BENNINGTON. BENNINGTGN. sachusetts. Samuel Robinson, of Hard- | officers, which consisted of a town clerk, wick, Massachusetts, who had been a five select men, a town treasurer, two captain during the French war, on his constables, two tything men, two hayreturn from Lake George to Hoosic wards, two fence viewers, and two deerforts, while proceeding up Hoosic riv- rifts. Moses Robinson was the first town er, mistook the Walloomscoik for that clerk. Capt. Samuel Robinson had been stream, and followed it up to the tract of appointed a justice of the peace by the country now Bennington. Here he and governor of New Hampshire; thus the his companions, finding they had lost their little community became an organized way, encamped over night, and in the government, acknowledging the authorimorning changed their course and pursu- ty of New Hampshire; though from their ed their way to the forts. Capt. Robin- distant and isolated situation, the settlers son was much pleased with the country, were in a great measure independent of and returned to his family with a deter- all government, but that which they mination to begin a settlement upon it. chose to impose on themselves. Much of He accordingly repaired to New Hamp- the most important public business of the shire, made purchases of a considerable settlers, for two or three of the first years, portion of the rights and then sought for seems to have been taken under the jusettlers. The first emigration to the town risdiction of the proprietors of the town, consisted of the families of Peter Har- who held separate meetings from the inwood, Eleazer Harwood, Leonard Rob- habitants. The first proprietors meetinson, and Samuel Robinson, jr., from ing, of which a record has been preservHardwick, and of Samuel Pratt and Tim-ed, was held the 11th of February 1762, at othy Pratt, from Amherst. The party which meeting a committee was appointincluding women and children number-ed "to look out a place for a meeting ed about twenty. They came on horseback across the mountain by the Hoosic forts and through Pownal, bringing on their horses all their household goods, and arrived in town the 18th of June, 1761. Benjamin Harwood, a most estimable man, now living in Bennington, son of Peter Harwood, was the first person born in town, Jan. 12, 1762. During the fall of 1761, other families to the number of thirty or forty came into town, among whom were those of Samuel Robinson, sen. James Breakenridge, John Fassett, Eleazer Wood, Elisha Field, SamField,Samuel and Oliver Scott, Joseph Safford, John Smith, Joseph Wickwire, Samuel Montague, and Samuel Atwood. The families of Clark, Fay, Hubbell, Henderson, Walbridge, Dewey, Warner and Harmon, were early settlers, but are believed not to have arrived in town the first year. The settlers suffered great inconvenThe first settlers of Bennington encoun-ience from the want of roads and bridges, tered the usual dangers and privations at- and also for the want of mills. To overtendant at that early period on the pio- come these difficulties the proprietors and neers of a new country. It is related that inhabitants taxed themselves freely, both many of the emigrants arrived late in the in labor and money. Roads were opened fall, and that but for the uncommon mild- to different parts of the town, and bridgness of the season, which seemed Provi-es built where necessary. Samuel Robindentially to postpone the setting in of winter to an unusually late period, their preparations for it could not have been completed, and extreme suffering must have been the consequence. The first town meeting was held March | 31, 1762. Samuel Montague was chosen moderator, and it was then voted that every inhabitant and free-holder should have free liberty to vote in said meeting." The meeting proceeded to choose town house;" and on the 26th of the same It son and Joseph Safford, had built "the Safford mills," a grist mill and saw mill,in the east part of the town by the first of Sept., 1762, for which they received a bounty of forty dollars for each mill, the bounty having been.previously promised by vote of the proprietors. A bounty of forty dollars was also given for erecting a saw mill "on the west side of the town." On the 2d of December, 1762, a church was organized, which, by vote on the BENNINGTON. BENNINGTON. same day, adopted the Cambridge plat- generally devised, and whence issued form, with the exception of such parts their resolves and orders, and a large of it as admitted the aid of civil magis- share of the physical force which carried trates in enforcing the support of the them into effect, some notice of this conministry, and their coercive power over troversy seems to be necessary in an acthe church in other matters.* They count of this town. There were some denominated themselves Congregational- circumstances in the controversy with ists, and were such in every respect, ex- New York, peculiar to the claims of the cept in regard to their enlightened no- settlers in Bennington, or, rather, to a tions of religious freedom, which, being portion of them. In other places the at the time in advance of the great major-grants of the governor of New Hampshire ity of their brethren, procured for them were of earlier date than those under New the temporary name of Separatists. In York; but in Bennington several thouthe fall of 1763, the Rev. Jedediah Dew- sand acres of the land were alleged to have ey of Westfield, Mass., in consequence of been granted by New York about ten a call from the church and society at Ben-years before the charter under New Hampnington, removed to this town and became their pastor. In addition to the encouragement given him by voluntary subscription, the proprietors of the town voted him the "minister's right," which was situated adjoining the town plot, and was valuable. Mr. Dewey continued pastor until his death, Dec. 21, 1778. shire. This grant bore date June 15, 1739, and was called Wallum's patent, or, in the Dutch language, Wallumschaik, the termination chaik signifying scrip or patent. It was pronounced Walloomscoik, and gave the name to the stream, on both sides of which it was alleged to extend from about a mile west of Shaftsbury west The emigration to Bennington which line, up to about the centre of Benninghad commenced in 1761 steadily contin- ton. It grew narrow as it extended up ued. At the end of four years the town the river. This was the claim made by probably contained a population of about the patentees. The New Hampshire set1000; and the adjoining towns of Pownal tlers disputed the extent of the patent, aland Shaftsbury might together contain leging that it included only about 40 acres nearly as many more. The settlers had of the northwest corner of the town. It overcome the first difficulties and hard- seems probable the New York claimants ships of a new country, had cleared and were right in regard to the boundaries of put under successful cultivation a consid- the patent, but the New Hampshire men erable portion of their lands, had erected were the first occupants. The inhabitcomfortable dwellings and out-houses, had ants of Bennington were also charged by built roads and bridges; and had, in short," the Yorkers" with having located their become a prosperous and thriving community. But now they were compelled to encounter new troubles. The king, by an order in council, had transferred their territory from the jurisdiction of New Hampshire to that of New York, and the government of New York had construed the order as confirming the title to their lands in that province. The title of the settlers was thus called in question, and it became apparent that they must either purchase their lands anew, or abandon their improvements to the mercy of the New York claimants. There was, indeed, one other alternative, and that was to defend their possessions by force, if it should become necessary. That alternative they adopted. A general history of the controversy with New York, which was the result of this determination, has already been given in the second part of this work, and will not be repeated here. But since Bennington was, in fact, through the whole coutroversy, the head quarters of the opponents of New York, the place where their plans of operations were *Sce part second, page 176. charter some three miles further to the west than its terms warranted. In a publication of the New York claimants made in 1773, it is stated that "the grantees of the township of Bennington discovered that the situation of the tract according to the intention of the grant, would be both inconvenient and unprofitable, as it included a large proportion of mountain, and that they therefore by no other authority than a vote of their town meeting, presumed to extend it to the westward, to within 17 miles of Hudson's river." This charge is no doubt unfounded, at least, to the extent in which it is made. The average distance of the town from the river is now about 20 miles. There is, nevertheless, a tradition that when the proprietors found that the eastern part of the town embraced a portion of the Green Mountains, and that the unoccupied lands adjoining the west line were mostly valuable, they determined to remove the township one tier of lots, or about half a mile to the west. This tradition is countenanced by a record of a proprietors meeting, held September 29, 1762, which BENNINGTON. BENNINGTON. ly with violence in case they continued is as follows, viz: "Voted, that each man | of the settlers, and threatened so decisivethat owns the rights in the east range of rights in the town of Bennington shall have the liberty of removing the easterly half mile of said rights over to the west side in said town opposite to them." If, as this vote would seem to indicate, the west line of the town was removed, it had the effect to add a strip of half a mile in width and about fifty in length to the state,—the west line of Bennington having been the basis of the surveys of all the western towns, from Pownal north | to Poultney river. In June, 1765, a Capt. Campbell, in attempting to survey "the old patent," as that of Walloomscoik was called, came on the land of Samuel Robinson, where he was met by him and others in his employment, and forcibly driven off. Robinson, with two others, was indicted for a riot in the court at Al-judgment in ejectment by the Walloombany, was arrested and after being confined two months in Albany jail, was released on the payment of a fine. This was the first of that series of indictments with which the settlers were harrassed for many years. In the fall of 1766 Capt. Robinson went to England as an agent for the settlers on the grants, where he died the succeeding year.* The Yorkers, considering their claim under "the old patent" as standing on stronger grounds of equity than those under more recent grants, prosecuted it with more zeal; and the New Hampshire men, believing that the success of their antagonists under that claim would be the forerunner of success in all the others, resisted it with equal vigilance and ardor. Several efforts had been made to survey the patent, but, for some reason or other, they had proved unsuccessful. In the fall of 1769 a renewed attempt, with a large party, was made, but with no better success than before. It happened, whether accidentally or otherwise, cannot now be known, that on the very day the survey was to be undertaken, a large number of the inhabitants had assembled on the farm of James Breakenridge, to assist in harvesting his corn. While they were thus employed, the surveyors made their appearance. A long conversation ensued, which, without the application of force, resulted in the abandonment of the attempt, on the part of the surveyors. It is probable they saw reason to apprehend danger if they persevered, and therefore desisted.t The result of the trials at Albany in July, 1770, gave new confidence to the Walloomscoik proprietors, who undertook another survey the following September, but the surveyors were met by a number * See part second, page 19. Ibid. page 20. scoik proprietors against James Breakenridge, the sheriff of Albany county had made several unsuccessful essays to put the plaintiffs in possession of the lands recovered. It was therefore determined, by the advice of the governor and council, that the posse, or in other words the militia of Albany county, should be called out to aid the sheriff in executing his writ. Early in July, 1771, an attempt was made to carly this determination into effect, the result of which has been given in part second, page 21. About this time one Hazzard Wilcox, who lived in Hoosic, on Walloomscoik patent, undertook, with several others, to build a house in the extreme northwest corner of Bennington, on the forty acres which were within the acknowledged limits of the patent. They built the body of the house with logs, and had raised the rafters, but the "Hampshire men" drove off the party, tore down the house, and cut up and burnt the ma| terials. This Wilcox, who was an active "Yorker," afterwards became a tory, in the first year of the war, and when some of his neighbors undertook to break into his house and arrest him, he struck one Perry violently on the breast with a heavy piece of wood, and killed him. Upon which Wilcox fled and never returned. These were the last attempts of the Yorkers to take forcible possession of lands in Bennington. But their attempts were often made in other places; and as the inhabitants of Bennington had been first assailed by the land jobbers and had succesfully resisted them, they were naturally looked to for counsel and aid by the settlers in other towns; and this counsel and aid were promptly given. The opposition to New York became known *See part second, page 21. BENNINGTON. BENNINGTON. and supplies for carrying it on. Bennington was for sometime a depot for provisions and public stores belonging to the United States. To obtain possession of these provisions and stores was the principal object of Burgoyne in sending his expedition to Bennington, which termi, nated so unfavorably to him, and so gloriously to the American cause, by the victory, at this place, of August 16th, 1777.* in that province as the "Bennington | nington furnished their full share of men mob;" and it became the policy of the governor to represent to the public and to the crown, that the opposition to that province was produced by a few ambitious and lawless inhabitants of Bennington. Immediately after the visit from the posse, the people of the grants began to form their voluntary associations for military discipline, under the denomination of "Green Mountain Boys." The union of the several towns on the west side of the Some of the most prominent of the earmountains, through conventions of their ly inhabitants of Bennington deserve a agents and committees, became more passing notice. Samuel Robinson, Sen., compact and efficient; and from this pe- who died in England in 1767, has already riod the events connected with the New been mentioned. Next to him, among York controversy, properly belong to the the first settlers, was James Breakenridge, general history of the state, to which the who was a large land holder, owning a reader is referred in part second. It may, considerable tract in the northwest part however, be mentioned that among the of the town. He had been a lieutenant in relics of this period which still remain at the French war, and was an active and Bennington, is "the big cannon," a heavy useful man. iron 6 pounder, which was brought from with Jehiel Hawley, of Arlington, as an He was sent to England, the fort at east Hoosic in 1772, for the agent for the settlers in the fall of 1772, purpose of being used in the defence of and returned the next year. Seth Warner the grants against an expected invasion is too well known to require any thing to of the British regulars under governor be said of him. He came to Bennington Tryon. It was kept in town and occu- early, was an active and efficient opponent pied a position, perhaps, "more for orna- of the Yorkers, was Colonel of a Contiment than use," at Stark's encampment nental regiment throughout the war, and before the battle of Bennington. The died at Woodbury, Connecticut, soon afterms on which the piece was obtained ter its close.† Ethan Allen resided in Benfrom the fort, are not known; but its nington for two or three years previous rather uncertain ownership has occasion- to the war, and also for a time after ally, for many years past, afforded an ex- the peace. Moses, Samuel and Joncuse for the young men and boys of sever- athan Robinson, sons of Samuel Robinson, al of the neighboring towns in this and the Sen., were prominent men. adjoining states of New York and Massa- inson was the first colonel of militia in the Moses Robchusetts, to exercise their powers in steal-state, and with his regiment was often in ing it back and forth from each other; in active service during the war. which thieving operation they have some- afterwards chief judge of the supreme He was times, when stimulated by the approach court, governor of the state and senator of a celebration of the anniversary of in- in Congress. He died in 1813. Samuel dependence, or of Bennington battle, ex- Robinson was an active and prominent hibited a skill and adroitness that might military man in the state service, and behave won the approbation of a Spartan came colonel of the militia when that post father. The people of Bennington never was of more importance than it is reckonat any time recognized the jurisdiction of ed at present. He commanded one of the New York. All the warnings of their Bennington companies of militia in Bentown meetings, up to Dec., 1769, are enti- nington battle, and Capt. Elijah Dewey tled "Province of N. H." Those of a subse-commanded the other. Jonathan Robinquent date, until the state established a regular government in 1778, are entitled simply "town of Bennington," without any designation of province or state. The people of Bennington took an early and active part in favor of American liberty. Here was held the council of Allen, Easton, Warner and others, in which the expedition to Ticonderoga was planned, in May, 1775; and a considerable portion of the Green Mountain boys, who joined the expedition, were from this town. Throughout the war the people of Ben PT. III. 3 son became chief judge of the supreme * For a full account of the Bennington battle, see part second, page 45. ↑ See part second, page 20. Ibid. BENNINGTON. | BENNINGTON seph Fay. Theodore S. Fay of New York, | tensively introduced. Bennington is cona popular writer of the day, and secreta- nected with Troy, the head of the Hudry of Legation at Berlin, is a grandson of son steam boat navigation, by a good Joseph Fay. David Fay, another son of macadamized road, the distance being 30 Stephen, was United States Attorney for miles. The Walloomscoik and its branchthe Vermont district under Mr. Jefferson, es furnish water power, which is improvand afterwards judge of the supreme ed to a considerable extent; whence have court. Isaac Tichenor came to Benning- sprung up several manufacturing villaton in 1777, as a deputy commissary of ges, which with the old village will repurchases under the United States-was quire separate notices. a member of the assembly in 1781, and Bennington Centre, or the old village of for several successive years; afterwards Bennington, has seventy-five dwelling was a member of the council, judge of houses and about four hundred inhabitthe supreme court from 1791 to 1795, a ants. The public buildings are a Consenator in Congress in 1796, governor of gretional meeting house, a court house the state from 1797 to 1807, and also in and jail, and two academies. It has also 1809, and again a senator in Congress the post office, a bank, three taverns, five from 1814 to 1820. He died in 1840 at stores, seven law offices, a printing office, the age of 85. The family of Saffords and mechanics shops, of various descripwere also leading men. Samuel Safford tions. It is a place of considerable capiwas major in Col. Warner's Continental tal and business; but like most old villaregiment, and served through the war. ges in New England, having been begun He was afterwards a prominent and use- on high ground, a portion of the business, ful man in civil life. The first represen- of which it would otherwise have been tatives of the town in the general assem- the centre, has departed to more fortubly, chosen the first Tuesday of March, nate locations on the streams. This vil1778, were Nathan Clark and John Fas-lage was the centre of operations of the sett. Nathan Clark was the first speaker of the house. He had been a leading man in. committees of safety and conventions for several years. The representa- | tives chosen on the first Tuesday of Sept. 1778, were John Fassett and Ebenezer Walbridge. The latter was colonel of the militia about this time, and afterwards became brigadier general. He was an active and prominent man. people of this state, against the Yorkers, and also against the common enemy, during the revolution. The councils of the leaders were held at the Green Mountain tavern, kept by Stephen Fay; the sign to which was the stuffed skin of a catamount, placed on a post twenty-five feet high, with its jaws distended, and teeth grinning towards New York.* Here were determined the most important public Bennington, by the N. Y. organization, concernments; and here decided the fate was included in the county of Albany. In of those accused of offences against the 1779, when Vermont became organized, people. Many a luckless Yorker had reait was made a half shire town of Ben-son to rue the day he was summoned to nington county, and has continued such ever since. A court house and jail were built here at an early day. There have been two public executions in this town, one of David Redding for "enemical conduct" in 1778; and the other of Archibald Bates for murder in Feb., 1839,* About one quarter of the township is mountainous. The residue is feasible upland, with a considerable quantity of alluvial. The soil is rich and productive, perhaps equal to any in the state. Wheat was formerly raised in abundance, but for many years has been an uncertain crop, and has ceased to be cultivated, except in very small quantities. The productions are principally corn, rye, oats, hay, butter, cheese, beef, pork, and poultry, which generally find a ready market among the manufacturing and mechanical population of the town; for which reason the business of wool-growing has not been ex*For particulars see part second, page 121. trial at the sigh of the catamount; and many an unfortunate tory has departed from its council room, thanking his stars that he had been suffered to escape with his life, though at the expense of a confiscation of his property. The house is now occupied as a private dwelling by Samuel Fay, Esq. a descendant of the first proprietor. The battle ground is situated about 7 miles northwest of this village, on the Walloomscoik river, in the town of Hoosic, New York.. The Congregational meeting house is a fine wooden building, and was erected in 1804. Until about the year 1830, it was the only house for public worship in town. Now there are seven others. The first emigrants to Bennington were Congregationalists; and it is related of Samuel Robinson, the principal proprietor, that when persons came to town to purchase land, it was his practice to invite them to * See part second, page 31. |