Not a Simple Farmer

Thomas Chittenden, Vermont's First Statesman, by Frank Small-wood '51 (New England Press), is the biography of an unusual man who should be far better known.

Chittenden wanted to be regarded as a simple farmer. However, his craggy character and strong common sense made him a natural when it came to advocating for Vermont statehood with the Continental Congress as well as with the opposing factions in New York and New Hampshire (including a group led by Eleazar Wheelock) both of which coveted farmland that lay between them. Because of a possible learning disability, Chittenden left few original papers his official correspondence was handled by more adept and colorful associates, such as Ethan and Ira Allen. But from hitherto unearthed town records, official state papers, and documents from local historical societies, Rockefeller Professor of Government Emeritus Smallwood has charted an almost year-by-year course of Chittenden's efforts that were taking place within another struggle the Revolutionary War and did not end until the 14th state was born, in 1791.