Thomas Rowley (born 1721 - died 1803) was a famous poet of Vermont, known both as the spokesman for Ethan Allen and daubed “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".

In Shoreham, Thomas resided on the eastern shore of Lake Champlain, in the middle of the border disputes betwen Vermont and New York, New York was visible across the lake to the west. There he was acquainted with and joined with Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys a growing Vermont militia named after Vermont's Green Mountains.

"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. "(1)

Thomas' poetry actually focuses on the pleasantness and rustic nature of pioneer life combined with humor and witty observations. For example in a poetic inventory of his "estate", he sums up that he has virtually nothing, but still he was independent and happy.

Published Works

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• Poem: "To Rutland Go” by Thomas Rowley, 1760's Rutland County, Vermont.

Full title of poem: "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 Grants.

References

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• (1) Book-on-CD: The Golden Rowley collection, Volume 1: "The Genealogy and Known Descendents of Daniel Rowley the Pioneer Land Dealer", by Irene Rowley (Rowley: 2002), pages 54-55.

American writers | American poets | History of Vermont | People from Vermont