The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1873-08-29

III INC llrst military achievement OF that
war, to wit: The CAPTURE of Ticonderoga
under Allen.
AS the war progressed, these frontier
towns were particularly exposed to the
attacks of the enemy, who, frequently
came up the lake in their boats, plunged
into the forests, killed or made prisoners of
such of the inhabitants as came In their
way, and burned their dwellings.
Agricultural pursuits, upon which the
early settlers chiefly depended for subsist.
ence. were greatly interrupted, as the men
had to go armed and work in collective
bodies, few performing the labor, while
others stood as sentries to guard against
surprise
Pittsford in common with other towns
upon the frontiers, suffered severely from
marauding parties of the enemy. In some
instances cattle and horses were killed.
buildings burned and several of the inhab.
itants carried into captivity. The danger
was so imminent in the fall of 1777, that
the Inhabitants of the town found 1t neccs-
sary to unite in some measures of common
defense. They accordingly commenced
the construction of fort. to which they
might repair for safety when danger threat
encd. The place selected for the fort was
the residence of William Cox, on the east
bank Of Otter Creek. There is reason to
believe that the work was commenced in
the fall of 1777, and completed the fol-
lowing year, though when completed, it
was an insignificant work-a mere apollo
gy for fort.
Early in the year l779, the continental
troop having been withdrawn from the
State, the people found themselves left to
their own resources for protection Con-
scquently on the 25th of February, through
their representatives in general assembly,
they constituted the Governor and council
Beard of War" with full power to
raise any number of men that they should
think necessary for the defense of the from
tiers, and to make all necessary prepara-
tions for the opening campaign.
| Soon after the appointment of this board
! Capt. Jonathan Fassett-a prominent Pitts
ford man -cndeavored to impress upon it
the importance of establishing military
| post in this town, and gave it the assurance
that the inhabitants of the town would
build fort, provided the State would fur
nish detachment of troops to assist in sup
porting it.
On the 12th of March the following pre-
amblc and resolution were adopted by the
| board.
Arlington, March IL, 1719.
| Whereas, This State is frontier to the
northern enemy, II is therefore necessary
that some lines should be asccrtaincd,
where this State will attempt to defend the
inhabitants. Therefore.
Rosolu6d, That the north line of Castle
ton, the west and north lines of Pittsford
! to the foot of the Green Mountains, be and
hereby is established line between the in
habitants of this State and the enemy, and
all the inhabitants of this State living to
the north of said line are directed and or
1nrpI ifnmpliatplt- ,,.itb thnt,
families and effects within said lines. This
! hoard. on the petition of the inhabitants,
do also recommend the inhabitants of Cas-
tcton and Pittsford to Immediately erect
| picket fort near the centre of the inhabi-
tants of each town, and that the women
and children excepting a few near the
forD move to some convenient place south,
and that the men with such part of their
stocks as may be necessary, remain on
their farms and work in collective bodies
with their arms.
On the same day Gov. Chittendcn wrote
Capt. Gideon Brownson as follows:'
Il am informed by Capt. Fassett that
the inhabitants of Pittsford have agreed to
| build picquet in some convenient part of
that town, at their own expense would
therefore recommend to you to afford them
detachment from your command ON the
completion of the picquet and the arrival
of Col. Warren's militia"
1t appears that the town in fulfilment of
its promise, and in compliance with the
recommendation of the Board of War; en-
| tered at once upon the construction of a
fort. As preliminary measure, however,
q meeting of the citizens was called. at
which a vote was carried to build fort
without delay; and committee, consist
ing of Nehemiah Hopkins, Samuel Benton
and Benjamin Cooley, was chosen to super
intend the work.
1t does not appear that any 1,ecunia1y as
scssment was made upon the inhabitants,
but each was expected to contribute his
due proportion in labor towards the ex-
pense, and as the labor was performed a
record of it was entered upon book of
credits kept by the superintendent. The
work was carried forward with good de-
! gree of despatch, SO that it was completed
in May. Instead, however, of building an
entirely new work, the old fort was en-
larged and strengthened, and fitted to ac-
commodatc a garrison of about one hun
dred men, and when completed it was
christencd Fort Mott, from Lieut.. John
Mott, who had taken an active part in con-
structing the former work, and had often
acted as commander of those collected
therein. Lieut.. Mott had had considerable
tApCiitHNt III WV bCIN lCC Ill lIlc
French and Indian war, and was under
Wolf at the taking of Quebec. He was
one of the early settlers of Brandon and
resided where Mr. Dyer now lives in the
south part of that town.
As soon rs the improved works were
completed the state troops took possession.
On the 18th of May Governor Chittenden
sent the following order to Captain Thomas
Sawyer, then in command of Fort Ranger,
in Rutland:
'Thc design and object of garrison
being kept at your post is to prevent the
incursion OF the enemy on the northern
frontiers, and to annoy them should they
come within your reach as there are two
other forts, one at Castleton and one at
Pittsford, dependent on yours, you are to
take care that they be properly manned
and provided for proportiOnable to your
strength at Fort Ranger. You will keen
the command of Fort Ranger and the other
forts depending until otherwise ordered by
Inc, or until some continental officer shall
take the command.
(SigneD,
THOMAS CHITTENDEN,
Captain General"
But the capacity and strength of Fort
Mott were not deemed sufficient to with
stand an attack by well organized force,
and rs it was known that the enemy were
planning more formidable invasion, the
necessity for stronger work was seriously
felt
This subject was laid before the Board
OF War in the fall Of 1779 with the assur-
ansc that if such work should be con-
structed the inhabitants of Pittsford
would contribute literally towards the ex-
pensc.
This board appointed committee to
look into the subject and report the retult
of their investigations. Upon the report of
the committee the following resolutions
were adopted;
BOARD OF WAR,
Arlington, April @, 1S70.)
Resoloed, That said Board accept the re-
port of their committee respecting building
fort at Pittsford.