Bennington

HASWELL, Anthony & Nathan B.

Biography of Anthony HASWELL (father of Nathan B.)

Vermont Historical Magazine, No. XI, October 1867, pp 176-177
(extracted from a section on the history of Bennington, Bennington County, 
Vermont)

Anthony HASWELL, whose memory deserves much more extended notice than can be 
given in this sketch, was born 06 April 1756 at Portsmouth, England. He came 
to Boston [Suffolk County, Massachusetts] when about thirteen years of age, 
and served his apprenticeship as a printer with that veteran of the type 
Isaiah THOMAS. He established the "Vermont Gazette" in Bennington 
[Bennington County, Vermont] in 1783, the first number being issued 05 June 
1783. The publication of this paper was continued by Mr. HASWELL, with 
occasional brief interruptions, during his lifetime, and afterwards by 
members of his family until it was finally discontinued by his son, John C. 
HASWELL, in 1849, having a much longer life than any other paper ever printed 
in the state. In 1784 the Legislature passed an act establishing Post 
Offices at Bennington, Rutland, Brattleboro, Windsor, and Newbury; under 
which Mr. [Anthony] HASWELL was appointed Post Master General with extensive 
powers, his commission under the official signature and seal of Gov. 
CHITTENDEN is now in possession of his son, William HASWELL, Esq., bearing 
date 10 March 1784. This office he is believed to have held until the 
admission of the state into the Union in 1791.

In the summer of 1792 Mr. [Anthony] HASWELL started a paper in Rutland 
[Rutland County, Vermont] called the "Herald of Vermont," of which the 
thirteenth or fourteenth number was printed ready to be distributed the 
ensuing Monday, but a fire on Sabbath evening of 21 September [1792] 
destroyed the office and most of the papers. The Legislature which met in 
Rutland a few weeks afterwards granted him a lottery by which he was allowed 
to raise $200 as a compensation for his loss, from which, however, he never 
derived any pecuniary benefit. In March 1794 Mr. HASWELL commenced the 
publication of a periodical entitled "The Monthly Miscellany or Vermont 
Magazine." It was printed in double columns of the ordinary Magazine size 
and type of that period, each number containing fifty-six pages, almost 
exclusively of selected matter. Again in January 1808 Mr. HASWELL commenced 
another Monthly Magazine called the "Mental Repast" which was similar in 
character and size with the former, though containing more original matter, 
some of which would still be of an interesting character. Its publication, 
however, found to be unprofitable and was discontinued at the end of the 
first half year.

Mr. HASWELL for many years had a share of the public printing of the state, 
it being divided into equal portions between his and a press established at 
Windsor about the same time that he commenced his paper in this town 
[Bennington]. Numerous books and pamphlets were published by him on various 
subjects, some of which were reprints of valuable works, and others from 
original matter. Among the latter may be mentioned an interesting Memoir of 
Capt. Matthew PHELPS of three hundred pages, of which Mr. HASWELL was himself 
the writer. Mr. HASWELL in the course of his life furnished much matter for 
the newspaper press, on moral, religious, and political subjects, both in 
prose and verse, some of which might now be re-read with pleasure and profit. 
He wrote, or rather composed with great facility, for most of his printed 
matter was that of thoughts set up by himself in type, as they flowed from 
his mind without having them first committed to paper.

Mr. [Anthony] HASWELL early imbibed the principles of the old Republican 
party, and was active and zealous in their defense and promulgation. He was 
a man of strong feelings and impulses, and was censured by his opponents as a 
violent partisan. During the existence of the sedition law he published an 
article in relation to the imprisonment of Matthew LYON under that law, and 
another on the conduct of President ADAMS in making appointments to office, 
which though manifesting considerable warmth of feeling, would not now be 
noticed as possessing a criminal character. For these he was indicted before 
the Unites States Circuit Court, and in 1800 at Windsor [Windsor County, 
Vermont] was sentenced by Judge PATTERSON to two months imprisonment and to 
pay a fine of two hundred dollars and costs.

He was allowed to serve out his term of imprisonment in the jail of this 
town, which term expired 09 July [1890?]. The celebration of the anniversary 
of the Declaration of Independence was postponed until that day, when his 
fine and costs being paid, he was liberated from jail amidst the roar of 
cannon and the acclamation of his neighbors and political friends. Mr. 
HASWELL was by a large portion of the community considered as a martyr in the 
cause of freedom, and his prosecution instead of strengthening the 
administration in this state, served greatly to increase the number and zeal 
of its opponents. The fine and costs have within the last twenty years been 
refunded to his descendants by act of Congress.

Mr. [Anthony] HASWELL was a kind and obliging neighbor, and a warm, ardent 
and faithful friend. He was through life active and zealous in the discharge 
of his moral and religious duties; he [Anthony HASWELL] died 26 May 1816. He 
was twice married, and left numerous descendants who are now to be found 
pursuing different avocations and professions in almost all parts of the 
world.



Biography of Nathan B. HASWELL (son of Anthony)

Vermont Historical Magazine, No. XI, October 1867, pp 623-624
(Extracted from a section on the history of Burlington, Chittenden County, 
Vermont. Editor notes this biography was "furnished by the family," but the 
name of the author is not given.]

Nathan B. HASWELL, born 20 January 1786 in Bennington [Bennington County, 
Vermont], was the son of Anthony HASWELL [biography above]. At the age of 
twelve he [Nathan B. HASWELL] was employed in his father's printing office 
setting type. His father was clerk of the general assembly, and during their 
sessions in Westminister [Westminster, Windham County, Vermont] he [Nathan B. 
HASWELL] took the whole charge of the office, and the publication of a weekly 
newspaper with its editorial department devolved upon and was conducted by 
him during the absence of his father. Wishing to fit himself for some 
professional service, he entered as a student the law office of Hon. Jonathan 
ROBINSON, in 1800, and continued his studies until 1804, when he left for 
Burlington [Chittenden County, Vermont], from an offer made by David RUSSELL, 
Esq. (who had been made a partner of his father in establishing the first 
printing office in Vermont), who desired his receiving a liberal education at 
the U. V. M. [University of Vermont at Middlebury]. While he [Nathan B. 
HASWELL] was anticipating the completion of a thorough education in college, 
news came of the destruction by fire of his father's [Anthony HASWELL's] 
house, office, and various other property, which decided him to engage in 
active business at once. In 1805 he received from Jabez PENNIMAN, collector 
of customs, the office of inspector at Burlington, which office he held, 
honorably discharging its duties during the embargo, until 1809, when he 
resigned.

On 20 September 1810 he [Nathan B. HASWELL] was married to Harriet PLIMPTON, 
daughter of Oliver PLIMPTON, Esq., of Sturbridge [Worcester County], 
Massachusetts. (Mrs. [Nathan B.] HASWELL [Harriet nee PLIMPTON] died 20 
August 1848.) In 1812 and 1813 Mr. [Nathan B.] HASWELL was the issuing 
commissary for distributing army rations. He was also a portion of the time 
the public store keeper, and also superintended the taking [of] an inventory 
of the public property in Burlington. He was appointed orderly sergeant in 
the corps of exempts formed at Burlington during the War of 1812. When the 
British under Col. MURRAY made an incursion into this section, and from their 
row gallies fired several shots into town, he was active in assisting Capt. 
CHAPPELL to meet the enemy. In 1814 he forwarded troops, provisions, etc., 
to the army at Plattsburgh. From 1818 to 1836 he held the offices of clerk 
of the county and the supreme court, notary public, master in chancery, etc. 
In 1836-1837 he represented Burlington in the state legislature. In the same 
year, was appointed U. S. agent to build the breakwater and to superintend 
the cleaning [of] the channel with a steam dredging machine, between the 
islands of North and South Hero [Lamoille County, Vermont]. Also during that 
time he had charge of the breakwater at Plattsburgh [Clinton County, New 
York], and performed some important service on that work.

He was over forty years a most active and efficient member of the Masonic 
order; was Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter, and Grand Master of the 
Grand Lodge of Vermont, for many years. During the few last years of Mr. 
HASWELL's life, his constitution became enfeebled by frequent and severe 
attacks of illness. A last and fatal one occurred during an absence at the 
West on business. He [Nathan B. HASWELL] died 06 June 1855 at Quincy [Adams 
County], Illinois. His remains were brought to Burlington [Chittenden 
County, Vermont] for interment. From a "Sentinel; Extra," June 1855, we 
quote: "He (Mr. HASWELL) for half a century has been one of our most public 
and liberal citizens." For the growth and prosperity of Burlington, none 
have been more liberal in bestowing services and means to promote its true 
interests. Many offices of trust have been held by Mr. HASWELL, and their 
duties discharged with fidelity and satisfaction. The Democratic in him have 
lost one of its most zealous and able supporters, in whom they found the 
true, manly, and consistent politician. "Amiability and kindness were his 
characteristics." Few men possessed so even a disposition. Few indeed like 
himself, upon nearly all occasions, are able to wear that smile of 
cheerfulness which gladdens and warms every heart. He took a deep interest 
in the welfare of others, hence our community greatly and generally deplore 
the loss of one of its best and most useful citizens. Mr. HASWELL was buried 
with Masonic honors, several hundreds of the fraternity from all parts of the 
state being present. The funeral services were at the Unitarian Church, 
sermon by the Rev. Joshua YOUNG.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly