The Kansas herald of freedom., 1856-02-16

On their arrival the New Hampshire set
tiers were a second time compelled TO
abandon the place, and Col. Reed, hav-
ing repaired the grist-mill and re-instated
the mill stones by means of hopping
them, left the Scotchmen, with orders to
keep possession and continue the i'm
prevements.
Intelligence of these transactions soon
reached Bennington, whereupon Ethan
Allen, Seth Warner, Remember Baker.
and number of others Immediately pro-
ceeded to the place for the purpose of
again dispossessing the New York intru-
ders and restoring the rightful owners.
They compelled the miller to break tire
miil-stone into small pieces with sledge
and throw them down the falls, and COM
manded them not to repair the mill again
''on pain of suffering the displeasure of
the Green Mountain Boys" The Scotch
settlers, who had not removed their fam
lilies from New York, on hearing the ma
ture of the controversy, declared they
had been deceived, and abandoning all
claim to the lands, retired, and after
wards settled on the Mohawk river.
To prevent a recurrence OF these
scenes, Allen and his party caused a
small block-house to be erected at the
falls, which was garrisoned by few men
and subsequently afforded full protection
to these settlements against the "York-
ers." At this period the rich lands on
the Winooski, or Onion river, were ate
tracing much attention, and several per-
sons in and about Bennington, and others
in Connecticut, had made purchases
there under New Hampshire titles and
there is a tradition that the intelligence
of Col. Reeds second intrusion was con-
veyed to Bennington by Ira Allen, who
returning from exploring those lands pre-
paratory to settlement, and arriving at
the falls on Otter Greek on dark and
stormy evening, sought shelter and re-
freshment at the settlement there, which
was then the most northerly on the west
side of the mountains. He knocked at
the door and instead of being met by his
friends, who had been re-instated by the
Green Mountain Boys, as mentioned in
the preceding section, was met by the
thrust of sword in the hand of some
person within, which luckily did him no
injury. After making known his condi-
ton he was admitted, but to his surprise
he found the place in possession of a
number of Scotchmen. Here he passed
the night and then proceeded to Benning-
ton with the intelligence.
After having secured the New Hamp-
shire settlers in their possessions on Ot-
ter Greek, and with view to prevent the
intrusion of New York claimants upon
the lands on the Winooski river, Allen
and Baker proceeded thither, with their
men and erected block house near the
lower falls on that stream. 1t stood on
the Colchester side of the river, in the
midst of what is now called "Winooski
Village; - and had thirty two port holes
in the upper story. The settlement upon
this river was commenced the next wear,
1774, and upon the breaking out of the
revolution, in 1775, the block house, be
ing furnished with arms and ammuni-
ton, afforded the settlers shelter and pro-
lection till the settlement was abandoned
in 1776.
In consequence of the second expul-
sion of Col. Reeds tenants, governor
Tryon applied to general Haldimand, the
military commander-in chief, for mill
tary force to protect the New York claim
ants in their possessions, but the general,
doubling the propriety of employing the
regular troops for such a purpose, re-
fused to comply with His Excellency's
wishes.
Clarendon and vicinity was settled by
people who were generally in favor of
New York. Those in the south part of
Clarendon held their lands under deeds
from Col. Henry H. Lydius, who pre-
tended to derive his title from governor
Pownal of Massachusetts, and their
township was called Durham. The north
part of Clarendon and a part of Rutland
had been granted by New York under
the name of Social borough. Some of
the principal men of Durham and Social
borough having accepted Offices and thus
recognized the jurisdiction of New York.
and frequent disturbances having arisen
in that quarter, in the fall of 1773, Al
len and Baker raised force of one hun
dred men for the purpose of compelling
the Durhamites, as they were called,
either by terror or force to recognise the
New Hampshire title. On the advance
of this force they, who held offices under
New York, fed. Allen and his party
remained several days, and after sundry
exhortations and threatenings, returned
without infieting any serious injury
upon the persons or property of the in
habitants.
The leaders of the Durhamites fed to
New York. and laid before the governor
and council full statement of the out
RACES committed by what they were
pleased to call the Bennington mob. !"
The government of New York regarded
these outrages as open acts of treason and
rebellion, which could no longer be en-
dured. They looked upon the Green
Mountain Boys as lawless banditti, and,
con6ding in their own strength, and mis-
~ Ion iafinnr tho x,auar ond rac;sfonca of a