The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1893-10-06
HISTORIC MANCHESTER

Inc roy tines Hts du dTGlClG, WIllbtll
from Manchester, under date of Sept. IS,
as follows: Just now, as the season is
closing, the summer guests are taking
their departure and the forests are don
ming their fall attire Of red and golden
leaves, visit to this place has peculiar
charm. The air usually has a cleaI ness
and magnifying quality suggestive of a
sklllfully- made lens, looking through
which brings into sharper outline every
object within range. The mountains
stand forth with perfection of contour
not observed at other seasons. There
are brace and balm in the atmosphere,
and one finds walk along these excel
lent roads or a climb up the hillsides,
with the glorious views unfolding at
every turn, an experience fraught with
invigorating enjoyment.
Amid such surroundings it is natural
to revert to associations that have in
ested this beautiful mountain region
with a special interst. All this territory
indeed is historic ground, for here was
enacted some of the most stirring scenes
in connection with the great struggle
that resultedi in independence for the ma
tion and statehood for Vermont. OF
course one must go to Landlord Orvis of
the Equinox House for tips" on this or
any other subject, and talk with him
about Manchester history is sure to
evoke great deal of valuable informa-
ton.
"What can you tell me about the early
history of Manchester" he was asked.
well, small as it is, Manchester has
borne a very important part in the affairs
of Vermont and of the Union. In fact,
it was really the birthplace of this State.
You know that for years before the revo-
luton there was conflict of jurisdiction
over this region between the colonies of
New York and New Hampshire. The
country was known as the Hamp-
shire Grants, but New York claimed it
by virtue of a charter from Charles ii.
to the duke of York Gov. Tryon of
that colony undertook to enforce his
authority and was resisted by the
Green Mountain boys and in great
wrath issued proclamation ordering
the leaders to surrender within 30 days
under pain of conviction of felony and
death without benefit of clergy.'-in a
word, declaring them felons and outlaws.
Among the men thus ARA gned were
Ethan Allen, Seth Warner, Remember
Baker, Peleg Sunderland, and John
Smith. You see John Smith had al
ready become famous-or Infamous, as
Gov. Tryon undoubtedly regarded him.
The special distinction of having el5) or
$3.50 in standard dollars of the present
day, set upon his head, was given Ethan
Allen, while only $50 each was offered
for all the Others.
what had all this to do with Man
chester?"
"a great deal. Manchester and its
vicinity focmed the stamping ground of
these rough and ready fellows. Here
they met and plan2ed and plotted and
dispersed to their mountain fastness
when the New York governors pursuit
became TO hot. But the revolution
changed all that and turned the attention
of the Green Mountain boys in another
directlon--that of common enemy, Vhe
British. The situation in Vermont was
anomalous. Between the hostile claims
of New York and New Hampshire, there
was no organized or permanent govern
ment, and in this condition of things re-
course was had to a council of safety.
1t was this council which really ruled
Vermont during the revolution. Its
first meetings were held in an inn that
stood on the site of the Equinox house,
exactly where we are sitting now, and
uGIG WAS DdSStu bliO
to confiscation the property of tories,
| The Green Mountain boys were as ar
dent rebels against King George as they
had been against Gov. Tryon, and the
loyalists living here had to go without
ceremony. The funds obtained through
confiscation their property were the sin
ews of war for equipping the noun
taineers for their campaign against the
English foe. One of the most effective
and daring deeds of that time was Ethan
Aliens expedition against and capture
of Ticonderoga, Crown Point and Skenes-
borough, and there is not the slightest
doubt that it was conceived here and
carried into execution from this point "
els Manchester connected with any
other specially notable event of revolu-
tionary times?"
Most assuredly. Look across the
valley to the east and you will see the
deRle in the mountain through which he
and his men came to the rendezvous
here when making ready to march to
Bennington and take part in the fight
that made John Stark's name immortal.
That battle, though small affair meas