Vermont declared independence in Westminster. This fact is little noted nowadays. This fact might have been more noted if the delegates had said “Vermont” rather than “New Connecticut,” but the current name was not used until the Windsor convention in July, when the constitution was adopted.
Here are the reports in the [Brattleboro] Vermont Record and Bellows Falls Times. Please leave a comment about what you find interesting.
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Vermont Record, Jan. 19, 1877
Centennial Celebration
A hundred years ago last Tuesday a convention assembled in this town, composed of delegates from some sixteen or eighteen towns of the territory known as the New Hampshire Grants, declared these grants “a new and separate State.” Wishing to commemorate an event of such importance, the people of W. had arranged for a gathering of her citizens and those of neighboring towns on the evening of the 16th of January. The church was appropriately and tastefully decorated for the occasion. In the rear of the pulpit, on the wall of the recess occupied by the singers, was the motto of the State, “Vermont, freedom and unity.” On the walls of the church at the right and left of the pulpit, were the mottoes, “E pluribus unum” and “In God we trust ;” an eagle of evergreens surmounting each of these. In the rear of the audience was the appropriate sentiment, in large letters, “A people capable of greatness will not forget the patriotic deeds of their fathers.” Wreaths of evergreen were hung in each window, and a fancy wreath of great beauty on the pulpit while others adorned various parts of the room. Bouquets and house plants, with these, gave a pleasing appearance to the place of meeting. The exercises of the evening were opened by music of the Westminster Cornet Band ; prayer was offered by Rev. Dr. Stevens of Westminster West. The proceedings of the convention of 1777, with the names of the members and the declaration made by them was read by Mr. John B. Morse of this town, a descendant of Joshua Webb, one of the delegates from W. to that convention. After music by the Band, Hon. Henry Clark of Rutland was introduced, and held the unflagging attention of the audience for an hour and a half. It was an address worthy of the occasion ; such a brief notice as can here be given cannot do justice to the speaker. We were led rapidly over one item after another in our history as a State. The early settlers and the influences and circumstances that made them what they were, their struggles personally and for the sake of the State were brought vividly before us. Westminster and its early settlement ; its position among the towns in the State in the early days ; its inhabitants, &c., were fittingly described. The lecture closed with appropriate reference to the resources of the State, its educational institutions, &c. fitting tribute to the men who have honored Vermont, either at home or abroad, in the various walks of life—as statesmen, jurist, artists, theologians, &c.—the very names being a history in themselves. A very pleasant half hour was spent after the lecture in hearing brief speeches and reminiscences suited to the occasion. Dr. Stevens of the West parish spoke as we should expect one who had breathed Vermont air all his life, and Westminster air all his professional life, would speak. R. S. Safford of Westminster gave interesting sketches of the two delegates from Westminster in the convention whose act we were commemorating—Nathan Robinson, Esq., and John Webb. He also gave some interesting items in the relation to the early inhabitants of W. and the location of the houses, not the least of which was the statement that in the ell of the house now used as parsonage was printed the first newspaper published in Vermont. Mr. Swain of the Bellows Falls Times made appropriate remarks, which were a fitting close of the speaking on the occasion. The Band played America and the audience joined in singing “My Country ’tis of thee,” &c. thus closed the exercises of the evening. The house was well filled, notwithstanding the heavy storm of the night before which greatly impeded travel. Westminster people were out in good numbers, and there was a goodly number from adjoining places. The Band added much to the interest of the occasion by their appropriate and well rendered music.
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Bellows Falls Times
Jan. 19, 1877
Westminster-1776-1876.
In the score of years we have been familiar with the people of Westminster, during which perhaps they have had more public demonstrations than any other town of equal population in the State, their arrangements have always been complete and terminated in success. So in the same manner they marked the Centennial of Vermont Independence Tuesday evening. The church was full and beautifully decorated, including various mottoes, “Vermont 1777-1876 – Freedom and Unity,”—”In God we Trust,” &c., besides the national colors. Some of the mottoes were arranged in semi-circle, and resting upon the zenith was the American eagle, wrought in evergreens, an arrangement we do not remember to have ever seen elsewhere, and shows that the present generation of Westminster are artists as well as patriots.
Rev. P. F. Barnard admirably presided throughout the evening, and was felicitous and spicy, especially in the introduction of the speakers. The exercises were opened by prayer by Rev. Dr. Stevens of the West Parish, and after music by the Westminster Cornet Band, the president introduced J. B. Morse, Esq. as a direct descendant of one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, who read the Declaration and the proceedings of the convention connected therewith including the names of the members thereof, in an excellent and clear manner, in fact good enough to have been one of the original signers, instead of a descendant. We say this, that those who existed one hundred years ago and those who may exist one hundred years hence, may not think they monopolized all the ability and excellence of two hundred years !
Hon. Henry Clark of Rutland was then introduced and delivered an able and excellent address, mainly historical of Vermont and her progress during the past century, and also of notable men and including prominent events in this section.
Mr. Clark spoke with much patriotic earnestness throughout and when he gave the capture of Ticonderoga and those famous words of demand by Ethan Allen—”In the name of the great Jehovah and the Continental Congress”—there was of course very prompt and hearty applause. After having enumerated many of the prominent and notable men of our state he also humorously mentioned Joe Smith and Brigham Young and the demonstration which follows this mention, those who celebrate the next centennial my understand was not because of any endorsement of their vagaries, but the like of variety !
Letters of regret were read from Gov. Fairbanks and Hon. E. P. Walton, and the president then said there was very early developed in the history of that place a desire to “go west,” to emigrate, the “western fever,” and some of their best citizens had even gone west as far as the west part of that town ! He would therefore call upon a representative of that section on that occasion. Rev. Dr. Stevens responded, at first in humorous vein and concluded with relating events of local interest and especially of that brave and courageous woman who with her son of nine years did the farm work at home while the husband and father served in the army of the Revolution.
R. S. Safford, Esq., was also called for and he gave a very interesting statement of the present localities in Westminster, the notable persons by whom they were occupied and the time of the events one hundred years ago which we were now celebrating, especially of the old court house.
The exercises were concluded by the benediction pronounced by Rev. Dr. Stevens, and by music by the Westminster Cornet Band, who during the evening made the occasion of much additional interest by their patriotic airs, thus happily closing the first centennial of the Independence of Vermont.