Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1914-08-06

mot concern the Indians, who might hunt
and fiah wherever they pleased. There
upon the Indians departed leaving the
New York men prisoners. Upon promis-
ing not to return to this region the prison
ers were released without trial or chas-
tisement with the 'twigs of the wilder
ness" sometimes used on New York Of
ficials who we're too persistent in their
attentions.
| FIRST ASCENT OF MANSFIELD.
After the New York surveyors had de-
parted, Baker and Allen assembled the
river, probably as far as Waterbury, and
surveyed the town of Mansfield, In later
years annexed to Underhlll and stowe.
Very likely this trip marked the first as
cent of Mount Mansfield by white men.
Returning to the river valley at Bolton,
Baker and one man descended the river.
and taking the boat proceeded home by
way of Skenesborough. Desiring to ex-
piore the country further, Allen remained
with four companions. SO ardently did
he pursue his explorations of the wilder
ness that his provisions became exhausted
before he was aware of the fact. and the
party decided to make the best Of their
nty miles. After travelling four DAYS
over the mountain range, and fording
brooks and rivers. with no food but one
dinner. in addition to three patridges,
they reached Pittsford. almost overcome
with hunger and weakness Allen re-
lates that they We're fed with a crust of
bread, then with pudding, and later with
n piece of mutton. and turnips One
man ate a double share and soon fell
asleep, and he was rolled over and over
and carried about for an hour before he
could he awakened
Early in the spring Of 1878 Allen and
Baker returned and erected bockhouse
Mt Colchester at the lower falls of the On
Ion river, two stories in height. with 20
portfolios in the upper story and well
stocked with arms and ammunition Here
Bakers family lived a year before a log
house was built for them In the vicinity
of the fort. which was called Fort Fred
erick, and is not, of course to be con-
fused with Fort Frederic at Crown
Point. David Read. writing for Hemen-
ways Gazetteer many years ago. saws
this fort was located on the north bank
Of the river. close to the riverside on the
| '"S''S' N''"llH' 'i'iH SIN " elEHl rpnS
east OF the present falls bridge. The
greater part of the ground on which It
STOOD SAYS Mr.. Read, rs now slid off
and washed away. The blockhouse was
constructed OF hewed timber. The same
year l173, 4 road wa cut from Castleton
to Colchester by the Onion River com
pany, which consisted of Ethan Ira He
man and Zimri Allen and Remember
Baker.
In I''4 clearing was made around the
tort "hei" Bakers House was erected,
Two ciearings We're made on the intervale
oe'o" the tallS' and one was made at
o.r,o ~. 49,. c..,..,
ad Man. ,,.,- ,t,.,a ,,. =. ,.' .'''.'
N.ro.... 11o,s IT.. 49, =. ,-oo 100
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hi.
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Tbo,,,s C,hi..oda. a 1a.,, e..Ss
ford houo,, so,.ar.l .ta,,ao,,, ~
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oil .bo,a r.i.i, IT. r,,,,,' --, 80,
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grow, o,d ho,o,,. .ho ,,.,.., 80
''''' '''> " -
OWING TO the war with Great Britain it
became necessary to abandon these set
uenehtS IN l'6, 1t Is related that Thorn
as Chit'enden mis- wife and ten children
went on OF to Castleton. Their iron
ware was sunk IN the duck pond and
tHelr provisions and few belongings
were carr'eu on the backs or two horses
II Is 10 ne hoped that Mrs Chittenden anc
the younger children had an occasional
horsehacK ride on this journey One
ram'iS that remained at Jericho was cap
turcd ny he British In III. The only
person re naming in Colchester during
the Revolution vas the mysterious hermit
Mallett. whom Mr. Read says kept a tav,
ern FOR spies and smuggers, acknowledg.
ing allegiance to no one, and flea ring
neither principalities or powers"
In 1885, the war having ended. Ira Aler
a,NA Df