Thomas Rowley (poet)
Encyclopedia
Thomas Rowley was a famous poet of Vermont
, known both as the spokesman for Ethan Allen
and dubbed “The Bard of the Green Mountains.” During his lifetime and before the American Revolution
, his poetry gained the reputation with the catchphrase of "Setting the Hills on Fire."
, the son of Samuel Rowley and Elizabeth Fuller. Thomas married Lois Cass in Hebron in 1744 and they had seven known children in Hebron and Kent, Connecticut
.
Thomas Rowley moved to the town of Danby
, Rutland County, Vermont in 1768, with his wife and family. The Rowleys are listed as some of the first settlers of Danby, Thomas was the first town clerk. In Rutland County, Thomas became acquainted with and joined with Ethan Allen
and the Green Mountain Boys
a growing Vermont militia named after the Green Mountains
of Vermont comprised mostly from freemen in Rutland County and neighboring Addison County
. The Green Mountain Boys were concerned New York
would claim all the lands of Vermont known at the time as a dispute over the New Hampshire Grants
. As Ethan Allen's spokesman, Rowley's poetry became legendary for the proverbial setting the hills on fire. "Thomas Rowley’s poems overflowed with a pioneer's pride in Vermont. He had once motivated the men of Vermont to fight for their independence as a state against a feudal system that was threatened on them from New York."
As early as 1774, Thomas Rowley moved even further north to the eastern shore of Lake Champlain
to the town of Shoreham
in Addison County, Vermont, with his wife and family. The state of New York was visible right across the lake. Here Thomas built a hotel. His land was known as "Rowley's Point" at the current landmark of Larabee's Point, and the hotel is still in operation today.
During the American Revolution, the American settlers abandoned Shoreham and the Champlain Valley
as the British dominated the lake region. Thomas returned to live in the town of Danby during the American Revolution. He served as Danby's town clerk and representative in the General Assembly
from 1778 to 1782.
After the war ended, Thomas Rowley returned to live in Shoreham as early as 1783. He is on record serving as the initial surveyor and clerk of Shoreham in 1783. He resided in Shoreham for the rest of his life as an innkeeper and farmer. Thomas died 1796 in Benson
or Cold Springs, Vermont, at the home of his son, Nathan Rowley.
. This poem is exemplary of his style and message:
Rowley's poetry actually focused not only on politics, but also on the pleasantness and rustic nature of pioneer life, with humor and witty observations. For example in another poetic inventory of his "estate", he sums up that he has virtually nothing, but still he was independent and happy.
Vermont
Vermont is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state ranks 43rd in land area, , and 45th in total area. Its population according to the 2010 census, 630,337, is the second smallest in the country, larger only than Wyoming. It is the only New England...
, known both as the spokesman for Ethan Allen
Ethan Allen
Ethan Allen was a farmer, businessman, land speculator, philosopher, writer, and American Revolutionary War patriot, hero, and politician. He is best known as one of the founders of the U.S...
and dubbed “The Bard of the Green Mountains.” During his lifetime and before the American Revolution
American Revolution
The American Revolution was the political upheaval during the last half of the 18th century in which thirteen colonies in North America joined together to break free from the British Empire, combining to become the United States of America...
, his poetry gained the reputation with the catchphrase of "Setting the Hills on Fire."
Biography
Thomas Rowley was born on March 24, 1721 in Hebron, ConnecticutHebron, Connecticut
Hebron is a town in Tolland County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 8,610 at the 2000 census. Hebron was incorporated May 26, 1708....
, the son of Samuel Rowley and Elizabeth Fuller. Thomas married Lois Cass in Hebron in 1744 and they had seven known children in Hebron and Kent, Connecticut
Kent, Connecticut
Kent is a town in Litchfield County, Connecticut, alongside the border with New York. The population was 2,858 at the 2000 census. The town is home to three New England boarding schools: South Kent School, Kent School and The Marvelwood School. The Schaghticoke Indian Reservation is also located...
.
Thomas Rowley moved to the town of Danby
Danby, Vermont
Danby is a town in Rutland County, Vermont, United States. The population was 1,311 at the 2010 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , of which is land and , or 0.22%, is water.-Geology:...
, Rutland County, Vermont in 1768, with his wife and family. The Rowleys are listed as some of the first settlers of Danby, Thomas was the first town clerk. In Rutland County, Thomas became acquainted with and joined with Ethan Allen
Ethan Allen
Ethan Allen was a farmer, businessman, land speculator, philosopher, writer, and American Revolutionary War patriot, hero, and politician. He is best known as one of the founders of the U.S...
and the Green Mountain Boys
Green Mountain Boys
The Green Mountain Boys were a militia organization first established in the 1760s in the territory between the British provinces of New York and New Hampshire, known as the New Hampshire Grants...
a growing Vermont militia named after the Green Mountains
Green Mountains
The Green Mountains are a mountain range in the U.S. state of Vermont. The range extends approximately .-Peaks:The most notable mountains in the range include:*Mount Mansfield, , the highest point in Vermont*Killington Peak, *Mount Ellen,...
of Vermont comprised mostly from freemen in Rutland County and neighboring Addison County
Addison County, Vermont
Addison County is a county located in the U.S. state of Vermont. In 2010, the population was 36,821. Its shire town is Middlebury.-Geography:...
. The Green Mountain Boys were concerned New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
would claim all the lands of Vermont known at the time as a dispute over the New Hampshire Grants
New Hampshire Grants
The New Hampshire Grants or Benning Wentworth Grants were land grants made between 1749 and 1764 by the provincial governor of New Hampshire, Benning Wentworth. The land grants, totaling about 135 , were made on land claimed by New Hampshire west of the Connecticut River, territory that was also...
. As Ethan Allen's spokesman, Rowley's poetry became legendary for the proverbial setting the hills on fire. "Thomas Rowley’s poems overflowed with a pioneer's pride in Vermont. He had once motivated the men of Vermont to fight for their independence as a state against a feudal system that was threatened on them from New York."
As early as 1774, Thomas Rowley moved even further north to the eastern shore of Lake Champlain
Lake Champlain
Lake Champlain is a natural, freshwater lake in North America, located mainly within the borders of the United States but partially situated across the Canada—United States border in the Canadian province of Quebec.The New York portion of the Champlain Valley includes the eastern portions of...
to the town of Shoreham
Shoreham, Vermont
Shoreham is a town in Addison County, Vermont, United States. The population was 1,222 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 46.3 square miles , of which 43.5 square miles is land and 2.8 square miles is...
in Addison County, Vermont, with his wife and family. The state of New York was visible right across the lake. Here Thomas built a hotel. His land was known as "Rowley's Point" at the current landmark of Larabee's Point, and the hotel is still in operation today.
During the American Revolution, the American settlers abandoned Shoreham and the Champlain Valley
Champlain Valley
The Champlain Valley is a region of the United States around Lake Champlain in Vermont and New York extending slightly into Quebec, Canada as part of the St. Lawrence River drainage basin drained northward by the Richelieu River into the St...
as the British dominated the lake region. Thomas returned to live in the town of Danby during the American Revolution. He served as Danby's town clerk and representative in the General Assembly
Vermont General Assembly
The Vermont General Assembly is the legislative body of the U.S. state of Vermont. The Legislature is formally known as the "General Assembly," but the style of "Legislature" is commonly used, including by the body itself...
from 1778 to 1782.
After the war ended, Thomas Rowley returned to live in Shoreham as early as 1783. He is on record serving as the initial surveyor and clerk of Shoreham in 1783. He resided in Shoreham for the rest of his life as an innkeeper and farmer. Thomas died 1796 in Benson
Benson, Vermont
Benson is a town in Rutland County, Vermont, United States. The population was 1,056 at the 2010 census. The town is rural, with a concentration of several homes and businesses in Benson Village, at the intersection of Stage Road and Lake Road.-Government:...
or Cold Springs, Vermont, at the home of his son, Nathan Rowley.
Poetry and influence
Thomas Rowley's verses were mainly published in the Rural Magazine and the Bennington Gazette. One of Rowley's motivational poems, simply called "To Rutland Go" over the years, was originally published with a longer title which invited new settlers to Vermont as the paradise compared to New York, as follows: An Invitation to the Poor Tenants that Live Under Their Poor Patrons in the Province of New York, To Come and Settle on Our Good Lands, Under the New Hampshire GrantsNew Hampshire Grants
The New Hampshire Grants or Benning Wentworth Grants were land grants made between 1749 and 1764 by the provincial governor of New Hampshire, Benning Wentworth. The land grants, totaling about 135 , were made on land claimed by New Hampshire west of the Connecticut River, territory that was also...
. This poem is exemplary of his style and message:
- West of the Mountains Green
- Lies Rutland Fair
- The best that ever was seen
- For land and air...
- We value not New York
- With all her Powers
- Here we'll stay and Work
- The land is Ours...
- This is the noble land by conquest won
- Took from a savage band by sword and gun
- We drove them to the west, they could not stand the test
-
- -from "To Rutland Go” by Thomas Rowley, 1760s
Rowley's poetry actually focused not only on politics, but also on the pleasantness and rustic nature of pioneer life, with humor and witty observations. For example in another poetic inventory of his "estate", he sums up that he has virtually nothing, but still he was independent and happy.
Notable poems
- To Rutland Go
- When Caesar Reigned King In Rome - this poem was written to complain that New York courts sentenced Ethan Allen to death, circa 1774 and attached to a petition by Ethan Allen.