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ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
3 1833 01958 3209
Gc 974.301 W725a Aldrich, Lewis Cass History of Windsor County Vermont
GEN
HISTORY
OF
WINDSOR COUNTY
1
VERMONT
WITH I ILLUSTRATIONS AND BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF SOME OF ITS PROMINENT MEN AND PIONEERS
EDITED BY
LEWIS CASS ALDRICH AND FRANK R. HOLMES
SYRACUSE, N. Y .: D. MASON & CO., PUBLISHERS
1891
Atter Conany Public Library Ft Wwyne. Indiana
1127702
PREFACE.
W TINDSOR COUNTY is without doubt one of the most historic of the sub-divisions of the State of Vermont. During the period of ten years immediately preceding the Revolution, and for fourteen or so years after that outbreak, many of the stirring events of State history were enacted within the borders of this county, and at the village of Windsor; therefore it has been found necessary in this work to furnish at some length a narrative of the events of that period, notwithstanding the fact that they were of general rather than local importance and bearing. But a recital of the early his- tory of Vermont, wherever the events may have occurred, is a thing of which the average citizen never tires, and in which every native of the State has reason to feel a just pride.
On account of its geographical location in the State, Windsor county happened to become peculiarly prominent in the affairs of the commonwealth during the period of the somewhat noted con- troversy with New York ; and when were formed the unions with the New Hampshire towns, east of the Connecticut River, this county was made to embrace a much larger area than it at present contains, and was the chief seat of operations in the political history of the State during that time. The village of Windsor was the place in which the important transactions occurred, from which fact the reader will observe that a general outline of the early history of the State becomes a proper subject for discussion in this volume.
In the preparation of the " History of Windsor County " the ed- itors have had access and reference to such of the standard works of
6
HISTORY OF WINDSOR COUNTY.
State and local history as are extant at the present day; there have been occasions on which they have made free use of the language as well as the thoughts of past writers, and not always have they been careful to disfigure the present pages with quotation marks. More than this, the writers have also to acknowledge the generous assistance of a number of the well known residents of the county, among whom may properly be named the Rev. E. N. Goddard, of Windsor ; Jay Read Pember (county clerk); Mrs. Doton; the librarian of the Wood- stock Library, of Woodstock ; William R. Adams, of Bethel; and others, some occupying official positions and others not, all of whom have contributed to the accomplishment of the arduous task of edit- ing and compiling this volume. Added to the above list, there may be mentioned collectively the persons who have likewise given this work their hearty and unrestrained support ; who have made its pub- lication not only possible but a fact; and to whom, with all others who have taken an interest in its preparation, directly and indirectly, are due the thanks of the editors and the publishers.
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I.
Early Explorations and Discoveries-Cartier and Champlain in Canada-John Smith in New England-Dutch Settlements in New York-Their Conquest by the English -The English in Virginia, Maine and New Hampshire-The Puritans in New England-The French Jesuits among the Indians -English Manner of Treating the Savages-Causes of Indian Hostilities
17
CHAPTER II.
The Iroquois Confederacy-Indian Traditions-War Among the Indians-Tribes Inhabiting the Region of Vermont-The Canadian Indians-Wars Between England and France-Their Effect upon the Colonies in America-Various Peace Treaties-Expeditions and Battles in and near Vermont-Erection of Fort Dummer-The First Civilized Settlement in Vermont-Bridgman and Startwell's Fort at Vernon-Its Destruction by Indians-Final War Between England and France-Settlement in Vermont Unsafe-Overthrow of French Power in America
CHAPTER III.
The New Hampshire Grants-Charter Rights Granted by Governor Wentworth - Claims of New York-Correspondence Between the Governors-Early Grants Made by Governor Wentworth of Towns of Windsor County-Proclamations Issued-The Royal Decree-New York Violates the King's Order -- Lands Regranted-Uprising of the Settlers-The Green Mountain Boys-Counties Organized by New York-Chester Named as the County Seat of Cumberland County-Changed to Westminster-Gloucester County Created-Sentiment Divided-The Situation in Cumberland and Gloucester Counties-Counties Formed East of the Mountains -Boundaries of Albany and Charlotte Counties. 29
21
8
HISTORY OF WINDSOR COUNTY.
CHAPTER IV.
The Controversy with New York-Means Employed to Overcome the New Hamp- shire Grantees-Change of Sentiment East of the Mountains -- Allegiance to New York Disclaimed-The Massacre at Westminster-Death of William French-Meetings held at Westminster-The Settlers Formally Renounce Al- legiance to New York-The Commencement of the Struggle for State and National Independence-The Conventions at Dorset-Towns East of the Mountains Asked to Send Delegates-The Conventions at Westminster-In- dependence of the State Declared-Named New Connecticut-Changed to Ver- mont-Conventions at Windsor-State Constitution Adopted-Paul Spooner of Hartland.
34
CHAPTER V.
" The Pingry Papers "-A Chapter Devoted to the Proceedings of the Committees of the Counties of Cumberland and Gloucester from June, 1774, to September, 1777; Together with Such Other Records of Events as will be of Interest to the Present and Future Generations of Readers of this Work-The Narrative, with Explanations, Comprises Extracts Taken from the Book Entitled " Gov- ernor and Council," Volume 1, Appendix A, No. 1
46
CHAPTER VI.
The Period of the Revolutionary War-The Cause of the People on the Grants Be- comes United-Allen's Exploits at Ticonderoga and on Lake Champlain-Sin- gular Situation of Vermont-Military Organizations Formed at the Dorset Con- vention-Seth Warner Elected Colonel-The Rangers Organized East of the Mountains-New York Authority Prevails-First Convention at Windsor- Battles at Hubbardton and Bennington-Toryism in Cumberland County- President Chittenden's Proclamation-Council of Safety-Effect of Burgoyne's Surrender- Exposed Condition of the Vermont Frontier-The Haldimand Cor- respondence-Negotiations with Canada-Their Effect Upon Vermont and the County -Indian Depredations-Attack Upon Barnard-Burning of Royalton .. 61
CHAPTER VII.
The Controversy with New York Resumed-The Situation-Petition to Congress -Its Reception-Governor Clinton's Proclamation-Ethan Allen's Vindica- tion of Vermont-New Hampshire Towns Seek a Union with Vermont- The Union Effected-Protest by New York-Disaffection in Cumberland County -Withdrawal from the Vermont Legislature-Threatened Union with New
9
CONTENTS.
Hampshire-The Union with New Hampshire Towns Dissolved-Congress Sends a Committee to Vermont-Unsatisfactory Results-Vermont's Appeal to the Candid and Impartial World-Agents Sent to Congress-Union with New Hampshire and New York Towns-Congress Takes Favorable Action- General Washington's Letter-Conditions of Vermont's Independence-The Eastern and Western Unions Dissolved-Compensation Made to New York- Vermont Admitted to the Union
69
CHAPTER VIII.
A Brief Résume on Divisions of the Grants into Counties-Courts Established- County Seat at Chester-Changed to Westminster-Erection of Cumberland County by Vermont-Officers Appointed -- Some Personal Sketches-County Lines Defined-Windsor County Formed -- New Hampshire Towns Annexed to this County-Locating the County Seat-Woodstock Selected-Windsor Temporarily a Half-Shire Town-Judges of the County Court-The First Court-House-Its Destruction by Fire-The Second Court-House also burned -The Present County Buildings-Civil List-Officers of the Ancient County of Cumberland-Officers of Windsor County 80
CHAPTER IX.
Town Organizations-Not Affected by Vermont's Admission to the Union-Char- acter of Town Government-Dates of Organization both by Vermont, New Hampshire and New York-From 1791 to the War of 1812-15-Events of the War-Peace Restored-An Era of Prosperity-Increase of Population- Subsequent Decrease-Causes of the Decline-Emigration Westward .101
CHAPTER X.
Windsor County During the War of 1861-65
110
CHAPTER XI.
The Bench and Bar of Windsor County
177
CHAPTER XII.
The Medical Profession-Institutions and Societies of Windsor County .. ..... 193
CHAPTER XIII.
The Press of Windsor County 2
207
IO
HISTORY OF WINDSOR COUNTY.
CHAPTER XIV.
History of the Town of Woodstock, and the Incorporated Village of Woodstock -The Seat of Justice of Windsor County ..... 225
CHAPTER XV.
History of the Town of Windsor, and of the Incorporated Village of Windsor. .. .. 275
CHAPTER XVI.
History of the Town of Hartford. . . . 332
CHAPTER XVII.
History of the Town of Hartland.
358
CHAPTER XVIII.
History of the Town of West Windsor .. 373
CHAPTER XIX.
History of the Town of Reading
380
CHAPTER XX.
History of the Town of Plymouth
391
CHAPTER XXI.
History of the Town of Springfield.
406
CHAPTER XXII.
History of the Town of Norwich
477
CHAPTER XXIII
History of the Town of Cavendish
.. .... 501
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XXIV.
History of the town of Ludlow 528
CHAPTER XXV.
History of the Town of Bethel. 558
CHAPTER XXVI.
History of the Town of Barnard 574
CHAPTER XXVII.
History of the Town of Stockbridge 587
CHAPTER XXVIII.
History of the Town of Bridgewater 601
CHAPTER XXIX.
History of the Town of Andover 620
CHAPTER XXX.
History of the Town of Weston
636
CHAPTER XXXI.
History of the Town of Rochester 646
CHAPTER XXXII.
History of the Town of Chester 663
CHAPTER XXXIII.
History of the Town of Weathersfield 697
I2
HISTORY OF WINDSOR COUNTY.
CHAPTER XXXIV.
History of the Town of Baltimore 723
CHAPTER XXXV.
History of the Town of Pomfret 726
CHAPTER XXXVI.
History of the Town of Sharon 746
CHAPTER XXXVII.
History of the Town of Royalton.
761
CHAPTER XXXVIII.
Biographical 785
CHAPTER XXXIX.
Old Families 933
BIOGRAPHIES.
Abbott, Solomon S. 785
Guernsey, Rev. George S 831
Aldrich, Hon. Joshua M. 802
Hale, Frank S 887
Amsden, Charles 904
Hall, Alfred. 909
Baldwin, Albert F. 906
Harlow, Col. Hiram. 828
Baxter, Dr. Edward K 853
Harlow, Hermon W 808
Billings, Hon. Frederick.
876
Harrington, Edwin
857
Bisbee, Aaron. 786
Hayes, Francis B.
911
Brockway, John 803
Hazelton, Daniel W., M. D. 830
Bruce, Capt. Harvey N
860
Heald, Daniel A.
926
Burke, Udney. 787
899
Kenney, Asa W ..
792
Chase, Dr. Rolla M.
930
Lemmex, W. H. 862
Collamer, Judge Jacob
854
Mackenzie Family 844
Coolidge, Gov. Carlos.
900
Martin, Alonzo A. 793
Davidson, John
807
McIndoe, Lyman J
901
Davis, Hon. Gilbert A.
821
Morgan, Charles. 809
794
Dillon, William
788
Morrison, M. F.
847
Downer, Chester
896
Parks, Frederick. 808
Durkee, William H
930
Paul, Hon. Norman 795
885
Field, Hon. Abner. .
824
Porter, John.
911
Fletcher, Hon. Ryland
835
Potter, Sanford H. 797
Forbush, Hon. Charles A.
789
Powers, Calvin R. 853
Fullam, Hon. Sewall.
864
Powers Family 849
Fullerton, F. E.
893
Powers, John D .. 851
Gill Family.
883
Powers, Dr. John D. 850
Gill, James S.
871
Powers, Dr. Thomas E 852
Gillette, B. B. .
859
Raymond, Judge Isaiah. 798
Gillette, Daniel O. 834
Robbins, Charles. 826
Graves, Leland J., M.D. 790
Robbins, Otis . 839
Green, Dr. George B. 868
Robbins, Philemon H .. 826
Green, Dr. Isaac .. 866
Roberts, William G. 811
859
Butler, Rev. Franklin
Hill, George S .. 858
Call, Joseph A.
788
Kidder, Rev. Moses.
Cook, Selden. 805
Marsh, Frederick W 810
Dewey, Hon. Albert G
806
Morgan, Harvey D.
Fay, Maj. Levi C. 907
Pingry, Hon. William M
14
HISTORY OF WINDSOR COUNTY.
Rugg, David F., M. D
811
Vail Family .
814
Sanders, Coleman .
833
Walker, Hon. William H. 842
Slack, Col. W. H. H
865
Wardner, Allan. 917
Slack, John A.
813
Wardner, Clark
886
Smith, Dr. Charles C.
925
Wardner, George.
871
Stearns, Daniel.
903
Warner, Hiram L. 843
Steele, Dr. F. E
838
Warren, John.
914
Steele, Hon. Benjamin H.
889
Washburn, Hon. Peter T. 817
Stocker, Samuel Russell
800
Washburn, Hon. Reuben 928
Story, Dr. Dyer.
891
Watson, Hon. Edwin C
874
Sumner, David H.
893
Webber, Hon. Sumner Allen
841
Taylor, James C.
839
Weston, Horace.
819
Tracy, Hon. Andrew.
913
Wheeler, Capt. Daniel Davis. 920
Tuttle, Col. Oscar S.
872
ILLUSTRATIONS.
Abbott, S. S.
facing 784
Davis, Gilbert A
facing 316
Aldrich, Joshua M.
facing 700
Dewey, A. G.
facing 354
Amsden Charles
facing 708
Dillon, William facing 460
Baldwin, A. F.
facing 664
Downer, Chester
facing 774
Baxter, E. K . .
facing 754
Durkee, William H . facing 592
Billings, Frederick.
facing 876
Fay, Levi C .. facing 320
Bisbee, Aaron.
facing 406
Field, Abner. facing 468
Brockway, John facing 736
Fletcher, Hon. Ryland. facing 108
Bruce, Capt. Harvey N. facing 144
Forbush, Charles A.
facing 420
Burke, Udney.
facing 787
Fullam, Hon. Sewall . facing 532
Butler, Rev. Franklin
facing 212
Fullerton, F. E. facing 892
Call, Joseph A. facing 712
Gill, Daniel A.
facing 408
Chase, Dr. R. M
facing 930
Gill, James S.
facing 540
Closson, Henry
facing 452
Gillette, B. B ..
.facing 858
Colburn, Joseph W
facing 416
Gillette, Daniel O) .. facing 344
Collamer, Jacob facing 180
Graves, Dr. Leland J facing 276
Cook, Selden .
facing 444
Green, Dr. George B.
facing 868
Coolidge, Gov. Carlos.
facing 98
Green, Dr. Isaac. facing 280
Dana, Thomas. facing 428
Guernsey, Rev. George S. facing 652
Davidson, John
facing 440
Hale, Frank S. facing 378
I5
CONTENTS.
Hall, Alfred. facing 908
Harlow, Hermon W. facing 328
Roberts, W. G. facing 810
Harrington, Edwin facing 564
Rugg, D. F., M. D. facing 812
Hayes, Francis B .. facing 704.
Hazelton, D. W., M. D.
facing 412
Heald, Daniel A
facing 926
Slack, Col. W. H. H facing 464
Hill, George S.
facing 516
Smith, Dr. Charles C. facing 924
Kenney, Asa W.
facing 768
Stearns, Daniel facing 308
Kidder, Rev. Moses.
facing 260
Steele, Dr. F. E facing 838
Lemmex, W. H. .
facing 292
Stocker, Samuel R .. facing 802
Mackenzie, Justin F facing 844
Marsh, F. W. facing 692
Martin, A. A facing 792
Taylor, J. C. facing 840
McIndoe, Lyman J. facing 900
Tracy, Hon. Andrew facing 248
Morgan, Charles. facing 656
Morgan, Harvey D. facing 594
Morrison, M. F
facing 376
Vail. Joshua. 815
Parks, Frederick facing 458
Paul, Norman
facing 268
Wardner, Allan facing 284
Pingry, William M
facing 884
Wardner, Clark facing 384
Porter, John
facing 332
Wardner, George facing 312
Porter, Judge Samuel W.
facing 424
Warner, Hiram L facing 536
Potter, S. H. facing 348
Warren, John. facing 914
Powers Calvin R facing 852
Powers, Dr. J. D facing 232
Powers, Dr. Thomas E facing 228
Watson, Hon. Edwin C. facing 336
Webber, Hon. Sumner Allen. facing 648
Raymond, Judge Isaiah facing 604
Robbins, Charles
facing 826
Wheeler, Capt. D. D. facing 920
Robbins, Otis facing 680
Robbins, P. H facing 691
Sanders, Coleman facing 732
Slack, John A .. facing 448
Story, Dr. Dyer facing 300
Sumner, David H. facing 364
Tuttle, Col. Oscar S facing 114
Vail Homestead. 815
Walker, William H. facing 544
Washburn, Hon. Peter T. facing 818
Washburn, Reuben facing 528
Powers, John D facing 236
Weston, Horace facing 304
HISTORY
OF
WINDSOR COUNTY.
CHAPTER I.
Early Explorations and Discoveries-Cartier and Champlain in Canada-John Smith in New England-Dutch Settlements in New York-Their Conquest by the English -The English in Virginia, Maine and New Hampshire-The Puritans in New Eng- land-The French Jesuits among the Indians-English Manner of Treating the Sav- ages-Causes of Indian Hostilities.
T HE first explorations and discoveries in the region of the present State of Vermont, of which there appears any record, were made during the year 1609, by Samuel Champlain, a French nobleman. This adventurous person made his first visit to the western hemisphere dur- ing the year 1603, and he then followed in the course of James Cartier, who, like Champlain, was a navigator under the government of France, and the object of whose explorations was to plant a French colony in the then new and comparatively unknown country. In the main the voyages of these men were confined to the region of the St. Lawrence ; but it remained to Champlain to pursue his investigations in another direction, the result of which was the discovery of the lake now on the western boundary of the State of Vermont, and to which the navigator gave the name of Lake Champlain. This occurred, as has been stated, in the spring of the year 1609.
Whether or not the adventurous Frenchman set foot on the soil of Vermont, or the territory that afterward became so nanied, there ap-
3
18
HISTORY OF WINDSOR COUNTY.
pears no record nor tradition, but certain it is that he voyaged down the lake to near its southern extremity and discovered and named another though smaller lake, now called Lake George, but to which he gave the name St. Sacrament.
But the French were not alone in endeavoring to plant colonies in America, for during the same period in which their operations were be- ing carried on in the northern region, other nations were making similar efforts in other localities. In the year 1607 the English succeeded in effecting a permanent settlement in Virginia, in the neighborhood of the James River ; and furthermore, about the same time, planted another small colony in the country that afterwards became a part of the State of Maine. And in this same region, too, it was that Captain John Smith, in the year 1614, made a voyage of exploration and discovery, reaching from the Penobscot to Cape Cod. He carefully mapped the country covered by his explorations, and gave to it the name of New England.
In the year 1609 Captain Hendrick Hudson, a Dutch navigator in the service of Holland, entered New York Bay, and thence sailed up the river to which he gave his own name, Hudson River, by which it is known to the present day. But it was not until some five years after Hudson's voyage that the Dutch made permanent settlements in the country explored by their navigator. The first Dutch colony was planted on Manhattan Island, now the city of New York, and others soon followed at various places to the northward, up the river as far as Albany and Schenectady. The Dutch have ever been known as a thrifty and prolific people, and their settlements grew and prospered, and spread out over a considerable region of country ; and it is stated on good authority that they made settlements and improvements east of the Hudson River, and so far as to reach the territory of the present State of Vermont, to a number of the streams of which they gave the names by which they are still known. But the Dutch were not destined to long enjoy the fruits of their colonization in the New Netherlands, as their new settled country was called, for they became involved in a dis- pute with the English over the right to the possession, which resulted in the overthrow and surrender of the Dutch power in America, and the name of their principal city, New Amsterdam, was changed to New
19
EARLY COLONIZATION.
York. This occurred during the year 1664, and by it, the extinction of Dutch power in America, there remained only the two great nations of England and France to contend for the supremacy.
But in the connection of early settlement and colonization in America there remains at least one other worthy of mention here, and this by the people, although of English nationality, known as the Puritans of New England. They who comprised the band of Puritans were English sub- jects that had, about the beginning of the seventeenth century, left their native land and taken refuge in Holland, that they might without an- noyance or persecution conduct themselves according to the strict laws of their religious belief, which privilege had not been freely granted them in England. In the year 1620, after having remained in exile in Hol- land for a period of about twenty years, the Puritans left Europe for America, and arrived in the latter country late in the fall of the same year, and at a point three hundred miles from that at which they in- tended to land, and far from any of the settled colonies. After many trials and hardships the Puritans founded the town which they called New Plymouth, in Massachusetts, but which is now known as Plymouth. Being frugal, patient and industrious, the Puritans became a prosperous people and soon extended their settlements through various parts of New England.
In the year 1623 the English established settlements at Dover and Portsmouth, in the province of New Hampshire ; and ten years later found colonies planted on the Connecticut River, in the province of the same name. Two years after this they had extended up the river as far as Springfield and Deerfield, nearly to the north line of the province of Massachusetts Bay and the south line of the then unnamed tract that forms the present State of Vermont.
Notwithstanding all this colonization and rapid settlement and im- provement in various other directions, there appears not yet to have been any attempt at occupation or settlement within the territory north of the Massachusetts province line and between the Connecticut River on the east and the Hudson on the west, except the settlements and forts built by the Dutch on the last named stream. The French had rapidly colonized and settled Canada; the Puritans and English had oc- cupied and established towns in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine and
20
HISTORY OF WINDSOR COUNTY.
New Hampshire provinces; the Dutch and subsequently the English had built up strong towns in the province of New York, along the Hudson and elsewhere, but as yet no similar effort had been made to colonize or settle in the region between the Green and White Mountains, or in that region afterward known as the New Hampshire Grants.
The French, in their occupancy of Canada, from the very first, em- ployed their every art to cultivate a friendly relation with the Indians of that region. For this purpose they had brought into their colonies a number of Jesuit priests, whose only duty it was to labor among the sav- ages that the power of both France and Rome might be advanced and strengthened. With them there were no encroachments upon Indian lands, nor were any of their rights attempted to be violated. The di- plomacy of the priest effectually overcame every Indian prejudice, and savages and French mingled as freely as if of one color and nationality.
Such, however, was not the case with the English in their colonies and settlements in other parts of the country. They sought only to in - crease their possessions and extend their settlements in every direction regardless of the rights of the Indian occupants; and if they did recog - nize the fact that the savages had any rights they employed subterfuge and deceit to possess themselves of those rights, and this incurred the distrust and enmity of the native occupants of the soil. Furthermore, the English colonists seemed to misjudge the Indian character and his strength as an opponent in warfare. These feelings and abuses soon brought against the English the open hostilities of the Indians and re- tarded the advance of settlement in localities where it might have gone much earlier had different measures been employed. The English settlers were obliged to protect themselves by the erection of forts, and to main- tain an armed force on every frontier to guard against an Indian attack and its consequent merciless massacre.
The enmity against the English by the Indians had the effect of check- ing the advance of settlement and civilization in frontier localities; but added to that was a constantly growing jealousy and rivalry between the French in Canada and the English in New York and New England. Had the English been friendly with all their Indian neighbors, the latter were abundantly able to cope with the Canadian Indians whom the French were constantly employing to make war upon the Indian villages
21
THE IROQUOIS CONFEDERACY.
and English settlements on the southern frontier, for the powerful Iro- quois, the celebrated Five Nations, had once subjugated all other na- tions of Indians, and were the acknowledged rulers of this entire region, and with whom all treaties for the acquirement of lands were necessary to be made before the Indian title was considered as extinguished. At the time of which we write, during the early part of the seventeenth century, the Iroquois confederacy was at enmity with the English, and they were also in open hostility against the Canadian Indians and French, and would gladly have been at peace with their neighbors, the English colonists, had the latter been disposed to cultivate a friendship by correct means.
CHAPTER II.
The Iroquois Confederacy-Indian Traditions- War Among the Indians - Tribes Inhabiting the Region of Vermont-The Canadian Indians-Wars Between England and France -- Their Effect upon the Colonies in America-Various Peace Treaties - Expeditions and Battles in and near Vermont-Erection of Fort Dummer-The First Civilized Settlement in Vermont-Bridgman and Startwell's Fort at Vernon-Its De- struction by Indians-Final War Between England and France-Settlement in Ver- mont Unsafe-Overthrow of French Power in America.
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