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NYPL RESEARCH LIBRARIES 3 3433 07954333 0
IQF (Guildhall)
A HISTORY
OF
GUILDHALL, VT.,
CONTAINING SOME ACCOUNT OF THE PLACE-OF ITS FIRST SETTLEMENT IN 1764, AND THE PRINCIPLE IMPROVEMENTS MADE, AND E- VENTS WHICH HAVE OCCURRED DOWN TO 1886-A PERIOD OF ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY TWO YEARS.
WITH
VARIOUS GENEALOGICAL RECORDS, AND BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS, SOME DECEASED, AND OTHERS STILL LIVING.
TOGETHER WITH A BRIEF SKETCH OF
ESSEX COUNTY, VERMONT.
By EVERETT CHAMBERLIN BENTON, A NATIVE OF GUILDHALL.
WAVERLEY, MASS .: EVERETT C. BENTON, PUBLISHER. 1886.
COPYRIGHT, 1886, BY EVERETT C. BENTON.
TH NEW YO51 PUBLIC LION RY Ast r.L F tens.
320
DEDICATION.
-
TO
MY FATHER,
CHARLES EMERSON BENTON,
THIS LITTLE BOOK
IS DEDICATED IN GRATITUDE AND LOVE.
Index to Illustrations.
Benton, IIon. Charles E. 204 ยท
Burge, Rev. Caleb 225 . .
Coat of Arms, (Vt.)
194
Chase, Dea. Robert
204
Congregational Church
156
Court House
197
Dale, Gov. George N.
204
Dean Brook, as it enters the Connecticut River
123
Dewey. Dr. John
204
Follansby, Hon. Putney R.
204
Guillhall Falls
90
Hartshorn, Hon. William II. 204
Heywood, Hlon. William 204
Indian 174
Judd, Hou. Eben W. 249
Maidstone Lake 13.1
Methodist Church 163
Northumberland Toll Bridge
90
Old Congregational Church 153
Old Corner Store. ( Essex Bank Building ) 137
Old Court House 196
Original Spire to present Congregational Church 156
Pows in the Old Congregational hurch 153
Proprietors' Plan of Guildhall 62
Public Buildings north of the Comunoa 38
Pulpit in Old Congregational Church 153
Safe used by the Old Essex Bank 137
Small, Hon. Richard 204
ontents.
INTRODUCTION. CHAPTER I .- Brief sketches of Early History.
CHAPTER II .- Description of Guildhall-Natural His- tory, etc.
CHAPTER III .- Surveys-The Proprietors.
CHAPTER IV .- Early settlement of Guildhall.
CHAPTER V .- Transactions of the Town. CHAPTER :VI .- Roads and Bridges, etc.
CHAPTER VII .- Schools.
CHAPTER VIII .- Remarkable Events-Disasters, etc. CHAPTER IX .- Mills-Trade, etc.
CHAPTER X .- Bank and Newspapers.
CHAPTER XI .- Ecclesiastical Affairs.
CHAPTER XII .- Cemeteries.
CHAPTER XIII .- War chapter.
CHAPTER XIV .- A Brief sketch of Essex County. CHAPTER XV .- Genealogical Records and Biographi- cal Sketches. APPENDIX.
.
INTRODUCTION.
Since the men of the north made their incursion into the empire of tho Romans, they have been an aggres- sive and colonizing race, pushing their dominion into dis- tant countries and overcoming their enemies. It is the history of an Anglo-Saxon Colony, pushed far out into the American wilderness, that this book relates. It is a story, the sequel of which will have to be written by the peu of some future anoalist.
Long before Columbus discovered America this section was the home of an Indian sovereignty over a wide area : numberless generations of red men had planted corn to some extent on the fertile intervals below the fifteen miles falls, speared fish in the clear waters of the Con- necticut, hunted game through the luxuriant forests and paddled their light birch canoes over the silvery waters of the boautiful lakes and streams. To them this region was Coos ; or as it was afterwards known Upper Coos. In this historic locality lies the beautiful town of Guild- hall, which we will try, as best we can, to give a history of; under difficulties from the fact that in the case of Guildhall, as well as other towns in those early times, the records were not fully kept, and of course much that would be of interest has been lost, and only those things that related to the publie acts and doings of the early set- tlers is there any record of, and as the old people of the town nt the present time ure not to any great extent des- cendents of the early settlors, much that was known to their children and grand-children that would be of interest has been lost.
INTRODUCTION.
Among the objects that attract the attention of people in all countries, as they advance in civilization, few are sought with more avidity than the facts concerning their carly history. In the pages that follow we think we have rescued from oblivion many facts which the lover of his- tory will rejoice to know. The work, it is true, is local, but in it are described the character and deeds of people who were pioneers in the march of civilization, patriots in the day of danger, useful citizens in the time of peace.
We cannot but indulge the hope that not only those who still remain among the hills and valleys of their native land, but those also who have wandered from the good old town to find a home in different sections of the Union may receive some gratification from the perusal of the his- tory of their ancestors.
This work has been in process of completion by the author since 1878 and we have spared no pains to make the book a thorough oue; all facts concerning the history of the town have been sought for to the best of our ability and had we had the proper help from all who know inter- esting incidents in relation to the town the book would be undoubtedly of more value. We are sorry to add that some people who now are comprised among the inhabitants of the town, through what seems to us a curious indiffer- ence, or otherwise, neglected, and in some instances by their actions refused to help place facts in our possession from which to write this history ; others did not een fit to fill out blanks sent them by mails or reply to a polite letter when in some instances we inclosed a stamp to pay the return postage, and it is no fault of ours that any one has been left out in the sketches of family history in this book as we have inserted all that we have been able to obtain.
INTRODUCTION.
In addition to the usual authorities consulted in pre- paring this volume we owe especial indebtedness to and the following is acknowledged : Miss Hemenway's Vt. Gazetteer; (which is a most valuable work, a series of books which ouly a woman of her extraordinary ability and perseverance could produce ; long after the average woman of Vermont shall have been forgotten the labor of of Miss Abbie Maria Hemenway will be kindly reviem - bered and her name honored for the great interest she took in promoting not only the historical interests of the State but by her kind acts toward all and for all alike.) The writers in the above mentioned book which we are under obligations to are : Mr. Milton Cutler's sketch of the town of Guildhall, and Hon. H. A. Cutting's various and valuable articles on the County of Essex. We also wish to thankfully acknowledge kind favors from Hon. Wm. Heywood, Hon. Wm. H. Hartshorn, Hon. Gco. N. Dale, Hon. Chas. A. Dana of New York, Hon. D. H. Beattie, Hon. Ossian Ray, Hon. P. R. Follansby, Dr. I. W. Watson, Secretary of the State Board of Health of New Hampshire, Mr. W. H. Bishop, Editor and Propr. of the "Essex County Herald," Rev. S. L. Hedges, Mrs. H. T. Cummings, Mr. and Mrs. E. S. Freeman, Mr. Hubbard Willard, Mr. Geo. Hubbard, Mr. L. A. Grau- nis, my father Charles E. Benton, my brother Jay B. Benton and my wife Willena R. Benton; also to the courtesy of several other gentlemen and ladies for impor- tant assistance in the preparation of these pages.
Waverley, Mass ..
Nov. 15th. 1886. EVERETT C. BENTON.
HISTORY OF GUILDHALL, VERMONT.
CHAPTER I.
The Indian-Cartier-Champlain-Discovery of Vt .- Hudson- The Pilgrims-Fort Dummer. the first settlement in Vt .- Crown Point, --- ' Number Four" --- Bridgeman's Fort-Attempt to cap- ture "No. 4" --- Effort to make a settlement at ('oos --- Col. I.ov- well's journey to Coos .--- Capt. Peter Powers; his discovery of, and through the northern C'or necticut Valley --- Survey of the River Townships -- Town grants by the Governor of N. H .-- Maj. Rogers' expedition.
Warm rays of a spring sun have caused the fierce clutches of a sivage winter to yiel l its grasp, and beauti- ful spring enters upon the threshold leading to summer. Ge' tle breezes are swaying the leaves of a beautiful and unbroken forest : the waters of the loveliest river on earth are gently rip; I'ng along its banks, merrily wending their way to - who then knew where? Suddenly the stream comes in contact with rocks, and madly the waters rush roaringly on, until the difficulty is past ; then resuming their former peaceful course they move on, year after year, and century after century.
Tired and worn by the cold winter, which had confined him more or less closely to his wigwam for long and weary months, how the Indian rejoices at the return of spring ; his heart is light and happy, as nimbly he steps into his canoc, and undisturbed, padd'es to lis hearts content.
HISTORY
Fancy, one day, one of their number is seen forcing his canoe down the river at its greatest speel; every muscle is strained to its full capacity; we'eagerly watch him: he passes the bend in the river, directs his course to the set- tlement above the falls, and landing, we hear him convey with joy the intelligence, that a higher order of beings have been seen nt the north. These beings were none the less then a band of daring and courageous Frenehmen under Cartier, who early in the sixteenth century, directed their way to explore the northern latitudes of the lan I, to which Columbus had led the way in 1492
On St. Lawrence's day. Cartier discovered a great gulf, to which the name of St. Lawrence was given.
The next year, he returned, entered the Gulf, and leav- ing his ships at anchor near the Island of Orleans, ascend- ed the river, in boats, about three hundred miles. At this place he found the large Indian town of Hochelaga, where he arrived Oct. 2d. 1535. This place he called Montreal, which name it bears to the present time. AAscending a neighboring hill, n civilized man first viewed the lofty "Green Mountains" in the far distance, ca-ting his eyes over the beautiful country, which for years was the battle field of many a hard and bloody fight, but now is peaceful, quiet, and free.
Cartier was received by the Indians with joy, and was treated with great respect This was not only true of the Canadian Indians, but of every part of America ; anl their suspicions wore not generally arous .. or hostilities
HISTORY O1. GLILDIJALI .. 1.)
made, until the new comers had manifested their mean- ness, by most cruel acts of injustice and violence.
Cartier again visited Canada in 1540, and attempted to found a colony, but was unsucessful; and the French made no further progress in this part of the country for more than fifty years.
In 1603. Samuel de Champlain sailed up the St. Law- rence, obtained what information he could from the Indi- ans regarding the interior of the country, and returned to France, to procure assistance in establishing a colony. In 1608, the French Court was induced to fit out for him. a fleet for this purpose. and in July, he arrived at a place c. H'ed by the natives Quebec. Here he spent the follow- ing winter, in the course of which, his little colony suffer- ed extremely from the severity of the climate. In the spring of 1609, Champlain left Quebec, accompanied by a party of natives for the purpose of exploring the interior of the country. He proceeded up the St. Lawrence, and Sorel Rivers, till he arrived at a large and beautiful lako, to which he gave his own name: procee ling still farther he reached another lake, smaller than the first, which he named St. Sacrament ; but now it is called Lake George.
On the shores of this lake, the party fell in with the Iroquois: a skirmish immediately ensued, but some of the French being arquebusiers, it was soon decided in their favor. The Iroquois were put to flight, and fifty of their numbers were killed. This was the first time the Indians in these regions ever witnessed the effect of firearms ; and it is probable
-
20
HISTORY GLILDIIALI ..
the panie produced in the astonished natives, contributed not a little to a favorable and speedy termination of the combat.
Thus, so carly was Lake Champlain, and the western borders of Vermont discovered, and partially explored : although after this time more than a century elapsed before this tract of the country became inhabited.
While the French were founding their colonies in Canada the other European nations were not inactive. England, in 1607, made a permanent settlement on the JJames River. in Virginia, and also, at about the sune time. started a colony in Maine. In the spring of 1609, Captain Henry Hudson, in the service of Holland, disseoverel anl gave his own name to the IIn tson River. He sailed up the river exploring the country as far as Albany. N. Y.
Possibly, at the same time that Ch unpliin was near the head waters of the Un Ison, the other European navigator was encamped but a few miles below. Strange that two adventurers, in the service of different Sovereigns, and approaching from different points of the compass, should so nearly meet in the vast wilds of America: each exploring country never before traversed by Europeans.
In 1611, the Dateh coommenent a settlement where the city of New York now stands.
December 21st. 1620, the Pilgrim- lindel at Plymouth, Mass., and commenced a colony. It is neless here to rehearse all the hardships this colony sufere I that winter; 101 persons comprised the colony when it started, and
-
21
HISTORY GUILDHALL.
when spring opened their numbers were reduced to 56.
As early as 1623, settlements were made at Portsmouth and Dover, N. H., and in 1633 they had penetrated the wil lerness to the Connecticut River, and established them- selves at Windsor, Ct. In 1635 a settlement was started at Springfield, and soon after at Deerfield, Mass.
It was nearly a century before a settlement was effected within the present limits of Vermont, owing to the fierce war which was waged between the English, and French and Indians. This short History will not permit us to deserib . this cruel and bloody war.
In 1724 Fort Dummer was erected by the English in Brattleboro. In 1731 the French came up Lake Champlain and established themselves in Ad lison, erecting a fort on the west side of the lake, and nearly opposite, which they called St. Frederick; bat afterwards it took the name of Crown Point.
As early as 1746, the English had extended up the Connecticut River and erected a fortress at Number Four, ( Charlestown, N. H.) also erceting several smaller forts on the other side of the river, in the vicinity of Fort Dummer. Among these were Bridgeman's and Startwell's forts in Vernon : Bridgeman's fort was attacked June 24th 1746, by Indians, who killed 2, wounded 1, and took several prisoners, but were finally repulsed. The next year, however, the fort was taken, and destroyed.
In the year 1747, the settlement at No. 4 was abandoned by the inhabitants ; the fort at that place was garrisoned
22
OF GUILDHALL.
by thirty men. April 4th. a party consisting of three hundred French and Indians surrounded the fort, and commeneed an attack by firing upon it on all sides. This proving ineffectual. they next tried to burn the fort by setting fire to the fences and huts around it, and by dis- charging flaming arrows upon it; not being successful in this, they prepare la carriage, which was loaded with burning fagots; they pishel this before them, endeavoring by it to set fire to the fort, in this way, while it protectc.l them from the guns of the garrison.
All these attempts failed, and at length an interview took place between the commanders; Dabeline, the French leader, bousted of his superior numbers, expressed his determination to storm the fort. and deseribel in glowing colors the massacre which would ensue if the fort was net surrendered. Stevenst'is no min inder of the garrison coolly replied: "Ican assure you. that my men are not afraid to di!" After this interview the attack was renewed for three days, after which, the French withdrew.
During the Colonial and Indian wars Vermont was the thoroughfare through which most expe litions proceeded. being situate l at an equal distance from the French on the one hand, and the English on the other: it was constantly exposed to deprodutions of both. On this account the settle- ment of this section had been regarded as dangerous, nor was it until the conquest of Canada in 1760, that any considerable settlement were made.
This tract of country had previously been in the poss so- ion of fin Indian- The western parte wen chten ?
23
il-TORI GUILDHALL.
by the Iroquois ; the northeastern parts and Lake Mem- phremagog (including Guildhall), by the St. Francis and other Canadian tribes ; and the southeastern parts on the Connecticut River were regarded as belonging to the na- tives in the neighborhood of Massachusetts Bay.
Although the region was in some parts mountainous and unproductive, the forests were well stored with game, and the lakes, rivers and smaller streams abounded in excellent fish, which afforded subsistence to the savage state.
In the spring of 1752 it was proposed by the English to commence a settlement at "Cohos,"* and a party pro- ceeded up the river for that purpose : but the St. Francis Indians compelled them to return. Their design was to cut a road from "No. 4" to Coos, and to lay 'out town- ships in that locality. They were to erect stockades, with lodgments for two hundred men, enclosing a space of fifteen acres, in the centre of which a citadel was to be erected, containing the public buildings, &c., and large enough to receive all the inhabitants and their movable effects in case of necessity. It seems the project embraced two objects, civil, and military: as they intended not only to settle the country, but to establish also a military post there.
Rev. Grant Powers says in his "History of the Coos Country"; "It is extremely doubtful whether that party ever reached their destination, if they ever left "No. 4". There were no returns made of this tour, and they certainly did not lay out the townships."
In the spring of 1754 the General Court of New Hamp- shire determined to send out a party to explore this 'Coos was spelled "Cohos" and "Cowass" in early days.
21
HISTORY OF GUIDING
"hitherto unknown region": accordingly, Col. Lovwell. Maj. Tolford. and Capt. Pag . were sent out at the head of a company. and John Stark (afterward Genl. Stark ) was their guide. They Started from Concord, N. II., March 10th, 1751. striking the Connectiont River at. Piermont, N. H. after about seven days marching; they however spent but one night in this region. making a retreat. and arriv'rg at ileir starting point in thirteen days from their departure .*
The cause of this short sojoura we do not know. but one night in the wilds of that part of the country could have returned no information to the Government as re- gard- the Coos. They probably feared an Indian for superior to their own mbers.
The Government of N. H. did not give up on account of this failure, but the Fame season Capt. Peter Powers. Lient. Jas. Stevens, all Ensign E. Hale, took charge of a company to effet what had "hitherto been attempel in vain". The company commenced their march on Saturday, June 15th. 1751.
In Rey Grant Powers' 'History of the Cos Country" is published Capt. Peter Powers' journal, which he kept during his tour: this journal is not out're, some of the pag- of the returning of the expedition being lost. We Take the liberty of giving this journal as he has it pub- li-lied.
1.
, 14 { \11-0ve o the history of 1
20
L ILDHALL.
.. Saturday, June 15th, 1754. This day left Rumford (now Concord, N. H.). and marched to Contoocook, which is about eight miles. here tarried all night."
"Sunday, June 16. This diy tarried at Contoocook, and went to meeting, and tarried here all this night."
"Monday, June 17. This morning fair weather, and we fixed our packs, and went and put them on board our ranoes, about nine of the clock, and some of the men went in the canoes and the rest on the shore. And so we marched up the river Merrimack to the crotch or parting thereof; and then up the Pemigewasset about one mile and a half, and camped above the carrying plice; which carry - ing-place is about one hundred rods long; and the whole of this day's march is thirteen miles."
"Tuesday, June IN. This day marched up the Pomige- wasset River, about eight miles to Smith's River, and then east one hundred rods. and then north two hundred and twenty rods, to the long carrying-place on Pomigo- wasset River, and there camped."
"Wednesday, June 19. We marched on our journey, and carried across the long carrying-place on Pemige- wasset River two miles north east, which land hath a good quality of large masts. From the place where we put in the canoes, we stecred east. north cast, np the river about one mile, and then we steered north east one mile, and north six miles, up to Sawheganet Falls, where we carried by about four rods ; and from the falls we steered about north east to Pemigewasset interval, two miles, and from the beginning of the interval we made good our course north four miles, and there camped on a narrow point of land. The last four miles the river was extremely crooked." "Thursday, June 20. We steered our course, one turn,
HISTORY
6. 1'11. D.11.11.I.
with another, which were great turns, west, north west, about two miles and a half. to the crotch, or parting of the Pemigewasset River. at Baker's River month: thence from the mouth of Baker's River, up said river north west by west six miles. This river is exceedingly crooked and good interval. Thence up the river about two miles north west and there we shot a moose, the sun about 2 an hour high, and there camped."
"Friday, June 21. We steered up the said Baker's River with our canoes about five miles, as the river run. which was extraordinary crooked. In the after part of this day there was a great shower of 'hail and rain'. which prevented our proceeding any further, and here we camped ; and here left our canoes for the water in the river was so shoal that we could not go with them further."
"Saturday, June 22. This morning was dark and cloudy weather; but after ton of the clock, it cleared off hot and we marched up the river near the Indian carry- ing place. from Baker's River to Counectient River, and there camped, and could not go any further by reason of a great shower of rain which held almost all this afternoon."
"Sunday, June 23. This morning dark and cloudy weather, we marched up this river about one mile, and came to the Indian carrying-place, and by reason of the dirk weather, we were obliged to follow the marked way, that way marked by Major Lovwellant Captain Tolford, and others from Baker's River to Connectient River. And thi- days march was about six miles: and we cungel between the two first Baker's Ponds. And it come on a great storm of rain, which prevented our mor bing any further. And on this days march we HOW i con i ler le quantity of white pine timber, and found it
GUILDHALL.
was something large, fit for thirty-inch masts, as we judged. But before this day's march, we saw no white pine timber that was very large. on this Baker's River, but a great quantity of small white pine, fit for boards and small masts. And on this river there is a great quan- tity of excellent interval, from the beginning of it to the place where we left this river. And it layeth of a pretty equal proportion from one und to the other: and back of the interval, there are considerable many large mountains."
"Monday, June 24. This morning it rained hard and all the night past, and it held raining all this day, and we kept our camp, and here we stayed the night ensuing, and it rained almost all night."
"Tuesday, June 25. Fair weather, and we swung our packs, the sun about an hour high, and we marched about two miles, and then steered our course north about twelve miles and came to that part of the Coos interval that is called Moose Meadow. And then steered our course up the river by the side of the interval, about north east and came to a large stream that came into the interval, which is here about a mile wide. The stream came out of the east, and we camped here this night. There are on this river the best falls and conveniences for all sorts of wills. These falls are nearly twenty feet perpendicular."
"Wednesday, June 23. This morning fair weather, and we marched up the interval to the great turn of clear interval on the westerly side of Connecticut River, and there came a great shower of rain, which held almost all this afternoon; and we camped by the river on the easter- ly side above all the clear interval: and this day's march was about 16 miles and very crooked." [It appears that the Little Ox Bow on the Haverhill side, and the Great Ox Bow on the Newbury side of the Connecticut River,
THISTORI OF GUILDHALL.
were cleared interval when the first settlers came in. They had been cleared and cultivated to some extent by Indians. and this is what the journal alludes to. ]
"Thursday, June 27. This morning it was cloudy weather, and it hegan to rain. the sun ab mt an hour high, and we marched. notwithstanding. up the river to Amo- noosnek River. (now Lower Amonoosuck River. ) and our curso was about north, distance about five miles: and we camped here. for the River Amonoosuek was so high we could not go over it without a canoe: for it was swift water and nearly twenty rods wide. This afternoon it cleare 1 off fair. and we went about our canoe, and partly built it. Some of our men went un the River Amonoosuck to sen what discoveries they could make: and they discovered excellent land, and a considerable quantity of large pinos."
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