Why is Vermont not considered one of the original 13 states?

Answer 1

Because we're just too darn contrary and decided to declair ourselves our own country in 1777 at the Congress at Windsor. Remember... Vermont was New England's wilderness at the time, and people who weren't well adjusted or were considered criminals in other parts of New England (like Ethan Allen and his brothers!) were actively encouraged to go to Vermont and "settle" there. In other words... to get the heck out of civilization! No wonder it is from Vermont we get the first decisive and winning battle of the revolution (the capture of Fort Ticonderoga) and no wonder Vermont decided to go it alone in 1777... most of these people had been asked to leave the other colonies and were in no mood to be cooperative or nice to anybody! :-) Actually, it was because there were disputed boundaries. Same lands were granted in VT by both New York and New Hampshire causing much confusion as to where the actual boundaries were. For example, the Battle of Bennington was fought in what was then known as Vermont, but is now in New York after the boundaries were established. As a side bar, there was no "battle" at the capture of Ticonderoga ... the Green Mountain Boys simply walked into the fort in the wee-wee hours and caught the British literally, asleep.