Middlebury in Addison County, Vermont — The American Northeast (New England)

Court Square

Photographed by Dennis Gilkenson, June 26, 2019

1. Court Square Marker

Inscription.
From 1796 to 1814 Court Square was the site of the first Addison County Courthouse, which also served as the seat of the Vermont Legislature (1800, 1806), and home of Middlebury’s first female academy (1800). Here in June 1804 a New York slaveholder brought suit before a session of the Supreme Court to reclaim an escaped slave apprehended in Vermont. When his proffered bill of sale was deemed insufficient proof of ownership, his attorney demanded what the court would accept. Justice Theophilus Harrington of Clarendon responded with some of the most famous words from a Vermont courtroom, “Nothing short of a bill of sale signed by God Almighty Himself.” The former slave went free.

Erected 2019 by Vermont Division for Historic Preservation.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Education. In addition, it is included in the Vermont Division for Historic Preservation Markers series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1804.

Location. 44° 0.841′ N, 73° 9.967′ W. Marker is in Middlebury, Vermont, in Addison County. It can be reached from Court Square (Route 7) west of Washington Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Middlebury VT 05753, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Champlain Valley

and in Greater Burlington.

It is also in the American Northeast

and in New England.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Other nearby markers.

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At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Middlebury War Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Frederick Douglass Launched The One Hundred Conventions (a few steps from this marker); The Addison County Courthouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Middlebury Civil War Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Congregational Church (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Emma Willard Memorial (about 400 feet away); From Two Bridges to One Tunnel (about 400 feet away); Charter House (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Middlebury.

Wide View of Court Square Marker on Square image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Dennis Gilkenson, June 26, 2019

2. Wide View of Court Square Marker on Square

Photographed by Conrad Ward, November 30, 2024

3. Court Square Marker

(west face)

Photographed by Conrad Ward, November 30, 2024

4. Court Square Marker

(east face)

Credits. This page was last revised on March 6, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 27, 2019, by Dennis Gilkenson of Saxtons River, Vermont. This page has been viewed 448 times since then and 26 times this year. Last updated on March 5, 2026, by R.J. O’Hara of Fitchburg, Massachusetts. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 27, 2019, by Dennis Gilkenson of Saxtons River, Vermont. 3, 4. submitted on May 26, 2025, by Conrad Ward of Guilford, Connecticut. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.