Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1877-08-10

three persons Were lnlurtu lioops "eie
sent to the scene from Sheffield, and twelve
rioters were arrested.
The OLD GRAVEYARD AT BENNINGTON zen
rRE.-To Mr.. William. s. Montague,a member
of one of the old families here, and gen.
tlenan of rare public spirit, this old town
of Bennington owes large debt. of his
own impulse, and very largely by his per-
sonal labor, he has redeemed from shameful
neglect this spot where are buried the found
er and the fathers of Bennington, lew OF
the heroes who fell at the battle so soon to
be celebrated. and as well some OF the most
noted men of Vermont. In the midst OF
the lot rest many of the llessian soldiers,
the hirelings OF England. Above their
bones Mr.. Montague has planted beautiful
flower-bed. and from it he proposes to pre-
sent President Hayes q bouquet, symbol
and recognition of the new era OF peace and
good will. The utter dlsrespect formerly
paid to the graves in this yard Is surprising
to a community 30 well-tO-do and respecta-
bio. They built the present church over
part of the ancient graves, and when 1t
became necessary to put IN furnace,
actually desecrated them to set 1t up Mr..
Montague II MS " VA
ont. repair and set up the old head-st0nes,
and to beautiiy the entire cemetery.
Much of the history of the town and state
is covered by the stones of this yard. Here
is the grave of Capt. Samuel Robinson,
founder of Bennington, and of Capt. Ste
phen Fay, landlord oi his historical Cata
mount tavern. whose site il a little north
of the church, who died May Ii. Isl,
aged 81.
Here are the bones Of Anthony llaswell,
editor of the Vermont Gdsefte or Freeman 8
Depository, the second newspaper published
in the State, who was staunch Democrat
(then called Republican, and imprisoned
under the sedition act OF President John
Adams, foderallst, in lI9S, because he ad-
yertised lottery TO raise money for paying
the fine of Matthew Lyon, candidate for
reelection to Congress, who had been
imprisoned for violently attacking the ad-
minlstratiun. llaswell had the sympathy
of all this region, and his friends contrlved
to continue the paper during his eontine-
ment in the old court house, the farmers
taking turns in distributing 1t over the
region. Mr.. Lyon was reelected to Con-
gress during his stay in prison. Col. sam
mel Robinson. who commanded one of the
local companies at the battle of Bennington.
rests here, a. does his wife, Esther. She
was a representative woman at that time.
Pending the battle she had an ox-team and
colt loaded with goods to be taken to Will
liamtown in the event of American defeat
With the booming of the canon the hired
man, :" who had been left to see her 10 place
of safety, got into a panic and was starting
off with the goods when the plucky woman
stopped him. pistol in hand. She Dade HIN
"clear" if he was frightened, but COM
manded him to leave the goods. Then she
mounted the colt and swan the swollen
river to bring her sister and family to q
place of safety. At another time, when
tories bcsieged the house, Mrs. Robinson
dropped her little grl out ot u back win
dow and the brave little chit soon brought
a party to raise the serge.
The grave of Parson Jededlah Dewey, the
same who preached II war sermon the Sun
dav before the battle. Is one OF the honored
spots in the cemetery. lie was the first
nastor of .he first church in Vermont, com
inp from We>tfeld. Mass, and helpful,
nairIot and minister. PdrsOn Dewey died
december Il, T6S, and ON his monument
Is this incIiptlln After Il laborious life
IN the Gospel ministry, he resigned his
flee in Gods temple Tor the sublime em-
pluyment Of immOItihty
The inscription ON the stone at tho head
of Gov. Moss Rulinson's grave can scarce
IL be read. lie Wa colonel in the state
militia, chicl-justIc,. governor, and United
States senator, and died IN 1873. Ma
than Clrak, who died IT l1S2. was the
first speaker of the New York House OF
Representative. Gov. Isaac Tlchenor was
long a power in this State; he was United
States senator in 1876. and again IN lSl3-2O.
There is n sad tragedy connected with the
name of Rev Joseph Buckmlnster ni Port
mouth. N. II. -, who died here suddenly IN
1872 while en- route to Saratoga. In his
carly lie, he was engaged TO beautl-
full girl, but She became enamorcd oil
lawyer, with WHOM she clOped. The mar.
riage was u most unhappy one tho husband
deserving his wife. and she dying IN iniamy
A novel has grown out ui this story. Mrs
llepzibah Fillmore, tho grandmother oil Pres
ident Fillmore. died IN 1853. There are two
graves of Bennington soldiers killed IN the
battle-Ol John Fay, restored by MIR. Mon
taguc, and Henry Walbrldge "who ,amIable
in tho social, esteemed in the Christian,
faithful in riyil and brave IN the military
life, gladly fell in tho defence OF American
Freedom = MIR Ben iamln Harwood. tie
first child born in town, died IN 1871 aged
- Widow bridget HARDWOOD. who whipped
M her horse to he the first OF the original set
tiers on the ground, was also the first To do
in l163 aged Is. John L. Cook, one oi the
lIessian soldiers who settled here. Is buried
in this cemetery with his two wives BIN
ningtOn Letter.