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A BIOGRAPHOCAL NOVEL OF ETHAN ALLEN
THE FOURTEENTH STATE
A Biographical Novel of Ethan Allen
From Savages to Yorkers, to the surprise attack on Ft. Ticonderoga,
to America's first Navy and its ambush of the mighty British Fleet at the Battle of Lake Champlain at Valcour Island,
to the defeat of British outside Bennington and finally the turning point of the Revolutionary War, the decisive battle of
Saratoga. Our history books go into great detail about the Thirteen Colonies and how they declared their independence and
referred to themselves as the United States of America on July 4, 1776. The battles generated many new hero's that are
either obscure, condemned or not mentioned at all in our history books probably because Vermont was not a state in 1776.
This book is about Ethan Allen, the man, his philosophy, bravery, patriotism and his dedication to Vermont and to
the tender love and caring for the woman of his life, the beautiful Fanny Wall. They marry and settle in this home Ethan
built in Burlington, Vermont
The Ethan Allen Homestead, Burlington, Vermont
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THE COURIER - May 1791
A lone courier is riding his horse
to deliver an important message through the beautiful Green Mountains and past the shores of pristine Lake Champlain. It is
nearing sunset and the courier enters a farm in Williston with a long fenced trail driveway and sees a farmer standing 100
yards or more from the distant farmhouse. Now the courier is in a full gallop and rears his horse next to the farmer who tips
his straw hat in welcome. The Courier dismounts.
"Here, take my horse, hold him until I return."
The farmer surprised, responds. "All right".
The courier walks briskly up to the front door
an knocks boldly. A servant answers the door.
"Yes!"
"I have a very important message
for the Governor of Vermont. Is he in?"
"No."
"Where is he?"
"He is over there, holding your horse!"
"Impossible! That's the Governor?"
"You betcha, Governor Thomas Chittenden, himself."
The Courier walks back toward the Governor
with his diplomatic pouch. He is embarrassed as he sees the Governor smiling an obviously enjoying the charade.
"Your Excellency. I have an important message for you from the Continental Congress...(pause) ... I apologize for mistaking
you for a farm hand."
Tom Chittenden smiles with consideration for the couriers feelings.
"Relax,
that happens all the time. We Vermonter's are not pretentious...(lighting his pipe)... Who says what governors must look
like? My name is Thomas Chittenden. My enemies, of which I have only a few, call me ...."One Eyed Tom", because
I see only out of one eye. Tom, now laughing "Ha! I sort of enjoy it. As for the message there is no rush to read it.
You look tired, would you like to have dinner and stay the night."
"Yes of course Governor, if
it is not too much trouble."
"Vermont hospitality," Tom says.
"We all do it."
"You are very welcome. Let us go up to the house so I can read this message."
Governor Chittenden
leads the horse to the house where a servant takes the horse to the barn. They are both laughing and enter the house together.
The Catamount Statue at the site of Fay's
Tavern, Bennington, VT
John P. Roach Jr.,
raised in Glen Rock, New Jersey made his first trip to Vermont to enter St. Michael's College, near Burlington. He found
Ethan Allen's name used everywhere by businesses, schools, parks and monuments and being a history buff became quite surprised
that his previous education made little or no mention of this incredible hero of the American Revolution.
During
the war, the first American Navy took on the mighty British Navy in the battle of Lake Champlain where they ambushed the British
Fleet at Valcour Island. Both are neglected colossal oversights in our history books.
Taking his two children
on many voyages on Lake Champlain, they visited Valcour Island, Ft. Ticonderoga, Crown Point, Button Bay and Arnold Bay, and
many other historic sites of the Battles of Lake Champlain.
The author has also traveled on his yacht "Rocinante"
from Montreal on the St. Lawrence River, to the Richelieu River, to Lake Champlain, to the Hudson River continually fascinated
by the historical significance of this water highway.
Before leaving Vermont in a move to La Jolla, California
the author made a point to visit each and every town, hamlet and village in the State of Vermont. He traveled by car usually
between September 20 and October 15 each year when the autumn splendor is blazing with color.
When winter arrives
there are many fond memories of taking the kids skiing to Stowe and Sugarbush. After spending 22 years in Vermont the author
can relate to the life and times of Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys. Climbing to the top of both Mt. Mansfield and
Camel's Hump with the kids in the spring and autumn and looking West to Lake Champlain you get a clear perspective of
the vast properties once owned by Ethan and Ira Allen.
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