Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1882-05-31
Historical Sketch OF WilIiamstowp.

This town was "born" August o, 781,-four
years after tho original state constitution was
adopted, and while Thomas Chittenden was gov
ernor OF the state. Among the seventy-fve or
eighty proprietors Of the new plantation, TO be
called Wiamstown," were Governor Chitten-
den, Ethan Allen, and the hot-headed Irishman,
Matthew Lyon, son-n-law OF Governor Chitten-
den and one Of Vermonts earliest representatives
In congress- -being the same, too, who was con-
victed Of libel on President Adams, fined 81, 900
and confined four months in the Vergennes jail
therefor; and who, while In congress, had
violent personal alteration on the floor OF the
house with Mr.. Griswold OF Connecticut, ending
In blows" Ut reminds one Of South Carolina
" to ascend the family thread" of our town, and
lind at " the other end " such waxing" AZ
that The town was swaddled" legally mt
bennington, Vt, where for some years its earliest
records" were kept. Each Of these propretors,
his heirs or assigns, was required to plant and
cultivate five acres OF land, and build house. at
least eighteen feet square on the floor, and have
one family on each fright" within three years
after the circumstances OF the war will admit
settlement with safety" Among other IRE
served rights" (such as lands for schools and
religious purposes) In the grant Of this township
was " all pine timber suitable for navy" which
was reserved for the use and benefit Of the free
men OF Vermont" One of the original proprie-
tors Of the town was Major Cornelius Lynde, a
soldier In the revolutionary war and the father Of
our well-known townsman, John Lynde. At a
meeting OF the prOprietOrs In Bennington, Deem
Der Z, 1885, he was appointed AZ their collector
here In town, and thereafter his name IL often
found in the early records Of the place The first
legal meeting OF the proprietors in this township
was held June %, 1887, "at the house OF Major
Elijah Paine" We conclude our sister towns OF
Barre, Mortified and Brookfeld may have then
been unexplored regions" as we do not find
their names in the original boundaries OF this
town. The name Of Washington does occur In
the eastern boundary. So, younger sisters" II
Washington and Williamstown should happen 10
distance you in the race" Of civilization, II IL
only because they are older, you know Some
things found in the early records Of the town are
amusing as well as interesting. For instance, In
the warning Of September 6. 1891, Of town meet
ing, we find an article to see II the town will
give their appreciation to have the innoculaton OF
the small pox set up in town the fall next ensu-
ing. A negative vote was given In the same
warning an article ITO see IL the town will
agree on any way to promote the preaching of
the Gospel among us for the year next ensuing,
or any part thereof" A committee was APP
pointed to see II Wildersburgh NOV Barrel and
Berlin would unite with Williamstown in hiring
preacher, and at an adjourned meeting, the 4th
day OF the next October, this committee had to
report that Widersburgh would not agree to
unite thus and Berlin had not decided, so 1t was
decided to hire preaching two months the next
summer, and pay fl5 or its equivalent in cattle
and wheat, for It, On March IL, 1900, we find a
warning for town meeting to all the inhab-
itants OF Williamstown who believe in the restora-
ton OF all mankind to meet at the dweing-house
Of, etc, to form society What could be more
entertaining to the inhabitants of any of our
towns, when the next lecture season" comes,
than such history OF their towns as can be made
up from the records OF these towns and the help
Of some Of the old people? COM