USA > Vermont > Windham County > Whitingham > Green leaves from Whitingham, Vermont: a history of the town > Part 1
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Gc 974.302 W587 j 1135576
GENEALCCY COLLECTION
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ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01100 6183
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Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2015
https://archive.org/details/greenleavesfromw00jill_0
C. gillsone
GREEN LEAVES
FROM 1
WHITINGHAM,
VERMONT :
A HISTORY OF THE TOWN.
BY CLARK JILLSON.
WORCESTER, MASS .: PRINTED AT THE PRIVATE PRESS OF THE AUTHOR. 1894.
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PREFACE.
IN presenting this book to the public we do so at the earnest request of the author's many friends. A few words of explanation may be necessary.
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The author began the History of Whitingham, his native town, several years ago, but a severe illness, from which he never recovered, brought the work to an unex- pected standstill.
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Unfortunately no manuscript had been prepared for its completion, but the last twelve pages were ready for the press, and the work of printing them has been done at the private press of the author's much esteemed friend, Mr. Franklin P. Rice.
As far as completed, this work is an accurate History of the town, and can be relied upon as such. The author spent much time in careful research, and the labor con- nected with the printing of this volume, excepting the last twelve pages, was performed by his own hands.
We therefore present the book to the public for its historical value, and especially to preserve the handiwork of our beloved father.
FRANKLIN C. JILLSON,
MARY JILLSON.
1894.
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I.
Petition, II. Certificate, 13. Charter, 17. CHAPTER II.
Location and General Description, 37. Hills, 38. Rivers, 40. Ponds, 42. Geological Features, 45. Bowlders, 47. Springs, 49. Forests, 51. Wild Beasts, 54. -
CHAPTER III.
Early Settlement, 57. Petitions, 65. Organization of the Town, 67. The First Grand List, 70. Another Land Grant, 72. Other Petitions, 73. Sup- plementary Grant, 77. Official Restriction, 79. Burial Grounds, 80. Whit- ingham Gore, 95. Gambling by Lottery, 106. Prominent Citizens, 107.
CHAPTER IV.
Witchcraft, 109. The Golden Era, 113. Suicides, 122. Accidental Events, 125.
CHAPTER V.
Churches and their History, 131. Seventh Day Baptist, 152. Methodist- Episcopal, 154. Reform Methodists, 158. The Church of Christ, 161. Con- gregational Society, 164. Baptist Church, 166. Universalists, 179. Free- will Baptists, 188.
CHAPTER VI.
Education and Schools, 195. Whitingham Academy, 202. Town Business, 206. Mercantile Operations, 212. Farmers' Interest Company, 217. Town Structures, 220. Post Offices, 223. Pauperism, 228. Lawyers, 231.
G REEN LEAVES
FROM
WHITINGHAM, VERMONT.
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WHITINGHAM.
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CHAPTER I.
PETITION, CERTIFICATE AND CHARTER.
ERMONT unfortunately remained in dispute for nearly half a century. From the day Benning Wentworth was constituted Governor of New Hampshire, July third, 1741, to the admission of Vermont into the fed- eral Union, February 18, 1791, there was a contest between New York and New Hampshire, each claim- ing Vermont as its own. In this strife Vermont was called "The New Hampshire Grants," and several townships were chartered by both governments, while each tried to enforce its pretended jurisdiction and authority over the same township at the same time. Previous to the Revolution the South-eastern portion of this territory was known as Cumberland, and was erected into a County by that name, as early as 1766.
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The South-west part of this county had been called "Cumberland township," but had not been chartered by that name, consequently its limits were undefined.
On the seventh day of January, 1767, a petition was presented to the lieutenant governor of New York, by Nathan Whiting, Samuel Fitch, Eleazer Fitch, James Smedley, David Baldwin, Andrew Myers, Samuel Whiting, Robert Aiton, Amos Hitchcock, and Nathan Haines Whiting, for the grant of a town- ship covering a portion of this territory, which was referred to a committee of his majesty's council who reported favorably, and the petition was granted. The patent was ordered to issue, but for some valid reason the matter was delayed for nearly three years.
On the twenty-sixth day of January, 1770, Colonel Nathan Whiting renewed the petition in behalf of himself and his associates, setting forth that the lands prayed for were vacant and had never been granted, but were still vested in the crown. He also stated that this land was part of a tract called Cum- berland, but that no township covering the same had ever been granted. This petition, together with the action taken relative to it by the government of New York, ought to convince any rational person that no town was ever chartered in this region, by the name of Cumberland.
Upon this petition Letters Patent were issued on the twelfth day of March, 1770. The grantees were seven British soldiers, who were thus rewarded for
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Whitingham, Vermont, II
their fidelity in the king's service. Their names were Nathan Whiting, Samuel Fitch, Eleazer Fitch, James Smedley, Andrew Myers, Robert Aiton, and Samuel Boyer, who were all the persons then inter- ested in said lands. The township thus granted and chartered was named WHITINGHAM. It occupied the Southerly part of Cumberland county, and was laid out six miles square, with more royal flourish and ceremony than attended the founding of Rome.
The following is the second petition of Colonel Whiting, and the one upon which the grant was made and the patent or Charter issued :
L'etition.
O THE Honorable Cadwallader Colden Esquire his Majesty's Lieutenant Governor and Commander in Chief of the Province of New York and the Territories depending thereon in America In Council
The Petition of Colonel Nathan Whiting in behalf of him- self and his Associates, Humbly Sheweth
That your Petitioner and his Associates on their former Petition obtained an order of his late Excellency Sir Henry Moore with the advice and Consent of the Council bearing date the twenty seventh Day of January one thousand seven hundred and sixty seven for granting to them and their Heirs the Quantity of Ten thousand acres of a certain Tract of Land lying on the West side of Connecticut River Known by the name of the Township of Cumberland. That they have since procured an actual Survey of the said Land and find the Vacant Land to contain only the Quantity of Seven thousand acres-That the same though part of the Lands formerly claimed by the' Government of New Hampshire have not been Granted by that Government but still remain Vacant and Vested in the Crown.
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Your Petitioner therefore humbly prays that the Letters Patent ordered on the said former Petition may Issue for the Quantity of Land found to be Vacant, and in the Names of Nathan Whiting, Samuel Fitch, Eleazer Fitch, James Smedley, Andrew Myers, Robert Aiton, and Samuel Boyer who are all the Persons at present interested in the Premises. And your Petitioner in behalf of him- self and his Associates Doth further pray that the said Seven thousand acres together with the following Tracts granted to or Surveyed for reduced Officers, to wit : three thousand acres granted to the Petitioner Nathan Whiting, two thousand acres Granted to Lieutenant James Eddington, Two thousand acres Granted to Lieu- tenant John Nordbergh, one thousand acres Granted to Lieutenant Thomas Etherington, three thousand acres Surveyed for Captain John Walker, Two thousand acres surveyed for Lieutenant Thomas Gamble, and two thousand acres Surveyed for Lieutenant Dennis Carleton, may be Erected into a Township by the Name of Whi- tingham with the usual privileges. And your Petitioner as in Duty bound shall ever pray &c.
New York 26th January 1770.
Nathan Whiting,
IN BEHALF OF HIMSELF AND HIS ASSOCIATES.
STATE OF NEW YORK,
ss : OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE,
I have compared the preceding with the original Petition on file in this office, and do hereby certify that the same is a correct transcript therefrom, and of the whole of said original. GIVEN under my hand and the seal of office of the Secretary of State, at the city of Albany, this nineteenth day of July in the year one thousand eight hundred and eighty.
L. S.
DEP. SECRETARY OF STATE. Anson S. Wood,
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Whitingham, Vermont.
Within two months after the date of the above pe- tition an order was passed directing that a patent be issued upon said petition, as prayed for by Colonel Whiting and his associates. Instead of saying, "Or- dered, that the petition of Colonel Nathan Whiting and his associates be granted, and that a Patent be issued in accordance therewith," the following elabo- rate Certificate was wrought out with special care:
Certificate.
Y THE Honorable Cadwallader Colden Esquire his Majesty's Lieutenant Governor and Commander in Chief of the Province of New York, and the Territories depending thereon in America.
Andrew Elliot Esquire Receiver General of the said Province and Alexander Colden Esquire Surveyor General of the same Province Commissioners appointed by his Majesty's Instructions for the Setting out all Lands to be granted within the Province of New York. To all to whom these Presents shall come Greeting. Whereas Nathan Whiting, Samuel Fitch, Eleazer Fitch, James Smedley, David Baldwin, Andrew Myers, Samuel Whiting, Robert Aiton, Amos Hitchcock, and Nathan Haines Whiting by their humble Petition presented unto his late Excellency Sir Henry Moore Baronet then Captain General and Governor in Chief of the said Province and read in his Majesty's Council for the said Prov- ince on the twenty seventh day of January which was in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and sixty seven did set forth among other things that there was a certain Tract of Vacant unpatented Land vested in the Crown lying on the West side of Connecticut River adjoining to the present Line between the said Province and the Province of Massachusetts Bay and known by the Name of Cumberland and that the Petitioners did intend if they could obtain a Grant of ten thousand acres thereof to make a speedy and effectual settlement thereon, and therefore the Petition- ers did humbly Pray his said late Excellency by his Majesty's
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Letters Patent to grant to each of the Petitioners and their re- spective heirs the Quantity of one thousand acres of the said Tract of Land, Which Petition having been then referred to a Committee of his Majesty's Council of the said Province of New York. His Majesty's Council of the said Province did afterwards on the same day in Pursuance of the Report of the said Committee humbly advise and consent that his said late Excellency should by his Majesty's Letters Patent grant unto the said Petitioners and their heirs the Quantity of ten thousand acres of the Lands described in their said Petition, under the Quit Rent, Provisoes Limitations and Restrict- ions prescribed by his Majesty's Instructions. And Whereas the said Nathan Whiting in behalf of himself and his Associates hath by his Petition presented unto the Honorable Cadwallader Colden Esquire his Majesty's Lieutenant Governor and Commander in Chief of the said Province and read in his Majesty' Council for the said Province on the thirty first day of January in the present Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy set forth- That the Petitioner and his Associates had procured an actual sur- vey of the Lands aforesaid, and find the Vacant Land to contain only the quantity of Seven thousand acres. That the same tho' part of the Lands formerly claimed by the Government of New Hampshire have not been granted by that Government but still remain Vacant and vested in the Crown : and therefore the Petitioner did humbly Pray that the Letters Patent ordered on the said former Petition might issue for the Quantity of Land so found to be vacant and in the Names of Nathan Whiting, Samuel Fitch, Eleazer Fitch, James Smedley, Andrew Myers, Robert Aiton, and Samuel Boyer, who are all the Persons at present interested in the said Lands and fur- ther that the said seven thousand acres of Land together with the following Tracts (part of the aforesaid Tract called Cumberland) granted to or surveyed for reduced officers to wit three thousand acres granted to the Petitioner Nathan Whiting; Two thousand acres granted to Lieutenant James Eddington ; Two thousand acres granted to Lieutenant John Nordbergh; One thousand acres granted to Lieutenant Thomas Etherington ; Three thousand acres surveyed for and since granted to Captain John Walker; Two thousand acres surveyed for and since granted to Lieutenant
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Thomas Gamble ; and two thousand acres surveyed for and since granted to Lieutenant Dennis Carleton might be erected into a Township by the Name of Whitingham with the usual. Privileges ; on reading and due consideration whereof it was ordered by the said honorable Cadwallader Colden Esquire Lieutenant Governor and Commander in Chief as aforesaid, with the advice and consent of his Majesty's said Council that the Letters Patent ordered on the said former Petition should issue in the names of the said Nathan Whi- ting, Samuel Fitch, Eleazer Fitch, James Smedley, Andrew Myers, Robert Aiton and Samuel Boyer for the Quantity of the said Lands so found to be vacant and the same together with the several other Tracts above mentioned, be erected into a Township by the Name of WhAnghim with the usual Privileges granted to other Townships within the sald Province In Pursuance whereof and 'in obedience to his Majesty's Instructions aforesaid We the said Commissioners do hereby certify thất We have set out for them the said Nathan Whiting, Saminel Fich, Eleazer Fitch, James Smedley, Andrew Myers, Robert Aiton and Samuel Bover, all that certain Tract ar Parcel of Land within the Province of New York Situate lying and being on the West side of Connecticut River in the County of ( mosberlini being part of a larger Tract heretofore called and known by the Name of Cumberland. Beginning at the North east Comer of a Tract of three thousand acres of Land granted to the said Nadian Whiting as & reduced Officer, and runs thence along the North Bounds of the last mentioned Tract, and the North Bound, of a Tract of Land granted to Lieutenant James Edding- ton, and the North Rounds of a Tract of Land granted to Lieuten- ant Thomas Gamide, North eighty degrees West, four hundred and fifteen Chains ; then South ten degrees West one hundred and seventy eight Chains to the Line run for thể Rounds of the Money- chusetts Bay Government ; then along the said Line North eighty degrees West sixty five Chains ; then North ten degrees Enit three hundred and ten Chains and two Rods to a Tract of two thousand acres of Land granted to Lieutenant Dennis Carleton ; then along the South Bonnes of the last mentioned Tract, South eighty de- grees Fast one hundred and twenty four Chains to a Tract of three thousand acres of Land granted to Captain John Walker ; then
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along the West Bounds of the last mentioned Tract South ten de- grees West seven Chains and two Rods; then along the South Bounds of the said last mentioned Tract and the South Bounds of a Tract of two thousand acres of Land granted to Lieutenant John Nordbergh three hundred and fifty six Chains ; then South ten de- grees West one hundred and twenty five Chains to the Place where this Tract first began containing six thousand nine hundred acres of Land and the usual allowance for Highways the said Tract of six thousand and nine hundred acres of Land, together with the other Tracts aforesaid, to be erected into a Township by the Name of Whitingham, and to be bounded limited and described as fol- lows ; that is to say, Beginning at a Hemlock Tree and a Beach Tree growing close together having two large stones laid between them, standing in the Line run for the Bounds of the Province of the Massachusetts Bay ; and which Beach Tree is marked with these Words The Corner of Cumberland ; and runs thence North ten Degrees East six Miles ; then North eighty degrees West six Miles ; then South ten degrees West six Miles to the aforesaid Line run for the Bounds of the Province of the Massachusetts Bay, and then along the said Line South ten degrees East six Miles to the said place of Beginning and in setting out the said Tract of six thousand nine hundred acres of Land, We the said Commissioners have had regard to the profitable and unprofitable acres, and have taken care that the Length thereof doth not extend along the Banks of any River, otherwise than is conformable to his Majesty's In- structions. Given under our hands in the City of New York the first day of March one thousand seven hundred and seventy in the tenth year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord George the third by the Grace of God of Great Britain France and Ireland King De- fender of the Faith and so forth.
Cadwallader Coldon, Andrew Elliot, Alex, Colden.
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Whitingham, Vermont.
The Charter of Whitingham.
GEORGE THE THIRD by the Grace of God of Great Britain France and Ireland King Defender of the Faith and so forth. To all to whom these Presents shall come Greeting :
W HEREAS OUR LOVING Subjects Nathan Whiting, Samuel Fitch, Eleazer Fitch, James Smedley, David Baldwin, Andrew Myers, Samuel Whiting, Robert Aiton, Amos Hitchcock, and Nathan Haines Whiting, by their humble Petition presented unto our late trusty and well beloved Sir Henry Moore Baronet then our Captain General and Gov- ernor in Chief of our Province of New York and read in our Council for our said Province on the twenty seventh day of January which was in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and sixty seven, did set forth among other Things, that there was a certain Tract of vacant unpatented Land vested in us, lying on the West side of Connecticut River, adjoin- ing to the present Line between our said Province and the Province of Massachusetts Bay, and commonly called or known by the name of Cumberland, and that
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the Petitioners did intend if they could obtain a grant of ten thousand acres thereof to make a speedy and effectuall settlement thereon; and therefore the Pe- titioners did humbly pray our said late Captain Gen- eral and Governor in Chief to grant to each of the Petitioners and their respective heirs; the Quantity of one thousand acres of the said Tract of Land, which Petition having been then referred to a Com- mittee of our Council for our said Province, our said Council did afterwards on the same day in further- ance of the Report of the said Committee humbly advise and Consent that our said late Captain Gen- eral and Governor in Chief should by our Letters Patent grant unto the said Petitioners and their heirs the Quantity of ten thousand acres of the Lands de- scribed in their said Petition, under the Quit Rent Provisoes Limitations and Restrictions prescribed by our Royal Instructions: And Whereas the said Na- than Whiting in behalf of himself and his associates hath by his humble Petition presented unto our trusty and well beloved Cadwallader Colden Esquire our Lieutenant Governor and Commander in Chief of our said Province and read in our said Council for our said Province on the thirty first day of January now last past set forth, That the petitioner and his associates had procured an actual survey of the Lands aforesaid, and find the vacant Land to contain only the quantity of seven thousand acres. That the same tho' part of the Lands formerly claim-
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ed by the Government of New Hampshire have not been granted by that Government but still remain va- cant and vested in us; and therefore the Petitioner did humbly Pray that the Letters Patent ordered on the said former Petition might issue for the Quantity of Land so found to be vacant and in the names of Nathan Whiting, Samuel Fitch, Eleazer Fitch, James Smedley, Andrew Myers, Robert Aiton, and Samuel Boyer, who are all the Persons at present interested in the said lands, and further that the said seven thou- sand acres of Land together with the following Tracts (part of the aforesaid Tract called Cumberland) granted to or surveyed for reduced Officers; to wit, three thousand acres granted to the Petitioner Na- than Whiting; Two thousand acres granted Lieuten- ant James Eddington; Two thousand acres granted to Lieutenant John Nordbergh; one thousand acres granted to Lieutenant Thomas Etherington; three thousand acres surveyed for and since granted to Captain John Walker, two thousand acres surveyed for and since granted to Lieutenant Thomas Gamble, and two thousand acres surveyed for and since Granted to Lieutenant Dennis Carleton, might be erected into a Township by the name of Whitingham, with the usual Privileges: On reading and due Con- sideration whereof it was ordered by our said Lieu- tenant Governor and Commander in Chief with the advice and consent of our said Council that the Let- ters Patent ordered on the said former Petition should
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issue in the names of the said Nathan Whiting, Samuel Fitch, Eleazer Fitch, James Smedley, Andrew Myers, Robert Aiton, and Samuel Boyer for the Quantity of the said Lands so found to be Vacant, and that the same together with the several other Tracts above mentioned be erected into a Township by the name of Whitingham with the usual privileges granted to other Townships within our said Province: In Pursuance whereof and in Obedience to our said Royal Instructions our Commissioners appointed for the setting out all Lands to be granted within our said Province have set out for them the said Nathan Whiting, Samuel Fitch, Eleazer Fitch, James Smedley, Andrew Myers, Robert Aiton, and Samuel Boyer, all that certain Tract or Parcel of Land within our Province of New York, situate lying and being on the West side of Connecticut River in the County of Cumberland, being part of a larger Tract heretofore called and known by the name of Cumberland.
Beginning at the North east Corner of a Tract of three thousand acres of Land granted to the said Nathan Whiting as a reduced officer; and runs thence along the North Bounds of the last mentioned Tract, and the North Bounds of a Tract of Land granted to Lieutenant James Eddington, and the North Bounds of a Tract of Land granted to Lieutenant Thomas Gamble, North eighty degrees West four hundred and fifteen Chains; then South ten degrees West one hundred and seventy eight Chains to the Line
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Whitingham, Vermont.
run for the Bounds of the Massachusetts Bay Gov-
ernment, then along the said Line North eighty
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degrees West sixty five Chains; then North ten degrees East three hundred and ten Chains and two Rods, to a Tract of two thousand acres of Land granted to Lieutenant Dennis Carleton; then along the South Bounds of the last mentioned Tract South eighty degrees East one hundred and twenty four Chains to a Tract of three thousand acres of Land granted to Captain John Walker; then along the West Bounds of the last mentioned Tract South ten degrees West seven Chains and two Rods; then along the South Bounds of the said last mentioned Tract, and the South Bounds of a Tract of two thou- sand acres of Land granted to Lieutenant John Nordbergh, three hundred and fifty six Chains; then South ten degrees West one hundred and twenty five Chains to the place where this Tract first began, Containing six thousand nine hundred acres of Land and the usual allowance for Highways; and in set- ting out the said Tract of six thousand nine hundred acres of Land, our said Commissioners have had re- gard to the profitable and unprofitable acres; and have taken care that the Length thereof doth not extend along the Banks of any River otherwise than is conformable to our said Royal Instructions as by a Certificate thereof under their hands bearing date the first day of this Instant Month of March, and entered on Record in our Secretary's Office for
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our said Province among other Things may more fully appear, which said Tract of Land set out as aforesaid according to our said Royal Instructions, We being willing to grant to the said Petitioners their heirs and assigns forever Know Ye that of our especial Grace, certain Knowledge and meer Motion, We have given granted ratified and confirmed and Do by these Presents for us our heirs and Successors give grant ratify and confirm unto them the said Nathan Whiting, Samuel Fitch, Eleazer Fitch, James Smedley, Andrew Myers, Robert Aiton, and Samuel Boyer their heirs and assigns forever, all that the Tract or Parcel of Land aforesaid, set out abutted bounded and described in manner and Form above mentioned, together with all and singular the Tene- ments Hereditaments Emoluments and appurtenan- ces thereunto belonging or appertaining and also all our Estate Right Title Interest Possession Claim and Demand whatsoever of in and to the same Lands and Premises and every Part and Parcel thereof; and the Reversion and reversions, Remainder and Re- mainders Rents Issues and Profits thereof and of every Part and Parcel thereof, Except and always reserved out of this our present Grant unto us our heirs and Successors forever, all Mines of Gold and Silver, and also all white or other sorts of Pine Trees fit for Masts of the growth of twenty four Inches Diameter and upward at twelve inches from the Earth, for Masts for the Royal Navy of us our heirs
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