Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1900-10-19
ONE HUNDREDTH ANNIVERSARY OF
MEETING IN MIDDLEBURY.

Court House still Standing in Which
Legislature Met--Sketches of the State
Officers of the Time.
One hundred years ago the legislature I
of Vermont held its session in Middle
bury The first blow struck in town to
level its dense forests for settlement was
in 1866 Ten years later its few scattered
pioneers were driven from their homes |
until peace with England permitted them
to return in 1888 to quiet possession Of
their lands. The next year the inhab- !
itants began to build village on both
sides of the river at the falls. Fifteen
years later about thirty houses bad been
built, with several mills, stores and "A
brewery. An academy was also com
pleted intended to be the germ of a
future college. At this time the enter
prising citizens had the courage to invite
the legislature to hold its session here in
$500, and the invitation was accepted. In
anticipation of this noted event, great
preparations were made. Several new
houses were built and others were en-
larged and made ready for the reception
of boarders The court house, which
had been finished the previous year, was
made with special reference to the use of
the legislature, which had been accus-
toned to holding its sessions in different
! towns in the state. 1t stood on what is
now the little park between the Addison
House and the dwelling of G.. 5. VAIN
wright. There was but one story, a
high room arched over head with tall
windows and gallery at the west Ell d
over the entrance. This building. which
is now standing. bereft of its ornamental
tlon-a well proportioned cupola-has
been silent witness to many of the eX-
citing affairs of men. 1t was here that
the fugitive slave went free by the deci-
sion of Judge IIarring on, who required
title deed from a higher power than
man. II was used for all public gather
ings. and the different churches also oc
cupied it, The bell that was used to call
the legislature to its daily task in 1900
has been continuously in use for the last
hundred years.
The legislature began its session Oct
Q, continued 30 days and passed l02 acts
The most important of these acts was
the incorporation of Middebury college,
which has recently cOmmemOrated its
centennial. Many of the acts were for
the assessment of land taxes for building
roads and bridges. A turnpike road was
chartered. running from Middlebury
through Ripton to Woodstock. Some of
our Older people will remember the gate
and the gate house kept near the cross
ing of the river in the latter town.
Among other bills passed was one appro-
priating 500 for "A present to the Indian
chiefs who made their annual visits for
compensation f their land to Amasa
Stowell, who kept tavern near the resi-
dence of the late A. p. Tupper. of SGS 81
for victualing and providing for the
same; to Darius Matthews for attending
said Indians as physician, Sl.5S An i'm
pOrtant item as matter of history was
the payment of SIS TO Amos Jones for
sweeping the house and ringing the bell.
This is the earliest record ever found re-
lating to the bell.
1t is fitting that the memory of those
who were actors in the closing session of
the 18th century should be recalled rs
another century and its last session is
soon to pass into history. Hon. Isaac
Tichenor was the retiring governor and
was reelected for that year. lie had
been chief Justice of the supreme court
and later was United States senator He
died at Bennington in 1898. Hon. Paul
Brigham of Norwich was lieut-goveruor,
and held the Office - years. He was a
major general in the army and fought
under General Washington. Richard
Whitney of Guilford was secretary to the
governor and council and held the Office
s,x ,oars Auos March of Voroonnos
i'0" "
was speaker OF the mouse OF representa-
tives. and held that position three wears.
lie was IOr several wears memDer Oh
the house. Rev. Jeremiah Atwater,
latar nrasidont of NiddIahurv ooIleoo
~ ,t,i - D. D., ,yt- > :
Fairfield who enlisted at the ape of If
i CI.aI ,,--tt', 49,,
uhuei Nencral "aan'ngtoh' preaciieu tle
election sermon. Rev. Thomas Iolman
VI NpiHN aii' eng iosoIhS cicIh, was poi u
IN Massachusetts ana moved to Vermont
i'm ISL He was secretary TO Governor
Cb;t+ondon ond 20 80 ,o,,ox,,on "a
,i S,. - 80
Cnrn,vou in Tho Iooislaturo 10 ,nos a,,'
nointod Win Ira IIIan nv, thn ,,ovorndr P
md council to drofr tho ronnnstrorca to
conaroSc aaainSt tbo holIiaorn,'t rosoI,,1
t;onc of 12S5 Uis snIondid onorossinn
: hend.mriting :, ononina tho roonr1 I,oal,-
80 ITnion Mesato ~ oils ~ ~ I'M .I",