USA > Vermont > Windsor County > Reading > Centennial celebration, together with an historical sketch of Reading, Windsor County, Vermont, and its inhabitants from the first settlement of the town to 1874 > Part 1
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Gc 974.302 R22da 1426519
M. L
GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
n 3 1833 01100 3115
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2015
https://archive.org/details/centennialcelebr00davi 0
CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION.
TOGETHER WITH AN
HISTORICAL SKETCH OF
READING,
WINDSOR COUNTY, VERMONT
AND ITS INHABITANTS FROM THE FIRST SETTLEMENT OF THE TOWN TO 1874.
BY GILBERT A. DAVIS.
BELLOWS FALLS: STEAM PRESS OF A. N. SWAIN. 1874.
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1874, by GILBERT A. DAVIS, in the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.
PREFACE. 1426519
The following sketches have been prepared by the editor except when the writer's name is given. The labor thus thrown upon the editor has been very great, and only such time as he could occa- sionally spare from engrossing professional duties, has he been able to devote to the task. Errors will undoubtedly be noticed but the details have been made as complete and accurate as possible. The plan was to give every family identified with the town's history, as full a history as the materials placed in the editor's hands would en- able him to prepare - and this plan has been carefully carried out. If any family has been neglected, in this respect, it will be found - that the proper and necessary facts have not been gathered and placed in the editor's hands. The old inhabitants of to-day are rapidly passing away, and with those already passed " over the riv- er " have perished many reminiscences of the early settlement of Reading. The editor desires to express his thanks to the many respected citizens and friends who have interested themselves in this publication. The editor fully understands that at the low price at which the book is offered for sale, he will be pecuniarily a loser, but being interested in antiquarian and historical researches, and desirous that the facts pertaining to the early history of the town of Reading for whose inhabitants he has so much respect, should be placed in a form for preservation, he has undertaken and carried forward in his imperfect manner, the compilation of this volume; and if the present and former residents of Reading shall take pleasure in reading these pages, he will feel amply rewarded for his labors.
READING, Vt., Jan. 1, 1874.
CONTENTS.
PART I.
PAGE.
Reading Centennial Celebration. 7
Baker, Mrs. Frances, Poem by. 18
Bryant, Stella M., Recitation by. 23
Committees.
46
Converse, Hon. Julius, Speech by.
38
Curley, Thomas, Speech by.
23
Davis, Gilbert A., Speech by ..
8
Davis, Lysander M., Letter from
45
Davis, Minnie S., Poem by ..
23
Davis, Rev. Samuel A., Speech by.
35
Fletcher, Ex-Gov. Ryland, Speech by
38
Fullam, Sewall, Speech by. 27
Herrick, Rev. Horace, Speech by. 38
Ide, Simeon, Speech by. 36
Officers
46
Robinson, Calvin L., Letter from
39
Robinson, Frank M., Letter from
41
Robinson, George O., Letter from
40
Robinson, S. W., Letter from. 43
Robinson, Dr. Walter S., Speech by
7
Sawyer, T. J., D. D., Speech by.
17
Stearns, Honestus, Poem by
32
Stearns, John M., Speech by.
24
Steele, Benj. H., Speech by 38
Watkins, William, Speech by. 27
Weld, F. G., Speech by. 38
Whitmore, Osceola A., Clarionet Solo by. 27
iv
CONTENTS.
PART II.
CHAPTER I .- The Indian Encampment in 1754 and Birth of
Captive Johnson-The Memorial Tablets 47
CHAPTER II .- Charters and Early Settlements 50
CHAPTER III .- Early Settlers 57
CHAPTER IV .- Religious Organizations and Church Build- ing .. 58
CHAPTER V .- William Athorn.
66
CHAPTER VI .- Physicians and Attorneys-Dr. Elkannah Day 72
CHAPTER VII .- Felchvilleand its Founder-William Felch .. 76
CHAPTER VIII .-. Military Affairs and Rebellion Record ... ... 83
CHAPTER IX .- Sale of Paupers-Spotted Fever-Masonic -Murder Trial-Town Clerks-Constables and Represen- tatives 91
CHAPTER X .- Thos. Jefferson Sawyer, D. D 95
CHAPTER XI .- Ebenezer Robinson. 101
CHAPTER XII .- Dea. Nathaniel Pratt. 109
CHAPTER
XIII .- Educational Affairs and Eminent Sons of
Reading. 112
PART III.
The names are arranged in alphabetical order. 117
ILLUSTRATIONS.
PAGE.
WILLIAM FELCH. 79
EBENEZER ROBINSON 101
AMERICA AMSDEN 119
ASA A. BURNHAM 122
GEO. M. CLARK 124
GILBERT A. DAVIS 130
ELEAZER DEXTER. 131
REFES FORBESH. 133
WILLIAM L. HAWKINS 136
CONTENTS.
ORSEMOR S. HOLDEN 138
LEWIS ROBINSON 144
MARVIN ROBINSON
146
DR. W. S. ROBINSON 150
HONESTUS STEARNS. 155
WILLIAM TOWNSEND 161
TOWNSEND'S FOLDING GLOBE 162
CALVIN WARDNER. 164
READING CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION.
Wednesday August 28, 1872, had been selected for the celebra- tion of the accomplishment of the first one hundred years of the town's history. The day proved favorable and witnessed a gathering of some 5000 of the sons and daughters of Reading, and of those who felt interested in the exercises of the day. The procession formed in the early forenoon in front of the Felchville Hotel, headed by the Woodstock Cornet Band, and marched to the ground selected for the exercises, which was east of the Hotel on the meadow of Clark Wardner, Esq., easily accessible from the main street of the vil- lage of Felchville. Here a large tent was erected, filled with seats, with the speaker's stand on one side, and running around the tent was a line of tables loaded with a great variety of tempting arti- cles of food prepared by the skillful hands of the ladies of Reading, and each table under the charge of its committee. Hot coffee and tea was served, and a long table spread with ancient table furni- ture, and well supplied with food cooked in "ye olden style." Brown bread, bean porridge, baked beans &e. tempted the appe- tite of those who were fortunate enough to reach this department. The tent was filled, to the utmost, and thousands hung around the outside listening attentively to the speeches and proceedings.
Dr. W. S. Robinson, the President of the Day, delivered the welcoming speech ;
MR. MARSHAL-Gentlemen of the Committee of Arrangements- Ladies and Gentlemen : On taking position, as president of the day, I can but thank the committee of arrangements for the honor bestowed upon me on this occasion. Not being a speech making man, I will not occupy the time of others who are regular speak - ers and who have come a great distance to be heard and to hear from the old natives and former residents, making it a reunion of olden times, but will take this opportunity to say a word of wel- come to the natives and former residents of this town who have gone forth in former years, into different parts of the country, to
2
8
HISTORY OF READING.
seek fortunes for themselves and their families, and who have at this time returned to join with us in this the grand centennial cel- ebration of the town of Reading. To them I say we extend a most heartfelt and cordial welcome. To others who have come to join with us, to them, also, one and all we give a most hearty wel- come. Thanking the gentlemen of the committee of arrangements for the honor once more, will at once commence the long pro- gramme of the day by introducing the Rev. Mr. Small of this town, who will open the exercises of the day by prayer.
Prayer was then offered by Rev. J. S. Small.
After music by the band, Mr. Gilbert A. Davis delivered the historical address as follows :
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN :
Reading to-day celebrates the one hundredth anniversary of its settlement. These ancient hills and streams, these smiling valleys testify their joy at the return of so many "to the manor born." From hill and vale, city and town, from states widely separated, and throwing aside important business, you have returned to the old hearth-stones-to this Mecca of your early love-to testify your veneration for the good old town of Reading. And in behalf of the citizens of old Reading who have given of their basket and store, and prepared this feast for the returning sons and daughters and all our kind friends here assembled, I have the honor to ex- press, here and now, our cordial welcome to you, one and all. We trust to be able to demonstrate that the ancient reputation of Read- ing for generous hospitality has not become tarnished in our keeping.
Love for the place of one's nativity, for the scenes of childhood, for the old play grounds, school houses, playmates, the home of for- mer years, for the old familiar hills and valleys, are all strongly exemplified by the mighty throng here assembled. Standing as we do upon the threshold of an expiring century in its history and the entrance to an unexplored and unknown future, to-day seems to be an appropriate time to gather up the facts pertaining to the his- tory of this town. This task has been assigned to me ; and aided by the labors of a committee, I present you the results of our re- searches.
The usual obscurity is characteristic of this early history ; the records and files in the town clerk's office furnish but a few facts of general interest. Hence the difficulties that we have encountered. Nevertheless, materials for the sketch have come to hand so copi- ously that the difficulty has been to decide what of the historical incidents not to mention. I ask your attention briefly to such facts as I may have selected, and will endeavor not to have you think as the boy said of the minister, " he has left his amen at home."
The two monuments standing near Knapp's brook, in front of N. Persons' house, are familiar to us all. By careful examination the time-worn inscription can be read :
9
HISTORY OF READING.
" This is near the spot that the Indians occupied the night after they took Mr. Johnson and family, Mr. Labaree and Farnsworth, August 30, 1754, and Mrs. Johnson was delivered of her child half a mile up this brook, August 31, 1754."
One hundred and eighteen years have elapsed since these events happened, and this monumental inscription brings to mind the dangers and sufferings of the early settlers of this country. So far as known, these suffering captives, torn from their home at Charles- town, N. H., and within the power of the savage Indians, were the first white persons who ever set foot within the limits of the town of Reading. To the town of Cavendish belongs the honor of the birth of this child. The old Indian, in whom by right of capture vested the title to Mrs. Johnson and her new born child, having in mind the ransom money for these two captives, rubbed his hands in glee and exclaimed : " two monies for me, two monies for me !" These Indians were the allies of the chivalric French, and Canada was their objective point. But one day's halt was made in Reading, and September 1st, the sorrowful journey was resmed. Their route was through South Reading (or Malagash ) and over into Plymouth, encamping that night at the head of Black river pond in Plymouth. For the first two miles Mrs. Johnson was car- ried on a litter by the white captives, when from utter exhaustion they were unable to proceed further. The Indians assembled in council. The result was, Mrs. Johnson must proceed on horse- back or be left with her infant to perish in the wilderness. The mother's love, hope, and courage, decided the issue. Mr. Labarec carried the infant, and the weary, sorrowful march was resumed. Every hour this poor mother was taken from the horse and placed upon the ground to rest, and then again the march was resumed, the Indians encouraged by the "monies," to be obtained for the ransom of their captives, and the captives suffering the pangs of hunger, weariness and anxiety.
No Indian tribes are known to have had an abiding place with- in the limits of this town. Few if any Indian relies have been found here, but this territory seems to have been a part of the hunting grounds and battle grounds of the tribes on either side of it.
Reading was chartered by Gov. Benning Wentworth of the Province of N. H., July 6th, 1761, to Zedekiah Stone and his as- sociates to the number of 61.
Wm. Tryon, the royal governor of the province of New York, however, claimed jurisdiction so far east as the Connectient river, and granted the same territory May 30, 1772, to Simon Stevens and others.
Simon Stevens was in those troublesome days termed a " Yorker," and undoubtedly obtained a share of this township to reward his fidelity to the Governor of New York.
The first settlers were Andrew Spear and family, who came to Reading from Walpole, N. H., in 1772. His land embraced tho farm of Marcellus Bryant, and the log house first built by Mr.
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HISTORY OF READING.
Spear stood near Mr. Bryant's house. The precise date of Mr. Spear's arrival is not known. His deed bears date August 20th, 1772, and he then resided at Walpole, N. H. If he immediately started for his new home, the day selected for our observance can- not vary much from the time of his arrival in this town one hun- dred years ago.
Of Mr. Spear little information can be gathered. He pursued the independent and honorable occupation of a farmer. The for- est fell before his manly strokes, and he lived to see a prosperous settlement, of which he was the pioneer. For five years he and family constituted the sole inhabitants of Reading.
This Spear is said to have been a famous hunter, perhaps equal to Nimrod. On one occasion he saw a deer, but the deer man- aged to keep on the opposite side of the haystack, and the old man couldn't get a shot at him. But tradition says that the old man bent the rifle over his knee, shot around the stack and killed the deer at the first fire.
Mr. Spear frequently served his townsmen in public capacities.
Barakiah Cady arrived about 1777, and settled near Mr. Spear, on the farm now occupied by Addison Thomas. In 1780 Benja- min Buck came and settled on the farm now owned by George W. Davis, and at that time the only families in town were Nehebiah Cady, Barakiah Cady, Moses Chaplin, John Weld and a few oth- ers. Moses Chaplin settled where Mr. Eastman now lives, and Mr. Weld on the Austin farm. These men selected smooth, pro- ductive, easily cultivated land, and these farms are to-day pleasant residences in the summer, but a little tough in winter when the merenry sinks and the wind howls.
The records of the proceedings of the land proprietors of Reading have recently been found by the assistant town clerk and afford some clue to the progress of its settlement. To encourage settle- ments, these proprietors, at a meeting legally warned by advertis- ing said meeting in the Connecticut newspaper and holden at the house of Alexander Parmlee, in Windsor, June 16, 1779, it was voted, That John Weld, James Sawyer, Seth Sabin, Joseph Saw- yer, Jedediah Leavens, John Sawyer, Hezekiah Leavens, and Sam- uel Gary have liberty to pitch and settle 850 acres of land in a convenient body so as to make a convenient neighborhood. And in this year Mr. Weld and most of the others named came to Reading and commenced their settlement in the Henry Austin neighborhood.
In April of this year John Weld had bought 850 acres of land in Reading for $600 continental currency, a small price per acre, taking into account the depreciated state of currency.
This John Weld became a prominent man in the history of the town, a deacon in the church, an active business man, and an ex- tensive land owner. He was frequently called upon to serve his fellow townsmen in official capacities both in town and in the Leg- islature-but illustrates the mutability of human affairs, in that he
11
HISTORY OF READING.
died in poverty. The Sawyers and Leavens also became honored and respected families.
David Hapgood was another notable man. He came to Read- ing and commenced clearing up the Ed. Hammond farm in 1779, built a log house and lived in solitude and alone during much of the time, his nearest neighbors being miles distant. The news of the burning of Royalton by the Indians did not dishearten him, but returning one day from a temporary absence he found the In- dians had given him a call and stolen the meat he had left over the fire and such other articles as they most coveted. He conchi- ded the time of his departure was at hand and hastily returned to Massachusetts. The next spring however, he returned to his log hut and clearing, accompanied by his brother Thomas and other young men and resumed his labors. He prospered in his wilder- ness home and erected in 1782, the first framed house in Reading, being the present residence of Ed. S. Hammond.
The town was organized March 30, 1780, at a meeting held at the dwelling house of Capt. John Weld, and the usual town offi- cers elected. Jedediah Leavens was the first town clerk and treas- urer. John Weld, Andrew Spear and Robert Grandey, the first selectmen and Barakiah Cady the first constable.
The settlement of Reading seems to have progressed favorably from 1780. In 1791 the population numbered 747; in 1800, 1,- 123; in 1810, 1565, and reached the highest number, 1,603 in 1820. Since 1820 the number has gradually diminished to 1,011 in 1870. Time forbids a detailed account of the progress of settle- ment here. A controversy existed as to the true east line of the town. Under the claim of Windsor, the place whereon we are now assembled and the houses on the east side of the main street in Felchville, were in Windsor. The controversy was finally set- tled by dividing diagonally the disputed territory.
Many of the early settlers were men imbued with Puritanical habits and opinions, and early turned their attention to the sub- jects of education and religion. Accordingly, March 14, 1785, the town voted to raise £15 for building a meeting-house, a pound, clearing a grave yard and to pay selectmen's accounts for 1784 ; said tax to be paid in labor at 6s, 3d. per day, in wheat at 5s. per bushel, or potash salts at market price, and chose Benjamin Saw- yer, Samuel Sherwin, Andrew Spear, Aaron Kimball, and David Hapgood, a committee to lay out the above tax. As a result, a log church and a log parsonage were built on the hill between Da- vid Burnham's and the place now owned by Mr. Lewis Barnes, on a road now discontinued. A congregational church was organ- ized and June 26, 1787, Rev. Nalmun Serjent was unanimously chosen pastor. The same day the town voted to settle Mr. Ser- geant, and voted for "his support annually £50, for the first year 'and to rise £5 in a year until it comes to £60 to be paid anmu- 'ally in wheat at five shillings a bushel, rye at four shillings a ' bushel, corn at three shillings a bushel, in beef, pork, wood, flax,
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HISTORY OF READING.
" sugar, butter and checse to be delivered to Mr. Nahum Sargent, " in proportion to the price of grain as above stated and to cut and " draw him 30 cords of firewood, eight feet long, annually, while he remains our minister." Mr. Sargent continued as pastor of this church until his death, October 7, 1792, and the church continued without any settled pastor for nearly twenty years. The second church was erected in 1801, having more claims to style and com- fort than the rude structure of logs. It had only a rough board floor, no pews, but rough seats, a rude pulpit, and was innocent of inside finish. In this rude temple assembled these pioneers, and in the absence of a clergyman, religious services were conducted by such men as Deacon Nathaniel Pratt, Deacon William Cowdry, Deacon Bigelow, and Deacon Younglove Bixby. The tithing men kept the boys still, while prayer, the singing of a psalm deaconed from the deacon's seat in front of the pulpit, and the reading of one of Jonathan Edwards' sermons refreshed the religious wants of the pioneers. This edifice was destroyed by fire, supposed to have been the work of an incendiary, and that, too, without the temp- tation of a large amount of insurance. The brick meeting-house at the Centre was erected in 1816. Of its subsequent history I need not speak. Several clergymen, eminent for learning and pi- ety were settled as pastors over this church. Rev. Moses Elliott, Rev. Mr. Washburn and Rev. Mr. Converse are familiar names. Subsequently a church of liberal christians was formed and for several years Rev. Samuel C. Loveland discharged the pastoral dutics. Of this eminent divine many of you who have been priv- ileged to listen to his sermons have a vivid recollection. His rep- utation for learning and piety was confined to no narrow limits. For many years he was one of the assistant judges of the County Court. While residing here he edited a religious periodical pub- lished at Woodstock, and he made long journeys, invariably on foot, to fulfill his appointments to preach. The master of many languages, profoundly versed in theology and history, a sound rea- soner, a ripe scholar, his ordinary conversation possessed a finish rarely met. The freemen of Reading honored themselves and the town by sending him four times to the General Assembly and in 1831-2-3, he was a member of the Council. In religious belief he was a restorationist. One of the first pastors of the church at South Reading was Rev. Dr. Forrester, now of Aurora Illinois, and a very eminent man in his denomination. Educational as well as religious subjects interested the early settlers. Both charters minde reservation of land for schools.
The carly settlers were not learned men. The early records give abundant proofs of the illiteracy of many of the early town offi- cers. As the boy said, they were 'smart enough to spell a word more than one way' on the records. Yet these men were not big- ots in educational matters, and could look beyond the limits of their own township, look to the future prosperity of their children, and appreciate the vocation of the pedagogue. As early as April
13
HISTORY OF READING.
5, 1778, the town voted that Nathaniel Pratt, Asa Wilkins, Samu- el Sherwin, John Weld, Elisha Bigelow, Abijah Stone, Solomon Keyes, John Sherwin, Abel Amsden, John Morse, George Clark and David Hapgood divide the town into districts. The record continues, " chose Thomas Brown, Jr., Henry Carlton and Asa "Carlton to set the salm. Voted swine go at large yokt & ringed " & that the hogwards pound no swine except complained of."
These men, the progenitors of families now living here, thus laid the foundation for the common school system of this town. The early built log school-houses dotted the town, but were replaced by y, more substantial structures as the settlers increased and prospered. en ed of of ve ip- Ise I pi- ott, Les. for ral The schools for the last century have gathered in and instructed the children giving them only the rudiments of an English edu- ation. A few comparatively have attained Academic and Col- ege educations. I need not repeat their names. Some of our sons and daughters, realizing that Reading is a " good place to be born in if one only emigrates early enough," have turned their backs upon their native hills, and sought fortune and fame else- where ; but these have never lost their veneration for their native own, nor permitted time and distance to dim their affection for the riends of their youthful days. The boys were rough and hale, lelighting in athletic sports, wrestling and racing, and the carly choolmaster, though of limited education, would be deemed qual- fied if he had the muscle to handle the big boys ; while the boys riv- rep- aits, would hardly regard the reputation of the district well preserved n their keeping did they not only carry one for every ten in iphering, but, also, carry the school-master out of the school-house inty he last day of the term. Reading, spelling and ciphering, pub- differently mastered, the boy graduated from the back seat y on the back woods. Full of life and energy he was the vexa- rea- any ous care of the tithing man at church, the sly author of all the eviltry in the neighborhood, and the recipient of the schoolmas- nish er's rawhide and weeping willow at school. The rough, open I the school-houses of those days had one advantage-ventilation-and id infe rosy, healthy hue of the children's faces would contrast advan- if he h at incis, well arters ¿geously with the pale faces of modern school children. The hools of Reading have certainly improved in character since tose early days, until they present their encouraging condition of -day. The large majority of my fellow townsmen are indebted lely to the district schools of Reading for their educational ad- intages, and few if any towns can compare more favorably in s give n ofi- neral information, intelligence and good order among its citizens. et me urge you then to emulate the example of the early settlers word d former residents of Reading and nurture the public school as t big- e bulwark of national, state and local prosperity. The hard- nits off rned savings had better in part be put into the boy's head and not ildrer April into his pocket. It is the cheaper and better method of maintain- ; good society, for while it costs $1200 for every criminal convict- , the average cost of educating our children is only about $400 cach.
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