Bennington

KENT, Cephas

Vermont Historical Magazine, No. XI, October 1867, p 185
(extracted from a section on the history of Dorset, Bennington County, 
Vermont)

Deacon Cephas KENT was among the first settlers [of Dorset, Bennington 
County, Vermont], and kept a tavern in troublous times. At his house was 
held, on 25 September 1776, a general convention, consisting of fifty-one 
members,* representing thirty-five towns, where it was resolved that they 
declare this district a free and separate district. This action may be 
regarded the germ whence sprung the existence of Vermont as a free and 
independent State. This house of Deacon KENT's and the aforementioned 
convention held there richly deserve conspicuous historic recognition. This 
house stood near the present dwelling of U. S. KENT, on the west road through 
the town. Deacon KENT was a sternly religious man, positive in all his 
opinions, frequently expressing himself, "verily I will have it so." He had 
six sons, three if not four of whom were in the battle of Bennington. He 
[Cephas KENT] died in 1809, aged eighty-four years. On is tombstone is found 
the following epitaph, believed to have been written by his beloved pastor, 
Dr. JACKSON: "He was an early settler in this town, an officer, a pillar and 
a light in the first church organized here. His survivors will long remember 
him as the distinguishing patron of the plain virtues, the love of God's 
truth, Religion, and energy in family government; Boldness and firmness in 
opposing vice. Revered and respected, in life he ruled, in death he 
triumphed. Go and do likewise." Nearly a like testimony is borne of his son 
Deacon John KENT, who died in 1849, aged ninety-nine years, seven months, and 
five days.
Submitted by Cathy Kubly
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* Present on 25 September 1776 at the convention in Dorset at the house of 
Cephas KENT, were: (name, town represented; note that there are over 
fifty-one names on the list; source same as for biography of Cephas KENT)
AIKENS, Edward, Mr. - Kent (Washington Co)
ALLEN, Eben, Capt. - Tinmouth (Rutland Co)
ALLEN, Heman, Capt.
ALLEN, Ira, Lieut. - Colchester (Chittenden Co)
BARKER, Tim., Capt. - Neshobe (Rutland Co)
BENTON, Samuel, Mr. - Bridgeport (Addison Co)
BOWKER, Joseph, Captain - Rutland (Rutland Co; chairman of convention)
BRADLEY, Jos., Lieut. - Sunderland (Bennington Co)
BRADLEY, Lemuel, Mr. - Burlington (Chittenden Co)
BROWNSON, Tim., Col - Sunderland (Bennington Co)
BURNHAM, John, Capt. - Bennington (Bennington Co)
BURNAM, John, Sr. - Shaftsbury (Bennington Co)
CARPENTER, Benj., Col. - Guilford (Windham Co)
CARPENTER, Benj., Col. - Halifax (Windham Co; error in text?)
CHITTENDEN, Thomas, Col. - Williston (Chittenden Co)
CLARK, Jeremiah, Maj. - Shaftsbury (Bennington Co)
CLARK, Nathan, Esq. - Bennington (Bennington Co)
CURTIS, Amos, Mr. - Rupert (Bennington Co)
DUNHAM, Obediah, Dr. - Pownal (Bennington Co)
FAY, Jonas, Dr. - Pownal (Bennington Co; clerk of convention)
FITCH, Wm., Capt. - Pawlet (Rutland Co)
GAGE, Wm., Mr. - Danby (Rutland Co)
GALE, John, Mr. - Panton (Addison Co)
HARMON, Reub., Mr. - Rupert (Bennington Co)
HATHEWAY, Sim., Mr. - Pownal (Bennington Co)
HILDRICH, Joseph, Mr. - Dummerston (Windham Co)
HOLSINGTON, Eben., Mr. - Windsor (Windsor Co)
HOWE, Nehemiah, Mr. - Poultney (Rutland Co)
IVES, Abm., Mr. - Wallingford (Rutland Co)
JONES, Reuben, Dr. - Rockingham (Windham Co)
KENT, Cephas - Dorset (Bennington; convention was at his home)
MALLERY, Zacceus, Mr. - Wells (Rutland Co)
MALLERY, Ogden, Mr. - Wells (Rutland Co)
MANLEY, John, Mr. - Dorset (Bennington Co)
MARSH, Wm., Col. - Manchester (Bennington Co)
MEAD, James, Col. - Rutland (Rutland Co)
MORGAN, Thomas, Mr. - Stamford (Bennington Co)
ORMSBY, Gid., Lieut. - Manchester (Bennington Co)
PAINTER, Gamaliel, Mr. - Middlebury (Addison Co)
POWELL, Martin, Lieut. - Manchester (Bennington Co)
RICE, Thos., Maj. - Tinmouth (Rutland Co)
ROBINSON, Moses, Col. - Bennington (Bennington Co)
ROBINSON, Nath., Mr. - Westminster (Windham Co)
ROGERS, James, Col. - Kent (Washington Co)
ROSE, Roger, Maj. - Pawlet (Rutland Co)
SAFFORD, Sam., Maj. - Bennington (Bennington Co)
SHEPHERSON, J., Maj. - Guilford (Windham Co)
SPAULDING, Leonard, Lieut. - Dummerston (Windham Co)
TUTTLE, Thos., Mr. - Neshobe (Rutland Co)
UNDERHILL, Abr., Mr. - Dorset (Bennington Co)
UTLY, Wm., Capt. - Bromley (? Co)
VALLANCE, David, Mr. - Addison (Addison Co)
VEAL, Micah, Capt. - Danby (Rutland Co)
WARD, Wm., Mr. - Poultney (Rutland Co)
WARNER, Seth, Col.
WEBB, Joshua, Mr. - Westminster (Windham Co)
WHITTEMORE, F., Capt. - Marlboro (Windham Co)
WOODWARD, Jos., Capt. - Castleton (Rutland Co)
WRIGHT, Samuel, Capt. - Pownal (Bennington Co)
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