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

0rous attack he called for assistance. The
call reached the town of Putney ON the
east side Of the mountains where q company
OF forty-two men were already organized
under the command of Capt Jesse Stafford
A call for assistance had also been received
from the town of Royalton. and inasmuch
as both OF these towns needed help, the
company divided one half of them went
to Royalton, and the other huff to the fort
at Pittsford.
Among the number who came TO Pitts
ford was young man BY the name of
Caleb Houghton. On the 10Th of July fol-
lowing young Houghton went to the house
Of Joshua June to obtain some garments
which Mrs. June had been washing for
him. He obtained bis garments and start
ed on his return, but he had been gone
from the house but few moments before
Mrs. June heard the report of gun
Stepping to the door and looking up along
the road, she saw an Indian in the act OF
transflxing Houghton with his bay
onet. Houghton not returning to the fort
as was expected, a party of men were sent
out to look for him and they soon found
his body about half mile south of the fort
bearing marks of fierce struggle. This
took place beneath an oak tree little dis
lance northeast of Mr.. June's house, and
when the land was cleared this tree was
thoughtfully spared, and may still be seen
pointing out the spot where Houghton
fell. The soldiers took the body of their
comrade, carried ii to the fort, and thence
buried it on the small knoll some ten or
| fifteen rods east of the present residence of
| Deacon Samuel Hcndce.
| Major Allen, after making unsuccessful
efforts to discover the perpetrator of tho
deed, collected his men in front Of the
L.. a al a..I
and publicly vowed vengeance against all
and every Indian that should come within
| his power, and then as a memorial of his
vow, he took junk bottle filled with rum,
stepped out in front of his men and dashed
the bottle against the gate, and christened
the established Fort, Vengeance, name by
which it was ever after known.
Caleb Houghton, of whom we have been
speaking was descendant of Robert
Houghton, who was born in 1868. Robert
had ono son, Ebcnezer who had son
Cyrus born in 1722 Cyrus married
Hadessa, daughter OF Simeon Houghton, of
Petersham, and settled in Bolton, Mass.
where their son Caleb was born in 1860.
Caleb had brothers, Cyrus. Ebenezer, and
another whose name Is not given, older
than himself, and Aaron who was younger
He had sisters, Olive, Abigail, and Mary,
all his senior in years. The parents, with
their children, removed from Bolton to
Putney, VT, before the revolutionary war
Caleb HOughtOn first appears Ms soldier
in the year 1777, when he was enrolled in
a company commanded by Capt. John
Patty in Col. Williams regiment. This
company was called out in August, and
was in the service twenty five days. Young
Houghton received for his services f2, los,
Sd.
His older brother, Ebenczer, was a men,
Der of the same company. There was also
a James Houghton in the company who
might have been the brother whose name
we could not obtain.
We next hear of Caleb as a member of
Capt. Jesse Saffords company, Major Eb-
enzer Aliens detachment, and it was in
this capacity that he came to Pittsford and
was killed in the manner We have repre-
sented
After his death, and burial beneath u
large tree on yonder knoll, the soldiers
erected rude headstone at his grave, but
this was long since removed, the mound
levelled, so that the stump of the tree alone
remained to point out the place where a
brave soldier lay.
And now after having laid these ninety
three years the town of Pittsford attempts
to honor his by inscribing his name upon
roll of that noble band of patriots compos-
ing the first military company eyer organ
lied in the town, and there may that shaft
remain, not only to perpetuate their memo
ry, but to point out to future generations an
interesting historic spot.
THE COLLATION..
The programme was so changed as to
proceed to the collation. before the unvel-
ing of the monument. Tables had been
arranged in the grove, and furnished by the
ladies', every family in the town contribut-
ing to the entertainment. 1t is only neces
sary to say that it was bountiful supply
of food for the vast multitude, and spoke
well for the thrifty housewives of the good
old town of Pittsford, and indicated thar
they were worthy descendants of the
mothers of the revolution.
| CEREMONIES AT THE MONUMENT
After the collation. had been served, a
c. Wheaton, Chief Marshal, was formed
in the following order, and marched to the
monument.
/. Rutland Cornct Band.
9. Brandon Military Company.
3. Cannon and Gunner.
4. Officer of the day.
8. Invited guests.
8. Citizens.
The military marched past the monu-
mcnt with reversed arms.
The assembly were gathered on the old
Fort ground west of the monument.
At precisely half-past one o'clock the
monument was unveiled by four members
of the Brandon company.
After music by the band the president in
troduced Col. Charles S. Colburn, who de-
livered the following dedicatory address:
COLONEL ooLBuRNs REMARKS.
M. Chairman and Citizens Of Patstard,
In behalf of the committee charged with
the procuring and erecting of the monu-
ment now disclosed to your view, 1t is my
pleasing duty to commit it to your care and
ownership, and to invite you to an inspec-
ton of the result of their labors Our
town historian, DIR. Caverly. has already
rehearsed to you the leading facts relating
to the building and history of the fort
which nearly hundred years ago stood
upon the ground we now occupy. He has
also told you the circumstances attending
the massacre of the brave young soldier
who here lost his life. 1t is not necessary
for me, therefore. to dwell upon these
events. But for the information of those
from the neighboring towns who have hon
oIed us with their presence on this occasion,
it is proper that should briefly notice the
origin and progress of the enterprise, the
consummation of which we celebrate to-
day. In the warning for the annual meet
ing of the town last March an item
was inserted substantially as follows
To determine whether the town would
appropriate sum OF money tor
the erection of monument TO des-
ignate and perpetuatc the memory of the
| snot Mhereon Fort Xenpeance once stood