On may 10, 1775, in the stormtossed hours after midnight, ethan allen. Nov 27, 2019 when men under benedict arnold and ethan allen captured fort ticonderoga and fort crown point in 1775, they also captured over 180 cannon, and other weaponry and supplies. In his new book, ethan allen and the capture of fort ticonderoga, author dick smith delves deeply into the origins of the patriots who quietly but determinedly marched north from connecticut, recruiting all the way up what is now rte 7, to deliver the vital fort into american hands. Henry knoxs noble train of artillery at fort ti the. Fort ethan allen was an earthwork fortification that the union army built in 1861 on the property of gilbert vanderwerken in alexandria county now arlington county, virginia, as part of the civil war defenses of washington see washington, d. This book was a financial disaster and not wellreceived, probably because its. He made a very significant contribution to the early history of vermont, at that time. Allen, ethan, 173889, hero of the american revolution, leader of the green mountain boys, and promoter of the independence and statehood of vermont, b. Ethan allen furniture history, fine quality american made. Whats the story behind that tower at fort ethan allen.
Ethan allen, born january 21, 1738, litchfield, connecticut u. He is best known as one of the founders of vermont and for the capture of fort ticonderoga early in the revolutionary war. He had some schooling and was proud of his deist opinions, which he later incorporated in reason the only oracle of man 1784. In foreign parts which is to say, anywhere outside the small confines of the green mountain state, allen, if heard of at all, is at best a misty character. In july the regiment participated in a joint camp of instruction for machine gun units on the fort ethan allen reservation. July 28 transferred to fort ethan allen in vermont. Americas first victory kindle edition by smith, richard b download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. Ticonderoga and the battle of bunker hill duration. The simplicity makes for a more exciting story, which is fitting for a travel book or a high school history book. Fort ann, washington county fort brewerton, brewerton fort crailo, rensselaer nhl designation.
Having researched the american revolution, richard smith has written two bestselling books on vermont and new englands role in the revolution. Ethan allen fought in the french and indian war and the american revolution. The taking of a fort was responsible for putting allen into history books and fine marble. From a 1940 book about allen titled simply ethan allen, by stewart h. Containing his voyages and travels, with the most remarkable occurrences respecting him and many other continental prisoners of observations.
Repairs to the interior of the fort ethan allen tower are scheduled to get under way this summer. Aug 26, 2016 the vermont genealogy library at fort ethan allen in colchester will hold an open house from 10 a. The vermont genealogy library is a registered tradename of the vtfcgs. It is the first full booklength history of the fort in essex and colchester, vermont. Army cavalry and field artillery training post on land once owned by american revolutionary war figure ethan allen.
As vermont historian and exdirector of the vermont historical society, j. Adjacent to madison community center, you can relax under the gazebo, turn the kids loose on the playground, shoot hoops on the basketball court, run around on the multiuse field permits take priority, or bring your dog out to the dog park. Civil war trails interpretation located near the south face of the fort past the soccer fields. The capture of fort ticonderoga took place on the morning of may 10, 1775, during the revolutionary war. A few months later, joseph removed his family to the brandnew town of cornwall, connecticut, where they lived a truly pioneer life among. The work in the year 1915 was similar to that of the year before. Apr 30, 2020 vermont frenchcanadian genealogical society. As any student of vermont history can tell you and the recent flood devastation. The book is 128 pages with over 250 illustrations, many never before published.
When men under benedict arnold and ethan allen captured fort ticonderoga and fort crown point in 1775, they also captured over 180 cannon, and other weaponry and supplies. Ny public library in early may 1775, in cooperation with the connecticut committee of safety, allen gathered about green mountain boys and about 60 connecticut and massachusetts militiamen on lake champlain to attack fort ticonderoga. Locally, it is known simply as the fort, and now houses a variety of businesses, academic institutions, and residential areas. Aug 04, 2011 it was a small event that is merely a bold print word in history books, but it is laced with much drama. The vital path that has led ethan allen to the catamount tavern, on the eve of his rendezvous with destiny, began in litchfield, connecticut, where he was born on january 21, 1738, the first child of joseph and mary baker allen. Benedict arnold of massachusetts joined ethan allen and the green mountain boys of vermont. National park service colonials and patriots survey of. Why a free vermont was the first to distrust benedict arnold. There he revived a book he had begun years earlier with a philosopher friend, dr. Capture of fort ticonderoga the capture of fort ticonderoga took place early in the revolutionary war on may 10, 1775. B uilt in 1861 to command approaches to the chain bridge over the potomac into washington, this is a companion fortification to fort marcy fairfax county, on the washington parkway. William parkinson books is an antiquarian book dealer specializing in vermont books, maps, broadsides and ephemera. Beginning in november 1775, colonel henry knox and a team of engineers used sledges to haul 60 tons of this heavy artillery to cambridge and the siege of boston. Ethan allen author of reason the only oracle of man or a.
Dicks previous book, the revolutionary war in bennington county. From its opening as a cavalry post in 1896, to its short time as an air force base, to its conversion to the private sector, much of the post remains as it was when first built. The legacy of ethan allen journal of the american revolution. Fort ethan allen was a united states army installation in vermont, named for american revolutionary war figure ethan allen. Ethan allen led the green mountain boys to capture fort ticonderoga during the american revolutionary war. Remembered by history as the patriot hero who captured fort ticonderoga from the british, ethan allen was, in fact, a great deal more. Listed below are our active catalogues and auctions. Ethan allen park has been placed on the national register of historic places by the united states. Fort ethan allen was a united states army installation located in essex and colchester vermont. Published by the fort ethan allen museum, essex, vermont. Allens legacy, as recorded in american history books, showcases his military prowess, his leadership in an independent vermont, and an undying hatred for the man that is now synonymous with treason, benedict arnold a hatred that started well before his infamous betrayal. Green mountain boys the green mountain boys were a local militia led by ethan allen.
After fighting briefly in the french and indian wars, he interested himself in land. Most people recognize the name ethan allen furniture as one of the premier furniture brands in the united states. Sep 22, 2014 ethan allen benedict arnold and ft ticonderoga. The vermont genealogy library at fort ethan allen in colchester will hold an open house from 10 a. Ethan allenbenedict arnold and ft ticonderoga youtube. We have been selling vermontiana for over 28 years to date and have produced 233 catalogues of vermont material. Historical marker and school parking lot at the south face of the fort.
But it doesnt allow for more than a superficial understanding of history. Vermont military records genealogy familysearch wiki. Ethan allen was born in litchfield, connecticut in 1738. Letters and books from the men report that this was the best duty the regiment has ever had. Ethan allen biography facts, childhood, family life. Ethan allens capture of fort ticonderoga and the battle. Deactivated by the army in 1944 and reactivated by the u. The very complex ethan allen is allgood, vermont is good and ny is bad, and all the action was about fighting tyranny. Locally, it is known simply as the fort, and now houses a variety of businesses, academic institutions, and. In april 1775, a small band of men set out from hartford and traveled swiftly north toward the shore of lake champlain, recruiting men to their expedition along the way. Evidence that an ancestor actually served may be found in family traditions, census records, naturalization records, biographies, cemetery records, and records of veterans organizations.
Our genealogy research library is located in the dupont building at fort ethan allen, colchester vermont. It is colonel ethan allen who often gets the credit for the capture of the fort and the name benedict arnold is never mentioned. Officers row at fort ethan allen, vermont by detroit publishing, 1907. This is the first east coast garrison duty for the regiment since their formation in 1866. Ethan was born in rural connecticut and had a strict upbringing right from his childhood. The complete works of ethan allen ethan allen was a farmer, businessman, land speculator, philosopher, writer, lay theologian, american revolutionary war patriot, and politician. Within only a few days, this loyal group of volunteers arrived in vermont and, joining forces with ethan allen and his legendary green mountain boys, launched a daring attack to capture more than one hundred cannons stored at fort ticonderoga.
Fort ethan allen was a united states army cavalry and field installation established. Fort ticonderoga was the first target they selected. His books have been recommended by vpr and he has appeared on wcaxtv cbs affiliate burlington. Introduction to the general in vermont, where i was born and where my people have lived since colonial times, the name of ethan allen is well known, even if few vermonters know much about the man. Jan 16, 2020 ethan allen fought in the french and indian war and the american revolution. With benedict arnold, he led the green mountain boys to capture fort ticonderoga from the british in 1775. In 1779 allen published the account of his time in captivity, a narrative of colonel ethan allens captivity. The library has a growing collection of reference books. Ethan allen was an early american revolutionary and guerrilla leader who fought against the province of new yorks settlement of vermont, and later for vermonts independence during the american revolutionary war. Jan 17, 2020 on january 21, 1738, ethan allen, future revolutionary war hero and key founder of the republic of vermont, is born in litchfield, connecticut allens father, joseph, intended ethan to attend. It would be here that the seeds were sown for the most notorious traitor in american history, benedict arnold. Fort wayne the encyclopedia of oklahoma history and culture. Troops d and i were in attendance at the students and businessmans camp at plattsburg barracks, new york. The library has a growing collection of reference books, manuscripts, periodicals and microfiche.
Military records can give birth dates, marriage dates, death dates, spouse and children names. Fort ticonderoga was located in the northern part of new york on lake champlain. In order to take the fort and steal the cannons, a leader must be chosen who knew the territory. On january 21, 1738, ethan allen, future revolutionary war hero and key founder of the republic of vermont, is born in litchfield, connecticut allens father, joseph, intended ethan to attend. Army cavalry and field artillery training post, first established in 1892 on land once owned by the man it is named for. Authored by our curator and executive director william l. Mad anthony wayne, fort wayne was established in the fall of 1838 by soldiers of the seventh infantry under capt. Ethan allen was an early american revolutionary and guerrilla leader who fought against the province of new yorks settlement of vermont, and later for vermonts. These are the people who gave fort ethan allen a place in american history.
Ethan allen was an american revolutionary war hero, farmer, politician, and philosopher. After allens attempts to have vermont become a state failed, he then unsuccessfully petitioner to. Ethan allen led the green mountain boys to capture fort. Allen was the leader of the green mountain boys and along with benedict arnold captured fort ticonderoga from the british in 1775 in what was the first american victory of the war. Enlisted cavalrymen numbered fewer than 6,000, and they were as scattered as at the opening of the civil war, mainly through the western part of the country, though part of the 3d cavalry was at fort ethan allen, vermont, and part of the 6th cavalry was at fort myer, virginia. He was a flamboyant folk hero of vermont, who organized green mountain boys during the american revolutionary war, and together with colonel benedict arnold captured fort ticonderoga in may 1775. Benedict arnold of massachusetts joined ethan allen. Vtfcgs publishes its journal links twice a year, supports francoamerican heritage events and has a substantial collection. The date of may 10, 1775 is the singular event of note associated with ethan allen and his green mountain boys as they seized fort ticonderoga in a brazen predawn attack. His brothers ira and heman were also prominent figures in the early history of vermont. Surrender in the name of the great jehovah and the. His life and times by willard sterne randall goodreads.
The library is the home of the vermont frenchcanadian genealogical society vtfcgs and its extensive collection of records related to frenchcanadian immigrants to vermont. The history of the ethan allen company reaches as far back as the 1930s when two brothersinlaw purchased a failing furniture company in beecher falls vermont. Vtfcgs publishes its journal links twice a year, supports francoamerican heritage events and has a substantial collection of books, journals and vital records related to quebec, eastern ontario and the maritime provinces of canada. The book was a complete financial and critical failure. Military records identify millions of young men who served in the military or who were eligible for service. Keywordsoklahoma military history fort wayne civil war battle delaware county cherokee ethan allen hitchcock douglas cooper fort wayne.
Ethan allen for children ethan was born in litchfield, connecticut on january 21 1738, the first child of joseph and mary baker allen. The remains of the fort are now within arlington countys fort ethan allen park. Within only a few days, this loyal group of volunteers arrived in vermont and, joining forces with ethan allen and his legendary g. William parkinson books, antiquarian book dealer, book and. From its opening as a cavalry post in 1896, to its short time as.
We are handicapped accessible and located in the rear of the building. Please look at our short histories and photos of different aspects of the forts history in the. Fort ticonderoga facts, battle, history the history junkie. Established as a cavalry post in 1894, today it is the center of a designated national historic district straddling the town line between colchester and essex. He is best known for the capture of fort ticonderoga at the outbreak of the. Ethan allen, one of the firebrands of the american revolution, has fallen victim to history not being remembered as he should, a remarkable character in the founding of america. He demanded to know by what authority the fort was being entered, and allen. Ethan allen, popularly known as the founder of the state of vermont, was born in litchfield, connecticut, on january 10, 1738. The fort represents an important piece of vermont and military history.
Fort ethan allen 1 18921944, 19501951, 19521960 a u. Ethan allen was a farmer, businessman, land speculator, philosopher, writer, lay theologian. They were given the task of taking over the fort for the patriots. They were joined by colonel benedict arnold from boston.
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