Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1902-04-18

Westminster for Many Years-Story of the
Westminster Massacre Recalled Account Of
the Fight Between the Wings and ToriesOvei
the Possession of the County Building The
First Blood Shed of the Revolution.
A valuable relic has been placed in
the Brooks library this week in the
original door of the old court house at
Westminster where the famous massa-
ere of ITS took place. The door has
been precious possession of the Stod-
dard family in Westminster for many
years, and although DR.. Ii. ID. Holton
has been trying for some time to Sc
cure it for the library he succeeded
only this week. The door is long over
100 years old but it still has a staunch
appearance although worn and wealth
err beaten.
The Westminster massacre took place
March 13, l775, and Vermont histo-
rians are united in calling it the first
blood shed of the Revolution. At that
time Westminster was the shire of
Cumberland county, one of the three
counties into which Vermont was di-
vided by New York, and the feeling
between the Wings and Tories was ex-
litlHtly pilltl pNNl lIIt loDS W llCh
were in the minds of everybody. So
strong was the hatred of these parties
that the Wings came to the conclusion
that the administration of justice
should no longer remain in the hands
of the king. March IA, the day on
which court was to convene, was fixed
as the date for carrying into execution
their plans.
Anxious to free themselves from
charges of haste and rashness a dele
CATION of 40 men from Rockingham
called on Colonel Thomas Chandler,
the presiding Judge, at his home in
Chester and requested him to remain
at home Judge Chandler agreed with
the delegation that it were better
that no court were held but said that
there was one murder case that ought
to be tried. Depending on the state
ments of Judge Chandler the Wings at
first decided to let court assemble. but
hearing that the Tories had resolved to
take possession of the court house with
armed guards they determined to pre-
Cede them in occupation.
The intentions Of the Wings soon be
came known and on Sunday, March l.,
the day previous to the massacre, High
Sheriff William Paterson came to Brat
tleboro and secured the assistance of
about - Tories. On the same after
noon party of Wings arrived at West
minister from Rockingham and, after a
brief consultation in the log school
house, armed themselves with sticks
from an adjoining woodpile and en-
tered the court house. They were
about 100 strong Soon after Sheriff
Paterson marched up at the head of
about 70 men armed with swords and
muskets. After short parley which /
was filled with threats on both sides /
it was agreed that the Wings should (
remain where they were until morning
and accordingly a guard was left at
the court house while the others of the /
Wing force retired to neighboring
farm houses for the night.
The sheritf's posse, having assem- /
Dled in Norton S tavern, grew ardent as /
hey partook of the good cheer which /
was on tap until finally ceasing their
revelry at command of the sheriff they
eft the tavern and proceeded stealth
lily to the court house. Their approach
became known to the guard, however
md they were net with a strong re
;istance at the court house door At
er being repulsed twice by the Wings
Who welded their clubs with vigor,
Sheriff Paterson gave the order to fire
~ the rioters. - The first yolley was
Wild and did no harm but the second
Obey accomplished its purpose and f..
he Tories were soon victorious. Ten
Wigs were wounded, two mortally, i
nd seven made prisoners. All those {
aptured were thrown into cells and ,
he victors renewed their revelry with {
he assistance of potations from the ]
curt house barroom.
The news of the massacre spread like .
'ildfire and in few hours over 400 i
Zen had gathered to avenge their
ountrymen. The Tory leaders were
aiken into custody and soon after sent I
own the river to the Jail at North J
mpton, Mass, while all others who
in the massacre were ,
laced under bonds.
The victims of the massacre were I
William French. son of Nathaniel :
rench, who lived in Brattleboro near i
le Dummerston line. and Daniel |
Ioughton of Westminster. French died I
ithin few hours after the fight, hay /
IL received five wounds in the body. L
Ioughton died about nine days after