Ethan Allen, a brigadier-gen-
eral in the American service, dis-
tinguished for his daring and intre-
pid spirit, was a native of this town.

“ While he was young, his pa-
rents erhigrated to Vermont. At
the commencement of the disturb-
ances in this territory, about the
yfear 1770, he took a most active
part in.favor of the Green Moun-
tain boys, as the settlers were then
called, in opposition to the govern-
ment of New York. An act of
outlawry against him was passed by
that state, and 500 guineas were of-
fered for his apprehension: but his
party was too numerous and faith-
ful to permit him to be disturbed by
any apprehensions for his safety.
In all the struggles of the day he
was successful; and he not only
proved a valuable friend to those
whose cause he had espoused, but
he was humane and generous to-
wards those with whom he had to
contend. When called to take the
field, he showed himself an able
leader and an intrepid soldier.

“ The news of the battle of Lex-
ington determined Col. Allen to en-
gage on the side of his country, and
inspired him with the desire of dem-
onstrating his attachment to liberty,
hy some bold exploit. While his
mind was in this state, a plan for
taking Ticonderoga and Crown Point
by surprise, which was formed by
several gentlemen in Connecticut,
was communicated to him, and he
readily engaged in the project.
Receiving directions from the gen-
eral assembly of Connecticut to
raise the Green Mountain hoys, and
conduct the enterprise, he collected
230 of the hardy settlers and pro-
ceeded to Castleton. Here he was
unexpectedly joined by Col. Ar-
nold, who had been commissioned
by the Massachusetts committee to
raise 400 men, and effect the same
object, which was now about to be
accomplished. As he had not rais-
ed the men, he was admitted to act
as an assistant to Col. Allen. They
reached the lake opposite Ticonde-
roga on the evening of the 9th of
May, 17.75. . With the utmost diffi-
culty boats were procured, and 83
men were landed near the garrison.
The approach of day rendering it
dangerous to wait for the rear, it was
determined immediately to proceed.
The cpmmander in chief now ad-
dressed his men, representing that
they had been for a number of years
a scourge to arbitrary power, and
famed for their valor, and conclud-
ed with saying, ‘ I now propose to
advance before you, and in person
conduct you through the wicket
gate; and you, who will go with
me voluntarily in this desperate at-
tempt, poise your firelocks.’ At
the h§ad of the centre file he
marched instantly to the gate,where
a sentry snapped his gun at him,
and retreated through the covered
way: he pressed forward into the
fort, and formed his men on the
parade in 9uch a manner as to face
two opposite barracks. Three huz-
zas awaked the garrison. A sentry,
who asked quarter, pointed out the
apartments of the commanding offi-
cer ; and Allen with a drawn sword
over the head of Capt. De la Place,
who was undressed, demanded the
surrender of the fort. ^{ By what
authority do you demand it ?’ in-
quired the astonished commander.
‘ I demand it (said Allen) in the
name of the great Jehovah and of
the continental congress.’ The
summons could not be disobeyed,
and the fort, with its very valuable
stores and 49 prisoners was imme-
diately surrendered. Crown Point
was taken the same day, and the
capture of a sloop of war, soon af-
terwards, made Allen and his brave
party complete masters of Lake
Champlain.”

Gen. Allen possessed strong pow-
ers of mind, but they never felt the
influence of education. Though
he was brave, humane and gener-
ous, yet his conduct does not seem
to have been much influenced by