US Capitol Christmas Tree

VERMONT - Bringing an Old Fashioned
Holiday to the Nation - Vermont History

 Vermont

Vermont History in a Nutshell

 

Benning Wentworth - click on image for more info The Benning Wentworth story. His appointment as an effort to bail him out of financial difficulties; Gov. Belcher thinks him a simpleton; draws first charter in Bennington, 1749; would go on to draw some 130 more townships. After 25 years in office, longest-serving colonial governor in American history, London caught up with him and issued a five-point indictment; he quietly resigned in favor of his nephew, John.

Robinsons, Harwoods, et al. settle Bennington, 1761, as a separatist Congregational community, form first church in Vermont, 1762. Influenced largely by the 18th century preacher, George Whitefield from London. Robinsons hold many land rights, grow in influence as a founding Vermont family; Harwoods importantly document their lives via Benjamin and Hiram's lengthy diaries.

Green Mt Boys Flag - click on image for more info Ethan Allen arrives, 1770, so do New York sheriffs and surveyors, prompting formation of Green Mountain Boys. The Breakenridge standoff, 1772 "birthplace of Vermont." New York attempts to patent towns in this region, notably "Princetown" along Battenkill Valley, and "Socialborough" in vicinity of today's Rutland. Ethan lives in Bennington a while; he and brother Ira are heavily involved in land speculation especially in Chittenden County on "Onion River" lands.

Rapid influx during 1770s of settlers from southern New England states, as demonstrated by Fishers' Soldiers, Sailors & Patriots of the American Revolution, Vermont: 19,000 names, none born in Vermont. Land in Vermont is cheap, initially reflecting desire of Wentworth to see it settled rapidly to minimize any claims New York might have.

Dorset Conventions, 1775 and 1776, favor "a separate district," leading to convention at Windsor, June of 1777, and independence. New district known as Vermont (original name of New Connecticut doesn't take hold) drops the feud with New York in favor of uniting against the larger enemy, Great Britain. A regiment of Green Mountain Boys is actually authorized by the royal province of New York (and offers genealogists virtually the only official payroll record of GMBs).

Capture of Fort Ticonderoga - click on image for more info American Revolution begins at Lexington and Concord in April 1775, followed in May by the bloodless capture of Fort Ticonderoga by Ethan Allen, "assisted" by Benedict Arnold. As British Gen. John Burgoyne and his troops (with assorted German mercenaries, Indians, Loyalists) march down the Champlain Valley, the Battle of Bennington proves a decisive physical and psychic victory for the Americans, provides a prelude to much larger victory two months later at Saratoga, when Burgoyne surrenders, and France joins the cause of American independence. Ethan Allen at this time is in captivity by the British, later writes about it in detail. Population of Bennington is near 2,000.

Era of the Independent Republic. Ira Allen plays key role, as surveyor general (with major conflict of interest) and state treasurer who raises money by seizing property of alleged Loyalists with no regard for due process. Coinage, i.e. Vermont "coppers," are minted in Rupert, declaring aspiration to become 14th state. Haldemand negotiations raise puzzling questions as to whether Vermont might even link up with Canada.

Statehood is achieved in 1791, after commissioners negotiate boundary and settle land claims for payment to NY of $30,000, and a Vermont referendum in Bennington ratifies the U.S. Constitution - not unanimously.

For more in-depth explorations of Vermont History, visit the following links:
Capitol Christmas Tree at Night, photo by Lee Krohn