Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1874-09-18
The Taylor Monument,

Y The Taylor N Monument
Editor Of The Ph9niL Soon afler the
dedication OF the Dickinson monument at
Mortified, sept. II, 1872, Mr. Lewis Tay-
Tor Of Hinsdale, now 81 years old, began II
correspondence with me upon the propri-
ETY. Of erectng memorial stone upon the
spot where his ancestor, Serg't Thomas
Taylor, with his command were engaged
in desperate fight with the French aud
Indians, July H. l74s, in which they were
nearly exterminatcd. Abiding 10 the
monument at Mortified, he says: 81 think
well Of that transaction. 1t is in accord
ance with the precept, Keep sacred the
memory OF your ancestors II the killing
Of citizen by willy and concealed foe be
worthy OF monument, should not the
memory of this bloody battle be perpelu-
aled by monumentH To me it appeared
to he an event of much greater historical
importance" Prompted by these senti-
ments Mr.. Taylor modestly presented the
case to the citizens of the neighborhood
through the press. Meeting no response he
determined To carry out his view alone ii
necessary, aud set about discussing plans,
monument standing near where Serg't Tay-
lor WAS attacked. Mr.. Taylor has all along
claimed that any permanent memorial OF
heroic deeds would he AN important teach
er 10 the young. This will explain the
leading idea in the following letier-a let
ter which illu strates his energy and man
ly simplicity so we'll cant refrain from
sending IL:
HINsDALE, Sept 7lh, 1874.
MR.. SHELDON Dear ISir:-The mouu-
ment Is up when the people found that |
was going To sci IL on the rock they begged
me not to do it, but on the common oppo-
site the school house. So | complied with
their wishes, and there it stands. While
plying the pick and shovel, digging for the
foundation, four little boys and one little
girl came and look ed on, curious to know
what was digging that hole for. told
them mat was going to set monument
there. "Do you know what monument
isT' They looked at each other somewhat
puzzled; at length one said, as ii not such
things a. they set up in the grave yards ?"
YES, you have the right idea," and then
went on 10 tell them for what purpose il was
to be erected, some Indian stories, &c.
they listened with great deal OF interest,
and began to ask, when will you get il
herer" How big will it be ?" "Win there
be any printing on itp" am inclined to
think that those boys and girls will not
soon forget this incident, and that they
VIII grow up better men and women and
live longer, too, than they otherwise would
They were all delighted to see it raised. |
have enclosed II with a temporary board
fence, intending to procure an iron one. If
any thing more is proper or necessary TO
be done, shall wait for advice and in
slruc'loh, Truly yours,
l.. TAYLOR.
He writes again, Sept. 70: "You say
somebody ought to call meeting and or
ganize some action with a view to dedi-
cation; but it i'll becomes me to cry up
my own work. have done no more than
fought TO have done years ago. have no
aspirations for notoriety. am thankful
that my life has been spared till have
erected this monument. But / am not
quite through with it; alter getting things
fixed up about it, ! would like to get the
school children in their holy-day dress.
some old men In continental costume. and
lot of Indians in the back ground, and
then have it photographed. Perhaps the
pictures might be made, one representing
the time the battle took place, aud one the
present time. And there is something
morei only one side of the die is occupied.
Interesting incidents have taken place in
the vicinity which might be commemorate
ed by inscriptions on the other three Sides"
think my venerable friend will pardon
me for publishing private correspondence,
although his native modesty may be some
what outraged. Ho will not publish his
doings, but the town of Hinsdale should
know what his energy has accomplished,
and his motives, and doubt not her en-
terprising citizens will see to il that "Uncle
Lewis" shall no longer work single hand
ed on whatever may appear best 10 be done
in the premises hereafter.
Respectfully, GEORGE SHELDON.
Deerfield, Sept IA, 1874.