Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1852-02-27


character of Col. Ethan Allen, has cone to be
invested with new interest in this communlty,
in consequence of the work of Art, by Mr.. Mn
NEY, now on exhibition, am induced, by the
suggestion of a friend, to publish extracts from
two letters which nave recently received from
, very intelligent Lady in Pennsylvania.
It is certainly a singular fact that the Sword
and Dirk of ETHAN ALLEN ard the miniature
of his son, should come to light at this crisis,
when they are SO much needed, and had been
perseveringly, but in vain, sought iOf by the
artist.
That the illusions and Inquiries Of NY cor
respondent may he understood, would remark,
that the writer Of the letter from which an eN-
tract is given below, had casually learned from
her brother (au old cassnale of minc,) that
Mrs. CoNvrEss's maiden name was ALLEN
After presenting the r.ain bnencss Of her letter
she says
IL cannot refrain from adrortirg to the cir
cumstancc, mentioned by my brother, the Rev
phineas Mart that Mrs. CONVERSE was the
DAUGHTER of the late Hon. llEMAN ALIEN
Was he the son of Col. ETHAN ALLEN? Old
membranes and by gone scenes were brought
to my mind by the mention OF that name. My
fathers Youngest sister cGS the wife, and is
still the widow, Of HANNIBAL ALLEN, one Of
the sons of ETHAN ALLEN. lie married her at
my fathers house She spent some time with
her husband family il Vermont, after his death,
which took place a. For Norfolk, Na.-Shc
was fondv attached to them, and for a long
lime they were most frequently the subject of
her conversation. But many Icing years have
interviewed since the last interview and cores
pondence with them. She still cherlshes the
memory of Uncle llannba l-.her husband, to
whom she was iondly attached. She is still III
possession Of his military dress, and dotes on
his miniature. She also has the Sword and
Dirk, and some other articles, which formerly
belonged to Col. ErH&N ALLEN. They were
in possession of her husband at the time of hi,
death She received 4 pension from Govern
ment for some years which enabled her to pur-
chase small property, she is quite lndepen'
dent, &c"
Its generally known that there is 10 portrait
or bust of Col. ALLEN, that Mr.. KINNEY, among
,,nany other disadvantages has been obliged to
produce his model, from his own conception OF
what would be the physical dere'ogem.m Of
such a moral and intellectual character as
ETHAN ALIEN possessed. It's conceded too
that H,yNBAL ALLEN strikingly resembled his
father in form AVID features Our Artist know
inr this and having learned that there was
,oncea portra: Or likeness OF Hannibal, had
,:aken great p&ius to ascertain whether it was
still in existence, and if So in whose possess
1. i
places but to no purpose. inst As Mr.. KINNEY
was flashing his model received the letter
from which the extract above is given. At his
suggestion, wrote to my correspondent, to as
certain the residence of her Aunt, aud whether
the Miniature, Sword, Dirk, &c, could be OBJ
tanned for the use of the ptor when he comes
70 put his work into stone. also yentured to
present petition to the Aunt in behalf Of the
State of Vermont, that at her demise, she
would bequeath the Sword, Dirk, &c, of ETHAN
ALLEN, to the Authorities OF our State-as q
cherished memento OF one, to whose wisdom
energy and vaor the State is much indebted 70
its existence. In reply, received last evcnin!
letter from which the following is an eX
tract
MnToy, Pa, Feb. II, 1852.
DEAR SIR,
laval myself of the earliest leisure t.
answer your very kind and interesting letter
feel much interest in the object in which NJ
KINNEY is engaged, and sincerely hope he vii
succeed in executing work, which, no doubt
will do him much credit, and at the same time
crafty those feelings Of pride, which all Ner
monlers must feel in claiming for their own. st
distinguished hero and patriot. Any aid tia
can render this laudab,e undertaking, | vii
most cheertn.ly contribute.
| have written to my Aunt ALLEN and have
no doubt but she will readily comply with an
request, which has for its object tue perpetua
ton Of tho fame of her husbands father Sin
admired him as a patriot aud a man. She dotc
on her husband, and it may be trial for her t.
part with his miniature, even for A short period
But when she takes into consideration the mo
tives which prompt the request, trust she vii
yield, and foe a pride in thus having her hus
bands handsome features immorai1ed by III
chscl ot The Sculptor 1t is indeed noble ei
fort aud nube art.
As To- the sword, dirk, Nc ivy AUNT certain
" can not h1v' any objection. IN deposit then
an the Archives of the State. Most certain
they belong to the State, to whose interest
ms llic was devoted. It would be wrong in
decd for them to descend to strangers. I'll
sword was the -ilt Of som" one in England, t
Col. ALLEY, Will" q prisoner of war in Tin
country. 1t Is poudcrous and uuwlediy, an
requires more than ordinary strength TO use i
IN swords nrn like manner. Col. ALLEN w0
man OF uncommon nerve and strength. !
my childish days listened with delighted en-
gcrncSS to til" numerous anecdotes and ante
CStInr incidents related Of hiin by my uNr