BENNINGTON. BENNINGTON. ly with violence in case they continued their work, that they were very willing to abandon it. This produced another complaint to the governor and another proclamation for apprehending rioters, among whom were named Simeon Hatheway, Moses Scott, Jona Fisk, and Silas Robinson, who are described as "principal authors and actors in said riot." On the 29th of November, the Sheriff of Albany county, by the aid of "the infamous John Munro," as he is called in Ethan Allen's publications, succeeded in arresting Silas Robinson, and in hurrying him off to Albany before his neighbors could come to his rescue. Robinson was indicted as a rioter and confined in jail till October of the next year, when he was released on bail.* Since the recovery of judgment in ejectment by the Walloomscoik 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 materials. This Wilcox, who was an active 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 Albany, 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 harvest-ry violently on the breast with a heavy ing 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.† 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. 66 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 Per 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 *Sce 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. He was sent to England, iron 6 pounder, which was brought from with Jehiel Hawley, of Arlington, as an 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 afternis 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. Moses Robadjoining states of New York and Massa-inson was the first colonel of militia in the chusetts, to exercise their powers in stealing it back and forth from each other; in which thieving operation they have sometimes, when stimulated by the approach of a celebration of the anniversary of independence, or of Bennington battle, exhibited a skill and adroitness that might have won the approbation of a Spartan father. The people of Bennington never at any time recognized the jurisdiction of New York. All the warnings of their town meetings, up to Dec., 1769, are entitled "Province of N. H." Those of a subsequent date, until the state established a regular government in 1778, are entitled simplytown 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 state, and with his regiment was often in active service during the war. He was afterwards chief judge of the supreme court, governor of the state and senator in Congress. He died in 1813. Samuel Robinson was an active and prominent military man in the state service, and became colonel of the militia when that post was of more importance than it is reckoned at present. He commanded one of the Bennington companies of militia in Bennington battle, and Capt. Elijah Dewey commanded the other. Jonathan Robinson became chief judge of the supreme court, and a senator in Congress. John Fassett and Stephen Fay were among the early leading men of the town. John Fassett, Jun., was also a prominent man, and held the office of judge of the supreme court for several years. Dr. Jonas Fay, son of Stephen, held many important posts in the state, and was a noted and useful man, as was also his brother Jo * For a full account of the Bennington battle, see part second, page 45. See part second, page 20. Ibid. BENNINGTON. BENNINGTON Bennington Centre, or the old village of Bennington, has seventy-five dwelling houses and about four hundred inhabitants. The public buildings are a Congretional meeting house, a court house and jail, and two academies. It has also the post office, a bank, three taverns, five stores, seven law oflices, a printing office, and mechanics shops, of various descriptions. It is a place of considerable capital and business; but like most old villages in New England, having been begun on high ground, a portion of the business, of which it would otherwise have been the centre, has departed to more fortunate locations on the streams. This vil 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 for several successive years; afterwards was a member of the council, judge of the supreme court from 1791 to 1795, a senator in Congress in 1796, governor of the state from 1797 to 1807, and also in 1809, and again a senator in Congress from 1814 to 1820. He died in 1840 at the age of 85. The family of Saffords were also leading men. Samuel Safford was major in Col. Warner's Continental regiment, and served through the war. He was afterwards a prominent and use ful man in civil life. The first representatives of the town in the general assembly, chosen the first Tuesday of March, 1778, 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 representatives 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. Bennington, by the N. Y. organization, was included in the county of Albany. In 1779, when Vermont became organized, it was made a half shire town of Bennington 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 *For particulars see part second, page 121. 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 concernments; and here decided the fate of those accused of offences against the people. Many a luckless Yorker had reason to rue the day he was summoned to trial at the sign 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 ex-land, it was his practice to invite them to *See part second, page 31. BENNINGTON. BENNINGTON, his house over night. In the course of a mile and a half east of the old village, the evening he contrived to ascertain contains 140 dwelling houses and about their religious views. If he found they 700 inhabitants. Its public buildings are did not correspond with his, he persuaded four churches and an academy. It has a them to settle in Shaftsbury, of which he woollen factory, employing eight or ten was also a proprietor. By this means the hands; two wadding factories, which settlers of Bennington were nearly all of manufacture from 70 to 80 thousand dozone religious faith; and they continued en sheets per annum, valued at 20 to so, with some exceptions, to a late period. $25,000; two cupola furnaces which This attempt to preserve uniformity of re. make from eight to ten tons of castingsligious sentiment was doubtless designed such as stoves, mill-irons, ploughs, &c.to promote the harmony and consequent per week; three tanneries that prepare happiness of the town. But it is questiona- for market 3000 hides annually; a stone ble whether it had that effect. While but and earthern ware factory, employing a single church existed, it was often di- from 12 to 15 hands; and an establishvided into parties, sometimes of a most ment for making fire bricks, which produbitter character, whose influence exten- ces about $5,000 worth per annum. The ded throughout the town, and produced vi- fire bricks, for the composition and manolent animosities and heart burnings. ufacture of which a patent has been obThe party in the majority was generally tained, are composed principally of kaolin intolerant, and both parties bigoted and and pulverized quartz, which are found in uncharitable. Since other churches have abundance in the east part of the town. been established, more liberal religious, The bricks are used in blast and cupola as well as kinder, social feelings have furnaces, glass ovens, and for other purprevailed. The first pastor of this church, poses where a substance capable of resistas has been before stated, was the Rev. ing a high heat is required. For most Jedediah Dewey, who was settled in purposes these bricks are preferred to 1763, and died December 21, 1778. The any imported. This village has also, beRev. David Avery was settled May 3, sides great numbers of mechanics' shops, 1780. He had been a chaplain to General a grist-mill, saw-mill, oil-mill, 8 stores, 3 Learned's brigade of the army, and re- taverns, a printing office, and 3 law offices. signed that situation when he received a The Baptist meeting house is a neat call from this church. He did not give wooden building, and was erected in 1830; general satisfaction and was dismissed, the church having been organized, April May 27, 1783. The Rev. Job Swift was 11, 1827. The Rev. Henry F. Baldwin settled February 27, 1786, and continued was pastor from June, 1828, to October, in charge of the church till June 7, 1801. 1830. The Rev. Thomas Teasdale sucThe Rev. Daniel Marsh next became pas-ceeded him and continued his labors till tor about 1806, and continued such until February, 1832; when he was succeeded April 25, 1820. The Rev. Absalom Pe- by the Rev. Jeremiah Hall, who remainters was ordained July 5, 1820, and released till 1836. The Rev. Mr. Willis came ed from his charge December 14, 1825. next, and continued one year, when he The Rev. Daniel A. Clark was pastor was succeeded by the Rev. S. Hutchins, from June 13th, 1826, to October 12, 1830. the present pastor. The Methodist meetThe present minister, the Rev. Edwarding house is a stone building, erected in W. Hooker, was settled February 22, 1832. The church, by the separation of a portion of its members to form two other churches, has become much weakened, though it is still the largest, and has the most numerous and wealthy congregation of any in the town. One of the academies in this village, was C. R. Wilkins. The present minister is erected in 1821, and the other in 1829. the Rev. Jesse Craig. An Episcopal parThey were for five or six years rival in-ish was organized here July 24, 1834, by stitutions, and were in a flourishing con- the name of St. Peter's Church, under dition; but since 1837, permanent schools have not been maintained in either. The village is well situated for an institution of this description, and Mr. Horace Fletch-ly er has lately commenced a school in one of the buildings, with a fair prospect of success. Bennington East Village, situated about 1833. The church was organized in May, 1827. The following named clergymen have been successively stationed here, with the church since May, 1827, each for two years, to wit: the Rev. Cyrus Prindle, John M. Weaver, Wright Hazen, Henry Burton, Henry Smith, Hubbard, and - the ministry of the Rev. Nathaniel O. Preston, and a church edifice built of brick in 1836, which was consecrated Ju 22, 1839. This church is still under the pastoral care of the Rev. N. O. Preston, and though small, consisting of only 20 communicants, is regarded as in a prosperous condition. The Congregational BENNINGTON. meeting house was built in 1839. The church, being a colony from the old centre church, was organized April 26, 1836. Rev. Aretas Loomis the present minister, was settled soon after the organization of the church.-Union Academy is a flourishing institution, under the patronage of the Baptist denomination. It is at present under the charge of W. G. Brown and W. A. Fisher. Bennington Iron Works are situated near the east line of the town, about three miles from the centre village. They consist of three large blast furnaces, which produce from two to three thousand tons of pig iron per annum, giving employment to 150 or 200 hands, and from 40 to 50 teams. The ore is obtained in about equal quantities from two beds; one, half a mile from the works, and the other about six miles distant in the west part of the town. The ore yields about 50 per cent of pure iron. The descent from the surface of the ground into the west ore-bed is by means of a windlass through a perpendicular shaft 70 feet in depth. From the bottom you may travel by candle-light through its subterraneous passages for several hundred yards. BENNINGTON COUNTY. Hinsdillville is about a mile south of of North Bennington, at the junction of Paran creek with the Walloomscoik. It has three cotton factories, and until within three or four years past was a busy and flourishing village; but the works are not now in operation. On the 29th of October, 1834, a portion of the old centre church formed themselves into a new church, adopting the Presbyterian mode of government, and, in 1835 erected at this place a neat stone house for worship. The Rev. Mr. Kenney, the Rev. Mr. Johnson, and the Rev. Mr. Nott have successively been the pastors of the church. It has at present no minister. Irish Corner is three quarters of a mile below Hinsdillville, at which are a tavern and store, and also a cotton factory, not now in operation. Between this and Hinsdillville is a small Methodist chapel, built in 1836. Walbridgeville, about three quarters of a mile above Hinsdillville on the Walloomscoik, has two paper mills where paper is extensively manufactured by approved modern machinery. It has also a saw mill and a small woollen factory. in this town. It is a good article for common uses, and about 100 tons are annually prepared and sent to market. Marble, magnesian limestone, argillacious slate, and hornstone are also found. The marble is worked, but not to a large extent. Mount Anthony, in the south west part of the town, is a considerable elevation. On the east side of the mountain, a mile from the centre village, is a cavern, which is a considerable curiosity. Stalactites are suspended from the roof, and also incrust the sides of the cave. Statistics of 1840.-Horses, 692; cattle, 2,669; sheep, 9,578; swine, 2,138; wheat, bu. 2,185; barley, 939; oats, 30,399; rye, 3,852; buck wheat, 1,213; Indian corn, 16,000; potatoes, 56,475; hay, tons, 564; sugar, lbs. 7,823; wool, 26,327. Population, 3429. Iron ore is found in several places in North Bennington is situated about four this town. The oxyde of manganese, of the miles northwest of the court house, on variety called the earthy oxyde, is also Paran creek, a branch of the Walloom- found in connexion with brown hematite. scoik. It has 50 dwelling houses and Its color is brownish black. Radiated about 300 inhabitants, a post office, tav- and compact varieties also occur. It is very ern, five stores, two cotton and one wool- abundant. The yellow oxyde of iron, or len factories, two establishments for mak-yellow ochre is also found in abundance ing carpenters' steel squares, a grist mill and saw mill. One of the cotton factories, which was the first that was put in operation in the state, has 1280 spindles and 36 power looms, employing about 40 hands, and manufactures 450,000 yards of shirting per annum. The other factory, more recently erected, makes sheeting exclusively; its productions being about equal to the first. The woollen factory is on a small scale. The business of manufacturing carpenters' squares, was commenced in this village in 1820, and was the first establishment of the kind in the United States. The article is much superior to any imported, and has nearly superseded foreign squares in market. There are now two establishments in the village, capable of turning off 50 finished squares per day, or from 12 to 15,000 annually. The village has also a Universalist meeting house, built in 1836. The Rev. G. Leach and the Rev. Wm. Bell have successively officiated as clergymen. There is at present no resident minister. There is also a Baptist meeting house about three-fourths of a mile north of the village, within the limits of Shaftsbury. H. H. BENNINGTON COUNTY lies in the southwest corner of the state, and is bounded north by Rutland county, east by Windham county, south by Berkshire county, Mass., and west by Washington and Rensselaer counties, Ñ. Y. It is situated between 42° 44' and 43° 18' north lat. and between 3° 46' and 4° 14' east long. and |