The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1891-04-02


definite programme.
Gov. Page and the others from out of
town was agreeably surprised at the en-
thusiasm manifested, and were en-
phatio in predicting a grand celebration.
Bennington In 1901.
TJohn A. Graham, LII. D., was born
in Southbury, Conn, June 10th, 1854,
commenced the practice of law in Rut-
land in 1875. In 1875 returned to Lon
don, and wrote what he entities: "a
Descriptive sketch of the State of Yer
mont" which was published in London
in 1871. dedicated to the Duke of Mont
rose. Below is what he said of Benning-
ton, and may be followed by his sketches
of other towns in the cOunty.-ED.
Bennington is the capital of the county
of the same name, and is a half shire
with Manchester: 1t lies east of the
river Hudson, distant about thirty-six
miles from the city of Albany, and joins
upon the State of New York. Benning-
ton has many local advantages, superior
to almost any other town in the State;
its contiguity to New City, Troy and Al
bany, the marts from which the inhabi-
tants may always export their produce
to advantage, is of the highest conse-
quence to them. 1t is situated on an
emiuence, commanding extensive pros
poets over most delightful country, in
tersectcd by multitudes of rivulets that
sportively meandCr through cultivated
fields, and ample meadows. The houses
are magnificent and elegant, and though
not built with that regularity that we
meet with in Europe, forms perhaps upon
the whole a more interesting picture.
They are erected in general with IA &c
frames of wood, filled up with brick and
mortar, so hard and durable as almost to
bid defiance to Time. The soil is excellent
and raises vast supplies of wheat. Indian
corn, red and white clover, and herd
grass. Butter, cheese, pork and poultry,
are everywhere produced in such abund-
ance as besides supplying the wants OF
the inhabitants even to prOfusiOn, cna-
bles them to export considerable quanti-
ties. The low lands are well watered by
a large river, which runs through the
town, and fertilizes them to such de-
gree, that the crops of hay are truly won
deIful On this river are several mills
for corn, saving. and iron works. The
noise of the axe and the hammer re.
sounds along its banks. Industry every
where lifts up its cheerful voice, and
health, competence, independence and
content, smile around the fascinating
scene.
The fruits are apples, peaches, pears,
red and white plnmS rrapoo, ourranto,
and gOoseberlies, all excellent in then
kind, and almost every sort of vegetable
The timber is red and white oak, birch
elm, walnut, chestnut, hard and soft ma
pie, etc.
They have an excellent breed of cattle
and horses: the English horses are com
ing much into fashion, and the creates
care is taken by the better sort of people
to encourage their increase.
The business of the town is regulated
and conducted in the same manner as
that of other towns in the State: here
they have a small Academy, and several
day schools. The court house AMI glol
under one roof is a handsome building
in the centre of the town; but the meet
ing-house makes but mean appearance
and is dlsgraceful to the place. The Rev
Mr.. Swift is the minister of it.
| The families of Dewey, Robinson
Smith, Tichenor, Stafford, Walbridge anC
Fay, are the leading people. Mr. Moses
Robinson was one year Governor of thu
State, he has since been a Senator il
Congress, is an exemplary man. and pro
fesses to be Christian. This gentleman
has several brothers who have risen int
some consequence by the help of Brothe
Moses. Mr.. h. Smith was educated a
Yale College; lie was bred to the Law
is an excellent character, and has pur
sured the practice of his profession il
Vermont, with reputation and success
he is also a collector of the excise for tn,
district of Vermont, under the Fedora
Government, and is in every situation
and relative connection of life, the gen
tleman, the scholar, the friend. MI
TichenOr was educated at New Jerse.
College, and does honor by his abilities
and classical attainments to that institu
ton: to the most engaging ease, am
affabiliUy of manners, is joined hear
lrcplete with the milk of human kind
ness. b' neficent, good tempered and i'm
partial, he discharges his duty as Chic
Judge of the Supreme Court with incoT
ruptible fidelity.
slessrs. Stafford and Walbridge ar
! good statesmen, and belong to the Coun
Gil of State; they are pious, exemplar
good men, great farmers, easy of access
} and endeavOr to make all around theT
happy.
Mr.. Fay is Adjutant General of tn
} State, bred to the law, a gentleman O
philanthropy, hospitality, and undoubi
, ed veracity.
Mr.. Dewey is son to the Rev. Nj
J Dewey, Rector of Bennington; he is
gentleman of strong mind, sound judo
ment, and consideration: is a steady SUI
, porter of order and regularity, and fror
} his strict attention to business has aC
cumuated a considerable fortune. 7
sum up his character in a very few word
he is the friend of the widow, the father
less, and of his fellow creatures.
MIR. Haswell has a printing office, an
is a very able printer, and a gentlema
of great scientific knowledge.
Mr.. Moses Robinson has a superb brio
house in Bennington, as also Mr.. j. ROl
inson, Mr.. Dewey and Mr.. Smith, hay
; very elegant wood houses; but for rel
taste in architecture, Mr.. TichenOr
wood house is the best laid out and e.
7 ecuted, according to the size Off of an
in the county. His chimney pieces an
hearths are of beautiful clOuded marble
as highly polished as any have seen
= London; and to his further honor be
hpOke0, MI. liChtlOI dShulSu luo th'
most of these were executed by his Ow
hands.
At Bennington they make pot an
pearl ashes, though not in such quaint
ties as in many other parts of the STATE
their exports and imports are conveye
in wagons, drawn both by oxen an
, horses, they go and return from mark
! in two days. The public road to Albar
is exceedingly good. Ihaye ridden fro
: Bennington to New City IA distance I
!, thirty miles) in three hours.
The number Of inhabitants are abol
! two thousand six hundred.
= Family quafrels! what man of sensibi
! ity or honor can think Of exposing? Ov'
: the battle of Bennington, on the 10th ,
! August. 1777, then, let me draw a vel
with this single Obsel walton, that it col
tributed in no imma eiial degree to Il
! independence Of America: that 1t will
the latest times be remembered wit
= gratitude, by that country; and that
; the cool and intrepid herOism Of Gener
u Stark, and Col. Seth Warner, and q
: bravery of the Green No ntain Boy
= who 50 calamity fought under them, q
$ success of it is TO attributed. have Il
Honour to be &c, &C.,
; J. A. GRAHAM.