| The settlers of Coventry applied to the Justice Of the Peace of Duncansboro Luke Chapin to issue a warrant for a town meeting to be held on March 31, 1803 at Samuel Cobb's house. The warrant was issued, but Chapin wound up sick on the day of the meeting and was unable to attend. As the Coventry residents were anxious to proceed, they asked Samuel Huntington of Greensboro, to preside, which he did until a moderator was chosen, and the town proceeded to organize and officers were elected. |
| Towns Officers Elected at the first Coventry Town Meeting - Mar 31, 1803 |
| John Wells Jr. |
Moderator |
| Joseph Marsh |
Clerk |
| Timothy Woodbridge |
First Constable |
| Samuel Cobb |
Treasurer |
| Samuel Cobb |
Selectman |
| Daniel B. Smith |
Selectman |
| John Ide Jr. |
Selectman |
| Perez Gardner |
Lister |
| John Wells Jr. |
Lister |
| Joseph Marsh |
Lister |
| Joseph Marsh |
Highway Surveyor |
| Samuel Cobb |
Highway Surveyor |
| John Wells Jr. |
Highway Surveyor |
| Daniel B. Smith |
Highway Surveyor |
| Perez Gardner |
Grand Juror |
| It was voted that each inhabitant should work on the roads four days in June and two days in September. A tax of twelve dollars was raised to defray current expenses of the town. The grand list of 1803, the first taken in town, and on which this tax was assessed, amounted to $608. The highest tax payer was John Wells Jr., who paid a town tax of $1,39, and a state tax of ninety-six cents. |
| Perhaps worrying that the switch in presiding officers to start the meeting might cause some problems, the newly organized town petitioned the legislature in October "praying that their proceedings may be legalized, by the obtainment of a law for that purpose". On October 25, a bill entitled "an act establishing the records and proceedings of the inhabitants of the town of Coventry" was passed and the state officially recognized the new town of Coventry. |
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References: - Pliny White, History of Coventry, Vermont, 1858, Irasburgh, VT - Journal of the General Assembly of the State of Vermont, 1803, Montpelier, VT |