Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1875-04-28
The Elrst nIood Shed In The Revolution.

3 Massachusetts magnifcs her opportunities
] Vermont ucglccts them. Massachusetts, has
: magnifcontly celebrated the 10th Of April,
! l775, as the date Of the first resistance to
Great Britain-the first resistance unto
death. Vermont antedates Lexington and
Concord FIVE weeks but she has not cele-
brated the event Nermonters, in May, l775
gained the first important victories at Ii
conderoga and Crown Point, but il is an.
nounced that these events are not to be cele-
bratod. But the record has been made, and
will perpctuate the events 10 which we have
referred, even though they shall never be
celebrated by orators and poets, after the
manner Of Massachusetts.
We propose to notice the first collision at
Westminster, ON the night of the 18th Of
March, l175. The court appointed by the
royal provincial government Of New York
was to meet at that place on that day. The
wing sentiment in that section was strong,
and a committee Of some forty persons had
waited upon Judge Chandler, aud urged him
not to attend the court lie promised that
q murder case only should be tried; and ON
the suggestion that the court party would
come armed and blood,hed would follow,
the Judge gave his word of honor that no
arms should be brought against the people.
Judge sabin, his colleague, insisted that the
court should 60 on, and its doors be guarded
thereupon a party of the people took pos
session Of the courthouse in advance Of
the royal guard, designing to keep posses
sion. The court sheriff, Patterson, came up
at the head of an armed party, aud ordered
the wings to disperse; to which he got no |
answer. The kings proclamation was then
read, and the sheriff notified the wings that
if they did not dispense within fifteen min
utes lac would blow lane through them.
The wings proposed 10 hold a parley with |
the sheriHs party, when the clerk of the
court drew a pistol and said he would hold
no parley except with that.
Judge Chandler then went into the house
to hear the views Of the wings and promised
to go and take away the arms Of the court
party; whereupon portion of the wings
left the house aud drew up articles to stand
for" to the effect, doubtless, that they would
defend each other.
A little before midnight the sheriii's party
again appeared with arms, when the whig,
manned the doors to resist them. The sher-
IFS party then fired, and the fight began,
which resulted in mortal wounds to WILLIAM
FRENcn, of marlborough, and DANIEL
IIoUGnroN, of Dummerston of the wings, |
while eight others were wounded, and seven
were made prisoners. Two only of the court
party were wounded. This disparity is due
to the fact that the wings in the house had
no firearms, using clubs only.
On the lith, the wings rallied and by the |
10th, the leaders of the court party had been
arrested and sent off to Jail at Northampton,
The jury Of inquest, which was held on
the 10th, on the body of French, upon their
oaths declared, that on the 18th day of
March instant William Patterson Esqr.,
Mark Langdon, Christopher Osgood, Benja-
min Gorton, Samuel Night aud others I'M
known to them assisting with force and
arms ihiue al asshlt on Tue BouN OF lle Sald
VIM. French and Shot him Through the
Head with Bull of which wound he Died
and Not Otherways."
The remains of French were buried at
Westminster, and a monument perpetuates
his memory and the occasion of his death,
by the following inscription
In memory II wnlhm French. son to Mr. Nathaniel
French. Who Was shot Westminster March We 18Th 7iS
by the hands Of Cruel Ministerial George 3ni, In
the courthouse at II O'Clock nght In e2nd year his Aee.
Here william French his Bosly lies
For Murder his BLOOD for Vengeance erica,
King Geurgc the thir1 his tory crew
tay with haWl his head shot threw,
For Liberty and his Cnuntry's G,-ii
he Lost his Life his dearest blood"