The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1875-10-04
Historical "Reminiscences of Pawlet.

Edition. of Rutland Glo6e:-At this GEN.
tennial era In the history of our country,
it may not be uninteresting to recall the
incidents of our early history, aud I, there
fore, venture to send to you, for publica-
ton, the following contribution to the his
tory of Pawlet
Pawlet was chartered by the royal gov
ernor of New Hampshire, Bennlng Went
worth TO Jonathan Willard and seventy
others. August 20, 1851. simultaneously
with Rupert and Dorset in Bennington
county, and few days earlier than any 9TH
err town IN this county. We may not boast
of as many distinguished men who became
permanent residents as Tinmouth, but in
dulging tho hope that Pawlet would be-
come the county seat of what was then
known al the county OF Charlotte, and
now constituting the counties Of Benning-
ton and Rutland, there were six or eight
college graduates, mostly attorneys, who
pitched their tents here. but when Rutland
was established a. the county seat quietly
withdrew. The only reason can think
of why the same class Of men who settled
in Tinmouth did not go and do likewise,
was that by some unexplainable means
they had got into falmouth and could not
find their way out. If the road to Otter
creek through TinmOuth and Dandy which
though laid years ago has not been built,
and moreover 10 not likely to be, had then
been constructed. these men of whom
Tinmouth Is so proud would probably have
4 vao chad ho mi aida swnvtd nd han oot tod
down to Rutland, Middlebury, Burlington
| and other places where 60 many of oui
| first settlers went would not be under
stood as speaking disparsgingly OF Tin
| mouth, for she has capacity of raising tall
men OF whom my excellent friends John
w. Cramton and George Capron are favor
l able specimens, the former Of whom has
dug out, and tho latter remains to dispense
hospitality to his extensive circle Of friends.
We have no record prior to 1867, but ira
dition has 1t that 10 1862 Jonathan Willard
with number of hired men made clear
ing of several acres at the geographical
centre of the town. but made no perma'
nent settlement. DR.. Simon Burton wat
the first settler and his wife the Arsr white
woman who trod the soil OF Pawlet, they
receiving as premium fifty acres of land
The first white native was Titus A. Cook
who was born July %. 1893. He was O
magistrate for long period. The first
recorded marriage was on January 10
1775-Ezekiel Harmon aud Lydia Har.
mon. He was the grandfather of George
w. Harmon of Bennington. Margare,
Wheeler aged 80, was tho fret recorded
death in 1776. ri
Now l pass to consider some of the dis
tinguished men who were here at this cen
tennial period. Remember Baker, whose
career is familiar to all readers of Vernon,
history, built a grist mill prior 10 1869
which he sold In that year. Tho mill wai
in the northwest part of the town neal
Granville, N. Y. At about the same time
William Bradford erected q mill at thu
village then known as Fitch's Mills. Those
who put up mills were recognized 40 public
benefactors and received gratuities from
the proprietors of the town.
The first military organization was il
1777, WHEN Colonel Samuel Herrick's sreg
ment OF Rangers were raised on the spur O
the moment to Withstand, In connection
with others, the approach Of Burgoyn,
from the north. This regiment consist &c
of only four companies. but did good ser
vice at Bennington and afterwards Ia de
Tending the frontier. having their head
qpartera In this town. Parmalee Allen
great-uncle of Colonel Allen. of Fairhaven
was a captain In this regiment, and also
Ebenezer Allen, the first settler Of Poult
ney. The latter has immortalized BIZ
memory by giving freedom to two slaves Ii
Q rescript dated ''Pollet, Nov. 81, ly77, say
that 4, being conscientious that 1t il MOI
right In the sight Of Col 70 Keep slaves, ;
gives them their freedom This Is ths
more noteworthy - n that period slaver,
Was considered = Inerit0rious institution
Pawlet At this time wss headquarters OF
the Green Mountain Bows, q recruiting sta
ton and q depot of military stores ant
plumber taken from the enemy. Colone
Benjamin Simonds, commandant In l777
gfeat-uncle OF Ossian H. SImonds. Of thii
town, lssned an order August 10, indorset
BY the council of safety, on his wife In
Lanesboro, Mass.. TO Jededah Reed, "fol
six or seven pounds Of lead a. 1t Is expect
ed every minute that IN action will take
place between our troops and the enemies
within four or five miles of Bennington
l and will positively be wanted" We find