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About the year 1813 came Ammi Burrington from Burke, and purchased the tract of
land on which stood the pudding-mill and saw-mill; which however,
he soon sold and moved into the West part of the town. He was familiarly called "the
swamp angel," and if the domains of actual or imaginary zoology contain any such being
as that, he was probably not unworthy of the sobriquet. He was nearly seven feet in
height, broad-shouldered, long-limbed, gaunt, skinny, and crooked; with dark complexion,
wide mouth, large teeth, and other features to match. Tradition says that the name was
given him by a Yankee peddler, whom he asked to give him a ride. The peddler told him
that if he would ride within the box as far as the next tavern and remain in the box
for an hour after arriving there, he should have not only a ride but his keeping over
night. Ammi readily accepted the proposition and took his place among the tin-ware.
Upon arriving at the tavern, the peddler announced himself as the exhibitor of "a very
rare animal-the swamp angel," and proceeded to exhibit Ammi for a certain price, to
his own good profit and the great amusement of the spectators. Pliny White, History of Coventry, Vt. |