The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1888-05-24
A HUNDRED YEARS AGO.
Extracts from a tourists Diary


The following is an extract from the
diary of William Smith of South Caro-.
lima, giving history of his trip through
New England and New York in 1891,
now republlshed by the New York Even.
ing Post:
monday morning, August 80. went
on horseback to Bennington and re-
turned on Tuesday; the ride is a very
agreeable one. Quitting Lebanon. you
proceed through narrow vale to Han
cock, having on your left distant view
of the Westinghouse at Stephentown,
on an eminence. A well cultivated
country the whole way; in some places
are seen the most beautiful wales, in
others variegated hills, some cultivated
to their summit. Fifteen miles from
Lebanon we breakfasted at Sloane's tav.
ern at Williamstown, in Massachusetts,.
The principal part of the town is about
four miles further on, where they are
building a handsome brick college, sew.
eDty feet by fifty and three stories high;
a donation from Mr.. Williams, from
whom the town took its name, is applied
by his executors to the erection of this
college, which will be in a fine, healthy
country. Between Williamstown and
Bennington are many pleasing scenes
one is particularly striking; the road
runs on the side of high and steep
mountain, from which it has been cut
out, and just beneath you runs a river
with rapid course, foaming over bed
of rocks; this river, which is called the
Hoosack, with the steep lofty mountain
rising almost perpendicular from it, and
covered to is summit with a thick for.
est, affords a most enchanting scene.
You soon after ascend a mountain, and,
looking back on the vale beneath, an
other fine view opens to the sight OF
rich lands watered by the river. About
nine miles from Bennington you enter
Vermont State; the rest of the road is
along the foot of mountains, some very
rugged and rocky, others woody; the
wales cultivated; many of the settle
ments just in their infancy. Benning.
ton is very pretty town at the foot of
high hill in the shape of a cone, which
is entirely covered with maple trees.
Around the town the country has a
beautiful aspect, the lands being rich
and well improved. Mr., Tichenor, one
of the principal persons of this new
State, waited on me and conducted me
to Mr.. Robinson, the Governor, who
gave me polite reception. We drank
tea with Mr.. Tichenor, who is a gentle
man Of the law. There is a large and
good tavern, kept by Colonel DowIe,
whose son is married to the Governors
daughter. The next morning we set
out early and arrived to dinner at Leb-
anon.
Vermont is settled by New England
ers; it has, consequently, all the New
England manners aud policy. 1t is 1870
miles in length and forty 10 ninety in
breadth; it contains 10000 fighting men
and about 10000 to 100000 inhabitants
The country now called Vermont was
once part of the New Hampshire PROV
ince, and considerable part of 1t was
sold to individuals by the Governor o
} New Hampshire. Governor Golden o.
New York having suggested to the Kinl
/ and Council that it would be convenien
/ to make the Connecticut river the east
a ern boundary of New York, it was 8,
] resolved, and thereupon Governor Col
= den and his successors have granted
4 lands to considerable amount IN Yer
l mont, part of which were previOusl,
8 granted by New Hampshire and the re
z mainder INDICATED. In 1777, under
/ pretense that the country of Vernon
e was not protected by New York no
}. Congress, the inhabitants set up an iu
Y dependent government, which Ne,
a Hampshire has recognized, but Ne'
:, York constantly refused; she was, how
/. ever, unable to recognize any authorit
3, or Jurisdiction within the territory {
z Vermont, and has gradually ceased fur
| h,.f hn ~ L. L.,
g still remains a question between theu
|, The lands which were claimed undt
+ prior grants from New Hampshire, Me-
,e York has Telinquished, but claims eItht
'e the lands which were not covered by
n prior grant or an indemnification Il
| them. The Vermonters refused, allegin
II that Vermonters refused, alleging tht
-e Vermont was, prior to its independence
re part of New Hampshire, aud that Ne
Hampshire by relinquishlng her clair
X had established the right of the preser
/. holders by possession. New York col
a tends that the King and Council had
, right to make such boundaries to tt
n provinces as they pleased in their wi:
ia dom, and that by throwing Vernon
, into the province of New York, ii
, Governor had a right to grant the lane
Ia which were not previously granted b
ri the Governor of New Hampshire. Con
!. rnissioners are appointed by both Stat,
n to settle these contending claims to tn
p territory; they are to meet in New Yor
the end of the month of Septembe
n After this point is settled, it is expecte
Is Vermont will become a member of tn
;. Union. A part of Vermont being bounC
4. ed by Canada, they receive part OF the
= supplies from that province, the reI
A from Albany, Hartford, etc.