Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1905-08-11
T0WNSHEND
A Famous Patriot of the RevoIu-
tionary War
Mrs. John Miller Horizons Remarks Con-
corning Her Ancestor, Gen. Samuel
Fletcher

Mrs. John Miller Horizons Remarks Con-
corning Her Ancestor, Gen. Samuel
Fletcher.
One Of the pleasant events of the recent
annual meeting Of the Vermont Socity
of Colonial Danes held in Rutland was an
address by Mrs. John Miller Horton of
Buffalo, N. Y, who is widely known in
club circles. She was chairman of the
committee on ceremonies and entertain
ments of the Womans board of the Pan
American exposition. She is regent of
the Buffalo chapter, Daughters of the
American Revolution and of the Buffalo
chapter, United States Daughters of 1912,
and is president of the Buffalo City Fed
GRAFTON of women's clubs, besides being
affiliated with 20 other societies. She is
a granddaughter of the late Gen. Samuel
Fletcher The following is taken in part
from the Rutland Herald's account Of
her remarks:
The rival claims Of New York and New
Hampshire came near preventing the in
dependence of Vermont. But fortunate
in the good judgment and wise counsels
of its statesmen, who guided by men Of
determined courage enforced compliance
with their demands-and this, despite de-
termined opposition-after long years Of
tedious waiting Vermont was admitted,
February Is, 1871, the 14th state OF the
Federal Union. All these stirring scenes
in the early history of Vermont are replete
with so much that is strikingly illustrative
of its peoples, that presenting this sketch
of one of the foremost patriots Of the day
necessitates culling from the chronicles
given us incidents recalling much of the
earnest concerted action taken in their
strenuous life and telling Of hardships
and sufferings which we can with diff
Guilty comprehend Naturally the sub
ject appeals strongly to me having heard
my grandmother, Sophia Fletcher Pratt
(born in Townshend, NermonD speak in
glowing terms of affectionate admiration
of her father, Gen. Samuel Fletcher
my great grandfather; and / trust you
will bear with me If with pardonable pride
i bring before you scenes in which he will
appear prominently and truthfully among
the builders Of history Of this common
wealth of Vermont.
Mrs. Horton then gave an outline of the
eventful life of Samuel Fletcher. He was
born at Grafton. Mass. in 1744 and at the
age Of II years enlisted as a soldier in the
contest then being waged between the
British and French colonies About five
years later he married Mehitable Hazel
tine, daughter of Col John Hazeltine, and
moved to Townshend. VT. At the COM
mencement of the revolutionary war he
joined the American army and in the
capacity of orderly sergeant was present
at the battle OF Bunker hill, and after
the battle of Bennington in August, 1871,
he was commissioned major and con-
tinued to serve his country until after
the defeat Of Burgoyne.
He was made brigadier general of the
Vermont militia June 20. 1881, and hav-
ing received the grade Of major general,
held the position for six years.
Gen. Fletcher represented Townshend in
the general assembly Of Vermont, at its
first session, March, 177S, and in October
of the same year and February Of the fol-
lowing year. During the latter session he
was chosen member OF the council and
held this Office until 1890; he was also
member of the council in 1908.
He was appointed judge OF the Supreme
court in 1852, but refused to serve.
He served as a judge Of the County
court in 177s, 1884 and 1856. and was
high sheriff Of Windham county from 17SS
to 1906. He died September Is, 1914.
Mrs Horton concluded with the follow
ing words:
In closing allow me TO congratulate
our honored president and those assoc
ciated with her in the achievement OF
this noble work. We members Of the
Vermont Society OF Colonial Danes ap-
preciate the importance OF this work and
gladly give our support TO all patriotic
work for which we stand"