Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1873-09-04
to-wit: the capture of Ticonderoga un-

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 sub
sistence, were greatly interrupted, as the
men had to 90 armed and work in col
| lective bodies-a few performing the la
| Dor, 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 inhabitants carried into captivity.
| The danger was so imminent in the fall
| of 1777, that the inhabitants of the town
found it necessary to unite in some
measures of common defense. They ac-
cOrdingly commenced the construction
of fort, to which they might repair for
| safety when danger threatened. The
place selected for the fort was the resi-
dence of William Cox, on the east bank
of Otter Creek There is reason to. be
lieve that the work was commenced in
1 the fall of i7-77, and completed the fol-
lowing year, though when completed 1t
was an insignificant worE-a mere apel-
ogy for a fort.
Early in the year 1910, the continental
troops having been withdrawn from the
State, the people found themselves left
to their own resources for protection.
Consequently on the 25th of February,
through their representatives in General
Assembly. they constituted the Governor
and Council a 'Board of Wan" with full
power to raise any number of men that
they should think necessary for the de-
fense of the frontiers, and to make all
necessary preparations for the opening
campaign. ......r
Soon after the appointment of this
board Capt. Jonathan Fassett-a promi-
nent Pittsford man-endeavored to inn
press upon it the importance of estab-
fishing military post in this town, and
gave it the assurance that the inhabl-
tants of the town would build fort,
provided the State would furnish de-
tachment of troops to assist in support
ing it. ....
On the 10th of March the following
preamble and resolution were adopted by
the board:
. . ARLINGToN, March u, 1779.
WHEREAS. This State is a frontier to
the northern enemy, it is therefore
necessary that some lines should be as
certaincd, where this State will attempt
/ to defend the inhabitants. Therefore,
Res0EUed. That the north line OF Cas-
tleton. the west and north lines of Pitts
) ford, to the foot of the Green Noun
tains. be and hereby is established line
! between the inhabitants of this State and
l the enemy, and all the inhabitants OF this
= State living to the north of said line
\ [ 70 inn, Il atel1
t remove with their families and effects
t within said lines. This board, on the
2 petition of the inhabitants, do also re-
commend the inhabitants of CastletoI
S and Pittsford to Immediately erect g
= picket fort near the centre of the in
, habitants of each town, and that the
|, women and children (eXcepting a few
: near the fort) move to some convenient
place south, and that the men with suct
:, part of their stocks as may be necessary
, remain on their farms and work in col
n lective bodies with their arms.
: On the same day Gov. ChittendeI
/ wrote Capt Gideon BrownsOn as fol
r, lows: .
!. Il am informed by Capt Fassett tha
n the inhabitants of Pittsford have agreed
It to build a picquet in some convenien
e nart of the town, at their own expense
e would therefore recommend to you +
Is afford them detachment from you
l. command on the completion of TIA
e picuuet and the arrival of Gel. Warren
/, militia"
t. 1t appears that the town in fulhlmen
of its promise, and in compliance wit
1t the recommendation of the Board o
;e War, entered at once upon the construC
W ton of fort. AS a preliminary meas
ure, however, a meeting of the citizen
=, was called, at which vote was carrie
S to build fort without delay; and CON
Il mittee. consisting of Nehemiah HOI
E. kins. Samuel Benton and Benjami
er Cooley, was chosen to superintend th
Id work.
is 1t does not appear that any pecullldT
d, assessment was made upon the inEab
" tants, but each was expected to contril
is ute his due proportion in labor toward
f. the expense, and as the labor was pc
s, formed a record of it was entered upo
ID a book of credits kept by the superlnteT
ne dents. The work was carried forwar
with good degree of dispatch, so thi
le it was completed in May. lnsteaC
is however, of building an entirely me-
d, work, the old fort was enlarged an
of STRENGTHENED, and fitted to accommodate
ne a garrison of about one hundred mel
r. and when completed it was christene
ed Fort Mott, from Lieut.. John Mott, WI
e. had taken an active part in constructin
Il, the former work, and had often acted
81 commander of those collected therein
re Lieut.. Mott had had considerable e.
he perience in the military service IN til
p French and Indian war, and W;
in under Wolf at the taking of Quebe'
er- He was one of the early settlers of Bra
n, don and resided where Mr.. Dyer no
IN lives, in the south part OF that town.
n AS soon as the improved works wel
n completed the State troops took posse
er sion. On the 14th of May, GovernC
RS. Chittenden sent the following order
ds Captain Thomas Sawyer, then in con
ed mand of Fort Ranger, in Rutland:
se "The design and object of garriso
da being kept at your post is to prevent Il
de incursion of the enemy on the northcr
cir frontiers, and to annoy them shou
ir- they come within your reach as the
,g- are two other forts, one at Castleton al
as one at Pittsford, dependent on your
ed Won are to take care that they be prol
in erly manned and provided for propo
er- tionable to your strength at Fort Ram
er. You will keep the command OF Fo
of Ranger and the other forts dependil
le- until otherwise ordered by me, or uni
some continental officer shall take Il
in command.
in CSigned,] THOMAS CHITTENDEN,, :.
" Captain General.
OF But the capacity and strength of Fo
VI Mott were not deemed sufficient.
IN withstand an attack by well organlz,
IN, force. and as 1t was known that u
*, enemy were planning more lornl
OK able invasion, the necessity for strong
work was seriously felt.
of This subject was laid before Il
of Board of War in the fall of 1873, wi
he the assurance that if such work shou
gle be constructed the inhabitants of Pitt
ty- ford would contribute literally towar
~ the expense.
is. This board appointed committee
I'LL look into the subject and report the
om suit of their Investigations. Upon I
us report of the committee the followil
nQ ,oaol,,t;0pc yyaro adoOtpd