FIEST REUNION 
 
 OF THE 
 
 [• SONS OF VEEMONT, 
 
 AT 
 
 WORCESTER, MASS., FEBRUARY lOth, 1874. 
 
 ADDRESS 
 
 OF 
 
 HON. CLARK JILLSON; 
 
 TOGETHEK AVITII 
 TOASTS, SENTIMENTS, SPEECHES, POETRY and SONG. 
 
 SPECIALLY REPORTED FOR PUBLICATIOX. 
 
 
 Cf', 
 
 ^ WORCESTER : 
 PRIXTED BY CHARLES HAMILTON, 
 PALLADIUM OFFICE. 
 187-1. 
 
f'T 
 
 FIRST REUNION 
 
 OF TUE 
 
 SONS OF YEEMONT, 
 
 AT 
 
 
 WOECESTER, MASS., FEBRUAEY 10th, 1874. 
 
 ADDEESS 
 
 OF 
 
 HON. CLARK JILLSON; 
 
 TOGETHER WITH 
 
 TOASTS, SENTIMENTS, SPEECHES, POETRY and SONG. 
 
 SPECIALLY REPORTED FOR PUBLICATION. 
 
 
 
 i> WORCESTER : 
 PRINTED BY CHARLES HAMILTON, 
 
 PALLADIUM OFFICE. 
 1874. 
 
SONS OF VERMONT. 
 
 OFFICERS OF THE ORGANIZATION 
 
 President. 
 Hon. CLARK JILLSON, of Whitingliam. 
 
 Vice Presidents. 
 SAMUEL E. HILDRETH, of Brattleboro. 
 IRA G. BLAKE, of Peacham. 
 
 Secretary. 
 SAMUEL V. STONE, of Eden. 
 
 Treasurer. 
 JAMES S. ROGERS, of Danbj. 
 
 Executive Committee. 
 RANSOM M. GOULD, of Newfane. 
 JAMES J. RUSS, of Hartland. 
 CHARLES G. PARKER, of Wolcott. 
 EDWARD L. SPALDING, of Sharon. 
 GEORGE L. BLISS, of Wliitingham. 
 
A D D E E S S. 
 
 Ladies and Gentlemen^ 
 
 Sons and DaugJders of Yermoni : 
 
 Whatever may have beeu the inclination of my fellow citizens 
 of Massachusetts to place me under obligations to them for 
 honors conferred, or for any mark of respect heretofore shown 
 in private or public life, I have never been impressed by a more 
 profound sense of gratitude than I now feel for being permitted 
 to act as presiding officer of an organization embracing so large 
 a number of the intelhgent sons and daughters of Vermont. 
 
 We come here to renew and perpetuate the memory we 
 cherish of our native land. It has been said that "he who 
 forgets the fountain from whence he drank, and the tree under 
 whose shade he gambolled in the days of his youth, is a stranger 
 to the sweetest impressions of the human heart." 
 
 This social gathering, in this beautiful city of our adoption, 
 bears the strongest evidence that we have not forgotten, even in 
 our mature years, the home of our childhood, where we were 
 first touched by an inspiration which no otlier nativity could 
 produce. Those beautiful valleys, teeming with the results of 
 persistent enterprise ; those rugged hills and mountains, whose 
 sides are furrowed by the clear waters of the restless streams that 
 leap and foam and ^\\n6. through the lowlands like silver threads; 
 those primeval forests, whose icy branches catch the first light 
 
of the morning sun and glimmer and sparkle like a universe of 
 diamonds set in burnished steel, and, in the sober autumn, 
 scatter their dying foliage tinged with the splendor of a thousand 
 hues, cannot fail to quicken the imagination and inspire a last- 
 ing reverence for the Green Mountain State. 
 
 Vermont was discovered in the spring of 1609 by Samuel De 
 Champlain, who left Quebec with a party, composed of French 
 and Indians, for the purpose of exploring the country. 
 
 They followed up the St. Lawrence and Sorel rivers till they 
 reached a large lake which was then named Champlain. They 
 also discovered another lake which was named St. Sacrament, 
 now known as lake George. Upon the shores of this lake they 
 met a powerful tribe of Indians, and then and there a battle 
 was fought, Champlain and his men being victorious. 
 
 More than a century elapsed before any settlement was made, 
 and during this time northern Vermont became and was the com- 
 mon battle-ground of various Indian tribes belonging to New 
 England and New York. This was also a period of conquest of 
 the most appalling character. The massacre at Salmon Falls, 
 Schenectady, Deerfield and other places, gave general alarm, and 
 the lives of the early settlers were in constant peril. 
 
 In 1723, Fort Dummer was constructed near Brattleborough, 
 and there the first settlement commenced. But little progress 
 was made till about 1760, when a large number of adventurers 
 from Massachusetts and Connecticut turned their faces towards- 
 the Northern Star and sought new homes where the foot of civil- 
 ized man had never trod. At this time the entire country west 
 of the Connecticut River, north of Massachusetts, was known only 
 by the name of "New Hampshire Grants," and Benning Went- 
 wortli, Governor of that colony, was disposing of these lands to 
 the settlers, reserving five hundred acres in each township, 
 whereby he was becoming immensely rich. 
 
The Governor of New York issued a proclamation, Dec. 28, 
 1763, claiming all the territory granted by Charles II. to the Duke 
 of York, and directed the sheriff to return the names of all those 
 who had settled west of the Connecticut Iliver under titles 
 obtained from Xew Hampsliire. This proclamation was met by 
 one from Gov. Wentworth on the 13th of March, 1764, in which 
 he declared the grant to the Duke of York to b3 void, and as- 
 serted that ISTew Hampshire extended as far west as did Massa- 
 chusetts. He told the settlers not to be intimidated, but to go 
 forward in defence of their rights, and punish all disturbers of 
 the peace whoever they might be. 
 
 New York applied to the Crowu, by sending a spurious peti- 
 tion, alleged to be from the settlers themselves, praying to be 
 annexed to New York. New^ Hampshire made no objection, and 
 on the 20th day of July, 1764, the King ordered and declared 
 "the western banks of the Iliver Connecticut, from where it 
 enters the province of the Massachusetts Bay, as far north as the 
 forty-fifth degree of northern latitude to he the boundary line be- 
 tween the said two provinces of New Hampshire and New York." 
 The people supposed the words "to be" were only intended to 
 express the future, without reference to the past ; but when the 
 New York government undertook to eject the settlers from their 
 lands, every case was decided against them, and the courts ruled 
 tliat the New Hampshire grants were illegal and worthless. The 
 people were very ranch oppressed and some bought their lands a 
 second time, hoping thereby to avoid litigation and expense. At 
 length tliey began to associate together for mutual defence, and 
 to resist the courts and officers of New York. Meetings and 
 conventions were held, and resolutions adopted by both parties 
 full of the spirit of revolution. Under the leadership of Ethan 
 Allen, Remember Baker and Seth Warner, the Yermonters 
 organized armed resistance to the oppression of New York, and 
 
every officer who undertook to enforce a process of ejectment 
 was stripped, tied to a tree and whipped with a l)eech rod, which 
 was called the "heech seal." 
 
 This trouble lasted for ten years, and was carried on in a spirit 
 of extreme bitterness and revenge throughout the State. Al- 
 though it had a tendency to retard civilization, it aroused a spirit 
 of courageous self defence, so much needed a few years later in 
 the great struggle for American independence. 
 
 At length the Governor of New York issued a proclamation 
 commanding Ethan Allen, Seth Warner, Remember Baker, Rob- 
 ert Cochran, Peleg Sunderland, Silvanus Brown, James Breaken- 
 ridge and James Smith to surrender themselves within thirty 
 days under pain of conviction of felony and death, without 
 benefit of clergy, and offering a bounty of one hundred and fifty 
 pounds for the capture of Allen, and fifty pounds for each of the 
 others. One John Monroe, thinking to secure a reward, collected 
 together twelve or fifteen Yorkers and appeared at Baker's house 
 in Colchester, early in the morning, March 22, 1772. They 
 broke down the door and attacked Baker and his wife in a most 
 savage and brutal manner. One of Mrs. Baker's arms was so 
 severely cut that she never recovered the use of it. Baker had 
 one of his thumbs cut off", the cords upon his hands severed and 
 was otherwise bruised and wounded. He was then put hito a 
 sleigh and threatened with instant death if he made any noise. 
 In this condition he bid farewell to his wife and children, being 
 told by ^^onroe that he would be executed at Albany, and never 
 return to them again. Before he reached Albany he was rescued 
 by the Green Mountain boys and returned home. To match this 
 offer of reward the leading spirits of Yermont offered a counter 
 reward for the apprehension of the Attorney General of New 
 York, and sent a sarcastic and defiant document to Governor 
 Tryon, saying that "printed sentences of deatli were not very 
 
alarmiug;" and notitied him that if he sent on his executioners, 
 they would try titles and determine who the criminals were and 
 who should die lirst, — and intimated that in case there was any 
 scalping to he done they were read}" to try a hand. at it. This 
 remarkable document was signed by Ethan Allen, Baker and 
 others, and had appended to it some rhymes ridiculing the 
 
 ' • Act which doth exact 
 Men's lives before they're try'cl." 
 
 At this time Guilford, in Windham County, was the most 
 populous town in the State ; l)ut a majority of the inhabitants in 
 that vicinity were opposed to the independence of Yermont, and 
 in favor of Kew York. At their town meetings committees 
 were appointed to defend the town against the "pretended State 
 of Yermont," and to resist the constable in attempting to collect 
 the taxes or perform other legal duties. 
 
 The "New Yorkers" in Guilford were able to secure majori- 
 ties at their town meetings by excluding their opponents from the 
 polls by an armed force, till at length each party had a town 
 organization, which resulted in the election of two sets of town 
 officers, one professing allegiance to Yermont and the other to 
 New York. 
 
 Law and order were disregarded to an alarming extent. Phy- 
 sicians were not allowed to visit the sick without a pass from the 
 committees, and neighbors and relatives met each other in hostile 
 array. While this state of affiiirs existed, in the summer of 
 1783, Ethan Allen was directed to call out the muitia for 
 enforcing the laws of Yermont, and for suppressing insurrection 
 and rebellion in Windham County. Allen proceeded from Ben- 
 nington to Guilford with one hundred men, and there issued the 
 following proclamation: "/, Ethan Allen, declare that unless 
 the peojile of Gallford peaceably submit to the authority of 
 Vermont, the toicn shall be made as desolate as ice re the cities 
 
of Sodom and Gomorrah.'''' This summary way of proclaiming 
 martial law had its effect, and rendered the collectiou of taxes 
 comparatively easy while Alleu remained in Guilford. 
 
 While this contest was going on, the revolution between the 
 American colonies and Great Britain assumed such proportions 
 as to divert general attention from the troubles in Yermont, and 
 this alarming controversy was indefinitely postponed. 
 
 In 1776, the inhabitants of Yermont petitioned the provincial 
 Congress, then in session at Philadelphia, for admission into the 
 confederacy, but they were unjustly, and in a spirit of malice, 
 opposed by New York and obliged to withdraw. 
 
 On the 15th day of January, 1777, Yermont took a bold step, 
 illustrative of the character of her people, by declaring her inde- 
 pendence to all the world. She then applied again to be admit- 
 ted into the confederacy. Congress delayed and pursued a vacil- 
 lating course towards the people of this new province. 
 
 The Yerraonters began to feel as though they were forever to 
 remain an independent State ; and the old song that had cheered 
 so many brave hearts in the early times was still rehearsed at 
 every fireside : 
 
 "Ho! all to the borders, Vermonters come down, 
 With your breeches of deerskin and jackets of brown. 
 With your red woolen caps, and your moccasins, come. 
 To the gathering summons of trumpet and drum. 
 
 Come down with your rifles — let grey wolf and fox 
 Howl on in the shade of their primitive rocks ; 
 Let the bear feed securely from pig pen and stall — 
 Here's a two-legged game for your powder and ball. 
 
 Leave the harvest to rot on the field where it grows. 
 And the reaping of wheat to the reaping of foes ; 
 Our vow is recorded, our banner unfurled — 
 In the name of Vermont, we defy all the world!" 
 
 While this matter was under consideration the British officers 
 were using every eftbrt within their power to entice the Yer- 
 
monters to strike bands witli Great Britain ; l)ut they were not 
 made of the right material to be bought or sold, and the effort to 
 win them over to the (Jrown was made in vain. 
 
 The troops sent to invade Vermont were furnislied with ample 
 employment and no little expensive amusement by Allen and his 
 associates, who made them swallow their own conceit, while the 
 revolution was progressing in other parts of the country. 
 
 In 1781, Congress offered to admit Vermont under certain 
 restrictions, but the people refused, and remained outside the 
 union for eight years longer, fully determined to maintain their 
 independence or be permitted to stand upon an equal footing 
 with all the other States, Finally the people consented to pay 
 Kew York the sum of $30,000, and thereupon a final settlement 
 was made; a long, bitter and perplexing controv^ersy amicably 
 settled, the "Bennington Mob" reduced to profound (piiet, and 
 Yerraont admitted into the union. Tins grand struggle for hon- 
 orable recognition on the part of Vermont culminated on the 
 fourth of March, 1T91, eighty-three years ago, it being the first 
 State admitted under the federal constitution. 
 
 The Seal of the State of Vermont was first engraved upon a 
 horn drinking-cup, ^\^th a jack-knife, by an English ofiicer wlio 
 frequently and secretly visited Gov. Chittenden. During one of 
 these visits, he took a view from the west window of the 
 Governor's house of a wlieat field in the distance, beyond which 
 was a knoll with one solitary pine upon its top, which view he 
 engraved upon this cup. The engraved cup attracted the atten- 
 tion of Ira Allen, who adopted its device as the State Seal. 
 
 During tliis entire contest, embracing the time occupied by the 
 revolution, Vermont, — though unfavorably located upon the 
 northwestern frontier, without an ally, surrounded by hostile and 
 treacherous tribes, constantly agitated by internal strife, often 
 upon the verge of civil war, — maintained her independence 
 
10 
 
 before the world, and made an enviable record in the great 
 conflict for American Liberty. The "Green Mountain Boys" 
 distinguislied themselves in some of the most important battles 
 of the war, and wlierever they planted their standard it became 
 a signal of victory. The daring feat of Ethan Allen in tlie 
 capture of Ticonderoga on the tenth of May, 1775, with but 
 eighty-three men, and the success of Col. Warner in seizing the 
 garrison at Crown Point on the same day, together with the 
 surprise and capture of a sloop of war at St. Johns by general 
 Arnohl, have made the history of Yermont famous among the 
 annals of the revolution. The taking of Ticonderoga, the 
 stronghold of the enemy upon the lake, with its hundred pieces 
 of cannon, together with its trained officers and soldiers, wdthout 
 the loss of a single man, thrilled the colonies with joy. Language 
 fails to portray with any accuracy that thrilling scene. 
 
 It was a beautiful May morning. The first gleam of day had 
 commenced to change the sombre hues of the gray east. The 
 opal buds of the white maple upon the borders of the lake were 
 waiting for the early tints of the rising sun. The forest was 
 melodious with the song of birds, whose sweet voices echoed 
 across the placid waters. A little band of " Green Mountain 
 Boys" had made a forced march from Bennington and spent the 
 night on the eastern shore of the lake, directly opposite the Fort. 
 The country they had traversed was a wilderness. They were 
 wthout map, or chart, or compass. Their expedition had not 
 been planned by an educated engineer, but they were prepared 
 to meet the issues of the moment with fidelity, courage and self- 
 devotion to the cause of liberty. No orders had been sent from 
 the war department for them to obey even 
 
 " Though some one had blundered." 
 They were not the graduates of an}- military school, nor controlled 
 by any rigid rules of discipline except such as common sense and 
 
11 
 
 ffood ind<rment would dictate. Ethan Allen was their eomniaiul- 
 er. He managed to cross the lake with eighty-three men and 
 sent the boats l)ack for the rear guard, but found it necessary to 
 make the attack at once, while more than half of his command 
 were on the eastern shore. lie drew his men up in line and made 
 a brief but characteristic speech, saying, '"''I now j^^'ojjose to ad- 
 vance before you, and hi person conduct you through the ivicket 
 gate. We must this i nor ning either quit otir jjretensions to' valor, 
 or 2^ossess ourselves of this fortress in a few mi?iutes.'''' 
 
 The garrison was asleep, except the drowsy sentry who care- 
 lessly paced to and fro npon the ramparts, nnconscious of his 
 fate. Allen and his men marched directly to the wicket-gate. 
 The sentry there snapped his gun but it missed fire and he 
 retreated into the fort followed by the " Green Mountain Boys," 
 who gave a loud cheer that rang like the voice of victory through 
 and among the barracks. Allen ordered the commander, Capt. 
 De La Place, to come forward and deliver up tlie fort instantly. 
 He asked l)y what authority this demand was made, to w'hich 
 Allen replied, "7?i the name of the great Jehovah, and the Con- 
 tinentcd Congress^ The fort was unconditionally surrendered, 
 and before twilight's rosy fingers had tinged the borders of the 
 golden west, Etlian Allen was master of Lake Champlain. 
 
 Had I the time to delineate the long list of brilliant military 
 achievements, performed by the patriotic sons of Yei-mont in the 
 days of the revolution, during the war of 1812, or even in the 
 late rebellion, I have no doubt you would remain willing listen- 
 ers ; but I am reluctantly compelled to pass over them by alhiiion 
 only. The mere mention of Hnbbardton, Bennino-ton, Sara- 
 toga or Plattsburgh, cannot fail to meet a response from the 
 heart of ev^ery descendant of those stern men and women who 
 devoted their lives and their fortunes to the defence of the north- 
 western frontier. And when we come down to more recent 
 
12 
 
 times and cast a glance over the period occupied by the slave- 
 hohler's rebellion, we still find the "Green Mountain Boys" in 
 the front ranks of the Ariny of Freedom, adding fresh glor}' to 
 the bright record of our native State. Whoever reads an 
 account of the battle of Gettysburg, the great charnel-house of 
 the rebellion, will not fail to notice the exposed position of the 
 two thousand Yernionters, belonging to the invincible Vermont 
 Brigade, the history of which is not inferior to that of "the noble 
 six hundred," who perished on the field of Balaklava. It was 
 stated by the rebels after the battle was over that what ruined 
 them was Stannard's Brigade ; and Gen. Doubleday, testifying 
 before the Committee on the Conduct of the War, says that 
 "the wing '^f the enemy which was met by Stannard's brigade 
 began to retreat, and thus the day was won, and the countiy 
 saved." 
 
 The history of Vermont is full of thrilling incidents, and I 
 might occupy your time for hours in relating such as have been 
 preserved as matters of historical record ; and go on still further 
 with a long list belonging only to the annals of tradition. But 
 hoping that hereafter we shall all become more interested and 
 fVimiliar with the details of the history of our native State, I shall 
 but briefly allude to the topics now under consideration. 
 
 In 1785 the Legislature of Vermont granted to Reuben Har- 
 mon, Jr., of Bupert, the exclusive right to coin copper . mone}^ 
 within the State, for two years r and no coin, manufactured by 
 him, was to weigh less than one-thii'd of an ounce, Troy weight. 
 William Bnel, who had been connected with the Connecticut 
 mint, at New Haven, arrived in Rupert about this time, and 
 associated himself with Harmon in the business of coinage. The 
 forming of this co-partnership, thereby securing the services of 
 an experienced workman, added much to facilitating the business 
 of the company. But there was a circumstance connected with 
 
13 
 
 the life of Bael that had its effect upon the coinage of Vermont. 
 Wliile he was at work in New Haven, liaving occasion to use 
 some nitric acid, he procured it in a jng, at a drug store, and was 
 returning to his residence, when he was met by some Indians, 
 who insisted upon drinliing from the jug, supposing it to contain 
 rum. He tokl them it w^as not rum, but that the jug was filled 
 with poison. The Indians were not satisfied with this explana- 
 tion, and one of them seized the jug and took a hearty drink, 
 wliich soon terminated his life. Buel was accused of killing the 
 Indian, and his life was demanded by the chief in return. Under 
 these circumstances Buel left the country, to pursue his calling 
 with Harmon in Vermont. 
 
 Russell Colvin, of Manchester, in 1812 suddenly disappeared. 
 Some years afterwards suspicions began to arise that Col\dn had 
 been murdered by the brothers of his wife, Stephen and Jesse 
 Bourne. An uncle of the Bournes, a man of respectability, stated 
 that he had dreamed three separate times that Colvin came and 
 tol^ him tliat he had been mm'dered, and would direct him to the 
 place where he had been secreted, wliich was the former site of a 
 small house where a cellar had been filled up. At this place a 
 large knife, a pen-knife and a button were found. Colvin's wife 
 described accurately two of these articles before seeing them. A 
 hat was found near by, which was said to have belonged to 
 Colvin. The public mind became intenseh^ excited. Jesse 
 Bourne was arrested and legally examined, and as he was about 
 being released, stated that Stephen told him last winter that he 
 struck Colvin with a club or stone on the head, and supposed he 
 had killed him. Stephen was immediately arrested, but denied 
 tlie trutli of his brother's statement. The prisoners w^ere 
 tried October, 1819, Judge Chase presiding. It was sliown on 
 the part of the State that Colvin and the prisoners were seen 
 
 together picking up stones, just before Colvin's disappearance, 
 
 3 
 
14 
 
 and that they were quarreling. Lewis Colvin, son of Russell, 
 testified that Stephen and liis father got into a quarrel ; that his 
 father struck Stephen, and that Stephen knocked his father down 
 with a clul) ; that he (Lewis) ran away and had never seen him 
 since. The jailor testified that Jesse confessed to him that he 
 was afraid Stephen had murdered Colvin. Silas Merrill, a pris- 
 oner, testified that Jesse confessed to him that Stephen killed 
 Colvin, and that he, Stephen, and their father buried the body. 
 There was also a written confession by Stephen to Men ill, con ■ 
 fessing the murder and giving full particulars. The prisoners 
 were found guilty, and sentenced to be hung, Jan. 28, 1820. 
 
 The pul)lic were satisfied with the result of the trial. In 
 December, 1819, a Mr. Chadwick, of New Jersey, who happened 
 accidentally to see an account of the trial, wrote to Manchester 
 tliat Colvin had been living in New Jersey since April, 1813, and 
 soon after Colvin himself arrived in Manchester. 
 
 Ehenezer Marvin was a surgeon in the army, and during the 
 battle of Saratoga, Oct 7, 1777, the house used as a hospital 
 was so near the scene of action that he did not dare to expose 
 his wife and daughter to the flying l)ullets. They were placed 
 in the celUir, where they prepared lint and bandages during the 
 day and night, passing them up through a hole in the floor. On 
 the morning after the battle, P]benezer Marvin, jr., was l^orn. 
 It was soon thought best to send the women and children to 
 Connecticut for safety ; and Mrs. Marvin with her infant of a 
 few days old, on a pillow in her lap, and her eldest daughter 
 behind her on the same horse, started under escort through the 
 wilderness by marked trees to Coimecticut. The fall rains were 
 prevailing, and they were obliged to camp out in the woods at 
 nio;ht among wild beasts and hostile Indians. 
 
 On the night before the l)attle of B.eunington, Mrs. Dewey, 
 being up with a sick child, ovei-heard some conversation in 
 
15 
 
 another part of the house, which she frequently related in after 
 years. One woman plead with her husband to let others fight 
 the battle, and to flee with her to a place of safety ; using every 
 argument that her ingenuity could devise to prevent him from 
 going out to meet the enemy the next day. But the brave 
 patriot told her that in case he should be killed, she and the 
 children would be far better off than to have a husband and 
 father who deserted his country in its hour of peril. Another 
 picture was presented in another part of the same room, where 
 a husband was complaining to his wife that he had the colic, 
 which he thought would prevent his going out in the morning. 
 She very well knew that his trouble was cowardice instead of 
 colic, and told him that he would always be called a coward 
 if he stayed at home. He still insisted that he should be upon 
 the sick list the next morning, when she declared in a convinc- 
 ing tone that unless he went out to meet the enemy with the 
 rest, she would exchange clothes with him and go herself. That 
 argument was too powerful for his weak nerves, and he prom- 
 ised to go, colic or no colic. 
 
 Paul Moore was a native of Worcester, Mass. At the age of 
 twelve years he ran away and spent twenty years upon the 
 ocean. The vessel in which he sailed at one time foundered, 
 and all on board were in great peril, when Moore jumped over- 
 board and stopped the leak. He w^ent to Shoreham during the 
 French war. The fall and winter of 1765 he spent in a hut, 
 built of pine and hemlock boughs, without seeing a human 
 being for six months. He sympathized with the settlers in their 
 contests with the Yorkers, and his hut was often a refuge for 
 Allen, Warner, Smith and others. During one winter Moore 
 and Elijah Kellogg were the only persons in Shoreham. He 
 was taken prisoner several times l)y the Indians, and compelled 
 to sutler bcvond measure. 
 
16 
 
 When the battle of Pkittsburgh was going on, Elder Aaron 
 Buzzell was preaching in the old red Baptist nieeting-hoiise in 
 Strafford, and during the sei'vice he saw one of the brethren 
 passing along the aisle whispering from pew to pew. Elder 
 Buzzell stopped short and inquired, " Brother Brown, what do 
 you want?" "I want" said Mr. Brown, "a horse to go to 
 Piattsburgh." "Take mine," instantly responded the Elder, 
 and went on with his sermon. 
 
 When Burgoyne's army was attempting to invade Vermont, 
 the wife of Andrew Hawley, well known in Arlington as "Aunt 
 Ann," was surprised by a party under Captain Ormsbee, while 
 tilling her oven for baking. Two soldiers were detailed to wait 
 till the bread was baked and then bring it away. After the 
 Captain and his squad had departed, Aiuit Ann ordered .the two 
 soldiers to go about their business, and with a broom-stick 
 drove them from the premises. In their retreat one of the 
 cowards discharged his musket at the brave woman, the bullet 
 passing just over her head. 
 
 Dea. Challis Safford, of Enosburg, was a little provoked 
 because his wife was afraid to have the children sent after the 
 cows, there being a great many bears and other wild animals 
 where they were accustomed to go ; so he told Mrs. S. that he 
 would go himself. She felt very much obliged, and said go. 
 Mrs. S. insisted that from the days of Elisha the Prophet, to 
 the present, bears had always killed all the children they coukl 
 catch, and always would. The Deacon was equally sure that 
 bears would never meddle with the "human form divine," or 
 contend with one of the " lords of creation." This little dis- 
 pute was settled when the deacon came back. He started after 
 the cows with a small house dog and presently found himself 
 some distance in the woods. U hile listening for the cow-bell 
 he was startled by an out-cry from the dog some forty rods olf. 
 
17 
 
 On looking, he discovered the dog coming towards him with 
 great speed, followed hy a large bear. "Now," says the 
 deacon to himself, " there is a chance for fun. When the bear 
 gets within a few rods of me 1 will shout and clap my hands and 
 Mr. Bear will make a sudden retreat." The deacon carried out 
 his irdvt of the programme, but the bear made a rush for the 
 deacon. It was necessary to fight or run, and not much time 
 was left in which to decide the case. The deacon wisely chose 
 the latter, and on turning around discovered a beech tree which 
 he was able to climb. The bear was at his heels, but the deacon 
 managed to get above his reach. The bear tried to climb the 
 tree, but failed. Night came on, and the deacon had ample 
 time to review his theory on bears before be could make himself 
 heard, and obtain relief. The deacon thought this bear had 
 some peculiar traits, but had no further dispute with his wife. 
 
 A Mr. Tracy was the tirst teacher in the new school-house 
 at Randolph. One morning in 1788, as he was approaching his 
 school-house, he ni)ticcd the door was partly open, but supposed 
 some of the scholars had preceded him. As he step[)ed in he 
 stood face to face with a huo^e bear and two half-iyrown cubs. 
 He sprang to the fire-place. and caught a large shovel with which 
 he commenced a spirited fight, keeping bruin at bay till Diah 
 Flint arrived with a gun and < ispatched the bear and cubs. 
 Such a scene would })nzzle some of the teachers of the present 
 day, and make work for the truant oiiicers. 
 
 Capt. Samuel Morey, of Fairlee, was the first man to apply 
 steam power to navigation, who in 1792 applied steam power 
 to a small boat on the Connecticut River, and afterwards on 
 Fairlee pond. He afterwards exhibited his model in New York, 
 in presenc of Fulton and Livingston. In 1858, Rev. Cyrus 
 Mann, a native of Orford, published an article in a Boston 
 paper wherein he says "the first steamboat ever seen in the 
 
' 18 
 
 waters of America, was invented by Captain Samuel Morey. 
 The astonishing siglit of a man ascending the Connecticut river, 
 between Fairlee and Orford, in a little boat, just large enough to 
 contain himscif and the rude machinery connected with the 
 steam boiler, and a handful of wood for a fire, was witnessed by 
 the writer in his boyhood, and by others who yet survive." 
 This was before Fulton's name had been known in connection 
 with steam navigation. Fulton visited Morey at Fairlee and 
 was very much interested in his experiments, and in 1803 con- 
 structed a boat after Morey's model and obtained letters patent 
 therefor, thus becoming famous, while the ingenious Vermonter 
 was defrauded of his ria^hts. 
 
 David Millington, of Shaftsbury, was the first inventor of 
 wax grafting, and Gov. Hall was his first apprentice. At one 
 time ]\Iillington employed 100 men, who traveled over New 
 England and the West, introducing his newly discovered art. 
 
 Leonard Walker, of Strafford, learned the art of making hand- 
 cards of Pliny Earle, of Leicester, Mass., and was the first man 
 to make machines for forming the teeth and to prick the leather 
 for their insertion. They were then separate machines but have 
 been long since combined in one, and with other machinery. 
 
 Thomas Davenport, of Williamstown, was the inventor of the 
 application of magnetism and electro -magnetism as a moving 
 principle in meclianics, for which he obtained a patent, Feb. 25, 
 1837. He was experimenting upon this machine as early as 
 1832. In 1831 his model was put on exhibition in New York, 
 and from it Prof. Morse got his first idea of the electric telegraph. 
 
 Sunderland was for some time the residence of Ethan Allen 
 and his brother Ira. It was in this town where Benjamin 
 Hough, a justice of the peace under the colony of New York, 
 was brought before a committee of safety, tried, convicted and 
 sentenced "to be taken from the bar of this committee and be 
 
19 
 
 tied to n tree and there receive two hundred stripes, and then 
 depart out of the district; and on return, without special leave, 
 to suffer death." This sentence was executed May 30, 1775. 
 
 Jeremiah Chirk, of Shaftsbury, was Chief Justice of the 
 Special Court for the shire of Bennington, in 1778, and pro- 
 nounced the sentence of death upon David Redding, the tirst 
 man executed under sentence of law in Vermont. 
 
 In the early times a whipping post was erected near the house 
 of Frederick Smith, in Stratford. Samuel Bliss, a Justice of the 
 Peace, tried a woman for larceny and passed the following 
 sentence : That the offender should pay a fine of $14:.00, or be 
 sent to _]ail fourteen days, or receive fourteen lashes on her bare 
 l)ack. The woman was to have her choice. She had with lier 
 a baby six months old, and lier husband was present. A friend 
 offered to pay the fine and take a cow as security, but she objected 
 on the ground that they W(>uld not be able to get the money and 
 would therel)y lose the cow\ "Then" said the husband, "you 
 will have to go to jail." "No" said she, "I had rather take a 
 horse-wliipping than to leave my farailj^ and be locked un in 
 jail two weeks " The husband took the baby and she the whip- 
 ping. 
 
 When Benjamin Griswold first settled in Enosburg, he went to 
 Bristol, bought a bushel of corn, had it ground and brought it 
 home on his back, a distance of seventy miles, then divided one 
 half the meal with three other families. He was fond of reading, 
 and during his lifetime had read the Bible through eighty-four 
 times. 
 
 The first Baptist Church organized in Vermont was located in 
 Shaftsbury, in 1788. George Niles, of Shaftsbury, lived to be 
 105 years of age. On the day he became 100 years old, he 
 walked into the meadow with his scythe and mowed a swath, 
 saying, "There, boys, is a pattern for you." 
 
20 
 
 The first settler of Stamford was a man by the name of Ray- 
 mond, who built his cabin against a large rock, where was baked 
 the first johnny cake in the town. He was ever after known by 
 the name of Rock Raymond. 
 
 Hon. Natluinie Niles, of West Fairlee, first member of Con- 
 gress from Vermont, was a man of great intellectual ability, but 
 occasionally a little eccentric. He was a preaclier of considerable 
 note, and a man of unquestionable integrity. On a certain occa- 
 sion in the midst of his sermon he was approached by bis wife, 
 bearing a private message, whereupon lie said that ser^^ces would 
 be suspended for a few moments, and passed out througb tlie 
 room in wbich tlie congregation w^ere seated, prepared witli bat 
 and veil, and hived a swarm of bees, came back, commenced 
 wliere he left off, and finished his sermon. 
 
 Col. Alexander Harvey was a prominent citizen of Barnet, 
 and a great joker. On a cei-taiu occasion a member of the 
 Legislature, boasting of his mother and six brothers, with great 
 apparent satisfaction, asked the company present at a large party 
 if ever they heard of such a mother having seven such sons? 
 Col. Harvey replied that he had read of a woman who had seven 
 just such sons, and what was more remarkable they were all born 
 at one birth! Who was she? asked the legislator. "Mary 
 Magdalene," replied the Colonel, "who was delivered of seven 
 devils all at once." 
 
 During the revolution Benjamin Byron was a bearer of dis- 
 patches, and lived in Maidstone. On a certain occasion, becom- 
 ing nearly exhausted, by a long journey, he came to a settlement, 
 and entering a house found a company about sitting down to a 
 table bountifully spread. Hunger and the importance of his 
 message would not allow delay, therefore he at once sat down 
 and commenced helping himself. Some one suggested to him the 
 propriety of waiting, as the minister would ask a Idessing. He 
 
 i 
 
21 
 
 kept oji entijvj:, but replied, "Suy wluit you are a uiiiul to, you 
 won't turu my stonuicli/' 
 
 George W. Byron, of Maidstone, and his l)rotlier Benjamin, 
 when boys, wei-e in the field, wlrere they saw a rabbit. His 
 brother, who was a pituis youth, eommenccd running and crying. 
 Lord, helj) ! Lord help ! when he, thinking that the noise would 
 do more to frighten the animal than secure aid, said quickly, 
 "Say nothing, Ben; say nothing — two are enough to catch a 
 rabbit." 
 
 The town of Readsboro was discovered by a body of soldiers 
 on their return from an expedition against Crown Point, in 
 December, 1759. They were intending to go to North Adams, 
 but missed their way, and at this point their provisions becoming 
 entirel}' exhausted, they made a halt, and killed, roasted and eat 
 a dog that accompanied them. Daniel Davidson, afterwards a 
 prominent citizen ot Readsboro, was one of the number. 
 
 In the early days Vermont contained some families large 
 enough to make a respectable Sabbath School in modern times. 
 John Hadley's family, in Shelburne, numbered twenty -live chil- 
 dren, Benjamin Sutton's twenty-four, Ebenezer Barstow's thir- 
 teen ; and the family of Roswell Pike, of Whitingham, consisted 
 of twenty-eight children; making ninety children in four ftmiilies. 
 
 On a damp, foggy day, in Jidy, 1842, the citizens of Hunt- 
 ington, were aroused by a strange, unearthly screeching that 
 seemed to come from the mountain west of them, and, from 
 what Ihey knew of such matters, was the cr}'^ of a catamount or 
 panther. Young men and boys rallied with dog and gun and a 
 firm resolution to bring back a trophy of their bravery. On 
 arriving at the spot they arranged themselves so as to make an 
 escape impossible, and commenced making their way over rocks, 
 logs and stumps, till those in advance had reached a small brook 
 which they followed for a few rods with great caution and no 
 
 4 
 
22 
 
 little anxiety, when in a short time the whole company, men, 
 boys and clogs were standing face to face with the game they 
 were after, which presented itself in the shape of a wooden 
 water-wheel, moaning for want of grease. 
 
 Notwithstanding the hardships experienced l)y tlie early 
 settlers, and the absolnte necessity of dealing witli the real 
 instead of the ideal, Vermont has produced some of the finest 
 poetical talent in the country. Nathaniel Niles, of Fairlee, 
 Royal Tyler, of Guilford, Tiiomas G. Fessenden, of Brattleboro', 
 Thomas Rowley, of Danby, and others were inspired with the 
 genins of song in the early times. The little poem, more 
 recently written by Charles G, Eastman, of Montpelier, entitled 
 " A Picture," is so beautiful, that I know you will pardon me if 
 I quote it here : 
 
 " The fanner sat in his easy-chair, 
 
 Siuokiug his pipe of clay, 
 While his hale old wife with busy care, 
 
 Was clearing the dinner away ; 
 A sweet little girl, with fine blue eyes, 
 On her grandfather's knee was catching flies. 
 
 The old man laid his hand on her head, 
 
 With a tear on his wrinkled face, 
 And thought how often her mother, dead. 
 
 Used to sit in the self same place ; 
 As the tear stole down fi'om his half-shut eye, 
 ' Don't smoke,' said the child, ' how it makes you cry ! ' 
 
 The house-dog lay stretched out on the floor, 
 
 • Where the shade, after noon, used to steal ; 
 The l)usy old wife by the open door 
 
 Was turning the spinning wheel ; 
 And the old brass clock on the mantle-tree 
 Had plodded along to almost three ; — 
 
 Still the farmer sat in his easy-chair, 
 
 While close to his heaving breast 
 The moistened brow and cheek so fair 
 
 Of his sweet grandchild were pressed ; 
 Ills head, bent down, on her soft hair lay, — 
 Fast asleep were they both, that summer day !" 
 
23 
 
 The poiMii cntitltMl : " Time," by lclia])0(l S. S])encer, of Rnpert, 
 is seeoiul only to Shakespeare and Milton in point of snbliniity: 
 
 " Heard you that knell? It was the knell of Time. 
 And is Time dead? I thought Time never died. 
 I knew him old, 'tis true, and full of years, 
 And bald exce^jt in front; he was strong 
 As Hercules. I saw him grasp the oak, 
 It fell, — the tower, it crumbled; and the stone, 
 The sculptured aiouumeut that marked the grave 
 Of fallen greatness, ceased its pompous strain 
 As Time swept by." 
 
 The modern wit of Vermont, John G. Saxe, of Burlington, is 
 well known at home and abroad, and his poems are unrivaled for 
 truthful sarcasm. His description of " The Modern Belle," 
 could only have been written by a Yermonter : 
 
 "The daughter sits in the parlor. 
 
 And rocks in her easy-chair ; 
 She's clad in her silks and satins, 
 
 And jewels are in her hair; 
 She looks at the rings on her fingers, 
 
 She simpers, and giggles, and winks; 
 And, though she talks but little, 
 
 'Tis vastly more than she thinks. 
 
 She falls in love with a fellow 
 
 Who swells with a foreign air ; 
 He marries her for her money, 
 
 She marries him for his hair; 
 One of the very best matches, — 
 
 Both are well matched for life ; 
 She's got a fool for her husband, 
 
 He's got a fool for a wife." 
 
 F. Benjamin Gage, of St. Johnsbury, has written many fine 
 poems, some of which have been extensively copied and circu- 
 lated throngh the newspapers. His poem entitled : "Beyond," 
 from wliich I quote the opening stanza as worthy of perusal : 
 
24 
 
 "I have a treasure iu the blue Beyond, 
 
 She that beut o'er me in my earliest hours, 
 And watched my steps till manhood's years come uigli ; 
 
 She turned iu sorrow from this world of ours, 
 And when the golden Autumn had gone by, 
 Weut out into the bhie Beyond." 
 
 Nathan Brown, of Wliitingliani, was a nn'ssionary in Bnrniali 
 for many years, and on his return, wrote these lines in an album : 
 
 "There's a book I've been reading for many years, 
 
 Turning the leaves with the hours; 
 Some of its pages are blotted with tears. 
 
 Some painted with golden flowers. 
 
 O, bright were the pages that life's young morn 
 
 Begemmed with its early dews ! 
 But the pictures now are soiled and worn. 
 
 And gone are the golden hues. 
 
 And the leaves have been turned in a tropic clime; 
 
 Sad, sad has been many a scene. 
 With the cloud, and the shadow, and mourning time. 
 
 And the sun-rays thrown between I 
 
 But, alas ! I stand by my native hearth, 
 
 And the forms that I loved are gone ; 
 Changed, changed unto me is this beautiful earth ; 
 
 Let me pass, with the passers on ! 
 
 Wjn. G. Brown, also of Whitinghani, has written several fine 
 poems, among which are " Mother, Home and Heaven," " A 
 Hundred Years to Come," "My Good old Axe," and the "Death 
 of Harrison," M'hich commences as follows : 
 
 " There's a sound on the air like an army's tread. 
 As they march in their pride to the field of the dead; 
 There's a sound on the air of the drum and the gun. 
 Like an army's shout when the battle is won." 
 
 The poems of Julia Wallace, of Waterliurv, will not fail to 
 attract the attention of those who appreciate genius, without 
 askiuii: whether it'belongs to male or female. I make a selection 
 
25 
 
 from her poem entitled, " Earth's Angels," and leave it without 
 comment : 
 
 '* Why come not spirits from the realms of glory 
 
 To visit earth as iu the clays of old, — 
 The time of ancient writ and sacred story? 
 
 Is Heaven more distant, or has earth grown cold? 
 
 Oft have I gazed, when sunset clouds receding 
 
 Waved like rich banners of a host gone by, 
 
 To catch the gleam of some white pinion speeding 
 Along the conlines of the glowing sky. 
 
 To Bethlehem's air was their last anthem given, 
 
 When other stars before the One grew dim ? 
 
 Was their last presence known in Peter's prison? 
 
 Or where exulting martyrs raised their hymn? 
 
 No ! earth has angels, though their forms are moulded, 
 
 But of such clay as fashions all below; 
 Though harps are wanting and bright pinions folded. 
 
 We know them by the love-light on their brow. 
 
 I have seen angels by the sick one's pillow, — 
 
 Theirs was the soft-tone and the soundless tread ; 
 
 Where smitten hearts were drooping like the willow, 
 They stood ' between the living and the dead.' 
 
 There have been angels iu the gloomy prison, — 
 
 In crowded halls, — by the lone widow's hearth; 
 
 And when they passed, the fallen have uprisen,— 
 
 The giddy paused, — the mourner's hope had birth." 
 
 Time will not permit me to detain you longer. I might 
 continue for hours to quote choice gems from the poets of Ver- 
 mont. The writings of Carlos Wilcox, of Orwell, Emma W. 
 Smith, of Windham, Robert Josselyn, of Woodstock, Anna C. 
 Lynch, of Bennington, Gay H. Naramore, of Underliill, Orville 
 G. Wheeler, of Soutli Hero, Mrs. 11. B. Washburn, of Ludlow, 
 Helen M. L. Warner, of South Hero, Mrs. A. H. Bingham, of 
 Braiulon, Julia C. R. Dorr, of Rutland, J. E. Rankin, of St. Al- 
 bans, Emily R. Page, of Bradford, Mrs. Geo. P. Marsh, and many 
 others, are not only appreciated by Vermonters, but are known 
 
26 
 
 wherever tlie English language is spoken. There is one otlier — 
 poet and historian — who has done more than any other person, 
 except Rufus W. Griswold, of Benson, to phice the hterature of 
 Vermont in the hands of the people. I refer to Abby Maria 
 Hemenway, of Burlington, formerly of Ludlow, the compiler of 
 the "Poets and Poetry of Vermont," "The Vermont Historical 
 Gazetteer," and author of various literary works. I nuist not 
 forget to speak of one of the most distinguished sons of our 
 native State, Hon. Geo. P. Marsh, a native of Woodstock, who 
 has made himself famous as a scholar, diplomatist, author, histo- 
 rian, and poet. 
 
 When a Vermonter begins to write or talk about Vermont it 
 is not easy to discover the most appropriate place to stop ; Ijut I 
 a;n reminded that I have already trespassed upon the time allot- 
 ted to others, and I must proceed at once to close my remarks. 
 
 I have collected from various sources and given a very brief 
 and imperfect sketch of the history of Vermont, together with an 
 account of a few of the incidents connected with the early set- 
 tlers. I have set forth some of the characteristic traits of those 
 noble men and women who periled their lives for the uncertain 
 reward that accrues amid the trials and dangers of pioneer life. 
 We are their descendants ; but we have no such legacy to hand 
 down to our children as has been transmitted to us. 
 
 We have been wanderers from the land of our nativity ; but 
 whenever we turn our thoughts to the Green Mountain State we 
 cannot help feeling proud of the independent position always 
 maintained by her inhabitants ; and of the fact that no slave ever 
 stood upon the soil of Vermont. 
 
 Glorious old State ! Your Sons and Daughters, in whatever 
 clime they may chance to be, will gladly seek to lay upon the 
 altar of your renown affection's sincere offering ! 
 
THE SONS OF VERMONT, 
 
 IN 
 
 WORCESTEK, MAS S. 
 
 REPORTED BY HE^fKY L. SHUMWAY. 
 
 In the autumn of the year 1873, a project was set on foot, in the 
 city of Worcester, for the formation of a social organization which 
 shouhi bi'ing together the natives of the State of Vermont resident in 
 the city. It was conceived by a few gentlemen in whom long absence 
 from Green Mountain soil had not obliterated their regard for their 
 native State, and, after informal consultation, they decided to call a 
 public meeting of those designed to be included in the pi'oposed or- 
 ganization, to learn their views and test its practicability. 
 
 A meeting was accordingly held on the evening of December first, at 
 which a formal organization of an association, to be known as 
 
 THE SONS OF VERMONT 
 
 was eftected, and the following named officers were duly chosen : 
 
 President. — Hon. Clark Jillson. 
 
 Vice-Presidents. — Messrs. Samuel E. Hildreth and Ira G. Blake. 
 Secretary — Mr. Samuel V. Stone. 
 
 Executive Committee. — Messrs. Eansom M. Gould, James J. Russ, Charles 
 G. Parker, Edward L. Spalding and George L. Bliss. 
 
 At a subsequent meeting Mr. James S. Rogers was elected Treasur- 
 er. A code of by-laws was adopted, and the Executive Committee 
 reported a plan for a reunion and supper, under the auspices of the 
 Association, to which all natives of Vermont should be invited. Com- 
 mittees to carry out this plan were appointed as follows : 
 
28 
 
 On Supper.— Messrs. George L. Bliss, James J. Russ, and Charles G. Parker. 
 On Speeches, &c. — Hon. Clark Jillson, and Messrs. James S. Rogers, Samuel 
 "V. Stone, James J. Russ, and Ira G. Blake. 
 
 On Music— Messrs. Edward L. Spalding and Ira G. Blake. 
 
 On Hall and Printing. — Messrs. Ransom M. Gould, and Samuel E. Hildreth. 
 
 These Committees worked harmoniously, and on the evening of 
 February 10th, 1874, the Sons of Vermont with their famiUes were 
 summoned together for their first annual reunion, in Washburn Hall. 
 
 The exercises of the evenina: were in charge of the Executive Com- 
 mittee of the Association, who received the guests and escorted them to 
 the dressing rooms. They were then conducted to the Avest ante room 
 of Mechanics Hall, when a brief season of mutual introductions and 
 congratulations served to put the company in the best of spirits. Indi- 
 viduals of long acquaintance here discovered, for the first time, a com- 
 mon nativity, and "I, too, am a Vermonter" was a frequent answer to 
 the incredulous "Why ! how came you here ?" of many a questioner. 
 
 Soon after seven o'clock the company was conducted to Washburn 
 Hall, where plates had been laid for over three hundred guests, all of 
 which were taken. Every county in the state, and about one hundred 
 and fifty towns, were represented at the table. The Chairman or the 
 Executive Committee, Mr. Ransom M. Gould, called the assembly to 
 order, and the Divine blessing was invoked by Rev. Ebenezer 
 Cutler, D. D. 
 
 The supper was admirably arranged by Messrs. Taft, Bliss & 
 Putnam, — Mr. Bliss, of the firm and of the Executive Committee, giving 
 the details his personal supervision. It was designed to represent an 
 old-time Vermont repast, and included pork and beans, roa.st turkeys 
 and chickens, corned beef, cold ham and tongue, doughnuts and cheese, 
 apple-sauce, pumjikin and mince pies, brown bread, and cider in abun- 
 dance. The ware used at the tables was of the old blue-edged pattern, 
 now-a^days seen only in the kitchen. In front of the President was 
 placed a gigantic candle, two feet and a half in height, and a bottle of 
 Vermont vinegar, made in 1834, both being presented by Mr. Arvin 
 Thompson, of Chester. During the repast the most hearty freedom 
 prevailed, and jest and story prolonged and enlivened it. 
 
29 
 
 When all had done ample justice to the material part of the feast, 
 the intellectual entertainment was begun by the introduction of Hon. 
 Clark Jillson as President of the evening, and the delivery, by him, of 
 the interesting historical address printed in this volume. 
 
 When, in the course of his address, Mr. Jillson quoted Eastman's 
 familiar lines, — 
 
 "The farmer sat in his easy chair," — 
 the stage curtain rolled up and disclosed a tableau admirably repre- 
 senting the scene described. It was received with hearty applause. 
 
 At the close of the address, another tableau, "Au after supper 
 scene," was presented. It included a Vermont family engaged in their 
 evening employment, the farmer smoking and reading a well worn 
 newspaper, his wife darning stockings, one daughter mending a dress, 
 and another washing the supper dishes, the eldest son practising on a 
 fiddle and a younger one bringing in firewood. The rear of the view 
 included an old fashioned fire-place with crane, hooks, andii'ons, pots, 
 skillets and kettles, over which hung a gun and powder-horn, while 
 clock and dye-tub, dresser and sap-yoke, with numerous other accesso- 
 ries, including a huge hornet's nest over the mantle-tree, served to 
 make up a truthful and pleasing picture. 
 
 The President then announced that the exercises had but just begun. 
 He said that every Vermonter knows that an evening's sitting was 
 gauged by the candle, and announced that when the candle before him 
 had buined to its socket, the company might retire. He said that as this 
 was the first reunion of the Association, the managers were not fully ac- 
 quainted with all the sons and daughters of Vermont, and in calling for 
 responses to the sentiments to be offered, he could only draw out a part 
 of the excellent things which were waiting to be said. He then an- 
 nounced the first sentiment — 
 
 " Vermont ! Ah, what music there Is in the word ! 
 By us, her owu children, uo sweeter is heard." 
 
 Mr. Samuel V. Stone, a native of Eden, was called upon, and in re- . 
 spouse spoke as follows : 
 
 Mr. President. I dou't think it fair, just as I had eaten my supper and sat 
 
30 
 
 down with my pipe for a quiet smoke and to read the last week's ^'Farmer,'" In 
 my quiet home, surrounded by my family, that you should dispel the illusion 
 that I had entertained, that I was an independent Vermont farmer, and bring 
 me down here to talk to these degenerate sons and daughters.* 
 
 But that is not the worst part of it. After you have told us all about "Ver- 
 mont, its history, its people, and everything pertaining thereto, you call upon 
 me to answer to the sentiment "Vermont." What can I say but what has 
 been better said by you ? I thini< you had better file in your address in answer 
 to the sentiment and let me off. But, Mr. President, there is one thing I can 
 say, and I am proud of it : I was born in Vermont. 
 
 Nestling among the Green Mountains, in the little town of Eden, in 
 Lamdille County, on the slope of one of the lesser hills, from the summit of 
 which appear in full view, old Mansfield, Monadnock, Camel's Hump and Jay 
 Peak, there once stood a little log cabin, in which I drew ray first breath of 
 life. There now remains but the old stone chimney and the broad hearth- 
 stone. Although I remained there but a short time, I am conscious that the 
 love of those green hills and forest covered mountains was born within me, 
 and has never beeu eradicated. I never revisit those scenes and breathe the 
 invigorating air of the old Mountain State, without a longing for such a coun- 
 try life. Yes, — 
 
 "That life I'd lead, though fools would fly from it; 
 
 For oh ! 'tis sweet, it finds the heart out, be there one to find. 
 
 And pleasures in it, we ne'er knew were there." 
 
 In the crowded town, in the dusty road of business, amid the toil, the strug- 
 gle, the anxiety for wealth, there is little time for a man to find out that he 
 has a heart, except from its physical throbbings. Certainly we have no time 
 to expand those treasures which exhibit themselves in the full, free, honest 
 heart of the country farmer. 
 
 But, Sir, I must speak to my text. Vermont! the glorious old State of our 
 birth, we can all exclaim in the ftimiliar lines — 
 
 "I love thy I'ocks and rills. 
 Thy woods and templed hills ; 
 My soul with rapture thrills," 
 To speak thy praise. 
 
 Go with me, in imagination, among the mountains and green hills, the lakes, 
 the rivers and murmuring streams, to this land of beauty and of grandeur, 
 where the cottage looks out on a domain the palace cannot boast of. And in 
 winter, when the lakes among the mountains are frozen, and the streams are 
 arrested in their course, sometimes breaking their barriers of ice and plunging 
 down the steep declivities and gorges of the mountains, forming huge reclin- 
 ing icicles or small glaciers, while the Green Mountain tops are covered with 
 the white, glistening fleece ; 
 
 "Seas of lal<es, and hills of forests, — 
 
 Cr.vstal waves that rise, midst mountains all of snow, and mock the sun. 
 
 Returning him his fiery beams more radiant tlian he sent them." 
 
 He had just represented the old farmer hi the foregohig tableau. 
 
31 
 
 I will not admit that I paint in too high colors the beauty and grandeur of 
 the scenery to be found in our own native State, especially in the vicinity 
 where I was born. And then her people, you will And them almost ihe world 
 over. Wherever there is a demand for a hardy race, wherever there are 
 hard blows to be struck, you will find the sons of Vermont. 
 
 How noble their valor; how self-sacriflciug in their hardships and priva- 
 tions during their and our country's struggle for independence! And in the 
 last great rebellion, they left their bones whitening upon almost every battle 
 field from the Potomac to the Gulf. How we love to visit them in their homes ; 
 to enjoy their free and generous hospitality; throwing oflF the restraints and 
 cares of town life ; giving our spirits and voices free vent among those echoing 
 hills ; gathering the wild strawberry, the generous yielding raspberry, and 
 the other wild fruits in their season ; making friends with the sedate cattle, the 
 sheep with the frolicsome lambs, the proud turkey-cock, with his numerous 
 wives, the geese, the ducks, hens and chickens, and to accept the invitation 
 of the good old farmer to come out and see his fat pigs, and then to go in and 
 enjoy the good, plain, but substantial farmer's supper with a good country 
 appetite. You have all been there, you know how it is yourselves. 
 
 I fear I have exceeded my five minutes, and will close by repeating your 
 toast with a slight addition. 
 
 "Vermont! Ah, what music there is in the word, 
 Bj' us, her own children, no sweeter is heard." 
 "Where'er we roam, whatever lands we see. 
 Our hearts, responsive, still return to thee." 
 
 Old Bay State ! we love you, we know you are " some ! " 
 For you we left sugar, and beech-nuts and gum ! 
 
 Was the next sentiment, and Mr. Samuel E. Hildreth, a native of Brat- 
 tlebovo, responded. 
 
 Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen : — 
 
 The sentiment that has just been read is very suggestive of the by-gone 
 days of my boyhood. I claim no merit for having been born in the Green 
 Mountain State, as I was not consulted in the matter. Neither was I con- 
 sulted about leaving it, for at an early age my parents removed to New 
 Hampshire, just over the line from Vei'mont; but I am proud to be rec- 
 ognized as a son of Vermont. A State, Sir, that did as much in her 
 early days to gain the freedom of this whole country from the yoke of tyranny, 
 according to her resources, as any other State in the Union. When we read 
 the earl}' history of our country and note the part which the people of Ver- 
 mont took in the struggle for liberty, we can but have a feeling of pride. Al- 
 though they were a rough and hardj' set of men, yet their hearts were as ten- 
 der as a woman's. The sutferings of a friend or foe would bring the teais 
 into their eyes in a moment, and they would always espouse the cause of the 
 weak and abused. They knew not what the word fear meant. They would 
 fight to the bitter end to protect their homes and their families, no matter 
 whether it was the Indians, King George, or the authorities of the State of 
 
32 
 
 New York, who undertook to wrest from them their farms, which they had 
 cleared and got into shape so they could get a living from thera. 
 
 But, Mr. Chairman, we all love the old Bay State, the home of our adoption, 
 and why should we not? The early settlers of Vermont were largely made 
 up of Massachusetts people, and now Vermont is paying her back with inter- 
 est by sending her sons and daughters here to enter into and help carry on 
 her various industrial and educational pursuits. 
 
 And, Sir, from the looks here to-night, I think Worcester has got her share 
 of them; and I don't think she need be ashamed of them as for looks or be- 
 havior; and as to their industry, I am bound to say that any one who has had 
 the pleasure of seeing the amount of labor that has been performed in the 
 last hour, Avill have no hesitation in saying that the old Bay State need have 
 no fears but she will be well taken care of, and Vermont need not blush for 
 her sons or her daughters either. 
 
 It is veiy pleasant to meet so many on this occasion, and I hope this will 
 not be the last gathering of this kind which we may have of the Sous and 
 Daughters of Vermont, but now that we have made a beginning we may con- 
 tinue to meet as often as once a year for a supper, and a great deal ofteuer for 
 social enjoyment, and thus keep up this organization. 
 
 Dear Wohcksteu! Proud city ! what more do you want? 
 Your men and your women were born in Vermont! 
 
 Called out Mr. R insom M. Gould, a native of Newfane, and Chair- 
 man of the Executive Committee, \vho spoke substantially as follows : — 
 
 Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen : — 
 
 1 should be excused from speaking this evening, for I have been too busy in 
 preparing this entertainment to allow of any preparation for a speech. The 
 sentiment you ofler is two-fold, and requires a more gifted speaker than my- 
 self to do it justice. I love Vermont for her rugged hills and her upright 
 and thrifty people, and above ;ill for her free institutions. We call this 
 a free country, but I believe no State is so free as the one we honor to-night. 
 There the right of suffrage is unrestricted except as to simple manhood. 
 Neither poverty nor misfortune can deprive a citizen of Vermont of his 
 right to the ballot. I love Worcester, — I have lived here twenty-four 
 years, and have watched its rapid growth and development within that 
 time with pride. But I am proud, too, of my Vermont birth, and if I 
 were to be born again. I should choose to be born there. I am content to live 
 here, however, for here, I believe, as in but few places, the common people 
 have social and educational advantages of a high order, and opportunities for 
 the development of whatever of enterprise and talent they may possess. In 
 listening to the interesting address of our President, this evening, I thought, 
 as he related the story of the deacon and the bear, that if the Vermont children 
 had been dressed in the style of a Worcester school girl of to-day, they really 
 would have frightened the bears. I am glad to recognize so many friends 
 here, and to witness the interest manifested in our effort to organize our 
 brothers and sisters in a social fraternity. I hope the interest may increase, and 
 that this reunion may be the beginning of a series of similar annual meetings. 
 
33 
 
 The following original hymn, written for the occasion by Mr. George 
 W. Elkins, a native of Roxbury, was sung by the company, Mr. Fred. 
 H. Blake presiding at the organ : — 
 
 Tune— "America." 
 
 I. 
 
 Preserver of our i*ace, 
 
 Let us with heart and voice, 
 
 Sound out Ihy praise. 
 Let sous and daugliters from 
 Mountain aud valley come, 
 United all as one, 
 
 lu all thy ways. 
 
 II. 
 
 Our thoughts turn back to-night, 
 From the Green Mountain height 
 
 We left behind. 
 We love our mountain home, 
 Although from her we roam; 
 We'll not forget her soon, 
 
 As years decline. 
 
 in. 
 
 Our new adopted home. 
 We love her as our own 
 
 In days of yore. 
 May we united stand, 
 Far from our native land, 
 A true and noble band 
 
 Forever more. 
 
 IV. 
 
 And when life's dream is o'er. 
 Take us, to part no more 
 
 From Thee above ; 
 There, with the angels bright, 
 We hope to all unite 
 In yonder world of light, 
 
 In perfect love. 
 
 The President announced the next sentiment, as follows : 
 
 Our Fathkus lived an honest life of toil. 
 And planted freedom on Green Mountain soil. 
 
 Mr. James S. Rogers, a native of Danby, responded as follows : — 
 
 Mr. President and Friends. — After the very interesting and exhaustive sum- 
 mary of the glories of the people of Vermont by our worthy President, I fear 
 that whatever I may add in eulogy of our fathers will be tame and uninterest- 
 ing. But, nevertheless, I am proud to echo the sentiment, aud to raise my 
 
 6 
 
34 
 
 voice here as well as anywhere that occasion may require in praise of our 
 noble Vermout ancestors, — noble sires of a noble State. Indomitable energy, 
 straight-forward dealing, hatred of hypocrisy, abhorrence of debt, and honesty 
 of purpose, were the leading characteristics of those we are proud to call our 
 fathers. I cannot call to mind a more titting type of a genuine Vermonter 
 than the man whom our citizens honored last year with the highest ofRce in 
 the gift of the city. Born in an obscure hamlet of Vermont, and early accus- 
 tomed to a life of toil, he applied himself with willing hands and a thankful 
 heart to whatever work was thrown in his way, knowing that to be faithful 
 in a few things was the only way to make himself master over many. With- 
 out a lazy bone in his body, and with a brain equally active, looking upon 
 honest toil as not only honorable but ennobling, he rose by his own unaided 
 eftbrts to the Chief Magistracy of the city, — a city which, from its thi'ift and 
 innate power to grow and rise above all obstacles, is, more than any other city 
 in the Union, typical of the life and character of the Vermonter whom she 
 wisely chose for her Chief Magistrate. 
 
 Our fathers did, iudeed, live an honest life of toil. They subdued the stub- 
 born soil and caused the mountain sides to blossom as the rose. They were 
 the Yankees of New England, finding within their own borders the wherewithal 
 to clothe, feed and educate their children, planting in their breasts a 
 spirit of enterprise and perseverance which has made itself felt through- 
 out the globe. The products of the soil and the hidden treasures of 
 the earth have alike contributed to her store of wealth. The granaries, the 
 quarries, the dairies, flocks of sheep, herds of cattle, and proudspirited horses 
 of Vermont have been and still are the envy of sister states. The very sap of 
 her maples is turned to account, and only excelled in sweetness bj' her fair 
 daughters. 
 
 From the time when sister states essayed to deprive her of her territory to 
 the close of the last rebellion, our fathers and their sons have ever been ready 
 to battle for the right and pour out their blood in the sacred cause of freedom. 
 The majestic mountains are no grander than the grand old men who passed 
 their lives beneath the shadow of those everlasting hills; the valleys no more 
 peaceful and beautiful than the lives which they led; the clear water, 
 gushing from the hillsides, no purer than the hearts of these men; the sluggish 
 creeks no slower to anger, nor the mighty mountain torrent more impetuous 
 or resistless, than the true sous of Vermont when their rights were invaded, 
 their liberties assailed, or their country threatened. They, indeed, planted 
 freedom on every foot of Vermont soil; they breathed freedom in every 
 breath. The air was so pure, the ground so free that no slave could live 
 within her borders. The very motto upon the seal of the State is " Freedom 
 and Uaity" and well has she sustained it. Free schools, free suffrage, free 
 religious belief, and, best of all, freedom from the scourge of slavery, — a 
 proud distinction of which we of Vermont can justly boast, — a heritage which 
 we can hand down to our posterity, — a lustre which adds brightness to the 
 star of Vermont wherever it appears in the galaxy of the Union. 
 
35 
 
 "The voice of our Vermoiiters, of her free sons and daughters, 
 Deep calling unto deep aloud,— the sound of many waters. 
 Against the burden of that voice, what tyrant power shall stand? 
 No fetters in the Mountain Slate, no slave upon her land." 
 
 The next sentiment offered was as follows : — 
 
 Ouu MoTHKRS spun and wove, and baked and brewed, 
 And cheered with song the lonely solitude. 
 
 Dr. Reuben Spaulding, a native of Sharon, responded. He said : — 
 
 No word in any language calls forth such an outburst of feeling and grati- 
 tude as the word " mother," and I think this is especially true of the mothers 
 of Vermont. Clustered around this sacred name, are the recollections of our 
 earliest hours, when, folded and sheltered in her arms we drew our earliest 
 nourishment, and experienced the most self-denying love. When I think of 
 my mother, my soul is stirred to its deepest depths, and I find rushing forth 
 from my soul, emotions which no language can express. These emotions 
 flow to us at all times and in ail places, whenever we come under the 
 halo of a mother's influence, and the hours of our lives which bring the 
 purest joys are those which bring to us the memory of our mothers. Such 
 memories make us aspire to excellence and worth, that we may honor them, 
 and the success and blessedness of life are due to her influence. The impress 
 of tlie mother on the child is admired, when we see it in the fully developed 
 man, and maternal discipline and influence are powerful agents in the making 
 of good men and women. 
 
 All honor, respect and reverence then be upon all good mothers, here and 
 everywhere, and especially in Vermont. Their sons and daughters, in 
 Massachusetts or elsewhere, shall call down on their heads Christ's choicest 
 blessings, and the memorj-^ and virtues of those who lie so peacefully under 
 the green turf of our native State, we enshrine in amaranthine bowers, and 
 we write on our hearts the epitaph, " My mother, next to my Lord I love 
 thee ! " 
 
 Sons and daughters of Vermont, — Allow me to extend to you a hearty 
 greeting in behalf of those whom we have left in our native State, and whenever 
 you go back to those scenes of j^our childhood, may your spirits and hearts be 
 encouraged by their love, and greetings, and welcome, and in the future may 
 all our hearts overflow with gratitude at the thought that we fii'st breathed the 
 vital air and shared a mother's love in the good old State of Vermont. 
 
 Another tableau was here introduced, " Monday Morning," repre- 
 senting a Vermont kitchen, with the father starting for town with a 
 cheese, and his boy with a basket of eggs ; the wife washing at the 
 big tub, while the youngest girl imitated her with doll's clothes in a 
 hand-basin, and an oldei- girl was pieparing to put the week's wash out 
 to dry. It was an elaborate and successful representation. 
 
36 
 
 The ancient clergy loved their counti^'s cause. 
 Proclaimed the gospel, aud sustained the laws. 
 
 This was the next sentiment, and Rev. Ebenezer Cutler, D. D., of 
 Waterford, was introduced to respond. 
 
 He expressed his gratitude at being elected an honorai'y member of the As- 
 sociation. He did not know that he owed Massachusetts any apology for 
 having been born within her borders. Perhaps his hearers would forgive him 
 that slight delinquency, when he iufoi'med them that his earliest recollections 
 are of Vermont. He said he hardly knew how to interpret the word "ancient" 
 in the sentiment, — whether it was a compliment to his age or his youth, — 
 quoting Lord Bacon's remark, that the most ancient is the most recent, the 
 farthest from the beginning. If he accepted this interpretation, he must talk 
 of himself and his contemporaries, but he supposed the design was really to 
 draw out something in relation to the older clergy. Your President, he said, 
 has alluded to Ethan Allen, noted for his roughness and profanity, and 
 his advocacy of infidelity. He had for his associates many men like him- 
 self, rough and wicked, but brave, patriotic, aud of value to the State. Near 
 Mm was the line over which criminals from the States fled to escape arrest, 
 and many of them halted near the line of the British possessions. This ten- 
 dency of criminals to emigrate northward, tended to make the lives of the 
 early ministers of Vermont an unusually hard one. Some of the incidents 
 illustrating their condition and characters were related. 
 
 Rev. Lemuel Haynes was born a mulatto, having a black father and a white 
 mother. The child was cast off by its mother, aud took the name of the fiim- 
 ily in which she lived when it was born. He was reared in the family of a 
 good deacon, named Rhodes, and when he was old enough, he was required to 
 read aloud in the evening from the sermons of President Davis, Dr. Watts, 
 or Mr. Whitefleld. One Saturday evening he read to his foster-parents a ser- 
 mon without giving the name of the author. They were especially pleased 
 with it, and, demanding its authoi'sbip, the reader was forced to admit that it 
 was his own. This sermon was published, and as the work of an uneducated 
 lad, is a remarkable production. It gave token of what he was to become. 
 He was educated, and proved to possess native wit. He had to encounter the 
 rough spirits who associated with Allen. In a controversy with one of them, 
 Who was defending the infltlel doctrines of the time, the friend of Allen said 
 the Devil himself could not destroy their cause. Haynes at once replied, 
 *' You need have no fear of that, — he'd never try!" He once had a contro- 
 versy with another of the same class, who asserted that virtue was only nat- 
 ural affection ! "Then," said Haynes, " my old swine is full of it; she won't 
 let me get into the pen where her pigs are !" It was he, too, who being met 
 on the street by two scoffers, and told by them that the Devil was dead, imme- 
 diately stopped, placed his hands on their heads, and said : " Poor, fatiierless 
 children — what will become of you!" Near Rutland was a bachelor clergy- 
 man, advanced in years. He persisted in his celibacy, until the neighboring 
 ministers began to interfere, and urge upon hiui the duty of marriage. Among 
 
37 
 
 others, Ilaynes visited him. and obtained his promise to think of the matter. 
 He then said to Haynes, "You've got several fine daiiiihters ; perhaps I can't 
 do better than to take one of them." But Haynes replied, "Yes, I've got 
 some nice girls, and I've taken great pains to raise them, and now I don't 
 want to throw them away !" He preached among his people for thirty years 
 before they knew that he was not white. When it was known, a man sat 
 down in his church without removing his hat, to show his contempt for the 
 minister; but Haynes preached at him so strongly that the hat was respect- 
 fully removed before the sermon was concluded. 
 
 This instance tallies with the personal freedom, which we have heard of 
 to-night, as an especial characteristic of a Vermonter; and Vermont ministers 
 have ever been as true to the cause of freedom as to truth and righteousness. 
 
 I have met with many of the Vermont ministers. One, whom I met about 
 the time I became a minister myself, I still remember. I stopped at the same 
 house, and was obliged to sleep with him. He was a monstrous man, and so 
 warm-blooded that ho had to walk out in the snow in the evening, barefooted, 
 to cool himself oil". Inconsequence of his bodily warmth, he could not bear 
 to sleep with more thyin a sheet over him, in a room without stove or furnace, 
 save himself. I sufl'ered as much from the cold, that night, as he ever did from 
 the heat; and he was recalled to my mind, years afterwards, when I heard of 
 Rev. George Allen saying that he had no objection to sleeping with Rev. 
 Rodney A. Miller, except a natural objection to sleeping with any one who was 
 crowded even when alone. 
 
 I remember, too, a missionary up at Fairfield, named Marshall. He contin- 
 ued his labors as an Evangelist, with good results, and after an absence, would 
 . return to a field of labor, and wherever he found a sufficient number of faith- 
 ful ones, he would organize a church. When he returned to Fairfield, he found 
 that a Baptist minister had been there, and immersed all his converts. He 
 was much chagrined to hear of this, and after breakfast he walked out by him- 
 self, meditating on the misfortune. He passed a pond that was nearly drv, 
 and saw a hen with a first brood of young ducks. On seeing the water, the 
 ducks plunged in, leaving the hen disconsolate on the bank. Marshall looked 
 at the fowls, and recognizing a likeness of position between himself and the 
 hen, said : " Well, I've got a revelation ! Ducks will be ducks, even though 
 hatched by a hen 1" He was au eccentric man. On one occasion the associa- 
 tion of which he was a membsr, had a public service, and he was assigned to 
 preach. He was an oft-hand speaker, and preached without preparation; but 
 after a while, in the midst of his sermon, he broke down ; he stopped, and 
 
 said: " The spirit has left me; Brother , will you go on and finish the 
 
 sermon?" He was asked, the next morning, how he felt; his reply was, — 
 '•Never better; I went hDuie au.l took six pills of mortification, and rested 
 nicely." Being called on to say grace at table, on one occasion, he asked a 
 blessing on each dish, calling each by name in course, till he came to a plate of 
 "hash," of which, he said: " Lord, hodge-podge, I guess; I don't know what 
 you call iti" On another occasion, iu asking the i)lessiug in th3 mornin"-, 
 where he had been entertained over nigiit, he thaiiki-d the Lord for personal 
 blessings, for his journey, and shelter and bed, " although," said he, " it was 
 
38 
 
 shorter than a raau could stretch himself, and the cover narrower than would 
 Avrap him comfortably " The brethren once formally expostulated with him 
 ou Ills eccentricities. He professed great humility aud sorrow, and being 
 asked to close the conference with prayer, he said: " Oh Lord, we thank thee 
 that at last we have all come to the conclusion to hitch all our horses to the 
 same post." 
 
 He said if time would allow, he could call over a long list of Vermont cler- 
 gymen, celebrated in their labors and in literature; men like Dr. Burton, of 
 Tiietford, the nestor of the "taste theory" or scheme, in opposition to the 
 *' exercise theory "; and Rev. Dr. James Mai'sh, one of the most profound 
 metaphysicians in the world, whose works, though fragmentary, are highly 
 valued; or one other, now living, who was old when he (Cutler) was young, a 
 teacher, preacher, aud publisher of school books, who has achieved a splendid 
 fame as a scholar and a discoverer in natural science. 
 
 He expressed the belief that there arc but few parishes in Vermont that are 
 destitute of settled pastors, notwithstanding the fact that she has been severely 
 drawn upon to supply other fields, aud that her distinguished sons are widely 
 scattered. Among these, he alluded to the celebrated Rev. Jeremiah Evarts, 
 former secretary' of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Mis- 
 sions, to the present Foreign Secretary of that Board, aud to the missionary 
 Bingham, of the Sandwich Islands, who was born in Bennington, aud closed 
 with the remark that if time would allow, he could call up mauy more names, 
 of those whose mention would glorify the profession in whose praise he had 
 been called to speak. 
 
 The Boys of Vkkmont, some think, are right "green," 
 Though they ripen in time, as has often been seen; 
 But wlien they arrive at six feet three or four. 
 And touch at both ends, the ceiling aud floor. 
 Most people admit, with the tongue and the pen. 
 That the Boys of Vermont can grow to be men. 
 
 Mr. Ira G. Blake, a native of Peacha:n, responded to this sentiment, 
 as follows : 
 
 3Ir. Chairman, Sons and Daughters of Vermont. — We are endeavoring to- 
 night, by these sentiments and life pictures, to take a retrospective view of 
 the Green Mountain State. The State we love; the State of our uativity. 
 We who have been boys among those hills can but enjoy this hour. 
 
 I am called upon to speak to the sentiment " Vermont Boys." First, who 
 are boys ? and must I contine my words to mere boys. A boy is a boy until he 
 gets to be a man, although, in common parlance, we used to speak of "fellers." 
 This last was a sort of stepping stone from boj' to man, as, for instance, I was 
 a J>i)>/, until a very important event occurred when I was twelve years of age. 
 I went home with a girl from an apple paring. Then I was a "feller." I 
 could also hold a plow, drive a span of colts, and do some other things, and I 
 must be called something bosides a boy. Vermont l)oys begin to "^)w;/' 
 quite young, ver}' much like chickens. Said Tim Chamberlain, up in old 
 
39 
 
 Peacham, astonishing the villagers one night at the corner store, by his an- 
 nouncement that he was going to leave town; said he, "As soon as a boy is 
 born here in Peacham, he yells out, ' D — n Tim Chamberlain.' I won't stand it ; 
 I'm going to leave town." And he did. "What is the size of these boys? One 
 that weighs twelve pounds at the age of one day is a medium sized boy. 
 What's their shape? They can roll one way as well as another. At the age 
 of fifteen years their feet are incased in No. 15 boots, the number of the boot 
 corresponding with the number of the birthday, and are mostly arms and 
 hands, legs and feet. Speaking of boots reminds me that some present went 
 skating barefooted, and chopped wood barefooted, standing on the warm side 
 of a board. What number of boots they wore I can't tell. Are these, boys 
 useful in their day and generation? Yes, they are. They are splendid to 
 hunt hen's nests, which i-equires that rolling, crawling motion for which they 
 are specially adapted. They are splendid also for bringing in wood, their 
 long arms encircling a whole wood-box full. They are also useful to keep 
 bread and pumpkin pies from moulding, draw cider on a winter's evening, and 
 squeak the fiddle so the ftimily won't get sleepy. As to their tastes and ambi- 
 tion, they have what you call a "sweet tooth," for they invariably love girls and 
 maple sugar. They enjoy a sugaring-otf hugely. They also have a particular 
 hankering for huskings, apple parings, June trainings, musters and cattle shows. 
 They always enjoy a good horse, especially if he is a Morgan or a Morrill. 
 Mince pies, doughnuts, gingerbread and flapjacks won't stand in their way a 
 great while, and sweet cider and hasty pudding are only laid aside by the 
 usual caution of their mother. They can "mow and hoe," "pitch and rake," 
 "chop and shovel," in short do any thing. 
 
 In quantities these boys are raised to such an extent that the home market 
 was flooded, and they were exported to other states, Massachusetts calling 
 for more than her quota, so that here their usefulness is ajjparent, as mer- 
 chants, mechanics, doctors, ministers, lawyers, councilmen, judges and 
 mayors. For the last named office they are especially adapted. As to 
 courage and piitriotism, I have only to say that from the time Ethan Allen and 
 Seth Warner contested for the right, when English oppression undertook to 
 deprive the Yermonters of their homes, honestly acquired, up through the 
 late civil war, there has been many a Pete Jones whose axe has been left stick- 
 ing in the tree, and plow in the furrow, to help vindicate the right. Those 
 hands and arms, legs and feet, have had body and brain, heart and soul, fight- 
 ing and dying for the right, actuated by the same spirit which called out the 
 answer, "By the great Jehovah and the Continental Congress," at Ticonderoga. 
 
 I will close by saying, all honor to Vermont boys, none truer, none nobler. 
 And as were our fathers and brothers, so let us be true to God, our country, 
 and the State of our adoption. 
 
 At the close of Mr. Blake's address, the company united in singing 
 "Home, Sweet Home. " 
 
 Mr. John W. lladley was called upon to respond for the ladies, the 
 sentiment being : — 
 
 " Thk GnjLS OF Vkkmont, with their numerous charms, 
 Can conquer a legion of soldiers in arms. " 
 
40 
 
 He expressed a wonder why he was assigned this duty, but flattered himself 
 it was either because he was the best looking man in the crowd, or on account 
 of that other John Hadley, meutioued by the Pi'esident, who had twenty-five 
 children, all girls ! He was sorry that he was not born in Vermont, but 
 couldn't help it. He knew something, however, of those girls. His first 
 sweetheart was a Vermont girl, and so was his wife, who, when the war of 
 the rebellion opened, sat up all night, cheerfully, to make him shirts to carry 
 with him when he marched, at twelve hours notice, to the relief of the Na- 
 tional Capital. He spoke in praise of the Vermont soldiers, whose prowess 
 he witnessed during the war, and said that much of their courage aud success 
 was due to the wives, sisters and mothers who stood behind them, praying 
 for them, and sending them words of good cheer aud encouragement. He 
 would neither confirm nor deny the suggestions in the sentiment, that these 
 women " can conquer a legion of soldiers in arms," but he could assert from 
 personal observation, that they can conquer a hearty man at the supper table ; 
 he himself had just been conquered, and would surrender. He asked all 
 honor for the staple products of Vermont, — men, womeu, maple sugar aud 
 hoi'ses : — 
 
 "The first aud last are strong and fleet; 
 The secondhand third are very sweet. 
 And all are vei'y hard to beat !" 
 
 The Ancient Militia, the pride of the State, 
 The soul of June trainings, — (abandoned of late), 
 The terror of tyrants, the friend of tlie slave. 
 The head-light of freedom, the chief of the brave. 
 
 Mr. Samuel C. Smith, a native of Waitsfield, responded to this sentiment, 
 but said that what little he had to do with the ancient militia was long ago; 
 he could say, with Othello, " My occupation's gone." He had rather add 
 something in response to the preceding sentiment, for he remembered some- 
 thing of those two sweet products of Vermont, — girls and maple sugar. 
 He said that in his section it was not uncommon, in the sugar season, to 
 make it in the house, where the mother was spinning tow, and syrup and tow 
 were scattered liberally over the floor. The girls were daubed with sweet 
 from head to foot, and one way to ascertain when the sap was sufliciently 
 boiled, was to catch up one of these girls and throw her against the ceil- 
 ing; if she dropped, the syrup needed more boiling, but if she stuck, it was 
 done ! 
 
 This sentiment was followed by a tableau, " A Rainy Day," a view 
 representing a Vermont kitchen, on a rainy day. The father shelling 
 corn on a shovel, the mother spinning, a boy and girl winding yarn, a 
 girl temliiig the baby, aud two children building cob houses on the 
 floor. Like tlie other tableau, this was capitally })ut upon the stage, 
 and was received with great favor. 
 
41 
 
 The next regular sentiment was : — 
 
 The Bar of Vermont, the successful defender 
 Of all, — except those who've been on a bender. 
 
 William B. Harding, Esq., of Wardsboro', responded, speaking as 
 follows : 
 
 It is to be regretted, Mr. President, that the Vermont Bar itself has not an 
 abler defender here to-night. I am afraid my exertions in behalf of this insti- 
 tution of Vermont, will be as unsuccessful as the exertions of the bar are 
 supposed to be bj^ our poetic Pi'esideut, in behalf of those " who've been on a 
 bender." Could you listen to the eloquence of a few of Vermont's lawyers, — 
 to a Paul UiUingham, a Redfleld, a Poland, a Steele, a Bradley, a Shafter, and 
 others whom I might mention, you would have additional reason to be proud 
 of your old native State. But unfortunately they are not with us ; and un- 
 fortunately' the only member of the legal profession in Worcester, who has 
 any claim to be called a sou of Vermont, is my poor, humble self. 
 
 Would that I could make out as clear a case to-night for my profession, as our 
 good reverend friend. Dr. Cutler, has for his ; my failure to do so will be owing 
 partly to my ignorance, and partly to the weakness of my cause. Although I 
 have great respect for the Vermont bar, as I have for any other institution of 
 old Vermont, yet, as an institution, I must confess that it is hardly equal to 
 her other institutions ; aud I suppose the reason is, that the honest, sober, 
 industrious and virtuous people of good old Vermont give but slight encour- 
 agement to lawyers. Lawyers thrive better on the soil of Massachusetts, 
 where neighbor quarrels with neighbor, where many men are unable to dis- 
 tinguish their own property from the property of others, and where many a 
 man goes "on a bender." Now, I am not intending to slander old Massachu- 
 setts ; Heaven knows that we have everj^ reason to be proud of the old Bay 
 State; in many respects she is second to none in the Union. But it is a fact 
 the most ardent admirer of Massachusetts cannot deny, that old Vermont has 
 more empty jails, more empty poor-houses, fewer people unable to read and 
 write, fuller barns, finer scenery, warmer hearts, stronger arms, better maple 
 sugar, apple sauce aud baked beans, than any other State in the Union. But 
 our good old State is not celebrated simply for the luxuries of her table, and 
 beautiful scenery. She has given to the world men : to the realm of poetry she 
 has given a Saxe, a Brown, a Page, a Spencer, and a Gage ; to art and sculp- 
 ture, a Powers ; to the councils of the nation, a Douglass, a Foote, an Ed- 
 munds, a Poland, and others whose name is legion. She has given to Worcester 
 one of the best Mayors we ever had, our President, Jillson ; a distinguished 
 physician, our friend. Dr. Martin; a Gould, who serves the precepts of the 
 law ; a Bliss, who tickles our appetites with sweetmeats, and sells us last 
 year's maple sugar for new. She has furnished men and women who with 
 strong hands aud brave iieiirts have ever been found in the foremost ranks of 
 progress. Her sons and daughters have gone into all our States, Territories 
 and cities; and have given fresh impetus to the onward march of civilization, 
 wealth aud education. The broken and depleted ranks of our cities are now 
 
 7 
 
42 
 
 beiug replenished with the sturcl}^ stalwart Grecu Mouutaiu Boys ; and to an- 
 nihilate old Vermont, would be like drying up the very springs that feed the 
 rivers and lakes. Her sous have ever been foremost in responding to the call 
 of duty in defence of the country, from the time when Ethan Allen, a^ the 
 head of his Green Mountain Boys, in the name of the Great Jehovah and Con- 
 tinental Congress, demanded the surrender of Ticonderoga, down to the time 
 when Lee surrendered his rebel horde at Appomattox. We shall not soon for- 
 get the heroic deeds of the Green Mountain Boys, led by Ethan Allen and Seth 
 Warner; neither shall we soon forget the old Vermont Brigade, which with a 
 Vermont hiw.ver, Brig. Gen. Grant, of Bellows Falls, bear in mind, at its head, 
 exhibited so much bravery in the Wilderness, at Spottsylvania and Cold Har- 
 bor, and through the long dark days of the rebellion fought so faithfully and 
 manfully in the cause of the Union and the right. Glorious old State ! Not 
 a blot rests upon her escutcheon. Her flag never trailed in the dust, and the 
 sons and daughters of Vermont, wherever they may be scattered over the 
 wide world, have every reason to be proud of their native State. 
 
 I regard myself as an adopted son of this organization, for the reason that 
 in early infancy I became an adopted son of old Vermont. Now, as under the 
 present law, an adopted child has all the rights of a natural one, I claim equal 
 rights with you who were a little more fortunate. I shall always regret that 
 I was not born in Vermont; possibly Vermont will not. But though I am 
 not to the manor born, yet, consciousness, reason, and the first impressions 
 of life, had their birth on the Green Mountains, in the green valleys, beside 
 the rippling brooks of good old Windham county. My boyhood days were 
 spent in climbing her hills, in fallowing her trout brooks, in skating upon her 
 ponds, and in conning the old spelling book in the little red school house under 
 the hill. Memory to-night carries me back to her substantial farm houses, to 
 the corn huskings, the apple parings, the sugar groves, the red school house, 
 and the playmates of ray childhood ; and would I could live those happy days 
 over again in reality, as we are living them over again to-night in memory. 
 
 " The hills are dearest which our childish feet have climbed the earliest; 
 The springs most sweet are ever those at which our young lips drank." 
 
 Old Vermont, though thy winters are long, thy snows deep, thy hills rugged, 
 yet with all thy faults I love thee still. 
 
 Old Windham has sent from her beautiful hills 
 Physicians and surgeons, — good judges of pills ; 
 And Whitinijham, though she lies out in the cold. 
 Has produced one as loyal as any of old. 
 
 This sentiment, referring to Dr. Oramel Martin, of Whitinghani, was 
 intended for a i'es[)onse by him. Ilhiess, however, prevented his attend- 
 ance at the festival. His response, which was prepared bcfoi'e lie was 
 attacked with illness, was as follows : 
 
 Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen : — I am happy to know that my heart 
 first beat among the Green Mountains of Vermont. I am proud of the county 
 
43 
 
 and town to which your toast alludes, — proud of her rugged hills — her green 
 slopes — her pure air — her clear, l)lue sky, uuequaled by Italy herself. I am 
 proud of her fertile valleys, her crystal streams, her maguificent scenery, be- 
 yond which no lover of nature need go I am proud of the integrity, industry 
 and intelligence of her people. Of the birtli-place of one of the ablest, 
 though mistaken, religious organizers of the present age; of the sturdy intel- 
 lect, independent character, loyalty to principle and truth of our worthy ex- 
 Mayor; of the Bliss-ful caterer of this evening's entei'tainment ; of the 
 Houghtons, the Putnams, and Tylers, who, I hope, are present. I am proud 
 of the county which has given us our Goulds, our Boydens, our Holdens, our 
 Fitches, our Starks, our Blakes, and our Ravvsous. 
 
 I am proud of the State which has given us some of the ablest Statesmen 
 and most eloquent orators our country ever produced. Of the whole people 
 of Vermont, patriotic, loj^al, true to their highest convictions ; acknowledging 
 allegiance to no power save the " Great Jehovah," and the laws of the country 
 under which they live. 
 
 Now, Mr. President, having given expression of the love I bear for the State 
 from whence I came, I gi/e place to more able and eloquent lips than my own. 
 
 Our klock has been wand'ring from wintry weather, 
 But still needs a " Shepard" to keep it together. 
 
 This sentiment was responded to by Mr. Constant Shepard, a native 
 of Sharon, who said : 
 
 That in his wanderings about the city, he had been surprised to find how 
 many of the most worthy citizens were, like himself, sons of Vermont. Their 
 numbers suggested to him the idea of the possibility of such a meeting. The 
 suggestion was made to one friend and another, and being received favora- 
 bly, led to this organization and reunion, which he hoped would continue its 
 existence with a similar annual gathering. He alluded to the fact that many 
 citizens have known each other for years, but did not discover that they were 
 natives of the same good old State, until this association brought them to- 
 gether. In regard to the suggestion that he was the shepherd of the flock, 
 he said that a few days before, he passed one of Dr. Cutler's deacons, with a 
 little boy, on the street. The boy. In reply to questions as to who he was, 
 was told it was Mr. Shepard; — "Shepard," said the boy, "has he many 
 sheep?" The boy's father thought not, when the boy said : " What do they 
 call him ' Sliepard ' for, if he has no sheep ? " He was surprised to see so 
 large a flock this evening, most of whom had followed him; he having come 
 from his native State in 1839. He rejoiced in the opportunity of meeting so 
 many old fr'ends, and was proud to call himself a Vermonter. In closing, he 
 expressed the hope that all present might so conduct themselves as to honor 
 their native State, and also that all might hear the voice of the Good Skepherd 
 and follow Him to the better laud. 
 
44 
 
 The next sentiment was "Yankee Doodle," to which Mr, George 
 W. Elkins responded, by singing the following original lines, to the 
 familiar and patriotic air : — 
 
 From north to south, from east to west, 
 
 In every State and town, Sir, 
 We hear that ^me Green Mountain Boy 
 
 Has settled thereabout. Sir. 
 
 Chorus. — With cheerful hearts and faces bright, 
 We've gathered here to-uight, Sir, — 
 The Sons aud Daughters of Vermont ; 
 Who claims a better right. Sir? 
 
 The Daughters of Vermont, you know, 
 
 Are jealous of their skill, Sir; 
 In cookiug eveiy kind of dish, 
 
 All others they excel, Sir. 
 
 With cheerful hearts, &c. 
 
 They used to card and spin and weave 
 
 The cloth for pantaloons, Sir; 
 They spun and wove the cloth, besides. 
 
 To make themselves a gown, Sir. 
 
 With cheerful hearts, &c. 
 
 We used to have bean pori'idge hot, 
 
 We used to have it cold. Sir ; 
 We used to like it much the best 
 
 When it was nine days old. Sir. 
 
 With cheerful hearts, «&c. 
 
 Vermont has raised some noble men, — 
 
 Of some I will make mention ; 
 I'll name a few and skip a few 
 
 Assembled here to-night. Sir. 
 
 With cheerful hearts, &c. 
 
 There's Jillson, Martin, Stone and Gould, 
 There's Spaulding, Blake and Parker; 
 
 There's Shepard, Hildreth, Bliss and Fitch, 
 And Randall, Russ and Rogers. 
 
 With cheerful hearts, &c. 
 
 Some found their wives in old Vermont, 
 
 And some found none at all, Sir; 
 Some took theirs from the old Bay State, 
 
 Without the least regret, Sii". 
 
 With cheerful hearts, &c. 
 
45 
 
 The farme:r and blacksmith found work iu Vermont, 
 While the aischitect thought he was coming to want; 
 So he started for Worcester, with phius iu his head, 
 Of churches with steeples, — without auy shed ! 
 
 Mr. Elbridge Boyden, a native of Somerset, responded to tliis 
 sentiment, as follows : — 
 
 Mr. President: — There are a few things man is not responsible for, among 
 which are first, the place of his birth ; second, his birthday and his early 
 childhood ; and lastly, for being called upon for a speech on an occasion like this. 
 It so happened that I was born in the State of Vermont, but of the particu- 
 lar town where the event occurred, I can give but little account, as I left it 
 when about six months old. My attachments for our Green Mountain home 
 are not, therefore, as strong as many others present may feel. I could not 
 have selected a better birthday than was given me, which was early in the 
 morning of the Fourth of July, iu season to celebrate a day that has ever 
 been memorable to me. 
 
 The attraction which induced me, as well as the rest of the people, to take 
 up a residence here, was expressed by a celebrated traveler and temperance 
 lecturer, Avho said he had traveled in nearly every State of the Union, and iu 
 foreign countries ; and he had come to the conclusion that the United States 
 was the best country and the happiest people on the face of the earth, and the 
 New England States was the best part of the United States, and Massachu- 
 setts the best part of New England, Worcester County the best part of Mas- 
 sachusetts, and the city of Worcester the best part of Worcester County. 
 This, I think, is the conclusion we have all reached, and accounts for so many 
 Vermonters being residents here aud present to-night. 
 
 While returning recently from a journey to some of the Western and North- 
 western States, I was thinking of what the traveler I spoke of had said, aud 
 I had come to the conclusion that he was about right, aud that I would not be 
 willing to give up New England and its churches with steeples, its schools and 
 society, notwithstanding it has faults, if I could have in exchange all I had 
 seen during my journey, when a party of ladies and gentlemen seated behind 
 me in the car, entered into conversation. They, too, were Vermonters, but 
 had been absent twenty-one years, and were then going to visit their former 
 home. One of the gentlemen was asked if he was not afraid his wife would 
 want to stay in Vermont. His wife answered, "No; I would not go back 
 there to live, if they would give me all the New England Spates."' 
 
 That was her idea; miue was the opposite, but I still believe there is no 
 place like our adopted home, where we can aud do build "churches with 
 steeples, and barns with sheds. " 
 
 Our dear friends at home, we remember you all, 
 And greet you to-night from this festival hall, 
 
 Was responded to by Mr. Parker G. Skinner, a native of Windsor, 
 who spoke substantially as follows : — 
 
46 
 
 3Ir. Chairman, and Sons and Daughters of Vermont: — I am extremely happy 
 to see so mauy of mj' friends from all parts of our native State, aud to meet so 
 many worthy and intelligent men and women. When I came to Worcester, I 
 expected to find but few Vermonters here, and was surprised to hear that 
 there were some fourteen hundred who claim my native State as their 
 birthplace. In looking over this assembly, I feel that no .State, save Ver- 
 mont, could have called out such a representation in Worcester ; I feel honored 
 in my nativity, and new pride in the good old State. I feel sure, Mr. Chair- 
 man, that our friends at home do sympathize with you here ; that their hearts 
 beat in unison with ours, to-night. Enough has been said to show that we 
 have not forgotten our home ; let all of us think of our friends there. How 
 easily this meeting takes our minds back to the old home gatherings. We 
 had but few of the finer comforts of life then, but the men were honest, and 
 the women were pure, and all were happy in their simple lives. We may 
 never forget them, and should strive so far as we can to emulate their virtues. 
 
 A brief dramatic sketch, " Betsey and I, " was here presented, by 
 Mrs. J. S. Rogers and Mi's. S. V. Stone, who won the heartiest 
 applause of the evening, by their capital assumption of their parts. 
 
 Vermont boasts of marble, aud other hard rocks, 
 And furnishes sculptous to finish the blocks. 
 
 Mr. Benjamin H. Kinney, a native of Sunderland, who was detained 
 from personal attendance, sent the following response : — 
 
 3Ir. President. 
 
 You have served me a dish, somewhat hard to digest, 
 But with hammer and chisel I'll soon do my best. 
 
 THE ROCKS OF VERMONT. 
 
 From her rocks was reared the proudest old hall 
 
 That stands by the proudest of ways ; 
 And in gen)s of art, some great and some small, 
 
 Her marble is speaking her praise. 
 
 She has mountain rocks, with gorges and breaks, 
 
 And rocks in her hills and her vales; 
 And she's rocks beside her beautiful lakes. 
 
 Close down to the white, gleaming sails. 
 
 And she's towering rocks amid her bright sti'eams, 
 
 Where purest of water o'erflows. 
 As it leaps, and breaks, and sparkles, and gleams, 
 
 With tints of gayest rainbows. 
 
 She has rocks very hard, and rocks that are not, 
 
 In ledges and huge looking blocks ; 
 And she's rocks beneath her bright, greenest spot, — 
 
 And more — she's — " pockets full of rocks. " 
 
47 
 
 The next sentiment was : — 
 
 Thic Cnuucii OF Vehmont was a practical thiug; 
 Sustaining tlie State, and opposing the King. 
 
 The response was by Mr. George Prichard, a native of Bradford, 
 who spoke as follows : — 
 
 Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen : — Tlie limited time and the lateness of 
 the hour forbid my enlarging very much on the topic which our honored Presi- 
 dent has assigned me. The early settlers of the Green Mountain State were 
 largely practical, God-fearing men and women. They were willing to sacri- 
 fice ease and self for the good of others. Although many were rough and 
 uncultivated in their manners, they possessed sterling common sense, and for 
 true bravery they have never been exceeded in the history of the world. 
 Leaving the more favored settlements in New England and New York, for the 
 then unbroken wilderness, known as the New Hampshire Grants, they trav- 
 eled on foot, on horseback, and in canoes, by the aid of marked trees, sub- 
 jecting themselves to hardships and privations, which we, at the present day, 
 cannot fully realize. The valley of the Connecticut, with which I am more 
 familiar than other sections of the State, was covered then with immense 
 pines, large numbers of which, in subsequent years, w'ere cut and delivered to 
 French contractors, to be shipped to France, for the Royal Navy. The ear- 
 liest settlements in the eastern townships were made at Bennington, Guilford, 
 Westminster, Brattleboro, Windsor, Norwich, Bradford, and Newbury; also 
 at Charlestown No. 4, and Orford in New Hampshire, and generally near the 
 banks of the rivers. After some clearing of the forest, their small log hut 
 was erected, followed by a saw and grist mill, the church and school house, 
 store and blacksmith shop. With a steady increase of immigration, the ex- 
 tensive forests rapidly disappeared and gave place to cultivated fields ; roads 
 were opened in every direction, and comfortable farm-houses soon took the 
 place of the rude huts, the nucleus of the rising village and the thriving 
 town. They were, at times, in great danger of being cut off by the savages, 
 as also from the incursions of Tories. Being descendants of the Puritans, 
 they were solicitous to form churches, and sustain the preached gospel, thus 
 laying deep and broad the foundations, which under God, were to be their 
 bulwark of defence. 
 
 The leading men and women were largely members of the churches in Mas- 
 sachusetts and Connecticut, and early formed themselves into church relations. 
 " That the Church of Vermont was a practical thing, sustaining the State and 
 opposing the King," is atrutii of which we have the most conclusive evidence. 
 The early settlers from Massachusetts and Connecticut, had been taught in 
 their native homes, to reverence religion and its institutions. Hence, we find 
 them voting upon themselves a tax for the support of preaching. Many parts 
 of the State were missionary fields, and in others the Gospel was sustained by 
 town autliority; the church having no deciding voice in the settlement Of 
 tlieir minister. This method was attended with many difticultes, and finally 
 
48 
 
 proved a failure, and the voluntary plau prevailed. " The Church is the pillar 
 and ground-work of truth"; and the early as well as later ecclesiastical 
 records, show that those who were set for the defence of the gospel, were 
 earnest and devoted servants of Christ; many of whom were distinguished 
 for their labors, both in Church and State. They were the acknowledged lead- 
 ers in all the moral reforms of the day, as well as faithful shepherds over their 
 flocks. As they feared God and hated oppression, we find them earnestly re- 
 sisting the claims of New York to jurisdiction over the Colonies; and during 
 the Revolution, in many instances, buckling on the armor, and going forth in 
 defence of liberty. 
 
 Our common schools, academies and colleges, bear witness to the great inter- 
 est felt by the early settlers for the education of their children. In conclusion, 
 let me ask : whei-e will you find more enterprising men and women, than in our 
 loved mountain State ? A rough, elevated region, has always been found favora- 
 ble to health and force of character. Their love of work, indomitable courage, 
 and never dying perseverance, has given them a name and a power in our 
 land. No State in the Union has so little pauperism, and more genuine inde- 
 pendence, and substantial comforts. In intellectual improvement, i-eligious 
 character, and political integrity, she stands in the front ranks. Her sons and 
 daughters are widely scattered over this favored land, carrying their enterprise 
 with them. This State has received large installments, and this city of our 
 adoption a host, whose names and deeds are familiar to most of ns. Let us 
 on this festive occasion, renew our friendship, and also our devotion, to our 
 native State, while not being less thankful for that providence that has cast 
 our lot in this beautiful city, of the " Old Bay State." 
 
 . The last sentiment arranged for the evening, was : — 
 
 The Anciext Customs, by our fathers taught. 
 Gave zest to life, and common sense to thought. 
 
 Mr. Charles G. Parker, a native of Wolcott, was expected to respond, 
 but sudden illness prevented his attendance. He sent the following 
 reply : — 
 
 As a son of Vermont, I heartily recognize and deeply appreciate the truth 
 of a sentiment so beautifully expressed. Standing here in the heart of New 
 England, I hear those noble teachings from among the green hills, echoing 
 through the memories of the past, and rumbling down the vista of all time to 
 come — the grand embodiment of human wisdom. 
 
 Upon every hand I behold practical illustrations of their usefulness, in the 
 integrity of the many hundred hardy sons who All places of trust, of honor, 
 and of responsibility ; and for whom no position in the gift of a nation seems 
 too exalted. 
 
 From the frigid to the torrid zone, — from ocean to ocean, — prosperous 
 merchants, sage legislators, and honored Statesmen, send greetings to moth- 
 ers and sisters in Vermont, and acknowledgments to fathers that the wisdom 
 of early teachings has led them into the front rank of human progress. 
 
49 
 
 The closing tableau was a view of an old-fashioned " Api)le Bee. " 
 in which old men and tnations, lads and lassies, and little children, 
 were all engaged in paring apples and stringing them for drying ; and 
 the design was well carried out. 
 
 The curtain fell, and the tables were abandoned at just twelve 
 o'clock ; but the sitting had not seemed long. Congratulations were 
 general, on the successful manner in which the reunion had been con- 
 ducted, and all joined in the determination to aid in making a similar 
 gathering an annual feature hereafter. " Auld Lang Syne" was sung, 
 and the company was dismissed. 
 
 The following lines, written for the festival, by "Cousin Constance," 
 were received too late to be used there. They find an appropriate 
 place here : — 
 
 RKMIXISCENCES OF HOME. 
 
 Well, we expect some noise to-night, 
 
 Some laughter — maybe crying, — 
 Some pretty speeches, happy sights, 
 
 As last the liours are tiying; 
 For who, when children meet together, 
 Expects to see but changing weatlier? 
 
 Mother 's away, — just bear in mind, 
 
 Ye happy sons and daughters; 
 God bless lier, though she's left behind; 
 
 We're here to reconnoitre 
 The dear old past, perhaps to find 
 Some treasures it has left behind. 
 
 The dear old past; our childhood's home. 
 
 Up there among the mountains ; 
 The pleasant paths again to roam; 
 
 The little, huiglung fountains 
 We filled our cups from — ah, no others 
 Can taste so sweet — now can they, brothers? 
 
 The miles we trudged, all uncomplaining, 
 
 To school, through cold and summer weather, 
 
 That we, a little knowledge gaining, 
 Of adverbs, pronouns, verbs, together; 
 
 A " horrid bore, " we called them then; 
 
 And then our writing — goose-quill pens. 
 
 How busy kept we master, why ! 
 
 We see him now, with squinted eye, 
 Holding aloft a pen to nib, 
 
 And frowning, as a paper squib 
 From reckless boy, just missed his nose; 
 Investigation never shows 
 
« 
 
 50 
 
 Who does these things — for every boy 
 
 At once is deep in his subtraction, 
 With knitted brows, and girls employ. 
 
 Their laughing eyes in tedious fractions; 
 And all, when questioned, only say, — 
 " I wasn't looking, Sir, that Avay." 
 
 The picnics on the inountaiu side, 
 
 The nutting parties full of glee. 
 The moonlight, dashiug horseback ride ; 
 
 Of one such, I've a memory 
 When a hard-bitted, furious creature 
 Was not to me a pleasant feature. 
 
 But of all memories, brightest, best, 
 
 That throng to-night, it seems to me. 
 The driving snow-storm's wild unrest, 
 
 With its white, whirling mystery; 
 And father packed us close together. 
 To drive to school \ — I wonder whether 
 
 The fun was most, when tiTrning out, 
 
 Our sleigh upset us in the snow ; 
 Or when, with many a race and shout. 
 
 With laughing comrades we would go 
 Afoot, and every now and then. 
 Plunge in the drifts and out again. 
 
 What recked we of the wintry weather. 
 
 Of fashion's rules, or etiquette? 
 Our hearts were light as snowy feather j 
 
 We would not, if we could, forget 
 The homely joys that l>lessed us there, 
 Amid the free, Green Mountain air. 
 
 Ah, well ! the years have come and gone, 
 
 And drifted to the shoreless sea 
 These pleasant things ; and yet our song 
 
 To-night, shall not all mournful be, 
 When we, as children, older grown 
 Meet, after years, away from home. 
 
 And looking back, through smiles and tears. 
 
 O'er varying paths, yet bless the hand 
 That leads us through these changing years, 
 
 Still onward, to that other land — 
 Where, grant it Heaven, these sons and daughters 
 Shall meet again beyond Death's waters. 
 
 Cousin Constance. 
 Worcester, Feb. 10, 187-1. 
 
NAMES AND NATIVITY OF MEMBERS. 
 
 Adams, Hiram B. 
 Amstlen, James M. 
 Annis, John W. 
 Armstroug, Byron D. 
 Atkins, William W. 
 
 Baker, David J. 
 Baldwin, Charles D 
 Bancroft, William F. 
 Barnard, William C. 
 Barney, Chandler P. 
 Barney, Jonathan L. 
 Bassett, Lucius J. 
 Belknap, James W- 
 Bennett, Charles W. 
 Benson, Henry B. 
 Bigelow, Elijah W. 
 Blake, Charles H. 
 Blake, Ira G. 
 Blake, R. Elliot 
 Bliss, Geori^e L. 
 Bliss, Georges. 
 Blodgett, Nye P. 
 Bowker, Charles A. 
 Boyden, Elbridge 
 Briggs. Charles S. 
 Briggs, Fred. W. 
 Brown, Henry H. 
 Brown, Phylonzo 
 Brown, R. L. 
 Bruce, Joseph 
 Buck, D Azro A. 
 Bushnell, George H. 
 Bushnell. Oscar P. 
 Butterfleld, Hiram 
 
 Cobb, John L. 
 Coburn. S. P. 
 Culver, Austin L. 
 Cutler, Ebenezer 
 Cutler, John H. 
 Curtis, Oscar P 
 Curtis, William 
 
 Davis, Wesley 
 Dennv, Edward 
 Dix, Oscar B 
 Doon, James W. 
 Doon, Thomas 
 
 Concord. 
 
 Grafton. 
 
 Strafford, 
 
 Nnrmich. 
 
 Waterburij. 
 
 Mt. Holly. 
 Coventry. 
 CaJah. 
 Springfield. 
 WiUhion. 
 WiUiston. 
 Eden. 
 Barnard. 
 Royalton. 
 Winhall. 
 Wilmington. 
 Marlboro. 
 Peacham. 
 Brattleboro. 
 Whitingham. 
 Essex. 
 Barton. 
 St. Johnsbury. 
 Somerset. 
 Bristol. 
 Brattleboro. 
 Marlboro. 
 Wardsboro. 
 3Iarlboro. 
 Marlboro. 
 Tunbridge. 
 Wailsfield. 
 Waitsfield. 
 Winhall. 
 
 Jamaica. 
 
 Fairlee. 
 
 Pomfret. 
 
 Waterford. 
 
 Brookline. 
 
 Newport. 
 
 Newport. 
 
 Northfield. 
 
 Berlin. 
 
 Whitingham. 
 
 Underhill. 
 
 Underhill. 
 
 Elkins, George W. 
 
 Fisher, DeWitt 
 Fisher, George jr. 
 Fitch, Dana H. 
 Fuller, Amos W. 
 
 Gassett, Merrill 
 Gibbs, Ivers 
 Gould, Benj. F. 
 Gould, Charles M. 
 Gould, James C. 
 Gould, Ransom M. 
 Grover, Julian H. 
 
 Harding, Willliara B. 
 Haunnond, Edward H. 
 Hammond, Willard F. 
 Harrington, David 
 Hemenway. Alpheus H, 
 Hewett, Elmer 
 Hildreth, George G. 
 Hildreth, Samuel E. 
 Hill, Cornelius H. 
 Hodgdon, Alanson I. 
 Holcombe, Lucius 
 Holden, Alfred 
 Hooker, Parker C. 
 Howe, Lucius F. 
 Houghton, Lemuel 
 Hunt, Frank T. 
 
 Jillson, Clark 
 
 Kent, Ezra 
 Kidder, Richard B. 
 Kieleler, M. 
 Kingsbury Harlan W. 
 Kinsley, Daniel 
 Knight, A. L. 
 
 Boxbury. 
 
 Putney. 
 Newfane. 
 Guilford. 
 Weston. 
 
 Windsor. 
 Benson. 
 Toivnshend. 
 Rockingham. 
 Newfane. 
 Newfane. 
 Brandon. 
 
 Wardsboro. ' 
 
 Weathersfield. 
 
 Weathersfield. 
 
 Vergennes. 
 
 Chelsea. 
 
 Pomfret. 
 
 Brattleboro. 
 
 Brattleboro. 
 
 Westford. 
 
 WiUiston. 
 
 Bristol. 
 
 Newfane. 
 
 Peacham. 
 
 Harvard. 
 
 Whitingham. 
 
 Montpelier. 
 
 Whitingham. 
 
 Wallinnfard. 
 
 Wardsboro. 
 
 Wardsboro. 
 
 Chester. 
 
 Fletcher. 
 
 Dover. 
 
 Knight, Charles V. Dover. 
 
 Landers, Robert 
 Lapoint, Joseph O. 
 Lee, Joseph 
 Leland, .Varon 
 Libby, Lavine 
 Lindse}\ Henry 
 Locke, G Eugene 
 
 Brandon. 
 
 Brandon. 
 
 WiUiston. 
 
 Chester. 
 
 Danbury. 
 
 Jamaica. 
 
 Chelsea. 
 
H 
 
 52 
 
 Lovering, Daniel 
 
 Manchester, Andrew J, 
 Marsh, Charles A. 
 Martin, J. Harlow 
 Martin, Oramel 
 McDonald, Alexander 
 Morse, Edwin 
 Morse. Edwin R. 
 Moulton, J. C. 
 Moulton, Stillinan 
 
 Nash, Vincent K. 
 Norton, Frank B. 
 
 O'Gara, John 
 O'Gara, Thomas 
 
 Parker, Charles G. 
 Parker, Robert D. 
 Patch, Albert 
 Peal)ody, Bradford I. 
 Peabody, Charles H. 
 Peabody, Henry G. 
 Pinkham, Joseph 
 Potter, George B. 
 Prichard, George 
 
 Quimby, Frank A. 
 
 Randall, Alfred 
 Rawson, Cliarles B. 
 Rawson, Chandler D. 
 Rawson, Gilbert N. 
 Rawson, Harrison L. 
 Rawson, Joseph D. 
 Rawson, K. P. 
 Robinson, William L. 
 Rock, John L. 
 Rogers, James S. 
 Russ, E. W. 
 Russ, James J. 
 
 Sargent, Simon R. 
 Sawyer, Frank 
 Shattuck, James H. 
 Shattiick, Moody E. 
 Sluittuck, Oliver P. 
 Shepard, Constant 
 Shultz, William H. 
 
 Stockhridge. 
 
 . Trail. 
 
 Bethel. 
 
 Berkshire. 
 
 IVhitinfjham. 
 
 BriiUjeioater. 
 
 Andover. 
 
 Newfane. 
 
 Albany. 
 
 Groton. 
 
 Jericho 
 Bennington. 
 
 Rutland. 
 Rutland. 
 
 Wolcott. 
 
 Bakersfield. 
 
 Newfatie. 
 
 Chester. 
 
 Weston. 
 
 Chester. 
 
 Danville. 
 
 Plymouth. 
 
 Bradford. 
 
 Thctford. 
 
 Greensboro. 
 
 Jamaica. 
 
 Jamaica. 
 
 Jamaica. 
 
 Jamaica. 
 
 Jamaica. 
 
 Jamaica. 
 
 Bar re. 
 
 Bakersfield. 
 
 Danby. 
 
 Woodstock. 
 
 Hartland. 
 
 Bmtllehoro. 
 
 West Fairlee. 
 
 Bakersfield. 
 
 Wuterville. 
 
 Waterville. 
 
 Sharon. 
 
 St. Albans. 
 
 Shumway, Edwin R. 
 Skinner, Parker G. 
 Smith, Harvey H. 
 Smith, Lewis N. 
 Smith, Samuel C. 
 Sorell, Henry M. 
 Spalding, Edward L. 
 Spanlding, Algernon S 
 Spaulding, John E. 
 Spanlding, Reuben 
 St. Amour, George B. 
 Stark, Edward H. 
 Stark, Oliver N. 
 Sieele, Benjamin A. 
 Stickney, Cyrus 
 Stone, Samuel V. 
 Strong, Francis 
 Swain, John M. 
 
 Templeton, John 
 Tillisou, Hosea R. 
 Tinker, Oramel G. 
 Thompson, Arvin 
 Thompson, Albert I. 
 Thompson, William 
 Towne, Dean 
 Towushend.Van Buren 
 Townshend, Velette P. 
 Tracy, William A. 
 Tvler, Eliot 
 Tyler, Wilson 
 
 Underwood, Clark 
 
 Vaughn, D. Albert 
 Vaughn, Charles A. 
 Vaughn, Edwin L. 
 
 Wallis, Chapman 
 Wallis, Church 
 Watkins, Henry W. 
 Whipple, George B. 
 White, Nathan 
 Whitney, Henry L. 
 Whitman, E. H. 
 Wolcott, E. W. 
 Wood, Charles 
 
 Yaw, Curtis S. 
 
 Jamaica. 
 Wind.'<or. 
 Moretoron. 
 Wilmington. 
 Waitsfieid. 
 Vergennes. 
 Sharon. 
 .Northfield. 
 Cavendish. 
 Sharon. 
 St. Albans. 
 Halifax'. 
 Halifax. 
 Brn'ttleboro. 
 Fletcher. 
 Eden. 
 Byegate. 
 Washington. 
 
 Montpelier. 
 
 Underhill. 
 
 Hydepark. 
 
 Chester. 
 
 Chester. 
 
 Burlington. 
 
 Windsor. 
 
 Beading. 
 
 Beading. 
 
 Shelburn. 
 
 Whitingham. 
 
 Whitingham. 
 
 Jamaica. 
 
 Cornwall. 
 Shoreham. 
 3Iiddlesex. 
 
 Waitsfieid. 
 Waitsfieid. 
 Grand Isle. 
 Lyndon. 
 Whiting. 
 Woodstock. 
 Jamaica- 
 Colchester. 
 Plymouth. 
 
 Guilford. 
 
LADIES' LIST. 
 
 Ackley, C 
 
 Brattlehoro. 
 
 Jillson, Waity 
 
 Wldtingham. 
 
 Aldeu, Jane B. 
 
 Lyndon. 
 
 
 
 Allen, Mary C. 
 
 Westmore. 
 
 Kane, Mary E. 
 
 Windsor. 
 
 Ames, Mrs. H. H. 
 
 Cavendish. 
 
 Knight, Cinnie 
 
 Moretown. 
 
 Atlierton, Mrs. L. A. 
 
 Ludlow. 
 
 
 
 
 
 Lee, Mrs. Joseph 
 
 Harwinton. 
 
 Babbitt, Mrs. E. 
 
 Londnndernj. 
 
 Lewis, Sarah W. 
 
 Coventry. 
 
 Baker, F. M. 
 
 Eeadiny. 
 
 
 
 Barlow, Sibyl S. 
 
 Hinesliuri/. 
 
 Mellen, Mrs. D. L. 
 
 Wardsboro. 
 
 Bemis, Sarah L. 
 
 3Ianch ester. 
 
 Merritt, Harriet A. 
 
 Brattleboro. 
 
 Blake, Mrs. A. F. 
 
 Johnson. 
 
 Merritt, Hattie M. 
 
 Brattlehoro. 
 
 Blod2:ett, Lydia A. 
 
 Middlesex. 
 
 
 
 Brabrook, Mrs.Wm. F 
 
 Hardicick. 
 
 Norton, Jane C. 
 
 Bennington. 
 
 Briggs, Hattie L. 
 
 Bristol. 
 
 
 
 Bruce, Mrs. A. 
 
 Marlboro. 
 
 O'Gara, Jennie F. 
 
 Butland. 
 
 Burr, Mrs. F. 
 
 Williston. 
 
 
 
 
 
 Page, Jane A. 
 
 Waterhnry. 
 
 Cox, L. A. 
 
 Woodstoclc. 
 
 Page, Mary B. 
 
 Foidtney. 
 
 Crosby, Mrs. J. P. 
 
 Brookfield. 
 
 Parker, Lucia 
 
 Chester. 
 
 Cutler, Mrs. M. C 
 
 Charlotte. 
 
 Proctor, Nellie M. 
 
 West Fairlee 
 
 
 
 Putnam, Mrs. C. P. 
 
 Whitingham. 
 
 Dearborn, Mrs. W. F. 
 
 Danville. 
 
 
 
 Denny, Elizabeth D. 
 
 Eden. 
 
 Rawson, Nellie M. 
 
 Winhall. 
 
 
 
 Reynolds, Mrs. N. P. 
 
 3Ianchester. 
 
 Fish, Sarah A. 
 
 Clarendon. 
 
 Roberts, Mrs. J. W. 
 
 Manchester. 
 
 Gould, Julia 
 
 Shreivshurij. 
 
 Smith, Hari'iet N. 
 
 Brattleboro. 
 
 Graham, Laura W. 
 
 Jamaica. 
 
 Stratton, Mrs. R. C. 
 
 Newfane. 
 
 
 
 Swan, Fannie L. 
 
 Bradford. 
 
 Hadley, Cynthia A. 
 
 Danville. 
 
 Swan, Lizzie M. 
 
 Bradford. 
 
 Hewett, Georgia C. 
 
 Cavendish. 
 
 
 
 Higgins, Mrs. W. S. 
 
 Tunbridge. 
 
 Towue, Mrs. S. E. 
 
 Springfield. 
 
 Holconib, Delia A. 
 
 Bristol. 
 
 
 
 Holden, Sarah 
 
 Winchester. 
 
 Webster, Mrs. C. C 
 
 Brookfield. 
 
 Holden. Mrs. VVm. 
 
 TVhitinffham. 
 
 Wheeler, Mrs. D. M. 
 
 ]Miitingham. 
 
 Hyde, Mrs. S. 
 
 Waterford. 
 
 Wheeler, Mrs. J. S. 
 
 Ludlow. 
 
 
 
 Willard, Mrs. A. D. 
 
 Barnard. 
 
 James, Deborah 
 
 Winchester. 
 
 Woodcock, Mrs. M. A. 
 
 Milton. 
 
 Jeuks, Mrs. S. B. 
 
 Barnard. 
 
 Wymau, Mrs. Achsa 
 
 Cavendish. 
 
II 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 THE ORIGIN OF STEAM NAVIGATION. 
 
 BY CLAKK JILLSON. 
 
 Since the reuuiou of the sons or Vermont, in Worcester, a controversy has 
 arisen in relation to an allnsion in my address concerning the original in- 
 ventor of Steam Navigation in this country. 
 
 In attempting to trace back one of the greatest enterprises of modern times, 
 it is not enough to claim for its originator that he tried experiments relative 
 thereto; but in order to justly give any man the credit of first putting in mo- 
 tion the forces causing or bringing about these great results, it must be shown 
 that his experiments contained the essential elements of that grand culmina- 
 tion, the origin of which we seek to establish. 
 
 Experimental inventors have always been numerous, but experiment alone 
 does not entitle anybody to much credit, unless a clear connection can be 
 shown between it and some practical and useful result. John Fitch claimed 
 to have made numerous discoveries in regard to steam navigation, and a stock 
 company was formed to develop his ideas and methods, but, after many altera- 
 tions and experiments, the whole project was abandoned by the stockholders, 
 and the steamboat of John Fitch was never brought into practical use, nor is 
 there any history showing that such a boat, emanating from his brain, ever 
 existed, except in imagination. Fitch himself, in giving a description of his 
 invention in the Philadelphia Gazette, says, " The cylinder is to be horizontal, 
 and the steam to work with equal force at each end." The stockholders 
 evidently discovered that the is to 5e boat was not likely to be in the-r day, 
 and gave it up, and it never was. But the mystery thrown around the life of 
 John Fitch and his experiments with and upon the steam engine, together 
 wiih the fact that Robert Fulton and Chancellor Livingston's money actually 
 developed the steamboat from a crude state into its present practical condi- 
 tion, has had a tendency to divert pul)lic attention from the original inventor, 
 who, unfortunately, lived away from the great mart of trade, in what was then 
 an almost unbroken wilderness. 
 
 However, the time is not far distant when history will accord to Capt. 
 Sanniel Morey. of Fairlee, Vermont, the honor of being the originator of 
 steam navigation in America. 
 
56 
 
 It has been claimed that Moray was not a Vermouter, and that the credit of 
 his inventions belong to New Hampshire; but this is a mere technical matter, 
 so long as he was not a native of either state, and was as thoronghl3- ideutitied 
 with Fairlee as with Orford, during his long and useful life. 
 
 Capt. Morey was a son of Gen. Israel Morey, who emigrated from Hebron 
 Ct., to Orford, N. H., in October, 17(35, and soon removed from that place to 
 Fairlee, Vt., where he lived many years. Samuel was four years old when his 
 father removed to Orford, and about eleven when he went to Fairlee. In this 
 place he spent a large part of his life, and here he died in 1842. He was no 
 accidental inventor, but his whole life was spent in study and experiment. 
 Afcer a long series of experiments upon heat and light, wherein he investigated, 
 in a careful manner, the methods of manufacturing illuminating gas from water 
 and other material, we find him in 1819, contributing some of the results of his 
 experiments to SiJJiman's Juurnal, wherein he claims that a stove might be so 
 constructed as to heat and light a house at the same time. He then had a 
 stove in practical operation, which was, undoubtedly, one of the flrst in New 
 England, if not in the country. Prof. Sillimau says, in a foot note in his 
 Journal : "I presume that no apology will be necessary forgiving Mr. Morey's 
 valuable communications entire. They are practical results of an ingenious, 
 practical man, who, as he ingeniously states, ' having no pretensions to science, 
 no chemical or philosophical apparatus, and little or no access to men of 
 science, has spent most of his life in experiments.' " 
 
 Morey also contributed to the same journal an account of his woriv upon 
 steam engines, wherein it appears that he was the first inventor of rotary 
 engines having sufficient power for practical use. He also tried numerous 
 experiments with heated air and demonstrated its practical use as a motive 
 power. 
 
 Somebody has stated that "John Fitch, as early as 1785, commenced his 
 steamboat projects," but all the evidence that can be produced to sustain this 
 assertion, comes from Fitch himself, and was not known till his papers were 
 opened thirty years after his decease, in accordance with a provision in his 
 will. But Morey had been experimenting upon steamboats for more than ten 
 years previous to this time. Besides, the boat constructed by Fitch was 
 propelled by oars, the engine being attached to them, which is suflicient i-ea- 
 son for its having been abandoned. 
 
 Morey used the wheel, and was the original inventor of that method of pro- 
 pelling boats in this country, and probably in the world. The following cor- 
 respondence, in relation to this subject, will show both sides of the question, 
 and give the reader an opportunity to judge of their merits : — 
 
 THE FIRST STEAMBOAT. 
 
 CORRICSPONDKNCK Ol' THE BOSTON JOURNAL. 
 
 Havkrhill, Mass., Feb. IG, 187-1. 
 In your report of the Green Mountain festival at Worcester, published 
 Wednesday morning, Feb. 11, we find that the President of the Association, 
 ex-Mayor jillson, claims this honor for a Vermouter. He says Capt. Samuel 
 
57 
 
 Morey, of Fairlee, was the first man to apply steam power to navigation, who, 
 in 1792 applied steam to a small boat on the Connecticut river, and afterward 
 on Fairlee pond. 
 
 He afterward exhibited his model in New York, in presence of Fulton and 
 Livingston. 
 
 In 1858 the Rev. Cyrus Mann, of Orford, published an article in a Boston 
 paper, wherein he says : " The first steamboat ever seen in American waters 
 was invented by Capt. Samuel Morey." 
 
 Your readers* may find some account of the invention of the steam engine 
 and its application to navigation, in the Life of Nathan Read, published by Hurd 
 & Hougliton, 1870, and written by his nephew, David Read, who endeavors to 
 establish the fact that his uncle was the first inventor of the multitubular 
 boiler ; and he also shows that he made an application for a patent on a method 
 of propelling land carriages and boats by steam. The dateof his petition was 
 April 23, 17!)0. See page'lol and page 2*00. On page 37 we find the following 
 statements : 
 
 "James Rumsey, a native of Maryland, and John Fitch, of Windsor, Conn., 
 were the first in Auierica who made the attempt to propel boats by steam. 
 Page 38 we find that Ruuisey tried his t)oat on the Potomac, at Bath, Berkeley 
 county, Virginia, December, 1787. He had but very iudiflereut success, moved 
 his boat but a short distance, and the river closing, his boat was laid up. and 
 he made no further experiments with it. The next year he went to Euglaud 
 to prosecute his steamboat projects, and suddenly died with apoplexy, as he 
 was about to address a large audience at Liverpool upon the subject." 
 
 Farther ou we quote : 
 
 "John Fitch, as early as 1785, commenced his steamboat projects. In 1787, 
 John Fitch and his partner, Voight, constructed a boat 45 feet long and 12 feet 
 beam; to tliis they applied oars moved by a steam engine, acquiring a speed 
 of three miles an hour. 
 
 In 1788 a new boat was built, 60 feet long and 8 feet beam; the machinery 
 was taken from the old and put in this, but paddle wheels, placed at the stern, 
 were substituted for the oars, with which the previous boat was propelled. 
 
 This boat they run from Philadelphia to Burlington, a distance of twenty 
 miles. This was the first trip of that distance made by a steamboat ever 
 known in history, which was the lastof Jul3% or the first of August, 1788. In 
 1789 Fil:ch built another boat, having an engine with an 18-inch cylinder. 
 After various trials and failures, this boat was finally brought to a speed of 
 six miles per hour, and was run as a passenger boat between Philadelpliia and 
 Trenton, about three months during the year 1790." 
 
 Thus it will be seen, if the foregoing statements are correct, the steam en- 
 gine had been successfully applied to the propulsion of boats anterior to Capt. 
 Morey's experiments on the Connecticut and Fairlee pond, which, it seems, 
 were in 1792. \Ve have no desire to rob the Green Mountain Boys of any of 
 their laurels, but that tlie honor of inventing steam navigation .^'rsf belongs to 
 them, looks at least somewhat doubtful. Possibly some of your numerous 
 correspondents can give us further light upon this interesting question. 
 
 N. Spofkoud. 
 THE FIRST STEAMBOAT. 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE OF THE BOSTOX JOURNAL. 
 
 Worcester, Mass., Feb. 22, 1874. 
 
 My attention has been called to a letter published in your paper some days 
 since in relation to a statement made in my address, to the Sons and Daugh- 
 ters of Vermont, at Worcester, Feb. 10, 1874, wherein I aflirmed that Capt. 
 Samuel Morey, of J'airlee, Vt., was the first man in this country to apply 
 steaui power to navigation. 
 
 The writer of this letter claims that James Rumsey and John Fitch were 
 the original inventors of steam navigation, but well authenticated history 
 does not sustain this proposition. 
 
 9 
 
58 
 
 It is well kuowu that Johu Fitch prepared a memoir of himself, including a 
 history of his experiments in relation to steam, and that these papers were 
 bequeathed to the Franklin Library in Philadelpliia, with directions that they 
 should be unsealed and perused thirty years from the time of his decease. At 
 the appointed time they were opened and found to contain a detailed account 
 of his life, together with the progress of his experiments in the application of 
 steam to navigation. 
 
 From these papers — written by himself, concealed for a generation from 
 public view, giving no opportunity for cotemporaries to dispute any of the 
 statements therein set forth — the history of John Fitch has been made up and 
 presented to the world. It is clear by his own showing that his experiments 
 did not amount to a success, and he stands before the world to-day simply as 
 a claimant, relying upon his own assertions without corroboration. 
 
 It is said that James Ru.nsey pretended that he was the inventor of steam 
 navigation and applied for a patent, but it was decided that he was not the 
 original inventor and his application was rejected. This disposes of Mr. 
 Rumsey. 
 
 There is no reliable historical evidence to show that Fitch was the inventor 
 of steam navigation in this country, from the fact tiiat the progress in that art 
 cannot be traced back to him; but it can be traced to Robert Fulton, and from 
 him directly to Capt. Samuel Morey, and nowhere else. It is settled beyond 
 all question that Morey had launched his boat upon the waters of Vermont 
 before Fulton had accomplished the same thing in New York. It is also a 
 well established fact that Fulton visited Morey at Fairlee for the purpose of 
 witnessing his successful experiments, before he (Fulton) had launched any 
 kind of steam craft upon the waters; and it can be shown that Morey had 
 been engaged in such experiments for years before, so that the first practical 
 steaml)oat ever seen upon the waters of America was invented by Capt. Sam- 
 uel Morey, the fiither of steam navigation, as we see it to-day. History 
 shows conclusively that his rude boat was improved upon and developed di- 
 rectly into what we now admire as the modern steamboat, while the experi- 
 ments of Rumsey and Fitch not only rest in oblivion, but they never added a 
 single thought or suggestion to the genius of Fulton. 
 
 There is no doubt that Fitch was an inventor, and a man of consummate 
 ability. The fact of his conceiving the idea of writing a history of his own 
 life, claiming therein to be the original inventor of one of the grandest arts 
 the world has ever known, and sealing up these statements for thirty years, 
 till every cotemporary was dead, thereby making his assertions the best evi- 
 dence in existence of their own accuracy, was the sciieme of no common man. 
 
 But this trick bears an unfavorable comparison with the quiet acts of the 
 honest Vermonter, who has never uttered a word in his own behalf; but with 
 characteristic generosity and nobleness of heart, unfolded his entire plan of 
 steam navigation, wherein had culminated the labors of his life, to the shrewd 
 denizen of Gotham, to be by him appropriated and handed down through the 
 generations as his own invention. 
 
 Cl.Al!K JiLLSON. 
 
 The following letters, — one addressed to Judge Underwood, of Wells River, 
 Vt., and the other to myself, — were written by an aged and nuich respected 
 citizen of Fairlee, who has kindly permitted their publication in this connec- 
 tion. : — 
 
 Faiklee, Vt., March iith, 1874. 
 
 Hon. a. Undf.kwood: 
 
 Dear Sir : — I believe I once sent your uncle a copy of some records from 
 the Patent Uflice, relating to certain patents taken out by Capt. vSamuel Morey, 
 
59 
 
 for " application of steam to navigation," in 1795, and so on up to the time 
 that Fulton took out his tirst patent for the same thing. Now, dear Sir, as the 
 records of the patent office have since been burned, if you can return tliose 
 minutes, or a copy of them, I should be very much obliged. 1 think I sent 
 you the letter I received from Mr. Willard or Wilcox. If they could have the 
 original, they might be able to make oath to them as true copies. 
 
 The subject is creating considerable interest just now, and many are be- 
 coming convinced that P'ulton stole his pretended invention from somebody. 
 It will, I think, turn out that he stole it from Oapt. Morey. Capt. Morey once 
 told me and others that he went to New York before the year 1800, with a 
 steam engine in the bow of a light boat, and made a trial of it in the presence 
 of Fulton and Livingston, who told him if he would put the appliance on the 
 sides of the boat, they would give him $100,000 for it. Fulton could not wait 
 for Morey to perfect the work, but came to Fairlee and Orford in the mean 
 time, and Morey exhibited to him all his plans, whereupon he went home. 
 When Morey went to New York with his model on the sides of the boat, Ful- 
 ton and Livingston had got so far along as to repudiate the proposition they 
 had formerly made. 
 
 In relating this incident to me, the Captain expressed the whole matter in a 
 few words, as follows : " The ' cusses ' had stolen my invention." 
 
 Geokgr a. Morey. 
 
 Fairlek, Vt., March 10th, 1874. 
 
 Hon. Clark Jillson : 
 
 Dear Sir : — Captain Samuel Morey was an uncle of mine, and I am happy 
 to see that you take some interest in convincing the public that he was the iu- 
 ventor of steam navigation; and I also have a strong desire that Capt. Morey 
 should have the honor of what I firmly believe belongs to him. I am eight}'- 
 two years old, and Capt. Morey's experiments on steam are among my 
 first recollections. My father worked with him many years, and expected 
 something handsome for his labor, and I well remember the mortitication ex- 
 hibited by the Captain, when it was found that Fulton had stolen the invention 
 from him. 
 
 I remember that I went to see the Captain one day, and as I approached 
 him, he laid down a paper he had been reading, and said the Fulton heirs were 
 begging Congress again for more money, but they would have to wait till 
 some of the members were dead, who knew that he (Morey) was the inventor, 
 and that Fulton stole it from him. He said that in 1790, or thereabouts, he 
 went to New York to see Fulton and Livingston, with whom he had been in 
 correspondence some time, to show them his model of a steam engine he and 
 my father had got up to be put in the bow of the boat. They admired it, and 
 told him that if he would take it iiome and make the application on the side, 
 they would give him .$100,000 for it. He came home, and while at work, Ful- 
 ton came to see him, and was shown all he had done. When Morey had suc- 
 ceeded in making the application to the sides of the boat, he again went to 
 New York, and propelled his boat at the rate of four miles per hour, which 
 Fulton said could not be exceeded. " But," said Morey, " they made no talk 
 about the $100,000, and yuu know I would never beg; but they stole all I had 
 done, at great expense, during years of toil and study." 
 
 I presume I am taxing your patience, but I was so glad to see the few words 
 you published in the Boston Journal, justifying what you said at the reunion 
 of Vermonters in Worcester, that I could not help expressing my gratitude 
 for your sympathy, and I can assure you that all here who lived in Captain 
 Morey's day, as much believe he was entitled to the honor of being the tirst 
 man tliat put a steamboat upon American waters, as they believe they have au 
 existence. Yours most truly, G. A. Morey. 
 
v> f^. 
 
 60 
 NATIVE YERMONTERS m CONGRESS. 
 
 Five Senators and thirteen Representatives in the Forty-third Congress, 
 claim Vermont as tlieir place of birth, — a fair allowauce, we tliiuk all will say, 
 both in numbers and in weight of influence, for so small a State. They are as 
 follows : — 
 
 Stephen W. Doksey, Senator from Arkansas, was born in Benson, Vt., 
 Feb. 28, 1842. 
 
 Jo UN A. K.\ssoN, of the Seventh Iowa district, was born near Burlington, 
 Vt., Jan. 11, 1822. 
 
 Geokge Willakd, of the Third Michigan district, was born in Bolton, Vt., 
 March 20, 1824. 
 
 Aaron A. Cragin, Senator from New Hampshire, was born in Weston, Vt., 
 February 3, 1821. 
 
 Robert S. Hale, of the Seventeenth New York district, was born at 
 Chelsea, Vt., Sept. 24, 1822. 
 
 H. BOARDMAN Smith, of the Twenty-eighth New York district, was born at 
 Whitingham, Vt., August 18, 1826. 
 
 Walter L. Sessions, of the Thirty-second New York district, w^as born at 
 Brandon, Vt. 
 
 Barbour Lewis, of the Ninth Tennessee district, was born at Alburgh, Vt., 
 in 1824. 
 
 George F. Edmunds, Senator from Vermont, was born at Richmond, Vt., 
 February 1, 1828. 
 
 Justin S. Morrill, Senator from Vermont, was born at Straflbrd, Vt., 
 April 14, 1810. 
 
 Charles W. Willard, of the First district, was born at Lyndon, Vt., June 
 18, 1827. 
 
 Luke P. Poland, of the Second district, was born in Westford, Vt., Nov. 
 1, 1815. 
 
 George Whitman Hendee, of the Third district, was born in Stowe, Vt., 
 Nov. 80, 1832. 
 
 William H. H. Stowell, of the Fourth Virginia district, was born at 
 Windsor, Vt., July 26, 1840 
 
 Matthew H. Carpenter, Senator from Wisconsin, was born in Moretowu, 
 Vt., in 1824. 
 
 J. Allen Barber, of the Third Wisconsin district, was born at Georgia, Vt. 
 
 Charles^ A. Eldridge, of the Fifth Wisconsin district, was born at Brid- 
 port, Vt., February 27, 1821. 
 
 Philetus Sawyer, of the Sixth Wisconsin district, was born at Whiting, 
 Vt., September 22, 1816. 
 
 
 MA"? ?-0 l*^'*