Ethan Allen and his militia of "Green…

Ethan Allen and his militia of "Green Mountain Boys" have suppressed Loyalists following controversy between the holders of the New York grants and the New Hampshire grants.

On January 15, 1777, a convention of representatives from towns in the territory declare the region independent, choosing the name the Republic of New Connecticut (although it is sometimes known colloquially as the Republic of the Green Mountains).

They also abolish adult slavery within their boundaries.

In declaring its independence from New York on January 15, 1777, it becomes an independent country, a status it is to retain until it joins the United States as the fourteenth state in 1791.

On June 2 of this year, the name of the fledgling nation is officially changed to "Vermont" (from the French, les Verts Monts, meaning the Green Mountains) upon the suggestion of Dr. Thomas Young, a Boston Tea Party leader and mentor to Ethan Allen.

The Constitution of Vermont is drafted and ratified at Elijah West's Windsor Tavern in July 1777, and is the first written constitution for an independent state in North America.

The settlers in Vermont, who seek independence from New York, justify their constitution on the same basis as the first state constitutions of the former colonies: authority is derived from the people.