Carleton's Raid and the Capture of the Holcomb Family

On October 24, 1778, in an attempt to gain control of Lake Champlain, the Governor General of Canada ordered Major Christopher Carleton to lead a force of about 450 men, that included British soldiers, American loyalists, German mercenaries and Indians, down Lake Champlain to the Otter Creek Valley. The force sailed on two schooners: the HMS Maria and the HMS Carleton, two gunboats, and various batteaux. Carleton’s force was ordered to take or destroy buildings, supplies and materials that could be used by the Continental Army to invade Canada, as well as take rebel men prisoner. This raid became known as Carleton’s Raid.

Major Carleton’s force raided Panton, Vermont on November 5 or 8, 1778. According to the Honorable John D. Smith, Esq., Joseph Holcomb (2nd-great grandfather to George Dewey (Holcomb) Baker) was chopping firewood under an elm tree on the property of his brother-in-law, Phineas Spaulding. He was suddenly surrounded and captured by Indians and taken to a vessel on Lake Champlain. His father, Phineas Holcomb, and three brothers, Joshua, Samuel and Elisha, were captured at their residence, a short distance away from Spaulding’s, and also brought aboard the vessel (some accounts provide a date of November 11th as the capture date for the latter four Holcombs). Their homes, as well as all other homes in Panton, except that of Timothy Spaulding, were burned by British soldiers.

Following his successful raid, Major Carleton returned to Isle aux Noix on November 14, 1778. With him were 39 prisoners and a report that his force destroyed “4 months provisions for 12,000 men.” The prisoners were taken, by foot, further north to Fort Saint-Jean (also known as Fort Saint John), where they were subjected to starvation and suffered from other hardships. Being that they were only about 16 and 15 when captured, Joseph and Elisha Holcomb suffered less than many other prisoners, and were allowed to care for sick prisoners.

Joshua and Samuel Holcomb died while imprisoned during the summer of 1781. The brothers’ likely cause of death was either starvation or disease, the same as many of their prison companions. Accounts about the fate of Phineas Holcomb vary. Some say that he died at Fort Saint-Jean. Other sources indicate that he escaped the prison and died in Rutland. All sources agree that he died on September 11, 1781. Joseph and Elisha Holcomb were exchanged for British prisoners and released in June 1782, about three years and eight months following their capture.

List of Prisoners sent to St. Johns

by Major Carleton / 29th Regiment

Derrick Webb

NathI. Smith

Wintress Herrick--lndian Interpreter Elis Roberts

Marshal Smith

John Bishop

John Ward

James Bishop

Benjn Pain

Clawdiss Brittal

Johnan Dakes

Isaac Fananam

Joseph Everest

Clawdiss Brittal

Geo. Spaldin

Timothy Bishop

Joshua Oakum*

Fenis Oakum being upwards of 70*

Joseph Oakum*

Fenis Oakum*

Eliza Oakum*

John Grizall-released & sent back with the women on account of his age

Dieran Roberts

Clark Store

David GrizaIl

Adaniga GrizaIl

Ordel Squires

Jestes Studivent

Eslay Squires

John GrizeIl

Eazolez Everist

David McIntosh

Phillip Spaldin

David Stowe

Benjamin Webster

NathI. GrizaIl

Ths. Sanford

Peter Ferris

Jams. Boddington

Squire Ferris

*Names were misspelled, Samuel's name was inaccurately recorded, and Phineas’ age was incorrect as he was 52 at the time of his capture.

Hunting the Elusive Cote

The Cote family, who originated in Quebec and later came to Vermont, has been one of my toughest walls to break down. I have turned over just about every Internet stone I can think of to no real avail. I am posting this line here in hopes that someone in cyber-world will have some clues for me. My goals for this line are as follows:

1) Locate the parentage of Antoine Cote
2) Locate a possible Native American connection

If you are related to this family, I want to hear from you!

Archie Hercule Domina St. Sauveur & Elmire Agnes Amie Cote We start with Anthony's 2nd great grandmother, Elmire Agnes Amie Cote (I have found records listing three first names for her, but I'm not sure which is her "real" first name). She was born on 20 Oct 1877 in St. Dionne, Quebec. Her parents were Louis Atilard Cote and Marie Delima Melvina "Rose" Beland. She married Archie Hercule Domina St. Sauveur (Archie Domina) on 25 Sept 1901 in St. Guillaume, Upton, Quebec. She died on 1 Mar 1937 in St. Albans, Franklin, Vermont.

Archie Hercule Domina St. Sauveur (Archie Domina) was born 4 Jan 1864 in St. Harvey, Quebec to Joseph Domine Dit St Sauveur (Joseph Domina) and Matilda Verboucour Hart. He died on 14 Jun 1936 in Montgomery, Franklin, Vermont.

Children of Archie Hercule Domina St. Sauveur & Elmire Agnes Amie Cote:

Ellen Domina b. abt. 1903 in Vermont

Mary Domina b. abt. 1904 in Vermont

Joseph Domina b. abt. 1905 in Vermont

Harry Louis Domina b. 4 Dec 1906 in Montgomery, Franklin, Vermont; m. Virginia Mary Laflam Maynard on 29 Sep 1930 in Troy, Orleans, Vermont; d. 3 Jul 1976 in Richford, Franklin, Vermont (Anthony's great grandfather)

Elizabeth Matilda "Lizzie" Domina: b. 25 Jun 1908 in Montgomery, Franklin, Vermont; m. Leon Myott on 26 Apr 1926; d. 22 Aug 1962 in Burlington, Chittenden, Vermont

Beula Domina b. abt. 1910 in Vermont; m. Barney Bocash

Josephine Domina b. abt. 1912 in Vermont

Louise B. Domina b. abt. 1913; m. Tomas McGrail on 21 Nov 1938 in Montgomery, Franklin, Vermont

Archie Wallace Domina b. 4 Jan 1918 in Montgomery, Franklin, Vermont; m. Adeline Lumbra on 30 Jan 1939 in Montgomery, Franklin, Vermont; d. 27 Nov 1989 in St. Albans, Franklin, Vermont

Irene Theresa Domina b. 27 Fab 1919 in Montgomery, Franklin, Vermont; m. Clement Chalifoux on 26 Aug 1935 in Montgomery, Franklin, Vermont; d. 5 Jun 1985 in St. Albans, Franklin, Vermont

Horace Arthur Domina b. 28 Sep 1920 in Montgomery, Franklin, Vermont; m. Marie Claire Brodeur on 29 Sep 1947 in Rochester, Windsor, Vermont; d. 28 mar 1996 in Randolph, Orange, VermontLouis Atilard Cote was born on 10 April 1853 (Claude Jutras' genealogy lists 24 Jan 1855) in Pierreville, Yamaska, Quebec. His parents were Antoine Cote and Rosalie Aimee Gauthier. He married Marie Delima Melvina "Rose" Beland on 21 Apr 1874 in St. Guillaume, Upton, Quebec. He died on 2 Dec 1932 in St-Guillaume d'Upton, Yamaska, Quebec.

Marie Delima Melvina "Rose" Beland was born on 5 May 1859 in Quebec to Jean Baptiste "Johnny" Beland and Marie Grosjean.

Children of Louis Atilard Cote & Marie Delima Melvina "Rose" Beland:

Marie Calistie Cote b. 5 May 1873 in St Bonaventure, Quebec; m. Louis J LePage on 25 Nov 1895 in St. Guillaume, Upton, Quebec; d. 15 Sep 1948 in Montgomery, Franklin, Vermont

Francois Cote b. 10 Jun 1876 in St Bonaventure, Quebec

Elmire Agnes Amie Cote (see above)

Amanda Cote b. 29 Jun 1879 in St Bonaventure, Quebec

Napoleon Cote b. abt. 1881 in Quebec; m. Albertine Peloquin on 2 Jul 1900 in St. Guillaume, Upton, Quebec

Marie Leodina Cote b. 26 Sep 1882 in St. Guillaume, Upton, Quebec; d. 5 Mar 1954 in Newport, Orleans, Vermont

Johnny Cote b. 11 Jul 1884 in Quebec; m. Malvina Cote on 18 Feb 1908 in St Bonaventure, Quebec

Odile Cote b. 8 Sep 1887 in Quebec

Victoria Cote b. 10 Oct 1889 in Quebec; m. Joseph Fleury on 25 Jun 1906 in Richford, Franklin, Vermont

Albert Cote b. abt. Mar 1891 in Quebec

Louis Cote b. 3 Apr 1892 in Quebec

Joseph Cote b. 04 Jun 1897 in Quebec

Marie R Cote b. 11 Feb 1901 in QuebecAntoine Cote was born abt 1807/1811 in Quebec. He married Rosalie Aimee Gauthier on 23 Oct 1833 in St Francois-Du-Lac, Quebec.

Rosalie Aimee Gauthier was b. 12 Apr 1814 in St Francois-Du-Lac, Quebec to Jean Baptiste Gauthier and Catherine LePage

Children of Antoine Cote and Rosalie Aimee Gauthier:

Rosalie Cote b. 8 Aug 1834 in St-Francois-du-Lac, Yamaska; d. in infancy on 1 Sep 1834 in St-Francois-du-Lac, Yamaska

Joseph Cote b. 1835; m. Scholastique Nadeau on 15 Jun 1857 in St. Guillaume, Upton, Quebec; d. 13 Apr 1919 in St. Guillaume, Upton, Quebec

Francois Xavier Cote b. 27 Oct 1835 in St-Francois-du-Lac, Yamaska, Quebec; m. Catherine Parenteau on 7 Feb 1854 in St. David, Yamaska, Quebec;

Isaie Cote b. 8 Nov 1837 in St-Francois-du-Lac, Yamaska, Quebec

Joseph Cote b. 11 Sep 1838 in St-Francois-du-Lac, Yamaska, Quebec; d. in infancy on 2 Oct 1838 in St-Francois-du-Lac, Yamaska, Quebec

Aurelie Cote b. 5 Sep 1840 in St-Francois-du-Lac, Yamaska, Quebec; d. in childhood on 1 Mar 1844 in St-Francois-du-Lac, Yamaska, Quebec

Louis Cote b. 20 May 1842 in St-Francois-du-Lac, Yamaska, Quebec; d. in childhood on 1 Mar 1844 in St-Francois-du-Lac, Yamaska, Quebec

Marie Olive Cote b. 12 Jan 1845 in St-Francois-du-Lac, Yamaska, Quebec; d. in infancy on 2 Aug 1845 in St-Francois-du-Lac, Yamaska, Quebec

Eugene Ludger Cote b. 19 Dec 1845 in St-Francois-du-Lac, Yamaska, Quebec; m. Marguerite Ritchot on 5 Jun 1857 in St. Bonaventure d'Upton, Yamaska, Quebec

Leon Cote b. 28 Sep 1847 in St-Francois-du-Lac, Yamaska, Quebec

William Cote b. 26 Mar 1849 in St-Francois-du-Lac, Yamaska, Quebec; d. in infancy on 25 Sep 1849 in St-Francois-du-Lac, Yamaska, Quebec

Marie Cote b. 1 Jun 1850 in St-Francois-du-Lac, Yamaska, Quebec; m. Henri Fleury on 27 may 1867 in St. Bonaventure d'Upton, Yamaska, Quebec

Eusbius Cote b. 5 May 1852 in St-Francois-du-Lac, Yamaska, Quebec

Louis Atilard Cote (see above)

Elvine Cote b. 21 Mar 1856 in Pierreville, Yamaska, Quebec

Antoine Cote b. abt. Jun 1857; d. in infancy on 4 Aug 1857 in St-Francois-du-Lac, Yamaska, Quebec

Zephirin Cote b. 21 Jun 1858 in Pierreville, Yamaska, Quebec; d. in infancy on 14 Dec 1858 in Pierreville, Yamaska, Quebec

Those Places Thursday: Panton, Vermont

The Holcomb family had a prominent part in building the town of Panton, Vermont. Panton a rural town in Addison County, is adjacent to Lake Champlain and Vergennes (Vermont's smallest city). Among the original proprietors of the town, in 1702, were David Holcomb, Timothy Holcomb, and Timothy Holcomb, Jr. I have not yet been able to show how I relate to these individuals, although I am almost certain I do not descend from them directly. I am, however, certain that there is a collateral relationship.

Other early Panton settlers include my 6th great-grandfather, Phineas Holcomb (1726-1781) and my 5th great-grandfather (Phineas' son), Joseph Holcomb (abt. 1762-1833). Phineas, Joseph, and three of Phineas' other sons (Joshua, Elisha and Samuel) were kidnapped by Indians in 1778. They were taken to Quebec via a "vessel that was anchored Lake Champlain." (The Hocum Family by Mabel Hocum Adams p. 65-66). Joshua, Samuel, and Phineas died in 1781 from hardships they suffered during their capture. Joseph and Elisha were released from capture in 1882.

The Holcomb family resided in the toe town of Panton for many years. My 3rd great-grandfather, George Andrew Holcomb (who is pictured above) was a soldier in the Civil War. His daughter, my 2nd great-grandmother, Rose Holcomb (image on right), birthed my great-grandfather, George Dewey (Holcomb) Baker, while still residing in Panton. She later married Carl Baker and moved to Lamoille County, Vermont where she lived out her years.

I would love to know if there are Holcomb descendants still residing in Panton. If so, I would love the opportunity to connect with them.

Native American History in Vermont

Vermont was originally inhabited by Native American tribes of the Algonquian and Iroquois nations. Most Native Americans belonged to the Algonquin nation tribe of Abenaki. Two of Vermont towns were names using Native words: Jamaica, from the Native word for beaver, and Winooski, from the Native word for wild onion place.

Native Americans were counted on the US federal census beginning in 1860. However, enumerators were ordered to only count those Native Americans who had renounced tribal rule, and therefor were considered American citizens. Native Americans who did not pay taxes were not counted. The 1870 US federal census lists Native Americans as "Indians" under the column of color.

Below are some resources where you can learn more about Native Americans in Vermont, including historical and genealogical information.

Ndakinna Cultural Center: Offers a "rotating" museum that travels throughout the state, educating people about the Abenaki tribe. See their schedule of events here.

Chimney Point Historic Site: Site of early Native American settlements. Located in Addison, Vermont.

Abenaki Nation Museum: Located in Swanton, Vermont, this museum educates people about the Abenaki community.

Koasek Traditional Band of the Koas Abenaki Nation: Information & events for this particular band of the Abenaki.

New England Native American Genealogy Mailing List: A mailing list for anyone with a genealogical or historical interest in Native Americans in the New England and New York areas. To subscribe send "subscribe" to new-eng-natam-l-request@rootsweb.com (mail mode) or new-eng-natam-d-request@rootsweb.com (digest mode).

Cyndi's List Native American Resources: This list of resources is not specific to Native Americans in Vermont, but is helpful to genealogists researching Native American lineage nonetheless.

Indian Health Service: Again, not specific to Vermont, but lists some wonderful resources for studying Native American genealogy.