Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1868-10-22
Lieut.. of Vermont &.
PAUL SPooSER.

On one occasion the Rev Mr. Hutchin-
son, who was the first settled minister Of
Pomfret, Vermont, was preaching a SER
mon at Hartland, in private house, when
gentleman came in, upon looking up
Mr. Hutchinson recognized him as Paul
Spooner, who was the Lieutenant Gov
ernor Of the State. Pausing in the midst
of his discourse, the reverend minister in
formed his audience that he had "got
about half through" his sermon, but as
Governor Spooner had come to hear it, he
would begin again. Then turning to a
woman who sat near him, he said, "My
good woman, get out Of that chair and let
Governor Spooner have seat if you
please Mr., Spooner was Accommodated,
and Mr.. Hutchinson repeated the first
part of his sermon, much to the edifica-
ton, it is supposed, of those who had al
ready heard it,
OF the early history of PAUL SPooNER,
who enjoyed the confidence and respect of
his contemporaries, and who was one of
the most distinguished and useful men in
the history of the State, but little is
known. Gov. Hall, in his History of Yer
mont, says she is believed to have been
well educated and to have had good
professional reputation" He was born in
Dartmouth, Massachusetts,, March Goth,
1745,and acquired his education at Peters
ham, in that State.
He was a Physician, by profession, and
about 176s, came to Vermont, and at first
settled at Hardwick, then known as Hert-
ford, in Windsor county, and enteerd
upon the practice of his profession.
His first connection with the political
affairs of the State, of which we have any
notice, was as delegate to convention
held at the County Hall" in Westmins.
ter, on the 10Th Of October, ia. At thi,
convention, he, as one of Committee
which consisted Of five members, reported
a resolve that 1--WE will defend our Just
rights, as British subjects, against every
power that shall attempt to deprive us OF
them, while heath is in our nostrils, an(
blood in our veins; that considering thu
late acts Of the British Parliament, fo
blocking up the port Of Boston, &c, which
We view as arbitrary and unjust,
we resolve to assist the people of Boston
in defence of their. liberties TO the utmost
of our abilities"
On the eth OF February, l,i5, thirt
convention assembled at Westminster, il
which twelve towns We're represented, o
this convention DIR. Paul Spooner wa,
clerk. He was also chosen member Of
standing committee of correspondence
composed OF persons from twenty-tw
towns, that the county might be kept wei
informed as to the doings of the friend
of liberty, in the different colonies. II
was chosen chairman of eub-committc
of five, TO serve a. monitors to the com
mittee of correspondence" and 10 TRANSMIT
all letters Of public Importance, and con
vey all intelligence Of general interest, {
which they might become possessed, t
the chairman of the general committee.
He was a delegate from Cumberan
county to the Provincial Congress, Of Ne
York, at their sessions commencing
May and November, l,'5, and on the -
Of December, 111j, Congress having d.
cidcd TO adjourn, he was appointed one I
committee Of safety, consisting of thu
teen members, to act during the recess
On the 9th of May, IN, he was chose
by the Provincial Congress of New Yorl
Sheriff of Cumberland County, and wa
ordered to qualify himself without della,
and to give public notice of the tim,
place, manner. etc, of the State election
He declined the appointment
OF the Council of Safety, which was AZ
pointed the "a OF July, III, by the cor
yention that formed the constitutions I
act until the government should be organ
lied, he was member, and his name
attached as Deputy Secretary, TO an ord,
dated August 49, IN, which is one
the earliest, if not the earliest, Of the
records that have been preserved
He was probably member from lIar,
wick Of tile first General Assembly
Vermont, which convened at Winds
March ~ IT'S, as his name is found as
member of the committee appointed {
the first day of the session Z" to receiv
sort and count the votes for Governor
&c. He was, on the same day, found
have been "chosen by the suffrages of III