[2] After moving to Clarendon, Harrington became active in politics and government, serving in local offices including Selectman.
This circumstance resulted from distrust of attorneys in the post-Revolutionary War era, when most individuals with legal education had supported New York during its dispute with Vermont's original white settlers over the validity of their land titles.
[9] In October, 1803 Harrington was chosen as one of the Justices of the Vermont Supreme Court, where he served until 1813.
"[13] Justices Royall Tyler and Jonathan Robinson concurred, and the slave was set free.
The supposed quote from Harrington was engraved on a plaque which was installed in Westminster Abbey by British abolitionists.