Town of Clarendon, Vermont

                                                                          Chartered on September 5,  1761

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Town of Clarendon

 Early Clarendon Vermont History

Excerpts taken from the article “Early Land Grants and Title Controversy” by David E. Potter in  Clarendon VT from 1761 to 1976  

The township of Clarendon was originally claimed under three different titles.  First, John Henry Lydius, an Albany based Indian trader, claimed by a 1732 deed from the Mohawk Indians, a tract of land 24 miles wide extending 60 miles south from the mouth of Otter Creek. (part of Clarendon was included in this grant)  This deed was confirmed to him by Governor Shirley of Massachusetts in 1744.  Many of the early Clarendon settlers arrived from Rhode Island with leases acquired from Lydius.  Second, Governor Wentworth of New Hampshire granted the township of Clarendon September 5^th, 1761.  This is generally the territorial boundary and title which prevailed after an extended period of dispute in Clarendon history.  Third, New York Governor Dunmore attempted to achieve title to the region by the grant of socialboro, April 3^rd, 1771.  It is easy to appreciate the confusion and disputes that arose from competition between three separate claims to the same territory.  To complicate the picture, people started moving in from New Hampshire and New York to claim the same piece of land perhaps already occupied by a Lydius lease holder.  Two early Clarendon settlers to support the New York interests were Jacob Marsh and Benjamin Spencer.  The activities of both Marsh and Spencer eventually succeeded in raising the ire of the Green Mountain Boys, who steadfastly supported the interest of the New Hampshire title holders.  With the power struggle between New York and New Hampshire interests, forcibly settled by the Green Mountain Boys, the revolution once again served to divide Clarendon inhabitance into two groups: Whigs and Tories.  (Note: Controversy among Clarendon residents continued until after the Revolutionary War.)  The Vermont general assembly passed what eventually came to be known as the “Quieting Act” of June 1785.  This piece of legislation generally helped to stem the land controversies state wide.  For the complete story, get a copy of the Clarendon VT from 1761 to 1976 from the Clarendon Town Hall.

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