IV. Vermont
A. Pistols for Their Defense: The Green Mountain Boys
Keeping and bearing arms was not only an abstract right, but also a constant
practice of Vermont's founding fathers. Led by Ethan and Ira Allen, the Green
Mountain Boys sought independence first from New York, and later from Great
Britain. In his detailed accounts of their exploits, Ira Allen vividly
described the role of firearms in the hands of the people for purposes of
defending the person and the incipient state.[195]
In his autobiography, Ira Allen chronicled a series of incidents initiated in
1772 when New York Governor Tryon, assisted by British troops, sought to
dispossess Vermont's settlers of their lands.[196] In one of the first
confrontations, Ira Allen and two friends were accosted by a group of Yorkers
with Indian allies. "Capt. Remember Baker had a cutlass, I. Vanornam a gun
and I a case of pistols. These were all the arms we had; nevertheless, we
determined to defend the ground."[197] The Green Mountain Boys were able to
force the surrender of the larger group. Allen told the captured leader that
he would have shot him if necessary to prevent "being a prisoner and tryed by
the Supreme Court of New York by the acts of outlawry & c." Allen then
demonstrated his marksmanship by shooting a small mark some distance
away.[198]
Firearms were regularly carried for hunting game (such as deer and bear) and
survival as well as for self-defense. On a typical outing, Allen recalled
taking "six days provisions ... a small pocket pistol, little horn of powder,
and a hatchet of a small size ...."[199] The Allens sought to survey,
purchase, and develop wilderness land, which conflicted with the plans of New
York's governor and land jobbers. Before setting out to purchase land near
the New York border, "Col. Ethan Allen, Capt. Remember Baker and myself armed
with holsters and pistols, a good case of pistols each in our pockets, with
each a good [sword] hanger ...."[200] Lodging with a Quaker during that
journey, Ira Allen recalled:(p.289)
We took our pistols out of our holsters and carried them in with us. He
looked at the pistols saying "What doth thee do with those things?" He was
answered "Nothing amongst our friends," but we were Green Mountain Boys, and
meant to protect our persons and property, and that of our friends on the New
Hampshire Grants against the unjust claims of the land jobbers & c. of New
York.[201]
http://www.2ndlawlib.org/journals/halvt.html
"In 1925, the landmark where Vaughan's Ferry crossed was named `Remember
Point' in memory of Remember Baker, who was one of the Green Mountain Boys,
under Ethan Allen". Remember was beheaded by the Indians there
http://www.uftree.com/UFT/WebPages/PamWoodWaugh/VAUGHAN/d0/i0005798.htm