The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1844-09-02
By A. G. Chadwick.
Miscellaneous,
From the Baltimore American.
The Silver Spoons. a
A STORY OF THE REVOLUTION.

curious reader will fancy to himself, after cycling
o tle of our narrative, that we are about 10 treat
him with racy romance, protesting TO be the history
.r.ome legendary hero, who was''born with silver
.,,o, in his mouth" But he must not throw it aside
aN.cust, when we inform him, that instead of ro-
nance he sreading the veritabe relic of plain mat
nr fact which occurred during tho seven years
,,r that resulted in the emancipation of our country
Gon the thraldom OF British seTvitude. -.rg s.
Every one familiar with the history ofthe Amori-
ran Re,oution is aware that the State Of New Jer-
sew during long period of the war; the OF
Keen contest and severe suffering; more especial
" that part of it which lies along and on either side
Dro line stretching from Philadelphia to the city of
New York-a line en- which the traveller passes, in
these piping times Of peace, with the greatest rapid.
~, and in the most perfect security; Trunks to gra-
cOus Providence, and to enerprising fellow ci-
.zus
While the enemy was encamped on Staten Island,
ETsnbehtown tho vicinity of which is separated from
The island by a narrow channel, together with the
villages and country adjacent, but EIisabethtown in
particular, was visited, plundered and ransacked,
,'reard again, This town, being, as it were under
4. u,, 'geof the enemy, and under the muzzle OF
ii, ann. uo, comparatively defenceess. Scouting
and snoIing parties, however, that wandered some
,ime TOO hiah up into tie neighborng country, with
"a, much confidence Of their safety, uddenly found
themselves boset with spirited foe whose sharp
shooters picked out their officers and who often fol-
lowed them in be, pursuit ill within sight Of their
camp ..r.# ...,..
For want Of other homes Notwithstanding the great
danger and distress, many of the Inhabitants oil Elisa
bellOwn and its vicinity, did not remove. BesdeS
This and what added very much to the calamities our
peopo endured, there were not few of tho citizens
w@hd no cause to fear the British, an d who were
vsaaei by them during the continuance OF the war
ThasVories or Refugees, as they were then cn''cd'
ras&s spies and guides of the enemy, and pnt
hin in possession Of all the information he desired,
ly which his SO,agets could more certainly obtain
their supplies and the most Jealous aud devoted on
The American side ght be singled out the objects
Of Vengeance and persecution. And it was always
laid 10 their charge, that the Rev. Mr. Caldwell, the
pOus and patriotic pastor Of the Presbyterian Church
MEisabehlown, and his aniable wife, were singled
out and shot, by struggling British soldiers. This la
WeWeu clergyman was foremost among us HOOK, AT
tiadme almost the only christians in that seclion,in
dnouncing the arbitrary measures of the British Gov
eminent and in stirring up the zeal and patriotism of
The Americans, in defence Of their liberty But has
death did not allay the thirst FOR vengeance, which
had been excited in the heart Of the enemy. The
partner OF his bosom had dared, as did many of the
nghbors, to remain in her own house. II was there,
one pleasant afternoon seated in the midst of her little
household, that bullet from the nusket OF soldier
who was walking along the street, no hostile party in
ss''Oroke pane Of glass in window, and sent the
excellent woman to an untimey grave. ...,, /
oOuges like this could not but kindle feelings of
Inc warmest animosy And the result was many
gallant struggle between small parties from the OPP
posing ranks, which not falling within the drit of the
historians design, have remained unrecorded, and
survive only in the recollection of few octogenari-
"' and in the DINNER Evolutionary keeping OF the
P'SeF"y orthose stout hears that lived in ''a time
winch tried mems souls" ,.......... B..
almost every one able 10 bear arms, old aud young,
"''O' some time or other, either officers pri
'"N' partakers in the contest. We would that il |
",,' our power to 3 lean out from among the fast
l'ms 'emembrances of the older people of that part
" Ne" Jersey, few more precious shcaves, like
w we we have now gathered. And, as mntrimo-
''a"'e some dozen years past brought us into a I
~! agreeable acquaintance with many of the pres
'VuPah's OF that classic soil, we live in hopes of
~ Uens able TO crafty our own, aud through the
''''" OIL The press, the innocent curiosity of
~ '""y'nen' And at the same time to perpetuate
WV memory of those worthless whose hearts beat as
wort" as Washing,ou's. and whose collective force
=. iune as Indispensable. as his commanding gent
"ur'e the naughty foe from our shores. rali
s.n 'O'a" Meeker was young gentleman Of good
al ~ aHa manners He possessed competent land
ma .'''en other words clever little farm, three
orN, D,"-west from the then village but now city
pr..'' and some four or FIVE to the north of
u H. in sight of 'the blue hills of Jerseys
and .v wv fashioned cottage, which is still standing,
,,oDo "' uonicl of his posterity, was partly of
p,,, ,,' "O partly ofwooden frame work. As you
Farm. One OF the roads leading through Lyons
6Ora 10 'oVey and well titled district as may be
noo,ion. "e whole country, Astounding in smiling
orba ha, peneous crops; &when you reach the top
lana =, VI which stands the stone school house, a
de, - osS road DIVORCES to your right, at right nm
re,, "e main road. This leads You through
4 clear MI ~ me bottom of which is wished by
e. u cheerfnl stream nf nura ,,,o,or rrlas ,t = |