The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1914-08-22
vERmoMr's CONSTITUTION
Proof That II Was Signed In the Old
Town House

authority lOT the IrduilloH THAT inc
first constitution of the state of Yer
mon was signed in the old tavern
which formerly stood on the corner
of Maine street and Depot avenue and
was known as the Old Constitution
House, it remained for recent in
vestigation to establish the almost un
REPUTABLE conclusion that the consti-
tuition was never signed there, says
the Windsor Journal.
What basis there is for the assump-
ton that the constitution was sign
ed in the old tavern has never been
set forth in print by the Old Constl-
tuition House society which is trying
to rehabilitate the building for a me-
mortal. The society has evidently
been satisfied with the local tradition
that the adoption took place there
and has apparently never thoroughly
investigated the matter in an effort
to learn the source of the tradition.
Was Signed in Old crown House."
In making the investigation the
writer was prompted in no way by Il
desire to discredit the members of the
society in their effort to preserve an
historic landmark. The search of re-
cords was made with the idea of gain
ing some light regarding the tradition
of the signing OF the constitution and
in hope of aiding in clearing up the
doubts OF certain individuals Ii was
a surprise to uncover records which
point with almost absolute certainty
to the fact that the constitution OF
Vermont was signed on July 8, 1777,
in the town house" or meeting
house which stood on the site OF the
present Old South church.
In order to make clear the reason
for arriving at the conclusion stated
above it is necessary to relate a lit
tie Of the history incident to the sign
ing of the historic document The fol-
lowing facts are obtained from the Of
ficially printed records authorized by
the state OF Vermont in 1873.
From the first settlement and or
ganization OF the towns in the New
Hampshire Grants, each had by its
charter the right OF self-government
in March meeting, by the election OF
town officers and ordering town af-
fairs. This power was vested in the
inhabitants" by the New Hampshire
charters. When in June, 1870, the
New York court repudiated these
charters and the towns west OF the
Green Mountains had resolved ito sup.
port their rights and property under
the New Hampshire Grants against
the usurpation and unjust claims OF
the governor and council OF New
York by force as law and Justice
were denied them" these towns APP
pointed committees OF safety. whose
business it was to attend to their de-
Tense and security against New
York claimants.
These town committees afterwards
met from time to time as occasion
seemed to demand in general conven-
lion to consult upon and adopt meas
ures for their common protection.
But to meet new exigencies o. the
people for bearing their part In the
war OF the revolution. defending their
frontiers and maintaining their
claims OF independence, general con
ventions OF higher grade we're con
stituted; the first of which met on
the 10th day of January. 1776. at Dor
set This was called by warning
issued on December 10, 1775.
The next record of convention
was one held at Dorset on July "a.
l776. This was followed by the con
vention at Westminster, on October
80, 1916, and this one was adjourn
ed until January Is. 1777, Mt the same
place. When the January convention
adjourned 1t was with the intention
of converting later in Windsor. In the
Connecticut Courant OF the 14th of
April, 1777, the following notice APP
peared:
an convention OF the representa-
tives from the several counties and
towns of the New Hampshire Grants
holden at Westminster, 10th January.
l777. by adjournment voted unani-
mously-
THAT il is the ardent wish OF this
convention that each town in the dis
trict would send a delegate or dele
gates to the next sitting OF the con.
vention. those towns that have not
chosen any delegates Go choose and
send This convention IN adjourned
to the first Wednesday % June next
To be held at the meeting house,
Windsor. at nine O'Clock In the morn
ing."-Extract from the minutes
Ira Allen, clerk.
There are several records OF the ae
ton OF the June convention at Wind
sor. among other things being
transacted was the changing OF the
name OF the state from New Con-
necticut" to Vermont"
The convention appointed the 18th
OF June, 1777. as faet day because
OF the suffering occasioned by the in-
vasion OF hostile forces. This conven-
ton also appointed a committee to
make a draft OF consultation Tor the
state which had declared its indepen-
dence.
An adjournment was taken until
the III day OF July OF cha; year when
the delegates from che variDps towns