USA > Vermont > Bennington County > Peru > Reunion celebration : together with an historical sketch of Peru, Bennington County, Vermont, and its inhabitants from the first settlement of the town > Part 1
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org.
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14
NYPL RESEARCH LIBRARIES 3 3433 07954340 5
11 W
Fre
++++ ++H
144
H
PHY.
+%+1414
1 414
YAW
TH PW
triple
0
0
TULEMIX ARE TIL DE
POURDATIONS.
>
I. K. BATCHELDER.
REUNION CELEBRATION
TOGETHER WITH AN
HISTORICAL SKETCH
OF
PERU,
BENNINGTON COUNTY, VERMONT,
AND
ITS INHABITANTS FROM THE FIRST SETTLEMENT OF THE TOWN.
BY IRA K. BATCHELDER."
BRATTLEBORO: PHOENIX JOB PRINT -- E. L. HILDRETH & CO. 1891.
THE NEW YORK PUBLICLIBRARY 251004
ASTOR, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATION. R 1902 L
1
PREFACE.
At the Centennial Celebration of the settlement of Peru, or reunion of her sons and daughters, they were of the opinion that the town had a history worth preserving, and the very complete historical paper read on that occasion by Hon. Ira K. Batchelder suggested him as the proper person to prepare it. A resident of the town for most of his life, well acquainted with nearly all the early settlers, and prominent in its affairs for half a century, no one among the number was so well equipped for the work as he. After considerable persuasion, Judge Batchelder consented, and the following History of Peru is the result. A great deal of time has been spent in gathering the facts for which Mr. Batchelder receives no remuneration except the gratitude of his former townspeople and those who shall come after, which we are sure he will receive in large measure. In some respects it is not as full as he would have been pleased to have made it, and some families may have been omitted, or mentioned very briefly where a longer account would have been desirable, but this is the common fault of all such histories, where the money received for the sale of the book will not admit of a lengthy work. For this reason the interesting papers read by Hon. James M. Dudley and Dr. Asa Bigelow at the reunion are not inserted. In part they would have been a repetition of what Mr. Batchelder has written. As he very modestly omits all mention of his own family, the lack is partially supplied by the brief notice printed under the head of Biographies.
D. K. SIMONDS.
,
LIST OF PORTRAITS.
Ira K. Batchelder,
Frontispiece
Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Barnard,
- Following page 8
Dea. John Batchelder, -
16
Israel Batchelder.
-
18
Edmund Batchelder,
-
20
Stowell Barnard, - 66
28
Peter Dudley, Jun.,
32
Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Lyon,
6.
40
Mrs. I. K. Batchelder, -
46
Mr. and Mrs. David Simonds, - -
6.
48
Mr. and Mrs. J. J. Hapgood, -
..
56
Mr. and Mrs. Asa Simonds, -
-
64
H. O. Davis, -
..
68
Mr. and Mrs. Aaron Beard. -
72
Jesse Warren, -
6.
76
Mr. and Mrs. J. L. Haynes,
66
80
Hon. Dexter Batchelder,
.6
84
Mark Batchelder, -
6.
90
Rev. A. F. Clark, 66
102
Gen. Stephen Dudley, - -
122
Dea. O. P. Simonds,
-
.. 126
M. J. Hapgood, -
134
-
INDEX.
Attractions of Peru,
-
-
- Page
IO
Biographies, -
-
120
Bromley, Organization of, -
-
- 84
Buildings Lost by Fire, -
- 117
Casualties, -
66
120
Charter,
-
-
13
Churches, - - -
١١
99
Church Buildings, -
-
- 107
Doctors, 1 -
.6 119
Early Physical Condition,
21
Early Settlers,
27
Epidemics,
66
118
First Known White Persons, -
18
Hotels,
.. 115
Longevity, -
143
Mail, -
٠٠ 90
Mechanics, -
-
III
Military Companies, -
90
Mills, - -
66
112
Reunion, Fourth of July,
1
Roads,
66 S2
Schools and Schoolhouses, -
..
95
Soldiers of the Rebellion,
- 92
66
116
Stores, -
-
-
"
85
Wild Animals,
-
-
66
26
-
- 116
Cemeteries, -
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
6.
Town Officers,
..
-
vi
INDEX.
FAMILIES.
CHILDREN OF
CHILDREN OF
Adams, Joel,
Page 34
Farnum, John, Page 40
Joel, Jr.,
34
Gould, H.,
58
Abel, 6
34 Hapgood, Josiah, ..
36
Moses,
39
J. J.,
55
.. John Q., 66
39
Holton, Frederick, 6%
34
Aldrich, Willis,
63
Howard, Joseph, 59
Ballard, Dea. Benjamin,
35
Lakin, James,
76
Barnard, Benjamin,
29
Lampson, Reuben, ..
80
6 1
6.
Stowell, ٠٠
32
Long, Isaac, ..
66
73
Batchelder, Mark,
54
J. P.,
74
Lyon, Dea. Seth,
31
Dea. Edm'd, “ 71
Freeman, 66
32
.. Edmund, 72
66
Charles, 72
Mellendy, J. G.,
51
Levi, ٠٠
73
66
F. P.,
73
Amherst, 66
47
Amos, 6.
133
Nourse, Joel, 66
52
Phillips, Asa,
41
Francis, 66
74
Priest, Moses,
69
Bigelow, Reuben,
28
Rider, Moses,
43
Brown, Jesse, Sen.,
51
Jesse,
43
Bryant, Royall,
66
53
Russell, Ira,
46
Burton, Aaron,
132
Nathaniel,
75
Byard, Aaron,
40
Sawyer, John, 6.
63
Aaron T.,
66
56
Simonds, Elijah, 66
44
Cook, Hinckley, 6.
53
David, ،٠
5L
Coolidge, Harley,
66
75
Smith, David, . .
62
Davis, H. O.,
33
Stiles, Ebenezer, 66
66
66 Grovneur,
66
82
Francis K.,
67
G. K ..
132
Stone, Samuel, 66
69
Dudley, Gen. Peter,
48
Josiah, 66
7I
.. Gen. Stephen,
48
Tuttle, E. H.,
81
.. Seth, 66
Messenger, Edward, 16
47
Bennett, Jonas,
64
Roby, Moody, 68
Burt, Scammel, 66
37
40
David, .6
65
Chandler, John, E. P.,
57
Asa,
44
٠٠
75
O. P.,
54
Davidson, Dea. John,
46
Lincoln, Capt. James 66
Benjamin. Jr.,
Israel, .6
61
Dea. John, ..
71
Joel, 31
32
vii
INDEX.
CHILDREN OF
CHILDREN OF
Wait, James,
Page SI Whitney, Elisha, Page 57
Walker, Goodell, 45 .6
Nathan, ..
60
Reuben, 46 Williams, Benjamin, .. 41
Warren, Jesse,
..
49
Wyman, Dea. Thomas, 30
Whitney, W.,
55
Oliver, 31
BIOGRAPHIES.
Barnard, Benjamin,
Page 125
Farnum, James,
Page 143
Charles E.,
134
Batchelder, Mark,
6. 124
126
.. C. M., 130
Jonathan, ot1
.. M. J., 142
Haynes, James L., ..
131
.. George, ..
131
133
.6
Amos, F. P., ..
134
135 Long, Joseph P .. ٠٠ C. F., 139
Lyon, Dea. Seth, ..
123
.6
Dea. Edm'd, " 139
Edward, 140
Bennett, James,
٠٠
134
Jacob, ٠٠
136
Bigelow, Reuben, ..
120
Sawyer, John H., 1.42
Simonds, Dea. David, 127
Stephen D., 134
.. Dea. O. P., ..
135
Davis, G. K.,
132
.. Joseph H .. ..
135
.. John W.,
141
.. Henry, 141
Dudley, Gen. Peter, ..
122
Peter, ..
128
Stone, Harvey, ..
133
Stephen, ..
129
Walker, Goodell, 06
141
James M.,
139
Wyman, Dea. Thomas,
..
123
Farnum, J. W., ..
142
Hapgood, J. J., 125
6 . L. B., 130
John,
Israel,
Edmund, 127
Ira K., ..
129
Lakin, J. C., .. 137
Lincoln, Stillman W., 136
Dexter, ٠٠
137
Charles, ..
137
Freeman, ٠١
124
Joel, ..
124
6. Charles, 133
Mark B., ..
137
Burton, Aaron, 131
Byard, A. T., ..
139
Chandler, Ezra P., ..
132
D. K., ..
138
Stiles, Samuel, 66
137
Hezekiah, .6
133
Rev. Myron S .. 138
Thos. Jr., 123
127
GRAND FOURTH OF JULY REUNION.
DEAR SIR: The citizens of Peru have made arrangements for a grand reunion on July 4th, 1879, to which you are cordially invited. It is expected that many of the old residents who have removed to other localities will be present and it is desirable to have as many join with us on that occasion as possible. The exercises will consist of
AN ORATION BY HON. JAMES M. DUDLEY, OF JOHNSTOWN. N. V. A HISTORICAL ADDRESS BY HON. IRA K. BATCHELDER, OF TOWNSHEND, VT.
A POEM BY HON. D. K. SIMONDS, OF MANCHESTER, VT.
There will also be a dinner with
TOASTS AND RESPONSES.
If you decide to come please reply to that effect as soon as convenient.
ROBERT I. BATCHELDER, For Committee.
Peru, Vt., June 2d, 1879.
The above invitation was sent to all resident and non-resident citizens and friends, who made a generous response, saying they would be present to unite with residents and friends of their native home in the festivities of the day, to rejoice with friends who had been so long separated by time and distance, and to breathe the pure air and drink of the sparkling water of their native hills on the Green mountains.
1
J
REUNION AT PERU.
Among the responses to be present is the following, which I insert to remind us of David:
Londonderry, Vt., June 11, 1879.
To Robert 1. Batchelder and Committee of Invitation of the Reunion at
Peru, July 4, 1879.
Dear Sir and Friends: We, mother of the original stock, David a limb of the same, Samuel Dudley and his broods, distinguished company far fetched, Carrie and Molly and broods, all limbs and sprouts of Peru stock; and George J., L. A., and F. Arnold Starbuck from a distance may be, and will endeavor to be on hand, and perhaps a city lawyer from New York, branches and limbs as aforesaid.
Very respectfully yours, DAVID ARNOLD.
Also the following from Mrs. Lucy Gray, formerly Lucy Simonds:
Dekalb, Ill., June 24, 1879. MR. ROBERT 1. BATCHELDER.
Dear Sir: I received your kind invitation to be present at the reunion of old settlers at your place on the Fourth. I assure you that it would be highly gratifying to me to be present and see the home of my childhood, and renew the associations I once enjoyed, but age and infirmity prevent. I am in my eighty-second year, and will have to content myself in the far off region of the West. I know when that day comes my thoughts will go back to my old home in the East, and will be present in spirit though not in form. May it be a good day to all of you and not without profit, and I do rejoice that our country is free.
Yours with respect, MRS. LUCY GRAY.
Many responded by writing who could not be present in person, but said they should be present in spirit, and sent their congratu- lations to all present with good-will and love.
THE MANCHESTER JOURNAL'S ACCOUNT OF THE REUNION:
Not less than three thousand people attended the reunion celebration the 4th, two hundred of whom were old residents, most of the old families being represented. Of the Bigelow family, Dr. Asa Bigelow, of Toledo, Ohio, Mrs. Fairchild, of Wisconsin, and Mrs. Dr. Whiting, of Chester; of the Warren family, Rev. S. Mills Warren, of Roxbury, Mass., and Herbert Marshall Warren; of the Dudley family, Hon. J. M. Dudley, of Johnstown, N. Y., Mrs. David Arnold and Mrs. Jesse Rider, of Londonderry, and Mrs. Curtis, of Hoosick, N. Y .; of the Barnard family, Luke and Seth Barnard, and
1
3
REUNION AT PERU.
Mrs. Haynes, of Wilmington, Charles Barnard, of Illinois, Mrs. I. K. Batchelder, of Townshend, Mrs. J. J. Hapgood, of Cambridge, Mass., Mrs. Eviline Whitney, of Glens Falls, Mrs. Eleanor Gillson, of Chester, Mrs. Lydia Allen, of Greenfield, Mass., Mrs. Emma Dutton, Mrs. F. P. Batchelder, of Ludlow; of the Batchelder family, Hon. Ira K. Batchelder and Edward Batchelder, of Townshend, Edward and John L. Batchelder, Mrs. Ira Cochran and Mrs. D. L. Kent, of Dorset. F. P. Batchelder, of Ludlow, J. G. Batchelder, of Wilmington, and Jas. K. Batchelder, of Arlington; of the Lyon family, Charles Lyon, of Shushan, N. Y., and H. M. Lyon, of Massachusetts; of the Burton family, Dr. R. B. Burton, of New York City, Mrs. Charles Lyon, of Shushan, N. Y., and Mrs. A. J. Gray, of Manchester; of the Hapgood family, L. B. Hapgood and Miss Charlotte Hapgood, of Cambridge, Mass., and Charles Hapgood, of Easton, Pa .; of the Simonds family, S. D. Simonds, of Illinois, Oscar Simonds, of Pennsylvania, Mrs. A. F. Clark, of Leverett, Mass., Mrs. L. Howe, of Brattleboro, and Mrs. Simpson of Hoosick, N. Y. There were many more old residents present, some of whom we did not see, but we mention the above as fair specimens of those present and to show that the reunion was a success. Besides old residents there was a large crowd of people present from neighboring towns. The procession was formed under the direction of Geo. K. Davis, Esq., marshal, at to a. m., and reached from the village to the grove, as closely packed as an ordinary road would allow. The exercises at the grove were opened by Dexter Batchelder, Esq., president of the day, who welcomed the guests in a few fitting words, and introduced Rev. A. F. Clark, who was for many years pastor of the Congregational church, who offered prayer. Hon. James M. Dudley, orator of the day, was next introduced, and spoke for nearly an hour, his address being very appropriate to the occasion, well written and well delivered, and it was received by the audience with many tokens of approval. His references to incidents and events in the early history of the town moved the audience, especially the old residents, sometimes to laughter, sometimes to tears. Hon. Ira K. Batchelder followed with an historical sketch which included the early settlement of the town, with an extended account of all the prominent families. After speaking half an hour signs of rain caused an adjournment to the church, where Mr. Batchelder finished, occupying nearly two hours in all. The history must have cost a vast amount of labor and was very interesting,
4
REUNION AT PERU.
especially to old residents. This was followed by dinner, which was furnished by the residents, and fully sustained their enviable reputation for deeds of hospitality. The shower somewhat interfered with the culinary arrangements, but did not spoil a good dinner nor prevent its thorough appreciation by the hungry guests. After dinner the exercises were resumed in the church, opened by a poem by D. K. Simonds, which appeared to be well received. Dr. Asa Bigelow followed with a short address containing many amusing reminiscences, especially interesting to the older persons present. This was followed by the following sentiments and responses under the direction of J. B. Simonds, who acted as toastmaster. The day we celebrate; response by the Londonderry Cornet Band. The ladies of Peru; responded to by D. K. Simonds. Peru: May the moral character of its people be as high and prominent as its mountains; responded to by Rev. Asa F. Clark. The home of our childhood; response by a vocal trio, "Home Again Returning." Vermont: May its institutions of learning and the religious character of its people be everlasting; responded to by Hon. A. L. Miner. May there be many happy returns of the day to all present; response by the Weston Cornet Band. Peru: A good place to raise lawyers, but too elevated to support them; responded to by J. K. Batchelder. The family: The foundation of State, may its influence in Peru be preserved pure and intelligent; responded to by Samuel M. Warren. Morality from religious principles the foundation of true manhood; responded to by Rev. R. D. Miller. Education: May our young people ever prize it above all other gifts; response by Ira K. Batchelder. Our old families; responded to by James M. Dudley. Our children at home: May they keep the fires burning brightly in order to welcome back the friends of "Auld Lang Syne;" responded by M. J. Hapgood. Should auld acquaintance be forgot; response by all singing, "Auld Lang Syne." The responses were all appropriate and added much to the interest of the occasion. Almost every speaker during the day feelingly referred to the high character of the old residents of the town who have passed away, and testified to their appreciation of the old Puritan influences under which they were brought up. It was five o'clock before the speaking was finished, and some of the visitors were so much interested in the occasion that they would have prolonged the meeting far into the night if left to themselves. The showers during the day made it very unpleasant for those who could not
5
REUNION AT PERU.
find room in the church, and no doubt some went home disgusted, but the rain could not be helped, and but for that the celebration would have been satisfactory to everybody. The citizens of Peru did everything possible to make the occasion pleasant and one long to be remembered by those present. The Londonderry and Weston Cornet Bands made plenty of excellent music and added much to the interest of the occasion. The latter band has been organized but a short time, but played very nicely, and with more practice can become one of the best bands in the State. The Londonderry Band has already gained a good reputation, which they fully sustained on this occasion. After the celebration the Londonderry Band serenaded Mrs. Anna Simonds, who is eighty-eight years old, and was not able to be present at the celebration. Among the pleasant incidents of the occasion was the contribution of a purse of one hundred dollars to the Peru Congregational Society by friends from abroad, to assist in repairs on the church and parsonage. A movement was also made for printing a complete history of the town, and a committee, composed of Ira K. Batchelder, D. K. Simonds and M. J. Hapgood, was appointed to take such steps as may be necessary to attain that object. We would be very glad to publish in the JOURNAL the orations, etc., in full, but our limited space forbids. If the proposed history is published no doubt they will be included in that work.
The following letter, which has been received by the Committee of Invitation of the Peru reunion, expresses the sentiments of nearly all the guests.
New York, July 8, 1879.
To R. 1. Batchelder and others:
Dear Sir: The charming retrospect of that reunion is so charming that I cannot refrain from expressing my great thanks to you for your invitation, and to all others concerned. It seems as if all the arrangements from first to last were planned by inspiration. The selection of orator, historian and poet was faultless. The music and all of the subsequent exercises were carried on with the best possible effect. The dinner was good and your hospitality was boundless. If Peru has decreased in popu- lation it surely has not in the quality of what is left. I think really only one such event can happen in our lifetime, but I rejoice to think that we can carry the remembrance of it to our last moments.
Very respectfully,
DR. R. B. BURTON.
6
.
REUNION AT PERU.
THE POEM.
Great times we have at our house, the boys are on their way To visit the old homestead on Independence Day, And their sisters and cousins and aunts, and the Lord only knows who Will be here that day to join in the mighty hullabaloo.
And Sarah Jane and I have been as busy as a bee In putting everything to rights for the boys and girls to see. We are bound they shan't go hungry, we know they'll not be sad, For haven't we worked like beavers to make their coming glad. Our house is filled with good things, pies, puddings, pork and beans, Ham, turkey, chicken fixins, and well, I think there's greens; Doughnuts ? Yes, there's doughnuts, you can bet your life on that, For Sarah Jane, she fried a cart load and used up all the fat. Last night I killed the fatted calf, the prodigal is sure to come, And I wa'nt that when he gets here, he'll find the folks at home. 'Tis true we're getting rather old, good Sarah Jane and 1, But if you'd seen us fixing up you'd thought us dreadful spry, For everything about the house was getting rather slack And it really makes us young again to have the boys come back. Mother's afraid they'll be stuck up and put on city airs,
But if they're a mind to be such fools I'd like to know who cares.
"Tis true most all have done quite well and some have done first rate, But they will leave their stuck up airs outside the front yard gate; Of course they know we're homespun folks that never put on style And won't expect kid gloves and sich in tillers of the " sile." How I would feel in stovepipe hat and shiny broadcloth suit, And mother in a damask silk with frills and lace to boot! You might as well hitch up a cow and put her in a gig, And speed her on a trotting course, as to put us in such rig.
But when you come to honest toil, though we are past our prime, A working in the house or field, you'll find us every time; And the boys will never fail to find a welcome kind and true Whenever they see fit to come away up to Peru.
But bless me how they're scattered, from Maine to lowa; They've gone to seek their fortins and bound to make it pay. But then it is no wonder, whether we won't or will,
We know that men, like water, are bound to run down hill. The water from Old Bromley runs north, south, east and west, And so our sons and daughters take which course each likes best; They surely can't go higher up, unless in a balloon,
And even they will hardly try a journey to the moon. But we will trust these boys of ours, for don't we surely know That they will show their bringing up no matter where they go; And they were never taught at home to cheat and steal and lie, Nor loaf around bad whiskey shops, or drinking on the sly; But they were all brought up to work and earn their daily bread,
7
REUNION AT PERU.
To rise not later than the sun, and with the sun to bed. I know it seems a little hard, but then they had their fun, And all the sweeter, too, for them, with all their labor done; Such boys we know will make their mark, and never bring disgrace Upon the man who brought them up or on their native place. You'll pardon me for words of praise, indeed I can't do less Than tell the truth behind their backs, and that won't hurt I guess; The world has need of just such boys in every spot and place, They'll all pull true, and never balk or stumble in the race. But I must tell you about the boys we expect to see, A better lot you'd seldom find beneath a family tree; There's Jim we sent away to school because he would not work, And every time the job was hard he'd always try to shirk, Ile studied law, of course he did, the law's the place for him, But who'd a thought they'd ever made a judge of lazy Jim ? There's Ira K., he bought a farm and worked it very well, And always raised enough to eat, with plenty left to sell, And so he got a little proud and thought he'd rather go Where people have more rocks and where there is less snow; And so he went, but quickly found though snow is pesky stuff That water, too, is rather bad when one has more'n enough. Then there's D. K., we always thought he'd come to some bad end, For every cent that he could get he'd find a way to spend; lle went to school and studied law, but never made much stir, And now he's settled down into a country editor.
1 quite forgot, he's been gone so long, to mention Asa B., Though he was jolly when he was young and dearly loved a spree; And then there's another Asa B., whom all of you must know, He's rather high, although you see his name is Bigelow; And Moody, too, who stayed at home till he was eighty-one, Before he went across the hill to have a little fun; And Wot, a hard-working boy and always full of pluck, But somehow things would not go right, he never had no luck, And Asa F., who used to preach, and tried to practice too, Which is a great deal better than, I fear, some preachers do; There's Luke and Charles and Seth, three honest boys and true, Who manage to save their coppers and a little silver too; Charles he went to Illinois, and thinks he hit the mark, For farming there is easier than peeling hemlock bark. Ed and John did not go far before the critters found What proved to be a very good opening -- in the ground. They did not go quite far enough to be rid of Vermont rocks, But the kind they have is very good and always raised in blocks. Then there's Luke B., a merchant prince, at least he might have been If he had staid in the old store and settled down his tin, But he must go and try his hand way down in big Boston, And now, though he may have less cash perhaps he has more fun;
8
REUNION AT PERU.
And there's James K., a lawyer, too, of good ability, Whether you lose or win your case, he'll never lose the fee; But then you hardly ever see, at least I never saw A man who got exceedingly rich by always going to law. And then there's Oscar, who will come from Pennsylvania, Who has found, it seems, that even there life is not all child's play, But he has done his very best to help his fellow men By trying to support his wife, also his children ten; There's Elb, who used when he was young, to flirt with all the girls, And always sure to lose his head at sight of pretty curls;
But long ago he steadied down and sticks to work I suppose, For marriage is a sure cure for all such freaks as those. And then John G., a jolly boy and always full of fun, And every chance that he could get to Landgrove he would run; And Samuel M., who used to be clear up above them all, For he lived high, I don't mean fast, nor extremely tall. And Mahlon too, an honest boy, a lover of his books, A doctor now, though one would hardly think it from his looks; And there is Charles, a curious boy, who likes it seems, a span, And is, as everybody knows, a stiff cold water man.
And Porter J., who left his farm, but still we all agree
That he will make, if he keeps on, a first rate deputy; And Aiden, a rather puny boy and slender of his age, Who expects to be a conductor on the narrow guage; Aiden he will sure be here, his senses in a whirl,
For he, like any good young man will bring along his girl. And others too we shall expect, while others cannot come, Though we would like right well to see all the boys at home. Now I've thus far only told you of the boys who roam, But I must also say a word of those who staid at home; Some good, some bad, but on the whole I think they will compare In every good and honest work with boys raised anywhere. There's Tom, my eldest, always stiddy, never shirked his meals, And still he's happy, though old age, like twilight, o'er him steals; And Frank, a very steady worker, and always hearty too, And never really, truly happy without a heap to do;
And Edmund, another stiddy boy, whom we always knew Would be a deacon if he lived, a very good deacon too, And while I'm on the deacon list 1 must not skip O. P., Who always would stick to the last like bark unto a tree. And then there's Deck, a jolly boy, who rather likes his ease, But makes a living off his farm, and sometimes he makes cheese; There's John, Ide and Seth, and also Merrill G., If they should go away from home they'd sure to be all at sea, And Jonathan sticks tight at home and minds his little biz, And hardly comes to town to find out whether butter's riz. There's Harvey S. and Kiah, too, now better boys are scarce,
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.