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Gc 974. 301 R93s 1136133
MILI
GENEALOGY COLLECTION
F
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01092 5342 e
GENEALOGY 974.301 R93S
HISTORY
OF
RUTLAND COUNTY VERMONT
WITH ILLUSTRATIONS AND BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF SOME OF ITS PROMINENT MEN AND PIONEERS
EDITED BY H. P. SMITH AND W. S. RANN
SYRACUSE, N. Y. D. MASON & CO., PUBLISHERS 1886
D. MASON & CO., BOOK AND JOB PRINTERS, 63 WEST WATER ST., SYRACUSE, N. Y.
INTRODUCTORY.
1136133
W THILE it may seem to the uninitiated a task involving but little difficulty to prepare for publication a work no more comprehensive in character than this volume, and containing merely the history of a single county, still it is not out of place here to assure all such readers that the work is one demand- ing a vast amount of labor and research, watchful care, untiring patience and fair discrimination. This need not be said to any person who has had experi- ence in similar work. In attempting the production of a creditable history of Rutland county the publishers and the editor did not underestimate the diffi- culties of their task, and came to it fully imbued with a clear idea of its mag- nitude and determination to execute it in such a manner that it should receive the general commendation of all into whose hands it should fall. It is believed that this purpose has been substantially carried out, and that, while a perfect historical work has never yet been published, this one will be found to contain so few imperfections that the most critical readers will be satisfied.
It is a part of the plans of the publishers in the production of county his- tories to secure, as far as possible, local assistance, either as writers, or in the revision of all manuscripts ; the consequence being that the work bears a local character which could not otherwise be secured, and, moreover, comes from the press far more complete and perfect than could possibly be the case were it entrusted wholly to the efforts of comparative strangers to the locality in hand. In carrying out this plan in this county the editor has been tendered such generous co-operation and assistance of various kinds that to merely men- tion all who have thus aided is impossible; the satisfaction of having assisted in the production of a commendable public enterprise must be their present
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9
IO
INTRODUCTION.
reward. But there are some who have given so generously of their labor and time towards the consummation of this work, that to leave them unmentioned would be simple injustice. Among these should be mentioned the Hon. Henry Clark, of Rutland, for editorial assistance in the work, and the writing of a portion of the general history; the Hon. Barnes Frisbie, of Poultney, who generously contributed two important chapters to the volume and assisted the editor in various other directions; Mr. George J. Wardwell, for his very able chapter on the marble industry of the county; Mr. J. J. R. Randall, for contributing an account of the schools of Rutland; H. B. Spaf- ford, for his history of the town of Clarendon; Dr. Currier, and other physi- cians of the county, for material aid in the preparation of the chapter on the medical profession ; H. H. Smith, for valuable assistance to the editor in com- pleting the chapter devoted to Free Masonry ; and the entire press and clergy of the county, town clerks and other officials, for generous aid in various ways. To all these and to so many others that it is impossible to mention them in de- tail, the gratitude of editor, publishers and readers is alike due.
With this word of introduction the work is commended to its readers.
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I. SUMMARY OF EARLY HISTORY.
The Office of History - The Pioneers of New England - Discovery of the Territory of Rut- land County - The Five Powers -- County Formation - A Dark Period - Vermont's Policy - Annexation of Territory - Original Names of Rutland County Towns - Early Statistics - Military Posts -The First County Seat - County Boundaries and Area - Towns of the County - Statistics - Territorial Right of the Indians -Native Occupation - Causes of Delay in Settlement - Tide of Emigration - Settlements - The French and English War - Vermont Charters - Date of Settlement of Rutland County Towns - "Pitching " Before Purchasing - Pioneer Characteristics - The Land Claimants -. Ethan Allen's Resolute Stand - Sympathy of the New Hampshire Grants Settlers and New York - General Early Condition of the County -- Purpose of this Work
CHAPTER II. NATURAL CHARACTERISTICS.
17
General Character of the Surface of the Country - Geological Features - Description of "Sea Beaches," or Terraces, and their Location - Marine Fossils Discovered in the County - Unstratified Rocks -Other Interesting Deposits - List of Mineral Deposits in the County and their Location - The Marble Deposit - Clays and Pigments - Iron Ores- Copperas -Topography - Description of Prominent Mountains - Streams of the County - Mineral Springs - Lakes of the County. 24
CHAPTER 'III. THE COLONIAL PERIOD.
Indian Occupation - The Iroquois and Abenakis -Claims of the Indians to Lands - Evi- dences of Iroquois Occupation - Rutland County Before the Revolution - First Re- cords of Exploration -Cross and Melvin's Expeditions - Vermont Debatable Ground in the French War - Military Roads - The Road from Charlestown, N. H., to Crown Point - Elias Hall's Statement.
46
CHAPTER IV. THE NEW YORK CONTROVERSY.
The Grounds of the Controversy - Issue of Conflicting Patents - Schedule of Patents and Date of Issue - Difficulties Engendered in Attempts to Eject Settlers - A Military Or- ganization under Ethan Allen - Lydius's Claim and Grants under It - The First Ar- rest and Trial - Other Incidents - Benjamin Hougli's Offense and Punishment - Proc- lamations and Counter-Proclamations - The Controversy Quieted by the Opening of the Revolutionary Struggle. .
50
12
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER V. THE REVOLUTIONARY ERA.
Inherent Patriotism of the People - Prepared for the First Call - Capture of Ticonderoga -Different Sentiments Existing Among and Actuating the Inhabitants - Effect of the approach of Burgoyne's Army - Mercilessness Shown to Tories - Results in Ver- mont of Burgoyne's Surrender - Faithfulness of Vermonters to the Cause of Patriot- ism. 55
CHAPTER VI. THE BATTLE OF HUBBARDTON.
Effects of the Battle - Condition of the People Immediately Preceding the Affair - Colo- nel Warner's Appeal to the Vermont Convention - General St. Clair's Appreciation -- Effects of the Abandonment of Ticonderoga -- The Retreat - The Attack - Allen's Detailed Deseription of the Battle - Incidents.
CHAPTER VII. COUNTY ORGANIZATION - WAR OF 1812.
58
Vermont's Record in the Revolution - Bennington County and its Extent - Formation of Rutland County - First County Officers - Addison County Taken from Rutland - Courts - War of 1812-Vermont's Active Measures - Minority Opposition - The War Produetive of Internal Dissensions in Rutland County - Hearty Response to Call for Men at the Battle of Plattsburg - Peace and Prosperity.
65
CHAPTER VIII. SOCIAL HISTORY.
Philosophy of Social History - Natural Desire of Humanity for Association - Social Inter- course in its Early Development - Real Social Chiaraeter of "the Good Old Times," as Compared with Present Customs - The Old Fire-Place - Corn Huskings - Amuse- ments Therewith Connected - " Kitchen Digs" - Other Amusements.
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CHAPTER IX. RUTLAND COUNTY IN THE WAR OF THE REBELLION.
Patriotism of Vermont - Honorable Services of the Troops - Action at the First Call for Volunteers - Company C (Rutland Light Guards) of the First Regiment - Its Re- Enlistment in the Twelfth Regiment - Career of the Regiment - The Fifth and Elev- enth Regiments, Vermont Brigade - Career of the Brigade - The Seventh Regiment - The Tenth Regiment and its Career -The Ninth Regiment - First Regiment Vermont Sharpshooters - Career of Company F, First Vermont Cavalry - Nine-Months Vol- unteers - The Twelfth and Fourteenth Regiments - Second Battery Light Artillery - - Roster of Officers from Rutland County.
CHAPTER X. CIVIL LIST, COUNTY BUILDINGS, SOCIETIES, ETC.
Supreme Court Judges- County Court Judges-State's Attorneys -Clerks of County Court - Sheriff's of the County - Judges and Registers of Probate - Senators from Rutland County - Public Buildings - The Post-Office Building - The Town Hall - The High School Building - Court-House and Jail - The House of Correction -Rut- land County Historical Society - Agricultural Society. 140
75
13
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XI. INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS.
The First Internal Improvements - Laying out of Roads -- The Old Military Road and Other Highways - Old Stage Lines - Effects of the Early Lack of Rapid Transportation - The Champlain Canal and its Influence - Other Navigation Projects - The Railroad Era - The Rutland and Whitehall Railroad and Bank - The First Railroad - The Ver- mont and Canada Railroad Company - The Central Vermont Railroad Company - Bennington and Rutland Railroad - The Delaware and Hudson Coal Company's Line - Rutland and Whitehall Railroad - Great Changes.
154
CHAPTER XII. INDUSTRIES OF RUTLAND COUNTY.
Effects of Industries-on Civilization - Earliest Industries and Tools - Characteristics of the Pioneers - Clearing of Forests -The Food Supply - Early Agriculture - Mistakes of Early Farmers - Introduction of Improved Farm Tools -- Sheep Husbandry - Im- ported Stock and its Improvement - Prominent Breeders of the County - Cattle Raising- Horses and their Improvement - Early Manufactures - Causes of Decline - Present Activity of Manufactures.
I62
CHAPTER XIII. MARBLE AND SLATE IN RUTLAND COUNTY.
Geographical Position - Geological Age - Mountains - Lakes and Ponds - Geographical Order of Rocks- Rock Formation - Ice Period and Glacial Theory - Fossils - Min- erals - Economic Minerals - Early Quarries and Mills - Analyses of Marbles- Com- parative Strength of Marbles - Chronological List of Marble Quarries - Develop- ment of Machinery - Slate Quarries- Chronological List of Slate Quarries - Iron - Clays. 171
CHAPTER XIV. RUTLAND COUNTY EDUCATIONAL INTERESTS.
Character of Early Settlers in Vermont - Their Reliance Upon the Church and The School- House - Plymouth Colony Act Relative to Education - Further School Legislation - Early County, or Grammar Schools - Rutland County Board of Trustees - Academic History - Rutland County Academy - Brandon Academy - West Rutland Acad- emy - Poultney Female Academy - Primary Schools - Provisions for their Support - The Pioneer School System and School-Houses - School Improvements - Normal Schools - Graded and Union Schools - Present School Conditions. 201
CHAPTER XV. THE PRESS OF RUTLAND COUNTY.
The Early Press - First Paper in Rutland County -Sketch of its Proprietor - The Second Paper - The Rutland Herald -Sketches of Matthew Lyon, Judge Samuel Williams and Dr. Samuel Williams - Succeeding Proprietors of the Herald - The First Daily Paper in the County - The Rural Magazine - Other Rutland Journals - Newspapers of Fairhaven - Poultney Journals - Castleton Journalism - Brandon Newspapers -- Danby and Wallingford Journals.
213
14
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XVI.
MEDICAL SOCIETIES AND THE PROFESSION.
The Castleton Medical College - Organization, Members of Corporation, Officers, etc. - First Medical Society - County Medical Societies - The Present Society and its Offi- cers - Castleton Medical Society - Castleton Medical and Surgical Clinic- Society of Alumni of Castleton Medical College - The Rutland Dispensary - Biographic Memorauda in the Various Towns - Dr. James Porter - Dr. Lorenzo Sheldon - Dr. Ezekiel Porter - Dr. James B. Porter - Dr. Cyrus Porter - Dr. Hannibal Porter - Dr. James Ross - Deceased Physicians of the various Towns outside of Rutland. 235
CHAPTER XVII.
THE COURTS AND THE BENCH AND BAR OF RUTLAND COUNTY. Absence of Courts in Early Years - The Old Superior Court - First Judges - The First Docket -- The Old Court Records -Jurisdiction of the First Supreme Court - The First County Court - Its Jurisdiction - Subsequent Changes - Probate Courts - Justices of the Peace and their Powers - The Records - An early Rule of the Court - Whipping Posts -An Incident -. Early Public House Licenses - Old Warrants, Complaints, etc - Description of a Court Scene in Rutland -The County Bar. 255
CHAPTER XVIII. SECRET SOCIETIES.
Early Masonic Lodges - Organization of the Grand Lodge of Vermont - Sketches of the Grand Masters - Prominent Rutland County Masons - Elective Officers of the Grand Lodge from its Organization to the Present - History of Center Lodge - Its Reor- ganization and Officers - Rutland Lodge No. 79 - Hiram Lodge No. 101 - Royal Arch Masons - Lodges in the Various Towns - Odd Fellowship in Rutland County - History of the First Louge - Grand Army of the Republic. 284
CHAPTER XIX.
History of the Town of Rutland .302
CHAPTER XX.
History of the Town of Benson
454
History of the Town of Brandon
CHAPTER XXII.
History of the Town of Castleton.
.. 516
CHAPTER XXIII.
547
CHAPTER XXIV.
.554
History of the Town of Danhy
CHAPTER XXI. 473
History of the Town of Chittenden
History of the Town of Clarendon
CHAPTER XXV. .... 575
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CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XXVI.
History of the Town of Fairhaven. .591
CHAPTER XXVII. 616
History of the Town of Hubbardton.
CHAPTER XXVIII.
.630
History of the Town of Middletown.
CHAPTER XXXI.
.673
History of the Town of Mount Holly CHAPTER XXXII. 692
History of the Town of Mount Tabor
CHAPTER XXXIII.
History of the Town of Pawlet.
697
CHAPTER XXXIV.
719
History of the Town of Pittsford. .726
CHAPTER XXXVI. 766
History of the Town of Poultney
CHAPTER XXXVII.
History of the Town of Sherburne.
CHAPTER XXXVIII.
History of the Town of Shrewsbury. 802
CHAPTER XXXIX.
History of the Town of Sudbury 812
CHAPTER XL.
.819
CHAPTER XLI.
History of the Town of Wallingford. CHAPTER XLII.
.831
History of the Town of Wells.
848
CHAPTER XLIII. 859
History of the Town of Westhaven
CHAPTER XLIV. 868
Biographical
History of the Town of Ira. CHAPTER XXIX. .635
History of the Town of Mendon. CHAPTER XXX. .641
History of the Town of Pittsfield CHAPTER XXXV.
.795
History of the Town of Tinmouth
16
CONTENTS.
ILLUSTRATIONS.
Adams, Joseph, facing 608
Allen, Colonel Alonson, facing 592
Allen, Hon. Ira C., facing 612
Horton, Warren, facing 680
Hughes, Hugh G., facing 784
Kellogg, Newton, . Facing 410
Benson, Porter, . facing 560
Bowman, John P. between 810-811
Bowman, Mrs. Jane E., .between 810-8II
Bowman, Ella H., . between 810-811
Bresee, Albert,
facing 620
Brigham, Charles W., M. D. lacing 874
Cain, John, facing 222
Clark, Henry facing 224
Coat of Arms, Neshobe Island,
.13
Cook, Nelson W. facing 676
Dikeman, George W. between 886-887
Dikeman, Mrs. George W., .. between 886-887
Dikeman, M. M., between 884-885
Dikeman, Mrs. M. M., between 884-885
Dunn, James C. facing 438
Ellis, Zenas C.,
facing 600
Everts, Martin G.
facing 146 .. 527
Francisco. M. J., .
facing 412
Frisbie, Hon. Barnes,
facing 264
Strong, George W. facing 344
Gilsou, E. P.
facing 184
Gray, A. W. between 670-671
Gray, Leonidas, between 670-671
Wardwell, George J., facing 170
BIOGRAPHICAL.
Adams, Joseph,. 868
Allen, Colonel Alonson, 881
Allen, Ilon, Ira C.,. 869
Hughes, . Hugh G., 898
Baird, Hiranı, . 272
Kellogg, Newton, .
900
Baxter, General Horace Henry,. 870
Kingsley, Harrison,
901
Benson, Porter,.
873
Kingsley, General Levi G.,
925
Bowman, John P.
875
Landon, W. C.,.
903
Bresec. Albert ..
899
Lothrop, Henry F.,
902
Munson, Israel,
904
Page, Hon. John B.,
922
Clark. Hon. Merritt, 926
Prout, Hon. John, .
905
Cook, Nelson W .. 876
Proctor, Hon. Redfield,
904
Currier, John McNab, M. D., 878
Redington, L. W. 907
Dikeman, George W. and wife, 885
Roberts, Colonel George T. 905
Rogers, Asa J, 910
Royce. George E., 908
907
Everts, Martin G.
Sheldon, Charles,
Sheldon, John A. 913
Slason. Charles II .. 910
Smith, Warren H. 914
Strong, George W 911
Tarbell, Marshall, 927
Greeno, Benjamin R., 894
Taylor, Daniel W. 916
Hanger, Ryland,.
895
Wardwell, George J 916
912
Francisco, M. J ...
921
Frisbie, Hon. Barnes
889
Gilson. Edson P
.890
Gray, Albert W 891
Gray. Leonidas. 893
Hanger, Ryland, facing 544
Holt, Rufus, facing 896
Baird, Hiram, . facing 872
Baxter, General Horace Henry, facing 870
Kingsley, Harrison, . facing 900
Kingsley, General Levi G., facing 76
Landon, W. C.,. facing 400
Lothrop, Henry F., facing 752
Munson, Israel, . between 840-841
Munson, Mrs. Israel, between 840-841
Page, Hon. John B. facing 432
Prout, Hon. John,. facing 388
Proctor, Hon. Redfield, facing 304
Redington L. W. facing 390
Roberts, Colonel George T., facing 98
Rogers, Asa J. facing 768
Royce, George E., facing 908
Rumsey, C. S.,. faeing 536
Sheldon, Charles, faeing 334
Sheldon, John A., facing 104
Slason, C. H., . facing 910
Fort Warren, Plan of,
Smith, Warren H., facing 392
State House, View of Old,. facing 395
Tarbell, Marsball, facing 690
Taylor, Daniel W facing 916
Greeno, B. R., facing 320
Holt, Rufus, 896
Horton, Warren, 897
Brigham, Charles W .. M. D.
874
Cain. John. 879
Dikeman, M. M. and wife, . 885
Dunu, James C., 886
Ellis, Zonas C.,
Rumsey, Chancey S.,.
HISTORY
OF
RUTLAND COUNTY.
CHAPTER I.
SUMMARY OF EARLY HISTORY.
The Office of History - The Pioneers of New England - Discovery of the Territory of Rutland County - The Five Powers - County Formation - A Dark Period - Vermont's Policy - Annexation of Territory - Original Names of Rutland County Towns - Early Statistics - Military Posts - The First County Seat - County Boundaries and Area -Towns of the County - Statistics - Territorial Right of the Indians - Native Occupation - Causes of Delay in Settlement - Tide of Emigration - Settlements - The French and English War - Vermont Charters - Date of Settlement of Rutland County Towns - " Pitching" Before Purchasing - Pioneer Characteristics - The Land Claimants - Ethan Allen's Resolute Stand -Sympathy of the New Hampshire Grants Settlers and New York - General Early Condition of the County - Purpose of this Work.
T NO trace the rise and progress of communities ; to follow the fortunes and elucidate the character of those who have laid the foundations of com- monwealths ; to preserve from decay the memory of the men who have trans- ferred from one generation to another the arts of peace, the blessings of liberty and the consolations of religion - these belong to the province of history. " It is not the least debt," says Sir Walter Raleigh, "we owe unto history, that it has made us acquainted with our dead ancestors and delivered us their memory and fame. Besides, we gather out of it a policy no less wise than eternal, by the comparison and application of other men's fore-passed mercies with our own like errors and ill-deservings."
The history of our ancestors is indeed of inestimable value to their de- scendants, though by it our " ill-deservings " may perhaps stand out in more prominent relief against their fore-passed mercies. But their example remains for all time to come. Simple, unpretending, high-minded and pure of pur- pose, the early men of New England had great objects in view. 2
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HISTORY OF RUTLAND COUNTY.
The story of our origin, as the people of New England, is not obscure. It is not traced back to the dim uncertainty of tradition and fable. The foun- dations of society and the origin of institutions, both civil and religious, may be correctly ascertained. The first settlements of New England and Vermont came into being, as communities, with all the attributes of organized society and all the restraints of good government and subordination. If any feeling of which vanity forms a prominent part ever attains the dignity of a virtue, it is that which is felt in an honorable history. It is a prescriptive right to recite deeds and heroic acts of our ancestors. It is a high pleasure and a grateful duty. Whatever is noble, whatever is heroic, is only so by comparison, for the very terms themselves signify something above, beyond, higher than the ordinary measures of human thoughts and action. In love of country, in de- termined opposition to tyranny and oppression, in daring adventures, in forti- tude under sufferings and steadiness of purpose, the early settlers of Rutland county will not suffer in comparison with any pioneers of New England. Since the peculiar circumstances in which they were placed no longer exist to call into exercise like virtues in their descendants, nothing else will so effectually stay the possibility of degeneracy in the latter as the remembrance and con- templation of the fathers' elevated patriotism and devotion to the service of the State.
The discovery of Lake Champlain by Samuel Champlain on the 4th of July, 1609, was without question the discovery of the territory now comprised in Rutland county. The county has been subject to the nominal jurisdiction of five different powers. The Indians; the French, by right of discovery in 1609; the English, by right of conquest and colonization ; Vermont, as an in- dependent republic, from her declaration of independence January 15, 1777, to her admission into the Union, March 4, 1791 ; and the United States for the last ninety-four years. Rutland county has been a portion, also, of five different counties. In 1683 Albany county was first founded, its southern boundary Sawyer's Creek, west of the Hudson, and Roeloffe Jansen's Creek on the east. These creeks are in about the same latitude as the northern line of the State of Connecticut, and Albany county included all Massachusetts west of the Connecticut River and the whole of Vermont. In 1772 Albany county was divided into three counties, one of which, Charlotte, extended over the territory of which this work treats. The early settlers, in their deeds, de- scribed themselves as being of the county of Albany, or Charlotte, according to dates. In March, 1778, at the first organization of the State government of Vermont, the State was divided into two counties, Unity on the east side, and Bennington on the west side of the Green Mountains. In 1780 the name of Washington was given to the territory north of the present Bennington county and west of the mountains ; but this act of the General Assembly is reported to have been written only on a slip of paper and never recorded.
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SUMMARY OF EARLY HISTORY.
On the 13th of February, 1781, Rutland county was incorporated, embracing the same territory as Washington county, its first officers to be elected March 4, 1781. During the year 1781 Rutland county extended not only from Ben- nington county to Canada, but also from the Green Mountains to the Hudson River, including Lakes George and Champlain. The year of the organization of the county, the commencement, was darkest in her history. She was threatened with a sad fate by the neighboring commonwealths, with the inva- sion of a well-armed British army, more in numbers than her manhood popu- lation. Every continental soldier had been withdrawn; New York had with- drawn her last garrison. She had been solicited by British officers with bribes to return to her allegiance to the crown. A letter by Lord Germain had been published proclaiming that fact. Vermont at that period adopted a policy of her own, which made futile the action of the British army and protected her territory. Then it was she twofolded her territory, annexing thirty-five towns from New Hampshire. Her Legislature met in that State. She annexed all of New York farther north than Massachusetts, and east of the Hudson River and east of a line due north from the source of the Hudson River to Canada. Several towns in New York and New Hampshire were taxed in Vermont and were represented in her Legislature. At that time the towns of Brandon, West Haven, Middletown, Mount Tabor, Mount Holly, Mendon, Sherburne had not an organization under their present titles. Mount Tabor was " Har- wich ; " Mendon was " Medway ; " Sherburne was " Killington ; " Chittenden was "Philadelphia." Several of the towns were not inhabited. The popula- tion of the county was a little over four thousand, and the appraisal of prop- erty for taxation was considerably less than one hundred thousand dollars. There were several military forts scattered about the county, with a few hun- dred troops. Tinmouth was selected as the county seat and remained so un- til 1784, when the seat was removed to Rutland ; the courts where held in the bar-room of a log hotel. In the formation of Addison county in 1785, Rut- land county was brought to its present limits, with the exception of the town of Orwell, which was annexed to Addison county November 13, 1847.
The county lies between 43º 18' and 40° 54' north latitude, and between 3º 41' and 4° 18' longitude, east from Washington. Following are the pres- ent boundaries of the county : north by Addison county ; east by Windsor ; south by Bennington, and west by Washington county, N. Y., and Lake Cham- plain. It is forty miles long and thirty wide. The area is nine hundred square miles. It has twenty-five towns, one more than any other county in the State. The towns are Benson, Brandon, Castleton, Chittenden, Clarendon, Danby, Fair Haven, Hubbardton, Ira, Mendon, Middletown, Mount Holly, Mount Tabor, Pawlet, Pittsfield, Pittsford, Poultney, Rutland, Sherburne, Shrewsbury, Sudbury, Tinmouth, Wallingford, Wells and West Haven. Thir- teen towns in the county have an aggregate of less than twelve hundred in-
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