place, where 
 all the records should ^ kept, and all 
 the courts held, instead of at the two 
 ends of the County. 
 
 The Legislature, therefore, by act 
 of Nov. 15, 1869 after laying a tax on 
 the County for the expense of erecting 
 pi'oper buildings provided for the sub- 
 mission of the question whether there 
 should be one or two sets of such build- 
 ings to the legal voters of the County in 
 their town-meetings to be held on the 
 last Tuesday of the following Februa- 
 ry. Such of the voters as desired only 
 
BENNINGTON 
 
 39 
 
 one set of buildings were to designate should have been made on high ground 
 
 on their ballots the town or village in 
 which thay wished them erected. If 
 there should be a majority of the vo- 
 ters for any single place, the buildings 
 
 and for two generations it was the most 
 suitable place for it. It was a conspicu- 
 ous and commanding position among 
 the new settlements, ai\d from the 
 
 were to be erected there, but if other- } character and ability of its inhabitants 
 
 wise, they were to be placed in the 
 Village of Bennington . By the provis- 
 ions of the same act a committee con- 
 sisting of Henry W. Putnam of Ben- 
 nington, Samuel M. West of Arling- 
 ton, and Augustus G-. Clark of Man- 
 chester, were appointed to s-uperintend 
 their erection in conformity to the re- 
 sult of the vofe thus provided for. The 
 majority being in favor of the continu- 
 ance of the two county shires, the 
 committee proceeded to erect the pres- 
 ent court-house and jail in Bennington 
 Village, which was done at a cost to 
 the county of $ 30.000. 
 
 The buil ding is of brick, and beside 
 the court room contains the county 
 clerk's office, the probate office and the 
 jail and jailor's residence. Both the 
 county clerk's and the probate office are 
 provided with fire-proof vaults. The 
 jail has seven cells for the confinement 
 of males and one off the residence of 
 the jailor for females. 
 
 After the burning of the court-house 
 at the Centre, until the new building 
 
 it soon became conspicuous from a 
 distance. 
 
 It was known at New York Cit}' as 
 the head quarters of the defenders oi 
 the titles under the grants of New 
 Hampshire, as their defiant stronghold 
 against the land jobbing and land rob- 
 bing government of its colony. To that 
 government it was a "city set on a hill 
 that would not be hid ;" and when its 
 loidly Govenor sent his sheriff with 
 hundreds of followers, to take posses- 
 sion for the cit}' speculators of the 
 farms of two of its inhabitants, was 
 found quite ready and able to protect 
 them ; and did in fact with a pi'oper 
 show of resolution and musketry easily 
 persuade the city dignatary with his 
 famed posse comitatus to return hurried- 
 ly back to Albany relieved of all incli- 
 nation to embark again in a simUar 
 expedition. 
 
 Bennington Hill was alike conspicu- 
 ous in its resistance to the oppressive 
 measures of the British crown. A few 
 davs after the shedding of the first 
 was completed, the courts were held ' American blood at Lexington, it fur- 
 in the hall of the Bennington Free j nished the commander and was the 
 Library. | place of muster for the men of the 
 
 Ihe rivalries and controversies which | ^^«"' Hampshire Grants who on the 
 have been mentioned in the foregoing i ^^^h of May, 1775, captured the for- 
 account are such as would naturally 
 arise among intelligent and order loving 
 
 people having different, local interests, 
 and there seems no reason to question 
 the sincerit}^ or the integrety of pur- 
 pose of any of the contending parties. 
 In the midst of the forest it was natural 
 
 tress of Ticonderoga for the "Conti- 
 nental Congress" and also in the name 
 of a still higher power. 
 
 At a later period of the Revolution, 
 the men of Bennington were no less 
 conspicuous in defense of their country 
 when Burgoyne, on his triumphant 
 
 that the first settlement of the town I march toward Albany, sent a large 
 
40 
 
 VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 
 
 body of his veterans to seize Benning- 
 ton and the public stores gathered there, 
 they were not permitted to cross ihe 
 threshold of the town, but were met 
 on its borders and most of them cap- 
 tured or slain. The only visit any of 
 them were permitted to make the town 
 was as prisoners of war. This first suc- 
 cessful resistance to the invasion inflic- 
 ed a blow which secured the captixre 
 of the Invader and that ot his whole 
 army at Saratoga, a few weeks after- 
 wards. 
 
 A Monument. 
 The early inhabitants of the town of 
 which the Old Village was the nucleus 
 and centre, has given to it a history 
 of which the present generation may 
 well be proud. Their recent, earnest 
 exertions to raise a creditable monu- 
 ment to the memory of the brave men 
 from New Hampshire, Vermont and 
 Massachusetts, who together achieved 
 the victory of the 16th of August 1777 ; 
 a monument which is to have its found- 
 ation on the site of the old store-house 
 which was sought to be captured by 
 Burgoyne, and on the summit of the 
 highest, centre hill, overlooking a rich 
 surrounding country, may be taken as 
 an indication that the patriotic deeds 
 of the fathers are not unappreciated 
 by their sons. 
 
 PROGRESSIVE CHANGES. 
 
 But the merits and fame of our ear- 
 ly inhabitants, however great, could 
 not secure their work from the power- 
 ful effect of progressive changes in the 
 business and employments of men.- 
 founded at a time when agriculture 
 constituted the chief and almost the 
 only business of life. It was found 
 quite inappropriate to a period when 
 a majority of its people became engag- 
 
 ed in other pursuits. The streams and 
 the more level land in the valleys fur- 
 nished water-power and numerous oth- 
 er facilities for manufacturing and its 
 attendant industries, with which the 
 Hill could not long hope to compete. — 
 The substitution of the New Villege 
 for the Old, as its business centre, 
 could not be successfully resisted. — 
 The change was inevitable. 
 
 HILAND HALL. 
 
 Page 31 : read General Harrison was elected 
 by Whigs over Van Buren. Omission.— Ed. 
 
 BENNINGTON FREE LIBRARY. 
 
 In 1865 a Free Library was estab- 
 lished in Bennington by the joint ac- 
 tion of Seth B. Hunt and Trenor W. 
 Park. — Though full biographies of 
 these respected donors of the library, 
 are expected for this work from other 
 hands, a few words in respect to them 
 is deemed proper here. — Mr. Hunt 
 was born Bennington, February 1811, 
 and died in NewYork City, April 20, 
 1880. — Mr Park was born in Wood- 
 ford, adjoining Bennington, Dec. 8, 
 1823, and died at sea on his way from 
 New York to the Isthmus of Panama. 
 Dec 13, 1882. Both of them spent 
 their early and much of their later 
 lives in Bennington; both by their 
 own efforts and industry had been suc- 
 cessful in business, and both had long 
 been liberal in their contributions to 
 religious, educational and charitable 
 objects. 
 
 The donors purchased an unfinished, 
 commodious, brick building, situated 
 in a central place in the village, and fit- 
 ted it up for the use of the library. — 
 The building is two stOi'ies in height, 
 the upper story containing a library 
 room and a reading-ioom, a large hall 
 for lectures and public meetings with 
 
BENNINGTON. 
 
 41 
 
 an entrance ro«)m attached, all well 
 provided with tables, shelves and other 
 suitable furniture. The lower story is 
 divided into rooms for offices and stores. 
 The library contained at first about — 
 carefully selected volumes of standard 
 works, and has since, from its annual 
 increase and other sources been largely 
 increased. The original cost of the 
 whole to the donors was about $10,000, 
 of which each shared equally. 
 
 The times and conditons on which 
 the library was given are specified in 
 a deed of trust from the donors to 
 Hiland Hall, Benjamin R. Sears, Dan- 
 iel Mc' Cowen, Thomas J. Tiffany and 
 John v. Hall, which terms and condi- 
 tions are as follows : 
 
 First In order to perpetuate the trust 
 it is provided that in case of the death, 
 resignation, or removal from the town 
 of Bennington, of any one of the trus- 
 tees the fifth part of the premises con- 
 veyed shall revert in the residue of 
 them, which fifth part they are requir- 
 ed to convey to such person as they 
 shall name as their associate trustee. 
 
 by the trustees for public meetings and 
 lectures and other assemblies of people 
 under such regulations as they might 
 prescribe, and the other parts of the 
 building not suitable for the use of the 
 library and reading room might be rent- 
 ed for such purposes as said trustees 
 might choose, the proceeds of all rents 
 to be appropriated for the payment of 
 taxes, expenses of insurance and prop- 
 er repairs and improvements and for 
 the care of the library, reading room 
 and building, -the residue to be applied 
 to the increase of the library." 
 
 Fourthly "The said trustees may com- 
 mit the care and management of the 
 library, reading room and building to 
 the Association already formed, for 
 taking charge thereof, or'^to any other 
 association hereafter to be formed or 
 to individuals in their discretion, and 
 shall have power to resume the charge 
 of the same whenever in their opinion 
 the objects of the trust would thereby 
 be promoted." 
 
 Fitfhly The building, furniture and 
 library are to be at all times kept weU 
 
 Secondly. The trustees, their survivors ^^'"^"^^ ^^^ ^^^ ^'''''^^^' ^°^ '"' S^^'^ ^^■ 
 and successors are to permit the prem-iP''^"' ^°^^ "^^^ be rebuilt by them in 
 ises to be occupied and kept for a li- i case of destruction by fire." 
 
 brary for the free use without compen- 
 sation of the inhabitants of the town 
 of Bennington and its immediate vi- 
 cinity, and to which a reading room 
 maybe attached, and under such regu- 
 lations for the safe keeping of the 
 books and papers and the proper care 
 
 Sixthly The trustees are so to man- 
 age the trust as always to prevent its 
 becoming of a sectarian character, no 
 preference being allowed to one com- 
 munion, denomination or belief over 
 another, and the said five trastees may 
 execute all their services and perform 
 
 and return of such books as may be ta- all their duties by a majority of their 
 
 ken from the library for reading as 
 may from time to time be approved by 
 said trustees." 
 
 number." 
 
 It was also further provided in the 
 deed that if the trustees should attempt 
 Thirdly It was provided that the \ to divert the property thereby convey- 
 large room on the second floor should ' ed or the proceeds thereof, from the 
 "forever be set apart for a public hall purposes and objects of the trust or to 
 and might from time to time be rented | permit it to be done by others to whom 
 
VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 
 
 42 
 
 they might commit the charge of it, or 
 suffer the property to run to waste and 
 decay, then the deed was to be null and 
 void, and the property and its proceeds 
 was to revert and become invested in 
 the said donors and their heirs the 
 same as if the conveyance had never 
 been made. 
 
 A Young Men's Association, such as 
 had been mentioned in the deed of 
 trust, having been organized, the inaug- 
 uration and formal presentation of the 
 institution took place at a gathering of 
 the inhabitants of the town in the hall 
 of the library building on the evening 
 of the 23d of June U{r T l of 
 trust, which bore date on that day was 
 publicly read, and interesting and ap- 
 propriate addresses were made both by 
 Mr. Hunt and Mr. Park on their pur- 
 poses and expectations in founding the 
 library, to which thankful responses 
 were made by Hiland Hall, in behalf 
 of the trustees, and by the Rev. Wm. 
 S. Apsey, President of The You eg 
 Men's Association for their generous 
 and most valuable donation. Other 
 prominent citizens, also, joined with 
 them in expressing the grateful ac- 
 knowledgements of the inhabitants of 
 the town for the unsolicited liberality 
 of the respected donors. 
 
 The number of desirable volumes in 
 the library has continued to increase 
 under the care of the Young Men's 
 Association until the present number 
 exceeds 3000, and the reading room is 
 supplied with such newspapers and pe- 
 riodicals as the needs of those who 
 frequent it seem to require. The means 
 by which the additions to the library 
 have been made are from the rent of 
 the library property and some dona- 
 tions from Mr. Hunt, Mr. Park and 
 others. The latest money donation was 
 
 from Mr. Park of $1000 for the pur- 
 chase of new books, which has in part 
 been expended for that purpose, large- 
 ly to supply the place of books that 
 had bceome so much worn as to be un- 
 fit for further library use, but leaving 
 a portion of it for farther expenditure. 
 
 HII.AND HALL. 
 
 BENNINGTON VILLAGES 
 
 AND 
 
 THEIR INDUSTRIES, 
 by henry d. hall, esq. 
 Bennington. 
 The Village of Bennington has 
 changed, perhaps, more than any oth- 
 er part of the town since the notice of 
 it given in the Gazetteer, — Benning- 
 ton County, No. II, page 136, about 
 twenty -six years since. 
 
 Favorably situated with reference to 
 water-power, nearly all of its advan- 
 tages have been improved and the in- 
 dustries which have developed have 
 quite largely increased its population 
 and material wealth. This is manifested 
 from the number and more extensive 
 mills, shops, dwellings and churches 
 which have been erected within the 
 nearly three decades just passed, and 
 which it is the object of this article to 
 notice to some extent. 
 
 It lies in the valley through which 
 run the streams which unite in forming 
 the historic "Walumscoick" river or 
 as it is now called Waloomsac, — the 
 Pownal, the Roaring branch from Wood- 
 ford and the Furnace brook from 
 Shaftsbury, — the waters of the first 
 two, giving the most available water- 
 power. 
 
 At the south-west, about two miles 
 distant, is Mount Anthony, 2505 feet 
 high, and at the north- east, nearly the 
 
BENNINGTON. 
 
 43 
 
 same distance is Bald Mountain, 3125 ft. 
 high, both aiFovdiug the eye of the in- 
 habitant or visitor by their imposing 
 elevation and beautiful scener}^, de- 
 light and satisfaction. It has nearly 
 4000 of the 3000 inhabitants now in 
 the town of Bennington, and has con- 
 tained since the burning of the Court 
 House in Bennington Centre in 1869, 
 the Court House, County Clerk's office 
 and jail for the Southern Shire of the 
 County. 
 
 BENNINGTON NEWSPAPERS. 
 
 The Bennington Banner, a weekly 
 newspaper, is published by Charles A. 
 Pierce and is a continuation of the State 
 Banner established by Enoch Davis in 
 1841. There is a job printing office 
 connected with it the motive power for 
 which as well as for all printing pur- 
 poses, is supplied by the village water- 
 works, and also, a book bindery. 
 
 The Bennington Reformer, J, H. 
 Livingston, editor and publisher, is a 
 Democratic organ published here and 
 has reached its twelveth volume. 
 
 BENNINGTON GRADED SCHOOL. 
 
 There was a special act by the legis- 
 lature of 1870, procured for the ''Ben- 
 nington Graded School District," and 
 the district was organized, Nov. 9, of 
 the same year, and a building of brick 
 of dimensions, adequate and with all 
 the moden improvements in furuiture, 
 seats, ventillation etc., was erected in 
 a central part of the village, suitable for 
 the accomodotion of twelve grades of 
 scholars, numbering 500 pupils or more, 
 at cost of about $50,000. It proves well 
 adapted for the purpose for which it was 
 built, and is probably second to none in 
 the State, in all its appointments. 
 
 THE HARLEM EXTENSION. 
 
 About 1867, a rail-road was con- 
 structed from Bennington, south, call- 
 
 ed the Harlem Extension, to Chatham, 
 N. Y. to connect with the Harlem rail- 
 road, making a continuous line from 
 Montreal, Canada to New York. For a 
 while through trains were run t6 the 
 great convenience ot traveling, and of 
 cars carrying milk and produce to New 
 York, thus promoting the interests of 
 the different tOM ns on the line ; but af- 
 ter a time a different regime followed 
 and it is only at intervals that there are 
 accommodating connections to New 
 Y''ork. This road was constructed to a 
 large extent, by the issuing of bonds 
 by the several towns on the line, and 
 the endeavor to get rid of paying them 
 has resulted in outside parties, as litiga- 
 tion has progressed and the status of 
 the road in law has changed from time 
 to time, to purchase and control it for 
 a season ; and it is now run as the New 
 York, Rutland and Montreal Railwa}'-, 
 having a depot in the village, necessi- 
 tating the transfer of passengers, bag- 
 gage and much of the freight, passing- 
 through the town, to and from the Ben- 
 nington and Rutland Railway, and as 
 earlj' called in the Gazetteer, the 
 Western Vermont Rail Road. 
 
 THE SECOND CONGREGATIONAL 
 CHITRGH . 
 
 The second Congregational Church 
 edifice was destroyed by fire, Aug. 11, 
 1864, and in about a year, a chapel was 
 erected which now constitutes the room 
 for Sabbath school purposes. The main 
 church building was completed in 1773 
 and is connected to the chapel with a 
 parlor and other rooms for social conve- 
 neiences. A parsonage was built in 
 1883, on the north end of the church 
 grounds of brick, as are also the cJuirch 
 and chapel, which fills out the entire 
 block. The pastors since the organiza- 
 tion have been Revs. Arctas Loomis, 
 
44 
 
 VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 
 
 C. H. Hubbard, C. B. Hurlbert, E. G. 
 Reed, F. J. Mundy and C. C. Kimball 
 
 D. D. Dr. Kimball Avas installed in 
 August 1884. 
 
 The present Baptist church is of 
 brick and was erected in 1878, the old 
 church having been taken down to 
 make i-oom for one larger. There is a 
 parsonage connected with it, but is not 
 upon the church grounds. The pastors 
 since the previous notice in the Gazet- 
 teer have been Revs. W. S. Apsey, S. 
 K. Dexter, R. M. Luther, G. C. Bald- 
 win, Jr. and Z. Martin. 
 
 THE FIRST METHODIST CHURCH 
 
 is of stone and has been remodelled 
 and enlarged within a few j^ears, so as 
 to make it a commodious and fine edi- 
 fice. A parsonage was erected in 1883, 
 on the corner of School and Pleasant 
 streets, which is in keeping with the 
 other church propert5^ The present 
 pastor is Rev. T. C. Potter. 
 
 ST. Peter's episcopal church 
 which is of brick has been recently im- 
 proved and beautified, answering well 
 the need of this growing society. There 
 has been withiT\ a short time a new rec- 
 tory built upon the church grounds. — 
 The rectors have been since Rev. Di". 
 Manser, Revs. Phillips, Bliss, Jones, 
 Graves and A.J. Barrow. 
 
 THE FRENCH CATHOLIC CHURCH 
 
 was organized in 1880. This society 
 occupied a room in Noyes block until 
 1 882, when a suitable church of wood 
 was built on School street, where servi- 
 ces are regularly held . 
 
 There are two National Banks of 
 8100.000 capital, each. The 1st Na- 
 tional Bank of Bennington, L. R. 
 Graves, President, Geo. F. Graves, 
 cashier. The Bennington County Na- 
 
 tional Bank, Charles Thatcher, Presi- 
 dent, Clement S. Cone, cashier. 
 
 MANUFACTURES. 
 
 There have been some new kinds of 
 industries sustained and a considerable 
 increase in some of the kinds which 
 have for a long periorl been carried on 
 here. 
 
 THE BENNINGTON MACHINE WORKS 
 
 are the outgrowth of the two mould- 
 ing furnaces in the lower part of the vil- 
 lage, which have been discontinued. 
 
 Olin Scott, the present proprietor, 
 erected these works in 1865, consisting 
 of a large foundiy and machine ihops, 
 where gunpowder and paper macliine- 
 ry of all kinds are a specialty, while 
 other machine work usually done at 
 such establishments is also carried on. 
 
 THE KNITTING INTEREST 
 
 was characterized in 1861. as 
 Factories, employing 
 
 two 
 Knitting Factories, employing fifty 
 hands in and about the mills, and out- 
 side the mills 150 more." This branch 
 has developed into much larger propor- 
 tions, giving employment to more than 
 four times as many now. 
 
 H. E. Bradford & Co's hosiery .and 
 knitting mill was established in 1858, 
 and is situated on upper Main street. 
 It was destroyed by fire in 1865, and a 
 new one erected soon after. An acci- 
 dent occured at this mill in January 
 1874, which resulted in the death of 
 nine persons. It was supposed the ex- 
 plosion was the result of the igniting 
 of gas which had generated beneatli the 
 building from a leakage in the tank con- 
 taining gasoline for the lighting of the 
 mill. 
 
 Geo. Rockwood ct Co's knitting mill 
 is at the east end of the village on Main 
 street, and was erected on or near the 
 site of the old oil mill of Rockwood & 
 Colvin. 
 
BENNINGTON. 
 
 45 
 
 The old mill for the manufacture of 
 Unseed oil and oil meal will be remem- 
 bered by many as being quite noted, 
 and was before rail-roads were so com- 
 mon, the place where flax seed from this 
 vitMuity and neighboring towns in the 
 State of New York was brought and the 
 manufactured oil and meal was taken 
 in large quantities across the mountains 
 into New Hampshire and Massachusetts 
 with teams. 
 
 THE VALENTINF. KNimNG MILLS. 
 
 Thekuittinsmill of A. B. ^'alentine, 
 one of the largest in town, was burned 
 in the fall of 1882. It was rebuilt in part 
 in 1883. It has been operated by a com- 
 pany of young men, formerly in the em- 
 ploy of Mr. Valentine, who have made 
 a nice class of goods, finding a ready 
 sale in the market. It is situated in the 
 heart of the village, a little off of Pleas- 
 ant street. He converted a building, 
 formerly' used by his father, Joel Val- 
 entine, as a cardu)g factory, into this 
 knitting mill in 1866, by remodelling 
 and enlarging it, and had made pre- 
 vious to the fire large additions from, 
 time to time. At this writing the mill 
 has been wholly rebuilt and enlarged, 
 and in its tower has been placed a first 
 clais town clock, giving excellent time 
 to the whole village. Mr. Valentine is 
 now interested in the operation of this 
 mill, and two of the old company, 
 Moore and Puffer, are to prosecute the 
 same line of business in a new mill e- 
 rected by Mr. Valentine, and leased 
 by them, on the opposite side of the 
 stream. The main building is three sto- 
 ries high upon a foundation at least 
 100X40 ft. 
 
 RIBBED KNITTING MACHINE WOUKS. 
 
 Tiffany & Cooper came into this vil- 
 lage several years since and staited bu- 
 siness in a small way, in the manufac- 
 
 ture of ribbed knitting machines for 
 knitting in a peculiar way, the wristlets 
 and anklets for shirts and drawers. 
 The success of this machine which was 
 followed by another for knitting full 
 fashioned goods, shirts and drawers in 
 a single piece so that when seamed up 
 they will be adapted and fashioned to 
 the form, necessitated the enlargement 
 of their works, and they reaped a rich 
 reward for their industry and enter- 
 prise. This firm is now dissolved, its 
 members prosecuting, seperatel}', the 
 manufacture of these machines. 
 
 TIFFANV KNITTING MILL,-OK FILL 
 FASHIONED GOODS. 
 
 Tiffany Brothers have a mill for 
 knitting the full fashioned goods above 
 mentioned, which has recently been 
 enlarged to keep pace with the demand 
 for their product, in whicli they also 
 manufacture cut goods. 
 
 CO'iPEk's SI'UING NEEDLE MACHINE 
 W<.>KKS. 
 
 Charles Cooper has for years been 
 engaged in making machine spring nee- 
 dles, a business, requiring much skill, 
 and is annually placing on the market 
 five or six millions of the difierent 
 styles re<piired in all kinds of knitting 
 machines. A few years since his son 
 became a partner with the firm name of 
 Chas. Cooper & Son, and added to this 
 business that of knitting full fashioned 
 goods, as well as the cut, and is located 
 on the premises formerly occupied by 
 the paper mills of Geo. Benton & Sons. 
 About two years since, Mr. Cooper 
 purchased the water privilege used by 
 M. G. Remington in the wagon busi- 
 ness, and which is centrall}- located and 
 has erected large buildings in which 
 with the water power supplemented by 
 steam, he carries on the needle and ma- 
 chine business, and additional to the 
 
46 
 
 VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 
 
 product of the mills, the making of full 
 fashioned goods. 
 
 SOAP, WHEEL-GOVENORS, HOWL-SHOP, 
 SHODDY-EACTORy, ETC. 
 
 Enos Adams and Enos Adams & Co. 
 are engaged in making mineral soap, 
 steam and water wheel govenors, pat- 
 ent mop-sticks, wooden bowls, cotton 
 batting and manufacturing shoddy, — 
 the different kinds of woik, giving em- 
 ployment to quite a number of hands. 
 
 THE STONE WARE POTTERY. 
 
 now owned and operated by Edward 
 Norton andC. Welling Thatcher under 
 the firm name of E. Norton & Co. still 
 retains its reputation for making the 
 first quality of ware, 'and though burn- 
 ed in 1874, it was immediately rebuilt 
 in more convenient form, and has re- 
 cently been enlarged. 
 
 CARPET-TACKS, PATENTEE. 
 
 Hemy W Putnam purchased the 
 sites of the Brown and Grover furnaces 
 on North street a number of years 
 since, and has been manufacturing pat- 
 ent bottle fasteners, clothes- wringers and 
 various other articles of light hard- 
 ware, and more recently has been mak- 
 ing large quantities of double pointed 
 tacks for carpets and other purposes. — 
 He is also patentee-manufacturer of the 
 best canning fruit-jar on the market and 
 is largely interested abroad in the man- 
 ufacture of barbed wire, now so exten- 
 sively used as fencing material. 
 
 THE BENNINGTON WOOLEN MILLS. 
 
 in the western part of the village were 
 built by Huntct Tiilinghart in 1865. — 
 Seth B. Hunt became the sole owner 
 of them in 1872. In 1874, he sold to 
 S. S. <k M. Fisher of New York. The 
 buildings are of brick and cover a large 
 area of ground and in the business, 300 
 to 400 hands have been employed. — 
 
 Owing to the death of Messrs Fisher of 
 New York, the property was sold to 
 Haines & Co. from the East, who oper- 
 ated it for a time, but failed in busi- 
 ness and for more than a year, the mills 
 have been idle. 
 
 MANY OTHER INDUSTRIES. 
 
 There are many other industries, not 
 mentioned here ; among them, wagon- 
 shops, machine-shops, planing-mills, 
 box-factories, ochre, and paper clay 
 works, etc. etc., not because they are 
 unimportant, but for lack of space ; as 
 the mention of all would add too great 
 length to this review. 
 
 HOTELS. 
 
 There are four hotels in this village, 
 giving good and sufficient accommoda- 
 tions to the traveling public, to the usu- 
 al village boarders, and in the season, 
 for summer visitors ; and in this con- 
 nection, it is proper to mention two 
 bakeries and four livery stables in the 
 village. 
 
 VILLAGE WATER WORKS. 
 
 The Village has lately been supplied 
 with pure spring water, which is con- 
 veyed in pipes by the Bennington Wa- 
 ter Co., to all parts, from a large res- 
 ervoir, upon high ground about two 
 miles, east, giving sufficient force for its 
 use for fii*es, and which is made avail- 
 able for drinking and household pur- 
 poses. A contract has been made with 
 the company in which H. M, Putnam 
 is lai'gely interested, for the use of hy- 
 drants in different parts of the village, 
 which will do away with the use of fire 
 engines in most cases, except it may be 
 in the suburbs. 
 
 ELECTRIC LIGHTS. 
 
 The streets, under a contract with 
 the Bennington Electric Light Co. are 
 to be lighted by electricity and the work 
 for its consummation is being accom- 
 
BENNINGTON. 
 
 47 
 
 niuniag 80 rods and couppling the cars 
 to a hydrant, which was witnessed by 
 a large number and specially attracted 
 the attention of the friends of each. 
 
 THE OLD BAND. 
 
 There was formerly here one of the 
 best instrumental bands in the State, 
 which added much as an attraction and 
 a pleasure to the village ; and there has 
 been growing lately a desire to revive 
 the 'band spirit' and reorganize and 
 bring ont the pi-esent musical talent of 
 the place. It it is hoped the effort may 
 succeed. 
 
 plished rapidly, so that tht old method 
 
 of lighting by kerosene will soon be 
 
 superseded by this more modern one, 
 
 though as yet not in use in many vil- 
 lages of its size. 
 
 The stores and smaller places of 
 
 trade are upon a scale that calls traffic 
 from adjoining towns, and the erection 
 of pleasant, and in man}'^ instances of 
 quite expensive buildings has been on 
 the increase, as the developments of 
 business have added to the wealth of 
 the inhabitants, so that on the whole, 
 the village will compare favorably in 
 general appearance and thrift with oth- 
 er New England villages of its size. 
 
 The Pakk Guards, 
 a Military Company', was organized 
 January 1876, named from the late 
 T. W. Park, Esq., who from time to 
 time generously contributed to its aid. 
 The armory and drill room is upon 
 Pottery street. 
 
 At the Centennial Celebration, Aug 
 
 loth, and IGth, 1877, this Company 
 
 held the post of honor in the regiment 
 and escorted the President, his Excel- 
 lency, E. B. Hayes. The Company 
 was at the Celebration of the Battle of 
 Saratoga in October of the same year, 
 in commemoration of the surrender of 
 Burgoyne. 
 
 THE EIRE DEPARTMENT 
 
 is well organized with efficient officers, 
 and both the engine and hose compa- 
 nies are uniformed and supplied with 
 all necessar}' equippments for effijctive 
 service. For years the village has sup- 
 ported a first class steamer, and one o- 
 ther hand-power machine, but the build- 
 ings being so largely of wood, at times ry was added to it and the school has 
 it has been difficult to completely con- 1 now five grades. 
 
 trol the fire fiend. ! xiie old Academy was sold prior to 
 
 On the 16th of August 1887, the i the erection of the present school build- 
 three hose companies had a prize ti-ial, ' ing about the year 1870. to 
 
 North Bennington Vllage- 
 
 Since the sketch of this villffge was 
 published twenty-six years ago, "in the 
 Gazetteer, page 139, there has been 
 some progress in its history, a review 
 of which is the object of this article. 
 
 Under the general law of the State, 
 it became an incorporated village in 
 1867. The two school districts, most- 
 ly in the limits of the village, in 1870, 
 took measures to organize 
 
 A GRADED SCHOOL 
 
 district. A commodious brick building 
 in a central position with ample grounds 
 for school purposes, was erected in 
 1871, at an expense of about ^1*2.000. 
 It has had the efficient support of the 
 citizens in the supply of teachers &c., 
 and has furnished an excellent school 
 for all within the district, and the high- 
 er grade has been patronized more or 
 less bv scholars from neighboring dis- 
 Itricts. About ten years since a contig- 
 uous district in the town of Shaftsba-' 
 
48 
 
 VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 
 
 THE CATHOLIC SOCIETY 
 
 who iu 1874, under the pastoral care 
 of Rev. Father O'Dwj^er, remodelled 
 and enlarged it, making an attractive 
 and commodious churcli where services 
 are regularly held. Father Prevost is 
 the present officating clergyman. 
 
 THE PARK RESIDENCE. 
 
 T. W. Park, P^sq., \7ho died in Dec. 
 1882, to whom North Bennington, and 
 in fact the whole town, is indebted for 
 much of its prospeiity, built about the 
 year 1865, a fine residence which he 
 occupied during the warm and summer 
 months, on the farm formerly owned 
 by and upon vs^hich his father-in-law. 
 Gov. Hiland Hall was born. It is now 
 the summer residence of Gen. J. G. 
 McCullougli, who married his eldest 
 daughter. 
 
 To give the needed space for grading 
 the grounds of his residence, 
 
 THE BAPTIST CHURCH 
 
 was moved by Mr. Park to a more de- 
 sirable location several rods, north, 
 where it was enlarged and neatly fitted 
 up, Avhich with other recent improve- 
 ments, renders it a very pleasant and 
 inviting house of worship. The first 
 house was dedicated, Dec. 31, 1845, 
 and the first pastor was Rev. Justin A. 
 Smith. The present pastor is Rev. 
 George Shepai-d. One clerk, Wm, E. 
 Hawks, has served the church since its 
 establishment, and he is also the pres- 
 ent senior deacon. 
 
 THE CONGRECATIONAI, CHLRCII. 
 
 The founding of a Congregational 
 church here was the outgrow^th of a 
 Sunday school, held for a year or more 
 in the mill store in the south part of 
 the village. In May 1808, the church 
 was organized of members from the 
 Bennington and Bennington Centre 
 
 churches, who had either moved into 
 the village or were living near it, with 
 two others on profession of faith. From 
 this time regular services were held in 
 Bank hall and the Sabbath school was 
 discontinued at the mill. The first 
 minister was 
 
 REV. LKAVITT BARTLETT 
 
 of Coventry, who remained one year.- 
 In October 1869, 
 
 REV. H. C, WESTON 
 
 of Charleston, Mass. was ordained as 
 pastor, he having been called by the 
 church while yet at the Theological 
 Semina'-y at Andover. During his 
 pastorate, a church of brick was erect- 
 ed, of modern style and costing about 
 $15,000. 
 
 KEV. I.. C. PARTRinOE 
 
 was called in April 1875, and com- 
 menced his ministry, the first sabbath 
 in May. He finished his labors in Oc- 
 tober 1885. 
 
 REV. OEO. K. HEWITT 
 
 was installed as pastor, in June 1886. 
 
 THE BANK. 
 
 Mr. Park established a National 
 Bank in 1864, with a capital of half a 
 million, which has always been a well 
 paying institution, but its stock has 
 lately been reduced to $ 150.000, — 
 which is sufHcieut for the accommoda- 
 tion of business in this vicinity. The 
 bank building i.s of brick, the second 
 story being used as a village hall. 
 
 THE DEPOT. 
 
 During the year 1881, a large and 
 convenient depot was built through the 
 generosity of Mr. Park, the principle 
 owner of the Bennington and Rutland 
 rad-road which receives the attention 
 and commendation of travelers who 
 may stop for a short or longer time at 
 
BENNINGTON. 
 
 49 
 
 the station, as well as the admiration 
 of the citizens generall3\ 
 
 COTTON FACrolJIES. 
 
 The two cotton factoi'ies have been 
 eularged. and unto the water power, 
 the actual quautit}' of water having 
 decreased as in many other localities, 
 steam has been supplemented so that 
 by the greater retention of the water 
 and its economical use, their capacity 
 has been more than doubled, and there 
 has until recently been about 80.000 
 yards of print cloth made per week.* 
 
 PAl'ER-MIIX. 
 
 The capacity of the paper-mill jiOw 
 owned by tlie Stark Paper Company, 
 which company also has a mill at state 
 line in the edge of Shaftsbury, has been 
 inci'eased .so that as against three to 
 four tons of paper, weekly in 1861, it 
 turns out ten to twelve tons per week. 
 Chas. E. Welling, Escp is the principal 
 stockholder in the company, and both 
 mills when running make from 20 to 26 
 tons of jiaper per week. 
 
 (;lass (;i!iNniN<;, — stkkkoscopks. 
 
 Within a few years the grinding of 
 glass by water power for lenses, and 
 the manufacture of stereoscopes has 
 been carried on iiere quite extensively, 
 the two shops employing from 12 to 15 
 hands. Three years since a large facto- 
 ry for glass grinding and polishing, and 
 the making of stereoscopes, work boxes, 
 writing desks, ttc, was built by H. C. 
 White, upon a water power about a 
 mile south of the village, where from 
 20 to 2o hands are given employment, 
 and the manufactures of their differ- 
 ent shops are shipped far and near 
 
 *Tlu.' Vermont mills, only, are tjemtc <.>i)erat- 
 ert at present, and are manufacturing yarn, 
 ■which is sold and shippe<l for use in other 
 parts of the country. 
 
 throughout this country and many or- 
 ders have been sent to Australia, South 
 Africa and other foreign comitries. 
 
 KUBBEK TABLICTS. 
 
 The making of rubber tablets Ijy H. 
 T. Cushman is a growing interest and 
 his contracts in supplying the Dixon 
 Crucible and Pencil Co. of Jersey City 
 Avith their large line of ink and rubber 
 erasures which are sold all over the 
 country, proves them of the best quali- 
 ty, as no other on the market can com- 
 pete with those made by the Faber 
 company. Otlier novelties of small 
 
 wood work are also maudfacturcd here. 
 
 THE LOCK-rC. 
 
 A good and stiihcient Lock-up, of 
 stone, of convenient size, with two 
 cells opening into the front room, is 
 centrally located, and is considered by 
 law-abiding citizens as a good invest- 
 ment It is undoubtedly a tei'ror to evil 
 doers and has its influence to deter from 
 lawlessness. 
 
 THE I.AUIES J.IBUAUV. 
 
 The ladies established a library in 
 1877, by subscription and the donation 
 of books by interested citiztiiis. which 
 has been maintained with interest to 
 the present time. The organization 
 took the name of -'Ladies Circulating- 
 Library Association," with an annual 
 membership fee of '^l, and has a cata- 
 logue of about 250 volumes. 
 
 THE BURNING OF THE BUUGESS BKIOGE, 
 
 spanning the Waloomsac river. 500 ft. 
 long and about 40 ft. high on the Troy 
 and Boston K. R. two miles west, on 
 Thursday, Oct. 15, 1885, resulted in 
 the death of three citizens of this vill- 
 age. The fire engine was taken to the 
 bridge and in trying to pass under the 
 east end, the highway running under it, 
 the bridge fell and killed and burned 
 
50 
 
 VERMONT HISTRICAL MAGAZINE. 
 
 two, and fatally burned the third. 
 
 There has been no calamity in this 
 neighborhood so appalling and giving 
 such a shock to the whole community 
 for miles around for many years, if in- 
 deed, ever. 
 
 A large fire occurred a year since, 
 which destro3'ed much of the business 
 portion of the village and from the ef- 
 fects of which the business of the place 
 has not, as yet, entirely recovered. 
 
 Bennington Centkk Village. 
 
 Bennington Centre has somewhat 
 diminishi^d in population in the last 
 two decades, 'numbering noAV about 
 200 inhabitants. 
 
 The building of brick, with the his- 
 toric name of "State Arms House" so 
 long kept as a tavern, and wliere the 
 State Militia were annually called for 
 June training upon the Upper Hill, 
 which lias for many years been occu- 
 pied as a residence, is to be taken down 
 to open the grounds contiguous to tlie 
 Battle Monument. 
 
 The Walloomsac House, formerly a 
 'Hotel' and celebrated as an' Inn' in days 
 when, the large travel between Albany 
 and Troy across the mountain to Brat- 
 tleboro and the East was done by stages ; 
 was kept for years as a boarding house 
 through the summer months. It is now 
 closed, though it is hoped only for a 
 limited time. 
 
 There is here a general countiT store 
 in which is located the post-oifice. and 
 also, another store where groceries and 
 hardware are kept. 
 
 TFE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHIKC:II. 
 
 The old First Congregational Churcli 
 of Bennington is still energetically and 
 prosperously maintained. The -pres- 
 
 ent pastor. Rev. Isaac Jennings* has 
 officiated as such since June 1853, — a 
 long pastorate, and one productive of 
 much good, and has been a continual 
 pleasure to both pastor and people. — 
 The Church is remembered by many 
 who in the activities of life and the pur- 
 suit of business, have removed to other 
 parts of the town, or established homes 
 beyond the borders of the State. 
 
 After the burning of the Court House 
 in l<sGi», the descision to build the new 
 one at Bennington, one mile east, was 
 not unexpected, as the County would 
 be better accommodated. 
 
 There are quite a number of summer 
 residences, some quite palatial, in or 
 near the village, built by business men 
 of Troy or New York, some of whom 
 are the descendants of old residents. 
 
 A VILLAGE IMPROVEMENT SOCIETY 
 
 has been lately organized here, M'hich 
 augurs still greater efforts in beautify- 
 ing the now pleasant village, as well as 
 the care of the cemetery of this i 
 tc»ric place. 
 
 On the brow of the hill at the nortli 
 end of the village was situated the 
 
 CONTINENTAL STORE HOUSE, 
 
 which General Burgoyne Avith a detach- 
 ment under Col. Baume was longing to 
 capture on the morning of the 16th of 
 Aug. 1777, and it is near this very spot 
 that the Bennington Battle Monument 
 is being erected. 
 
 On the eastern slope and overlooking 
 the larger village of Bennington is tlie 
 Roman Catholic church of stone. 
 
 ST. FRANCIS DE SALES. 
 
 with odjoining lands upon which are a 
 fine residence for the parish priest and 
 Catholic school and convent ; but a proj- 
 ect is now on foot to remove the church 
 
 *Rev. I)r .Jennings died Aug. i'>, 18S7. 
 
BENNINGTON. 
 
 to Bennington as more convenient for 
 the larger portion of the congregation. 
 
 The Soldiers' Home. ' 
 
 liY IIENKY 1). HAIX, ESQ. 
 
 The patriotism of the people of 
 Vermont did not die out with the 
 termination of the rebellion. It has 
 since shown itself in s^^mpathy for 
 the soldier and his family in many 
 ways ; often in acts of kindness in a 
 more tangible form than merely the 
 saying "be ye warmed and filled, de- 
 part in peace," as well as in substantial 
 encouragement in carrying on their G. 
 A. R. organizations in which there is 
 so much interest, and which have been 
 of such great assistance to many of 
 their comrades. It has now selected a 
 way of showing its interest more fit- 
 tingly and systematically, in the es- 
 tablishment of a Soldiers' Home for 
 
 51 
 
 It is beautifully situated on the north 
 side of the Village of Bennington, 
 about one half mde from the Court 
 House and Post office, and in sight of 
 the gi'oundupon which the Battle Mon- 
 ument is being erected. The premises 
 had been purchased by the late Hon. 
 T. W. Park with the idea of making 
 it a "Home for children and old la- 
 dies," by setting apart a sufficient en- 
 dowment fund for the necessarj^ ex- 
 penses, but whose sudden death occur- 
 red before the consummation of his 
 most cherished plans, though he pro- 
 cured the act of incorporation to be 
 passed by the legislature for carrying 
 out this purpose, with the above title a 
 few months before his death.* The 
 home had been used for farming pur- 
 poses, and in the summer for the ac- 
 commodation of "fresh air children" 
 from New York mitil it was made over 
 
 "deserving soldiers and sailors and such \ to the State. (* 1 8.52,— page 40. ) 
 of their families as the trustees may j Connected with, the i:.stitution are 
 deem proper;"— thus giving a practical | ^^^^^^^ .^OO acres of arable land with a 
 recooiiitiou of the debt of oblifration to 
 
 those now living, who with the great 
 number that gave up their lives, are 
 deserving of lasting gratitude. 
 
 The act of incorporation for an insti- 
 tution of this kind was approved with 
 permission to hold property obtained 
 by gift, parohase or otherwise to the 
 amount of $200,000, Nov. 24, 1884, 
 and an appropriation c»f $10,000 was 
 made for the \ise of such home b^' the 
 same legislature. 
 
 A committee was aj)i)()inted to select 
 a suitable place and propositions were 
 made by towns competing for its loca- 
 tion, in dfferent parts of the State, but 
 the offer of the "Trenor Park Home 
 for Destitute Children and Women" — 
 for this i)urposc was accepted and the 
 property made over to the State in the 
 wintei- of 1880 and 7. 
 
 main building well and permanently 
 built 50x45 feet, three stories high, 
 including the attic which is high and 
 completely finished, with ells and other 
 necessary additions. Ii was construct- 
 ed with the modern improvements and 
 the s^'stera of sewerage is most perfect . 
 The barns and out-buildings ai-e large 
 and commodious, having been built with 
 wise reference to fitness and conveni- 
 ence. The fountain, which sends a 
 stream of water into the air 198. feet, 
 is supplied by springs from the mount- 
 ain, with a fall of more than 300 feet 
 and the grove containing a beautiful 
 fish-pond with carnage drives through 
 it adds greatly to the beauty of the level 
 acres, used for meadow and planting 
 land which adjoin it. 
 
 The Bennington Banner of August 
 IHtli and 2oth savs : 
 
52 
 
 VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 
 
 "It was fortunate indeed that the 
 muster of State troops and the laying 
 of the corner stone of the monument 
 took place in such close proximity to 
 the Home. These events gave op])Ortu- 
 nity to the thousands of patriotic peo- 
 ple visiting the town to also inspect the 
 Home, the very valuable property and 
 its vast and beautiful surroundings — 
 Few people it is to be presumed, went 
 to Bennington for the purpose of visit- 
 ing the Home, but when there, few 
 went away without improving their op- 
 portunity. Exclamations of favorable 
 surprise were upon every lip. 
 
 "The present condition and future 
 prospects of the Home are all that could 
 be desired, and all can join in express. 
 ing the opinion that th« institution is an 
 honor to the State." 
 
 "The Home will be filled gradually 
 to its capacity as fast as the same can 
 be done judiciously, regard being fii-st 
 had to relieve the tgwns from persons 
 chargeable upon them." 
 
 "Considerable has been written and 
 said concerning- the establishment of 
 the Home at Bennington, and of the 
 extent of the property and its many 
 conveienences, bui to be able to under- 
 stand the whole nothing can take the 
 place of personal observation. The 
 property was formerly the palatial res- 
 idence of Mr. Seth B. Hunt, a pros- 
 perous Bennington manufacturer, who 
 had spared no expense to improve, 
 beautify and adorn it. 
 
 ''the soldiers' home delivered. 
 
 At n o'clock, Aug. 16th the for- 
 malities atrending the dedication of tlie 
 Vermont Soldiers' Home took place. 
 
 The Govenors of Vermont, New 
 Hampshire and Massachusetts, and 
 most of the military geusts, together 
 with the militia officers and many, old 
 
 soldiers assembled at the Soldiers' 
 Home, where after music. Gen, Wm. 
 "Wells, chairman of the board of trus- 
 tees, called the assemblage to order and 
 introduced Col. Z. M. Mansur, who in 
 behalf of the board, addressed Gove- 
 nor Ormsbee, and formally delivered 
 the property to the State of Vermont. 
 He gave a history of its acquisition 
 and adaptation and bespoke for it the 
 protecting care of the State. 
 
 Govenor Ormsbee accepted for the 
 State the noble gift from the heirs of the 
 late Hon. T. W. Park and the work of 
 the trustees in expending upon it the 
 State's appropriation, and said that so 
 far as his influence could go, it svould 
 be given to promote a constant interest 
 in the grateful benevolence thus entered 
 upon. 
 
 Senator Edmunds was then called 
 out . . . He praised the site audits beau- 
 tiful surroundings and expressed his 
 pleasure that Vermont had provided a 
 home for the increasing number of her 
 gallant but unfotunate sons who helped 
 to save the country in its hour of peril 
 and are now with the advance of years 
 finding themselves unable to battle with 
 the hardships of life. He congratulated 
 the veterans and the State upon the 
 good fortune and good management 
 which had attended the founding of the 
 Home and hoped the State would make 
 its capacity equal to the needs that 
 may arise. 
 
 Ex Govenor Pingree followed him 
 and spoke of the lively appreciation 
 that lo3^al Vermont has always had of 
 her heroes. She recognizes, but for 
 them, we should not to-day have a great 
 and free counti y that is the pride and 
 praise of all people. To them the peo- 
 ple owe a debt that never can be paid ; 
 and the least that the public can do is to 
 
BENNINGTON. 
 
 53 
 
 see that their sufferings are made as 
 liglit as possible. This ended the 
 speaking, but in conversation, Govs. 
 Ames and Sawyer spoke of the beauty 
 of the Home and the remarkable econo- 
 my with which it had been secured and 
 adapted. 
 
 It was learned from the trustees that 
 about 50 applications have been made 
 for admission to it, but it will accom- 
 date only 38 residents, and the next 
 legislature will have to be asked for an 
 appropriation for additional quarters. 
 
 The A'eterans and the trustees spoke 
 with eqnal praise of Superintendent 
 and Mrs. Coffey." 
 
 The officers of the Home are Wm. 
 Wells of Burlington, president; P. P. 
 Pitkin of Montpelier, treasurer; C. C. 
 Kinsman of Rutland, secretarj' ; and 
 Ca])t. R. J. Coffey, surperintendent. 
 
 It was prepared for inmates in the 
 spring of 1887, and there were on its 
 delivery, as above, to the State, fifteen 
 veterans availing themselves of its 
 comforts and privileges. 
 
 THIC NAMES OF THE FIRST FIFTEEN : 
 
 George E. Wood, Co. E., 2d Reg. 
 age 60, residence Randolph, admitted. 
 May 18, 1887. 
 
 Hobart J. Marr, Co. I, 13th Reg., 
 age 43, residence Bratttleboro, admit- 
 ted, May 23, 1887. 
 
 George C. Chase, Co. E., 3d Reg., 
 age 65, residence Montpelier, admited 
 May 24, 1887, 
 
 Increase B. Whitney, Co. A., 4th Reg. 
 age t^9- residence Readsboro, admitted 
 May 25, 1887. 
 
 William Mattison. Co. I., 2d Reg., 
 age 66, residence Shaftsbury, admit- 
 ted. May 26, 1887. 
 
 John F. Colby, Co. H., 4th Reg. 
 age 72, residence Danville, admitted 
 May 27, 1887. 
 
 Chester Derby, Co. A., 7th Reg., 
 
 age 66, residence Burlington, admitted 
 June 9th, 1887. 
 
 Isaac Porter, Co. F., 14th Regiment, 
 age 54, residence, Danby, admitted 
 June 10.1887. 
 
 Wm. M. Deparr,. Co. B., 1st Cav. 
 age 55, residence Swanton, admitted, 
 June 23, 1887. 
 
 Alphonzo Chapleau, Co. C. 2d Reg., 
 age 44, residence Burlington, admitted 
 July 18, 1887. 
 
 Joseph Demar, Co. E., 5th Reg., 
 age 48, residence Manchester, admitted 
 July 20, 1887. 
 
 Thomas O'Brien, Co. M., 1st Cav., 
 age 55, residence Barre, admitted, 
 July 21, 1887. 
 
 Josiah Haley, Co. A., 14th Regiment, 
 age 73, residence Pownal, admitted, 
 Aug. 1, 1887. 
 
 Lewis N. Beemau, Co. I, 6th Reg., 
 age 49, residence Swanton, admitted, 
 Aug. 16, 1887. 
 
 There is certainly just reason for satis- 
 faction and pride on the part of the State 
 and gratulation to those who are enjoy- 
 ing and the greater number who may 
 enjo3' in the future, the benefits of this 
 humane institution, founded in patriot- 
 ism and affection. 
 
 THE SOLDIER DEAD 
 In Bennington Cemetery. 
 Capt. W. H. Cady and privates, 
 Nelson C. Bradford, Frederick Hupf, 
 Charles C. Harris, Henry M. Harris, 
 Calvin Hathaway, George B. Plumb, 
 Co. A. 2d Vt. Vols. ; Private, Charles 
 Willis, Co. C. 2d Vt. Vol.— Col. John 
 E. Pratt, Maj. J. H. Cushman 4th Vt. 
 Vols.; Sergts. Wm. A. Comar, Alonzo 
 Bigelow, privates Henry G. Loveland, 
 George H. Lillie, I. N. Morton, H. N. 
 Woodworth, Lyman Greeuslet, Co. A 
 4th Vt. Vols. ; Priv. O. B. Sprague. Co. 
 
54 
 
 VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 
 
 E. 10th Vt. Vol.— Lieut. E. N. Thay el- 
 and privates Charles Godfrey, Reuben 
 Benjamin, George Fradenburg, Co. A 
 14th Vt. Vol. Private Foster S. Prouty 
 Co. H. 14th Vt. Vol.— Sergeant &. B. 
 Norton, Priv. Albert L Merchant, Co. 
 
 F. 17th Vt. Vol.— Private Charles M. 
 Norton, 1st Vt. Battery.— Private A. 
 H. Norton, nn assigned recruit. — Priv. 
 Oscar L. Gates, Com. Dep'tof Ohio. — 
 Privs. Henry Moulds, Albert Kimball, 
 2d Vt. Battery.— Priv. N. H. Slade. 
 Co. G. 1st N.H. Cavalry.— Priv. Frank 
 V. Blake, 49 Mass. Vol.— Priv. James 
 Nelson, U. S. Navy— Sergt. Wm. H. 
 Morse, Co. I, 57th N. Y. Vol.— Priv. 
 S. Maurer, Co. A, 149th N. Y. Vol.— 
 Priv. Geo. B. Whitney. Mass. Vol. — 
 Private John Walsh, Co. A, 14th Vt.— 
 
 Private Edward Norton, 2d Vt. Band. 
 Bugler G. W. Semple, (buried at Ware- 
 house Point, Ct.) Ira Harris, Cavalry. 
 Priv. Olney Fuller, buried at Hoosick 
 Falls, N. Y., Co. C 169th N. Y. Vol.— 
 Privates C. E. Morse, Co. E, 10th Vt. 
 Charles Phillips and Fred. A. Wilder. 
 
 In the Catholic Cemetery. 
 Privates: Charles Wood, U. S. N.— 
 John Grace, Michael W., Murphy, 2d 
 Vt. Battery ; Edward Grace, Ned 
 Griflfin, John Dygnam, 2d, Co. A, 2d 
 Vt. Vol. ; John Dyiigam, 1st, Michael 
 Carrigan, Co. A, 14th Vt. Vol. ; Rich- 
 ard Donovan, Michael Ryan, Patrick 
 Howe, Vt. Vols. ; T. Dempsey (buried 
 at Albany, N. Y.,) Co. A, 2d Vt. Vol. 
 Edward Gnnshannon. 1st Vt. Batterj'. 
 
 In Bennington Centre Ce:metery. 
 Captain Frank^Ray, Company G 
 1st Vermont Cavalry — privates Daniel 
 M. Russell, E. A, Armstrong, Co. G 1st 
 Vt. Cav. — Col. Newton Stone and priv- 
 ates PMward A. Seldon, John Kehoe, 
 B. S. Potter, Co. A, 2d A't. Vols.— 
 Privates Bradford S. Downs, Wallace 
 
 B. Cutting, Co. A, 4th Vt. Vols; Priv- 
 ate JohnH. Crosier, Co. C, 4th Vt.Vol. 
 Privates Fred Ray, M. J. Allen, Frank 
 Fairbrothers, James Atwood, Co. A. 
 14th Vt. Vols. ; Private Edw'd Miller, 
 Co. H. 1 4th Vt. Vol.— Capi. George 
 Hicks, Co. F, 17th Vt, Vol.— Private 
 Edwin Joy, 1st Vt. Battery — Privates 
 Leander G. Northrop, Surgeon R. H. 
 Green. U. S. Navy ; Colonel Henry R. 
 Seldon, U. S. Army. — Private James 
 H. Cowden, 37th Mass. Vol. — Private 
 Charles Dietel, Co. G. 35tli N. Y.— 
 Colonel George D. Harrington. 
 In the North Bennington Cemetery. 
 Linus M. Towsley, Co. A, 2d Vt. — 
 John Minot, Adelbert A. Towsley, Co. 
 xi, 4th Vt — Jesse Bates, 2d Vt. Batte- 
 ry ;—N. BruflTee, N. Y. Battery; — 
 Dennis Boweu, Co. E, 21st N. Y. Cav. 
 Lieut. Thos. Hall, 2d N. Y. Vet. Cav. 
 George Coon, Co. K. 30th N. Y. Vol. ; 
 Thomas Lyons, Mass. Vol. 
 
 In Hinsdville Cemetery. 
 Privates A. P. Howard, G. L Edgertou, 
 Henry Holmes, Chas. Stewart, Dwight 
 Riddle, 1st Vt. Bat'y; Lyman Russell, 
 Co. G. 1st Vt. Cavalry; Private Wales 
 Puffer, 169thN. Y. 
 
 In Chapel Cemetery. 
 Privates Abel Babcock, Henry Warn, 
 2d Vt. Batteiy ; Jesse Potter, 125th N. 
 
 Y. ; Parley Hill, DoAvns. 
 
 In Towsley Cejmetery. 
 Albert Wallius, Co. A, 14th Vt. 
 MEMORIAL ORATORS : 
 Whc> have delivered Addresses at 
 Benuiugtttn on "Decoration Y>iiy." 
 1870: Major N. B. Hall; 
 1871: Rev. C. H. Hubbard; 
 1877: Rev. G. G. Jones ; 
 1878: Hon. W. C. Dunton ; 
 1880: Rev. R.M.Luther: 
 1881 : M. D. Jump; 
 
BENNINGTON. 
 
 1883: 
 
 Sergt. TVarren Oibbs. 
 
 1884: 
 
 Rev. W. W Foster, Jr. 
 
 1885: 
 
 Rev. S.M. Williams; 
 
 1880 
 
 Gen. Azel Ames; 
 
 1887: 
 
 Rev. Hem'v (Tordon. 
 
 Bennington Battlk IMonument. 
 bv henry d. hall esq. 
 
 [With selections from Gov. Hall's 
 published papers and the Bennington 
 Banner.] 
 
 The importance of the Battle of 
 Bennington as the pivotal event upon 
 which the tide of arms turned in the 
 Revolutionary struggle between the 
 Colonies and the Mother Country', has 
 become more and more apparent as the 
 years have rolled by . The recurring an- 
 niversary has been celebrated and the 
 deeds of its actors have been rehears- 
 ed t(> the multitudes gathering to per- 
 petuate the day, by the patriot orator 
 and statesman in language both instruct- 
 ing and inspiring. In addition to its 
 observance as specially for patriotic 
 commemoration of the battle, it has 
 been used as the day for political con- 
 ventions by the different parties in their 
 strife for governmental control, as well 
 as for religious, temperance and other 
 commendable purposes, and the patri- 
 otism exhibited on the memorable 16th 
 of August 1777, has been held up by 
 each as worthy the imitation of every 
 one, and a share in it as the heirloom 
 of all lovers of the glorious instiutions 
 of our country. The celebrating of the 
 one hundredth anniversary of the battle 
 had been advocated for years and as 
 early as August 1875, the veterans of 
 the late rebellion at a reunion at Brat- 
 tleboro, among them, Col. J. H. Wal- 
 bridge, "voted to adjourn to meet in 
 Bennington during the week of August 
 1877." Maj. J. H. Cushman "in a 
 sj)eech at the Officers Reunion at 8t 
 
 Albans, October 14th of the same year, 
 warml}^ endorsed the project." This 
 action with the interest developed by 
 agitation of the subject by citizens of 
 Bennington and vicinity soon awaken- 
 ed such enthusiasm with reference to 
 it, that in October a call was made in 
 a village paper for a meeting for the 
 purpose "of forming a 
 
 TOWN HISTORICAL SOCIETY 
 
 to aid in preparing for the centennial 
 anniversary of the Battle of Benning- 
 ton." It was heartily responded to 
 and the "Bennington Historical Socie- 
 ty" formed with the following list of 
 officers : 
 
 "The president was Hon. Hiland 
 Hall. Among the Vice presidents were 
 the Rev. Isaac Jennings, Seth B. Hunt, 
 Trenor W. Park. Rev. C. H. Hubbard, 
 
 A. B. Gardner, Heniy G. Root, Dr. 
 Benj. F. Morgan, Thos. White, Henry 
 W. Putnam, Hiram Bingham, H. E. 
 Bradford and David F. Squires. The 
 corresponding secretar}' was Chas. M. 
 Bliss ; the recording secretary, Merritt 
 
 B. Morgan and the treasurer, Daniel 
 McEown. The Board of Directors were 
 A. B, Valentine, A. Robinson, Jas. H. 
 Walbridge, C.E. Dewey, Ew'd Kings- 
 ley, A. J. Mattison, J. V. D. S. Mer- 
 rill, C. R. Sanford, H. T. Cushman, 
 Asapah P. Childs, Geo. A. Wood, Oliu 
 Scott, J. Halsey Cushman, George W. 
 Robinson, Milo C. Huliog, L. P. Nor- 
 ton, A. C. Hubbell, E. O. Cole, Ed. S. 
 Chandler, L. F. Abbott, William E. 
 Hawks, 'id, O. D. Adams and the pres- 
 ident of the society, its past presidents, 
 secretaries and the chairman of all its 
 c<mimittes. 
 
 The active work of preparation for 
 the celebration and the monument now 
 commenced in earnest. During the 
 winter of 1875 — fi this board of dii-ec- 
 
56 
 
 VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 
 
 tors, such members as especially intere- 
 est^-d themselves in the work and were 
 in the town during the winter, held 
 weekly meetings in the Court House 
 at Bennington. The president of the 
 society, the even then venerable Gov. 
 Hall, was never present, but he was 
 constantly kept informed of the pro- 
 ceedings ; and in consequence he gave 
 the board his most heartj^ support. — 
 Several of the vice-presidents aod other 
 citizens were also deeply interested in 
 the work." 
 
 At this time the plans of the society 
 were formed and an interest was soon 
 manifested through the state and in the 
 states of New Hampshire and Massa- 
 chusetts, which was an earnest of ex- 
 tended effort to induce the several states 
 as also the general Congress to make 
 appropriations for defraying the ex. 
 pense of erecting a suitable monument, 
 supplimental to what could be raised by 
 private subscriptions. C. M. Bliss and 
 G. W. Robinson of the society were 
 most active in their exertions in obtain- 
 ing subscriptions, and in their personal 
 efforts to further the project in other 
 ways, especiall}' Mr. Bliss in his attend- 
 ance upon the different legislatures and 
 at the Capital at Washington. 
 
 By an act of the Vermont Legisla- 
 ture approved November, 28, 1876. 
 The Bennington Battle Monument As- 
 sociation was incorporated ''for the 
 purpose of erecting and maintaining a 
 suitable monument commemorative of 
 the achievements of Gen. John Stark 
 and the patriot soldiers of Vermont, 
 New Hampshu'e and Massachusetts at 
 the decisive battle "fought on the 16th 
 of August 1777." 
 
 By the same act an appropriation of 
 $15,000 was made payable when full 
 proof could be made that $5,000 had 
 
 been raised by the Association and was 
 ready for the purpose. This sum was 
 raised in 1880 and paid in to the State 
 treasury, which with the 115.000 paid 
 by the State, was set apart as a fund 
 of the Association in the keeping of 
 the State. 
 
 In 1877 the State of Massachusetts 
 appropriated $7,000 in aid of the 
 monument. This appropriation lapsed 
 under the general law of the State and 
 in 1886 it was renewed and increased 
 to 110.000. To prevent further lapse 
 it was funded, the Association adding 
 $5,000, which with the $ 1 000 consti- 
 tuted the Bennington Monument fund 
 of Massachusetts of 1 15. 000. 
 
 In 1777, the State of New Hamp- 
 shire appropriated 15.000 in aid of the 
 monument. 
 
 In Februar}' 1881. Congress appro- 
 priated $40,000 on conditions similar 
 to those of thf States." 
 
 The first meeting of the Association 
 was held on the 2d Wednesday in Jan- 
 uary 1877, and the committee on the 
 nomination of officers reported as such: 
 "President, Hon. Horace Fairbanks 
 of St. Johnsbur^' , vice-prssident, Hon. 
 Hilaud Hall of Bennington, secretary, 
 Charles M. Bliss of Bennington, assist- 
 ant sec, John T. Shurtleff of Benning- 
 ton, treasurer, Milo C. Huling of North 
 Bennington," who were duly elected. 
 
 At subsequent meetings, by-laws 
 were adopted and other important busi- 
 ness transacted ; and at another ad- 
 journed meeting, Jan. 2o, the following 
 board of directors were elected by bal- 
 lot : A. B. Gardner, A. B. Valentine, 
 Olin Scott, Charles E. Dewey and A. 
 P. Childs. 
 
 The work of the Association was for 
 the year 1 877, principally to conduct the 
 Celebration of the week of the 16th of 
 
BENNINGTON. 
 
 57 
 
 August that year. Notwithstanding the 
 fact that a comniission was created, the 
 responsibility for the celebration rested 
 by law, on the Association. The Asso- 
 
 »ciation,aridnot the Commission, invit- 
 ed all the geusts, and it looked after 
 the exercises of the special two days 
 <»elebration, with the care of which it 
 was charged by its charter. The com- 
 mission appointed an executive commit- 
 tee consisting of Messrs Root, Valen- 
 tine, Huling, Page and Geo. A. Mer- 
 rill of Rutland. The Association also 
 <ipp(iinted a committee consisting of 
 Charles M. Bliss, Isaac Jennings and 
 A. B. Gardner to which E. J. Phelps, 
 w'len he was elected the president of 
 the Commission was added, to have 
 charge of the literary exercises of the 
 two days." 
 
 This observance of the Centennial 
 called together thousands from the 
 country, near and remote, as citizens 
 or officials ; various organizations, both 
 <;ivil and military ; his Excellancy the 
 President, R. B. Hayes and members 
 ■of his Cabinet; the Govenors of sever- 
 al States, and other distiuguisl.ed per- 
 sonages from this and (>ther States. 
 
 "An account of the proceedings of 
 the week of the Centennial is given in 
 :i semi official work by the Association, 
 undone by C. S. Forbes of St. Albans, 
 both ot which have been published. — 
 
 • The whole expense of the celebration 
 was over Si 4.000." It was estimated 
 that over thirty thousand persons were 
 in attendance on anniversary day. 
 Annual and special meetings of the 
 Association were held and important 
 business transacted; but one subject of 
 commanding interest held its place — 
 that of securing a suitable design for 
 the monument. 
 
 design of Prof. Weir was by the com- 
 mittee of design reccommended to the 
 board. 
 
 The board of diiectors at this time 
 were Hon. Geo. D. Robinson, gove- 
 nor of Massachusetts; Hon. Samuel 
 W. Hall, govenor of New Hampshire, 
 Hon. Samuel E. Pingree, govenor of 
 Vermont, ex-officio members of the 
 board, and Hon. Benj. F. Prescott, 
 ex-govenor of New Hampshire; Hon. 
 Edward J. Phelps, L.L. D., professor 
 of law in Yale college ; Gen. John G. 
 McCuUough, Hon. Henry G. Root, 
 Maj. A. B. Valentine, Samuel B. San- 
 ford, Esq., and Rev. Isaac Jennings. 
 
 The committee of design at this time 
 were Hon. BL J. Phelps, soon after ap- 
 pointed our minister to England, chair- 
 man; Hon, Alexander H. Rice, L.h. 
 D., ex-governor of Massachusetts; 
 Hon. Benj, F. Prescott, ex-governor 
 of New Hampshire and president of 
 the Association. The author of the de- 
 sign adopted, John F. Weir, professor 
 of painting and design in Yale college, 
 was present at the above meeting — in 
 New York, Dec. 2, 1884, the report of 
 the committee (>f design was accepted, 
 and a resolution was passed unanimous- 
 ly adopting said design, and also in ac- 
 coi dance with the resohition every mem- 
 ber of the board, including the Gov- 
 ernors of Massachusetts, New Hamp- 
 shire and Vermont, ex-officio members, 
 gave their individual vote in writing, 
 and within the time that the meeting 
 was kept open for the purpose, for the 
 Weir design." 
 
 This design, whith was mainly 
 sculptural and of small dimensions 
 was a great disappointment to the 
 people of Bennington who had contem- 
 plated the erection of a structure of 
 
 On Dec. 2. 1884, at a meeting of the ! magnitude and grandeur properly typi- 
 ■directors, held in New York Cit3% the ' fying the historical importance of the 
 
58 
 
 THE VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 
 
 Bennington victory which in accord- 
 ance with the historian Bancroft they 
 had always feh to have been "one of 
 the most briUiaut and eventful of the 
 war" of the Revolution. Ihe design 
 consisted of five life like bronze stat- 
 ues, in Revolutionary costume, the 
 commanding figui'e 15 feet in height, 
 standing on the top of a rough gran- 
 ite shaft 20 feet square at the base and 
 45 feet high, the four other figures be- 
 ing at the corners of the base 8 feet iu 
 height. They accordingly looked upon 
 the proposed structure as tending to 
 degrade rather than honor their patri- 
 otic ancestoi's who had helped to achieve 
 the victory. 
 
 The opposition to the design of the 
 directors was so strongly manifested at 
 the January meeting, 1885, that the 
 qnestion of its adoption was not moved 
 and its consideration was postponed to 
 the semi animal meeting to be held the 
 following August. Gov. Hall who was 
 spending the winter in Springfield and 
 unable to attend the meeting had writ- 
 ten a spirited letter to the treasurer of 
 the Association to be read in the meet- 
 ing, briefly, but earnestly, protesting 
 against the adoption of the design. It 
 was not found necessary to use the let- 
 ter at the meeting, but it was publish- 
 ed the next day in the Bennington Ban- 
 ner and extensivel^'^ circulated. 
 
 Previous to the August meeting, the 
 Bennington Historical Societ}' took 
 measures through a committee of its 
 members to have a desigi: for a conspic- 
 uous monument prepared, and on its 
 approval by a larger advisory rommit- 
 tee from the stares of Vermont, Msssa-' 
 chusetts and New Hampshire to be 
 presented to the Association for their 
 adoption in lieu of that of the board of 
 directors. 
 
 Early in June, Gov. Hall addressed 
 an open letter to his fellow members of 
 the Association in which he set forth 
 his objection atconsiderble length to the 
 design, claiming and insisting it was 
 not only altogether inappropriate, but 
 that it was not in any just sense a com- 
 pliance with the terms, or spirit of the 
 act of incorporation which declared 
 its purpose to be "for erecting and 
 maintaining a suitable monument com- 
 memorative of the achievements of 
 Gen. John Stark and the patriot sol- 
 diers of Vermont, New Hampshire 
 and Massachusetts at the decisive bat- 
 tle of Bennington fought August IGth, 
 1777." 
 
 The report of the committee of de- 
 sign discarded all existing monuments 
 of magnitude and grandeur, both an- 
 cient and modern, including those in 
 this countr}- of Bunker Hill and Wash- 
 ington, as unworthy of being followed, 
 assigning as the reason for such con- 
 demnation that they were speechless, 
 and did not tell any story of the event 
 to be commemorated, but left its de- 
 scription to be ascertained from some 
 other source. 
 
 To overcome this supposed fault the 
 committee resorted to an alleged story 
 telling power of sculpture in bronze stat- 
 ues that the monument might properly 
 describe the battle, forgeting or over- 
 looking the well known truth that sculp- 
 ture had no original power of speech, 
 but like painting could illusti'ate and 
 emphasize to the eye such facts onlj'^ as 
 were already known, and that without 
 such previous knowledge sculpture was 
 equally dumb with their condemned 
 monumental shaft. 
 
 But the artistic language of the pro- 
 posed design would be found to give 
 no special account of the battle by 
 
BENNINGTON. 
 
 59 
 
 which it could be distinguished from j the way made clear for the adoption of 
 
 any other Revokitionary engagement. 
 
 None of the sculptured figures be- 
 fore mentioned purported to typif}^ any 
 of the officers or soldiers engaged in 
 the battle. That on the top of the 
 monument was not to be a portrait like- 
 ness of Gen. Stark, but was only to 
 be a t3'pe of "a Revohuionar}' leader," 
 the other four figures to use the lan- 
 guage of the committee were declared 
 ' not to be poi'traits of individuals but 
 types of the time and tlie event" intend- 
 ed to represent "the farmer and the 
 artizan turning, from their avocations 
 to take up arms to resist invasion, the 
 woman of the time sheltering her child 
 from the coming storm and the minis- 
 ter of religion invoking the divine 
 benediction." 
 
 Such a structure might be a fair 
 type of what would occur at any active 
 resistance to invasion, but it would 
 have no special relation to the victory 
 of Bennington, and would be just as 
 applicable to a dozen other revolution- 
 ary enaas^ements. whether small or 
 
 the larger and commanding one coin- 
 ciding with the views of Govenor Hall. 
 The subject was fully canvassed. Sen- 
 ators W.M. P>arts of New York, Jus- 
 tin S. Morrill and Hon, E. P. Walton 
 of V^ermont and Prof. A. L, Perry of 
 Massachusetts with others taking part 
 in the discussion ; and the larger design 
 reccommended by the committee of 
 the Historical Society was adopted Ijy 
 unanimous vote. 
 
 The annual meeting was held the fol- 
 lowing Jan. 13, (1886)"when the com- 
 mittee styled a 'working committee,' 
 appointed Aug. 12, 1885, consisting of 
 C. M. Bliss, Geo. W Robinson, M. C. 
 Huling, John V. Hall and J. T. Shurt- 
 leflT was continued with its same duties 
 and powers. 
 
 Early in 188G the working committee 
 secured the approval of the design by 
 the President of the United States and 
 at length, subsequent!}'', the payment 
 of the appropriation of $40,000 by 
 Congress was effected. The moneys 
 of the three States, were released on 
 
 gi-eat, successful or othewise as that the basis of the contract with Mr. Ward 
 of Bennington. In all of them there [ for a monument 300 feet high. 
 
 would be seen the Revolutionary lead- 
 er, the farmer and the artszan turning 
 to take up arms, the woman sheltering 
 her child and the minister invoking the 
 
 At a special meeting, Aug. 5, 1886 it 
 was unanimously "Resolved that the 
 monument be located in the centre of 
 the highway on the crest of the hill, as 
 
 divine blessing. The design thus being nearly opposite the site of the Conti 
 
 merely a type of an ordinary occur- 
 ance in the war of the Revolution, 
 could not in any sense be considered 
 as commemorative of the achievement 
 of Gen. Stark and his patriot soldiers 
 at the victory of Bennington. 
 
 At the meeting in August, a very 
 large number of the members being 
 present the report which had been sub- 
 mitted in January reccommending the 
 smaller design, was withdrawn, and 
 
 nental store house as practicable." also 
 unanimously "Resolved that the work- 
 ing committee raised in 1885 be em- 
 powered in co-operation with the board 
 of dii'ectors to proceed at once to la}^ 
 tlie foundation the of monument of the 
 design already adopted with full pow- 
 er to make contracts and cause the erec- 
 tion and completion of the monument." 
 At a meeting held Jan. 12, 1887, the 
 working committee, at their request, 
 
GO 
 
 VERMOKT 
 
 were relieved and full powers given the 
 
 board of directors of the Association 
 to make contracts and build the monu- 
 ment after the design approved by the 
 Association, and to transact all business 
 ]'elatin<2: to matters of the Association 
 
 HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 
 
 invitation to the Grand Lodge of Free 
 andacceptedMasonsof Vermont to par. 
 ticipatein the laying of the corner stone 
 of the monument." The invitation was 
 accepted b}'^ the Grand Lodge aivd due 
 notice given the board of directors. 
 On June loth 1887, a formal resolution 
 
 At a meeting held b}' the directors, 
 April 12, J. Y. Hall, president pro tern I was passed '-inviting the Hon. Benj F. 
 and Rev. Isaac Jennings, secretary, a 1 Prescott, Ex-Govenor of New Hamp- 
 
 buiiding committee consisting of H. G. 
 Root, A. B. Valentine, and Milo C. 
 Huling was appointed, also a finance 
 committee, viz : John G. McCullough, 
 John V. Hall, and J. T. Shurtleff. 
 
 The work of these committees was now 
 pushed forward with vigor, and soon a 
 contract was made with Contractor W. 
 H.Ward of Lowell, Mass. for building 
 "a monument not less than 300 feet 
 high and substantially in accordance 
 with the 'Rinn plan' at a cost of 
 $75,000." 
 
 By an act of the legislature in 1886, 
 commissioners were appointed to se- 
 cure the site selected for the monument 
 with proper surroundings by the pur- 
 chase of lands and the remoA^al of build- 
 ings, and in section 6; a sum not to ex- 
 ceed $10,000 was appropriated for this 
 purpose. The report of the commission 
 states that "there is no question but that 
 
 the acqusition of a part, or all thereof 
 
 ,■ ju An \ ■ i„o,-..,i 1^ " Ur,t- ,' .„ 16th, as had also Fuller Battery, Capt 
 
 (le the 40 acres) IS (lesn-able, but o\v- _.„„., ,. ,, . 
 
 shire and President of the Bennington 
 Battle Monument Association, to act 
 as president of the day on the occasion 
 of laying the corner stone ot' the 
 monument." 
 
 THE LAYING 
 
 OF THE CORNER 8T0NE of the 
 
 BENNINGTON BATTLE 
 
 MONUMENT. 
 
 Tuesday, August 16th 1887 will 
 become historical as the daj"^ on which 
 was impressively laid the Corner Stone 
 of the towering Monument for the e- 
 rection of which so much of thought, 
 money and labor had been bestowed 
 by those who for 3'ears had this grand 
 object in view. 
 
 The First Brigade, Vermont Nation- 
 al Guards, Brig. Gen. W. L. Green- 
 leaf commanding had been in camp up- 
 on the grounds attached to the Soldiers 
 Home for several days previous tc» the 
 
 ing to expense only about 12 acres 
 were actually reported as now neces- 
 sary. 
 
 At a meeting of the board of direc- 
 tors of the Association, June 4, 1887, 
 it was voted "to invite the citizens of 
 Bennington to meet them at Library 
 hall and join them in arrangements for 
 the celebration of the la3'ing of the 
 corner stone of the monument on the 
 16th of Angust next.' It was also voted 
 "•that the board of directors extend an 
 
 Levi K. Fuller commandiag, and had 
 by their daily drill and evolutions call- 
 ed out the praises and encomiums of 
 hundreds who had from day to day 
 come from the town and vicinity to wit- 
 ness them. 
 
 We quote from the Bennington 
 Banner : 
 
 "The 16th day of August 1777, 1877 
 and 1888 mark three important and e- 
 veutful epochs in the history of Ben- 
 nington. One hundred and ten years 
 
BENNIN 
 
 ago the victory won for freedom and 
 against British oppression by the patri- 
 otic Benningtonians under Col. War- 
 ner and allies from Massachusetts and 
 New Hampshire, all under Gen. John 
 Stark, was most potential in turning 
 the tide of war in favor of the young 
 Republic. The celebration ten years 
 ago of the Centennial of the Battle of 
 Bennington was a most memorable oc- 
 casion. The laying- of the corner stone 
 of the Battle Monument to-da;v' has 
 also been a notable event. The weather 
 was pleasant and fulty 30.000 people 
 were in town as spectators of, or par- 
 ticipants in, the celebration." 
 
 '•The day was ushered in by the 
 ringing of bells and a volley from Ful- 
 ler Battery, encamped here. There 
 were clouds mingled with the sunshine 
 but no rain or other circumstances to 
 mar the comfort of the occasion. — 
 The incoming trains from all directions 
 brought crowds of people into town. 
 The Sir Knights in their showy and 
 symbolic dress, the visiting militJiry, 
 the G. A. R. and the Odd Fellows soon 
 made our streets alive with organised 
 bodies who were to make up the par- 1 
 ade of the afternoon. The various del- 
 igations were met at the depots and es- 
 corted to their respective headquarters 
 which had been provided at the halls 
 of the organizations to which each be- 
 longed. The Govenors and their staflTs 
 were the geustsof the Association and 
 were entertained at the Putnam. The 
 visiting military companies were the 
 geusts of the citizc))s of Bennington. 
 They were cordially received and hos- 
 pitably entertained. As these all came 
 into the town an inkling was obtained 
 of what the afternoon's procession 
 would be like. The evolutions of the 
 Sir Knights, the marching and move- 
 ments of the o2d Separate Company 
 
 GTON. ^ 61 
 
 of the New York National Guard, the 
 fine appearance of the Berkshire Boys 
 (both the cadets and Canton Colfax), to- 
 gether with what could be witnessed of 
 our own uniformed troops and socie- 
 ties, all these seemed to take up the 
 attention of the assembled thousands 
 and kept them in good nature while 
 anticipation was heightened in conse- 
 quence. 
 
 govkknor's d.vy. 
 At ten o'clock the formalities of 
 Govenor's Day in Camp Col. Seth 
 Warner occurred. The brigade was re- 
 viewed by Govewor Ormsbee. Com- 
 mander in Chief. In this pleasant du- 
 ty, he was accompanied by Govenors 
 Sawyer of New Hampshire and Ames 
 of Massachusetts, who had arrived just 
 in time to participate. The three Gove- 
 nors were attended as the^' inspected 
 the Brigade by General Grcenleaf and 
 his full staff as well as by their own. — 
 This as well as the review took place 
 on the parade ground, the point of ob- 
 servation of the Govenors and geusts 
 being to the east of the Soldiers Home. 
 Among those mvited by Govenor 
 Ormsbee as geusts (25 in all) were Sen- 
 ator Edmunds, Ex-Govenors Holbrook, 
 Fairbanks, Barstow and Pingree of 
 Vermont, State Treasurer Dubois, Sec- 
 retary of State Porter and Com. ¥.. T. 
 AVoodward, representing the Govern- 
 ment, and several.of our prominent cit- 
 izens, members of the Monument As- 
 sociation and the Editors of the local 
 papers. 
 
 Govenor's Day this year was one of 
 great brilliancy, owing not only to the 
 fine appearance and discipline of the 
 Brigade, but also to the presence of dis- 
 tinguished citizens and the overshad- 
 owing importance of what was to fol- 
 low. The very great improvement in 
 
62 
 
 VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 
 
 the bearing of the Vermont National 
 Guard after a few days in camp was 
 never more noticeable than on this oc- 
 
 business on the line of march and 
 streets upon which the formations were 
 made, being one line of flags and other 
 
 casion. As the troops passed in review decorations. On Pleasant street, the 
 the breast of all Vermonters swelled residence of Hon. A, B. Valentine, 
 
 with pride as they heard the compli- 
 ments showered upon them b)^ visitors 
 from other States. As the Bannei- said 
 in the beginning of these historic e- 
 vents : "The Green Mountain Boys of 
 1887 will take rank with those of 1861 
 and 1777, although each must pass in- 
 to renowa in their respective spheres." 
 
 THE PROCESSION. 
 
 Precisely at the hour announced the 
 grand procession formed. The Troy 
 Times special places the number in line 
 at 3.500 and the number of Masons in 
 town at 1.000. The Chief Marshall, 
 Col. Hooker, and Gen. Greenleaf had 
 agreed that the head of the column 
 
 " ((;ol. Julius J- Estey, Commanding First Regi. 
 
 Start atone o'clock. Nothing could ment; Maj. George H. Bond, Commanding 
 
 headquarters of Govnor Ormsbee, dis- 
 played a large flag tastefully hung in 
 festoons. The waving of plumes, the 
 flashing of swords, the glitter of shoul- 
 der straps and gilt accoutrements pre- 
 sented a pleasing spectacle. Time and 
 space will not admit of an itemized 
 report of the other and elaborate dec- 
 orations." 
 
 The Procession : 
 
 Chief Marshal - 
 
 Col. George W. Hooker, and Stall'. 
 
 First Regiment Military Band. 
 
 First Brigade, V. N. G. 
 
 Brig.-Gen. William L, Greenleaf Commanding. 
 
 have been seen in the streets at that 
 hour but a dense mass of people and 
 mounted aids moving liere and there. 
 
 At camp much the same order of 
 things was apparent. Gen. Greenleaf, 
 Col. Estey and Maj. Bond were cooly 
 issuing their orders and awaiting the 
 signal. When however the lines did 
 move, the streets were cleared as if by 
 magic, and the long and imposing col- 
 umn passed in review of thousands lin- 
 ing both sides of the streets until the 
 site of the monument Avas reached. 
 There was no delay or break an}' where 
 and the pi'ocession was as well seen 
 within a few rods of starting as farther 
 
 Provisional Battallion . 
 
 Grand Army of the Republic. 
 
 Capt. p. T. Blodgett, Department Commander, 
 
 Bennington Battle Monument 
 
 Association and Committee. 
 
 His Excellency Ebenezer J. Ormsbee, 
 
 Governor of Vermont, and Staff. 
 Representative of the United States 
 
 Government and Staff. 
 Hon. Benjamin F. Prescott, President 
 
 of the Day. 
 Hon .John W. Stewart, Orator of the 
 
 Day. 
 His Excellency 'charles H. Sawyer, 
 
 down. It is safe to say that no finer line j Govenor of New Hampsliire and Staff 
 
 was ever seen in Vermont. Perhaps, 
 there have been larger nrnnbers, at the 
 Centennial in 1877, for instance, but 
 none more imposing and beautiful. 
 The town presented a holyday appear- 
 ance, nearly every house and place of 
 
 His Excellency Oliver Ames, Govenor 
 
 of Massachusetts and Staff 
 
 Judges of the Vermont Supreme Court. 
 
 Hon. Hoyt H. Wheeler, United States 
 
 District Judge. 
 
BENNINGTON, 
 
 63 
 
 Visiting Military Organizations. 
 Civil Officers. 
 Federal Officers. 
 Other Civic Organizations. 
 
 Canton Bennington I. (). O. F. 
 Ciipt. Xoniiiin M. I'uftVr, with Invited 
 Chevaliers, 
 MASOXJC DIVISION. 
 
 Right Worshipful Thomas S. Miller, 
 Depnty Grand INIarshall. 
 Band. 
 
 Templar P^scort. 
 
 (Taft Cointnaiulcry No. 8, 
 Eminent G. S. Maltison, Commander.) 
 
 Master Masons. 
 
 Knights Templar. 
 Eminent ,Iolm R. Pillinff, Grand Capt-General. 
 
 Grand Commaiidery of Vermont, 
 
 Knights Templar. 
 
 Right Eminent Deles M. Bacon, 
 
 Grand Commander. 
 
 Right Worshipful Harley G. Sheldon, 
 
 Grand Marshal. 
 
 Grand Lodge of Vermont. 
 
 Most Worshipful "\^'m. Russell Burleigh, 
 
 Grand Master of New Hampshire. 
 
 Most Worshipful Henry Endicott, 
 
 Grand Master of Massachusetts. 
 
 Most Woishipfnl Alfred A. Hall, 
 
 Grand Master of Vermont. 
 
 Fuller Tiattery. 
 
 Capt. Levi K. Fuller, Commanding:. 
 PRELIMINARY TO THK CEREMONIES. 
 
 As the Fuller Battery reached Main 
 street in Bennington Centre, it dashed 
 rapidly np to the site of the old Conti- 
 nentinal storehouse where it unlimber- 
 ed and fired a salute of thirteen guns, 
 which announced the formal opening of 
 the corner stoi\e exercises. Seated on 
 
 the speaker's stand around the monu- 
 ment were Ex Govenor B. Y. Prescott 
 of New Hampshire, President of the 
 Bennington Battle Association., Gov. 
 Oliver Ames of Massachusetts, Gov. 
 C. H. Sawyer of New Hampshire, and 
 Gov. E. J. Orinsbcc;, Senator Georire F. 
 Pxlmunds, Congressman John W. vStew- 
 art, orator of the day, and Congress- 
 man William W. Grout. A second 
 stand was occupied by the staffs of the 
 three govenors and such well- known 
 Vermonters as Horace Fairbanks, Ex 
 Gov., Samuel E. Pingree, Ex Gov., 
 JohnL. Barstow, Ex Gov., Frederick 
 Holbrook, Ex Gov., Col. B. B. Small- 
 ey. Gen. Wm. Wells, Judge H. H. 
 Powers, Judge J, W. Rowell, Colonel 
 Franklin Fairbanks, State Treasurer 
 Dubois, Secretary of State Porter, Sec- 
 retar}' of Finance Page, Gen. P. P. 
 Pitkin, Col. John C. Stearns, Hon. 
 James K. Batchelder, Gen. T. S. Peck, 
 Gen. William H. Gilmoro, Col. Albert 
 Clarke, Col. F. S. Stranahan, Col. Wm. 
 A. Crombie, Col. D. K. Hall, Col S. M. 
 Mansur, Col. R. E. Hathorn. Col. De 
 May. Interstate Commissioner, A, F. 
 Walker, Hon. Warren Gibbs, Honora- 
 ble Daniel Roberts, Hon. B. D. Har- 
 ris, Gen. H. K. Ide, and Col. T. C. 
 Fletcher. Upon this stand were also 
 seated the members of the IMonnraent 
 Asso> nation's Board of Directors, the 
 Building and special committees. 
 
 The platform occupied by the Grand 
 Lodge and Grand C'ommandry was sit- 
 uated just south of the corner stone. — 
 This stone is 7 feet long, 3 feet wide and 
 2 feet 7 inches thick and will weigh 
 more thau 5 tons. The receptacle with- 
 in it is 2 feet long, 1 foot wide and 8 
 inches deep. Within this receptacle was 
 placed a copi)er box and in the box 
 were placed the articles as read by the 
 Grand Secretary and enumerated be- 
 
64 
 
 VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 
 
 low.-!— Another stand had been erected 
 just to the right of the second stand, on 
 the south-east corner and upon this the 
 monument committee had provided am- 
 ple accommodations for the press, the 
 First Regiment baud and the vocalists 
 of Bennington and Lerkshire men. 
 
 After the discoursing of vocal and 
 instrumental music by the singers and 
 bands and prayer there followed the 
 ceremony in Masonic order, the box 
 within it containing the following : 
 
 Holy Bible, Gov. Hall's Early History 
 of Vermont, Rev. Isaac Jeimings Me- 
 morials of a Century, Rev. Isaac Jen- 
 nings' Historical Account relating to 
 the Battle Monument, Manuscript copy 
 of the contract for the erection of the 
 monument; Biographical Ene^'^clopedia 
 of the 19th century, \'ermoijt; copies 
 Bennington Banner, newspaper ; copies 
 Bennington Reformer, newspaper ; oth- 
 er Vermont uen'spapers, Troy and New 
 York newspapers. Printed laws relat- 
 ing to Monument, Battle .)f Benning- 
 ton and Vermont Ceutennial : Forbes' 
 Vermont Centennial, History of Odd 
 Fellowship, Report of Masonic Grand 
 Lodge of Vermont, 1887; Official pro- 
 gramme of laying corner stone, Aug. 
 16th, 1887; Masonic ceremonies, lay- 
 ing cornerstone, Vermont, Centennial, 
 Memurial Medal, Bank notes of the 
 Banks in Bennington, Copper coins, 
 Brigade order and roster, regimental 
 order from Adjutant General's office 
 for muster of 1887. 
 
 Of the above the medal was contrib- 
 uted by Dr. C. P. Thayer of Boston 
 Mass.; copper coins by Thomas S. Mil- 
 ler of St. Albans and Mrs. S. M. Sib- 
 ley. She also presented the Farmer's 
 Almanac. The History of Odd Fellow- 
 ship was written by H. L. Stillson and 
 donated for this purpose by Vermont 
 
 Grand Lodge. Copy of the Banner 
 contained cut of monument and Record 
 History written by Chas. M. Bliss. 
 
 The rite being concluded. Most 
 Worshipful Alfrid A. Hall, Grand Mas- 
 tei- of Vermont in behalf of the order, 
 in an eloquent speech presented the 
 monument to Gov. Ormsbee for the 
 State, as "a tribate of Americans to 
 American valor, and of Vermont to 
 Vermont patriotism." 
 
 The address of Gov. E. J. Ormsbee 
 was full of interest, a portion of which 
 was as follows : 
 
 "And now, Sn-, in the name of 
 the State of Vermont, I receive this 
 work so auspiciously begun, from yonr 
 hands. I thus receive it, not alone for 
 the State of Vermont, but also for and 
 in behalf of our sister commonwealths, 
 Massachusetts and New Hampshire, 
 who have made such liberal contribu- 
 tion to the cause in memory of their 
 sons who have sealed the cause of free- 
 dom and liberty with their blood ; and 
 for and in behalf of the General Gov- 
 ernment which has by more than liber- 
 al aid espoused the cause here com- 
 memorated, and thereby given to it a 
 National character, and securing to all 
 of her sixty millions of people a com- 
 mon property and interest in this otl- 
 ering to patriotism, this monument to 
 the bravery and heroism of the never 
 to be forgotten Allen, Stark, Warner 
 and their brave and devoted followers. 
 And I should be remiss in acting my 
 pleasure if not in the performance of 
 my duty, should I fail to here and 
 now, to make an entitled recognition of 
 our obligation to and to pay just trib- 
 ute of thankfulness to our sister States 
 and the United States, for the interest 
 manifested in and for the material aid 
 furnished to this undertaking and there- 
 
BENNINGTON. 
 
 65 
 
 tore as the Executive of the State of 
 Vermont, and in behalf of her people 
 1 tender to them through their honored 
 und lionorabie representatives, who 
 have so nobly come to ns this day to 
 pay further devotion by their presence 
 and to give increased value to the gifts 
 that iiad preceded them, our warmest 
 thanks. 
 
 And having thns accepted the well 
 laid foundation work of this monu- 
 ment to both valor and patriotism, from 
 your hands, I now transfer it to the 
 Bennington Battle Monument Associ- 
 ation for completion. 
 
 Gentlemen of the Association; Upon 
 you is now conferred a great respon- 
 sibility. You are the chosen, trusted, 
 servants of the State upon whom now 
 rests the dut}^ of taking up this work 
 and carrying it on to completion. In 
 the performance of your duties you are 
 not alone the servants of Vermont, 
 bat also the custodians and trustees of 
 the General Govei'nment, the Com- 
 monwealth of Massachusetts, and the 
 State of New Hampshire. The honor 
 and good faith of the State is pledged 
 that this work shall proceed without 
 delay, that it shall be completed as it 
 has been begun, with stability and en- 
 during qualities ; this honor and good 
 faith is also, in your keeping. We ex- 
 pect tliat yon will give to this under- 
 taking your individual and collective 
 care and watchfulness and that under 
 your supervision and du'ection the 
 work will go on from base to apex, un- 
 til we shall see before ns completed and 
 wholly fiinishe<l a structure as your de- 
 sign calls for without blemish or defect 
 and in keeping with the foundation be- 
 fore us. Tliis we liave a right to ex- 
 pect. Less than this would grieve and 
 disappoint us. In full trust and confi- 
 
 dence I now commit this work to your 
 hands. 
 
 The work was accepted by Hon. B- 
 F. Prescottof New Hampshire, on be- 
 half of the Association, from whose 
 address is copied : 
 
 Your Excellency : — As President of 
 the Bennington Battle ^Monument As- 
 sociation and in its behalf, I accept 
 from you, tlie Chief Magistrate of Ver- 
 mont, this corner stone with its histor- 
 ic contents, now so well and appropri- 
 ately laid. Jn doing this I feel that an 
 important work has been well begun, 
 and that the peoi)Ie of this republic 
 Avill rejoice to know that an iidditional 
 honor is to l)e paid to tiie [)atriots of 
 the Revolution, who freely gave their 
 lives for the establishment of the best 
 government on earth. 
 
 The Association under the su[)ervis- 
 ion of the chief architect will erect n[)- 
 onthis imperishable foundation a mon- 
 ument beautiful and artistic in design, 
 and massive in sti-ucture, which shall in 
 the coming ag'es mark one of the most 
 importiint localities in our laud ; made 
 sacred by the blood and sacrifices of 
 our her(nc countrymen. 
 
 B}- the liberality of the States of Ver- 
 mont, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, 
 and the general government, which 
 was made possable by the result of 
 this battle, and the generosity of lib- 
 ei-al and patriotic citizens, this monu- 
 ment is to be erected. 
 
 On that memorable day, August 16th 
 1777, without pre-arranged })lans, in the 
 heat of the battle, amid the groans of 
 the wounded and dying, and over the 
 prostrate forms of their fallen and 
 dead comrades, the self sacrificing pat- 
 riots of New Hampshire, Vermont and 
 Massachusetts helped lay the corner 
 stone of this free and enligtened repub- 
 
66 
 
 VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 
 
 lie which has stood u centuiy and com- 
 mands the respect, and has secured the 
 admiration of enlightened mankind, 
 everywhere. 
 
 We meet to-day to lay the corner 
 stone to a monument which shall forev- 
 er commemorate that event, and may 
 it when completed remain as long as the 
 work of man shall endure, and may 
 all who hehold it in coming centuries 
 be inspired Avith increased devotion to 
 their country which confers such ines- 
 timable blessings upon its people. 
 
 History records the valor of men. — 
 When Leonidas led the Spartan band 
 and held the pass of Thermopjda? a- 
 gainst the invading army of Xerxes, 
 in which struggle he sacrificed his own 
 life, and the immortal three hundred 
 under his command expired on the field, 
 he showed no valor, displayed no hero- 
 ism, loftier than John Stark and the 
 immortal heroes under his command, 
 who checked the march and successful- 
 ly defeated an invading army upon this 
 territory. Every soldier under him 
 would have yeilded his life had the oc- 
 casion demanded it. 
 
 Our Republic is not ungrateful or 
 unmindful of its obligation to those 
 who established it and those who have 
 defended it; and to you, veterans in the 
 last great struggle in defense of the 
 Constitution and the inseperability of 
 these states, we owe a debt of gratitude 
 we can never repay. You all have how- 
 ever the satisfaction of knowing that 
 you preserved the best government on 
 earth against the blow aimed at its ex- 
 istance, and now, with the largest lib- 
 erty enjoy the blessings it confers. 
 
 This monument will be erected in 
 honor of the mothei's as well as of the 
 fathers of the Revolution. When in 
 those eventful and trviug times, the 
 
 wives and mothers in the valley of the 
 Merrimack, and along those beautiful 
 hillsides and upon the Berkshire hills of 
 Massachusetts gave their husbands and 
 sons a parting embrace, and bade them 
 Godspeed to protect their homes against 
 a ruthless and hostile invasion for the 
 purpose of subjugation and booty; — 
 when they placed their infants under 
 the shade trees, while they reaped and 
 harvested the grain, and offered up to 
 God their prayers for the safe return of 
 their loved ones and for the success of 
 their arms, they displayed a heroism 
 unsurpassed in the history of the world. 
 If such do not deserve a monument at 
 the hands of a grateful posterity to 
 perpetuate their memory and patriot- 
 ism, pray tell who on earth does ^ 
 
 The special exercises of the laj'ing of 
 the corner stone being completed, and 
 music by the band had been enjoyed, 
 the President of the day announced 
 that the last thing prior to the benedic- 
 tion would be to listen to the 
 
 ORATION OF EX-GOVENOR STEWART, 
 
 the orator of the day. It was quite 
 lengthy, but every sentence teemed 
 with well digested thought, and for the 
 memorable occasion for which it was 
 prepared it was worthy a place in the 
 corner stone, and to be treasured as a 
 most valuable production of one of the 
 honored sons of the State. 
 The following are extracts 
 
 FROiM THE ORATION : 
 
 "One hundred and ten years ago, 
 this very hour, a little band of hardy 
 pioneers, our fathers, kindred and coun- 
 trymen were very busy on yonder hill- 
 side clearing the track for the on-com- 
 ing of the great republic. They were 
 men of action ; and the time for action 
 had come. Petition for redress, remon- 
 strance against wrong, protest, argu- 
 
BENNINGTON. 
 
 67 
 
 ment. expostulation, had all been tried 
 and liad failed, and the question be- 
 tween the colonies and the mother- 
 country had come to the dread arl)itra- 
 ment of Avar; and on that fateful day 
 England sent her Hessian hirelings, 
 with their tory and savage allies, to 
 lay waste and pillage the peaceful 
 homes which patient thrift and enter, 
 prise had made in this beautiful valley. 
 
 The brave pioneers met them on the 
 border, nor did they await attack. - 
 Their defense was in attack, and all 
 that long day they confronted the dis- 
 ciplined invaders, and they fought as 
 brave men fight for home and family 
 and country, while in many a home 
 within rifle shot of where we stand 
 there were gathered the mothers, sis- 
 ters, and wives and cliildren of the de- 
 fenders, awaiting with beating and 
 anxious hearts the issue of the battle 
 and news of tlic loved ones who were 
 braving its perils.. Who can describe 
 the awful suspense of that day to these 
 families as they listen to the distant 
 roar of the deadly guns? But the night 
 draws on, and the day is won, and so 
 becomes one of the most memorable in 
 American histor}'." 
 
 ''Fi'om the number of designs sub- 
 mitted by different artists, the directors 
 with entire unanimity and after careful 
 deliberation selected the one designed 
 by Mr. J. P. Rinn of Boston. It is 
 believed that this design meets every 
 required demand. Its realized embodi- 
 ment, standing upon solid rock, Avill 
 rise, graceful in outline, massive and 
 majestic in propoi'tion. to the imposing 
 height of 300 feet; its summit com- 
 manding a view of the scenes so mem- 
 orable. So standing, it will commend 
 itself to the eye and judgment of fu- 
 ure beholders as a fitting memorial and 
 
 signed to commemorate and the grand 
 and heroic character (;f the men whose 
 valor on that August day so long ago 
 made possable the victory at Stillwater 
 and the surrender at Saratoga in the 
 succeeding October. And this brings 
 me to notice very briefly the historical 
 significance of the Battle of Benning- 
 ton and the bearing it had directly up- 
 on the fate of Burgoyne's expedition, 
 and more remotely, though not less 
 certainly upon the result of the then 
 pending struggle between the colonies 
 and the mother country. I am not un- 
 aware that this is a well-worn theme. 
 The story of the battle, in which so 
 many of the citizens of this county 
 took part is as familiar as a household 
 word. Indeed, 'Beimington Battle' are 
 to them household words. 
 
 The story has been oft told by sire 
 to son and b}' grandsire to wondering 
 grand-children gathered :it his knee. 
 It was from these homes about ns that 
 so many went out to meet and stay the 
 invader. It is in many of these peace- 
 ful homes that their kindred and de- 
 scendants now live. Here too, annual- 
 ly, as tlie years since 1777 have flown, 
 the dwellers in this region have gather- 
 and by appropriate ceremonies observed 
 the anniversary of victory and deliv- 
 erance. 
 
 It has been to them almost as sacred 
 as the annual feast of the passover ttt 
 the Jews. At each recurring anniver- 
 sary the story has been rehearsed anew. 
 It is a theme fruitfid of impassioned 
 curatory and an inspiration to the poet, 
 and it has been embalmed by the his- 
 torian. AYhatcan I say more or other 
 than what has been spoken and written 
 by your own, na,y, our own Gov. Hall, 
 whose interest in, and whose knowl- 
 edge of the early history of this region 
 
 symbol, both of the great event it is de- was unmatched. We miss, indeed, his 
 
68 
 
 VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 
 
 venerable and benignant presence here These men saw clearly the true func- 
 to-clay, a day whieli more tlian any tions of government, and so gave new 
 other he longed to see ; and yet the im- meaning to the term pntiiotism. Love 
 press and impulse and inspiration of of country is instinctive and universal 
 his spirit lias been felt at every step in and men have died for country in eve- 
 ry age, but in every age until the En- 
 glish revolution, gOA^ernment and coun- 
 
 the progress of this association, and 
 abides \/ith us to-day. 
 
 [For which — the account of the battle try have been convertable terms, and 
 
 of Bennington — see with these papers, luimau history is not a history of the 
 
 in the preceding pages, the account by people, but almost to our time a con- 
 Govenor Hall.] 
 
 "Probably few, if any of those eugng- 
 ed in the battle began to measure the 
 momentous consequences which hung 
 upon its issue. It seemed to them sim- 
 ply a struggle for the capture or reteu- 
 
 tinuons record of the follies and crimes 
 and oppressions committed by kings 
 and princes and nobles. 
 
 The great teacher and Savioui- of the 
 race declared tlie rights and dignity of 
 the individual man, as man, nineteen 
 
 tion of a quantity of supplies, and so centuries ago; but the grand truth was 
 far important, but the far-reaching con- ; never recognized and formulated by any 
 sequences of the result could not then ; civil government until more than 1200 
 be foreseen. Our fathers '-builded bet- j years later, the great charter of English 
 ter than they knew." We estimate the \ liberty Avas wrung from a reluctant 
 value of their services in the light of! kino-. For centuries afterward it was 
 
 subsequent events. But their want of 
 of foreknowledge does not ■ detract in 
 the slightest degree from the moral 
 quality of their action. That lies in 
 
 practically disregarded, the seed sown 
 in men's hearts sloAvly germinated and 
 grew and became the tree of liberty 
 under which our fathers "gathered and 
 
 their ready, unselfish loyalty to peril- ! which the}' w^atered Avith their blood." 
 
 ous duty, and their prompt response to 
 
 The heroic life, or heroic death in a 
 
 just cause, though apparenth' hopeless, 
 
 Avill sometime bear rich harvest in re- 
 
 its call at the risk of life itself. 
 
 No race of men ever trod this plan- 
 
 et who more than they revered and re- | ^.Q^^ej-sioj, i.^to successful heroic ac- 
 
 spected rightful authority, divine and 
 human, and it Avas the rightness and 
 righteous exercise of authorit}^ AA'^hich 
 
 tion inspired by example. Such was 
 the event and such the character of the 
 actors therein, in reverent memory of 
 
 commanded their respect ana allegi- | .^lj^j^ .^^ ^^.^ ^^^^^ ,,j^ tl^i,, anniversary 
 ance Its abuse they kncAv was out- 
 side the functions of government, and 
 
 day to perform this initial ceremony. 
 
 therefore intolerable." 
 
 "In common Avith other colonists 
 they would have remained in willing 
 allegiance to the English government, 
 had the latter respected and secaired 
 to them those natural rights which are 
 the gift of God, and not of govern- 
 ments. 
 
 We begin now the erection of a majes- 
 tic and enduring memorial Avhich shall 
 in some degree symbolize our concep- 
 tion of an event fraught Avith so great 
 results, and wrought, too, by an an- 
 cestrj'^ Avhose heroic character and a- 
 chievements must forever challenge our 
 admiration and gratitude. 
 
BENNINGTON. 
 
 69 
 
 Let it rise majestic here, girt by these 
 grand mountains, commanding views 
 of unmatched natural beauty and over- 
 looking the graves of the heroic dead. 
 And so may it stand, mute but eloquent 
 a memorial to all coming generations of 
 the Battle of Bennington and of the 
 valor and virtue of the men who 
 crowned the da3% w^hose anniversary 
 we celebrate with glorious victory." 
 
 The Benediction by the Rev. Isaac 
 Jennings, U. D. 
 
 DECORATION DAY ORATORS 
 
 IN XORTH hexnington : 
 1872: Rev. S. W. Clemons. 
 1874: Maj. J. H. Cushnian. 
 1876 : Hon. Loveland Mnnson. 
 1877: Col. J. H. Walbridge. 
 1879 : Capt. E. A. Howe. 
 1880: Rev. Henry Gordon. 
 1881 ; Hon. J. S, Smart. 
 1882: Capt. J. C. Baker. 
 1883 : Rev. L. C. Partridge, 
 1884: Hon. J. K. Batclieller. 
 1885: Rev. George Shepard. 
 188G : D. K. Simonds, Esq. 
 1887 : Rev. Henry Gordon ,( after 
 being at Bennington.) 
 
 "Second Battle of Bexningtox 
 VERiMONT'S CENTENNIAL, 
 
 FoiUJKS : 
 
 Frimtisplatr: PROPOSED MONUMENT 
 
 Giattatc-100 feet hi(jh-accessahle to top. 
 
 12 mo., 96 pp., printed at St. Albans : 
 
 Dedicated to president hayes. 
 
 Ulustrations: I. — \_Frontisplutc.'\ 
 
 II.-Benninglon Centennial Grounds. 
 
 Ill - Village of Bennington., 1111. 
 
 IV.-Battle Groxmd uf 100 years ago. 
 
 V.-The Hero of Bennington., Gen. Stark. 
 
 VI. -Flan of the Bennington Battle. 
 
 The patriotic little book opens : 
 "The conflict on the battle field at 
 Bennington, August 16th, 1777, was 
 prefaced so briefly b}' the martial note 
 of warning to the patriot "minute- 
 man," that the decisive and glorious 
 victory there achieved seems all the 
 more icmarkable and brilliant, while 
 each recurring anniversary adds lustre 
 to the names and fresh laurels to the 
 brows of the heroic dead. * * * Suffice 
 it in this work to preface the history of 
 Vermont's Centennial by a preliminar}' 
 skirmish at this "outpost" of the Sec- 
 ond Battle of Beiuiington, * * « * 
 '•The echoes from the battle flelds of 
 Concord, of Lexington and Bunker Hill 
 had died away nearly two years in the 
 past, and the declaration of American 
 independence had been six months pro- 
 claimed at Philadelphia, when the new 
 year 1777, dawned. With it there ap- 
 peared on the eastern horizon, among 
 the galaxy of States, the star that nev- 
 er sets. Even while all was seeming 
 peace and content on the surface of 
 this royal domain, along the Connecti- 
 cut and among the green hills of the 
 interior of the New Hampshire Grants, 
 to the shores of the Champlain, in the 
 mid-winter of 1777, when the Frost 
 King — unlike King George of Eng- 
 land — was monarch of all he survey- 
 ed, there assembled at the snow-bound 
 hamlet of Westminster a convention of 
 brave and hardy pioneers and freemen 
 who declared their independence of 
 Britain's king and laid the foundation 
 for a free and s(>verigu republic to be 
 known as A'^ermont. And as the ad- 
 vancing summer's sun unbound the icy 
 fetters, and loosed the hold of the 
 Arctic King on the Gieen Mountain 
 slopes and fertile valleys of the new- 
 born State, so the coming season wit- 
 nessed the form and sceptre of royalty 
 
(0 
 
 THE VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE 
 
 wave and disappear, while edicts from 
 the King were scorned as chaff. Mid- 
 summer came, and the pioneers and 
 patriots of the New Hampshire Grants 
 assembled at Windsor and adopted a 
 constitution for the new republic. — 
 These were the victories of peace, even 
 while the tramp of red coated regulars 
 and the thunders of English artillery 
 were heard within her borders. Six 
 weeks later these same Gi'een Moun- 
 tain Boys, fresh from the farms and 
 meadows, came down to Bennington 
 with hunting gun and powder-horn, 
 undisciplined and unused to war, to 
 battle for the right to life, and liberty 
 the pursuit of happiness, and in defense 
 of theii' constitution and new born free- 
 dom, against the flower of the English 
 army. It is gratifying to recall the fact 
 that at Bennington, "the flag that wav- 
 ed a hundred years," — the stai's and 
 stripes, received its baptism of fire, and 
 was carried to victory for the first time 
 on land. It was a worthy initiation of 
 the national emblem that to-da}' is 
 honored the wide world over. 
 Pago 17 : The Bennington Centennial 
 being commemorative of the greatest 
 military achievement of the Green 
 Mountain Boj^s of the days of Allen 
 and ^Varner, it was highly appropriate 
 that the descendants in arms of those 
 patriotic sires — the National Guard of 
 Vermont, should muster c>n this ground 
 made historic on the Centenni.al anni- 
 versary of that battle. Although no 
 clash of arms from contending forces 
 would again resound through this beau- 
 tiful valley, yet the "pomp and pano- 
 pl}' of war" that martialed here as con- 
 servators of peace, was in striking 
 contrast to the militia of 1777 that con- 
 tested royal troops with flint locks, and 
 in home-spun dress. Instead of the 
 midnight call bv courier, the martial 
 
 note of warning came to the National 
 Guard from the printing press in 
 
 COL. peck's order. 
 Head Quarters First Regiment, 
 Burlington, Vt. .July*. 16, 1887. 
 
 1. This Regiment will go into camp at Bcd- 
 nington, Vt. ,on the morning of Saturday, Au- 
 gust II, 1887, for eight (8) days. 
 
 2. This camp will be known as Camp Stark. 
 
 C&c.) 
 
 "As the white canopied field of Camp 
 Stark came into view with Mount An- 
 thony's green slopes for a back-ground, 
 the siglit was refreshing to the military. 
 An advance guard from each company 
 had pitched the tents and put things in 
 fine order for their comrades, now 
 marching up to camp. 
 
 "The ground selected for the milita- 
 ry encampments, and for the public 
 exercises to take place on, was excep- 
 tionally beautiful in its location, and 
 picturesque in its surrounding scenery. 
 The forum is a fifty-acre field, sloping 
 down from the wooded side of Mount 
 Anthonj' in billowy ridges toward the 
 valleys where lies the village with its 
 white houses like flakes of foam on a 
 sea of green foliage. All around, save 
 to the westward, are the steep slopes of 
 the Green Mountains with dark cloud- 
 shadows floating along their sides. — 
 The grounds are some half a mile from 
 the depot, between the centre and low- 
 er vilhiges- The smooth and lawnlike 
 surface of the meadow, free from either 
 stone or bush, presented a charming 
 scene, bordered by the pretty camps 
 of the National Guard and veteran 
 soldiers, the rows of tents looking as 
 white as snow drifts on the velvet 
 green of the field. To the south of 
 "Camp P]than Allen" was erected the 
 banquet tent, 410 feet in length by 50 
 wide. * * * west of the banquet tent 
 
BENNINGTON. 
 
 71 
 
 were two pavillions running parallel, 
 150 feet long and 35 where the veteran 
 soldiers took their meals. * * Head- 
 quarter tents foi" the Presidents and 
 Govenors * * On one side of the field 
 700 feet of track laid for the accommo- 
 dation of the train of 18 Pullman cars 
 which conveyed the Govenor, Coun- 
 cil and Legislature of Massachusetts." 
 "His Excellency Horace Fairbanks, 
 Govenor and Commander in Chief, 
 came to Bennington Satiu'da^' ; his staff 
 came Monday [For names see Forbes, 
 page 24.] The Staff were dressed in a 
 fine, new uniform of black with gokl 
 trimming." 
 
 THE Ci:NTP:Ni\IAL SUNDAY 
 
 "was spent in peace and rest at camp, 
 broken only by guard mount in the 
 morning and dress parade at sunset. — 
 Morning and evening prayer was ob- 
 served bp the Chaplin, Eev. D. C. Rob- 
 erts, at his headquarters, and were con- 
 tinued daih' through the muster. In the 
 churches of Bennington the services 
 were of a patriotic Christian character, 
 no less than eight clerg^'men preaching 
 at once on war and its glories when 
 waged in the cause of freedom. At St. 
 Peter's the First Regiment Chaplin took 
 his text from one of the victorious 
 Psalms; at the Second Congregational, 
 Burgoyne's invasion was hardly veiled 
 by a line from lasiah; at the First 
 Church, the words of tlie mild St. John 
 headed a sermon preached under the 
 flaunting flags of all nations ; at the 
 Methodist, "Liberty" was the theme ; 
 at the Baptist, -'He is my fortress," 
 was the text ; and so the round of the 
 churches was made by the newly a- 
 roused spirit of one hundred years ago. 
 It was a fitting opening of the week 
 of the reminiscent warfare, like the 
 prayer before battle ; and with the red, 
 white and l)lue in flags, and bunting. 
 
 gracefully draped around the pulpits 
 and depending from ceilings, with bo- 
 quets of choice flowers adding to the 
 beauty of the decorations, the places of 
 worship seemed to preach eloquent ser- 
 mons in their very appearance. In the 
 afternoon the Chaplain of the Regi- 
 ment held a church service in the large 
 banquet tent near the veterans' camp. 
 The Regiment attended in a body. The 
 singing was very fine. The Chaplain 
 preached an eloquent discourse on — 
 "Work and Soldiery." A service of 
 song, or praise meeting was held at 
 the First Congregational Church after- 
 wards, which was largely attended. — 
 The dress parade at six o'clock Sunday 
 evening drew thousands of spectators 
 to the review ground. The scene was 
 a brilliant one to the assembled mul- 
 titude, as standing at the lower edge 
 of the green slope the National Guard 
 were viewed as they came marching 
 from camp into line, their gray coats 
 and white pants, with banners waving 
 and gun-barrels glistening with their 
 precision of movement making a fine 
 display." 
 
 "The first "boys in blue" to airive 
 were Col. George W. Hooker's Wind- 
 ham County veterans, who came march- 
 ing up to Camp Ethan Allen with ban- 
 ners fljing and bands of music play- 
 ing. They wdre brown and dust cov- 
 ered by their march over the moun- 
 tain. The story of their march was 
 as follows : 
 
 The Brattleboro Cornet Band struck 
 up a lively air as they lead Col. Hook- 
 er and his splendidly equipped Staff 
 with a portion of the Windham Coun- 
 ty veterans' battallion Benningtonward 
 from Brattleboro Monday morning, in 
 the presence of a large crowd of Brat- 
 tleborians. Ladies waved their hand- 
 kerchiefs, men displayed flags, [etc.] 
 
72 
 
 VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 
 
 The march through Marlboro, Wil- 
 mington, Searsbnrg and Woodford was 
 made the occasion for a perfect ovation 
 to the old veterans. The entire popu- 
 lace, men and women, old and young, 
 turning out en mass", to salute and "God 
 speed" the 18G1 defenders of firesides 
 and homes." 
 
 The Colonel's Staff comprised the 
 first representative men of Windham 
 County : Col. D. D. Wheeler, Gen. W. 
 W. Lynde, Maj. H. R. Chase, Col. N. 
 C. Sawyer. Majors R. M. Gould, B.R. 
 Jenne, [etc. etc., Forbes, p. 26.] 
 
 The numerous, distinguished Staff— 
 a fitting front for the brave "old vets," 
 who with perfect step, stead}^ tread and 
 patriotc ardor followed their file leaders. 
 "The fighting boys" of old Windham, 
 in blue shirts, black pants, black hats, 
 headed by their leadei-s made a fine ap- 
 pearance. The Brattleboro, Rocking- 
 ham, Vernon, Dummerston, Putney, 
 Newfane, Townshend, Wardsboro, Do- 
 ver, Londonderry and Wilmington vet- 
 erans are merged in this grand bat- 
 tallion, They were followed before 
 sundown by other battallions and soon 
 the camp was occupied. 
 
 THE cp:ntennial day 
 
 OF VERmONX's INDEPENDENCE 
 
 was opened at Bennington, August 15, 
 1887, at sunrise. The booming of the 
 cannon of Fuller's Battery awoke the 
 echoes among the surrounding hills, 
 and the church bells rang out a peal of 
 joy. The uniformed militia of Ver- 
 mont New Hampshire and Connecti- 
 cut and the army of veterans in Camp 
 Ethan were early astir, and at half past 
 nine marched to the foot of County St. 
 where the procession was formed un- 
 der the direction of A. B. Valentine, of 
 Benninojton." 
 
 i "The duty of escorting the State offi- 
 cials and other civ'l dignitaries fell to 
 the First Regiment, National Guards 
 i of Vermont, a splendid body of men 
 I 700 strong. * * Then came the Gov- 
 j enor of this State, the Executive Com- 
 mittee of Bennington Battle Monument 
 Association, the Vermont Centennial 
 I Commission and invited geusts in four- 
 I teen carriages. 
 
 The f" econd Division was headed by 
 the Putnum Phalanx of Hartford, Ct. 
 in theier picturesque uniform of the 
 Revolutionary period, followed by the 
 New Hampshire troops : Amoskeag vet- 
 erans, Major Wallace; Portsmouth 
 Heavy Artillery ; State Capital Guards 
 of Concord ; Hinsdale Guards ; Man- 
 chester War Veterans, escortirg the 
 State officials of New Hampshire : Gov- 
 enor Prescott, Ex-Govs. Harriman and 
 Smyth ; Gen. Nat Head, the Executive 
 Council and State officers ; Rev. Na- 
 thaniel Bouton, State Historian ; Ma- 
 son W. Tappan, Atty. Gen., Gen. Ira 
 Cross; [etc.] the Legislature of New 
 Hampshire — some 150 members; and 
 the City Government of Manchester. 
 
 The Third Division, under Colonel 
 Hooker of Brattleboro, with an impos- 
 ing Staff' of mounted officers, was the 
 crowning featui'e of the procession, 
 composed as it was of the war veterans 
 of Vermont in their everyday attire, 
 rough and ready for duty in the hour 
 of their country's danger. The Fii'St 
 Brigade embraced the southern county 
 battalions numbei'ed about X'SO men ; 
 the second, Col. Butterfield, 300 strong ; 
 the Third, Col. Tracy from Rutland 
 and Addison Counties, 125 men ; and 
 the Fourth, made up of the yeoman- 
 ry of Washington, Orange, Lamoille. 
 Orleans, Essex and Caledonia counties. 
 700 strong; total about 1300 men. 
 
BENNINGTON. 
 
 73 
 
 "At 9.30. the procession which had 
 been formed upon the streets near the 
 depot, becan the line of march through 
 the beautiful village. Every available 
 seat upon the sidewalks, house-tops and 
 limbs of trees was occupied by specta- 
 tors. The waving- of Hags, the huzzas 
 from the crowd, and the hearty wel- 
 come poiu-ed from old and young were 
 ackowledged by the veterans in oft-re- 
 peated cheers for the ladies and ])atri- 
 otic decorations. Along School, Main, 
 Silver, South and other streets, the 
 completed and tasteful displays were 
 almost innumerable. Upon every hand 
 were to be seen flags of all nations, 
 and arches bearing patriotic mottoes. 
 The music from bands playing old-fash- 
 ioned tunes as the pageant moved along 
 resounded through the sides of the 
 surrounding mountains. 
 
 Tins was the most imposing proces- 
 sion ever seen in Vermont. It was 
 over three miles in length, numberd at 
 :i fair estimate 40.000 people, and was 
 witnessed by 25.000 people. The no- 
 ticeable parts of the procession were 
 the marching of the First Regiment, 
 N. G. of Vermont ; the appearance of 
 
 ARRIVAL AT CAMP STARK. 
 
 When the head of the column reach- 
 ed the entrance to Camp Stark, an im- 
 mense throng were there to welcome 
 it. Govenor Fairbanks who occupied 
 a ladeau, drawn by four maguificent 
 horses, was welcomed. The barouche 
 conveying Gen. Banks, Hon. Frothing- 
 hani, Geo. B. Loring, and Hon. W. 
 H. H. Bingham, was received with loud 
 cheers. Also, the barouche conveying 
 Govenor Connor of Maine and Gener- 
 al Cilley." 
 
 The Chief Marshall and Staff escort- 
 ed His Excellency Horace, Fairbanks, 
 Vermont's Centennial Govenor and all 
 distinguished geusts to the place assign- 
 ed them. * * The Orator's tent was 
 nearly filled when the distinguished 
 geusts arrived. * * Hon. Wm. M. 
 Evarts came in advance of the Presi- 
 dential party, from his Windsor resi- 
 dence ; Govenor Fairbanks ; Ex-Gove- 
 nors Hall, Fletcher. Stewart, Smith ; 
 Senators Edmunds and Morrill; Hon- 
 erables L. P. Poland, E. W. Stoughton ; 
 Govenors Prescott, Connor, Van Zandt ; 
 Generals Hawley, Banks and Kobin- 
 son; with some fifty other prominent 
 
 the Putnam Phalanx, composed of an men occupied seats on the platform 
 
 elderly, solid class of men of Hartford, 
 and the soldierly appearance of the 
 New Hampshire troops and the Ver- 
 mont veterans. These latter drew cheer 
 after cheer, and the enthusiasm reach- 
 ed its climax when a body of 300 with 
 a banner inscribed "Spunky Lamoille,'' 
 made its appearance. When the veter- 
 ans passed the triumphal arch, hearty 
 cheers were given. An attractive fea- 
 ture, alsc), of the procession were the 
 Amoskeag Veterans, who were as en- 
 thusiastically cheered by the citizens as 
 were the home troops. 
 
 Hon. E. J. Phelps, President of the 
 Vermont Centennial Commission and 
 of the day, introduced Rev. Isaac Jen- 
 nings, who offered the opening j)rayer. 
 President Phelps then made an elo- 
 quent address to the invited geusts. — 
 He stated that the State of Vermont 
 commemorated the one hundredth an- 
 niversary of her birth and the happy 
 and prosperous tei-mination of the first 
 century of her existence as an indepen- 
 dent State. To-morrow they would 
 signalize one of the most important 
 victories of the Revolution. To-day 
 was devoted to the victories not less 
 
74 
 
 VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 
 
 renowned — not less fruitful — the vic- 
 tories of peace. (Applause.) To all 
 assembled there, whether as friends 
 or strangers, to the distinguished guests, 
 to all the children of Vermont, from 
 near or far, gathered to honor the cen- 
 tennial birthday of their native land, 
 he was charged to extend a kindly, a 
 courteous, a generous welcome. (Ap- 
 plause.) Richer States might tender 
 more splendid hospitalities, more im- 
 posing ceremonies — theirs were plain 
 and simple as hefitted the habits of their 
 people. The day was consecrated to 
 the memories of the men who have laid 
 broad and deep foudations of free in- 
 stitutions. Not only were they tliere 
 to honor tha leaders, but the rank and 
 file, who unheralded and unknown, 
 gave to the State the best they had. 
 Without their virtue and patriotism the 
 master spirits would have planned and 
 toiled in vain. That noble race have 
 passed away, and some of their imme- 
 diate descendants were among their 
 welcome geusts. The speaker, after 
 paying an eloquent tribute to the valoi 
 of the sons of Vermont, concluded a- 
 mid enthusiastic plaudits. 
 
 Mrs. Julia C. R. Dorr's fair poem, 
 Vermont, followed the address, finely 
 read by Professor T. W, Churchill of 
 Andover[Mass.] ; then the able orator 
 of the da}^ Hon. Daniel C. Roberts 
 of Burlington ; alter which brief ad- 
 dresses were made by Gens. Hawley 
 and Banks; Ex-Govs. Harriman, Con- 
 nor, Van Zandt, and others; letters 
 were read from the Gov. Gen. of Can- 
 ada, John G. Whittier, Gen. Sheridan, 
 George Wm. Curtis, Rev. Dr. Chapin 
 and others ; the literary exercises heing 
 intei'mingled with music by the Band 
 of Winooskie and the Fisherville, (N. 
 H.) Band." Such was the glor}' of the 
 day of the victories of peace. 
 
 KVK HEFORE THE SECOND DAY. 
 
 About half past three, the 1st Reg. 
 N. G. Vt., Col. Peck, and the N. H. 
 militia forming a brigade. Gen. J.M. 
 Clough, commanding, marched down 
 from Camp Stark, bands playing, col- 
 ors flying, and were drawn in line at 
 the depot to receive the President. 
 
 At Troy the President was met by 
 Colonel George A. Merrill. Vermont 
 Cen. Com. and Col. Harrington, who 
 went down from Bennington ir. the 
 morning . At Hoosack Junction, Adj. 
 Gen. Peck greeted the President and 
 in behalf of the Govenor welcomed 
 him to the State. At North Benning- 
 ton, when the train pulled up at the 
 station there were hundreds of people 
 who came down from distant points 
 back of the railroad to welcome the 
 Chief Magistrate. 
 
 At 3.40, the long whistle announced 
 the approach of the train at Benning- 
 ton. The train stopped in front of the 
 depot. The President stepped out upon 
 the platform accompanied by Govenor 
 Fairbanks and passed to an open ba- 
 rouche drawn l>y four spirited horses. 
 The troops saluted the President, who 
 rose with uncovered head and ac- 
 knowledged the greeting. Men cheer- 
 ed, ladies waved their handkerchiefs ; 
 the crowds were enthusiastic. Follow- 
 ing the President came Mrs. Hayes and 
 Miss Waite, escorted by Cols. Merrill 
 and Harrington ; Atty. Gen. Devens, 
 Secretary McCrary, Postmaster Gener- 
 al Key, Mr. Webb C. Hayes and the 
 gentlemen, accompanying the Piesi- 
 dent, all of Avhom entered carriages in 
 waiting, which fell into line between 
 the Vermont troops and New Hamp- 
 shire militia. The column moved 
 through River, North and Main streets 
 to Bennengton Centre, and halted at 
 
BENNINGTON. 
 
 75 
 
 the residence of Rev. Mr. Tibbets, who 
 entertained the President during his 
 stay in Bennington. 
 
 About 9 o' clock, p. m. the President 
 accomi^anied by Govenor Fairbanks, 
 arrived at the Walloomsac House and 
 in the brilliantly lighted parlors sur- 
 rounded by a detail of the National 
 Guard, Col. Harrington, Aid, took po- 
 sition to receive the people. The Ran- 
 som Guard Band struck up a lively air, 
 outside, the hotel and the impatient 
 visitors from without were admitted. 
 For two hours an almost endless crowd 
 of people, old and young, rich and 
 poor, crippled and infirm, passed be- 
 fore the President, heartily shaking his 
 hand, while from without fireworks 
 could be seen illuminating the heavens 
 in almost every direction." — "Very 
 many private residences were illumi- 
 nated throughout the town." All was 
 joyance. "It was nearly midnight 
 when the distinguished visitors left for 
 their abodes. Out of thirty thousand 
 visitors that day, ten thousand people 
 slumbered within the precincts of Ben- 
 nington, while the neighboring towns 
 were full. 
 
 MORNING OF THE BATTLE ANNIVERSARY. 
 
 "While darkness yet shrouded the 
 historic Village of Bennington, a dis- 
 
 Knight, with about 200 of the legisla- 
 ture escorted by Boston Cadet Corps, 
 the Governor's Body Guard for more 
 than a hundred years ; with their splen- 
 did band of 26 pieces. 
 
 The thunder of artillery reverbera- 
 ted through the valley of the Waloom- 
 sack at sunrise — from the four cannon 
 taken from the British, fired by the 
 Portsmouth artillery. The bells joined 
 their voices . * * * Tibbets Corps of 
 Troy, veteran soldiers, accompanied by 
 Boring's celebrated Band arrived ear- 
 ly in the day ;" and the Burleigh Corps 
 from Whitehall in time for the grand 
 procession. 
 
 "Governor Fairbanks with a retinue 
 of carriages drove from his headquar- 
 ters on the cetnennial field out to the 
 Mt. Anthony home of the American 
 President. * * On the open grounds 
 which make the pleasant little park be- 
 tween the Waloomsac Hvuse and the 
 old burial grounds where heroes and 
 Hessians have slept for a century side 
 by side. Col. Peck's full Regiment of 
 the National Guard of the State were 
 in line, with arms at "present" to 
 receive the Nation's Executive. There 
 can be no better pageant produced in 
 imagination thao the march of the mil- 
 itary escort accompanied by their dis- 
 
 tinguished party, civic and military, tinguished geusts, from the historic 
 
 from the old Bay State, arrived by spe- 
 cial Pullman train at the Centennial 
 grounds. On the IGth of Aug. 1777, 
 this grand old Commonwealth was also 
 at Bennington, — three hundred of her 
 sturdy, Berkshire mountain patriots 
 «came up" while the Vermonters "came 
 down," — as Sheridan did at AVinches- 
 ter — and drove back the invaders. — 
 Massachusetts has a grateful remem- 
 brance of that great victory. Governor 
 Rice sent his representative, Lt. Gov. 
 
 street of "Old Bennington Hill" down 
 the hillside highway to the village in 
 the Waloomsac valley where the cav- 
 alcade of thousands of soldiers, veter- 
 ans and citizens were forming. * * — 
 Chief Marshall Valentine "had massed 
 in divisions" five thousand and more 
 soldiers, citizens, bands, batteries and 
 organizations, on fobt, mounted and in 
 carriages, who were to form the grand- 
 est cavalcade that ever passed through 
 a New England city or village." 
 
76 
 
 VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 
 
 For a minute description of the grand 
 procession, see Forbes' book, pages 47, 
 45, 46, 47, 48. 
 
 "From the depot the procession com- 
 menced its triumphal march through 
 Bennington Main street. Over the 
 street the fe^toonry of every descrip- 
 tion, triumphant ar(rhes, mottoes of 
 welcome and the emblazonment of 
 gorgeous and patriotic display met the 
 marching thousands along its whole 
 length. Nearly every house was dec- 
 orated ; every portico and every veran- 
 dah was filled with welcoming geusts, 
 scattering boquets andwaving handker- 
 chiefs. * * President Hayes rode with 
 Govenor Fairbanks, * * his reception 
 in Vermont, and his ride in the pro- 
 cession partook of the nature of a tri- 
 umph ; enthusiasm ran wild, deafening 
 cheers greeted him in a continuous roll 
 along the entire route. As the day 
 before, the crowd -n as thickest at the 
 grand arch, the cheers most deafening. 
 * * There were 3000 veterans in line 
 to-day ; as each company passed the tri- 
 umphal arch the people raised their 
 hats. Col. Hooker riding at the head 
 of the Windham County Battallion, 
 and Col. R. V. Randall in command of 
 "Spunky Lamoille" veterans, drew at- 
 tention second only to the Presidential 
 party. Many officers in the service 
 during the Rebellion were recognized 
 and loudly applauded as they passed 
 by. The Legislature of Vermont and 
 New Hampshire walked the entire dis- 
 tance traversed by the procession which 
 called out many reminisences concern- 
 ing the men who came on foot to the 
 same spot a hundred years ago. 
 
 When the procession arrived at the 
 centennial field it pkssed in review be- 
 fore the President. Ihe President wel- 
 comed the procession, * * he congrat- 
 
 felicitous beginning and progress of this 
 centennial occasion. * * * 
 
 Mr. Key and Mr. McCrary were 
 introduced by the President and spoke 
 briefly ; the President then introduced a 
 grand-daughter and two great-grand- 
 daugi iters of Gen. Stark, and Mr. Ev- 
 arts introduced Mrs. Hayes ; and after 
 were speeches, poems, music and toasts. 
 The venerable Rev. Allen of North 
 Woodstock, Ct., grandson of fighting 
 Parson Allen," opened with prayer 
 and the welcome address was by Gov- 
 enor Fairbanks, as follows : 
 
 "Mr. President, and Ladies and Gen- 
 tlemen: — It is well, and we are glad 
 that this memorable occasion should be- 
 honored by the presence of citizens and 
 the chief executive officers of so many 
 of our States, and especially by the 
 President of the United States and his 
 Cabinet. The heroic deeds of the hun- 
 dred years ago were not done to a- 
 chieve the independence or liberty of 
 any one colony or State, but to achieve- 
 the liberties of America. Fellow citi- 
 zens of this great Republic and patriot 
 soldiers, lovers of human rights and 
 liberties, in behalf of the State of Ver- 
 mont, I bid you a most hearty and 
 cordial welcome to these commemora- 
 tive services and hallowed associations^ 
 well, will it be if from them we catck 
 and carry away in some measure the 
 same patriotic devotion to all freedom, 
 which inspired those brilliant heroes- 
 on yonder battle field, one hundred 
 years ago." 
 
 Gov. Fairbanks was followed by the 
 Orator of the Day, President S. C. 
 Bartlett of Dartmouth College. [For 
 extract see Forbes p. 53, for full ad- 
 dress, official record by the Bennington 
 
 ulated the State of Vermont upon the | Battle Monument Association.] After 
 
BENNINaTON. 
 
 77 
 
 the oration came the poem of William 
 Cullen Bryant and short speeches by 
 the President and his Cabinet. 
 
 THE BA.NQUKT: — Plates laid under a 
 series of tents in form of a (ireek cross 
 for 3500 persons; tables loaded with 
 meats, fruits, delicacies ; ornamented 
 with boqiiets of brilliant flowers, — 
 decorated with flags, — bunting, a huge 
 American ensign over the presidential 
 seat. President and party entered at 
 3.25: The President escorting Mrs. 
 Gov. Fairbanks, Mrs. Hayes attend- 
 ed by Gov, Van Zandt of Rhode Is- 
 land; E. J. Phelps, P^sq.. Pres, Ben. 
 Bat. Monu. Asso., presiding ; receiv- 
 ing, later, from President Hayes the 
 compliment "for dignity, grace, culture 
 and admirable wit, he excelled any 
 presiding officer that he had ever met. 
 The dinner was abundant and enjoy- 
 able ; the tables were waited on by young 
 ladies, their badge of office a pretty ribon 
 on which was inscribed "Mollie Stark." 
 
 President Phelps lead with a brief 
 opening speech, to the point, and read 
 a letter of Lord Dnfferin of Canada, of 
 regret not to be there ; a band played 
 an English national anthem. 
 
 Mr. Evarts followed Mr. Phelps. — 
 He "closed his spieech by referring to 
 the fact that had been brought to the 
 notice of the people by a distinguished 
 writer (Artemas Ward) who had de- 
 clared himself wilHng to sacrifice o:^ 
 the altar of his country all of his wife's 
 relations, but John Stark went farther 
 than that for, he declared himself will- 
 ing to sacrifice his wife's .husband." 
 (Laughter.)", 
 
 Goveuor Prescott of New Hamp- 
 shire followed, who spoke at length. 
 "We come," he said, "with full 
 numbers to this centenniil occasion." 
 
 Then, Hon. W. Stoughton, of 
 New York : "If the men who fought 
 Bennington Battle could have looked 
 forward to this day and seen them- 
 selves enthroned in the affections of 
 forty millions of people, they would 
 have felt that all the sacrifices, all the 
 slain, all that went to secure a victory 
 that was dear to them on that field, 
 was well repaid by this day." 
 Govenor Fairbanks, Senator Edmonds, 
 Postmaster General Key, Atty. Gen- 
 eral Devens made short speeches. 
 
 Mr. Phelps then said in the abscence 
 of the Treasurer of the United States, 
 who was probably like the king in the 
 nursery song, "busy counting out his 
 mone}^" and getting ready for specia 
 payment, he would call upon one who 
 was fit to be treasurer. Senator Justin 
 S. Morrill, and Mr. Morrill responded : 
 "I have always pitied one who was so " 
 unfortunate as not to be born in Ver- 
 mont, and, especially, those not having 
 a share in Bennington Battle. I trust 
 that we s'hall all rally to every call as 
 to the sound of the trumpet which calls 
 us lo commemorate these virtues of the 
 people of our States." 
 
 Speeches were also made by Thomas 
 Allen of St. Louis, Lieut. Gov. Kice 
 of Massachusetts and President Bartt- 
 lett of Dartmouth College, and letters 
 were read from the Govenor of Texas, 
 Arkansas, Georgia, Tennesee, Virginia, 
 Kentucky, Mississippi, Indiania and 
 North Carolina; Gen. (JarfieJdof Ohio 
 and some thirtj' others. It was past 
 six p. m. when the bai:quet concluded 
 by the rendering of a volunteer poem 
 entitled "Parson Allen's Ride," by 
 Wallace Bruce of Poughkeepsie. 
 
 After the banquet the Boston Corps, 
 Thos. F, Edmunds, commanding, held 
 a dress parade on the review grounds. 
 
78 
 
 VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 
 
 their precision of movement was ad- 
 mired by thousands. As soon as the 
 dusk of night favored, camps Ethan 
 Allen and Stark were illuminated by 
 fires and torchlights, interspersed with 
 thousands of Chine&e lanterns, calci- 
 um lights, transparencies, etc. etc. ;the 
 camps of the veteran, Fuller's Buttery, 
 the Estey, Park and Ransom Guard 
 brilliant in the extreme ; and Hooker.s 
 headquarters was the object of uni- 
 versal admiration, [n addition to the 
 500 Chinese lanterns, pyramsds of 
 light, and display of transparencies, 
 which were the especially admired fea- 
 ture of the camp illuminations. Di- 
 rectly in front of the officers tents and 
 parallel with the color lines, the trian- 
 gular transparenciences, stretching to 
 the fartherest camp location were the 
 likenesses of Washington, Lincoln, 
 Grant, Hayes, Stark, Ethan Allen, 
 Evarts, Devens, Custar, Sedgewick, 
 Sheridan, Sherman, Generals Baldy 
 Smith and Brooks. 
 
 The evening was a very brilliant 
 one in Bennington Village, every 
 house was thrown open and nearly 
 every house was illuminated with Chi- 
 nese lanterns, transparencies, and pat- 
 riotic devices. The midnight hour 
 proclaimed from the church tower did 
 not put a quietus on citizen or soldier. 
 Illuminations and fireworks greeted 
 theearly dawn of Friday, as if pro- 
 testing against the innovation of an- 
 other day on a great anniversary occa- 
 sion which had been so proud an one 
 for Vermont ; so replete with historic 
 associations, and so fittingly and suc- 
 cessfully commemorated for the past 
 twenty-four hours. 
 
 During the night and early morning 
 the veterans broke camp, Col. Hook- 
 er and his Windham County boys be- 
 
 ing the first to take up the line of 
 march for "the seat of peace" at 
 Brattleboro. 
 
 At Camp Stark the usnal routine of 
 duties to 11 a. m. when Fuller's Light 
 Battery was reviewed by the Governor 
 and hip Staff" who expressed the liveliest 
 satis fation with the Battery. They lefl 
 for home at noon. 
 
 At 2 p. m. took place the annual re- 
 view and inspection of the First Reg- 
 iment, the National Guards of Ver- 
 mont, Col. Peck commanding, by Gov. 
 Fairbanks and his Staff, and the Colo- 
 nel was highly complimented b}' the 
 Governor on the increasing excellence 
 the regiment was attaining year after 
 year under his management and con- 
 trol. At the conclusion the Regiment 
 held their dail}'^ dress parade before 
 the Governor Friday evening, * * wit- 
 nessed and loudl}' applauded by a great 
 concourse of people. Companies F 1 
 and G broke camp at an eafiy hour 
 Saturday, so as to hit the morning 
 train to their homes ; and the rest of 
 the regiment left on a special train 
 at 10 a. m. 
 
 [Thus far from Forbes. And it is 
 due to the memory of the late Rev. Dr. 
 Chapin of New York, who wrote years 
 since to us that he* sometimes felt al- 
 most as if he were a Verraonter ; that 
 the happiest years of his life were in 
 Vermont, to inscribe here his tribute to 
 Bennington Battle delivered on the steps 
 of old Clio Hall when a student there, 
 Aug. 16, 1837. 
 
 "Bennington Battle." 
 by edward h. chapin. 
 
 They came up at the battle's sound, , 
 
 Stern, iron-hearted men, 
 Thej' heard it as it thrilled along 
 
 The stream-side and the glen ; 
 The dim, old m^ountains echoed hack 
 
 That summons, wild and strong, 
 
BENNINGTON. 
 
 79 
 
 And the greenwood depths were stirred 
 As with a triumph song. 
 
 Tliey came as br.ave men ever come, 
 
 To stand, to light, to die ; 
 No thought of tear was in tlie lieart, 
 
 No quailing in the eye ; 
 If the lip faltered, 'twas with prayer, 
 
 Amid those gathering bands. 
 For the sure rifle kept its poise 
 
 In strong, untrembling hands. 
 
 They came up at the battle sound 
 
 To Old Waloomsack height, 
 Behind them were their fields of toil 
 
 With harvest promise white ; 
 Before them those who sought to wrest 
 
 Their hallowed birthright, dear. 
 While through their ranks went feariessly 
 
 Their leader's woi-ds of cheer. 
 
 My men there are our Freedom's foes, 
 
 And shall they stand or fall ? 
 Ye have your weapons in your hands, 
 
 Ye know your duty all ; 
 For we tliis day will triumph o'er 
 
 The minions of the crown, 
 Or Molly Stark's a widowed one 
 
 Ere yondei^sun goes down. 
 
 One thought of Heaven, one thought of home 
 
 One thought of hearth and shrine. 
 Then i ock-like stood they in their might, 
 
 Before the glitternig line. 
 A moment, and each keen eye paused 
 
 The coming foe to mark, 
 Then downward to his barrel glanced 
 
 And strife was wild and dark. 
 ****** 
 
 'Tis sixty years ago; and where 
 
 Are those brave yeomen now? 
 The clods are heavy on the breast. 
 
 And dust is on the brow ; 
 A few still linger with dimmed eyes. 
 
 And time-bleached locks of gray. 
 But they are passing one by one. 
 
 To their deep rest away. 
 
 The triumph of that conflict hour 
 
 With them will not depart, 
 The memory of that old red field 
 
 Is fresh within the heart. 
 'Twill live on very mountain side, 
 
 'Twill breathe in every glen. 
 And linger by the sepulchre 
 
 Where sleep those mighty men: 
 
 It needs no monumental-pile 
 
 To tell each storied na^e. 
 The fair green hills rise proudly up 
 
 To consecrate their fame ; 
 True to their trust, Waloomsac long 
 
 The rcord bright shall bear 
 Of those who came up at the battle sound 
 
 And fought for freedom there. 
 
 A PORTRAIT OF GEN. STARK, 
 
 THE HERO OF THE BENNINGTON BATTLE, 
 
 which has just come in from Spring- 
 field, Mass., from Mr Clogston, from 
 Mr. P^astman, "Sons of Vermont," for 
 the 'Papers of Bennington Battle' in 
 the Gazetteer. Thanks from the lit- 
 tle office in Chicago : The Sons of 
 Vermont do not lose their loyalty in 
 the old Bay State, or in the Granate 
 State. Welcome to valor ! If any 
 man ever had a right to a picture in 
 Vermont History it is John Stark. — 
 right here where he struck us will we 
 place him, — that brave face in the glow 
 of the Bennington Battle by Street. — 
 See, just over in the midst of Street's 
 Battle. 
 
 THE BATTLE OF BENNINGTON. 
 Bv Alfred C. Street. 
 
 From Harper. 
 Famous the deeds by our fathers done! 
 List to the Battle of Bennington ! 
 Stalwart in body and lion in heart. 
 The heroes that bore in that battle a part. 
 Oft did mj' grandsire tell the strife 
 Till the winter stoims with the sounds gi-ew 
 
 rife. 
 The wind shrieked wild with tones of fear. 
 The hail was the musketry smiting my ear. 
 And the rusty old king's arm seemed to call 
 From the bi-oad moose antlers against tli' wall. 
 'Twas at the close of a summer's day, 
 (One stormy night, I thus heard him say.) 
 All through the hours from early morn , 
 Had I been working in the com ; 
 And now I watched in the sunset glow 
 The shadows longer and stronger grow. 
 
80 
 
 VER^IONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 
 
 Leagues of forest that liid the day, 
 
 Swept from my cabin of logs away. 
 
 And naught ol tidings e'er touelied my ear 
 
 From the world lying dimly at distant sphere. 
 
 I watched, as I said, by my cabin door. 
 
 The sundown creeping the clearing o'er. 
 
 A hawk was rounding a pine near by, 
 
 Rousing the echoes with hoarsest cry. 
 
 A deer was grazing down toward the brink 
 
 Of the beaver dam brook f ir his sunset drink 
 
 My sire was leaving the lot on the hill; 
 
 Of threescore and ten, but vigorous still ; 
 
 The household song of my wife rang free, 
 
 Blent with my baby boy's frolic glee. 
 
 All was contentment without alloy ; 
 
 I blessed the dear God in my grateful jo y. 
 
 What was the figure that just then broke 
 
 Out from the shadow of .a skirting oak? 
 
 Hurried his footsteps and wild his air. 
 
 Surely Hans Boorne was approaching there : 
 
 "Rouse thee, John Arnold!" he panted quick. 
 
 Swift were his gestures, his breath came 
 
 thick — 
 Thick with his haste, and he sank below; 
 "Rouse thee, John Arnold, the foe, the foe!" 
 We sat us down in the plumy brake 
 And he told how Burgoyne had come up the 
 
 Lake, 
 Taken old Ti, and with two-fo'.d might 
 Won Hubbardton's desperate stand-up fight. 
 And now was coming with bow and spear. 
 To bring captivity far and near. 
 As deep I listened my veins grew hot. 
 And a battle field rushes o'er the sylvan spot 
 The kine-bell changed to a weapon's clank, 
 The rows of rye to the serried rank; 
 
 A-ud full in the midst was John Arnold s 
 
 tread. 
 With no fear in heart, but war's tever instead. 
 Where shots blazed reddest his way he took, 
 And his arm waxed weary with blows he 
 
 strook. 
 And I sprang to my feet with a ringing cry, 
 "Hans Boorne, John Arnold will do or die;" 
 I took the king's arm, the rust I cleared. 
 Till its barrel like silver, smooth shining 
 
 appeared ; 
 
 And left to my father the rifle, to slay 
 The venison or panther chance prowling that 
 way. 
 
 I clasped to my bosom my boy and wife. 
 Then pointed my way toward the i-egion ot 
 
 strife. 
 Three days did I tramp by the moss on the 
 
 bark. 
 Three nights did my camp-fire jewel the dark. 
 At last as the morning was beaming I won 
 The beautiful meadows of Bennington. 
 The little Walloomsack rippled along, 
 Giving the wilderness song for song; 
 And hasty trampling of men was there. 
 The flag of my country high streaming in air. 
 Olci itark was galloping to and fro. 
 Wherever he hastened out-burst a glow : 
 "There stand the red-coats! we'll smite them 
 
 well 
 And drive back the hounds to their kennels in 
 
 hell. 
 "None but cowards will slink away! 
 Sons of the brave sires will fight to-day ! 
 For victory s banner shall fly o'er me 
 Or Molly Stark's a widow, said he." 
 A shout rolled upward of fierce acclaim ; 
 Each bosom burning with patriot flame, 
 As blinked in the distance the i"ed-coat ranks 
 Our torrent of frenzy boiled o\%r its banks; 
 And we shook with our firing the valley's 
 
 green lap ; 
 It was like one continuous thunder-clap. 
 We stormed the heights where the Hessians 
 
 stood. 
 And made them red with their rascal blood. 
 Not a cannon did give us aid 
 As on us their deadliest batteries plaj'ed. 
 We swept the fierce Indian, a yelping pack— 
 And sneaking Tory as leaves in our track. 
 We beat them once and tlien Brej'man up 
 
 bore ; 
 Brave railed the foe and they fought us once 
 
 more. 
 But all in yain, for bold Warner too, 
 Bore up, and for us, and we charged anew. 
 Bear-skin helmet and plumed cap fell, 
 Volley met volley, j^ell mixed with yell. 
 The musket ball hissed and the rifle ball sang. 
 And the screech of the cannon ball deafening 
 
 rang. 
 I saw through the black smoke the red-coats 
 
 reel, 
 And my heart at the brave sight grew harder 
 
 than steel. 
 

BENNINGTON. 
 
 83 
 
 My trusty, old king's arm waxed heavy and 
 
 hot, 
 And still I poured without stint my shot. 
 My wife seemed saying "John Arnold, flglit 
 
 on!" 
 And 1 heard through the conflict the voice of 
 
 my sou. 
 Still Stark went galloping up and down, 
 '•Fight, fight the base red-coats, mean slaves 
 
 of a crown!" 
 "Fight, fight, my brave fellows, said he. 
 Or Molly, I tell ye, a widow shall be !" 
 With a shout that shook the sunset sky, 
 We dashed right on— it was conquer or die. 
 Where Stark's ej^e glittered, there withered 
 
 our foes. 
 For there fell the might of our fearfulest 
 
 blows. 
 Tiie little Waloomsack blushed with red, 
 And hushed its song for 'twas filled with dead. 
 And when night darkened, the air about, 
 Shook with our victory's thundering shout. 
 Cannon and banners and swords and guns, 
 And captives were tribute to Freedom's sons. 
 With the leader of all, bold Baum, who died, 
 As we rolled the loud cheers in our conquer- 
 ing pride. 
 Old Stark up-towered among us still,, 
 "And Moll's no widow!" laughed he with a 
 
 will. 
 
 And so, my boy, was the grim figlit won, 
 Such was the Battle of Bennington. 
 
 HON. HILAND HALL, 
 
 BY HENRY D. HALL, ESQ. 
 
 Nathaniel Hall, the father of Hiland 
 Hall, was a quiet, thrifty farmer and his 
 wife. Abigail(Hubbard) Hall, a worthy 
 and true help-meet. The emigrant an- 
 cestors of both were Enj^lish, John 
 Hall of the father and George Hubbard 
 of the mother, alter being over fifteen 
 years at Boston and Hartford, in 1850, 
 became large landholders, and the first 
 settlers of Middletown, Ct. In the old 
 graveyard there may still be found the 
 tombstones ot some of their early de- 
 scendants. 
 
 Nathaniel Hall was deacon of the 
 old Baptist church at Bennington. He 
 and his wife were both worthy and es- 
 teemed members of the church and re- 
 spected members of society. 
 
 Dea. Nathaniel Hall came to Ben- 
 nington in 1 779. He was married to 
 Abigail Hubbard at Norfolk, Ct., Oct. 
 12, 1794. Their children were: 
 
 HILAND, the oldest, subject of this 
 sketch. 
 
 Phebe, died, 1860, aged 63. 
 
 Abigail, died, 1884, aged 85. 
 
 Nathaniel, died, 1846, aged 46. 
 
 Anna, died, 1869, aged 65. 
 
 Laura, died, 1854, aged 48. 
 
 Polly, the youngest, died in 1870, 
 aged 62 years ; all having married and 
 leaving descendants. 
 
 Dea. Nathaniel Hall died in 1^89, 
 aged 86 years, and his wife in 1846, 
 aged 78 years. 
 
 The early education of hiland hall 
 was in the common schools of his neigh- 
 borlKXid, and the better part of a three 
 months term, one fall at the Academy, 
 in Granville, N. Y., which he would 
 probably have rounded out, had he not 
 been sick before the close of the term, 
 the only sickness of his youthful da^'s 
 of which the writer remembers to have 
 heard him speak, though he has heard 
 him tell his children how his good moth- 
 er getting her chilhdren ready Sunday 
 morning, and he making the excuse of 
 not feeling well to stay at home, would 
 seize the ''picra bottle" and a table- 
 spoon, and he would conclude to tiy to 
 go to church. The sermons were in 
 those days, two on every Sabbath, each 
 at least, an hour or more in length. 
 
 The youth of Hiland Hall was spent 
 ou his father's farm in Bennington. — 
 
84 
 
 VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 
 
 The following incident connected 
 with his early schooling is from a 
 memorandum by himself. 
 
 In the adjoining town of Shaftsbu- 
 ry, about a mile from my father's there 
 "was a Baptist meeting-house, and also, 
 a school-house in which schools were 
 usually kept about three months in the 
 •winter by maleteacheis, and about as 
 long in summer by females, for instruc- 
 tion in reading, writing and arithmetic, 
 and for years no other branches had 
 been taught. The teachers had general- 
 ly been taken from the neighborhood, 
 but "when I was nine or ten years old, 
 a winter teacher from abroad was em- 
 ployed who on examining the progress 
 I had made in those branches, told me, 
 I was forward enough to study gram- 
 mar and advised me to do it. I had 
 little idea what he meant by it, but sup- 
 posed it would be right, and was will- 
 ing to undertake it. He found another 
 scholar, a girl fifteen or sixteen years 
 old, who was spending the winter with 
 her uncle the Baptist minister, who 
 wished also to pursue the study. The 
 teacher said it would be necessary to 
 have a bool?^ and gave me a memoran- 
 dum of the title "Alexander's English 
 Grammar," which was soon obtained 
 at Troy, by my father who was going 
 there with a load of wheat. The 
 gi'ammar was about the size of Web- 
 ster's spelling-book and bound in boards 
 like it ; and we began the study. That 
 branch of learning was new to the 
 school-children and excited their atten- 
 tion and curiosity, and they went home 
 to their parents full of information a- 
 bout the jargon of hard words that had 
 been rattled off by the teacher and his 
 two learners, such as nouns, pronouns, 
 verbs, adverbs and others that they 
 could jiot understand. This jumble of 
 unmeaning words it was argued by 
 
 some of the parents would greatly dis- 
 turb the studies of the other scholars, 
 and the question was raised, whether 
 such teaching should be allowed in the 
 school. There had been some dissatis- 
 faction in the district at the employ- 
 ment of the stranger in preference to a 
 local teacher who had applied for the 
 place, and he with his friends seized 
 upon this matter as the means of get- 
 ting rid of a rival. They called a school 
 meeting where the question of allow- 
 ing grammar to be taught in the school 
 was discussed. The minister with one 
 or two others favored grammar, but 
 the majority was against it, and it was 
 voted that grammar should not be taught 
 in the school, and that the teacher 
 should be dismissed. 
 
 It went abroad that it was also voted 
 that no teacher should be employed 
 that understood grammar, but that was 
 not true ; no such vote as that was 
 taken. The truth was disgraceful 
 enough without this needless addition. 
 The whole proceeding was, however, 
 favorable to the progress of instruction 
 in the district. The reaction of feel- 
 ing by the pressure from without was 
 irresistible. The opponents of gram- 
 mar, themselves, became ashamed of 
 what they had done, and the next year 
 a teacher who was thought to be well 
 qualified as a grammarian was employ- 
 ed, grammar was taught without objec- 
 tion and no other ante-grammar out- 
 break was afterwards heard of." 
 
 He read when quite young all the 
 books that he could find or borrow in 
 the vicinity, his preference being for 
 history and biography. 
 
 Mr. Hall, early in life, became in- 
 terested in politics, favoring the Repub- 
 lican party. At eighteen; he was active 
 in the formation of the "Sons of Lib- 
 erty," a society of the young men of 
 
BENNINGTON. 
 
 85 
 
 1 
 
 Bennington for a vigorous prosecution 
 of the war with P^ngland — 1812. He 
 was one of the committee to draft tlie 
 constitution of the Society and took a 
 great interest in its meetings at which 
 political questions were discussed. It 
 continued in active life until after the 
 war. 
 
 Among the patriotic acts of this so- 
 ciety was the procuring from the ladies 
 of the vicinity 158 pairs of mittens and 
 42 pairs of socks, which were in Jan. 
 1814. presented to the 11th Regiment 
 of U. S. soldiers which had been large- 
 ly recruited in Vermont, and was then 
 stationed ai Plattsburg, N. Y. 
 
 The Society existed during the war. 
 Its record book, over 60 pages of fools- 
 cap size, is well preserved. Its last 
 record is an account of its celebration 
 of the Fourth of July 1815 ; at which 
 there were an address, procession, din- 
 ner and 1 8 toasts, the number then of 
 the States in the Union. 
 
 In 1824, 1828, Mr. Hall voted with 
 the Republican party. In 1828, his 
 party took the name of National Re- 
 publican, which name was changed 
 afterwards to Whig, to which part3' 
 Mr. Hall belonged till in 1856, it was 
 merged in the new Republican party, a 
 name under which he begun his politi- 
 cal life. 
 
 He studied law and was admitted to 
 the Bennington Count}^ Bar, Decem- 
 ber, 1819. He established himself in 
 practice in his native town, which he 
 represented in the Legislature in 1827. 
 He was Clerk of the Supreme and 
 County Court for Bennington County, 
 in 1828 ; was elected the State Attor- 
 ney for the County in 1829, for which 
 he was re-elected for the next three 
 years. 
 
 Of a generous disposition, easily 
 turned aside when c(>llecting his own 
 bills, thinking but little of money 
 for its own sake, but using it freely 
 for the necessary comfort of his fami- 
 ly, at this time increasing in numbers ; 
 and by answering calls of the needy 
 and unfortunate, — a distinctive trait of 
 his kindly character, an inability to turns 
 away those who appealed for help, al- 
 though he hardly knew where the next 
 dollar was to come from ; resulting 
 in early becoming involved in his pecu- 
 niary relations, and for years living in 
 a home heavily mortgaged, but which 
 he was enabled to clear up in middle 
 life, having never settled a debt at less 
 than 100 cents on a dollar. 
 
 And another trait which tended to 
 lessen his yearly income was the con- 
 scientious e?cpression to his clients of 
 his opinion of their cases, that pre- 
 vented or stayed a prosecution that m 
 some hands would have brought return 
 fees, adding much to the income of an 
 attorne}' ; but gave confidence to those 
 for whom he was engaged, as they nev- 
 er had reason to fear he would be tam- 
 pered with by opposite council, or 
 their cases in any way be jeopardized 
 by him for want of integrity. 
 
 And the opinion obtained to quite an 
 extent, that the side he was engaged on 
 would prevail from the inherent jus- 
 tice it was undoubtedly possessed of. 
 
 In January 1833, he was chosen a 
 representative in Congress to supply the 
 vacancy occasioned by the death of 
 Hon. Jonathan Hunt, and took his seat 
 the 2l8t of that month, daring the ex- 
 traordinary excitement growing out of 
 Mr. Calhoun's South Carolina nullifica- 
 tion ordinance, and witnessed the fail- 
 ure of that first serious effort at dis- 
 union. 
 
S6 
 
 VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 
 
 At the same election, Mr. Hall was 
 chosen a member to the 23d Congress, 
 which commenced, December 1834. — 
 The district then comprised the coun- 
 ties of Bennington and Windham with 
 seven towns in Windsor County, viz : 
 Audover, Baltimore, Cavendish, Ches- 
 ter, Ludlow, Springfield and Weston. 
 This district, he represented in Con- 
 gress for ten successive years, receiv- 
 ing as a National Republican and Whig, 
 five different elections by large majori- 
 ties. His congressional service termi- 
 nated. Mar. 3, 1843, he having de- 
 clined being longer a candidate. 
 
 In Congress, Mr. Hall was a work- 
 ing rather than a talking member, but 
 occasionally made political speeches ; — 
 among tht^m one in 1834, against Gen- 
 eral Jackson's removal of the govern- 
 ment deposites from the United States 
 Bank, and another in 1836 in favor of 
 the distribution of the proceeds of the 
 public lands among the states, which 
 measure was in effect consummated at 
 that session in the distribution of sur- 
 plus revenue, by which nearly $ 700. 
 000 were received by the State of Ver- 
 mont and added to the school funds of 
 the towDS of the state. Both of these 
 speeches were pamphleted and exten- 
 sively circulated, and the former was 
 reprinted in New York prior to the suc- 
 ceeding state election as a campaign 
 document. 
 
 CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEE SERVICE. 
 
 But the speaking of Mr. Hall in Con- 
 gress was in general of a business char- 
 acter, to influence the votes of mem- 
 bers on pending questions. His work 
 on committees, first on that of the post- 
 office and post-roads, after on revolu- 
 tionary claims, was onerous and severe, I 
 his printed reports covering several vol- 1 
 iimes of public documents. In 1836, j 
 
 while a member of the post-office, he 
 presented a minority report in opposi- 
 tion to the message of the President 
 and report of the Post-Master-Gener- 
 al which had reccommended the enact- 
 ment of a law making it a penal ofience 
 to transmit by mail into any of the 
 Southern states, printed matter against 
 the institution of slavery, termed "in- 
 cendiary publications." * * Showing 
 the great difficulty and danger of such 
 legislation, the report of Mr. Hall took 
 the ground that it would be an infringe- 
 ment of the liberty of the press, and 
 a violation of the constitution, which 
 had conferred no power on Congress to 
 look into publications and prescribe 
 what opinions should and what should 
 not be admitted into the mails, or be 
 the subject of mail transmission. The 
 report was signed by Mr. Hall and the 
 Hon. George N. Briggs, afterwards the 
 Governor of Massachusetts, but as the 
 majority of the committee failed to 
 make their report, it did not become a 
 public document. It was however in*in- 
 ted in the National Intelligencer at 
 Washington, in New York and other 
 papers. 
 
 Mr. Hall's services were especially 
 important in committees and also in 
 debate, in exposing wasteful and ex- 
 travagant expenditui-es. While on the 
 postoffice committee, he took an active 
 and prominent part in framing and 
 procuring the passage of the act of Ju- 
 ly 2d 1836 which made a radical change 
 in the organization of the post-office 
 department and provided an effectual 
 system for the settlement of its compli- 
 cated accounts by which an alarming 
 series of frauds that had caused a very 
 great drain on the treasury was broken 
 up, and an honest and economical ad- 
 ministration of its affairs iraugurated 
 and secured. 
 
BENNINGTON. 
 
 87 
 
 MEETING VIRGINIA CONGRESS CLAIMS. 
 
 His successful efforts in relation to 
 onf; class of claims deserves a more 
 particular notice, as well, for the large 
 amount involved, as for the powerful 
 influence and bitter opposition he Avas 
 •obliged to overcome in exposing tLeir 
 unfounded and fraudulent character. 
 
 For several years there had been 
 passing through congress with little op- 
 position, numerous claims founded on 
 alleged promises of the legislature of 
 Virginia, or of the Continental Con- 
 gress, to Virginia olficers of the Rev- 
 olutionary army some of them denom- 
 inated Commutation Claims, some half 
 pay and some bounty-land claims, but 
 all depending upon similar evidence to 
 sustain them. In satisfaction of these 
 claims there had already been drawn 
 from the treasury over three millions, 
 nearly all of which had been paid for 
 supposed services of deceased Virginia 
 officers, and still, were pending before 
 "congiess claims to the amount of more 
 than another million, and their number 
 and amount were continually increas- 
 ing. By a patient and laborious exam- 
 ination of the Revolutionary archieves 
 in the depa«'tment at Washington, with 
 some information he derived from the 
 public records at Richmond, he became 
 satisfied that the great mass of the 
 claims already paid was unfounded and 
 those that were still pending were, if 
 possable, still more worthless. In order 
 to bring the subject fully before con- 
 gress, he obtained the appointment of 
 a select committee of which he was 
 made chairman. He prepared a report 
 unfavorable to the claims, which Avas 
 approved by the committee and pre- 
 sented to the House, Feb. 27, 1839, 
 with the usual motion that it be laid on 
 the table and printed. Contrary to the 
 
 uniform jjractice in such cases, the 
 printing the report was vehemently op- 
 posed by the Virginia deligation. Af- 
 ter obstructing the action of the House 
 during the morning hour of that day, 
 by dilatory motions and debate, they 
 found the members impatient to order 
 the printing under the previous ques- 
 ion, upon which, as a last resort, Mr. 
 Wise of Virginia called for the read- 
 ing of the report, which by strict rule 
 he had a right to require before voting 
 upon it. The reading of the report was 
 commenced and was continued through 
 the morning hours of Feb. ibth and 
 Mar. 1st, within two days of the close 
 of the session, when the pressure of 
 other bn.'-iness prevented its being fin- 
 ished. 
 
 Wise's unexampled hostile call for 
 
 Mr, 
 
 the reading had its designed effect of 
 smothering the report for that con- 
 gress. 
 
 The next session of Congress, Mr. 
 Hall became a member of the commit- 
 tee of Revolutionary claims, and soon 
 afterward its chairman. Apr. 24, 1840, 
 he made a report from that committee 
 on the bounty land and commutation 
 claims of the Virginians, similar to tl e 
 one which had been suppressed at the 
 close of the previous congress, which 
 showed by authentic documentary ev- 
 idence that every one of those allow- 
 ances was unfounded. The efforts of 
 the Virginians to obtain Revolutionary 
 allowances, especially for officers hour- 
 ties under an old law of their state, 
 being still continued. Mr. Stanly of 
 North Carolina, June 10, 1842, offered 
 a resolution directing the committee of 
 Revolutionary claims to examine and 
 report on their validity, which resolu- 
 tion he afterward modified b}' substi- 
 tuting a select committee for that on 
 Revolutionarv claims. This was done 
 
88 
 
 VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 
 
 on complaint that Mr. Hall, the chair- 
 man of the standing committee, was 
 unreasonably and unjustly prejudiced 
 and would not give the claimants a fair 
 hearing. On the 16th of June, Mr. 
 Hall, having obtained the floor spoke 
 an hour in vindication of his course in 
 regard to the claims, showing by un- 
 doubted documentary evidence thai 
 they were all, collectively and individu- 
 ally, either wholly fraudulent or clear- 
 ly unfounded on any Revolutionary 
 service to sustain them; and he closed 
 his remarks by presenting a list of the 
 names of 64 claimants, whose claims 
 amounted to over $200,000, and com- 
 prised all of the latest of those claims 
 that had been reccommeuded for pay- 
 ment by the Executive of Virginia, and 
 were included in the bill then pending 
 in the House. 
 
 He said every one of them was bad, 
 and offered to abandon his opposition 
 to the claims if any member would 
 satisfy the House that any single claim 
 was well founded. His remarks were 
 commented upon by many of the Vir- 
 ginians, and among them Messrs. Gog- 
 gin, Goode and Gilmer, in speeches of 
 an hour each, which were all highly 
 laudatory of the patriotism of Virgini- 
 ans and her Revolutionary heroism, but 
 none of them ventured any attempt to 
 show the validity of a single claim. 
 
 The speech of Mr. Gilmer in partic- 
 ular was of an aggressive and extreme- 
 ly personal character towards Mr. Hall, 
 and was sharply replied to by him, in 
 which his attacks were effectually re- 
 pelled. Whereupon, Mr. Hall made a 
 further exposure of the claims and 
 showed that Mr. Gilmer, who had been 
 governor of Virginia, had originated 
 them by inducing the legislature of the 
 state to reccommeud their payment by 
 
 congress when they were well known to 
 be entirely worthless ; that he had as 
 agent of the half-pay claimants, whose 
 claims weie equally invalid, first pre 
 sented them to congress, and that he 
 was by a law of the state entitled to 
 one per cent, on all that should be paid 
 by the United States, on which he had 
 already received over $12,000, and 
 was entitled to a like allowance on all 
 future payments. This debate occupi- 
 ed the morning hours of several days, 
 and having the numerous delegation 
 of Virginia on one side and a single 
 member from another state on the oth- 
 er and being in a great degree of a 
 personal character, attracted very gen- 
 eral attention. The vindication of Mr. 
 Hall, which was full and complete, and 
 overwhelming to his assailiints, was lis- 
 tened to with unusual interest, and was 
 also the subject of general newspaper 
 notice and comment. 
 
 Ex-president Adams, who was a 
 member of the House at the time, men- 
 tions the debate in his diary as follows : 
 
 '^June 16th 1 842. Stanly moved the 
 appointment of a select committee to 
 investigate the expenditure on account 
 of Virginia Military Bounty land war- 
 rants from which sprang up a debate, 
 and'Hiland Hall opened a hideous sink 
 of corruption until he was arrested by 
 the expiration of the morning hour. 
 
 June 21st. Gilmer growled an hour 
 against Hall for detecting and expos- 
 ing a multitude of gross frauds perpe- 
 trated in the claims relating to the Vir- 
 ginia land warrants. 
 
 "June 22d. Goggin scolded an hour 
 against Hiland Hall, and W. O. Goode 
 took the floor to follow him. 
 
 June 24th. W. O. Goode followed 
 the Virginia pack against Hall. James 
 Cooper moved the previous question, 
 but withdrew it at the request of Mr. 
 Hall, to give him opportunit}" to reply 
 to the Virginia vituperation. 
 
BENNINGTON- 
 
 89 
 
 June 25th. Hiland Hall took the 
 morning hour to flay Gilmer and the 
 Virginia Military land warrants." 
 
 This thorough exix)sure of these 
 claims, and the marked rebuff of their 
 champions, followed as it soon after 
 was by a full history and condemna- 
 tion of them in detail in a report by 
 Mr. Stanly's select committee, opera- 
 ted as a final extinguisher of them. — 
 Mr. Hall was a member of the select 
 committee, and the report had by di- 
 
 get'erals. On full examination of the 
 statutes Mr. Hall came to the conclu- 
 sion that judicial authority nad been 
 designedly conferred on the accounting 
 officers as a check upon lavish expen- 
 ditures in the departments, and it was 
 as much their duty to disallow claims 
 not sanctioned by a law, as it was of 
 a court of justice. The question being 
 one of importance, the opinion of the 
 Comptrollor was published in pamphlet 
 and it is understood has since been ac- 
 
 rection of the committee, been prepar- ! cepted and followed in the several de 
 
 ed and made to the House by him. 
 
 ** ******** 
 
 For an account of the claims and 
 correspondence in full, see report No. 
 485, second session, 27th Congress. — 
 It is believed there were few or no fur- 
 ther allowances by the department. 
 
 Mr. Hall was Bank Commissioner 
 of Vermont for four ^jears from 1843, 
 Judge of the Supreme Court for the 
 like period until 1850. when he was 
 appointed Second Comptrollor of the 
 United States Treasury, his duties be- 
 ing to revise and "finally adjust" all 
 accounts with the government of offi- 
 cers and others in the War and Navy 
 departments after they had been stated 
 and passed upon by the second, third 
 and fourth auditors. A claim came 
 before hitn founded on an expenditure 
 that had been ordered by the head of a 
 department whicli he thought was ille- 
 gal, and the question arose whether he 
 had authority to reject it. It was in- 
 sisted in behalf of the claimant that 
 the Secretary being his superior ofiicer 
 and representing the President, the 
 comptrollor was bound by his approval 
 and had no power to disallow it. In 
 support of this doctrine a labored writ- 
 ten ai'gument was presented, and it 
 appeared to be sanctioned by the pub- 
 lished opinion of three former attorney 
 
 partments, as a just expusition of the 
 law on the subject, and recently a sec- 
 ond edition of the same has been print- 
 ed for the use of the Departments. 
 
 In 1851, at the solicitation of Presi- 
 dent Fillmore, he accepted the office 
 of Land Commissioner for California, 
 his associates being Gen. James Wilson 
 of New Hampshire and Judge Harry 
 I. Thornton of Alabama. The duties 
 of the commission were to adjust the 
 claims to land under the treaty of Mex- 
 ico, the titles of the owners as recog- 
 nized by the Mexican laws having been 
 guaranteed to them by that treaty. Mr. 
 Hall was chairman of the commission 
 and had charge of its funds, which he 
 disbursed for its necessary expendi- 
 tures which amounted to several hun- 
 dred thousand dollars ; all of which 
 was duly accounted for at the Treasu- 
 ry Department. 
 
 The contested land claims brought 
 into full use the fitting qualifications 
 which his habits of thought and inves- 
 tigation through life had develoi^ed. 
 
 Among the cases brought before 
 this commission many of which were 
 of great importance was the famous 
 Mariposa claim of Gen. J. C. Free- 
 mont, involving millions of dollars, and 
 in the adjustment and settlement of 
 which the application of law involved. 
 
90 
 
 THE VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE 
 
 included almost without exception all , to this assumed action of the court was 
 points that would be liable to arise in I ^^ follows: 
 
 the adjucation of similar claims. The "With a strong habitual reverence for 
 opiniou of the commissioners was in Judicial authority, when exercised with 
 
 this case written by Mr. Hall, and the 
 points were so fully and clearly eluci- 
 dated, that many eminent jurists have 
 written him expressing their admira- 
 tion of the document. 
 
 On the accession of President Pierce, 
 new commissioners were appointed, and 
 Mr, Hall at the solicitation of hi'? son- 
 in-law, Trenor W. Park of the firm of 
 Halleck, Peachy, Billings and Park, 
 then a prominent law firm in San Fran- 
 cisco, remained with them for a time 
 as general adviser, and to assist in the 
 preparation of briefs and other impor- 
 tant law papers. In the spring of 1854, 
 he returned to Vermont, and resuming 
 his residence on the farm in Benning- 
 ton on which he was born, retired from 
 the further practice of his profession. 
 
 Mr. Hall was a member of the con- 
 vention which met at Philadelphia in 
 1856 and gave the Republican Party 
 a national character, by nominating 
 candidates for the presidency and vice 
 presidency. In 1858 and 1859 he was 
 elected Governor of the State by that 
 party by a large majority. 
 
 The Governor in his first message 
 besides calling the attention of the leg- 
 islature to the local affairs of the State, 
 spoke in decided condemnation of the 
 then recent attempt of the majority 
 
 in its appropriate sphere for the de- 
 termination ( f individual rights, I con- 
 fess, I have not a high regard for it, 
 when sought to be extended to politi- 
 cal questions. The history of our par- 
 ent country furnishes many examples 
 of judges, learned and eminent, whose 
 extra judicial opinions were sought and 
 obtained by the government for the 
 purpose of crushing out the rising spir- 
 it of liberty among the people. Indeed 
 for the character of the judicial ermine 
 it is to be lamented, that judges of dis- 
 tinguished legal attainments have often 
 been found giving countenance to op- 
 pression and wrong by ingenious and 
 lanciful constructions and that English 
 liberty has been fixed upon its present 
 firm foundations, not by the aid of ju- 
 dicial efforts, but by overcoming them. 
 There is reason to hope that the extra- 
 judicial opinions of the judges in the 
 Dred Scott case, contrary as they are to 
 the plain language of the constitution, 
 to the facts of history and to the dic- 
 tates of common humanity, will meet 
 the fate which lias attended those of- the 
 judges of the parent country, and that 
 liberty will be established in spite of 
 them." 
 
 In his last message in 1859, he thus 
 announces his determination to retire 
 
 of the judges of the Supreme Court of i from further public service 
 
 the United States, in furtherance of the 
 wishes of President Bucahnau and his 
 
 'In closing this ray last annual mes- 
 sage, I cannot withhold the expression 
 
 advisers to fasten upon the country by j of my grateful thanks to the freemen 
 judicial sanction the new and extra- 1 of the State for the confidence which 
 ordinary doctrine that the constitution they have on all occasions so j,enerous- 
 itself legalized slavery in the territories I ly manifested towards me ; and I beg 
 and that congress consequently had no • to assure them that in retiring from 
 power to prevent its introduction. — ' public lifo at the end of the present 
 The language of the message in regard political year, I shall carry with me 
 
BENNINGTON. 
 
 91 
 
 the warmtst and most heartfelt wishes 
 for the continual prosperity of the State, 
 and for the welfare and happiness of 
 its people." 
 
 He, however, consented to act as 
 one of the commissioners to the fruit- 
 less "Peace Congress" which on tlie 
 call of Virginia assembled in Wash- 
 ington in Februaiy 1861, on the eve of 
 the Rebellion, and was chairman of the 
 delegation from Vermont. 
 
 On the breaking out of tlie Rebellion 
 in 1861, he felt it his duty to do all 
 in his power to uphold the integrity and 
 unity of the government, and his time, 
 energies and means, to a large extent, 
 were from the first devoted to aid in 
 crushing it. 
 
 He at once favored the speedy for- 
 warding of men, and assisted in the 
 formation of companies, volunteering 
 assistance to some families which would 
 be left behind in needy circumstances, 
 drawing the pay ; taking care of money 
 coming from or being sent to soldiers, 
 and when bounties were paid, in the 
 placing in the safest manner such moTi- 
 ey that it should best meet the wants 
 of the enlisting party ; all showing a 
 deep interest in the preservation of the 
 Union, the value of which in his esti- 
 mation was increased, no doubt, by inti- 
 mate association for a long period in 
 Congress with such statesmen as Web- 
 ster, Clay, Adams, Giddings, Stevens 
 and a host of others, when the doctrine 
 of nullifiction or disunion was being 
 advocated by Calhoun and his associ- 
 ates, that slaver}^ and state rights might 
 be sustained and perpetuated. His anx- 
 iety continued during the war and not 
 until the surrender at Appomattox 
 Court House, did lie feel that his oi 
 the vigilence of uny other man should 
 in the least relax. 
 
 One of his sons, Nathaniel B., "was 
 Major of the 14th Regiment of Volun- 
 teers, and in the Battle of Gettysburg. 
 He sent substitutes for four other sons 
 and himself when the need for men 
 seemed imminent, and the bounty had 
 reached $ 400. each, besides the State 
 pay and bounty. 
 
 In American history, Mr. llnll had 
 a deep interest, and especially in that 
 connected with the territory and State 
 of Vermont. 
 
 He was for 6 3^ ears from 1859, Pres- 
 ident of the Vermont Historical Socie- 
 ty and was afterwards active in the- 
 preparation and the arrangement ot 
 materials for the two published volumes 
 of its collection, and in otherwise pro- 
 moting its usefulness and success. — 
 He has read several papers at meetings 
 of the Society which have been publish-^ 
 ed, among them, one in 1869, in vindi- 
 cation of Col. Ethan Allen as the hero 
 of Ticonderoga, in refutation of an 
 attempt made in the Galaxy Magazine 
 to rob him ol' that honor. 
 
 He has contributed papers to the 
 Nevv York Historical Magazine, to the 
 Vermont Historical Gazetteer, to the 
 Philadelphia Historical Record, and al- 
 so to the New England Historic Gene- 
 ological Register. His contribution 
 to the Vermont Gazetteer, made in 
 1860, being a summary history of his 
 native town, Bennington. 
 
 In 1860 he also read before the New 
 York Historical Society a paper show- 
 ing "Why the inhabitants of Vermont 
 disclaimed the jurisdiction of New 
 York, and estjiblished a separate gov- 
 ernment." 
 
 In 1868, his "Early History of 
 Vermont," a work of over 500 pages 
 was published by J. Munsill, Albany,, 
 in which the controversy of its early 
 
52 
 
 'VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 
 
 inhabitants with New York, and their 
 struggle for the establishment of their 
 state independence, as well as their 
 valuable services in the cause of their 
 common country during the Revolu- 
 tionary war, are largely treated, and 
 the necessity of their separation from 
 the government of New York, in or- 
 der to maintain the title to their land 
 and preserve their liberty is very free- 
 ly shown. 
 
 Govenor Hall was very prominent 
 in his exertions to have a suitable cele- 
 bration of the Battle of Bennington 
 •and for the erection of a creditable 
 monument to the heroes of the victory, 
 and in securing for both the favorable 
 action of the state Jegislature, and also 
 in subsequently promoting their suc- 
 cessful accomplishment. A few months 
 before the celebration in 1877, he pre- 
 pared a clear and full description of the 
 battle with an account of its important 
 ■consequences which was extensivel}' 
 published in newspapers and pamphlets, 
 a copy of which has a place in the offi- 
 cial account of the Centennial Cele- 
 ''j ration. 
 
 The University of Vermont in 1859 
 -eonfered on him the degree of L L. D. 
 He was a life member and Vice Presi- 
 dent for Vermont of the New PZngland 
 Historic Geneological Society, honora- 
 Ty member of the Buffalo and corres- 
 ponding member of [the New 'York 
 Historical .'•ocieties. 
 
 THE GOVEROR's FAMILY. 
 
 HiLAND HALL of Bennington and 
 TROLLY TUTTLE DAVIS of Rockingham, 
 Vermont were married in 1818. 
 Children and grandchildren : 
 M. Carter Hall, born March 7th, 
 1820, married Sophia B. Deming, Apr. 
 20, 1844, died, June 15, 1881. His 
 •children were Frances Helen, who left 
 
 a son and daughter ; Samuel Baker, who 
 has four suns ; and Sophia Deming. 
 
 Eliza Davis Hall, born August 29, 
 1821, married Adin Thayer, Jr., Nov. 
 29, 1842, died, Aug. 10, 1843. 
 
 Henry Davis Hall, born May 5, 1823, 
 married Caroline E» Thatcher, March 
 24, 1847; his children, Eliza Davis, 
 who has four sons and one daughter ; 
 Charles Henry ; Caroline T., who has 
 three sons and one daughter; Hiland, 
 who left one son ; and William Carrol. 
 Hiland Hubbard Hall, born Jan. 19, 
 1825, married Jane A. Waters, Sep. 19, 
 1849, died, Dec. 9 1851, 
 
 Nathaniel B. Hall, born, September 
 2, 1826, married Martha B. Rouse, 
 Feb. 25, 1850; his children: Harriett 
 Bostwick, who has three sons; Hiland; 
 Harry R. who has one daughter ; Dolly. 
 Laura V. Hall, born, Jan. 27, 1828, 
 married Trenor W. Park, December 
 15, 1846, died, June 21, 1875; her 
 children: PJiza Hall, who has one son 
 and three daughters ; Laura H., who 
 has one son and one daughter; and 
 Trenor Luther. 
 
 John V. Hall, born, Feb. 10, 1831, 
 married Nelly E. Lyman, Sep. 5, 1860 ; 
 his children : Florence, who has one 
 daughter; and Edward J. He married 
 2d, Lucinda R. Holley, Dec. 30, 1880. 
 Charles Hall, born, Nov. 18, 1832, 
 married JaneE. Cady, September 1856, 
 child. Laura v., who has one daughter; 
 He married, 2d, Mina Phillips ; chil- 
 dren : Trenor Park, Mary Densy and 
 Charles H. 
 
 The Golden Wedding 
 
 of the HON. MR. & MRS. HILAND HALL 
 
 was celebrated at North Bennington, 
 October 27, 1868, from 2 to 5, P. M. 
 Golden Wedding Geusts, about three 
 hundred present : An early teacher of . 
 
BENNINGTON. 
 
 93 
 
 Mr. Hall, aged 85 years; two wh<t 
 were present at the first wedding, re- 
 spectively aged 73 years, 69 years. — 
 It appears Mr. Hall's was the fourth 
 generation to which successively had 
 been perniitted a golden wedding by a 
 kind Providence. 
 
 Rev. Isaac Jennings was presents 
 offering a prayer and reading Proverbs 
 the 31st chapter from the 10th verse 
 "with personal reference to Mrs. Hall, 
 the beautiful appropriateness of which 
 was warmly accorded by those pres- 
 ent, an illustration of verses 19 and 20, 
 being the scores of socks knit by her 
 from }'arn f;pun by herself and sent in 
 the packages with other comfortable 
 things to the soldiers in front during 
 the war. 
 
 The sixtieth anniversary of their 
 wedding came Sunday, October 1878, 
 their ages being respectively 83 and 86. 
 Crowned with another decade of years 
 since the grand anniversary, still more 
 venerable and happj', this precious an- 
 niversary was observed by attendance 
 on divine services at the Congegational 
 C'hiu'ch in" North Bennington of which 
 31 rs, Hall was a member. A very 
 beiutifully arranged basket of flowers 
 v.jis upon the table in front of the pul- 
 pit, the gift of very dear friends. At 
 the close of the sermon allusions were 
 made to the unusal length of time they 
 hnd been permitted to live together, 
 and fitting remarks were made, tend- 
 ing to impress the sacredness of the 
 marriage relation. 
 
 The parents of Mrs. Hall, Henry 
 Davis and Mary Tuttle lived together 
 
 sixty years, less three daj'S. 
 
 i\Irs. Hall had patriotic blood in her 
 veins. Her father was a Revolutionary 
 hero. He enlisted before he was 
 seventeen into the Revolutionary ser- 
 
 vice. He was at the Battle of Bunker 
 Hill under Colonel Stark, at the line of 
 fence where the enemy were repeatedl}^ 
 repulsed with great loss and also, served 
 at West Point at the time of Arnold's 
 treasonable attempt to surrender it to 
 the enemy ; serving in the Revolution- 
 ary war over three years. 
 
 Mrs. Hall, as a woman, was remark- 
 able for strength of mind and personal 
 beauty, and in company drew attention 
 b}'^ her high social qualifications. She 
 enjoyed the confidence and esteem of 
 her neighbors and friends, and richl}'^ 
 deserved the approbation she received 
 for her successful management in the 
 raising so large a family, mostly boj's, 
 her husband during the formation pe- 
 riod of their lives, being so much ab- 
 sent upon public, official business. She 
 never gi'ew old in her feelings, but en- 
 tered into the sports of her children 
 Avith a zest which carried them with 
 her in the object in which she consid- 
 ered such pastimes should be indulged 
 in, though a dignity was always main- 
 tained in the most familiar recreations 
 which tended to elevate. 
 
 The wants of the needy received her 
 attention, and by her benevolence and 
 uniform efforts she did much to en- 
 hance the comfort and happiness of 
 others. For nearly fiftj' years she was 
 an exemplary member of the Congrega- 
 tional church in Bennington, and died 
 confidently trusting in the t^ hristiaii's 
 hope. 
 
 THE NINETIETH BIRTHDAY 
 ( July 20, 1885. ) 
 
 of the now very venerable Governor 
 was celebrated at the residence of bis 
 grand-daughter, Mrs. J. G McCuUough 
 and her husband, Gen'l. McCullough, 
 there being present fift3'-one of his de- 
 scendants, while five more were de- 
 tained from the pleasant gathering. 
 
9-1 
 
 VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 
 
 The difference in the ages of the 
 oldest and the youngest was 89 years 
 and 8 months. The Bennington Ban- 
 ner of July 23d says of the occasion : 
 
 "None seemed to enjoy themselves 
 more than he whose birthday anniversa- 
 ry was thus celebrated. Although hav- 
 ing reached this advanced age, he still 
 retains his bodily health and vigor, 
 with all his mental faculties uninpaired. 
 Congratulations flowed in, in large 
 numbers, in many instances accompa- 
 nied by floral offerings, a great portion 
 coming from friends at Bennington 
 Centre, where the recipient spent the 
 larger part of his business and public 
 life. These offerings, seemed specially 
 grateful to him, coming as they did 
 from his old neighbors and their de- 
 scendants. An elegant basket of fruit 
 and flowers from a niece in Boston was 
 specially admired. Tables were spread 
 in the spacious dininir-room and hall, 
 and all were seated and entertained with 
 a banquet which did credit to the weU- 
 known hospitality of the host and host- 
 ess, the venerable Governor presiding 
 at the board, and enlivening it with his 
 humorous remarks. At each plate were 
 cards whereon a skillful and loving hand 
 had sketched in water colors a faithful 
 picture of the old homestead, and its 
 annexes still standing, and upon each 
 card a striking photographic likeness 
 of the common ancestor. 
 
 The repast being ended, the Govern- 
 or addressed his assembled descendants 
 with an interesting talk which will ever 
 be remembered by them, and which 
 brought the sons and grandsons, by 
 blood and marriage, one after another 
 to their feet, in a lively encountre of 
 wit and fun. The evening closed with 
 pleasant chat and social enjoyment, 
 when the geusts departed, every one 
 feeluig that it was good to be there, and 
 
 wishing that the useful and honored 
 life of their beloved ancestor might be 
 long spared to them and to his many 
 friends-" 
 
 Governor Hall died in Springfield, 
 Mass. at the home of his son, Charles, 
 with whom he was spending the winter, 
 Dec. 18, 1885. He retired, apparently, 
 in usual health on the night of the 17th 
 and was heard in the morning to open 
 the register for more warmth as was the 
 custom, when a fall attracted the at- 
 tention of the family; on going to the 
 room, he was unable to rise, but gave 
 directions for the caring for himself. 
 He lived about two hours, the ma- 
 chinery of the body seemingly having 
 worn out, he being in his 91st year. 
 His remains were taken to Bennington 
 and interred in the cemetry at Centre 
 Bennington, where he had for years 
 previously, a lot prepared, where his 
 beloved wife and most of his descend- 
 ants, deceased, have been buiied. 
 
 H. D. H. 
 FROM THE BENNINGTON BANNER 
 
 of the following week, — after the fu- 
 neral of Govenor Hall, — omitting gen- 
 erally, what has already been givcu in 
 the biography. — Ed. 
 
 "Within a day or two" of his death, 
 "autograph letters had been received 
 by the family here, and that morning, 
 his grand-daughter in New York, Mrs. 
 Gen. J. G. McCuUough, was in receipt 
 of one stating that he expected to be at 
 her house, as usual, on Christmas day. 
 In the postscript, he humorously an- 
 nounced the birth of his 22d great- 
 grand-child." "The day before his 
 death, he visited his son's store" — in 
 Springfield, Mass. — and in the even- 
 ing he wrote concerning business. On 
 Saturday," the 19th, "his remains were 
 brouo-ht to North Bennington. On 
 
BENNINGTON. 
 
 Monday morning, the obsequies were 
 jtttended from the residence of Gen. 
 MeCollough ... a large number going 
 over to North Bennington on a special 
 train, and peopk- from all the surround- 
 ing towns and from Rutland being pres- 
 ent. The Bar of the Count}' attend- 
 ed his funeral in a body ; the Rev. Isaac 
 Jennings otficiated. The hymns were 
 sung by Mr. and Mrs. N. B. Hall and 
 John V, Hall. The four sons acted as 
 bearers and laid the remains carefully 
 and tenderly away in the confident ex- 
 pectation of a blissful resurrection. 
 
 ''Henry Clark of Rutland contrib- 
 utes : "In all the relations Gov. Hall 
 has sustained to the country or state 
 he has acquitted himself with credit. — 
 As a judge, he was learned, upright 
 and impartial ; as member of the Mex- 
 ican claims in California, he saved the 
 government millions of dollars . . . 
 He retired, as he supposed, to his farm 
 in Bennington in 1854. When the Re- 
 publican party was born, 1854, 1856, 
 Governor Hall's retirement came to a 
 sudden end, and he represented Ver- 
 mont in the first National Convention 
 of the Republican party, which assem- 
 bled in Philadelphia in 1856 and placed 
 in nomination its first presidential tick- 
 et "Fremont and Dayton." He enter- 
 ed into the campaign with a will ai\d 
 was elected governor of this State in 
 1858, by the young party which was 
 created to shape the destiny of this Re- 
 public during the crucial period of its 
 history. . . In his first message to the 
 State Legislature, it appeared as it had 
 shone before in his public utterances, 
 he had "views" upon the famous Dred 
 Scott case, [page 90,] and was not like 
 many others, afraid to utter them, al- 
 though a Governor of a state could not 
 oflftcially effect anything other than to 
 create public opinion. This was, more- 
 
 95 
 
 over, a subject which was shuned by 
 professional politicians." -Throughout 
 his whole career,' he was : 
 
 "Amid the faithless, faithful found, 
 In times that tried men's souls." 
 
 "In the death of this venerable and 
 extraordinary man, Vermont loses one 
 of its most honored in public life and 
 most useful of her citizens. In all that 
 pertained to tne history of our State, 
 there was not his equal living : in abili- 
 ty to use these vast stores of research, 
 he had no superior. Having been in 
 public life more than half a centuary, 
 and constantly associated with the lead- 
 ing men of the nation, his school of ob- 
 servation was vast and varied. His 
 early taste for local history was a pas- 
 sion through life, and his ever active 
 and retentive memory made his mind a 
 vast store-house of historic knowledge. 
 He was acknowledged to be among the 
 leading historians in New England. 
 
 Men will speak of his death, not as 
 one of unexpected occurrence, nor with 
 the feeling that such events usually 
 inspire. Long has he been a living link 
 between the past and the present, with 
 one foot planted in eternity and one 
 uplifted for a waiting step into the spir- 
 it-land, — while they have been glad at 
 the lingering delay they have also wait- 
 ed for it in a ki nd of willing expecta- 
 tion, till they will go as pilgrims to his 
 tomb with no wailing of broken hopes, 
 but to cast the laurels of perpetual 
 gratitude into his sepulchre." 
 
 Governor Hall's "Earl}- History of 
 Vermont" . . is an almost invaluable 
 work. It is and will continue to be in 
 some form the standard text-book of 
 Vermont's early times. The modest 
 preface says : His aim has been to em- 
 body facts, and to state them with his 
 views in intelligible language without 
 making any pretensions to literary 
 
i,6 
 
 VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 
 
 merit." Some of these "views" were 
 to champion Ethan Allen, and to affirm 
 the national importance of the Battle of 
 Bennington, since conceded by all his- 
 torians. Governor Hall wrote the rec- 
 ord of Bennington in Mrs, Hemen way's 
 Gazetteer of Vermont, and in that work 
 there is a steel engraving of 'him in 
 his prime. He also wrote for the Ben- 
 nington Banner a "History of Ben- 
 nington Battle" which was published 
 during the centennial celebration and 
 which is with contemporary portrait 
 in Vermont's official pamphlet of the 
 centennial. . . A complete collection 
 of his writings would form a valuable 
 work . 
 
 Of his manhood's" days is said : His 
 life when not on official duty abroad was 
 passed in his Bennington home, the 
 centre of an unostentatious hospitality 
 which embraced the judges and chief 
 men of the State, as the old-time coun- 
 try living used to do. His associates on 
 thf Supreme Bench of Vermont, were 
 Judges : Stephen Ro3''ce, Isaac F. Red- 
 field, Milo L. Bennett, Daniel Kellogg, 
 Charles Davis and Luke P. Poland. — 
 The family residence is situated upon 
 the original Hall farm [of Thomas, of 
 Hiland Hall,]and both the i)resent man- 
 sion and the former unpretensious cot- 
 tage have Avitnessed many notable gath- 
 erings ; we mention three : the golden 
 wedding ... to which all the elderly 
 people in the vicinity were invited; the 
 sixtieth anniversary, and the birthday 
 reunion, July 20th of this year. [See 
 before.] 
 
 The Bennington County Bar held 
 an "In Memoriam" meeting at their 
 Court House on the evening of his 
 death. Several members spoke briefly 
 and feelingly. They voted to attend his 
 funeral as a body and appointed a com- 
 mittee of six to draft resolutions of 
 
 respect to be submitted to a meeting 
 to be held at Manchester, at the call of 
 the Chair, during the June term. The 
 
 Committee of Resolutions were : 
 
 Hon. Tarrant Sibley of Bennington 
 Centre, Hon. A. L. Miner of Manches- 
 ter, Hon. James K. Batchelder of Ar- 
 lington, Hon. Loveland Munson of 
 Manchester, AVm. B. Sheldon, Esq. of 
 Bennington, Thos. E. Brownell, Esq 
 of Pownal. 
 
 OF THE FUNERAL SERMON 
 
 Tlie Rutland Review said : 
 
 "Rev. Dr, Jennings, the intimate 
 and long time friend of the deceased, 
 delivered a markedly interesting dis- 
 course. I'Cviewing liis life, services and 
 character. He briefly sketched his an- 
 cestry, the struggles of his youth — no- 
 ting his public sevices in varied rela- 
 tions — and concluded with touching al- 
 lusion to the beautiful home life with 
 his children, grand-children and great- 
 grand-children as he sat a patriarch 
 among them. . . . The address was 
 relieved of over-wrought eulogy, it was 
 the simple narrative, descriptive of an 
 eminent man — coming from the heart 
 of an appreciative friend who stood as 
 among the siucerest mourners there. — 
 The eulogv could have come no more 
 fittingly than from the heart and lips of 
 Doct. Jennings, v.dio knew Governor 
 Hall's public and private life so well. 
 At the conclusion of the discourse, a 
 fervent, affectionate, tender prayer was 
 offered." 
 
 MEMORIAL RESOLUTIONS 
 Of The Bennington Historical 
 Society. 
 
 drafted BV rev. ISAAC JENNINGS. 
 READ, AND ACCEPTED, AUG. 30, 1=86. 
 
 Our duty as appointed to draft reso- 
 lutions expressive of the loss sustained 
 by this Society in the death of its 
 
BENNINGTON 
 
 d7 
 
 President, Ex-Gov. Hiland Hall sug- 
 gests to us affeectingly at the first a 
 special reference to his rare social char- 
 acteristics. His intense individuality 
 of judgement and conscience was com- 
 bined to a remarkable degree with kind 
 and frieudl^^ attentions to all. valuing 
 friendship, grateful to others, incessant 
 and unsparing in those things which 
 go far to make up the warm and true 
 relationship of mutual affection, esteem 
 and love. 
 
 Secondly. That he was an instructive 
 example to all of tireless and well-di- 
 rected industry, without which he could 
 not have accomplished all that he did. 
 We direct attention to his unflagging 
 exertions that we may have good read- 
 ing for our youth, and for our read- 
 ers in general; to his unwearied labors 
 in arranging and supplying and pre- 
 serving and perfecting as far as possi- 
 ble our important early local history — 
 so rich in incidents so grand in action, 
 and occupying so commanding a place 
 in the formation and preservation of 
 the National government. 
 
 Thirdly. The ethical spirit was a 
 dominating principle in him. It lead 
 him to love the right and the true as 
 he understood it, and to take his posi- 
 tion for the same, and to maintain it. 
 In political life, in Congress, and in 
 historical controversies, in the heat of 
 debate, he did indeed shun the bitterness 
 of the time, but he had strong conclu- 
 sions of his own arrived at by a re- 
 search which left no stone unturned, 
 no nook or corner uninvestigated ; and 
 he did his duty accordingly. It Avas 
 admirable and impressive to see bis 
 characteristic modesty and childlike- 
 ness of spirit, and yet, the indomita- 
 ble purpose of truth, and duty rising 
 with the occasion, growing more and 
 
 more tenacious, unyielding and deter- 
 mined. But especially did the respoi- 
 abilitiesand potentcies of the civil state 
 have a deep-felt power and charm for 
 him. This fitted him so well for civil, 
 public life, and lead him into it and on- 
 ward and upward in it to the exalted 
 public places of honor and trust in the 
 gift of the State. This fitted him for 
 making history as Avell as writing it. — 
 We cannot doubt that had he lived in 
 the days of Adams and Jefferson and 
 Richard Henry Lee, he would have been 
 an able and aj^preciated coadjutor with 
 them in the use of his pen and of his 
 earnest and inflexible voice and judge- 
 ment in public councils for the cause of 
 American independance ; for he had the 
 sentiment, penetration and the nerve 
 and the heart of fire if need be for the 
 patriot's supreme respcinsibilit}'. 
 
 Tlie dut}' of these resolutions is to 
 note in the briefest compass, certain 
 controlling elements in the character 
 and life of tlie distinguished subject of 
 them. We call special attention : 
 
 Fourthly, to his historic spirit. Gov- 
 ernor Hall AX as a born historian — and 
 it may be added with still more empha- 
 sis, a born Bennington and Vermont 
 historian. In these words we have sug- 
 gested what was pre-eminently the 
 theme and passion of his studies, of his 
 correspondence and other intercourse 
 with intelligent and scholarly men and 
 publishers and authors ; the object of 
 his visits to historical localities ; the 
 controlling subject of his thoughts, liis 
 researches and his literary life. This 
 drew him to the meetings of histori- 
 cal bodies, to the libraries of the land 
 where historical information suited to 
 his purpose could i>e obtained. It made 
 him the president and remarkably suc- 
 cessful chief manager of the Vermont 
 
98 
 
 VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 
 
 Historical Society for so many years. 
 It gave him prestige and authority with 
 historical socities elsewhere; notably, 
 those of Boston, New Ytu'k, and 
 "Washington. 
 
 His keen eye saw and his instinctive 
 judgement comprehended the connec- 
 tion between the past, the present and 
 the future ; between principles adopted 
 and their effect o:i the character and 
 life of the community, the common- 
 wealth and the nation for generations 
 and ages to come. With the practised 
 understanding and tlie patient and per- 
 severing interest of the true scholar, he 
 studied the past. He possessed a true 
 and absorbing interest in our leading 
 men; in our solemn public crises; in 
 our heroic undertakings ; in our grand 
 achievements ; in our sericnts public 
 questions and controversies and mo- 
 mentous issues. 
 
 We have felt justified in classing our 
 illustrious fellow-citizen with the gi'eat 
 men of our i evolutionary period, who 
 helped and did so much to make our 
 National history. There is another re- 
 semblance, as it is marked, to two of 
 them, aiamely, in that his life was pro- 
 tracted to an extreme old age which 
 was passed in much happiness and -'.om- 
 fort. The words used concerning them 
 in this respect could be applied with 
 propriety to the closing years of Gov- 
 ernor Hall. Says Sir. Webster, respect- 
 ing Mr. Jefferson or Mr. Adams, true 
 alike : 
 
 "From the time of his final retire- 
 ment from public life, Mr. Jefferson 
 lived as became a wise man surrounded 
 by his affectionate friends, his ardor in 
 the pursuit of knowledge undiminish- 
 ed. With uncommon health and un- 
 broken spirits he was able to enjoy 
 largely tlie rational pleasures of life. 
 
 and to partake of that public prosperi- 
 ty which he had so much contributed 
 to produce. 
 
 There was that in tliem which office 
 did not give and which the relinquish- 
 ment of office did not and could not 
 take aAvay. In their retirement in the 
 midst of their fellow citizens, they en- 
 joyed as high regard and esteem as 
 when filling the most important places 
 of public trust." 
 
 We need not say how beautiful and 
 appropriate tliese words of Mr. Web- 
 ster are if taken out of their immedi- 
 ate connection in which he used them 
 and applied to Hiland Hall. This it is 
 that is the sad thought of his death, it 
 has removed one whose long life up to 
 its prime and far beyond was the fitting 
 itself more and moie for the invalua- 
 ble tasks imposed upon it. But we bow 
 without one complaining word to the 
 over-ruling behests of an all wise and 
 all righteous God, and desire hum- 
 bly to record our gratitude for the re- 
 markable preservation of the faculties 
 of our friend — for the bright close of 
 his life's day, whose sun went down <it 
 length full orbed and unobscured. 
 
 REV. ISAAC JENNINGS. 
 
 BY HENRY D. HALL, ESQ. 
 
 (Coropilecl and arranged from notices in 
 the Bennington Bannei' and other sources.) 
 
 The Venerable and most worthy 
 Subject of this biography was born at 
 Trumbull, Fairfield County, Ct., July, 
 24,1822; while yet a mere lad, he re- 
 moved to Derby in that State, and 
 there his j^outh was passed. 
 
 He was educated in the old New 
 England manner, — an admirable sys- 
 tem by the way, — common school, 
 preparatory and collegiate course, grad- 
 uating from Yale in the class of 1837. 
 The thoroughness of this education is 
 
BENNINGTON. 
 
 99 
 
 apparent in all his future lite. In the 
 class of '37 were such men as the Hon. 
 Wra. M. Evarts of New York. Chief 
 Justice Morrison R. Waite of the Uni- 
 ted States Supreme Court, Hon. Ed- 
 wards Pierpoint, the late Samuel J. 
 Tilden and others. The fiftieth anni- 
 versary of this class this year was an 
 occasion of note in college circles. — 
 
 Mr. Jennings attended The 
 
 thoughtfulness of the pastor for his peo- 
 ple appeared even amid the festivities 
 of that occasion. His health was not 
 good; expressions of doubt, as lo his a- 
 bility to endure the fatigue induced him 
 soon after arriving in New Haven, to 
 write the Editor of the Banner that his 
 ■ friends here might know . . that he 
 was feeling well and also to giv^e an 
 outline of what was to be the enjoy- 
 ments of the commencement week. 
 
 As a key-note to Mr. Jennings fu- 
 ture career, from the point of his entry 
 upon active life ; we copy here some 
 rules of living with an explanatory note 
 from one of his sons: 
 
 "The longer I live the more I feel the 
 importance of adhering to the rules I 
 have laid down for myself in relation 
 to such matter? : 
 
 1st. To hear as little as possablc to 
 the prejudice of .others. 
 
 2d. To believe nothing of the kind 
 till I am absolutely forced to it. 
 
 3d. Never to drink in the spirit of 
 one that circulates an ill report. 
 
 4th. Always to moderate as far as I 
 can, the unkindness which is expressed 
 against others. 
 
 5th. Always believe that if the oth- 
 er side were heard a very different ac- 
 count would be given of the matter." 
 
 (The foregoing is a copy of a time- 
 
 worn newspaper cutting which has been 
 pinned up on one of Mr. Jennings' book 
 cases, in his study, ever since his fami- 
 ly can remember ; probably for more 
 than twenty years, and the rules there 
 stated have alr^'ays, it is bcHeved been 
 followed by him and are as character- 
 istic as almost any other thing.-F. b. j.) 
 
 With collegiate honors fresh upon 
 him, Mr. Jennings taught school in 
 Washington. Conn, in 1837, '38. He 
 had charge of the Hopkins Grammar 
 School in New Haven, in 1839, 40. In 
 this school, one of the students was 
 Dr. Timoth)' DAvight, now the revered 
 President of Yale University. Teach- 
 ing as a profession was not so much 
 thought of in this country at that day 
 and therefore, Mr. Jennings soon left 
 that calling foe his preparation for the 
 Christian ministry, studying theology 
 at New Haven, and Andover, graduat- 
 ing at AndoverTheo. Sem. in 1842. — 
 We believe though earnest in his church 
 work, he never lost his interest in 
 schools. In Akion, O. where he com- 
 menced his ministry, becoming pastor 
 of the Second Congregational Church 
 of that city, June 14, 1843, the ques- 
 tion of better schools was then being 
 agitated. Coming from' New England 
 to this then comparatively new West- 
 ern state, the young and energetic pas- 
 tor was pained at the low state of the 
 common schools of Ohio. He set a- 
 bout reform, and to his eff-)rts were 
 largely due the good results — the S3's- 
 tem inaugurated, that of the graded 
 schools, now so common everywhere. 
 In Akron he left so much of an im- 
 press upon their system of public edu- 
 cation that he has since been styled in 
 the Annual Reports of the Board of 
 Education of that city, "The Father 
 of our schools." 
 
 LofC. 
 
100 
 
 VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINPl 
 
 He was several years superinten- 
 dent — to the satisfaction of all — of the 
 schools for the town of Bennington. — 
 In his annual report, Apr. 1, 1876, he 
 gives the condition of each school build- 
 ing and the year's progress in every 
 district. As a key-note to his high 
 ideal of a teacher as the main instru- 
 mentality for the greatest improve- 
 ment, we quote : 
 
 "The teacher is the main thing, more 
 than school-house, more than wall- 
 maps, globes and other appliances for 
 illustration and other aid, though these 
 are more than the house. Solve the 
 problem of how to teach morality, by 
 the teacher who is selected and employ- 
 ed. Let the teacher be conspicuous and 
 influential in goodness, in refinement 
 and honor, and conscience. How the 
 memory of such teachers abides with 
 us. They are bright spots in the retro- 
 spect of our childhood days, and the 
 dajs of our early youth. There was a 
 power in their inteHigence, and good- 
 ness and kindness to us that made them 
 to 1)6 treasured in our memories, and 
 we ever love to think of them." 
 
 Feb. 17, 1847, Mr. Jennings was 
 married to Miss Sophia Day, just prior 
 to his removal to Stamford, Ct., where 
 he had received a flattering call to an 
 important church in his native State. 
 Mrs. Jennings, who survives her hus- 
 band, was born in Mansfield, O., July 
 31, 1826, and was married from the 
 home of her parents, Mr, & Mrs. Mat- 
 thias Day. Mr. Day was a native of 
 New Jersey, his wife, Sophia, a daugh- 
 ter of Judge Loomis of Thetford, Vt. 
 This union of two families was a happy 
 one. In all her husband's life work, 
 Mrs. Jennings has taken a lively inter- 
 est and rendered most efficient help. 
 
 Mr. Jennings was installed in Stam- 
 ford pastor of the first church where 
 he remained 6 years and came to Ben- 
 nington. Here the remainder of his 
 life was passed. 
 
 His long pastorate in this town forms 
 a beautiful picture of church life, where 
 a people have been lead out and in like 
 a shepherd and his flock, in a typical 
 "hill-side New England parish," as we 
 have heard Mr. Jennings, himself say 
 of other churches aitd other societies. 
 With repeated opportunities to go to 
 larger fields, and no doubt, with offers 
 of larger financial gains, he steadil}' re- 
 fused to leave his people in historic 
 Bennington, prefering to live and die 
 among them. In so doing his life as a 
 minister of the Gospel illustrates the 
 possibilities for good consequent upon 
 a more fixed tenure of the pastoral re- 
 lation, — with our bustling and chang- 
 ing American life an idea almost blot- 
 ted out; the true one in our estimation, 
 shown by the exceptions, among which 
 the present is most marked. 
 
 He succeeded such pastors as Rev. 
 Drs. Absolom Peters, Daniel A. Clark, 
 and Edward W. Hooker, among whom 
 in culture and influence, he shone with 
 lustre; and had for many years as asso- 
 ciates, in the near village of Benning- 
 ton, Rev. C.H. Hubbard, E.G. Reed and 
 C. B. Halbert, D. D. with whom he ev-. 
 er sustained the most helpful and kind- 
 est Christian relations. 
 
 Mr. Jennings travelled in Europe in 
 1859. . . . He returned with fresh vig- 
 or and enlarged powers to his life 
 work. As a clergyman he was a model 
 pastor to an eminent degree. It takes 
 a 4'emarkable man to be the love^l pas- 
 or of a Bennington church for a third 
 of a century, and at its close, to retain 
 he hold he had even then upon his 
 people. 
 
 The "Memorials of a centuary" is 
 probably the best known of any of 
 Mr. Jennings writings. It will go 
 down to posterity as a history of Ben- 
 nington as well as that of the Old First 
 
BENNINGTON. 
 
 101 
 
 Church. The pains-taking character of 
 the historian is shown in the large a- 
 mount of detail in the work. Geneal- 
 ogies are proverbial!}^ difficult to ob- 
 tain, and many errors will invariably 
 creep in, but the great value of the Me- 
 morials largely lies in this very charac- 
 teristic, which is divested of mistakes 
 to a wonderful degree. The sketches 
 of the early settlers therein are written 
 fearlessly and judiciously, and it is to 
 be regretted that a revised edition was 
 not published during the life time of 
 the author. 
 
 Mr. Jennings was a frequent con- 
 tributor to the religious press of his 
 denomination, and a not unknown vis- 
 itor in the local sanctum. The last wri- 
 ting he did was to prepare "An Ab- 
 stiact of Officials' Acts and Proceed- 
 ings," of the Battle Monument Associ- 
 ation, which was placed iu the corner 
 stone. 
 
 The people of all this vicinity have 
 gathered in the Old Church to hear an- 
 niversary discourses from its pastor. 
 
 [One of the most remarkable pulpit 
 efforts of Mr. Jennings was his Cen- 
 tennial Discourse delivered in the Old 
 Church on its one hundredth anniver- 
 sary, Jan. 4, 1863. The edifice was 
 crowded to its utmost capacity. Sing- 
 ers from the several churches in town, 
 assisted . . and notwithstanding the 
 discourse occupied more than two hours 
 in its delivery, and when one hour had 
 elapsed invitation was given by the 
 speaker for those who might wish to 
 retire from the audience, to do so, not 
 an individual left the house until the 
 conclusion, g. w. r. — ] 
 
 HIS RELATIONS TO THE BENNINGTON 
 BATTLE MONUMENT. 
 
 From the inception of the enter- 
 prise to erect a suitable battle monu- 
 
 ment, Mr. Jennings took great interest. 
 He Avas a member of the Association 
 and secretary of the Board of Directors. 
 
 HIS LAST PUBLIC ACT. 
 
 On the 16th of August, 1887, as the 
 rays of the western sun shone out 
 from cloud-rifts which had threatened 
 rain, facing the east, "the source of 
 light," a solemn stillness came over an 
 immense throng of people as an aged 
 clergyman stepped to the front to pro- 
 nounce the benidiction which was to 
 close the ceremonies of the laying of 
 the corner stone of the Bennington 
 Battle Monument. The face was a 
 familiar one to many of the thousands 
 who thus paused to receive his last 
 blessing. The picture will be engrav- 
 ed upon the minds of multitudes as 
 they read these lines for it was the 
 last public utterance ere those lips were 
 sealed and the freed spirit sped away 
 to Paradise. The occasion will be 
 
 memorable This benediction 
 
 closed the ceremonies of a Fraternity 
 which inculcates the immortality of the 
 soul and the resurrection of tiie body. 
 All that had preceded the last act had 
 been based upon this fundamental prin- 
 ciple of the Christian religion. The halo 
 of the rays of the departing sun 
 was prophetic of the end so soon to 
 come to one of the participators in this 
 historic event. The ground upon which 
 he stood was historic ; that upon which 
 the first 16th of August orator stood in 
 1778. Noah Smith was also a gradu- 
 ate of Yale. He had at that early day 
 predicted that succeeding generations 
 would know of the importance of the 
 conflict of the then previous year, and 
 in coming time would suitably mark the 
 spot. 
 
 HIS LAST PASTORAL ACT 
 
 was the marriage of one of his flock. 
 September 6, 1853, he married James 
 
102 
 
 THE VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 
 
 Manning and Jane E. Robinson, his 
 first mWriage in Bennington; Aug. 19, 
 1887, he married Harriet L. Morgan 
 and A. Buel Sibley, his last pastoral 
 act. His first funeral was that of Mrs. 
 Pliny Dewey of Bennington Centre, 
 who died, June 2, 1853, aged 72 years ; 
 the last that of Mrs. Benj. R. Sears, 
 July 5, 1887. 
 
 THE CHILDREN of the Rev. Isaac 
 Jennings familj^ ; six of whoip and 
 Mrs, Jennings, survive the death of 
 Mr, Jennings. 
 
 Isaac Jr. horn in Stamford, Ct., 
 Apr. 30,1848; gi-aduated at Williams 
 College. 1871 ; married to Mary E., 
 daughter of Rev. Stephen C. Leonard, 
 D. D. of Rushville, N. Y., Dec. 13, 
 1871 ; installed pastor of first Presby- 
 terian church, Elmira, N. Y., Dec. 4, 
 1884. 
 
 "Walter Loomis, born in Stamford, 
 Ct.,July6, 1850, died in Stamford, Ct. 
 Oct. 16, 1850, 
 
 Sophia Day. born in Stamford, Ct., 
 
 Aug. 4, 1851 ;died in Bennington, Jan. 
 
 11, 1861 ; a bright and interesting child 
 
 whose death was a sad affliction to her 
 
 parents. 
 
 Frederick Beach, an attorney, born 
 in Bennington, Aug. 6, 1854; gradua- 
 ted at Williams College, 1872 ; and 
 married to Laura H., daughter of Hon. 
 Trenor W. Park, July 27, 1880. 
 
 Matthias Day, born in Bennington, 
 Jan. 8, 1857 ; died in Bennington, Dec. 
 25, 1860. 
 
 Charles Green Rockwood, physician, 
 
 orn in Bennington, Nov. 17, 1859 ; 
 
 graduated at Harvard College, 1879 ; 
 
 married to Mary Jeannette, daughter 
 
 ci Iltn. A. Gardner, Sept. 8, 1885. 
 
 Robert Gould, born in Bennington, 
 Mar. 28,1862. 
 
 Philip Burton, born in Bennington, 
 Dec. 7, 1865. 
 
 William Bigelow, born in Benning- 
 ton, July 20, 1871. 
 
 THE DEATH OF REV. ISAAC JENNINGS 
 
 occurred, Aug. 25, 1887. He was not 
 confined to his bed but a few days be- 
 fore his death, but had been a great 
 sufferer at times for months prior from 
 a stone of large dimensions in the blad- 
 der. The stone was removed by Dr. 
 Cabot of Boston, the afternoon before 
 his death. He rallied for about two 
 hours and then sank under it. Thus at 
 the age of 72 years and one month, 
 with the vigor of life scarcely abated — 
 terminating a ministry of 34 years and 
 three months in the Old First Church — 
 has passed to his eternal rest, one who 
 had endeared himself to the town. . . 
 Voice through the press from 
 
 BENNINGTON CENTRE, SEPT. I. 
 
 Our Village has been shrouded with 
 gloom the past week, because of the 
 death of the beloved pastor, who has 
 gone in and out before us these many 
 3^ears. He broke for us the bread of 
 life; he baptised our children ; he had . 
 united our young men and maidens i" 
 marriage ; he had stood beside the 
 gi'aves of a whole generation, and giv- 
 en to stricken friends such consolation 
 as the gospel ot Christ alone furnishes, 
 in the kindest and most sympathetic 
 manner. He had lived a life of singu- 
 lar honest}" and purity and Christian 
 fidelity, and become a great factor in 
 the life of the people and possessed the 
 love and cor.fidence of all without re- 
 gard to age, race or sect. He has gone, 
 his prayers are ended, and all are ready 
 to say : "How is the strong staff" broken 
 andthe beautif-al rod!" Many would 
 be ready to despair if thej' did not re- 
 member how often thej'^ had heard him 
 
BENNINGTON. 
 
 103 
 
 say : "Let not your heart be troubled." 
 The funeral was attended Saturday 
 morning, the 26th from the Old First 
 Church which was draped, very taste- 
 fully by those that loved him ; — the 
 pulpit covered with black cloth looped 
 up with ])urple asters — in the back- 
 ground the motto in immortelles be- 
 tween the dates 1853 and 1 887, covering 
 the period of his ministry, "Faithful 
 unto death." The pulpit chair \va.«. 
 trimmed with white flowers sprayed 
 with ferns and surmounted by a beau- 
 tiful crown. The baptismal font held 
 a flower-anchor and white dove, very 
 beautiful. The choir gallery Avas also 
 heavily draped 
 
 At 10 o'clock, after prayer at the 
 parsonage by Dr. Pratt, the casket was 
 brought to the church — the five sons of 
 the deceased with the three deacons, 
 bearers. The remains laid in state until 
 11 o'clock, viewed by a large number 
 of sorrowing friends. At eleven, the 
 mourners seated, the choir sang : 
 
 "Cast thy burden on the Lord " 
 Scripture selections read and a touch- 
 ing prayer Ijy Rev. J. L. Harrington : 
 Hymn : 
 
 "Asleep in Jesus, blessed sleep! 
 
 From which none ever wake to weep." 
 
 Funeral sermon by Rev. Dr. P. S. 
 Pi'att of Dorset, a long-time and loved 
 friend of Mr. Jennings ; text, Ps. i-xvii, 
 VI, The address an able analysis of 
 the character of the deceased and a lov- 
 ing tribute to his memorv. 
 After the sermon, In'mu : 
 "Servant of God, well done! 
 Rest from thy loved employ." 
 
 A beautiful and tender prayer by 
 Rev. Dr. A. B. Lambert of Rupert. — 
 And after the leave-taking of the dear 
 departed he was carried amid the tears 
 of strong men to the cemetery and laid 
 in the Sfrave lined with everjrreens and 
 
 covered with beautiful flowers, ther« to 
 rest till the dawning of that eternal 
 Sabbath day, when he shall be re-unit- 
 ed with the loving ones gone before and 
 with those who shall come after, who 
 are now in the thick of the cares and 
 duties of life. 
 
 The committal service at the grave 
 was by Dr. Pratt ; the benediction by 
 Rev. Z. Marten of the Baptist church. 
 
 Mr. Jennings was the second of the 
 long line of pastors who have minis- 
 terd to the First church to be buried 
 here. "Parson Dewey," the first min- 
 ister, died nearly 109 years ago. 
 
 After the death of Mr. Jennings and 
 during the funeral services the flag of 
 the monument was kept at half staff, 
 and the resident members of the Mon- 
 ument Association attended the funeral 
 in a body. 
 
 A. II. 
 
 ••There- are times when with bowed 
 heads and hushed voices we recall the 
 words, "Be still and know that I am 
 God." Such a time has come to the 
 Old First Church. Upon the earth-side 
 how dark it is ! A broken household a 
 stricken church ; hearts often bereaved 
 aching with a new sorrow 
 
 We have had a beautiful summer, 
 it is true, there has been extreme heat, 
 but frequent sliowers kept vcgitation as 
 fresh as in spring time, foliage as lux- 
 uriant. Several weeks ago, we noticed 
 the approach of autumn. Golden rod 
 threw out its banner along the high- 
 way ; upon the mountain side an occa- 
 rional bright leaf whispered its proph- 
 ec}' of the gorgeous beauty which will 
 soon cover them. Our beloved pastor 
 had reached his autumn, but the long, 
 beautiful summer of life had so ripen- 
 ed and mellowed so gently, that even 
 the lambs of his flock did not realize 
 
104 
 
 VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 
 
 that it had past. His smile was so full 
 of sunshine, his words so replete with 
 cheerful hope. Thir!y-four years min- 
 istry have left an impress upon very 
 many lives and hearts, his work is not 
 ended, though he is ahseut from us- 
 The example of his earnest life, loving 
 counsel, his tender unfailing sympathy 
 and faithful pra3'ers will linger like a 
 benidiction through coming 3'eurs. . . 
 
 RESOLUTIONS: 
 
 BENNINGTON BATTLE MONUMENT 
 
 ASSOCIATION. 
 
 August 27, A. D. 1887. 
 Introduced by John V. Hall, 
 
 Unanimously adopted. 
 Whereas ; The Rev. Isaac Jennings 
 has, from the inception of the monu- 
 ment enterprise, been one of its 'most 
 active promoters, a member and secre- 
 tary of the Board of Directors, and 
 was at his decease Vice President of 
 the Association, and has been ever 
 ready to aid by his wise counsels, his 
 large influence, his earnest labors and 
 liberal contributions, in accomplishing 
 the objects of the Association, which 
 efforts on his part have ^been interrupt- 
 ed only by his death. 
 Therefore: Resolved that this Board 
 testifies most heartil}^ to the apprecia- 
 tion in which he was ever held by this 
 body, and to the irreparable loss which 
 the Association has sustained in his 
 death; and that it will ever be a pleas- 
 ant memory to us that his last public 
 utterances were given to the work so 
 dear to him, and which rendered him 
 additionall}^ dear to us ; and that by in- 
 voking the benediction of Almighty 
 God upon this work and upon the as- 
 sembled people, he most fittingly closed, 
 at once, the imposing ceremonies at 
 the laying of the monument's corner 
 stone and his own public life. 
 
 Resolved : That tlie Board of Direc- 
 tors and officers of the Association will 
 attend the funeral services in a body. 
 
 Resolved : That the foregoing min- 
 utes be engrossed and presented to the 
 widow of the deceased, and that cop- 
 ies be furnished to the lo(;al papers for 
 publication. 
 
 J. G. McCULLOUOGH. 
 
 President pro tern. 
 John V. Hall, Secretary pro tern. 
 
 From Obituary Notice 
 by rev. c. b. hulbert, d. d. 
 [In the Religious Herald, Hartford, 
 Ct., after a summary of his life. ] 
 
 "A pastorate at such an important 
 centre, and of the oldest church in the 
 State and prolonged for so many years, 
 is itself the highest commendation. — 
 In person, he was short and stout; had 
 a face in which intelligence, amiability, 
 wit and good fellowship contended for 
 the supremacy. In manner and voice, 
 he was gentle, sympathetic and win- 
 ning. As a preacher, his rank among 
 ministers was high; but at this point in 
 comparison with Iiis extraordinary pas- 
 toral service, he suffered. In his per- 
 sonal contact with men und in the 
 homes of his people, he was a power. 
 He ^\as a model husband and father. 
 His home was an ideal one. He filled 
 
 it with sunshine During his 
 
 pastorate an event occured that gave 
 Mr. Jennings an opportunit}- to dis- 
 close his gifts as a historian. In 1863, 
 his church celebrated its Centennial. 
 The historical discourse given by the 
 Pastor, at the time, overflowed its 
 bounds and soon after appeared in an 
 ample volume, giving the early history 
 of the town and of the celebrated bat- 
 tle. In this important service, Mr. 
 Jennings showed himself an accom- 
 plished historian. 
 
BENNINGTON. 
 
 105 
 
 It is an interesting and felicitous in- 
 cident that the last public service of this 
 revered and venerable pastor and histo- 
 rian should have been to pronounce 
 the benediction at the recent service 
 of laying of the corner stone of the 
 towering monument now asscending 
 on the sacred spot. All who have 
 known him as a man and a pastor, all 
 who will read his histor}" in coming 
 time, will recall his character as having 
 in it something of the solidity and 
 beauty of the ponderous shaft with 
 which it is unalterably ass(X?iated." 
 
 [The lOOth Anniversary Poem— page 74.] 
 
 VERMONT : 
 
 BY MUS. JULIA C. R. DORR. 
 1. 
 O. WOMAN-FORM, niajestic, strong and fair, 
 Sitting enthroned wlici-e in upper air 
 Thv mountain neaks in solemn grandeur rise, 
 i^'iercing tne splendor of the summer skies, — 
 V<;rniont our miglity mother crowned to-daj- 
 In all the glory of thy hundred years, 
 If thou dost bid me sing, how can I hut obey? 
 AVhat though the lips may tremble, and tlic 
 
 verse 
 That lain would grandly thy grand deeds re- 
 hearse 
 May trip and falter, and the stammering 
 
 tongue 
 Leave all unrhymed the rhymes that should 
 
 be sung ? , 
 
 I can but do thy bidding, as is meet. 
 Bowing in humble homage at thy feet— 
 Tliy royal feet— and if my words are weak, 
 O crowned One, 'twas thou didst bid me speak. 
 II. 
 Yet what is tliere to say. 
 Even on this proud day, 
 This day of days, that hath not oft been sung? 
 What song is there to sing 
 
 That hath not oft been sumg? 
 What laurel can we bring. 
 That Ages have not hung 
 A thousand times above their glorious dead? 
 What crown to crown the living 
 Is left us for our giving? 
 That is not shaped to other brows 
 That wore it long ago? 
 
 Our verj' vows but echo vows 
 
 Brcatlied centuries ago ! 
 Earth has no choi-al strain, 
 No sweet or sad refrain. 
 No lofty paan swelling loud and clear. 
 That Virgil did not know. 
 Or Dante wandering slow 
 In mystic trances did not pause to heax . 
 When gods from high Olympus came 
 To touch old Homer s lijis with flame. 
 The morning stars together sung 
 To teach their raptures to his tongue. 
 For him the lonely ocean moaned 
 For him the mighty winds intoned 
 Their deep-voiced clianting, and for him 
 Sweet flower-bells pealed in forests dim. 
 From earth and air and sky he caught 
 The spell of their divinest thought. 
 While yet it blossomed fresh and new 
 As Eden's rosebuds wet with dew! 
 Oh ! to have lived when earth was young 
 With all its melodies unsung! 
 The dome of Heaven bent nearer then 
 When gods and angels talked with men,— 
 When song itself was newly born, 
 The Incarnation of. the Morn ! 
 Cut now, alas! all thought is old, 
 All life is but a story told. 
 And poet-tongues are manifold; 
 And he is bold who tries to wake 
 Even for God, or country's sake 
 In voice, or pen, or lute or lyre 
 Sparks of the old Prometha?n flre ! 
 HI. 
 And j-et, — O Earth, thank God! — the .soul of 
 song 
 Is as immortal as the eternal stars! 
 O, trembling heart, take courage and be 
 strong. 
 Hark ! to a voice from yonder ci-ystal bars :— 
 "Did the roses blow last .June? 
 Do the stars still rise and set? 
 And over the crests of the mountains 
 
 Are the light clouds floating yet? 
 Do the rivers run to the sea 
 
 With a deep, resistless flow? 
 Do the little birds sing north and south 
 
 As the seasons come and go' 
 Are the hills as fair as of old? 
 Are the skies as blue and far? 
 Have j-ou lost the pomp of the sunset? 
 
 Or the light of the evening star? 
 Has the glory gone from the morning? 
 Do the wild winds wail no more? 
 
106 
 
 VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 
 
 Is there now no thunder of billows 
 Beating the storm-lashed shore? 
 "Is Love a forgotten story? 
 
 Is Passion a jester's theme? 
 Has Valor thrown down its armor? 
 
 Is Honor an idle dream? 
 Is there no pure trust in woman ? 
 
 No conquering faith in God? 
 Are there no feet strong to follow 
 
 In the paths the martyrs trod ? 
 "Did you find no hero graves 
 
 Wlien your violets bloomed last May- 
 Prouder than those of Marathon, 
 
 Or 'old Platea's day? 
 When your red, white and blue 
 
 On the free Avinds fluttered out. 
 Were there no strong hearts and voices; 
 To receive it with a shout? 
 Oh ! let the Earth grow old ! 
 And the burning stars grow cold! 
 And if you will declare man's story told ! 
 Yet pure as faith is pure, 
 As sure as death is sure. 
 As long as love shall live shall song endure !" 
 
 IT. 
 When one by one the stately, silent Years 
 Glide like pale ghosts beyond our yearning 
 
 sight. 
 Vainly we stretch our arms to stay their flight 
 So soon, so swift they pass to endless night! 
 We hardly learn to name them, 
 To praise them, or to blame them, 
 To know their shadowy faces. 
 Ere we see their empty places! 
 Only once the glad spring greets them 
 Only once fair summer meets them ; 
 Only once the autumn glory 
 Tells for them its mystic story ; 
 Only once the winter hoary 
 Weaves for them its robes of light ! 
 Years leave their work half-done; like men, 
 
 alas! 
 With sheaves uugathered to their graves they 
 
 pass. 
 And are forgotten. What they strive to do 
 Lives tor awhile in memory of a few ; 
 Then over all Oblivion's waters flow— 
 The years are buried in the long ago ! 
 But when a Century dies what room is there 
 
 for tears? 
 Rather in solemn e.xhaltation let us come, 
 AVith roll of drum, 
 (Not muffled as in woe,) 
 With blare of bugles and the liquid flow 
 
 Of silver clarions and the long appeal 
 
 Of the clear trumpets ringing peal on peal, 
 
 With clash of bells and hosts in proud array 
 
 To pay meet homage to its burial day ! 
 
 For its proud work is done. Its name is writ 
 
 \V here all the ages that come after it 
 
 Shall read the eternal letters blazoned high 
 
 On the blue dome of the impartial skj-. 
 
 What ruthless fate can darken its renown, 
 
 Or dim the lustre of its starry crown ' 
 
 On mountain-peaks of time each century 
 
 stands alone : 
 And each, for glory or for shame, hath reaped 
 what it hath sown. 
 V. 
 But this — the one that gave thee birth 
 A hundred years ago, O beauteous mother! 
 This mighty century had a mightier brother, 
 
 Who from the watching earth 
 Passed but last year! Twin-born indeed were 
 
 they,— 
 For what arc twelve months to the womb of 
 
 time 
 Pregnant with ages?— Hand in hand they 
 
 climbed 
 With clear, young eyes uplifted to the stars, 
 With great strong souls that never stopped for 
 
 bars. 
 Through storm and darkness up to glorious 
 
 day! 
 Each knew the other's need; each in his 
 
 breast 
 The subtle tie of closest kin confessed ; 
 Counted the other's honor as his own ; 
 Nor feared to sit upon a separate throne ; 
 Nor loved each other less when — wondrous 
 
 fate !— 
 One gave a Nation life, and one a State ! 
 
 VI. 
 Oh! rud6 the cradle in which each was 
 
 rocked, 
 The Infant Nation, and the infant State! 
 Rough nurses were the centuries that mockCfi 
 At mother-kisses and for mother-arms 
 Gave their young nurselings sudden, harsh 
 
 alarms. 
 Quick blows and stern rebuffs. They bade 
 
 them wait, 
 Often in cold and hunger, while the feast 
 was spread for others, and, though last not 
 
 least, 
 Gave them sharp swords for playthings, and 
 
 the din 
 Of actual battle for the mimic strife 
 
BENNINGTON. 
 
 107 
 
 That childhood glories in ! 
 
 Yet not less they loved them. Spartans they, 
 
 Who could not rear a weak, effeminate hrood. 
 
 Better the forest's awful solitude, 
 
 Better the desert spaces where the day 
 
 Wanders trom dawn to dusk and finds no life. 
 VII. 
 
 But over all the tireless years swept on, 
 Till side by side the centuries grew old, 
 
 And the young Nation, great and strong and 
 hold, 
 
 Forgot its early struggles in triumphs later 
 won! 
 It stretched its arms from East to West; 
 It gathered to its mighty breast 
 From every clime, from every soil. 
 The hunted sons of want and toil ; 
 It gave to each a dwelling-place ; 
 It blent them in one common race ; 
 And over all from sea to sea, 
 Wide flew the banner of the free ! 
 It did not fear the wrath of kings 
 Nor the dread grip of deadlier things- 
 Gaunt famine with its ghastly horde, 
 Dishonor sheathing Its foul sword, 
 Nor faithless friend, nor treacherous blow. 
 Struck in the dark by stealthy foe ; 
 For over all its wide domain. 
 From shore to shore, from main to main. 
 From vale to mountain -top, it saw 
 The reign of plenty, peace and law ! 
 VIII. 
 
 Thus fared the Nation , prosperous, great and 
 free. 
 Prophet and herald of the good to be ; 
 And on its humbler way in calm content. 
 The lesser State, the while, serenely w ent. 
 Safe in her mountain fastnesses she dwelt. 
 Her life's first cares forgot, its woes unfelt. 
 
 And thought her bitterest tears had all been 
 shed, 
 
 For peace was in her borders and God reigned 
 
 overhead. 
 
 IX. 
 
 But suddenly, over the hills there came , 
 A cry that rent her with griet and shame— 
 A cry from the Nation in distress. 
 Stricken down in its mightiness ! 
 With passionate ardor, up she sprang. 
 And her voice like the peal of a ti-umpet 
 
 rang,— 
 What ho! what ho! brave sons of mine, 
 Strong with the strength of the mountain 
 
 pine! 
 
 To the front of the battle, awayl away! 
 The Nation i.s bleeding in deadly fray, 
 The Nation it may be is dying to-day! 
 On, then, to the rescue, away ! awaj' ! 
 
 X. 
 Ah! how they answered let the ages tell, 
 For they shall guard the sacred story well! 
 Green grows the grass, to-day, on many a 
 battle-field ; 
 
 War's dread alarms are o'er; its scars are 
 
 healed; 
 Its bitter agony has found surcease ; 
 A re-united land clasps hands in peace. 
 But, Oh! ye blessed dead whose graves are 
 
 strown 
 
 From wliere our forests make perpetual 
 moan. 
 
 To those far shores where smiling Southern 
 
 seas 
 Give back soft murmurs to the fragrant 
 
 breeze,— 
 Oh! ye, who drained for us the bitter cup, 
 Think ye we can forget what ye have ofl"ered 
 
 up? 
 
 The years will come and go, and other 
 
 centuries die. 
 And generation after generation lie 
 Down in the dust; bit long as stars shall 
 shine. 
 Long as Vermont's green hills shall bear 
 the pine, 
 As long as Killington shall proudlj- lift 
 Its lofty peak above the storm-cloud's rift, 
 Or INIansfleld hail the blue, o'erarching 
 
 skies. 
 Or fair Mount Anthony in grandeur rise 
 So long shall live the deeds that ye havi^ 
 
 done. 
 So deathless be the glory ye have won ! 
 XI. 
 Not with exultant joy 
 And pride without alloy. 
 Did the twin Centuries rejoice when all was 
 o'er. 
 
 What though the Nation rose 
 Triumphant o'er its foes? 
 What though the State had gained 
 The meed of faith unstained? 
 Their mighty hearts remembered the dead 
 that came no more ! 
 Eemembered all the losses. 
 The weary, weary crosses. 
 Remembered that earth was poorer for the 
 blood that had been shed. 
 
108 
 
 VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 
 
 And knew that it was sadder for the story it 
 
 had read! 
 So clasping hands with somewlmt saddened 
 mien, 
 And eyes uplifted to the great Unseen 
 That rules alike o'er centuries and men, 
 Onward they walked serenely towards the 
 end! 
 
 XI. 
 One reached it last year, Ye remember well, 
 The wondrous tale there is no need to tell- 
 How the whole world bowed down beside its 
 
 bier. 
 Heaping their treasures on its mighty pall- 
 Never had kingliest king such funeral! 
 Old Asia rose and girding her in haste, 
 Swept in her jeweled robes across the waste, 
 And called to Egypt lying prone and hid 
 Where waits the sphinx beside the pyramid; 
 Fair Europe came with overflowing hands, 
 Bearing the riches of her many lauds; 
 Dark Afric, laden with her virgin gold, 
 Yet laden deeper with her woes untold ; 
 Japan and China in grotesque array, 
 And all the enchanted islands ot Cathay! 
 
 xni. 
 
 To-day the other dies, 
 
 It walked in humbler guise. 
 Nor stood where all men's eyes 
 
 Were fixed upon it. 
 Earth may not pause to lay 
 
 A wreath upon its bier. 
 Nor the world heed to-day 
 Our dead that lieth here! 
 Yet well thej' loved each other- 
 It and its gre ater brother. 
 To loftiest stature grown. 
 
 Each earned its own renown ; 
 Each sought of Time a crown. 
 And each has won it. 
 XIV. 
 But what to us are centuries dead. 
 And rolling years forever fled, 
 Compared with thee, O! grand and fair 
 Vermont— our goddess-mother? 
 Strong with the strength of thy verdant hills. 
 Fresh with the freshness ot mountain rills, 
 Pure as the breath of the fragrant pine, 
 Glad with the gladness of youth divine. 
 Serenely thou sittest throned to-day 
 Where the free winds that round thee play 
 Rejoice in thy wav^ of sun-bright hair, 
 
 O! thou, our glorious mother! 
 
 Rejoice in thy beautiful strength and say 
 
 Earth holds not such another! 
 
 Thou art not old with thj' hundred j^ears, 
 Nor worn with toil, or care, or tears; 
 But all the glow of the summer-time 
 Is thine to-day in thy glorious prime ! 
 Thy brow is fair as the winter snows, 
 With a statelj' calm in its still repose ; 
 While the breath of the rose the wild bee sips 
 Half-mad with joy, cannot eclipse 
 The marvellous sweetness of thy lips; 
 And the deepest blue of the laughing skies 
 Hides in the depths of thy fearless eyes, 
 Gazing afar over land and sea 
 Wheiever thy wandering children be ! 
 
 Fold on fold, 
 Over thy form of grandest mould, 
 Floweth thy robe of forest green, 
 Now light, now dark, in its emerald sheen. 
 Its broidered hem is of wild flowers rare, 
 With feathery fern-fronds light as air. 
 Fringing its borders. In thy hair 
 • Sprays of the pink arbutus twine. 
 And the curling rings of the wild grape-vine ; 
 Thy girdle is of silver streams; 
 Its clasp with the opaline lustre gleams 
 Of a lake asleep in the sunset beanis; 
 And half-concealing 
 Aud half-revealing. 
 Floats over all a veil of mist 
 Pale tinted witli rose and amethyst. 
 XV. 
 Rise up, O' noble mother of brave sons. 
 Worthy to rank among earth's mightiest ones 
 And daughters fair and beautiful and good, 
 Yet wise and strong in loftiest womanhood. 
 Rise from thy throne, and standing far and 
 
 high 
 Outlined against the blue, adoring sky, 
 Lilt up thy voice and stretch thy loving hands 
 In benidietion o'er the waiting lands ! 
 Take thou, our fealty, at tby feet we bow. 
 Glad to renew each oft-repeated vow! 
 No costly gifts we bring to thee, to-daj-; 
 No votive wreaths upon thy shrine we laj-; 
 Take thou, our hearts, then! hearts that fain 
 
 would be 
 From this dav forth. O goddess, worthier thee. 
 
 [Space promised Gov. Hall on Bennington 
 doubled,— we suspend— while the large vol- 
 ume of Bennington Town Histoi-y under the 
 happy auspices of their Historical Society is 
 being" finished up— withdraw to Notes bv the 
 Path of the G.\zettefr, Vol. ii. issued about 
 quarterly- now, theiin at tlie old Gov. Hall 
 farm-house ;- with mss. at s'd. quarters : James 
 Breakenridge farm and family; Papers, yet 
 more of the four old governors and their wives 
 that lie 'line in line' in the oUl Revolutionary 
 grave-yard at Bennington Centre : Robinson, 
 Ticheiior, Robinson, Hall ; Parson Dewey, etc. 
 
 Thanks for portrait of Gen. Stark to 
 EdsonC. EJistman, of Concord N. H. 
 
 LP Fe '07 
 
THE LOCAL HISTORY 
 
 — : OF : — 
 
 BENHIHGTON, 
 
 1860—1883. 
 
 The Military, Hi storij of the County, 
 
 BY HON. HILAND HALL, GOV., M. C. 
 
 WITH PAPKRS ON BENNINGTON BATTLE, O/ i ..JO JNT TAVERN, 
 POST-OFFICE, VILLAGE STRIFES IN THE TCWN OF BENNINGTON 
 FROM 1784 TO 1883, and BENNINGTON FREE LIBRARY, ETC. 
 
 With the Biographij of GoYernor Hall 
 
 FROM THE FAMILY AND OTHERS: 
 
 AND FURTHER ACTION IN REGARD TO 
 
 The Bennington Monument 
 
 IN WHICH HE TOOK A PROMINENT PART, 
 
 BY HENRY D. HALL, ESQ. 
 
 WITH 
 
 BENNINGTON VILLAGES: 
 
 BENNINGTON, NORTH BENNINGTON, 
 BENNINGTON ' CENTRE, 
 
 AND THEIR INDUSTRIES. 
 
 ABBY MARIA HE MEN WAY, Editor. 
 
 [ NO. 29 NEWBURY AVE. ] 
 
 CHICAGO : PRICE 75 CENTS. 
 
1