Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1873-07-05
Historical Sketches.
No. Two.
BIT II. A. CUTTING.


Co. This County of Gloucester was
organized by the General Assembly
of New York, March l6, 1910, with
Newbuft for its Shire, and contained
all the territory in the north east part
of the State, which has since been di-
vided into Orange, Washington, Cal
edonia, Orleans and Essex Counties.
In 1777 the General Convention of
Vermont declared the "Grants" indie
pendent and adopted constitution
for the State, and in 1879 the Legis-
lature Of the State divided it into two
counties-Bennington on the west,
and Cumberland County on the east
of the Green Mts. Inr7Sl, the Leg
islature divided Cumberland County
into Windham, Windsor, and Orange,
Orange County embracing all the
north east part, or nearly the same as
was previously embraced in Glouces-
ter County. Newbury was the Shire
town of Orange County. November
9th, 1872, Caledonian County was
incorporated from Orange County,
containing all the territory north of
the present bounds Of Orange County,
but this county was not fully orgau-
lied until November 9Th, 1896, when
Danville was made its Shire. In
1898, Orleans and Essex Counties,
were incorporated from Caledonia ;
but were not fully organized until
1899, at which time Lunenburgh and
Brunswick were established as half
Shires. The first term of court was
called at Lunenburgh in June, 1900,
but no cases were tried at that term.
A few cases were however entered but
thrown out of court without trial,
through some informality. Among
those was case of some interest Or
iginating in Concord. The principal
items of this case have been collected
from the Diary of Hon. Azarias Will
Jams. 1t seems Williams was APP
pointed assistant judge in 1898, con-
sequently of Caledonia County, or else
at the partial organization of Essex
County which was that year attempt
ed but failed. Be it as it may he
felt it incumbent upon him to resign
his appointment as Postmaster in
consideration of another appointment,
and did so in favor of John Fry.
Fry was appointed, and feeling proud
of his title as P. NJ, assembled about
his friends, repaired to the hotel then
kept by Benjamin Hardy, and treated
all hands. Among them was Aza
rias Williams Oliver Perry, Benjamin
Willard, James Morse and other pic.
neers of the town, all assembled tc
congratulate Fry upon his appoint.
ment and good fortune. Of course
hot toddy passed freely. Benj. May
recently appointed as Justice of the
Peace, for some reason was not invit
ed. They were little boisterous
Judge Williams by bis stories OF old
England, entertained them while the
punch-bowl circulated among them.
All at once Justice May burst into
the room, and by the authority vested
in him as Justice of the State of Yer
, mont, ordered them to desist from
their riotous proceedings. They re
ceived him blandly, said they recog
nized his authority, and asked him t.
r take drink. The temptation wa
, too great for hum to resist, and HI
I drank, and being often urged contin
ued 10 drink, until he felt as hilarious
, as the rest. Williams at length pro
| posed to crown May king, as they al
G admitted his authority. This the,
, proceeded to do in a novel manner
After the usual ceremonies of corona
o ton they turned the swill pail bottom
: up over his head, browning hin
4 liking of the Swine" This name
e of king-making was strongly objecte
e to by May, but he was in powerful
l. hands, the swlll pail was made fast
G being drawn over his head and TIED
n and he was placed upon a temporar
If throne, to rule rebellious subjects
d When he complained of the dirt
If drippings of the swill pail, they too
r. Mrs. Hardy's bread trough, and fiji
W ing it with water, made him stand i
er it while they washed him. Believin
If then that he was hungry they toaste
,e the WOODEN holder, buttered it an
ID forced it into his mouth. OF cours
,e sizzled rum was all this zine freel
e. passed. At length they pulled hi'
20 down from his throne upon his hand
ID and knees, declaring he was VERT;
Is BILE hog and must squeal. To comp'