Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1884-02-22
THE FIRST SHOT or THE REVO
LUTON.

PAPER READ ny MISS ANNIE L. GRoUr AT
MEETING OF THE VINCENT BRANCH OF THE
G. L. g. O., WEST DRATrLEBoRo, rEB. 10,
1884.
Although the first battle Of the Revolution
was fought at Lexington, April 10, 1875, yet
perhaps tho date of the first shot should be
placed full month earlier, and given as oc-
curing in our own state and county, tho vic
tim being a citizen of Brattleboro. The
stranger visiting Westminster is shown in the
cemetery there a monument which marks the
resting place of William French, young
man from Brattleboro. The explanation Civ
en- of the interest which attaches to this spot
is, that 'He was the first man killed in the
Revolutionary war"
The Continental Congress which met at
Philadelphia, Sept. 4, IVA, sanctioned re-
sistance to royal edicts when they were incon-
sistent with the rights Of tho colonists. New
York, as is well known, claimed the territory
Of Vermont, and established courts within its
limits, under the auspices of English rule.
One Of these courts was at Westminster on
what is still known as Court House hill A
session Of the court was to open in this place
on the 18th OF March, 1775. 1t had been de-
cided by the people of Westminster that the
court should be allowed to open, and then pc
titions should be presented to it in favor of
the rights of the psople. But the evening
before it was discovered that it was the Sc
cret purpose of the tories, in defiance Of
promises made by them to the contrary, to
hold this session under the protection OF an
armed force. In consequence of this dscov-
cry the patriots took possession of the court
house in advance Of their opponents, though
they did so unarmed, as they preferred that
should blood be she'd the blame should rest
not with them, but with the tories. On the
morning of the 18th Sheriff Patterson, with
his followers came to the building, and,
reading the riot act, commanded the people
within TO disperse but fearing to make an
attack upon them, finally withdrew until
night. Having during the day received an
armed reinforcement, he went again to the
court house. During the contest which fol-
lowed several of the patriots were wounded,
among them the Inflated French, who died
the next morning The whole region was
reused. Several of the tory party were ar
rested and imprisoned Or otherwise punished.
Some historians see in this affair only an
outgrowth OF the controversy between New
York and New Hampshire with respect to the
jurisdiction of the territory now known as
Vermont but it seems fair TO regard it, as
other writer's do, as having revolutionary
character. The inscription on French's mon
ument seems to indicate that il was so regard
ed at the time. The inscription is as fol-
| lows:
| "In memory Of William French, son Of Mr.. Nathan
| iel French Who was shot at Westminster, March yc
18Th 1775 by the hands Of Cruel Ministerial tools Of
George We I'd, in the Court House, at II O'Clock at
| night, IN the 22d year Of his age.
Here william French his Body lies
For murder his blood for vengeance cries
| King George the third his tory crew
| Tha with bawl his head shot threw.
| For liberty and his couutry's good
| He lost his life and dearest blood
This outbreak entirely overthrow British
authority among the Green Mountains. But
for this act Of murder we are told, it
would have been difficult to predict whether
the first battle of the Revolution would have
found whig or q tory majority in this sec
tion of the country. This act was the cleo
tric flame which opened the eyes of hundreds
who had hitherto been Indifferent, and armed
those already opposing with an energy and
determination which became irresistible. Aud
when, soon after, the war-cry rose from the
other colonies, these hardy settlers adopted as
their motto, French and vengeance" and
| hRstened to Join their brethren in the scenes
OF action at Lexington, Ticonderogs and
| Bunker Hill