From the Archives #43: Capt. John W. Newton and the Ransom Guard
These photos and the accompanying caption were originally posted to our Facebook page (link to external site) on January 17, 2024.
We recently received a generous donation from the Camp Johnson Military Museum in Colchester, VT of an album of rare portraits of the second Ransom Guard. On August 22, 1857, the original Ransom Guard of the Vermont State Militia Co. (named after Col. Truman Ransom, president of Norwich University at the time) organized in St. Albans. Qualified members possessed "good character, gentlemanly manners and appearance, good health, and a height not less than five feet three inches." This first iteration of the Ransom Guard served in the Civil War from April 1862 to July 1863, when it was disbanded following the expiration of its members' terms of enlistment.
In June 1872, the Ransom Guard was re-formed as Company D, First Regiment, V. V. M., under Capt. John W. Newton, who served during the Civil War as a member of the Vermont 1st Cavalry. Capt. Newton later led the new Ransom Guard as an independent battalion under command of the National Guard.
Earlier, in 1870, Capt. Newton constructed a 21-room brick manor on property purchased from Worthington C. Smith. In 1961, the manor was converted into a nursing home and is now known as the Villa Rehab Center.