May 10, 1775

The Flag of the Green Mountain Boys, predating the Vermont Republic.

The Republic of Vermont was born out of land disputes between the colonies of New York and New Hampshire. Both claimed the territory but New Hampshire’s governor started making land grants for colonists in 1749. New York started issuing land grants in 1765. Many of the grants were for the same land, leading to violence between rival claimants. The New Hampshire colonists organized a militia known as the Green Mountain Boys in 1770 to defend beneficiaries of the New Hampshire grants and run off colonists from New York. Sporadic conflicts continued until Vermont was established as an independent republic in 1777. It was not until 1791 that Vermont joined the United States as the 14th state. 

The Green Mountain Boys also played a role in some of the early battles of the American War of Independence. Underground organizations like the Sons of Liberty had long been agitating, often through mob violence, against British soldiers and other authorities and arguing for American Independence. These conflicts led to the appointment of General Thomas Gage as the Royal governor of Massachusetts. When he ordered British forces to seize the military stores of Lexington and Concord, they were repelled by a number of local militia. This marked a turning point in the agitation for American independence as more colonists in New England and beyond began to rally around the besieged colony of Massachusetts.

On May 10, 1775, the Green Mountain Boys, along with some other colonial militiamen led by Benedict Arnold, conducted a surprise attack and successfully seized Fort Ticonderoga. They went on to assist with the seizures of Crown Point and Fort George, all British forts located in New York. 

Sources:

Green Mountain Boys- Wikipedia 

The Capture of Fort Ticonderoga- Fort Ticonderoga

The Vermont Republic- The History Guy 

GMNF- The Original Vermonters- US Forest Service

March 8, 1782

Current borders of Ohio State

The town of Gnadenhutten was established by Moravian missionaries in 1772 when Ohio was still considered “Indian Country.” The British had wrested control of the Midwest from France at the end of the 7 Years War (French and Indian War) in 1763. Since then they had lightly garrisoned a string of forts throughout the region and forbidden English colonists from settling west of the Appalachian Mountains.

Missionaries were historically granted exceptions to such policies as they were tasked with converting indigenous peoples to Christianity and European labor and customs. Such was the case with the Moravians who lived among the Lenni Lenape people (Delawares) and worked to convert them to their faith.

However, in the midst of the War for Independence, the British relocated the townspeople of Gnadenhutten to a place called “Captive Town” further north. Unsure of their loyalties, the British kept the population under guard while the leadership were interrogated for treason. In February of 1782 a group of 100-150 Lenni Lenape townspeople were granted permission to return to Gnadenhutten to gather much needed food and supplies.

On March 8, 1782 a detachment of the Pennsylvania Militia arrived in Gnadenhutten, accused the Delawares of committing attacks in their state, and detained everyone in the town. The next day, they summarily executed them by bludgeoning- men, women, and children.

There were only 2 survivors.

Sources:

“The Poor Defenseless Ones…”- Ohio Memory

Over 240 Years Later, an Ohio Community Remembers its Founding Massacre- Midstory

The Dark Dawn in Ohio- Crazy Dog Audio