The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1876-08-02
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AN ADDRESS,
Delivered at Londonderry, Vt, July a, 1875,
By James L. Martin, Esq.
TCODcluded from First Pros

nave Deen speaking, vehemently con-
demned the action of the kings court,
while Col. Rogers advocated the kings
right to rule and subjugate. For two
years after the declaration of independence
he (Rogers) was carefully watched by his
neignbors, and finding himself in danger
being tory-he fled to Canada in 177S
consequently his lands, embracing the
tewn of Kent, excepting what was then &C.
cupied, were confiscated.
April 20, 1880, the legislature of Yer.
mont chartered this coufiscated land to Ed
ward Aiken, Samuel Fletcher and JOSEPH
Tyler, reserving 5-65ths thereof for educa
tional and religious purposes. These re-
servations, and others so made for the
same purposes throughout the state, gave
rise to what are now called public lands.
By request of the people, the name o.
the town was changed in this charte,
from Kent to Londonderry. In 1899 tn,
town of Londonderry was divided, and thu
eastern part became another township. au(
was called Windham. The boundary linz
was not then established, but supposed Il
be near the western base of Glebe noun
tain. In 1905, through the influence Of
Esquire Arnold in the legislature, a Dor
ton of Windham was rc-annexed to Lon
donderry and the boundary then established
as it now is, ranging with the summit OF
the mountain. From ITO to the period o.
the revolution, large numbers of the CHI
zens in southern Vermont experienced :
serious conflict with the authorities OF
New York, sustained by the king, in REGARD
to the right of occupancy and ownership O
the land which they were tilling, they hav
ing obtained their grants from under tn
seal of the governor of New Hampshire
Several conventions were held by thos
landholders in Manchester and ArlingtcI
aud they ever resolved to defend their pol
sessions, even with life; they further rl
solved that those who aided or assisted thI
New York claimants, should be dashed 81
the whipping-post ; and they executel
their resolves. The New York sheriffs d
Albany county were treated in the sar
way their authority resisted, their don
ments ignored and the beach seal "-e
lashes on their backs-signally demonst-
ted those resolutions. The title of lars
in the town of Kent having been obtain,
from the legislature of New York, who
was recognized by the king, saved the IN
habitants of this town from the embarraa
ments to which have alluded.
On the 4th day of July, 1776, the Of
bell in the state house at Phladelph
sounded in defiant notes the voice Of ind
pendence. The battles of Lexington, Blnkt
Hill and Ticonderoga had already reflecte
the experience of war. Yet the hearts
those patriots burning with the love of III
erty quailed not at the roar of musketr,
the booming of artillery, or the yell of tie
charge. Their valor was truly displayd
tIn a.. ln d.. d..
nington, saltwater, Cowpens and Yor-
town, while the names of Washington.
Green, Marion, Sumpter, Warren and LIE
were pencilled in undying colors on tn
hearts of living millions. The only bloc
shed on the soil of Londonderry durin
this woeful contest was quite early in tn
conflict. A party under Capt. Cook LEI
Fort Dummer, then in Brattleboro, for tn
purpose of learning the condition of Il,
settlements up the valley of the West rivr
and through to Rutland They found 10
traces ct hostile Indians, nor any distu-
Dances among the settlements. Upm
their return down the river this party Jail
down their implements of war and begai
TO fish for trout near the mouth of FlOol
brook-then called the West branch. WhiL
thus engaged party of hostile Indians, win
had followed their trail from the top of tie
mountain north, lying in ambush, unseel,
fred upon them. Three of their numbI
fell and the rest precipitately fled. The
retreated TO the fort, where they were r..
inforced, and returning, buried their deai
on land now owned by the Thompson Bro.
theirs, formerly owned by Ezra Pierce NJ
monument to-day marks the spot wher
they fell or sleep.
In 1777 Gen. Stark, in marching biz
army from New Hampshire to Rerni:atsy
passed over the Huntlsfy h!s'' village, (Nortt
tfHHEge) across the Utley flats in Landgrov
and camped near spring on the Ira X
Batchelder farm, now owned by Mark B
Lyon in Peru. The following day h
crossed the mountain nearly mile nortl
of the present turnpike, and camped il
Manchester. From thence he marched I,
Bennington, to take victory from the Brit
sh, or leave Molly, his wife, widow
Some of The citizens OF Kent joined Stark
while they had their regular quota in tn
army.
AS class of men the early settlers wer
devoted to patriotism; they loved thei
country, their neigh bors, their friends, an,
more sacredly still their families and thei
"
some of them personally, but time wi
only allow me to briefly make reference t
two families, whose history has becom
identified with that of the town.
In 1891 Barnet Wait moved into til
town of Londonderry. His son, Barne
Wait, Jr., has held many offices of trus
and for forty-four years has held the offic
of justice Of the peace, and am glad I
say we still retain his efficient counsel. l
1880 Samuel Arnold took his abode in LoI
donderry. He had recently married Mar
Wheeler, q young lady of intelligence
whose social disposition and agreeabl
manners rendered their home attractlv
and pleasant. Samuel Arnold was ma
of talents, and possessed an abundance {
public spirit. He was ever ready to syn
pathize with the afflicted, and his kindnes
to the widows and orphans, made such b
the terrible epidemic of 1918, was remen
bered with gratitude long after his deceast
He left eight daughters, all Of whom hav
moved away, and three sons. The oldes
son died in western New York in 1861
jeremiah resides in this village, and Davi(
the titman, also survives. (Hon. Davi
Arnold, weighing about $50 pounds avoi
dupois).
need not refer to the more recent hi
tory of Londonderry, for by the aid of he
records and the memory of many of hi
citizens, it can be well learned. Our II
crease in wealth and population has M
been commensurate with that of the n,
ton, yet our equalization of wealth, OF
freedom from crime, our social relations
and the happiness of our people, has fl
excelled.
At the present time all parts Of the coul
try are laboring under such great finsnci
embarrassment that it carries poverty
the threshold of many homes, yet we b,
little realize these trials and burdens borr
by the many thousands of our people
larger and more populous towns and cite
If there are those who suffer little by Il
fluctuations of nations finances, 1t is tn,
community whose luxuries of life are Il
comforts of home. Absolute suffering fro
poverty is seldom seen or known to ext
with us.
AS community our wants of life al
obtained by daily toil-the cultivation ,