USA > Vermont > Washington County > Montpelier > History of Montpelier: a discourse delivered in the Brick church, Montpelier, Vermont, on Thanksgiving day, Dec. 8, 1842 > Part 1
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Gc 974.302 M768g 1779111
M. L.
REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01100 2828
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HISTORY OF MONTPELIER:
A
DISCOURSE
DELIVERED IN
THE BRICK CHURCH, MONTPELIER, VERMONT; ON
THANKSGIVING DAY, DEC. 8, 1842.
BY REV. JOHN GRIDLEY,
Pastor of said Church.
REMEMBER THE DAYS OF OLD, CONSIDER THE YEARS OF MANY GENERATIONS : ASK THY FATHER, AND HE WILL SHEW THEE ; THY ELDERS, AND THEY WILL TELL THEE .--- Deuteronomy, 32 : 7.
frontpelier: E. P. WALTON AND SONS. 1843.
1779111
Gridley, John.
F 8435 . 37 History of Montpelier: a discourse i 2
delivered in the Brick church, Montpe- lier, Vermont, on Thanksgiving day, Dec. 8, 1342 ... Montpelier, 1843.
SHELF CARD
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ـور
ا بوكري
DISCOURSE.
INQUIRY is eminently an attribute of the human mind. It is early developed, in childhood; and instead of being satisfied by ascertainment, in the various periods of life, it gathers strength by exercise, and pushes on from one step to another-from one object to another-with greater or less vigour, while consciousness endures. This is by no means to be rebuked, when directed in proper channels ; for it is lawful and right, and God invites us to it, by the wonders of his works, providence, and grace.
There is no object more interesting, about which to in- stitute Inquiry, than a history of the past ; and certainly none more replete with particulars, that can be made def- initely the subject of it. We may be delighted in the con- templation of what Is TO BE,-and dwell upon the visions of the future, as rapturously as our faith in their reality will permit ; still, the study of the past instinctively dignifies Inquiry, and crowns it with the greater satisfaction, be- cause IT HAS BEEN !
In meeting you, on this our anniversary of special praise and thanksgiving to Almighty God, our Heavenly Father, I have selected a subject for your entertainment and in- struction, somewhat unusual and dry,-though I flatter my- self one which will accumulate interest in the consideration
HISTORY OF MONTPELIER, Introduction.
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THANKSGIVING DISCOURSE.
HISTORY OF MONTPELIER. Introduction.
of it, because it so intimately concerns yourselves ; for 1 doubt not you will honor my reasoning, when I maintain, that what concerns us, should not fail to interest us. 'The subject to which I allude, is the early settlement and growth of the town in which we live, comprising mainly a period of half a century.
In detailing this history I shall state such facts as have come to iny knowledge from various sources of information, believed to be authentic, whether found in the public rec- ords, or in conversation with aged individuals and others.
Condition of the state.
Before proceeding directly to the subject I have an- nounced, it will be proper to take a hasty glance at the po- litical affairs of Vermont, at the period when the town of Montpelier* was granted by charter to the original pro- prietors named in the instrument.
1777.
'The territory, now the state of Vermont, was for a long time previous to 1777 the subject of a fierce dispute be- tween New Hampshire and New York, and the settlers on the territory,-New Hampshire and New York claiming each, a part, or all the territory as being under its jurisdic- tion, while the Vermonters themselves struggled against the claims of both. The war of the revolution, which com- menced in 1775, was felt severely in its ravages, on our northern frontiers, and upon lake Champlain, and the coun- try bordering it; and the then territory of Vermont shared largely in the sufferings and dangers incident to the war. As a community, they assured Congress they were willing to bear their proportion, whether of men or treasure, that
* The city in France named Montpellier, the capital of Herault-five miles from the sea on a declivity,-as has been suggested by a gentleman of this village, probably derived its name from two Latin words, monti and pellor-meaning, to be driven back to the mountain.
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THANKSGIVING DISCOURSE.
the defence of the country might call for ; but at the same time insisted against the claims of New Hampshire and 1777. New York. This state of things continued until the win- ter of 1777, when a convention of delegates, which had previously met in July and September of 1776, in Dorset, according to their adjournment met at Westminster, Janu- ary 15th of this year, and on the next day published to the world a Declaration of Independence,-that they were of Indepen dence. "a free and independent Jurisdiction or State,"-to be for- ever thereafter called, known and distinguished by the name of NEW CONNECTICUT, alias VERMONT. 'This act of firm- ness and decision, gave increased strength to the position heretofore assumed by the inhabitants of Vermont, and " evinced the wisdom and boldness of her statesmen."
Numerous grants and charters had been made of towns, 1780. in various parts of the state, long before the time of which we are now speaking .* Several towns had been organized in the now county of Washington, viz. Berlin, Middlesex and Waterbury, and a still larger number had been chart- charter. ered in the county, when a grant was made, by the Gover- nor and Council and House of Representatives, of this town, to Timothy Bigelow and others, as follows.
FROM THE JOURNAL OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, 21ST OCTOBER, 1780.
"The committee appointed to take into consideration the ungranted lands in this state, and the several pitches on file in the Secretary's office, &c., brought in the fol- lowing report, viz :
# Very little was done toward the settlement of Vermont, previons to 1700. From that year the population of the state began to increase with considerable rapidity. In 1761, no less than sixty townships of six miles square were granted on the west side of Connecticut river
HISTORY OF MONTPELIER.
Declaration
Grant of the
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THANKSGIVING DISCOURSE.
HISTORY OF MONTPELIER.
1780.
" That it is our opinion, the following tract of land, viz : lying east of and adjoining Middlesex on Onion river, and partly north of Berlin, containing 23040 acres, be granted by Assembly unto Col. Timothy Bigelow and Company by the name of MONTPELIER.
[Signed,] PAUL SPOONER, Chairman."
" The aforesaid Report was read and accepted, and Re- solved, that there be, and hereby is granted unto Col. Timothy Bigelow and Company, being sixty in number, a township of land by the name of MONTPELIER, situate and lying in this state, bounded as follows, viz : lying east of and adjoining to Middlesex on Onion river, and partly north of Berlin, containing 23040 acres. And the Gov- ernor and Council are hereby requested to issue a grant or charter of incorporation of said township of Montpelier, under such restrictions, reservations, and for such consid- erations, as they shall judge best for the benefit of the state."
" SATURDAY, IN COUNCIL, 21ST OCTOBER, 1780.
Cost £480.
" The Governor and Council, to whom was referred the stating the fees for the grant of land made this day by the General Assembly of this state, having had the same un- der consideration, have stated the fees aforesaid, at Four hundred and Eighty pounds for the said Land, being one Township by the name of Montpelier, in hard money, or an equivalent in Continental Currency ; to be paid by Col. Timothy Bigelow, or his Attorney, on the execution of the Charter of Incorporation on or before the 20th day of January next.
" £480. Attest, JOSEPH FAY, Sec'y."
THANKSGIVING DISCOURSE.
HISTORY OF MONTPELIER.
1781.
Original pro- prietors.
A charter was subsequently made out and signed by Thomas Chittenden, Governor, and countersigned by Thos. Tolman, Deputy Secretary, dated August 14th, 1781, to Timothy Bigelow, named in the grant, and the following persons associated with him, viz : Ebenezer Waters, Ebene- zer Upham, Elisha Wales, Elisha Smith Wales, Joel Frizzle, Bethuel Washburn, Jno. Washburn, Elijah Rood, Thomas Chittenden, George Foot, Elisha Smith, Jedediah Strong, James Prescott, Jacob Brown, Gideon Ormsby, James Mead, John W. Dana, Timothy Brownson, Gideon Horton, Mat- thew Lyon, Sam'l Horsford, Ithamar Horsford, Wm. Smith, Jacob Spear, Jonas Galusha, Mary Galusha, Noah Smith, Moses Robinson, Moses Robinson Jr., John Fasset Jr,, Jonas Fay, Abiathar Waldo, Thomas Tolman, Timothy Stanley, Joseph Daggett, Ira Allen, Lyman Hitchcock, James Gam- ble, Alanson Douglass, Adam Martin, the heirs of Isaac Nash, Jonathan Bruce, Howell Woodbridge, James Bruce, Henry Walbridge Jr., Joseph Fay, Wm. Goodrich, Sybill Goodrich, Thomas Matterson, Amos Waters, David Galu- sha, Jacob Davis, Ephraim Starkweather, Shubell Peck, Jacob Davis Jr., Thomas Davis, John Ramsdell, Issachar Read, Isaac G. Lansingh, Ebenezer Davis, Levi Davis, Asa Davis, Ebenezer Stone, and Samuel Allen.
By the charter there were five rights set apart and re- Rights re- served for the following uses, viz : one for a seminary or college, one for county grammar schools in the state, one for the settlement of a minister in the township, one for the support of the gospel in said town, and one for the support of common schools. Each proprietor was to build a house, at least eighteen feet square, on his right, and cul-
served, &c.
٢٫٠٠ مساء
السر ؟
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THANKSGIVING DISCOURSE
HISTORY OF MONTPELIER. tivate at least five acres, (or cause it to be done,) within three years after " the circumstances of the war would permit," or forfeit his claim.
1784. First meet- ing of pro- prietors.
The proprietors under this charter first met at Arlington, June 11th, 1784, by a warning from Eliakim Stoddard, Justice of the Peace, " to transact such business as seemed necessary." Whereupon Major Gideon Ormsby was chos- en moderator of the meeting, Thomas Tolman, Esq. clorle of the "Propriety," and Jonas Galusha, Esq. treasurer. At that meeting it was voted to lay out a division of land of one hundred and fifty acres, and a committee of six was appointed to carry this into execution. That meeting was adjourned to the first Monday in April next, (1785,) to meet at the house of Mr. Tolman, in Arlington, at 2 o'clock P. M.
1785-6.
Survey ord- ered.
'This adjourned meeting was neglected to be held, and accordingly on the 26th September, 1785, another meeting of the proprietors was called, to be holden at Arlington on the second Wednesday of January, 1786. At this meeting Col. Timothy Brownson was chosen moderator, and Mr. Tolman appointed clerk. The number of acros appointed to each lot at the last meeting was confirmed, and five acres added for roads. Suitable arrangements were made for having the town surveyed, and a committee appointed to carry their plans into execution. A proposal was ac- cepted from Col. Jacob Davis to perform the labor of sur- veying the first division of the town for the sum of £1 3s. 10d. L. M. per right, "counting sixty-five rights ;" although, as appears from the town records, Ebenezer Waters was acccounted the surveyor, especially of the first
THANKSGIVING DISCOURSE.
division-and indeed of all the divisions,-Col. Jacob Da- vis and Nathan Waldo being chainmen. Mr. Parley Davis also aided in the surveys. The first division of the town was accordingly surveyed into seventy lots ; each lot con- taining one hundred and fifty-five acres -- there being five acres allowance in each lot for highways. The north boundary of this first division is Calais.
HISTORY OF MONTPELIER.
1786.
In the spring of 1786, Joel Frizzle, one of the proprie- First attemp. tors, made the first attempt to settle in this town. He was a hanter and trapper. He " felled a few trees, planted a little corn among the logs, after the Indian fashion, and erceted a very small log cabin on the bank of the Winoos- ki river, in the south-west corner of this township, on the farin lately owned by Mr. John Walton ; and moved his family, himself and wife-a little French woman,-into it from Canada, the same season."
At a meeting of the proprietors, held at Arlington the 1787. next year, January 9th, 1787, the survey of the first divis- ion was submitted, accepted, and recorded, under the fol- lowing vote :- " That the plan of the first division, as now brought in by the committee, be entered in this book (the Book of Records.) on a convenient scale, and also that the survey bill of each lot in said division be recorded." At this meeting also, the appointment of Jonas Galusha, Esq., as treasurer to the company, in August, 1784, was confirin- ed, and Joseph Daggett was appointed collector of taxes. Also at this meeting arrangements were made for the sur- vey of the second, and of the third divisions of the town ; the former into lots of one hundred and twenty acres, and
to settle in the town.
£
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THANKSGIVING DISCOURSE.
HISTORY OF MONTPELIER. ter division, was to be into lots as large as a given territory, 1787. called "Pine Pitch" division, divided into seventy parts, would allow. These surveys, Col. Jacob Davis agreed also to complete for the sum of £1 8s. Od. per right. The fin- al result shewed, that the third division of the territory of white pine timber into seventy parts, gave one-fourth of an acre per lot.
At a subsequent meeting, held at Arlington, June 11th, 1787, at the house occupied by Capt. Elisha Wales, these surveys were accepted, and ordered to be recorded, and a tax voted, to pay the expenses which had accrued, for sur - veying, clerkship, &c. &c.
The first permanent clearing and settlement was made in town this spring. " On the 4th of May, 1787, Col. Jacob Davis, and Gen. Parley Davis, from Charlton, Worcester County, Massachusetts, with one hired man, and one horse, each loaded with pork, flour, beans, and other necessaries, cooking utensils, and a set of surveyor's instruments, be- longing to Gen. Davis, the well known surveyor of a great part of this section of the state, having arrived the day previous from Brookfield, through Berlin, at the mouth of Dog River, and crossed over Winooski river to the house of Seth Putnam," in Middlesex, " near Montpelier line, cut out a road to the hunters' camp, on the site now occupied by the jail-house in Montpelier Village ; when Col. Davis and his hired man commenced clearing up the meadow on the west side of the Little North Branch, now known as State Street."* The spot cleared was that which would
First perma- nent settle- ment.
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THANKSGIVING DISCOURSE.
include where the large brick building of Mr. Rufus R. Ri- HISTORY OF MONTPELIER. ker now stands.
Another meeting was held at Arlington, Jan. 8th, 1788,
1788. at the house of Lt. Abel Aylsworth, at which arrangements were made for cutting out roads still further than had been already done, and for defraying expenses already incurred. Col. Jacob Davis and Parley Davis, were the contractors for making roads in said town ; and at a meeting of the proprietors, held at Shaftsbury, June 4th, 1788, it was vo- ted to allow the account of Col. Davis and Parley Davis for making roads, amounting to £58 10s. At this meeting al- so, a tax was voted of 19s. Gd. L. M. on cach right in said township, (public rights excepted,) to defray the expense of making highways, &c.
It appears from the records of the town, that during the years 1787 and 1783, there were several sales, according to law, of lands belonging to individual proprietors of this township, at vendue, to defray the taxes imposed for cut- ting highways, &c. and other expenses ; and that Col. Ja- cob Davis and Parley Davis were quite extensive purchas- ers of the lands thus sold.
The town was organized in March, 1701, in the follow- 1791. ing manner. Jacob Davis, Clark Stevens, and Jonathan Cutler, signed the following petition to John Taplin, Esq. a Justice of the Peace of the town of Berlin :
" The petition of the subscribers, inhabitants and free- holders of the town of Montpelier, prays your honor to is- sue a warrant for calling a meeting of the inhabitants of said town, for the purpose of organizing said town.
Organization of the town.
£
£
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THANKSGIVING DISCOURSE.
HISTORY OF MONTPELIER.
Upon which Justice Taplin issued the following war- rant :--
1791.
Organization " ORANGE SS. To Clark Stevens, one of the principal inhabitants of the town of Montpe- lier, GREETING.
" By the authority of the State of Vermont, you are hereby required to warn all the frecholders and other in- habitants of the town of Montpelier, to meet at the dwel ling-house of Jacob Davis, in said Montpelier, on Tuesday the 29th day of March instant, at nine of the clock in the morning, to act on the following articles, viz :
1. To choose a moderator to govern said meeting.
2. To choose a clerk, selcetmen, treasurer, and all oth- er town officers.
3. To see if said town will choose some proper person to remove the proprietors' Records into said town.
" Given under my hand at Berlin, this 8th day of March, 1791."
First town meeting.
This warrant was served as directed, and at the meeting held in pursuance of it, the following persons were chosen town officers :
Officers cho- sen.
Col. Jacob Davis, was chosen Moderator. Ziba Woodworth, Town Clerk.
James Hawkins, First Selectman.
James Taggart, Second Selectman.
Hiram Peck, Third Selectman.
Jonathan Cutler, Town Treasurer.
Parley Davis, Constable and Collector.
Josiah Hurlburt, Solomon Dodge, Benjamin I. Wheeler, Highway Surveyors.
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Jacob Davis, Benjamin Ingals Wheeler, Clark Stevens, HISTORY OF
MONTPELIER. Listers. 1791.
Col. Jacob Davis, Fence Viewer.
These several persons were sworn into office according to law. Benjamin I. Wheeler was the Grand Juror first chosen in the town who accepted the office.
In 1791 the population of the town numbered one hun- Population. dred and seventeen. Of these, twenty-sevon wore free- men, who were present at the organization of the town, and very soon other respectable individuals became resi- dents. Ten of the twenty-seven original freemen are now living, and it is believed so also are the wives of their youth .* (See Appendix A.)
'The first election of a representative to the General As- 1792. sembly for this town was made September 4th, 1792 ; and First free- men's meet ing. he was Col. Jacob Davis. The Assembly was to meet at Rutland, on the second Tuesday of the succeeding Octo- ber. At this election also twenty-four votes were given for Thomas Chittenden, Governor, and twenty votes for Poter Olcott, Lieutenant Governor, and twelve votes for Samuel Mattocks, Treasurer.
The first votes given in this town for a Representative to Congress from the Eastern District of Vermont, com- prehending the counties of Windham, Windsor and Or- ange, (the last named county being that in which Montpe- lier was included,) were at a town meeting held January 7th, 1793, when the Hon. Elijah Paine received two votes, and the Hon. Paul Brigham twelve votes.
1793.
Votes for member of Congress
* Another circumstance worthy of remark is, that thore persons who were the first set- tlere in this town, remou ed on the farms they first occupied, and as a very general thing still cocapy thein themselves, or their heirs
Y
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THANKSGIVING DISCOURSE.
HISTORY OF MONTPELIER.
1793.
On the 24th June, 1793, the freemen of this town, pur- suant to legal notice, met at the house of Parley Davis, and made choice of Col. Jacob Davis, a delegate to repre- sent said town in a State Convention, to deliberate upon amendments to the State Constitution, proposed by the Council of Censors.
1794.
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At a town meeting, held at the house of Parley Davis, in the centre of the town, on the 10th of March, 1791, among other things done, such as electing town officers, &c., a committee was raised to purchase two acres of ground, for a burying place, and to clear and prepare it for the purpose. At a town meeting, held Sept. 2d, 1794, the committee to purchase and prepare a burying ground reported, they had purchased two acres of ground, and felled the timber on it, for that purpose. It was situated on the road leading from Col. Davis' to Calais, within a mile of his house, and cost fifteen shillings per acre. At this meeting it was voted that the town will appoint 2 committee to divide said town into school districts. The. first school house was built near the house' where Judge Redfield now resides, and was afterwards burnt. Parley Davis kept the first school in the settlement, at his own house, consisting perhaps of twenty scholars.
Echool dis- tricts.
Tax for sup- port of the poor.
This year, 1794, a tax of five pence on the pound was laid on the grand list, to pay a debt of £,47 4s. 11d. which had accrued for the support of John Marsh, who was lame, and had been for some time.
1795. At a town meeting held on the 16th day of March, Officers the town to of 1795, among other transactions it was voted, unanimously, serve with- " that all the town officers, serve the town the ensuing aut pay.
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THANKSGIVING DISCOURSE.
year, without fee or reward,"-a vote not likely, we think, to excite great political competition. The following per- sons were appointed under that rule :- David Wing, Jr. Esq., Town Clerk ; Jacob Davis, Esq., Capt. Barnabas Do- ty, Mr. Joseph Woodworth, Lieut. Andrew Nealy, and Capt. Isaac Putnam, Selectmen ; James Hawkins, First Constable and Collector of town taxes ; David Wing, Jr. Esq., Lieut. Andrew Nealy, Ziba Woodworth, Joseph Woodworth, and Joseph Wing, Listers; Tram Nye, Grand Juryman ; Ziba Woodworth, Leather Sealer ; Major Par- ley Davis, Pound Keeper ; Joshua Wiggin, Tything Man ; Major Parley Davis, John Cutler, Daniel Woodworth, Dan- iel Woods, Lemuel McKnight, Benjamin Nash, and Mark Nelson, Haywards ; James Hawkins, Truman West, and Joseph Woodworth, Fence Viewers ; Thomas Davis, Jon- athan Cutler, Hezekiah Davis, Caleb Bennett, Lemuel Brooks, John Templeton, and Andrew Nealy, Surveyors of Highways ; Capt. Barnabas Doty, Sealer of Weights and Measures; and David Wing, Auditor to settle ac- counts with the Town Treasurer.
At this meeting also, it was determined to pay Miss Peabody, (now Mrs. Parley Davis,) an additional sum for nursing and doctoring John Marsh ; as it seems she was dissatisfied with what the town had voted her for services, -declaring that her practice was worth more where she formerly lived-Cambridge, Vt .- and that she had suffer- ed greatly in her finances, by taking charge of said Marsh. This reconsideration of her case was made upon the report of Col. Davis, who had been appointed a committee to enquire into the value of her former practice.
HISTORY OF MONTPELIER.
1795. Officers elected.
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HISTORY OF MONTPELIER.
1796. Public build- ings
At a town meeting, held March 14th, 1796, a commit- tee previously appointed for that purpose, reported, (and the report was adopted,) " That the centre of the town, or place for building town public buildings, be on Major Du- vis's led, not far from his barn-he farning out four acres of land for a common," &c. The meeting also made choice of a committee, of which Col. Jacob Davis was chairman, to stick a stake where the public buildings of said town shall be erected, to fix bounds for the commnon, and take a deed of the same, &c. &c.
Frist magis-
December 15th, 1790, Joseph Wing was nominated by ballot to the office of a Justice of the Peace, by a meeting of the inhabitants of the town, and Col. Davis, the Repre- sentative to the General Assembly, was requested to use his influence with the Assembly to have him appointed ;--- and he was appointed .- I think the first Justice the town ever had. (See Appendix B.)
1799 to 1814. March 27th, 1799, is the first intimetion I find of this town being included within the bounds of Caledonia Coun- The County. ty, previous to this it being comprehended in Orange County. The County of Washington was incorporated Nov. Ist, 1810, by the name of Jefferson County ; organ- ised Dec. Ist, 1811 ; and altered to its present name, Nov. 8, 1814 The first name was given to it when the friends of Jefferson predominated in the General Assembly, says Fust Judges of the county and probato courts. Gen. Davis. The first County Judges were Ezra Butler, Charles Bulkley, and Seth Putnam. David Harrington was the first Judge of Probate.
1800.
At a meeting of the inhabitants of the town, legally warned. Jan. 16, 1800, Voted, to choose a committee of
THANKSGIVING DISCOURSE.
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three persons, Arthur Daggett, Parley Davis, and Jerath- HISTORY OF MONTPELIER. mel B. Wheeler, Esqrs., for the purpose of employing a 1800. teacher of religion, &c. Voted, that the town will indem- Religious int- nify the committee for such expense as they shall be at in struction. procuring a preacher. This committee procured the servi- ces of such persons to preach as they were able ; but no one was employed for any length of time, until the Rev. Calvin Brown was hired. Most of the stated religious services were held in the barn of Gen. Davis, at the cen- ter of the town. Previous to this, the Rev. Mr. Hobart, who became the settled Pastor of the town of Bedin. in 1793, preached occasionally at funerals, and at other times, even as early as Sept. 13th, 1796, on which day he " preached all day in the house of Judge Wing, in the Village." On the 15th December, 1798, he preached a 1798. funeral sermon at Mr. Robert Gifford's,* up the branch, on First death. the death of his first born, aged four months. This is supposed to have been the first death that ever happened in the town after its settlement.t Samuel Edwards was the first adult person that died in the town. Mrs. Clarissa 1789. Worthington, the wife of Hon. George Worthington and First birthe daughter of Col. Jacob Davis, was the first child born in the town-Sept. 22d, 1789. John Hawkins, son to
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